EP1178372A1

EP1178372A1 - Posture detection part and mechanical timepiece having electrostatic capacity type detection part

Info

Publication number: EP1178372A1
Application number: EP00905404A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akihiko Seiko Instruments Inc. INADA; Koichiro Seiko Instruments Inc. JUJO; Keishi Seiko Instruments Inc. HONMURA; Takeshi Seiko Instruments Inc. TOKORO; Kenji Seiko Instruments Inc. OGASAWARA; Masafumi Seiko Instruments Inc. HOSHINO
Original assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Current assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
Priority date: 2000-02-29
Filing date: 2000-02-29
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Also published as: CN1357117A; WO2001065321A1

Abstract

In a mechanical time piece according to the invention, a movement 400 includes a barrel complete 120, a center wheel & pinion 124, a third wheel & pinion 126, a fourth wheel & pinion 128, a balance with hairspring 140, an escape wheel & pinion 130 and a pallet fork 142. Coils 180a and 180b are attached to a face on a front side of a main plate 102 to be opposed to a face of a balance wheel 140b on the side of the main plate. A balance magnet 140e is attached to a 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.

The mechanical time piece of the invention includes an attitude detecting unit 361 for detecting the attitude of the mechanical time piece, a balance rotation detecting unit 276 provided for detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring by detecting a change in the electrostatic capacitance between a balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and a detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 which is changed in correspondence with an operational state of the balance with hairspring 140 and a braking unit 146 constituted to exert force for restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring 140 to the balance with hairspring 140 based on a signal with respect to the attitude of the mechanical time piece detected by the attitude detecting unit 361 when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 detected by the balance rotation detecting unit 276 is equal to or larger than a previously set angle.

Description

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a mechanical time piece having an attitude detecting unit and an electrostatic capacitor type detecting unit for detecting rotation of a balance with hairspring, constituted to exert force for restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring to the balance with hairspring based on a result of detecting an attitude of placing the mechanical time piece and a result of detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring of the mechanical time piece.

[Background of the Invention]

According to a conventional mechanical time piece, as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, a movement (machine body) 1100 of a mechanical time piece 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. Adial 1104 (shown in Fig. 14 by an imaginary line) is attached to the movement 1100.
Generally, in both sides of the main plate, 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. When the winding stem 1110 is rotated in the state in which the winding stem 1110 is disposed at a first winding stem position (0-stage) on a side most proximate to the inner side of the movement along the rotational axis line, the winding pinion 1112 is rotated via rotation of a clutch wheel. A crown wheel 1114 is rotated by rotation of the winding pinion 1112. 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. Based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion 1124, 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. Based on rotation of the cannon pinion 1150, via rotation of a minute wheel, 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 hair spring 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.
Generally, according to a conventional representative mechanical timepiece, as shown by Fig. 15, with elapse of a duration time period of rewinding the mainspring from a state in which the mainspring has completely been wound up (fully wound state), mainspring torque is reduced. For example, in the case of Fig. 15, the mainspring torque is about 27 g·cm in the fully wound state, becomes about 23 g·cm after elapse of 20 hours from the fully wound state and becomes about 18 g·cm after elapse of 40 hours from the fully wound state.
Generally, according to a conventional representative mechanical time piece, as shown by Fig. 16, when the mainspring torque is reduced, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is also reduced. For example, in the case of Fig. 16, when the mainspring torque is 25-28 g·cm, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 240-270 degree and when the mainspring torque is 20-25 g·cm, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 180-240 degree.
In reference to Fig. 17, there is shown a transitional change of instantaneous rate with regard to swing angle of a balance with hairspring according to a conventional representative mechanical time piece (numerical value indicating accuracy of time piece). In this case, the "instantaneous rate" is defined as "a value indicating gain or loss of a mechanical time piece after elapse of one day after the mechanical time piece 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". In the case of Fig. 17, when a swing angle of a balance with hairspring is equal to or larger than 240 degree or is equal to or smaller than 200 degree, the instantaneous rate is retarded.
For example, according to a conventional representative time piece, as shown by Fig. 17, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring falls in a range of about 200 through 240 degree, the instantaneous rate is about 0 through 5 seconds / day (gain of about 0 through 5 seconds per day), however, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 170 degree, the instantaneous rate becomes about -20 seconds / day (loss of about 20 seconds per day).
In reference to Fig. 18, there is shown a transitional change of elapse time and instantaneous rate when a mainspring is rewound from a fully wound state in a conventional representative mechanical time piece. In this case, in the conventional mechanical time piece, "rate" indicating gain of the timepiece or loss of the time piece per day, is provided 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. 18 by an extremely slender line, over 24 hours.
Generally, according to 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 time piece 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 time piece or loss of the time piece per day becomes positive.
For example, according to the conventional representative time piece, as shown by the extremely slender line in Fig. 18, although in the fully wound state, 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).
In a mechanical time piece, assuming a state of attaching a dial, there are defined "flat attitude" in which the dial becomes horizontal and "erect attitude (vertical attitude)" in which the dial becomes vertical.
Further, in a mechanical time piece, in assuming a state of attaching a dial, a direction of directing from center of the mechanical time piece toward 12 o'clock graduation of the dial is referred to as "12 o'clock direction", a direction directed from the center of the mechanical time piece toward 3 o'clock graduation of the dial is referred to as "3 o'clock direction", a direction directed from the center of the mechanical time piece toward 6 o'clock graduation of the dial is referred to as "6 o'clock direction" and a direction directed from the center of the mechanical time piece toward 9 o'clock direction of the dial is referred to as "9 o'clock direction" (refer to Fig. 13).
Further, in a mechanical time piece, assuming a state in which a dial is attached and the dial becomes vertical, an attitude in which 12 o'clock graduation of the dial is disposed on an upper side is referred to as "12 o'clock upper attitude", an attitude in which 3 o'clock graduation of the dial is disposed on the upper side is referred to as "3 o'clock upper attitude", an attitude in which 6 o'clock graduation of the dial is disposed on the upper side is referred to as "6 o'clock upper attitude" and an attitude in which 9 o'clock graduation of the dial is disposed on the upper side is referred to as "9 o'clock upper attitude".
Further, it is known in a mechanical time piece that a measured value of "rate" differs depending on the four erect attitudes of "12 o'clock upper attitude", "3 o'clock upper attitude", "6 o'clock upper attitude" and "9 o'clock upper attitude". Therefore, in a mechanical time piece, the "rate" is measured with respect to the four erect attitudes and the mechanical time piece is fabricated by adjusting the rate of the mechanical time piece such that respective measured values of the "rate" satisfy predetermined standard.
In the following explanation, "rate when a mechanical time piece is brought into 12 o'clock upper attitude" is referred to as "12 upper rate", "rate when the mechanical time piece is brought into 3 o'clock upper attitude" is referred to as "3 upper rate", "rate when the mechanical time piece is brought into 6 o'clock upper attitude" is referred to as "6 upper rate" and "rate when the mechanical time piece is brought into 9 o'clock attitude" is referred to as "9 upper rate".
In reference to Fig. 19, according to a mechanical time piece, when a swing angle of a balance with hairspring is 150 degree, an average value of the rates in the four erect attitudes (average value of 3 upper rate, 6 upper rate, 9 upper rate and 12 upper rate) is about 31 seconds / day. Further, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is 250 degree, the average value of the rates in the four erect attitudes is about -4 seconds / day.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is 180 degree, the average value of the rates in the four erect attitude is about 20 through 25 seconds / day.
In contrast thereto, in reference to Fig. 17, according to the mechanical time piece, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is 180 degree, the rate at the flat attitude is about 10 seconds / day. That is, according to the mechanical time piece, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is 180 degree, it is known that the rate at the erect attitude gains by about 10 through 15 seconds / day compared with the rate at the flat attitude.
Conventionally, in order to adjust the rate of such a mechanical time piece, from the movement (machine body) 1100 of the mechanical time piece which has temporarily integrated, the balance with hairspring 1140 is removed by manual operation, a portion of the balance wheel is chipped off by manual operation and the balance with hairspring 1140 is integrated again in the movement (machine body) 1100. Therefore, at first, the rate is measured at the movement (machine body) 1100 of the mechanical time piece which has temporarily been integrated and after chipping off a portion of the balance wheel, the rate is measured at the movement (machine body) 1100 which has been integrated with the balance with hairspring 1140 again.
Therefore, conventionally, much time and labor is needed in measuring and adjusting the rate and it is difficult to realize a mechanical time piece having high accuracy.
Further, as a conventional apparatus of adjusting a swing angle of a balance with hairspring, there is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 41675/1979, a constitution having a swing angle adjusting plate exerting braking force to a balance with hairspring by generating eddy current at each time of pivotal approach of a magnet of the balance with hairspring.
Further, there is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 183645/1999, a specific structure of an automatic winding mechanism of a conventional automatic winding time piece.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical time piece having excellent accuracy in which a change in a rate is inconsiderable even after elapse of an elapse time period from a fully wound state.

[Disclosure of the Invention]

The invention is characterized in that in a mechanical time piece having a mainspring constituting a power source of the mechanical time piece, 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 controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on operation of the balance with hairspring, the mechanical time piece comprising a balance rotation detecting unit provided for detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring by detecting an electrostatic capacitance changed in correspondence with an operational state of the balance with hairspring, an attitude detecting unit for detecting an attitude of the mechanical time piece, and a braking unit constituted to exert a force of restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring to the balance with hairspring based on a signal with respect to the attitude of the mechanical time piece detected by the attitude detecting unit when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring detected by the balance rotation detecting unit is equal to or larger than a previously set angle.
According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that a balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion is arranged at the balance with hairspring to measure rotational operation of the balance with hairspring, the detecting unit is arranged with a constant gap to the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion and includes a detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode arranged at a main plate via an insulating portion.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion is fixed to a side face of an outer peripheral portion of a balance wheel via the balance insulating portion for insulating the balance with hairspring from the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion.
Further, the mechanical time piece of the invention may be constituted such that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion is fixed to a side face of an outer peripheral portion of a balance wheel.
Further, the mechanical time piece of the invention may be constituted such that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion is arranged at a lower face of a balance arm portion on a side of the main plate via a balance insulating portion for insulating the balance with hairspring from the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion.
Further, the mechanical time piece of the invention may be constituted such that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion is arranged at a lower face of a balance arm portion on a side of the main plate.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the braking unit includes coils arranged to be capable of braking movement of a balance magnet provided at the balance with hairspring.
By using the detecting unit and the braking unit constituted in this way, the rotational angle of the balance with hairspring of the mechanical time piece can effectively be controlled, thereby, accuracy of the mechanical time piece can be promoted.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable to further include a balance rotation detecting circuit constituted to control a voltage applied to the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion, an electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit provided for measuring a change in an electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode and a balance rotation controlling circuit constituted to input a signal with respect to the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode outputted by the electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit and calculate the swing angle of the balance with hairspring based on a result of measuring the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode, wherein the balance rotation controlling circuit 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.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable to further comprise a balance rotation detecting circuit, an electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit and an electricity storing unit for operating the balance rotation controlling circuit.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable to further comprise an electricity generating unit for charging the electricity storing unit.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the attitude detecting unit includes an oscillating weight, an attitude detecting member provided at the oscillating weight and an attitude detecting electrode for being brought into contact with the attitude detecting member when the mechanical time piece is disposed at an erect attitude and outputting a detection signal to the balance rotation controlling circuit.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the attitude detecting unit includes the oscillating weight, the attitude detecting member provided at the rotating weight, the attitude detecting electrode for being brought into contact with the attitude detecting member when the mechanical time piece is disposed at the erect attitude and outputting the detection signal to the balance rotation controlling circuit, a return spring provided to prohibit the attitude detecting member from being brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode when the mechanical time piece is disposed at a flat attitude and a spherical push member provided for bringing the attitude detecting member into contact with the attitude detecting electrode when the mechanical time piece is disposed at the erect attitude.
By constituting in this way, there can be provided a mechanical time piece having excellent accuracy in which a change in the rate is inconsiderable even when an elapse time period from a fully wound state has elapsed.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

Fig. 1 is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement when an automatic winding unit is removed according to an embodiment of a mechanical time piece of the invention (in Fig. 1, portions of parts such as automatic winding unit are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an outline shape of a portion of train wheels and an escapement & speed control apparatus according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial plane view showing an outline shape of a portion of a balance with hairspring according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial plane view showing outline shapes of a speed control unit and a detecting unit in a state in which a balance with hairspring is not rotated according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the outline shapes of the speed control unit and the detecting unit according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial plane view showing the outline shapes of the speed control unit and the detecting unit in a state in which the balance with hairspring is rotated by 90 degree according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial plane view showing outline shapes of a speed control unit and a detecting unit in a state in which a balance with hairspring is not rotated according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the outline shape of the speed control unit and the detecting unit according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 9 is an enlarge partial plane view showing the out line shapes of the speed control unit and the detecting unit in a state in which a balance with hairspring is rotated by 90 degree according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing an outline shape of a balance magnet used in an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline constitution of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing operation of a mechanical time piece according to the invention.
Fig. 13 is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement of a conventional mechanical time piece (in Fig. 13, portions of parts are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
Fig. 14 is an outline partial sectional view of the movement of the conventional mechanical time piece (in Fig. 14, portions of parts are omitted).
Fig. 15 is a graph showing an outline relationship between an elapse time period of rewinding a mainspring from a fully wound state and mainspring torque in a mechanical time piece.
Fig. 16 is a graph showing an outline relationship between a swing angle of a balance with hairspring and mainspring torque according to a mechanical time piece.
Fig. 17 is a graph showing an outline relationship between a swing angle of a balance with hairspring and an instantaneous rate according to a mechanical time piece.
Fig. 18 is a graph showing an outline relationship between an elapse time period of rewinding a mainspring from a fully wound state and an instantaneous rate in a mechanical time piece of the invention and a conventional mechanical time piece.
Fig. 19 is a graph showing an outline relationship between a swing angle of a balance with hairspring and an average value of rates in four erect attitudes when a mechanical time piece is arranged in an erect attitude.
Fig. 20 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an outline shape of an automatic winding unit according to an embodiment of a mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 21 is a plane view showing outline shapes of an oscillating weight and an attitude detecting unit according to an embodiment of a mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 22 is an enlarged partial plane view showing the outline shapes of the oscillating weight and an attitude detecting switch according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 23 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the outline shapes of the oscillating weight and the attitude detecting switch according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 24 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an outline shape of the attitude detecting switch according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 25 is a plane view showing outline shapes of an oscillating weight and an attitude detecting unit according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 26 is an enlarged partial plane view showing outline shapes of an oscillating weight and an attitude detecting switch according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 27 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing outline shapes of an oscillating weight and an attitude detecting switch according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
Fig. 28 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an outline shape of an attitude detecting switch according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.

[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

An explanation will be given of embodiments of a mechanical time piece according to the invention in reference to the drawings as follows.

(1) Constitution of switch apparatus and wind up unit

In reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 3, according to an embodiment of a mechanical time piece of the invention, a movement (machine body) 400 of the mechanical time piece 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 (refer to Fig. 2) is attached to the movement 400.
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 400 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. Based on rotation of the clutch wheel, the position in the rotational axis line of the winding stem 110 is determined. Based on rotation of the yoke 192, a position in the rotational axis line direction of the clutch wheel is determined. Based on rotation of the setting lever 190, the yoke 192 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. When the winding stem 110 is rotated in a state in which the winding stem 110 is disposed at a first winding stem position (0-stage) most proximate to the inner side of the movement along the rotational axis line, 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.

(2) Constitution of power source and train wheel

The movement 400 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.

(3) Constitution of escapement & speed control apparatus

The movement 400 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. A 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.
Based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion 124, 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.
Based on rotation of the cannon pinion 150, a minute wheel (not illustrated) is rotated. Based on rotation of the minute wheel, 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 ball 140d fixed to the balance stem 140a and an outer end portion of the hair spring 140c is fixed by screws via a hairspring holder 170a attached to a hairspring holder cap 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 hairspring holder cap 170 is made of an eclectically conductive material of metal such as iron.

(4) Constitution of automatic winding unit

Next, an explanation will be given of a constitution of an automatic winding unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 20, a movement 300 is provided with an automatic winding unit.
The ratchet wheel 116 is integrated to a case back side of the barrel bridge 160. A square hole 116a of the ratchet wheel 116 is integrated to a square portion 120b of a barrel stem 120a of the barrel complete 120. A square hole screw 392 fixes the ratchet wheel 116 to the barrel stem 120a.
An oscillating weight 360 includes a ball bearing portion 362, an oscillating weight body 364 and an oscillating weight portion 366. The ball bearing portion 362 includes an inner ring 368, a hold ring 370 and an outer ring 372 and a plurality of balls 374 are integrated among the inner ring 368, the hold ring 370 and the outer ring 372. An oscillating weight pinion 376 is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the outer ring 372.
A first reduction wheel 380 is rotatably integrated to the barrel bridge 160 and the main plate 102. The first reduction wheel 380 is provided with a first reduction gear 380a, an upper guide shaft portion 380b and a lower guide shaft portion 380c. The first reduction gear 380a is constituted to be in mesh with the oscillation weight pinion 376. An eccentric shaft portion 380d is provided to the first reduction wheel 380 between the first reduction gear 380a and the upper guide shaft portion 380b. The upper guide shaft portion 380b is rotatably supported by the barrel bridge 160. The lower guide shaft portion 380c is rotatably supported by the main plate 102.
A finger lever 382 is integrated between the first reduction gear 380a and the barrel bridge 160. Therefore, the finger lever 382 is arranged on the case back side of the barrel bridge 160. The finger lever 382 is provided with a push finger (not illustrated) and a pull finger 382c. A guide hole 382a of the finger lever 382 is rotatably integrated to the eccentric shaft portion 380d. A reduction holder 383 is attached to a position on a side of the eccentric shaft portion 380d of the first reduction wheel 380 proximate to the lower guide shaft portion 380c.
A second reduction wheel 384 is integrated to the case back side of the barrel bridge 160 and is rotatably attached by a second reduction screw 385. The second reduction wheel 384 is provided with a second reduction gear 384a and a second reduction pinion 384b. The second reduction gear 384a is constituted by a shape of a ratchet gear. The push finger and the pull finger 382c of the finger lever 382 are engaged with the ratchet gear 384a. The second reduction pinion 384b is in mesh with the ratchet wheel 116.
When the oscillating weight 360 is rotated, the first reduction wheel 380 is rotated by rotation of the oscillation weight pinion 376. The finger lever 382 carries out reciprocal movement based on eccentric movement of the eccentric shaft portion 380d by rotation of the first reduction wheel 380 and rotates the second reduction wheel 384 in a constant direction by the push finger and the pull finger 382c. The ratchet wheel 116 is rotated by rotation of the second reduction wheel 384 and the mainspring 120c in the barrel complete 120 is wound up.

(5) Constitution of balance rotation detecting unit

Next, an explanation will be given of a constitution of a balance rotation detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.

(5·1) Constitution of balance rotation detecting unit according to the embodiment of mechanical time piece of the invention.

First, an explanation will be given of a constitution of a balance rotation detecting unit according to an embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
In reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 5, in order to measure rotational operation of the balance with hairspring 140, a balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is arranged at the balance with hairspring 140. The balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is fixed to a side face of an outer peripheral portion of the balance wheel 140b via a balance insulating portion 242. The balance insulating portion 242 is provided to insulate the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 from the balance wheel 140b. The balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is formed by a conductive material of, for example, copper or the like. The balance insulating portion 242 is formed by a plastic material of, for example, polycarbonate or the like. The balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is conducted to the balance wheel 140b by soldering or the like.
In that case, it is preferable that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is formed and conducted to the balance wheel 140b by soldering and thereafter, the balance with hairspring 140 may be previously adjusted such that eccentric weight is not present.
As a modified example, without providing the balance insulating portion 242b, the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b may be fixed to the side face of the outer peripheral portion of the balance wheel 140b.
It is preferable that an angle of providing the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is, for example, 150 through 210 degree with the rotational center of the balance with hairspring 140 as a reference. It is further preferable that the angle of providing the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is about 180 degree with the rotational center of the balance with hairspring 140 as the reference.
In order to measure rotational operation of the balance with hairspring 140, a detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is provided at the main plate 102. The detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is fixed to the main plate 102 via a main plate insulating portion 252. That is, the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 constitutes a detecting unit. The main plate insulating portion 252 is provided for insulating the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 from the main plate 102. The detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is formed by, for example, a conductive material of copper or the like. The main plate insulating portion 252 is formed by a plastic material of, for example, polycarbonate or the like.
According to the constitution, a speed control unit 144 includes the balance with hairspring 140, a balance magnet 140e, the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the balance insulating portion 242. A description will be given later of details of the balance magnet 140e.
Further, the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is constituted to operate to rotate relative to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 with a constant gap therebetween. The constant gap is, for example, 0.2 through 0.3 millimeter.
In reference to Fig. 4, in a state in which the balance with hairspring 140 is not rotated, a total of a surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is constituted to be opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250. In contrast thereto, in reference to Fig. 6, in a state in which the balance with hairspring 140 is rotated by 90 degree, about a half portion of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is constituted to be opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250.
In the state shown by Fig. 4, that is, in the state in which all of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250, electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is about 0.6 picofarad. In the state shown by Fig. 6, that is, in the state in which about a half portion of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250, electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is about 0.3 picofarad.
The detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 is connected to IC 404. A connecting lead wire 282 connects a detecting terminal of IC 404 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 in order to detect a change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250.
IC 404 includes a balance rotation detecting circuit 272, an electrostatic capacitor detecting circuit 273 and a balance rotation controlling circuit 406. The balance rotation detecting circuit 272 is constituted to control voltage applied on the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250. The electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit 273 is provided to measure the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250. The balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is constituted to input a signal with regard to the change in the electrostatic capacitance outputted by the electrostatic capacitor detecting circuit 273 and calculate the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 based on a result of measuring the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250.

(5·2) Detection of swing angle of balance with hairspring

The balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is previously stored with a relationship between an initial value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 250 and a value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 after change, and the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140. Therefore, calculation of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can be carried out by using the value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 after change.
That is, when a value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 (referred to as balance condenser) is designated by notation C1, a value of electrostatic capacitance of a reference electrostatic capacitance built in the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 (referred to as built-in condenser) is designated by notation C2 and when the balance condenser and the built-in condenser are connected in series, voltage applied across both ends of the series connection of the balance condenser and the built-in condenser is designated by notation V and terminal voltage of the balance condenser is designated by notation V1 and terminal voltage of the built-in condenser is designated by notation V2 when the voltage V is applied.
Here, the portion of connecting the balance condenser and the built-in condenser in series constitute an electrostatic capacitance portion for calculating a value of the electrostatic capacitance of the balance condenser and detecting the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140.
Electric charge Q stored in the balance condenser and the built-in condenser is as follows. Q=C1*V1=C2*V2
The voltage V applied on the both ends of the electrostatic capacitance portion (portion of connecting balance condenser and built-in condenser in series) is as follows. V=V1+V2
For example, it is assumed that C1=0.28[pF], C2=1.00[pF], V=1.5[V] (minus 1.5 V with potential of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 as a reference).
In the state in which about half portion of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 is opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 250 (when swing angle of balance with hairspring 140 is 180 degree), V2=328 [mV].
The value of 328 [mV] can constitute a threshold value Vth [mV] of reference voltage in correspondence with the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 of 180 degree.
Further, when the electrostatic capacitance of the balance condenser is increased from 0.28 [pF], V2 becomes larger than Vth and when the electrostatic capacitance of the balance condenser becomes smaller than 0.28 [pF], V2 becomes smaller than Vth.
By using a constant voltage circuit built in the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, V=1.5 [V] can accurately be controlled.
Similarly, when the voltage V2 in the case in which the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is other angle, is calculated or when the relationship is calculated by experiment, by calculating the value of the voltage V2 in correspondence with the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can accurately be calculated.
According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is previously stored with a relationship between the value of the electrostatic capacitance between the valance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 and the value of the voltage V2.

(5·3) Constitution of balance rotation detecting unit of other embodiment of mechanical time piece of the invention

Next, an explanation will be given of a constitution of a balance rotation detecting unit according to other embodiment of the mechanical time piece of the invention.
In reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, in order to measure rotational operation of the balance with hairspring 140, a balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is arranged at the balance with hairspring 140. The balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is provided at a portion of a lower face of the balance arm portion 140f on the side of the main plate 102 via a balance insulating portion 242b. The balance insulating portion 242b is provided to insulate the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b from the balance arm portion 140f. The balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is conducted to the balance arm portion 140f by soldering or the like.
As a modified example, without providing the balance insulating portion 242b, the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b may be arranged at the balance with hairspring 140.
It is preferable that an angle of providing the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is, for example, 150 through 210 degree with the rotational center of the balance with hairspring 140 as a reference. It is further preferable that the angle of providing the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is about 180 degree with the rotational center of the balance with hairspring 140 as the reference.
In order to measure the rotational operation of the balance with hairspring 140, a detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b is provided at the main plate 102. The detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b is fixed to the main plate 102 via a main plate insulating portion 252b. That is, the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b constitutes a detecting unit. The main plate insulating portion 252b is provided to insulate the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b from the main plate 102.
In the state shown by Fig. 7, that is, in the state in which a total of a surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b, electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b is about 0.6 picofarad. In the state shown by Fig. 9, that is, in the state in which about a half portion of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b, electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b is about 0.3 picofarad.
Further, the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is constituted to operate to rotate relative to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b with a constant gap therebetween. The constant gap is, for example, 0.2 through 0.3 millimeter.
In reference to Fig. 7, in the state in which the balance with hairspring is not rotated, a total of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is constituted to be opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b. In contrast thereto, in reference to Fig. 9, in the state in which the balance with hairspring is rotated by 90 degree, about a half of the surface area of the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240b is constituted to be opposed to the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250b.
Constitution of other portion of other embodiment in the mechanical time piece of the invention, is similar to the constitution of the embodiment of the mechanical time piece according to the invention described above in reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 6.

(6) Constitution of attitude detecting unit of mechanical time piece of the invention

Next, an explanation will be given of constitution of an attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 15, an attitude detecting unit 361 is provided for detecting whether the attitude of the mechanical time piece is flat attitude or erect attitude. The attitude detecting unit 361 includes an oscillating weight 360, an attitude detecting member 320 and an attitude detecting electrode 322.

(6·1) Constitution of embodiment of attitude detecting unit of mechanical time piece of the invention

An explanation will be given as follows of constitution of an embodiment of an attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 21 through Fig. 24, the attitude detecting member 320 is fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the oscillating weight 360. The oscillating weight 360 is formed by a conductive material of metal. The attitude detecting member 320 is formed by a conductive material. The attitude detecting member 320 is formed by a spring material (elastic material) of metal such as stainless steel. According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the attitude detecting member 320 is conducted via one electrode of an electricity storing member, a plus electrode, the main plate, a receiving member and the oscillating weight 360.
A case back 312 is fixed to a case member 330. The attitude detecting electrode 322 is provided at an inner face of an outer peripheral portion of the case back 312 via an insulating portion. The attitude detecting electrode 322 is provided over a total of the inner face of the outer peripheral portion of the base back 312 via the insulating portion (over 360 degree with the center of the time piece as a reference).
The attitude detecting electrode 322 is not conducted to the case back 312 and is not conducted to the case member 322. Further, the attitude detecting electrode 322 is not conducted to the main plate 102, is not conducted to receiving members 160 and 166 and is not conducted to the oscillating weight 360.
An attitude detecting weight 320w is attached to a front end portion of the attitude detecting member 320. By changing a position of attaching the attitude detecting weight 320w to the attitude detecting member 320 and/or by changing mass of the attitude detecting weight 320w, a condition of the attitude of the mechanical time piece for bringing the attitude detecting member 320 in contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322, is changed. That is, by changing the position of attaching the attitude detecting weight 320w to the attitude detecting member 320 and/or by changing the mass of the attitude detecting weight 320w, there can be changed a condition of determining whether the mechanical time piece in which the attitude detecting member 320 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322, is disposed in flat attitude or erect attitude.
In reference to Fig. 11, the attitude detecting electrode 322 is connected to a balance rotation controlling circuit 306.
In reference to Fig. 23 and Fig. 24, when the mechanical time piece is arranged in flat attitude, the attitude detecting member 320 is not brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.
In reference to Fig. 22, when the mechanical time piece is arranged in erect attitude, a front end portion of the attitude detecting member 320 is bent and accordingly, the attitude detecting member 320 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.
When the attitude detecting member 320 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322, the attitude detecting electrode 322 is conducted to the plus electrode and therefore, a signal of detecting the erect attitude is inputted to the balance rotation controlling circuit 306.
By the constitution, whether the mechanical time piece is arranged in flat attitude or arranged in erect attitude can accurately be detected.
When the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely, by pertinently selecting the elastic modulus of the attitude detecting member 320 and the attaching portion or the mass of the attitude detecting weight 320w, a critical angle of bringing the attitude detecting member 320 in contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322 is determined and whether the mechanical time piece is arranged in flat attitude or arranged in erect attitude can be detected.
That is, when the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely by an angle between that of the horizontal arrangement and the critical angle, the attitude detecting member 320 may be constituted such that the attitude detecting member 320 is not brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322 and when the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely by an angle between that of the vertical arrangement and the critical angle, the attitude detecting member 320 may be constituted such that the attitude detecting member 320 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.

(6·2) Constitution of other embodiment of attitude detecting unit of mechanical time piece of the invention

An explanation will be given as follows of a constitution of other embodiment of the attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention. In the following explanation, an explanation will be given only of a portion of the other embodiment of the attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention, which is different from the above-described embodiment of the attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention. Therefore, portions which are not described below are the same as those of the above-described embodiment of the attitude detecting unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 25 through Fig. 28, an attitude detecting member 342 is provided at the outer peripheral portion of the oscillating weight 360. The attitude detecting member 342 is constituted to be guided at inside of a guide member 338 and to be come out from the outer peripheral portion of the oscillating weight 360 by mass of a spherical push member 340. The attitude detecting member 342, the guide member 338 and the spherical push member 340 are formed by a metal material such as stainless steel. According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the attitude detecting member 342 is conducted via one electrode of an electricity storing member, a plus electrode, the mainplate, a receiving member and the oscillating weight 360.
A return spring 344 for pushing back the attitude detecting member 342 from the outer peripheral portion of the oscillating weight 360 toward the center, is provided at inside of the guide member 338.
The case back 312 is fixed to the case member 330. The attitude detecting electrode 322 is provided at the inner face of the outer peripheral portion of the case back 312 via the insulating portion. The attitude detecting electrode 322 is provided over the total of the inner face of the outer peripheral portion of the case back 312 via the insulating portion (over 360 degree with the center of the time piece as a reference.).
In reference to Fig. 27 and Fig. 28, when the mechanical time piece is arranged in the flat attitude, the attitude detecting member 342 is not brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.
In reference to Fig. 26, when the mechanical time piece is arranged in erect attitude, by the mass of the spherical push member 340, the return spring 344 is flexed and accordingly, the attitude detecting member 342 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.
When the attitude detecting member 320 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322, the attitude detecting electrode 322 is conducted to the plus electrode and accordingly, the signal for detecting the erect attitude is inputted to the balance rotation controlling circuit 306.
Also by the constitution, whether the mechanical time piece is arranged in flat attitude and arranged in erect attitude can accurately be detected.
Further, when the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely, by pertinently selecting spring constant of the return spring 344 and the mass of the spherical push member 340, a critical angle by which the attitude detecting member 342 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322 is determined and whether the mechanical time piece is arranged in flat attitude or arranged in erect attitude can be detected.
That is, when the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely at an angle between that of horizontal arrangement and the critical angle, the spherical push member 340, the attitude detecting member 342 and the return spring 344 may be constituted such that the attitude detecting member 342 is not brought into contact with attitude detecting electrode 322 and when the mechanical time piece is arranged obliquely at an angle between that of vertical arrangement and the critical angle, the spherical push member 340, the attitude detecting member 342 and the return spring 344 may be constituted such that the attitude detecting member 342 is brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode 322.

(7) Constitution of electricity generating unit and electricity storing unit

Next, an explanation will be given of constitution of an electricity generating unit and an electricity storing unit according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 11, a secondary battery 136 for operating IC 404 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 404. The electricity storing unit 137 may be constituted by a secondary battery or constituted by a condenser. Or, in place of the electricity storing unit 137, a primary battery can also be utilized.
According to the invention, the main plate 102 is conducted to one electrode of the secondary battery 136, for example, a plus electrode of the secondary battery 136. As a result, the balance wheel 140b is also conducted to the plus electrode of the secondary battery 136.
An electricity generating unit 150 is provided for charging the electricity staring unit 137, that is, the secondary battery 136. The electricity generating unit 150 may be a hand-winding electricity generating mechanism generating voltage by rotation of the barrel complete 102 or may be an automatic winding electricity generating mechanism for generating voltage by rotation of an oscillating weight.
The electricity generating unit 150 may be arranged on "back side" of the movement 400 or may be arranged on "front side" of the movement 400.
As structure of the electricity generating unit 150, a constitution similar to a conventional structure can be used and accordingly, the structure of the electricity generating unit 150 is not described in Fig. 1.
Fig. 11 shows an outline constitution when the electricity generating unit 150 is constituted by a hand-winding electricity generating mechanism. In reference to Fig. 11, 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 generating electromotive force by rotation of the rotor 156 and a rectifying circuit 160 for rectifying current generated in the power generating coil 158. Current rectified by the rectifying circuit 160 flows to the secondary battery 136 constituting the electricity storing unit 137. In place of the secondary battery 136, a condenser may be used. The rectifying operation carried out by the rectifying circuit 160 may be half-wave rectifying operation or may be full-wave rectifying operation. The rectifying circuit can also be built in IC 404 or may be provided separately from IC 404.
When the power generating unit is constituted by an automatic winding electricity 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 in the power generating coil. Current rectified by the rectifying circuit is constituted to flow to the secondary battery 136.
The mechanical time piece of the invention is provided with the oscillating weight 360 and accordingly, the electricity generating unit can be constituted by the automatic winding electricity generating mechanism.
For example, an electronic wrist watch having an electricity generating apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 266989/1986 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 293143/1986 and a portable time piece having an electricity charging function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 288192/1986.
As a modified example, by using a battery (primary battery) such as a silver battery, a lithium battery or the like, the invention can also be constituted such that the electricity generating mechanism is not used.

(8) Constitution of braking unit

Next, an explanation will be given of a constitution of a braking unit of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 3, 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. Although a number of the coils is, for example, two as shown by Fig. 1 through Fig. 3, 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.
Although it is preferable that as shown by Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, 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. Further, according to such a constitution having the pluralities of coils, 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. Or, 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.
In reference to Fig. 10, 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. Although a 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. 10, 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 balance 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.
When the coils 180a and 180b are not conducted, the magnetic force of the balance magnet 140e does not effect 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 180 and a first coil terminal of IC 404. A second lead wire 184 is provided to connect one terminal of the coil 180a and a second coil terminal of IC 404.
Further, a thickness of the hairspring 140c (thickness in the radius direction of the balance with hairspring) is, for example, 0.021 millimeter. With regard to the balance magnet 140e, for example, an outer diameter thereof is about 9 millimeters, an inner diameter thereof is about 7 millimeters, a thickness thereof is about 1 millimeter and magnetic flux density thereof is about 0.02 tesla. With regard to the coils 180a and 180b, 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.

(9) Operation of attitude detecting unit, balance rotation detecting unit and braking unit

Next, an explanation will be given of operation of the attitude detecting unit, the balance rotation detecting and the braking unit according to the mechanical time piece of the invention.
An explanation will be given of operation of the balance with hairspring 140 when the coils 180a and 180b are not conducted, that is, when circuits including the coils 180a and 180b are open in reference to Fig. 1 through Fig. 3.
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. 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 hair spring 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.
When the rotational angle (swing angle) of the balance with hairspring 140 is less than a constant threshold, for example, 180 degree, by operation of the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, the coils 180a and 180b are constituted not to be conducted.
Next, an explanation will be given of operation of the balance with hairspring 140 when the coils 180a and the 180b are conducted, that is, when the circuits including the coils 180a and 180b are closed. That is, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 becomes equal to or larger than 180 degree, the coils 180a and 180b are constituted to conduct.
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 406, 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 406, 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.
Further, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is reduced to a range of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 exceeding 0 degree and less than 180 degree, by operation of the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, 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 degree and less than 180 degree, 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.
Next, an explanation will be given of operation of the balance rotation detecting unit and the braking unit according to the mechanical time piece of the invention.
In reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, by operation of the balance rotation detecting circuit 272, detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is started (step S51).
The balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines time of detecting the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (step S52). Determination of detection time of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is carried out by, for example, a counter. Set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is previously stored to the balance rotation detecting circuit 272.
The set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is, for example, about 1 hour. The set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hair spring is preferably about 0.25 through 6 hours, further preferably about 0.5 through 3 hours and further preferably about 1 through 2 hours.
When the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines elapse of the set time period, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 applies voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion. That is, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 conducts the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 to a detecting terminal of the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 and applies voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion (step S53).
The applied voltage is, for example, constant voltage of minus 1.5 V. That is, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 controls timing of applying voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion and magnitude of applied voltage.
When the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines that the set time period has not elapsed, the operation returns to step S52 and operation of determining the detection time period is repeated.
When the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 applies voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion, the electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit 273 measures a change in electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250.
Next, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 inputs a signal with respect to the change in the electrostatic capacitance outputted by the electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit 273 and calculates the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 based on a result of measuring the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250. Further, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 (step S54).
In this case, as mentioned above, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is previously stored with the relationship between an initial value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 as well as a value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 after change and the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140. Therefore, calculation of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is carried out by using the value of the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion 240 and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode 250 after change.
When the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines that the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is equal to or larger than a set angle, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 makes OFF the operation or applying voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion (step S55).
Next, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 detects the attitude of the mechanical time piece and determines whether the mechanical time piece is disposed at erect attitude or flat attitude (step S58).
That is, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 detects presence or absence of a signal indicating erect attitude outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 and detects whether the mechanical time piece is disposed at erect attitude or flat attitude.
In this case, for example, when the signal indicating the erect attitude outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 is outputted for a threshold of constant detection time period, for example, continuous 5 seconds, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is constituted to determine that the mechanical time piece is disposed at erect attitude and when the signal indicating the erect attitude outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 is not outputted for a threshold value of constant time period, for example, continuous 5 seconds, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is constituted to determine that the mechanical time piece is disposed at flat attitude.
When the signal indicating the erect attitude outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 is not outputted continuously for 5 seconds, further, when a state in which the signal indicating the erect attitude is not outputted, is not produced continuously for 5 seconds, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 is constituted to determine that the mechanical time piece is disposed at erect attitude when the attitude detecting electrode 322 outputs a signal indicating the erect attitude initially and determine that the mechanical time piece is disposed at flat attitude when the attitude detecting electrode 322 does not output the signal indicating the erect attitude initially.
In the case of determining the attitude of the mechanical time piece based on the signal outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 initially, it is preferable to set a threshold of a restriction time period for determining in this way to be about 3 through 4 times as large as a threshold of the detection time period during which the signal outputted by the attitude detecting electrode 322 continues.
By constituting in this way, the attitude of the mechanical time piece can firmly be detected by excluding influence by chattering of the attitude detecting member 320 with respect to the attitude detecting electrode 322.
When the mechanical time piece is detected to be disposed at flat attitude in the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 conducts the coils 180a and 180b under operational condition with respect to the flat attitude (step S60). When the coils 180a and 180b are conducted, induction current is generated by the change in magnetic flux of the balance magnet 140e and force for restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 is exerted to the balance with the hairspring 140. Further, by exerting 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.
The operational condition with respect to the flat attitude for reducing the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 by conducting the coils 180a and 180b by the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, may previously be calculated by experiment and stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 406.
When the mechanical time piece is detected to be disposed at erect attitude in the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 conducts the coils 180a and 180b under operational condition with respect to the erect attitude (step S61). When the coils 180a and 180b are conducted, induction current is generated by a change in magnetic flux of the balance magnet 140e and force for restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 is exerted to the balance with hairspring 140. Further, by exerting 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.
Also the operational condition with respect to the erect attitude for reducing the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 by conducting the coils 180a and 180b by the balance rotation controlling circuit 406, may previously be calculated by experiment and stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 406.
When the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 conducts the coils 180a and 180b, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines a time period of detecting the attitude in which the mechanical time piece is placed (step S62). Determination of the detection time period for detecting the attitude is carried out by, for example, a counter. The set time period to carry out detection of the attitude is previously stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 406.
The set time period to carry out detection of the attitude in which the mechanical time piece is placed is, for example, about 10 minutes. The set time period to carry out detection of the attitude is preferably about 1 through 60 minutes, further preferably about 5 through 30 minutes and further preferably about 10 through 15 minutes.
According to the invention, the set time period to carry out detection of the attitude in which the mechanical time piece is placed is set to be smaller than the set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring, mentioned above. For example, when the set time period to carry out detection of the attitude on which the mechanical time piece is placed is about 10 minutes, it is preferable that the set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is 1 hour.
When the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines that the set time period to carry out detection of the attitude has elapsed, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines again the time period of detecting the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (step S63). The set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is previously stored in the balance rotation detecting circuit 272.
The set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is, for example, about 1 hour. The set time period to carry out detection of rotation of the balance with hairspring is the same as the set time period, mentioned above.
When the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines that the set time period to carry out detection of the attitude has not elapsed, the operation returns to step S62. Further, the operation of determining the detection time period to carry out detection of the attitude is repeated.
When the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines that the set time period for detecting the swing angle has elapsed, the operation returns to step S53.
When the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 determines that the set time period for detecting the swing angle has not elapsed, the operation returns to step S58.
A relationship between the time period to conduct the coils 180a and 180b by the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 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 406.
The set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is previously stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 406. The set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is, for example, 180 degree. It is preferable that the set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is 150 through 210 degree.
At step S54, when the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 determines that the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is less than the set angle, the balance rotation detecting circuit 272 makes OFF the operation for applying voltage to the electrostatic capacitor portion (step S56). In this case, the balance rotation controlling circuit 406 does not conduct the coils 180a and 180b (step S57).
Further, the operation returns to step S52 and repeats the operation of determining the detection time period.
Therefore, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can be controlled accurately and efficiently.

(10) Constitution of circuit used in mechanical time piece of the invention

Further, according to the embodiments of the mechanical time piece of the invention, circuits for carrying out various functions may be constituted in IC or IC may be PLA-IC incorporating programs for carrying out various operation.
Further, according to the embodiments of the mechanical time piece of the invention, as necessary, external elements of resistors, condensers, coils, diodes and transistors and the like can be used along with IC.

(11) Effect of the Invention

As has been explained above, the invention is constructed by the constitution having the attitude detecting unit for detecting the attitude of the mechanical time piece, the balance rotation detecting unit for detecting the swing angle of the balance with hairspring and the braking unit for braking the rotational angle of the balance with hairspring in the mechanical time piece constituted to include the balance with hairspring repeating right rotation and left rotation by the escapement and control apparatus, 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 portion of the balance with hairspring and accordingly, the accuracy of the mechanical time piece can be promoted without reducing the duration time period of the mechanical time piece.
That is, according to the invention, attention is paid to the correlation between the instantaneous rate and the swing angle, by maintaining constant the swing angle, the change in the instantaneous rate is restrained and the time piece is adjusted such that gain or loss of the time piece per day is reduced.
By contrast, according to the conventional mechanical time piece, by the relation between the duration time period and the swing angle, the swing angle is changed with elapse of time. Further, by the relationship between the swing angle and the instantaneous rate, the instantaneous rate is changed with elapse of time. Therefore, it has been difficult to prolong the duration time period of the time piece capable of maintaining constant accuracy.

(12) Simulation with respect to instantaneous rate

Next, an explanation will be given of a result of a simulation with respect to instantaneous rate which is carried out with regard to the mechanical time piece of the invention which is developed to resolve the problem of the conventional mechanical time piece.
In reference to Fig. 18, the mechanical time piece according to the invention is adjusted to a state of gaining the instantaneous rate of the time piece as shown by slender lines in Fig. 18.
That is, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, as shown by slender lines in Fig. 18, the rate at flat attitude is about 23 seconds per day in a state in which the mainspring is completely wound up (gain of 23 seconds per day), the rate at erect attitude is about 18 seconds / day (gain of about 18 seconds per day), when 20 hours has elapsed from the fully wound state, the rate at flat attitude becomes about 17 seconds / day (gain of about 17 seconds per day), the rate at flat attitude is about 13 seconds / day (gain of about 13 seconds per day) and when 30 hours has elapsed from the fully wound state, the rate at erect attitude becomes about minus 2 seconds / day (loss of about 2 seconds per day) and the rate at flat attitude becomes about minus 3 seconds / day (loss of about 3 seconds per day).
According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, when the braking unit is operated, as shown by an extremely bold line in Fig. 18, the instantaneous rate can be maintained at about 5 seconds / day in the state of operating the braking unit, that is, until elapse of 27 hours from the state in which the mainspring is completely wound up (state of gaining about 5 seconds per day is maintained) and when 30 hours has elapsed from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about minus 2 seconds / day (loss of about 2 seconds per day).
The mechanical time piece having the balance rotational angle controlling mechanism of the invention, by controlling the swing angle of the balance with hairspring, the change in the instantaneous rate of the time piece is restrained and accordingly, in comparison with the conventional mechanical time piece indicated by an extremely slender line in Fig. 18, the elapse time period from the fully wound state in which the instantaneous rate is about 0 through 5 seconds / day can be prolonged.
That is, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the duration time period in which the instantaneous rate falls within about 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 about plus minus 5 seconds / day in the conventional mechanical time piece, or about 22 hours.
Therefore, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, there is provided the result of the simulation in which the accuracy is very excellent in comparison with that of the conventional mechanical time piece.

[Industrial Applicability]

The mechanical time piece according to the invention is provided with the simple structure and is suitable for realizing a mechanical time piece having very excellent accuracy.
Further, the mechanical time piece of the invention is provided with the detecting unit of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring in an optical detection type and accordingly, fabrication and adjustment of the rate of the mechanical time piece are extremely facilitated.

Claims

A mechanical time piece characterized in that in a mechanical time piece having a mainspring constituting a power source of the mechanical time piece, 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 controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on operation of the balance with hairspring, said mechanical time piece comprising:

a balance rotation detecting unit (276) provided for detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring (140) by detecting an electrostatic capacitance changed in correspondence with an operational state of the balance with hairspring (140);

an attitude detecting unit (361) for detecting an attitude of the mechanical time piece; and

a braking unit (146) constituted to exert a force of restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring (140) to the balance with hairspring (140) based on a signal with respect to the attitude of the mechanical time piece detected by the attitude detecting unit (361) when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (140) detected by the balance rotation detecting unit (276) is equal to or larger than a previously set angle.
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 1, characterized in that a balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) is arranged at the balance with hairspring (140) to measure rotational operation of the balance with hairspring (140), the detecting unit (276) is arranged with a constant gap to the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240, 240b) and includes a detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode (250, 250b) arranged at a main plate (102) via an insulating portion (242).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 2, characterized in that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) is fixed to a side face of an outer peripheral portion of a balance wheel (140b) via the balance insulating portion (242) for insulating the balance with hairspring (140) from the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 2, characterized in that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) is fixed to a side face of an outer peripheral portion of a balance wheel (140b).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 2, characterized in that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240b) is arranged at a lower face of a balance arm portion (140f) on a side of the main plate via a balance insulating portion (242b) for insulating the balance with hairspring (140) from the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240b).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 2, characterized in that the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240b) is arranged at a lower face of a balance arm portion (140f) on a side of the main plate.
The mechanical time piece according to any one of Claim 1 through Claim 6, characterized in that the braking unit (146) includes coils (180a, 180b) arranged to be capable of braking movement of a balance magnet (140e) provided at the balance with hairspring (140).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 7, characterized in further including a balance rotation detecting circuit (272) constituted to control a voltage applied to the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240), an electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit (273) provided for measuring a change in an electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode (250) and a balance rotation controlling circuit (406) constituted to input a signal with respect to the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode (250) outputted by the electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit (273) and calculate the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (140) based on a result of measuring the change in the electrostatic capacitance between the balance electrostatic capacitor electrode portion (240) and the detecting electrostatic capacitor electrode (250);
wherein the balance rotation controlling circuit (406) is constituted not to conduct the coils (180a, 180b) when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (140) is less than a constant threshold and conduct the coils (180a, 180b) when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring (140) is equal to or larger than the constant threshold.
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 8, characterized in further comprising a balance rotation detecting circuit (272), an electrostatic capacitance detecting circuit (273) and an electricity storing unit (137) for operating the balance rotation controlling circuit (406).
The mechanical time piece according to Claim 9, characterized in further comprising an electricity generating unit (150) for charging the electricity storing unit (137).
The mechanical time piece according to any one of Claim 1 through Claim 10, characterized in that the attitude detecting unit (361) includes an oscillating weight (360), an attitude detecting member (320) provided at the oscillating weight (360) and an attitude detecting electrode (322) forbeing brought into contact with the attitude detecting member (320) when the mechanical time piece is disposed at an erect attitude and outputting a detection signal to the balance rotation controlling circuit (306).
The mechanical time piece according to any one of Claim 1 through Claim 10, characterized in that the attitude detecting unit (361) includes the oscillating weight (360), the attitude detecting member (352) provided at the oscillating weight (360), the attitude detecting electrode (322) for being brought into contact with the attitude detecting member (352) when the mechanical time piece is disposed at the erect attitude and outputting the detection signal to the balance rotation controlling circuit (306), a return spring (344) provided to prohibit the attitude detecting member (352) from being brought into contact with the attitude detecting electrode (322) when the mechanical time piece is disposed at a flat attitude and a spherical push member (340) provided for bringing the attitude detecting member (352) into contact with the attitude detecting electrode (322) when the mechanical time piece is disposed at the erect attitude.