EP2561409B1 - Organe de réglage pour une piece d'horlogerie et un procédé correspondant - Google Patents
Organe de réglage pour une piece d'horlogerie et un procédé correspondant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2561409B1 EP2561409B1 EP11716529.0A EP11716529A EP2561409B1 EP 2561409 B1 EP2561409 B1 EP 2561409B1 EP 11716529 A EP11716529 A EP 11716529A EP 2561409 B1 EP2561409 B1 EP 2561409B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- spring
- voltage
- balance
- circuit
- piezoelectric
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 34
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title description 14
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 title description 6
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims description 67
- 230000010355 oscillation Effects 0.000 claims description 23
- 230000010363 phase shift Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 206010038743 Restlessness Diseases 0.000 description 38
- 208000001431 Psychomotor Agitation Diseases 0.000 description 32
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 27
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 19
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 19
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 10
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 9
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 8
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000005669 field effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 6
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005476 soldering Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008719 thickening Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 101150093941 PORA gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000708 deep reactive-ion etching Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008034 disappearance Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000021715 photosynthesis, light harvesting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 101150031507 porB gene Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000679 solder Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 101001067140 Homo sapiens Porphobilinogen deaminase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101001123986 Homo sapiens Protein-serine O-palmitoleoyltransferase porcupine Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710147185 Light-dependent protochlorophyllide reductase Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710193909 Protochlorophyllide reductase, chloroplastic Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710109491 Pyruvate synthase subunit PorA Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710109487 Pyruvate synthase subunit PorB Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710109489 Pyruvate synthase subunit PorC Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710109484 Pyruvate synthase subunit PorD Proteins 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052804 chromium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011651 chromium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M copper(1+);methylsulfanylmethane;bromide Chemical compound Br[Cu].CSC PMHQVHHXPFUNSP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007772 electrode material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004247 hand Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011229 interlayer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005389 magnetism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011241 protective layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000033764 rhythmic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/22—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature
- G04B17/227—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature composition and manufacture of the material used
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
- G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
- G04B17/066—Manufacture of the spiral spring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
- G04C3/047—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using other coupling means, e.g. electrostrictive, magnetostrictive
Definitions
- the invention relates to a mechanical timepiece whose control element comprises a restlessness, a spiral spring and an electronic circuit with a quartz oscillator.
- Mechanical watches are driven by a winding spring.
- This spring is the engine of the mechanical watch: it is wound up either manually or by wearing over the automatic winding mechanism of the watch on the wrist and thus stores the energy. This is then delivered continuously to the wheel train.
- the gear train is a kind of gearbox that transmits and translates the great energy of the barrel to small wheels (minute, low floor, second and escape wheel).
- the escapement acts as a connecting link between the gear train and the balance for the clock transmission and releases the drive energy from the barrel to the unrest via the escapement wheel and the armature and keeps it from vibrating.
- the escapement controlled by the control element, frees and stops the gear train at very precise intervals.
- the control organ comprises a coil spring and a balance.
- the balance behaves in a similar way to a pendulum, which is always returned to the rest position with the help of the coil spring, thus ensuring that the clock has the same rhythm.
- the balance oscillates at 8800A / h, or eight times a second, or nearly 700,000 times a day. These intervals cause the hands to indicate the "correct time" on the dial.
- a disadvantage of the mechanical watch compared to the electronic watch is that the gear of the watch goes through Layer changes, fluctuating temperature, magnetism, dust, are adversely affected by irregular mounting and oiling.
- Out EP848842 is a clockwork known whose spring via a gear train a time display and a generator supplying an AC voltage.
- the generator feeds a voltage converter circuit
- the voltage converter circuit feeds a capacitive component
- the capacitive component feeds a reference electronic circuit having a stable oscillator and an electronic control circuit.
- the electronic control circuit comprises a comparator logic circuit and an energy dissipation circuit connected to an output of the comparator logic circuit and controllable by the comparator logic circuit in their power consumption.
- One input of the comparator logic circuit is connected to the electronic reference circuit and another input of the comparator logic circuit is connected to the generator via a comparator stage and an anti-coincidence circuit.
- the comparator logic circuit is adapted to compare a clock signal from the electronic reference circuit with a clock signal from the generator, and controls the magnitude of the power consumption of the electronic control circuit over the amount of power consumption of the energy dissipation circuit, depending on the result of this comparison this way, via the control of the control circuit power consumption regulates the gear of the generator and thus the course of the time display.
- Another object is to provide a new control mechanism or auxiliary control mechanism for a mechanical movement that can be incorporated in an existing mechanical movement with minimal changes.
- control device that includes a restlessness, a coil spring at least partially made of piezoelectric material, and a gait-regulating electronics.
- a mechanical timepiece governing device which substantially improves the accuracy of the mechanical governor by electronically stabilizing the oscillating frequency of the disturbance, the energy for the electronics of the governor being provided by the coil spring.
- the coil spring of a conventional mechanical timepiece is replaced by a piezoelectric coil spring.
- the piezospiral spring generates an alternating voltage dependent on the oscillations of the balance and / or the coil spring.
- the AC voltage is transmitted to control the vibration frequency of the balance via an electrical connection to an electronic circuit, which can change the stiffness of the coil spring and thus the frequency of the balance system balance / coil spring and thus can regulate.
- the electronic circuit can be fed exclusively by the named piezospiral spring, so that an additional battery is not needed. Although a battery is not necessary, one can imagine that the electronic circuit powered by a solar cell and a small battery or a capacity.
- the stiffness of the coil spring is adjusted by changing the impedance at the output of the piezospiral spring. In a preferred variant, this is achieved by adjusting the value of a capacitance parallel to the piezospiral spring. The greater the value of the capacitance connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring, the smaller the stiffness of the spiral spring.
- the adjustable capacitance comprises a number of capacitors which can be switched on and off with switches.
- piezoelectric coil spring was made by Tao Dong et al. in "Proceedings of PowerMEMS 2008+ micro EMS 2008", Sendai, Japan, November 9-12 , “A Mems-based spiral piezoelectric energy harvester”; However, this coil spring is not used as a control member for a movement, and the oscillation frequency is not set electronically.
- US4435667 describes an actuator with a piezoelectric spiral; this actuator is not used for a movement.
- JP2002228774 (Seiko Epson Corp) describes a method for adjusting the oscillation frequency of a piezoelectric coil spring in which the piezo element is either connected to an electrical circuit, or completely separated from this circuit.
- this results in abrupt changes in the impedance associated with the coil spring each time the electrical circuit is connected to or disconnected from the piezoelectric element.
- Such fast Impedance changes with a large amplitude abruptly modify the electrical voltage at the input of the electronic circuit.
- the larger the capacitance connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring the smaller the induced AC voltage at the input of the rectifier. This can cause the voltage at the input of the electronics is no longer high enough to ensure the safe functioning of the electronics.
- Another problem is that in this embodiment, the agitation oscillates either too fast or too slow, but never at the right frequency. Again, this can lead to problems with the control and even unwanted vibrations. This proves to be detrimental to the accuracy.
- the capacitance at the output of the piezoelectric coil spring is set in several stages, on the one hand to be able to change the stiffness of the coil spring in small steps, and on the other hand only to switch the minimum necessary capacity parallel to the piezospiral spring, so that the Voltage at the input of the rectifier is not unnecessarily reduced.
- at least one fixed small capacitance in the electronic circuit is constantly connected to the piezoelectric coil spring. This has the advantage that the voltage at the input of the rectifier can be adjusted so that the rectifier works safely and has a high efficiency.
- the electronic circuit for adjusting the impedance at the output of the coil spring comprises an active rectifier, in which diodes are replaced by transistors, and / or a circuit having a plurality of transistors for adjusting the impedance at the output of the spiral spring; at least some of these transistors are driven with an increased voltage, for example, with a voltage that is higher than the voltage of the greater part of the digital components of the electronic circuit.
- the control of the switch can be realized for example with level shifter; This reduces the ohmic resistance in these switches.
- the voltage for driving the transistors in the rectifier and / or in the impedance matching circuit is thus higher than the supply voltage Vdd of the electronic circuit with which the or most digital components of the electronic circuit are driven.
- Vdd the supply voltage of the electronic circuit with which the or most digital components of the electronic circuit are driven.
- the transistors for adjusting the impedance at the output of the coil spring are switched on or off only when the voltage induced by the coil spring is lower than a predetermined threshold, or when the current generated by the coil spring is lower than a predetermined threshold. As a result, energy losses can be reduced.
- a control device comprises a conventional balance 30, a piezoelectric coil spring 20 (FIG. FIGS. 4 . 5a and 5b ) and an electronic circuit 40 for controlling the accuracy of a mechanical movement with a piezoelectric coil spring.
- This control element is conventionally connected via an escapement, not shown, with the gear train of a mechanical movement that supplies the required energy, and whose gear is thus regulated.
- the piezoelectric spiral spring 20 consists entirely of a piezoelectric material, or of a material coated with at least one piezoelectric layer, preferably of a semiconductor material (for example silicon) 200, which is at least partially ( Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b ) is coated with a piezoelectric material 202-207 and an electrode 208.
- 202 is a seed layer
- 203 and 204 are intermediate layers of AIGaN and AIN
- 205 is the semiconductor layer (for example, GaN)
- 206 is an intermediate layer of AIN
- 207 is another piezoelectric layer of GaN for example
- 208 is an electrode.
- the piezospiral is advantageously designed as a bimorph piezoelectric element, but other designs are conceivable.
- the piezoelectric spiral spring can be produced, for example, from a wafer, for example from a wafer made from silicon.
- a wafer for example from a wafer made from silicon.
- the wafer is highly conductive, and the core of the piezospiral spring made of silicon can be used directly as an electrode.
- the coil springs are structured on the wafer. With the Deep Reactive Ion Etching DRIE method, vertical structures can be easily realized in silicon.
- a thin oxide layer of the order of 1-3 ⁇ m is formed on the surface of the coil springs. This rounds the edges and smooths out the bumps in the vertically etched surfaces.
- This oxide layer is then etched away, on the one hand to ensure a good electrical contact between the conductive core 200 of the spiral spring and the piezoelectric layer 205, 207, and on the other hand to achieve a good quality of the piezoelectric coating.
- At least one piezoelectric layer 205, 207 having the desired layer thickness is applied to a seed layer 202 made of AIN on the wafer and thus onto the coil springs freed of an oxide layer, for example a layer of aluminum nitride.
- This layer 205, 207 ideally has an identical thickness throughout the coil spring. Thus it can be prevented that the coil spring deforms by the different thermal expansion coefficients of the silicon and the piezoelectric material in an undesired manner.
- the electrodes 208 are still applied.
- One possibility is first to coat the entire wafer with a thin adhesive layer having a thickness of a few nm of chromium or titanium in order then to apply thereto a layer 208 of, for example, nickel or nickel / gold in a thickness of 100-500 nm.
- the entire wafer and the coil springs are provided on the entire surface everywhere with an electrically conductive layer.
- the electrode material on the top and bottom of the wafer is removed with a directed etching process, so that only electrodes 208 remain on the vertical side walls of the coil spring.
- the electrodes 208 are separated on the inside and outside of the coil spring and the coil spring is ready for installation in the movement.
- This piezoelectric coil spring is then mounted in place of a conventional coil spring in a mechanical movement.
- the piezoelectric coil spring 20 vibrates, the piezoelectric material generates an electrical output signal V gen AV gen B, with which an electronic circuit 40 is fed on a printed circuit board 400.
- V gen AV gen B electrical output signal
- the rigidity of the piezospiral spring can be changed, and Thus, the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric coil spring and the restlessness can be controlled by the electronic circuit 40.
- FIG. 2 An example of an electronic circuit 40 for controlling the oscillation frequency of a piezoelectric coil spring 20 is disclosed FIG. 2 , and in detail FIG. 7 . 8th shown.
- Two electrodes are connected to the piezomaterial on the piezospiral spring 20 and deliver an AC voltage V gen AV gen B.
- the coil spring thus works like a small generator.
- the frequency of the output signal V gen AV gen B is controlled by a frequency control circuit 22, so that the gear of the mechanical movement is controlled.
- a rectifier circuit 23 converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage V dc , and a voltage regulation circuit with the transistor 25 regulates the voltage V dd of a capacitance, by which the electronic circuit 40 is then fed.
- a first capacitive component 24 is preferably used as energy storage or energy buffer.
- the first capacitive component 24 either directly or via a second capacitive component 26, which is kept at a regulated voltage, feeds the electronic reference circuit with a stable quartz oscillator 1 and a frequency divider 2.
- the stable oscillator has an oscillating quartz whose oscillation defines a reference frequency , All components except the quartz oscillator and the external capacitors can be constructed as an IC 40; most digital components in the IC can be fed with a low supply voltage V dd .
- the electronic circuit 40 can only further reduce the frequency of the restlessness.
- the oscillation frequency of restlessness and piezospiral spring 20 can be influenced by the piezospiral spring 20 having to deliver a lot of electrical power.
- the disadvantage of this solution is that the change in frequency is on the one hand only small, of the order of 0.5% or less, and that on the other hand, the amplitude of vibration of restlessness is very small, because energy is permanently destroyed by the ohmic resistance.
- a much larger frequency change in the combination of restlessness and piezospiral spring can be achieved by the impedance changing circuit 22 varying the capacitance which is switched in parallel with the piezospiral spring 20.
- the greater the capacity the smaller the stiffness of the piezospiral spring 20 and thus the oscillation frequency of the system.
- Frequency changes of the order of 1-2% can be achieved. This corresponds to a correction possibility of 10-20 minutes per day.
- both electrical connections of the piezospiral spring 20 are each connected via a capacitance to the ground, wherein at least one capacitance is varied.
- the electronic control circuit 40 has a comparator logic circuit 4, whose one input to the electronic reference circuit 1, 2 and the other input via a zero crossing of the AC voltage V gen AV gene B detecting comparator stage 5 and an anti-coincidence circuit 3 is connected is.
- the anti-coincidence circuit 3 is essentially an intermediate memory which prevents the simultaneous occurrence of pulses on both inputs of the comparator logic circuit 4.
- An exit of the Comparator logic circuit 4 controls the switching on and off of the capacitances in the impedance varying circuit 22.
- the impedance varying circuit 22 is constructed in this example from a plurality of equal small capacitances 21, 222, 223, 224, 226, 228 (capacitors).
- the capacitances can also have different values, for example, the capacitance values can be selected such that the smallest capacitance has a value of 1nF, the second capacitance a value of 2nF, the third capacitance a value of 4nF and the fourth capacitance a value of 8nF ,
- the comparator logic circuit 4 controls the impedance of the impedance varying circuit 22 by changing the number or combination of the capacitances connected in parallel to the piezospiral spring 20. In this way, the impedance of the electronic control circuit 40 can be controlled in small steps in a size range predetermined by the number and the value of the capacitances.
- the comparator logic circuit 4 compares a clock signal A coming from the electronic reference circuit 1, 2 with a clock signal B originating from the piezoelectric generator. Depending on the result of this comparison, the comparator logic circuit 4 controls the magnitude of the impedance of the electronic control circuit via the Number or combination of parallel to the piezospiral 20 connected capacitances 21, 222, 224, 226, 228. In this way, the control of the impedance of the gear of the piezospiral spring 20 and balance and thus the gear of the time display is regulated. The control is designed so that the gear of the time display is synchronized in the desired manner with the reference frequency supplied by the quartz crystal 1.
- One possibility is to connect the one input of an up-down counter to the output of the comparator 5, which has the phase V gen A, V gene B of the induced voltage of the piezospiral spring 20, for example, the zero crossing of the AC voltage detected to connect; and to connect the other input of the up-down counter with the reference circuit 1, 2.
- the signals from the comparator 5 are added to the count, and the signals from the reference circuit 1, 2 are subtracted.
- the value counted by the counter thus corresponds to the difference between the number of pulses from the piezospiral spring 20 and the number of pulses from reference circuit 1, 2.
- the incoming signals which are obtained from the counter in the comparator logic circuit 5, are synchronized with the anti-coincidence circuit 3 so that never simultaneously a UP pulse from the comparator 5 and a DOWN pulse from the reference circuit 1, 2 arrive at the counter.
- the scheme can safely operate below a certain count none of the turn-off capacity 222, 224, 226, 228 connected in parallel to the piezospiral 20.
- This can be realized by, for example, counter stage 0-7 no capacity (or only the fixed capacitance 21) capacitance is connected in parallel to the piezospiral spring 20, but from counter reading 8-15 the corresponding number or combination of capacitors is connected in parallel, ie at count 8 is an additional capacity In parallel with the piezospiral spring, with counter reading 9 two additional capacitors are connected in parallel, with count 10 three, etc., if capacitances with equal capacitance values are used.
- the switches 221, 223, 225, 227 for connecting and disconnecting the capacitors 222, 224, 226, 228 can be driven directly from the binary counter in the comparator logic circuit 4.
- the second hand may have a deviation of up to 1s, since the maximum number of capacities in this example is only turned on when the counter 7 has received UP pulses more than Down pulses.
- 8 RPM pulses are equivalent to one second on the dial when using 4Hz restlessness.
- the size of the counter in the comparator logic circuit 4 can be chosen freely, but it is reasonable to use a counter which can cover a range of +/- 2-4 seconds.
- the capacitances 222, 224, 226, 228 are switched on or off only when the induced voltage at the output of the piezospiral spring 20 is very small or zero. This has the advantage on the one hand that the electrical losses can thus be minimized. Another advantage is that the polarity of the capacitances must not be detected and / or stored beforehand. Yet another advantage is that so per capacitance 222, 224, 226 and 228 only one switch 221, 223, 225 and, 227, consisting of a P-channel and an N-channel transistor, the are connected in parallel, needed. The capacities can all be interconnected with the one electrical connection, only one switch per capacity is required for the respective other connection.
- the electrical resistance can be minimized, and on the other hand, fewer outputs for the switching transistors 221, 223, 225, 227 must be provided. This allows the construction of a smaller printed circuit 400, as well as the use of a chip 40 with fewer terminal pads.
- the switching of the capacitances at the zero crossing can be realized by synchronizing the switching operation to the zero crossing comparator 5 which detects the zero crossing of the voltage at the output of the spiral spring. From the comparator logic circuit 4, the information about the combination of zuzugateden capacitors is supplied, and the next sign change of the generator voltage, the switches 221-227 for the connection of the capacitances 222-228 are driven with this information until the next sign change of the Piezo generator 20 supplied voltage at which then the switches for the next cycle are driven with the information from the comparator logic circuit.
- the switching on or off of the capacitances 222-228 can also take place during the charging of a first capacitor 24 at the output of the rectifier 23. Then, the output from the piezoelectric generator 20 voltage V gen AV gen B over a certain period of time is virtually constant, since the charging capacitor 24 is charged and the internal resistance of the piezospiral spring 20 is very high. If a small capacitance 222 to 228 with the correct polarity is switched on, this does not change the induced voltage. So no electricity will flow, and the system will not take energy from it.
- the switching of the capacitances 222 to 228 must be synchronized in this case to the charging process.
- the comparator logic circuit 4 determines the combination of zuzugateden capacity, and during the next charging process, this combination of capacitances is switched to the piezospiral spring.
- the capacitors 222 to 228 in this variant must be connected with the correct polarity.
- the applied polarity can either be stored or determined with additional comparators.
- a disadvantage of this solution is that then per switch 222 to 228 each 2 switches must be used. This means that 2 outputs per IC are needed on the IC 40, and the number of tracks on the printed circuit 400 will be larger accordingly.
- the capacitances 222 to 228 are ideally switched on or off parallel to the piezospiral spring 20 if the voltage across the piezospiral spring 20 and the voltage at the corresponding capacitor 24 are approximately equal, and if this voltage is more than a few to a few dozen mV must also be the same polarity.
- the phase shift between the UP pulse of the piezospiral spring 20 and the subsequent DOWN pulse from the reference circuit is measured with the small counter.
- the small counter is operated for example with 64Hz. Each UP pulse starts the counter at 0, and the counter is stopped by the subsequent DOWN pulse. The value at the output of the small counter is latched after the input of the DOWN pulse, and at the next zero crossing of the AC voltage, when an UP pulse is again generated, the corresponding combination of capacitances is switched in parallel with the piezospiral spring with the latched value from the small counter. With count 1-7 no capacity (or only the fixed capacity 21) is switched on, with count 8-15 an additional capacity is switched on, with count 16-23 a second additional capacity is switched on etc. (if the capacities are all the same size ). The regulation takes place in this case in the range of 1 / 8s, which is barely noticed by the user of the clock, for the user, the clock will always indicate the exact time.
- the small counter can also be operated at a much higher frequency, for example, 1024Hz. With each UP pulse, the counter is started at 0, and with the DOWN pulse, the counter is stopped and the value of the count is stored to switch the corresponding combination of capacitances parallel to the piezospiral spring 20 at the next UP pulse.
- the induced voltage at the output of the piezospiral spring 20 is influenced as described above.
- a large capacitance results in a small induced voltage
- a small capacitance or no capacitance connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring 20 gives a large voltage at the input of the rectifier 23.
- the voltage V gen A, V gen B induced by the piezospiral spring 20 can be adjusted by means of a capacitance 21 connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring 20. On the one hand, this may be necessary so that the induced voltage is in a range favorable for the electronics 40.
- the induced voltage must not be too high, as otherwise protective diodes will be switched on at the inputs on the IC 40, resulting in a loss of energy. On the other hand, the induced voltage should be higher than the minimum operating voltage, which is necessary for a safe functioning of the electronic circuit.
- a capacitance 21 connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring 20 With a capacitance 21 connected in parallel with the piezospiral spring 20, the desired induced voltage can be set.
- a first small capacitance 21 in the value of 1-10nF can be switched fixed parallel to the piezospiral spring, so that the voltage at the input of the rectifier 23 is in the desired range and does not exceed a maximum value.
- the electronic circuit 40 must be able to operate with minimal power consumption. This is achieved by at least one passive component (for example a diode for the rectifier) of the rectifier circuit 23 being at least temporarily replaced by an active structural unit (for example a switch controlled by a comparator 7 or 8) 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233'. is replaced with a smaller in the forward direction electrical resistance.
- at least one passive component for example a diode for the rectifier
- an active structural unit for example a switch controlled by a comparator 7 or 8
- the switch 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233' may be a field-effect transistor and may be connected in such a way that, in its blocked state, part of its structure acts as a diode. In this way, all four diodes of the rectifier 23 are replaced by active switches. Voltage losses across the switch are at least an order of magnitude less than voltage losses across the diode. The voltage drop across a diode can be several hundred mV. However, the voltage drop across the channel of a field effect transistor is only a few mV.
- the charging of the first capacitor 24 takes place in the start-up phase of the movement on the subject with a high voltage loss diodes.
- the diodes are replaced by the active components, so that the voltage loss can be minimized, which is much cheaper energetically than charging via the diodes. In this way, the energy reserve of the movement is used more economically and increases the power reserve.
- the charging of the first capacitive component 24 thus takes place only in the start-up phase of the movement on the subject with a high voltage loss diodes.
- the first comparator 7 compares the electrical potential V dc at the terminal of the first capacitive component 24, which is not at ground potential, with the electrical potential V gen B of the non-ground potential load-side terminal of the rectifier 23.
- the first switch 230 ' is closed by the first comparator 7 only when the voltage of the first capacitive device 24 is sufficient to operate the first comparator 7 and the electrical potential V dc at the ground-free load-side terminal of the rectifier 23, for further charging of the first capacitive device is high enough.
- the voltage value of the first capacitive component 24, which is sufficient for operating the first comparator 7 and for operating a second comparator 8 present in the rectifier 23, is 0.7 V in this exemplary embodiment.
- the first capacitive component 23 is connected via the passive components (diodes). is charged to at least 0.7 V, the power source and thus also the comparators 7,8.
- the first comparator 7 closes as soon as the voltage V gen B delivered by the piezospiral spring is higher than the voltage V dc of the first capacitive component 24, ie it closes the first switch 230 'or opens the first field effect transistor.
- the first comparator 7 closes the first field effect transistor 230 '. If the voltage V genB delivered by the piezospiral spring 20 again rises to a sufficiently large value, the first comparator 7 opens the first field-effect transistor 230 'again and so on. However, the voltage drop across the channel of the first field effect transistor 230 'is only a few mV compared to the diodes. The efficiency of the rectifier with the active elements is thus substantially higher than that of a rectifier 23 with passive elements. The voltage loss is thus significantly reduced by the use of an active rectifier.
- the comparator 7 (or 8) measures a voltage difference, but once the switch 230 'is closed, the voltage drop across the switch 230' is so small that the comparator 7 reopens the switch. As soon as the switch is opened detected the comparator again a voltage difference, and the switch is closed again.
- the system can oscillate switch / comparator, which in extreme cases may result in the capacitive device not being charged with enough voltage to ensure the functioning of the electronic circuit. In any event, the efficiency of the rectifier 23 will degrade as the comparator / switch system begins to bounce or oscillate.
- Another way to avoid this effect is to measure during the time T1 with the comparator 7, 8 (measuring phase), whether the switch 230 '(or 231', 232 ', 233') must be closed or remain open can. If the comparator 7 (or 8) has detected a voltage difference at which the voltage generated by the piezoelectric generator in front of the transistor is greater than the voltage of the capacitive element, the switch is closed during the time T2 (switching phase).
- the switch 230 ' (or 231', 232 ', 233') is opened again and measured again during the time T1 with the comparator 7, 8, whether the switch during the next time T2 must be closed or left open. In this way, bouncing or vibration of the active diodes can be avoided.
- Said control circuit contains at least one memory means which stores in the first phase (T1, measuring phase) with the switch disabled, at least one control signal which is to be applied to said switch, wherein further in the second phase (T2, Switching phase) of said switch is controlled by said control signal.
- a voltage converter circuit with a rectifier for example a voltage doubler circuit, can be used instead of the simple rectifier 23.
- this has the small disadvantage that more than one external capacitive element is required, which results in an increased space requirement for the electronic circuit.
- the rectifier 23 could also consist only of passive diodes.
- the oscillation amplitude of the restlessness of a mechanical clock can vary relatively strongly.
- the escape wheel transmits a large drive torque to the turbulence via the armature.
- the restlessness has a large oscillation amplitude. Due to the piezo spring, a relatively high voltage is generated in this case. If only little drive torque is transmitted to the restlessness, for example, when the drive spring is only slightly raised, accordingly, the vibration amplitude of the restlessness and thus the voltage generated by the piezoelectric spring is relatively small.
- the electronics must also be able to be operated with a low power consumption even at different high AC voltages from the piezospiral spring 20.
- a first possibility is that at least a substantial part of the electronics 40 on the integrated circuit 400 is operated with a regulated voltage, for example the Quartz oscillator 1 and the frequency divider 2, the anti-coincidence circuit 3 and the comparator logic circuit 4, the comparators 5 and 11, possibly also the comparators 7, 8.
- a regulated voltage for example the Quartz oscillator 1 and the frequency divider 2, the anti-coincidence circuit 3 and the comparator logic circuit 4, the comparators 5 and 11, possibly also the comparators 7, 8.
- a second possibility is to regulate the supply voltage for the integrated circuit 40.
- the easiest way to do this is by controlling the voltage of the capacitance 26 which powers the electronics.
- the (active) rectifier 23 By the (active) rectifier 23, the electric voltage V gen generated by the piezoelectric spring 20 is rectified and the capacity is charged.
- the voltage of V dd can be regulated by turning off the rectifier above a certain level of V dd and no longer charging the capacitance, although the voltage from the piezo generator is higher at the moment than the voltage at V dd .
- a possible upper limit for the V dd might be 1.2V.
- a third possibility is that a first capacitor 24 is fed by the rectifier 23.
- this first capacitor 24 is always charged via the rectifier 23 from the electric power supplied by the piezospiral spring 20.
- This second capacitor 26 is now regulated to a certain voltage V dd . This can be done, for example, by making a switch 25 at certain intervals, for example 8 times per second, an electrical connection between the first capacitor 24, which has a voltage between 1.2 and 5V, and the second capacitor 26, if after the last charging the voltage at the second capacitor 26 has fallen below the desired value Vdd . As soon as the desired voltage, for example 1.2V, has been reached at the second capacitor, the charging process is interrupted.
- V low a lower V low and an upper voltage V high can be defined.
- the switch is closed between the first and second capacitances and the second capacitance is charged by the first capacitance.
- the switch 25 is opened again.
- a fourth possibility is to vary the length of the charging window, that is the time during which the capacitor 26, which supplies the supply voltage V dd for the integrated circuit, can be charged at all.
- the higher the V dd the shorter the loading window becomes.
- a small charging window gives a relatively small V dd even at high input voltages from the piezo generator. In this way, the amount of voltage on the capacitor 26 can also be limited.
- the piezospiral spring 20 no longer has to be adapted so precisely to the electronics 40.
- the piezospiral spring 20 must provide only a minimum voltage V gen during operation sufficient to safely operate the electronics 40 and to control or control the pace of the agitation. If the piezoelectric generator 20 delivers a voltage which is greater than necessary for safe operation, the power consumption of the electronics will therefore not be higher.
- control signals for the control of the electronic switching elements / transistors 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233' may be used on the part of the electronic circuit with the higher voltage, these signals must be from the part of the electronic circuit 40 with the low voltage be brought by means of level shifters 10 to a higher voltage V dc .
- the analog circuit with current sources and oscillator 1 and comparators 5, 7, 8, 11 and the logic circuit 4 and the frequency divider 2 and the anti-coincidence circuit 3 is at a low voltage V dd , for example 200mV above the minimum voltage at which the electronic circuit 40 still safe works, feeds.
- the switches 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233' in the rectifier 23, the switches 221, 223, 225, 227 for changing the impedance (by switching capacitors 222-228 on or off), feeding the level shifters 9, 10 12 and the switch 25 needed to supply the low voltage part of the circuit are operated at a higher voltage V dc , typically between 1.2 and 5V.
- the switching transistors 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233' in the rectifier 23 must also be controlled with 5V. This can be done by bringing the control signal for the switching transistors 230 ', 231', 232 ', 233' by means of level shifters 10 to approximately the same voltage as the voltage to be switched.
- the level shifters are fed by the first capacitor 24, which is loaded by the piezoelectric generator 20.
- the transistors 230 ', 231 ', 232', 233 ' are still driven in the rectifier with a voltage which is approximately the same size as the voltage to be switched from the piezoelectric generator. This can be done by internally providing a boost circuit, such as a voltage doubler or quadrupler. Then, the logic signals that drive the switch / transistors, by means of Level shifters 9, 10, 12, which are fed by the internal voltage booster circuit, raised to an increased voltage level V dc .
- the switching transistors 221, 223, 225, 227 at least one P-channel transistor and one N-channel transistor are connected in parallel per switch.
- these transistors Via level shifters 9, which are supplied with a sufficiently high voltage V dc as described above, these transistors are activated for the connection and disconnection of the capacitances 222 to 228.
- the logic signals from the comparator logic circuit 4, which drive the switch / transistors are so by means of the level shifters 9, which are fed either by the higher voltage V dc at the output of the first capacitor or by an internal voltage booster circuit to an increased Raised voltage level.
- Comparators are used to measure different signals. Since the system is already largely stabilized by the mechanical oscillator, the times are known when the different values are needed. So it is possible to work with a reduced number of comparators. The inputs and outputs of the comparators are then switched differently depending on the phase.
- Another option is to turn off certain comparators when they are not needed. Even so, electricity can be saved. If, for example, the comparator 5 for the measurement of the sign change of the induced voltage of the piezator (zero crossing) is switched off after the switching process for 1/16 seconds, since the next zero crossing takes place only after 1/8 second (4Hz restlessness), thus electricity can be saved become. The functioning of the movement is nevertheless ensured, since the vibration frequency is already largely stabilized by the restlessness / spiral spring.
- the output of the respective comparator is not enabled until the operating point of the corresponding comparator has been reached. This can be realized by only after a predefined period of time after switching on the comparator, the output of the comparator is enabled.
- POR POR circuit
- the active rectifier 23 is put into a start-up mode, as long as the quartz oscillator 1 does not yet work.
- the POR serves to operate the rectifier 23 with the comparators and the switches (for example field effect transistors), even without the oscillator 1 functioning.
- the switches 230 'to 233' operate as simple diodes, and in this phase at least one capacitor 24 is charged via these lossy diodes.
- the comparators will start to work as well. In this phase, the switches are then controlled directly by the comparators.
- the POR can also be used to switch one or more capacitors 222 to 228 parallel to the piezospiral spring 20 during the start-up phase.
- the induced voltage can be set to a certain value favorable for starting the electronic circuit 40.
- the POR also serves to ensure safe start-up of the quartz oscillator 1 and to ensure that when starting the crystal oscillator 1 not too much power is needed on.
- This can be realized by first charging at least one capacitor 24 with the aid of the rectifier, first with the passive elements (diodes), and once the power source has started up with the active elements (comparators and switches). Only when the capacitance which supplies the quartz oscillator is charged to a minimum voltage, for example 1 V, is the quartz oscillator 1 started. The current can reach 200nA for one second. However, this is not a problem since most of the electrical power is supplied by the already charged capacity. With a capacitance of 1uF and 1V, this results in approximately a voltage drop of 0.2V. Thus, a safe starting of the quartz oscillator can be ensured without the system restlessness / coil spring is loaded too much by a high starting current.
- the POR also ensures that the second capacitor 26 is supplied with sufficient electrical energy by the first capacitor 24 during the startup process. It is also possible to feed the quartz oscillator 1 exclusively by the second capacitor 26 and to start the oscillator 1 as soon as the second capacitor 26 has reached a certain minimum voltage.
- the POR also serves to start the regulation of the oscillation frequency of the restlessness in a certain control state. If the Control by means of a counter in the comparator logic circuit 4 works, for example, by the POR or the counters are first placed in a certain state A, and then set and released in the state B on the disappearance of the POR.
- comparators 7, 8 (13, 14) for the rectifier 23 are switched with the POR in such a way that during the starting process the comparators 7, 8 (13, 14) are always switched on and work, and only with the disappearance of the POR The comparators are switched on and off at certain times in order to save electricity. It is also possible to operate in the start-up phase, only the comparators for the rectifier 23, and then turn on the other comparators 5, 11 as soon as they are needed in the further course of the start-up process.
- the signal POR depends on the internal current source and the quartz oscillator 1 and, if desired, also on the voltage at at least one capacitance. As long as the current source does not supply enough power, a signal of a PORA is one, and as long as the frequency of the quartz oscillator does not reach a predetermined value, the signal of a PORB is also one. And as long as the voltage on a capacitance does not reach a desired value, the signal of the PORC is also one.
- the signal POR can be formed of PORA, PORB, PORC and signals from the frequency divider and the logic part of the electronic circuit; In addition, signals from the analog part of the electronic circuit can also be used. However, different PORs can also be formed from the signals described above.
- the electronic circuit is preferably designed so small that can be readily arranged in the movement under a bridge and hide.
- the chip 40 is mounted directly with the flip-chip mounting technology, without further connecting wires, with the active contacting side facing downwards - to the substrate / circuit carrier. This leads to particularly small dimensions of the housing and short conductor lengths. Thus, the entire surface of the die (of the chip) can be used for contacting.
- the dimensions of the individual commercially available components then have the following dimensions, for example: IC / chip 40 1x 1.52 x 1.03 x 0.4 mm Quartz 1 1x 2.0 x.0 x 0.6 mm capacitor 2x 1.0 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm capacitor 3x 0.4 x 0.2 x 0.2 mm
- the elements are so small that they can be accommodated on a printed circuit board 400 of approx. 3.35 x 2.3mm, even if the elements are only mounted on one side. However, it would be possible to mount the elements on both sides of the printed circuit. Or it is also possible to use a flexible printed circuit and then bend the printed circuit so that capacitors come to lie on each other.
- test pads for debugging the electronic circuit can not be mounted on such a small circuit board. Also, arranging the conductor tracks for connecting the elements with each other is hardly possible. This problem can be solved by on the one hand the circuit board has on both sides strip conductors, which can also be interconnected through the circuit board. Thus, it is possible to solder a number of very small capacitors on top of the circuit board, but to arrange the electrical connections to the other elements on the underside of the circuit board. But this does not solve the problem of the test pads. This can be solved by placing the test pads 401 on an additional part of the circuit board 400 ( Fig. 3a, 3b ). This part of the circuit board 400 is disconnected after successful testing of the electronics. Thus, the test pads 401 can be generously designed, which facilitates testing later. But since this part is separated after successful testing, the final circuit board 400 has only very small dimensions.
- the terminals 300 for the piezospiral spring 20 may be configured as a thin long extension 402 of the circuit board 400. So it is no longer necessary to solder wires on the circuit board, which then produce the electrical connection to the piezospiral spring 20. The function of the wires takes over the thin, long extension of the flexible circuit board. This has the further advantage that after attaching the electronic components on the circuit board and the subsequent testing only the connection to the piezospiral spring 20 must be made. These are just two electrical connections that can be made with soldering or with electrically conductive glue. The electrical connection could also be made by bonding.
- a multilayer, flexible circuit board 400 for example, with 3 layers.
- the electrical connection between the individual layers is produced by vertical contacts.
- the contacts to the IC, the capacitances, the quartz and the piezo spiked spring are applied.
- the connections between the IC, quartz, capacitance and piezo-generator junctions are made, and the third layer can be used to form an opaque barrier under the IC.
- the first and the third full-surface layer can first be nickel-plated and then gold-plated.
- the electronic circuit is coated after the separation of the test pads with a thin electrically insulating protective layer, for example with a paint which cures under UV light. This can be prevented that the electronic module makes an unwanted electrical contact with the movement or parts of the movement and is thus impaired in the function.
- test pads 401 it is also conceivable not to separate the test pads 401 after testing out the electronics, but to fold the test pads in such a way that they take up only little space under the electronic circuit 400.
- the entire electronics module is thus very small and can be easily hidden under a bridge or a similar component. This has the further advantage that the electronics are then protected from light, from electric fields and from magnetic fields. According to the invention, it would be advantageous to place the electronics under the balance bridge. Thus, an inventive movement looks like a purely mechanical movement, but has the advantage of much better accuracy.
- the ability to display with the control electronics if the frequency of the disturbance is no longer within the control range of the electronics.
- the electronics may indicate that the control range has been exhausted by changing the vibrational frequency of the crystal. This can be done by adding or removing internal capacitances of the integrated circuit 40 to the terminals of the crystal oscillator 1. Exactly the same can happen if the disturbance oscillates too fast and is no longer within the control range.
- the frequency of the crystal oscillator can be increased if the disturbance oscillates too slowly and outside the control range of the electronics.
- the frequency of the crystal oscillator can be slowed down if the noise oscillates too fast and outside the control range of the electronics.
- the watchmaker can determine if electronics can properly control the frequency of the disturbance.
- the electrical connection 300 from the piezospiral spring 20 to the electronic circuit 40 must be designed such that it Connection is not mechanically stressed by the swinging of the restlessness.
- the end 30 of the coil spring 20 can be provided with a thickening 280. This thickening is then no longer subject to deformation when the rest swings back and forth and the coil spring is deformed.
- the mechanical fixation of the coil spring can also be realized at this thickening, be it by screws, clamps or gluing.
- the electrical connection to the electronic circuit can be realized by soldering, gluing with an adhesive conductive adhesive or Adhesive Conduction Paste or by bonding; but it is also an electrical connection conceivable realized by mechanical means, for example by clamping.
- Another possibility is to extend the coil spring 20 so that the end 280 of the piezospiral spring 30 protrudes beyond the blocks, so that the electrical connection 300 between the piezospiral spring 20 and the electronic circuit 40 can be made at the mechanically unloaded end. This can be done with soldering, for example, if the Curie temperature of the piezoelectric material is not exceeded.
- Another variant is to make the blocks so that in the front region of the piezo-helical spring 20 is mechanically held and absorbs the vibrations, and in the rear region of the electrical contact between the electrodes of the piezoelectric material and the electronic circuit 40 is made.
- the electrodes can be applied to the piezo material by CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process.
- the electrodes may be applied by sputtering or by a galvanic process.
- the inventive movement can be designed so that the end customer can choose whether he wants to have a conventional, mechanical restlessness or an additionally electronically controlled restlessness.
- the restlessness and the spiral spring of the inventive movement will be designed differently, anchor, escape wheel can remain the same, although they may also be changed.
- the bearings are the same.
- the electronics can be integrated, for example, in the balance bridge. This ensures that the watch's plate is the same for both types of watches, whether purely mechanical or electronically controlled. In this way, a higher added value can be generated with the same amount of capital.
- This method consists in bringing together a balance with the appropriate coil spring.
- the riots, already balanced, are divided into several, for example twenty, classes according to their moment of inertia.
- the piezospiral springs are also classified according to their respective moment in several, for example twenty, classes.
- the riots and spiral springs so divided can now be assigned to each other according to their classes.
- the oscillation frequency of the restlessness can be changed by means of the control electronics in a range of about 1%, it is in the careful measurement of restlessness and piezospiral and the subsequent assembly possible to regulate the exact oscillation frequency of restlessness only with the small auxiliary electronics. Ideally, the watchmaker has nothing to do with the regulator.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
- General Electrical Machinery Utilizing Piezoelectricity, Electrostriction Or Magnetostriction (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
- Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
Claims (22)
- Procédé de commande de la fréquence d'oscillation d'un spiral piézoélectrique (20) dans un mouvement d'horlogerie, caractérisé en ce que la fréquence d'oscillation du spiral piézoélectrique est commandée en réglant une capacité (22) connectée en parallèle avec le spiral.
- Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite capacité (22) consiste en un certain nombre de capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) pouvant être activées ou désactivées.
- Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la fréquence d'oscillation est commandée par chaque activation ou désactivation individuelle des capacités individuelles (222, 224, 226, 228).
- Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la combinaison des capacités à connecter est déterminée par l'amplitude du déphasage entre la fréquence du balancier (30) et une fréquence de référence.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que les capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) ne sont activées que lorsque la tension induite par le spiral (20) est inférieure à un seuil prédéterminé.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que les capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) ne sont activées que lorsque le courant généré par le spiral est inférieur à un seuil prédéterminé.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que chaque capacité (222, 224, 226, 228) est activée individuellement par l'intermédiaire d'un commutateur individuel (221, 223, 225, 227).
- Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que la tension de commande dudit commutateur est approximativement égale à la tension à commuter.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 7 à 8, caractérisé en ce que lesdits commutateurs (221, 223, 225, 227) sont commutés via un décaleur de niveau (9).
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 7 à 9, caractérisé en ce que lesdits commutateurs sont commandés par un circuit électronique, la tension de commande (Vdc) desdits commutateurs (221, 223, 225, 227) étant supérieure à la tension d'alimentation (Vdd) de la plupart des composants numériques dans le circuit électronique.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce qu'une capacité (21) est connectée en parallèle avec le spiral piézoélectrique (20) de manière permanente, de sorte que la tension de sortie du spiral piézoélectrique (20) se situe dans une plage prédéterminée.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 11, caractérisé en ce que la tension induite par le spiral (20) est redressée au moyen d'un redresseur (23), que ledit redresseur comporte des diodes qui, après le démarrage, sont remplacées par des interrupteurs (230 'à 233'), et que la tension de commande dudit l'interrupteur du redresseur est approximativement égale à la tension redressée.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé en ce que la tension induite par le spiral est redressée au moyen d'un redresseur (23), que ledit redresseur compote des diodes qui, après le démarrage, sont remplacées par des interrupteurs (230 'à 233'), et que lesdits commutateurs du redresseur sont commutés au travers d'un décaleur de niveau (10).
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 13, dans lequel une entrée d'un circuit logique comparateur (4) est connectée à un circuit de référence électronique (1, 2), une autre entrée du circuit logique comparateur est connectée au spiral piézoélectrique (20). dans lequel le circuit logique comparateur compare un signal d'horloge du circuit de référence électronique avec un signal d'horloge du spiral et, en fonction du résultat de cette comparaison, l'amplitude de l'impédance du circuit de commande électronique (22) est commandée par le biais du nombre de capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) connectées en parallèle au spiral piézoélectrique et de cette manière, par le biais du contrôle de l'impédance, commande la marche de l'affichage de l'heure, dans lequel au moins un comparateur (5) est désactivé pendant chaque période.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 12, caractérisé en ce que lors du démarrage du circuit électronique par le biais d'un signal Power-On Reset POR, une certaine combinaison de capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) est activée en parallèle au spiral (20), de sorte à un obtenir une tension induite du spiral avantageuse pour activer le circuit électronique.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 4 à 15, dans lequel ledit déphasage est déterminé sur la base d'un premier grand compteur et d'un deuxième petit compteur.
- Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 16, caractérisé en ce que la valeur du compteur est tamponnée à la sortie du petit compteur après l'arrivée d'une impulsion descendante et utilisée ultérieurement pour activer ou désactiver lesdites capacités.
- Organe de commande pour un mouvement d'horlogerie, comprenant les composants suivants:un balancier (30) oscillant à une fréquence d'oscillation autour d'un axe de balancier;un spiral piézoélectrique (20) connecté au balancier, qui génère une tension qui dépend des oscillations du balancier et du spiral;un circuit électronique servant d'élément de commande auxiliaire pour régler la rigidité du spiral piézoélectrique (20) afin de commander la fréquence d'oscillation du balancier;caractérisé en ce que le circuit électronique comprend au moins une capacité connectée en parallèle au spiral (20) pour ajuster la fréquence d'oscillation du spiral piézoélectrique.
- Organe de commande selon la revendication 18, caractérisé en ce que la capacité comporte une pluralité de capacités (222, 224, 226, 228) commutables individuellement.
- Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications 18 ou 19, dans lequel l'organe de commande auxiliaire comprend un circuit redresseur (23) pour redresser la tension générée par le spiral, dans lequel au moins un premier composant capacitif est chargé au moins immédiatement après un premier démarrage du mouvement par le biais d'un composant passif ou de composants passifs, et le ou les composants passifs sont remplacés par une unité active, dès lors que la tension du premier composant capacitif pour faire fonctionner l'unité active est suffisante, dans laquelle l'unité active présente, dans le sens de passage, une résistance électrique inférieure à celle du composant passif.
- Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications 19 ou 20, caractérisé par:des commutateurs (221, 223, 225, 227) pour activer lesdites capacités;un décaleur de niveau (9) pour commander lesdits commutateurs avec une tension accrue.
- Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications 18 à 21, caractérisé par une carte de circuit imprimé flexible pour connecter le spiral piézoélectrique (20) au circuit électronique (40).
Applications Claiming Priority (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CH5802010 | 2010-04-21 | ||
CH6922010 | 2010-05-06 | ||
CH12982010 | 2010-08-12 | ||
CH14402010 | 2010-09-07 | ||
CH14542010 | 2010-09-10 | ||
CH15372010 | 2010-09-23 | ||
CH18242010 | 2010-11-02 | ||
CH19312010 | 2010-11-18 | ||
CH21322010 | 2010-12-21 | ||
CH3222011 | 2011-02-24 | ||
PCT/EP2011/056484 WO2011131784A1 (fr) | 2010-04-21 | 2011-04-21 | Organe de réglage pour un mécanisme d'horloge et procédé correspondant |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2561409A1 EP2561409A1 (fr) | 2013-02-27 |
EP2561409B1 true EP2561409B1 (fr) | 2019-08-28 |
Family
ID=44115668
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11716529.0A Active EP2561409B1 (fr) | 2010-04-21 | 2011-04-21 | Organe de réglage pour une piece d'horlogerie et un procédé correspondant |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8721169B2 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP2561409B1 (fr) |
JP (1) | JP5764652B2 (fr) |
CH (2) | CH703052B1 (fr) |
WO (1) | WO2011131784A1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2570871B1 (fr) * | 2011-09-14 | 2014-03-19 | Montres Breguet SA | Spiral à deux ressort-spiraux |
CH705679B1 (fr) * | 2011-10-28 | 2017-01-31 | Swatch Group Res & Dev Ltd | Circuit d'autorégulation de la fréquence d'oscillation d'un système mécanique oscillant, et dispositif le comprenant. |
EP2590035B1 (fr) * | 2011-11-01 | 2020-12-30 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. | Circuit d'autorégulation de la fréquence d'oscillation d'un système mécanique oscillant, et dispositif le comprenant |
CH707787B1 (fr) * | 2013-03-25 | 2021-09-15 | Richemont Int Sa | Organe régulateur pour montre bracelet et procédé d'assemblage d'un organe régulateur pour montre bracelet. |
WO2015140332A2 (fr) * | 2014-03-21 | 2015-09-24 | Hublot Sa, Genève | Organe tournant horloger, oscillateur horloger |
EP3232277B1 (fr) | 2014-12-12 | 2021-04-21 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Composant d'horloge, et procédé de fabrication de celui-ci |
EP3181938B1 (fr) | 2015-12-18 | 2019-02-20 | CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement | Procede de fabrication d'un spiral d'une raideur predeterminee par retrait de matiere |
EP3181939B1 (fr) | 2015-12-18 | 2019-02-20 | CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SA - Recherche et Développement | Procede de fabrication d'un spiral d'une raideur predeterminee par ajout de matiere |
CH711962B1 (fr) | 2015-12-18 | 2017-10-31 | Csem Centre Suisse D'electronique Et De Microtechnique Sa – Rech Et Développement | Procédé de fabrication d'un spiral d'une raideur prédéterminée avec retrait localisé de matière. |
GB201603475D0 (en) * | 2016-02-29 | 2016-04-13 | Cambridge Entpr Ltd | Energy harvesting systems and methods |
BE1024256B1 (nl) * | 2016-06-02 | 2018-01-16 | Mintiens Benoît | Mechanisch uurwerk. |
JP6847757B2 (ja) * | 2017-05-09 | 2021-03-24 | セイコーインスツル株式会社 | ムーブメント及び時計 |
EP3457224B1 (fr) | 2017-09-14 | 2020-10-28 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Element piezoelectrique pour un circuit d'autoregulation de frequence, systeme mecanique oscillant et dispositif le comprenant, et procede de fabrication de l'element piezoelectrique |
EP3457223A1 (fr) | 2017-09-14 | 2019-03-20 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Element piezoelectrique pour un circuit d'autoregulation de frequence, et systeme mecanique oscillant et dispositif le comprenant |
EP3502798B1 (fr) * | 2017-12-20 | 2020-06-24 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Piece d'horlogerie comprenant un oscillateur mecanique associe a un systeme de regulation |
EP3502797B1 (fr) | 2017-12-20 | 2020-07-08 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Piece d'horlogerie comprenant un oscillateur mecanique associe a un systeme de regulation |
EP3502796B1 (fr) * | 2017-12-20 | 2020-05-20 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Piece d'horlogerie comprenant un oscillateur mecanique associe a un systeme de regulation |
EP3540528B1 (fr) * | 2018-03-16 | 2020-08-05 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement mécanique dont la marche est régulée par un dispositif électronique |
EP3543795A1 (fr) | 2018-03-20 | 2019-09-25 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Procede de fabrication de composants horlogers en silicium |
EP3629103B1 (fr) | 2018-09-28 | 2021-05-12 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mouvement mécanique dont la marche est régulée par un dispositif électronique |
EP3667433B1 (fr) * | 2018-12-12 | 2023-02-01 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Spiral et son procede de fabrication |
EP4099100A1 (fr) * | 2021-06-02 | 2022-12-07 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Mouvement horloger muni d'un oscillateur comprenant un spiral piezoelectrique |
EP4130890B1 (fr) * | 2021-08-04 | 2024-03-27 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd | Mouvement horloger muni d'un oscillateur comprenant un spiral piézoélectrique |
DE102023103852A1 (de) | 2023-02-16 | 2024-08-22 | Realization Desal Ag | Uhr |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1181278B (de) * | 1962-06-09 | 1964-11-12 | Diehl Fa | Transistor-Schaltverstaerker, insbesondere zur Anwendung bei sich selbst steuernden Uhren-antrieben |
US3512352A (en) * | 1967-04-12 | 1970-05-19 | Seiko Instr & Electronics | Frequency regulator and method for regulating frequency of electric timepieces |
US3657874A (en) * | 1970-03-12 | 1972-04-25 | Suwa Seikosha Kk | Electric timepiece |
US3616638A (en) * | 1970-03-19 | 1971-11-02 | Bulova Watch Co Inc | Crystal-controlled mechanical resonator |
JPS5233953B2 (fr) * | 1971-12-21 | 1977-08-31 | ||
US4435667A (en) | 1982-04-28 | 1984-03-06 | Peizo Electric Products, Inc. | Spiral piezoelectric rotary actuator |
DE59601785D1 (de) | 1995-09-07 | 1999-06-02 | Konrad Schafroth | Uhrwerk |
JPH09211151A (ja) * | 1996-01-30 | 1997-08-15 | Seiko Epson Corp | 発電装置、携帯型機器および圧電体の製造方法 |
JP4327337B2 (ja) | 2000-07-13 | 2009-09-09 | 株式会社東芝 | 炉内構造物据付け用足場装置および炉内構造物据付け方法 |
JP3767388B2 (ja) * | 2001-01-30 | 2006-04-19 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 圧電調速機およびこの圧電調速機を用いた電子機器 |
CH694621A5 (fr) * | 2001-07-02 | 2005-04-29 | Richemont Int Sa | Procédé de régulation et module électronique de régulation pour mouvement d'horlogerie à remontage mécanique. |
-
2011
- 2011-04-21 EP EP11716529.0A patent/EP2561409B1/fr active Active
- 2011-04-21 CH CH00707/11A patent/CH703052B1/de unknown
- 2011-04-21 CH CH00708/11A patent/CH703051B1/de unknown
- 2011-04-21 JP JP2013505498A patent/JP5764652B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2011-04-21 WO PCT/EP2011/056484 patent/WO2011131784A1/fr active Application Filing
-
2012
- 2012-10-17 US US13/654,141 patent/US8721169B2/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CH703052A2 (de) | 2011-10-31 |
JP5764652B2 (ja) | 2015-08-19 |
US20130051191A1 (en) | 2013-02-28 |
CH703051B1 (de) | 2016-06-30 |
JP2013525778A (ja) | 2013-06-20 |
CH703051A2 (de) | 2011-10-31 |
CH703052B1 (de) | 2015-03-13 |
EP2561409A1 (fr) | 2013-02-27 |
WO2011131784A1 (fr) | 2011-10-27 |
US8721169B2 (en) | 2014-05-13 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2561409B1 (fr) | Organe de réglage pour une piece d'horlogerie et un procédé correspondant | |
DE69811428T2 (de) | Stromerzeugungsdetektionsschaltung, Halbleitervorrichtung, elektronische Vorrichtung, Uhrwerk, Stromerzeugungsdetektions- und Stromverbrauchskontrollverfahren | |
DE69836723T2 (de) | Elektronische vorrichtung und steuervorrichtung dafür | |
DE69735572T2 (de) | Gleichstrom-Gleichstrom Abwärtsspannungsregler | |
DE60314143T2 (de) | Uhr mit einem mechanischen Uhrwerk, das mit einem elektronischen Regulator gekoppelt ist | |
EP2899766B1 (fr) | Dispositif piézoélectrique et procédé d'utilisation de celui-ci | |
DE2122683A1 (de) | Uhr, deren Anzeigeeinrichtung mindestens eine Flüssigkristall-Zelle aufweist | |
DE2749512C2 (de) | Schaltvorrichtung für elektronische Uhren | |
DE2900925A1 (de) | Elektronische uhr | |
DE69703525T2 (de) | Oszillatorschaltung und Elektronischer Schaltkreis, und Halbleiteranordnung, Uhrwerk, und elektronisches Gerät mit diesem Modul | |
DE202012012758U1 (de) | Baugruppe zur Wandlung von mechanischer Arbeit in elektrische Energie und Zählvorrichtung mit entsprechender Baugruppe | |
US11249441B2 (en) | Electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, control method of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, and electronic timepiece | |
DE3119274A1 (de) | Spannungsversorgung und elektronische uhr mit einer derartigen spannungsversorgung | |
CH707605A2 (de) | Regelorgan für ein Uhrwerk. | |
DE19635923C1 (de) | Verfahren zur Antriebsanregung von Schwingern zur kapazitiven Messung von Kraft, Beschleunigung und/oder Drehraten | |
CH711762B1 (de) | Elektronische Speiseschaltung und elektronisches Speiseverfahren für ein Uhrwerk. | |
DE2943909A1 (de) | Digitale eingabeeinrichtung, insbesondere fuer kleine elektronische geraete | |
WO2015135614A1 (fr) | Procédé d'optimisation du temps de fermeture dans un gyroscope de coriolis et gyroscope de coriolis adapté à cette fin | |
DE2263813A1 (de) | Integriertes schaltkreis-chip, das als erregerschaltung fuer einen elektromechanischen resonator dient | |
DE3110714A1 (de) | Anordnung zur synchronisierung einer uhr mit torsionspendel | |
DE2556685A1 (de) | Elektronische uhr | |
EP0032020A1 (fr) | Circuit intégré pour pièce d'horlogerie | |
DE1928878A1 (de) | Zeitmessinstrument | |
WO2024170406A1 (fr) | Pièce d'horlogerie | |
DE69929143T2 (de) | Elektronisches tragbares Gerät |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20121114 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20160530 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: G04C 3/04 20060101AFI20190228BHEP |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: G04B 17/22 20060101ALI20190304BHEP Ipc: G04C 3/04 20060101ALI20190304BHEP Ipc: G04B 17/06 20060101AFI20190304BHEP |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20190402 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: SCHAFROTH, KONRAD |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: NOT ENGLISH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 1173155 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20190915 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 502011016044 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20190828 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191128 Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191230 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191128 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191129 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20191228 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 502011016044 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: BECK & ROESSIG EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS, DE Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R082 Ref document number: 502011016044 Country of ref document: DE Representative=s name: BECK & ROESSIG - EUROPEAN PATENT ATTORNEYS, DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20200224 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 502011016044 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG2D | Information on lapse in contracting state deleted |
Ref country code: IS |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20200603 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: P&TS SA, CH Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PFA Owner name: XC TRACER GMBH, CH Free format text: FORMER OWNER: TEAM SMARTFISH GMBH, CH |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200421 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20200430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200430 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200421 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MM01 Ref document number: 1173155 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20200421 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20200421 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20190828 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20220425 Year of fee payment: 12 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20220421 Year of fee payment: 12 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20220420 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 502011016044 Country of ref document: DE |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20230421 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230421 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230421 Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20230430 Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20231103 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20240523 Year of fee payment: 14 |