FR2616238A1 - ELECTRONIC WATCH - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to analog electronic watches. An electronic watch in accordance with the invention comprises in particular a stepping motor 203, an energy storage mechanism 204, which may consist of a balance spring, which stores the discrete rotational energy produced by the stepping motor, a mechanism control 206 which gradually restores the stored energy, in the form of a continuous rotational movement, and a variable speed mechanism 205 which is interposed between the storage mechanism and the control mechanism, and which drives a control mechanism. 207 display with continuous movement of the seconds hand. Application to watchmaking.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a device

  electronic watchmaking, which will be called

  simply below electronic watch, which provides a

  continuous use of the hands, and is particularly concerned with an analog electronic watch which

  continuous and progressive needles, from a

a discreet watch.

  Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a watch, generally designated 100, which is constructed in accordance with Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-47512. The watch 100, which has not been shown

  that a section of the part that is of interest here,

  takes a drive train 101, shown schematically

  a driving gear 102 and a driving pinion 109 supported by pivots 105 and 119 between a plate 117 and a gear train bridge 123. The pivot 119 is supported in a pivot support 121 on the plate 117, which is

fixed in place by a screw 112.

  Pinion 109 drives a third gear

  122 which is supported by pivots 106. A third

  110, which is attached to the third gear 122,

  in turn drags a minute needle gear 108. To produce a continuous movement of the second hand, or to continuously move the needle of the

  seconds, the driving pinion 109 drives a driving magnet.

  115. The drive magnet 115 is supported by a magnet support 114, which is directly coupled to the drive pinion 109. A first driven magnet 116 is enclosed in a viscous fluid 113, which produces a viscous resistance.

  at rotation. The first led magnet 116 and the fluid

  The first magnet 116 is supported by the attraction force of the drive magnet 115. A second driven magnet 118 is driven by the first driven magnet 116. The second driven magnet 118 is coupled to the axis of the seconds hand 111. In this way, the watch

  classical electronics with a watch movement

  cret produces a continuous movement of the needles.

  In this type of classic watch, the part of the watch that stores the rotational energy and the part that progressively restores the rotational energy are formed in one piece, that is to say that they consist of the driving magnet and the led magnets. This brings up several problems. If we change the size or the

  shape of the led magnet to vary the amount of energy

  which can be stored, the viscous resistance of the

  viscous fluid tends to change, which leads to a movement

  jerky, non-progressive, of the needle. If instead we change the size of the space between the led magnet and the platinum, the intensity of the magnetic attraction force

tends to vary.

  Variations of the phase difference, that is to say the angle between the driving magnet and the first led magnet on the one hand, and the angle between the first led magnet and the second led magnet on the other hand, vary the forces of attraction or repulsion in the directional direction of the magnets. This causes the magnets, and in particular the first driven magnet shown in FIG. 1, to rise or fall within the limits of the clearance that is established by the viscous fluid. The movement of the first led magnet,

  inside the cavity of the viscous fluid, changes the

  viscous resistance to the movement of the first led magnet. It also changes the orientation of the magnet, which causes changes in the friction due to the pushing force, and direct friction of the edges of the first led magnet

  against the platinum. This causes an irregularity of rota-

tion.

  In addition, the classic watch of the type shown.

  In Figure 1 shows a multi-stage structure, which makes it difficult to reduce its thickness, and which also results in insufficient spacing between the bearings. Pins for supporting the needle are unstable and the needle tends to tilt

  undesirably during operation.

  Another problem with the classical structure is the sinusoidal relation between the magnetic attraction force and the angle of rotation. As a result, when the angle between the driving magnet and the first driven magnet, or between the first driven magnet and the second driven magnet, is greater than 90, the intensity of the restoring force is reduced for a increased angular difference

  and the magnet system does not properly control the rotation

  tation of the led magnet. When the angle between the magnets is about 0 or 90, the return force changes very little as the angle between the magnets changes, so that a noticeable speed control is not obtained. We see this

  by observing a sinusoid at 0 or 90, where the velocity of

  The magnitude of the amplitude in increment of angle change is small. As a result, when the angle between the magnets is equal to 0 or 90, the speed is not controlled effectively because of fluctuations or changes in

the viscous charge.

  In a situation corresponding to a real application, there are many forces that produce fluctuations in the attractive force of the magnets and the viscous charge, or fluctuations due to dimensional tolerances and non-uniform magnetization. As a result of these efforts applied to the system, the angle between

  the drive magnet and the driven magnet can be used

  nally greater than 180. In these situations, not only

  The led magnet does not control the speed correctly, but it actually turns in the opposite direction. The displayed time

is therefore incorrect.

  In addition, because the magnets turn in the

  shows, there is a magnetic interaction between the

  mants and the stepper motor. As a result, the arrangement of the elements is severely restricted. In addition, it is necessary to use viscous fluids having a very high viscosity to obtain the high viscosity resistance at the low rotational speed required by the conventional configuration, which must have as many rotating magnet structures as there are needles. This increases the

  cost and difficulty of mounting the watch.

  There is therefore a need for an improved watch that converts the discrete movement of the clock circuit and the stepper motor into a continuous movement

  the needle, which is reliable, efficient, relatively

  sensitive to internal and external forces, congestion

  reduced, easy to repair and adaptable to a flat watch.

  The invention generally relates to an electronic watch for providing continuous rotation of a

  needle under the effect of a discrete drive rotation.

  The watch includes an energy storage mechanism that

  is associated with the discrete drive rotation, to

  turn the discrete drive rotation into energy

  gasinée. A control mechanism restores continuously

  the rotated rotation energy, in the form of rotational

  continued. A linking mechanism mated between the

  energy storage mechanism and the control mechanism, transmits to the control mechanism the continuous rotation produced by the energy storage mechanism. The needle is coupled to the link mechanism to produce motion

continuous needle.

  The invention therefore aims to provide an improved electronic watch which converts a movement not to

  not a clockwork drive mechanism in a movement

continuous movement of a needle.

  A further object of the invention is to provide

  an improved watch designed to convert a movement

  discreet drive rotation of a watch in one

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  continuous movement of a needle, by the use of a

  system of energy storage formed separately from a

  command, to produce a rotational movement at

practically constant.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an improved analog type electronic watch in which

  which a stepping motor which is rotated from

  intermittent operation by signals obtained from

  reference data, results in a display mechanism intended to

  born to display the time, comprising a storage mechanism for storing the rotation energy of the stepper motor,

  and a control mechanism for restoring progressive

  rotation energy in the form of a movement of

  progressive rotation, the storage mechanism and the mechanis-

  order being formed separately in the electric watch.

tronics.

  A further object of the invention is to provide

  an improved analog type electronic watch in which a stepping motor which is rotated intermittently by signals obtained by division of reference signals, drives with a continuous motion a display mechanism which uses a hairspring to store the rotational energy of the stepping motor, and a rotor placed in a viscous fluid to control the return of

  energy in a virtually continuous manner.

  Another object of the invention is to provide an electronic watch of analog type, in which a

  stepping motor which is rotated intermittently

  attempts by signals obtained by division of

  In a continuous motion, a display mechanism which uses a magnetic escapement as control means, and a first magnet driven as a storage mechanism, to convert the rotation not to

  stepping motor in a continuous movement of a

guille.

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  Other characteristics. and advantages of the invention

  tion will be better understood from reading the description

  will follow of embodiments, given. as examples

  non-limiting. The rest of the description refers to

  attached drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a conventional electronic watch;

  Figure_2 is a section of an electronic watch

  that according to a first embodiment of the invention;

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the electric clock.

  tronic of Figure 2; FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the spiral winding angle and its force

reminder;

  Fig. 5 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the angular velocity of the viscous resistance rotor and the load torque applied thereto; FIG. 6 is a plan view of part of an electronic watch according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of a

  electronic watch according to a third embodiment

invention;

  FIG. 8 is a plan view of an electric watch.

  tronic according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

  FIG. 9 is a plan view of an electric watch.

  tronic constructed in accordance with a fifth mode of

embodiment of the invention;

  Figure 10 is a section of an electronic watch

  that according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 is a partial sectional view of an electronic watch using a magnetic escapement according to a seventh embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is a partial section of a watch

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  electronic system using a magnetic escapement according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 13 is an enlarged and partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the watch of Fig. 1; Fig. 14 is an enlarged and partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the watch of Fig. 12; Figure 15 is an enlarged section of the assembly

  comprising a viscous resistance rotor and a viscous fluid

  queux, according to the invention; Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the assembly including a viscous resistance rotor and a viscous fluid according to another embodiment of the invention;

  Figure 17 is a section of an electronic watch

  constructed according to a ninth embodiment of the invention; Figure 18 is an enlarged section of the spiral structure according to the invention; Figure 19 is a perspective representation,

  partly broken off and cut off, of a com-

  carrying a removable control mechanism according to the invention.

  tion; and Fig. 20 is a functional block diagram

  of an electronic watch according to the invention.

  Reference is first made to Figure 20, which

  represents an electronic watch 200 constructed according to

  to the invention. The watch 200 comprises a quartz oscillator 201 and a watch circuit 202 which divides the reference signal from the oscillator 201, and generates

  discrete driving signals for driving the transducer 203.

  In a preferred embodiment, the transducer 203 is a stepper motor. A storage mechanism 204 stores the rotational energy that the transducer 20 produces.

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  control mechanism 206 progressively restores the energy

  stored in the form of a single rotation movement

  form. The storage mechanism is coupled to the mechanism of

  control via a variable speed mechanism

  205. The variable speed mechanism 205 causes the

display canopy 207.

  In a structure of the type shown in FIG.

  re 20, the storage mechanism is separate from the control mechanism. As a result, a watch manufactured in accordance

  the present invention can be constructed with features

  desirable characteristics as regards, for example, size and thickness. Moreover, the separation of the mechanism

  storage and control mechanism simplifies the repair

  watch after assembly.

  Reference is then made to Figures 2 and 3 on

  which one sees an electronic watch, designated so

  general reference 210, which is constructed in accordance

  to a first embodiment of the invention. The

  FIG. 2 is a section of the watch 210 and FIG.

  plan view of the watch 210. The watch 210 comprises a cover

  1 which is wound around a core 2 having a

  stator 4. The stator 4 drives a rotor 5 step by step.

  the second gear 6 which is coupled to the rotor 5 drives-a fifth gear 7 which meshes with a fifth gear 8. The fifth gear 8 drives a spiral gear

  9 which is attached to one end of a hairspring 10. The other

  the halyard of the hairspring 10 is fixed to a hairspring gear 11. The

  sprocket wheel 11 meshes with an intermediate gear wheel

  re 12 which meshes in turn with a rotor pinion

  The viscous resistance rotor gear 13 is attached to a viscous resistance rotor 14, which is formed within a cavity 19 and is surrounded by a viscous fluid 17. In a preferred embodiment , the fluid 17 is a silicone-based oil. A needle 16 is coupled to the fourth gear 15, and the latter in turn meshes with the rotor gear.

  viscous resistance 13, via a fourth

  intermediate gear 12, and it is rotated

  with a gear ratio which corresponds to the number of teeth of the gears. The rotor 5, the sixth gear 6, the fifth gear 8, the fifth gear 7, a time-setting rod 23 and the intermediate gear 12 are supported between a gear train deck 22.

  and a plate 21. The rotor pinion with viscous resistance

  13 and the viscous resistance rotor 14 are rotatably supported between the gear train deck 22 and an enclosure 9a defining a cavity. The coil 1 is

  fixed to the plate 21 by a screw 3.

  The electronic watch 210 uses the hairspring 10 as a storage medium, and it uses the viscous resistance rotor 14, with the viscous charge of the fluid

  viscous 17, as a control mechanism. As-

  crit above, the gear train is mounted between the plate 21 and the gear train deck 22. The coil 1 produces a magnetic field for driving the rotor 5, through the stator 4 and the magnetic core 2. The

  rotor 5 drives the spiral sprocket 9 through

  of a reduction gear train which includes the

  sixth gear 7, the fifth gear 7 and the fifth gear

  8. The reduction ratio "a" is expressed by the

  - relationship with MKA / TM, with the following notations:

  tor 5 rotates at an angle i o at each step, the torque produced is TM (N.mm), and the spring constant of the spiral is K (N.mm/). On the other hand, the movement of the sprocket gear 11 is controlled by the viscous resistance rotor 14, via the viscous resistance rotor gear 13

  and the intermediate gear wheel 12.

  Because the fourth gear wheel 15, which carries

  the needle 16 meshes with the rotor rotor pinion.

  Viscous material 13 via the fourth intermediate gear wheel 12, the fourth gear 15 is rotated with a gear ratio which corresponds to the

  number of teeth of the gears. It can be rotated ind

  depending on the sprocket gear 9 and the sprocket gear

  11 around the time-setting rod 23, with a common axis. The spiral sprocket 9 is coupled to the sprocket

  spiral 11 via the hairspring 10.

  When the rotor 5 is driven step by step, the spiral gear 9 also rotates step by step or so

  discreet. However, the spiral sprocket 11 is rotated

  in a continuous and uniform way, since its rotation

  is controlled by the force that is applied through the

  spiral 10 and the viscous resistance of the fluid

  viscous 17 surrounding the viscous resistance rotor 14.

  The hairspring 10 allows a difference or an angular difference between

  be the spiral gear 9 which rotates step by step, and the spiral gear 11 which rotates continuously. The hairspring, the gear train and the viscous resistance rotor

  14 form a vibrating system in which the resistance

  the machine can be operated efficiently and safely, even

external turbulence.

  The viscous resistance rotor 14 converts the rotational energy stored in the hairspring 10 into a constant rotation speed which corresponds to the force of rotation.

  recall due to the elastic deformation of the hairspring.

  ral 10 works like a storage mechanism

  which stores the rotation energy produced intermittently

  tries by the rotor 5. Because we can fix the balance

  couples in the desired way, one can easily select

  size and configuration of the elements,

  as the viscosity of the viscous fluid.

  We will now consider Figure 4 which shows the relationship between the winding angle of the spiral, eh, and the

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  1 1 restoring force Th of the spiral. The graph shows the relationship between the couple Th necessary to move the spiral on

  the angle eh, and the increment A T to obtain a winding angle

  oa / a step by step motor. FIG. 4 also shows the effect on the torque of an increase of o (/ a of the winding angle, when the spiral is already wound by an angle eh, as can be clearly seen in FIG. there is a linear relationship between the recall force and

the winding angle.

  We will now consider Figure 5 which shows

  the relation between the angular velocity W of the rotor with resistance

  viscous material and the load torque Th which opposes the rotation of the viscous resistance rotor during the continuous movement of the watch hand, that is to say while the needle is moving continuously and progressively at a constant speed. When the reduction ratio of the gear train between the hairspring and the viscous resistance rotor is equal to b, the angular velocities Ws and Ws + A W respectively correspond to load moments equal to b (Th) and b. (Th + AT). So, to guarantee the movement

  progressive needle, we must reduce the ratio AW / Ws.

  In other words, we have to reduce the ratio to T / Th. When the value of b. (Th) is greater than the torque t T for a single step, the viscous resistance rotor rotates with the angular velocity Ws, in a condition in which the hairspring stores the pair associated with several steps, which makes

  we get a uniform rotation. To obtain this result,

  tat, it can reduce the constant spring of the spiral 10, or we can increase the viscous load that the fluid

  viscous material 17 present at the viscous resistance rotor 14.

  In the structure described above, the rotor with

  viscous resistance rotates at the constant speed at which

  the torque of the hairspring equilibrates with the load torque.

  The load torque of the viscous resistance rotor is pro-

  proportional to the angular velocity of the rotor with resistance to

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  a second embodiment of the invention. Similar numerals refer to similar elements. The electronic watch 220 supplies the spiral 10 with rotational energy step by step or in increments, in the same manner as the watch 220 which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rotational force coming from the spiral 10, which is applied

  spiral sprocket 11, is transmitted directly to the

  third gear 15 which meshes with the pinion. The viscous resistance rotor 14 controls the angular velocity of the fourth gearwheel 15, and thus controls the return of the energy of the hairspring 10, via the gearwheel.

  13. In this structure, the size of the gear train

  swimming is reduced, and the watch can be made with a

  Smaller footprint and with reduced cost.

  Moreover, because the elements of the train of

  gaskets from spiral 10 to resistance rotor

  viscous 14 (ie the rotor pinion 11, the quadruple

  third gear 15 and the viscous resistance rotor gear 13) also have the function of transmitting stored energy, any harmful game is avoided thanks to the force stored in the hairspring 10, so that

  the needle 16 is working properly.

  We will now consider Figure 7, which represents

  An electronic watch, generally designated 230, is constructed according to a third embodiment of the invention. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. A fourth intermediate gearwheel 12 is placed between the fourth gearwheel 15 and the hairspring 11, so as to establish a large spacing between the respective axes of the fourth gearwheel 15 (and the display needle 16 which is coaxial with compared to the latter), and the wheel

  spiral tooth 9, to provide additional flexibility

  in the arrangement of the gears in the watch

  230, to minimize the thickness of the watch.

  which prevents a gear change of the sprocket gear. As a result, the movement of the needle is uniform and constant, and the needle does not move by

discrete increments.

  A continuous and uniform movement of the needle is obtained, even if the load torque changes under the effect

  change in viscosity. Although the angle of winding

  the spiral increases or decreases, one always gets a

  continuous advance movement because the hairspring is

  formed by a material having the desired elastic properties

  Rees. Even in this situation, the needle continues to move as long as the stepping motor does not stop.

  When the watch 210 must be set at the correct time,

Finally, the operation of the watch is controlled by means of a control lever 20 which interrupts the movement of the fourth gear 15 and which therefore stops the movement of the needle and the movement of the viscous resistance rotor 14. since the hairspring 10 deforms elastically when the movement of the needle is stopped, a continuous feed movement of the needle will resume as soon as the control lever 20 is released. When the watch 210 is subjected to a violent movement, the viscous resistance rotor limits the rotation and the elastic deformation by

  excess of the hairspring 10, and the needle indicates the correct position.

recte, smoothly.

  Because the hairspring can apply an internal torque

  to the rotor gear 13, a better stability is obtained.

  against external turbulence, this allows rotation in both forward and reverse

  gear train comprising the rotor gear with resistance

  this viscous 13, the viscous resistance rotor 14, the wheel

  intermediate gear 20 and the fourth gear 15.

  We will now consider Figure 6 which represents

  an electronic watch 220 built in accordance with

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  We will now consider Figure 8 which represents

  An electronic watch, generally designated 240, is constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. Similar elements are designated by similar numerical references. An intermediate gear wheel 12 is placed between

  the fourth gearwheel 15 and the resistance rotor gear

  8, so that the fourth gearwheel and the cavity 19 can be mutually spaced within the electronic watch 240, to provide greater flexibility in the arrangement of the elements;

  which helps to reduce the thickness of the watch.

  We will now consider Figure 9 which represents

  An electronic watch, generally referred to as 250, is constructed according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. Figure 9 shows some of the classic elements

  additional features of an electronic watch

  which have been omitted in Figures 2-3 and 6-8 for the purpose of simplifying the explanation of the invention. The watch 250 comprises a battery 36, a quartz resonator 35, a circuit substrate 34 and an integrated clock circuit 33. The drive signals for driving the rotor of the stepper motor are applied to the coil 1 through the circuit substrate 34, the integrated circuit 33 and the crystal resonator 35. A timing wheel 24 meshes with a time setting lever 31, under the effect of the operation of a time setting rod 32, and it meshes with a clutch gear 37 under the action of a player 30. This allows to change the positions of the needles. A third gear 25 reduces the rotational speed of the fourth gear, which meshes with the second hand, to drive

  the minute hand. A gear wheel of minutes 23 in

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  grene with a cogwheel 24.

  Lips 9a prevent movement of the hairspring 10 along its axis. A groove 9c in the spiral sprocket 9, to which is fixed the end of the hairspring 10, makes it possible to transmit the torque of the spiral sprocket 9 to the hairspring 10. A fourth intermediate sprocket 12 is placed between the sprocket 10 spiral 11 and the fourth wheel

  toothed 15, and meshes with these. An intermediate gear

  viscous resistance rotor 18 is placed between

  the fourth gearwheel 15 and the resistance rotor gear

  8. The fourth intermediate wheel 12 and the intermediate gear rotor of resistance rotor

  viscous 18 allow a greater separation of the diver-

  its gears and cavity 19, so that it

  to be spaced apart, thus reducing the thickness

the watch 250.

  By using the structure shown in FIG. 9, the viscous resistance rotor 14 and the spiral gear 9 can easily be arranged so that they are not superposed, which makes it easy to produce

a particularly flat watch.

  The invention is not limited to the arrangement

  particular physics of the various elements which is

  shown in the figures, and it can be adapted to any appropriate arrangement, according to the specific needs

  and other elements of the watch that are present.

  We will now consider Figure 10 which

  presents an electronic watch, generally designated 260, which is constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment. Similar elements are designated by similar numerical references. In the watch 260, the hairspring 210 is used as a storage mechanism for storing the angular energy produced by the stepping motor, and the viscous resistance rotor 14, which is loaded with the control mechanism, is used as the control mechanism.

26 1 623E

  by the viscous charge of the viscous fluid 17. The elements

  of the watch that are represented, with the exception of the

  16 and the axis by which it is attached to the fourth gear 15, are all placed between a plate 21 and a gear train deck 22. This provides a clock

  bust but flat. A coil 1 drives a rotor 5 through the

  intermediate of a stator 4, and a magnetic core 2 defines a path for the magnetic flux. A spiral sprocket 11 and

  sprocket 9 are attached to the opposite ends

  The hairspring 10 is wound under the effect of the stepwise rotation of the rotor 5, via the gear train which comprises the fifth gear 7, the fifth gear 8 and the gear wheel The rotation of the fourth gear 15 is controlled by the rotor

  viscous resistance, which is supported between the train of

  22 and the cavity chamber 19a, through the viscous resistance rotor pinion 13 and the wheel

  Intermediate rotor gear with viscous resistance 26.

  The sprocket gear 9 and the sprocket gear 11 can freely rotate on the same axis, while the

  fourth intermediate gear 12 and the gear wheel

  viscous resistance rotor intermediate 26 are rotatably mounted on an axis of intermediate elements 29,

  with a range of rotation greater than the range of

  In this structure, when the rotor 15 is driven step by step or intermittently, the angular velocity of the spiral gear 11 is controlled by the viscous resistance rotor 14, which has a load torque which varies in direct function of the angular velocity of this rotor, via the fourth intermediate gear 12, the intermediate viscous rotor gear 26 and the fourth gear 15. the angular difference between the spiral gearwheel 9, driven intermittently,

  and the spiral gear 11 is absorbed in the form of energy.

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  it is stored by the hairspring 10, so that the hairspring 11 can rotate continuously and regularly at a constant speed corresponding to the return force due

  to the elastic deformation of the hairspring 10.

  Turning now to FIG. 11, there is shown an electronic watch, generally designated 210, which is constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. The electronic watch 270 uses a magnetic escapement as a control mechanism, and a first magnet conducted as a storage mechanism. A magnet

  51 is coupled to a drive gear

  59 to rotate with it. The wheel den-

  The driving magnet 59 is driven stepwise by the rotor gear 6 which is integral with the rotor 5. A first driven magnet 52 is placed at a small distance from the drive magnet 51. The first driven magnet 52 is attached to a driven pinion 57, which is itself attached to an exhaust gear wheel 53. The driven pinion 57 is fixed to the fourth gear 15 (and the needle 16, fixed by means of a pin 16a ) by means of an intermediate gear wheel 55 and an intermediate gear 55a. A magnetic pendulum 54 is attracted by the teeth of the exhaust gear wheel 53, under the effect of the magnetic force which results from the rotation of the gear wheel

exhaust 53.

  FIG. 13 shows in more detail the structure of the escape gear wheel 53 and the magnetic pendulum 54. When the exhaust gear wheel 53 rotates

  under the effect of the driving force that the magnet of er-

  trapping 51 applies to the first led magnet 52, the pendulum

  54 starts to vibrate. The pendulum 54 arrives quickly to

  braking at a resonance frequency-or other stable frequency which then constitutes a control parameter of the rotation of the exhaust gear wheel 53, and the needle

  16 through the gear train that couples them.

  In this structure, the regular application -

  angular energy to the first driven magnet 52, at intervals of

  the regular ones, under the effect of the movement of the stepping motor,

  achieves uniform speed and excellent movement

  continuous movement of the needle. The magnetic pendulum 54 comprises a mounting element 54a which makes it possible to mount the pendulum 54 on the plate 21, the gear train deck 22 or another

  structure, with the mounting element 54b. The magnetic clock

  that 54 vibrates at its specific frequency in the direction of arrows A (Figures 11, 13). The magnetic pendulum 54 does not physically come into contact with the escape gear

  53, as Figure 13 shows more clearly. This mini

  put the friction in the system and the resulting energy loss

  aunt, and increases the accuracy of the pendulum vibration of the element 54. The precision of the rotation of the toothed wheel

  exhaust 53 and the needle 16 is improved.

  We will now consider Figures 12, 14 which

  represent an electronic watch, generously designated

  neral 280, which is constructed according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. While in the watch 270 which is shown in FIG. 11, the pendulum 54 extends on both sides of the exhaust gear wheel 53, the pendulum 56 in the watch 280 is surrounded by an exhaust gear wheel in two - parts,

  53a, 53b. The pendulum 56 is constituted by a magnetic material

  and a leaf spring 56a is fixed in place by means of a mounting member 56b. The pendulum 56 is attracted by the magnetic force when it comes out of the magnetic flux of a magnet

  attractive 58 which is placed between the escape gear wheels

  53a and 53b. This structure makes it possible to produce a flow

  higher than when using a magnetic pendulum

  as shown in Figures 11, 13, which allows

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  to obtain a more precise and more precise needle movement

  tinu. When using a magnetic exhaust for the

  control mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 11 -

  14, the pendulum is coupled only by a magnetic force to

  teeth of the toothed wheel or exhaust gears.

  There is no direct physical contact between the teeth of

  the exhaust gear wheel and the pendulum. When the

  dule vibrates at its particular frequency or resonance, the escape gear rotates at a uniform speed under the effect of the external driving force that applies to it

  the drive magnet 51. The rotational energy intermittently

  tries to generate the transducer (the stepper motor

  taking the rotor 5), is stored by the first

  mantle in the form of an angular deviation with respect to the drive magnet 51, and the stored energy is returned to the escape gear in the form of a driving force, under the control of the pendulum. The exhaust gearwheel is thus rotated at a substantially uniform speed until the drive magnet 51 stops supplying rotational energy. However, when the drive magnet 51 starts rotating again, the continuous movement of the needle starts again. At this time, because the frequency could have been slightly modified by the

  load change (ie the amplitude of vibra-

  tion), even though the particular frequency is not precisely adjusted, the escape gear rotates with an angular velocity which is directly proportional to the load of the magnet exerting an attraction, and to the vibration period . Even if the vibration period of the pendulum changes under the effect of magnitudes applied from the outside, as a shock, and if the magnetic link is

  broken, the movement of the needle stops after the

  rotation energy stored. Then, when

  the rotor 5 starts rotating again, which provokes the rotation

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  tation of the magnet 51, the continuous movement of the needle starts again. Therefore, if the drive magnet is driven by a crystal oscillator or the like, the continuous and synchronous drive of the needle 16 will continue for a relatively long time.

  Thus, in the watches 270 and 280 which are

  11-14, a movement of

  the needle at a uniform speed, without any detrimental effect on driving power or temperature variations, or even a change in speed due to leakage of fluid or otherwise. The absence of contact between the pendulum and the teeth of the exhaust gear wheel has the effect of increasing the durability of the system and reducing energy consumption, so that batteries or other sources of electrical energy can make the

  shows for prolonged periods.

  We will now consider Figure 15 which represents

  a control mechanism which corresponds to the structure using a viscous fluid. Similar elements are designated by similar numerical references. A ring 13e, a first opening 13f and a second opening 66 are formed in the viscous resistance rotor gear 13, which is integrally formed with a common axis of rotation and a structure having a viscous resistance rotor 14. cavity 19 is defined by a cavity chamber 19a and this cavity contains the viscous resistance rotor 14 and the viscous fluid 17. The cavity chamber

  19a has a groove 65 and an inclined portion 67. A neck

  60 which has a suitable portion which fits into the groove 65, confines the viscous fluid 17 in the cavity 19. The inclined portion 67 can easily pour the fluid

  viscous 17 in the cavity 19, without overflow or projection

  tions. The cover 60 has a projecting edge 60a which curves upwards and forms a space 61 with the pinion

  of viscous resistance rotor 13.

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  The pinion gear 13d of the screw-retained rotor pinion

  The auger 13 is rotatably supported in a support portion 19b of the cavity. In conjunction with the first opening 13f, the ring 13e prevents the entry into the teeth 13g of the viscous fluid leaking out of the cavity 19. The second opening 66 provides additional space to absorb any thermal expansion of the viscous fluid 17 under the effect of temperature variations. The groove 65 effectively adapts to the cover 60 to prevent a

  leakage of the viscous fluid around the edges of the cavity 19.

  In addition, a sealing treatment is applied at least on the contact portion between the cover 60 and the enclosure 19a of the cavity, around the groove 65, to avoid any

  leakage around the edges of the cavity 19. In addition to

  of the narrow space 61, the protruding flange 60a increases

  the length of the space 61, so as to avoid leakage of the viscous fluid through the space 61, because of the resistance to the flow of the fluid that the long and narrow space presents.

  We will now consider Figure 16 which represents

  an assembly comprising a viscous resistance rotor

  and a viscous fluid, in accordance with another embodiment of

  invention, in which a magnetic fluid is used.

  to seal the cavity 19. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. Instead of having an open space 61 as in the embodiment of FIG. 15, a magnetic fluid 161

  is placed in the space 61 to prevent the fluid from

  that 17 does not flow outward. A mounting portion 19c of the chamber 19a of the cavity supports a cylinder head 63 which itself supports a pivot mount 64 and which encloses

  the magnet 62, in association with the magnetic cover 60.

  A magnetic axis 13a is constituted by a magnetic material

  that and it constitutes an axis of rotation on which the pinion

  with viscous resistance 13 is mounted to transmit the

261623E

  friction slip of the viscous resistance rotor 14 and the

  viscous fluid 17 at the remaining part of the training train.

  The yoke 63, pivot mount 64, pinion 13, pin 13a, cover 60 and protruding flange 60a form a magnetic circuit which traps the magnetic fluid 161 in the housing. space 61, between the rotor yoke 13b and the protruding flange 60a of the cover 60. In a structure such as that shown in FIG. 16, in a preferred embodiment, the viscous fluid may be constituted by an oil based on silicones and the magnetic fluid may advantageously be formed by a fluorinated solvent, whereby the viscous fluid

  can not flee out of cavity 19.

  We will now consider Figure 17 which

  presents an electronic watch, generally designated 290, which is constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention. The elements

  similar are designated by numerical references semi-

  lar. The watch 290 uses a pair of magnets, namely

  a driving magnet and a driven magnet, as a

  energy storage canopy, and a structure employing a

  viscous fluid as a control mechanism.

  The rotor 5 of the stepper motor is rotated through the stator 4, under the effect of the current that is applied to the coil 1, which is wound around the magnetic core 2. The drive magnet 51t who is trained

  through the gear train including the

  fourth gearwheel 7, the fifth gearwheel 8 and the gearwheel

  drive 59, stores the rotational energy of the rotor 5 in the form of the angular gap between the drive magnet 51 and the driven magnet 52. The pulling force

  magnets increases when the angle between the magnet of

  trailing 51 and the led magnet 52 increases from 0 to 90. The

  fourth intermediate gear 12 meshes with the fourth

  third gear 15 which is coupled to the needle 16, to the

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  The viscous resistance rotor gear 13 and the driven gear 57. The viscous resistance rotor gear 13 is coupled to the viscous resistance rotor 14 which, as described above, is immersed in the viscous fluid 17 at the same time. cavity 19. The angular difference between the

  training mantle 51 and the driven magnet 52 progressively decreases

  and energy is progressively restored in the form of the rotational speed of the fourth gear

  intermediate 12, which is controlled by the viscous friction.

  As a result, the indicator needle 16 rotates smoothly. In the structure of the watch 290, the driven magnet 52 is supported between the gear train deck 22 and the platen 21, which provides sufficient clearance and stability. In addition, since the fourth intermediate gear 12 is separated from the fourth gear 15,

  a flat watch can easily be made without the aid of

  - guille of continuous movement seconds does not suffer from the lack of

  consisting of an inclination encountered in

  very much of the prior art. An additional advantage of the separation of the energy storage mechanism formed by the magnets, and the control mechanism comprising the assembly

  using a viscous fluid, consists in the absence of

  teraction which ensures for the needle a continuous movement,

regular and reliable.

  We will now consider Figure 18 which

  shows an enlarged view of the sprocket gear 9, the hairspring 10 and the hairspring 11, constructed in accordance with the invention. Similar elements are designated by similar numerical references. The sprocket gear 11 is equipped with a spiral fastener 70 which is located inside the sprocket gear 9. The spiral 10 is constructed to expand under the effect of the application

  a load and is fixed by matting to the fixing element

  70 at the level of a mate 70a. The inner end

261623E

  upper of the hairspring 10 is attached to the matted portion 70a. The extré-

  The outer half of the hairspring 10 is fixed to the hairspring gear 9 in a groove 9c. In this manner, the hairspring 10 is mounted between the hairspring gear 9 and the hairspring gear 11 so that rotational energy is stored in the form of an elastic deformation of the hairspring as a function of the angular difference between the toothed wheel

  spiral 9 and the spiral sprocket 11. The lips 9a, represent

  Also shown in Fig. 9, and an inclined portion 9b, prevent movement of the hairspring 10 in the direction of the axis of the hairspring sprocket 9 and sprocket, hairspring 11. An exhaust portion 11a is formed of in order to prevent the spiral gear 9 and the spiral gear 11 from coming into mutual contact in various situations, such as

  when the sprocket gear 11 oscillates from side to side.

  This structure makes it easy to assemble the

  spiral 10, and the fact that the friction load between the

  the spiral sprocket 11 and the sprocket gear 9 is weak, this structure provides an excellent continuous movement of

the needle.

  We will now consider Figure 19 which

  presents a part of a semiconductor device 300, constructed according to a tenth embodiment of the invention. Similar elements are designated by similar numerical references. The electronic watch 300 is characterized by a removable control mechanism, designed so that the removal of the control mechanism

  allows to obtain an intermittent movement of the needle.

  The removable control mechanism includes the

  cavity 19a with the cover 60, the fluid

  17 in the cavity 19 and the assembly constituted by the

  viscous resistance rotor 14 and the rotor gear with

  viscous resistance 13. The assembly is introduced through the opening 81 in the plate 21, until the viscous resistance rotor gear 13 meshes with the wheel

261623E

  intermediate tooth 12, so that the rotation of the spiral gear 11 is controlled by the viscous resistance. The

  rotation of the cavity 19 itself is prevented by the

  locking action that occurs between the notched portion 87 and the exhaust part 80 of the toothed wheel

  intermediate 12 which is mounted on the plate 21.

  In this way, the control mechanism can be optimally realized, assembled with great

  flexibility and tested separately from the watch. Nature is

  the entire control mechanism also allows

  to repair the watch more easily. Finally, the watch can be made in the same way, regardless of whether a watch is desired with a discontinuous movement

  of the needle or with a continuous movement of the needle.

  In the case where a continuous movement of the needle is desired, it is possible to set up the control mechanism. Otherwise, in the absence of the control mechanism, the

  watch will work with a discontinuous movement of the

  guille. The control mechanism is shown in a position in which it is mounted on the platen side of the watch 300, but it can be mounted on the side of the gear train deck, and can be realized with various

shapes and various sizes.

  The invention thus provides an electronic watch which stores discrete rotation energy either in the form of the elastic deformation force of a spiral or other elastic element, or in the form of the magnetic attraction force. between magnetic materials

  which then gradually restores the rotational energy

  storage, by means of control means, either with a rotor associated with a viscous resistance, or

  with a magnetic escapement. In each case, the mechanism

  me energy storage and the control mechanism are

  formed separately. This allows a continuous and regular movement

  bind the needle. The structures described above do not

261623ú

  not limited to the specific embodiments

  felt and described. In addition, the Applicant's invention can be applied to rotational energy conversion.

  discrete in a continuous and uniform movement in

cations other than watches.

  In the embodiments of watches, it is possible

  holds a continuous movement of the needle that exhibits the extremely precise working qualities of the quartz system, but it is nevertheless possible to avoid an increase in the thickness of the watch or a decrease in the expected life of the battery we use to operate

the watch.

  The invention therefore provides an analog watch which converts an intermittent step-by-step movement resulting from the clock circuits into a continuous visible movement and

  uniformity of the needle, by separating the mechanism

  born to store the rotational energy, and the mechanism of

  order to gradually restore the energy emma-

  gasinée. So we see that the goals listed above, among

  those which emerge from the preceding description, are

  achieved, and because some changes may

  can be made to the structures described above without

  out of the spirit and scope of the invention, all the

  contained in the foregoing description or which

  appear in the accompanying drawings, must be interpreted

  in the sense of an illustration and not in a limited sense

tative.

  It should also be noted that the claims that-

  The following are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention described herein, as well as all aspects of the invention, in its broadest scope.

* 261623Z

Claims (7)

  1. Electronic watch intended to produce a   continuous operation of a needle under the effect of an intermittent drive rotation, characterized in that it comprises: energy storage means driven by   the intermittent drive rotation, so as to convert   firing intermittent energy drive rotation   magasinée; control means for restoring con-   the stored energy, in the form of a rock,   continuous tation; and connecting means interposed between the energy storage means and the control means,   to transmit the continuous rotation between them and to   drag the needle continuously and evenly.   2. Electronic watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy storage means comprise a hairspring, and the energy is stored in the form of return energy resulting from the deformation of the hairspring. 3. Electronic watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy storage means comprise a driving magnet and a driven magnet which are mutually spaced, and the energy is stored   in the form of the attractive force between the magnet of   drag and the led magnet, resulting from the angular gap between them.   4. Electronic watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means comprise   a pendulum and a cogwheel exhaust.   5. Electronic watch intended to produce a   continuous rotation of a needle under the effect of   discrete drive, characterized in that it comprises: energy storage means driven by   the discrete drive rotation, to convert the rotation   discrete drive training in stored energy; a rotor immersed in a viscous fluid; and connecting means interposed between the energy storage means and the viscous resistance rotor, for transmitting to the rotor   stored energy, the latter restoring the energetic energy   in the form of a continuous rotation of the rotor, by balancing the rotational resistance of the rotor in the viscous fluid and the energy stored, and the means of   link the needle to the rotor to drive the guille in a continuous way.   Electronic watch according to claim 5,   characterized in that the energy storage means com-   take a hairspring, and the energy is stored under the   form of return energy due to the deformation of the spiral.   7. Electronic watch according to claim 5,   characterized in that the energy storage means com-   take a driving magnet and a driven magnet that are spaced apart, and the energy is stored in the form of the attractive force between the training magnet   and the led magnet, which results from the angular gap between them.