JP2000162334A - Automatic correction clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately and rapidly correct a time while reducing in size and cost in an automatic correction clock. SOLUTION: A second hand wheel 23 for constituting a part of a first driver for driving a second hand has an urging spring 23e formed of a cutout hole 23f to urge the wheel 23 in an axial direction of a rotational shaft and integrally formed, a plurality of through holes 23c opened at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction for allowing passage of a detected light, and a positioning light shield 23d becoming a positioning marker in the case of detecting a rotating angle position. In this case, the shield 23d is provided at a position separate from the hole 23f.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic timepiece that corrects time by receiving a time signal such as an hour signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among radio-controlled timepieces, radio-controlled timepieces using radio waves receive a standard frequency radio wave (JG2AS) of a predetermined frequency emitted from a radio station, for example, a long wave (40 kHz) that transmits Japan Standard Time with high accuracy. Based on the received signal, a so-called zero return is performed. In this case, a pointer position detecting device is provided so that the position of the pointer can be accurately adjusted to the hour or the like.

As a conventional radio-controlled timepiece equipped with this pointer position detecting device, those described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-222164, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 6-30793, and the like are known. The radio-controlled timepieces disclosed in these publications include a first drive system for rotating a second hand gear, a second drive system for rotating a minute hand and an hour hand gear, and a first drive system for detecting the position of a second hand.
A light reflection type sensor and a second which detects the positions of the minute hand and the hour hand
A light reflection type sensor and the like are provided.

The first light reflection type sensor and the second light reflection type sensor are formed by a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively, and have detection holes formed in an intermediate gear and an hour wheel constituting a first drive system. The light receiving element receives the light emitted from the light emitting element to detect the pointer position when the light and the light reflecting portions respectively formed on the second hand wheel and the separately provided rotating plate coincide with each other. .

There is also known an optical sensor using a light transmission type sensor instead of the above light reflection type sensor. In a radio-controlled timepiece using this light transmission type sensor, a through-hole is formed in a gear constituting a drive system for driving the second hand, a gear constituting a drive system for driving the minute hand and the hour hand, and through this through-hole. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are opposed to each other, and when the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element with the respective through holes facing each other, the position of the pointer is detected.

[0006]

However, the radio-controlled timepiece provided with the above-described pointer position detecting device has the following problems. That is, when the light detection sensor corresponding to the drive system for driving the second hand and the light detection sensor corresponding to the drive system for driving the minute hand and the hour hand are separately provided as the light detection sensors, the light detection sensor 2
There is a problem that a space for each unit is required, the device becomes large, and the cost increases.

[0007] Further, in the case where an attempt is made to unify the photodetection sensor in a state where two driving systems are provided, the pointer is driven 2
When the motors etc. of the two drive systems rotate each other due to impact or other external factors, causing a phase shift, it is necessary to adjust their phases, and as a result, the position of the pointer is detected There was a problem that the time to do was long. Further, when the conventional detection holes are provided, there is a problem that it takes time until all the detection holes coincide with each other, and similarly, it takes a long time to detect the position of the pointer.

Further, when a light transmission type sensor is used as the light detection sensor, the distance between the light emitting element and the light receiving element becomes longer, and the light emitted from the light emitting element becomes divergent. There is also a problem that detection is easily caused.

Further, after assembly, a hole is formed in the case so that a mark or the like engraved on the gear housed therein can be checked so that the approximate time can be understood. There has been a problem that dust or the like invades, and external light invades to cause erroneous detection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to reduce the size and cost of the apparatus and to quickly and accurately set the time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic correction clock capable of performing correction.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above object, the present inventor has come to find an invention having the following structure. That is, the automatic timepiece of the present invention comprises a first drive system for driving a first hand, a second drive system for driving a second hand, a first hand wheel directly connected to the first hand and the second hand wheel. Detecting means for detecting that the pointer wheel is positioned at a position corresponding to a predetermined time based on the time signal, and a control unit for controlling an operation of correcting the predetermined time based on an output signal of the detecting means and the time signal. An automatic correction timepiece provided with an automatic time adjustment function, wherein said detection means comprises a light-emitting element for emitting detection light and a light-receiving element for receiving a detection light emitted from said light-emitting element and outputting a signal. A light detection sensor, wherein at least one of the gears forming the first drive system or the second drive system is integrally formed by being defined by a cutout hole so as to urge in a direction of an axis of a rotating shaft. With the biasing spring A plurality of through-holes that are opened at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and allow passage of detection light, and a positioning light-shielding portion that serves as a positioning index when detecting a rotation angle position, the positioning light-shielding portion is , Provided at a position spaced apart from the notch hole in the circumferential direction.

In the self-correcting timepiece having the above structure, the biasing spring comprises a plurality of arc-shaped biasing springs formed in an arc shape and separated from each other in a circumferential direction. The portion may adopt a configuration in which the plurality of arc-shaped biasing springs are arranged in areas separated from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0013] In the automatic correction timepiece having the above-described configuration, it is possible to employ a configuration in which at least a part of the plurality of through holes is formed so as to also serve as the notch hole.

In the self-correcting timepiece according to the present invention, a biasing spring defined by a notch hole and integrally formed so as to bias in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is opened at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. A plurality of through holes that allow detection light to pass therethrough, and a rotation angle position of a gear having a positioning light-shielding portion serving as a positioning index when detecting the rotation angle position are detected from the light emitting elements constituting the transmission type light detection sensor. When detecting by emitting light, since the positioning light shielding portion is provided at a position separated from the notch hole in the circumferential direction, in the region of the positioning light shielding portion, the detection light passes through the notch hole. Can be prevented, and high-precision position detection is reliably performed.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a pointer position detecting device in an automatic correction timepiece according to the present invention, particularly in a radio wave correction timepiece, and FIG.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of this pointer position detecting device. The radio-controlled timepiece according to this embodiment has a first drive system 20 for driving a second hand as a hand, a second drive system 30 for driving a minute hand and an hour hand as hands, a second hand, a minute hand, Light transmission type light detection sensor 40 for detecting the position of the hour hand
And a manual correction system 50 in which the user directly adjusts the time by hand, and a long-wave (40 kHz) standard time radio wave (JG2AS) which transmits a predetermined frequency, for example, Japan Standard Time with high accuracy, emitted from a radio station. A control unit (not shown) for controlling so-called zero return based on the received signal is provided.

The timepiece body 10 includes a lower case 11 as a second case, an upper case 12 as a first case, and a lower case 1 connected to each other to form an outline.
1 and an intermediate plate 1 arranged in a state of being connected to the lower case 11 at a substantially central portion in a space formed by the upper case 12.
3, the lower case 11, the middle plate 13,
With respect to a predetermined position of the upper case 12, the first drive system 20,
A second drive system 30, a light detection sensor 40, a manual correction system 50,
A control unit or the like is fixed or supported by a shaft.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first drive system 20 includes a substantially U-shaped stator 21a,
a first stepping motor 21 constituted by a driving coil 21b wound around one leg of the rotor 21a, a rotor 21c rotatably disposed between the other magnetic poles of the stator 21a, and a pinion 21c of the rotor 21c. The first transmission gear (the first detection gear) in which the large-diameter gear 22a meshes with '
, And a second hand wheel 23 as a second detection gear (first pointer wheel) meshed with the small diameter gear 22b of the first fifth wheel 22. Here, the first stepping motor 21 is configured such that the stator 21 a is mounted on the middle plate 13 and fixed, and the rotor 21 c is fixed to the middle plate 13.
And the upper case 12, and its rotation direction, rotation angle, and rotation speed are controlled based on an output control signal of the control unit.

The first fifth wheel & pinion 22 has a large-diameter gear 22a having 60 teeth and a small-diameter gear 22b having 15 teeth, and is rotatably supported by the lower case 11 and the upper case 12. The large-diameter gear 22a is connected to the first stepping motor 21
And the rotational speed of the rotor 21c is reduced to a predetermined speed. This first
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fifth wheel & pinion 22 has equal intervals (central angle α1) in the circumferential direction in a region overlapping the second hand wheel 23.
Are 120 °) and three circular through holes 22 arranged at 120 °.
c is formed. The through holes 22c not only allow the detection light of the light detection sensor 40 to pass therethrough, but at least one of the through holes 22c is used as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 is assembled. is there.

The second hand wheel 23 has a large-diameter gear 23a having six teeth.
The second hand shaft 23b is press-fitted to the other end side of the shaft portion, which is supported by the upper case 12 and the middle plate 13 penetrates the lower case 11 side.
Is inserted into a minute hand pipe 34p, which will be described later, and a second hand (not shown) is attached to a tip of the pipe. As shown in FIG. 6, the second hand wheel 23
Eleven circular through-holes 23c arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (center angle α2 is 30 °) in a region overlapping with the center wheel 22, and positioning light-shielding portions 2 having different pitches at only one position.
3d (the central angle between the through hole 23c and the through hole 23c is 60 °). When the through hole 22c of the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 first faces the through hole 23c after facing the positioning light shielding portion 23d, the second hand points to the hour.

The through hole 23c not only allows the detection light of the light detection sensor 40 to pass, but at least one of the through holes 23c
It is used as a positioning hole (a determination hole) when assembling the second hand wheel 23. Inside the through holes 23c, arc-shaped biasing springs 23e which are long in the circumferential direction and protrude in the rotation axis direction are defined by cutout holes 23f. The arc-shaped urging spring 23e urges the second hand wheel 23 in the rotation axis direction.

The positioning light-shielding portion 23d is formed at a position distant from the notch hole 23f in the circumferential direction, that is, at a region where the two notch holes 23f are separated from each other. Therefore, a sufficient distance between the notch hole 23f and the positioning light-shielding portion 23e can be ensured.
The detection light can be reliably blocked by the positioning light shielding portion 23d without going around f. That is, the notch hole 23 which is liable to cause erroneous detection due to the wraparound of the detection light.
Positioning light shielding part 23d at a position distant from the area where f is provided
Is formed, this positioning light shielding portion 23d
Is used for positioning of the rotation angle position of the second hand wheel 22 so that reliable positioning can be performed.

In the second hand wheel 22, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of providing a plurality of (11) through holes 23c,
As shown in FIG. 7, the other through-holes 23c may be formed integrally with the cutout holes 23g, except for the through-hole 23c located at a position radially opposed to the positioning light shielding portion 23d. According to this, in the portion where the detection light is allowed to pass, the passage of the detection light can be further ensured, and the waste of the material forming the second hand wheel 22 can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the second drive system 30 includes a substantially U-shaped stator 31a,
A second stepping motor 31 composed of a drive coil 31b wound around one leg of one of the rotors 1a, a rotor 31c rotatably disposed between the other magnetic poles of the stator 31a, and a pinion 31c of the rotor 31c. ', A second fifth wheel 32 as an intermediate gear meshed with a large-diameter gear 32a, and a second transmission gear (third detection gear) meshed with a small-diameter gear 32b of the second fifth wheel 32. Gear)
And the small diameter gear 33 of the third wheel 33
b as a fourth detection gear (second hand wheel) in which a large-diameter gear 34a meshes with a small-diameter wheel 34b of the minute hand wheel 34, and a minute wheel as an intermediate gear in which a large-diameter gear 35a meshes with a small-diameter gear 34b of the minute wheel 34a. It comprises a wheel 35 and an hour hand wheel 36 as a fifth detection gear (second pointer wheel) meshed with the small diameter gear 35b of the minute wheel 35 of this day. Here, the second stepping motor 31 has a stator 31a mounted on and fixed to the middle plate 13, a rotor 31c supported by the middle plate 13 and the upper case 12, and based on an output control signal of the control unit. Thus, the rotation direction, rotation angle and rotation speed are controlled.

The second fifth wheel & pinion 32 has a large-diameter gear 32a having 60 teeth and a small-diameter gear 32b having 15 teeth. The second fifth wheel & pinion 32 is axially supported by the middle plate 13 and the upper case 12, and has a large diameter. The radial gear 32a is the rotor 31 of the second stepping motor 31
The rotation speed of the rotor 31c is reduced to a predetermined speed by engaging with c (pinion 31c '). As the second fifth wheel & pinion 32, the above-mentioned first fifth wheel & pinion 22 may be diverted, that is, the one provided with the through-hole 22c may be used. As a result, parts can be shared and the cost of the product can be reduced.

The third wheel & pinion 33 has a large diameter gear 33a having six teeth.
0, the number of teeth of the small-diameter gear 33b is formed to 10, and one end of the shaft portion is pivotally supported by the upper case 12, and the other end is rotatably disposed with the middle plate 13 penetrating therethrough. The rotation of the second fifth wheel & pinion 32 is decelerated and transmitted to the minute hand wheel. Also,
As shown in FIG. 8, ten third wheels 33 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (center angle α3 is 36 °) in a region overlapping with the second hand wheel 23 and the first fifth wheel 22 by rotation. A circular through hole 33c is formed. This through hole 3
Reference numeral 3c not only allows the detection light of the light detection sensor 40 to pass, but at least one of the reference numerals 3c is used as a positioning hole (a determination hole) when the third wheel & pinion 33 is assembled.

The minute hand 34 has a large-diameter gear 34a having six teeth.
0, the number of teeth of the small-diameter gear 34b is formed to 14, and a minute hand pipe 34p in which the small-diameter gear 34b is integrally formed is formed at the center thereof so as to form a substantially T-shape in a side view. ing. One end of the minute hand pipe 34p is rotatably supported by the middle plate 13, and the other end is rotatably inserted into an hour hand pipe 36p of an hour wheel 36 described later. The minute hand pipe 34p penetrates through the lower case 11 and protrudes toward the dial (not shown) of the timepiece, and has a minute hand (not shown) attached to its tip.

As shown in FIG. 9, the minute hand wheel 34 has three circumferentially long circles in a region overlapping with the second hand wheel 23, the first fifth wheel 22, and the third wheel 33 by rotation. The arc-shaped through holes 34c, 34d, 34e are formed. The arc-shaped through hole 34c and the arc-shaped through hole 34d have a central angle α5
The arc-shaped through hole 34d and the arc-shaped through hole 34e are formed at a central angle α6 of 30 ° and
The arc-shaped through hole 34e and the arc-shaped through hole 34c are formed at a central angle α7 of 60 ° apart. That is, the widest light shielding portion A is formed between the arc-shaped through hole 34e and the arc-shaped through hole 34c, and the arc-shaped through hole 34c and the arc-shaped through hole 3 are formed.
4d and between the arc-shaped through hole 34d and the arc-shaped through hole 34e, a light-shielding portion B narrower than the light-shielding portion A is formed.

The arc-shaped through hole 34c has a circular portion 34c 'at one end and a wide arc portion 34c''extending from the other end.
And a narrow arc portion 34c "" connecting the two. The circular portion 34c 'defined by the narrow circular arc portion 34c''' is used not only for transmitting the detection light but also as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the minute hand wheel 34 is assembled.

The hour wheel 36 has a large-diameter gear 36a having four teeth.
And a cylindrical hour hand pipe 36 at the center thereof.
p is integrally attached, and at this time, the needle pipe 36
The aforementioned minute hand pipe 34p is inserted through p.
The hour hand pipe 36p is rotatably supported by being inserted into a bearing hole 11a formed in the lower case 11, and its distal end penetrates through the lower case 11 and has a timepiece dial (not shown). ), And an hour hand (not shown) is attached to the tip.

As shown in FIG. 10, the hour hand wheel 36 has a circumferentially long area in a region overlapping with the second hand wheel 23, the first fifth wheel 22, the third wheel 33 and the minute wheel 34 by rotation. Three arc-shaped through holes 36c, 36d, and 36e are formed. These arc-shaped through holes 36c and 36d are formed at a central angle α8 of 45 ° and are separated from each other.
6d and the arcuate through hole 36e are formed at a central angle α9 of 60 ° and are separated by 60 °. The arcuate through hole 36e and the arcuate through hole 36c
Are formed at a central angle α10 of 30 °, and the lengths of the arc-shaped through holes 36c, 36d, 36e are 75 °, 60 ° at the central angles β1 + β2, β3, β4, respectively.
° and 90 °. That is, the narrowest light-shielding portion C is formed between the arc-shaped through-hole 36e and the arc-shaped through-hole 36c, and between the arc-shaped through-hole 36c and the arc-shaped through-hole 36d as compared with the light-shielding portion C. A light-shielding portion D having a wider width is formed, and a light-shielding portion E wider than the light-shielding portion D is formed between the arc-shaped through holes 36d and 36e.

The circular arc-shaped through hole 36c has a circular portion 36c 'located at a central angle β1 of 7.5 ° from one end.
, A wide circular arc portion 36c "extending from the other end, and a narrow circular arc portion 36c""connecting the two and positioned on both sides of the circular portion 36c". The circular portion 36c 'defined by the narrow circular arc portion 36c'''
This is used not only for transmitting the detection light but also as a positioning hole (determining hole) when the hour wheel 36 is assembled.

The minute wheel 35 has a large-diameter gear 35a having 42 teeth and a small-diameter gear 35b having 10 teeth, and is rotatable with respect to a projection 11b formed on the lower case 11. The large-diameter gear 35a meshes with a small-diameter gear 34b formed on the minute hand pipe 34p.
b meshes with the hour hand wheel 36 (36a) to reduce the rotation of the minute hand wheel 34 and transmit the rotation to the hour wheel 36.

The light detection sensor 40 is, as shown in FIG.
A light emitting element 42 composed of a light emitting diode attached to a circuit board 41 fixed to the wall surface of the upper case 12 and a circuit board 43 fixed to the wall surface of the lower case 11 so as to face the light emitting element 42. And a light receiving element 44 composed of a phototransistor. The light-emitting element 42 and the light-receiving element 44 are connected to a control unit (not shown) provided on a circuit board, and exchange various detection signals and control signals.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the first
5th wheel 22, second hand wheel 23, 3rd wheel 33, minute hand wheel 34,
All of the hour hand wheels 36 are arranged at the same overlapping position. Then, the through-hole 22c of the first fifth wheel & pinion 22, the third wheel & pinion 3
3, the through hole 23c of the second hand wheel 23, the through hole 34c (34d, 34e) of the minute hand wheel, and the through hole 36c of the hour hand wheel 36.
When (36d, 36e) overlap, the light emitting element 42
Is detected by the light receiving element 44 to output that the second hand, the minute hand, and the hour hand are pointing to a position such as an hour.

Further, the light emitting element 42 is provided in the upper case 1
The mounting recess 12c is provided in a mounting recess 12c as a first placement portion formed to open to the outside of the mounting recess 2, and a circular through hole 12d having a predetermined diameter is formed in the bottom surface of the mounting recess 12c. Since the circular through hole 12d has a property that the detection light emitted from the light emitting element 42 spreads in a divergent shape, the circular through hole 12d blocks the light in the spread portion and allows only the converged light to pass therethrough to prevent erroneous detection. It is to be. Similarly, the light receiving element 44 is disposed in a mounting recess 11c as a second placement portion formed to open to the outside of the lower case 11, and the mounting recess 11c
A circular through-hole 11d having a predetermined diameter is formed in the bottom surface of. The circular through-hole 11d allows only light emitted from the light-emitting element 42 and passing through the through-hole to pass as much as possible to prevent erroneous detection.

When the first fifth wheel 22, the third wheel 33, the second hand wheel 23, the minute hand wheel 34, and the hour hand wheel 36 are assembled, the predetermined positioning pin is provided in the circular through hole 11 of the lower case 11.
d, Assembling is performed sequentially so as to penetrate the respective through holes used for positioning and the circular through hole 12d of the upper case 12. After the upper case 12 and the lower case 11 are joined and integrated, the positioning pin is pulled out, and the light emitting element 42 is mounted in the mounting recess 12c where the through hole 12d is located, and the mounting recess where the through hole 11d is located. The light receiving element 44 is mounted on 11c.

As a result, the through holes 12d and 11d are completely closed, and external light can be prevented from entering the internal space defined by the upper case 12 and the lower case 11.
Therefore, erroneous detection due to intrusion of external light can be prevented, and since the positioning hole at the time of assembly and the through hole for light detection are also used, compared to the case where these holes are separately provided. The apparatus can be centralized and downsized.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manual correction system 50 includes a small-diameter gear 34b of the minute hand wheel 34 and the hour wheel 3
6 is constituted by a minute wheel 35 meshing with the large diameter gear 36a and a manual correction shaft 51 having a gear 51a meshing with the large diameter gear 35a of the minute wheel 35 of this day. The manual correction shaft 51 includes a head 51b positioned outside the upper case 12 to allow a user to directly touch a finger, and an opening 1 extending from the head 51b and formed in the upper case 12.
2e, and includes a columnar portion 51c pivotally supported by a projection 11e formed in the lower case 11.
A gear 51a is formed in a region below 1c.

The manual correction shaft 51 is configured to rotate in the same phase as the minute hand wheel 34, and
When the minute hand wheel 34 is driven by
5 while rotating in phase with the minute hand 34 via the second
When the drive system 30 is not operated, the hand position can be manually corrected by rotating the head 51b with a finger.

As described above, the second hand shaft 23b of the second hand wheel 23
Is inserted through the minute hand pipe 34p of the minute hand wheel 34, and the minute hand wheel 3
The minute hand pipe 34p of No. 4 is the hour hand pipe 36p of the hour hand wheel 36
The second hand wheel 23 and the minute hand wheel 34
And the hour hand wheel 36 have a common rotation center axis, and when the time is displayed, the second hand rotates once every 60 seconds.
The minute hand is driven to rotate once every 60 minutes and the hour hand is rotated once every 12 hours.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first end of the minute hand pipe 34p of the minute hand wheel 34 and the end of the hour hand pipe 36p of the hour hand wheel 36 have a first radially extending predetermined width for positioning. A groove 34g as an index and a groove 36g as a second index are formed. The groove 34g and the groove 36g are set to indicate a predetermined time, for example, 12:00 when aligned in a straight line.

By providing such positioning indices, even after the minute hand wheel 34 and the hour hand wheel 36 are surrounded and covered by the lower case 11 and the upper case 12,
Since it can be understood that the grooves 34g and 36g are aligned in a straight line, they indicate a preset approximate time, the minute hand and the hour hand can be easily attached based on the state,
Other alignment and position confirmation steps become unnecessary, and the manufacturing time and inspection time on the manufacturing line and the inspection line can be reduced. The positioning index is not limited to the above-mentioned groove, but may be a mark such as a spot.

Next, the time correction operation of the radio-controlled timepiece will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of the time adjustment operation. Here, the first fifth wheel 22, the second hand wheel 23, 3
The second wheel 33, the minute wheel 34, and the hour wheel 36 have a first stepping motor 21 and a second
The stepping motor 31 is driven to rotate by the step driving. At this time, the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 is driven stepwise by the first stepping motor 21 so that
The drive is controlled to rotate, and as a result, the second hand wheel 23 makes one rotation in 60 steps. On the other hand, the third wheel 33 is
By the step driving of the stepping motor 31, the drive is controlled so as to make one revolution in 60 steps. As a result, the minute hand 34 makes one revolution in 360 steps, and the hour hand 36 becomes 4 revolutions.
One rotation is made in 320 steps.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, at the time of reset or power-on, the start switch is turned on, and the light emitting element 42, that is, the light emitting diode is activated at a predetermined output frequency to emit detection light (S1). Subsequently, the first stepping motor 21 is pulse-driven (S2), and it is determined whether or not there is an output from the light receiving element 44, that is, the phototransistor (S3).

Here, when there is no output from the phototransistor, it is determined whether or not there is an output from the phototransistor every time the number of pulses for performing the step driving is added (S4). If the output from the phototransistor does not occur even if the value reaches 9, the second stepping motor 31 is driven by one step (pulse) (S5), and then the first stepping motor 21 is step-driven again (S2) and the second hand is operated. The car 23 is driven to rotate.

On the other hand, if there is an output of the phototransistor, the second hand wheel 23 is rapidly advanced (S6), and a comparison is made with the output pattern stored in the control unit in advance (S6).
7) If the obtained output pattern and the stored output pattern do not match, the second hand wheel 23 is fast-forwarded again. On the other hand, when the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern, at that time (when the output from the phototransistor is not obtained even at the fifth step, the next time the output from the phototransistor is obtained) To stop the second hand wheel 23 (stop the first stepping motor 21), drive the second hand wheel 23 to the home position and stop it (S
8). At this time, the second hand is corrected to a predetermined time, for example, the position of the hour (0 second).

Subsequently, only the second step motor 31 is pulse-driven at a predetermined output frequency to fast-forward the minute hand wheel 34 (S9). Then, the output pattern from the phototransistor is compared with the output pattern stored in the control unit in advance (S10). If the obtained output pattern and the stored output pattern do not match, the minute hand wheel 3 is returned again.
4 is fast forwarded. On the other hand, when the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern, at that time,
The second stepping motor 31 is stopped, and the driving of the minute hand wheel 34 and the hour hand wheel 36 is stopped (S11).

Here, the time correction by comparing the output pattern with a previously stored pattern is performed by adjusting the time to one of three types of patterns. That is, as shown in FIG. 13A, the output pattern of the phototransistor by the minute hand wheel 34 is such that two narrow B portions and one wide A portion are alternately set as the OFF width at which the light shielding portion acts. And the hour hand wheel 36
The output pattern of the phototransistor according to FIG.
As shown in (b), a pattern in which three types of D portion, E portion, and C portion alternately appear at predetermined intervals with the OFF width at which the light shielding portion acts, and an output pattern obtained by combining the two is: As shown in FIG. 13 (c), a pattern obtained by combining the parts D, B and A, a pattern obtained by combining the parts E, B and A, and a pattern obtained by combining the parts C, B and A are obtained. The three types of the obtained patterns are patterns that appear at predetermined intervals. Note that, among the patterns shown in FIG. 13, the portion of the pattern that is turned on is actually a toothless pattern because there is a portion that is turned off by the light blocking portion of the third wheel & pinion 33.

Therefore, when a pattern composed of a combination of the part D, the part B and the part A is confirmed, for example, at 4:00.
For example, the time when a pattern composed of a combination of the E, B, and A parts is confirmed is 8:00, and the time when a pattern composed of a combination of the C, B, and A parts is confirmed is, for example, 12:00. If the minute is set in advance, the second stepping motor 31 is stopped when any of these patterns is detected, and the minute hand 34 and the hour hand 36, that is, the minute hand and the hour hand are adjusted to a predetermined time. be able to.

After the second stepping motor 31 is stopped, the output of the light emitting diode is turned off to stop the light emission (S12), and the time correction operation ends.

According to the radio-controlled timepiece performing the above operation, the minute hand wheel 34 and the hour hand wheel 36 use arc-shaped through holes, that is, long holes as the through holes for passing the detection light. The range in which the sensor 40 is turned on expands,
The position detection time can be shortened, and as a result, the time for correcting the time of the second hand can be shortened. The hour hand wheel 36
Provided with three types of light-shielding portions C, D, and E, it is possible to detect any one of the three portions and correct the time.
In addition, the hour wheel 36 having the slowest rotation speed is set to about 1 /
The position can be detected only by making three rotations, whereby the time for correcting the time of the minute hand and the hour hand can be reduced.

Next, another time correction operation of the radio-controlled timepiece will be described. FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the time adjustment operation. Here, the first fifth car 2
2. Second hand wheel 23, 3rd wheel 33, minute hand wheel 34, hour hand wheel 36
Is driven to rotate by the step driving of the first stepping motor 21 and the second stepping motor 31 controlled by the control unit, respectively, in the same manner as the above-described driving method.
At this time, the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 is driven and controlled by the step driving of the first stepping motor 21 so as to make one rotation in 15 steps. As a result, the second hand wheel 23 makes one rotation in 60 steps. On the other hand, the third wheel 33 is driven and controlled by the step driving of the second stepping motor 31 so as to make one rotation in 60 steps. As a result, the minute hand wheel 34
Makes one revolution in 360 steps, and the hour wheel 36 makes one revolution in 4320 steps. In this case, the first fifth wheel 22 is
Each time the first stepping motor 21 is driven by five steps, the detection light is passed once.
Each time the stepping motor 31 is driven six steps, the detection light is passed once.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, at the time of reset or power-on, the start switch is turned on, and the light emitting element 42, that is, the light emitting diode is activated to emit detection light (S1). Subsequently, the first stepping motor 21
And the second stepping motor 31 are simultaneously pulse-driven at the same output frequency, so that the second hand wheel 23 and the minute hand wheel 34
(And the hour wheel 36) is driven to rotate (S2). next,
It is determined whether there is an output from the light receiving element 44, that is, the phototransistor (S3).

If there is no output from the phototransistor, the first stepping motor 21 and the second
The stepping motor 31 is pulse-driven and the second hand wheel 23
And the minute hand wheel 34 (and the hour hand wheel 36) are rotationally driven.
On the other hand, if there is an output from the phototransistor, the second hand wheel 23 and the minute hand wheel 34 (and the hour hand wheel 36) are temporarily stopped (S4), and thereafter, the second hand wheel 23 is rapidly advanced (S4).
5) The control unit compares the output pattern stored in advance with the control unit (S6). If the obtained output pattern does not match the stored output pattern, the second hand wheel 23 is fast-forwarded again. On the other hand, when the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern, the second hand wheel 23 is stopped at that time (the first stepping motor 21 is stopped), and the second hand wheel 23 is driven to the home position. Stop (S
7). At this time, the second hand is corrected to a predetermined time, for example, the position of the hour (0 second).

Subsequently, only the second step motor 31 is pulse-driven to rapidly feed the minute hand wheel 34 (S8). Then, the output pattern from the phototransistor is compared with the output pattern stored in the control unit in advance (S
9) If the obtained output pattern does not match the stored output pattern, the minute hand wheel 34 is fast-forwarded again. On the other hand, if the obtained output pattern matches the stored output pattern, the second stepping motor 31 is stopped at that time, and the driving of the minute hand wheel 34 and the hour hand wheel 36 is stopped (S10).

Here, the time correction by comparing the output pattern with the previously stored pattern is performed by adjusting the time to one of the three types of patterns in the same manner as in the above-described case. That is, as shown in FIG. 13A, the output pattern of the phototransistor by the minute hand wheel 34 is such that two narrow B portions and one wide A portion are alternately set as the OFF width at which the light shielding portion acts. As shown in FIG. 13B, the output pattern of the phototransistor by the hour wheel 36 has three types of D width, E width, and C width where the light-shielding portion acts. Are alternately appearing at predetermined intervals, and the output pattern obtained by combining the two is, as shown in FIG.
A pattern in which part D, part B and part A are combined,
Part, B part and A part combined pattern, C part,
Three types of patterns obtained by combining the portions B and A are patterns that appear at predetermined intervals.

Therefore, when a pattern composed of a combination of the D portion, the B portion and the A portion is confirmed, for example, at 4:00.
For example, the time when a pattern composed of a combination of the E, B, and A parts is confirmed is 8:00, and the time when a pattern composed of a combination of the C, B, and A parts is confirmed is, for example, 12:00. If the minute is set in advance, the second stepping motor 31 is stopped when any of these patterns is detected, and the minute hand 34 and the hour hand 36, that is, the minute hand and the hour hand are adjusted to a predetermined time. be able to.

After the second stepping motor 31 is stopped, the output of the light emitting diode is turned off to stop the light emission (S11), and the time correction operation is ended.

According to the radio-controlled timepiece performing the above operation, the first stepping motor 21 drives the first
Of the fifth wheel 22 and the third wheel 33 driven by the second stepping motor 31, the intervals at which the detection light of the light detection sensor 40 passes are odd and even in terms of the number of output pulses of the respective motors 21 and 31. The odd and even numbers have no common divisor.

Therefore, when the first stepping motor 21 and the second stepping motor 31 rotate relative to each other due to an external factor such as an impact after assembling, and the rotation phases of the first stepping motor 21 and the second stepping motor 31 are shifted, the first stepping motor 21 Even if the stepping motor 21 and the second stepping motor 31 are driven to rotate at the same time, there always exists a position where the phases match (a position where the output of the light detection sensor is turned on).

For example, when the third wheel & pinion 33 is shifted, the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 is connected to the first stepping motor 21.
The number of pulses of every 5 pulses, ie, 0, 5, 10, 15,
20, 25, 30,..., The detection light passes through each pulse, while the third wheel 33 shifts by one pulse, 1, 7, 13,
19, 25, 31... The detection light passes through each pulse, and
2, 8, 14, 20, 26, 32
..Detection light is passed for each pulse, 3 pulses are shifted,
9, 15, 21, 27, 33... The detection light passes through each pulse, and when there is a shift of 4 pulses, 4, 10, 16, 22,.
The detection light is passed for each pulse, and when it is shifted by 5 pulses, 5, 11
... The detection light is transmitted for each pulse. In this case, 25 pulses when shifted by 1 pulse, 20 pulses when shifted by 2 pulses, 15 pulses when shifted by 3 pulses, 10 pulses when shifted by 4 pulses, and 5 pulses when shifted by 5 pulses. Will be in phase.

On the other hand, when the first fifth wheel & pinion 22 is displaced, the third wheel & pinion 33 has a pulse number of the second stepping motor 31 every six pulses, that is, 0, 6, 12, 18 and
4, 30... The detection light passes through each pulse, while the first fifth wheel 22 is shifted by one pulse, 1, 6, 11, 1
6, 21, 26... The detection light passes through each pulse.
When the pulse is shifted 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, ...
・ Detection light is passed for each pulse.
8, 13, 18, 23, 28... The detection light passes through each pulse, and when there is a shift of 4 pulses, 4, 9, 14, 19, 24,
29. The detection light is transmitted every pulse, and when there is a shift of 5 pulses, the detection light is transmitted every 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30. In this case, 6 pulses when shifted by 1 pulse, 12 pulses when shifted by 2 pulses, 18 pulses when shifted by 3 pulses, 24 pulses when shifted by 4 pulses,
In the case where there is a shift of 5 pulses, the phases of the two coincide at 30 pulses.

That is, since the positioning of the second hand and the positioning of the minute hand and the hour hand can be performed by driving both motors 21 and 31 simultaneously, the time required for time correction as a whole can be reduced.

[0064]

As described above, according to the self-correcting timepiece of the present invention, the biasing spring and the peripheral portion formed integrally by being defined by the notch hole so as to bias in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The rotation angle position of a gear having a plurality of through holes that are separated by a predetermined distance in the direction to allow passage of the detection light, and a positioning light-shielding portion that serves as a positioning index when detecting the rotation angle position is determined by the transmission type light. When detecting and emitting the detection light from the light emitting element constituting the detection sensor, since the positioning light shielding portion is provided at a position separated from the notch hole in the circumferential direction, in the region of the positioning light shielding portion,
Detection light can be prevented from passing through the cutout hole, and highly accurate position detection can be performed reliably.

In the case where at least a part of the plurality of through holes is formed so as to also serve as the notch hole, it takes time to form each through hole (in the case of a mold, forming a shape corresponding to the hole). It is possible to reduce the waste of the material by omitting the material and integrally cutting out the thickness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an automatic correction timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of the automatic correction timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a first diagram for driving a second hand which is a part of an automatic correction timepiece
It is a top view which shows a drive system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a second drive system that drives a minute hand and an hour hand, which are part of an automatic correction timepiece.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a first fifth wheel that forms part of a first drive system that drives the second hand.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a second hand wheel that forms part of a first drive system that drives the second hand.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another example of the second hand wheel forming a part of the first drive system for driving the second hand.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a third wheel that forms part of a second drive system that drives the minute hand and the hour hand.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a minute hand wheel that forms part of a second drive system that drives the minute hand and the hour hand.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an hour wheel that forms part of a second drive system that drives the minute hand and the hour hand.

FIG. 11 is an end view showing the distal end portions of the minute hand pipe and the hour hand pipe.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation in the case where time correction driving is performed in an automatic correction timepiece.

13 is a graph showing an output pattern of a minute hand wheel, an hour hand wheel, and a detection unit based on a combination of the two in the correction drive shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another operation in the case where time correction driving is performed in an automatic correction timepiece.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Watch main body 11 ... Lower case (2nd case) 11c ... Mounting recessed part (2nd arrangement | positioning part) 11d ... Circular through hole 12 ... Upper case (1st case) 12c ... Mounting recess (first arrangement portion) 12d circular through hole 13 middle plate 20 first drive system 21 first stepping motor (first drive source) 22 first No. 5 wheel (first transmission gear, first detection gear) 22c ... through hole 23 ... second hand wheel (second detection gear, first pointer wheel) 23c ... through hole 23d ... Positioning light-shielding portion 23e ... biasing spring 23f ... notch hole 23g ... notch hole 30 ... second drive system 31 ... second stepping motor (second drive source) 32 ... Second 5th wheel 33... 3rd wheel (second transmission gear, third detection gear) 33c. 34 ... minute hand wheel (fourth detection gear, second pointer wheel) 34 c ... arc-shaped through hole 34 d ... arc-shaped through hole 34 e ... arc-shaped through hole 34 g ... groove (first) Index) 34p: minute hand pipe 35: minute wheel 36: hour hand wheel (fifth detection gear, second hand wheel) 36c: arc-shaped through hole 36d: arc-shaped through hole 36e: arc-shaped through hole 36g: groove (second index) 36p: hour hand pipe 40: light detection sensor (detection means) 42: light emitting element 44: light receiving element 50 ...・ Manual correction system

Claims (3)

[Claims] A first drive system for driving a first pointer;
A second drive system for driving the hands, a first hand wheel directly connected to the first hands, and a second hand wheel directly connected to the second hands are positioned at positions corresponding to a predetermined time based on a time signal. An automatic correction clock for automatically correcting the time, comprising: detecting means for detecting that the time has elapsed; and a control unit for controlling an operation of correcting the time at a predetermined time based on the output signal and the time signal of the detecting means. The means is a transmission-type light detection sensor including a light-emitting element that emits detection light and a light-receiving element that receives the detection light emitted from the light-emitting element and outputs a signal, wherein the first drive system or the second drive system is provided. At least one of the gears formed is formed with a biasing spring defined by a notch hole and integrally formed so as to bias in the axial direction of the rotation shaft, at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction. Detected light It has a plurality of through holes that allow passage, and a positioning light-shielding portion that serves as a positioning index when detecting a rotation angle position, and the positioning light-shielding portion is provided at a position separated from the notch hole in the circumferential direction. An automatic correction clock characterized by the following. 2. The biasing spring comprises a plurality of arcuate biasing springs formed so as to form an arc shape and to be separated from each other in a circumferential direction. 2. The self-correcting timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of arc-shaped urging springs are arranged in areas separated from each other. 3. The self-correcting timepiece according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the plurality of through holes is formed so as to also serve as the cutout hole.