JP2001337181A - Antenna for electric wave clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the strength against impact load. SOLUTION: In this antenna for an electric wave clock, flanges 23, 24 are formed respectively on both ends of a rod-shaped core material 22, a coil 26 is wound on the core material 22 between the flanges, and both end parts of the coil are connected to a connection pin 27 erected on the flange. The core material and the first and second flanges are formed integrally from a first composite material of ferrite, or metal powder or flake and plastics, and the first composite material includes the power or the flake by 40 wt.% or higher and less than 95 wt.% and is nonconductive. The core material 22 is formed into a hollow, and a magnetic member 31 is inserted therein. The magnetic member 31 may be formed from a second composite material, including the powder or the flake by 60 wt.% or more and less than 99.5 wt.%. Otherwise, the core material may be formed from a nonconductive third composite material and the first and second flanges may be formed from a highly magnetic fourth composite material, and the core material may be formed along the circumferential face of the frame part of the clock.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antenna used for a radio-controlled timepiece which receives a predetermined radio wave including time information and corrects the time.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Since a clock exhibits its function by accurately ticking time, it is not only a table clock or a wall clock provided indoors and a wrist watch directly attached to a human arm, but also an outdoor clock provided in public facilities such as a park. It is required that the time be accurately displayed even if the time is present. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a radio clock has been known as a clock that accurately displays time. The radio timepiece has a built-in antenna for receiving a predetermined radio wave, is configured to receive a predetermined radio wave including time information, correct the time, and display the correct time after the correction.

As shown in FIG. 12, an antenna 1 conventionally used for this radio timepiece has a magnetic core member 2 made of a ferrite rod and a coil 3 wound around the magnetic core member 2. Since the magnetic core member 2 made of a ferrite rod has a relatively fragile and fragile nature, the clock 1 and the wall clock and the outdoor clock provided outdoors have a relatively large internal space. Synthetic rubbers 4, 4 which are elastic bodies to be absorbed are fitted to both ends of the magnetic core member 2 and housed in a predetermined case 6, and mounting plates 6a, 6a formed integrally with the case 6 are screwed. Thus, the antenna 1 is provided inside the timepiece 7. When the antenna 1 is mounted via such a case 6, the timepiece 7
Even if an impact load acts on the magnetic core member 2 made of a ferrite rod, the elastic bodies 4 and 4 absorb the impact so that cracks or chips do not occur.

On the other hand, a wristwatch, which is a radio-controlled timepiece (not shown) attached directly to an arm, includes a frame, a glass cover, and a back cover, and an antenna is provided on an outer surface of a case. Since a wristwatch can be attached to a human arm, it is required to be relatively small and light. Based on this requirement, a radio-controlled watch antenna is also formed by reducing its diameter and length. Is being downsized. However, when the diameter and length of the ferrite rod are reduced, the radio clock may be broken by an impact load caused by dropping, etc. In this case, the inductance of the coil is reduced and the radio wave of the target frequency (40 kHz) can be received. There was a risk of disappearing. Further, an antenna used in a wristwatch requires a flange for regulating the width direction of a coil wound around a magnetic core member, and also requires means for fixing both ends of the coil. In order to eliminate these points, a plurality of ferrite bodies are housed in a hollow frame made of synthetic resin as an antenna used in a wristwatch, and flanges are formed at both ends of the frame to regulate the width direction of the coil. At the same time, there has been proposed a bar antenna structure in which the ferrite bodies are connected and held in a line by a frame with a gap (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 8-271659). In this bar antenna structure, since the frame portion is bent and elastically deformed in the gap between the ferrite bodies, the bar antenna bent in the gap can be elastically and gently curved as a whole. As a result, even when an impact load is applied to the wristwatch, the bar antenna is elastically curved and absorbs, so that the ferrite body is not cracked or damaged.

[0005]

However, the structure for mounting the antenna via the above-mentioned conventional case and the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H08-2980 have been disclosed.
The bar antenna structure of a radio timepiece disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 71659 requires an elastic body and new members such as a case and a frame separately from a conventional antenna in which a coil is directly wound around a ferrite rod, and the mounting structure is complicated. In addition, there is a problem that the unit price is increased. Further, in the case of a wristwatch, there is a problem that the outer diameter of the entire wristwatch increases due to the fact that the antenna itself becomes larger than before due to the presence of the frame portion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece that can improve the strength against an impact load and simplify its mounting. Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively small antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece while improving the strength against an impact load.

[0006]

The invention according to claim 1 is
As shown in FIG. 1, this is an improvement of an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which a coil 26 is wound around a portion excluding both ends of a rod-shaped core material 22. Its characteristic configuration is that the core material 22 and the first and second
The flanges 23 and 24 are integrally formed of a first composite material obtained by mixing a powder or flake of ferrite or metal with plastic, and the first composite material contains 40 wt% or more and 95 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. Less than and non-conductive. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the core member 22 is formed of the first composite material which is relatively flexible and does not crack, the mechanical strength of the core member 22 is improved as compared with the conventional ferrite sintered body. Can be. On the other hand, the first composite material contains ferrite or metal powder or flake in an amount of 40 wt% or more and 95 wt%.
Core material 2 of the antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece.
2 has the necessary magnetic permeability. Further, the first composite material
Since injection molding using a mold is possible, the core material 22 can be obtained relatively easily.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which the ferrite or metal is soft magnetic ferrite or soft magnetic metal. The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, and as shown in FIG.
a and 37a respectively formed on the first and second mounting plates 3
Reference numerals 6 and 37 denote radio-controlled timepiece antennas protruding from opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core member 22 in opposite directions to each other and formed integrally with the rod-shaped core member 22. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the antenna 21 can be mounted using the mounting holes 36a and 37a formed in the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37, and a case or the like prepared separately from the antenna can be used. The antenna 21 compared to the conventional one using the mounting member
Can be simplified. Further, since the mechanical strength of the core material 22 is improved as compared with the conventional method using a ferrite sintered body, even if an impact load is applied,
It does not damage itself.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3
As shown in FIG. 1, the invention according to any one of the above embodiments is a radio-controlled timepiece antenna in which first and second flanges 23 and 24 are integrally formed at both ends of a rod-shaped core material 22.
In the invention according to claim 4, the first and second flanges 2 are provided.
3, 24 limit the portion of the rod-shaped core material 22 around which the coil 26 is wound, and the winding of the coil 26 becomes relatively easy. First
Since the composite material can be injection-molded using a mold, even if the flanges 23 and 24 are provided at both ends of the core material 22, the core material 22 including the flanges 23 and 24 can be obtained relatively easily. it can.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fourth aspect, wherein a pair of connecting pins 27, 27 are erected on the first or second flange 23, and the pair of connecting pins 27, 2 is provided.
7 is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which both ends of a coil 26 are respectively connected. Although the first composite material forming the first and second flanges 23 and 24 includes ferrite or metal powder or flake, it is non-conductive,
In the invention according to the fourth aspect, the pair of connection pins 27 provided on the flange 23 do not conduct, and the radio timepiece antenna can reliably receive the standard radio wave.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5
5 is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which a core member 22 is formed hollow and a magnetic member 31 is inserted into the core member 22, as shown in FIG. In the invention according to claim 6, since the magnetic member 31 having a higher magnetic permeability than the first composite material is inserted into the hollow portion of the core member 22, the antenna 21 itself can be relatively miniaturized. The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, which is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece, wherein the magnetic member 31 is a laminated body of sintered ferrite or amorphous foil. In the invention according to claim 7, the magnetic member 31 made of a ferrite sintered body or a laminate of an amorphous foil is inserted into the core material 22, and the magnetic member 31 is protected by the relatively flexible core material 22. Therefore, the mechanical strength can be improved as compared with a conventional antenna made of a single ferrite having no coating.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic member 31 is a second composite material formed by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes with plastic. The composite material has a ferrite or metal powder or flake of 60 wt% or more and 99.5% or more.
An antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece that contains less than wt%. The amount of ferrite or metal to be added to the plastic varies depending on the shape of the grains or the required particle size distribution and the like, and the characteristics of the obtained composite material differ depending on the type, shape, and particle size distribution of the magnetic material. Non-conductive core material 22
In the invention according to claim 6, in which the magnetic member 31 is inserted into the hollow portion, it is sufficient that the magnetic member 31 is non-conductive so that a remarkable eddy current does not occur at the frequency of the radio clock. In the invention according to claim 8 cited in claim 6, the second composite material is made of ferrite or metal powder or flake by 60 watts.
By containing t% or more and less than 99.5 wt%, the magnetic member 31 having a relatively high magnetic permeability can be obtained. Therefore, by forming the magnetic member 31 from a second composite material having a higher magnetic permeability than the first composite material,
It is possible to make the magnetic member 31 itself flexible and to further improve the mechanical strength of the antenna 21, while making the magnetic member 31 itself relatively small in size.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claims 1 to 8
7 is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which the core member 22 is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame 12a of the timepiece, as shown in FIG. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the antenna 21 can be provided along the outer surface of the frame portion 12a, so that the radio-controlled timepiece 11 itself can be reduced in size and the design flexibility of the radio-controlled timepiece 11 is improved. .

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, first and second flanges 23,
24 are respectively formed, a coil 26 is wound around the core member 22 between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24, and a pair of connection pins 2 erected on the first or second flange 23.
This is an improvement of an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which both ends of a coil 26 are connected to 7, 27, respectively. The characteristic configuration is
The core material 22 is formed of a third composite material or a laminate of amorphous foils obtained by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes with plastic, and the third composite material is formed of a ferrite or metal powder or flakes of 6%.
0 wt% or more and less than 99.5 wt%, the first and second
The flanges 23 and 24 are made of a fourth composite material made of a mixture of ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic and a non-conductive plastic, and the fourth composite material contains 40 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. And less than 95 wt%. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the laminate of the amorphous foil and the third composite material have high magnetic permeability and high mechanical strength, the strength of the core material 22 itself can be improved, and the antenna itself can be used. The size can be relatively reduced. On the other hand, since the fourth composite is non-conductive,
The pair of connection pins 27 provided on the flange 23 do not conduct, and the antenna according to the present invention reliably receives the standard radio wave.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal. Although not shown in the drawings, the invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the first and second mounting plates each having a mounting hole are formed on opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core material. This is a radio-controlled timepiece antenna that projects in opposite directions and is formed integrally with the rod-shaped core material. The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the core member 22 is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the timepiece frame 12a. . According to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects of the invention, the mounting of the antenna 21 can be simplified, the size of the radio-controlled timepiece 11 itself can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in designing the radio-controlled timepiece 11 can be improved.

The invention according to claim 14 is an improvement of a radio-controlled timepiece antenna in which a coil 26 is wound around a portion excluding both ends of a rod-shaped core material 22 as shown in FIG. The characteristic configuration is a laminated body of a fifth composite material 22a and a magnetic member 22b in which the rod-shaped core material 22 is a mixture of ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic, and the fifth composite material 22b is ferrite or A bobbin 24 containing 40% by weight or more and less than 95% by weight of metal powder or flakes and having first and second flanges 42a and 42b formed at both ends is fitted into the rod-shaped core material 22, and the first and second bobbins 24 are inserted.
The coil 26 is attached to the bobbin 42 between the flanges 42a and 42b.
Is wound. In the invention according to claim 14, since the core member 22 is formed by laminating the magnetic member 22b having a high magnetic permeability on the plastic or the fifth composite material 22a, the necessary magnetic permeability for the core member 22 is ensured. Can be. On the other hand, the magnetic member 22b is laminated and protected by the fifth composite material 22a having relatively high strength, and if the fifth composite material 22a is mounted on a radio timepiece, the magnetic member 22b is not damaged due to the mounting. Absent.

The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein the ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal. The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first and second mounting plates 36, 37 in which the mounting holes 36a, 37a are respectively formed are opposite ends of the rod-shaped core material 22. This is a radio-controlled timepiece antenna integrally formed with plastic or the fifth composite material 22b so as to protrude from the surface in opposite directions. In the invention according to the sixteenth aspect, the male screws 38, 38 are inserted into the mounting holes 36a, 37a formed in the first and second mounting plates 36, 37, and the male screws 38, 38 are screwed together to mount the antenna 21. If it is, the mounting of the antenna 21 is simplified, and the antenna 21 can be mounted on the radio timepiece relatively easily.

The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein a pair of connection pins are erected on the first or second flange 42a, 42b, and a coil is mounted on the pair of connection pins. 26 are radio-controlled timepiece antennas connected at both ends. The invention according to claim 18 is
The invention according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the magnetic member 22b is a ferrite sintered body or an amorphous foil laminate. The invention according to claim 19 is the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the magnetic member 22b is a sixth composite material obtained by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes with plastic. The composite material 6 is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece that contains 60 wt% or more and less than 99.5 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the rod-shaped core member 22 is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion of the timepiece. .

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment will be described using a radio-controlled timepiece used as a wristwatch. 3 and 4
As shown in FIG.
2 includes a drive unit 13 housed in the display unit 2, a display unit 14 driven by the drive unit 13 to display time, and a controller 17 housed in the case 12 and controlling the drive unit 13. The case 12 includes a frame portion 12a, a glass cover 12b, and a back cover 12c. The frame portion 12a is formed in a circular ring shape from metal, the glass cover 12b is formed in a disk shape using an electrically insulating material (glass plate), and the back cover 12c is formed in a disk shape using an electrically insulating material (plastic or the like). You. The display unit 14 has a scale plate 14a, a short hand 14b driven by the drive unit 13 and rotating on the scale plate 14a,
It consists of a long hand 14c and a second hand (not shown).

The antenna 21 according to the present invention is provided along the outer surface of the frame portion 12a. The antenna 21 receives a radio wave including time information, and is connected to the controller 17 housed in the case 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the antenna 21 has a rod-shaped core 22 having first and second flanges 23 and 24 formed at both ends, respectively, and a core between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24. A coil 26 is wound around 21. A pair of connection pins 27, 27 are erected on the first flange 23, and both ends of the coil 26 wound around the core material are wound around these connection pins 27, 27, respectively, and are electrically soldered. Connected.

As shown in FIG. 4, a board 17 extending from the controller 17 to the antenna 21 through the frame portion 12a is provided.
is provided, the connection pins 27, 27 are soldered to this substrate, and both ends of the coil 26 are electrically connected to the controller 17. An antenna 21 is provided on the side of the frame 12a.
A cover 18 made of an electrically insulating material (plastic or the like) is attached so as to cover the cover. The radio wave received by the antenna 21 is a radio wave including time information of Japanese standard time emitted based on an atomic clock of the Communications Research Laboratory of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (hereinafter, this radio wave is referred to as a standard radio wave). Reference numerals 12d and 12d in FIG. 3 denote a pair of receiving members protruding from the frame portion 12a, and both ends of the band 19 are pivotally attached to the receiving members 12d and 12d, respectively.

The feature of the antenna 21 according to the present embodiment used for the radio timepiece 11 is that the core material 2
Numeral 2 is a solid bar, and the core 22 and the first and second flanges 23 and 24 are formed integrally by a first composite material of ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic. is there. The ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal, and as the plastic, a thermoplastic plastic having good workability or a thermosetting plastic having good heat resistance can be used. Examples of the metal powder include carbonyl iron powder, atomized iron powder, atomized permalloy powder, and reduced iron powder. On the other hand, as metal flakes, after the powder is refined with a ball mill or the like to form the powder, the flakes obtained by mechanically flattening the powder, or the molten particles of the iron-based or cobalt-based amorphous alloy are water-cooled. Flake obtained by colliding with copper is used.

This first composite material is required to contain a ferrite or metal powder or flake in a range of 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt%. If the ferrite or metal powder or flake is less than 40 wt%, the magnetic permeability of the obtained core material 22 is low, and to obtain the required magnetic permeability, the core material 22 itself needs to be large, and the antenna 21 This makes it impossible to reduce the size of the device itself. On the other hand, if the ferrite or metal powder or flakes is 95 wt% or more, there is a possibility of having conductivity, and the pair of connection pins 27 provided on the obtained first flange 23 conduct to ensure the standard radio wave. Can not be received.
A particularly preferred range when the ferrite or metal is a powder is 85 wt% to 90 wt%, and a particularly preferred range when the ferrite or metal is a flake is 40 wt% to 60 wt%.
It is.

In the radio timepiece antenna thus configured, the core member 22 functions as a necessary magnetic core material as the radio timepiece antenna, while the first composite material is non-conductive, so A pair of connection pins 27 provided,
27 does not conduct, and the standard radio wave can be reliably received. Further, since the core member 22 is formed of the first composite material which is relatively flexible and does not have a possibility of breaking, the mechanical strength of the core member 22 can be improved as compared with the related art using a ferrite sintered body. Even if the antenna 21 is accidentally dropped and an impact load is applied, the antenna 21 is not damaged.
Furthermore, since the first composite material can be injection-molded using a mold, the core material 22 including the flanges 23 and 24 can be obtained relatively easily.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment indicate the same parts. The core member 22 in this embodiment is formed to be hollow, and the core member 22 and the first and second flanges 23 and 24 are formed.
Are integrally formed by the above-described first composite material. The core member 22 is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and a magnetic member 31 is inserted into a hollow portion of the core member 22. As the magnetic member 31 in this embodiment, a ferrite sintered body, a laminated body of amorphous foil, or a rectangular parallelepiped formed of the second composite material is inserted. Here, the second composite material is a composite material of ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic,
Add ferrite or metal powder or flakes to 60
% by weight and less than 99.5% by weight. If the ferrite or metal powder or flake in the second composite material is less than 60 wt%, the magnetic permeability required for the magnetic member 31 cannot be obtained, and conversely 99.5.
If the content is not less than wt%, it becomes difficult to form the magnetic member 31 by injection molding or compression molding. A particularly preferred range when the ferrite or metal of the second composite material is a powder is in the range of 90 to 98 wt%, and a particularly preferred range in the case of flakes is in the range of 80 to 98 wt%.

In the radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 configured as described above, the magnetic member 31 having a higher magnetic permeability than the core material made of the first composite material is inserted into the hollow portion of the core material 22. Can be downsized. The magnetic member 31 is made of a relatively flexible core material 2.
Therefore, even when a ferrite sintered body or a laminated body of amorphous foil is inserted into the core member 22, the mechanical property is higher than that of a conventional antenna consisting of a single ferrite rod without any coating. Strength can be improved.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
6, the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment indicate the same parts. The core material 22 in this embodiment is formed of a laminate of an amorphous foil or a third composite material in which a ferrite or metal powder or flake is contained in a plastic of 60 wt% or more and less than 99.5 wt%. This third composite material is the same as the above-described second composite material, and thus the description thereof will not be repeated. On the other hand, the first and second flanges 23 and 24 are made of a non-conductive plastic, or a non-conductive fourth composite in which ferrite or metal powder or flake is contained in a plastic in an amount of 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt%. Made from wood. This fourth
Since the composite material is the same as the first composite material described above, repeated description is omitted.

The radio timepiece antenna thus configured has a relatively high magnetic permeability, a relatively flexible structure, and a core material made of a laminate of amorphous foil or a third composite material having high mechanical strength. Since the antenna 22 itself is formed, the antenna itself can be relatively reduced in size and its mechanical strength can be directly improved. Further, since the fourth composite material is non-conductive, the pair of connection pins 27 provided on the flange 23 do not conduct, and the standard radio wave can be reliably received.

In the above-described embodiments, the description has been made using the linear rod-shaped core members 22. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the frame 12a of the timepiece to which the antenna 21 is to be mounted is curved. In this case, the core member 22 may be formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion 12a. If the core member 22 is curved, the antenna 21 can be provided along the outer surface of the frame portion 12a, and the radio timepiece 11 itself can be reduced in size, and the degree of freedom in designing the radio timepiece 11 is improved.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment indicate the same parts. The antenna according to the present embodiment is mounted on a radio clock 41 having a relatively sufficient internal space such as a table clock, a wall clock, and an outdoor clock provided outdoors. The antenna 21 has a first and second flanges 23 and 24 formed at both ends of a rod-shaped core material 22.
A coil 26 is wound around the core 21 between the third and second flanges 24. Both ends of the coil 26 wound around the core member 22 are drawn out along one flange 23, and the ends are electrically connected to a controller (not shown) that displays the time of the clock 41.

The core member 22 is a solid rod, and the core member 22 and the first and second flanges 23 and 24 are made of the powder or flake of ferrite or metal described in the first embodiment and plastic. It is formed integrally with the first composite material. A feature of the antenna 21 in the present embodiment is that the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 are formed integrally with the rod-shaped core material 22. First and second mounting plates 3
The first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 have mounting holes 36a and 37a, respectively, which are formed on opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core member 22 in opposite directions.

As shown in FIG. 8, the antenna 21 for a radio-controlled timepiece constructed as described above is mounted with male screws 38, 38 in mounting holes 36a, 37a formed in the first and second mounting plates 36, 37, respectively. The first and second mounting plates 36, 37 are screwed into the bosses 41a, 41a provided inside a clock, a wall clock, and an outdoor clock, which are radio wave clocks 41, by inserting the male screws 38, 38 therein. 41
a, 41a, and the antenna 21 is mounted inside the radio-controlled timepiece 41. In the antenna 21 of this embodiment, the core member 22 is formed of a first composite material that is relatively flexible and does not crack, so that the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 are connected to the radio clock by using the male screws 38 and 38. Even if it is fixed directly inside the antenna, it does not break, and the mounting of the antenna 21 is simplified and the antenna 21 can be relatively easily mounted compared to the conventional case using a mounting member such as a case prepared separately from the antenna. Can be installed. Further, since the mechanical strength of the core member 22 is improved as compared with the conventional case using the ferrite sintered body, even if an impact load is applied to the radio timepiece 41 by mistake, the antenna 21 itself is not damaged.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment indicate the same parts. The antenna according to this embodiment is mounted on a radio-controlled timepiece having a relatively large internal space similarly to the fourth embodiment. The antenna 21 is a rod-shaped core material 2
A coil 26 is wound around a portion excluding both ends of the second composite material 2, and the rod-shaped core material 22 is made of a fifth composite material 2 made by mixing powder or flakes of ferrite or metal and plastic.
2a and a magnetic member 22b. The fifth composite material 22a contains ferrite or metal powder or flake in an amount of 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt%.
Since the composite material is the same as the first composite material described above, repeated description is omitted.

On the other hand, the magnetic member 22b is a ferrite sintered body, a laminate of amorphous foils, or a rectangular parallelepiped formed of a sixth composite material. Here, the sixth composite material is a composite material obtained by mixing a ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic, and the ferrite or metal powder or flake is 60 wt% or more and 99.5 wt%.
% Is included. Since the sixth composite material is the same as the above-described second composite material, further description will not be repeated. The fifth composite material 22a is formed to have the same width as the magnetic member 22b, and is laminated and bonded to the magnetic member 22b to form a rod-shaped core material 22 made of a laminate.

A bobbin 42 is fitted into the core member 22. First and second flanges 42 are provided at both ends of the bobbin 42.
The coil 26 is wound around the bobbin 42 between the first flange 42a and the second flange 42b. Both ends of the coil 26 wound around the bobbin 42 are drawn out along one flange 42a, and the ends are electrically connected to a controller (not shown) that displays the time of a clock. On the other hand, the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 are integrally formed on the plastic or the fifth composite material 22a. The first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 are formed on opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core material 22 so as to protrude in opposite directions, respectively, and the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 have mounting holes 36a and 37a. Each is formed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 having the above-described structure is mounted with external threads 38, 38 in mounting holes 36a, 37a formed in the first and second mounting plates 36, 37, respectively. The radio-controlled timepiece is mounted by screwing the male screws 38, 38 into bosses 41a, 41a provided inside the radio timepiece. Since the first and second mounting plates 36 and 37 in this embodiment are formed of the fifth composite material which is relatively flexible and is not likely to break, the male screw 3
Even when the fifth composite material is directly fixed with the use of 8, 38, the fifth composite material is not cracked, the mounting of the antenna 21 is simplified, and the antenna 21 can be mounted relatively easily. Further, since the core member 22 is formed by laminating the magnetic member 22b having a high magnetic permeability on the fifth composite material 22a, the necessary magnetic permeability for the core member 22 can be ensured.
Since the fastening force of the male screws 38, 38 does not reach b, the magnetic member 22b is not damaged by screwing the male screws.

In the above-described fourth and fifth embodiments, the case where the straight core member 22 is used and the end of the coil 26 is pulled out and wired as it is is shown. Erect a pair of connection pins on two flanges,
Both ends of the coil may be connected to the connection pins, respectively. If the radio-controlled timepiece is a wristwatch, the rod-shaped core material 22 may be formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion of the timepiece.

[0037]

Next, examples of the present invention will be described in detail together with comparative examples. <Example 1> An antenna 21 shown in Fig. 1 was manufactured. That is,
A core material 22 having a length × width × thickness of 22 × 6.5 × 6.5 mm is formed by a first composite material in which 92 wt% of Fe—Si—Cr-based granular magnetic powder is dispersed in nylon which is a plastic. The first flange 23 and the second flange 24 are formed integrally with the first and second flanges 23 and 24.
A coated conductor having a diameter of 0.1 mm is attached to
It wound so that it might be set to 0 mH. As a result, the coil 26 is formed by winding the covered wire 1160 times, and L
Was 10 mH. This radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 was used as Example 1.

Embodiment 2 An antenna 21 shown in FIG. 5 was manufactured. That is, the same length as the first composite material of Example 1
Core material 2 having a width x thickness of 22 x 6.2 x 6.2 mm respectively
2 was formed integrally with the first and second flanges 23 and 24. A hole of 4 × 4 mm in length and width was penetrated in the core material 22 in the longitudinal direction to form a hollow core material 22. This hole has a length x width x thickness of 22 x 4 x 4 mm
The magnetic member 31 made of a composite material was inserted. As the second composite material, a material obtained by dispersing 95 wt% of a powder made of carbonyl iron in plastic nylon was used. The core material 2 between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24
2, a coated conductor having a diameter of 0.1 mm was wound so that L became 10 mH. As a result, the coil 26 was formed by winding the covered conductor 650 times, and the antenna 21 having L of 10 mH was obtained. This radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 was used as Example 2.

Embodiment 3 An antenna 21 shown in FIG. 5 was manufactured. That is, the same length as the first composite material of Example 1
The first core material 22 having a width x thickness of 22 x 6 x 6 mm
And the second flanges 23 and 24 are integrally formed. A hole of 3.8 × 3.8 mm in length × width was formed through the core material 22 in the longitudinal direction to form a hollow core material 22. Each of the holes has a length × width × thickness of 22 × 3.8 × 3.8.
A magnetic member 31 made of a ferrite rod having a diameter of 0.1 mm was inserted.
A coated conductive wire having a diameter of 0.1 mm was wound around the core member 22 between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24 so that L became 10 mH. As a result, the coil 26 was formed by winding the covered conductor 630 times, and the antenna 21 having L of 10 mH was obtained. This radio clock antenna 21
Was set to Example 3.

<Embodiment 4> The antenna 21 shown in FIG. 5 was manufactured. That is, the same length as the first composite material of Example 1
A core material 22 having a width × thickness of 22 × 5 × 2.5 mm was integrally formed together with the first and second flanges 23 and 24. A hole of 3 × 1 mm in length and width was penetrated in the core material 22 in the longitudinal direction to form a hollow core material 22. A magnetic member 31 composed of a laminate of amorphous foils having a length × width × thickness of 22 × 3.0 × 0.6 mm was inserted into the holes. A coated conductor having a diameter of 0.1 mm is applied to the core member 22 between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24, and L is 10 mH.
It was wound to become. As a result, the coil 26 is formed by winding the covered conductor 680 times, and L is 10 m.
The antenna 21 which was H was obtained. This radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 was used as Example 4.

Embodiment 5 An antenna 21 shown in FIG. 6 was manufactured. That is, the length × width × thickness is 22 × 6 × 6 mm, respectively, by a third composite material obtained by dispersing 95 wt% of a powder of carbonyl iron in nylon which is a plastic.
Was formed. First and second flanges 23 and 24 were formed on both ends of the core material by using a fourth composite material in which 92% by weight of Fe-Si-Cr-based granular magnetic material powder was dispersed in plastic nylon. A coated conductive wire having a diameter of 0.1 mm was wound around the core member 22 between the first flange 23 and the second flange 24 so that L became 10 mH. As a result, the coil 2 is wound 670 times to form the coil 2.
6 was formed, and an antenna 21 having L of 10 mH was obtained. This radio-controlled timepiece antenna 21 was used as Example 5.

<Comparative Example 1> Each of length × width × thickness was 25.3 × by polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).
A core material 22 of 6.5 × 6.5 mm was formed integrally with the first and second flanges. The length x width is 4.2
A hole of × 4.2 mm was formed to penetrate in the longitudinal direction to obtain a hollow core material. The length x width x thickness are each 22 x
A ferrite sintered body of 4.2 × 4.2 mm was inserted. Thereafter, a coated conductor having a diameter of 0.1 mm was applied to the core material, and L was 10 mH
It was wound to become. As a result, a coil was formed by winding the covered conductor 730 times, and an antenna having L of 10 mH was obtained. This radio-controlled timepiece antenna was used as Comparative Example 1. Table 1 shows the configurations of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 described above.

<Comparative Test> The radio-controlled timepiece antennas of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 were respectively dropped three times from a height of 2 m onto a floor plate made of plywood, and the presence or absence of mechanical damage was visually observed. After confirming, it was connected to the radio clock, and it was checked whether the time correction function of the radio clock was activated. Table 1 shows the results.
Shown in

[0044]

[Table 1]

<Evaluation> As is clear from the results in Table 1,
In the radio-controlled timepiece antenna of Comparative Example 1, the time correction function of the radio-controlled timepiece operated normally, but the fact that the ferrite sintered body was damaged was visually confirmed. On the other hand, in the radio-controlled timepiece antennas in Examples 1 to 5, no mechanical damage was found, and the time adjustment function of the radio-controlled timepiece operated normally. This is due to the fact that the core material is formed of a flexible composite material, or that the magnetic member is protected by the composite material, or that a core material having high mechanical strength is used. It is considered something.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the core material and the first and second cores are formed from the non-conductive first composite material containing 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. Since the second flange is formed, the mechanical strength of the ferrite sintered body can be improved as compared with a conventional ferrite sintered body. In addition, since the first composite material can be injection-molded using a mold, a core material including a flange can be obtained relatively easily. Further, since the first composite material is non-conductive, the pair of connection pins provided on the flange does not conduct, and the standard radio wave can be reliably received.

If the core member is formed hollow and a magnetic member is inserted, the antenna itself can be made relatively small, and even if the magnetic member is a ferrite sintered body or an amorphous foil laminate, Since it is protected by the relatively flexible core material, the mechanical strength can be improved as compared with a conventional antenna made of a single ferrite without any coating. On the other hand, if the magnetic member is formed of the second composite material containing the ferrite or metal powder or flake in an amount of 60 wt% or more and less than 99.5 wt%, the magnetic member itself can have flexibility, and the antenna itself can be compared. In addition to reducing the size, the mechanical strength can be further improved.

Further, the core material may be a laminate of an amorphous foil or a powder or flake of ferrite or metal.
The first and second flanges are made of a non-conductive plastic or a ferrite or metal powder or flake made of a 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt% plastic. Even if the antenna is formed of the non-conductive fourth composite material, the antenna itself can be relatively reduced in size and its mechanical strength can be improved. In this case, since the fourth composite material is non-conductive, the pair of connection pins provided on the flange does not conduct, and the standard radio wave can be reliably received. In the present invention, since the mechanical strength of the core material is improved, the first and second mounting plates, each having a mounting hole formed therein, are respectively protruded from opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core material in opposite directions to each other. If the antenna is formed integrally with the core material, the antenna can be mounted using the mounting holes, and the mounting of the antenna can be simplified. In addition, if the core material is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion of the timepiece, the antenna can be provided along the outer surface of the frame portion. The degree of freedom of the design of the radio clock can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2 showing an antenna according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the antenna.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a radio timepiece having the antenna.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing an antenna according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating an antenna according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 3 of a radio controlled timepiece having a core antenna formed to be curved;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating an antenna according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the antenna corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, showing an antenna according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary perspective view of the antenna corresponding to FIG. 2;

FIG. 12A is a front view showing a state in which a conventional antenna is housed in a case for attachment. (B) A longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the antenna is mounted via a case.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Radio Clock 12a Frame 21 Antenna 22 Core Material 22a Fifth Composite Material 22b Magnetic Member 23 First Flange 24 Second Flange 26 Coil 27 Connection Pin 31 Magnetic Member 36 First Mounting Plate 36a Mounting Hole 37 Second Mounting Plate 37a Mounting Hole

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Miyake 1-12-14 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Materials Corporation Mobile Business Development Center (72) Inventor Seiro Yawata 1-chome Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo No. 12-14 Intellectual Property Service Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2F002 AA01 AA12 AB03 AB04 AC01 AC04 BB04 FA16 GA06 2F083 AA00 BB07 JJ10 JJ12 JJ13

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A coil is formed on a portion of a rod-shaped core material (22) except for both ends.
(26), wherein the rod-shaped core material (22) is formed of a first composite material obtained by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes with plastic; Is an antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece, characterized in that it is nonconductive by containing 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. 2. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal. 3. A first and a second mounting plate (36, 37) having mounting holes (36a, 37a) formed therein respectively protrude in opposite directions to opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core material (22), respectively. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna is formed integrally with the rod-shaped core member (22). 4. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein first and second flanges (23, 24) are integrally formed at both ends of the rod-shaped core member (22). 5. A pair of connecting pins (27, 27) are erected on the first or second flange (23), and both ends of the coil (26) are connected to the pair of connecting pins (27, 27), respectively. An antenna for a radio controlled watch according to claim 4. 6. The antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped core member (22) is formed hollow, and a magnetic member (31) is inserted into the rod-shaped core member (22). 7. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic member (31) is a ferrite sintered body or an amorphous foil laminate. 8. A second composite material in which the magnetic member (31) is a mixture of ferrite or metal powder or flakes and plastic, wherein the second composite material contains 60% by weight of ferrite or metal powder or flakes. More than 9
7. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 6, which is contained in an amount of less than 9.5 wt%. 9. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped core member (22) is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the timepiece frame (12a). 10. A first and second flanges (23, 24) are formed at both ends of a rod-shaped core material (22), respectively,
(23) and the core material (22) between the second flange (24) and the coil
(26) is wound, and a radio-controlled timepiece antenna in which both ends of the coil (26) are connected to a pair of connection pins (27, 27) erected on the first or second flange (23), respectively. In the above, the core material (22) is formed of a third composite material or a laminate of amorphous foils obtained by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes and plastic, and the third composite material is a ferrite or metal powder or The first and second flanges (23, 24) are a fourth composite material formed by mixing ferrite or metal powder or flakes with plastic, or a non-conductive material; The fourth composite material made of plastic is characterized in that it contains ferrite or metal powder or flake in an amount of 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt% and is non-conductive. Radio clock antenna. 11. The antenna according to claim 10, wherein the ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal. 12. The rod-shaped core material includes first and second mounting plates, each having a mounting hole formed therein, protruding from opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core material in opposite directions, respectively, and being integrally formed with the rod-shaped core material. An antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece according to 10 or 11. 13. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 10, wherein the rod-shaped core member (22) is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the timepiece frame (12a). 14. An antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece in which a coil (26) is wound around a portion excluding both ends of a rod-shaped core material (22), wherein the rod-shaped core material (22) is made of a ferrite or metal powder or flake and plastic. Fifth composite material (22a) obtained by mixing
And a magnetic member (22b). The fifth composite material (22b) contains ferrite or metal powder or flake in an amount of 40 wt% or more and less than 95 wt%, and has first and second flanges (42a, 42b) at both ends. ) Is inserted into the rod-shaped core material (22), and the bobbin between the first and second flanges (42a, 42b)
An antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece, wherein the coil (26) is wound around (42). 15. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 14, wherein the ferrite or the metal is a soft magnetic ferrite or a soft magnetic metal. 16. First and second mounting plates (36, 37) having mounting holes (36a, 37a) formed thereon project from opposite end surfaces of the rod-shaped core member (22) in opposite directions. 15. The semiconductor device according to claim 14, wherein the composite material is formed integrally with the fifth composite material.
Or the antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece according to 15. 17. A pair of connecting pins are erected on the first or second flange (42a, 42b), and a coil is attached to the pair of connecting pins.
The two ends of (26) are connected to each other.
6. An antenna for a radio-controlled timepiece according to any one of 6. 18. The magnetic member (22b) is a laminated body of a sintered ferrite or an amorphous foil.
Any of the antennas for radio-controlled timepieces described above. 19. The magnetic member (22b) is a sixth composite material obtained by mixing a ferrite or metal powder or flake with plastic, and the sixth composite material contains at least 60 wt% of ferrite or metal powder or flake. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to any one of claims 14 to 17, which contains less than 99.5 wt%. 20. The radio-controlled timepiece antenna according to claim 14, wherein the rod-shaped core material (22) is formed to be curved along the outer peripheral surface of the frame portion of the timepiece.