JP2002236186A - Electronic time piece with display hand - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow varicolored display by a display hand, and to prevent a stepping motor from stopping in a rotation-incapable area. SOLUTION: When a wheel 211 is rotated along an arrow mark direction in a cam 227, a limit stop pin 225 formed integrally with the wheel 211 abuts to the cam 227 to block the rotation of the wheel 211 and to allow the rotation reverse to the arrow mark-directional rotation. When the stepping motor 200 is rotated normally and reversely in a prescribed range, the rotation therein is transmitted to the display hand 103 via wheels 209, 210 and an hour wheel 212, and to the display hand 104 via the wheels 210, 211 and an hour wheel 213, and the display hands 103, 104 are reciprocated within a prescribed angle range. The wheel 211 is rotated along the arrow mark direction up to an initial position where the pin 225 abuts on the cam 227 by rotating the stepping motor 200 reversely at prescribed timing, to restore the display hands 103, 104 hand- jumped outside the prescribed range into reciprocating motion within a normal range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece with a display hand having a display hand integrally formed with figures and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic timepiece with a display hand provided with a display hand integrally formed with a figure such as a character has been used. In a conventional electronic timepiece with a display hand, a hand having a function as a display hand is constituted by a needle-shaped second hand or a disk-shaped second hand, and the second hand also serves as the display hand. Also, in a conventional electronic timepiece having a display hand that operates only by a user's operation, the display hand also serves as a time hand indicating time, or the display hand operates in conjunction with the time hand. Was something. Therefore, in any of the electronic timepieces described above, since the time hand and the display hand are driven to rotate by also using one stepping motor, the display hand cannot be operated in various ways regardless of the time hand, Therefore, there has been a problem that various movements cannot be given to figures such as characters and various displays cannot be made. In addition, when the display hand also serves as the time hand or is linked to the time hand, the size of a figure or the like that can be integrally formed with the display hand is restricted due to the restriction of the moment of the hand, and various displays are possible. It was difficult to use the indicating hand. As a method of solving these problems and realizing various displays by the display hands, a plurality of display hands are provided separately from the time hands, and a stepping motor for rotating and driving the plurality of display hands is provided. It is conceivable that the display needle is reciprocated by rotating the display needle forward and backward by a predetermined amount. However, if the indicator hand is simply reciprocated,
The display needle may jump due to impact or the like, and the display operation may become unstable. As a method for solving this problem, it is effective to provide a pair of mechanical mechanisms that restrict the rotation range of the display hand to a predetermined forward rotation range and a reverse rotation range.

[0003] As a method of solving these problems and realizing various displays by the display hands, a display hand is provided separately from the time hand and a stepping motor for rotating the display hand is provided. It is conceivable that the display needle is reciprocated by rotating the display needle forward and backward by a fixed amount. However,
If the display hand is simply reciprocated, the display hand may jump due to impact or the like, and the display operation may become unstable. As a method for solving this problem, it is effective to provide a pair of mechanical mechanisms that restrict the rotation range of the display hand to a predetermined forward rotation range and a reverse rotation range.

[0004]

However, when a pair of mechanisms are provided to simply restrict the rotation range of the display hand to a predetermined range, a stepping motor for a timepiece generally used for a timepiece is used as the motor. If the stepping motor is used, there is a problem that when the stepping motor stops in a specific area, the subsequent rotation operation becomes impossible. That is, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-127365, for example, the stepping motor supplies a forward rotation drive pulse to a pair of terminals of a motor coil alternately during forward rotation. At the time of forward rotation and reverse rotation, first, a forward rotation driving pulse is supplied to temporarily perform a slight forward rotation, and then a reverse rotation driving pulse is supplied to perform reverse rotation. As described above, there is an area where the rotation is not reversed unless the momentum is applied. Therefore, in order to reverse the rotation, the rotation is temporarily performed to increase the momentum, and then the reverse rotation operation is performed. However, as shown in the schematic diagram of the stepping motor in FIG. 13, when the rotor magnet 1101 stops in a certain specific area, it cannot be rotated forward once, so that the rotor magnet 1
There is a case where the momentum cannot be given to the motor 101 and the subsequent rotation becomes impossible. Hereinafter, the operation when the rotation of the rotor magnet 1101 becomes impossible will be described in detail.

In FIG. 13, reference numeral 1101 denotes a rotor magnet having an N pole and an S pole; 1102, a stator; 1103, a projection attached to the rotor magnet 1101; A magnetic field is applied by supplying a forward drive pulse or a reverse drive pulse to a coil (not shown) to drive the rotor magnet 1101 forward and reverse. At this time, assuming that a magnetic field is applied in the X-axis direction in FIG. 13A, the rotor 1101 rotates forward in the direction of the arrow, and the protrusions 1103 and 1104 are engaged with each other.
When the vehicle stops at the position shown in the figure, it is not possible to make the motor rotate once to generate momentum for the reverse rotation. Therefore, it cannot be reversed.

In FIG. 13B, similarly,
It becomes impossible to reverse. That is, when the stepping motor stops in the second quadrant b and the fourth quadrant d, the reverse rotation is possible, but in the first quadrant a and the third quadrant c, the non-rotational area where the stepping motor cannot be reversely rotated. Exists. Therefore, merely providing a mechanical mechanism that restricts the rotation range of the display hand to a predetermined range,
There is a problem in that the stepping motor stops in a non-rotatable region, so that the rotation of the display hand becomes impossible, and the operation of the display hand may become unstable. Also, when the power supply voltage for driving the stepping motor decreases, the required peak value and pulse width of the driving pulse cannot be obtained, and the operation of the stepping motor becomes unstable. As a result, the operation of the display hand becomes unstable. Problem.

The present invention provides an electronic timepiece with a display hand that includes a display hand capable of displaying various colors and prevents an unstable operation in which a stepping motor stops in a non-rotatable region. That is the task.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a time hand for indicating time, time hand driving means for rotating the time hand in response to a time signal, and separately provided from the time hand. Provided display hand, a stepping motor for driving the display hand, rotation control means for alternately controlling the stepping motor to rotate forward and reverse by a predetermined amount, and a train wheel transmitting the rotation of the stepping motor to the display hand. A first engagement member provided integrally with a vehicle included in the train wheel, a second engagement member provided rotatable only in one direction from a predetermined initial position, and the display hand And an inhibiting means for preventing rotation in the reverse direction.

Here, the rotation control means includes a stepping motor, control means for alternately controlling the stepping motor to rotate forward and backward by a predetermined amount, and the first and second display hands for controlling the rotation of the stepping motor. And a train wheel for transmitting the gear train. Further, the blocking means includes a first engaging member provided integrally with a vehicle included in the wheel train and a second engaging member provided rotatable only in one direction from a predetermined initial position. The first engagement member is engaged with the second engagement member at the initial position with the rotation of the vehicle, whereby the reverse of the first and second display hands is achieved. You may comprise so that rotation to a direction may be prevented. Further, the first engagement member may be constituted by a pin, and the second engagement member may be constituted by a cam.

Further, the rotation control means reversely rotates the stepping motor at a predetermined timing,
After rotating the wheel to an initial position where the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged and returning the first and second display hands to a predetermined initial position, the stepping motor is turned off. You may comprise so that a normal rotation and a reverse rotation control may be alternately performed by a predetermined amount. Further, the rotation control means may be configured to reciprocately rotate the first and second display hands at the same speed. The electronic timepiece may be an electronic watch.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A specific example of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a first embodiment of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention, and shows an example of an electronic wristwatch. In FIG. 1, an electronic timepiece with a display hand 1
00 has a time hand consisting of a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102 representing time, and a first display hand 103 integrally formed with a crescent figure 105 and a second hand integrally formed with a star figure 106. Display hand 104 is provided. The display hands 103 and 104 are arranged between the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102 and the dial 107. As described below,
A two-wheel train that uses one motor different from the stepping motor that drives the time hands 101 and 102 as a drive source, and has a reduction ratio equivalent to that of the second hand and transmits rotations in mutually opposite directions to the display hands 103 and 104. , The pair of display hands 103 and 104 are rotationally driven so as to reciprocate in the opposite directions at the same speed and in the same angle range A, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows an electronic timepiece 1 with an indicator hand shown in FIG.
3 and FIG. 6 are partially enlarged rear views showing the drive mechanism of the electronic timepiece 100 with display hands shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 3, and the same reference numerals are given to the same parts. FIG. 3 shows the stepping motor 2
00 is a diagram showing a case where the forward rotation operation is performed, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where the stepping motor 200 is performing the reverse rotation operation. 2 to 6, a main plate 201 and a support plate 20 are shown.
A drive mechanism for rotating and driving a time hand composed of a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102, a pair of display hands 103 and 104, and an electronic circuit are housed between the two, and are specifically configured as follows. Have been.

The first stepping motor 200 composed of the coil 203, the stator 204 and the rotor magnet 205 is a well-known timepiece stepping motor (for example, see the above-mentioned patent publication). Forward rotation drive and reverse rotation drive are performed so that the hands 103 and 104 are reciprocally rotated in opposite directions within a predetermined range (angle range A in FIG. 1). The stator 204 and the coil 203 are fixed to the main plate 201 by screws 207 and 208. The gear 206 of the rotor magnet 205 has
The gear 301 of the wheel 209 meshes. The gear 303 of the wheel 210 meshes with the pinion 302 of the wheel 209. A gear 306 of an hour wheel 212 for rotating the display hand 103 meshes with a gear 303 of the wheel 210. On the other hand, the pinion 304 of the wheel 210 meshes with the gear 305 of the wheel 211 for reversing. The wheel 211 is integrally provided with a stop pin 225 constituting a first engagement member at a position eccentric from the center thereof. The gear 305 of the hour wheel 213 for rotating the display hand 104 meshes with the gear 305 of the wheel 211.

On the other hand, the shaft 22 integrally formed on the main plate 201
A cam 227 constituting a second engagement member is rotatably attached to 6. The convex guides 230 integrally formed on the main plate 201 have cam holding springs 22.
9 is fixed. A stabilizing pin 228 for regulating clockwise rotation of the cam 227 is formed integrally with the main plate 201. One end of the cam 227 is formed so as to be able to abut the stud pin 225, and the other end is formed so as to be able to abut the stitch pin 228. The cam pressing spring 229 is attached in a state where the cam 227 is urged clockwise with a weak force that does not hinder the clockwise rotation of the pin 225 per degree. This allows the pin 225 per degree, and thus the car 211, to move the cam 2 clockwise.
It is rotatable without being restricted by the lock 27, but is restricted so that it can rotate only to the position where the contact pin 225 contacts the cam 227 in the counterclockwise direction.

That is, when the wheel 211 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, the contact pin 225 first comes into contact with one end of the cam 227. The car 211 further includes a pin 22
5, so that the cam 227 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow and can be rotated while pushing it away. On the other hand, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the wheel 211 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6 and the pin 225 contacts the one end of the cam 227, the other end of the cam 227 is further moved to a position where it contacts the pin 228. Is restricted, the car 305 cannot rotate any further. In addition, the stop pin 225, the cam 227, the step determining pin 228, and the cam pressing spring 229 constitute blocking means.

The wheels 209 and 210 and the hour wheel 212 move in the rotation direction of the stepping motor 200 (ie, the rotor magnet 2).
Rotation of the first display hand 103
To form a first train train for transmission to the vehicles 209, 210,
The 211 and the hour wheel 213 form a second train wheel that transmits rotation in the same direction as the rotation direction of the stepping motor 200 to the second display hand 104. Here, the gear ratio of the first train wheel from the pinion 302 of the car 209 to the gear wheel 306 of the hour wheel 212 and the gear ratio of the second train wheel from the kana 302 of the car 209 to the gear wheel 307 of the hour wheel 213 are as follows. The display hand 103 and the display hand 104 are formed in the same manner and are configured to be rotationally driven at the same speed and in mutually opposite directions. Thus, the crescent-shaped figure 105 integrally formed on the display hand 103 and the star-shaped figure 106 integrally formed on the display hand 104 are reciprocally driven in the opposite direction at the same speed. It is configured. Incidentally, the stepping motor 200, the cars 209, 210, 211, the hour wheels 212, 21
Reference numeral 3 designates a rotating means for reciprocatingly rotating the first and second display hands 103 and 104 in a predetermined range in mutually opposite directions.

On the other hand, the electronic timepiece 100 is provided with driving means for rotating the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102. That is, a second stepping motor 222 including a coil 219, a stator 220 and a rotor magnet 221 is provided, and wheels 223 and 224 for transmitting the rotation of the rotor magnet 221, a wheel 214 for rotating and driving the minute hand 101, and an hour hand. Hour wheel 2 for rotationally driving 102
15 is provided. The hour wheels 212, 213, and 215 are disposed concentrically on a shaft 216 formed integrally with the wheel 214. This allows
The minute hand 101, the hour hand 102 and the display hands 103 and 104
They are arranged coaxially. Further, an integrated circuit 21 including a crystal oscillator 218 constituting an oscillation circuit and a driving circuit is provided.
7 electronic circuit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a rotation control circuit 600 used in the embodiment of the electronic timepiece with display according to the present invention. The rotation control circuit 600 includes the first wheel train, the second
And a rotation control means. 7, a rotation control circuit 600 includes an oscillation circuit 601 including a crystal oscillator 218 and the like, a system clock generation circuit 602 for generating a system clock from an output signal of the oscillation circuit 601, a program and a motor driving pulse to be described later. Non-volatile read-only memory (ROM) 603 that is stored and constitutes storage means, system clock generation circuit 60
A central processing unit (CPU) 604 as a control unit that operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 603 in response to a system clock from the CPU 2 and performs various arithmetic processing and drive control of the stepping motors 200 and 222; A driver circuit 605 for supplying drive signals to the display hands 200 and 222, a stepping motor 200 for rotating and driving the display hands 103 and 104, the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 1
02 is provided with a stepping motor 222 for rotationally driving the motor 02.

The ROM 603 stores programs executed by the CPU 604 and various data. In particular, it stores a program for executing a correction process and the like, which will be described later, and data such as timing for performing the correction process. For example, every predetermined time (10 minutes) or when the reciprocating operation is performed a predetermined number of times (60
Times) is set. CPU 604
Functions as control means for controlling and controlling the entire electronic timepiece 100, and realizes various functions by executing a program in synchronization with a system clock. For example, it has a function of performing a correction operation at a predetermined timing. The ROM 603 stores the driving pulse waveforms shown in FIG.
Is driven forward and backward, the CPU 604 reads the drive pulse from the ROM 603 and drives the stepping motor 200 through the driver circuit 605 in the forward and reverse directions.

That is, in FIG. 8, when the stepping motor 200 is rotated forward, as shown in FIG. 8A, a pulse having a time width P1 is applied to the terminal OUT1 to cause the stepping motor 200 to rotate forward. The forward rotation of the stepping motor 200 is repeated by applying a pulse of P1 to OUT2 to cause the motor to rotate forward and alternately repeating this for one cycle (for example, for 10 rotations). When the stepping motor 200 is reversed, as shown in FIG. 8B, a demagnetizing pulse having a time width PE is first supplied to the terminal OUT1, and a pulse having a time width P1 is supplied after the lapse of the time PS. The rotation is performed once, and then a reverse pulse having a time width P2 is supplied to the terminal OUT2, and then a reverse pulse having a time width P3 is supplied to the terminal OUT1. Thereby, the stepping motor 200 rotates in the reverse direction. In the above operation, the signal applied to the terminal OUT1 and the signal applied to the terminal OUT2 are alternately exchanged, and an operation for one cycle (for example, 10 reversal operations) is performed. Thereafter, the forward rotation operation and the reverse rotation operation are alternately performed one cycle at a time, whereby the stepping motor 200 is rotated forward and backward by the same predetermined amount, and this is repeated. Thus, the rotor magnet 205 of the stepping motor 200
Are alternately rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction by the same amount.

For example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the stepping motor 200 rotates forward a predetermined number of times in a state where the stepping motor 25 is in contact with one end of the cam 227 and the other end of the cam 227 is in contact with the determining pin 228. 3), a car 209,
The wheel 210 and the hour wheel 212 each rotate in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, whereby the display hand 103 moves in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
Just rotate. At the same time, the wheel 211 meshing with the wheel 210 rotates forward in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, the hour wheel 213 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, and the display hand 104 rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The car 211 has the pin 225 per degree and the cam 22
Rotate to a position where it does not come into contact with 7. Thus, the normal rotation cycle ends.

Next, when the stepping motor 200 reversely rotates by the predetermined number of times (rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 3), the wheels 209, 210, and 212 rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 103 rotates by the angle range A in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. At the same time, the car 2 meshing with the car 210
11 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow, the hour wheel 213 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. 3, and the indicating hand 104 rotates in the angle range A in the direction opposite to the arrow in FIG. Thus, the reverse rotation cycle ends. At the end of the reverse rotation cycle, as shown in FIG. 6, the contact pin 225 comes into contact with one end of the cam 227, and the other end of the cam 227 returns to the initial position where it comes into contact with the decision pin 228. .

Thereafter, the above operation is repeated, whereby
The crescent-shaped figure 105 integrated with the display hand 103 and the star-shaped figure 106 integrated with the display hand 104 reciprocate in the same angular range A in opposite directions. The rotation range of the display hands 103 and 104, that is, the rotation angle range A in FIG. 1 is determined by the amount (number) of rotation of the stepping motor 200 in the forward and reverse directions.
By setting various rotation amounts of the display needles 103 and 1,
04 can be variously set within a regulation range as described later.
And the star-shaped figure 106 can be reciprocally rotated in various ranges.

Next, the display hands 103 and 104 are set in the angle range A.
The following describes a case where a mechanical shock is applied to the electronic timepiece 100 in a state where the electronic timepiece 100 is reciprocating normally inside, and the hands of the display hands 103 and 104 jump and try to rotate out of a predetermined angle range. As shown in FIG. 3, when the display hands 103 and 104 rotate in the direction of the arrow due to the jump of the needle, the wheel 211 rotates in the direction of the arrow. Since the cam 227 can rotate freely in the direction of the arrow, the pin 225
27 and rotate it in the direction of the arrow,
Passes through the contact position with the cam 227 and moves to a position separated from the cam 227. Thereby, the display hand 10
3, 104 are located outside the regular angle range A. Even in this state, since the forward / reverse drive by the stepping motor 200 is performed, the direction indicating hands 103, 104
Reciprocates in a state outside the normal angle range A, the rotation control circuit 600 performs a correction process as described later, and the display hands 103 and 104 return to normal within the normal angle range A. Start to reciprocate.

On the other hand, in FIG.
When the wheel 4 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow due to the needle jump, the wheel 211 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow. Since the cam 227 cannot rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow, even if the pin 225 pushes the cam 227 to rotate in the direction opposite to the arrow,
As shown in FIG. 6, the other end of the cam 227 is
The car 211 stops at the initial position where the car 211 abuts. Therefore, in this case, the jump of the display hands 103 and 104 is restricted. Even in this state, the rotation control circuit 600 performs a correction operation to be described later, and
4 makes a normal reciprocating movement.

Next, the display hand 1 by the rotation control circuit 600
The processing when the correction operations of 03 and 104 are performed will be described. FIG. 9 shows a process when the correction operation is automatically performed at a predetermined timing, and FIG. 10 shows a process when the correction operation is performed at a timing when a user of the electronic timepiece 100 performs a predetermined operation. First, using FIGS. 7 to 9. A case where the correction operation is performed automatically will be described. The rotation control circuit 600 always repeats the processing shown in FIG. 9 during the operation of the electronic timepiece 100. Normally, the rotation control circuit 600
Outputs a forward drive pulse at each predetermined timing, thereby moving the display hands 103 and 104 forward by 10 steps in the forward direction (step S101). Subsequently, by outputting the reverse rotation drive pulse, the display hands 103 and 104 are advanced by 10 steps in the reverse rotation direction (step S102).

Next, the rotation control circuit 600 controls the display hand l0.
It is determined whether or not it is time to perform the processing for correcting the operation range of 3, 104 (step S103). In this determination, for example, when 20 minutes have elapsed, a correcting operation (steps S104 and S105) is performed.
The PU 604 outputs a predetermined number of reverse rotation drive pulses to the stepping motor 200 via the driver circuit 605 (Step S104). At this time, the stepping motor 200
The number of reverse drive pulses supplied to the motor is such that the pin 225 can be reversely rotated to the initial position where the pin 225 contacts the cam 227, regardless of the position of the wheel 211. The stepping motor 200 needs to once rotate forward in the reverse rotation, but the pin 225 contacts the cam 227 during the forward rotation.
, The cam 227 rotates freely in the counterclockwise direction, and the wheel 211 can rotate freely in the clockwise direction.
The stepping motor 200 rotates forward and then reversely without any trouble. Thereby, the display hands 103 and 104 return to the initial position.

Thereafter, the polarity of the stepping motor 200 is adjusted (step S105), and thereafter, the above processing is repeated. When a forward rotation driving pulse is supplied next time by the polarity adjustment, a rotational force is generated in the stepping motor 200 in the forward rotation direction. That is,
When the processing of FIG. 9 is executed, the display hand 103, the display hand 103,
104 performs a normal operation.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, a description will be given of a case where the correction process is performed at the timing when the user of the electronic timepiece 100 performs a predetermined operation. When the user presses a push switch (not shown), the CPU 604
Supplies a predetermined number of reverse drive pulses to the stepping motor 200 to perform reverse drive (step S201). The push switch can be configured, for example, as a switch that is closed in conjunction with a pull-out operation of a crown. At this time, the number of reverse rotation drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor 200 is set to a number that allows the pin 225 to rotate in the reverse direction to the initial position where the pin 225 contacts the cam 227 at any position of the wheel 211.

As a result, as in the case of step S104, the vehicle 211 quickly rotates to the initial position, and the display hands 103 and 104 rotate to the initial position. Subsequently, after adjusting the polarity of the stepping motor 200 (step S202), the CPU 604 starts the operation specified by the push switch (steps S203, S204). As an operation defined by the push switch, for example, a melody is sounded (step S203), and control for moving the display hands 103 and 104 rhythmically is performed (step S204). Since then
The above process is repeated. When the forward rotation driving pulse is supplied next time due to the polarity adjustment, a rotational force is generated in the stepping motor 200 in the forward rotation direction. That is, when the process of FIG. 9 is performed from the next time onward, the display hands 103 and 104 surely perform the normal operation from the first forward rotation pulse in step S101.

As described above, the cam 227 regulates only the rotation in the reverse direction of the stepping motor 200 and does not regulate the rotation in the normal rotation direction.
Regardless of the position where 00 stops, it is possible to once rotate forward during reverse rotation, and the stepping motor does not become unable to rotate. In addition, the display hands 103 and 104 are in the angle range A.
When the display needles 103 and 104 are jumped out of a predetermined regulation range due to mechanical shock or the like during normal reciprocating movement within the display needle 10, the display hands 10 and 10 are rotated at a predetermined timing.
3, 104 can be controlled to rotate within the normal angle range A. In addition, it is possible to restrict the needle jump in one direction.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as. 11, an electronic timepiece 100 with a display hand has a time hand constituted by a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102 and a first display hand 103 integrally formed with an arrow-shaped figure 801.
And a second display needle 104 in which a heart-shaped figure 802 is integrally formed. The display hands 103 and 104 are
It is arranged between the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102 and the dial 107. The pair of display hands 103 and 104 are rotationally driven so as to reciprocate in opposite directions at the same speed and in the same predetermined angle range D, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as. In FIG. 12, an electronic timepiece 100 with a display hand has a time hand constituted by a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102, and a first display hand 103 integrally formed with an arrow-shaped figure 801.
And a second display needle 104 in which a heart-shaped figure 802 is integrally formed. The display hands 103 and 104 are
It is arranged between the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102 and the dial 107. The pair of display hands 103 and 104 are rotationally driven so as to reciprocate in opposite directions at the same speed and in the same predetermined angle range E, respectively. FIG. 14 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 14, an electronic timepiece with a display hand 100 constitutes a time hand by a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102. A heart-shaped figure 107a is provided on the display hand 103 and the dial 107 on which the arrow-shaped figure 801 is integrally formed. The display hand 103 is provided between the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102 and the dial 107. The display hand 103 is driven to rotate so as to reciprocate within a predetermined angle range. FIG.
Is a sectional view showing a drive mechanism of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The hour wheels 212 and 213 in FIG. 4 are integrated. Further, a gear 306 provided on the outer periphery of the hour wheel 212 and a display hand 1 fixed to the hour wheel 212
04 has been deleted.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 14, the figures attached to the display hands 103 and 104 are various figures such as characters or characters, or the mounting angles of the display hands 103 and 104. Change or
By using various modes such as changing the rotation angle range of the display hands 103 and 104, various expressions are possible.

As described above, the electronic timepiece 100 with a display hand according to the embodiment of the present invention has, in particular, the time hands 101 and 102 for indicating the time and the first time hands 101 and 102 provided separately from the time hands 101 and 102. Display hand 103 and second display hand 104
A rotation control means for reciprocally rotating the first and second display hands 103 and 104 in opposite directions within a predetermined range, and allowing each of the first and second display hands to rotate in a predetermined direction. And a blocking means for blocking rotation in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Further, the blocking means includes first and second display hands 103, 10
4 is configured to allow rotation in a predetermined direction outside a predetermined range and to prevent rotation in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction. Therefore, the display hands 103, 1
04 makes it possible to provide a variety of displays, and in the case where the display needles 103 and 104 jump due to an impact or the like, it is possible to restrict the needle jump in one direction, and the stepping motor cannot rotate. Can be prevented. In addition, for example, two display hands 103, which cannot be expressed only by rotation in a single direction,
Various motions can be expressed within a predetermined range, for example, by forming both hands or both feet of the character integrally with the character 104. The display hands 103 and 104 are the time hands 1
Since it is possible to operate independently of the hands 01 and 102, the display hands 103 and 104 having the largest possible moment can be used as long as the movement of the hands is not hindered. Various displays can be performed.

Further, by rotating the stepping motor 200 at a predetermined timing, the wheel is rotated to an initial position where the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged, and the first and second wheels are rotated. After the display hand is returned to the predetermined initial position, the normal operation and the reverse rotation control of the stepping motor are performed alternately by a predetermined amount, so that the normal operation can be restored even if the needle jump occurs. Further, even if the power supply voltage for driving the stepping motor is lowered and the operation becomes unstable, the display hand 1 can be easily replaced when the battery is replaced.
03 and 104 can be returned to the initial position, and the display hands 103 and 104 can be promptly returned to the normal display operation.

In the above embodiment, the display hand 1
Although 03 and 104 are rotated at the same speed, they may be rotated at mutually different speeds. Further, in the above embodiment, the rotation ranges of the display hands 103 and 104 are the same, but they may be different. Further, in the above embodiment, one or two display hands are used. However, it is sufficient to use at least two display hands, and three or more display hands may be used. good. Furthermore, although the display hand and the time hand are arranged coaxially, they need not be coaxial, and the two display hands need not be coaxial. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the time hand is constituted by the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102, but a second hand may be added thereto. Also, although the pin 225 is provided on the car 211,
It may be provided in other vehicles such as 9. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example of an electronic wristwatch with a display hand has been described, but the present invention can be applied to various electronic watches such as a wall-mounted electronic timepiece and a desk-top type electronic timepiece.

[0038]

According to the present invention, a variety of displays can be made by the display hand, and the stepping motor can be prevented from stopping in the non-rotatable region where rotation is impossible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a first embodiment of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a drive mechanism used in the first embodiment of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged rear view of a drive mechanism used in the first embodiment of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a rotation control circuit used in the electronic timepiece with a display according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining an operation of the rotation control circuit shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the stepping motor.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an appearance of an electronic timepiece with a display hand according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a drive mechanism in a fourth embodiment of the electronic timepiece with a display hand according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100: electronic timepiece 101: hour hand forming a time hand 102: minute hand forming a time hand 103, 104: display hand 600: rotation control circuit 604 forming rotation control means A CPU 225 constituting the control means; a pin 227 constituting the inhibiting means; a cam 228 constituting the inhibiting means; a decision pin 229 constituting the inhibiting means; constituting a inhibiting means. Cam holding spring

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mamoru Watanabe 1-8 Nakase, Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba F-term (reference) in Seiko Instruments Inc. FF01

Claims (7)

[Claims] A time hand for indicating a time; a time hand driving means for driving the time hand to rotate the time hand in response to a time signal; a display hand provided separately from the time hand; A stepping motor that drives a hand; a rotation control unit that alternately controls the stepping motor to rotate forward and backward by a predetermined amount; a wheel train transmitting the rotation of the stepping motor to the display hand; and a wheel train included in the wheel train. A first engagement member provided integrally with the vehicle, a second engagement member provided rotatable only in one direction from a predetermined initial position, and preventing the display hand from rotating in the opposite direction. An electronic timepiece with a display hand, comprising: blocking means; 2. The display hand comprises a first display hand and a second display hand, and the rotation control means alternately rotates the stepping motor by a predetermined amount at normal speed and reversely at the same speed. The first and second wheel trains rotate the rotation of the stepping motor in opposite directions at the same reduction ratio.
The electronic timepiece with a display hand according to claim 1, further comprising a first and a second train wheel transmitting to the display hand. 3. The electronic timepiece with a display hand according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement member is constituted by a pin, and the second engagement member is constituted by a cam. 4. The rotation control means reversely rotates the stepping motor at a predetermined timing to rotate the vehicle to an initial position where the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged. 4. The electronic timepiece with a display hand according to claim 1, wherein the stepping motor alternately rotates forward or backward by a predetermined amount after returning the display hand to a predetermined initial position. 5. The electronic timepiece with a display hand according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control means reciprocates the display hand at the same speed. 6. The electronic timepiece with a display hand according to claim 1, wherein said time hand and said display hand are arranged coaxially. 7. The electronic timepiece with display hands according to claim 1, wherein the electronic timepiece is an electronic wristwatch.