JP2002311162A - Electronic control type mechanical clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic control type mechanical clock for using electric energy obtained by generation for uses other than the drive of a control means. SOLUTION: The electronic control type mechanical clock comprises a pointer 30 for displaying time while being driven by mechanical energy from a weight pull 10, a mechanical escapement 40 in linking with the pointer 30, a pendulum 50 in linking with the mechanical escapement 40, a generator 60 for supplying electric energy via the pendulum 50, a control section 120 that is driven by the electric energy for controlling the vibration period of the pendulum 50, a time comparison circuit 203, and a signal generation means having a control circuit 204 and a signal generator 205. Mainly the mechanical escapement 40 and the pendulum 50 regulates the speed of the pointer 30, and the control section 120 auxiliary controls the vibration period of the pendulum 50 for regulating speed, so that a surplus is generated in electric energy that is generated by the generator 60 to drive the signal generation means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mechanical energy released by a mainspring is transmitted to a generator via a speed increasing gear train, converted into electric energy by the generator, and a control circuit is driven by the electric energy. 2. Description of the Related Art An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece that displays the time accurately by controlling the value of a current flowing through a coil of a generator to accurately move a hand fixed to a wheel train has been actively developed. Such an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece does not require a motor to drive the hands using a mainspring as a power source, has a small number of parts, is inexpensive, and can achieve the same high precision as a battery-powered electronic timepiece. There are features.

[0003]

However, according to such an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, the mechanical energy generated by the mainspring can only secure electrical energy for driving the control circuit. In order to drive other circuits such as a generating circuit, a separate power supply is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece that can use electric energy obtained by power generation in addition to driving control means.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to the present invention has a mechanical energy storage device for storing mechanical energy, and displays time by being driven by mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage device. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece including a pointer to be driven, a generator driven by the mechanical energy to supply electric energy, and control means driven by the electrical energy from the generator to control the speed of the pointer. , A mechanical escapement interlocking with the pointer, and a pendulum interlocking with the mechanical escapement, wherein the generator supplies the electric energy by generating induced electric power by vibration of the pendulum It is characterized by being provided as possible. According to the present invention, the mechanical escapement intermittently moves with the vibration of the pendulum, and further, the hands are configured to interlock with the intermittent movement of the mechanical escapement. In addition to controlling the speed of the hands by the control means using electric energy, the speed of the hands can be controlled by the vibration of the pendulum. At this time, if the setting is made such that the control of the pointer speed is mainly performed by the pendulum and the mechanical escapement, the amount of electric energy used by the control means to control the pointer speed can be suppressed. For this reason, a surplus of the electric energy generated by the generator can be used for driving means other than the control means, for example, alarm generation means.

Here, the control means includes a period detecting unit for detecting a vibration period of the pendulum, a period comparing unit for comparing the vibration period and a preset reference vibration period,
It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a cycle control unit that controls the cycle of the pendulum so that the oscillation cycle matches the reference oscillation cycle. According to such a configuration, the speed of the pointer is automatically adjusted based on the result of comparing the detected oscillation period with the reference oscillation period, but the pendulum is simple and large. Since the movement is indicated, the detection of the vibration period of the pendulum by the period detection unit can be performed easily and accurately, and the speed of the pointer can be easily adjusted.

Further, it is preferable that a natural oscillation period of the pendulum determined by a mechanical dimension is set shorter than the reference oscillation period. According to such a configuration, since the pendulum oscillates at a natural oscillation cycle shorter than the reference oscillation cycle, the control means is set so as to apply braking to the oscillating pendulum. In addition, adjusting the actual oscillation cycle by applying braking to the pendulum is longer than setting the natural oscillation cycle longer than the reference oscillation cycle and accelerating the pendulum to adjust the actual oscillation cycle. Since electric energy for acceleration is not required, loss of electric energy can be reduced.

[0008] Further, it is preferable that the cycle control section includes a permanent magnet fixed to the pendulum and a coil arranged to face the permanent magnet.
According to such a configuration, the permanent magnet is fixed to the pendulum,
Since the coil was arranged to face this permanent magnet,
Unlike the case where a coil is wound around a vibrating pendulum, it is not necessary to adopt a structure in which a conductor is drawn from the vibrating pendulum, so that the structure of the pendulum can be simplified and the degree of freedom in design can be increased. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the conducting wire is moved and cut by the vibration of the pendulum, and it is possible to drive the wire reliably.

The generator includes a permanent magnet fixed to the pendulum and a coil disposed at a position facing the permanent magnet, and the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is generated by the vibration of the pendulum. It is preferable that the magnetic flux is changed so as to flow through the coil. According to such a configuration, for example, the oscillation period of the pendulum can be reliably detected from the peak value of the generated AC power, and the detection accuracy can be increased.

Here, the coils are arranged along the vibration trajectory of the pendulum, and the number of poles of the permanent magnet is equal to or greater than a number obtained by adding 2 to a number obtained by doubling the number of coils. preferable. With this configuration, the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet efficiently flows in the coil, so that the change in the magnetic flux can be increased and the power generation efficiency can be increased. For this reason, electrical energy for controlling the oscillation period of the pendulum can be ensured.

Further, the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece of the present invention has a time detecting means for detecting a display time, a time setting means capable of setting an arbitrary time, and a means for detecting the detected time and the set time. It is preferable to include a time comparing means for comparing, and a signal generating device for generating a signal based on a result of the comparison. With this configuration, the signal generator can be driven by using the surplus amount other than the electric energy used for controlling the pointer speed. Further, since the display time is detected and the detected time is compared with the set time to generate the signal, the signal can be generated at the correct time as set.

Further, the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to the present invention comprises:
Receiving means for receiving a radio wave including time information, time detecting means for detecting a display time, time information received by the receiving means, and a time comparing means for comparing the detected display time, It is preferable that the control means is provided so as to be able to adjust the pointer at a position indicated by the time information based on the result of the comparison. According to such a configuration, the receiving means, the time comparing means, and the control means can be driven by using the surplus other than the electric energy used for controlling the pointer speed. Therefore, a radio wave including time information is received, and the time of the display time can be adjusted.
In particular, since the time can be set based on the time information, an accurate time can always be displayed as long as the mechanical energy storage device is maintained.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view from the side of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view from the front. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a generator 60 constituting the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1 of the present invention transmits a weight 10 as a mechanical energy storage device and the mechanical energy stored in the weight 10. A wheel train 20, a hand 30 driven by the wheel train 20 to display time, a mechanical escapement 40 interlocked with the hand 30, a pendulum 50 for intermittently moving the mechanical escapement 40, A generator 60 for supplying electric energy and a control means 105 shown in FIG. 4 are provided. And these weight pull 10, wheel train 20, mechanical escapement 4
The rotation axis and tenon of the pendulum 50 and the like are supported by a plurality of receiving members 70.

The weight puller 10 includes a drum 11, a weight 12 having a predetermined weight, a rope 13 having one end attached to the drum 11 and the other end attached to the weight 12, and a handle 14 capable of rotating the drum 11. Is provided.

In such a weight puller 10, when the handle 14 is rotated, the rope 13 is wound around the drum 11, and the weight 12 is lifted. A force to fall by the action of gravity acts on the weight 12, and the force to fall is pulled by the rope 13 wound around the drum 11, so that a rotational force is applied to the drum 11, And the first wheel 15 (FIG. 2) provided on the same axis rotates. The first car 15 has
As shown in FIG. 2, the ratchet mechanism 1 rotates in the winding direction of the weight 12 but does not rotate in the opposite direction.
6 are formed so that the weight 12 can be easily wound up. The ratchet mechanism 16 is connected to the drum 11
And a hammer 16B attached to the first wheel 15. When the timepiece 1 is operated, the turning force from the drum 11 is transmitted to the first wheel 15 in a state where the wheel 16A and the hammer 16B are engaged with each other. The rib 16B escapes from the nail formed on the 16A, disengages, and can be rolled up.

The wheel train 20 includes a second wheel 21 which meshes with the first wheel 15, a third wheel 22 which meshes with the second wheel 21, and a third wheel 2
A fourth wheel 23 that meshes with the second wheel 23 is provided. The rotation of the first wheel 15 is increased in speed and transmitted to the second wheel & pinion 21, further accelerated to the third wheel & pinion 22, and further increased in speed to the fourth wheel & pinion 23 and transmitted.

Here, the hands 30 are hands for displaying time, and include an hour hand 31 and a minute hand 32. The second hand wheel 21 has an hour hand 31 and the fourth wheel 23 has a minute hand 32. Fixed.

For this reason, the rotation speed of the center wheel & pinion 21 becomes the rotation speed of the hour hand 31, so that the center wheel & pinion 21 is set to a speed of one rotation (360 degrees) in 12 hours. Also, since the rotation speed of the fourth wheel & pinion 23 is the rotation speed of the minute hand 32,
The fourth wheel & pinion 23 is set to a speed of one rotation per hour.
On the other hand, the third wheel & pinion 22 meshes with an escape wheel & pinion 41 which will be described later, and the rotation of the third wheel & pinion 22 is increased and the escape wheel & pinion 41 is rotated.
Is transmitted to

The mechanical escapement 40 includes an escape wheel & pinion 41 which rotates by transmitting rotation from the wheel train 20 and an escape wheel & pinion 4
And an ankle 42 for intermittently moving the motor 1.

The escape wheel & pinion 41 has a plurality of teeth (not shown).
42B. The ankle 42 swings left and right about the rotation shaft 43 as viewed from the front side (FIG. 2), and the two hooks 42 </ b> A and 42 </ b> B stop the rotation of the escape wheel 41 alternately.
1 is intermittently rotated one tooth at a time.

The vibration of the pendulum 50 causes the ankle 4
The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes the pendulum 5.
The speed of the pointer 30 is controlled in a cycle of 0. Pendulum 50
Is a rod 51 connected to the rotation shaft 43 of the ankle 42
And a circular pendulum ball 52 installed at the front end of the timepiece 1 at the distal end portion 51A of the rod 51. It should be noted that the pendulum 50 receives the driving force transmitted from the escape wheel & pinion 41, so that the swinging motion at a constant period is continued without attenuating. In addition, the pendulum 50 is
With the pendulum ball 52 down,
In the state where no force is applied from the ankle 42 or the like, the pendulum 5
A straight line connecting the center of gravity of 0 and the center of the rotation axis 43 is set in parallel with the direction of gravity and at the center of the amplitude.

The natural oscillation period To of the pendulum 50 is defined by a distance from the fulcrum 51B of the rod 51 to the position of the center of gravity 52A of the pendulum 50.
If the length L is constant, it is constant regardless of the amplitude. Theoretically, the natural oscillation period To (s) is given by
Indicated by The length from the fulcrum 51B to the center of gravity 52A of the pendulum 50 is L (m), and the gravitational acceleration is G (m / m).
s ² ). Here, the position 52A of the center of gravity of the pendulum 50 indicates the position of the center of gravity including all of the rod 51, the pendulum ball 52, and a permanent magnet 61 described later.

[0024]

(Equation 1)

The generator 60 includes a permanent magnet 61 fixed to the pendulum 50, and a coil 62 arranged to face the permanent magnet 61. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, four permanent magnets 61 are arranged on the back surface of the pendulum 50 along the arc-shaped vibration locus of the pendulum 50.

As shown in FIG. 3 as a schematic diagram of the generator 60 as viewed from above, each of the permanent magnets 61A to 61D
The pendulum ball 52 is attached so that the S pole or the N pole faces the thickness direction of the pendulum ball 52. Furthermore, these four permanent magnets 6
1A to 61D are mounted at equal intervals so that the poles facing the coil 62 alternate between S poles and N poles in the vibration direction.

Specifically, a coil 62 is attached to the leftmost permanent magnet 61A and the second permanent magnet 61C from the right.
Are mounted such that the S poles face each other.
Further, the second permanent magnet 61B from the left and the rightmost permanent magnet 61D are attached so that the N pole faces the coil 62.

The coil 62 has a magnetic core 62A made of PC permalloy or the like and a coil wire 62B wound around the magnetic core 62A, and is configured to generate electric power by the vibration of the pendulum 50. Not fixed to the inside of the outer case. The magnetic core 62A has opposing portions X and Y opposing poles of the permanent magnets 61A to 61D,
The distance between these opposing portions X and Y is determined by the permanent magnets 61A to 61A.
Same as 1D interval.

In such a generator 60, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the permanent magnets 61B and 61C of the pendulum ball 52 face the coil 6 during the vibration of the pendulum 50.
2, when passing through the right side in the drawing, as the permanent magnets 61B and 61C approach the opposing portions X and Y of the coil 62, the magnetic core 62A moves from the permanent magnet 61B toward the permanent magnet 61C. Magnetic flux starts to flow as indicated by arrow 60A. Thereafter, the opposing portions X and Y and the permanent magnet 61
When B and 61C reach the positions facing each other, the magnetic flux flowing through the coil 62 becomes maximum. Then, as the permanent magnets 61B and 61C move away from the opposing portions X and Y of the coil 62, the magnetic flux flowing in the coil 62 decreases.
Power generation is performed by such a change in the magnetic flux flowing through the coil 62.

Next, when the vibration of the pendulum 50 further proceeds, as shown in FIG. 3B, the permanent magnets 61A, 61B
However, when approaching the opposing portions X and Y, the magnetic core 62A moves from the permanent magnet 61B toward the permanent magnet 61A in the direction indicated by an arrow 6 in FIG.
The magnetic flux starts to flow as in 0B. Thereafter, FIG.
As in the case of (A), the opposing portions X and Y and the permanent magnet 61
At positions where A and 61B face each other, the magnetic flux in the coil 62 becomes maximum, and as the permanent magnets 61A and 61B move away from the opposing portions X and Y, the magnetic flux flowing in the coil 62 decreases. Power generation is also performed by such a change in the magnetic flux flowing in the coil 62.

Also, when the pendulum 50 oscillates toward the left side in the figure, the coil 62
The magnetic flux flowing inside changes and generates electricity. Therefore, the generator 6
At 0, AC induced power is generated while the direction of the magnetic flux flowing through the coil 62 is alternately changed as indicated by arrows 60A and 60B with the vibration of the pendulum 50.

Here, in this embodiment, the number of poles of the permanent magnet 61 facing the coil 62 is four,
The number obtained by adding 2 to the number obtained by doubling the number (1) of 2 or more (1)
× 2 + 2 ≦ 4). These four permanent magnets 6
Numeral 1 is arranged so that the magnetic flux changes almost always along the vibration trajectory of the pendulum 50 and within the amplitude range, so that the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 61 flows into the coil 62 efficiently. .

The length L from the fulcrum 51B of the pendulum 50 to the center of gravity 52A of the pendulum 50 in the present embodiment.
The magnetic load acting on the permanent magnet 61 attached to the pendulum ball 52 and the coil 62 disposed opposite the permanent magnet 61 and the frictional load of a bearing or the like are taken into consideration. And the natural oscillation period To 'including the loss is
It is set so as to be shorter than a later-described reference vibration period Ts.

Although not shown, the outer case to which the coil 62 is attached has a wooden box shape with an opening on the front side of the pendulum 50, and a glass-fitted door is attached to this opening to be openable and closable. ing. The vibration of the pendulum 50 can be seen from the outside by the glass part of the door, and the operation sound on the inner side reverberates in the wooden box-shaped part.

Next, the control means 1 of the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1
05 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The control means 105 includes the above-described generator 60 that generates an alternating current (AC current), a rectifier circuit 106 that boosts and rectifies the AC from the generator 60, a secondary battery that charges and supplies the rectified AC, Power supply circuit 107 including capacitors and the like
And a crystal unit 108 as a time standard source, and a control unit 120 driven by electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 107.
Alarm time setting device 201 as time setting means
And a hand position detecting means 202 as a time detecting means, and a signal generating device 205.

The control unit 120 includes an oscillation circuit 121, a frequency dividing circuit 122, a cycle detecting circuit 123, and a cycle comparing circuit 1
24, a cycle control circuit 125, and a time comparison circuit 203
And an IC on which the control circuit 204 is formed.

The oscillation circuit 121 outputs an oscillation signal (32768 Hz) from the crystal unit 108 to the frequency dividing circuit 122, and the frequency dividing circuit 122 divides the frequency of the oscillation signal from the oscillation circuit 121 to generate a reference oscillation. The reference signal having the cycle Ts is output to the cycle comparison circuit 124.

The cycle detection circuit 123 detects the actual oscillation cycle Ta of the vibrating pendulum 50 from the peak value of the induced power generated by the change in the magnetic flux in the coil 62, and outputs the detection signal of the actual oscillation cycle Ta. Output to the comparison circuit 124. The cycle comparison circuit 124 compares the actual oscillation cycle Ta with the reference oscillation cycle Ts based on the detection signal and the reference signal, and outputs a comparison result signal to the cycle control circuit 125.

The cycle control circuit 125 receives the comparison result signal, and if the actual oscillation cycle Ta does not match the reference oscillation cycle Ts, the cycle control circuit 125 sets the oscillation cycle Ta of the pendulum 50 to the connected coil 62. It operates so as to match the reference vibration cycle Ts. Specifically, the cycle control circuit 125 includes a first switch connected to a first AC input terminal to which an AC signal (AC current) generated by the coil 62 is input, and a second switch to which the AC signal is input. A second switch connected to the AC input terminal, and by simultaneously turning on these switches, the first and second AC input terminals are brought into a closed loop state by a short circuit or the like, and the permanent magnet 61 and the coil 62
It operates to apply a short brake (electromagnetic brake) in between.

As a result, the cycle control circuit 125 applies a braking force to the pendulum 50 via the coil 62. That is, the length L and the permanent magnet 61 of the pendulum ball 52 and the coil 62
Considering a magnetic load or a frictional load acting between the pendulum 50 and the natural vibration period To ′ of the pendulum 50, the reference vibration period Ts
The period control circuit 125
Applies the braking to the pendulum 50 that is going to vibrate at the natural vibration period To ′, and the actual vibration period Ta of the pendulum 50
With the reference vibration period Ts.

As described above, the cycle control circuit 125, the permanent magnet 61, and the coil 62 constitute the cycle control unit 130, which also adjusts the speed of the hands 30. Therefore, the generator 60 including the permanent magnet 61 and the coil 62 also serves as a part of the cycle control unit 130.

On the other hand, the alarm time setting device 201 is configured to be able to set an arbitrary time, for example, at intervals of 12 minutes or the like, and is provided with a setting hand that rotates coaxially with the hand 30. The hand position detecting means 202 detects, for example, the position of the hands 30 on the dial, and includes an encoder, various sensors, and the like.

The time comparison circuit 203 compares the position of the hands set by the alarm time setting device 201 with the position of the hands 30 detected by the hand position detection means 202 and outputs the result to the control circuit 204. I do.

The control circuit 204 receives the result from the time comparison circuit 203 and outputs a signal for generating a signal such as an alarm sound or light when the hand positions are the same. Output to Signal generator 20
5 receives the signal from the control circuit 204 and generates a signal. In this embodiment, the mechanical energy accumulating means serving as the power source of the timepiece 1 is the weight adjuster 10.
The power source may be a mainspring. The method of inputting energy to the mechanical energy storage means is not limited to manual operation, but may be automated by a temperature difference driving device or the like.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Since the mechanical escapement 40 intermittently moves with the vibration of the pendulum 50, and furthermore, the pointer 30 is configured to interlock with the intermittent movement of the mechanical escapement 40,
The control unit 120 is controlled by electric energy from the generator 60.
In addition to controlling the speed of the hands 30 by the cycle control unit 130, the speed of the hands 30 can be controlled by the mechanical escapement 40 and the pendulum 50.

(2) At this time, the speed of the hands 30 is controlled mainly by the mechanical escapement 40 and the pendulum 50, and the speed of the hands 30 is further controlled by the control unit 120 and the cycle control unit 130. Since control is performed, the amount of electrical energy required by the control unit 120 for controlling the speed of the pointer 30 can be reduced. For this reason, a surplus is generated in the electric energy generated by the generator 60, and by using this surplus, means (circuit) other than the speed control circuit such as the cycle control circuit 125 can be provided without providing a separate power supply. That is, the hand position detecting means 202, the time comparison circuit 203, the control circuit 204, and the signal generator 205 can be driven to generate a signal.

(3) Pendulum 50 via mechanical escapement 40
The speed of the hands 30 is controlled by controlling the speed of the hands 30 by controlling the actual vibration period Ta of the pendulum 50 by the control unit 120, so that the speed of the hands 30 can be controlled in two stages. The speed control accuracy, and thus the display time accuracy, can be improved.

(4) The actual vibration period Ta of the pendulum 50 is detected, and the speed of the pointer 30 is automatically adjusted based on the result of comparing the detected actual vibration period Ta with the reference vibration period Ts. However, since the pendulum 50 shows a simple and large movement, the detection of the actual vibration period Ta of the pendulum 50 by the period detection circuit 123 can be performed easily and accurately, and the speed of the pointer 30 can be easily adjusted. .

(5) As the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 61 changes with the vibration of the pendulum 50, the coil 62
, The actual oscillation period T of the pendulum 50 can be reliably determined from the peak value of the generated AC power and the like.
a can be detected, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

(6) Since the natural oscillation period To of the pendulum 50 determined by the mechanical dimensions (length L) is set shorter than the reference oscillation period Ts, the actual oscillation period Ta can be adjusted by applying a brake to the pendulum 50. , This is the natural oscillation period T
o ′ is set longer than the reference oscillation period Ts, and the pendulum 50
Compared to the case where the actual vibration period Ta is adjusted, electric energy for accelerating the pendulum 50 is not required, and the loss of electric energy can be reduced.

(7) A permanent magnet 61 is fixed to the pendulum 50,
Since the coil 62 is arranged so as to face the permanent magnet 61, there is no need to adopt a structure in which a conducting wire is drawn from the vibrating pendulum 50 as in the case where the coil wire 62B is wound around the vibrating pendulum 50. The structure of the pendulum 50 can be simplified and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.
Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the possibility that the conductive wire is moved and cut by the vibration of the pendulum 50, and it is possible to drive the wire reliably.

(8) One coil 62 is arranged along the vibration trajectory of the pendulum 50, and the number of poles of the permanent magnet 61 facing this coil 62 is set to four, and the number of coils 62 is doubled. 2 or more, and these four permanent magnets 6
1 is arranged along the vibration trajectory of the pendulum 50 so that the magnetic flux changes almost always within the range of the amplitude, so that the magnetic flux from the permanent magnet 61 can efficiently flow into the coil 62. Therefore, electrical energy for controlling the actual oscillation period Ta of the pendulum 50 can be reliably secured.

(9) The pendulum 50 and the mechanical escapement 40 are housed in the outer case so that the operating sound in the outer case is easily reverberated. The user can enjoy the unique operating sound.

(10) Since the vibration of the pendulum 50 is used to adjust the speed of the pointer 30 and generate power, for example, the ankle is intermittently moved by a balance having a balance spring, and the rotation of the balance is performed. As compared with the case where a generator that generates electric power by utilizing the
1 and the coil 62 can be increased, and a larger power can be obtained.

(11) Hand 30 by hand position detecting means 202
As a result of the detection of the position, the detected position is compared with a preset setting pointer by electronic signal processing. Therefore, compared to a mechanical alarm device, the exact position as set, that is, A signal can be generated at an appropriate time.

[Second Embodiment] Next, an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 2 of the second embodiment. In the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 2 of the second embodiment, instead of the means for generating an alarm in the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 1 of the first embodiment, a means for receiving an external radio wave and adjusting the time is added. It was done. For this reason, the same or equivalent components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 2 has an antenna 301 as a receiving means for receiving a radio wave including accurate time information.
And a signal amplifier 302 for amplifying a radio wave received by the antenna 301 into a predetermined electric signal, a demodulation circuit 303 for returning the amplified electric signal to time information, a time comparison circuit 304, and a control circuit 125. . Of these,
The signal amplifier 302, the demodulation circuit 303, and the time comparison circuit 304 are formed in the control unit 120 that is an IC.

The time comparing circuit 304 is provided with the hand position detecting means 2
02, the time indicated by the pointer position detected at 02 and the demodulation circuit 30
3, and compares the time with the correct time detected, and outputs a signal of the comparison result to the control circuit 125. The control circuit 125
Based on the signal input from the demodulation circuit 303, the pointer 30
Adjust the position of to the exact time position.

The control circuit 125 has a function as the cycle control circuit 125 for matching the actual oscillation cycle Ta of the pendulum 50 to the reference oscillation cycle Ts, as in the first embodiment described above, and further has a time comparison function. A function of adjusting the position of the pointer 30 by inputting a signal from the circuit 304 is also provided.

Specifically, when the actual display time is ahead of the correct time, for example, the brake time applied to the pendulum 50 may be lengthened intentionally to be delayed. When the position of the pointer 30 is correct, the pendulum 5
What is necessary is to adjust the speed so that the vibration of 0 becomes equal to the original reference vibration period Ts.

On the other hand, when the actual display time is later than the correct time, the position of the pointer 30 may be adjusted by, for example, vibrating at the natural vibration period To 'without applying a brake to the pendulum 50. . Then, when the position of the pointer 30 becomes correct, the speed may be adjusted so that the oscillation cycle of the pendulum 50 matches the original reference oscillation cycle Ts.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects similar to the effects (1) to (11) of the first embodiment,
The following effects are obtained. (12) Antenna 301, signal amplifier 302, demodulation circuit 30
3. Since the apparatus is provided with the time comparison circuit 304 and the like, it is possible to receive a radio wave including time information from the outside and set the time of the display time. In particular, since the time can be set based on the time information, an accurate time can always be displayed as long as the mechanical energy is maintained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved. For example,
In the above embodiments, the pendulum 50 is vibrated by the weight pull 10, the train wheel 20, and the mechanical escapement 40.
The pendulum 50 may be vibrated by the configuration shown in FIG.

The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 3 shown in FIG. 6 has a mainspring device 71 and a mainspring device 71 via a chain line 72a.
Wheel 72 that converts the power transmitted from the power spring into uniform power regardless of the number of turns of the mainspring 71a and transmits the power, a train wheel 73 that transmits uniform power from the balance wheel 72, and a train wheel 73 and a crown-type escapement 7
4 is provided with a pendulum 50 for advancing 4 by a fixed angle at a fixed cycle.

The mainspring device 71 includes a mainspring 71a,
The barrel includes a barrel 71b for accommodating the mainspring 71a, and a barrel barrel 71c fixed to the inner end of the mainspring 71a and having both ends supported by the receiving member 70. In the mainspring device 71, the barrel true 71c is rotated by a winding key (not shown), and mechanical energy is accumulated in the mainspring 71a. And
The accumulated mechanical energy is used to wind the wound spring 7
1a is released, and the released mechanical energy is transmitted to the equalizer 72 via a chain line 72a.
The equalizing wheel 72 rotates.

The equalizing wheel 72 is a rotating body having a parabolic generatrix. Both left and right ends in the figure are supported by a receiving member 70 and are rotatably fixed. One end of a chain line 72a is fixed to the side (left side in the figure) of the diameter of the power equalizer 72 that is larger in diameter, and the chain line 72a is sequentially wound from the bottom side to the top side. And the chain line 72
The other end of a is fixed to the barrel 71b. In such a structure, when the number of windings with a large output torque of the mainspring 71a is close to the maximum, the other end of the chain line 72a is located at a small diameter portion (apex side). When the output torque is small and the number of windings is small, the other end of the chain line 72a is located at a large diameter portion (bottom side). For this reason, even when the number of windings of the mainspring 71 a decreases and the power from the mainspring device 71 becomes weak, the rotational torque of the equalizing wheel 72 is kept constant, and constant power is transmitted to the wheel train 73. It has become.

The wheel train 73 comprises a second wheel 73a meshing with the counterweight wheel 72, and a third wheel 73b meshing with the second wheel 73a.
A first bevel gear 73c meshing with the third wheel 73b,
A second bevel gear 73d that meshes with the first bevel gear 73c. The rotation of the equalizing wheel 72 is performed by the second wheel 73a and the third wheel 7
3b, the speed is sequentially increased and transmitted to the first bevel gear 73c,
The rotation of the first bevel gear 73c is transmitted to the second bevel gear 73d after changing the rotation direction by 90 °. Then, the rotation of the second bevel gear 73d is transmitted to the crown escapement 74.

The crown escapement 74 includes a crown gear 74a interlocked with the second bevel gear 73d, and a rod balance 74b to which the rod 51 of the pendulum 50 is attached. Crown gear 74
In a, a plurality of teeth 74a1 are formed on the upper side, and the teeth 74a1 are arranged so as to alternately contact two claw portions 74b1 and 74b2 formed on the rod balance 74b. These two claw portions 74b1 and 74b2 are in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, and the angle formed by each surface is 90 °.

That is, the mechanical energy accumulated in the mainspring device 71 is transmitted through the equalizing wheel 72, and a constant torque is applied to the second wheel 73a irrespective of the number of turns of the mainspring 71a.
To communicate. The power that rotates at the predetermined torque is the third wheel 73b, the first bevel gear 73c, and the first bevel gear 73c.
c, sequentially transmitted to the second bevel gear 73d and the crown-shaped gear 74a. On the other hand, the rod balance 74b to which the rod 51 of the pendulum 50 is attached moves the two claw portions 74b1 and 74b2 in conjunction with the vibration of the pendulum 50, and alternately comes into contact with the teeth 74a1 of the crown gear 74a. 74a is one tooth 74
The crown gear 74a is rotated at a constant cycle. Thus, the timepiece 3 of the present embodiment is driven in the same manner as the timepiece 1 described above. The timepiece 3 may be provided with a retainer that can transmit the power of the train wheel 73 while the mainspring 71a is being wound.

Accordingly, the mechanical energy storage device is not limited to the weight puller 10 as in the above embodiments, but may be a device utilizing such a mainspring device 71.
In short, any device that can store mechanical energy may be used. The winding method of the mainspring is not limited to manual operation, and may be automatically wound by a driving device or the like utilizing a temperature difference, and the method is not limited. In addition, the escape wheel 41 and the pallet fork 42 may be used as the mechanical escapement as in the above embodiments.
In addition to the above configuration, a configuration including a rod balance 74b having claw portions 74b1 and 74b2 formed thereon and a crown gear 74a may be used, and the type thereof is not limited.

In each of the above embodiments, the pendulum ball 52
The four permanent magnets 61A to 61D are fixed on the back side of the device, and one coil 62 is disposed on the back side of the permanent magnets 61A to 61D. As shown in FIG. , Four permanent magnets 81A to 81D are fixed, and coils 821 opposing the permanent magnets 81A to 81D are provided on both the front side (lower side in the figure) and the rear side (upper side in the figure) of the pendulum ball 80. , 822 may be arranged. In this case, the permanent magnets 81A to 81D have S poles and N poles alternately arranged in the vibration direction of the pendulum ball 80 on the front surface and the rear surface of the pendulum ball 80, respectively, as in the above embodiments. Be placed.

Further, the permanent magnets 81A to 81D are arranged along the arc-shaped vibration locus of the pendulum ball 80, and the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained. Furthermore, the number of poles of the permanent magnets 81A to 81D opposed to the coils 821 and 822 is equal to or more than a value obtained by adding 2 to a number obtained by doubling the number (two) of the coils 821 and 822 (2 × 2 + 2 ≦ 8). Thus, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

The coils 821 and 822 are, for example, configured so that one coil 821 is used for power generation and the other coil 821 is used for power generation.
If 22 is used for detection, it can be used for each function, and each function can be surely exhibited.

The four permanent magnets 81A to 81A
81D was arranged to penetrate the pendulum ball 80,
Four (eight in total) separate permanent magnets may be arranged on both surfaces of the pendulum ball 80, respectively.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, on the back side of the pendulum ball 90, three permanent magnets 91A to 91C are fixed so that their poles are in the vibration direction.
A configuration in which the two coils 921 and 922 are arranged side by side so as to face to ９１91C may be adopted. Also in this case, on the surface on the back surface side of the pendulum ball 90, the S pole and the N pole are arranged so as to alternate in the vibration direction of the pendulum ball 90,
The permanent magnets 91 </ b> A to 91 </ b> C are arranged along an arc-shaped vibration locus of the pendulum ball 90.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A configuration in which the coil 94 is arranged below the permanent magnet 95 that is fixed to the horn may be used. In other words, the numbers and arrangement positions of the coils and the permanent magnets may be set and changed as appropriate in accordance with the purpose and application. However, since the above-mentioned effects are obtained, the number of poles of the permanent magnet is set to 2 times the number of coils.
Is preferably equal to or more than the sum of the above, and moreover, it is preferable that the permanent magnets are arranged along the arc-shaped vibration locus of the pendulum.

Instead of making the tip of the pendulum bead-shaped as in each of the above embodiments, the pendulum may be formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. At this time, the coil 99 is arranged in accordance with the vibration trajectory of the pendulum so that the arc-shaped portion enters and exits the inside of the coil 99, and the arc-shaped portion is configured such that both ends and the middle become poles. Just do it. That is, the shape of the pendulum is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately changed according to the purpose or the like.

In the first embodiment, the means for generating a signal is driven by the surplus electric energy. In the second embodiment, the time is adjusted by receiving a radio wave. Although the configuration for driving the means for performing the operation is described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration for driving other means such as so-called karakuri may be used.

Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, no particular arrangement was made. However, in order to make the internal coil 62 invisible from the glass part of the outer case, for example, the permanent magnet 6
When a shield plate made of an insulator such as wood or resin is attached between the coil 1 and the coil 62, or when the permanent magnet 61 is fixed to the outer case and the coil 62 is attached to the pendulum 50, A shielding plate or the like made of a body-made metal plate may be attached. This can prevent the coil 62 from being visually recognized from the outside and impairing the design property, and can also suppress a change in magnetic flux generated between the coil 62 and the permanent magnet 61.

In each of the above embodiments, the oscillation period To 'of the pendulum 50 is set to be shorter than the reference oscillation period Ts. However, the oscillation period To' may be set to be longer or coincide with each other. You may. However, there is an advantage that a shorter setting can prevent loss of electric energy.

The adjustment of the oscillation period of the pendulum is as follows.
For example, a configuration may be provided that includes a center of gravity adjustment device that adjusts the center of gravity of the pendulum ball according to the difference between the reference oscillation period Ts and the actual oscillation period Ta, and adjusts the oscillation period of the pendulum. The center-of-gravity adjusting device may be of a manual type, or may compare the reference oscillation period Ts with the oscillation period To ′ of the pendulum, and according to the comparison result, determine the oscillation period To ′ of the pendulum as the reference oscillation period T ′.
The center-of-gravity adjusting device may be automatically driven to match s. In the latter case, a special power supply for driving the center of gravity adjusting device must be provided, but according to the present invention, such a center of gravity adjusting device is provided with a part of the electric energy generated by the generator. , And no other power supply is required. Also, if the position of the center of gravity of the pendulum is adjusted to bring the oscillation period To 'of the pendulum closer to the reference oscillation period Ts,
Energy for controlling the period of the pendulum can be reduced, and the generated power can be used for other functions, and the duration of the watch can be extended.

As the speed control and the power generation of the hands, for example, a configuration in which the hands are controlled by the vibration of the balance spring attached to the balance to generate power can be considered, but a large power generation amount cannot be secured. There is a disadvantage that electrical energy for driving other means other than the means cannot be secured.
For this reason, the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to the present invention is excellent in that it can drive means other than the control means with surplus electrical energy.

In each of the above embodiments, a means for generating an alarm, a means for adjusting the time, and the like are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG.
No special means may be provided. In this case, for example, the configuration may be such that the generated excess electric energy is stored.

[0084]

As described above, according to the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece of the present invention, the speed of the hands can be controlled by the pendulum via the mechanical escapement, and the speed of the hands can be controlled by the control means. Can control. Therefore, if the control of the pointer speed is mainly performed by the pendulum and the mechanical escapement, the amount of electric energy used by the control means to control the pointer speed is suppressed, and the generator is generated. The surplus of the electrical energy can be used to drive means other than the control means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a generator of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a modification of the structure of the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a modification of the generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a modification of the generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a modification of the generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of the generator according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a modification of the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numerals 1, 2 Electronically controlled mechanical timepiece 10 Weight adjustment as mechanical energy storage device 30 Pointer 31 Hour hand 32 Minute hand 40 Mechanical escapement 50 Pendulum 60 Generator 61 (61A-61D), 81A-81D, 91A-9
1C, 95 Permanent magnet 62,94,99,821,822,921,922
Coil 105 Control means 123 Cycle detection circuit 124 Cycle comparison circuit 125 Cycle control circuit 201 Alarm time setting device as time setting means 202 Hand position detection means as time detection means 203 Time comparison circuit 205 Signal generation device 301 Antenna as reception means 304 Time comparison circuit Ta Actual oscillation period To 'Natural oscillation period Ts Reference oscillation period

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2F084 AA05 AA07 BB01 BB09 CC03 JJ04 JJ07 LL04 5H590 AA22 BB02 CA30 CC02 EA15 FA05 GA09 HA02 HB01 5H621 BB06 BB08 GA11 GA15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A mechanical energy storage device for storing mechanical energy, a pointer driven by mechanical energy from the mechanical energy storage device and indicating a time,
A generator driven by the mechanical energy to supply the electric energy, and a control unit driven by the electric energy from the generator to control the speed of the pointer,
An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece comprising: a mechanical escapement interlocking with the pointer; and a pendulum interlocking with the mechanical escapement, wherein the generator generates induced power by vibration of the pendulum. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece provided so as to supply the electric energy. 2. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the control unit compares a period detecting unit that detects a period of vibration of the pendulum with the period of vibration and a preset reference period of vibration. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, comprising: a period comparison unit that performs the operation; and a period control unit that controls the period of the pendulum so that the oscillation period matches the reference oscillation period. 3. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 2, wherein a natural oscillation period of the pendulum determined by a mechanical dimension is set shorter than the reference oscillation period. clock. 4. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the period control unit includes a permanent magnet fixed to the pendulum and a coil disposed to face the permanent magnet. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece comprising: 5. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the generator is disposed at a position facing the permanent magnet fixed to the pendulum and the permanent magnet. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, wherein the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet is configured to flow in the coil while changing the magnetic flux with the vibration of the pendulum. 6. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 4, wherein the coil is disposed along a vibration trajectory of the pendulum, and the number of poles of the permanent magnet is equal to the number of coils. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece characterized in that the number is equal to or greater than a number obtained by adding 2 to a number obtained by doubling the number of times. 7. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 1, wherein a time detecting means for detecting a display time, a time setting means capable of setting an arbitrary time, Time, and
A time comparing means for comparing the set times, a signal generating device for generating a signal based on a result of the comparison,
An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece comprising: 8. The electronically controlled mechanical timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means receives a radio wave including time information, the time detecting means detects a display time, and the receiving means. The time information received in, and time comparison means for comparing the detected display time, the control means, based on the result of the comparison, the pointer to the position indicated by the time information, the pointer An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece which is provided so as to be adjustable.