JP2004286467A - Electronic timepiece and its information writing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic timepiece wherein superior antimagnetic properties are secured information is writen in the state of a completed product, and increases in costs is suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: In the electronic timepiece 1, the size C1 of a gap between a dial lower plate 5 and the outer circumferential edge of a back plate 6 both made of an antimagnetic material sandwiching a movement 3 is set at an optimum value 0.8-1.2 times the size T1 of the thickness of a drive coil 31A. Therefore, even when a strong magnetic field of 40,000 A/m is exerted from the outside, the magnetic field is prevented from passing through the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 to affect a magnetic field on the side of a stepping motor 31 and secure superior antimagnetic properties. In addition, by making a magnetic field from a writing device 100 of a strength exceeding a desired level (for example 40,000 A/m), the magnetic field acts on the drive coil 31A from between the dial lower plate 5 and the outer circumferential edge of the back plate 6, and writing in a completed product is performed. Furthermore, by optimizing the gap size C1, the need for an antimagnetic ring made of an antimagnetic material is eliminated to reduce costs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece.
[0002]
[Background Art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, some analog electronic timepieces perform an annual difference write correction in consideration of a frequency and temperature characteristic inherent in a quartz oscillator. In particular, such correction is performed by an electronic timepiece having a high accuracy (about ± 10 seconds / year) called an annual difference clock. After assembling the electronic timepiece, information is sent from a coil of an external device, and the information inside the electronic timepiece is transmitted. This is performed by receiving information using electromagnetic induction of a motor drive coil and storing the information in a memory of an IC (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
On the other hand, the yearly timepiece generally has the JIS class 1 or JIS class 2 magnetic resistance. This anti-magnetic performance is a level that can withstand a DC magnetic field of 16,000 A / m (200 G) in JIS Class 2. According to the yearly timepiece, a structure is employed in which a drive coil and a stator of a motor, which are easily affected by a DC magnetic field, are sandwiched between a pair of magnetically resistant plates from above and below in order to ensure magnetic resistance.
The anti-magnetic plate is made of an inexpensive material such as pure iron having magnetic properties.If such an anti-magnetic plate is not provided, sufficient anti-magnetic performance cannot be secured, so the motor generated from the drive coil and stator in the movement The magnetic field on the side is affected by the external magnetic field, and the rotor does not rotate or the rotation becomes unstable. Therefore, the magnetic-resistant plate is widely used in electronic timepieces in general, irrespective of the year-to-year clock.
[0004]
Furthermore, in recent years, it has been desired to secure more excellent magnetic resistance, for example, a level of a DC magnetic field of 40,000 A / m. It is generally known that a middle frame-shaped anti-magnetic ring made of a magnetic material is arranged between the outer peripheral edges of the upper and lower anti-magnetic plates because the above-mentioned structure cannot sufficiently cope with such a demand. I have.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-284078 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a structure using a magnetic-resistant ring is adopted in an annual timepiece, the level of magnetic resistance is increased, but in the finished product in which the timepiece is assembled, information from a coil of an external device cannot be received, and the yearly difference is written. There is a problem that correction cannot be performed. That is, in order to perform the correction, it is necessary to confirm the accuracy of the timepiece once assembled, and then to receive information by changing the back cover or the like, which complicates the operation.
Further, since the anti-magnetic ring has a complicated shape corresponding to the shape of the movement, there is a problem that even if the material cost is low, the processing cost is high, and the cost is significantly increased.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece that can ensure more excellent magnetic resistance, can write information in a finished product state, and can suppress an increase in cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information writing method for an electronic timepiece that can reliably write information to an electronic timepiece having excellent magnetic resistance.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An electronic timepiece according to the present invention includes a movement on which a motor for driving a pointer is mounted, and a drive coil of the motor is used for receiving information from an external device. And a dimension between the outer peripheral edges of these anti-magnetic plates is not less than 0.8 times and not more than 1.2 times the thickness dimension of the drive coil, and between the outer edges. It is characterized in that at least a space and / or a member made of a non-magnetic material is present, and a ring-shaped or substantially ring-shaped anti-magnetic ring of a magnetic material is not provided as in the related art.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the drive coil is arranged between the pair of anti-magnetic plates. At this time, in order to optimally set the dimension between the outer peripheral edges of the respective anti-magnetic plates, the drive coil is externally provided. Even when a strong magnetic field is applied, the magnetic field flows through these anti-magnetic plates, so that the magnetic field on the motor side generated in the drive coil and the stator is not affected, and more excellent anti-magnetic performance is secured.
In addition, by setting the magnetic field for writing information from an external device to a magnitude exceeding a desired level, the magnetic field acts on the drive coil from between the outer peripheral edges of the respective anti-magnetic plates, so that writing correction in a completed product can be reliably performed. Will be able to do it.
Further, by optimizing the dimension between the outer peripheral edges of the pair of anti-magnetic plates, a conventional anti-magnetic ring made of a magnetic material is not required between the outer peripheral edges, thereby suppressing an increase in cost.
When the dimension between the outer peripheral edges is smaller than 0.8 times, the anti-magnetic performance is further improved. However, there is a possibility that information writing cannot be performed stably. Is easier to write, but it is difficult to ensure the desired anti-magnetic performance.
[0010]
In the electronic timepiece of the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of magnetic-resistant plates is disposed at a position substantially equidistant from the drive coil or formed to have substantially the same thickness.
For the drive coil and the stator, the external magnetic field applied along the longitudinal direction has the most adverse effect.However, by arranging each anti-magnetic plate at substantially the same distance from the drive coil or forming it with substantially the same thickness dimension, The external magnetic field flows evenly and smoothly through the respective anti-magnetic plates, so that the influence on the magnetic field generated from the motor side is reduced and the anti-magnetic performance is further improved.
Here, the ratio of the distance from the drive coil to one anti-magnetic plate and the distance to the other anti-magnetic plate is preferably about 0.8 to 1.2, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1. . That is, the range of these ratios is included in the range of substantially equidistant. When the value exceeds the range of 0.8 to 1.2, it becomes difficult for the external magnetic field to flow evenly in each anti-magnetic plate. Become.
In addition, the ratio of the thickness of one magnetic field proof plate to the thickness dimension of the other magnetic field proof plate is preferably about 0.7 to 1.3, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1. That is, if these ratios are in the range, they are included in the range of substantially equal thickness dimensions. Exceeding the range of 0.7 to 1.3 also makes it difficult for the external magnetic field to flow evenly in each anti-magnetic plate, thus affecting the motor side.
[0011]
In the electronic timepiece according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the pair of anti-magnetic plates has a wall-shaped portion that is bent toward the outer peripheral side of the other anti-magnetic plate.
If a flat anti-magnetic plate is simply used, when the thickness of the movement is large, the dimension between the outer peripheral edges is also increased, and there is a possibility that an optimal dimension between the outer peripheral edges cannot be obtained. On the other hand, in the present invention, since the wall-shaped portion is provided on the outer peripheral edge of one of the anti-magnetic plates, even when a thick movement is used, by providing the wall-shaped portion corresponding to the thickness, the optimum outer peripheral edge is provided. The dimensions are ensured, and the wall-shaped portion suppresses the influence of the external magnetic field from the side, so that the anti-magnetic performance is reliably improved.
[0012]
On the other hand, an information writing method for an electronic timepiece according to the present invention includes a movement equipped with a motor for driving a pointer, and a drive coil of the motor writes information to an electronic timepiece used for receiving information from an external device. An information writing method of an electronic watch for writing, wherein an outer peripheral edge of one of the pair of anti-magnetic plates is provided with a wall-shaped portion protruding toward an outer peripheral side of the other anti-magnetic plate. Information is written in a state in which the anti-magnetic plate side provided with the wall portion is separated from the external device, and the other anti-magnetic plate side is close to the external device.
[0013]
The present invention is an information writing method in a case where a wall-shaped portion is provided on one of the anti-magnetic plates. If a wall-shaped portion is provided on the anti-magnetic plate, the external magnetic field is blocked by this wall-shaped portion, so that the influence on the motor side can be reduced and the anti-magnetic performance is improved, but the information from the external device is received correspondingly. It becomes difficult. Therefore, in the present invention, the other magnetic field-resistant side, on which the wall-shaped portion is not provided, is brought close to the external device, and if the external device is used, a portion of the generated magnetic field having a high magnetic flux density acts. Therefore, even when a wall-shaped portion is provided on one of the anti-magnetic plates to improve the anti-magnetic performance, information from an external device can be reliably written.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electronic timepiece 1 is set in a writing device (external device) 100 in order to perform yearly difference writing correction.
[0015]
The electronic timepiece 1 is a so-called analog quartz timepiece having an hour hand A, a minute hand B, and a second hand C. The electronic timepiece 1 has an outer case 2, a movement 3 housed in the outer case 2, and an upper part of the movement 3 in FIG. And a dial 4 arranged. The electronic timepiece 1 is configured to use the writing device 100 to write a coefficient such as a frequency-temperature characteristic curve as information in an IC memory in a finished product state.
[0016]
The outer case 2 has a body 21 made of a non-magnetic material, and a glass edge 22 is attached to the outer periphery of the body 21 via a glass edge packing 22A made of resin. The glass 23 is fitted via a glass packing 23A made of resin. A back cover 24 is screwed to the back side of the body 21 via a back cover packing 24A made of resin.
[0017]
The movement 3 has a step motor (motor) 31 composed of a drive coil 31A, a stator 31B, and a rotor (not shown), and has the above-described configuration via a wheel train (not shown) driven by the step motor 31. Move hands A, B, and C. In addition, although not shown, the movement 3 is provided with, as a general configuration, a time adjusting wheel train for adjusting the time by operating the crown 32, a circuit block for motor control including the crystal oscillator and the IC, and the like. The circuit block and the step motor 31 are driven by electric energy from a primary battery such as a button battery. Such a movement 3 is housed from the back cover 24 side, and a locking portion 3A provided on a part of the outer periphery is locked from the dial 4 side to a locked portion 21A formed integrally with the body 21. The locked portion 21 </ b> A is fixed by screws 34 so as to be sandwiched by fixing pieces 33.
[0018]
The movement 3 is covered with a magnetically-resistant plate made of a magnetic material such as pure iron (JIS-SUY-P1) from the dial 4 side and the back cover 24 side. Specifically, a dial lower plate (magnetic-resistant plate) 5 is provided between the movement 3 and the dial 4, and a back plate (magnetic-resistant plate) 6 is provided between the movement 3 and the back cover 24. Have been.
The dial lower plate 5 shields a magnetic field generated from the step motor 31 toward the dial 4 side, and at the same time, shields the step motor 31 from an external magnetic field acting from the dial 4 side. The back plate 6 shields a magnetic field generated from the step motor 31 toward the back cover 24, and at the same time, shields the step motor 31 from an external magnetic field acting from the back cover 24 side.
[0019]
Further, the dial 4 has a circular flat plate shape, whereas the back plate 6 has a circular dish shape. That is, a wall-shaped portion 61 bent toward the dial 4 is provided continuously on the outer peripheral edge of the back plate 6 in the circumferential direction. This wall-shaped portion 61 has a height reaching the vicinity of the stator 31B of the step motor 31. This allows a magnetic field acting on the movement 3 from the side, that is, an external magnetic field applied along the longitudinal direction of the drive coil 31A. Effective shielding. The end surface 62 of the wall portion 61 comes into contact with the contact portion 21B integral with the body 21 by the back plate 6 being urged from the back cover 24 side by the leaf spring 24B. By closing 24, the entire back plate 6 is fixed.
[0020]
The dial 4 is fixed to the movement 3 via a fixing pin (not shown) that penetrates the dial lower plate 5, and the dial lower plate 5 is connected between the receiving ring 51 made of resin and the dial 4. It is sandwiched between. The dial 4 and the dial lower plate 5 are fixed to each other by bonding or the like.
[0021]
Hereinafter, the characteristic configuration in the present embodiment will be described more specifically.
In the present embodiment, the outer diameter of the dial lower plate 5 is slightly larger than the outer dimension of the back plate 6, and the rear surface 52 of the dial lower plate 5 and the end face 62 of the wall-shaped portion 61 provided on the rear plate 6. Are opposed to each other. At this time, the gap dimension C1 between the outer peripheral edges formed by the back surface 52 and the end surface 62 is 0.8 times or more and 1.2 times or less the thickness dimension T1 of the drive coil 31A. If the gap dimension C1 between the outer peripheral edges is smaller than 0.8 times the thickness dimension T1, the anti-magnetic performance is further improved, but information writing may not be performed stably. If it is large, writing of information becomes easier, but it is difficult to secure desired magnetic resistance.
[0022]
Here, a winding stem 35 made of a magnetic material is inserted between the outer peripheral edges of the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 on the crown 32 side, and a slight space is formed around the winding stem 35. In other portions, as shown on the left side in FIG. 1, a locked portion 21A and a contact portion 21B integral with the body 21 are interposed between the outer peripheral edges. As described above, in the present embodiment, a magnetic-resistant ring or the like made of a magnetic material as in the related art is not provided between the outer peripheral edges.
[0023]
The distance L1 from the drive coil 31A to the lower dial plate 5 and the distance L2 from the drive coil 31A to the back plate 6 are set to be substantially equal. At this time, it is most desirable if the distance L1 = the distance L2, but it may be strictly unequal. However, even when the distances L1 and L2 are not exactly equal, the ratio (L1 / L2) of the distances L1 and L2 is preferably about 0.8 to 1.2, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1. That is, if they are within the range of these ratios, they are included within the range of substantially equal distance. When the ratio exceeds 0.8 to 1.2, it becomes difficult for the external magnetic field to uniformly flow in the lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 of the dial, and it is easy to saturate the magnetically resistant plate on the side where the external magnetic field is hard to flow. Affects the 31 side.
[0024]
The thickness t1 of the dial plate lower plate 5 and the thickness t2 of the back plate 6 are also set to be substantially the same. At this time, it is most desirable if the thickness dimension t1 = the thickness dimension t2, but it may be strictly unequal. However, even when they are not exactly equal, the ratio (t1 / t2) of the thickness dimensions t1 and t2 is preferably about 0.7 to 1.3, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1. That is, if these ratios are in the range, they are included in the range of substantially equal thickness dimensions. Exceeding the range of 0.7 to 1.3 also makes it difficult for the external magnetic field to uniformly flow through the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6, thus affecting the step motor 31.
[0025]
In the electronic timepiece 1 described above, writing correction is performed as shown in FIG. That is, the assembled electronic timepiece 1 (however, the band is not mounted) is put in a box-shaped packaging container 200 made of resin, and the glass 23 side is set to the writing device 100 side (the lower side in FIG. 2). The entire package 200 is set. As a result, the flat plate-shaped lower plate 5 is brought close to the writing device 100, the back plate 6 provided with the wall-shaped portion 61 is separated from the writing device 100, and the outside of the lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 is removed. The distance between the peripheral edges is made closer to the writing device 100 side.
[0026]
Next, electric power is supplied to the core 201 of the writing device 100 to generate a magnetic field from the writing coil 202, and the magnetic field is applied to the electronic timepiece 1. At this time, the strength of the magnetic field is set to be higher than the standard strength in consideration of the desired anti-magnetic performance. Most of the magnetic field from the writing device 100 flows through the lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 of the dial, so that the magnetic field does not significantly affect the drive coil 31A. Although it is a little, it enters the inside (from the side of the movement 3) from between the outer peripheral edges of the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6, and reliably flows into the drive coil 31A without flowing through the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6. Works. As a result, the drive coil 31A receives information from the writing device 100, and updates the memory in the IC to perform the correction.
Although FIG. 2 shows a case where there is only one electronic timepiece 1, if the plurality of electronic timepieces 1 can be accommodated as the packaging container 200, it is also possible to make corrections for a plurality of electronic timepieces 1 at a time. However, when a plurality of electronic timepieces 1 are housed, if the electronic timepieces 1 are too close to each other, writing may not be possible due to mutual influences. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently consider the distance between the electronic timepieces 1.
[0027]
According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) That is, in the electronic timepiece 1, the gap C1 between the outer peripheral edges of the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 sandwiching the movement 3 is equal to the thickness T1 of the drive coil 31A in relation to the thickness T1. Since it is set to 0.8 to 1.2 times and is optimally set, even when a strong magnetic field of 40,000 A / m is applied from the outside, these dial lower plate 5 and the back plate having magnetic resistance are provided. Since a magnetic field flows through the plate 6, it is possible to effectively prevent the magnetic field on the side of the step motor 31 generated in the drive coil 31A and the stator 31B from being affected, and it is possible to secure more excellent magnetic resistance.
In addition, by setting the magnetic field for writing information from the external writing device 100 to a magnitude exceeding a desired level (for example, 40,000 A / m), the magnetic field from between the outer peripheral edges of the dial plate lower plate 5 and the back plate 6 is increased. It can be applied to the drive coil 31A, and writing correction in a finished product can be surely performed.
Furthermore, by optimizing the gap size C1 between the dial lower plate 5 and the back plate 6, a conventional anti-magnetic ring made of a magnetic material can be eliminated, and the cost can be reduced.
[0028]
(2) Further, since the distance L1 from the drive coil 31A to the dial plate lower plate 5 and the distance L2 from the drive coil 31A to the back plate 6 are set to be substantially equal, an external magnetic field is applied to the dial plate lower plate. 5 and the back plate 6 can be evenly and smoothly flown to each other, and the influence of the external magnetic field on the stepping motor 31 can be reduced to further improve the anti-magnetic performance.
[0029]
(3) Since the thickness t1 of the dial plate lower plate 5 and the thickness t2 of the back plate 6 are set to be substantially the same, the effect of the above (2) can be further promoted, and the magnetic resistance performance is further improved. It can be something.
[0030]
(4) Since the wall-shaped portion 61 which rises and bends toward the dial plate lower plate 5 side is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the back plate 6, even when the movement 3 having a large thickness is used, its thickness is increased. By providing the wall-shaped portion 61 having a height according to the above, it is possible to reliably secure the optimum outer peripheral edge distance C1. Further, since the wall-shaped portion 61 has a height reaching the vicinity of the stator 31B of the step motor 31, the effect of an external magnetic field acting from the side of the movement 3 can be effectively suppressed. Can be reliably improved.
[0031]
(5) In performing the writing correction of the electronic timepiece 1, the lower plate 5 on which the wall-shaped portion 61 is not provided is brought close to the writing device 100 side. Above all, a portion having a large magnetic flux density can be made to act. Therefore, even when the anti-magnetic performance is improved by providing the wall-shaped portion 61 on the back plate 6, the magnetic field from the writing device 100 can be reliably applied to the drive coil 31A, and information can be accurately written.
[0032]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes other configurations that can achieve the object of the present invention, and also includes the following modifications and the like.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the wall-shaped portion 61 is provided on the back plate 6, but a similar wall-shaped portion may be provided on the dial plate lower plate 5, and both the dial plate lower plate 5 and the dial plate 6 may be provided. May be provided. Conversely, even when the wall-shaped portion is not provided on either the dial lower plate 5 or the back plate 6, the invention is included in another invention except for claim 4 of the present invention.
[0033]
In the embodiment, the distances L1 and L2 from the drive coil 31A to the dial plate 5 and the back plate 6 are substantially equal, and the thickness dimensions t1 and t2 of the dial plate 5 and the back plate 6 are substantially equal. However, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to have the same distance or the same thickness. However, since the effects (2) and (3) described above can be obtained by using the same distance and the same thickness, it is desirable to do so.
[0034]
The electronic timepiece 1 of the embodiment is a three-handed analog quartz timepiece provided with an hour hand A, a minute hand B, and a second hand C. However, the present invention provides a two-handed timepiece provided with only the hour hand A and the minute hand B. Electronic clock, an arbitrary chronograph in addition to the three-hand type, or an electronic multifunction clock having a function of indicating an alarm, a timer, temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and the like. In addition to the general type in which a step motor is driven by a primary battery, the electronic timepiece includes a generator that generates power by the driving force of a rotating weight, and a type in which the step motor is driven by electric energy from this generator. included.
[0035]
In addition, the best configuration and method for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been particularly shown and described with particular reference to particular embodiments, but without departing from the spirit and purpose of the invention, the shapes, Those skilled in the art can make various modifications in materials, quantities, and other detailed configurations.
Therefore, the description of the limited shapes, materials, and the like disclosed above is illustratively provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member excluding some or all of the limitations such as is included in the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an electronic timepiece is set in an external device in order to perform year difference writing correction.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic timepiece, 3 ... Movement, 5 ... Lower plate (magnetic-resistant plate), 6 ... Back plate (magnetic-resistant plate), 21 ... Body (member of nonmagnetic material), 31 ... Motor, 31A ... Drive coil, 61 ... wall-shaped part, A ... hour hand (hand), B ... minute hand (hand), C ... second hand (hand), C1 ... gap size, L1, L2 ... distance, t1, t2, T3 ... thickness size.

Claims (5)

An electronic timepiece including a movement equipped with a motor for driving a pointer, and a drive coil of the motor being used for receiving information from an external device,
A pair of anti-magnetic plates disposed on both the front and back sides of the movement, and the dimension between the outer peripheral edges of these anti-magnetic plates is not less than 0.8 times and not more than 1.2 times the thickness of the drive coil. An electronic timepiece characterized in that at least a space and / or a member made of a non-magnetic material exists between outer peripheral edges. 2. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the pair of anti-magnetic plates are arranged at positions substantially equidistant from the drive coil. 3. 3. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the pair of anti-magnetic plates have substantially the same thickness. 4. 4. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral edge of at least one of the pair of anti-magnetic plates is bent toward an outer peripheral side of the other anti-magnetic plate. 5. An electronic timepiece provided with a shape. An information writing method for an electronic timepiece, comprising a movement equipped with a motor for driving a pointer, and a drive coil of the motor for writing information to an electronic timepiece used for receiving information from an external device,
An outer peripheral edge of one of the pair of anti-magnetic plates is provided with a wall-like portion protruding toward an outer peripheral side of the other anti-magnetic plate. An information writing method for an electronic timepiece, wherein information is written in a state in which the information writing apparatus is separated from the device and the other anti-magnetic plate side is close to the external device.

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