JP2006189458A - Electronic watch with wireless communication functions - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio wave correction watch which can properly receive radio waves with an antenna, without impairing the appearance. <P>SOLUTION: A photoelectric power generating means 6 is disposed close to the surface of a back cover 3 side of a dial plate 21, that is made of a nonmagnetic, optically transparent material. A support substrate 62 of the photoelectric power generating means 6 is made of the nonmagnetic material. The antenna 5 is located so as to be close to the surface of the back cover 3 side of the support substrate 62. Because the support substrate 62 is a nonmagnetic material, external radio waves can pass through the dial plate 21 and through the photoelectric power generating means 6 into a coil 52 of the antenna 5, and the radio waves can thus be received by the antenna 5. Since the antenna 5 can be contained inside a case member 1, the appearance can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, such as a radio wave correction timepiece, for example, and relates to an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, having a photovoltaic power generation means for generating power by photoelectric conversion.

As an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function that receives radio waves from the outside or transmits radio waves to the outside and performs wireless communication, for example, a radio wave that receives a radio wave that includes standard time information by an antenna and corrects the time There is a modified clock.
As a radio-controlled timepiece, there has been proposed a radio-controlled timepiece in which an antenna is disposed outside an outer case so that the antenna can easily receive radio waves (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-223684, FIG. 4).

  Further, in the radio-controlled timepiece, power generation means such as solar power generation means and thermoelectric power generation means are incorporated in the movement, and the power generated by the power generation means is used for driving the timepiece (for example, JP-A-2003-121568, (See FIG. 1).

  On the other hand, a radio-controlled timepiece in which an antenna is housed inside an exterior case has been proposed (see, for example, JP-A-2002-31690, FIG. 6). In this radio-controlled timepiece, the solar substrate is arranged at a position covering the antenna arranged in the movement.

  In addition, there has been proposed a radio timepiece in which a dial is composed of a non-metallic plate such as ceramics and the dial is composed of a solar cell (see, for example, FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-139869).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-223684 JP 2003-121568 A JP 2002-31690 A JP 2003-139869 A

  In the radio-controlled timepiece of Patent Document 1, even if the exterior case is made of metal, for example, the antenna can receive the radio wave satisfactorily without being disturbed by the exterior case. However, in this radio-controlled timepiece, since the antenna is disposed outside the exterior case, the appearance of the radio-controlled timepiece is impaired.

  Further, in the radio-controlled timepiece according to Patent Document 2, although the antenna is arranged in the movement and the arrangement of the power generation means and the antenna is illustrated, there is no description about the arrangement of the movement with respect to the outer case. In the case of the product, etc., there is a possibility that the radio wave reception of the antenna may be hindered, and the radio wave may not be received well.

  Furthermore, in the radio-controlled timepiece according to Patent Document 3, since the solar substrate is usually made of a metal material such as stainless steel, the solar substrate interferes with radio wave reception and cannot receive radio waves with an antenna.

  In addition, in the radio timepiece of Patent Document 4, it is necessary to form either the back cover or the timepiece case with ceramics in order to make it difficult to receive radio wave reception obstacles, which impairs the appearance of the radio timepiece. On the other hand, if the back cover and the watch case are made of a metal material to improve the appearance, the antenna is surrounded by the back cover and the watch case, and radio waves cannot be received satisfactorily.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function capable of transmitting and receiving radio waves satisfactorily with an antenna without impairing the appearance.

  An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to the present invention includes a cylindrical metal outer case that is open at least one of both ends in the cylindrical axis direction, an antenna housed in the outer case, and a time display unit that displays time. The photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on the opening side of at least one of both ends of the outer case and receives light from the opening side to the outside, and generates electric power from the received light, and the support that supports the photoelectric conversion unit A photovoltaic power generation means having a substrate; a driving means for driving the time display means by the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means; and a metal lid member that covers the other end of the outer case. The antenna is composed of a material and a non-conductive material, and the antenna is disposed so that its axial direction is substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate, and is opposed to the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit. The electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is disposed in a position overlapping the support substrate in a plan view, and the antenna is disposed in proximity to the support substrate in side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function. Features.

  According to this invention, since the support substrate is made of a non-magnetic material and a non-conductive material, the standard radio wave passes without being disturbed by the support substrate. Therefore, even when the antenna is disposed in the outer case so as to face the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit, the antenna can transmit and receive radio waves from the photovoltaic power generation means side. Therefore, since the antenna is housed inside the outer case while maintaining good transmission / reception performance, the appearance of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is improved.

  Further, since the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the antenna can easily transmit and receive radio waves from the support substrate side. As a result, even when the lid member and the outer case itself are made of a metal material, radio waves can be transmitted and received from one opening on the support substrate side, and this also improves the appearance of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function.

  Furthermore, since the antenna is arranged facing the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit, the antenna does not block light reception from the exterior case opening by the photoelectric conversion unit, and a decrease in power generation efficiency is prevented. Is done. In addition, it is possible to increase the area inside the exterior case of the photoelectric conversion unit, and this also prevents a decrease in power generation efficiency.

Here, the fact that the antenna axial direction is arranged substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate means that the angle formed between the antenna axial direction line and the plane of the support substrate is about 0 ° to 30 °. This is preferably 15 ° or less, more preferably 10 ° or less.
The plan view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction parallel to the cylinder axis direction of the exterior case. Further, the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the cylinder axis direction of the outer case.

  Further, when the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate, for example, in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the distance from the center position of the antenna to one open end of the exterior case is the center of the antenna. When the distance from the position to the lid member is smaller, or when the center position of the antenna is arranged on the time display means side (one opening side of the exterior case) than the center position of the dimension in the thickness direction of the exterior case, the antenna Is in contact with the support substrate, or the distance between the antenna and the support substrate is set to a predetermined dimension or less.

  An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to the present invention includes a cylindrical metal outer case that is open at least one of both ends in the cylindrical axis direction, an antenna housed in the outer case, and a time display unit that displays time. The photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on the opening side of at least one of both ends of the outer case and receives light from the opening side to the outside, and generates electric power from the received light, and the support that supports the photoelectric conversion unit A photovoltaic power generation means having a substrate; a drive means for driving the time display means by the power from the photovoltaic power generation means; and a metal lid member covering the other end of the exterior case. Is disposed substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate, and at least both ends of the antenna are disposed at positions that do not overlap the support substrate in plan view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, One such antenna in a side view of an electronic timepiece with a radio communication function is characterized by being arranged close to the supporting substrate.

  According to the present invention, since at least both ends of the antenna are arranged at positions where they do not overlap with the support substrate in plan view, even when the support substrate is made of a magnetic material or a conductive material, for example, the support substrate is The radio wave is transmitted and received satisfactorily from at least both ends of the antenna that does not interfere with the radio wave magnetic field transmitted and received by the antenna and does not overlap the support substrate. That is, for example, when the antenna includes a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core, when wireless communication is performed using the antenna, a magnetic field is linked from the end of the magnetic core to generate an induced power in the coil. In order to transmit and receive radio waves by the reverse or vice versa, if at least both ends of the antenna are arranged at positions where they do not overlap with the support substrate in plan view, the transmission / reception performance of the antenna is further improved. Therefore, it is possible to use a highly rigid material such as magnetic stainless steel, conductive brass, beryllium copper, or nonmagnetic stainless steel for the support substrate, thereby improving the strength of the support substrate.

  In addition, since at least both ends of the antenna are arranged at positions where they do not overlap with the support substrate in plan view, at least both ends of the antenna are on substantially the same plane as the support substrate or closer to one opening side of the exterior case. It becomes possible to arrange. Therefore, compared with the case where the antenna is disposed opposite to the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit, at least both end portions of the antenna are closer to the opening side of the outer case, which also allows the wireless communication of the antenna. The accuracy is further improved. And since an antenna approaches the opening side of an exterior case, even if a cover member is comprised with a metal material, it becomes possible to maintain the radio | wireless communication precision of an antenna, and the external appearance of an electronic timepiece with a radio | wireless communication function improves. In this case, the support substrate can be made of a nonmagnetic material or a nonconductive material, and may be, for example, a synthetic resin substrate.

  Further, since the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the antenna can easily transmit and receive radio waves from the support substrate side. As a result, even if the lid member and the outer case are made of a metal material such as a magnetic material or a conductive material, wireless communication can be satisfactorily performed from the opening side of the outer case, and this also enables the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function. Appearance is improved.

Here, the fact that the antenna axial direction is arranged substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate means that the angle formed between the antenna axial direction line and the plane of the support substrate is about 0 ° to 30 °. This is preferably 15 ° or less, more preferably 10 ° or less.
The planar view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction parallel to the cylinder axis direction of the outer case. Further, the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the cylinder axis direction of the outer case.

  Further, when the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate, for example, in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the distance from the center position of the antenna to one open end of the exterior case is the center of the antenna. When the distance from the position to the lid member is smaller, or when the center position of the antenna is arranged on the time display means side (one opening side of the exterior case) than the center position of the dimension in the thickness direction of the exterior case, the antenna Is in contact with the support substrate, or the distance between the antenna and the support substrate is set to a predetermined dimension or less.

  An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to the present invention includes a cylindrical metal outer case that is open at least one of both ends in the cylindrical axis direction, an antenna housed in the outer case, and a time display unit that displays time. The photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on the opening side of at least one of both ends of the outer case and receives light from the opening side to the outside, and generates electric power from the received light, and the support that supports the photoelectric conversion unit A photovoltaic power generation means having a substrate; a drive means for driving the time display means by the power from the photovoltaic power generation means; and a metal lid member covering the other end of the exterior case. Are arranged substantially in parallel with the plane direction of the support substrate, and are disposed close to the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function. Kutomo one support substrate is made of a high permeability material, at least one antenna end portions is characterized in that it is magnetically coupled to a supporting substrate made of a high permeability material.

According to the present invention, since at least one of the both end portions of the antenna is magnetically connected to the support substrate made of a highly permeable material, the magnetic field of the external radio wave is wider by the support substrate and the antenna end portion. The reception sensitivity of the antenna radio wave is improved. Therefore, it becomes possible to use a highly rigid material such as a highly permeable metal material for the support substrate, and the strength of the support substrate is improved.
In addition, since the antenna is arranged close to the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the antenna can easily transmit and receive radio waves from the support substrate side, that is, one opening side of the exterior case. Become. Thereby, even if the lid member and the outer case are made of a magnetic material such as a metal material or a conductive material, wireless communication can be performed satisfactorily. This also improves the appearance of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function.

Here, the fact that the antenna axial direction is arranged substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate means that the angle formed between the antenna axial direction line and the plane of the support substrate is about 0 ° to 30 °. This is preferably 15 ° or less, more preferably 10 ° or less.
The planar view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction parallel to the cylinder axis direction of the outer case. Further, the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function means a state in which the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the cylinder axis direction of the outer case.

  Further, when the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate, for example, in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the distance from the center position of the antenna to one open end of the exterior case is the center of the antenna. When the distance from the position to the lid member is smaller, or when the center position of the antenna is arranged on the time display means side (one opening side of the exterior case) than the center position of the dimension in the thickness direction of the exterior case, the antenna Is in contact with the support substrate, or the distance between the antenna and the support substrate is set to a predetermined dimension or less. And at least one of both ends of the antenna is magnetically connected to the support substrate means that the antenna is disposed close to the support substrate, so that at least one of both ends of the antenna is close to the support substrate. Means a state in which the electromagnetic field that enters the antenna is guided to at least one antenna end close to the support substrate.

In the present invention, it is desirable that the antenna is disposed in contact with the support substrate or disposed at a position where the distance from the support substrate is within a predetermined dimension.
According to the present invention, when the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is viewed from the side, the antenna and the support substrate are close to each other because the antenna is disposed in contact with the support substrate or at an interval within a predetermined dimension. Arranged. As a result, the antenna is disposed at a position closer to the one opening of the exterior case, and the antenna can easily transmit and receive radio waves from the opening, thereby further reliably transmitting and receiving radio waves.

Here, the predetermined dimension that defines the distance between the antenna and the support substrate is the inside of the outer case and the photoelectric conversion unit in consideration of the size, material, arrangement, etc. of the outer case, the lid member, the antenna, and the photovoltaic power generation means. On the other hand, even when an antenna is provided on the surface side on the lid member side, the antenna is appropriately set in advance so that radio waves can be transmitted and received with the antenna. For example, when the movement in which the antenna is accommodated is disposed between the support substrate and the lid member, the predetermined dimension is such that the center position of the antenna in the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is the center position of the movement. What is necessary is just to set so that it may be arrange | positioned rather than the support substrate side. Further, for example, the predetermined dimension may be set to be one third or less, preferably one quarter or less, of the dimension of the exterior case in the cylinder axis direction.
In the present invention, it is desirable that the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means are arranged at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps in the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function.

  According to the present invention, since the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means are disposed at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps in the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means are disposed on substantially the same plane. It will be. Therefore, the antenna can be disposed closer to one opening of the outer case, and transmission / reception of radio waves by the antenna is more reliable.

In the present invention, in the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, it is desirable that the center position of the antenna is disposed closer to the photovoltaic power generation means than the center position of the exterior case.
According to this invention, since the center position of the antenna is disposed closer to the photovoltaic power generation means than the center position of the exterior case, the antenna is disposed close to one end of the exterior case, that is, the opening side. Therefore, the antenna can easily transmit and receive radio waves from the opening, and wireless communication is ensured. In addition, since the antenna can communicate from the opening side of the exterior case, wireless communication is good even if the lid member or the exterior case itself is made of a magnetic material such as a metal material or a conductive material. The appearance of the attached electronic watch is improved.

The present invention includes a cover member that covers one end of the exterior case, and a dial plate provided between the photovoltaic device and the cover member, and these cover member and dial plate are nonmagnetic and nonconductive. It is desirable to be made of a material.
According to the present invention, since the cover member and the dial are made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, the possibility that these members interfere with the magnetic field around the antenna is reduced, and the transmission / reception sensitivity of the antenna is improved. Thus, wireless communication is more reliable.

In the present invention, the support substrate is preferably made of a metal material.
According to the present invention, the support substrate is made of a metal material when at least both ends of the antenna are not overlapped with the support substrate in a plan view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function. The strength of the photovoltaic power generation means is improved while ensuring a good wireless communication function.

In the present invention, the support substrate is preferably made of a nonmagnetic and nonconductive material.
According to the present invention, when at least both ends of the antenna are arranged at positions where they do not overlap with the support substrate in plan view, the support substrate is made of a nonmagnetic and nonconductive material. The influence on the surrounding magnetic field is more reliably reduced. Therefore, the transmission / reception sensitivity of the antenna is improved, radio waves can be transmitted / received more reliably, and wireless communication is performed accurately.

In the present invention, it is desirable that other components of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function are not disposed between the antenna and the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function.
According to the present invention, since no other component is disposed between the antenna and the support substrate, the antenna is easily disposed closer to the support substrate, and the entry of radio waves is inhibited by the other component. It becomes easy to perform wireless communication from one opening side of the exterior case without any problems.

In the present invention, it is desirable that other components of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function are not arranged between the antenna and the time display means in a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function.
According to the present invention, since no other constituent member is disposed between the antenna and the time display means, the antenna can be easily disposed closer to the time display means, that is, the support substrate, and the other constituent members can transmit radio waves. Wireless communication can be satisfactorily performed from one opening side of the exterior case without being blocked.

In the present invention, as viewed from the side of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, other components of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function are arranged between the antenna and the cover member, and the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is arranged. It is desirable that the antenna and the other component members are arranged at a position where they overlap in a plan view.
According to the present invention, the other component member is disposed between the antenna and the lid member in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, and the antenna and the other component member are also disposed in a plan view. Therefore, the antenna is easily disposed on the side opposite to the lid member, that is, closer to the support substrate and closer to one opening side of the exterior case. Therefore, the wireless communication from the one opening side of the exterior case by the antenna is good and reliable. As other components, for example, when the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is an analog timepiece provided with hands, a wheel wheel constituting a wheel train for driving the hands, or for manually driving the wheel train Examples include switching means.

In the present invention, the antenna preferably includes a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core, and at least one end of each end of the magnetic core is preferably bent toward one end of the exterior case.
According to the present invention, since at least one end of the both ends of the magnetic core of the antenna is bent toward one end of the exterior case, the antenna end is extended even when the antenna is housed inside the exterior case. It is possible to arrange the wire at a position where it passes through the opening of the outer case, that is, a position where it does not interfere with the outer case. This facilitates transmission / reception of radio waves with the antenna even when the outer case is made of metal. On the contrary, since a metal material can be used for the exterior case while maintaining the communication performance with the antenna, the appearance of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is improved.

In the present invention, the time display means is provided with a 12-hour hand, and the antenna axial direction is arranged substantially parallel to the direction connecting the position where the hand points to 3 o'clock and the position which points to 9 o'clock. desirable.
According to the present invention, since the antenna axial direction is arranged substantially parallel to the direction connecting 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, for example, an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is applied to a wristwatch having a metal band portion. Even in this case, the metal band portion does not interfere with the extension line of the end portion of the antenna, and radio waves can be transmitted and received satisfactorily in the antenna.
Here, the axial direction of the antenna is substantially parallel to the direction connecting 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock means that the extension line in the axial direction of the antenna and the direction line connecting 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock are 0 °. This means that it is about 30 ° or less, preferably 15 ° or less, and more preferably 10 ° or less.

In the present invention, the time display means includes a dial plate that is visible from one end side of the exterior case, and the drive means is disposed between the dial plate and the lid member and induces the drive coil. It has an electromagnetic motor driven by voltage, and the center position of the antenna is preferably arranged closer to the dial side than the center position of the driving means with respect to the side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function.
According to the present invention, in the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, the center position of the antenna is arranged on the dial side from the center position of the driving means, so that the antenna and the drive coil are separated from each other in the side view. Will be placed at the position. Therefore, the influence of the magnetic field generated by the drive coil on the magnetic field around the antenna is minimized. As a result, transmission / reception of radio waves by the antenna becomes better.

In the present invention, the driving means preferably includes a piezoelectric actuator that drives the time display means by vibration of the piezoelectric element.
According to the present invention, the piezoelectric actuator is vibrated by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element, and the time display means is driven by this vibration. Unlike electromagnetic motors that are normally used as timepiece drive means, piezoelectric actuators do not generate a magnetic field even when driven, so they do not interfere with the magnetic field around the antenna, and transmission / reception of radio waves through the antenna is more reliable. Communication accuracy is improved.

In the present invention, the switching unit is provided with a secondary battery that stores the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means, and is switchable so that the train wheel having a gear and the time display means can be manually operated from the outside. And at least one of a crystal unit having a crystal unit and a control block for controlling the operation of the driving means, and the antenna is a train wheel in plan view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, It is desirable that the switch is disposed on the opposite side of the secondary battery with at least one of the switching unit, the crystal unit, and the control block interposed therebetween.
According to the present invention, the outer can case of the secondary battery is usually made of metal, but the antenna and the secondary battery sandwich at least one of the train wheel, the switching unit, the crystal unit, and the control block. Therefore, the secondary battery is arranged at a position far from the antenna. Therefore, the radio wave transmission / reception sensitivity of the antenna is improved without interfering with the radio magnetic field received by the antenna by the secondary battery, and radio wave transmission / reception is further ensured.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second and subsequent embodiments described later, the same components and components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment described below are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[First embodiment]
1 is a plan view of a radio-controlled timepiece 100 as an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. III-III cross-sectional view is shown.
The radio-controlled timepiece 100 is a wristwatch type and includes an outer case 1 having a ring shape (a short cylindrical shape with both ends open) as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

  The outer case 1 is a ring-shaped member that is open at both ends in the cylinder axis direction L1 that is the axial direction of the gear that drives each pointer (for example, the axial direction of the center wheel & pinion 444). For example, brass, stainless steel, titanium It is made of a metal material such as an alloy. The thickness of the outer case 1 is smaller than the diameter of the ring, and is formed to be 10 mm or less or 5 mm or less. Attachment portions 11 and 12 for attaching a wristwatch band are formed at positions opposite to each other on the outer periphery of the outer case 1. Here, when viewed from the center point of the outer case 1, the direction in which one of the attachment portions 11, 12 is provided is the 12 o'clock direction, and the direction in which the other of the attachment portions 11, 12 is provided is the 6 o'clock direction. In FIG. 1, the upper direction (the mounting portion 11) is the 12 o'clock direction, and the lower direction (the mounting portion 12) is the 6 o'clock direction.

  A winding stem 131 that penetrates from approximately 4 o'clock is provided on the body of the outer case 1. One end of the winding stem 131 is located outside the outer case 1, and a crown 132 is provided at this one end. The other end of the winding stem 131 is located inside the outer case 1, and a kanuki 133 and a mandarin duck 134 are provided on the other end side. The cannula 133 is engaged with the thumb wheel 135 and pulls out the winding stem 131, so that the thumb wheel 135 moves in the axial direction of the winding stem 131 via the mandarin duck 134 and the cannula 133, and the sun wheel (not shown) ) And the position of the pointer can be corrected. The winding unit 131, the cannula 133, the mandarin duck 134, the thumb wheel 135, and the like constitute the switching unit 13 that can be switched so that the position correction of the pointer can be manually operated from the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a time display means 2 is provided on one opening side of the outer case 1, and a back cover (lid member) that closes the opening at the other opening (end) of the outer case 1 ) 3 is provided. Here, the upper side in FIGS. 2 and 3 is the upper side of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, and the lower side in the figure is the lower side of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. The direction along the tube axis direction L1 is defined as the thickness direction (height direction) of the radio-controlled timepiece 100.

  The time display means 2 includes a dial 21 having a time display surface 211 that is substantially orthogonal to the cylinder axis direction L1 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the exterior case 1, and a pointer that rotates on the dial 21. 221 and 222.

  The dial 21 has a substantially disc shape and has an area for closing the opening of the outer case 1. The dial 21 is made of a material having non-conductivity, non-magnetism, and light transmission, and for example, inorganic glass, plastic, ceramics, paper, or any other material can be adopted. The time display surface 211 is provided outward so as to be visible from the outside, and decorations (not shown) such as numbers and characters representing the time are printed in an annular shape near the outer edge on the time display surface 211.

  The pointer includes a minute hand 221 that indicates the minute and an hour hand 222 that indicates the hour. The pointers 221 and 222 are both made of a metal material such as brass, aluminum, and stainless steel. The minute hand 221 and the hour hand 222 are rotated on the time display surface 211 with the approximate center of the dial 21 as a rotation axis, and the time is indicated by indicating numbers or characters on the time display surface 211. Therefore, the pointer is a 12-hour time display means that represents 12 hours for one rotation of the hour hand 222.

A windshield (cover member) 23 is provided to face the dial 21 with the hands 221 and 222 therebetween. The windshield 23 is provided so as to cover one opening of the outer case 1 and has an area for closing the opening. The windshield 23 is made of a non-conductive and non-magnetic light-transmitting material, and is made of, for example, inorganic glass or organic glass.
On the opposite side of the dial 21 to the time display surface 211 and on the windshield 23 side (one opening side) of the exterior case 1, the photovoltaic device 6 is disposed. The photovoltaic power generation means 6 includes a photoelectric conversion element (photoelectric conversion unit) 61 that generates power by photoelectric conversion, and a support substrate 62 that supports the photoelectric conversion element 61.

The photoelectric conversion element 61 has a substantially circular panel shape having substantially the same area as the dial plate 21 and is configured by laminating a transparent electrode layer (TOC), a semiconductor layer, and a transparent electrode layer in this order from the dial plate 21 side. (Not shown). The transparent electrode layer has a transparent conductive film, and examples of the transparent conductive film include SnO ₂ , ZnO, and ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The semiconductor layer is a PIN photodiode having a pn junction structure made of microcrystalline or amorphous silicon. A reflective metal film may be deposited on the transparent electrode layer on the side separated from the dial 21.

The support substrate 62 is made of a nonmagnetic and nonconductive material such as polyimide resin, epoxy resin with glass, or ceramics. The support substrate 62 has a plate shape having substantially the same area as the photoelectric conversion element 61 and is bonded to the photoelectric conversion element 61 on the side opposite to the dial plate 21.
Such a photovoltaic power generation means 6 is fixed by joining the photoelectric conversion element 61 to the dial plate 21.

  The back cover 3 is provided so as to face the dial 21 with a predetermined interval so as to cover the other opening end of the outer case 1 and has an area for closing the opening. The back cover 3 is made of a conductive and non-magnetic metal material, such as stainless steel, brass, titanium alloy, or the like, or a permalloy that is a conductive and magnetic metal material.

  Between the dial 21 and the back cover 3 inside the outer case 1, a movement 4 having a timekeeping function, a plastic inner frame 14 for holding the movement 4 in the outer case 1, and supplying power to the movement 4 Battery 49 and antenna 5 for receiving a standard radio wave including time information are provided.

  The movement 4 includes a crystal unit 41 including a crystal unit 411 (see FIG. 4), a circuit block (control block) 42 having a control function, and a stepping motor (electromagnetic motor) 43A for rotating the hands 221 and 222. , 43B, a train wheel 44 for transmitting the power of the stepping motors 43A, 43B to the hands 221, 222 as a rotational motion, a ground plate 46 for sandwiching the train wheel 44 from the cylinder axis direction L1 of the exterior case 1, and A train wheel bridge 47 is provided.

  The crystal unit 41 includes a crystal unit 411 for a reference clock. Further, a quartz resonator 412 for 60 kHz and a quartz resonator 413 for 40 kHz are provided as a tuning signal generating crystal resonator that is tuned to the frequency (60 kHz, 40 kHz) of a standard radio wave. The crystal oscillators 412 and 413 for generating the tuning signal are arranged in the direction of about 9 o'clock.

The crystal unit 41 and the circuit block 42 are arranged in the direction of about 12:00. FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of the circuit block 42.
The circuit block 42 processes a standard radio wave received by the antenna 5 and outputs it as time information, a storage circuit 422 that stores time information output from the reception circuit 421, and a clock from the crystal unit 411. A central control circuit 423 that counts the current time with pulses and corrects the current time with received time information, a motor drive circuit 425 that drives the stepping motors 43A and 43B, and a hand position detection circuit 426 that detects the hand position I have.

The reception circuit 421 includes an amplification circuit that amplifies a standard radio wave received by the antenna 5, a filter that extracts a desired frequency component, a demodulation circuit that demodulates a signal, a decoding circuit that decodes the signal, and the like.
The storage circuit 422 temporarily stores the time information decoded by the reception circuit 421 and compares the plurality of stored time information with each other to determine the success or failure of reception.
The photovoltaic power generation means 6 receives the light incident from the dial 21 side and generates power, and this power generation amount is charged in a battery (secondary battery) 49. A diode for preventing discharge from the battery 49 is provided between the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and the battery 49. Each electronic circuit is driven by the electric power of the battery 49.

  The central control circuit 423 includes an oscillation circuit, a frequency dividing circuit, a current time counter that counts the current time, and a time correction circuit that corrects the count value of the current time counter according to the received time information. The central control circuit 423 includes a reception control circuit 424 that stores the reception schedule of the reception circuit 421 and controls the reception operation. The reception schedule is set to perform the reception operation from 2:00 am to 2: 6 am. Is called. When the reception control circuit 424 is instructed to receive time information by an input operation using the switching unit 13, the reception operation is executed by the reception circuit 421 using an output signal from the reception control circuit 424.

The motor drive circuit 425 applies drive pulses to the stepping motors 43A and 43B at a timing commanded from the central control circuit 423.
The hand position detection circuit 426 detects the hand positions of the hands (the minute hand 221 and the hour hand 222) and outputs the detection result to the central control circuit 423. In the central control circuit 423, the detection result from the hand position detection circuit 426 is compared with the counter value of the time counter. Based on the comparison result, the motor drive circuit 425 is instructed to output a motor pulse that matches the pointer position with the counter value.

The driving means includes a minute hand stepping motor 43A for rotating the minute hand 221 and an hour hand stepping motor 43B for rotating the hour hand 222.
The stepping motors 43A and 43B are driven by drive coils 431A and 431B that generate magnetic force by drive pulses supplied from the motor drive circuit 425, stators 432A and 432B excited by the drive coils 431A and 431B, and stators 432A and 432B. Rotors 433A and 433B that are rotated by an excited magnetic field are provided. The minute hand stepping motor 43A is arranged in the direction of about 10 o'clock, and the hour hand stepping motor 43B is arranged in the direction of about 8 o'clock.

  The stepping motors 43A and 43B are connected to the train wheel bridge 47 when the drive coils 431A and 431B are viewed from the side of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 (that is, when the radio-controlled timepiece 100 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis direction L1 of the exterior case 1). Thus, the drive coils 431A and 431B are arranged in proximity to the back cover 3 by overlapping. At this time, the center position M in the thickness direction (height direction) of the drive coils 431A and 431B is the center position C in the thickness direction (height direction) of the movement 4, that is, a position equidistant from the main plate 46 and the train wheel bridge 47. It is arrange | positioned rather than the back lid 3 side. Therefore, the distance M1 from the center position M in the thickness direction of the drive coils 431A and 431B to the lower surface of the train wheel bridge 47 is smaller than the distance M2 from the center position M in the thickness direction of the drive coils 431A and 431B to the upper surface of the ground plate 46. Is set to

  The train wheel 44 transmits the rotation of the rotors 433A and 433B to the hands 221 and 222, and the minute hand train wheel 44A connected to the second wheel 444 that rotates integrally with the minute hand shaft 442 to which the minute hand 221 is connected from the minute hand stepping motor 43A. And an hour hand train wheel 44B connected to the hour wheel 441 to which the hour hand 222 is connected from the hour hand stepping motor 43B. The wheel train 44 may be appropriately selected from materials that can ensure appropriate strength, such as metal materials such as stainless steel, and non-conductive and non-magnetic materials such as ceramics and plastics.

The main plate 46 supports the wheel train 44 on the dial plate 21 side, and the wheel train receiver 47 supports the wheel train 44 on the back cover 3 side. The main plate 46 and the train wheel bridge 47 are made of a nonconductive and nonmagnetic material, and are made of, for example, plastic or ceramics.
The wheel train 44, stepping motors 43 </ b> A and 43 </ b> B, and the circuit block 42 are sandwiched and integrated between the main plate 46 and the wheel train receiver 47 to constitute the movement 4.
The photovoltaic power generation means 6 described above may be fixed by screwing to the movement 4 or may be attached to the movement 4 by a frame member snap-attached to the movement 4.

  The middle frame 14 is a ring-shaped member along the inner periphery of the outer case 1 and surrounds the peripheral end surface of the movement 4. The movement 4 is held in the outer case 1 by the inner frame 14. The middle frame 14 is formed of a non-conductive and non-magnetic material, for example, plastic or ceramic.

  The battery 49 is a secondary battery that is connected in series to the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and stores the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation means 6, and its outer can case is made of a metal material. The battery 49 is arranged in the direction of approximately 2 o'clock and occupies a place from approximately 1 o'clock to approximately 3 o'clock.

  The antenna 5 includes a magnetic core 51 made of a high permeability material such as pure iron or amorphous metal, and a coil 52 wound around the magnetic core 51 in multiple layers. The magnetic core 51 is formed by laminating a large number of thin plate members so that the iron loss can be reduced, and the cross-sectional outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The thin plate members are bonded to each other with an insulating adhesive such as epoxy.

  The antenna 5 has an axial direction substantially parallel to the plane of the support substrate 62 and a surface on the back cover 3 side with respect to the photoelectric conversion element 61 in the side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. It is disposed in close proximity to the surface opposite to the side on which the element 61 is provided, that is, the surface on the back cover 3 side of the support substrate 62. Thereby, in a state seen from the direction parallel to the cylinder axis direction L1 of the outer case 1, that is, in a plan view of the radio wave correction timepiece 100, the antenna 5 is almost entirely the photoelectric conversion element 61 and the support substrate of the photovoltaic power generation means 6. 62. The antenna 5 may be disposed in contact with the support substrate 62 or may be disposed with a distance within a predetermined dimension from the support substrate 62. The predetermined dimension between the antenna 5 and the support substrate 62 may be set in advance to a distance that allows the antenna 5 to receive radio waves satisfactorily in consideration of the shape of the antenna 5, the material and dimensions of the support substrate 62, and the like.

  Here, in this embodiment, the antenna 5 is disposed so as to protrude through the ground plate 46 toward the photovoltaic power generation means 6, and the outer portion of the antenna 5 is in contact with the lower surface of the support substrate 62. Thereby, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 is arranged closer to the dial 21 side than the center position C in the thickness direction (height direction) of the movement 4. At this time, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 is arranged closer to the dial 21 (that is, the photovoltaic power generation means 6) than the center position P in the thickness direction of the metal outer case 1. Yes. Therefore, the distance N2 from the center position N in the thickness direction of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5) to the end of the outer case 1 opposite to the back cover 3 (the dial 21 side) is the thickness of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5). It is set smaller than the distance N1 from the center position N in the direction to the upper surface of the back cover 3.

  The antenna 5 is disposed in the approximately 6 o'clock direction in plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, and its axial direction is substantially parallel to a direction connecting the approximately 3 o'clock direction and the approximately 9 o'clock direction. Further, the antenna 5 is disposed on the opposite side of the battery 49 with the switching unit 13 in between in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100.

An operation of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 according to the first embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
The current time of the time counter is updated by a reference clock generated by dividing the oscillation of the crystal oscillator 411. Further, the position of the hands (minute hand 221 and hour hand 222) is detected by the hand position detection circuit 426, and the detection result is output to the central control circuit 423. The pointer position is compared with the counter value of the time counter, and the stepping motors 43A and 43B are driven via the motor driving circuit 425 based on the comparison result. The rotation of the rotors 433A and 433B by the driving of the stepping motors 43A and 43B is transmitted to the hands 221 and 222 by the wheel train 44, and the numbers on the time display surface 211 are instructed by the hands 221 and 222. Is displayed.

Next, a standard radio wave reception operation and a time correction operation based on standard radio time information will be described.
The standard radio wave is received by the antenna 5. Here, the standard radio wave is an electromagnetic wave, and includes an electric field fluctuation that vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the radio wave, and a magnetic field fluctuation that vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the radio wave and the electric field fluctuation. Then, the magnetic field fluctuation passes through the windshield 23, the dial plate 21, and the photovoltaic power generation means 6, passes through the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5, and is linked to the coil 52 along the axis, whereby an induced voltage is generated in the coil 52, A standard radio wave is received.

  At 2:00 am, which is the reception start time set in the reception control circuit 424, a reception operation start command is output from the reception control circuit 424 to the reception circuit 421. Alternatively, when a forced reception operation is input by the switching unit 13, a reception start command is output from the reception control circuit 424 to the reception circuit 421. When receiving a reception start command, the receiving circuit 421 receives power supply from the battery 49 and starts decoding a signal (time information) received by the antenna 5.

  The decoded time information is temporarily stored in the storage circuit 422, and the time information obtained by receiving a plurality of times (for example, six times) is compared before and after to determine the accuracy of reception. The current time of the time counter is corrected by the time correction circuit in accordance with the correctly received time information. Then, the hand position is corrected according to the time of the time counter, and the time according to the reception time is indicated.

  When light is irradiated toward the dial 21, the light passes through the windshield 23 and the dial 21 and enters the photoelectric conversion element 61. Then, photoelectric conversion is performed by the photoelectric conversion element 61 and electric power is generated. The generated electric power (current) is fed from the transparent electrode to the battery 49 and stored.

According to such a first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the support substrate 62 is made of a nonmagnetic material, an external magnetic field can penetrate the photovoltaic power generation means 6, and the antenna 5 arranged immediately below the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is connected to the dial 21 side. Can receive radio waves well. Therefore, the antenna 5 can ensure good reception performance without being affected by the photovoltaic power generation means 6, and in that case, the back cover 3 and the outer case 1 can be made of a metal material, and radio wave correction can be performed. The appearance of the timepiece 100 can be improved. On the other hand, even if the antenna 5 is disposed close to the photovoltaic power generation means 6, the photovoltaic power generation means 6 can receive and generate power well without being blocked by the antenna 5.
Further, since the support substrate 62 is made of a non-conductive material, the electric field component included in the standard radio wave from the outside is not disturbed. Therefore, the electric field component of the standard radio wave can penetrate the photovoltaic power generation means 6 satisfactorily, and the antenna 5 can receive the radio waves satisfactorily from the dial 21 side.

(2) Since the antenna 5 is disposed on the back cover 3 side with respect to the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and the support substrate 62 is disposed at a position overlapping the entire antenna 5 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, from the windshield 23 side. The entire antenna 5 is covered with the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and cannot be visually recognized. This also improves the appearance of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. In addition, since radio waves can be received even if the antenna 5 is disposed directly below the photovoltaic means 6, the area of the photoelectric conversion element 61 can be maximized on the inner periphery of the exterior case 1, and the light receiving area can be increased, so that the power generation efficiency is good. Can be.

(3) The antenna 5 is disposed in contact with the support substrate 62 and is disposed closer to the dial 21 than the center position C of the movement 4 and closer to the dial 21 than the center position P in the thickness direction of the exterior case 1. Therefore, the antenna 5 can be disposed close to the opening on the dial 21 side (windshield 23 side) of the outer case 1, radio waves can be received well from the opening, and the receiving sensitivity of the antenna 5 can be improved. That is, since the distance N2 from the center position N of the antenna 5 to the end portion on the dial 21 side of the exterior case 1 is set smaller than the distance N1 from the center position N of the antenna 5 to the back cover 3, Can easily enter from the opening on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1. In addition, since the antenna 5 is disposed at a position away from the back cover 3, it is possible to prevent the radio waves entering from the outside from being drawn into the conductive back cover 3, and to receive the radio waves with the antenna 5 in a good and reliable manner. it can. In this case, since the other components (components) of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 are not arranged between the antenna 5 and the support substrate 62, reception of radio waves is not hindered by other components. The antenna 5 can receive radio waves satisfactorily and reliably.
This also applies to an electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function in which the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is not provided. That is, the center position N of the antenna 5 is arranged closer to the dial 21 side than the center position P of the outer case 1. In other words, from the center position N of the antenna to the end of the outer case 1 on the dial 21 side. Is set to be smaller than the distance N1 from the center position N of the antenna to the back cover 3, even if the back cover 3 is made of a conductive material such as a metal material, the antenna 5 The radio wave can be easily received from the opening on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1.

(4) At this time, since the driving coils 431A and 431B of the stepping motors 43A and 43B are arranged close to the back cover 3 side, the axis of the antenna 5 and the axis of the driving coils 431A and 431B are connected to the radio wave correction watch. They can be arranged at positions separated from each other in the side view of 100. Normally, when a current flows through the drive coils 431A and 431B, a weak magnetic field is generated around the drive coils 431A and 431B. However, since these drive coils 431A and 431B are arranged at positions away from the antenna 5, The influence of the weak magnetic field on the antenna 5 can be reduced.
Further, since the drive coils 431A and 431B are arranged close to the back cover 3 side, it is possible to prevent external radio waves from being drawn into the stators 432A and 432B, and the antenna 5 can be connected to the dial 21 of the outer case 1. Radio waves can be easily received from the opening on the side.

(5) Since the switching unit 13 is disposed between the antenna 5 and the battery 49, the influence of the metal outer case of the battery 49 on the magnetic field around the antenna 5 can be suppressed to a minimum. Can receive radio waves more reliably and accurately.

(6) Since the antenna 5 is arranged substantially parallel to the direction connecting the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, for example, even when a metal wristwatch band is attached to the attachment portions 11 and 12, Since the wristwatch band does not interfere with the wristband, the antenna 5 can receive the radio wave satisfactorily and reliably without the radio wave magnetic field being obstructed by the wristwatch band.

(7) Since the dial 21 and the windshield 23 are made of a nonmagnetic material and a non-conductive material, radio waves entering from the opening on the windshield 23 side of the outer case 1 can pass through the dial 21 and the windshield 23. . Therefore, the radio wave that the antenna 5 enters from the opening of the outer case 1 can be received well.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the arrangement of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and the antenna 5 in the first embodiment is different.
5 is a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 and 6, the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is formed in a substantially circular shape having substantially the same area as the dial plate 21, and is substantially surrounded by the antenna 5 along the outer shape of the antenna 5 at a position of approximately 6 o'clock. A U-shaped notch 63 is formed. As a result, the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic power generation means 6 are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. The support substrate 62 is made of a conductive metal material such as stainless steel. Here, as the material of the support substrate 62, a material having either or both of magnetic and non-magnetic properties can be adopted.

  In a side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, the antenna 5 is disposed so as to partially protrude from the ground plate 46, and is disposed immediately below the dial 21, that is, close to the side opposite to the time display surface 211. . At this time, the antenna 5 may be arranged in contact with the dial 21 or may be arranged close to each other with an interval within a predetermined dimension.

With such an arrangement, the antenna 5 (the coil 52 and the like) and the support substrate 62 are arranged at positions that overlap each other when the radio-controlled timepiece 100 is viewed from the side.
In the second embodiment, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5 is arranged closer to the dial 21 than the center position C in the thickness direction (height direction) of the movement 4. ing. Further, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 is disposed closer to the dial 21 than the center position P in the thickness direction of the metal outer case 1. The distance N2 from the center position N in the thickness direction of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5) to the end portion on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1 is from the center position N in the thickness direction of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5) to the back cover 3. Is set smaller than the distance N1. Such an arrangement makes it easier for the antenna 5 to receive radio waves from the opening on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1.

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same effects as the effects (4), (5), (6) and (7) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. .
(8) By providing the photovoltaic device 6 with the notch 63 and the like, the antenna 5 is arranged at a position overlapping the support substrate 62 in the side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. The antenna 5 can be arranged closer to the dial 21 and the antenna 5 can be brought closer to the windshield 23 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, since the antenna 5 can be disposed closer to the opening of the outer case 1, radio waves can be received more reliably from the opening. In this case, since the other components (components) of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 are not arranged between the antenna 5 and the dial 21, the other components do not hinder the entry of radio waves. The antenna 5 can receive radio waves satisfactorily and reliably.
Although the antenna 5 overlaps the support substrate 62 in a side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, the dial 21 is located closer to the dial 21 than the center position C of the movement 4 and from the center position P in the thickness direction of the outer case 1. That is, the distance N2 from the center position N of the antenna 5 to the end portion on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1 is smaller than the distance N1 from the center position N of the antenna 5 to the back cover 3. Is set. Therefore, similarly to the effect (3) of the first embodiment, radio waves can be received well from the opening on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1, and the reception sensitivity of the antenna 5 can be improved.

(9) Since the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic power generation means 6 are arranged at positions where they do not overlap in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 by forming a notch 63 in the photovoltaic power generation means 6, the support substrate 62 is made of a metal material. Even if it comprises, the favorable receiving performance of the antenna 5 is securable without disturbing the magnetic field which approachs to the antenna 5. Thereby, the metal material of the support substrate 62 can be selected regardless of whether it is magnetic or non-magnetic, and the range of selection can be widened, and the strength of the photovoltaic device 6 can be improved.
In particular, when the support substrate 62 is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, no magnetic material is disposed around the antenna 5, so that radio wave reception of the antenna 5 is not hindered and much more reliable and better. The receiving operation can be performed.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the shapes of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 and the antenna 5 in the second embodiment are different.
FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, three photovoltaic power generation means 6 are provided (6A, 6B, 6C), and these three photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, 6C can improve the electromotive force (voltage). The respective photoelectric conversion elements 61A, 61B, 61C are connected in series with each other. Further, in each of the photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, 6C, the supporting substrates 62A, 62B, 62C are materials having conductivity and high magnetic permeability such as amorphous metal, permalloy, stainless steel, etc. as in the second embodiment. It consists of

  The photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C are disposed at approximately 4 o'clock direction and approximately 8 o'clock direction, respectively, and are disposed at positions corresponding to both ends of the antenna 5. These photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C are formed in a substantially triangular shape having almost the same dimensions as the photoelectric conversion elements 61B and 61C and the support substrates 62B and 62C. The photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, and 6C are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. Further, the support substrates 62B and 62C of the photovoltaic units 6B and 6C and the photoelectric conversion elements 61B and 61C are insulated from each other, and the photoelectric conversion elements 61B and 61C are electrically connected to the photovoltaic unit 6A.

  The photovoltaic power generation means 6A is arranged in the direction of approximately 12:00, and both the photoelectric conversion element 61A and the support substrate 62A have a region surrounded by the inner periphery of the outer case 1, the photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C, and the antenna 5. It is formed so as to cover substantially, and is formed in a deformed shape having a convex portion in a substantially semicircular chord portion. Therefore, the photovoltaic power generation means 6A covers most of the opening of the outer case 1, is configured to have a larger area than the photovoltaic power generation means 6B, 6C, and is a main part of the photovoltaic power generation means 6. These photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, and 6C are arranged at positions that do not overlap each other in plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100.

Note that the number of divisions of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is not limited to three, and may be arbitrarily set to two or four or more. The plurality of photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, and 6C are not limited to those in which the photoelectric conversion elements 61A and 61B are connected in series, and may be connected in parallel.
The antenna 5 is arranged approximately in the direction of 6 o'clock and approximately parallel to the direction in which the axial direction connects 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. The ends of the magnetic core 51 are formed in a substantially triangular shape that is substantially the same as the planar shape of the photovoltaic power generation means 6B, 6C, and are magnetically joined to the support substrates 62B, 62C by adhesion, pressure welding, or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, both end portions of the magnetic core 51 are bent toward the photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C at the outer end portions of the coil 52, so that both end portions of the magnetic core 51 are more dialed. It is arranged close to the 21 side (opening side of the outer case 1), and the photovoltaic means 6B, 6C are arranged in contact with the dial 21. The photovoltaic units 6B and 6C may be magnetically joined to the magnetic core 51 without bending the end of the magnetic core 51, and as a result, the photovoltaic units 6B and 6C may be arranged away from the dial 21. .

According to such a third embodiment, the same effects as the effects of (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) of the first embodiment can be obtained. An effect is obtained.
(10) Since the support substrates 62B and 62C and both ends of the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5 are magnetically bonded, the magnetic field of the standard radio wave is applied to the antenna 5 over the wide surfaces of the support substrates 62B and 62C and both ends of the magnetic core 51. Can lead to. As a result, the flux linkage can be increased and the receiving sensitivity of the antenna 5 can be improved.
Further, at this time, the both ends of the antenna 5 are joined to the support substrates 62B and 62C, so that the photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C can be formed at the portions, without reducing the light receiving area of the photovoltaic power generation means 6. The reception accuracy at the antenna 5 can be improved.

(11) Unlike the photovoltaic power generation means 6B and 6C that guide the magnetic field to the antenna 5, the photovoltaic power generation means 6A is formed in a shape that does not overlap the antenna 5 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. Similarly to the effect (8), the support substrate 62A can be made of a magnetic material such as a metal material without interfering with the radio wave reception of the antenna 5. Therefore, the strength of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 can be improved.

  In addition, since the support substrates 62A, 62B, and 62C do not overlap the coil 52 portion of the antenna 5 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, the antenna 5 can be brought closer to the windshield 23 side, which is the second embodiment. Similar to the effect (9), the antenna 5 can receive radio waves more reliably.

(12) Since the three photovoltaic power generation means 6A, 6B, 6C are provided and connected in series with each other, the electromotive force can be improved.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, the shape of the photovoltaic power generation means is not limited to that of each embodiment, and can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the shape of the exterior case, the arrangement of the driving means, and the like.

  FIG. 9 is a plan view of a radio-controlled timepiece 100 showing a modification of the photovoltaic power generation means of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is formed in a substantially semicircular shape in which a straight portion 64 is formed in a disc-shaped approximately 6 o'clock direction. The straight line portion 64 is formed in parallel with the axial direction of the antenna 5 along one end of the long side of the outer shape of the antenna 5, that is, in parallel with the direction connecting 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Therefore, in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic device 6 do not overlap.

  According to the shape of the photovoltaic power generation means 6, since the support substrate of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 does not overlap the antenna 5 in a plan view, even if the support substrate is made of a magnetic material or a conductive material, the antenna 5 is not attached to the exterior case. Radio waves can be received well from the photovoltaic power generation means 6 side. At this time, since the straight line portion 64 is formed in the photovoltaic power generation means 6, the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is not disposed in the regions at both ends of the antenna 5. Therefore, for example, even when the support substrate of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is made of a magnetic material or a conductive material, the electromagnetic field reaches the both ends of the antenna 5 well from the opening on the photovoltaic power generation means 6 side of the outer case 1, and the good Can receive radio waves.

In this case, since the antenna 5 is disposed close to or in contact with the dial 21, it is easy to receive radio waves incident from the dial 21 side.
As described above, the shape of the photovoltaic power generation means is not limited to a circular shape, a semi-circular shape, and the like, and can be arbitrarily selected from a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a deformed shape, and various character shapes, and is necessary for driving the driving means. It is only necessary to secure an area where a sufficient power generation can be obtained.
Therefore, the arrangement of the photovoltaic power generation means can be appropriately set in consideration of the arrangement of other components in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece.

  The shape of the outer case is also arbitrary, and is not limited to the cylindrical shape in each embodiment, and can be appropriately set according to the application and design, such as a rectangular tube shape and a deformed tube shape. At this time, the shape of the photovoltaic device may be formed in accordance with the inner peripheral shape of the outer case, or may be different from the outer case. In addition, if the shape of the photovoltaic device is formed along the inner peripheral shape of the outer case, the area of the photoelectric conversion portion can be increased, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

The exterior case is not limited to one having both ends opened, and may be formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, for example, so long as at least one end is open. The exterior case may have a structure in which a plurality of metal exterior parts such as a barrel for holding the movement and a glass edge for holding the windshield are assembled and integrated. Moreover, the exterior case is not limited to one made of only a metal material, and may be a structure in which, for example, the surface of an exterior case body made of synthetic resin is covered with a thin metal plate and integrated.
Arrangement of the antenna in the movement can be arbitrarily set. For example, in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, a timepiece component (constituent member) may be arranged between the antenna and the lid member.

  10 is a plan view showing a modification of the radio-controlled timepiece, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10 and 11, the antenna 5 is disposed in the movement 4 in the vicinity of the dial 21 side as in the embodiments. In a side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, a gear that is a part of the hour hand train wheel 44B driven by the stepping motor 43B is disposed between the antenna 5 and the train wheel bridge 47. That is, the hour hand train wheel 44 </ b> B is disposed so as to overlap the antenna 5 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. Since the antenna 5 is arranged close to the dial 21 side, a certain amount of space is formed between the antenna 5 and the train wheel bridge 47. Therefore, the space efficiency of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 can be increased by arranging other components of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 using this space. Thereby, size reduction of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 can be promoted. Further, in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, the hour hand train wheel 44B is disposed close to the antenna 5 side, so that a large space in the approximately 9 o'clock direction of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 can be obtained. , 413 can be increased. Thus, by arranging the antenna 5 close to the dial 21 side, the space between the antenna 5 and the train wheel bridge 47 can be used effectively. It should be noted that between the antenna 5 and the train wheel bridge 47, not only the hour hand train wheel 44B but also arbitrary parts and members such as the switching unit 13, the circuit block 42, and the crystal unit 41 can be arranged.

  The configuration of the radio-controlled clock is not limited to that of each embodiment, and any clock that corrects the display time by radio waves may be used. For example, a date display function may be provided.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a modification of the radio-controlled timepiece, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12 and 13, a date wheel 45 is sandwiched between the movement 4 and the photovoltaic power generation means 6 inside the outer case 1. The date wheel 45 is an annular gear having an opening at the center, and is made of a non-conductive and non-magnetic material such as plastic, inorganic glass, or paper material. The date wheel 45 is meshed with a train wheel (not shown) connected from the hour wheel 441, and is rotated at a predetermined speed by the rotation of the hour wheel 441. The date wheel 45 is marked with letters representing the date facing the dial 21 (not shown). Note that a date window 212 is formed in the dial 21 so as to allow the characters of the date dial 45 to be visually recognized from the outside.

  The photovoltaic power generation means 6 is formed in a circular shape having a radius larger than the inner peripheral radius of the date indicator 45, and the support substrate 62 covers the upper part of the inner peripheral portion of the date indicator 45 and is sandwiched between the movement 4. This prevents the deviation of the date indicator in the cross-sectional direction. That is, the photovoltaic power generation means 6 fulfills the function of holding the date wheel. Moreover, the radius of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is formed smaller than the outer peripheral radius of the date indicator 45, whereby the annular portion of the date indicator 45 is visible from the dial 21. The support substrate 62 is made of a nonconductive and nonmagnetic material such as polyimide resin.

The antenna 5 is disposed substantially parallel to the direction in which the axial direction connects 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, and is disposed on the inner side of the inner periphery of the date wheel 45. Therefore, the antenna 5 and the date wheel 45 do not overlap in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100.
Also in the radio-controlled timepiece 100 having such a configuration, since the support substrate 62 is made of a nonmagnetic material, the antenna 5 can receive radio waves satisfactorily from the dial 21 side.

Moreover, since the photovoltaic power generation means 6 also functions as a date indicator press, the number of parts can be reduced, the thickness of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 can be promoted, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Since the antenna 5 and the date wheel 45 are arranged so as not to overlap in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, even if the date wheel 45 is made of a conductive and magnetic metal material, the antenna 5 Good radio wave reception performance.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the antenna 5 may be disposed so as to overlap the date wheel 45 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100.
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a modification of the arrangement of the antenna of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the antenna 5 is arranged in the direction of about 6 o'clock in a plan view of the radio wave correction timepiece 100, and the radio wave correction timepiece 100 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Compared to the antenna 5, the outer case 1 is disposed on the outer peripheral side. With this arrangement, a part of the antenna 5 overlaps the date wheel 45 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. The date wheel 45 is made of a plastic material such as polyacetal resin, and the date window 212 is arranged in the direction of about 6 o'clock. According to such an arrangement, the antenna 5 can be arranged on the outer peripheral side in the movement 4, so that the space inside the radio-controlled timepiece 100 can be used effectively, and the degree of freedom in layout of the components can be improved. . Moreover, since the antenna 5 can be configured larger by arranging the antenna 5 on the outer peripheral side of the outer case 1 having a larger space, the radio wave reception sensitivity of the antenna 5 can be improved.

  12, 13, 14, and 15, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5 is the center position C in the thickness direction (height direction) of the movement 4. It is arranged on the dial 21 side. Further, the center position N in the thickness direction (height direction) of the magnetic core 51 is disposed closer to the dial 21 than the center position P in the thickness direction of the outer case 1. The distance N2 from the center position N of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5) in the thickness direction to the end of the outer case 1 opposite to the back cover 3 is from the center position N of the magnetic core 51 (antenna 5) in the thickness direction. It is set smaller than the distance N1 to the back cover 3. Such an arrangement of the antenna 5 allows the antenna 5 to receive radio waves satisfactorily from the opening on the dial 21 side of the outer case 1. Also in this case, as in FIGS. 10 and 11, components of the movement 4 such as the hour hand train wheel 44 </ b> B may be disposed between the antenna 5 and the train wheel bridge 47.

The shape and configuration of the antenna are not limited to those shown in each embodiment, and may be set as appropriate in consideration of the reception performance of the antenna, the space of the outer case, and the like. For example, the antenna may be a so-called coreless antenna that is not provided with a magnetic core and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. Moreover, the magnetic core of the antenna is not limited to a structure in which a large number of thin plate members are stacked, and may be formed in, for example, a prismatic or cylindrical shape.
In addition, the antenna is not limited to be incorporated in the ground plane, and may be mounted on a circuit board, for example.

  16 is a side sectional view showing a modification of the antenna fixing structure of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view in a side view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a circuit board 48 on which the crystal unit 41 and the circuit block 42 are mounted is provided in the movement 4. The circuit board 48 is disposed in contact with the lower surface (the surface facing the train wheel bridge 47) of the ground plate 46, and is fixed to the ground plate 46 by screws or the like. The circuit board 48 has an opening 481 at a position where the antenna 5 is disposed. The coil 52 of the antenna 5 is housed in the opening 481, and the magnetic core 51 is brought into contact with the circuit board 48. Yes. The magnetic core 51 is fixed to the circuit board 48 by soldering, bonding, rivets or the like. According to such a fixing structure of the antenna 5, the antenna 5 is securely fixed to the circuit board 48, so that the antenna 5 does not move in the movement 4 due to the movement of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, and the coil 52 is disconnected or other Interference with components can be reliably prevented. As shown in FIG. 17, the angle θ formed by the line connecting the end of the antenna 5 and the upper end of the outer case 1 and the axis L1 of the outer case 1 is 45 ° or more. Desirably, with such an arrangement, even if the outer case 1 is made of, for example, a metal material, radio waves can reach the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5 from the outside, and the radio waves can be reliably received.

Moreover, the shape of the antenna may be such that its magnetic core is bent toward one end of the exterior case.
18 and 19 show a modification of the shape of the antenna of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the antenna 5 has a magnetic core 51 that is bent toward the dial 21 side at both ends outside the coil 52 and is inclined toward the windshield 23 side opening of the metal outer case 1. In FIG. 19, the antenna 5 has the magnetic core 51 and the entire coil 52 curved in the direction of the dial 21, whereby the end of the magnetic core 51 is disposed closer to the dial 21 than the coil 52. At this time, the bending angle or the bending rate may be set so that the extension line at the end of the antenna 5 passes through one opening provided with the windshield 23 without interfering with the metal outer case 1. desirable.

Thus, if at least one end of both ends of the antenna 5 is bent or curved toward one end of the exterior case, the radio wave entering from the opening of the exterior case 1 is transmitted to the magnetic core 51 of the antenna 5. Easy to enter, so radio wave reception can be improved.
On the other hand, since the reception performance of the radio wave can be improved by bending the antenna to the one opening side in this way, it is possible to ensure good radio wave reception with the antenna even if the exterior case is made small. Therefore, the downsizing of the outer case can be promoted, and the diversification of the design can be promoted.

  In the first embodiment, the planar relative position between the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means is such that the entire antenna 5 overlaps with the photovoltaic power generation means 6 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. The photovoltaic power generation means 6 is arranged at a position that does not overlap each other in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Good.

  20 is a plan view showing a modified example of the arrangement of the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means, and FIG. 21 is a partial side sectional view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the photovoltaic device 6 has openings 65 at positions corresponding to the magnetic cores 51 at both ends of the antenna 5. With this arrangement, both ends of the antenna 5 are arranged so as not to overlap the support substrate 62 in the plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. Therefore, even when the support substrate 62 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, radio waves from the outside reach the antenna 5 through the opening 65, so that radio waves can be received satisfactorily. Of course, if the support substrate 62 is made of a non-metallic material such as polyamide resin, radio wave reception by the antenna 5 can be more reliably performed. Moreover, since the opening 65 is formed only in the position corresponding to the both ends of the antenna 5 in the photovoltaic power generation means 6, a large light receiving area can be secured, while ensuring good reception sensitivity at the antenna 5. The power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power generation means 6 can be improved.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 21, the magnetic cores 51 at both ends of the antenna 5 may be bent toward the support substrate 62. According to such a configuration, radio waves can be received more reliably. Here, since the antenna 5 receives radio waves when a magnetic field penetrates in the axial direction of the coil 52 from the end portion thereof, it is particularly preferable that the (both) end portions of the antenna 5 are not covered with a magnetic material. Therefore, for example, only the central portion of the antenna 5 may be covered with the support substrate. Even in such a case, since the magnetic field can enter from the end of the antenna 5, the antenna 5 can receive radio waves satisfactorily. In short, it is only necessary that the antenna be disposed at a position where at least part of the antenna does not overlap with the support substrate in plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece.

  In the third embodiment, both ends of the antenna are magnetically connected to the support substrate of the photovoltaic power generation unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one of both ends of the antenna is a support substrate made of a highly permeable material. In other words, at least one of both end portions of the antenna may be magnetically connected to a support substrate made of a highly permeable material.

  In the first embodiment, the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic device 6 are arranged so that the antenna 5 is in contact with the photovoltaic device 6, but not limited to this, the arrangement of the components of the movement 4, It may be set as appropriate in consideration of the material of the components of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. For example, if the radio wave reaches both ends of the antenna, the antenna 5 is separated from the photovoltaic unit 6 to some extent, May be arranged with a predetermined dimension.

  In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic power generation means 6 are arranged at a position where a part of the antenna 5 overlaps the photovoltaic power generation means 6 in a side view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. Not only this but the space | interval of the antenna 5 and the photovoltaic power generation means 6 is arrange | positioned with a predetermined dimension as mentioned above, and both do not need to overlap in side view.

  The antenna is arranged in a side view of the radio-controlled timepiece. In each embodiment, the center position of the antenna is arranged closer to the cover member side than the center position of the outer case. For example, as shown in FIG. When the lid 3 has a shape protruding from the lower end of the outer case 1, the center position of the antenna is closer to the support substrate 62 (the dial) than the center position of the distance from the upper end of the outer case 1 to the lower end of the back cover 3. 21 side, windshield 23 side). Further, when the back cover 3 is formed in a shape recessed upward from the lower end of the outer case 1, the center position of the antenna is supported with respect to the center position of the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the outer case 1. What is necessary is just to set so that it may become the board | substrate 62 side. In short, it is only necessary that the center position of the antenna is arranged closer to the support substrate than the center position of the exterior case portion combining the exterior case and the lid member. At this time, the center position of the exterior case portion is the exterior case and the lid member. Of these, the center position may be set at the position where the distance in the thickness direction (cylinder axis direction of the outer case) is the largest.

The shape of the antenna is not limited to a linear shape in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece.
FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a modification of the shape of the antenna. As shown in FIG. 22, the antenna 5 is formed in a substantially arc shape along the inner shape of the outer case 1. The antenna 5 is also arranged along the outer shape of the dial 21 and is arranged inside the dial 21 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. According to such a shape of the antenna 5, it is possible to reduce the dead space in the outer case 1 and increase the degree of freedom of layout of other components compared to the case where the antenna 5 is formed linearly. Can do.

  23 and 24 show a modification of the antenna arrangement. FIG. 23 is a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100, and FIG. 24 is a part of the radio-controlled timepiece 100 in FIG. It is a sectional side view. 23 and 24, the antenna 5 is formed in a substantially arc shape along the inner shape of the outer case 1, and the outer peripheral side of the antenna 5 is a recess 1 </ b> A formed in the outer case 1 and the inner frame 14. It is stored in. With this arrangement, a part of the antenna 5 overlaps the exterior case 1 in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100. In this case, it is desirable that the area where the antenna 5 overlaps with the exterior case 1 (the area in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece 100) is not more than half of the entire area of the antenna 5. According to such an arrangement, it is possible to effectively use the space in the outer case 1 while maintaining good reception sensitivity of the antenna 5, and to further increase the degree of freedom in layout of other components.

Furthermore, the coil of the electromagnetic motor is provided close to the back cover 3 in each embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the center position in the thickness direction of the coil is larger than the center position in the thickness direction of the movement. It may be arranged on the side. Even in this case, if the coil and the antenna are arranged at positions separated from each other in a plan view of the radio-controlled timepiece, or if the electromagnetic motor is operated, control to stop radio wave reception at the antenna is performed. Since the radio wave can be received accurately, the object of the present invention can be achieved.
In the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the material of the support substrate 62 is made of a non-conductive and non-magnetic material such as polyimide resin, glass-filled epoxy resin, ceramics, etc., as in the first embodiment. Alternatively, it may be made of a conductive and magnetic material such as stainless steel. When the support substrate 62 is made of a nonmagnetic material, the magnetic material around the antenna 5 is reduced, so that reception by the antenna 5 is more reliable.

Moreover, in 3rd embodiment, you may comprise only the photovoltaic device 6A with a nonelectroconductive and nonmagnetic material.
In each embodiment, the switching unit 13 and the train wheel 44 are disposed between the battery and the antenna. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a crystal unit 41 or a circuit block 42 may be disposed. Even in this case, it is possible to minimize the influence of the metal outer can case of the battery on the magnetic field existing around the antenna. In short, the battery and the antenna need only be arranged with at least one of the switching unit, the train wheel, the quartz crystal unit, and the control means interposed therebetween.

Even when these members are not arranged between the battery and the antenna, it is possible to receive radio waves with the antenna by changing the direction of the antenna and the material of the outer can case of the battery. Can be achieved.
The driving means is not limited to the one provided with the electromagnetic motor, and any structure capable of driving the time display means can be adopted, and for example, a piezoelectric actuator driven by vibration of a piezoelectric element may be used. In this case, for example, a plate-like piezoelectric element is attached to a substantially rectangular plate-like reinforcing plate, and a protrusion is formed on the reinforcing plate to constitute a piezoelectric actuator. A rotating body such as a rotor is engaged with the train wheel, and a protrusion of the piezoelectric actuator is brought into contact with the side surface of the rotor. When an AC voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element vibrates, so that the protrusion repeatedly presses the rotor in the tangential direction to rotate the rotor. What is necessary is just to drive a time display means by transmitting this rotational motion with a train wheel.

According to this driving means, since the piezoelectric actuator does not generate a magnetic field when driven, it is possible to receive an accurate radio wave at the antenna without affecting the magnetic field existing around the antenna.
The time display means is not limited to the one provided with the hour hand and the minute hand, and for example, only the hour hand or the minute hand may be provided, or a second hand may be provided.
The dial may not be decorated with letters and numbers. Further, the dial may not necessarily be provided. For example, when no dial is provided, the photovoltaic means may be used as the dial. In this case, the photovoltaic device comprises a dial plate using a light-transmitting material such as inorganic glass for the support substrate, for example, and a photoelectric conversion part is provided on the surface on the lid member side with respect to the support substrate. It is good also as a structure. In this case, the surface on the cover member side of the support substrate, which is a dial plate, may be subjected to decoration processing such as letters, scales, and patterns. Even in such a configuration, if the antenna is provided facing or close to the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit, the antenna is on one opening side of the outer case, that is, the photovoltaic power generation. Radio waves can be received well from the means side.

The material of the train wheel may be arbitrarily set in consideration of the antenna arrangement and transmission power, for example, conductive and magnetic materials such as stainless steel, and nonconductive and nonmagnetic materials such as plastic and ceramics. You may be comprised with material.
The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is not limited to an analog timepiece having a dial and hands, but, for example, as shown in FIG. 25, a digital equipped with a liquid crystal panel 2A and a parting plate 2B as time display means for digitally displaying the time. The timepiece 100A may be used. Further, the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function may be provided with, for example, a chronograph function or an alarm function in addition to the time display function by the time display means.

  The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function is not limited to a radio wave correction clock that receives a standard radio wave from the outside and corrects a display time, but a clock having a function of transmitting radio information to the outside, a radio information reception, and It may be a watch having a function capable of transmitting. For example, the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function may be a timepiece that incorporates a non-contact IC card and performs wireless information communication (non-contact data communication) with the outside via an antenna.

Although the best configuration, method and the like for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the invention has been illustrated and described primarily with respect to particular embodiments, but may be configured for the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art in terms of materials, quantity, and other detailed configurations.
Therefore, the description limited to the shape, material, etc. disclosed above is an example for easy understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member which remove | excluded the limitation of one part or all of such restrictions is included in this invention.

  The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function of the present invention can be used as a radio-controlled timepiece that receives a standard radio wave from the outside and corrects the display time, and also has a non-contact IC card built-in and communicates with the outside via an antenna. It can also be used for watches that perform.

1 is a plan view of a radio-controlled timepiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is II-II sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the radio-controlled timepiece according to the first embodiment. It is a top view of the radio wave correction timepiece concerning a second embodiment of the present invention. It is VI-VI sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view of the radio wave correction timepiece concerning a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. It is a top view of the radio wave correction timepiece which shows the modification of the photovoltaic power generation means of this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is XI-XI sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view which shows another modification of the electromagnetic wave correction timepiece of this invention. It is XIII-XIII sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the antenna of this invention. It is XV-XV sectional drawing of FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the modification of the fixing structure of the antenna of this invention. It is a partial sectional side view which shows the modification of the fixing structure of the antenna of this invention. It is a partial sectional side view which shows the modification of the antenna of this invention. It is a partial sectional side view which shows another modification of the antenna of this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the antenna of this invention, and a photovoltaic device. It is a partial sectional side view of FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of the shape of the antenna of this invention. It is a top view which shows another modification of arrangement | positioning of the antenna of this invention. It is a partial sectional side view of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Exterior case, 2 ... Time display means, 3 ... Back cover (lid member), 4 ... Movement (drive means), 5 ... Antenna, 6, 6A, 6B, 6C ... Photoelectric power generation means, 13 ... Switching unit, 21 ... Dial, 23 ... Windshield (cover member), 41 ... Quartz crystal unit, 42 ... Circuit block (control means), 43A, 43B ... Stepping motor (electromagnetic motor), 44 ... Wheel train, 49 ... Battery, 51 ... Magnetic core 52 ... Coil 61, 61A, 61B, 61C ... Photoelectric conversion element (photoelectric conversion part), 62, 62A, 62B, 62C ... Support substrate, 221 ... Minute hand (pointer), 222 ... Hour hand (pointer), 431A, 431B: Drive coil.

Claims (21)

  At least one of both ends in the tube axis direction is a cylindrical metal outer case, an antenna housed in the outer case, time display means for displaying time, and at least one of the both ends of the outer case. Photoelectric power generation means having a photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on any one of the opening sides and receives light facing outward from the opening side, and that generates power from the received light, and a support substrate that supports the photoelectric conversion unit, A driving means for driving the time display means by the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means; and a metal lid member for covering the other end of the outer case. The support substrate is made of a nonmagnetic material and nonconductive. The antenna is arranged with its axial direction being substantially parallel to the plane direction of the support substrate and facing the surface on the lid member side with respect to the photoelectric conversion unit. The radio communication function-equipped electronic timepiece is disposed at a position overlapping the support substrate in a plan view, and the radio communication function-equipped electronic timepiece is viewed in side view, the antenna is close to the support substrate. An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, characterized by being arranged.   At least one of both ends in the tube axis direction is a cylindrical metal outer case, an antenna housed in the outer case, time display means for displaying time, and at least one of the both ends of the outer case. Photoelectric power generation means having a photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on any one of the opening sides and receives light facing outward from the opening side, and that generates power from the received light, and a support substrate that supports the photoelectric conversion unit, Drive means for driving the time display means by the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means, and a metal lid member covering the other end of the exterior case, the antenna has an axial direction of the support substrate The antenna is disposed substantially parallel to the plane direction, and at least both ends of the antenna are disposed at positions that do not overlap the support substrate in a plan view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function. And the antenna in a side view of the electronic timepiece with a radio communication function, a wireless communication function equipped electronic timepiece characterized in that it is arranged close to the supporting substrate.   At least one of both ends in the tube axis direction is a cylindrical metal outer case, an antenna housed in the outer case, time display means for displaying time, and at least one of the both ends of the outer case. Photoelectric power generation means having a photoelectric conversion unit that is disposed on any one of the opening sides and receives light facing outward from the opening side, and that generates power from the received light, and a support substrate that supports the photoelectric conversion unit, Drive means for driving the time display means by the electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means, and a metal lid member covering the other end of the exterior case, the antenna has an axial direction of the support substrate In addition to being arranged substantially parallel to the plane direction and arranged close to the support substrate in a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, the photovoltaic power generation means is divided into a plurality of parts At least one of the support substrates is made of a highly permeable material, and at least one of both ends of the antenna is magnetically connected to the support substrate made of a highly permeable material. Electronic clock with communication function. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to claim 2,
The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the antenna is disposed in contact with the support substrate, or is disposed at a position where a distance from the support substrate is within a predetermined dimension. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to claim 2,
The electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, wherein the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means are arranged at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps in a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 2, 4, and 5,
In the side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is characterized in that the center position of the antenna is arranged closer to the photovoltaic power generation means than the center position of the exterior case. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5, and 6,
A cover member covering one end of the exterior case; and a dial plate provided between the photovoltaic device and the cover member. The cover member and the dial plate are nonmagnetic and nonconductive. An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, characterized in that it is made of the material described above. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to claim 2,
An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the support substrate is made of a metal material. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 2 and 4 to 7,
An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the support substrate is made of a nonmagnetic and nonconductive material. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
In the side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, no other component of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is arranged between the antenna and the support substrate. Electronic clock. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
In the side view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, no other constituent member of the electronic timepiece with the wireless communication function is arranged between the antenna and the time display means. Electronic clock with. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
In a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, other components of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function are arranged between the antenna and the lid member, and the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is seen in plan view. An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the antenna and the other constituent members are arranged at positions overlapping each other. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The antenna includes a magnetic core and a coil wound around the magnetic core, and at least one end of both ends of the magnetic core is bent toward one end of the outer case. Electronic clock with. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The time display means includes a 12-hour hand, and the axial direction of the antenna is arranged substantially parallel to a direction connecting the position where the hand points to 3 o'clock and the position which points to 9 o'clock. Electronic watch with wireless communication function. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The time display means includes a dial that is visible from one end side of the exterior case, and the driving means is disposed between the dial and the lid member, It has an electromagnetic motor driven by an induced voltage, and the center position of the antenna is located closer to the dial than the center position of the driving means with respect to the side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function An electronic watch with a wireless communication function. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the driving means includes a piezoelectric actuator that drives the time display means by vibration of a piezoelectric element. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 16,
A train wheel having a secondary battery for storing electric power from the photovoltaic power generation means and provided in the driving means and having a gear; and a switching unit switchable so that the time display means can be manually operated from the outside. And at least one of a crystal unit having a crystal unit and a control block for controlling the operation of the driving means, and the antenna is a wheel in a plan view of the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function. An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the electronic timepiece is arranged on the opposite side to the secondary battery across at least one of a row, the switching unit, the crystal unit, and the control block. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to claim 1 or claim 3,
The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, wherein the antenna is disposed in contact with the support substrate, or is disposed at a position where a distance from the support substrate is within a predetermined dimension. The electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to claim 3,
The electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, wherein the antenna and the photovoltaic power generation means are arranged at a position where at least a part thereof overlaps in a side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1, 3, 18, and 19,
In the side view of the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function, the electronic timepiece with wireless communication function is characterized in that the center position of the antenna is arranged closer to the photovoltaic power generation means than the center position of the exterior case. In the electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function according to any one of claims 1, 3, 18, 19, and 20,
A cover member covering one end of the exterior case; and a dial plate provided between the photovoltaic device and the cover member. The cover member and the dial plate are nonmagnetic and nonconductive. An electronic timepiece with a wireless communication function, characterized in that it is made of the material described above.

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