JP2007292517A - Alarm pointer driving device, and time piece using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm pointer driving device capable of setting an alarm time with excellent visibility by an alarm pointer and capable of setting accurately a scheduled time for generating an alarm. <P>SOLUTION: The alarm pointer driving device includes the alarm pointer 9 to be moved in response to an alarm time control mechanism 17 for controlling the alarm time, and has, in the alarm time control mechanism 17, patterns 27, 29 formed of a conductor for assigning the alarm time, and contact pieces 23a, 25a contacting with the patterns 27, 29, and formed of a conductor interlocked with the alarm pointer 9. The alarm pointer 9 is moved via a transmission member, and the transmission member is a transmission gear 33 for driving an alarm wheel 31 attached with the alarm pointer 9 and the alarm time control mechanism 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an alarm clock, and more particularly to an alarm hand driving device for setting an alarm time and a clock using the same.

  There is known an alarm clock that receives a standard time radio wave and corrects an inaccurate time display to an accurate time in seconds based on the time code. Such an alarm clock is provided with an alarm hand for setting a time at which an alarm sound is to be generated on a clock board, a display board for checking and setting a digitally displayed time, and the like. For example, in an alarm clock provided with an alarm hand, the contact between the clock pointer and the circuit that generates the alarm is switched in conjunction with the driving of the clock pointer (long hand or short hand), and becomes conductive. An alarm sound is generated.

  However, even with an alarm clock that displays the correct time using standard time radio waves, the alarm sound generated by the alarm hand described above is not always set accurately and precisely due to errors in the parts that drive the hands. I couldn't do it. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a timepiece device that generates an alarm sound at an accurate timing.

According to Patent Document 1, before reaching the scheduled time for generating an alarm sound, the reference cam drops in advance, contacts with the reference contact, switches to the ON state, and counts by a time counter until the scheduled time is reached. When the count value is reached, the control unit brings the reference contact and the notification means into a conductive state so that an alarm sound can be generated accurately.
JP 2002-318291 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that the timing of dropping the reference cam, which is one of the components, is still related to the accuracy of the components. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, an error of about ± 5 minutes, that is, about 10 minutes is unavoidable in terms of accurate time setting for generating an alarm sound. I have to rely on

  In addition, if the display board displayed digitally is used for setting the alarm time, it can be set accurately in minutes, but there is a sense of disgust for users familiar with analog display. There was also an opinion that it was difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides an alarm hand drive device that can set an alarm time with high visibility by an alarm hand and can accurately set a scheduled time for generating an alarm. To do.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the alarm hand drive device of the present invention includes an alarm hand that moves in response to an alarm time control mechanism that controls the alarm time,
The alarm time control mechanism has a pattern formed of a conductor for designating the alarm time, and a contact piece formed of a conductor that contacts the pattern and interlocks with the alarm hand. It is characterized by. With such a configuration, the alarm time can be controlled in synchronization with the visual movement of the alarm hand.

  In the present invention, the alarm hand is moved through a transmission member, and the transmission member is an alarm wheel to which the alarm hand is attached and a transmission gear for driving the alarm time control mechanism.

  In the present invention, the alarm time control mechanism includes at least two rotating bodies each having the contact piece and interlocking with each other, and an alarm time control circuit board provided with at least two patterns. It is characterized by.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the pattern is formed in an annular shape on the alarm time control circuit board. With such a configuration, it is possible to control the alarm time in accordance with the movement of the rotating body.

  Further, the rotating body of the present invention is a first rotating body corresponding to the minute and a second rotating body corresponding to the minute, and the pattern is a first pattern corresponding to the first rotating body. And a second pattern corresponding to the second rotating body, the first pattern and the second pattern having an inner conductive pattern and an outer conductive pattern, which are arranged concentrically with each other. , The inner conductive pattern of the first pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the first pattern are electrically connected to each other by the contact piece of the first rotating body to designate the minutes of the alarm time, and The inner conductive pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the second pattern are connected to each other by a contact piece to designate the time of the alarm time. With such a configuration, the setting of the alarm time can be switched.

  According to the present invention, the non-conductive portion has a stepped shape, and is formed such that adjacent patterns are divided by the non-conductive portion so that the adjacent patterns are intertwined with each other. Then, even when the contact with the pattern is such that one of the contacts stops at the non-conductive portion, the other contact is conducted to one of the adjacent patterns. It is characterized by that. With such a configuration, it becomes impossible to recognize the time at which the contact is stopped only at the non-conductive portion and the alarm sound is generated.

  Further, the present invention includes the above-described alarm hand drive device, and a movement device including a control circuit board that controls generation of an alarm sound based on an alarm time set by the alarm hand drive device. To do. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide a timepiece in which an alarm hand can be visually recognized and an accurate and fine alarm time can be set.

  According to the alarm hand drive device according to the present invention, an alarm clock that can be applied to the radio wave correction function is provided because it is possible to set the alarm time accurately and finely without depending on the accuracy of the parts while visually recognizing the alarm hand. I can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of an alarm clock 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an alarm clock 1 includes a long hand 3 and a short hand 5 which are hands for displaying time, a second hand 6 indicating a second, and a movement device 7 which is built in a substantially central portion of the alarm clock 1 and operates the alarm clock 1. And an alarm hand drive device 13 including an alarm hand 9 for displaying a time at which an alarm is generated and an operation unit 11 for moving the alarm hand 9.

  The operation unit 11 is, for example, a rotating body or the like, and the alarm hand 9 can be operated by rotating the rotating body clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow. That is, by performing such an operation, the alarm hand 9 obtains a driving force from the alarm hand driving device 13 and moves clockwise or counterclockwise so that the alarm time can be set.

  More specifically, for example, when the rotation of the rotating body is intermittently divided, and the rotating body rotates once in a clockwise direction 144 times continuously, the rotating body rotates once. The alarm hand 9 moves intermittently at intervals of 2.5 ° in conjunction with the rotating body. As the alarm hand 9 moves in this manner, the alarm time is set at intervals of 5 minutes.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the alarm clock 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the alarm clock 1 receives a control circuit board 15 that controls the alarm clock 1, an internal clock 16 that measures time, a transmitter 18 that transmits a clock signal, and a radio wave of standard time information. Time information receiving means 20 for performing time display means 22 for displaying the time measured by the internal clock 16, alarm time control mechanism 17 for controlling the alarm time, and operation when the time of the internal clock 16 reaches the alarm set time. Notification means 24.

  The control circuit board 15 includes, for example, a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory and a microcomputer, and operates when power is supplied from a power source such as a battery. The storage means is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like, is used as a work space for the control circuit, and stores a predetermined program or the like. Further, the time of the internal clock 16 is corrected based on the standard time information obtained from the time information receiving means 20.

  The internal clock 16 includes, for example, a year information counter, a month information counter, a day information counter, a day information counter, an hour information counter, a minute information counter, a second information counter, and the like, and measures the information based on a clock signal. The time information receiving means 20 is means for receiving radio waves of standard time information such as an antenna circuit. The time display means 22 includes a movement device 7 that drives the hands 3 and 5 and the second hand 6. The notification means 24 includes a speaker or the like, and generates an alarm such as a melody or a chime when the alarm set time is reached.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the movement device 7 described above. As shown in FIG. 3, in the movement device 7, a control circuit board 15 that controls the alarm clock 1 and an alarm time control mechanism 17 that is connected to the control circuit board 15 and controls the alarm time sandwich the holding member 19. It is formed as follows.

  The alarm time control mechanism 17 controls the alarm time control circuit board 21 that controls the alarm time, and the “minute” of the alarm time that is arranged on the alarm time control circuit board 21 and rotatably attached to the holding member 19. The first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 for controlling the “hour” of the alarm time. The first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 are gears, and are arranged on the same plane so as to mesh with each other. Therefore, for example, when the first rotating body 23 rotates clockwise, the driving force reaches the second rotating body 25, and the second rotating body 25 rotates counterclockwise. Further, in conjunction with the rotation operation of the first rotating body 23, the driving force is transmitted from a gear (not shown) to the alarm needle 9, and the alarm hand 9 moves.

  Further, the alarm time control mechanism 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of the alarm time control mechanism 17. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the alarm time control mechanism 17. In the following drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the alarm time control mechanism shown in FIG. 3, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the back surfaces of the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25, a first contact piece 23a and a second contact piece 25a made of a conductor are formed, respectively. A small-diameter gear 26 smaller than the diameter of the first rotating body 23 is provided on the back surface of the first rotating body 23. On the other hand, on the surface of the alarm time control circuit board 21, a first pattern 27 and a second pattern made of a conductor for detecting the respective rotation angles of the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25. A pattern 29 is formed.

  Each of the first pattern 27 and the second pattern 29 has an annular shape. Each of the first pattern 27 and the second pattern 29 includes an inner pattern and an outer pattern that surrounds the inner pattern, and includes an outer periphery of the inner pattern and an inner periphery of the outer pattern. A non-conductive portion 30 that is in a non-conductive state is formed therebetween.

  Furthermore, both the inner pattern and the outer pattern are divided so as to be partially non-conductive by providing non-conductive portions 30 in the diametrical direction at desired intervals. In the present embodiment, the inner pattern is formed with two non-conductive portions 30 stepped in the diametrical direction and opposed to each other at two locations, and the outer pattern stepped in the diametrical direction. Ten locations are formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 are arranged so as to mesh with each other, and further, the first pattern 27 has the first contact piece 23a. Further, the second pattern 29 is disposed so as to be in contact with the second contact piece 25a.

  More specifically, the first contact piece 23 a formed on the first rotating body 23 contacts the inner pattern and the outer pattern of the first pattern 27. The second contact piece 25 a formed on the second rotating body 25 contacts the inner pattern and the outer pattern of the second pattern 29.

  In this way, the contact pieces 23a and 25a are arranged on the alarm time control circuit board 21 while being in contact with the first pattern 27 and the second pattern 29, and are attached to the holding member 19 in a freely rotatable manner. When the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 rotate, the contact pieces 23a and 25a rotate in accordance with the rotation, and the contact pieces 23a and 25a respectively correspond to the first pattern 27 and the second pattern 29, respectively. Repeat non-contact and contact with the inner and outer patterns.

  By repeating such non-contact and contact, the pattern is set to a non-conductive state or a conductive state. A circuit pattern for detecting the alarm time is formed by the non-conductive state or the state in which the conductive state is set, and the alarm time is recognized.

  This pattern is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, in the first pattern 27, the inner pattern and the outer pattern are arranged concentrically, the inner pattern is divided into two, and the outer pattern is divided into six and assigned to each. 12 types of conductive patterns are provided. Since the 1st rotary body 23 reaches | attains 60 minutes in 1 round, it turns out that one conductive pattern is a 5-minute space | interval. Similarly, in the second pattern 29, the inner pattern is divided into two, and the outer pattern is divided into six and assigned to each of them, thereby providing twelve kinds of conductive patterns. Since 12 hours are reached in one rotation, it can be seen that one conductive pattern is one hour interval.

  In the present embodiment, the contact pattern 23a of the first rotating body 23 causes the inner conductive pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the first pattern 27 to be connected to each other to designate the alarm time, and the second rotating body. The 25 contact pieces 25a connect the inner conductive pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the second pattern 29 to each other to designate the time of the alarm time.

  For example, in FIG. 9, P13 and SEG13 of the first pattern 27 shown in FIG. 8 are electrically connected, which represents 00 minutes. In the second pattern 29 shown in FIG. 8, P11 and SEG1 are electrically connected, which indicates 12:00. Therefore, in FIG. 9, the alarm time is set to 12:00. FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the pattern and time.

  In the present embodiment, the first pattern 27 formed on the alarm time control circuit board 21 is patterned so that the alarm time can be set at intervals of 5 minutes. By providing the pattern and making the pattern fine, it is possible to realize fine alarm time setting that does not depend on the accuracy of the parts as in the prior art.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the non-conducting portion 30 has a step shape and is formed so that the patterns are intricate with each other. Also, the contact point of the contact piece that contacts the pattern has a bifurcated tip, and even if one of the contacts stops at the non-conducting portion, any of the patterns where the other contact point is adjacent One can be conducted.

  One end of the first contact piece 23a is 23aa, and the other end is 23ab. Then, one branched end of one end 23aa is a contact 23aa1, and the other is a contact 23aa2. One of the other end portions 23ab is branched as a contact 23ab1, and the other is a contact 23ab2.

  Similarly, one end of the second contact piece 25a is 25aa and the other end is 25ab. One of the end portions 25aa is branched as a contact 25aa1 and the other as a contact 25aa2. One of the other end portions 25ab is branched as a contact point 25ab1, and the other is a contact point 25ab2.

  11 shows that the contact 23aa1 of the first contact piece 23a in the first pattern 27 is positioned in a non-conductive portion between SEG13 and SEG15 shown in FIG. 8 and the contact 23aa2 is in contact with the SEG13. 23ab2 is positioned at P13 and stopped.

  As described above, the non-conductive portion of the first pattern 27 has a stepped shape and is formed so that the respective patterns are intertwined with each other. Therefore, even if one contact stops at the non-conductive portion, the other pattern Since the pattern is arranged so that the contact point of the contact always comes into contact with the conducting part, the time point at which the contact point stops only at the non-conducting part and the alarm sound is generated cannot be recognized. Note that the same relationship holds for the second pattern 29 and the second contact piece 25a.

  Next, the relationship between the pattern and the alarm time will be described.

  In FIG. 12, the contact 23aa1 of the first contact piece 23a is in contact with the SEG15 shown in FIG. 8, and the contact 23aa2 is in contact with the SEG13. Further, the contact 23ab1 and the contact 23ab2 are both in contact with P13.

  In this case, the alarm time is set to both 00 minutes and 55 minutes. In this embodiment, in this case, the alarm is sounded at 55 minutes. That is, when two alarm times are set, the alarm is always set to sound at the earlier time. By doing so, the user wakes up earlier than the predetermined time, but the purpose of the alarm clock is surely fulfilled in the sense of preventing the situation of waking up late.

  Further, the alarm needle driving device 13 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the alarm needle driving device 13. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the alarm needle driving device 13.

  The alarm needle driving device 13 includes the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 described above, an alarm wheel 31 for moving the alarm needle 9, and a transmission member, the first rotating body 23 and the alarm wheel. The transmission gear 33 that meshes with the operation gear 31, and the operation gears 34 a and 34 b that transmit the driving force from the operation unit 11 to the transmission gear 33. The number of operation gears is not limited to the number in the present embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.

  On the back surface of the transmission gear 33, a medium-diameter gear 35 smaller than the diameter of the transmission gear 33 is provided and meshes with the alarm wheel 31. Further, the transmission gear 33 meshes with a small-diameter gear 26 provided on the first rotating body 23. Further, the operation gear 34a meshes with the transmission gear 33, while the operation gear 34a meshes with a large-diameter gear 34c provided on the back surface of the operation gear 34b. The operation gear 34 b meshes with the operation unit 11.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the small diameter gear 26 formed on the back surface of the first rotating body 23 is disposed through the alarm time control circuit board 21, and the alarm time control circuit board 21. And the transmission gear 33 arranged on the same plane. The medium-diameter gear 35 formed on the back surface of the transmission gear 33 is on the same plane and has an alarm wheel in which the tip portion where the alarm hand 9 is installed projects in the direction of the alarm time control circuit board 21. Mesh with 31.

  When a driving force is applied from the operation unit 11 to the gears forming such an arrangement, the driving force is propagated from the large diameter gear 34c to the operation gear 34b, and further transmitted through the operation gear 34a. Propagate to.

  The transmission gear 33 transmits the driving force to the alarm wheel 31 that meshes with the medium-diameter gear 35 formed on itself, and transmits the driving force to the small-diameter gear 26 that is formed on the first rotating body 23 and meshes with the transmission gear 33. That is, by arranging the transmission gear 33, the driving force is transmitted to the first rotating body 23 and the alarm wheel 31 in synchronization.

  In addition, although the 1st rotary body 23 and the 2nd rotary body 25 are meshingly arranged on the same plane, teeth are formed on the entire outer periphery of the second rotary body 25, whereas The first rotating body 23 has teeth formed only in a predetermined region. In this embodiment, the predetermined region is a region corresponding to 55 minutes to 00 minutes.

  Therefore, the second rotating body 25 rotates by a predetermined angle when the first rotating body 23 rotates 360 °. In the present embodiment, when the first rotating body 23 rotates 360 °, the second rotating body 25 rotates 30 °. This angle corresponds to one hour in the second rotating body 25.

  As described above, the second rotating body 25 is engaged with the first rotating body 23 only for 55 minutes to 00 minutes and rotates at a predetermined angle. In other regions, the first rotating body 23 rotates. Even with that, it keeps its position without rotating.

  As described above, the alarm hand 9 installed in the alarm wheel 31 is moved, and the first rotating body 23 and the second rotating body 25 are also rotated, so that the alarm time can be set.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  As described above, the alarm hand driving device according to the present invention enables accurate and fine alarm time setting regardless of the accuracy of parts while visually recognizing the alarm hand, and has high industrial applicability.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an alarm clock according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the alarm clock according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the movement device. FIG. 4 is an exploded plan view of the alarm time control mechanism. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the alarm time control mechanism. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the alarm needle driving device. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the alarm needle driving device. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a pattern. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the contact piece and the pattern. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a pattern and time. FIG. 11 is another diagram illustrating the relationship between the contact piece and the pattern. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the contact piece and the pattern.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Alarm clock 3 Long hand 5 Short hand 6 Second hand 7 Movement device 9 Alarm hand 11 Operation part 13 Alarm hand drive device 15 Control circuit board 16 Internal clock 17 Alarm time control mechanism 18 Oscillator 19 Holding member 20 Time information receiving means 21 Alarm time control circuit Substrate 22 Time display means 23 First rotating body 23a First contact piece 23aa, 23ab End portion 23aa1, 23aa2, 23ab1, 23ab2 Contact point 24 Notification means 25 Second rotating body 25a Second contact piece 25aa, 25ab End portion 25aa1, 25aa2, 25ab1, 25ab2 Contact 26 Small-diameter gear 27 First pattern 29 Second pattern 30 Non-conducting portion 31 Alarm wheel 33 Transmission gear 34a, 34b Operation gear 34c Large-diameter gear 35 Medium-speed gear 35

Claims (8)

An alarm hand that moves in response to an alarm time control mechanism that controls the alarm time is provided,
In the alarm time control mechanism, a pattern formed of a conductor for designating the alarm time,
A contact piece made of a conductor that contacts the pattern and interlocks with the alarm needle;
An alarm needle driving device characterized by comprising: The alarm hand moves via a transmission member;
2. The alarm hand drive device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission member is an alarm wheel to which the alarm hand is attached and a transmission gear that drives the alarm time control mechanism. The alarm time control mechanism is
At least two rotating bodies each having the contact piece and interlocking with each other;
An alarm time control circuit board provided with at least two of the patterns;
The alarm hand drive device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm needle drive device is provided.   4. The alarm hand drive device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is formed in an annular shape on the alarm time control circuit board. 5.   The alarm needle driving device according to claim 4, wherein non-conductive portions are arranged in the pattern at predetermined intervals in the diameter direction. The rotating body is a first rotating body corresponding to the minute and a second rotating body corresponding to the minute, and the pattern includes a first pattern corresponding to the first rotating body, and the first rotating body. A second pattern corresponding to a second rotating body, the first pattern and the second pattern having an inner conductive pattern and an outer conductive pattern arranged concentrically, respectively, The inner conductive pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the first pattern are electrically connected to each other by the contact piece of the first rotating body to designate the minutes of the alarm time, and the contact piece of the second rotary body The inner conductive pattern and the outer conductive pattern of the second pattern are connected to each other to designate the time of the alarm time;
The alarm needle driving device according to claim 5, wherein The non-conductive portion has a stepped shape, and is formed such that adjacent patterns divided by the non-conductive portion are intertwined with each other. Even if one of the contacts is stopped at the non-conductive portion, the other contact is conductive to one of the adjacent patterns,
The alarm needle driving device according to claim 6, wherein The alarm needle drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A movement device comprising a control circuit board for controlling the generation of an alarm sound based on the alarm time set by the alarm hand drive device;
A watch characterized by comprising:

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