JP2009174949A - Chronograph timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chronograph timepiece capable of preventing consumption of a battery due to continuation of electric drive in a mechanical zero reset state. <P>SOLUTION: The chronograph timepiece 1 whose chronographic pointers are drive-controlled electrically and their zero reset is controlled mechanically, has a driving circuit 53 for applying rotation drive energy for rotating a chronograph pointer driving motor 35 to the motor, and a drive control means for controlling supply of the rotation drive energy from the driving circuit 53 to the motor 35. The drive control means has a drive pulse generating circuit 52 for applying a main drive pulse for making the driving circuit 53 supply the rotation drive energy, a rotation detection circuit 55 for outputting a non-rotation detection signal V when the motor 35 does not rotate under the condition where the main drive pulse is applied to the driving circuit 53 from the generating circuit 52, and a zero-reset determination section 54 for stopping generation of main-drive pulses T of the generating circuit 52, when the non-rotation detection signal V is output continuously for a predetermined period of time or longer from the detection circuit 55. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a chronograph timepiece.

  As chronograph timepieces, not only those that mechanically perform both driving and zeroing but also those that electrically both drive and nulling are known. There is also known a chronograph timepiece in which the chronograph hands are electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero.

  For example, a chronograph timepiece in which a chronograph hour hand, a chronograph minute hand, and the like are rotationally driven by a motor and mechanically zeroed by a cam is known (Patent Document 1).

  As in the chronograph timepiece disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the type of chronograph timepiece in which the chronograph hands are electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero, when there is a reset instruction by pressing the reset button, On the one hand, the hammer strikes the heart cam under the control of the lever associated with hammering, forcing the chronograph hour hand and chronograph minute hand to return to zero, and on the other hand, the associated counter to reset the electrical drive. Stop and reset.

  In particular, as described in the prior art section of Patent Document 1, a chronograph second hand is also electrically driven and mechanically returned to zero in a chronograph hand-operating operation in response to a return instruction. In the case of zero control, if there is a reset instruction by the reset button when the start button is pressed and the chronograph watch is in operation (hand movement operation), on the other hand, under the control of the lever related to hammering The hammer strikes the heart cam to force the chronograph minute hand and chronograph second hand to return to zero. On the other hand, the motor rotation is stopped and the counter count is stopped to stop the electrical drive and reset. The numerical value will be reset.

  However, if a failure occurs in the operation of the contact such as a switch related to zeroing, the electrical reset operation is not performed and the rotation of the chronograph wheel is mechanically (forcedly) regulated by the cam. Therefore, there is a possibility that the transmission of the motor drive signal (drive energy) does not stop. In that case, since the chronograph pointer is forcibly returned to zero (mechanical) and stopped, it appears that the return-to-zero operation has been performed normally, so the user does not notice a malfunction (abnormality). There is a high risk that the power of the battery will be consumed within a short time.

  For example, it has been proposed to provide a mechanical structure as a safety mechanism that does not accept a reset operation when the chronograph pointer is moving by pressing a start button (Patent Document 2).

  However, in the chronograph timepiece of Patent Document 2, it is difficult to avoid a complicated mechanical structure and high cost.

In addition, when there is no rotation of the motor that is originally expected, it is possible to provide a wide pulse with high effective power as a correction drive pulse to deal with a problem of hand movement due to a slight increase in the resistance of the train wheel, etc. Are known. In order to avoid excessive energy consumption due to the correction driving, it has also been proposed to stop the hand movement when the rotation of the motor cannot be obtained even with the correction driving pulse (Patent Document 3).
JP-A-61-73085 JP 2006-90769 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-4872

  An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and the object of the present invention is a chronograph timepiece of a type in which a chronograph pointer is electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero. Another object of the present invention is to provide a chronograph timepiece that can reliably prevent a battery from being consumed due to erroneous electric driving being continued in a mechanical null state.

  A chronograph timepiece according to the present invention is a chronograph timepiece in which a chronograph hand is electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, and is a rotation that rotates a chronograph hand movement motor. A drive means for a chronograph pointer hand movement motor for supplying drive energy to the motor; and a drive control means for a chronograph pointer hand movement motor for controlling the supply of rotational drive energy from the drive means to the chronograph pointer hand movement motor. The drive control means includes a drive pulse generating means for providing a main drive pulse for supplying the drive means with the supply of the rotational drive energy, and the main drive pulse is applied to the drive means from the drive pulse generating means. When the chronograph hand movement motor does not rotate under the conditions, a non-rotation detection signal is output. When the non-rotation detection signal is continuously output from the rotation detection means and the rotation detection means for a predetermined time or more, it is considered that the chronograph pointer is instructed to return to zero, and the drive pulse generation means generates the main drive pulse. And zero return determination means for stopping the operation.

  In the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, “non-rotation detection is detected when the chronograph hand movement motor is not rotating under the condition that the main drive pulse is applied from the drive pulse generation means to the drive means of the chronograph hand movement motor. Rotation detection means for the chronograph hand movement motor that outputs a signal, and when the non-rotation detection signal is continuously output from the rotation detection means for a predetermined time or more, it is considered that the chronograph pointer is instructed to return to zero. And zero return judging means for stopping the generation of the main drive pulse from the generating means, ”so that the rotational drive energy is applied to the motor even though the chronograph pointer hand movement motor is not rotating. It can be prevented from being applied continuously for a long time, and wasteful consumption of electrical energy can be minimized.

  Here, in the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, the “rotation detecting means of the chronograph pointer hand movement motor” means that “the chronograph pointer is mechanically forced to return to zero in response to the return instruction of the chronograph pointer. Regardless, the non-rotation detection signal is generated when the nulling instruction is not electrically detected.

  That is, in the case where the zero return instruction is not electrically detected even though the chronograph pointer is mechanically forced to return to zero in response to the return zero instruction, the rotation detection means of the chronograph pointer moving motor When the non-rotation detection signal is continuously output for a predetermined time or more, the zero return determination means stops the generation of the drive pulse from the drive pulse generation means, so that the electric rotational drive energy for the chronograph pointer hand movement motor is reduced. The supply can be stopped reliably.

  More specifically, it is difficult to avoid the continued rotation of the chronograph pointer handing motor when the zero return instruction information is not given to the related electric drive system due to malfunction of the electric system. However, in the type of chronograph timepiece in which mechanical nulling is performed, the chronograph pointer is mechanically nulled, so at first glance it appears that nulling has been completed. In addition, in a chronograph watch of the type in which mechanical nulling is performed, the true rotation of the chronograph with the chronograph pointer is mechanically (forced) regulated after completion of nulling unless there is a start instruction. Since the chronograph true with the chronograph pointer is kept in the non-rotation state even if the electrical rotation drive is erroneously continued, the electrical rotation drive is continued. I don't know what it looks like. As a result, only electric rotational drive energy is consumed, and the battery may be consumed in a very short time. However, in the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, if the non-rotation detection signal from the rotation detection means of the chronograph hand movement motor is continuously output for a predetermined time or more, the zero return determination means regards that a zero return instruction has been given. Since the generation of the main drive pulse by the drive pulse generation means is stopped and the supply of rotational drive energy by the drive means of the chronograph pointer hand movement motor is stopped, the battery in a state where the rotation is mechanically forced to zero and the rotation is regulated Can minimize wasteful consumption.

  In order to avoid the malfunction caused by the electrical ON / OFF operation of the contact caused by pressing the reset button, the mechanical structure of the related contact part is complicated, and the occupied space increases and a specific place is It is necessary to ensure the arrangement, and there is a risk that the degree of freedom in designing the chronograph timepiece may be reduced and the cost may be increased. On the other hand, in the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, on the one hand, avoiding these fears, on the other hand, even if some malfunction occurs in the electrical contact, it can be avoided that this malfunction leads to a major malfunction. It will be.

  Here, the predetermined time is, for example, about 10 minutes. However, it may be longer or shorter, and the passage of time such as the number of occurrences of the non-rotation detection signal may be used instead of the exact time.

  The chronograph timepiece of the invention typically further includes a chronograph second counter that counts chronograph seconds and a chronograph minute counter that counts chronograph minutes, and the zero return determination means includes a rotation detection means. When a non-rotation detection signal is continuously output for a predetermined time or longer, the chronograph second counter and the chronograph minute counter are reset.

  Thereby, the chronograph operation can be performed in a state where consumption of the battery energy is suppressed to the minimum.

  In the chronograph timepiece according to the present invention, typically, the return-to-zero determination means is electrically operated in accordance with the return-to-zero instruction of the chronograph pointer in a normal state, and generates the main drive pulse from the drive pulse generation means. Configured to stop.

  In this case, the null return determination means performs conventional null return control. In other words, in the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, even if the electric nulling instruction is not properly transmitted to the nulling determination unit that performs this conventional nulling control, When non-rotation is continuously detected, it is assumed that a null return instruction has been given, and null return control is performed.

  In the chronograph timepiece according to the present invention, typically, the rotation detection unit provides a non-rotation detection signal to the nulling determination unit and a normal motor when the chronograph hand movement motor is not rotating. The drive pulse generating means is controlled to generate a correction drive pulse wider than the drive pulse.

  In this case, it can be reliably determined in a short time whether or not the non-rotation state has occurred. Also, if the rotational resistance temporarily increases due to friction or other causes, it is in a state where forced rotation is prohibited by eliminating this early (when mechanical zeroing is performed) Can be distinguished early.

  In the chronograph timepiece of the invention, typically, the rotation detecting means detects an induced voltage in response to a rotation detection control pulse generated immediately after the main drive pulse to detect rotation / non-rotation, and the rotor In the non-rotation state, a non-rotation detection signal is supplied to the nulling determination unit, and the drive pulse generation unit is controlled to generate the correction drive pulse.

  In this case, it is possible to detect whether or not the battery is in a non-rotating state while minimizing the energy consumption of the battery.

  In the chronograph timepiece of the invention, typically, in a normal operation, the reset contact portion is closed in response to the pressing of the reset button, and the zero return determination means is operated.

  In the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, typically, in a normal operation, the reset contact portion is closed by the reset switch spring that is pushed down in response to the press of the reset button so that the zero return determination means operates. Configured.

  In the chronograph timepiece according to the present invention, typically, the start / stop contact portion is contacted by the start / stop switch spring which is pressed down in response to the press of the start / stop button, and the chronograph pointer hand movement motor. The drive control means is configured to operate.

  In the chronograph timepiece of the present invention, the chronograph hands are typically mounted in a true manner with a cam that is forcibly returned by a hammer.

  A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

  A chronograph timepiece 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an hour hand 11, a minute hand 12 and a second hand 13 which rotate around a central axis C and display the current time in the form of a wristwatch as shown in FIG. In addition, a chronograph second hand 14 rotatable around the central axis D and a chronograph minute hand 15 rotatable around the central axis E are provided.

  The time setting hands 11, 12, 13 can be rotated by turning the winding stem 16 with the winding stem 16 pulled out in the F1 direction, and the winding stem 16 is rotated with the winding stem 16 pulled out one step in the F1 direction. Thus, the date 17 of the date indicator displayed through the window can be changed. Since the operation related to the normal time display of the chronograph timepiece 1 is the same as that of a normal electronic timepiece and is well known to those skilled in the art, the description of the structure, function and operation related to the normal hand movement is omitted below. .

  In the chronograph timepiece 1, the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero.

  In the chronograph timepiece 1, the start / stop of the chronograph operation by the chronograph timepiece 1 is instructed by pressing the start / stop button 18 in the G1 direction. More specifically, the start / stop of the chronograph operation is the start / stop of the movement of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 and the operation of the electric drive system related thereto and the electrical operation of the chronograph hands as will be described later. Refers to holding location information. However, in some cases, the electrical position information of the chronograph pointer may not be retained.

  In the chronograph timepiece 1, when the reset button 19 is pushed in the H1 direction, the chronograph operation by the chronograph timepiece 1 is instructed to be reset, that is, returned to the initial state (return to zero). More specifically, the resetting of the chronograph operation means that the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are forcibly returned to the initial position (returning to zero), the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are stopped, and the chronograph hands are electrically operated. Refers to resetting location information.

  First, the mechanical structure 5 and the operation related to the zero return of the chronograph timepiece 1 will be described based on FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). The mechanical structure 5 related to the zeroing of the chronograph timepiece 1 is also shown in a simple manner on the left side of the block diagram of FIG.

  The chronograph timepiece 1 includes a chronograph second cam 22 attached to a chronograph second hand 21 having a chronograph second hand 14 and a chronograph minute cam 24 attached to a chronograph minute hand 23 having a chronograph minute hand 15.

  The chronograph timepiece 1 also has a hammer transmission first lever (hereinafter also referred to as “branch transmission lever B”) 25, a hammer transmission second lever (hereinafter also referred to as “hammer transmission lever A”). 26 and a hammer 27.

  The hammer transmission first lever 25 is rotatable between a reference position J1 (solid line) and a zero return position J2 (dotted line), and is engaged with a spring-like positioning member 28 having a groove with which the positioning pin 25a is engaged. In combination, it is positioned at the reference position J1 or the operation position J2. The hammer transmission second lever 26 is engaged with the pin 25b of the hammer transmission first lever 25 through the long hole 26a. When the hammer transmission first lever 25 is moved from the reference position J1 to the zero return position J2 and set, the hammer transmission second lever 26 is moved from the reference position K1 (solid line) to the zero return position K2 (dotted line). The On the other hand, when the hammer transmission second lever 26 is moved from the zero return position K2 to the reference position K1, the hammer transmission first lever 25 is moved from the zero return position J2 to the reference position J1. The hammer 27 is engaged with the pin 26b of the hammer transmission second lever 26 through the long hole 27a, and the reference lever 27 is set to the reference position K1 or the zero return position K2 according to the position setting. It is positioned at a position M1 (solid line) or a zero return position M2 (dotted line). When the hammer 27 is set to the return position M2, the hammer 27 hits the chronograph second cam 22 with the second hammer portion 27b to return the chronograph second hand 14 to the initial position and the minute hammer portion. At 27c, the chronograph minute cam 24 is hit to return the chronograph minute hand 15 to the initial position. The spring 29 can be engaged with the pin 29c by the grooves 29a and 29b, and is engaged with the spring 33 and the pin 25b of the hammer transmission first lever 25.

  Accordingly, the mechanical nulling control mechanism 5 of the chronograph timepiece 1 takes the state or position shown in FIG. 4B in the nulling state S2, and the start / stop button 18 instructs the start / stop operation. In the state S1, the state or position shown in FIG.

  A reset switch spring 31 that exerts a biasing force in the H2 direction on the reset button 19 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear end of the reset button 19. When the reset button 19 is pressed in the H1 direction in the state S1, the reset switch spring 31 pushes the protrusion 25c of the hammer transmission first lever 25 in the H1 direction according to the button 19 to move the hammer transmission first lever. 25 is displaced from the position J1 to the position J2 and works as a switch contact 31 to contact a contact portion 32 described in detail later, basically generating a reset signal Qa. Even if the reset button 19 is pressed in the state S2, the state S2 does not change.

  A start / stop switch spring 33 that exerts a biasing force in the G2 direction on the start / stop button 18 is disposed in the vicinity of the back end of the start / stop button 18. When the start / stop button 18 is pressed in the G1 direction in the state S2, the start / stop switch spring 33 pushes the protrusion 26c of the hammer transmission second lever 26 in the G1 direction according to the button 18 to return the hammer. The second transmission lever 26 is displaced from the position K2 to the position K1, the first hammer transmission first lever 25 is displaced from the position J2 to the position J1, and the hammer 27 is displaced from the position M2 to the position M1. The zero return control mechanism 5 is returned to the state S1. Thereby, the rotation restriction of the heart cams 22 and 24 by the hammer portions 27b and 27c is released, and the chronograph hands 14 and 15 can be rotated.

  Next, an outline of the electric drive mechanism 6 of the chronograph timepiece 1 will be described mainly based on the block diagram of FIG.

  The chronograph timepiece 1 includes a chronograph hand movement motor 35 separately from a normal hand movement motor (not shown), and when the chronograph hand movement motor 35 is driven to rotate, a chronograph hand movement wheel. The chronograph hands 14 and 15 are moved through the row 36.

  The rotation of the motor 35 is controlled by the drive control integrated circuit 50 of the chronograph hand movement motor 35 that is driven and controlled based on clock pulses supplied through the oscillation circuit 41 and the frequency dividing circuit 42.

  The motor drive control integrated circuit 50 includes a drive control unit 51, a drive pulse generation circuit 52, a motor drive circuit 53, a zero return determination unit 54, and rotation detection means as a rotation detection means of the chronograph pointer hand movement motor 35. Circuit 55. Here, the drive means of the chronograph pointer hand moving motor 35 is composed of a motor drive circuit 53, and the drive control means of the chronograph pointer hand movement motor 35 is a drive pulse generating circuit 52 as drive pulse generating means, and drive control. It comprises a unit 51, a nulling determination unit 54 as a nulling determination unit, and a rotation detection circuit 55 as a rotation detection unit. The motor drive control integrated circuit 50 further includes a chronograph second counter 57 for counting chronograph seconds and holding the chronograph second information, and a chronograph for counting chronograph minutes and holding the chronograph minute information. A minute counter 58 is included. A chronograph hour counter for counting the chronograph hour and holding the chronograph hour information may be further provided.

  In addition, when the chronograph timepiece 1 is in the zero return (reset) state or when the chronograph timepiece 1 is in the stop (stop) state, the switch spring 33 starts when the switch spring 33 is pushed down in the G1 direction. In response to a (start) instruction, a start signal or an operation signal Pa is sent from the contact portion 34. On the other hand, in response to a stop instruction by pressing the switch spring 33 in the G1 direction accompanying the pressing of the start / stop button 18 during the chronograph hand movement operation, a start signal or an operation signal Pa is sent from the contact portion 34. Is stopped (or the drive stop signal Pb is sent from the contact portion 34).

  When the drive control unit 51 receives the operation signal Pa, the drive control unit 51 gives a drive control signal Pd to the drive pulse generation circuit 52, and the drive pulse as a main drive pulse having a predetermined pulse width is supplied to the drive pulse generation circuit 52. T1 is generated, and the motor drive circuit 53 gives the motor drive signal U1 of the drive energy defined by the drive pulse T1 to the chronograph hand movement motor 35 to rotate the motor 35.

  On the other hand, when the drive control unit 51 receives the stop signal Pb (the operation signal Pa is not received), the drive control unit 51 stops sending the drive control signal Pd to the drive pulse generation circuit 52 (if desired). The driving pulse T1 from the driving pulse generation circuit 52 is stopped, the motor driving signal U1 is stopped from being sent by the motor driving circuit 53, and the chronograph hand movement motor is stopped. The rotation drive of the motor 35 is stopped, the rotation of the rotor or the output shaft of the motor 35 is stopped, and the movement of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 via the chronograph hand movement wheel train 36 is stopped.

  On the other hand, when the switch spring 31 is pushed down by the pressing of the reset button 19 and the contact portion 32 comes into contact, the reset signal Qa is given to the zero return determination portion 54. When the zero return determination unit 54 receives the reset signal Qa from the contact unit 32, it supplies a drive stop signal Pf to the drive pulse generation circuit 52. As a result, the drive pulse generation circuit 52 stops the generation of the drive pulse T1 and stops the transmission of the motor drive signal U1 by the motor drive circuit 53. Accordingly, the rotational drive of the chronograph hand movement motor 35 is stopped, and the movement of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 is stopped.

  It should be noted that the pressing of the reset button 19 is as described above with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B and as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 25 is displaced from position J1 to the zero return position J2, thereby moving the second hammer transmission second lever (branch transmission lever A) 26 from the position K1 to the zero return position K2 and returning the hammer 27 from the position M1. The chronograph hands 14 and 15 are returned to the initial positions by displacing them to the zero position M2 and hitting the heart cams 22 and 24 with the hammers 27b and 27c.

  On the other hand, the contact point 32 of the electric drive mechanism 6 does not operate even though the mechanical zero return control mechanism 5 is activated by pressing the reset button 19 in the H1 direction and the chronograph hands 14 and 15 return to zero (or nothing). When the closing of the contact portion 32 is not sensed), the drive stop signal Pf is not output from the contact portion 32 to the zero return determination portion 54, so that the generation of the drive pulse T1 from the drive pulse generation circuit 52 is continued, and the motor drive circuit The transmission of the drive signal U1 from 53 is continued. Accordingly, the supply and consumption of electrical energy for rotationally driving the chronograph second stem 21 and the chronograph second stem 23 whose rotation is mechanically regulated by the hammers 27b and 27c will continue.

  The rotation detection circuit 55 detects whether or not the motor 35 is rotating (that is, whether or not the chronograph hand movement motor 35 is rotating the chronograph hand movement wheel train 36), and the chronograph hand movement. When the motor 35 is not rotating, a motor non-rotation detection signal V indicating that the motor 35 is in a non-rotating state is provided to the return-to-zero determination unit 54, and the drive pulse generating circuit 52 receives a normal drive pulse T1. A drive control signal Pe for controlling the drive pulse generation circuit 52 is generated so as to generate a wide pulse T2 as a correction drive pulse.

  The rotation detection circuit 55 detects, for example, the voltage induced in the stator coil of the motor 35 due to the rotational vibration of the rotor of the motor 35, similar to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, and the drive pulse generation circuit 52. Detects an induced voltage in response to the rotation detection control pulse SP1 generated immediately after the drive pulse T1. When the rotor of the chronograph hand movement motor 35 is in the rotation (possible) state, a large induced voltage exceeding a desired threshold level is generated in the stator coil of the motor 35 in response to the rotation detection control pulse. On the other hand, when the rotor of the motor 35 is in a non-rotation (non-rotatable) state, no significant rotational vibration of the rotor actually occurs, and the induced voltage obtained in response to the rotation detection control pulse is lower than the threshold level. Get smaller. Therefore, whether or not the motor 35 is non-rotating can be detected by detecting whether or not the induced voltage is smaller than the threshold level. In addition, the rotation detection method provides a rotation detection drive control pulse Px to generate a rotation detection drive pulse Tx having a narrow width so as to swing the rotor after the timing when the rotor of the motor 35 finishes rotating, and for rotation detection. A response to the control pulse may be detected. However, the rotation detection circuit 55 can be configured in any manner as long as it can reliably detect that the chronograph pointer hand moving motor 35 is in the non-rotating state with the minimum circuit components and the minimum energy consumption. Good.

  Therefore, even if the reset button 19 is pressed, the mechanical resetting mechanism 5 mechanically resets the chronograph hands 14 and 15 to mechanically reset the electrical force from the contact portion 32. When the drive stop signal Pf is not output from the zero return determination unit 54 due to the absence of the signal Qa, the motor non-rotation detection signal V is counted in the null return determination unit 54 on the one hand under the control of the rotation detection circuit 55, and the other Then, it is repeated that the motor 35 is forcibly driven to rotate by the drive signal U2 having larger energy than the drive signal U1 under the control of the wide correction drive pulse T2. Such correction driving of the chronograph timepiece 1 is continued until, for example, the zero return determination unit 54 determines that the motor non-rotation detection signal V is continuously received for 10 minutes. When the motor non-rotation detection signal V is continuously received for 10 minutes, the nulling determination unit 54 gives a stop signal Pf to the drive pulse generation circuit 52 to send out the drive pulse T (in this case, T2, but T1 may be used). Stop. As a result, transmission of the drive control signal U from the motor drive circuit 53 (U2 in this case, but U1 may be stopped) is stopped to stop the rotation drive of the chronograph hand movement motor 35, and the rotation detection stop control signal Y is The rotation detection circuit 55 is applied to stop the rotation detection circuit 55 from detecting the rotation of the chronograph hand movement motor 35 and sending the motor non-rotation detection signal V.

  Next, the operation of the chronograph timepiece 1 configured as described above will be described mainly based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. This flowchart shows the operations of the drive control unit 51 and the zero return determination unit 54 of the integrated circuit 50 in the chronograph timepiece 1 of FIG. 1 as a processing flow of a program corresponding to the operations.

  In the chronograph timepiece 1, it is checked in the first processing step Z01 whether or not the start (start) of the chronograph operation is instructed. In this start check step Z01, the contact portion 34 is closed or contacted by the displacement of the switch spring 33 in the G1 direction due to the G1 direction press of the start / stop button 18, and an operation signal or a start signal Pa is sent from the contact portion 34 to the integrated circuit 50. This corresponds to checking whether or not it is given to the drive control unit 51.

  If the start signal Pa has not been issued, it is checked in step Z02 whether a reset (return to zero) instruction has been issued. In the reset check step Z02, the contact portion 32 comes into contact with the displacement (H1 direction) of the switch spring 31 due to the H1 direction pressing of the reset (return to zero) button 18, and the reset signal Qa is sent from the contact portion 32 to the zero return determination portion of the integrated circuit 50. This corresponds to checking whether or not it is given to 54. If the reset signal Qa has not been issued, the process returns to the first processing step Z01. When the reset signal Qa is issued, after the count reset process for returning the contents of the chronograph second counter 57 and the chronograph minute counter 58 to zero in step Z03, the process returns to the first process step Z01.

  When the start instruction (start signal Pa) of the chronograph operation is confirmed in the start check step Z01, the driving of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 is started in step Z04. In the chronograph hand movement driving step Z04, rotational drive energy U is given to the chronograph hand movement motor 35 via the drive pulse generator 52 and the motor drive circuit 53 based on the control signal Pd from the drive controller 51.

  Next, in the non-rotation check step Z05, the rotation detection circuit 55 checks whether or not the motor 35 is in the non-rotation state as described above. That is, it is checked whether or not the output shaft of the hand movement motor 35 of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 is rotating according to the rotational drive energy U from the motor drive circuit 53.

  When the output shaft of the hand movement motor 35 of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 is rotating according to the rotational drive energy U from the motor drive circuit 53, a reset instruction (reset signal Qa) for the chronograph is issued in step Z06. It is checked whether or not. Step Z06 itself is the same as Step Z02.

  If no reset instruction has been issued, it is checked in step Z07 whether or not a chronograph stop instruction (stop signal Pb) has been issued.

  If no stop instruction has been issued, the process returns to step Z04 to continue the chronograph driving operation.

  Here, after the start step Z01, until the stop instruction (stop signal Pb) is issued in step Z07, the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are moved in step Z04, and then the steps Z05, Z06, and Z07 are exited with “No”. Is repeated, the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are moved, and a normal chronograph hand movement operation is performed.

  On the other hand, when the drive control unit 51 detects that a stop instruction has been issued in step Z07 (send of the stop signal Pb from the contact point part 34), step Z08 is entered. In step Z08, the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are moved. Stop processing (stop of transmission of the control signal Pd to the drive pulse generation circuit 52 or transmission of the drive stop signal Pf) is performed, and then the process returns to step Z01.

  Further, when it is detected that a reset instruction has been issued in step Z06 (sending of the reset signal Qa from the contact portion 32), the zero return determination unit 54 provides the drive stop signal Pf to the drive pulse generation circuit 52 in step Z08. The same chronograph hand movement stop step Z11 is entered, and stop processing for stopping the hand movement of the chronograph hands 14 and 15 is performed in the hand movement stop step Z11. Next, the zero return determination unit 54 performs a count reset process for returning the contents of the chronograph second counter 57 and the chronograph minute counter 58 to zero in a count reset step Z12 similar to step Z03, and then returns to the first process step Z01. .

  In the above, the process transition from step Z01 to step Z04 is the normal start process L1, step Z04 is the normal hand movement process L2, the process from step Z07 to step Z08 and the process of step Z08 are normally stopped. (Stop) process L3, the transition from step Z02 to step Z03 and the process of step Z03 are typical reset (return to zero) processes L4. On the other hand, the transition from step Z06 to step Z11 and the processing of steps Z11 and Z12 are forcible reset (return to zero) processing L5 during the hand movement operation.

  In the chronograph timepiece 1, the output shaft of the motor 35 is not turned on in step Z 05 even though the drive signal U 1 is given from the motor drive circuit 53 to the motor 35 in order to perform the chronograph hand movement drive process in step Z 04. If the rotation state is detected, the correction driving process L6 of the chronograph timepiece 1 is entered.

  In the correction driving process L6, chronograph correction driving is performed in step Z21. In this correction drive step Z21, a drive control signal Pe for correction drive is sent from the rotation detection circuit 55 to the drive pulse generation circuit 52, and a wide correction drive pulse is applied from the drive pulse generation circuit 52 to the motor drive circuit 53. The motor drive circuit 53 gives a drive control signal U2 having a drive energy larger than that of the drive control signal U1 to the motor 35. That is, in this correction drive step Z21, even when the rotation of the rotor or the output shaft of the motor 35 is restricted by unexpected engagement or friction, the motor 35 is overcome so as to overcome the unexpected engagement or friction. Attempts to forcibly rotate the rotor or output shaft.

  After this correction drive processing step or forced rotation processing step Z21, in a non-rotation predetermined time elapsed determination step Z22, it is checked whether or not the non-rotation state of the motor 35 has passed a predetermined time ΔT. This time measurement is reset, for example, every time the process returns to step Z01, and is started and integrated by entering steps Z21 to Z22.

  If the non-rotation time t has not elapsed by the predetermined time ΔT (t <ΔT), the process returns to step Z06 to check whether a reset instruction has been issued. If there is neither a reset instruction nor a stop instruction, steps Z06 and Z07 are performed. After passing, the hand drive in step Z04 is continued, and the process returns to step Z21 of the correction drive process L6 in response to the detection of non-rotation.

  Therefore, even though the reset button 19 of the chronograph timepiece 1 is pressed and mechanical zeroing is performed, the chronograph hands 14 and 15 are forcibly zeroed by the hammers 27b and 27c and the heart cams 22 and 24. If the reset signal Qa from the contact portion 32 is not detected and it is considered that there is no reset instruction electrically, the processes of steps Z21, Z22, Z06, Z07, Z04, and Z05 are repeated. As a result, when the non-rotation time t reaches a predetermined time ΔT (for example, 10 minutes) (t ≧ ΔT), the non-rotation predetermined time elapsed check step Z22 in step Z22 is skipped in Yes, and the step of forced reset processing L5 Return through Z11 and Z12.

  Therefore, in the chronograph timepiece 1, even when the contact 32 malfunctions, the zero return control can be performed reliably. Therefore, wasteful consumption of the battery can be minimized. Further, even if a contact 32 having a relatively simple structure and possibly causing a malfunction is disposed in a restricted position in a restricted posture, the disadvantage caused by the contact 32 is minimized. obtain.

If the non-rotation of the motor 35 is caused by unexpected engagement, friction, or the like, the non-rotation state can be canceled after the correction drive process L6 is performed several times, for example, and therefore the non-rotation predetermined time t is predetermined. Before reaching the time ΔT, the process returns to step Z01 and the time t is returned to zero.
In the present embodiment, the description has been given using the example of the chronograph in which the chronograph second hand is arranged at the 6 o'clock side and the chronograph minute hand is arranged at the 9 o'clock side. However, the present invention may be applied to a center chronograph using the hand 13 as the chronograph second hand. .

1 is a block diagram of a chronograph mechanism of a chronograph timepiece according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which showed operation and operation | movement of the chronograph timepiece of FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view showing the appearance of the chronograph timepiece of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows an outline of the mechanical structure of the chronograph mechanism of the chronograph timepiece of FIG. 1, wherein (a) shows the mechanical of the chronograph mechanism when the chronograph pointer is in the hand operating state by pressing the start / stop button. (B) is a plane explanatory view of the mechanical structure of the chronograph mechanism when it is in a zero return state by pressing a reset button.

Explanation of symbols

1 Chronograph Clock 5 Mechanical Zero-Return Control Mechanism 6 Electric Drive Mechanism 11 Hour Hand 12 Minute Hand 13 Second Hand 14 Chronograph Second Hand 15 Chronograph Minute Hand 16 Wind True 17 Date 18 Start / Stop Button 19 Reset Button 21 Chronograph Second True 22 Chronograph Graph second cam 23 Chronograph minute stem 24 Chronograph minute cam 25 Return hammer transmission first lever (Return needle transmission lever B)
25a Positioning pin 25b Pin 25c Protrusion part 26 Return hammer transmission second lever
26a slot 26b pin 27 hammer 27a slot 27b second hammer part 27c minute hammer part 28 spring positioning member 31 reset switch spring 32 contact part 33 start stop switch spring 34 contact part 35 chronograph pointer hand movement motor 36 chronograph Guide wheel train 41 Oscillator 42 Divider 50 Motor drive control integrated circuit 51 Drive controller 52 Drive pulse generator 53 Motor drive circuit 54 Zero return detector 55 Rotation detection circuit C Center axis D Center axis E Center axis F1 direction G1, G2 direction H1, H2 directions J1, K1, M1 reference position J2, K2, M2 return zero position L1 start processing L2 normal hand movement processing L3 normal stop processing L4 return zero processing L5 forced zero return processing L6 correction drive Processing Pa Operation signal Pb Drive stop signal Pd Drive control signal Pe Drive Control signal Pf drive stop signal Qa reset signal S1 hand operation state or stopped state S2 zero-reset state t nonrotating time T1 drive pulse (main drive pulse)
T2 Correction drive pulse U1 Motor drive signal V Motor non-rotation detection signal Y Rotation detection stop control signal Z01, Z02, Z03, Z04, Z05, Z06, Z07, Z08, Z11, Z12, Z21, Z22 Processing step ΔT Predetermined time

Claims (9)

A chronograph timepiece in which the chronograph pointer is electrically driven and mechanically controlled to return to zero,
A drive means for the chronograph hand movement motor that gives rotational drive energy for rotating the chronograph hand movement motor to the motor;
Drive control means for the chronograph hand movement motor for controlling the supply of rotational drive energy from the drive means to the chronograph hand movement motor;
The drive control means includes
Drive pulse generating means for providing a main drive pulse for causing the drive means to supply the rotational drive energy;
Rotation detecting means for a chronograph hand movement motor that outputs a non-rotation detection signal when the chronograph hand movement motor is not rotating under the condition that a main drive pulse is applied to the drive means from the drive pulse generating means. When,
When a non-rotation detection signal is continuously output from the rotation detection means for a predetermined time or longer, it is considered that a zero indication of the chronograph pointer has been given, and a zero return is made to stop the generation of the main drive pulse from the drive pulse generation means. A chronograph timepiece having determination means. A chronograph second counter for counting chronograph seconds and a chronograph minute counter for counting chronograph minutes;
2. The zero return determination unit is configured to reset a chronograph second counter and a chronograph minute counter when a non-rotation detection signal is continuously output from the rotation detection unit for a predetermined time or more. Chronograph clock. 2. The return-to-zero determination means is configured to be electrically operated in response to a return-to-zero instruction from a chronograph pointer in a normal state to stop generation of a main drive pulse from the drive pulse generation means. 2. Chronograph watch according to 2. The rotation detection means detects an induced voltage in response to a rotation detection control pulse generated immediately after the main drive pulse to detect rotation / non-rotation, and outputs a non-rotation detection signal when the rotor is in a non-rotation state. The chronograph timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chronograph timepiece is configured to control the drive pulse generating means so as to give to the zero determination means and generate the correction drive pulse. When the rotation detection means supplies a non-rotation detection signal to the nulling determination means, the drive pulse generation means causes the drive to generate a narrow drive pulse for rotating and oscillating the rotor immediately after the drive pulse. The chronograph timepiece according to claim 4, wherein the chronograph timepiece is configured to control the pulse generating means. 6. The chronograph according to claim 1, wherein, in a normal operation, the reset contact portion is closed in response to pressing of the reset button, and the zero return determination means is operated. Graph clock. 7. The chronograph according to claim 6, wherein, in normal operation, the reset contact portion is closed by a reset switch spring that is pushed down in response to pressing of the reset button, and the zero return determination means is operated. clock. The start / stop switch spring that is pushed down in response to the pressing of the start / stop button is configured so that the start / stop contact portion contacts and the drive control means of the chronograph hand movement motor operates. The chronograph timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. A chronograph timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the chronograph hands are mounted with a cam with a cam that is forcibly returned to zero by a hammer.

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