JP2012163335A - Electronic timepiece with built-in antenna - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna, which allows a magnetic field-concentrating component to be arranged at a location having few restrictions on the arrangement position and the size.SOLUTION: A radio wave correction timepiece 1 comprises an exterior case 20, a dial plate 14 which is arranged in the exterior case 20, a dial ring 25 which is arranged on the front side of the dial plate 14, an antenna 100 which is arranged on the rear side of the dial plate 14, and a magnetic field-concentrating component 61. The antenna 100 comprises an antenna core 110 formed of a longitudinal magnetic material and a coil 120 which winds around the antenna core 110. The magnetic field-concentrating component 61 is magnetically coupled with the antenna core 110 and arranged in the dial ring 25.

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna built-in electronic timepiece having a built-in antenna for receiving radio waves transmitted from the outside.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna is known that performs processing such as time correction by receiving a radio wave including time information from the outside with an antenna. In such an electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna, it is known to improve the magnetic flux collection effect in the antenna in order to improve the reception sensitivity of the antenna (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Here, the radio wave includes, for example, a long wave standard wave transmitted from a standard wave base station.

  The electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna of Patent Document 1 has an antenna inside, and the antenna is attached to the antenna core, a coil wound around the central portion of the antenna core, and both ends of the antenna core with an adhesive or the like. Attached magnetic flux collecting member. The magnetic flux collecting member is laminated and fixed on the surface of the antenna core. According to this configuration, when the antenna is placed in a magnetic field generated by wireless radio waves, the magnetic flux generated by the radio waves is attracted to the magnetic flux collecting member, so that the magnetic flux density of the magnetic flux lines passing through the antenna core is smaller than when no magnetic flux collecting member is provided. The reception sensitivity of the antenna is improved.

JP 2007-184894 A

  By the way, the internal space of the timepiece is generally restricted, and if the magnetic flux collecting member is fixed to the surface of the antenna core, it may interfere with other components. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the magnetic flux collecting member so as not to interfere with other components, and there is a problem that the arrangement position and size of the magnetic flux collecting member increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna in which a magnetic flux collecting member can be arranged at a position where there are few restrictions on the arrangement position and size.

  An electronic timepiece with built-in antenna according to the present invention includes an exterior case, a dial disposed in the exterior case, a dial ring disposed on the front side of the dial, and an antenna disposed on the back side of the dial. And a magnetic flux collecting member, wherein the antenna comprises an antenna core formed in a longitudinal shape with a magnetic material, and a coil wound around the antenna core, and the magnetic flux collecting member is magnetically coupled to the antenna core. It is combined, It is arrange | positioned in the said dial ring, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Here, the configuration in which the magnetic flux collecting member is magnetically coupled to the antenna core includes a configuration in which a pair of magnetic flux collecting members are magnetically coupled to both ends of the antenna core, or one magnetic flux collecting member is connected to one end of the antenna core. A configuration in which only the part is magnetically coupled can be exemplified.
When the magnetic flux collecting member is affixed to the surface of the antenna core as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to consider interference with other parts, and there are many restrictions on the arrangement position and size of the magnetic flux collecting member.
On the other hand, according to the present invention, the magnetism collecting member is arranged in the dial ring, so there is no interference with other parts, the arrangement position and size are reduced, and the internal space of the dial ring is effective. Available to:
In addition, in a timepiece whose exterior case and back cover are made of metal in order to improve the designability, radio waves must be received from the cover glass side of the surface. In the present invention, since the dial ring is arranged on the surface side of the dial, the magnetic flux collecting member can also be arranged on the surface side of the dial. For this reason, in this invention, compared with the case where the magnetic flux collecting member is arrange | positioned at the back surface side of the dial, the magnetic flux collecting effect can be improved.
Furthermore, since the magnetic flux collecting member can be incorporated into or attached to the dial ring, the assembly of the timepiece can be improved as compared with the case where the magnetic flux collecting member is attached to the antenna.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a recess is formed on the back surface of the dial ring, and the magnetism collecting member is housed in the recess.

  If the concave portion is formed on the back surface of the magnetic flux collecting member, the arrangement position of the magnetic flux collecting member can be set accurately. For this reason, the magnetism collecting member can be disposed at a position overlapping the end portion (lead part) of the antenna core in the clockwise thickness direction, and the magnetism collecting member and the antenna core can be reliably magnetically coupled.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the end of the magnetism collecting member is disposed at a position overlapping the end of the antenna core in a plan view when the timepiece is viewed from the front side.

Here, the overlapping position in a plan view of the timepiece when viewed from the front side means a position where the end of the magnetism collecting member and the end of the antenna core appear to overlap when the timepiece is viewed from the cover glass side. To do. That is, the end portion of the magnetic flux collecting member and the end portion of the antenna core are arranged at positions overlapping in the thickness direction of the timepiece.
According to such a configuration, the distance between the magnetic flux collecting member and the antenna core can be minimized, and the magnetic coupling can be enhanced.

  In the present invention, the dial is composed of a translucent member, and a solar panel is disposed on the back surface of the dial. The solar panel includes a substrate and a light receiving portion formed on the substrate. Preferably, the substrate has a substrate outer peripheral portion outside the light receiving portion of the substrate, and the dial ring covers the substrate outer peripheral portion of the solar panel.

  According to such a configuration, even if the dial is translucent, the outer peripheral portion of the solar panel disposed on the back side of the dial can be covered with the dial ring. Therefore, the outer peripheral portion of the substrate that is not supposed to be visually recognized from the outside is not visually recognized, so that the appearance can be improved.

  In the present invention, the magnetic flux collecting member is preferably formed of an amorphous foil.

  As the amorphous foil, various amorphous metal foils such as cobalt-based amorphous metal and iron-based amorphous metal magnetic material can be used. If the magnetic flux collecting member is formed of an amorphous foil, for example, impact resistance and workability can be improved as compared with the case where it is formed of ferrite or the like. This is because when ferrite is thin, it has a characteristic of being easily broken, whereas amorphous foil is difficult to break and has a characteristic of being easily bent.

  In the present invention, the magnetic flux collecting member includes a magnetic flux collecting member main body housed in the concave portion of the dial ring, and a protruding portion protruding from the magnetic flux collecting member main body toward the antenna core. It is preferable that an insertion portion into which the protruding portion is inserted is formed.

  According to such a configuration, since the magnetic flux collecting member is provided with the protruding portion that protrudes toward the antenna core, the distance between the magnetic flux collecting member and the antenna core can be made closer, and the magnetic flux collecting effect is adjusted by the distance. it can.

1 is a plan view showing a radio wave correction timepiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the antenna and magnetism collecting member of the radio wave correction timepiece of the embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the movement, dial plate, and dial ring of the said embodiment. The top view which shows the solar panel of the said embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the magnetic flux collecting member of the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a radio-controlled timepiece 1 that is an electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna is a pointer-type wristwatch (analog timepiece) that includes an hour hand 11, a minute hand 12, a second hand 13, and a dial 14 as shown in FIG. The radio-controlled timepiece 1 receives a long-wave standard radio wave as a radio wave including time information, and corrects the indicated positions of the hour hand 11, the minute hand 12, and the second hand 13 based on the received time information.

The radio-controlled timepiece 1 further includes an antenna 100 that receives a standard radio wave and a module (movement) 10 in which various configurations for controlling driving of the hands 11 to 13 are incorporated, and an exterior housing the module 10 and the like inside. The case 20 includes a crown 2 for performing time adjustment and the like, and buttons 3 and 4 for performing a reception operation and the like.
Here, the dial plate 14 is preferably formed of a non-conductive material such as synthetic resin or glass, for example, so that the standard radio wave entering from the cover glass 24 side (watch face side) described later is inhibited. However, the antenna 100 can receive well.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior case 20 is attached to the substantially cylindrical case body 21, a back cover 22 that closes the opening on the lower surface side of the case body 21, and a fitting structure on the upper surface side of the case body 21. A ring-shaped bezel 23 and a cover glass 24 attached to the inner peripheral surface of the bezel 23.

In the outer case 20, as shown in FIG. 3, the module 10, the holding ring member 30 holding the module 10, the solar panel 40 held by the holding ring member 30, and the front side of the solar panel 40 are arranged. A translucent dial 14 is disposed.
In addition, since the module 10 employs a general configuration in which a ground plane, a circuit board, a stepping motor, a driving wheel train and the like are incorporated in addition to the antenna 100, description thereof is omitted below.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the solar panel 40 includes a substrate 41 having a substantially circular shape in plan view and a light receiving unit 42 of a solar panel formed on the surface side of the substrate 41, and the outside of the light receiving unit 42. Has a substrate outer peripheral portion 43. In addition, the light receiving unit 42 is divided into a plurality of regions (in this embodiment, five), and the power generation voltage is improved by connecting the outputs of the regions in series.
The outer periphery of each light receiving portion 42 is formed in a substantially circumferential shape along the holding ring member 30. A part of the two light receiving portions 42 is recessed toward the inner peripheral side, and the area of the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 in this portion is widened. A through hole is provided in a wide portion of the substrate outer peripheral portion 43, plus and minus terminals 44 are provided on the back side of the substrate 41, and a conducting member (not shown) is connected to the terminals 44. It is electrically connected to a circuit board (not shown) of the module 10 via a member. As a result, the solar panel 40 generates power when the sunlight transmitted through the dial 14 hits the light receiving unit 42, and the power generated by the light receiving unit 42 is a secondary provided on the circuit board via the conductive member. A battery (not shown) is charged, and a circuit board or the like is driven by the output of the secondary battery.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the antenna 100 is formed in a longitudinal shape, and is disposed in the exterior case 20 at the 9 o'clock position of the timepiece.
The antenna 100 includes an antenna core 110 and a coil 120 wound around the antenna core 110.
The antenna core 110 includes a coil winding portion 111 around which the coil 120 is wound, and lead portions 112 extending from both ends of the coil winding portion 111, and is formed in a longitudinal shape. Here, the coil winding portion 111 is formed in a linear shape, and the lead portion 112 is formed in an arc shape. The antenna core 110 is formed by, for example, punching a cobalt-based amorphous foil (eg, an amorphous foil of Co 50 wt% or more) as a magnetic foil material with a mold or bonding about 10 to 30 pieces formed by etching. The magnetic properties are stabilized by heat treatment such as annealing.
As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna core 110 is configured by laminating a planar amorphous foil in the thickness direction of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 (direction connecting the cover glass 24 and the back cover 22). The antenna core 110 is not limited to the laminated amorphous foil, and ferrite may be used. In this case, the antenna core 110 may be formed by a mold and heat-treated.

  The coil 120 needs an inductance value of about 10 mH when receiving a long-wave standard radio wave (40 to 77.5 kHz). For this reason, in this embodiment, the coil 120 is configured by winding a uremet wire having a diameter of about 0.1 μm for several hundred turns.

As shown in FIG. 2, a dial ring 25 is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the bezel 23, and an inner peripheral portion of the dial ring 25 is an inclined surface facing the dial 14.
As shown in FIG. 4, the dial ring 25 covers the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 of the solar panel 40. That is, the inner peripheral edge 251 of the dial ring 25 is disposed on the inner side of the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 of the solar panel 40. Thereby, even when the solar panel 40 can be seen through the translucent dial plate 14, the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 of the solar panel 40, the outer periphery of the light receiving portion of the solar panel 40 whose shape is not uniform, and the like are controlled by the dial ring 25. Since it is covered, it is made not to be visually recognized without a sense of incongruity.

As shown in FIG. 2, recesses 252 are formed at two locations on the back surface of the dial ring 25. A pair of magnetism collecting members 61 is disposed in each recess 252. Each magnetism collecting member 61 is joined to the recess 252 with an adhesive.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, one end of the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed at a position overlapping the both ends of the antenna core 110 in plan view. That is, the lead portion 112 and the magnetism collecting member 61 are disposed so as to be separated and overlapped in the thickness direction of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 with the dial 14 and the solar panel 40 interposed therebetween.

  The pair of magnetism collecting members 61 are formed in a substantially arc shape in accordance with the planar shape of the dial ring 25, and are arranged so as to extend in the protruding direction of the lead portion 112 (a direction away from the coil 120). That is, the magnetism collecting member 61 is formed larger than the area of the lead plate 112 facing the dial plate.

  The magnetic flux collecting member 61 is formed by laminating a plurality of amorphous foils. Examples of the amorphous foil include cobalt-based amorphous (Co—Fe—Ni—B—Si). The magnetic flux collecting member 61 is, for example, in the case of cobalt-based amorphous (Co—Fe—Ni—B—Si), has a relative magnetic permeability of 20000, and is much higher than the dial ring 25, dial 14, and solar panel 40. It has magnetic permeability. Accordingly, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 collects surrounding magnetic flux lines to increase the magnetic field, and the magnetic flux density of the magnetic flux lines passing through the antenna core 110 from the magnetic flux collecting member 61 via the lead portion 112 also increases.

Here, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 and the antenna core 110 are arranged apart from each other in the watch thickness direction as described above. The magnetism collecting member 61 and the antenna core 110 need only be magnetically coupled, and therefore do not need to be in close contact with each other, and are sufficiently magnetically coupled even if the dial 14 and the solar panel 40 are interposed therebetween.
Therefore, the radio wave (magnetic field) that enters the case from the surface side of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 can be collected not only by the antenna 100 but also by the magnetic collecting member 61. Since the magnetic field collected by the magnetic flux collecting member 61 can be supplied to the antenna core 110 via the lead portion 112, the receiving sensitivity of the antenna 100 can be improved.

According to this embodiment mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
(1) According to the present embodiment, since the magnetic flux collecting member 61 that is magnetically coupled to the antenna core 110 is provided, the receiving sensitivity can be improved compared to the case where such a magnetic flux collecting member 61 is not provided.
In addition, since the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed in the dial ring 25, it does not interfere with other components as in the case where the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed in the module 10. For this reason, since there is no restriction on the arrangement position and size within the dial ring 25, an arrangement position and size suitable for improving the reception characteristics can be set. Further, since the magnetic flux collecting member 61 can be disposed in the internal space of the dial ring 25, the internal space of the dial ring 25 can be effectively used without increasing the thickness of the timepiece.

(2) Since the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed on the front surface side of the dial 14, radio wave correction is performed as compared with the case where the magnetic flux collecting member is disposed on the back surface side of the dial plate 14 or the back cover 22 side of the antenna 100. It is possible to improve the magnetic flux collecting effect of radio waves incident from the surface side of the timepiece 1.
Further, since the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed in the concave portion 252 of the dial ring 25, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 can be easily and accurately positioned with respect to the dial ring 25. For this reason, the position of the magnetic flux collecting member 61 with respect to the antenna 100 can also be set accurately, and the magnetic flux collecting effect can be optimized.
Furthermore, since the end of the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is arranged at a position overlapping the lead portion 112 in the clockwise thickness direction, the separation between the magnetic flux collecting member 61 and the antenna core 110 can be minimized. Therefore, even if the dial plate 14 and the solar panel 40 are interposed, the magnetic coupling can be enhanced, and the magnetic flux collecting effect can be improved in this respect.

(3) Further, since the magnetism collecting member 61 is assembled and attached to the dial ring 25, the assembling property of the timepiece can be improved as compared with the case where the magnetism collecting member 61 is attached to the antenna 100, the case main body 21 or the like. Even when an impact or the like is applied, such as when the radio-controlled timepiece 1 is dropped, the magnetism collecting member 61 can be protected by the dial ring 25, the strength can be increased, and the impact resistance can be improved.

(4) Since the magnetic collecting member 61 is formed by laminating a plurality of amorphous foils, the magnetic collecting effect of standard radio waves can be enhanced.

(5) Since the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 of the solar panel 40 is covered with the dial ring 25, the outer peripheral edge of the substrate outer peripheral portion 43 and the light receiving portion 42 that are not supposed to be visually recognized from the outside are visually recognized from the outside. The appearance of the radio-controlled timepiece 1 can be improved.

[Modification of Embodiment]
It should be noted 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.
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the pair of magnetic flux collecting members 61 is provided corresponding to the pair of lead portions 112 is shown, but the configuration in which the magnetic flux collecting member 61 corresponding to one of the pair of lead portions 112 is provided. And so on.

In the embodiment, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is made of an amorphous metal that is a ferromagnetic member. However, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is made of a material having a magnetic permeability larger than the magnetic permeability of the dial 14 or the solar panel 40. What is necessary is just to select suitably according to the material of the dial 14, the presence or absence of the solar panel 40, etc.
In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is made of an amorphous foil material. However, for example, a structure formed of a ferrite material, a structure formed by plating by ferrite plating, or a magnetic flux collecting member such as an amorphous metal is provided. It is good also as a structure of sticking a resin sheet.

In the embodiment described above, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed in the recess 252 formed in the dial ring 25. However, the dial ring 25 may be manufactured by insert molding in which the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is disposed.
Further, the planar position of the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is not limited to the position overlapping the lead portion 112 but may be disposed at a position shifted in a plane with respect to the lead portion 112 and can be magnetically coupled to the lead portion 112. Should be provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnetic flux collecting member 61 includes a magnetic flux collecting member main body 611 housed in the concave portion 252 of the dial ring 25, and a protruding portion 612 protruding from the magnetic flux collecting member main body 611 toward the antenna core 110. May be provided. The projecting portion 612 is formed by laminating an amorphous foil material formed separately from the magnetism collecting member main body 611 and forming a columnar shape, and is bonded to the magnetism collecting member main body 611.
Further, the dial 14 is formed with a hole serving as an insertion portion 141 into which the protruding portion 612 is inserted.
According to such a configuration, by arranging the protruding portion 612 of the magnetic flux collecting member 61 in the insertion portion 141, the distance between the magnetic flux collecting member 61 and the lead portion 112 can be made closer than in the above embodiment. Therefore, the strength of magnetic coupling between the magnetic flux collecting member 61 and the lead portion 112 can be increased, and the magnetic flux collecting effect by the magnetic flux collecting member 61 can be adjusted.

Note that the protruding portion 612 may be made of another magnetic member such as a ferrite material. Further, when the magnetic flux collecting member 61 is made of a ferrite material, the magnetic flux collecting member main body 611 and the protruding portion 612 may be formed integrally.
Furthermore, the solar panel 40 may be provided with a hole continuous to the insertion portion 141, and the protruding portion 612 may be protruded to the solar panel 40.

In the above embodiment, the antenna core 110 includes the coil winding portion 111 formed in a linear shape and the lead portions 112 formed in an arc shape at both ends of the coil winding portion 111. Further, the lead 112 may be arranged on a straight line.
In the said embodiment, although the solar panel 40 was fixed to the back surface of the dial plate 14 was shown, it is not limited to this, It is good also as a structure with which the solar panel 40 is not provided.

In the embodiment, the time information is exemplified as the wireless information communicated using the antenna, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an IC card function may be built in the radio-controlled timepiece 1 and used for transmitting and receiving information such as train commuter passes and various prepaid IC cards. For example, an IC chip and an antenna may be incorporated in the exterior case 20 so that information can be exchanged by placing a wristwatch close to a ticket gate using a smart card, an entrance / exit management machine, various billing machines, or the like. In this case, it is not necessary to insert and remove the IC card separately, and it is only necessary to bring the hand holding the timepiece 1 closer, so that the operability can be greatly improved.
Therefore, the antenna built in the outer case 20 of the present invention may be used exclusively for reception as in the case of receiving a standard radio wave, or for transmitting and receiving information like a tag using a non-contact IC. Or may be used exclusively for transmission, and these may be appropriately selected according to the type of electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna to which the present invention is applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Radio wave correction clock, 10 ... Module (movement), 14 ... Dial, 20 ... Exterior case, 25 ... Dial ring, 30 ... Holding ring member, 40 ... Solar panel, 61 ... Magnetic collecting member, 100 ... Antenna, 110 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Antenna core, 111 ... Coil winding part, 112 ... Lead part, 120 ... Coil, 141 ... Insertion part, 252 ... Recessed part, 611 ... Magnetic flux collecting member main body, 612 ... Projection part.

Claims (6)

An exterior case,
A dial arranged in the exterior case;
A dial ring arranged on the surface side of the dial,
An antenna disposed on the back side of the dial;
A magnetism collecting member,
The antenna includes an antenna core formed in a longitudinal shape with a magnetic material, and a coil wound around the antenna core,
The magnetic time collecting member is magnetically coupled to the antenna core and disposed in the dial ring. The electronic watch with a built-in antenna according to claim 1,
A recess is formed on the back surface of the dial ring,
The electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna, wherein the magnetism collecting member is housed in the recess. In the electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna according to claim 1 or 2,
The end of the magnetism collecting member is disposed at a position overlapping the end of the antenna core in a plan view when the timepiece is viewed from the front side. In the electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The dial is composed of a translucent member,
A solar panel is arranged on the back of the dial,
The solar panel includes a substrate and a light receiving portion formed on the substrate, and has a substrate outer peripheral portion outside the light receiving portion in the substrate,
The dial ring covers the outer periphery of the substrate of the solar panel. In the electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The magnetic collecting member is formed of an amorphous foil. In the electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The magnetic flux collecting member includes a magnetic flux collecting member main body housed in the concave portion of the dial ring, and a protruding portion protruding from the magnetic flux collecting member main body toward the antenna core side,
An electronic timepiece with a built-in antenna, wherein the dial is formed with an insertion portion into which the protruding portion is inserted.

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