JP2013015342A - Clock device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a clock device in which means for detecting time to be announced is rationally constituted.SOLUTION: A drive mechanism for rotatively driving a minute hand and an hour hand, comprises: a speed reduction mechanism 110 coupled to a stepper motor; a minute hand pipe 120 coupled to the speed reduction mechanism; and an hour hand pipe 130 coupled to the minute hand pipe via motion works 140. Means for detecting time to be announced 300 comprises: a one-revolution detection mechanism 310 detecting one revolution of the minute hand pipe; an hour chiming wheel 320 rotating synchronously with the hour hand pipe; and photosensors 330 disposed with respect to the hour chiming wheel. The hour chiming wheel is constituted by locating a plurality of detection parts 321 at a predetermined interval on a circle the center of which is the rotation axis thereof. The turning on/off of each photosensor upon operation is switched when the detection part is brought to a detection point thereof, and the photosensors operate to detect the rotational position of the hour chiming wheel every revolution of the minute hand pipe.

Description

  The present invention relates to an analog timepiece device provided with a reporting time detection means.

  In general, a watch that performs a time signal operation at the hour is known. The timepiece drive mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism connected to a stepping motor, a minute hand pipe connected to the speed reduction mechanism, and an hour hand pipe connected to the minute hand pipe via a minute wheel. The minute hand and hour hand are attached to the minute hand pipe and hour hand pipe, respectively. The reporting time can be detected by providing a mechanism for detecting when the minute hand pipe makes one rotation. However, in the case of performing a different timing operation at each reporting time, it is necessary to obtain position information of the hour hand pipe every time the minute hand pipe makes one rotation. Patent Document 1 discloses a contact mechanism devised for obtaining position information of an hour hand pipe. This contact mechanism is configured to generate a code signal corresponding to time according to the contact / non-contact state between the sliding contact portion and the electrode pattern.

Japanese Patent No. 3609955

  Now, it is desirable that the internal mechanism of the watch is excellent in durability and small in size. In this regard, as in the contact mechanism described above, a device that obtains the hour hand position information depending on the contact / non-contact state of the conductor has a problem that durability is limited due to wear of the conductor. In addition, the hourly position information of the hour hand is 12 in total, and four sets of conductors are necessary to identify it according to the contact / non-contact state between the contact portion and the electrode pattern. That is, there is a problem that the hour hitting is large because four conductors are arranged concentrically on the hour hitting wheel that rotates synchronously with the hour hand pipe.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a timepiece device in which the reporting time detection means is more rationally configured.

  The invention described in claim 1 of the present application detects the time of reporting every hour from the position of the drive mechanism for rotating the minute hand and the hour hand, the control means for controlling the drive mechanism, and the components of the drive mechanism. In the timepiece apparatus including the time and time detection means, the drive mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism connected to a stepping motor, a minute hand pipe connected to the speed reduction mechanism, and the minute hand pipe via a minute wheel. An hour hand pipe coupled to the hour hand pipe, and the reporting time detection means detects a one-turn detection mechanism when the minute hand pipe makes one turn, an hour driving wheel that rotates synchronously with the hour hand pipe, and the hour hitting pipe. A photosensor disposed with respect to the car, and the hourly hitting car is provided with a plurality of detection units at a predetermined interval on a circle centered on a rotation axis thereof, At the detection position When an intelligent part is provided, the on / off operation is switched, and the photo sensor is activated each time the minute hand pipe makes one rotation to detect the rotational position of the hour hitting car. It is a clock device.

  The invention described in claim 2 of the present application is that, in claim 1, four photosensors are arranged with respect to the hour driving vehicle, and each time the minute hand pipe makes one rotation, In the timepiece, the rotational position of the hourly driving wheel is detected by an on / off pattern of the four photosensors.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a timepiece device in which the reporting time detection means is configured more rationally.

1 is a front view showing a timepiece device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the timepiece device according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from the upper right side of the front. It is a partially exploded view seen from the upper surface which shows the timepiece apparatus concerning the Example of this invention. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a timepiece device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a back view which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows a timepiece apparatus (state which removed the 2nd case member). It is a front view which shows the timepiece apparatus (The state which removed the sensor board | substrate, the 3rd case member, and the hourglass) according to the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the timepiece apparatus (state which removed the sensor board | substrate and the 3rd case member) concerning the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the timepiece apparatus (state which removed the sensor board | substrate) concerning the Example of this invention. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows the photosensor (4 pieces) provided in the sensor board | substrate, and (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the detection part provided in the hour driving vehicle in the Example of this invention.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The timepiece device 1 of this example includes a driving mechanism for rotationally driving the minute hand and the hour hand, a control means 200 for controlling the driving mechanism, and a time for detecting a time for reporting from the position of the components of the driving mechanism. Detection means 300.

  The drive mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism 110 connected to a stepping motor (not shown), a minute hand pipe 120 connected to the speed reduction mechanism 110, and an hour hand pipe 130 connected to the minute hand pipe 120 via the minute wheel 140. And. The speed reduction mechanism 110 is a predetermined number of gear trains provided between the stepping motor and the minute hand pipe 120. Specifically, a minute hand pipe 120 for attaching a minute hand and an hour hand pipe 130 for attaching an hour hand are provided concentrically. The minute hand pipe 120 is on the inside, and the hour hand pipe 130 is on the outside. A speed reduction mechanism 110 connected to the rotor of the stepping motor is connected to a gear portion provided at the proximal end portion of the minute hand pipe 120. Further, the pinion provided at the proximal end portion of the minute hand pipe 120 is connected to the minute wheel 140, and the gear portion provided at the proximal end portion of the hour hand pipe 130 is connected to the pinion of the minute wheel 140. ing. The minute hand pipe 120 and the hour hand pipe 130 are rotationally driven by a stepping motor via the speed reduction mechanism 110, respectively. The minute hand pipe 120 is driven to rotate at a speed of one revolution per hour, and the hour hand pipe 130 is driven to rotate at a speed of one revolution per 12 hours.

  The control means 200 is configured by mounting a microcomputer storing a required program on a circuit board, and is configured to supply a predetermined pulse current to the stepping motor. Also, it controls the reporting time detection means 300. When the reporting time detection means 300 detects the reporting time, a code signal corresponding to the reporting time is generated. When the control means 200 generates a code signal, an unillustrated alarming device is configured to perform an alarming operation. For example, the alarm time operation is not particularly limited. For example, a different alarm sound or melody is generated at each alarm time by a speaker.

  The reporting time detection means 300 includes a one-rotation detection mechanism 310 that detects when the minute hand pipe 120 makes one rotation, an hour driving wheel 320 that rotates in synchronization with the hour hand pipe 130, and a photo arranged for the hour driving wheel 320. Sensor 330. A photo reflector is employed as the photo sensor 330.

  The illustrated one-rotation detection mechanism 310 includes a contact made of a pair of metal leaf springs 311 and 312, and one leaf spring 311 is operated by a cam portion 121 provided on the minute hand pipe 120. The base ends of the leaf springs 311 and 312 are supported by the circuit board of the control means 200. One leaf spring 311 supported by the cam portion 121 is released every hour and contacts the other leaf spring 312 by its elastic force. When one leaf spring 311 comes into contact with the other leaf spring 312, one rotation of the minute hand pipe 120 is detected.

  The hour driving wheel 320 is provided on the hour hand pipe 130, and has a plurality of reflecting portions 321 provided at predetermined intervals on a circle centered on the rotation axis thereof. The illustrated reflecting portion 321 is provided by providing a hole in the important part of the hour driving vehicle 320 and attaching a reflector to the back surface of the hour driving wheel 320. The reflecting portion 321 may be provided by stamping the key points of the hour hitting car 320.

  The photosensor 330 is turned on and off when it is activated when the detection unit 321 is brought to the detection position.

  This reporting time detection means 300 is configured to detect the rotational position of the hour driving wheel 320 by operating the photo sensor 330 every time the minute hand pipe 120 makes one rotation. In the case of this example, four photosensors 330 are arranged at intervals of 90 ° around the rotation axis with respect to the hour driving wheel 320, and operate once each time the minute hand pipe 120 makes one rotation. The rotational position of the hour driving wheel 320 is detected by the on / off pattern of the four photosensors 330.

  The hourly hitting car 320 is provided with a detection unit 321 so that the position of the photosensor 330 that is turned on every hour, that is, when rotated by 30 °, is different. In the illustrated example, four photosensors 330 are arranged at intervals of 90 ° around the rotation axis of the hour driving wheel 320, and the detection unit 321 is 0 °, 30 ° around the rotation axis of the hour driving wheel 320. , 60 °, 120 °, 300 °, and 330 °. When the minute hand pipe 120 rotates once, the one-rotation detection mechanism 310 detects this, and the four photosensors 330 operate once at the same time. The reporting time detection means 300 detects the arrival of the reporting time by the one-rotation detection mechanism 310 and identifies the reporting time from the rotational position of the hour driving wheel 320.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to obtain an hour and hour detection unit 300 having excellent durability. In the case where the hourly driving wheel 320 is provided with a sliding contact structure, there is a problem that durability is limited due to wear. However, according to this example, such a problem can be avoided and the detection reliability can be improved. It can certainly improve. Further, by arranging a plurality of photosensors 330 in a circular manner as in this example, the hourly hitting car 320 can be reduced in size. As a result, the reporting time detection means 300 can be reduced in size.

  Next, the arrangement configuration of each member will be described. The timepiece device 1 includes a sensor substrate 400 on which a photosensor 330 is mounted and a flat case body 500.

  The case body 500 has a first case member 510 on the front side and a second case member 520 on the back side assembled in the thickness direction, and a third case member 530 is assembled on the front side of the first case member 510. It will be.

  Between the first case member 510 and the second case member 520, a stepping motor, a speed reduction mechanism 110, a proximal end portion of the minute hand pipe 120, a minute wheel 140, a proximal end portion of the hour hand pipe 130, and a one-turn detection mechanism 310, the control means 200 is arranged. An hour driving wheel 320 is disposed between the first case member 510 and the third case member 520. The sensor substrate 400 is disposed on the front side of the third case member 530.

  The first case member 510, the third case member 530, and the sensor substrate 400 are provided with through holes 511, 531, 401 penetrating the minute hand pipe 120 and the hour hand pipe 130, respectively, and the third case member 530 is further provided. A slit 532 that transmits light from the photosensor 330 is provided.

  The timepiece device 1 is assembled as follows. First, a predetermined member is disposed between the first case member 510 and the second case member 520, and the first case member 510 and the second case member 520 are screwed or hooked. In this state, the minute hand and the hour hand are driven to rotate, and the unit for detecting the arrival of the reporting time every hour (see FIG. 6). This unit can also be used for a clock that does not need to identify the time of reporting.

  Next, as a configuration for identifying the time of reporting, an hour driving wheel 320 is provided on the hour hand pipe 130 (see FIG. 7), and a third case member 530 is provided on the first case member 510 by screwing or hooking. (See FIG. 8), the sensor substrate 400 on which the photo reflector 330 is mounted is provided on the third case member 530 (see FIG. 1). The minute hand pipe 120 and the hour hand pipe 130 of this example are formed by connecting tip portions 120a and 130a to the above-described units. The hour driving wheel 320 is provided integrally with the tip portion 130a of the hour hand pipe 130 (see FIG. 4). In addition, the through hole 531 of the third case member 530 has a cylindrical shape protruding to the front side, and the sensor substrate 400 passes through the through hole 531 of the third case member 530 through the through hole 401. The case member 530 is fitted on the front side and fixed by bonding or screwing.

  According to such a configuration, the hour driving vehicle 320 and the photosensor 330 can be accurately positioned, and the detection accuracy can be ensured satisfactorily. Further, since the members are sequentially assembled on the front side, the assembling work is also easy. Further, since the hour driving vehicle 320 and the sensor substrate 400 are provided using the third case member 530, it can be properly used as a unit for identifying the reporting time and a unit for not identifying it, and is excellent in versatility. There is an advantage of being.

  As described above, the timepiece device of this example is configured by more rationally configuring the position detection means. In addition, it is needless to say that the configuration of each part in the present example can be appropriately changed in design within the technical scope described in the claims, and is not limited to that illustrated in the drawings. For example, a photo reflector in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are integrally provided is used as the photosensor, but a photo interrupter in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged to face each other can also be used. When the photo interrupter is employed, the detection unit provided in the hourly driving vehicle is a light transmitting part that transmits light.

  The timepiece device of the present invention can be used very suitably as a unit constituting an analog wall clock or an alarm clock that performs a timekeeping operation.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Clock apparatus 110 Deceleration mechanism 120 Minute hand pipe 120a Tip part 121 Cam part 130 Hour hand pipe 130a Tip part 140 Day wheel 200 Control means 300 Reporting time detection means 310 One rotation detection mechanism 311 Leaf spring 312 Leaf spring 320 Hour driving 321 Detection unit 330 Photosensor 400 Sensor substrate 401 Through hole 500 Case body 510 First case member 511 Through hole 520 Second case member 530 Third case member 531 Through hole 532 Slit

Claims (2)

A timepiece having a drive mechanism for rotationally driving the minute hand and the hour hand, a control means for controlling the drive mechanism, and an hour and hour detection means for detecting an hour and hour from the position of a component of the drive mechanism. In the device
The drive mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism connected to a stepping motor, a minute hand pipe connected to the speed reduction mechanism, and an hour hand pipe connected to the minute hand pipe via a minute wheel.
The reporting time detection means includes a one-rotation detection mechanism that detects when the minute hand pipe makes one rotation, a time driving wheel that rotates synchronously with the hour hand pipe, and a photo sensor that is disposed with respect to the hour driving car. With
The hourly hitting car is provided with a plurality of detectors at predetermined intervals on a circle centered on the rotation axis thereof,
The photosensor is switched on and off during operation when the detection unit is brought to its detection position.
A timepiece device in which the photosensor is activated each time the minute hand pipe rotates once to detect the rotational position of the hour driving wheel. Four photosensors are arranged with respect to the hour hitting car, and each time the minute hand pipe makes one rotation, the photosensor operates once.
The timepiece device according to claim 1, wherein the rotational position of the hourly driving wheel is detected by an on / off pattern of the four photosensors.

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