JP5233773B2 - Pointer position detection device and electronic timepiece - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pointer position detection device that detects the position of a pointer for a pointer that rotates within a predetermined range, and an electronic timepiece including such a pointer and a pointer position detection device.

  In the field of electronic timepieces and the like, a technique for detecting the position of a pointer to determine whether or not a position shift has occurred in each pointer indicating hour, minute, and second has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). In this technology, a transmission hole is provided in a gear interlocked with the pointer, and the detection means such as a photo interrupter detects that the transmission hole has reached a predetermined detection position, whereby the gear is at a predetermined rotation angle. That is, it detects that the pointer is at a predetermined reference position.

JP 2000-162335 A

  However, the above-described conventional needle position detection technique uses a pointer that rotates 360 ° as a detection target.

  Therefore, if the conventional needle position detection technology is applied as it is to a pointer that rotates within a predetermined range, there is a problem in that it becomes inefficient when determining the displacement of the pointer or correcting the displacement. It was.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pointer position detection device and an electronic timepiece capable of efficiently detecting or correcting a position shift of a pointer for a pointer rotating within a predetermined range. .

The present invention
A pointer position detecting device for detecting a position of the pointer for a pointer rotating within a predetermined range;
A rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the pointer and has a plurality of detected parts on the same radius;
First detection means for detecting the detected portion at a first detection position set in a path through which the detected portion passes;
Second detection means for detecting the detected portion at a second detection position set in a path through which the detected portion passes;
With
The first detection position and the second detection position are set at angular positions apart from each other on the rotating body,
In the rotating body,
When the pointer is at the reference position in the predetermined range, the detected portion is not in the predetermined range on the side in the first rotation direction from the first portion of the rotating body that overlaps the first detection position, A plurality of the detected parts are formed on the side of the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction from a part adjacent to the first part,
When the pointer is at the reference position, the second portion is not located in a predetermined range on the second rotational direction side from the second portion of the rotating body that overlaps the second detection position. A plurality of the detected portions are formed on a side in the first rotation direction from a portion adjacent to the first rotation direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily determine whether the pointer is positioned on one side or the other side with respect to the pointer rotating within a predetermined range. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently check the needle misalignment or correct the needle misalignment.

It is the top view which showed the structure of the display part of the electronic timepiece of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the drive structure of a retrograde mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the electronic timepiece of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the structure of the gearwheel in 1st Embodiment, and a detection position. It is a figure explaining the detection pattern of the shift direction of the pointer and the transmission hole in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the needle | hook position detection process of 1st Embodiment performed by CPU. It is the figure which showed the variation with the formation position of the transmission hole of the gearwheel in 1st Embodiment, and a detection position. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between the structure of the gearwheel in 2nd Embodiment, and a detection position. It is a figure explaining the detection pattern of the shift direction of the pointer and the transmission hole in the second embodiment. It is a 1st part of the flowchart of the hand position detection process of 2nd Embodiment performed by CPU. It is a 2nd part of the flowchart of the needle | hook position detection process of 2nd Embodiment performed by CPU. It is a 3rd part of the flowchart of the needle | hook position detection process of 2nd Embodiment performed by CPU. It is the top view which showed an example of operation | movement of the gearwheel during a hand position detection process.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a display unit of an electronic timepiece according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a drive structure of a retrograde mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment includes a second hand 2, a minute hand 3, an hour hand 4 for displaying time by rotating in a substantially entire range on the dial 11, and a small area on the dial 11. It has auxiliary pointers 5, 6, and 7 that rotate to display various information. Among the plurality of hands 2 to 7, the auxiliary hand 7 rotates the fan-shaped range 12 to indicate information such as a day of the week. A mechanism in which the pointer 7 rotates in the fan-shaped range 12 is also called a retrograde mechanism.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism for driving the pointer 7 includes a rotary shaft 18 to which the pointer 7 is fixed, a gear 17 as a rotating body fixedly connected to the rotary shaft 18, and a gear connected to the gear 17. The intermediate gear 16 is composed of a stepping motor 42C for supplying power and the rotor 15 thereof. As the rotor 15 of the stepping motor 42C rotates by one step, this rotational motion is transmitted to the intermediate gear 16 and the gear 17, and the gear 17 and the pointer 7 rotate by a rotation angle of one step. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a transmission hole 21 as a detected part is formed in the gear 17, and a first detection unit (first detection unit) that detects the transmission hole 21 on a path through which the transmission hole 21 passes. Means) 43 is provided. The first detection unit 43 includes a light emitting unit 25 disposed on one side with the gear 17 interposed therebetween, and a light receiving unit 26 disposed on the other side, and emits light when the transmission hole 21 is at the detection position. The light emitted from the section 25 passes through the transmission hole 21 and is detected by the light receiving section 26, thereby detecting that the transmission hole 21 is at the detection position. When the transmission hole 21 is out of the detection position, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 25 is blocked by the gear 17 and does not reach the light receiving unit 26, so that it can be determined that the transmission hole 21 is not at the detection position.

  Although details will be described later, a plurality of transmission holes 21 are provided on the same radius along the rotation direction of the gear 17. In addition to the first detection unit 43 described above, the detection unit for detecting the transmission hole 21 is a second detection unit (second detection means) 44 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) having a similar configuration at another angular position. ) Is provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electronic timepiece 1 of the first embodiment.

  In the electronic timepiece 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, as an electrical configuration, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 45 that performs overall control of the apparatus, and a control program and control data executed by the CPU 45. ROM (Read Only Memory) 46 in which is stored, RAM (Random Access Memory) 47 that provides a working memory space to the CPU 45, and two main hand steppings that drive the hour / minute hands 3, 4 and the second hand 2 Motors 41A and 41B, three auxiliary needle stepping motors 42A to 42C for individually driving the auxiliary needles 5 to 7, and a transmission hole 21 formed in the gear 17 of the pointer 7 that rotates in a fan-shaped range. A first detection unit 43 and a second detection unit 44 that detect at different detection positions, a power supply unit 51 that supplies a power supply voltage to each unit, a detection circuit 52 that receives a standard radio wave including a time code, and a clock A timer circuit 50 for performing an oscillation circuit 48 and the frequency dividing circuit 49 for supplying a signal having a predetermined period to the timer circuit 50, an operation unit 53 or the like having a plurality of operation buttons not shown.

  Of the above configuration, the gear 17, the first and second detection units 43 and 44, the auxiliary needle stepping motor 42C, the CPU 45, the ROM 46, and the RAM 47 constitute a needle position detection device.

  The ROM 46 is provided with a time display processing program for displaying the time and day of the week by moving the hands 2 to 4 and 7 in synchronization with the timing data of the timing circuit 50, and the auxiliary hands 5 and 6 based on the input from the operation unit 53. Function program that realizes stopwatch function by rotating and stopping at high speed, main needle hand position detection processing program that detects and corrects position shift of second hand 2 and hour / minute hands 3 and 4, retrograde A needle position detection processing program for detecting the positional deviation of the pointer 7 of the mechanism and correcting the positional deviation is stored.

  In the normal time, the CPU 45 executes the time display processing program described above to synchronize with the timing data of the timing circuit 50, and thereby drive pulses to the stepping motors 41A and 41B for the main hands and the stepping motor 42C for the auxiliary hands. Output. Thereby, the hands 2 to 4 and 7 are appropriately moved to display the time and day of the week. Further, the CPU 45 monitors the input from the operation unit 53 and, when there is a predetermined operation input, outputs a driving pulse to the stepping motors 42A and 42B for the auxiliary needles or stops it to realize a stopwatch function.

  In addition, the CPU 45 constructs a needle position storage unit that stores the needle position data of the hands 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 in the RAM 47. In the time display process and stopwatch function process described above, the CPU 45 outputs a drive pulse from the CPU 45 to the stepping motors 41A, 41B, 42A to 42C, and each time the hands 2-4, 5-7 move stepwise, the CPU 45 By updating the corresponding needle position data in the needle position storage unit, the needle position data indicating the current needle positions of the hands 2 to 4, 5 to 7 is stored in the needle position storage unit.

  Here, for example, when a strong impact is applied to the electronic timepiece 1 or a strong external magnetic field is applied, the rotor of the stepping motors 41A, 41B, 42A to 42C rotates even though the CPU 45 does not output a drive pulse. In some cases, the CPU 45 may output the drive pulse, but the rotors of the stepping motors 41A, 41B, and 42A to 42C may not rotate. In this case, the current needle positions of the pointers 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 are shifted from the positions of the needle position data in the needle position storage unit.

  Therefore, for example, when a predetermined condition occurs, the CPU 45 checks whether the actual needle positions of the hands 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 match the value of the needle position data in the needle position storage unit. When there is a positional deviation, a needle position detection process for correcting this positional deviation is executed. The needle position detection process for the retrograde mechanism pointer 7 will be described in detail later. Description of the needle position detection processing for the hands 2 to 4, 5, and 6 that rotate 360 degrees is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the gear 17 of the retrograde mechanism and the detection positions 43a and 44a of the transmission hole 21 in the first embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 12 represents a fan-shaped range in which the pointer 7 rotates.

  The gear 17 is divided into a first angle range W1 corresponding to the rotation range 12 of the pointer 7 and a second angle range W2 outside thereof, and the transmission hole 21 is not formed in the first angle range W1, A plurality of transmission holes 21 are formed in the second angle range W2. The transmission hole 21 is formed for each rotation angle of one step on the same radius.

  Here, the first angle range W1 has an angular width of a central angle at which the gear 17 rotates when the pointer 7 moves from one end to the other end of the sector-shaped range 12, and is set at an arbitrary angular position. The angle range. In the example of FIG. 4, since the gear 17 and the pointer 7 are interlocked at a gear ratio of 1: 1, the central angle of the first angle range W1 is equal to the central angle of the fan-shaped range 12 around which the pointer 7 rotates. . Further, in the example of FIG. 4, when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H set at the center step of the rotation range 12, the first angle range W <b> 1 of the gear 17 is the fan-shaped range 12 around which the pointer 7 rotates. Is set to the angular position where and overlap.

  The first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44 are disposed at the first detection position 43a and the second detection position 44a in the path along which the transmission hole 21 moves as the gear 17 rotates, and transmit at this position. The presence or absence of the hole 21 is detected. The first detection position 43a is set to a step position that overlaps one end portion (first portion) in the first angle range W1 of the gear 17 when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H. The second detection position 44a at which the second detection unit 44 is disposed is a step position (second part) that overlaps the other end of the gear 17 within the first angle range W1 when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H. Is set to In the configuration of the gear 17 in FIG. 4, the forward rotation direction corresponds to the first rotation direction, and the reverse rotation direction corresponds to the second rotation direction.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the displacement direction of the pointer 7 and the detection pattern of the transmission hole 21 in the configuration of the gear 17 and the detection units 43 and 44 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44 are operated when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H, the first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44 both transmit light. This results in the detection of no holes that are not detected. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the pointer 7 is at a position advanced in the reverse direction from the reference position H, the first detection unit 43 results in detection of no hole, and the second detection unit 44 transmits light. As a result, a detection result with holes is detected. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the pointer 7 is at a position advanced in the forward rotation direction from the reference position H, the first detection unit 43 detects a hole and the second detection unit 44 A detection result without holes is obtained.

  Therefore, it is determined from the detection results of the first and second detection units 43 and 44 whether the pointer 7 is at the reference position H, the position advanced in the forward rotation direction, or the position advanced in the reverse rotation direction. It is possible to do.

[Needle position detection processing]
Next, a needle position detection process for confirming the positional deviation of the pointer 7 and correcting the positional deviation will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the needle position detection process of the pointer 7 executed by the CPU 45.

  This needle position detection process is executed by the CPU 45 periodically, for example, or when a predetermined operation input is performed via the operation unit 53. When the needle position detection process is started, first, the CPU 45 outputs a drive pulse to the stepping motor 42C when it is determined that the pointer 7 is not at the reference position H based on the needle position data in the RAM 47, and the pointer 7 is fast-forwarded to the reference position H (step S1). Here, if the position of the pointer 7 is not shifted, the pointer 7 moves to the reference position H. However, if the actual needle position of the pointer 7 and the value of the needle position data in the RAM 47 are deviated, the pointer 7 is moved to the reference position. Move to a step position outside H.

  Once the pointer 7 has been fast-forwarded, next, the light emitting unit 25 of the first detecting unit 43 and the light emitting unit 27 of the second detecting unit 44 are actuated (step S2). Then, detection signals are input from the light receiving unit 26 of the first detection unit 43 and the light receiving unit 28 of the second detection unit 44, respectively.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the detection result of the first light receiving unit 26 is on (there is light reception that is equal to or greater than the threshold value) (step S3). Whether or not there is light reception) is determined (step S4).

  As a result, when both the determination results of steps S3 and S4 are not ON, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is at the reference position H (the state shown in FIG. 4) and the pointer 7 is not misaligned. The position is returned to the original position (for example, Monday if Monday) (step S5), and the hand position detection process is terminated. A needle misalignment determining unit is configured by the processes in steps S1 to S4.

  On the other hand, when the determination result in step S3 is on, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is displaced in the forward rotation direction from the reference position H as shown in FIG. The control process branches to the YES side in the determination process and moves the pointer 7 to the reference position H. That is, first, a reverse drive pulse is output to the stepping motor 42C to reverse the gear 17 by one step (step S6). And the light emission part 25 of the 1st detection part 43 is operated (step S7), and the detection result of the light-receiving part 26 of the 1st detection part 43 is discriminate | determined (step S8). The processes in steps S6 to S8 are repeated until the detection result of the light receiving unit 26 is turned off, that is, until the transmission hole 21 does not come to the first detection position 43a.

  Then, if the determination result in step S8 is turned off, it can be determined that the pointer 7 has reached the reference position H as shown in FIG. 4, so that the determination process in step S8 exits the loop process in steps S6 to S8. . Then, the current needle position data of the pointer 7 stored in the needle position storage unit in the RAM 47 is corrected to the value of the reference position H (step S9).

  By the processing in step S9, the needle position of the pointer 7 (value of the needle position data) recognized by the CPU 45 matches the actual needle position of the pointer 7, and the positional deviation of the pointer 7 is eliminated. . Therefore, thereafter, the pointer 7 is returned to the original position (step S5), and this needle position detection process is ended.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S4 is on, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is displaced in the reverse direction from the reference position H as shown in FIG. The process branches to the YES side, and a control process for moving the pointer 7 to the reference position H is performed. That is, first, a forward drive pulse is output to the stepping motor 42C to rotate the gear 17 by one step (step S10). And the light emission part 27 of the 2nd detection part 44 is operated (step S11), and the detection result of the light-receiving part 28 of the 2nd detection part 44 is discriminate | determined (step S12). The control in steps S10 to S12 is repeated until the detection result of the light receiving unit 28 is turned off, that is, until the transmission hole 21 does not come to the second detection position 44a.

  As a result, when the determination result of step S12 is turned off, it can be determined that the pointer 7 has reached the reference position as shown in FIG. 4, and therefore the loop processing of steps S10 to S12 is performed in the determination process of step S12. Exit. Then, the current needle position data of the pointer 7 stored in the needle position storage unit in the RAM 47 is corrected to the value of the reference position H (step S13). As a result, the needle position (value of the needle position data) of the pointer 7 recognized by the CPU 45 matches the actual needle position of the pointer 7, and the positional deviation of the pointer 7 is eliminated. Therefore, thereafter, the pointer 7 is returned to the original position (step S5), and this needle position detection process is ended. A needle misalignment correction control unit is configured by the processes in steps S6 to S9 and the processes in steps S10 to S13.

  Through the above-described needle position detection processing, it is possible to quickly confirm whether or not the pointer 7 is misaligned, and when a misalignment occurs, it is possible to quickly correct this misalignment. Yes.

[Modification of First Embodiment]
In FIG. 7, the figure showing the formation variation of the transmission hole 21 of the gearwheel in 1st Embodiment and the variation of arrangement | positioning of the detection parts 43 and 44 is shown.

  In the first embodiment, variously the formation pattern of the transmission holes 21 of the gear 17 and the arrangement of the first and second detection units 43 and 44 while keeping the sector-shaped range 12 around which the pointer 7 rotates are the same. It is possible to change.

  For example, as shown in the gear 17A of FIG. 7A, the first angular range W1a that does not include the transmission hole 21 is set to an angular position that does not overlap with the fan-shaped range 12 when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H. You can also

  In this case, the first detection position 43a and the second detection position 44a are set to positions that respectively overlap one end and the other end of the first angle range W1a of the gear 17A when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H.

  Even with such a configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 4, it is possible to check whether or not the pointer 7 is misaligned and to correct the misalignment.

  Further, as shown in gears 17B to 17D shown in FIGS. 7B to 7D, the first angle ranges W1b, W1c, and W1d that do not have the transmission hole 21 are set to be larger than the fan-shaped range 12 in which the pointer 7 rotates. A small angle range W1b (FIG. 7 (b)) or a large angle range W1c, W1d (FIG. 7 (c), (d)) may be used. However, even if the pointer 7 moves through the entire movable range, the second angle ranges W2b, W2c, and W2d in which the transmission holes 21 of the gears 17B to 17D are formed are both the first detection position 43a and the second detection position 44a. The angle range is such that it does not overlap.

  Also in this case, the first detection position 43a and the second detection position 44a are one ends of the first angle ranges W1b to W1d in which the transmission holes 21 of the gears 17B to 17D are not formed when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H. And a position overlapping each other and the other end.

  Even with such a configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 4, it is possible to check whether or not the pointer 7 is misaligned and to correct the misalignment.

  The gear 17 has an angle range that does not overlap the first detection position 43a or the second detection position 44a even when the pointer 7 moves in the entire movable range. Therefore, this angle range may or may not be provided with the transmission hole 21. For example, in FIG. 7C, the transmission hole 21 can be omitted or added to the ranges W3 and W4 that do not overlap both the first detection position 43a and the second detection position 44a.

  Even with such a configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 4, it is possible to check whether or not the pointer 7 is misaligned and to correct the misalignment.

  Further, when the assumed maximum value of the positional deviation of the pointer 7 is limited to a predetermined number of steps such as ± 4 steps, the ranges W3 and W4 in which the transmission holes 21 can be omitted or added (FIG. 7 ( c)) can also be taken wider. Specifically, the plurality of transmission holes 21 formed on one side from the positions adjacent to the detection positions 43a and 44a are formed within the range of the maximum position deviation of the pointer 7 (for example, 4 steps) and detected. The range in which the transmission hole 21 is not formed on the other side from the positions 43a and 44a may be a range corresponding to the assumed maximum positional deviation (for example, 6 steps) of the pointer 7.

  Even with such a configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 4, it is possible to check whether or not the pointer is misaligned and to correct the misalignment.

  Furthermore, in each structure shown in FIG.4 and FIG.7, the transmission hole 21 is employ | adopted as a to-be-detected part detected by the 1st detection part 43 or the 2nd detection part 44, and the step position which does not have the transmission hole 21 of the gearwheel 17 Although a configuration is shown in which the step position is determined as having no detected portion, a configuration opposite to this can be adopted.

  That is, a position where the transmission hole 21 is blocked (no transmission hole 21) is defined as a step position where the detected part is present, and a position where the transmission hole 21 is present is defined as a step position where there is no detected part. The second detection unit 44 detects a step position where there is no transmitted light.

  With such a configuration, in the gears 17 to 17D shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the arrangement relationship between the first and second detection positions 43a and 44a remains the same, and the transmission hole 21 is formed. A configuration in which the range in which the transmission hole 21 is not formed can be completely reversed can be employed.

  As described above, according to the hand position detection device and the electronic timepiece 1 of the first embodiment, both the transmission holes 21 are detected based on the detection results of the transmission holes 21 by the first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44. If not, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is at the reference position H, and if only the first detection portion 43 detects the transmission hole 21, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is on the forward rotation side from the reference position H, and the second detection is performed. If only the transmission hole 21 is detected in the portion 44, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is on the reverse side of the reference position H.

  Therefore, it is possible to determine the presence / absence of needle misalignment with high efficiency based on the detection results of the first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44, or to correct needle misalignment with high efficiency.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, since the plurality of transmission holes 21 are formed at each rotation interval of one step, for example, the transmission holes 21 are compared with the case where the transmission holes 21 are continuously formed. Presence / absence determination can be performed with high accuracy, and the position of the pointer 7 can be detected with minimum step accuracy.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the gear of the retrograde mechanism and the detection position of the transmission hole in the second embodiment.

  The electronic timepiece of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the gear 17E as a rotating body connected to the hands 7 of the retrograde mechanism and the configuration for detecting the rotational position of the gear 17E. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. A description of the same configuration is omitted.

  In the gear 17E of the second embodiment, the connection configuration with the pointer 7 and the stepping motor 42C is the same as that of the gear 17 of the first embodiment.

  In the gear 17E of the second embodiment, one transmission hole 21a is formed at a central angular position in a predetermined angular range W11 corresponding to the fan-shaped range 12 around which the pointer 7 rotates. Further, in the angular range W11, a plurality of transmission holes 21b are formed at intervals of 3 steps as second predetermined intervals on the forward rotation side from the center, and a plurality of transmission holes 21b are formed at intervals of 2 steps as first predetermined intervals on the reverse side from the center. A transmission hole 21d is formed. Further, at one end and the other end of the angle range W11, there are formed transmission holes 21c and 21e that are adjacent to the adjacent transmission holes 21b and 21d at an interval of one step.

  Here, the above-mentioned angle range W11 has a width of the central angle at which the gear 17E rotates when the pointer 7 is moved from one end to the other end of the sector-shaped range 12, and is set at an arbitrary angular position. The angle range.

  In 2nd Embodiment, the structure which detects the rotation position of the gearwheel 17E is comprised from the one detection part (detection means) 43B. The configuration of the detection unit 43B is the same as that of the first detection unit 43 of the first embodiment, in which the light emitting unit 25 and the light receiving unit 26 are arranged to face each other with the gear 17E interposed at the detection position 43b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the detection position 43b is set to a radial position through which the transmission holes 21a to 21e pass at the central angular position of the angular range W11 of the gear 17E when the pointer 7 is at the reference position H. Has been.

  In FIG. 9, the figure explaining the shift | offset | difference direction of the pointer | guide 7 in 2nd Embodiment and the detection pattern of the transmission holes 21a-21e is shown.

  According to the arrangement of the transmission holes 21a to 21e of the gear 17E and the detection unit 43B, when the pointer 7 is in the forward rotation direction from the reference position H as shown in FIG. The position 43b overlaps the range in which the transmission holes 21d are arranged at two-step intervals. Therefore, when the gear 17E is rotated forward one step at a time, and the detection unit 43B obtains a detection result indicating that there is a hole → no hole → a hole, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is in the forward rotation direction from the reference position H. it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the pointer 7 is in the reverse direction from the reference position H, the detection position 43b of the detection unit 43B overlaps the range where the transmission holes 21b are arranged at intervals of 3 steps. Therefore, by rotating the gear 17E one step at a time, if the detection unit 43B obtains the detection result of hole → no hole → no hole → the presence of hole, that is, the detection result of no hole → no hole, It can be determined that the pointer 7 is in the reverse direction from the reference position H.

  Further, when the gear 17E is rotated step by step in the forward direction and the detection interval of the transmission holes 21a to 21e is changed from every three steps to every two steps, the pointer 7 is moved from the reference position H in the forward direction by two steps. It can be determined that it is in the advanced position. Conversely, when the gear 17E is rotated one step in the reverse direction and the detection interval of the transmission holes 21a to 21e changes from every two steps to every three steps, the pointer 7 advances from the reference position H by three steps in the reverse direction. It can be determined that it is in the position.

  Further, when the gear 17E is rotated step by step in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction, and the detection results of the transmission holes 21a to 21e are continuously two times, the pointer 7 is in the rotation range 12. It can be judged that the end has been reached.

[Needle position detection processing]
Next, a description will be given of a needle position detection process for checking the positional deviation of the pointer 7 of the retrograde mechanism and correcting the positional deviation in the second embodiment.

  10 to 12 are flowcharts showing the control procedure of the needle position detection process of the second embodiment executed by the CPU. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an example of the operation of the gear 17E in the needle position detection process.

  When the needle position detection process is started, first, the CPU 45 fast-forwards the pointer 7 to the reference position H based on the needle position data in the needle position storage unit in the RAM 47 (step S21). Thereby, if there is no position shift in the pointer 7, the pointer 7 moves to the reference position H, and if there is a position shift, the pointer 7 moves to a position shifted from the reference position H.

  Next, the CPU 45 activates the light emitting unit 25 of the detection unit 43B (step S22), and determines whether or not the transmission holes 21a to 21e are detected from the detection result of the light receiving unit 26 (step S23). If it is determined that there is no hole in which transmitted light is not detected, the process proceeds to a loop process in steps S24 to S26, and the gear 17E is rotated forward until it is determined that there is a hole in which transmitted light is detected. If it is determined that there is a hole, the process proceeds to step S27.

  When the process proceeds to step S27, the gear 17E is rotated forward one step again by the processes of steps S27 to S29 to determine whether or not there is a hole. Here, if it is determined that there is a hole, a detection result indicating that there is a hole is obtained in two steps in succession, and therefore there is a transmission hole 21e on one end side at the detection position 43b as shown in FIG. 13 (a). It can be determined that the condition is present. Therefore, if it is determined in step S29 that there is a hole, the gear 17E is reversed one step at a time, and the gear 17E is moved to a position where it is determined that there is a hole in two steps (with holes → without holes → without holes → with holes). The process proceeds to steps (steps S36 to S43: FIG. 11).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no hole as a result of the determination in step S29, the count value of the number of times of no hole stored in the RAM 47 is counted up (step S30). Further, by the subsequent processing of steps S31 to S33, the gear 17E is rotated forward by one step to determine whether or not there is a hole. Here, if it is determined that there is no hole, the detection result of no hole is obtained in two steps in succession, and therefore it can be determined that the pointer 7 is in a position advanced from the reference position H to the reverse side.

  Therefore, if it is determined that there is no hole in step S33, the gear 17E is rotated forward one step at a time, and the gear 17E is moved until it is determined that there is a hole (with holes → without holes → with holes) (step). S47 to S55: Shift to FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the hole is present, in steps S22, S26, S29, and S33, a detection result indicating that there is a hole is obtained in the order of holes → no holes → holes. At this time, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is in a position advanced forward from the reference position H.

  Therefore, if it is determined that there is a hole in step S33, first, the count value of the number of holes is cleared (step S34), and the gear 17E is fast-forwarded in the reverse direction of two steps (step S35). Here, the reason why fast-forwarding is performed in the two-step reverse direction is because it is known that two transmission holes are formed in the two-step section.

  Then, when fast-forwarding in the two-step reverse direction, the process reverses the gear 17E until it is determined that two holes are present (with holes → no holes → no holes → with holes) (steps S36 to S43: FIG. 11). Transition.

  By the processing from step S21 to step S33 described above, a needle position determining unit that determines whether the pointer 7 is on one side or the other side from the reference position H is configured.

  By the above-described step process, if the determination process of step S29 is shifted to YES side, or if the process shifts from step S35 to step S36, as shown below, until it is determined that there is a hole in two steps A process of reversing the gear 17E is executed.

  That is, first, it is confirmed whether or not the number of holes is not 3 (step S36). If not three times, the gear 17E is reversed by one step (step S37), and the detection unit 43B is operated to determine whether there is a hole (steps S38, S39). As a result, if there is no hole, the number of holes is counted up (step S40), and the processing from step S36 is repeated again. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a hole in the determination process in step S39, the count value of the number of holes without a hole in the RAM 47 is checked to determine whether it was detected twice or once as a hole was not detected. (Step S41) If it is once, the count value of the number of times of no hole in the RAM 47 is cleared (Step S42), and the processing from Step S36 is repeated again.

  By repeating the loop processing of steps S36 to S42 as described above, as shown in FIG. 13 (b) → FIG. 13 (c), the pointer 7 moves step by step in the reverse direction and the pointer 7 is moved to the reference position. After several steps beyond H, a detection result indicating that there are two holes (with holes → without holes → without holes → with holes) is obtained. When this detection result is obtained, the number of holes is determined to be 2 in the determination process in step S41, thereby exiting this loop process. At this time, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is at a known position that is moved by three steps in the reverse direction from the reference position H.

  Accordingly, after exiting the loop processing of steps S36 to S42, the count value of the number of times of no hole is sequentially cleared (step S43), and the gear 17E is forwarded three steps in the forward rotation direction (step S44). This rapid feed brings the pointer 7 to the reference position H.

  Subsequently, the current needle position data of the pointer 7 stored in the needle position storage unit in the RAM 47 is corrected to a value representing the reference position H (step S45). As a result, the needle position (value of the needle position data) of the pointer 7 recognized by the CPU 45 matches the actual needle position of the pointer 7, and the positional deviation of the pointer 7 is corrected. Thereafter, the pointer 7 is returned to the original position (for example, a position indicating Monday if Monday) (step S46), and the hand position detection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination process in step S33 is shifted to the NO side and the process shifts to step S47, the gears are determined until one hole is detected (with holes → without holes → with holes) as shown below. A process of rotating 17E forward is executed.

  That is, when the process proceeds to step S47, first, since it is determined that there is no hole in step S33, the count value of the number of no holes stored in the RAM 47 is counted up (step S47). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the number of holes is not 3 (step S48). On the other hand, if the rotation is completed three times, the gear 17E is rotated forward by one step (step S49), and the detection unit 43B is operated to determine whether or not there is a hole (steps S50 and S51). As a result, if it is determined that there is no hole, the value of the number of holes is counted up (step S52), and the processing from step S48 is repeated again. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a hole in the determination process in step S51, the count value of the number of holes without a hole in the RAM 47 is checked to determine whether it has been detected twice or once that there is no hole ( (Step S53) If it is twice, the count value of the number of times of no hole in the RAM 47 is cleared (Step S54), and the processing from Step S48 is repeated again.

  By repeating the loop processing of steps S48 to S54 as described above, the pointer 7 moves step by step in the forward rotation direction, and the pointer 7 exceeds the reference position H, and after several steps, the needle 7 is punched by one step. A detection result indicating presence (with holes → without holes → with holes) is obtained. Based on this detection result, the number of holes is determined to be 1 in the determination process in step S53, and the loop process is exited. At this time, it can be determined that the pointer 7 is at a known position moved by two steps from the reference position H in the forward rotation direction.

  Accordingly, after exiting the loop processing of steps S48 to S54, the count value of the number of times of no hole is sequentially cleared (step S55), and the gear 17E is fast-forwarded by two steps in the reverse direction (step S56). By this rapid traverse, the pointer 7 comes to the reference position H.

  Subsequently, the current needle position data of the pointer 7 stored in the needle position storage unit in the RAM 47 is corrected to a value representing the reference position H (step S57). As a result, the needle position (value of the needle position data) of the pointer 7 recognized by the CPU 45 matches the actual needle position of the pointer 7, and the positional deviation of the pointer 7 is corrected. Thereafter, the pointer 7 is returned to the original position (for example, a position indicating Monday if Monday) (step S46), and the hand position detection process is terminated.

  By the processing in steps S36 to S42 and the loop processing in steps S48 to S54, needle position correction control means for moving the pointer 7 to a known position is configured.

  By the needle position detection process as described above, even if the pointer 7 is misaligned, the misalignment can be corrected to return the pointer 7 to the correct position.

  As described above, according to the hand position detection device and the electronic timepiece 1 of the second embodiment, the transmission holes 21a to 21e formed in the gear 17E are spaced at different intervals from the center on one side and the other side. Since it is formed, it is possible to easily determine whether the pointer 7 is on the forward rotation side or the reverse rotation side from the reference position H by detecting this interval.

  Further, since the transmission holes 21a to 21e are provided at intervals of 2 steps on one side from the center and at intervals of 3 steps on the other side from the center, both can be distinguished with a small number of detections. It has become. Furthermore, since the transmission holes 21c and 21e are formed at one step intervals at one end and the other end of the range where the transmission holes 21a to 21e are formed, by detecting the transmission holes 21c and 21e at these intervals, the pointer It is possible to determine that 7 is at the end of the rotation range 12.

  Further, according to the needle position detection process of the second embodiment, the detection unit 43B is operated while the gear 17E is rotated, and the formation interval of the transmission holes 21a to 21e is determined, so that the pointer 7 or the forward rotation side is detected. Even if the pointer 7 is misaligned, it is possible to determine whether it is on the reverse side, or by moving the pointer 7 beyond the reference position H to a known position. It is possible to correct it well. In the first embodiment, two detection units, the first detection unit 43 and the second detection unit 44, are required. In the second embodiment, one detection unit 43B is possible.

  In addition, according to the first and second embodiments, the transmission holes 21 and 21a to 21e are employed as the detected portions, and the detected portions are formed on the gears 17 and 17E that transmit power to the hands 7, Since the light emitting portions 25 and 27 and the light receiving portions 26 and 28 are arranged with the gear wheel 17 interposed therebetween, and the presence / absence of the transmission holes 21 and 21a to 21e is detected by them, for example, a casing of a wristwatch body High-precision detection processing can be realized even in small spaces such as inside.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the pointer 7 of the retrograde mechanism that indicates and displays the day of the week in the electronic timepiece 1 is a detection target. However, the pointer of the detection target is not limited to the one that displays the day of the week. A guideline for displaying information may be a detection target. In addition, as long as the pointer rotates within a sector shape, the pointer is not limited to the pointer of the electronic timepiece, and the pointers of various devices may be detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the detected portion is formed on the gears 17 and 17E fixedly connected to the pointer 7 is shown. However, for example, the detected portion is formed on the intermediate gear 16 to detect this. It can also be configured as follows. In the above embodiment, the reference position of the pointer 7 is set to the center angle position of the fan-shaped rotation range 12, but may be set to a position shifted by several steps in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction. Further, a plurality of detected portions may be formed in a row, for example, by connecting a plurality of transmission holes to form a long hole.

  In addition, the detailed structure and the detailed method shown in the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic timepiece 7 Pointer 12 Fan-shaped range 17 Gear 21 Transmission hole 25, 27 Light emission part 26, 28 Light reception part 42c Stepping motor 43 1st detection part 43a 1st detection position 44 2nd detection part 44a 2nd detection position 45 CPU
46 ROM
47 RAM
W1 1st angle range W2 2nd angle range H Reference position 17E Gear 21a-21e Transmission hole 43b Detection position W11 Angle range

Claims (15)

A pointer position detecting device for detecting a position of the pointer for a pointer rotating within a predetermined range;
A rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the pointer and has a plurality of detected parts on the same radius;
First detection means for detecting the detected portion at a first detection position set in a path through which the detected portion passes;
Second detection means for detecting the detected portion at a second detection position set in a path through which the detected portion passes;
With
The first detection position and the second detection position are set at angular positions apart from each other on the rotating body,
In the rotating body,
When the pointer is at the reference position in the predetermined range, the detected portion is not in the predetermined range on the side in the first rotation direction from the first portion of the rotating body that overlaps the first detection position, A plurality of the detected parts are formed on the side of the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction from a part adjacent to the first part,
When the pointer is at the reference position, the second portion is not located in a predetermined range on the second rotational direction side from the second portion of the rotating body that overlaps the second detection position. A plurality of the detected parts are formed on a side in the first rotation direction from a portion adjacent to the pointer position detecting device. The first detection position and the second detection position are:
The one end portion and the other end portion within a rotation angle range of the rotating body corresponding to a predetermined range in which the pointer rotates when the pointer is at the reference position. The pointer position detection device according to 1.   3. The pointer according to claim 2, wherein the rotating body has no detected portion in the rotation angle range, and the plurality of detected portions are formed in an angle range outside the rotation angle range. Position detection device. The rotating body is configured to be rotated step by step by a stepping motor,
The pointer position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of detected portions are formed at each rotation interval corresponding to one step rotation of the stepping motor. The predetermined range is a sector,
The rotating body is a gear that transmits the movement of a stepping motor to the pointer,
The detected part is a transmission hole formed in the gear,
The first detection unit and the second detection unit receive light transmitted from the one of the gears by the light emitting unit and transmitted through the transmission hole by the light receiving unit, whereby the first detection position and the second detection unit are received. The pointer position detection device according to claim 1, wherein the position of the transmission hole is detected at a detection position.   When the first detection means and the second detection means are operated in a state where the pointer is determined to be at the reference position, and the detected portion is not detected in both, the pointer is not misaligned. 2. A pointer position detection unit according to claim 1, further comprising a needle shift determination unit that determines that the pointer is shifted when either of the detected parts is detected. apparatus. When it is determined that the pointer is misaligned by the needle misalignment determining means and the detected portion is detected by the first detecting means, the detected portion is detected by the first detecting means. Until the rotary body is driven and controlled in the second rotational direction until it disappears,
When it is determined that the pointer is misaligned by the needle misalignment determining means, and the detected portion is detected by the second detecting means, the detected portion is detected by the second detecting means. By driving and controlling the rotating body in the first rotation direction until it disappears,
Needle misalignment correction control means for returning the pointer to the reference position;
The pointer position detecting device according to claim 6, further comprising: A pointer position detecting device for detecting a position of the pointer for a pointer rotating within a predetermined range;
A rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the pointer and has a plurality of detected parts on the same radius;
Detecting means for detecting the detected portion at a predetermined detection position in a path through which the detected portion passes;
With
In the rotating body,
When the pointer is at a reference position within the predetermined range , a plurality of the detected parts are formed on the one side at a first predetermined interval from an angular position overlapping the detection position, and the first side is formed on the other side. A pointer position detecting device, wherein a plurality of the detecting sections are formed at every second predetermined interval wider than one predetermined interval. The rotating body is configured to be rotated step by step by a stepping motor,
The first predetermined interval in which the plurality of detected portions are formed is a two-step rotation interval,
9. The pointer position detection device according to claim 8, wherein the second predetermined interval at which the plurality of detected portions are formed is a rotation interval of three steps.   The detected portions are formed at an interval smaller than the first predetermined interval at one end and the other end of the rotation angle range of the rotating body that overlaps the detection position when the pointer moves in the predetermined range. The pointer position detecting device according to claim 8, wherein The rotating body is configured to be rotated step by step by a stepping motor,
11. The pointer position detection according to claim 10, wherein two detected parts are formed at one end of the rotation angle range and the other end of the rotating body at a rotation interval of one step, respectively. apparatus. The predetermined range is a sector,
The rotating body is a gear that transmits the movement of a stepping motor to the pointer,
The detected part is a transmission hole formed in the gear,
The detection means is configured to detect the presence / absence of the transmission hole at the predetermined detection position by irradiating light from one of the gears with a light emitting unit and receiving light transmitted through the transmission hole at the light receiving unit. The pointer position detection device according to claim 8.   The detection means detects the detected portion while rotating the rotating body, and the pointer is positioned on one side of the reference position based on the rotation interval of the rotating body detected by the detected portion. 9. The pointer position detecting device according to claim 8, further comprising a needle position determining means for determining whether it is on the other side. If it is determined by the needle position determining means that the pointer is on the other side of the reference position, the rotating body is moved to the one side until the two detected parts are not detected at the first predetermined interval. While controlling to rotate to
When it is determined by the needle position determining means that the pointer is on one side of the reference position, the rotating body is moved to the other side until two detected parts are detected at the first predetermined interval. By controlling to rotate
Needle position correction control means for moving the pointer to a known position;
14. The pointer position detection device according to claim 13, further comprising: A pointer that rotates in a fan-shaped range;
The pointer position detection device according to claims 1 to 14, which detects the position of the pointer;
An electronic timepiece characterized by comprising:

Images