JPH0990066A - Electronic clock with power generating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user of the amount of charge correctly by making a pointer stop at a third stop position when a voltage of a power accumulating means exceeds a third prescribed value after a second prescribed value is detected. SOLUTION: When a voltage of a power generating means is 1.27V or below, 1.20V or below and 1.15V or below, a voltage detecting means 27 outputs signals S1, S2 and S3 correspondingly. When a charge warning signal output means 28 receives the signal S1, it outputs a charge warning signal JS and stops the output 30 minutes after cancellation of the signal S1. When a stop warning signal output means 29 receives the signal S3, it outputs a stop warning signal TS and stops the output when the signal S3 is canceled. A hand-setting warning signal output means 25 and the means 28 and 29 are so constructed as to output the respective signal during the time immediately after the start of operation. A mode control means 30 receives a signal of an input means 24 and controls switchover of a mode of an electronic clock. An OR circuit 31 executes a control so that the means 30 may not operate when any of a hand-setting warning signal, the charge warning signal and the stop warning signal is outputted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism, and more particularly to a multifunctional electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism such as a chronograph function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a power generation mechanism such as a solar cell and electricity 2
An electronic timepiece that has a storage means such as a multilayer capacitor and does not require battery replacement has been developed and commercialized. These watches were very convenient as they did not require battery replacement. However, when the charge amount of the power storage means, which is the power source, is insufficient, it is necessary to notify the user of that fact and prompt the user to charge the battery. As a means for solving this, the applicant of the present invention has disclosed the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-19448.
According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4 publication, the fact that the amount of charge is insufficient is notified by changing the hand movement mode of the second hand, and when the voltage is restored after the timepiece has stopped, the hand movement different from the above-mentioned hand movement is performed and used. It discloses a technique for notifying a person that the clock is stopped and the display time is wrong.

[0003]

However, in the above technique, since the second hand is continuously driven even when the voltage of the power storage means is lowered, valuable power is consumed and the voltage of the secondary battery is reduced. It has resulted in hastening the decline. However, stopping the second hand may mislead the user into thinking that the watch is completely stopped,
Simply stopping the second hand will reduce the product value. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to accurately notify the user of the charge amount of the power storage unit without using useless power consumption.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises a power generation means, a power storage means for accumulating charges generated by the power generation means, and a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of the power storage means. In an electronic timepiece that displays the amount of accumulated charge of the storage means by a pointer that displays the time, when the voltage detecting means detects a first predetermined value, the pointer stops at a first stop position, and When the predetermined value of 2 is detected, the pointer stops at the second stop position, and when the voltage of the power storage means exceeds the third predetermined value after detecting the second predetermined value, the pointer moves to the second position. It is characterized by stopping at the stop position of 3.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an oscillation circuit, which outputs a reference signal of 32,768 Hz with a crystal oscillator (not shown) as the original oscillation. Reference numeral 2 is a frequency dividing circuit, which divides the reference signal from the oscillation circuit 1. A waveform shaping circuit 3 outputs a step pulse for driving an hour / minute hand 9 and a second hand 6 which will be described later. A second motor drive circuit 4 converts the step pulse from the waveform shaping circuit 3 into a motor drive signal. 5
Is a second motor and is rotated by a drive signal from the second motor drive circuit 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a second hand, which performs a step operation by rotating the second motor 5. Reference numeral 7 denotes an hour / minute hand motor drive circuit, which converts the step pulse from the waveform shaping circuit 3 into a motor drive signal. Reference numeral 8 denotes an hour / minute motor, which is rotated by a drive signal from the hour / minute hand motor drive circuit 7.
Reference numeral 9 denotes an hour / minute hand, which performs a step operation by the rotation of the hour / minute motor 8.

Reference numeral 10 is a second hand position counter, which is a sixty-decimal counter that works together with the second hand 6. Reference numeral 11 denotes a chronomotor drive circuit, which converts the 1/20 second signal from the waveform shaping circuit 3 into a chronomotor drive signal. Reference numeral 12 denotes a chronomotor, which receives a signal from the chronomotor drive circuit 11 and rotates. Reference numeral 13 is a chrono needle, which is a chrono motor 13
Step by rotating. Reference numeral 14 is a chronograph position counter, which is interlocked with the chronograph hand 13. A chrono counter 15 counts the time counted by the chronograph.

Reference numeral 16 is a second counter, which counts seconds at the current time. Reference numeral 17 denotes a 21 counter, which is fixed at a value of 21. Similarly, 18 is 24 counter, 19 is 1
8 counters. Reference numeral 20 denotes a selector means, which is input terminals I1 and I having the corresponding numbers when any one of the control terminal signals C1, C2 and C3 is input.
Either 2 or I3 is output. When signals are simultaneously input to a plurality of control terminals, the one with the smaller number is output preferentially. A coincidence detection circuit 21 outputs a detection signal to the waveform shaping circuit 3 when it detects a coincidence between the content output from the selector means 20 and the counter content of the second hand position counter 10. Reference numeral 22 denotes a counter control means, which writes the counter information of the second hand position counter 10 and the chronograph position counter 14 in a nonvolatile memory which will be described later, and reads it from the nonvolatile memory. A write end signal is output when writing is completed, and a read end signal is output when reading is completed. A non-volatile memory 23 stores counter information of the second hand position counter 10 and the chronograph position counter 14 under the control of the counter control circuit 22.

Reference numeral 24 is an input means, which is constituted by an external operation switch. Reference numeral 25 denotes a needle alignment warning signal output means, which outputs the needle alignment warning signal immediately after the reset signal of the microcomputer reset means described later is released, and the output of the needle alignment warning signal is stopped by the operation signal from the switch means 24. To do. Reference numeral 26 is an electric power generation means, which is composed of, for example, a solar cell and a storage means. Reference numeral 27 denotes a voltage detecting means which outputs a signal S1 when the voltage of the power generating means 26 is 1.27 V or less, a signal S2 when the voltage is 1.20 V or less, and a signal S3 when the voltage is 1.15 V or less. Reference numeral 28 denotes a charging warning signal output means, which outputs the charging warning signal JS when receiving the signal S1 of the voltage detecting means 27, and stops the output of the charging warning signal JS when 30 minutes have elapsed since the signal S1 was released. A stop warning signal output means 29 outputs the stop warning signal TS when receiving the signal S3 from the voltage detecting means 27, and stops outputting the stop warning signal TS when the signal S2 is released. Needle alignment warning signal output means 25, charging warning signal output means 28, and stop warning signal output means 2 described above.
9 is configured to output each signal immediately after the operation is started. A mode control means 30 receives a signal from the input means 24 and controls mode switching of the electronic timepiece. An OR circuit 31 controls the mode control means 30 so as not to operate when any of the needle alignment warning signal, the charging warning signal, and the stop warning signal is output. The above selector means 20 and counter control means 2
2. The microcomputer 100 is composed of the mode control means 30 and the like.

An oscillation detection circuit 32 outputs an oscillation detection signal when the oscillation circuit 1 oscillates. Reference numeral 33 denotes a microcomputer reset means, which outputs a microcomputer reset signal when it receives an oscillation detection signal output from the oscillation detection circuit 32 or a write end signal from the counter control means 22 while the stop warning signal is being output. Of the above components, the oscillator circuit 1, the microcomputer 100, etc.
00 is configured.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external view of a multifunctional electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 50 denotes a status indicator for indicating the status of the electronic timepiece, which is a "warning" 5 for displaying a charging warning status.
0a, "stop" 50b for displaying the stop state, "needle" 50c for displaying the hand alignment state, and the second hand 6
Directed by Reference numeral 51 is a mode designating section, and the mode indicated by the mode hand 51a is currently selected. In FIG. 2, "TIME" is indicated, which is the normal time mode.

First, it is assumed that the voltage of the power generation means 26 is 0V. At this time, all the components shown in FIG. 1 are stopped. When the voltage of the electric power generation means exceeds 0.75 V due to light, the oscillation circuit 1 starts oscillating. Then, the oscillation detection circuit 32 outputs an oscillation detection signal. The microcomputer reset circuit 33 receives this signal and outputs a microcomputer reset signal. Therefore, the microcomputer 100 is in the reset state. Elements other than the microcomputer 100,
For example, the stop warning signal output means 29 and the like are reset by a power-on reset circuit (not shown) to be in an initial state.

When the voltage of the power generation means 26 further rises and exceeds 1.15 V, the voltage detection circuit 27 releases the signal S3 output to the stop warning signal output means 29, but the stop warning signal output means is released. 29 continues to output the stop warning signal. When the voltage of the power generation means 26 further rises and exceeds 1.20 V, the voltage detection circuit 27 causes the signal S
Release 2. Therefore, the stop warning signal output means 29 cancels the stop warning signal.

When the stop warning signal is released, the microcomputer reset means 33 is controlled so that the microcomputer 100 is released from reset. Therefore, the microcomputer 100 starts operation. Further, since the hour / minute hand control means 16 also passes the step pulse from the waveform shaping circuit 3, the hour / minute hand 9 starts operating. Next, the counter control means 22 starts operation,
The counter contents of the second hand position counter 10 and the chronograph hand position counter 14 are read from the non-volatile memory 23 and transferred to the respective counters. However, in this case, since it is the initial state, the contents to be read are not stored, and as a result, the two position counters have indefinite values. However, the counter control means 22 outputs a read end signal to the coincidence detection circuit 21 to finish the read control. Further, since the microcomputer 100 has just been reset, the needle alignment warning signal output means 25 and the charging warning signal output means 28 are outputting their respective signals. Therefore, the selector 20 gives priority to the stop warning signal and outputs the contents of the 24 counter 18. The coincidence detection circuit controls the waveform shaping circuit 3 until the contents of the 24 counter 18 and the contents of the second hand position counter 10 match, but as described above, the contents of the second hand position counter 10 are indefinite, so that the second hand 6 is at an arbitrary point. It will stop. Therefore 0 at this point
It is necessary to perform the alignment operation. This is an operation in which the second hand 6 is stepped to the 0 second position while the second hand position counter 10 is electrically set to 0. This operation is shown in Figure 2.
The mode hand 51a shown in can be set to the position of "(0)", but this is a known technique and is not directly related to the present invention, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the 0 position of the second hand 6 is adjusted, the coincidence detecting circuit 21 causes the second hand position counter 10 to coincide with the 24 counter 18. Therefore, the second hand 6 stops at the 24 second position, that is, the "hand point" 50c shown in FIG. That is, the needle alignment warning state is set. This is a mode in which the electronic timepiece is completely stopped and the user is warned that the time indicated by the hour / minute hand 9 is different from the correct time. When the user operates the switch means 24 to set the hour / minute hand 9 to the correct time, the needle alignment warning signal creating means 25 inputs the operation signal from the switch means 24 and cancels the output of the needle alignment warning signal. To do. Therefore, the selector means 20 outputs the contents of the 18 counter 19, and as a result, the second hand 6 stops at the position of 18 seconds, that is, the position of "warning" 50a shown in FIG. This is a display for prompting the user to further charge the electric power of the electric power generation means 26 because the electric power is insufficient. The mode control means 30 does not work while the OR 31 outputs the needle alignment warning signal or the charging warning signal. Therefore, even if the switch means 24 is operated, the mode transition is not performed, and therefore only the time function can be operated in the charging warning state.

Further, the voltage of the electric power generating means rises to 1.
When the voltage exceeds 27V, the voltage detection means 27 causes the second signal S2
Is output to the charging warning signal output means 28. When the charging warning signal output means 28 detects the second signal S2 continuously for 30 minutes, it cancels the charging warning signal output from the initial state. Then, the selector means 20 outputs the second counter 16 so that the second position counter 10 coincides with the second counter.
Therefore, the second hand 6 displays the current time second and starts the one second step. Further, since the mode control means 30 is also in the operating state, it becomes possible to shift the electronic timepiece to the chronograph mode by operating the switch means 24. A specific mode transition is performed by matching the second hand position counter 10 with a chronosecond counter (not shown).
Since it is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description will be omitted.

When the voltage of the power generating means 26 further rises to 2.6V, a limiter circuit (not shown) works to control the voltage so that it does not exceed 2.6V. Therefore, when the power generation means 26 is between 1.27V and 2.6V, it can be used as a normal multifunctional timepiece.

Next, the case where the voltage drops will be described. The power generation means 26 works as a normal multifunctional timepiece up to 1.27V. Here, the voltage of the power generation means 26 is 1.
When the voltage reaches 27V, the voltage detecting means 27 outputs the signal S1. Therefore, the charging warning signal output means 28 outputs a charging warning signal. As a result, the selector means 20 switches the output from the second counter 16 to the contents of the 18 counter 19. Therefore, the second hand 6 is stopped at the position of 18, and the timepiece is in the charging warning state. Further, since the charging warning signal is output to the mode control circuit 30 via the OR 31, the mode control circuit 30 cannot operate and the mode cannot be switched.

Further, the voltage of the electric power generating means 26 decreases,
When the voltage reaches 1.20V, the voltage detecting means 27 outputs the second signal S
2 is output. However, the stop warning signal output means 29 does not perform any operation upon receiving this second signal. When the voltage of the power supply means further decreases to 1.15V, the stop warning signal output means 29 outputs a stop warning signal. As a result, the selector means 20 switches the output from the 18 counter 19 to the 21 counter 17. Therefore, the second hand 6 stops at the position of 21 seconds, that is, "stop" 50b shown in FIG. 2, and the timepiece enters the stop warning state. Further, since the hour / minute hand control means 16 becomes inoperable, the hour / minute hand 9 stops. Next, when the stop warning signal TS is received and the counter value of the second hand position counter 10 becomes 21, the counter control circuit 22 writes the counter contents of the second hand position counter 10 and the chronograph hand position counter 14 in the nonvolatile memory 23. When the writing is completed, a writing end signal is output to the microcomputer reset means 33. The microcomputer reset means 33 receives the write end signal and outputs a reset signal. Therefore, the microcomputer 100 is reset.

Next, the specific structure of the power generation means 26 will be described with reference to FIG. A solar cell 51 generates a voltage when it is irradiated with light. Reference numeral 52 is a small-capacity capacitor, which is a charging means for quickly operating the clock circuit 200 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 53 denotes a secondary battery, which is a charging unit for storing the electric power generated by the solar cell 51. 55 and 56 are a small-capacity capacitor 52 and a secondary battery 53.
This is a backflow prevention diode for preventing the electric charge accumulated in the battery from leaking through the solar cell 1. Reference numeral 54 denotes a time divisional switch, which is composed of an NPN type MOS transistor. The time divisional switch 54 is a switch for receiving a predetermined clock from the frequency dividing circuit 2 and alternately charging the small capacity capacitor 52 and the secondary battery 53. Reference numeral 55 is a capacitor connection switch, which is composed of an NPN type MOS transistor. Capacitor connection switch 55
Is controlled by the stop warning signal described above, and is turned on when the stop warning signal is released.

Next, the operation of the power generation means 26 will be described. First, it is assumed that the small-capacity capacitor 52 and the storage amount of the secondary battery 53 are 0 and no light is emitted. Here solar cell 51
When light is irradiated on the, a voltage is generated. Since the time divisional switch 54 is off at this time, the generated voltage is stored in the small capacity capacitor 52. Since the small-capacity capacitor has a small capacity, the small-capacity capacitor is charged immediately, and the clock circuit starts operating with this as power. First, the oscillating circuit 1 starts oscillating, and the time divisional switch 54 is controlled by a predetermined clock divided by the oscillating circuit 1 to alternately charge the small capacity capacitor 52 and the secondary battery 53. However, since the voltage of the secondary battery 53 does not rise immediately, the small-capacity capacitor 52 operates the clock circuit for a while. After that, when the voltage of the secondary battery 53 exceeds 1.15 V, the voltage detection means 27 outputs the first signal S1 as described above, and this signal S
When 1 is continuously output for 30 minutes, the stop warning signal is released. When the stop warning signal is released, the capacitor connection switch 58 is turned on, and as a result, the power of the secondary battery 53 is supplied to the clock circuit.

Contrary to the above description when the voltage of the secondary battery 53 drops, a stop warning signal is output when the voltage of the secondary battery 53 reaches 1.15 V, which causes the power supply of the timepiece circuit to rise. Is also switched from the secondary battery 53 to the small capacity capacitor 52.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the charging amount of the storage means is displayed by stopping the pointer, it is possible to notify the user without wasting electric power. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a multifunctional electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a multifunctional electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram of power generation means of a multifunctional electronic timepiece with a power generation mechanism according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Oscillation Circuit 25 Needle Alignment Signal Output Means 27 Voltage Detection Means 28 Charging Warning Signal Output Means 29 Stop Warning Signal Output Means 51 Solar Cells 53 Secondary Batteries 100 Microcomputers

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical indication location H02J 7/00 H02J 7/00 N 7/35 7/35 B (72) Inventor Isamu Kobayashi Tokyo 6-12 Hommachi Honmachi, Tanashi City Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Tanashi Factory

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power storage means, a power storage means for storing charges generated by the power generation means, and a voltage detection means for detecting a voltage of the power storage means, and a charge storage amount of the power storage means according to a pointer for displaying time. In the electronic timepiece displaying, the pointer stops at the first stop position when the voltage detecting means detects the first predetermined value, and the pointer moves to the second when the second predetermined value is detected. Stopping at the second stop position, and when the voltage of the power storage means exceeds the third predetermined value after detecting the second predetermined value, the pointer stops at the third stop position. Electronic clock.