JPS6291885A - Electronic timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To curtail current consumption by inputting a charge which has been applied and accumulated to a piezoelectric element, to plural pieces of capacitors in a boosting circuit. CONSTITUTION:The titled timepiece is constituted of a battery 11, a capacitor 12, a oscillation frequency dividing circuit, and a boosting circuit, etc. In this state, an electric energy which has been supplied from the battery 11 is converted to a signal by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit. Also, by the boosting circuit, the battery 11 is connected in parallel to plural pieces of capacitors 12, and the respective capacitors 12 and the battery 11 become the same potential. MOreover, by a signal which has been transmitted by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit, plural pieces of capacitors 12 are connected in series, respectively, and also connected in series to a piezoelectric element 1, as well, and this signal is applied to the piezoelectric element 1, as a driving signal which has been converted to a high voltage. Subsequently, by the signal which has been transmitted by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit, the piezoelectric element 1 and plural pieces of capacitors 12 are connected in parallel, respectively, and the element 1 and the capacitor 12 become the same potential. Thereafter, by the next signal, the battery 11 and the capacitor 12 are connected in parallel. By repeating the foregoing, the element 1 is driven, and the timepiece operates the hand.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece equipped with a piezoelectric element.

[Invention (already required)]

The present invention provides an electronic timepiece equipped with a piezoelectric element, which is composed of a battery, a plurality of capacitors, an oscillation frequency dividing circuit, and a control circuit, and the control circuit 2I is a circuit that connects the battery and a plurality of capacitors in parallel. 1 control means, a second control TJ means for connecting the plurality of capacitors and the piezoelectric element in series, and a third control means for connecting the piezoelectric element and the plurality of capacitors in parallel,
By redirecting the electric charge output and stored in the piezoelectric element to the capacitor, current consumption is reduced and the conversion efficiency of electricity and kinetic energy is improved.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional electronic watches equipped with piezoelectric elements, the charge applied and stored in the piezoelectric element is discarded when the piezoelectric element is short-circuited.

[Problems and Objectives to be Solved by the Invention] However, the above-mentioned prior art has the problems of high current consumption and low conversion efficiency. The present invention is intended to solve these problems, and its purpose is to reduce current consumption, improve conversion efficiency, and provide a long-life electronic timepiece.

Means for Solving Problem C] The electronic timepiece of the present invention includes a battery that supplies electrical energy,
The booster circuit is composed of a plurality of capacitors, a piezoelectric element single oscillation frequency dividing circuit exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon, and a booster circuit, and the booster circuit includes a first control means for connecting a battery and the plurality of capacitors in parallel, and a first control means for connecting each of the plurality of capacitors in parallel. The present invention is characterized by comprising a second control means for connecting a capacitor and the piezoelectric element in series, and a third means for connecting the piezoelectric element and a plurality of capacitors in parallel.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration of the present invention, the electrical energy supplied from the battery is converted into a signal by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit, and is connected in parallel with a plurality of capacitors by the booster circuit, so that each capacitor and battery are at the same potential. Become. A plurality of capacitors are connected in series with each other and also in series with the piezoelectric element by the signal transmitted by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit, and a high voltage driving UJ signal is applied to the piezoelectric element.
Next, the piezoelectric element and the plurality of capacitors are connected in parallel using the signal transmitted by the oscillation frequency dividing circuit, so that the piezoelectric element and the plurality of capacitors have the same potential. Then, the next signal drives the piezoelectric element by repeatedly connecting the battery and the plurality of capacitors in parallel over 0, and the electronic watch moves its hands.

〔Example〕

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration-proof part, Fig. 4 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 5 is a piezoelectric element. Control signal diagram, Figure 6 shows a detailed diagram of the pawl lever and second gear, Figure 7 shows the circuit configuration of the electronic timepiece, Figure 8 shows the state diagram of the booster circuit, and Figure 9 shows a plan view of another embodiment. The same numbers indicate the same parts.

From Figures 1 and 2, an oscillation circuit equipped with a crystal resonator that oscillates using electrical energy, a frequency divider circuit that divides the frequency of the signal transmitted by the crystal resonator, and a booster circuit that increases the voltage of the frequency-divided signal. , Detection to check the state of the bimorph piezoelectric element 1, in which two piezoelectric materials made of a material exhibiting a piezoelectric phenomenon, such as barium titanate, are sandwiched between shims made of an elastic material such as metal or carbon fiber. The circuit is implemented in a circuit block 10. Note that the bimorph type piezoelectric element 1 will be referred to as piezoelectric element 1 from now on.

The piezoelectric element 1 has a base plate 2 made of metal or synthetic resin, etc.
It overlaps with 01 two-dimensionally. The piezoelectric element 1 is located above a slide plate 204 made of metal or synthetic resin, etc., and an element holding plate 2 made of metal or synthetic resin etc.
It is located below 05. Piezoelectric element 1 is slide plate 2
It is guided by pins 25 and 26 planted in 04 and fixed by pressure contact with screws via an element holding plate 205. The slide plate 204 and the element retainer 205 also serve as electrical conduction to the piezoelectric element 1. Guest@rim made of insulating material (
20G is the piezoelectric element 1 provided on the slide side 204.
The piezoelectric element 1 is pushed into a groove parallel to the longitudinal end surface of the
The piezoelectric element 1 rises in the planar gap between the slide plate 204 and the slide plate 204
The slide plate 204 is insulated from the longitudinal end face of the slide plate 204, and also serves as a planar guide for the piezoelectric element l. Furthermore, the pin 104 planted on the ground plate 201 also serves as a guide for the piezoelectric element 1 in the planar direction. The slide plate 204 has holes 101 and 102 for sliding parallel to the longitudinal end face of the piezoelectric element l in a plane. From this, the slide plate 204 is guided by three pins 101, 102, and 103 planted in the base plate 201 and fixed with screws.

Note that the slide plate 204. When the element retainer 205 is made of synthetic resin, it is sufficient that it is subjected to conduction treatment so that it can be electrically connected to the piezoelectric element 1, and the same applies when the base plate 201 is made of synthetic resin. In addition, the slide plate 204 and the insulating plate 206 are not provided (but it is also possible to use the main plate 201 and the element holding plate 205).
The piezoelectric element 1 may be placed directly between them.

One side of the piezoelectric element l is fixed by an element holding plate 205,
A pulley 20 whose other end is made of metal or synthetic resin, etc.
9 is engaged. The pulley 209 is provided with a sloped portion 209a whose apex angle is centered on a normal line substantially parallel to the base plate 201, and is engaged with the piezoelectric element 1. Also pulley 20
At 9, a pulley pin 210 made of metal or synthetic resin is installed in a normal direction that is substantially perpendicular to the main plate 201 in cross section.
is being planted. The pulley bin 210 is provided with an arc-shaped groove 210a. In addition, pulley bin 21
0 may be integrated with the pulley 209 (pulley bin 2
The groove 210a of No. 10 may be rectangular or may be omitted. On both sides of the pulley 209, there is a bearing portion 20 with a triangular heel-shaped hole.
9b is provided. The pulley 209 is connected to the bearing section 2
It is supported from both ends by bearing pins 212 made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like and having an apex angle different from that of 09b.

The bearing pin 212a is installed in the pulley holder (lower) 20, which is made of metal or synthetic resin and whose position is determined by inserting pins 14.15 into the base plate 201. The pulley holder (upper) 207 made of metal or synthetic resin is connected to the pin 1 planted on the base plate 201.
4.15 and fixed by screws - the bearing pin 212b is provided. In addition, the pulley 209
A trunk-shaped hole 14.15 is provided which is long in the direction of the rotation axis, and the bearing portion 209b of the pulley 209 and the bearing pins 212a, b are engaged with each other. In addition, pulley receiver 2
07/208 and the bearing pin 212 may be integrated.

,il! ! A pawl lever 211 that slides in the plane direction with respect to the plate 201 is a gear train bridge 20 made of metal or synthetic resin.
2 and the pawl lever receiver 203.

The pawl lever 211 is provided with an elastic portion 211a, which is connected to the arcuate groove 210a of the pulley don 210.
1a are engaged by a seam allowance.

As a result, the arcuate groove 210a of the pulley bin 210 and the elastic portion 211a of the pawl lever 211 are in point contact, reducing friction as much as possible. Elastic part 211a of claw lever 211
has an H-shaped hole at the plane point. Note that the shape of the elastic portion 211a may be any shape that bends in the cross-sectional direction with respect to the claw lever 211,
The claw lever 2 can be secured by pressure welding, joining, or double-fitting.
At the other end of 11, an elastic part 211b is provided in two different directions in a plane.
, c are provided with claw parts 211d and 6 at the tips of the elastic parts 211b and c, respectively (see FIG. 6).
A track-shaped hole 103 is provided in the center of the main plate 20 on a straight line connecting the seconds wheel 4 and the pulley bin 210.
It is engaged with a pin 103 planted in 1. The pawl portions 211d and 211e of the pawl lever 211 engage with the second gear 4. From 0 or more, the pawl lever 211 engages with the pulley bin 210, the second gear 4, and the pin 103, and the two-dimensional convexity of the train wheel bridge 202. It is located between two parts of the portion 202a.

The seconds wheel 4 is provided with saw-shaped teeth, and the seconds wheel 4 is supported via a pawl lever receiver 203, a center pipe 2131 planted in the main plate 201, and a minute wheel 2. Claw portion 211
d and e are provided with tips having angles smaller than the apex angle of the tooth bottom 4a of the second gear 4, and are located on the slope portion 4b when the claw portion 211d is connected to the tooth bottom 4a, and are relative to the second gear 4. Main plate 2 is shifted by approximately half a pinch in position (see Figures 3 and 4).
An elastic portion 22 is provided between the degree-determining portion 222a, which is arranged to sandwich the piezoelectric element 1 which overlaps O1 in a plane with a gap, and the fulcrum 223, which is the center of rotation of the degree-determining portion, and another fulcrum 224.
The anti-vibration lever 222 provided with 2b is supported by fulcrums 223 and 224. Two elastic parts 222b of the anti-vibration lever 222 made of metal, synthetic resin, etc. are provided with an X1 part 225 made of metal, synthetic resin, etc.

The fulcrums 223 and 224 are planted on one side of the I# vibration support -220° 221, which is arranged to sandwich the anti-vibration lever 222 from both sides in a plane. Vibration resistance 220.2
21 is guided by a pin 16 planted in the base plate 201 and fixed to the base plate 201 with a screw. The anti-shake light 220 and 221 are made of metal or synthetic resin.
Also, the anti-vibration lever 222 and the mass part 225. Also, vibration resistance 22
0 and the fulcrums 222° and 223 may be integrated, and the battery is arranged so as to overlap the base plate 2°l and a portion of the piezoelectric element 1 in a plane.

A drive signal generated by an oscillation circuit equipped with a crystal resonator that oscillates using electrical energy, a frequency divider circuit that divides the frequency of the signal emitted by the oscillation circuit, and a booster circuit that increases the voltage of the frequency-divided signal is as follows: A positive potential electrode is connected to a pin planted on the ground plate 20.1, and connected from the ground plate 201 to the slide plate 204 and the element holding plate 20 via the pins 25.26.
It is guided by 5. The slide plate 204 has the pin 101
Guided by three pins at ゜102 and 103, piezoelectric element 1
slides in a plane until it joins the pulley 209. The negative electrode is connected directly to the shim material of the piezoelectric element 1 through a conductive wire 214. Note that the positive and negative electrode directions may be either direction, and the conduction to the shim material does not need to be through a conductor.The piezoelectric element l applied by the drive vibration transmitted from the booster circuit is
When the polarity is reversed, the piezoelectric element 1 is bent upward in the cross-sectional direction relative to the piezoelectric element 1, and the pulley 209 engaged with the piezoelectric element 1 rotates about the bearing pin 212. Pulley receiver with bearing pin 212b (top)
207 slides in the direction of the rotation axis of the pulley 209 using the pins 14 and 15 as a guide until it joins the bearing portion 209b of the pulley 209. Note that the guides only need to be provided at two or more locations.As the pulley 209 rotates, the pulley pin 210 planted in the pulley 209 rotates, and the pawl lever 2
11 in the direction away from the second gear 4 (see Fig. 6), a hole provided in the center of the pawl lever 211 and the pin 1
03 is joined to determine the amount of sliding of the pawl lever. The initial state is shown in (a), and the state when voltage is applied is shown in (b). At this time, the pawl portion 211e of the pawl lever 211 is engaged with the bottom 4a of the second gear 4, causing the second gear 4 to rotate counterclockwise in the plan view. Furthermore, at this time, the other claw portion 211d
The elastic part 211b bends over the teeth of the second gear 4 and falls to the bottom 4a of the next tooth.The torque transmitted to the 0 second gear 4 is the fifth wheel 31, the minute wheel 22, and the back wheel 8. The piezoelectric element 1 is connected to the capacitor of the booster circuit and returned to its original state by a signal transmitted from the zero-order frequency divider circuit which is transmitted to the hour wheel 9 and moves the hand to display the time.

At this time, the charge stored inside the piezoelectric element 1 leaves the piezoelectric element 1 and is stored again in the capacitor provided in the booster circuit. The charge that has entered the capacitor is raised to a high voltage again by the booster circuit and output as a drive signal. Now, by connecting the capacitor of the booster circuit and returning to the original state, the pulley 209 rotates, the pawl lever 211 slides in the direction approaching the second gear 4, and the pawl portion 211d is attached to the bottom 4a of the second gear 4.
Press to rotate the second gear 4 counterclockwise in the plan view.

The time is displayed by repeating the series of waveforms of the drive signal. As for the drive signal, not only electric fields in one direction but also electric fields in both directions may be applied for driving.

The piezoelectric element 1 is largely deflected by disturbances such as impact.

Due to this deflection, the pawls 211d and 211a push and pull the teeth of the second gear 4, causing it to rotate.Now, when the piezoelectric element 1 is deflected, it generates a voltage. The pressure and deflection are in a proportional relationship, and the state of the piezoelectric element 1 can be easily determined from the voltage of the piezoelectric element 1. From Figure 5, (A) shows the voltage waveform generated by the piezoelectric element I due to an impact.The voltage waveform (A) is sampled by the detection circuit at regular intervals, and is converted into a digital signal by D'-A conversion inside the circuit. The booster circuit outputs a reverse voltage (i) that is the same as the voltage used during resampling. As a result, an electric field is applied to the piezoelectric element 1 in the opposite direction to the deflection direction caused by the disturbance, the piezoelectric element 1 is forcibly deflected in the opposite direction, the position of the piezoelectric element l is controlled, and the voltage waveform of the piezoelectric element 1 is (U). become that way.

However, the detection circuit has limitations and is controlled by the anti-vibration lever 222 when a strong impact force is applied. 3 and 4, the vibration-proof lever 222 and the piezoelectric element 1 are arranged so that the piezoelectric element 1 and the mass part 225 vibrate in the same direction in the same direction.
The natural frequencies of the two are set to be almost the same. Anti-vibration lever 2
The degree determining part 222a of 22 is supported by a fulcrum 223 which is the center of rotation, and vibrates in the opposite direction to the mass part 225. As a result, the degree-determining portion 222a and the piezoelectric element 1 vibrate in opposite directions, and the degree-determining portion 222a contacts one end surface of the piezoelectric element 1. The piezoelectric element 1 and the anti-vibration lever 222 cancel each other's kinetic energy and attenuate it. Further, the amplitude of the anti-vibration lever 222 is determined by the mass portion 225 hitting the end surfaces of the holes 220, 221a, b provided in the anti-vibration supports 220, 221. These anti-vibration levers 222 and detection circuits prevent malfunctions caused by interference.

From Figure 9, a oscillation frequency divider circuit equipped with a crystal oscillator.

A circuit block 10 composed of a booster circuit and a detection circuit overlaps the ground plane 201 in a plane. A battery 11 that supplies electrical energy is arranged so as to overlap the base plate 201 in a plane. A laminated piezoelectric element 1 in which many layers of piezoelectric materials made of barium titanate or the like, which exhibit a piezoelectric phenomenon, are stacked one on top of the other, is arranged in a plane with respect to the ground plate 201 in the direction of vibration. The laminated piezoelectric element 1 will be referred to as a piezoelectric element from now on. One end of the piezoelectric element 1 is fixed to the base plate 201, and the other end is engaged with the transmission lever 230. The transmission lever 230 is connected to the pin 13.
14 in a planar manner, and includes an elastic portion in the center. In addition, pin 210 is planted at the other end, and pin 2
10 engages with the pawl lever 211 in a planar manner. The claw lever 211 has an elastic portion at the other end extending in two different directions in a plane, and a claw portion at the tip thereof. The pawl portion engages with the second wheel 4.

The second gear 4 is supported via a minute wheel connected to a central pipe planted on the main plate 201. The positive electrode of the piezoelectric element 1 is connected to the output terminal of the booster circuit of the circuit block 10 and the conductor 21
It is connected to 5. Further, the negative electrode is also connected to the output terminal and the conducting wire 214. Note that the positive and negative electrodes may be in either direction.

The electrical energy supplied from the battery 11 causes the crystal oscillator to oscillate and is output as a signal from the oscillation circuit.The signal is frequency-divided by the frequency divider circuit, and the drive signal raised to a high voltage by the booster circuit is sent to the conductors 214 and 215. This is transmitted to the piezoelectric element 1, which exhibits a piezoelectric phenomenon and extends in the plane direction with respect to the ground plane. The displacement of the piezoelectric element 1 pushes the transmission lever, the transmission lever rotates with the pin 13 as the center of rotation, and the elastic portion provided at the center also displaces the pin 210 with the bent pin 14 as the center of rotation. For this reason, the pawl lever 2 engaged with the pin 210
11 slides in the plane direction using the pin 103 as a guide. The second wheel 4 rotates due to the sliding of the pawl lever 2.11, and the fifth wheel 39 rotates.
Minute car 9th day back car 8. The capacitor provided in the booster circuit and the piezoelectric element 1 are connected to each other by a signal transmitted from the hour wheel and transmitted from the zero-order frequency divider circuit that displays the time, and the piezoelectric element 1 returns to its original state.

This causes the pawl lever 211 to slide and the second wheel to rotate.

By connecting it to a capacitor provided in a booster circuit, the charge stored in the piezoelectric element 1 is taken into the capacitor, raised to a high voltage again by the booster circuit, and output as a drive signal.

・From Figure 7, an oscillating frequency divider circuit equipped with a crystal oscillator, a booster circuit equipped with multiple capacitors, a detection circuit, and a battery 11
．． The piezoelectric element 1 constitutes a circuit of an electronic timepiece. As is well known, piezoelectric elements have the same properties as capacitors.

As shown in FIG. 8, the electric energy supplied from the battery 11 is frequency-divided by an oscillation frequency divider circuit equipped with a crystal resonator and outputted as a signal. The output signal connects a plurality of capacitors 12 mounted in, for example, a CMO3-IC included in the booster circuit in parallel with the battery, and each capacitor 12 and battery 11 have the same potential. The above state is shown in FIG. 8(A). The plurality of capacitors 12 and the piezoelectric element 11 are connected in series by the next output signal transmitted by the zero oscillation frequency divider circuit. The above state is shown in Figure 8 (i).
A drive signal with a higher voltage than this shown in FIG.
is applied, and the piezoelectric element l exhibits a piezoelectric phenomenon and is displaced. The displacement is transmitted to the aroma wheel and the next output signal transmitted by the 0 oscillation frequency divider circuit that moves the hands is applied to the plurality of capacitors 1.
2 and piezoelectric element l are connected in parallel. The above state is shown in FIG. 8(C). The charge stored in the piezoelectric element 1 is taken into the plurality of capacitors 12, and the piezoelectric element 1 and the capacitors 12 have the same potential. At this time, the piezoelectric element 1 returns to its original state. From this, the displacement is transmitted to the perfume wheel and the hands move to 0
A series of operations is performed by the above three signals, and the state returns to the state shown in FIG. 8(a). Note that a state may be provided in which the battery 11, piezoelectric element 1, and capacitor 12 are separated between the states shown in Fig. 8 (a), (i), and (c). The current consumption of the electronic watch according to the present invention is supplied from the battery 11 only by the leakage current of the piezoelectric element 1 and the oscillation frequency divider circuit.

Boost circuit control current and capacitor 12. Only the sum of the leakage currents of the piezoelectric element 1 is consumed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, the electric charge applied to and stored in the piezoelectric element is taken into the plurality of capacitors in the booster circuit, thereby significantly reducing the current consumption and providing an electronic timepiece with a long life. has.

Therefore, the present invention is essential for electronic watches using piezoelectric elements as a driving source.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1: A plan view showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Figure 2: A sectional view showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Figure 3: A plan view showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vibration-resistant part showing one embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the vibration-proof part showing one embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Piezoelectric element showing one embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Fig. 6: Detailed diagram of the pawl lever and second gear showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Fig. 7: A circuit configuration diagram of the electronic timepiece showing an embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention. Fig. 8 (a) (i) (c)... State diagram of a booster circuit showing one embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention Fig. 9... Plan view showing another embodiment of the electronic timepiece of the present invention ■・Piezoelectric element 4 ・Second wheel 10 ・Circuit block 11 ・Battery 12 ・Capacitor and above

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is composed of a battery that supplies electrical energy, a plurality of capacitors, a piezoelectric element that exhibits a piezoelectric phenomenon, an oscillation divider circuit, and a booster circuit, and the booster circuit is a first control circuit that connects the battery and the plurality of capacitors in parallel. an electronic timepiece comprising: means for connecting each of the plurality of capacitors and the piezoelectric element in series; and third control means for connecting each of the piezoelectric elements and the plurality of capacitors in parallel.