US3593200A - Electronic switching arrangement for time keeping equipment - Google Patents
Electronic switching arrangement for time keeping equipment Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3593200A US3593200A US800146A US3593200DA US3593200A US 3593200 A US3593200 A US 3593200A US 800146 A US800146 A US 800146A US 3593200D A US3593200D A US 3593200DA US 3593200 A US3593200 A US 3593200A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- transistor
- base
- terminals
- coil
- voltage
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/22—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of temperature
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
- G04C3/06—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance
- G04C3/065—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance the balance controlling gear-train by means of static switches, e.g. transistor circuits
- G04C3/067—Driving circuits with distinct detecting and driving coils
- G04C3/068—Driving circuits with distinct detecting and driving coils provided with automatic control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
- G04C3/06—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance
- G04C3/065—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance the balance controlling gear-train by means of static switches, e.g. transistor circuits
- G04C3/069—Driving circuits using a single coil for detection and driving purposes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
- G04C3/08—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically
- G04C3/10—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a mechanical oscillator other than a pendulum or balance, e.g. by a tuning fork, e.g. electrostatically driven by electromagnetic means
- G04C3/108—Driving circuits
Definitions
- This invention provides a completely new electronic circuit for clocks and other timekeeping equipment, for use with any desired magnet system. Both the way of looking at the problem and the means of solution ofthe problem are new.
- the basic technical improvement over all known circuits with voltage and temperature compensation is that the new circuit works without loss. Furthermore, the operating range can be expanded in a very simple manner to include supply voltages of up to about 24 volts.
- the circuit shown comprises two coils L,, L,, which cooperate in a known manner with any desired magnet system (not illustrated). It is immaterial here whether the magnet system is fixed to the rate regulator and the coils are stationary or vice versa. It is only important that the relative motion between the magnet system and the coils causes the coils periodically to get into the magnetic field and thus to be cou pled. Furthermore, there are two transistors T, and T, of the same type (in the drawing, they are illustrated as NPN type but the PNP type could be used in a corresponding altered circuit). The first transistor T, is connected with the second transistor T, while the first coil L, is connected in between the two.
- the collectors of transistors T, and T are connected to the positive terminal of the battery, as is the base of the first transistor T,. the latter being connected via a resistance R.
- a capacitive feedback link C is arranged between the emitter of the second transistor T and the base of the first transistor T, A capacitor C is connected between the base and the collector of the first transistor T, for the attenuation of spurious parasitic oscillations.
- Resistance R which is connected between the base and the emitter of the first transistor T, and is used to adjust the pulse ratio. Ii necessary here only if the battery voltage is greater than about !.6 volts (up to a maxmum of about 24 volts].
- resistance R IS in the range of several kilohms. while a high-impedance resistance is provided as R
- the capacitive feedback link C, and coil L, which thus are connected in series are bridged by three silicon diodes D (two diodes are enough at a battery voltage of up to 1.5 volts)
- the capacitor C couples the pulse from the emitter of the transistor T, to the base of the transistor T,.
- the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T is constant by variations of the battery voltage the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T varies, If the battery is fresh full voltage is on the emitter of the transistor T and the capacitor C, is discharged during a predetermined period of time. If the battery voltage and in consequence the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T, drops off the time for discharging of the capacitor C, is rising and both transistors are conductive during a longer period of time than with the full voltage.
- the circuit illustrated operates in such a fashion that, due to the sudden self-excitation start, the first transistor T, becomes conductive and thus causes the second transistor T to become conductive.
- the positive voltage occurring at the emitter of the second transistor T is applied to the base of the first transistor T, by means of feedback link C because of which this first transistor becomes even more strongly conductive.
- the current. flowing through coils L, and L is amplified in avalanche-fashion. Both coils operate as working coils.
- the circuit thus. in contrast to all previously known circuits, does not reveal a special exciter coil.
- the processes in the switching arrangement are triggered the moment both coils are connected by the magnetic field of the magnet system. while there is a disconnection during the departure from the magnetic field and the processes in the switching arrangement are thus cut off.
- transistors T, and T are not connected in a complementary fashion, this is not dealing here with a multivibrator but rather with a completely new circuit in which one can determine the energy level by selecting R and C,v When C, is smaller there is a larger amplitude and when R is larger there is a smaller amplitude, As the temperature drops, there is a greater impulse width.
- the temperature and voltage errors are smaller than one second per degree Centigrade or per volt so that the spring error is also controlled here.
- a feedback link consisting of a first capacitor connected between the output of said second transistor and the base of said first transistor
Abstract
A self-exciting electronic circuit for driving the mechanical rate element of a time-keeping device including means to vary the width of the drive pulse to compensate for amplitude differences caused by temperature or voltage changes.
Description
United States Patent [721 Inventor Robert W. Reich Vln Noledl 8, (Iii-6977 Ruvigliana, Switzerland [21 1 Appl. No 800,146 [22] Filed Feb. I8, 1969 [4S] Patented July 13, 197i (32} Priority Oct. 20, I968 [33] Switzerland [3! 15737/68 [54] ELECTRONIC SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT FOR TIME KEEPING EQUIPMENT 3 ClaimsJ Drawing Fig.
[52] U.S.Cl .r 33l/li6,
58/23,33l/109,33lll56 [5! Int. Cl. "03b 5/36 [50] FleidolSelrch. 33l/l09, H6, 156; 58/23 I 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.895.095 7/1959 Guyton H 331/1 l6 3.336.537 8/l967 Reich 331/] I6 Primary Examiner-John Kominski Arramey- Arthur Schwartz ABSTRACT: A self-exciting electronic circuit for driving the mechanical rate element of a timekeeping device including means to vary the width of the drive pulse to compensate for amplitude differences caused by temperature or voltage changes.
vmnmm JUL 1 3 :91: 3.593; 200
INVENTOR R0 5: n1 WALT in Rn n A RTHuR ScuwAn-ri Afl'oRNE Y ELECTRONIC SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT FOR TIME KEEPING EQUIPMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an electronic switching circuit for clocks and other timekeeping equipment with any desired magnet system.
2. Description of the Prior Art In the electronic circuits currently used with time keeping equipment, the accuracy of the clock speed depends on the voltage and temperature affecting the circuits and this depen dance in turn can be traced back mainly to the transistor properties. Attempts have been made to eliminate the temperature dependence primarily by using various switching techniquesv To eliminate the voltage dependence. breakdown diodes have been preferred These known measures do produce a more or less significant success which is obtained. however, at the expense ofa considerable output loss because. based on the level of the minimum output available immediately prior to battery replacement. the initial surplus portion of the output is intentionally lost. Such an output loss is particularly disadvantageous in a small clock which works with a supply voltage of only about 1 volt.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a completely new electronic circuit for clocks and other timekeeping equipment, for use with any desired magnet system. Both the way of looking at the problem and the means of solution ofthe problem are new.
The novel circuit is characterized by the fact that it is selfexciting and that it is adapted to elongate the pulse width upon decrease of voltage or temperature (and their effective combination, respectively,) and to shorten the pulse width upon increase of voltage or temperature (and their effective combination, respectively,) thereby keeping constant the product of voltage and time t. i.e. the pulse intensity: V r=!.
The basic technical improvement over all known circuits with voltage and temperature compensation is that the new circuit works without loss. Furthermore, the operating range can be expanded in a very simple manner to include supply voltages of up to about 24 volts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The electronic circuit according to the invention is illustrated in the sole figure by way of example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The circuit shown comprises two coils L,, L,, which cooperate in a known manner with any desired magnet system (not illustrated). It is immaterial here whether the magnet system is fixed to the rate regulator and the coils are stationary or vice versa. It is only important that the relative motion between the magnet system and the coils causes the coils periodically to get into the magnetic field and thus to be cou pled. Furthermore, there are two transistors T, and T, of the same type (in the drawing, they are illustrated as NPN type but the PNP type could be used in a corresponding altered circuit). The first transistor T, is connected with the second transistor T, while the first coil L, is connected in between the two. Between the emitter and the negative terminal of the voltage source (not further illustrated) is the second coil L The collectors of transistors T, and T, are connected to the positive terminal of the battery, as is the base of the first transistor T,. the latter being connected via a resistance R. A capacitive feedback link C, is arranged between the emitter of the second transistor T and the base of the first transistor T, A capacitor C is connected between the base and the collector of the first transistor T, for the attenuation of spurious parasitic oscillations. Resistance R which is connected between the base and the emitter of the first transistor T,, and is used to adjust the pulse ratio. Ii necessary here only if the battery voltage is greater than about !.6 volts (up to a maxmum of about 24 volts]. Then resistance R, IS in the range of several kilohms. while a high-impedance resistance is provided as R The capacitive feedback link C, and coil L, which thus are connected in series are bridged by three silicon diodes D (two diodes are enough at a battery voltage of up to 1.5 volts) By the silicon diodes D the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T, is limited and thereby the maximum pulse amplitude. The capacitor C, couples the pulse from the emitter of the transistor T, to the base of the transistor T,. Though the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T, is constant by variations of the battery voltage the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T varies, If the battery is fresh full voltage is on the emitter of the transistor T and the capacitor C, is discharged during a predetermined period of time. If the battery voltage and in consequence the voltage on the emitter of the transistor T, drops off the time for discharging of the capacitor C, is rising and both transistors are conductive during a longer period of time than with the full voltage.
The circuit illustrated operates in such a fashion that, due to the sudden self-excitation start, the first transistor T, becomes conductive and thus causes the second transistor T to become conductive. The positive voltage occurring at the emitter of the second transistor T is applied to the base of the first transistor T, by means of feedback link C because of which this first transistor becomes even more strongly conductive. Thus the current. flowing through coils L, and L is amplified in avalanche-fashion. Both coils operate as working coils. The circuit thus. in contrast to all previously known circuits, does not reveal a special exciter coil. The processes in the switching arrangement are triggered the moment both coils are connected by the magnetic field of the magnet system. while there is a disconnection during the departure from the magnetic field and the processes in the switching arrangement are thus cut off.
Since transistors T, and T are not connected in a complementary fashion, this is not dealing here with a multivibrator but rather with a completely new circuit in which one can determine the energy level by selecting R and C,v When C, is smaller there is a larger amplitude and when R is larger there is a smaller amplitude, As the temperature drops, there is a greater impulse width.
In a typical circuit according to the present invention, after one day the temperature and voltage errors are smaller than one second per degree Centigrade or per volt so that the spring error is also controlled here.
I claim:
1. A self-exciting electronic circuit for timekeeping equipment adapted for magnetic interaction with a magnet means to thereby physically drive said equipment, comprising:
a. positive and negative terminals adapted to supply DC power,
b. a first and second coils adapted to be coupled by said magnet means,
c. a first and second transistor of the same conductivity type, said first transistor being intercoupled in cascade through said first coil with said second transistor connected through said second coil to one of said terminals,
d. a feedback link consisting of a first capacitor connected between the output of said second transistor and the base of said first transistor,
e. a first resistor connected between the base of said first transistor and the other of said terminals,
f. means for connecting the input of said first transistor to the other of said terminals,
g. means for connecting the input of said second transistor to the other of said terminals, and
h. a second capacitor connected between the input and the base of said first transistor.
2. A circuit according to claim 1. wherein a point between the first coil and the first transistor is connected through a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.
3, A circuit according to claim 2, wherein the feedback link and the thus series connected second coil are bridged by at least two silicon diodes.
Claims (3)
1. A self-exciting electronic circuit for timekeeping equipment adapted for magnetic interaction with a magnet means to thereby physically drive said equipment, comprising: a. positive and negative terminals adapted to supply DC power, b. a first and second coils adapted to be coupled by said magnet means, c. a first and second transistor of the same conductivity type, said first Transistor being intercoupled in cascade through said first coil with said second transistor connected through said second coil to one of said terminals, d. a feedback link consisting of a first capacitor connected between the output of said second transistor and the base of said first transistor, e. a first resistor connected between the base of said first transistor and the other of said terminals, f. means for connecting the input of said first transistor to the other of said terminals, g. means for connecting the input of said second transistor to the other of said terminals, and h. a second capacitor connected between the input and the base of said first transistor.
2. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein a point between the first coil and the first transistor is connected through a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.
3. A circuit according to claim 2, wherein the feedback link and the thus series connected second coil are bridged by at least two silicon diodes.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH1573768A CH497736A (en) | 1968-10-20 | 1968-10-20 | Electronic circuit arrangement for clocks and other time-keeping devices with a magnet system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3593200A true US3593200A (en) | 1971-07-13 |
Family
ID=4411515
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US800146A Expired - Lifetime US3593200A (en) | 1968-10-20 | 1969-02-18 | Electronic switching arrangement for time keeping equipment |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3593200A (en) |
| CH (2) | CH1573768A4 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE1947467A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR1602841A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3733531A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-05-15 | Kienzle Uhrenfabriken Gmbh | Electronic regulating circuit |
| US3805510A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1974-04-23 | J Reich | Circuit arrangement with automatic starting and amplitude stabilization, especially for small electronic clocks and watches |
| US4079436A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-03-14 | Facet Enterprises, Inc. | 5,000 Hour blocking oscillator for an electromagnetic fuel pump |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2895095A (en) * | 1954-11-01 | 1959-07-14 | Gen Motors Corp | Electronic d.c. motor |
| US3336537A (en) * | 1964-02-26 | 1967-08-15 | Reich Robert Walter | Voltage and temperature compensation for oscillators using forward poled diodes |
-
1968
- 1968-10-20 CH CH1573768D patent/CH1573768A4/xx unknown
- 1968-10-20 CH CH1573768A patent/CH497736A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1968-12-24 FR FR1602841D patent/FR1602841A/fr not_active Expired
-
1969
- 1969-02-18 US US800146A patent/US3593200A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1969-09-19 DE DE19691947467 patent/DE1947467A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2895095A (en) * | 1954-11-01 | 1959-07-14 | Gen Motors Corp | Electronic d.c. motor |
| US3336537A (en) * | 1964-02-26 | 1967-08-15 | Reich Robert Walter | Voltage and temperature compensation for oscillators using forward poled diodes |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3733531A (en) * | 1971-12-23 | 1973-05-15 | Kienzle Uhrenfabriken Gmbh | Electronic regulating circuit |
| US3805510A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1974-04-23 | J Reich | Circuit arrangement with automatic starting and amplitude stabilization, especially for small electronic clocks and watches |
| US4079436A (en) * | 1976-06-28 | 1978-03-14 | Facet Enterprises, Inc. | 5,000 Hour blocking oscillator for an electromagnetic fuel pump |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CH1573768A4 (en) | 1970-06-30 |
| CH497736A (en) | 1970-06-30 |
| DE1947467A1 (en) | 1970-04-30 |
| FR1602841A (en) | 1971-02-01 |
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