US3653199A - Coil carrier means in an electronic timepiece movement - Google Patents

Coil carrier means in an electronic timepiece movement Download PDF

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Publication number
US3653199A
US3653199A US88431A US3653199DA US3653199A US 3653199 A US3653199 A US 3653199A US 88431 A US88431 A US 88431A US 3653199D A US3653199D A US 3653199DA US 3653199 A US3653199 A US 3653199A
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United States
Prior art keywords
coil
carrier
electronic timepiece
pivot
coils
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Expired - Lifetime
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US88431A
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English (en)
Inventor
Kazuyoshi Inoki
Yasuaki Nakayama
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Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Application filed by Citizen Watch Co Ltd filed Critical Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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    • 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
    • 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
    • G04B29/00—Frameworks
    • G04B29/04—Connecting or supporting parts
    • 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

Definitions

  • COIL CARRIER MEANS IN AN ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT Inventors: Kazuyoshi Inoki; Yasuaki Nakayama, both of Tokyo, Japan Citizen Watch Company, Limited, Tokyo, Japan Filed: Nov. 10, 1970 Appl. No.: 88,431
  • COIL CARRIER MEANS IN AN ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT This invention relates generally to improvements in and relating to battery-driven electronic timepieces comprising movable magnet means and stationary coil means relative to the casing of the timepiece and arranged to electromagnetically cooperating with each other. More specifically, it concerns with a device for mounting the normally stationary coil means.
  • the movable magnets are mounted on the balance wheel comprised in the timepiece movement and the stationary coil or coils are mounted on a certain support means which is mounted in turn on the housing of the timepiece, said coil or coils being positioned between the two balance wheels of the balancer maintaining small gaps between the coil means and the balance wheels for allowing their relative movement and for obtaining a maximum possible conversion efficiency.
  • the oscillation movement of the balance wheel may be found as defective so that the mechanical feed through the time-indicating gear train is out of order.
  • the hair spring may be defective or at least in a fouled condition so that a correction and/or purification job is required.
  • the balance wheel For performing such correction or other job, the balance wheel must be dismantled from its assembled position.
  • the coil carrier In each time for performing the balance wheel dismantling job, the coil carrier must also be dismantled from the timepiece movement which means naturally a troublesome and costly additional job.
  • the balance wheel is so delicate that it must be assembled or dismantled with highest care and caution.
  • the sensing and drive coils used for the electronic timepiece are composed of very fine gauge wires, such as, of 15 microns, and thus, fatal wire breakages may be always feared in the course of the balance wheel dismantling job, even when the sincerest caution has been paid therefor.
  • the main object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic timepiece, capable of substantially obviating the aforementioned conventional drawbacks.
  • a further object is to provide an improved electronic timepiece of the type wherein fear of coil breakage can be avoided in case of receding and re-attaching the coil means thereof from and to the operating position relative to the timepiece movement.
  • the basic and novel teaching of the present invention resides in such improved structure of the coil-carrying means that by loosening the fixing screw for the latter and swivelling the carrying means together with the mounted coil or coils to a sufficiently off-set position, the balance wheel or the like timebase and electromagnetic drive means can be brought into its ready-fordismantling position from the timepiece movement.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a timepiece movement provided with a pivotable coil carrier according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electronic circuit embodied in the first embodiment.
  • FIGS. 3 and 3A is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line Ill-Ill in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a similar view to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 5 and 5A are an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the section line V-V shown in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of a part of a third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, being taken substantially along a section line VII-VII shown therein.
  • FIGS. 1 3 and 3A the first embodiment will be described in detail.
  • numeral 1a and lb denote a pair of balance wheels of a conventional balance shown generally at l which wheels are fixedly attached to an oscillatable staff 2 rotatably mounted at its upper and lower ends as known per se in respective conventional bearings 3 and 4.
  • the upper bearing 3 is designed as a conventional shock-proof type and the lower bearing 4 is designed as a conventional plain thrust and radial combined type, as will be moist clearly seen from FIGS. 3 and 3A which has been drawn on a slightly enlarged scale only for clarity and divided into two upper and lower parts to be conjoined together at a partition line A-A'.
  • the lower bearing is mounted in a conventional plate 5 of the timepiece movement, not shown, said plate mounting a balance bridge 6 rigidly attached thereto by means of a pair of set screws 7 and 8 shown in Fig. l.
  • the shock-proof type upper bearing 3 is assembled with a conventional fine-adjusting regulator 9 having fork arms 9a and 9b which are kept in engagement with an adjusting screw 10 studded on the balance bridge 6 and formed with an eccentric head 10a for adjusting the oscillating frequency of the balance 1 through the regulator as known per se.
  • the fine-adjusting regulator 9 mounts elastically a conventional regulator proper 11 carrying rigidly boot 12 and curb pin 13.
  • Numeral 14 denotes a conventional hair spring stud carrier which is elastically attached to a casing frame 15 of the shock proofer generally shown at 16 for the balance staff 2 as conventionally.
  • the shock-proofer 16 is of the conventional single cone type as seen from FIGS. 3 and 3A which is shown into two parts only for drawing convenience; said parts are to be joined together along the partition line A-A'.
  • Numeral 1411 represents the stud.
  • Balance wheel staff 2 mounts fixedly a collet 17 attached by press fit thereto and carrying the outer end of a hair spring 18 shown only schematically.
  • Balance wheels la and 1b are mounted on the staff 2 by means of respective mounts 19a and 19b press-fit thereon, the upper mount 19a being positioned directly below the collet 17.
  • a pair of permanent magnets 20a and 20b is fixedly attached on to the lower surface of the upper balance wheel 1a 1 and a further pair of permanent magnets 20c and 20d is fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the lower balance wheel lb, magnets 20a and 20b being positioned in a vertical registration with each other, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A; a similar registration can be found between the remaining magnets 20b and 200 in the same figure.
  • a conventional roller 21 is mounted fixedly thereon and an impulse pin 22 fixedly depends from the roller 21, so as to actuate upon a conventional escapement 23 shown only partially and schematically on account of its very popularity.
  • Lower plate 5 is made of a conducting material and serves as the earth conductor for an electronic sensing and drive circuit shown in Fig. 2 only in its main constituents.
  • Sensing and driving coils 24 and 25 are mounted on a pivotable support lever 26, being made of an insulating material, by partially inserting snugly into a recess 26;: and held in position by glueing.
  • This support lever 26 thus, constitutes a kind of an elongated frame member and is normally fixed in its operating position shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A by means of a pair of fixing bolts 27 and 28 which are screwed into partially tapped holes 29 and 30 in the lower plate 5 and having respective threaded bore parts 29a and 30a, respectively.
  • the lever 26 is formed with a boltreceiving opening 61 for the latter bolt 28 and a stepped bolt hole 32 for the former bolt 27.
  • the positioning level of the coils 24 and 25 is so selected that in their working position shown in Fig. 3, they are positioned between the magnet pairs 20a; 20c and 20b; 20d with small idle gaps denoted by reference symbols g.
  • coils 24 and 25 and their carrier lever 26 are shown, on the one hand, in full lines, so long as they may be seen from above in their operating position, and shown, on the other hand, in chain dotted lines when they are swivelled out about its pivot bolt 27 into their off-service position for allowing easy dismantling the balance wheel assembly.
  • chaindotted position is shown with corresponding same reference numerals, each being, however, attached with a prime for easy comparison and prompt understanding.
  • Bolt 28 is formed with an enlarged head 28a and a connecting terminal 31 is kept in pressure contact between bolt head 28a and the upper surface of support lever 26 when the related bolt 28 has been tightly screwed in, for providing earth connection from the circuit shown in Fig. 2 to the lower plate 5.
  • sensing coil 24 and drive coil 25 each of one end being earthed through said connecting terminal 31.
  • the opposite end of coil 24 is connected through terminal contacts 39 and 40, and adjustable resistor 62 and a condenser 63 to a junction 64 which is earthed through a fixed resistor 33 and said terminal 31, said junction 64 being connected to the base of an amplifier transistor 34.
  • Collector of the transistor 34 is connected through an adjustable resistor 37 to the opposite end of the drive coil 25, while emitter of the transistor 34 is earthed through battery 35 and main switch 36 to the terminal 31 (Fig. 3) as the earth conductor.
  • a flanged first insulator sleeve 38 encloses concentrically a substantial upper part of bolt 27 and is rotatably supported at its lower end in the lower reduced part of the stepped opening 32. Below the upper end flange of insulator sleeve 38, there is provided said terminal 39 which is kept in pressure and conductive contact with a further terminal 40 for establishing an electrical connection between these terminals.
  • a second flanged insulator sleeve 41 is mounted around the first insulator for keeping the both terminals in position around the bolt 27, on the one hand, and said further pair of connection terminals 42 and 43 to be held in position between the head flange 44a of sleeve 44 and the upper surface of the plate when the pivot bolt 27 has been tightened as shown, on the other hand.
  • the lower end of first sleeve 38 is recessed at 38a with which a projection 65 formed on the lever 26 is kept in a mutually engaging position, so as to prevent any turning of the sleeve 38.
  • Connecting terminals 39 and 43 are preferably fixedly attached, for instance, by glueing to the first insulator sleeve 38 and the coil carrier lever 26, respectively, for avoiding otherwise possible breakage of the fine coil wires in case of swivelling movement of the pivotable lever 26.
  • the operation of the electronic timepiece proper is substantially similar to those which have been commonly used.
  • switch 36 For initiating the oscillating movement of the balance, switch 36 is closed. In this case, normally, magnets a-20d are positioned somewhat off-set position from that shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 3A in accordance with the initial design condition of the present electronic timepiece. Then, current is supplied from battery 35 to transistor 34, thence through variable resistor 37 and drive coil 25, thereby magnets 20a and 20c being electromagnetically attracted for initiation of the oscillation of the balance.
  • first insulator sleeve 38 is loosened and coil-side terminals 39 and 43 become loosened relative to the respectively mating terminals 40 and 42.
  • Rotation of coil-carrying lever 26 will accompany the first insulator sleeve 38, thus the terminals 39 and 43 being rotated in unison with the lever 26.
  • This feature contributes substantially for the prevention of otherwise possible coil wire breakage in case of the receding movement of the lever 26 together with the coils 24 and 25.
  • Main components such as 33-35 of the circuit shown in Fig. 2 are embodied into a rigid mass, and indeed, in a mass of synthetic resin, so as to provide a circuit block, although not shown.
  • the relatively rotatable construction of the circuit-side terminal 40 and 42 will contribute naturally for the same purpose to avoid otherwise possible wire breakage.
  • a return movement of the coils from their off-service position to their operating position can be performed in the reverse order. In this case, also, the fear of wire breakage can be avoided in the similar manner.
  • the invention can be equally applied to other kinds of electronic timepieces for receding easily and conveniently the coils and coil-carrying member, so as to provide a chance for easy and safe dismantling of the magnet-carrying member or members in the similar manner, and with assurance of the prevention of otherwise possible coil wire breakage.
  • said coils are united into one piece, preferably in the form of a disc.
  • two pairs of connection terminals may be reduced to only a pair.
  • the number of coils has been reduced to only one or more specifically to that denoted 124.
  • This single coil 124 has been shaped into a disc which comprises two sensing anddrive coil elements united into one piece, although not specifically shown. In response thereto,
  • the number of permanent magnets has been reduced to only two, or more specifically to those denoted a and 1200
  • the balance wheels 101a and 1011) are formed respectively with counter or galance weight parts 101a and 101b' for attaining a favorable dynamic balance.
  • the fixing bolt 28 employed in the foregoing embodiment has been dispensed with.
  • the earth terminal 131 which corresponds to that 31 in the first embodiment, is positioned underneath the blot head 127a of bolt 127.
  • the bolt 127 has left-handed threads, so as to make the tightening direction of the bolt coincident of the direction of return pivoting direction of the coil carrier lever 126 from its off-service to its operating position.
  • the tightening operation on the bolt 127 will automatically swivel the lever 126 from its off-service to its operating position.
  • a slight manual assistance may-be required additionally for doing the lever-return operation.
  • the loosening operation on the bolt 127 will bring the lever 126 to swivel from its operating position to its offservice one. But, under certain occasion, a slight manual assistance may be required to initiate or accelerate the leverreceding operation.
  • the electronic drive circuit employable in the present second embodiment is similar in its principle to that shown in Fig. 2.
  • sensing and drive coils 24 and 25 have been embodied into two coil elements, not shown, which has been formed into the single disc coil assembly 124 shown schematically in Figs. 4 and 5.
  • the earth connection from the sensing and drive circuit to the lower plate 105 is made through the connecting terminal and the pivot bolt 127.
  • the single coil assembly 224 is fixedly mounted on a carrier member formed again into a pivotable lever 226 about the pivot bolt 227 which is held in position in the similar way as disclosed with reference to the second embodiment.
  • this lever 226e On the upper surface of this lever 226e, three conductor strips 71, 72 and 73 having respective connecting terminals 71a, 72a and 73a are formed by the printed circuit technology, said terminals being electrically connected by respective leads 74, 75, 76 and 77 with respective wire ends, not shown, of coil elements 224a and 22412 of the disc coil assembly 224.
  • These coil elements 224a and 224b correspond in principle in their function and electric connection mode to those denoted 24 and 25 in the first embodiment.
  • the respective right-hand ends of these strips 71 and 73 are kept in pres sure contact with the respective inner mating strips 78 and 80 form on the back surface of a flexible insulator sheet 81 connected mechanically with the molded circuit block embedded therein with several circuit elements 32 34, said block being fixedly mounted on he plate 205, although not shown.
  • the strips 78 and 80 are connected respective points such as shown at 40 and 42 of the circuit shown in Fig 2.
  • the right-hand end of the central conductor 72 is formed into a conductive spring washer 231 which is mounted under pressure between the bolt head 227a and the printed conductive strips 71-73 formed of the coil carrier lever 226 and around the latter in conductive contact therewith.
  • the washer 231 is positioned within a bore 227b formed through the flexible carrier sheet 81.
  • Adjustable resistor 37 serves as a manual adjuster for modifying the oscillation angle of the balance, as at 1 shown in the first embodiment, although not shown in the present embodiment only for simplicity.
  • a proper stopper pin for maintaining the coil carrier 226 in the required operating position relative to the plate 205.
  • said coil means is comprised of two separate coils
  • said electrical connection means is comprised of at least one movable electricalcontact connected to each coil and mounted for movement with said carrier means ad acent said pivot means and a plurality of stationary electrical contacts mounted adjacent said pivot means and disposed in sliding engagement with each of said movable electrical contacts.
  • each electrical connection means is comprised of at least one movable electrical contact connected to each position of said coil and mounted for movement with said carrier means adjacent said pivot means and disposed in sliding engagement with each of said movable electrical contacts.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US88431A 1969-11-10 1970-11-10 Coil carrier means in an electronic timepiece movement Expired - Lifetime US3653199A (en)

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JP1969106620U JPS4829496Y1 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1969-11-10 1969-11-10

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JP (1) JPS4829496Y1 (enrdf_load_html_response)
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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3787783A (en) * 1971-04-21 1974-01-22 E Ketterer Time-keeping device with transistor control using oscillating magnet
US20050036405A1 (en) * 2003-01-10 2005-02-17 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US20050073913A1 (en) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US20070159931A1 (en) * 2005-12-28 2007-07-12 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Mechanical timepiece fitted with a device for adjusting the shake of a rotating part or wheel set

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1473362A (fr) * 1966-02-22 1967-03-17 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Dispositif d'entraînement de balancier de montre et montres et appareils similaires équipés d'un tel dispositif

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1473362A (fr) * 1966-02-22 1967-03-17 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Dispositif d'entraînement de balancier de montre et montres et appareils similaires équipés d'un tel dispositif

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3787783A (en) * 1971-04-21 1974-01-22 E Ketterer Time-keeping device with transistor control using oscillating magnet
US20050036405A1 (en) * 2003-01-10 2005-02-17 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US20050073913A1 (en) * 2003-10-01 2005-04-07 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US7016265B2 (en) 2003-10-01 2006-03-21 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US7306364B2 (en) 2003-10-01 2007-12-11 Asulab S.A. Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US20070159931A1 (en) * 2005-12-28 2007-07-12 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Mechanical timepiece fitted with a device for adjusting the shake of a rotating part or wheel set
US7287900B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2007-10-30 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogére Suisse Mechanical timepiece fitted with a device for adjusting the shake of a rotating part or wheel set

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GB1280807A (en) 1972-07-05
DE2056513A1 (de) 1971-07-08
JPS4829496Y1 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1973-09-07

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