US3672153A - Miniaturized battery-operated tuning-fork timepiece - Google Patents

Miniaturized battery-operated tuning-fork timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
US3672153A
US3672153A US60271A US3672153DA US3672153A US 3672153 A US3672153 A US 3672153A US 60271 A US60271 A US 60271A US 3672153D A US3672153D A US 3672153DA US 3672153 A US3672153 A US 3672153A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
fork
tines
movement
pillar plate
modules
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
Application number
US60271A
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English (en)
Inventor
William W Mutter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bulova Watch Co Inc
Original Assignee
Bulova Watch Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bulova Watch Co Inc filed Critical Bulova Watch Co Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3672153A publication Critical patent/US3672153A/en
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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
    • G04C3/08—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

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to battery-operated electronic timepieces, and more particularly to a miniaturized.
  • electronic watch including a tuning-fork resonator whose vibrations are converted into rotary motion for operating dial pointers, the resonator being sustained in vibration by a battery-energized electronic drive circuit.
  • a battery-energized transistor drive circuit acts through an electrodynamic transducer to sustain the vibratory motion of a tuning fork. This motion is transferred by a pawl and. ratchet mechanism to a rotary movement including a gear train for turning the dial pointers or hands.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a movement of the above type in which the tines of the fork carry the magnetic elements of electrodynamic transducers, the elements cooperating with stationary coils projecting from plastic modules, one of which modules incorporates the components of the electronic drive circuit, thereby effecting further space economies.
  • a tuning!-fork resonator whose vibrations are converted into rotary motion for operatingthe hands of the timepiece, the fork being mounted on the rear side of a pillar plate.
  • the fork is constituted by a pair of .tines having a bow-legged formation to define a circular zone which is occupied by the battery cell for energizing the electronic drive circuit, the cell being seated in a well formed in the pillar plate.
  • FIG. I is a schematic representation of the electrical and mechanical components of a miniaturized watch movement in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of said movement as seen from the rear of the pillar plate;
  • FIG. 3 shows a portion of the movement, partly in section, the cover of the housing for the timing train being removed to reveal the gears thereof; and m
  • FIG. 4 is'an isometric view of the same movement as seen from the front or dial side of the pillar plate.
  • the movement includes a tuning fork generally designated by numeral 10, having two tines 10A and 10B and a re-entrant mounting stern 10C which is secured to the pillar plate of the movement.
  • Tines 10A and 103 have a bow-legged formation to define a circular zone, within which is installed a replaceable, singlecell battery 1 1.
  • Battery 11 is round and button-like and is concentrically disposed within the zone, the narrow annular spacing between the periphery of the battery and the tines being sufficient to permit the tines to vibrate freely.
  • the drive coil may be formed by two series-connected sections, one of which is wound adjacent sensing coil 14.
  • a plastic module EM within which is encapsulated the electronic drive circuit whose components are transistor 15 and a resistancecapacitance network 16.
  • the base B of the transistor is connected through network 16 to one end of sensing coil I4 whose other end is connected through a lead "to one end of drive coil 13.
  • the other end of drive coil 13 is connected by conductor S to one terminal of battery 11, whose other terminal is connected to the emitter E of the transistor 15..
  • the connection between emitter E and the other battery terminal is effected through the pillar plate of the movement.
  • tuning fork 10 is converted into rotary motion by means of an indexing finger 18 extending from a post 19 mounted on a bracket 20 attached to tine 10A, the finger engaging the ratchet teeth of an indexv wheel 21.
  • Index wheel 21 is operatively coupled to a timing gear tr'ain, generally designated by numeral 24, which in turn operates the dial train 25 of the movement for rotating the hands of the timepiece, the gear ratios being such as to convert the vibrations of the fork, which occur at a rate determined by the resonance characteristics thereof (i.e., 440 Hz), into rotary motion, causing the hour and minute hands to indicate time correctly.
  • a timing gear tr'ain generally designated by numeral 24
  • the dial train 25 of the movement for rotating the hands of the timepiece
  • Tuning fork 10 is mounted on the rear side of a pillar plate 26, stem C being screwed thereto.
  • battery 11 is received in a circular recess of well 27 formed in the circular zone whose boundaries are defined by the bow-legged tines 10A and 10B.
  • a shock bridge 28 interposed between magnetic elements 12A and 12B and the periphery of the battery is a shock bridge 28 having ears 28A and 28B overlying tines 10A and 10B and sewing to limit vertical movement thereof as a result of shock forces.
  • Tines 10A and 10B are provided with bores 10A and 103' within which are disposed pins (not shown) anchored on the pillar plate and serving to prevent excessive deflection of the tines in the oscillation plane of the fork.
  • battery cell 11 Because battery cell 11 is positioned within the zone defined by the tines of the fork, the overall space in the horizontal plane occupied on the pillar plate by the fork and cell is no greater than that occupied by the fork alone. Battery cell 11 has two terminals 11A and 11B on the opposing faces thereof, the bottom terminal 11A resting on the bed of well 27 and thereby making electrical contact with pillar plate 26. The top terminal 118 of the cell, which is elevated relative to the tines of the fork, is engaged by conductor S which bridges over the tines of the fork.
  • Conductor S in the form of a flexible metallic strap formed of phosphor bronze, stainless steel or other conductive material, and is provided with resilient fingers S, and S, to ensure good electrical contact with the cell and also to hold the cell in place.
  • One end of strap S is pivotally mounted on an insulated post 29, the other end having a hook formation adapted to latch onto the circular groove of a terminal 30 connected to drill coil 13, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Terminal 30 is mounted on a plastic module CM from which drive coil 13 projects.
  • Sensing coil 14 is mounted on and projects from module EM which is mounted on the pillar plate.
  • module EM incorporates all of the necessary electrical components of the drive circuit other than the battery, the connections from coil 14 to these components being included in module EM.
  • drive coil 13 requires a connection to battery 11 by way of conductor strap 8 as well as a connection by way of lead 17 to sensing coil 14.
  • Drive coil module CM includes a terminal 30, for connection to conductor strap S, and as best seen in FIG. 4, a terminal 31 for connection to conductor 17 leading to terminal 32 on the electronic module EM which includes the connection to sensing coil 14.
  • each of the modules may be readily installed or replaced, thereby facilitating assembly or disassembly without the need for soldering or unsoldering wires.
  • the only connection which is made after the modules are mounted in place is that of lead 17 which takes the form of a rigid metallic strip whose extremities have bores to receive the threaded posts of terminals 31 and 32.
  • Lead 17 serves a dual function, for it provides the only necessary electrical connection between the modules and also acts as a structural strut to maintain the position of the modules which extend from the pillar plate.
  • index finger 18 which engages the teeth of index wheel 21.
  • This wheel drives the timing gear train generally designated by numeral 24, which is contained in a housing 33 formed on the rear side of the pillar plate adjacent module EM.
  • Index wheel 21 is keyed to a shaft bearing a screw gear 34 which in turn transmits motion to the other gears in the timing train.
  • the dial train is mounted on the front or dial side of the pillar plate and includes a minute wheel 35 and an hour wheel 36.
  • the hour hand (not shown) is mounted on tube 37, which is concentric with cannon 38 from which the minute hand (not shown) extends.
  • the movement is set in the usual way by means of a stem 39 which engages the minute wheel via a clutch 4Q and a tpinion 41. Because the dial train is disposed on the dial side of e pillar plate in an area partially over ymg the tuning fork and battery combination, this too makes possible a more compact arrangement.
  • An electronic timepiece movement comprising:
  • a tuning fork mounted on one side of the plate, said fork being constituted by a pair of tines having a bow-legged formation to define a circular zone whose periphery is demarcated by the pair of tines, the tines of said fork being spaced inwardly from the opposing edges of the pillar plate to define two module zones,
  • transducers associated with said fork to sustain said fork in vibration
  • said transducers being constituted by magnetic elements attached to said tines and stationary drive and sensing coils associated with said elements, said coils being supported on respective modules occupying said two module zones and secured to said pillar plate,
  • a battery cell for energizing said circuit, said cell having a round, button-like shape and being seated in a well formed in said pillar plate concentrically within said zone, the diameter of said cell being slightly smaller than that of said zone whereby said tines are free to vibrate, the available space in said zone being otherwise fully utilized, and
  • E. means to convert the vibratory motion of said fork into rotary motion for operating the hands of said timepiece.
  • said means to convert the motion of the fork includes a timing train disposed on said one side of the plate, which train is operatively coupled to a dial train disposed on the opposite side thereof.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
US60271A 1970-08-03 1970-08-03 Miniaturized battery-operated tuning-fork timepiece Expired - Lifetime US3672153A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US6027170A 1970-08-03 1970-08-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3672153A true US3672153A (en) 1972-06-27

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US60271A Expired - Lifetime US3672153A (en) 1970-08-03 1970-08-03 Miniaturized battery-operated tuning-fork timepiece

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3672153A (fr)
CH (2) CH1137171A4 (fr)
DE (1) DE2138878C3 (fr)
FR (1) FR2101203B1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1337814A (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3748845A (en) * 1971-12-02 1973-07-31 Bulova Watch Co Inc Electronic system module for crystal-controlled watch
US4043113A (en) * 1976-03-25 1977-08-23 Hughes Aircraft Company Electric watch battery retainer
US20100302752A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Dual mode vibrator

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE602006005058D1 (de) * 2006-11-13 2009-03-19 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Einen MEMS-Mikromotor umfassendes Antriebsmodul, Verfahren zur Herstellung dieses Moduls und mit diesem Modul ausgerüstete Uhr
ATE495481T1 (de) 2006-11-13 2011-01-15 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Mems-mikromotor und mit diesem mikromotor ausgerüstete uhr
ATE475119T1 (de) 2006-11-13 2010-08-15 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Anordnung zur mechanischen verbindung eines mems- mikromotors mit einem uhrrädchen und diese anordnung umfassende uhr

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH444766A (fr) * 1965-09-27 1968-02-29 Centre Electron Horloger Dispositif de fixation d'une pile dans une montre
US3469389A (en) * 1965-12-30 1969-09-30 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electromechanical vibrator assembly for a timepiece

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH444766A (fr) * 1965-09-27 1968-02-29 Centre Electron Horloger Dispositif de fixation d'une pile dans une montre
US3469389A (en) * 1965-12-30 1969-09-30 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electromechanical vibrator assembly for a timepiece

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3748845A (en) * 1971-12-02 1973-07-31 Bulova Watch Co Inc Electronic system module for crystal-controlled watch
US4043113A (en) * 1976-03-25 1977-08-23 Hughes Aircraft Company Electric watch battery retainer
US20100302752A1 (en) * 2009-06-02 2010-12-02 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Dual mode vibrator
US8461969B2 (en) * 2009-06-02 2013-06-11 Lg Innotek Co., Ltd. Dual mode vibrator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2101203B1 (fr) 1974-03-29
GB1337814A (en) 1973-11-21
CH1137171A4 (fr) 1973-05-30
DE2138878B2 (de) 1977-08-11
CH541831A (de) 1973-05-30
FR2101203A1 (fr) 1972-03-31
DE2138878C3 (de) 1978-04-06
DE2138878A1 (de) 1972-02-10

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