US3712046A - Rotating ring display - Google Patents

Rotating ring display Download PDF

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US3712046A
US3712046A US00146199A US3712046DA US3712046A US 3712046 A US3712046 A US 3712046A US 00146199 A US00146199 A US 00146199A US 3712046D A US3712046D A US 3712046DA US 3712046 A US3712046 A US 3712046A
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rings
ring
casing
electromagnetic
electronic watch
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H Dill
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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
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor
    • G04C3/146—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor incorporating two or more stepping motors or rotors
    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/20—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets
    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/20—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets
    • G04B19/202—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets by means of turning discs

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT 1 An electronic wristwatch in which time is displayed by [52] [1.5. CI. ..58/45, 58/23, 58/127, means of a plurality of separately sealed, indepen- 340/373 dently rotatable, coplanar concentric rings. Each ring Int G04b 0 6 3/00 carries a plurality of magnetic domains and is indepen- Field of Search 23 dently stepped by a set of electromagnets driven by a 126 B, 127 340/373 multiphase pulse train.
  • each ring is stepped at a different rate so as to display a different unit of [56] Refirences C'ted time, this being achieved by suitably scaling the UNITED STATES PATENTS frequencies of the multiphase pulse trains which drive the different sets of electromagnets.
  • SHEET 4 [1F 5 INVENTOR. HAM/5 6 D/LL KITTOE'A/EX PATENTED JAN 2 3 1975 sum 5 UF 5 INVENTOR, AMA/5' 6 D/LL ROTATING RING DISPLAY
  • the subject invention relates generally to display devices and more particularly to a device for displaying time.
  • Wristwatches indicated time by means of hour, minute, and second hands, rotated through a set of gears around a calibrated watch face by a spring and timed by an oscillating balance wheel.
  • the spring and the balance wheel have been replaced in some watches by an electrically powered oscillating tuning fork, and more recently by a quartzcrystaI-electronic divider assembly.
  • the electronic portion for the timing portion of such a watch is currently available commercially in the form of miniature integrated circuits using very little power. Batteries capable of powering such circuits for usefully long periods of time have also been developed.
  • a related object of the present invention is to provide an electronic wristwatch which, by virtue of its improved display, is simple to manufacture, rugged, and uses a minimum of power.
  • Another object of the present invention is to replace the hands of a watch and the gears required to rotate them with an alternative display mechanism which is simpler to make, just as easy to read, and readily compatible with the type of signals generated by available electronic time standards.
  • a basic part of a display made in accordance with the present invention is a rotating ring, carrying indicia which are to be displayed.
  • the ring is advanced in equal steps by an arrangement which includes a plurality of spaced-apart domains on the ring, and driving means adjacent to, but spaced apart from, the ring and operative when electrically energized to exert a thrust upon one or more of the domains so as to advance the ring by one step.
  • the domains are magnetic and the driving means includes a plurality ofpermanent magnets so distributed as to hold the ring stably in a plurality of equally spaced rest positions.
  • Electric coils are wound on the magnets and are alternately cncrgized to modify the effect exerted by those magnets on the domains, thereby causing a net thrust to be exerted on the ring to drive it from a given one of its rest positions to the next such position. It is to be noted that no I power is required to maintain the ring in its rest position, this being achieved by the permanent magnet when the coils are deenergized.
  • An important feature of the present invention is the simplicity and compactness with which several display rings of the type just described are combined into a unitary multi-indicia display.
  • several rings each bearing a different type of indicia, such as days, hours, minutes, and seconds, are rotatably supported concentrically within a common flat casing, each ring being preferably sealed separately from the others.
  • Each ring carries a plurality of domains and is provided with an independent driving means such as that described with reference to the single ring display.
  • the necessary pulses for driving the various rings at their prescribed rates may be readily derived from a single quartz oscillator time standard by electronic frequency dividing and decoder circuits.
  • FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an electronic wristwatch which indicates time by means of a rotating ring display of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of an electronic wristwatch shown in the block schematic diagram of FIG. I and illustrating three rotating rings, each having a pointer which moves past a series of numbers or marks, indicating hours, minutes, and seconds, and .a fourth ring which carries a series of numbers successively displayed through a window to indicate the date;
  • FIG 3a is a plan view of a rotating ring display suitable for use in the electronic wristwatch of FIG. 2',
  • FIG. 3b is a view similar to view 3a and illustrating a modification of the rotating ring display in which the driving magnets are differently positioned than those of FIG. 30;
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-section along the line 4 4 through the time display illustrated in FIG. 3a and illustrates the manner in which the drive circuitry and electromagnetic components are packaged in one casing, and the rotating rings in a second casing which includes a transparent lens;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a portion of the three elements illustrated in FIG. 4, showing them assembled and in particular illustrating the manner in which the magnetic domain of a given ring is magnetically coupled by the core of one of the electromagnets;
  • FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate alternative embodiments of the rotating rings carrying spaced-apart domains which are typically magnetic
  • FIGS. 7a 7d are sequential diagrams showing a rotating ring in four successive positions to explain the theory of operation ofa three-phase version of the time display;
  • FIG. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 7d, showing the flux lines of the magnetic circuit
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an asymmetric drive in which all of the magnets of a given ring are located to one side thereof;
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a symmetric drive in which the ring is driven by two sets of diametrically opposed electromagnets
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the phase relationship between the three pulse trains which drive the three-phase elec tromagnetic drive shown in FIGS. 7a 7d.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a rotating ring having domains thereon suitable to be driven by a two-phase magnetic drive arrangement
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative two-phase drive arrangement in which the pole faces of the driving magnets are shaped to produce a net thrust suitable for driving the ring;
  • FIGS. 14a, 14b, and 14c are cross-sections through alternative configurations for the time display rings and for electromagnetic means suitable for driving them.
  • FIG. 2 an exemplary wristwatch 11 incorporating display rings in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. It includes a casing 13 supporting a watch face 15, below which a plurality of rings, namely, a day ring 17, an hour ring 19, a minute ring 21, and a second ring 23 are rotatably supported in a concentric relationship.
  • a plurality of rings namely, a day ring 17, an hour ring 19, a minute ring 21, and a second ring 23 are rotatably supported in a concentric relationship.
  • Each of the rotatable rings l7, 19, 21, and 23 carries at least one indicium.
  • the day ring 17 there are 31 indicia, one for each day of the month, and these are successively displayed through a display window 25 in the face of the watch.
  • each of the rings is rotated in steps at the appropriate rate for that ring, by means to be described.
  • the day ring 17 may be stepped once a day, the hour ring 19 once every hour on the hour, and so on.
  • all of the rings are rotated, each at a different rate, but all of them in synchronism with one another so that, for example, the hour ring is stepped when the minute ring is at 60, and similarly the day ring 17 is stepped every other time'that the hour ring passes 12.
  • Means are also provided on the exemplary wristwatch 11 for setting the watch by selectively advancing or retarding one or more of its rings.
  • pressure-sensitive switches 39, 41, 45, and 43 are provided on the watch case 13. Depressing the switch 39 causes the hour and minute rings 19 and 21 to be advanced at a rate which may be changed by the manner in which the switch 39 is depressed. Similarly, the hour and minute rings may be retarded at a desired rate in synchronism with one another by depressing the switch 41. If it is desired to change the setting of the hour ring only, as when crossing a time zone, the switch 43 is depressed, and similarly, by depressing the switch 45 the date ring 17 may be stepped forward.
  • the electronic watch of the present invention may be advantageously packaged for ease of manufacture in a first casing 47 containing the rotatable rings 17, 19, 21, and 23, and a second casing 53.
  • the first casing 47 is shown as comprising two principal parts; a ring retainer block 49, and a lens 51 which is at least partially transparent, in order to render the indicia carried by the rings visible for display.
  • the lens 51 is glued on the ring retainer block 49 and is additionally provided with a plurality of concentric annular tongues 57- which are concentrically arranged on the bottom of the lens 51 and which are received by a corresponding set of concentric grooves 55 in the top surface 54.
  • the ring 19 is rotatably disposed in an annular groove 62 extending into the body of the ring retainer block 49 from its top surface 54.
  • a track or bearing 63 extends upwardly from the center of the groove 62 and the ring 19 has a pair of downwardly extending arms 65 so as to keep the ring centered upon the track 63, which may be lubricated with silicone, for example, to permit the ring to move freely thereon.
  • self-lubricating materials such as nylon or teflon, for the ring or the bearing, or both, are preferable.
  • a layer of air or other gas between the ring and its track might be sufficient for this purpose.
  • One of the annular grooves 55 is disposed radially inwardly from the ring-retaining groove 62, while another one is disposed radially outwardly therefrom.
  • These grooves and the pair of annular lens tongues 57 together form a pair of annular walls which, together with the top wall 59 of the lens 51, serves to separately seal the ring-retaining groove 62 and the ring 19 therein.
  • the pair of annular seals formed by the tongues and grooves 55 and 57 and by the top 59 of the lens between them form together with the ring-retaining groove 62 a sealed annular chamber 61 in which the ring 10 is securely and rotataby contained.
  • the rings are driven in equal steps by providing each of them with a plurality of spaced-apart domains 67 and by further providing for each ring electrically energizable driving means adjacent to that ring and spaced therefrom and operative intermittently to exert a thrust upon one or more of the domains in a direction tending to rotate the ring.
  • the domain and the driving means for exerting a thrust thereupon may be electrostatic, electromagnetic, or even fluidic.
  • the domains are magnetic and are spaced apart equally on each ring.
  • the means for driving the rings are also magnetic and are in the form of a set of three electromagnetic devices for each of the rings 17, 19, 21, and 23.
  • each of the electromagnetic means in its preferred form, includes a permanently magnetic core 77 and a coil or winding 79 thereon (FIG. 5).
  • the permanent magnet 77 associated with each given set of magnetic driving means is operative to exert a holding force upon the ring to which it is adjacent and to exert this force equally in a plurality of rest positions for that ring. In this manner the ring will be held stationary without the need to apply any power to the coils 70 of the electromagnetic driving means.
  • a pair of slots 81 is provided on opposite sides of the ringretaining groove 62 in registry with each permanent magnet 77. Accordingly, when the bottom casing 53 is pushed against the top casing 49, all of the permanent magnets 77 enter a corresponding pair of slots 81, and once therein, are closely spaced from the depending arms 65 of the ring 19. By selecting that portion of the ring 19 carrying the magnetic domain 67 to be also the portion where a pair of depending arms 65 are located, the reluctance of the magnetic path between the arms of the permanent magnet 77 through the magnetic domain 67 is minimized.
  • the configuration of the ring 19 selected for illustration in FIG. 5 is best shown in FIG. 6a, in which it is seen to have a relatively wide, thin, and flat configuration and to be carrying a plurality of U-shaped magnetic domains 67 on its underside.
  • the ring 19 is preferably nonmagnetic and may be of plastic.
  • the magnetic domains 67 may also be made of plastic, but containing a magnetic powder. They may be bonded to the ring 19 or may be made as an integral part thereof. And, while they are shown in FIG. 6a to be narrower than the ring 19, the domains 67 may also be wider, as shown in FIG. 6b.
  • the relatively narrow ring configuration results in lighter weight and, hence, smaller inertia. This ring configuration is also illustrated in FIG.
  • each set of electromagnetic driving means clustered together, and this is how they are shown in FIG. 3b, with each set of electromagnetic means having the same reference numerals as its counterpart in FIG. 3a, but carrying an apostrophe to differentiate the two.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3b The manner in which a given rotating ring is advanced by its associated electromagnetic driving devices is essentially the same for both of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3b. Also, they are the same for all of the rings in a given set of rings and will be explained with particular reference to the day ring 17, shown in FIG. 3b as being driven by the set of three electromagnetic devices 69a, 69b, 690. These elements are illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 7a-b, in which the ring 17 is shown in four successive positions. Referring first to FIG.
  • the electromagnetic devices 69a'c' are so spaced that when one of them (6911') has a domain 67 centered therein, the other two electromagnetic devices (69); and 690) have a domain ahead of and behind them, respectively, by an equal amount.
  • the ring 17' of FIGS. 3b and 7a where the electromagnetic devices 69a'c' are shown clustered together, it is the same domain (A) which is behind one of the electromagnetic devices (690') and ahead of the other of the electromagnetic devices (69b').
  • the domain (A) which is thus situated is next on the ring 17' to the domain (B) which is centered in the first electromagnetic device (69a').
  • the ring 17 is advanced in steps by successively cancelling, or at least counteracting (and thus diminishing) the force of two of the three permanent magnets 77, while leaning the force of the third such permanent magnet 77 unaffected.
  • the magnetic effect of the permanent magnet 77 is overcome by energizing the coils 79 wound around the permanent magnets with a short electric current pulse. The first combination of pulses is shown at the top of FIG.
  • FIG. 7b shows the point at which the ring comes to rest after its forward motion in response to the pulses represented in FIG. 7a.
  • the reason why the ring comes to rest at that position is that the domain A is now centered in the electromagnetic device 690' so that it no longer exerts any thrust, either forward or reverse, on that domain and the domain B is now centered exactly midway between the electromagnetic devices 69a and 69b and since they are equally energized, they, too, exert no net thrust upon the domain B.
  • the coils of the electromagnetic devices 69a and 69c are energized. This causes a forward thrust to be exerted upon the domain B by the unenergized electromagnetic device 69b, for the same reason that a thrust was exerted in the preceding step on the domain A.
  • the middle electromagnetic device 691 has a domain B centered therein, while the left and right electromagnetic devices 69a and 69c have domains C and A disposed behind and ahead of them, respectively, by equal amounts. Therefore, the ring 17 is in equilibrium because no force is exerted upon the domain B and equal but opposite thrusts are exerted upon the domains C and A. Hence, to advance the ring from its position shown in FIG. 7c, the equality of the forces exerted upon the domain C and A is upset byenergizing the coil of the electromagnetic device 690' but not that of the electromagnetic device 690'. The coil of the middle electromagnetic device 69b is also energized.
  • the forward thrust exerted upon the domain C by the electromagnetic device 69a exceeds the reverse thrust (if any) exerted upon the domain A by the electromagnetic device 690 and the ring 17' is advanced to its position shown in FIG. 7d.
  • the domain C and B occupy the same position as did the domains B and A in FIG. 7a. Consequently, the coils of the electromagnetic devices 69a'c' are actuated by the same combination of pulses which energized them when the ring was in the position shown in FIG. 7a.
  • the cycle of energization of the electromagnetic devices 69a'-c' repeats itself in the same pattern, a pattern which is also shown in FIG. 11, wherein the pulse trains 85, 87, and 89, respectively, represent the pulses applied to the electromagnetic devices 69a, 69b, and 690.
  • an alternative way of driving them could be to pulse the third electromagnetic device also, but in an opposite sense from the way in which the first two electromagnetic devices are pulsed, so that when the first two have their magnetic force diminished, the third one of them has its magnetic force enhanced.
  • This arrangement will, of course, increase the starting torque upon the ring but, at the same time, will also increase the power consumption.
  • Another factor which affects power consumption is the strength of the permanent magnets 77. The stronger these magnets, the better the stability of the ring in its rest position, but also the greater the current required to neutralize or diminish the magnetic effect of those magnets.
  • Another alternative driving arrangement is to omit pulsing that electromagnetic driving means in which a domain 67 is centered.
  • the pulses on the devices 69a, 69c, and 69b, and 69a, respectively would be omitted.
  • the ring 19 would still be advanced because the net magnetic attraction tending-to advance the domain between the electromagnetic devices would be greater than the retarding force exerted upon the centered domain.
  • the advantage of this arrangement would be that only half as many driving pulses would be required. It might be noted that the remaining pulse might be either an enhancing" pulse tending to increase the magnetic effect of the device to which it is applied, or alternatively, a diminishing" pulse having the opposite effect.
  • FIGS. 3a and 3! Since the rotatable rings have no central bearing, a magnetic drive, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3a and 3!), will introduce a lateral force, because there is always only one electromagnetic device exerting a thrust upon one of the domains of the ring at any given time. This is illustrated in FIG. 9, which an electromagnetic device exerting a net lateral force F upon a ring 17 is represented by the numeral 69.
  • the ring hearing such as the track 63 in FIG. 5, if properly designed will be able to support this force without causing the ring to bind.
  • friction because ring and track may be further reduced by providing a symmetrical drive arrangement such as that illustrated in FIG. 10, rather than an asymmetrical arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 9.
  • each of the devices 69-1 and 69-2 may be of the type shown in FIG. 3b, for example, and their individual electromagnetic devices will be actuated in succession in pairs; one device from each of the sets 69-1 and 69-2. Therefore, at all times equal but opposite forces (F1 and F2) will be exerted upon the ring 17, so that there will be no net lateral force exerted thereupon.
  • F1 and F2 opposite forces
  • the electronic circuitry for generating the pulse trains such as those shown in FIG. 11, necessary to drive the electromagnetic devices associated with the rings, are well within the reach of those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. Their arrangement, however, is shown in FIG. 1, in which the set of magnets 69, 71, 73, and 75, associated with the rotating rings 17, 19, 21, and 23, are driven from a single time standard 91.
  • the output of the time standard 91 which may be a quartz oscillator, is converted by a frequency divider 93, such as a binary counter, into as many frequencies as there are rotating rings.
  • the respective frequencies fl, f2, f3, and f4, for the second, minute, hour and day rings 23, 21, 19, and 17, will be one per second, one per minute, one per hour, and one per day, respectively.
  • Each of the frequencies f1-f4 is converted by means of a decoder driver 95 into a three-phase pulse train, such as that illustrated in FIG. 11, and each three-phase pulse train is applied to the three electromagnetic devices associated with the appropriate one of the four rotating rings 17, 19, 21, and 23.
  • a common power source 97 such as a battery, energizes the components 91, 93, and 95.
  • each of its display rings may be set individually or in any desired combination of two or more, and that this may be accomplished without any mechanical means.
  • the desired setting of the rotating rings may be achieved electronically by means of a setreset circuit 97, by means of which selected ones of the frequencies produced by the divider 93 may be applied to the decoder driver 95, so as to cause those frequencies to be converted by the latter into a three-phase drive train for application to the selected ones of the electromagnetic devices 69, 71, 73, and 75.
  • the minute ring 21 is coupled to the hour ring 19 electronically, in order that when the hour ring 19 is advanced, the minute ring 21 will be at its 60- minute position, as in a conventional watch.
  • This is achieved electronically by maintaining synchronism between the pulses which drive the electromagnetic means associated with the hour and minute rings 19 and 21, respectively.
  • Such synchronism is maintained by appropriate circuitry within the decoder-driver 95.
  • the hour and minute rings 19 and 21 must be turned clockwise or counter-clockwise together, with their relative positions remaining unchanged. This may conveniently be achieved by a pair of controls such as the controls 39 and 41 shown on the right-hand side of the watch 11 in FIG. 2.
  • Both of the controls 39 and 41 may be pressure-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, or capacitive sensing elements.
  • Each of the elements 39 and 41 is operative to cause the set-reset circuit 97 to introduce a proper pulse from the divider 93 into the decoder-driver 95, to advance or reset both of the rings 19 and 21.
  • the element 39 may serve to advance the rings 19 and 21, while the device 41 may serve to set them backward.
  • circuitry may also be provided in the set-reset block 97 to respond differently to pressure upon the devices 39 and 41, depending upon the length of time that such pressure is applied. Thus, a relatively short actuation of either of the devices 39 and 41 (less than 3 seconds, for example) may cause the hour and minute rings 19 and 21 to move 1 minute.
  • the hour and minute rings 19 and 21 may be caused to move by the circuitry provided for that purpose in the block 97, at an accelerated rate, such as between 10 and 60 minutes per second, so long as such pressure continues to be applied.
  • This two-speed time setting provision permits fast and yet accurate adjustment of time without eye strain.
  • the proper one of the pressure-sensitive devices 39 and 41 would be depressed for a relatively long period of time to bring about the high rate of adjustment, and when the rings 19 and 21 have been brought to approximately their proper position, the pressure-sensitive device would be released and again depressed for one or more short periods, to drive the rings to their precise desired position by one or more 1 minute steps.
  • a separate pressure-sensitive device such as the device 43 on the upper left of the watch 11, may be used.
  • the pressuresensitive device 43 is also electrically connected to the set-reset circuit 97, so as to cause the hour ring 19 to be advanced, by 12 minute steps, for example, in response to each short pressure pulse upon the device 43. Accelerated advancement of the hour ring 19 may be achieved by prolonging the pressure upon the device 43. If only one ring is adjusted, the synchronous relation between it and the other rings is controlled electronically.
  • Another pressure-sensitive device 45 shown at the lower left of the watch 11 in FIG. 2, may be provided to set the date ring 17 in the same manner as the hour ring 19.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 a two-phase drive such as that illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 may be employed.
  • the drive shown in FIG. 12 consists of two electromagnetic devices 101 and 103 and a ring 99 having magnetic domains thereon.
  • Each of the electromagnetic devices 101 and 103 includes a permanent magnet typically U-shapcd, as the magnetic 77 of FIG. 5.
  • each of the devices also includes a coil (not shown) such as the coil 79 of FIG. 5.
  • Each of the magnetic domains 105 is so shaped as to insure that any torque exerted by the electromagnetic devices 101 and 103 upon the ring 99 will be clockwise.
  • the electromagnetic devices 101 and 103 are alternatively pulsed so as to alternately diminish or eliminate their magnetic effect.
  • the position shown in FIG. 12 represents a rest position for the ring 99 in which it is held stationary by virtue of the fact that the domain A is centered in the electromagnetic device 103.
  • a pulse must be applied to the coil of the electromagnetic device 103. This diminishes the holding force of that'device upon the domain A and permits the domain B to be pulled clockwise by the electromagnetic device 101.
  • the electromagnets of the electromagnetic devices 109 and 111 may be shaped instead.
  • the pulsing sequence remains the same and the devices 109 and 111 are alternatively pulsed in order to alternately diminish the magnetic effect of one relative to the other (FIG. 13).
  • FIG. 14a a flat ring 115 is driven by an electromagneticv device having a permanent magnet core 117, shaped somewhat like an inverted G and having a coil 119 on its bottom leg.
  • a T-shaped ring 121 having a shank 123 is shown driven by a U-shaped permanent magnet 125 having a coil 127 wound around its bottom, in FIGS. 14b.
  • This arrangement has the advantage of a large display area and a good bearing being provided by the U-shaped permanent magnet 125.
  • FIG. 140 Yet another possible configuration is shown in FIG. 140, in which a flat ring 129, similar to the flat ring 115 of FIG. 14a, is driven by a permanent U-shaped magnet 131, having a coil 133 around its center portion.
  • This arrangement does not quite provide as good a bearing as that shown in FIG. 14b, but it does also provide a relatively large display area for letters to be carried on the ring 129.
  • the U-shaped cores of the electromagnetic devices could also have a permanently magnetized portion anywhere along their length.
  • the domains could be magnetized permanently and the core pieces could then be merely of a magnetic material, but not permanently magnetized.
  • Another possible modification would be to provide each ring with one or more magnetic domains clustered closely at one portion of the ring. Electromagnetic devices would be distributed along the periphery of the ring to be pulsed in succession to drive the ring.
  • the drive system may also be based on electrostatic, fluidic, or even mechanical principles, although the latter would be undesirable in most cases.
  • FIG. 15 An alternative configuration for the ring support-arrangement of FIG. is illustrated in FIG. 15, with corresponding parts having the same numbers,'but with the suffix a" added.
  • the essential difference'between the two configurations is that in the arrangement of FIG. the total contact surface between the ring 19a and the bearing 63a is much less than in the FIG. 5 device. This is achieved by providing a plurality of projections 135 which extend from the body of the bearing to contact the ring over only a fraction of its total surface. Additional projections 137 and 139 extend toward the ring 19a from the lens 51a and the top of the ring retainer block 49a, respectively.
  • the projections 135, 137, and 139 serve to slideably support the ring 19a for rotation with a minimum of friction, particularly starting friction, while restricting to the contact pressure exerted upon its projections 135 by the ring. With or without such lubrication, the
  • a possible problem with a rotating ring display of the type disclosed herein is that the rings may slip if the display is subjected to extremely large rotative acceleration forces. This may occur, for example, when the display is part of a watch worn by a person engaged in vigorous movements such as serving at tennis, or hammering a nail. Where this is a problem, it may be solved in two ways. First, those electromagnetic devices which drive rings whose positions are critical, such as the date, hour, and minute rings, may be provided with stronger holding magnets than the devices associated with the second ring, whose position is not critical. The advantage of this arrangement is that the inherently large driving power necessary for the second hand can be minimized at the expense of holding stability, which for the second hand is really not a crucial requirement.
  • the holding power for the other rings whose positions are critical but whose power dissipations are inherently low, can be raised with a relatively small expenditure of power.
  • the slippage information can be processed and driving pulses can be generated, preferably in between regular driving pulses, and applied to those same electromagnetic driving means, so as to compensate for the detected slippage.
  • driving pulses can be generated, preferably in between regular driving pulses, and applied to those same electromagnetic driving means, so as to compensate for the detected slippage.
  • the present invention provides a display device in the form of rotating rings which is much more suitable for use in electronic watches than anything presently available.
  • the display device of the present invention makes possible a watch which is completely sealed, which requires little power since its rings are maintained in their rest positions by permanent magnets, and whose rings may be set, as well as advanced, independently or in combination, without any mechanical devices and at various rates for convenience. And yet this has been achieved without any comprise in legibility of the display.
  • the display made according to the present invention can be made to be much easier to read than present watches having hands, since each of the rotating display rings may be arranged to show their indicia through display windows singly, so that even a child can read them at a glance.
  • a watch incorporating the display device of the present invention can be made to consume less power and be read more easily and be more resistant to environmental hazards than presently available watches, but such a watch can also be produced at less expense, due to the ease with which the rotating rings can be assembled into their casings,
  • An electronic watch comprising:
  • c. means for generating a pulse train having a precisely predetermined pulse repetition frequency
  • each of said rings carries a plurality of spaced-apart magnetic domains, and said means for driving includes at least two electromagnetic means adjacent said rings.
  • An electronic watch in accordance with claim 3 characterized further in that said magnetic domains have a U-shaped cross-section.
  • said means for driving includes at least three electromagnetic means for each of said rings and means for deriving from said pulse train three differently phased pulse trains, each for energizing a different one of said electromagnetic means.
  • said means for driving includes means for deriving from said pulse train two differently phased pulse trains, each for energizing a different one ofsaid electromagnetic means.
  • each of said rings includes a plurality of magnetic domains.
  • An electronic watch comprising a. first and second flat casings, the second casing being stacked on the first and having a top wall which is at least partially transparent;
  • each of said annular chambers containing a freely rotatable ring having a plurality of magnetic domains thereon and carrying indicia visible through said top wall;
  • each said electromagnetic means having a permanent magnet extending into said second casing and magnetically coupling the magnetic domains of a respective one of said rings, and a winding on said magnet, and
  • a display for an electronic wristwatch of the type having an electronic time standard circuit comprising a. a plurality of indicia-bearing rings of different diameters, each carrying a plurality of magnetic domains thereon,
  • a sealed casing for supporting said rings therein in an independently rotatable concentric relationship, said casing being at least partially transparent to render said indicia visible;
  • a display for an electronic watch comprising a. at least one indicia-bearing ring carrying a plurality of magnetic domains,
  • electromagnetic driving means fixed relative to 2.
  • a plurality of electric windings coupled to said said casing, magnetically coupled to said domains ag e for Causing them, in response to 6166- and including tric current, to exert a forward thrust upon said I.
  • a plurality of permanent magnets positioned to l' to adYance it from g 0f ho

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Indicating Measured Values (AREA)
US00146199A 1971-05-24 1971-05-24 Rotating ring display Expired - Lifetime US3712046A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US14619971A 1971-05-24 1971-05-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3712046A true US3712046A (en) 1973-01-23

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ID=22516254

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00146199A Expired - Lifetime US3712046A (en) 1971-05-24 1971-05-24 Rotating ring display

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3712046A (xx)
JP (1) JPS5226470B1 (xx)
CH (2) CH764472A4 (xx)
DE (1) DE2224017C3 (xx)
FR (1) FR2138996B1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1392651A (xx)
IT (1) IT955501B (xx)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3775963A (en) * 1973-01-12 1973-12-04 T Clapham Magnetic clock
US3932860A (en) * 1974-04-25 1976-01-13 Timex Corporation Electro-optical display with circuitry for applying predetermined potentials to all display segments to effect activation of a selected segment only
US4022014A (en) * 1975-04-04 1977-05-10 Timex Corporation Combination wristwatch/chronograph/wrist calculator/measuring device
US4473304A (en) * 1982-01-05 1984-09-25 Ketner Eugene N Toroidal time piece
USRE31872E (en) * 1974-04-25 1985-04-23 Timex Corporation Electro-optical display with circuitry for applying predetermined potentials to all display segments to effect activation of a selected segment only
US4525077A (en) * 1982-01-05 1985-06-25 Ketner Eugene N Timepiece having central opening
JPS6166179A (ja) * 1984-09-01 1986-04-04 ソーラートロン，インコーポレイティド 時計
US4712924A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-12-15 Trast Enterprise S.R.L. Watch for displaying a line on the dial
US4984223A (en) * 1987-12-31 1991-01-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Analog style electronic watch
US6366540B1 (en) 1998-11-18 2002-04-02 Edward Kaminsky Open-faced watch display
US20050237861A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2005-10-27 Bell Earl S Quantitative display apparatus
US20080084381A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-10 Brewer Donald R Magnetic display for watches
WO2009126221A1 (en) * 2008-04-07 2009-10-15 Bandit Inc. Magnetic display for watches
US20110158057A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2011-06-30 Brewer Donald R Magnetic display for watches
US20140000508A1 (en) * 2012-06-27 2014-01-02 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Needle indicator oriented by periphery electromagnets
US20170211953A1 (en) * 2016-01-27 2017-07-27 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Display apparatus having indicator needle

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH613837B (fr) * 1977-06-14 Suisse Horlogerie Montre electronique a affichage mecanique.
DE3718835A1 (de) * 1987-06-05 1988-12-15 Roland Dipl Ing Knauer Uhr
CH672042B5 (xx) * 1987-10-22 1990-04-30 Kinetron Bv
EP0316501A1 (fr) * 1987-11-20 1989-05-24 Richdale Corporation Pièce d'horlogerie
RU2628713C1 (ru) * 2016-03-31 2017-08-21 Константин Юрьевич Чайкин Механизм индикации периода времени гибким индикаторным элементом и часы, содержащие такой механизм
CH714750A2 (fr) * 2018-03-13 2019-09-13 Trilobe Watches Pièce d'horlogerie à organes d'affichage annulaires.
RU2696672C1 (ru) * 2019-01-28 2019-08-05 Константин Юрьевич Чайкин Часы с индикацией возраста вселенной

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2202214A (en) * 1937-10-23 1940-05-28 Livingston Novelty clock
US3465512A (en) * 1966-01-27 1969-09-09 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Clock case

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2202214A (en) * 1937-10-23 1940-05-28 Livingston Novelty clock
US3465512A (en) * 1966-01-27 1969-09-09 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Clock case

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3775963A (en) * 1973-01-12 1973-12-04 T Clapham Magnetic clock
US3932860A (en) * 1974-04-25 1976-01-13 Timex Corporation Electro-optical display with circuitry for applying predetermined potentials to all display segments to effect activation of a selected segment only
USRE31872E (en) * 1974-04-25 1985-04-23 Timex Corporation Electro-optical display with circuitry for applying predetermined potentials to all display segments to effect activation of a selected segment only
US4022014A (en) * 1975-04-04 1977-05-10 Timex Corporation Combination wristwatch/chronograph/wrist calculator/measuring device
US4473304A (en) * 1982-01-05 1984-09-25 Ketner Eugene N Toroidal time piece
US4525077A (en) * 1982-01-05 1985-06-25 Ketner Eugene N Timepiece having central opening
JPS6166179A (ja) * 1984-09-01 1986-04-04 ソーラートロン，インコーポレイティド 時計
US4712924A (en) * 1985-05-20 1987-12-15 Trast Enterprise S.R.L. Watch for displaying a line on the dial
US4984223A (en) * 1987-12-31 1991-01-08 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Analog style electronic watch
US6366540B1 (en) 1998-11-18 2002-04-02 Edward Kaminsky Open-faced watch display
US20050237861A1 (en) * 2004-04-23 2005-10-27 Bell Earl S Quantitative display apparatus
US20080084381A1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-04-10 Brewer Donald R Magnetic display for watches
US8514170B2 (en) 2006-09-27 2013-08-20 Art Technology Inc. Magnetic display for watches
WO2009126221A1 (en) * 2008-04-07 2009-10-15 Bandit Inc. Magnetic display for watches
US20110158057A1 (en) * 2009-04-02 2011-06-30 Brewer Donald R Magnetic display for watches
US20140000508A1 (en) * 2012-06-27 2014-01-02 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Needle indicator oriented by periphery electromagnets
US20170211953A1 (en) * 2016-01-27 2017-07-27 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Display apparatus having indicator needle
US10451452B2 (en) * 2016-01-27 2019-10-22 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Display apparatus having indicator needle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2224017C3 (de) 1974-09-12
FR2138996A1 (xx) 1973-01-05
GB1392651A (en) 1975-04-30
DE2224017B2 (de) 1974-02-14
IT955501B (it) 1973-09-29
CH764472A4 (xx) 1975-01-31
CH565400A (xx) 1975-08-15
FR2138996B1 (xx) 1979-05-25
DE2224017A1 (de) 1972-12-07
JPS5226470B1 (xx) 1977-07-14

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