US3881309A - Electronic timepiece - Google Patents

Electronic timepiece Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3881309A
US3881309A US448281A US44828174A US3881309A US 3881309 A US3881309 A US 3881309A US 448281 A US448281 A US 448281A US 44828174 A US44828174 A US 44828174A US 3881309 A US3881309 A US 3881309A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
timepiece
counting
resonator
coding circuit
indicating means
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
US448281A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Rene Jenni
Karl Adler
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.)
Biviator AG
Original Assignee
Biviator AG
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 Biviator AG filed Critical Biviator AG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3881309A publication Critical patent/US3881309A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G19/00—Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces
    • G04G19/02—Conversion or regulation of current or voltage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0047—Details electrical, e.g. selection or application of the operating voltage

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT [30] Foreign A lic ti P i rit D t
  • the invention provides means for both driving the Mar. 13 1973 Switzerland .3613/73 electronic mechanism Of a Watch from high'voltage source, but also a liquid crystal time display.
  • the [52] Cl. 58/23 58/23 58/23 source which may be derived from an irradiated iso- 58/50 310/6 tope, is connected to electrostatically drive a flat [51 Int. Cl. 004 1) 1/00 Spring resonator The pulsating current to an electrode [58] Fiem of Search 318/116. 310/6.
  • a transformer or ca- 58/23 A 23 BA 23 AC 23 b 23 pacitor from which a pulsating d.c. is derived by rec- 23 50 tification to supply operating current to a counter, a coder, and a crystal time display.
  • the pulsations are [56] References Cited also supplied without rectification to the input of the counter, the reading of which is coded to produce a 3 6 6 3 Z I Q I SLATES PATENTS 58/23 R time judication on the liquid crystal display means.
  • the present invention relates to an electronic timepiece, more particularly a watch, with electro-optical time indication and having a direct voltage source to maintain the oscillation of a resonator regulating the motion of the watch.
  • Known watches of this kind are usually provided with a quartz oscillator the frequency of'which is supplied after division to a counter. The output of the counter acts via a suitable coding circuit on conductive electrodes which produce the digital or analog electro-optical indication.
  • liquid crystals are usually employed for electro-optical indication.
  • an object of the present invention to provide an electronic timepiece of the aforesaid kind which effects a saving in components and space.
  • an electronic timepiece such as a watch, having an electro-optical time indicating means and a direct voltage source to maintain the oscillation of a resonator regulating the movement of the timepiece, wherein electric signals vary synchronously with the resonator oscillation are employed both as an input signal to the electro-optical indication means and to produce the operating voltage for it.
  • the invention is particularly suitable when the timepiece, which will now be referred to as a watch, is fitted with an isotope voltage source which generates a relatively high voltage between 300 and 1000 volts.
  • This voltage is too high to operate the electro-optical indication, which requires a voltage of to volts, and it is also excessive for operating a frequency divider, a counter and a coding circuit.
  • the high voltage is suitable to operate an electrostatically operated drive of a resonator vibrating between two electrodes connected to the source of voltage and kept oscillating by change in charge.
  • the current or voltage changes occurring in time with the resonator oscillation are used to produce a suitable operating voltage for the electro-optical indication and the control circuits therefor.
  • FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 shows a part of an alternative embodiment
  • FIG. 3 shows a part of a further embodiment
  • FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment
  • FIG. 5 shows a part of a modification of the device of FIG. 1.
  • the watch shown in FIG. 1 has an isotope voltage source 1.
  • This voltage source shown schematically is of known type and has in a housing 2 an anode 3 and a cathode 4.
  • the anode 3 is coated with a radioactive preparation 5, which contains a beta irradiator such as tritium.
  • the electrons emitted by the preparation 5 reach the cathode 4 and charge it negatively, whilst the anode 3 is charged positively.
  • the cathode 4 is directly connected to an electrode 6 of an oscillation capacitor, whilst the anode 3 is connected to the second plate 8 of the oscillation capacitor via the primary winding 7 of a transformer.
  • a resilient flat spring 9 one end of which is clamped in a holder 10.
  • the flat spring 9 is tuned to a suitable natural frequency and oscillates when in operation between the plates 6 and 8. The oscillation is maintained by reversal of charge on the spring 9 during its contact with one or the other of the electrodes.
  • the transformer has a secondary winding 11 which is connected in series with a rectifier 12. Hence a pulsating direct voltage is produced which is supplied to a counter 13 and an electro-optical indication unit 14 as operating voltage.
  • One plate 8 of the oscillation capacitor is connected via a capacitor 15 to the counting input of the counter 13.
  • a pulsating current flows through the primary coil 7 of the transformer to the electrode 8 of the oscillation capacitor, so that surges of suitable voltage are induced in the secondary coil 11 which are rectified by the rectifier 12 and supplied as operating current to the units 13 and 14.
  • an alternating voltage of the frequency of the plate spring 9, which may be 50 Hz is transmitted to the input of the counter 13.
  • Both the counter 13 and the indication unit 14 may be operated from a pulsating direct current. If necessary, however, a filter may be provided to smooth the rectified current pulses.
  • FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which corresponding parts are numbered similarly to FIG. 1.
  • a permanent magnet 16 is secured to the end of the flat oscillating spring 9 and caused to oscillate in the region of a coil 17.
  • an alternating voltage is induced in this coil which is rectified by the rectifier 12 and supplied to the circuits 13 and 14 as an operating supply.
  • the alternating voltage induced in the coil 17 is supplied via the capacitor 15 to the input of the counter 13.
  • FIG. 3 shows a further alternative embodiment.
  • a direct current source 18 of low voltage for example, a single dry battery, is provided, which supplies a conventional oscillator circuit 19 to maintain the oscillation of a tuning fork 20 via a coupling coil 21.
  • a further coil 22 which via a rectifier 12 supplies the operating current for the circuits l3 and 14.
  • the alternating voltage occurring at the coil 21 is supplied via the capacitor 15 to the input of the counter 13.
  • FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment with an isotope voltage source in accordance with FIG. I, with similar parts numbered as in FIG. 1.
  • the flat spring 9 is connected to the rectifier 12 via a capacitor 23, which rectifier supplies the operating for the parts 13 another to drive the counter 13, are provided.
  • two rectifiers l2 and 12 may be provided which are connected to different tapping poin'ts of the coils 11, 17 and 22 respectively, whilst in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 two differently dimensioned rectifier circuits may be provided, so that one operating voltage may be smoothed, whilst the other operating voltage may pulsate.
  • An electronic timepiece such as a watch comprising liquid-crystal time indicating means, a single isotope direct voltage source, a mechanical resonator regulating the timekeeping function of said timepiece, an electrostaticdriving system for said resonator, a driving circuit interconnecting said driving system with said voltage source, said resonator generating electric signals which'are synchronous with the resonator oscillation, voltage transducing means having its input connected to said driving circuit, a counting and coding circuit connected at a control input to said driving circuit and at an output to said indicating means, the output of said transducing means being connected to sup-.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
US448281A 1973-03-13 1974-03-05 Electronic timepiece Expired - Lifetime US3881309A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH361373 1973-03-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3881309A true US3881309A (en) 1975-05-06

Family

ID=4259744

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US448281A Expired - Lifetime US3881309A (en) 1973-03-13 1974-03-05 Electronic timepiece

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3881309A (OSRAM)
JP (1) JPS49122769A (OSRAM)
DE (1) DE2404628A1 (OSRAM)
ES (1) ES423218A1 (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2221758B1 (OSRAM)
IT (1) IT1002950B (OSRAM)
NL (1) NL7403395A (OSRAM)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4008566A (en) * 1975-11-10 1977-02-22 Mcclintock Richard D Electronic watch generator
US20090010107A1 (en) * 2005-01-18 2009-01-08 Nxp B.V. Tamper-resistant time reference and apparatus using same

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3562613A (en) * 1968-04-17 1971-02-09 Baumgartner Freres Sa Timepiece driven by nuclear energy
US3582656A (en) * 1968-03-21 1971-06-01 Bulova Watch Co Inc Time base combining radioactive source and solid-state detector
US3609957A (en) * 1969-03-27 1971-10-05 Gen Time Corp Drive arrangement for timekeeping system
US3641373A (en) * 1968-10-08 1972-02-08 Proctor Ets Electrostatic system for generating periodical mechanical vibrations
US3715881A (en) * 1970-05-11 1973-02-13 Mfg Des Montres Rolex Sa Bienn Display control device for timepieces

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3582656A (en) * 1968-03-21 1971-06-01 Bulova Watch Co Inc Time base combining radioactive source and solid-state detector
US3562613A (en) * 1968-04-17 1971-02-09 Baumgartner Freres Sa Timepiece driven by nuclear energy
US3641373A (en) * 1968-10-08 1972-02-08 Proctor Ets Electrostatic system for generating periodical mechanical vibrations
US3769531A (en) * 1968-10-08 1973-10-30 Proctor Ets Electrostatic system for generating periodical mechanical vibrations
US3609957A (en) * 1969-03-27 1971-10-05 Gen Time Corp Drive arrangement for timekeeping system
US3715881A (en) * 1970-05-11 1973-02-13 Mfg Des Montres Rolex Sa Bienn Display control device for timepieces

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4008566A (en) * 1975-11-10 1977-02-22 Mcclintock Richard D Electronic watch generator
US20090010107A1 (en) * 2005-01-18 2009-01-08 Nxp B.V. Tamper-resistant time reference and apparatus using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL7403395A (OSRAM) 1974-09-17
FR2221758A1 (OSRAM) 1974-10-11
JPS49122769A (OSRAM) 1974-11-25
DE2404628A1 (de) 1974-10-03
IT1002950B (it) 1976-05-20
ES423218A1 (es) 1976-05-01
FR2221758B1 (OSRAM) 1976-06-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR940008707B1 (ko) 전자 장치용 충전 장치
JP4722445B2 (ja) 電子調整器と連結した機械式ムーブメントを有する時計
US7016265B2 (en) Timepiece having a mechanical movement associated with an electronic regulator
US3676993A (en) Electronic watch
US3815354A (en) Electronic watch
US4028880A (en) Life display device of a cell incorporated into an electronic timepiece
US3881309A (en) Electronic timepiece
US3756014A (en) Synchronized quartz crystal watch
CN109991834B (zh) 包括与调节系统相关联的机械振荡器的钟表
EP0236046B1 (en) Electronic analog timepiece
FR2509065B1 (fr) Generateur d'impulsions de reference pour une montre electronique
US3209529A (en) Electronically controlled stop-watch
US3962859A (en) Cell replacement indication device
US3433009A (en) Clockwork with torsional or flexible oscillator
US4630936A (en) Electronic timepiece
US3782103A (en) Driving arrangement for liquid crystal display in timepieces
US3766729A (en) Quartz controlled chronometer
US3667210A (en) Horological instrument
US3167906A (en) Timekeeper corrected by electric time signals
JPS639245Y2 (OSRAM)
US3747326A (en) Clock drive with piezoelectric tuning fork
US2025894A (en) Electric clock
US2019768A (en) Electric clock
JPS58179378A (ja) 時計
SU720418A1 (ru) Электронные наручные часы