WO2024170406A1 - Pièce d'horlogerie - Google Patents

Pièce d'horlogerie Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024170406A1
WO2024170406A1 PCT/EP2024/053206 EP2024053206W WO2024170406A1 WO 2024170406 A1 WO2024170406 A1 WO 2024170406A1 EP 2024053206 W EP2024053206 W EP 2024053206W WO 2024170406 A1 WO2024170406 A1 WO 2024170406A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
clock
signal
frequency
clock signal
arrangement
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2024/053206
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Bonke
Original Assignee
Realization Desal 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 Realization Desal Ag filed Critical Realization Desal Ag
Publication of WO2024170406A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024170406A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G5/00—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication
    • G04G5/02—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication by temporarily changing the number of pulses per unit time, e.g. quick-feed method
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R40/00—Correcting the clock frequency

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a watch.
  • Quartz watches and mechanical watches with self-winding or hand-winding are known from the state of the art. Quartz watches are clocked by the frequency of an oscillating quartz. On the other hand, mechanical watches with self-winding, also known as automatic watches, and mechanical watches with hand-winding are generally controlled by the oscillation of a balance wheel, which controls the so-called escapement.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a clock that is as precise as possible.
  • the clock in particular a wristwatch, comprises a first clock arrangement for generating a first clock signal, a second clock arrangement for generating a second clock signal, a useful signal generating device, an electronic device and a time display device.
  • the first clock arrangement serves in particular as a clock-generating element of the clock, with the second clock arrangement serving as a reference clock arrangement by means of which the accuracy of the displayed time can be adjusted.
  • the useful signal generating device is configured to generate a useful signal based on the first clock signal.
  • the electronic device is configured to compare a frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal and to correct the generation of the useful signal depending on this comparison.
  • the time display device is configured to display the time based on the useful signal. The time can be displayed by means of a mechanical or an electronic time display device.
  • the first clock generator arrangement is designed to generate the first clock signal continuously, the second clock generator arrangement being designed to generate the second clock signal in time sections with pauses in between.
  • the second clock generator arrangement is designed to generate the second clock signal at predetermined time intervals.
  • the electronic device is advantageously set up to only carry out the correction of the generation of the useful signal if such a deviation is detected, in particular if the deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined deviation. If no deviation was detected or if the deviation is smaller than the predetermined deviation, the generation of the useful signal is advantageously not corrected.
  • the time is displayed based on the useful signal generated by the useful signal generation device without correction.
  • the fact that the second clock generator arrangement is designed to generate the second clock signal in time sections with pauses in between means in particular that there are time periods during which the second clock signal is generated, with a pause between two consecutive time periods during which the second clock signal is not generated.
  • the pauses can be at least several seconds or at least several minutes or at least several hours or at least several days.
  • Generating the second clock signal in time segments with pauses in between also means in particular that the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal and with the frequency of the second clock signal also takes place in time segments with pauses in between. This means in particular that there are time periods in which a comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal takes place, with two consecutive comparisons being separated by a pause during which no comparison takes place. It is further understood that if/while the second clock generator arrangement does not generate the second clock signal, the time display device is set up to display the clock based on the useful signal without a correction process having taken place and thus also without any corrections being made.
  • the second clock generator arrangement is configured to generate the second clock signal (only) when the electronic device switches on/activates the second clock generator arrangement in time sections with pauses in between based on the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the wording "based on the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement" means in particular that the first clock generator arrangement advantageously indicates the point in time at which the second clock generator arrangement is activated to generate the second clock signal.
  • a predetermined time interval for generating the second clock signal can advantageously be generated by a frequency division in the first clock generator arrangement.
  • Correcting the generation of the useful signal advantageously means that at least one parameter or at least one component of the clock that contributes to the generation of the useful signal is corrected/adjusted.
  • correcting the generation of the useful signal can comprise direct and/or indirect correction.
  • Indirect correction means in particular that at least one component of the clock that is arranged in terms of signaling upstream of the useful signal generating device, in particular a parameter of this component, is corrected/adjusted.
  • correcting the generation of the useful signal can comprise correcting the generation of the first clock signal, since the first clock signal generated by the first clock generator arrangement is thus changed in comparison to the last first clock signal generated before the correction. Since the at least one component to be corrected here is the first clock generator arrangement that is arranged in terms of signaling upstream of the useful signal generating device, this correction is understood as indirect correction within the scope of the invention.
  • Direct correction means in particular that the useful signal generating device, in particular a parameter of the useful signal generating device, is corrected/adjusted. Correcting the generation of the useful signal will be explained in more detail later.
  • Correcting the generation of the useful signal can in particular also be understood as correcting the useful signal, since by correcting the generation of the useful signal the generated useful signal is changed in comparison to the last generated useful signal.
  • the present invention enables a clock that is as precise as possible, in which the accuracy of the second clock generator arrangement is transferred to the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the first clock generator arrangement is the component of the clock that is responsible for timing the clock and is thus used to display the time.
  • the useful signal generating device is configured to generate the useful signal based on the frequency of the first clock signal.
  • the second clock generator arrangement can advantageously have a higher accuracy than the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the accuracy of a clock generation by the first arrangement can have a deviation of up to 5% from its predetermined timing.
  • the second clock generator arrangement can generate a constant second clock signal, ie, in particular with a constant frequency.
  • a constant second clock signal can preferably also be understood to mean an essentially constant second clock signal, ie, in particular with an essentially constant frequency.
  • the term "essentially” in this respect means in particular that a deviation of the frequency of the second clock signal from its target frequency is a maximum of 3.8 x 10' 5 %.
  • the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal advantageously serves to determine whether the frequency of the first clock signal deviates from its target frequency.
  • the frequency of the second clock signal can be used as a timing element to determine the deviation of the frequency of the first clock signal from its target frequency.
  • the timing element can be provided/defined by a predetermined number of amplitudes (number of oscillations) of the second clock signal of the second clock generator arrangement in a certain period of time.
  • the expected number of amplitudes of the first clock signal is the number of amplitudes of the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement that is expected to be detected in the specific period of time in which a detected number of amplitudes of the second clock signal corresponds to the predetermined number of amplitudes of the second clock signal.
  • the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal may involve a comparison of a difference between a detected Amplitude number (oscillation number) of the first clock arrangement and a detected amplitude number (oscillation number) of the second clock arrangement with a predetermined difference over a (the same) period of time.
  • the predetermined difference preferably corresponds to an (absolute) difference between a target amplitude number of the first clock signal of the first clock arrangement and a target amplitude number of the second clock arrangement. If the second clock arrangement is set up to generate a constant second clock signal, ie, in particular with a constant frequency, the detected amplitude number of the second clock signal preferably corresponds to its target amplitude number.
  • the amplitude number of the first clock arrangement and/or the second clock arrangement can preferably each be detected by a pulse counter. It is to be understood that the electronic device is preferably set up to correct the generation of the useful signal only if the difference between the detected number of amplitudes of the first clock signal and the detected number of amplitudes of the second clock signal is greater or smaller than the predetermined difference, ie not equal to the predetermined difference, in particular if a deviation of the said difference from the predetermined difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined deviation.
  • the electronic device for correcting the generation of the useful signal is designed to correct the first clock generator arrangement, in particular the generation of the first clock signal, based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • This correction process is considered within the scope of the invention to be an indirect correction process for correcting the generation of the useful signal.
  • the electronic device can be set up to correct the first clock generator arrangement, in particular the generation of the first clock signal, such that the first clock signal has a target frequency.
  • the electronic device can be set up to correct/adjust the first clock generator arrangement such that it generates a first clock signal that has a target frequency.
  • the electronic device preferably outputs a control signal based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal, by means of which the first clock generator arrangement is controlled/adjusted to generate a first clock signal with its target frequency. This correction can increase the precision of the clock.
  • the electronic device for correcting the generation of the useful signal can preferably be configured to correct the useful signal generation device based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal. correct.
  • this correction process is considered to be a direct correction process for correcting the generation of the useful signal.
  • the electronic device is designed to determine a lag and/or an advance of the first clock generator arrangement based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal. Based on this, the electronic device is designed to correct the generation of the useful signal in order to subsequently compensate for the lag or advance at least partially. By compensating for the lag or advance, the precision of the clock can be increased.
  • the electronic device can be configured to detect a temperature of the first clock arrangement and/or an environment of the first clock arrangement and/or to detect a temperature of the second clock arrangement and/or an environment of the second clock arrangement and to take this into account for correcting the generation of the useful signal.
  • the clock can, for example, comprise a temperature sensor that is configured to detect the temperature of the first clock arrangement and/or an environment of the first clock arrangement and/or to detect the temperature of the second clock arrangement and/or an environment of the second clock arrangement.
  • the first clock generator arrangement can preferably comprise a piezoelectric oscillating crystal for generating the first clock signal.
  • the useful signal generating device is preferably designed to generate the useful signal based on an oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal.
  • the frequency of the first clock signal advantageously corresponds to the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal is a quartz oscillating crystal.
  • the quartz oscillating crystal can be synthetic or natural and in particular have an oscillation frequency of 32768 Hz.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal can be a tourmaline oscillating crystal.
  • the tourmaline oscillating crystal can, for example, have an oscillation frequency of 888 KHz.
  • the first clock arrangement further comprises an oscillator circuit configured to excite the piezoelectric oscillating crystal to oscillate.
  • the electronic device is preferably designed to correct the generation of the useful signal by using the oscillator circuit to correct the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal based on the comparison between the frequency of the first clock signal and the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • the oscillator circuit is designed to set the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal and can preferably be controlled by the electronic device to correct or set the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • the oscillator circuit comprises a trimming capacitor, particularly preferably a capacitance diode, for adjusting the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal by adjusting a capacitance of the trimming capacitor, particularly preferably the capacitance diode, by means of an electrical signal.
  • the electronic device for correcting the generation of the useful signal can preferably be set up to correct or adjust the electrical signal based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • the first clock generator arrangement can comprise an electronic oscillator, in particular an RC oscillator, for generating the first clock signal or can be designed as an electronic oscillator, in particular an RC oscillator.
  • an electronic oscillator is understood to be a purely electronic oscillator, i.e. an oscillator with only electrical and/or electronic components for generating the first clock signal.
  • an oscillator that has a piezoelectric oscillating crystal is not an electronic oscillator.
  • the electronic oscillator can preferably be a low-frequency oscillator (e.g. 10 kHz).
  • the second clock generator arrangement can preferably comprise an oscillation system with an optical waveguide arrangement, an electro-optical converter and an opto-electrical converter.
  • the frequency of the second clock signal corresponds to the oscillation frequency of the oscillation system.
  • the optical waveguide arrangement preferably has at least one optical waveguide.
  • the electro-optical converter also called an electrical-optical converter, is designed to feed a clocked light signal (optical signal) into the optical waveguide arrangement, in particular into the at least one optical waveguide.
  • the opto-electrical converter also called an optical-electrical or photoelectrical converter, is designed to receive the light signal from the optical fiber arrangement and for generating an electrical signal based on the received light signal.
  • the frequency of the second clock signal is advantageously based on the speed of propagation of light (speed of light) in the optical fiber arrangement.
  • the time difference between the entry of the light into the optical fiber arrangement and the exit of the light on the other side of the optical fiber arrangement depends only on the distance that the light travels in the optical fiber arrangement and on the speed of propagation of the light (speed of light) in the optical fiber arrangement.
  • a clock signal can advantageously be generated in this way with a fixed frequency or period. This means that the optical fiber arrangement is the frequency-determining element of the oscillation system.
  • the first clock generator arrangement comprises a piezoelectric oscillating crystal, in particular a quartz oscillating crystal
  • the second clock generator arrangement comprises an oscillating system with an optical waveguide arrangement, an electro-optical converter and an opto-electric converter.
  • the first clock generator arrangement comprises a quartz oscillating crystal and the second clock generator arrangement comprises a tourmaline oscillating crystal.
  • the second clock generator arrangement can preferably have a higher accuracy than the first clock generator arrangement. However, it is also possible for the second clock generator arrangement to have a lower accuracy than the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the second clock generator arrangement can advantageously have a second clock signal with a predetermined second frequency. "Predetermined” here means in particular that first a desired frequency is selected and then the second clock generator arrangement is designed such that it has the desired frequency. In a first step, it can be selected that the frequency of the second clock signal should be, for example, 888 KHz or 10 MHz, and in a second step the second clock generator arrangement can be designed such that it generates a second clock signal with the selected frequency of 888 KHz or 10 MHz.
  • the first clock arrangement can preferably have a lower electrical power consumption than the second clock arrangement. This, in combination with the fact that the second clock signal is generated in time segments with pauses in between, offers the advantage that the energy consumption of such a clock is relatively low, although the clock can on average have the accuracy of the second clock arrangement.
  • the useful signal generating device can preferably have a pulse counter for counting the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement or a signal based on the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement. In this case, the useful signal generating device is set up to generate the useful signal when a count value of the counted first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement or of the counted signal based on the clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement is equal to a predetermined count value.
  • the pulse counter is advantageously set up to count the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the pulse counter is programmed to the frequency of the first clock signal.
  • a combination of a frequency divider and a pulse counter is also possible to generate the useful signal.
  • the useful signal generating device can comprise both a frequency divider and a pulse counter for generating the useful signal.
  • the frequency divider is advantageously arranged upstream of the pulse counter in terms of signaling.
  • the pulse counter is advantageously set up to count a signal based on the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement. This signal is advantageously an output signal of the frequency divider.
  • the pulse counter is preferably programmed to the frequency of this signal.
  • the electronic device for correcting the generation of the useful signal is configured to correct the predetermined count value by means of the useful signal generation device based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • the electronic device can preferably be configured to control the useful signal generation device such that it corrects the predetermined count value based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal.
  • the watch can preferably comprise a gear train and a (mechanical) drive device for driving the gear train.
  • the drive device can preferably be a mainspring.
  • the watch can further preferably comprise a self-winding device or a hand-winding device for winding the mainspring.
  • the first clock generator arrangement further comprises an electromechanical device.
  • the clock further comprises the aforementioned gear train and the aforementioned (mechanical) drive device for driving the gear train, in particular the mainspring.
  • the time display device is connected to the gear train and can be moved by the gear train.
  • the electromechanical device can be moved by means of the useful signal, whereby the electromechanical device engages the gear train directly or indirectly in a timed manner.
  • the electromechanical device engages the gear train directly or indirectly in an inhibiting manner in order to alternately bring the gear train to a standstill and release it again.
  • the clock's running speed is thus timed via a frequency-controlled or frequency-controllable device (the electromechanical device), with the drive energy for the gear train being provided by the drive device.
  • the electromechanical device is a frequency-controlled or frequency-controllable device because it can be moved by means of the useful signal generated by the useful signal generating device and the useful signal can be generated based on the frequency of the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the electromechanical device engages indirectly in the gear train.
  • “indirectly” means in particular that at least one further component is located between the electromechanical device and the gear train. This means that in this embodiment of the watch, the electromechanical device can be moved by means of the above-mentioned useful signal, whereby the electromechanical device engages indirectly in the gear train for escapement.
  • the watch preferably comprises an escapement for this purpose.
  • the escapement is in engagement with the gear train.
  • the electromechanical device drives the escapement. This means that in this design of the watch the electromechanical device can be moved by means of the useful signal, whereby the electromechanical device engages the gear train via the escapement.
  • the escapement corresponds to the above-mentioned at least one further component which is located between the electromechanical device and the gear train.
  • the escapement comprises an escape wheel and an escapement piece.
  • the escapement piece serves to escape the escape wheel.
  • the electromechanical device for driving the escapement piece is arranged, with the escape wheel engaging with the gear train.
  • the escapement is designed as an anchor escapement, with the escapement piece being designed as an anchor.
  • the escapement wheel can also be referred to as the escape wheel.
  • the electromechanical device can engage directly/immediately in the gear mechanism.
  • “Direct” or “immediate” means in the context of the present invention in particular, that no other component is located between the electromechanical device and the gear train. This means that in this design of the watch, the electromechanical device can be moved using the above-mentioned useful signal, whereby the electromechanical device engages directly in the gear train in a timed manner.
  • the electromechanical device can be designed as an actuator according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.
  • an actuator is referred to in particular as a drive device or structural unit that converts an electrical signal into a mechanical movement.
  • the actuator can have a magnetic armature and a magnetic coil.
  • the magnetic coil is designed to move the magnetic armature by means of the useful signal.
  • the electromechanical device can advantageously be designed as a stepper motor. In this design of the electromechanical device, it is particularly advantageous if the electromechanical device engages the gear mechanism directly in a timed manner.
  • the clock further comprises a gear train and a drive device for driving the gear train.
  • the drive device can be controlled by means of the useful signal.
  • the time display device is connected to the gear train and can be moved by the gear train.
  • the drive device is preferably designed as a stepper motor.
  • This clock does not have a drive spring.
  • the first clock arrangement can comprise a piezoelectric oscillating crystal which is designed as a quartz oscillating crystal.
  • This embodiment of the clock corresponds in particular to a quartz clock with a stepper motor for driving a mechanical time display device, in which the accuracy of the second clock arrangement is transferred to the first clock arrangement.
  • the above-mentioned time display device is a mechanical time display device.
  • the time display device preferably comprises an hour hand and/or a minute hand and/or a second hand.
  • the gear train preferably comprises at least one hour wheel and/or one minute wheel and/or one second wheel, and in particular also a third wheel which is arranged between the second wheel and the minute wheel.
  • the time display device is an electronic time display device that is set up to display the time based on the useful signal.
  • the first clock arrangement can comprise a piezoelectric oscillating crystal that is designed as a quartz oscillating crystal. This embodiment of the clock corresponds in particular to an electronic quartz clock in which the accuracy of the second clock arrangement is transferred to the first clock arrangement.
  • the watch preferably further comprises an energy supply device for supplying energy to the first clock arrangement and/or the second clock arrangement and/or the electronic device.
  • the energy supply device preferably comprises an energy harvesting device and a rechargeable battery.
  • the energy harvesting device can preferably comprise a solar cell and/or a thermogenerator.
  • the solar cell can particularly preferably be designed as a dial. In other words, a solar cell dial can be used as the dial of the watch. In particular, the solar cell dial can have an area of at least 4 cm 2 .
  • the energy supply device may comprise a battery in addition to or as an alternative to the energy harvesting device and the rechargeable battery.
  • the energy supply device is particularly designed to supply all electrically operable components of the watch with electrical energy.
  • Figure 1 is a simplified schematic view of a watch designed as a wristwatch according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of the watch according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of a watch according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of a watch according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of a watch according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 is a simplified schematic view of a portion of a watch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a watch 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • the clock 100 is designed as a wristwatch and thus has two lugs 14 for a bracelet 16.
  • the clock 100 is a wall clock, a grandfather clock, a table clock or a clock of another type.
  • the watch 100 comprises a watch case 11 and a watch glass 15 arranged thereon.
  • the watch 100 preferably further comprises a dial 12 and an hour hand 51, a minute hand 52 and a second hand 53.
  • the hour hand 51, the minute hand 52 and the second hand 53 are parts of a (mechanical) time display device 5 for displaying the time.
  • the clock 100 further comprises a first clock generator arrangement 1 for generating a first clock signal, a second clock generator arrangement 2 for generating a second clock signal, a useful signal generating device 3 and an electronic device 4.
  • the first clock generator arrangement 1 is designed to generate the first clock signal continuously, wherein the second clock generator arrangement 2 is designed to generate the second clock signal in time segments with pauses in between.
  • the first clock generator arrangement 1 generates the first clock signal continuously (without pauses) during operation of the clock 100
  • the second clock generator arrangement 2 has operating phases and non-operating phases.
  • the second clock signal is generated, wherein no second clock signal is generated during the non-operating phases.
  • the non-operating phases correspond to the previously mentioned pauses.
  • the second clock generator arrangement 2 is designed to generate the second clock signal at predetermined time intervals.
  • the first clock generator arrangement 1 comprises a piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 for generating the first clock signal.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 is in particular a quartz oscillating crystal, which can be natural or synthetic.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 can have an oscillation frequency of 32768 Hz.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 can be a tourmaline oscillating crystal or another oscillating crystal and/or have another oscillation frequency.
  • the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 advantageously corresponds to the aforementioned frequency of the first Clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement 1.
  • the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 can be understood as the clock generator of the first clock generator arrangement 1.
  • the first clock generator arrangement 1 comprises an oscillator circuit 115 which is designed to excite the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 to oscillate.
  • the oscillator circuit 115 preferably comprises a trimming capacitor, particularly preferably a capacitance diode.
  • the oscillation frequency can be adjusted by adjusting a capacitance of the trimming capacitor, particularly preferably the capacitance diode, by means of an electrical signal.
  • the second clock generator arrangement 2 comprises an oscillation system 20 with an optical waveguide arrangement, an electro-optical converter 124 and an opto-electrical converter 125.
  • the optical waveguide arrangement here has only one optical waveguide 126.
  • the electro-optical converter 124 is designed to feed a clocked light signal (optical signal) into the optical waveguide 126, wherein the opto-electrical converter 125 is designed to receive the light signal from the optical waveguide 126 and to generate an electrical signal based on the received light signal.
  • the electro-optical converter 124 is connected to the opto-electrical converter 125 via the optical waveguide 126.
  • the oscillation system 20 advantageously comprises an (electrical) amplifier 127 and a signal conditioning device 128.
  • a circuit is formed by the electro-optical converter 124, the optical waveguide 126, the opto-electrical converter 125, the amplifier 127 and the signal conditioning device 128.
  • the oscillation system 20 forms a circuit.
  • the amplifier 127 is arranged between the electro-optical converter 124 and the opto-electrical converter 125 and is designed to amplify the electrical signal generated by the opto-electrical converter 125.
  • the signal conditioning device 128 is arranged between the electro-optical converter 124 and the amplifier 127 and is designed to process the electrical signal and send it to the electro-optical converter 124.
  • a clocked light signal is fed into the optical waveguide 126 and received by the opto-electrical converter 125.
  • the electrical signal generated by the opto-electrical converter 125 is amplified by the amplifier 127 and, after being processed via the signal conditioning device 128, sent to the electro-optical converter 124.
  • This process repeats itself a certain number of times per second. The number of repetitions per second is determined by the length of the optical waveguide 126. With a length of approximately 20 m, the process repeats itself 10 million times per second. times. This results in an oscillation frequency of the oscillation system 20 of 10 MHz, which can be tapped between the signal conditioning device 128 and the electro-optical converter 124.
  • the oscillation system 20 is designed such that it has a constant oscillation frequency.
  • the oscillation system 20 can be understood as the clock of the second clock arrangement 2, wherein its oscillation frequency advantageously corresponds to the above-mentioned frequency of the second clock signal of the second clock arrangement 2.
  • the second clock arrangement 2 has a constant second clock signal, ie in particular with a constant frequency.
  • the second clock arrangement 2 advantageously has a higher accuracy than the first clock arrangement 1.
  • the useful signal generating device 3 is set up to generate a useful signal based on the first clock signal, in particular on a frequency of the first clock signal.
  • the useful signal is used to display the time by means of the time display device 5.
  • the first clock generator arrangement 1 clocks the clock 100.
  • the useful signal generating device 3 has a pulse counter for counting the first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement 1 and is set up to generate the useful signal when a count value of the counted first clock signal of the first clock generator arrangement is equal to a predetermined count value. It is also possible for the useful signal generating device 3 to have a frequency divider in addition to the pulse counter, which is arranged in front of the pulse counter in terms of signaling.
  • the electronic device 4 is configured to compare a frequency of the first clock signal with a frequency of the second clock signal and to correct the generation of the useful signal depending on this comparison.
  • the frequency of the second clock signal can be used as a timing element.
  • it can be checked whether a number of amplitudes of the first clock signal recorded over a certain period of time corresponds to an expected number of amplitudes (target number of amplitudes). The specific period of time is determined by a number of amplitudes of the second clock signal. If this is the case, it is determined that the first clock signal has its target frequency. If this is not the case, i.e.
  • the electronic device 4 is set up to correct the generation of the useful signal only when such a deviation has been detected. Otherwise, the generation of the useful signal is not corrected, and the time is displayed without correction based on the useful signal generated by the useful signal generation device 3.
  • the electronic device can advantageously be set up to only carry out the correction of the generation of the useful signal if the detected deviation is greater than or equal to a predetermined deviation. If the deviation is smaller than the predetermined deviation, the generation of the useful signal is preferably not corrected.
  • the time is displayed without correction based on the useful signal generated by the useful signal generation device 3. This reduces the required computing effort and saves power.
  • the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal also takes place in time sections with pauses in between, in particular at predetermined time intervals. This means in particular that there are time periods in which a comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal takes place. Two consecutive such time periods or comparisons are separated by a pause during which no comparison takes place. Accordingly, the correction of the generation of the useful signal is also carried out in time sections with pauses in between, i.e., not continuously.
  • the electronic device 4 can in particular be set up to carry out the correction of the generation of the useful signal directly and/or indirectly.
  • “Direct” means that the correction takes place at the level of the useful signal generation device 3. In other words, the useful signal generation device 3 is corrected or adjusted.
  • “Indirect” means, on the other hand, that the correction takes place at the level of a component of the clock 100 that is arranged in signal terms before the useful signal generation device 3. In particular, correcting the generation of the useful signal by correcting the first clock generator arrangement 1, in particular correcting the generation of the first clock signal, can be understood as indirect.
  • a follow-up and/or an operation of the first clock generator arrangement 1 can be determined.
  • the electronic device 3 is based on this set up to correct the generation of the useful signal in order to at least partially compensate for the delay or process afterwards.
  • the useful signal generating device 3 can correct the predetermined count value of the pulse counter based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal. It is also possible for the generation of the useful signal to be corrected to compensate for the lag or process by correcting the first clock generator arrangement 1, in particular by correcting the generation of the first clock signal.
  • the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 can be corrected or adjusted accordingly.
  • the capacitance of the trimming capacitor, particularly preferably the capacitance diode, of the oscillator circuit 115 can be adjusted or corrected accordingly using the above-mentioned electrical signal. In both cases, the electronic device 4 is set up to control the respective component accordingly.
  • the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 or the frequency of the first clock signal can be corrected or set to its target frequency.
  • the generation of the first clock signal can be corrected based on the comparison of the frequency of the first clock signal with the frequency of the second clock signal, so that after the correction, the first clock generator arrangement generates a first clock signal which has its target frequency.
  • the present invention enables a clock in which the accuracy of the second clock generator arrangement is transferred to the first clock generator arrangement.
  • the first clock generator arrangement is the arrangement that is responsible for timing the clock and thus also for displaying the time.
  • the clock 100 comprises a gear train 104 and a drive device 101 for driving the gear train 104.
  • the gear train 104 is connected to the time display device 5 so that the hour hand 51, the minute hand 52 and the second hand 53 are moved.
  • the gear train 104 comprises at least an hour wheel, a minute wheel and a second wheel, which are connected to the hour hand 51, the minute hand 52 and the second hand 53, respectively.
  • the drive device 101 advantageously comprises a drive spring.
  • a winding device 121 is provided in the watch 100 for winding or tensioning the drive spring.
  • the watch 100 is designed in particular as a watch with self-winding.
  • the winding device is an automatic winding device or also called a self-winding device. This is designed in particular as a flywheel, so that the drive spring is automatically wound by the oscillating weight due to the movement of the hand of the wearer of the watch 100. When the mainspring is tensioned, this supplies the energy required to drive the gear mechanism 104.
  • the watch 100 it is also possible for the watch 100 to be designed as a hand-wound watch.
  • the winding device 121 is a hand-wound device that can be operated manually or by hand.
  • the watch 100 also has an electromechanical device 106.
  • the electromechanical device 106 is designed in particular as an actuator that includes a magnetic core (magnetic armature) 107 and a magnetic coil 108.
  • the magnetic coil 108 interacts with the magnetic core 107.
  • the magnetic coil 108 is designed to move the magnetic core 107 when it is energized.
  • the electromechanical device 106 can be moved by means of the useful signal generated by the useful signal generating device 3. As a result, the electromechanical device 106, in particular the magnetic core 107, engages the gear train 104 in a clocked manner.
  • the watch 100 also has an escapement 105 which is arranged between the electromechanical device 106 and the gear train 104.
  • the electromechanical device 106 in particular the magnetic core 107, thus engages indirectly in the gear train 104 via the escapement 105.
  • the escapement 105 can be driven by means of the electromechanical device 106.
  • the electromechanical device 106 indirectly engages the gear train 104 in an inhibiting manner in order to alternately bring the gear train 104 to a standstill and release it again.
  • the escapement 105 comprises an escapement wheel 109 and an escapement piece 110 and is designed in particular as an anchor escapement.
  • the escapement wheel 109 is in engagement with the gear train 104, wherein the magnetic core 107 can be brought into engagement with the escapement piece 110 by its movement.
  • the escapement piece 110 can be driven by means of the magnetic core 107.
  • the magnetic coil 108 builds up and down a magnetic field in the rhythm of the useful signal, whereby the magnetic core 107 is also moved back and forth in the rhythm of the useful signal.
  • the moving magnetic core 107 then engages the escapement piece 110 and thus replaces a conventional balance wheel of a mechanical watch.
  • the clock 100 is provided with a Equipped with an energy supply device that includes a rechargeable battery and an energy harvesting device for charging the rechargeable battery.
  • the energy harvesting device can preferably include a solar cell and/or a thermogenerator.
  • the solar cell can particularly preferably be designed as a dial. In other words, a solar cell dial can be used as the dial of the watch. In particular, the solar cell dial can have an area of at least 4 cm 2 .
  • the energy supply device to include a battery in addition to or as an alternative to the energy harvesting device and the rechargeable battery, which can supply the aforementioned components of the watch 100 with power.
  • the useful signal is emitted to the electromechanical device 106.
  • the gear train 104 can be clocked by the frequency-controlled control (based on the oscillation frequency of the clock generator 1).
  • the electromechanical device 106 can be set up to move in such a way that the electromechanical device 106, in particular the magnetic core 107, drives the gear train 104. This can ensure that the watch 100 continues to run even if the mainspring can no longer supply the required mechanical energy. This can be the case, for example, if the watch 100 is not used for some time, e.g. during the night, as a result of which the mainspring cannot be tensioned by the automatic winding device 121.
  • the watch 100 can preferably be provided with a device for decoupling the mainspring from the escapement 109 and from the gear train 104.
  • the present invention provides a watch 100 which is clocked by means of the first clock generator arrangement 1, but with the accuracy of the second clock generator arrangement 2 due to the correction process described, and is simultaneously driven like an automatic watch or mechanical watch.
  • the watch 100 is thus a hybrid watch in which the timing is controlled by means of the oscillation frequency of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal and the gear mechanism 104 is driven by a drive spring. Due to the battery, which supplies the components of the watch 100 that function with electricity accordingly and can be charged by the energy harvesting device, the watch 100 also has a high power reserve.
  • Figure 3 refers to a watch 100 according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the watch 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the watch 100 according to the first embodiment in that the electromechanical device 106 in the watch 100 according to the third embodiment engages the gear train 104 in a directly timed manner. In other words, no escapement is provided in the watch 100 according to the second embodiment.
  • the combination of the first clock generator arrangement 1 and the electromechanical device 106 replaces the combination of a conventional balance wheel and a conventional escapement of a conventional mechanical watch.
  • the electromechanical device directly engages the gear train 104 in an inhibiting manner to alternately bring the gear train 104 to a standstill and release it again.
  • the electromechanical device 106 is also designed as an actuator in the watch 100 according to the second embodiment, which comprises a magnetic armature 107 and a magnetic coil 108.
  • the magnetic armature 107 engages the gear train 104 in a directly timed manner.
  • the electromechanical device 106 is designed as a stepper motor that directly engages the gear mechanism 104 in a clocked manner.
  • this clock 100 basically corresponds to that of the clock 100 in the first embodiment.
  • the electromechanical device 106 does not control an escapement, but directly the gear train 104, which is thus clocked.
  • the gear train 104 is driven here, as in the first embodiment, by the drive device 101 comprising the mainspring.
  • Figure 4 shows a watch 100 according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • the watch 100 according to the third embodiment differs from that according to the first or second embodiment in that the watch 100 according to the third embodiment comprises neither the escapement 105 nor the electromechanical device 106.
  • a drive device 101 which is designed in particular as a stepper motor, is arranged between the useful signal generating device 3 and the gear train 104.
  • the drive device 101 is set up to drive the gear train 104 and thus to move the hour hand 51 , the minute hand 52 and the second hand 53 to indicate the time.
  • Figure 5 shows a watch 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • the watch 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention does not have a mechanical time display device, but rather an electronic time display device 5.
  • the electronic time display device 5 is designed to display the time using the useful signal generated by the useful signal generating device 3. It is also noted that in the watch 100 according to the fourth embodiment, the electromechanical device 106, the drive device 101 and the gear train 104 of the watches 100 according to the previous embodiments are not provided.
  • Figure 6 shows a watch 100 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
  • the clock 100 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the clock 100 according to the fourth embodiment in that the first clock generator arrangement 1 in the clock 100 according to the fifth embodiment has an electrical oscillator 17 for generating the first clock signal instead of the piezoelectric oscillating crystal 10 and the oscillator circuit 115 of the clock 100 according to the fourth embodiment.
  • the electronic oscillator 17 is advantageously an RC oscillator, which is designed in particular as a relatively low-frequency oscillator (e.g. 10 kHz).
  • the advantage of the clock 100 according to the fifth embodiment is that the electronic oscillator 17 is very energy-efficient, so that power consumption for generating the first clock signal can be reduced, in particular minimized. As a result, the running time of the battery of the energy supply device before it has to be charged can be significantly increased.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie (100), en particulier une montre-bracelet, qui comprend un premier ensemble générateur d'horloge (1) pour générer un premier signal d'horloge, un second ensemble générateur d'horloge (2) pour générer un second signal d'horloge, un dispositif de génération de signal utile (3), un dispositif électronique (4) et un dispositif d'affichage de l'heure (5). Le dispositif de génération de signal utile (3) est conçu pour générer un signal utile sur la base du premier signal d'horloge. Le dispositif électronique (4) est conçu pour comparer une fréquence du premier signal d'horloge à une fréquence du second signal d'horloge et pour corriger la génération du signal utile en fonction de cette comparaison. Le dispositif d'affichage de l'heure (5) est conçu pour afficher l'heure sur la base du signal utile. Le premier ensemble générateur d'horloge (1) est conçu pour générer le premier signal d'horloge en continu, et le second ensemble générateur d'horloge (2) est conçu pour générer le second signal d'horloge de manière intermittente avec des pauses intermédiaires.
PCT/EP2024/053206 2023-02-16 2024-02-08 Pièce d'horlogerie WO2024170406A1 (fr)

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DE102023103856.7A DE102023103856A1 (de) 2023-02-16 2023-02-16 Uhr
DE102023103856.7 2023-02-16

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4305041A (en) * 1979-10-26 1981-12-08 Rockwell International Corporation Time compensated clock oscillator
US20070008041A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2007-01-11 David Ruffieux Layout for a time base
DE102020135100A1 (de) * 2020-12-30 2022-06-30 Realization Desal Ag Armbanduhr
DE102021116557A1 (de) * 2021-06-25 2022-12-29 Realization Desal Ag Uhr
WO2022268464A1 (fr) * 2021-06-25 2022-12-29 Realization Desal Ag Appareil horaire

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10029421C2 (de) 2000-06-15 2002-07-11 Infineon Technologies Ag Kalibriervorrichtung und -verfahren für die Taktgenerierung auf einem integrierten Schaltkreis
US20100085096A1 (en) 2008-10-06 2010-04-08 Texas Instruments Incorporated Energy-efficient clock system
DE102010033608A1 (de) 2010-08-06 2012-02-09 Continental Automotive Gmbh Zeitgeber

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4305041A (en) * 1979-10-26 1981-12-08 Rockwell International Corporation Time compensated clock oscillator
US20070008041A1 (en) * 2003-05-15 2007-01-11 David Ruffieux Layout for a time base
DE102020135100A1 (de) * 2020-12-30 2022-06-30 Realization Desal Ag Armbanduhr
DE102021116557A1 (de) * 2021-06-25 2022-12-29 Realization Desal Ag Uhr
WO2022268464A1 (fr) * 2021-06-25 2022-12-29 Realization Desal Ag Appareil horaire

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