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EP0203330B1 - Elektronisches Uhrwerk mit Detektion für den Ablauf der Lebensdauer der Batterie - Google Patents

Elektronisches Uhrwerk mit Detektion für den Ablauf der Lebensdauer der Batterie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0203330B1
EP0203330B1 EP86104947A EP86104947A EP0203330B1 EP 0203330 B1 EP0203330 B1 EP 0203330B1 EP 86104947 A EP86104947 A EP 86104947A EP 86104947 A EP86104947 A EP 86104947A EP 0203330 B1 EP0203330 B1 EP 0203330B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
counter
output
signal
response
producing
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
EP86104947A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0203330A1 (de
Inventor
Claude-Eric Leuenberger
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.)
Asulab AG
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Asulab AG
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Publication of EP0203330A1 publication Critical patent/EP0203330A1/de
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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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
    • G04C10/04—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces with means for indicating the condition of the power supply

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic timepiece comprising means for producing driving pulses, a motor comprising a rotor and means for rotating the rotor by a determined angle in response to each driving pulse, an autonomous source for supplying electrical energy the means for producing the driving pulses, means for producing a signal for detection of the approaching end of life of the source, and means for producing a warning signal in response to the detection signal.
  • Electronic timepieces particularly watches, clocks and analog alarm clocks, are well known and their operation is entirely reliable as long as the energy contained in the source of electrical energy is sufficient.
  • the first signs of failure are manifested in the form of erratic rotations of the motor rotor in response to the driving impulses, while other parts of the workpiece, such as electronic circuits, which are less sensitive to voltage, continue to operate normally until '' when the engine stops completely.
  • This detector in known embodiments, is composed of an electronic circuit accurately measuring the battery voltage, and an electronic circuit producing the warning signal when the voltage reaches the critical threshold, to make the user attentive. of the next engine shutdown.
  • a voltage measurement circuit usable in a watch, is for example described and represented in US Pat. No. 4,024,415 where the terminal X in FIGS. 8 and 9 changes logic state when the battery voltage, designated by V DD , drops below the critical threshold.
  • This information is used to produce the warning signal.
  • This signal can, for example, take the form of a periodic modification of the rate of advance of the second hand, causing a limping of this hand, without however causing the loss of the hour or an increase in the consumption of motor energy.
  • Such a modification can be obtained by means of a circuit described, for example, in patent CH 607 603.
  • the voltage around the critical threshold must be measured with great precision, to within a few tens of millivolts. This precision must not be influenced by temperature or by the aging of the elements. However, these performances are very difficult to achieve, even with circuits specially developed for this purpose which often require external components to be individually adjusted, which complicates manufacture and increases the cost price.
  • such a detector can only function correctly with the type of battery for which it was designed, for example mercury, and if the battery is replaced by a silver battery having a different critical threshold, the detector will provide an incorrect indication.
  • the trend is to produce timepieces that can function indifferently with mercury, silver or lithium batteries. No known end-of-life detector can therefore be used in this type of timepiece.
  • the present invention proposes to overcome these drawbacks by producing a timepiece provided with a very reliable end-of-life detector and suitable for various types of batteries.
  • the invention therefore relates to an electronic timepiece comprising means for producing driving pulses, a motor comprising a rotor and means for rotating the rotor by a determined angle in response to each driving pulse, an autonomous source. for supplying electrical energy to the means for producing the driving pulses, means for producing a signal for detecting the near end of life of said source, and means for producing a warning signal in response to said detection signal, said means for producing the detection signal comprising means for producing a control signal each time the rotor does not rotate correctly in response to a driving pulse, and a counter directly incremented by said control signal, said counter producing, in response in a predetermined state, said detection signal, remarkable in that said counter is a front-back counter re which is directly incremented by said control signal and decremented by periodic signals.
  • the circuit shown in fig. 1 comprises an oscillator 1, for example quartz, a frequency divider 2, a control circuit 3, a stepping motor 4 comprising a rotor which drives, by means of a gear train not shown, display of the hour and in particular an aperture 5 indicating the seconds, a circuit for detecting missed steps giving a signal each time the motor has not rotated in response to a driving impulse from the control circuit, a counter 8 , two AND gates 9 and 10 with two inputs, an OR gate 11 with two inputs and an inverter 12.
  • a battery, not shown, supplies energy to all the circuits and the motor 4.
  • the output S of oscillator 1 provides a reference signal which is applied to the input E of the frequency divider 2. On the main output S of this divider 2 appears a time signal, for example of 1 Hz, which is applied at the input E of the control circuit 3.
  • the divider 2 also supplies, on a multiple output A, logic signals of various frequencies, on an output B a signal formed by one pulse per minute and on an output C a signal formed by one pulse per hour. All these signals are derived in a known manner from the oscillator signal and the frequencies of the last two signals can, of course, be different from those indicated.
  • the control circuit 3 receives on a multiple input B the signals coming from the output A of the frequency divider 2 and it elaborates, in a manner known per se, using combinational logic circuits and from these signals and the signal schedule applied to its input E, a control signal S 3 which appears on its output S.
  • the signal S 3 is formed by a series of driving pulses following each other at one second intervals. This signal is applied to the stepping motor 4 and, in response to each driving pulse, the rotor turns by a given angle so as to advance the second hand 5 by one second.
  • Circuit 3 also includes an input A whose logic state influences the position of the driving pulses relative to each other, without changing their number, and, consequently, modifies the movement of the motor 4.
  • input A is at the low logic level
  • the pulses which can be separated into even and odd pulses, are regularly distributed over time and the motor thus advances by one step every second, causing the second hand to move at the same rate 5.
  • the even pulses are offset with respect to the odd pulses so, for example, that an even pulse is immediately followed by an odd pulse.
  • the engine then advances two close steps every two seconds.
  • the seconds hand 5 then advances irregularly, giving the impression of limping, while continuing to indicate the exact time.
  • FIG. 1 of the patent CH 607 603 already cited An example of a circuit making it possible to obtain the irregular advancement of the second hand is shown in FIG. 1 of the patent CH 607 603 already cited. References P and S visible in this figure correspond respectively to the input A of the control circuit 3 and to the motor 4 of Figures 1 and 2 of this case.
  • the circuit 3 can also include an input C, the function of which will be explained below.
  • the control signal S 3 is also applied to the input E of the missed step detector circuit 7.
  • This circuit delivers on its output S a control signal S 7 indicating the non-rotation of the rotor of the motor 4 in response to a driving pulse. of the signal S 3 , the malfunction of the engine being able to result from several effects, in particular from the exhaustion of the battery supplying the timepiece.
  • missed step detector circuits are known, in particular that represented in the diagram of FIG. 12 of patent CH 628 201.
  • the signal applied to the motor contains, between two driving pulses, a short test pulse of duration insufficient to cause the rotor to rotate.
  • This test pulse creates in the motor a current which crosses a measurement resistor, referenced 117, and causes at its terminals a voltage which is compared with a reference voltage thanks to a differential amplifier 110 at the output of which appears a logic signal H
  • the signal H corresponds to the control signal S 7 of the circuits of the present case.
  • This signal remains at low logic level as long as the motor rotor turns normally in response to each drive pulse.
  • this missed step is signaled by a brief passage to the high logic level of the signal H before the next driving pulse.
  • the duration of this pulse is chosen to be greater than that of the normal driving pulses provided for operating the engine with minimum energy.
  • the catching up of lost steps can also be used in the timepiece according to the present invention, but it is not necessary to produce the warning signal of the end of life of the battery.
  • the control circuit 3 includes for this purpose the input C which can be connected to the output S of the circuit 7. In response to any pulse on the signal S 7 , the circuit 3 then produces a driving pulse of correction on the signal S 3 .
  • the output S of the circuit 7 is connected to an input of the AND gate 9, the output of which is connected to the counting input C of the counter 8 which delivers on its output Q a logic detection signal Q 8 of missed steps.
  • the output Q is connected to the input A of the circuit 3 to cause the limping of the needle 5 indicating the end of life of the battery.
  • the output Q is finally connected to the input of the inverter 12, the output of which is connected to the other input of the AND gate 9 and to an input of the AND gate 10.
  • the output of the latter gate is connected to a input of the OR gate 11, the output of which is connected to the reset input R of the counter 8.
  • the other input of the AND gate 10 and the other input of the OR gate 11 are respectively connected to the outputs B and C of divider 2.
  • the number N is arbitrary and marks the boundary between the number of failed steps per acceptable time unit, resulting from transient causes such as shock or the influence of an intense magnetic field, and the number of failed steps indicating failure next permanent part, mainly due to exhaustion of the battery.
  • the counter 8 is periodically reset to zero, for example once per hour, by the signal appearing on the output C of the frequency divider 2, transmitted on the input R of the counter 8 through the door OR 11.
  • the warning signal then indicates that the battery is exhausted only if it persists for at least one hour.
  • FIG. 2 The diagram of another embodiment of the circuit of the part according to the invention is shown in FIG. 2.
  • the circuit of fig. 2 further comprises a front-rear counter 15 having two inputs C and D and two outputs Q h and Q b .
  • This counter 15 can count up to N + 1. It is therefore likely to be in N + 1 different states 0, 1, 2, ... N-1 or N.
  • Its entry C makes it possible to count forward or, in other words, increment the counter 15, while its input D makes it possible to count back, or to decrease the counter.
  • the output Q h of this counter 15 is an upward overshoot output. This output delivers a pulse when the counter goes from state N-1 to state N in response to a pulse applied to input C.
  • the output Q b is, for its part, an output for going below .
  • the input C of the counter 15 is connected to the output S of the missed step detector 7, while its input D is connected to the output B of the frequency divider 2.
  • the output Q h of the counter is connected to the input of setting to state S of a flip-flop RS 16, while the output Q b is connected to the reset input R of this same flip-flop.
  • the flip-flop 16 has an output Q which is connected to the input A of the control circuit 3.
  • the operation of the circuit shown in fig. 2 is as follows. Assuming that the battery supplying the timepiece still has a good reserve of energy, the number of missed steps will be low, for example less, on average, than one missed step per minute.
  • the counter 15 will therefore receive on its input C, on average, a lower number of pulses than on its input D which, being connected to the output B of the frequency divider 2, receives one pulse per minute.
  • the counter will thus be decremented on average and, when it goes from state 1 to state 0, the pulse generated by output Q b will reset to zero the flip-flop 16 or will confirm this state, The output Q of the flip-flop being then at the low logic level, and consequently also the detection signal Q 16 , the timepiece will not produce any warning signal at the end of battery life.
  • the number of missed steps will be high, for example greater, on average, than one missed step per minute.
  • the counter 15 will therefore be incremented on average and, when it passes from state N-1 to state N, the pulse generated by the output Q h will bring the output Q of the flip-flop 16 to the logic high level, making pass the detection signal 0 16 in the same state.
  • This high level of the signal 0 1 6 will cause the warning signal of the next end of life of the battery, in the same way as in the case of FIG. 1.
  • the frequency of the pulses arriving at the input D of the counter 15 may be different from that taken as an example and, if each missed step is caught up, this correction will in no way influence the operation of the circuit.
  • the timepiece may comprise, in place of the display by hands, an electro-optical display provided with a sign indicating the end of the life of the battery, for example with liquid crystals or light emitting diodes, referenced 6 in figs. 1 and 2.
  • the control input of this display is connected to the output Q of the counter 8 or to the output Q of the flip-flop 16.
  • the end of life sign becomes apparent and constitutes the warning signal equivalent to that obtained above by the limping of the second hand 5.
  • the present invention also applies to timepieces using a control circuit which continuously adjusts, by discrete steps, the duration of the driving pulses, comprised between a minimum value and a maximum value, at the momentary load of the motor, so as to avoid the engine consuming unnecessarily high energy.
  • This duration is chosen so that the number of missed steps per unit of time remains below a certain limit, each missed step being caught up to avoid losing the exact time.
  • a timepiece provided with such an improvement is described in detail, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,326,278.
  • the warning signal for the end of the battery life may then be produced, as has been described above, only when the duration of the motor pulses has for some time reached its maximum duration.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Primary Cells (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Control Of Stepping Motors (AREA)
  • Tests Of Electric Status Of Batteries (AREA)

Claims (4)

1. Elektronisches Uhrwerk, umfassend Mittel (3) zum Erzeugen von Antriebsimpulsen, einen Motor (4) mit einem Rotor und Mitteln zum Drehenlassen des Rotors um einen vorgegebenen Winkel in Abhängigkeit von jedem Antriebsimpuls, eine autonome elektrische Energieversorgungsquelle für die Mittel zum Erzeugen der Antriebsimpulse, Mittel (7, 8, 9; 7, 15, 16) zum Erzeugen eines Erkennungssignals (Q8, 0,6) des nahenden Endes der Lebensdauer der Quelle, und Mittel (6) zum Erzeugen eines Warnsignals in Abhängigkeit von dem Erkennungssignal, welche Mittel (7, 8, 9; 7, 15, 16) zum Erzeugen des Erkennungssignals umfassend Mittel (7) zum Erzeugen eines Steuersignals (S7) jedesmal dann, wenn der Rotor im Ansprechen auf einen Antriebsimpuls nicht richtig dreht, und einen Zähler (8, 15) der von dem Steuersignal inkrementiert wird und in Abhängigkeit von einem vorgegebenen Zustand das Erkennungssignal erzeugt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Zähler (15) ein Vorwärts-Rückwärts-Zähler ist und direkt von dem Steuersignal inkrementiert und von periodischen Signalen dekrementiert wird.
2. Elektronisches Uhrwerk nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel zum Erzeugen des Erkennungssignals Mittel (10, 11) zum periodischen Rücksetzen des Zählers (8) auf Null umfassen.
3. Uhrwerk nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Mittel (3) zum Erzeugen der Antriebsimpulse Mittel umfassen, die das Modifizieren des Rhythmus' der genannten Impulse in Abhängigkeit von dem Erkennungssignal ermöglichen.
4. Uhrwerk nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß es ferner eine elektro-optische Anzeige (6) umfaßt, die ihr Aussehen in Abhängigkeit von dem Erkennungssignal ändert.
EP86104947A 1985-04-12 1986-04-10 Elektronisches Uhrwerk mit Detektion für den Ablauf der Lebensdauer der Batterie Expired - Lifetime EP0203330B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH157185A CH660279GA3 (de) 1985-04-12 1985-04-12
CH1571/85 1985-04-12

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0203330A1 EP0203330A1 (de) 1986-12-03
EP0203330B1 true EP0203330B1 (de) 1990-01-31

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EP86104947A Expired - Lifetime EP0203330B1 (de) 1985-04-12 1986-04-10 Elektronisches Uhrwerk mit Detektion für den Ablauf der Lebensdauer der Batterie

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US4630936A (de)
EP (1) EP0203330B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH0636042B2 (de)
CH (1) CH660279GA3 (de)
DE (1) DE3668711D1 (de)
HK (1) HK17695A (de)
SG (1) SG126892G (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4041696C1 (en) * 1990-12-24 1992-03-26 Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt, De Charge state monitor for power source of electronic timepiece - has output voltage measurer connected to counter for lower and upper thresholds

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4759003A (en) * 1986-02-28 1988-07-19 Seiko Instruments Inc. Electronic analog timepiece with voltage checking function
EP0874294A4 (de) * 1996-10-31 2000-01-26 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Elektronisches uhrwerk
KR100994390B1 (ko) * 2006-03-30 2010-11-16 후지쯔 가부시끼가이샤 정보 처리 장치 및 전자 장치
WO2007116452A1 (ja) * 2006-03-30 2007-10-18 Fujitsu Limited 電子装置，管理方法および管理プログラム
KR101059907B1 (ko) * 2006-03-30 2011-08-29 후지쯔 가부시끼가이샤 전자 장치, 정보 처리 장치

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4312058A (en) * 1977-04-23 1982-01-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic watch

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2125224C3 (de) * 1971-05-21 1980-12-18 Forschungsgesellschaft Fuer Uhren- Und Feingeraetetechnik E. V., 7000 Stuttgart Vorrichtung zur Korrektur des Ganges eines zeithaltenden Gerätes
JPS5627835B2 (de) * 1974-03-27 1981-06-27
JPS5126070A (ja) * 1974-08-27 1976-03-03 Sharp Kk Denshitokei
CH616813B (fr) * 1977-12-28 Ebauches Sa Piece d'horlogerie electronique avec systeme de detection de fin de vie des piles.
CH616045B (fr) * 1978-06-20 Ebauches Sa Procede pour reduire la consommation d'une piece d'horlogerie electronique et piece d'horlogerie electronique mettant en oeuvre ce procede.
JPS5627835A (en) * 1979-08-16 1981-03-18 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Heating control for cooking heater
JPS5863881A (ja) * 1981-10-13 1983-04-15 Seikosha Co Ltd 電子時計
JPS5866090A (ja) * 1981-10-15 1983-04-20 Seikosha Co Ltd 電子時計
DE3226558A1 (de) * 1982-07-16 1984-01-26 Eurosil GmbH, 8057 Eching Verfahren zum ermitteln kritisch abgesunkener batteriekapazitaet bei batteriebetriebenen kleingeraeten, insbesondere uhren und schaltungsanordnung zum ausueben des verfahrens

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4312058A (en) * 1977-04-23 1982-01-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic watch

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4041696C1 (en) * 1990-12-24 1992-03-26 Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt, De Charge state monitor for power source of electronic timepiece - has output voltage measurer connected to counter for lower and upper thresholds

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH0636042B2 (ja) 1994-05-11
DE3668711D1 (de) 1990-03-08
US4630936A (en) 1986-12-23
JPS61237082A (ja) 1986-10-22
SG126892G (en) 1993-03-12
EP0203330A1 (de) 1986-12-03
HK17695A (en) 1995-02-17
CH660279GA3 (de) 1987-04-15

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