EP1674952B1 - Radio controlled timepiece with metallic dial - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a radio wristwatch with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Such a radio-controlled watch is eg in WO 2004/025782 A1 described.

Radio wristwatches are known in the art in a variety of variations. They are suitable for receiving and decoding the time signal signals emitted by a long-wave time signal transmitter and for displaying the corresponding time on a display and / or by means of a pointer. Most radio-controlled wristwatches automatically switch to reception at least twice a day to receive the time signals sent by the corresponding time-sign transmitter and to set the time according to this specification. During the rest of the day, it will be continued with an internal quartz movement.

Long wave time signal transmitters generally emit frequencies between 20 and 100 kHz. For example, there are in Japan, two time signal transmitters with a transmission frequency of 40 and 60 kHz. The so far only German time signal transmitter DCF77 transmits on a frequency of 77.5 kHz.

The great challenge for engineers involved in the development of radio wristwatches is to ensure that the radio signals are always received while retaining a typical watch case, while retaining the materials used in watch case manufacture.

Because the reception of an antenna in the vicinity of a conductive, ie in particular metallic, material is disturbed, the long-wave antenna was arranged in the first radio wristwatches outside the metal watch case. So it is for example from the DE 35 08 366 A1 or the DE 88 15 967 U1 known to incorporate the antenna in the watch band. Such an arrangement has the disadvantage that the antenna is easily broken due to their exposed position. In addition, there is a risk that the electrical connection between the antenna and clockwork is interrupted by mechanical stress.

Recent developments aim to arrange the antenna in the watch case itself. The mechanical and electrical connection between the movement and the antenna is then less sensitive to external influences.

From the DE 93 18 224 U1 It is known to use the longwave antenna in a non-metallic watch case. It is proposed to arrange the dial and the long wave antenna close to each other with the dial completely or at least in the vicinity of the antenna made of non-metallic material. It has been found that the use of a housing made of non-metallic material is essentially not accepted by the market, or only to a limited extent, for design reasons. In addition, as in the case of the dial no long-used standard components can be used, which on the one hand due to the material used have the desired mechanical properties and beyond the well-known and desired by the customer optical appearance characteristics.

From the DE 296 07 866 U1 It is known to install the longwave antenna in a watch case with metallic middle part. These Reference teaches, however, to move the antenna in Werkaxialer as far away from the center of the watch case in a plastic base or under the watch glass. In addition, a radial minimum distance to the metallic middle part should be maintained. An arrangement under the watch glass is on the one hand only for coreless air coil antennas possible, on the other hand, such an arrangement is perceived by the customer due to the visibility of the antenna as disturbing. The arrangement of the antenna in a plastic floor is also eliminated from a design point of view.

Of the DE 299 23 446 U1 , from which the invention proceeds, is a radio-controlled watch with taken in their housing magnetic long-wave antenna to remove. The watch case of this wireless wristwatch consists of a metal middle section and a base of non-conductive material. The antenna core of the long-wave antenna is offset from the metal housing middle part radially to the center of the housing, but it is located in the axial region of the metal middle part. In order to ensure an all-round radial distance from the antenna core to the inner wall of the electrically conductive housing middle part, a plastic spacer spacer ring is inserted into the middle part of the housing. Although this embodiment has been proven in principle, the dial consists in an unusual manner of an electrically non-conductive material to ensure adequate reception of the radio signals.

The invention is based on the object, such a radio clock of the generic type and further develop, so that further components of a conventional wristwatch can be used with quartz movement or purely mechanical movement.

This object is achieved in a radio wristwatch of the generic type by the features of the characterizing part of the main claim. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The radio wristwatch according to the invention differs from the prior art in that instead of a non-conductive, especially non-metallic, dial, it has a dial made of a metallic material. The antenna for receiving timing signals is still in the watch case. However, it is located more than about 0.5 millimeters from the metallic dial. It has been shown that, contrary to the prevailing prevailing opinion, according to which no metallic dial can be used in a radio-controlled watch due to their small dimensions, without disturbing the reception of a time signal such that a meaningful evaluation is no longer possible, already this distance sufficient is to ensure adequate reception.

Although it has been shown that this distance of more than about 0.5 mm is sufficient, it is favorable for reasons of tolerable manufacturing tolerances, when the magnetic long-wave antenna is placed at a distance of 1 to 4 millimeters to the metallic dial. On the one hand, such a distance can be set comparatively reliably during assembly, on the other hand, the tuning of the antenna resonant circuit is simpler, since the electromagnetic interaction between the antenna and the metallic dial is comparatively low.

In addition, the invention provides between the dial and the antenna a dial spacer of electrically non-conductive material which maintains the antenna at a predetermined (axial) distance from the dial.

Usually, the antenna is arranged at a distance of 2 to 3 millimeters to the metal dial, which limits the axial space requirement to the hitherto usual level for radio wristwatches with non-metallic dials.

Although it is basically possible to produce dials of different metallic materials or materials with metallic coatings, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the dial is made entirely of brass. Brass dials are commonly used in quartz wristwatches or mechanical wristwatches for ease of processing. In addition, this material provides the ideal foundation for most of the design variations of a watch designer.

It has been found that conventional dials of conventional thickness can be used by the appropriate choice of antenna-to-metal dial spacing described above. It is ideal if the dial, in particular the brass dial, has a thickness of 0.5 to 1 millimeter.

It has been shown that basically any type of antenna can be used if only the distance is selected according to the above rule. In particular, linear, rod-shaped ferrite antennas, such as in the DE 93 18 224 U1 or the DE 299 23 446 U1 described arcuately curved antennas with a core of flexible soft iron lamellae, such as in the EP 0 896 262 A1 described, short coil antennas, such as in the EP 0 382 130 B2 described, or even long-wave antennas with or without core in different configuration, such as in the DE 296 07 866 U1 described, are used.

In particular, in the case of a linear, rod-shaped ferrite antenna of the type described above or in the case of an at least partially curved curved lamellar antenna, it is advantageous if the antenna is arranged asymmetrically to a (possibly imaginary) pointer axis. The movement can then be conveniently arranged in the same plane as the antenna and adjacent to it.

Basically, the metallic dial can be used in combination with a non-metallic housing. However, since a non-metallic housing, as stated above, is not widely accepted by customers, the metallic dial according to the invention finds application in a preferred embodiment in connection with a housing with a metallic middle part, as in the US Pat DE 299 23 446 U1 described. Suitable materials for the metallic middle part are in particular considered: (for example, produced by injection molding) plastics or ceramics with metallic coating, stainless steel or titanium.

As already indicated above, it is not necessary to arrange the antenna far outside the center of the housing. If a sufficient (axial) distance from the metallic dial and a sufficient (radial) distance from the metallic middle part adhered to, when the antenna is arranged axially in the region of the metallic middle part or in other words in the plane of the metallic middle part, the reception functionality is ensured. In order to minimize the disturbance of the reception properties of the antenna by the adjacent metallic and / or electrically conductive components of the radio wristwatch, in particular the metallic dial and possibly the metallic middle part, the invention provides that the antenna in the watch case with respect to the dial and possibly the metallic middle part is immovably fixed. Immobile fixation is understood to mean that the position of the antenna relative to the adjacent metallic part does not change under normal operating conditions when the user wears the watch on his arm.

In order to set the above-mentioned minimum distance between the antenna and the metallic middle part of the housing and, if necessary, to maintain this distance as far as possible, i. In order to possibly fix the antenna at this distance, the invention provides between the metallic middle part and the antenna a middle part spacer, in particular a spacer, made of an electrically non-conductive material which covers the antenna at a predetermined (radial) distance from the metallic middle part holds.

As materials for the two spacers, namely the dial spacers and the middle part spacers, plastics (eg as an injection molded part) or ceramics are considered. Both spacers can be made independently and possibly made of different materials consist. However, it is also possible to make the dial spacers and the middle part spacers in the same material and / or in one piece.

It has been found to be advantageous if the dial spacer is designed as a clockwork and / or the antenna-holding work plate. Accordingly, the worksheet not only fulfills the function holding the work; but also the antenna spacing functionality. In addition to the function of the forced distance of antenna and dial (and possibly antenna and middle part of the housing), the work plate may also have a (possibly integral with the work plate) holding device for the antenna. The functionality of the fixation of the antenna with respect to the dial and preferably also with respect to the (possibly metallic) central part is then also taken from the worksheet.

To ensure an immovable connection and thus a largely predetermined positioning of the antenna with respect to the dial and possibly the metallic middle part, the invention provides that the dial spacers, in particular the work plate, is connected in the manner of a plug connection with the dial.

Sufficient reception characteristics, which allow received time signals to be transformed into a corresponding time without complex error correction or interference suppression, are achieved when the antenna has an antenna coil with an inductance exceeding the value of 1 millihenry (mH).

At present, it is not possible, without special elaborate design of a metal floor, a sufficient reception at a to secure the antenna inserted in a metallic casing (Carrure) in combination with a metallic dial. The invention therefore provides for manufacturing reasons, a bottom of an electrically non-conductive material, in particular of plastic or glass before.

Figur 1:

• a) Eine Draufsicht auf ein Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzter bestückter Werkplatte eines ersten Ausführungsbeispieles einer Funkarmbanduhr gemäß der Erfindung
• b) Eine Querschnittsansicht auf das Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzter Werkplatte nach der Figur 1a)
• c) Eine Detailansicht der Steckverbindungseinrichtung zwischen Zifferblatt und Werkplatte der Anordnung nach den Figuren 1a) und 1b)

Figur 2:

• a) Eine Draufsicht auf ein Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzter bestückter Werkplatte eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispieles einer Funkarmbanduhr gemäß der Erfindung
• b) Eine Querschnittsansicht auf das Zifferblatt mit aufgesetzter Werkplatte nach der Figur 2a)
• c) Eine Detailansicht der Steckverbindungseinrichtung zwischen Zifferblatt und Werkplatte der Anordnung nach den Figuren 2a) und 2b)

Figur 3:

Ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Antennenschwingkreises für eine erfindungsgemäße Funkarmbanduhr

Figur 4:

Ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines Antennen-schwingkreises für eine erfindungsgemäße Funkarmbanduhr

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1:

• a) A plan view of a dial with attached assembled work plate of a first embodiment of a radio wristwatch according to the invention
• b) A cross-sectional view of the dial with attached work plate after the FIG. 1a)
• c) A detailed view of the connector device between the dial and the work plate of the arrangement according to FIGS. 1a) and 1b)

FIG. 2:

• a) A plan view of a dial with attached assembled work plate of a second embodiment of a radio-controlled watch according to the invention
• b) A cross-sectional view of the dial with attached work plate after the FIG. 2a )
• c) A detailed view of the connector device between the dial and the work plate of the arrangement according to FIGS. 2a) and 2b )

FIG. 3:

A first embodiment of an antenna resonant circuit for a radio alarm clock according to the invention

FIG. 4:

A second embodiment of an antenna resonant circuit for a radio alarm clock according to the invention

Of the FIG. 1 are the essential components of a first embodiment of a radio watch according to the invention refer to. Not shown are the housing with a watch glass, a central part of electrically conductive material, namely stainless steel, and a bottom of glass enclosed by a metallic hoop.

In the housing, not shown, a brass dial 1 is used. The brass dial 1 is the same as a quartz watch commonly used dial. It has a thickness d _z of about 0.5 to 1 mm.

On the brass dial 1 a work plate 2 is placed. The work plate 2 is also formed in a conventional manner. It is made of plastic and was produced by injection molding. The work plate 2 is used to hold a movement 3, a magnetic long-wave antenna in the form of a lamellar antenna 4 for receiving timing signals, a radio reception and the clockwork controlling and regulating electronics 5 and a battery 6. The thickness d _{w of} the work plate 2 is in general 0.5 to 1 mm.

An integral part of the work plate 2 is in the present embodiment, a movement holder 7, which surrounds the movement 3, the electronics 5 and the battery 6 on the outer peripheral side. In the area of the antenna 4, the movement retaining ring 7 is recessed in the present embodiment. However, it can also be formed circumferentially, such as in the DE 299 23 446 U1 described. The axial extension of the Werkhalterings 7 is given in this case by the position of the electronic components receiving board 8, which is supported against the Werkhaltering 7. On the Werkhaltering 7 could However, also be waived or he could, for example, extend to the bottom of the watch case.

The work plate 2 is rigidly connected to the brass dial 1 in the present embodiment. This rigid connection is made by means of a plug connection device. The connector device comprises according to the Figures 1b ) and 1c ) Several integrally formed on the brass dial 1 pin 9, which engage substantially in shape and function complementary in corresponding recesses, preferably holes 10, in the work plate 2.

The movement 3 in the present exemplary embodiment is a pointer movement. The (not shown here) pointer driving waves 11 enforce the work plate 2 and the brass dial 1 centrally.

The fin antenna 4 is similar to that in the document EP 0 896 262 A1 formed magnetic long-wave antenna is formed. It comprises a laminated core 12 made of a stack of flexible strips of soft magnetic material (eg amorphous lamella material) of high permeability, which carries an antenna coil 13. The inductance of the antenna coil is greater than or equal to one millihenry (1mH).

The lamellar antenna 4 is arranged asymmetrically to the pointer axis ax and in the same axial position as the annular metallic middle part of the housing. The distance a _axA from the pointer axis ax to the antenna axis 15 is 10 mm in the present _exemplary embodiment.

The lamellar antenna 4 is inserted into a receiving sleeve 14, which the antenna coil 13 and the arcuately curved and the antenna coil 13 almost completely receives and encloses on both sides projecting ends of the antenna core 12. The receiving sleeve 14 is made of an electrically non-conductive material, preferably made of plastic. It is executed in the present embodiment as a separate seated on the work plate 2 component and preferably rigidly connected thereto. However, the receiving sleeve 14 may also be embodied in one piece and / or with the same material as the work plate 2.

The receiving sleeve 14 is used together with the work plate 2 for holding and Zwischdistanzierung the antenna 4 to the brass dial 1 and the surrounding metallic middle part of the housing. The distance a _ZA between dial 1 and antenna 4 is selected in the present embodiment to 1.4 mm. The distance a _GS between the middle part of the housing and the antenna coil 13 is 8 mm. The distance a _GK between the middle part of the housing and the antenna core 12 is 10 mm.

In addition to the receiving sleeve 14 may also have a likewise force-distancing spacer acting in the DE 299 23 446 U1 be provided described type. Of course, this may be formed of the same material and possibly in one piece with the work plate 2.

Of the FIG. 2 are the essential components of a second embodiment of a radio watch according to the invention can be seen. This radio-controlled watch agrees in essential details with the embodiment of the FIG. 1 match. Identical or functionally identical components are therefore in the FIG. 2 provided with the same reference numerals.

Also not shown in this second embodiment of a radio wristwatch the housing with a watch glass, a central part of electrically conductive material, namely titanium, and a bottom of a titan rim edged glass.

In the housing, not shown, a brass dial 1 is used. The brass dial 1 is identical to that according to the FIG. 1 educated. It has a thickness d _z of about 0.5 to 1 mm.

On the brass dial 1, a work plate 2 of the type described above is also placed here and immovably connected with this about engaging in corresponding holes 10 pin 9. The work plate 2 is used to hold a movement 3, a long-wave magnetic antenna in the form of a ferrite antenna 16 for receiving timing signals, a radio receiving and the movement 3 controlling and regulating electronics 5 and a battery 6. The thickness d _{w of} the work plate 2 amounts also here about 0.5 to 1 mm.

An integral part of the work plate 2 is also in the present embodiment, a movement retaining ring 7, which surrounds the movement 3 circumferentially.

The ferrite antenna 16 is similar to that in the document DE 299 23 446 U1 formed magnetic long-wave antenna is formed. It comprises an elongated prismatic antenna ferrite core 17 carrying an antenna coil 18. The inductance of the antenna coil used is greater than or equal to one millihenry (1mH).

The ferrite antenna 16 is arranged asymmetrically to the pointer axis ax and in the same axial position as the annular metallic middle part of the housing. The distance a _axA of the pointer axis ax to the antenna axis 19 is 8 mm in the present embodiment.

The ferrite antenna 16 is presently placed directly on the work plate 2. It is held by two parallel arranged and placed on the work plate 2 collar 20, 21. A sleeve-shaped enclosure of the ferrite antenna 16 is not provided.

Here, the work plate 2 is used solely for the forced distance of the antenna 16 to the brass dial 1. The distance a _ZA between dial 1 and antenna 16 is therefore identical in the present embodiment with the thickness d _{w of} the work plate and is about 0.5 to 1 mm. The distance a _GS between the middle part of the housing and the antenna coil 18 is 0.5 mm. The distance a _GK between the middle part of the housing and the antenna core 17 is 1.3 mm.

Since no receiving sleeve 14 is provided here, a force-distancing acting (not shown here) spacer ring in the DE 299 23 446 U1 described type provided. Of course, this could also be formed of the same material and possibly in one piece with the work plate 2.

Basically, all known types come into consideration as antenna resonant circuits. The FIGS. 3 and 4 two antenna circuits can be taken as an example. The FIG. 3 shows an antenna resonant circuit with so-called "single-ended input", of the FIG. 4 If you take an antenna resonant circuit with so-called "differential input".

The "single-ended input" antenna circuit 22 according to FIG. 3 comprises a parallel connection of an antenna inductance L _ANT given by the antenna 4, 16 (amorphous, ferrite) used and an antenna capacitance C _ANT , whose one terminal is connected to a reference potential is. The RFI connector is connected to the unbalanced antenna input of the receiver IC.

The differential input antenna resonant circuit 23 according to FIG. 4 comprises a parallel circuit comprising an antenna inductance L _ANT and an antenna capacitance C _ANT , one terminal of which is connected to a reference potential. The RFIP connector is connected to the positive balanced antenna input of the receiver IC. The RFIM connector is connected to the negative balanced antenna connector of the receiver IC.

The resonance frequency of the respective antenna resonant circuit is adjusted to the maximum voltage gain at the receiving frequency, depending on the dial and housing material. The antenna resonant circuit coupling takes place symmetrically or asymmetrically.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Brass dial

2

Main plate

3

clockwork

4

Slats antenna

5

electronics

6

battery

7

Encasing ring

8th

circuit board

9

spigot

10

drilling

11

wave

12th

Antenna core

13

Antenna coil

14

receiving sleeve

15

antenna axis

16

Ferrite Antenna

17

Antenna core

18

Antenna coil

19

antenna axis

20

collar

21

collar

22

Antenna resonant circuit (unbalanced)

23

Antenna resonant circuit (symmetrical)

24

reference potential

d _z

Dial thickness

d _w

Main plate thickness

a _x

axis

a _ZA

Distance dial antenna

a _GS

Distance housing coil

a _GK

Distance housing core

a _axA

Distance pointer axis antenna

L _ANT

antenna inductance

C _ANT

antenna capacity

Claims (12)

1. A radio-controlled wristwatch with a watch case with a metallic watch face (1) and with an aerial (4, 16) received by the watch case and with an aerial coil (13, 18) mounted on an aerial core (12, 17) to receive time signals, and with a main plate (2), characterized in that the aerial (4, 16) is arranged at a distance (a_ZA) of more than approximately 0.5 mm, preferably at a distance (a_ZA) of from 1 to 4 mm, and in the most preferred manner at a distance (a_ZA) of from 1 to 3 mm, from the watch face (1), and the main plate (2) is provided as a watch face spacer (2, 14) of an electrically non-conductive material between the watch face (1) and the aerial (4, 16), wherein the aerial (4, 16) is held by the aerial coil (13, 18) thereof in a receiving sleeve (14) provided on the main plate (2) or between collars (20, 21) provided on the main plate (2).
2. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the watch face (1) consists of brass.
3. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the watch face (1) has a thickness (d_Z) of from 0.5 to 1 mm.
4. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerial (4, 16) is arranged asymmetrically to a hand axis (ax).
5. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the watch case has a metallic middle part.
6. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerial (4, 16) is arranged axially in the region of the metallic middle part of the case.
7. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 6, characterized in that the aerial (4, 16) is fixed in the watch case so as to be immovable with respect to the watch face (1) and optionally with respect to the metallic middle part of the case.
8. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the metallic middle part of the case and the aerial (4, 16) have provided between them a spacer of the middle part of the case, in particular a spacer ring of an electrically non-conductive material, which holds the aerial (4, 16), in particular an aerial core (12, 17), at a pre-set distance (a_GK) from the metallic middle part of the case.
9. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to claim 7, characterized in that the main plate (2) is connected in the manner of a plug-in connection (9, 10) to the watch face (1).
10. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aerial (4, 16) has an aerial coil (13, 18) with an inductivity (L_ANT) which exceeds the value of 1 millihenry (mH).
11. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the watch case has a base of an electrically non-conductive material, in particular of plastics material, ceramic material or glass.
12. A radio-controlled wristwatch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resonance frequency of the respective aerial resonant circuit is adjusted to the maximum voltage gain of the time transmitter frequency.

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