JP2000111672A - timer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a timer that is easy to use and has high time accuracy. A timer (100) includes a generator (20) rotated by a driving force of a mainspring (1a) transmitted through speed-up trains (7-11), and a control circuit (56) for controlling a rotation cycle of the generator (20). . Since the generator 20 is driven to rotate by the mainspring 1a, a battery for driving the motor can be dispensed with as in the case of a battery-operated timer. Further, since the speed of the generator 20 driven by the mainspring 1a is controlled by the control circuit 56 using the quartz oscillator 51A or the like, even the timer 100 using the mainspring 1a can control the speed as high as a quartz watch. Accuracy is obtained, and the time accuracy can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a timer using a mechanical energy storage means such as a mainspring capable of storing mechanical energy as a driving source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a timer using a mainspring and a timer using a battery or an AC power supply are known.

The mainspring timer measures the set time by adjusting the speed of a gear driven by the mainspring with an escapement.

[0004] A battery-operated timer measures the set time by controlling the speed of a step motor operated by a battery.

Further, the AC power type timer controls the speed of the stepping motor by using an alternating current instead of a battery, and uses a power cord inserted into an outlet.

[0006]

The AC power-supply type timer has a problem in that the power cord must be plugged into an outlet, so that the use place is limited, and the portable timer cannot be used.

[0007] The battery-powered timer has a problem that the battery needs to be replaced. In particular, there is a problem that since the motor is driven by the battery, the battery consumption time is short, and the frequency of battery replacement is relatively high, so that the usability is poor.

On the other hand, the mainspring timer has the advantage that it is easy to handle because it does not require a battery or a power supply. However, the mainspring-type timer is affected by changes in the environment such as the torque curve of the mainspring, changes with time, posture differences, and temperature changes. Since the output changes and is not constant, there is a problem that the time accuracy is low. Furthermore, for these reasons, there is a problem that a long-time specification timer cannot be set. In addition, there is a problem that a relatively expensive spring that outputs a stable torque is also required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a timer which is easy to use and has high time accuracy.

[0010]

A timer according to the present invention is a timer using a mechanical energy storage means as a driving source.
It is characterized by comprising a generator which is rotationally driven by the driving force from the mechanical energy storage means transmitted via a speed increasing gear train, and a control circuit which controls a rotation cycle of the generator.

In the present invention, since the generator is driven to rotate by mechanical energy storage means such as a mainspring, a battery for driving a motor, such as a conventional battery-powered or AC-powered timer, is used. AC power can be eliminated.
This eliminates the need for battery replacement, power cords, and the like, and provides a convenient timer.

Further, the speed of the generator driven by the mechanical energy storage means is controlled by a control circuit, and a control circuit using a crystal oscillator or the like, similar to a quartz timepiece, can be employed as the control circuit. As a result, even with a timer using mechanical energy storage means such as a mainspring, a high speed regulation accuracy comparable to that of a quartz clock can be obtained, and the time accuracy can be improved.

Here, it is preferable that the control circuit is driven by electric power generated when the generator is rotationally driven.

The power consumption of the control circuit is usually 1 V, 10 V
Some move at 0 nA or less, for example, 0.5 V and 50 nA, which is much smaller than when driving a motor. For this reason, even a button-type primary battery can operate continuously for 10 years or more, and the frequency of battery replacement can be extremely reduced as compared with a battery-operated timer that drives a motor with a battery. For this reason, the control circuit of the present invention may be driven by a primary battery such as a dry battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a power generating element that generates electric power by itself, such as a solar cell or a thermoelectric power generating element.

On the other hand, if the electric power generated by the generator is used, there is no need to replace the battery as in the case of using the primary battery, so that the usability of the timer can be improved. Further, if the battery can be eliminated, there is no need to remove the battery (primary and secondary) when the timer is discarded, unlike a battery-powered timer, and the disposal operation can be easily performed. In addition, expensive batteries such as solar cells and thermoelectric generators are not required,
Timers can be provided at low cost.

[0016] The generator may include a rotor that rotates in connection with the rotation of the wheel train, two plate-shaped stators, and one end of each of the stators. It is preferable that the rotor includes a pair of semicircular stator holes arranged in a circle around the rotor.

If such a two-piece stator is used,
Compared with the case of a one-piece stator having a complicated mountain-shaped output waveform, the power generation waveform (output waveform) can be a sine wave, the rotation can be detected accurately, and the speed control can be performed accurately.

Preferably, the generator is an AC generator, and a boost rectifier circuit is provided on the output side of the generator.

By providing the boost rectifier circuit, the voltage generated by the generator can be set low. For this reason, the number of windings of the coil of the generator can be reduced, and downsizing of the generator, reduction of iron loss, and downsizing of the mainspring can be realized. Thus, the timer can be reduced in size and operated with a small torque, so that the life of the mechanical energy storage means such as a mainspring can be improved, and the measurement time of the timer can be extended.

Further, it is preferable that the control circuit includes a braking means for applying a brake to the generator, and the braking means performs chopper brake control when applying a brake to the generator.

If the braking means for realizing the brake control of the generator by utilizing the chopper ring is used, the braking torque can be increased while maintaining the generated power at a certain level or more. That is,
When choppering is performed by turning on / off a switch capable of short-circuiting both ends of the generator coil, when the switch is turned on, a short brake is applied to the generator and energy is accumulated in the generator coil. On the other hand, when the switch is turned off, the generator operates, and the energy accumulated in the coil is included, so that the electromotive voltage increases. For this reason, if the generator is controlled by choppering, the decrease in the generated power during braking can be compensated for by the increase in the electromotive voltage when the switch is turned off, and the braking torque can be increased while maintaining the generated power at or above a certain level. For this reason, the duration of the mechanical energy storage means can be lengthened, and a timer capable of measuring for a long time can be provided. In addition, even if the brake is applied largely, the rotation detection can be reliably performed because there is a portion where the electromotive voltage is high. It can be carried out.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the timer 100 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially disk shape. The time is set by moving the pointer 14 having the center of the dial 4 as a rotation axis to the position of each number described on the dial 4 directly with a finger or an operation knob or the like separately provided, and starting. When the button 100a is pressed, the pointer 14 returns to the origin position. When the hands 14 contact the terminals 15, the terminals (the ground plate 2 and the like) inside the timer 100 and the terminals 15 are electrically connected via the hands 14, and a buzzer or the like provided on this electric circuit is sounded. It is configured to output an alarm. This alarm can be stopped with the button 100b.

In the present invention, by adjusting the moving speed of the pointer 14 with high accuracy, the timer 100 with high time accuracy can be used.
And

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the timer 100 is provided with a barrel wheel 1 including a mainspring 1a, a barrel gear 1b, a barrel barrel 1c, and a barrel lid 1d. Mainspring 1a
The outer end is fixed to the barrel gear 1b and the inner end is fixed to the barrel barrel 1c. The barrel 1c is fixed to a shaft erected from the main plate 2 with screws 5 so that it cannot be rotated. This ground plate 2
, A disk-shaped dial 4 is attached.

The rotation of the barrel gear 1b is transmitted to the second wheel & pinion 7, and further transmitted to the third wheel & pinion 8, fourth wheel & fifth wheel & fifth wheel & sixth wheel & pinion
1. The speed is sequentially transmitted to the rotor 12 to increase the speed. The third wheel & pinion 8 to the rotor 12 are pivotally supported by the main plate 2 and the wheel train bearing 3, and the second wheel & pinion 7 is pivotally supported by the main plate 2 and the seventh wheel 113.

A pointer 14 is mounted on the shaft 7a of the center wheel & pinion 7, and also serves as a time display and time setting operation unit. The shaft 7a is formed with teeth that mesh with the barrel gear 1b. Further, teeth 7b formed in a ring shape and meshing with the third wheel & pinion 8 are fitted to the shaft 7a.

The slip mechanism is formed by fitting the teeth 7b and the shaft 7a. In this slip mechanism, the torque of the mainspring 1a is transmitted from the shaft 7a through the teeth 7b to the third wheel 8
When a large torque is applied, such as when the pointer 14 is moved with a finger or the like, the shaft 7a and the teeth 7b
It is configured such that only the hands 14 and the mainspring 1a move by slipping between them, and the third wheel 8 to the rotor 12 do not move.

The timer 100 includes a generator 2 composed of a rotor 12 and coil blocks 121 and 131.
0 is provided. The rotor 12 includes a rotor pinion 12a and a rotor magnet 12b.

The coil blocks 121 and 131 are provided with coils 124 and 13 on stators (cores and magnetic cores) 123 and 133, respectively.
4 is wound. Stator 123,
133, core stator portions 122 and 132 disposed adjacent to the rotor 12, core winding portions 123b and 133b around which the coils 124 and 134 are wound, and core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a connected to each other. Are integrally formed.

The stators 123 and 133, that is, the coils 124 and 134 are arranged in parallel with each other. The rotor 12 has core stator portions 122 and 13.
On the second side, the center axis is disposed on the boundary line L between the coils 124 and 134, and the core stator portion 12
2, 132 are configured to be symmetrical with respect to the boundary line L. Here, the number of turns of each of the coils 124 and 134 is the same. In the present embodiment, the number of turns is not limited to the case where the number of turns is completely the same, but also includes a negligible error from the entire coil, for example, a difference of about several hundred turns.

As shown in FIG. 3, a positioning member 60 is disposed in each of the stator holes 122a and 132a in which the rotor 12 of each of the stators 123 and 133 is disposed. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, intermediate portions of the stators 123 and 133 in the longitudinal direction, that is, the core stator portions 122 and 132
A positioning jig 55 composed of an eccentric pin is disposed between the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a.

The positioning jig 55 is similar to a screw,
As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft center 55 a is eccentrically supported so as to be rotatable on the main plate 2. The flat screws 55 of the positioning jig 55 are used to fix the stators 123, 13.
By rotating the core 3 while pressing the upper surface of the core 3, the core stator portions 122 and 132 of the stators 123 and 133 can be brought into contact with the positioning member 60, and the positioning thereof can be performed accurately and easily. Magnetic conduction part 12
The side surfaces of 3a and 133a can be reliably brought into contact with each other.

The positioning jig 55 is made of a metal material such as iron. Further, for example, when the positioning member 60 is not provided, the stators 123 and 133 are provided.
When finely adjusting the position, the positioning jig 55 may be used. After positioning, the stators 123 and 133 may be fixed using screws 21 or the like.

The core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a of each of the stators 123 and 133 are, as shown in FIG.
The side surfaces are abutted and connected to each other. The lower surfaces of the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a are provided on the lower surfaces of the yokes 5 arranged over the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a.
8 is contacted. Thereby, the core magnetic conduction portion 12
3a and 133a, each core magnetic conduction portion 123a, 13a
Two magnetic conduction paths are formed: a magnetic conduction path passing through the side surface portion of the core 3a and a magnetic conduction path passing through the lower surfaces of the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a and the yoke 58. The stators 123 and 133 form an annular magnetic circuit. are doing. Each of the coils 124 and 134 is separated from the core magnetic conduction portions 123 a and 133 a of the stators 123 and 133 by the core stator portion 12.
The winding is wound in the same direction as the direction toward 2,132.

The ends of these coils 124 and 134 are connected to the core magnetic conducting portions 123 of the stators 123 and 133, respectively.
a, 133a are connected to a coil lead board (not shown) provided on the board.

When the timer 100 configured as described above is used, the external magnetic field H is applied to each of the coils 124 and 134.
2 (see FIG. 2), the external magnetic field H is applied in the same direction to the coils 124 and 134 arranged in parallel, so that the external magnetic field H is applied to the winding directions of the coils 124 and 134.
Are added in opposite directions. For this reason, the electromotive voltages generated in the coils 124 and 134 due to the external magnetic field H work so as to cancel each other out, so that the influence can be reduced.

Next, a control circuit of the timer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the functions of the present embodiment.

The generator 20 is driven by the mainspring 1a through the speed increasing trains 7 to 11 to generate induced power and supply electric energy. The AC output from the generator 20 is boosted and rectified through a rectification circuit 35 composed of boost rectification, full-wave rectification, half-wave rectification, transistor rectification, and the like, and is supplied to a power supply circuit 36 composed of a capacitor and the like.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the brake circuit 70 including the rectifier circuit 35 is connected to the generator 20.
Is provided. Specifically, the first and second switches 71 and 72 that short-circuit the first terminal MG1 and the second terminal MG2 that are the output terminals of the generator 20 to apply a short brake.
A brake circuit 70 is constituted by 72.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the first switch 71 is a Pch first field effect transistor (FE) having a gate connected to the second terminal MG2.
T) 76 and a second field-effect transistor 77 whose gate receives a chopper signal (chopper pulse) CH3 from a chopper signal generator 180 described later is connected in parallel.

The second switch 72 includes a third P-channel field-effect transistor (FET) 78 having a gate connected to the first terminal MG 1, and a chopper signal generator 1.
A fourth field-effect transistor 79 to which a chopper signal (chopper pulse) CH3 from 80 is input to the gate is connected in parallel.

The boosting capacitor 73, diodes 74 and 75, the first switch 71 and the second switch 72 connected to the generator 20 constitute a voltage doubler rectifier circuit (simple synchronous booster chopper rectifier circuit) 35. Have been.
Note that the diodes 74 and 75 may be any unidirectional elements that allow current to flow in one direction, and the types thereof are not limited.
In particular, if a Schottky barrier diode having a small drop voltage Vf is used as the diode 75, the timer 100
In addition, a small generator 20 having a small electromotive voltage can be used. Further, as the diode 74, it is preferable to use a silicon diode having a small reverse leak current.

The brake circuit 70 is controlled by a rotation control means 50 driven by electric power supplied from a power supply circuit (capacitor) 36. As shown in FIG. 6, the rotation control means 50 includes an oscillation circuit 51, a rotor rotation detection circuit 53, and a brake control circuit 56.

The oscillation circuit 51 outputs an oscillation signal (32768 Hz) by using a quartz oscillator 51A as a time standard source, and the oscillation signal is frequency-divided to a certain period by a frequency dividing circuit 52 comprising 12 flip-flops. Is done. The output Q12 at the twelfth stage of the frequency dividing circuit 52 is output as an 8 Hz reference signal.

The rotation detecting circuit 53 includes a waveform shaping circuit 161 connected to the generator 20 and the monomultivibrator 16.
And 2. The waveform shaping circuit 161 includes an amplifier and a comparator, and converts a sine wave into a rectangular wave. The mono-multi vibrator 162 functions as a band-pass filter that passes only pulses of a certain period or less, and outputs the rotation detection signal FG1 from which noise has been removed.

The control circuit 56 includes an up / down counter 160 as braking control means, a synchronization circuit 170, and a chopper signal generator 180.

The rotation detection signal FG1 of the rotation detection circuit 53 and the reference signal fs from the frequency dividing circuit 52 are input to the up-count input and the down-count input of the up-down counter 160 via the synchronization circuit 170, respectively.

The synchronization circuit 170 includes four flip-flops 171, an AND gate 172, and a NAND gate 173.
And the fifth stage output Q5 (1024
Hz) and the signal of the output Q6 (512 Hz) of the sixth stage, the rotation detection signal FG1 is synchronized with the reference signal fs (8 Hz), and adjustment is performed so that these signal pulses do not overlap and are output. I have.

The up / down counter 160 is constituted by a 4-bit counter. Up / down counter 1
60, the rotation detection signal FG
1 is input from the synchronization circuit 170, and a signal based on the reference signal fs is input to the down-count input from the synchronization circuit 170. Thereby, the reference signal f
The counting of s and the rotation detection signal FG1 and the calculation of the difference can be performed simultaneously.

The up / down counter 160 is provided with four data input terminals (preset terminals) A to D. When an H level signal is input to the terminals A to C, the up / down counter 160 An initial value (preset value) of 160 is set to the counter value 7.

The LO of the up / down counter 160
The AD input terminal is connected to an initialization circuit 190 which is connected to the power supply circuit 36 and outputs a system reset signal SR according to the voltage of the power supply circuit 36. In this embodiment, the initialization circuit 190 outputs an H-level signal until the charging voltage of the power supply circuit 36 reaches a predetermined voltage, and outputs an L-level signal when the charging voltage exceeds the predetermined voltage. Have been.

The up / down counter 160 has a LOAD
Until the input goes to the L level, that is, until the system reset signal SR is output, the up / down input is not accepted, so that the counter value of the up / down counter 160 is maintained at “7”.

The up / down counter 160 has 4-bit outputs QA to QD. Therefore, the output QD of the fourth bit outputs an L level signal when the counter value is 7 or less, and outputs an H level signal when the counter value is 8 or more. This output QD is connected to chopper signal generator 180.

The chopper signal generator 180 has three ANs.
A first chopper signal generating means 181 configured by D gates 182 to 184 and outputting a first chopper signal CH1 using outputs Q5 to Q8 of the frequency dividing circuit 52;
A second chopper signal generating means 185 configured to output a second chopper signal CH2 using outputs Q5 to Q8 of the frequency dividing circuit 52, an output QD of the up / down counter 160, An AND gate 188 to which the output CH2 of the two chopper signal generating means 185 is input, and a NOR gate 189 to which the output of the AND gate 188 and the output CH1 of the first chopper signal generating means 181 are input. .

The output CH3 from the NOR gate 189 of the chopper signal generator 180 is input to the gates of the second and fourth field effect transistors 77 and 79. Therefore, when an L level signal is output from the output CH3, the transistors 77 and 79 are maintained in the ON state, and the
0 is short-circuited and the brake is applied.

On the other hand, when an H level signal is output from the output CH3, the transistors 77 and 79 are kept off, and the brake is not applied to the generator 20. Therefore, the generator 20 can be chopper-ring-controlled by the chopper signal from the output CH3.

Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 will be described with reference to a timing chart and an output waveform diagram, and a flowchart of FIG.

When the generator 20 starts to operate, the initialization circuit 1
When the L-level system reset signal SR is input from 90 to the LOAD input of the up / down counter 160 (S11), as shown in FIG. 9, an up count signal (UP) based on the rotation detection signal FG1 and a reference signal fs. Is counted by the up / down counter 160 (S12). These signals are set by the synchronization circuit 170 so as not to be input to the counter 160 at the same time.

For this reason, when the up-count signal (UP) is input from the state where the initial count value is set to "7", the counter value becomes "8", and an H level signal is generated from the output QD to generate a chopper signal. AND gate 1 of unit 180
88.

On the other hand, if the down-count signal (DOWN) is input and the counter value returns to “7”, the output QD outputs L
A level signal is output.

As shown in FIG. 10, the chopper signal generator 180 uses the outputs Q5 to Q8 of the frequency dividing circuit 52,
An output CH1 is output from the first chopper signal generation means 181 and an output CH2 is output from the second chopper signal generation means 185.

When an L level signal is output from the output QD of the up / down counter 160 (count value “7” or less), the output from the AND gate 188 is also an L level signal. The output CH3 is a chopper signal obtained by inverting the output CH1, that is, the duty ratio (the ratio at which the transistors 77 and 79 are on) in which the H level signal (brake off time) is long and the L level signal (brake on time) is short. It becomes a small chopper signal. Therefore, the brake-on time in the reference cycle is shortened, and the brake is hardly applied to the generator 20, that is, the brake-off control giving priority to the generated power is performed (S13, S15).

On the other hand, when the H level signal is output from the output QD of the up / down counter 160 (count value “8” or more), the output from the AND gate 188 also becomes the H level signal. The output CH3 is a chopper signal obtained by inverting the output CH2, that is, a chopper signal having a long duty ratio and a long L level signal (brake-on time) and a short H-level signal (brake-off time). Therefore, the brake-on time in the reference cycle becomes longer, and the brake-on control is performed on the generator 20. However, since the brake is turned off at a constant cycle, the choppering control is performed, and the decrease in the generated power is suppressed. And the braking torque can be improved (S13,
S14).

In the voltage doubler rectifier circuit (simple synchronous booster chopper rectifier circuit) 35, the electric power generated by the generator 20 is charged in the power supply circuit 36 as follows. That is, the polarity of the first terminal MG1 is “+” and the polarity of the second terminal MG1 is “+”.
When the polarity of 2 is "-", the first field-effect transistor (FET) 76 is turned on and the third field-effect transistor (FET) 78 is turned off. For this reason, the electric charge of the induced voltage generated in the generator 20 is represented by “→” shown in FIG.
For example, the 0.1 μF capacitor 73 is charged by the circuit of “→→”, and “→→→→”.
The power supply circuit (capacitor) 36 of, for example, 10 μF is charged by the circuit of “→→→”.

On the other hand, when the polarity of the first terminal MG1 is switched to “−” and the polarity of the second terminal MG2 is switched to “+”, the first
Field-effect transistor (FET) 76 is turned off,
The third field effect transistor (FET) 78 is turned on. For this reason, as shown in FIG.
→→→→→ Capacitor 73 ”
The power supply circuit (capacitor) 3 is a voltage obtained by adding the induced voltage generated by the generator 20 and the charging voltage of the capacitor 73.
6 is charged.

In each state, when both ends of the generator 20 are short-circuited by the chopper pulse and opened, a high voltage is induced at both ends of the coil, and the power supply circuit (capacitor) 36 is charged by the high charging voltage. By doing so, charging efficiency is improved.

When the torque of the mainspring 1a is large and the rotation speed of the generator 20 is high, the up-counter value is further input after the counter value becomes "8" by the up-count signal (UP). Sometimes.
In this case, the counter value becomes “9” and the output Q
Since D keeps the H level, the brake-on control of the chopper signal is performed by the chopper signal CH3. When the brake is applied, the rotation speed of the generator 20 decreases, and if the reference signal fs (down count signal) is input twice before the rotation detection signal FG1 is input, the counter value becomes “ 8 "," 7 ", and is switched to the brake-off control in which the brake is released when it becomes" 7 ".

When such control is performed, the generator 20 approaches the set rotation speed, and as shown in FIG.
Up-count signal (UP) and down-count signal (DO
WN) are input alternately, and the state shifts to a locked state in which the counter value repeats “8” and “7”. In this case,
The ON / OFF of the brake is repeated according to the counter value. That is, a chopper signal having a large duty ratio and a chopper signal having a small duty ratio are applied to the transistors 77 and 79 during one period of the reference period in which the rotor makes one rotation, and chopper ring control is performed.

When the torque of the mainspring 1a is released and the torque is reduced, the braking time is gradually reduced, and the rotation speed of the generator 20 is close to the reference speed even when the brake is not applied.

Then, a large down-count value is input without applying a brake at all, and when the count value becomes a small value of "6" or less, it is determined that the torque of the mainspring 1a has decreased, and By stopping, making the speed very low, or sounding or lighting a buzzer, a lamp, or the like, the user is urged to wind the mainspring 1a again.

Accordingly, while the H level signal is output from the output QD of the up / down counter 160, the brake-on control by the chopper signal having a large duty ratio is performed, and while the L level signal is output from the output QD, Brake-off control is performed by a chopper signal having a small duty ratio. That is, the brake-on control and the brake-off control are switched by the up / down counter 160 as the braking control means.

In the present embodiment, when the output QD is an L level signal, the chopper signal CH3 is in the H level period: L
The level period is 15: 1, that is, the duty ratio is 1/16 =
When the chopper signal is 0.0625 and the output QD is an H level signal, the chopper signal CH3 has an H level period: L level period of 1:15, that is, a duty ratio of 15/16 = 0.93.
This is 75 chopper signals.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, an AC waveform corresponding to the change of the magnetic flux is output from MG1 and MG2 of the generator 20. At this time, the chopper signal CH3 has a constant frequency and a different duty ratio according to the signal of the output QD.
Is appropriately applied to the transistors 77 and 79, and when the output QD outputs an H level signal, that is, at the time of the brake-on control, the short brake time in each chopper cycle becomes longer, the braking amount increases, and the generator 20 is decelerated. You. Although the amount of power generation also decreases as much as the brake is applied, the energy stored during the short brake can be output when the transistors 77 and 79 are turned off by the chopper signal, and the chopper can be boosted.
It is possible to compensate for a decrease in the amount of power generated during short braking, and to increase the braking torque while suppressing a decrease in generated power.

Conversely, when the output QD outputs an L level signal, that is, during the brake-off control, the short brake time in each chopper cycle is shortened, the brake amount is reduced, and the speed of the generator 20 is increased. Also at this time, since the chopper can be boosted when the transistors 77 and 79 are turned off from on by the chopper signal, the generated power can be improved as compared with the case where control is performed without applying any brake.

The AC output from the generator 20 is boosted and rectified by the voltage doubler rectifier circuit 35 and charged in the power supply circuit (capacitor) 36, and the power supply circuit 36 drives the rotation control means 50.

Since the output QD of the up / down counter 160 and the chopper signal CH3 both use the outputs Q5 to Q8 and Q12 of the frequency dividing circuit 52, that is, the frequency of the chopper signal CH3 is equal to the frequency of the output QD. Since it is an integral multiple, the change in the output level of the output QD, that is, the switching timing of the brake-on control and the brake-off control, and the chopper signal CH3 are generated in synchronization.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the 8 Hz down-count signal (DOWN) and up-count signal (UP) and the chopper signal (CH3) in FIGS. In this embodiment, the chopper signal (CH3) is synchronized with the down-count signal (DOWN) and the up-count signal (UP). However, as in the chopper signal (CH3 ') of FIG. (DOWN) and the up-count signal (UP) are not synchronized, and in a certain cycle of each signal (DOWN, UP), the chopper signal (CH
3 ') The waveform may start from the H level or a certain period may start from the L level. In this embodiment, the brake is applied when the chopper signal (CH3) is at a low level, that is, the brake period is at a low level.

The chopper ring signal is output from the rotor 1
2 is set to control the rotation of the rotor 12, ie, the rotor 12
It is not necessary to synchronize at a speed that allows accurate time display if it rotates at that speed. That is, the cycle of the chopper ring and the set speed may or may not be synchronous, and there is no restriction on these relationships.

The timer 100 determines that the mainspring 1a
By rotating the pointer 14 and the rotor 12 of the generator 20 by rotation, the speed of the rotor 12 is adjusted with high accuracy, so that the needle 14 is also adjusted with high accuracy, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement time by the timer 100. ing.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

1) Since the generator 20 and the pointer 14 are driven to rotate by the mainspring 1a, which is a mechanical energy storage means, there is no need for battery replacement or a power cord as compared with a conventional battery-operated timer or AC-powered timer. And a convenient timer.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the rotation control means 50 is driven by the electric power generated by the generator 20, there is no need to provide various batteries, no need to replace batteries, and to improve the usability of the timer 100. can do.

2) Also, since there is no battery, the timer 1
There is no need to remove the battery when disposing 00, and the disposal operation can be easily performed. Further, since there is no need to provide an expensive battery such as a solar cell or a thermoelectric generator, the timer 10
0 can be provided at low cost.

3) Generator 20 driven by mainspring 1a
Is controlled by the rotation control means 50 having the oscillation circuit 51 and the like, so that the hands 14 can be adjusted with high accuracy equivalent to that of a quartz watch. For this reason, although the timer 100 is driven by the mainspring 1a, the same time accuracy as that of the battery type timer is obtained, and the time can be accurately measured.

4) Further, since the speed control accuracy is improved, the time can be measured accurately even if the set time of the timer 100 is lengthened. For this reason, a longer time measurement can be performed as compared with the conventional mainspring timer.

5) Since the two-piece stators 123 and 133 are used, the electromotive voltage can be improved as compared with the case where an integrated stator having a notch is used, and the output waveform is an accurate sine wave for each cycle. can do.

Therefore, the power generation capacity of the generator 20 can be improved, and the size of the generator 20 can be reduced. Further, since the output waveform is a sine wave, the output waveform can be easily detected by binarizing the output signal by dividing it by an appropriate threshold value, and the rotation speed of the rotor 12 can be easily and accurately detected. Therefore, speed regulation control of the pointer 14 using the output waveform of the generator 20 can be performed accurately and easily.

6) Since the positioning jig 55 and the positioning member 60 are provided, the rotor 12 is connected to the stator holes 122a,
The positioning of the stators 123 and 133 can be performed in a state where the stators 123 and 133 are arranged in the interior 132a. For example, the optimum positions of the stators 123 and 133 with respect to the rotor 12 can be easily set immediately before product shipment, and the positional accuracy can be further improved. Can be improved.

7) Since the stators 123 and 133 have the same shape, the same parts can be assembled upside down.
Parts can be shared and the number of parts can be reduced. For this reason, manufacturing costs and parts costs can be reduced, and handling can be facilitated.

In addition, the stators 123, 13 of the same shape
3 are arranged symmetrically, and the respective stators 123, 133
Since the number of turns of the coils 124 and 134 is the same, magnetic flux due to AC noise or the like generated outside the timer 100 flows in the two coils 124 and 134 by the same number, thereby canceling the influence of external noise. Thus, the timer 100 that is resistant to noise can be formed.

8) Further, since the rotor 12 is disposed on the boundary line L and the stators 123 and 133 are symmetrical, the magnetic paths of the core stator portions 122 and 132 can be shortened, and iron loss can be reduced. Can be reduced.

9) Since two magnetic conduction paths are formed at the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a, the magnetic resistance can be reduced and stabilized. In other words, the magnetic flux in the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a flows more easily in the side direction, but the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133a.
In the contact portion between the side surfaces of “a”, the gap is likely to vary from product to product, and the magnetic resistance may vary. On the other hand, if the magnetic conduction path is formed only through the yoke 58, the variation in the gap can be reduced, but the magnetic flux is less likely to flow than in the side direction, and the magnetic resistance cannot be reduced so much.

On the other hand, if two magnetic conducting paths are formed as in this embodiment, the magnetic resistance can be reduced and stabilized. Since the cogging torque is also stabilized by stabilizing the magnetic resistance, the cogging torque can be reduced by providing an inner notch or the like corresponding to the torque. Further, the electromotive voltage can be stabilized, and power generation and braking can be stabilized. Also, the leakage flux can be reduced,
Eddy loss in metal parts can be reduced.

10) The positioning jig 55 is connected to the core stator portions 122 and 132 and the core magnetic conduction portions 123a and 133.
a, one for each of the stators 123 and 133.
The core stator portions 122 and 132 are
Alignment and core magnetic conduction portions 123a, 133a
Can be adjusted. Thereby, the number of positioning jigs 55 can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

11) Since magnetic noise due to the external magnetic field H can be reduced, it is not necessary to provide a magnetic-resistant plate for a movement part such as the dial 4 of the timer 100 or to use a material having a magnetic-resistant effect for the exterior part. For this reason, the cost can be reduced, and since the anti-magnetic plate and the like are not required, the movement can be made smaller and thinner, and the arrangement of each part is not limited to the exterior parts, so that the degree of freedom of design is increased, It is possible to provide the timer 100 which is excellent in design properties, manufacturing efficiency, and the like.

12) Since the boosting rectifier circuit 35 is provided in the generator 20, the voltage generated by the generator 20 can be set low. Therefore, the coils 124, 1 of the generator 20
The number of turns of the power generator 34 can be reduced, and the generator 20 can be reduced in size, iron loss can be reduced, and the spring 1a can be reduced in size. This allows
Since the timer 100 can be downsized and operated with a small torque, the life of the mechanical energy storage means such as the mainspring 1a can be improved, and the measurement time of the timer 100 can be further increased.

13) Since the braking means for realizing the brake control of the generator 20 using the chopper ring is used,
The decrease in the generated power during braking can be compensated for by the increase in the electromotive voltage when the switch is turned off, and the braking torque can be increased while maintaining the generated power at or above a certain level. For this reason, the duration of the mechanical energy storage means can be extended and the timer 100 capable of measuring for a long period of time can be provided. In addition, even if the brake is applied to a large extent, there is a portion where the electromotive voltage is high, so that the rotation can be reliably detected. It can be performed.

14) An up-count signal (UP) based on the rotation detection signal FG1 and a down-count signal (DOWN) based on the reference signal fs are input to the up-down counter 160, and the rotation detection signal FG1 (up-count signal) Is larger than the count number of the reference signal fs (down count signal) (if the initial value of the counter 160 is “7”, the counter value is “8” or more), the brake circuit 120 generates power. Machine 20 is continuously braked, and conversely, the state where the count number of the rotation detection signal FG1 is equal to or less than the count number of the reference signal fs (the counter value is
In the following state), the brake of the generator 20 is turned off, so that even when the rotation speed of the generator 20 at startup or the like is greatly deviated from the reference speed, the speed can be quickly approached to the reference speed. Responsiveness can be made faster.

15) In addition, the on / off control of the brake is controlled by two types of chopper signals CH3 having different duty ratios.
Therefore, the brake (braking torque) can be increased without lowering the charging voltage (power generation voltage). In particular, when the brake is on, control is performed using a chopper signal with a large duty ratio, so that the braking torque can be increased while suppressing the decrease in charging voltage, and efficient brake control can be performed while maintaining system stability. It can be performed. Thereby, the timer 10
The duration of 0 can be longer, and the timer 100 can measure a long time (eg, 1 to 10 hours).

16) Further, at the time of the brake-off control, the chopper control is performed by the chopper signal having a small duty ratio, so that the charging voltage while the brake is off can be further improved.

17) Switching between the brake-on control and the brake-off control is set only when the counter value is equal to or less than “7” or equal to or greater than “8”, and there is no need to separately set a brake time and the like. The rotation control means 50 can have a simple configuration, component costs and manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the timer 100 can be provided at low cost.

18) Since the timing at which the up-count signal (UP) is input changes according to the rotation speed of the generator 20, the period during which the counter value is "8", that is, the time during which the brake is applied, is also automatically set. Can be adjusted. Therefore, especially in the lock state where the up-count signal (UP) and the down-count signal (DOWN) are alternately input.
Fast responsive and stable control can be performed.

19) Since the up / down counter 160 is used as the braking control means, the comparison (difference) of each count value is automatically performed simultaneously with the counting of each up count signal (UP) and down count signal (DOWN). Since the calculation can be performed, the configuration can be simplified, and the difference between the respective count values can be easily obtained.

20) 4-bit up / down counter 16
Since 0 is used, 16 count values can be counted. Therefore, the up-count signal (UP)
When the value is continuously input, the input value can be accumulated and counted, and the set value, that is, the up-count signal (UP) and the down-count signal (DOWN) are continuously input and the counter value In the range up to "15" or "0", the accumulated error can be corrected. For this reason, even if the rotation speed of the generator 20 greatly deviates from the reference speed due to an impact, such as when the timer 100 is dropped, it takes time until the locked state is reached, but the accumulated error is reduced. Correctly correct generator 2
0 can be returned to the reference speed, and the timer 1
Accurate hand movement can be maintained for a time longer than a few minutes measured by 00. Therefore, it is possible to design the timer 100 that can measure time with high accuracy even when an impact or the like is applied.

21) By providing an initialization circuit 190, the generator 2
Since the brake control is not performed and the generator 20 is not braked until the power supply circuit 36 at the time of the start-up of 0 is charged to a predetermined voltage, it is possible to give priority to charging the power supply circuit 36. Thus, the rotation control means 50 driven by the power supply circuit 36 can be driven quickly and stably, and the stability of the subsequent rotation control can be enhanced.

22) Since the output level change of the output QD, that is, the switching timing of the brake ON / OFF control, and the change timing of the chopper signal CH3 from ON to OFF are synchronized, the output timing is changed to the chopper signal CH3 of the generator 20. A corresponding output portion (whisker portion) with a high electromotive voltage can be output at regular intervals, and this output can also be used for checking the accuracy of the timer 100.

That is, the output QD and the chopper signal CH3
14 are not synchronized with each other, as shown in FIG. 14, a portion where the electromotive voltage is high is generated from the generator 20 even when the output QD changes, in addition to the chopper signal CH3 having a constant period. For this reason, the “whiskers” in the output waveform of the generator 20 are not necessarily output at regular intervals, and thus cannot be used for the rate measurement pulse, that is, for the accuracy inspection of the timer 100. If it is, it can also be used as a rate measurement pulse.

23) The rectification control of the generator 20 is performed at each terminal MG.
1, MG2, the gates are connected to the first and third field-effect transistors 76, 78, so there is no need to use a comparator or the like, the configuration is simplified, and the charging efficiency due to the power consumption of the comparator is reduced. The drop can also be prevented. Further, since the on / off of the field effect transistors 76 and 78 is controlled by using the terminal voltage of the generator 20, each of the field effect transistors 76 and 78 is synchronized with the polarity of the terminal of the generator 20. It can be controlled and the rectification efficiency can be improved. Further, by connecting the second and fourth field-effect transistors 77 and 79, which are chopper-controlled, in parallel with the transistors 76 and 78, the chopper-ring control can be performed independently and the configuration is simplified. it can. Therefore, the voltage doubler rectifier circuit (simple synchronous booster chopper rectifier circuit) 35, which has a simple configuration, synchronizes with the polarity of the generator 20, and can perform chopper rectification while boosting the voltage, 35
Can be provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the rotation control means 50 is driven by the electric power generated by the generator 20. However, as shown in FIG. 15, a battery 200 for driving the rotation control means 50 is provided. You may. This battery 200
Only the rotation control means 50 with low power consumption needs to be driven, and even a button-type primary battery can be used for about 10 years without replacing the battery. For this reason, the frequency of battery replacement can be reduced as compared with a battery-operated timer that drives a motor with a battery, and the usability is not reduced.

The battery 200 may be a primary battery such as a dry battery or a button-type battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a power generating element which generates electric power by itself, such as a solar cell or a thermoelectric power generating element. It may be configured as long as it can supply electric power capable of driving the rotation control means 50.

The stator may be of an integral type or the like, and the shape, structure, etc. of the stator may be appropriately set in practice.

Further, as mechanical energy storage means,
Not limited to the mainspring 1a, a leaf spring, a weight, a balloon, or the like may be used. In short, any material that can store mechanical energy (such as elastic energy or potential energy) may be used.

The configuration of the rotation control means 50 for applying a brake to the generator 20 is not limited to that of the above-described embodiment, and the way of applying the brake is not limited to that performed by choppering as in the above-described embodiment. Anything that can speed up is acceptable.

The generator 20 may be a generator without a core (coreless generator) in addition to a generator with a core. Furthermore, not limited to the AC generator, a DC generator may be used. In the case of a DC generator, for example, when rotating a brush motor, rotation may be detected by an encoder or the like, or a pulsating flow may be detected. In the case of a DC generator, the rectifier circuit may not be provided.

The rectifier circuit 35 is not limited to the rectifier circuit of the above-described embodiment, but includes various booster rectifier circuits such as double, triple, and quadruple, and various rectifier circuits such as full-wave rectifier, half-wave rectifier, and transistor rectifier. May be used.

The output of the timer 100 is not limited to the case where the electric buzzer is sounded as in the above embodiment, but the alarm is sounded by hitting the bell with a hammer operated by returning the pointer 14 to the origin. Alternatively, instead of sounding, a lamp or the like may be turned on. Further, when the timer 100 is incorporated in various devices such as a washing machine, the timer 100 may be operated to switch on and off the device.

[0120]

As described above, according to the timer of the present invention, it is easy to use and the time accuracy can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a timer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a main part of the timer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of the timer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a positioning member of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a stator according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a timer control circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a rectifier circuit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart of the up / down counter of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart in the chopper signal generator of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an output waveform of the generator of the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an output waveform of a generator as a comparative example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a modified example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 barrel wheel 1a spiral spring 1b barrel wheel 2 ground plate 4 dial 7 second wheel 8 third wheel 9 fourth wheel 10 fifth wheel 11 sixth wheel 12 rotor 12a rotor kana 12b rotor magnet 14 pointer 15 terminal 20 generator 35 commutation Circuit 36 Power supply circuit 50 Rotation control means 51 Oscillation circuit 51A Quartz crystal oscillator 52 Divider circuit 53 Rotation detection circuit 55 Positioning jig 56 Control circuit 60 Positioning member 70 Brake circuit 71, 72 Switch 73 Capacitor 74, 75 Diode 77-79 Electric field Effect type transistor 100 Timer 100a Start button 100b Button 120 Brake circuit 121, 131 Coil block 122a, 132a Stator hole 122, 132 Core stator part 123, 133 Stator 123a, 133a Core magnetic conduction part 123b 133b Core winding section 124, 134 Coil 160 Up / down counter 161 Waveform shaping circuit 162 Monomultivibrator 170 Synchronization circuit 171 Flip-flop 180 Chopper signal generation section 181 First chopper signal generation section 185 Second chopper signal generation section 190 Initialization circuit 200 batteries

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A timer driven by a mechanical energy storage means as a driving source, comprising: a generator rotationally driven by a driving force from the mechanical energy storage means transmitted via a speed increasing wheel train; and a rotation of the generator. A timer comprising: a control circuit that controls a period. 2. The timer according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit is driven by electric power generated by rotating the generator. 3. The timer according to claim 1, wherein the generator includes a rotor that rotates in connection with rotation of the wheel train, two plate-shaped stators, and one end of each of the stators. A timer comprising a pair of semicircular stator holes formed and arranged in a circle around the rotor in a state where both stators are combined. 4. The timer according to claim 1, wherein the generator is an AC generator, and a boost rectifier circuit is provided on an output side of the generator. timer. 5. The timer according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes braking means for applying a brake to the generator, and the braking means is adapted to apply a brake to the generator. A timer for performing chopper brake control.