EP0692107A1 - Process and device for recognizing the position of indicator elements - Google Patents
Process and device for recognizing the position of indicator elementsInfo
- Publication number
- EP0692107A1 EP0692107A1 EP94910368A EP94910368A EP0692107A1 EP 0692107 A1 EP0692107 A1 EP 0692107A1 EP 94910368 A EP94910368 A EP 94910368A EP 94910368 A EP94910368 A EP 94910368A EP 0692107 A1 EP0692107 A1 EP 0692107A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- optical
- display elements
- display
- optical signal
- reflection
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
- G04R60/00—Constructional details
- G04R60/14—Constructional details specific to electromechanical timepieces, e.g. moving parts thereof
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
- G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method and a device for position detection of analog display elements of a clock using opto-electronic components.
- Areas of application of the invention are, for example, the analog time display, in particular by means of a radio clock.
- EP 0180880 B1 describes a detection device for setting the hands of an analog clock, in which the position of the hands is queried via a light barrier, also inside the existing gear train, without, however, requiring additional gear parts.
- the circuit board for the light barrier takes on both a mechanical and an electronic function in that it serves on the one hand as an axial movement limitation of the wheels and on the other hand accommodates the light barrier circuit and the radio clock circuit.
- the disadvantage of this solution is that it can only be used with a clockwork specially developed for the purpose of pointer position detection. The production of this type of clockwork is much more complex and expensive than the assembly of conventional quartz clockworks.
- the current position of the gearwheels is important in order to achieve a clear association between the pointer position and the gearwheel position. This also requires a significantly increased production and testing effort when assembling the watch.
- Detection devices with reflection light barriers are also known, in which the shadowing of the optoelectronic system by the display elements leads to signal triggering.
- a disadvantage of these solutions is that an accurate and reproducible signal triggering is very difficult to achieve and different dimensions of the display elements lead to different signal triggering times.
- the invention is based on the object of specifying a method for detecting the position of the hands of a watch and of creating a device which, when using conventional watch movements, allows the position to be precisely and inexpensively recognized using simple means.
- An important advantage of the invention is that the position detection of the analog display elements is carried out directly by the display elements by the display elements themselves or their functional areas in cooperation with an optical transmitter element and an optical receiver element cause the active signal triggering.
- the active signal triggering results from the fact that the impact of the optical signal on the optical receiving element causes the signal triggering.
- a reflection and / or refraction of the optical signals emitted by the optical transmission element takes place on the display elements in such a way that the multiply reflected or broken optical signals are received by the optical reception element only when all display elements are in a defined position.
- the display elements have functional areas which serve for reflection and / or refraction of the signal.
- the functional areas can be designed as reflection surfaces or vertical reflection surfaces inclined to the beam path or also as a transparent, prismatic component of the display element.
- the functional areas can be flat or inclined light entry or light exit surfaces of light guides.
- the optical transmission elements and the optical reception elements can be arranged on or in the housing which surrounds the display elements.
- optical transmission and reception elements are arranged on a housing, it is possible to arrange them on the edge of the scale, side by side as well as one behind the other, as seen in the viewing direction of the scale. If the optical transmitting and receiving elements are arranged within the housing, they can be arranged behind the scale, the scale having transparent areas or openings for the passage of the optical signals.
- the optical transmission and reception elements preferably operate in the radiation spectrum beyond visible light, it being possible for the optical transmission elements to be designed as infrared luminescence diodes and the optical reception elements as infrared photodiodes or infrared phototransistors.
- a further advantage of the invention is that the course of the beam path between the transmitting and receiving elements largely eliminates the effects of stray light, which can lead to falsification of the position detection.
- An additional measure for this is according to the invention to provide the optical receiving element with a narrow-band optical filter which transmits only the wavelength of the optical transmitting element.
- a material can be used to cover the scale, which is transparent in the visible wavelength range, but is opaque in the wavelength range of the optical receiving element.
- the cover can have a suitable geometry and / or be processed appropriately.
- the geometric arrangement for example of the optical transmission and reception elements in relation to the display elements, the spacing of the display elements from one another and from other components, the width of the display elements, etc. is also important for optimizing the position detection and avoiding the influence of scatter.
- FIG. 1 shows a front view of a radio clock with a detailed representation of the transmission and reception elements arranged next to one another
- 2 shows a schematic side view of FIG. 1 with a detailed representation of the reflection surfaces
- FIG. 3 shows a front view of a detailed representation of a variant of a radio clock with transmission and reception elements arranged one behind the other
- FIG. 4 shows a detailed side view of FIG. 3 with representation of the reflection surfaces
- FIG. 5 shows a detailed side view of a radio clock with the arrangement of the transmitting and receiving elements behind the dial and
- FIG. 6 shows a side view of a radio clock according to FIG. 3 with position detection using light guides as pointers.
- this position is the 12 o'clock position of the hour and minute hands on a radio clock.
- an optical transmitting element 1 is arranged next to an optical receiving element 2 on a housing 3 of a radio clock above the dial 5. Openings 6, 7 in the housing 3 form passages for an optical signal 9.
- the opening 6 to the receiving element 2 is toothed to shield stray light.
- the transmitting element 1 is an infrared luminescent diode
- the receiving element 2 is an infrared phototransistor. In the illustrated exactly 12:00 o'clock position of the hands 4a and 4b, the optical signal 9 emitted by the transmitting element 1, as can be seen in FIGS.
- the optical signal 9 in the 12 o'clock position of the hands 4a and 4b forms an angle with their direction as a result of the spatial attachment of the transmission element 1, the optical signal 9 strikes the reflection surface after its reflection 41 with an angle different from 90 ° onto the second reflection surface 42 of the pointer 4b and is also thrown back again at the same angle from the reflection surface 42 onto the inclined reflection surface 41.
- the displacement of the optical signal 9, designated by reference symbol v in FIG. 1 occurs along the inclined reflection surface 41.
- the extent of the displacement depends on the angle between the pointer direction and the optical signal 9, the arrangement of Transmitting element 1 and receiving element 2 is symmetrical with respect to the direction of the hands in the 12 o'clock position.
- the optical signal 9 does not reach the receiving element 2.
- the geometry of the beam path is determined by the spatial arrangement of the transmitting element 1, the receiving element 2, the pointers 4a and 4b and the Knife of the openings 6, 7 optimized for the light entry of the transmitting element 1 and the light exit of the receiving element 2.
- the position of the reflection surface 41 on the back of the pointer 4b also advantageously contributes to this, since it is shielded against direct incidence of light.
- a narrow-band optical filter can be arranged in front of the optical receiving element 2 and transmits only the wavelength of the optical transmitting element 1.
- the dial 5 is covered by a transparent cover plate 8, which is transparent in the visible wave range of the light, but is opaque in the wave range of the optical receiving element 2.
- the cover plate 8 is suitably machined, at least partially, to avoid interference signals from unwanted reflections.
- FIGS. 3 and 4 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the optical transmission element 1 is arranged behind the optical reception element 2 in the direction of view of the dial 5.
- the beam path of the optical signal 9 runs from the transmitting element 1 to the inclined reflection surface 41 of the pointer 4a and becomes diametrical from there at an angle of 90 ° inclined reflection surface 43 of the pointer 4b is reflected and there in turn reflected at an angle of 90 ° onto the receiving element 2.
- the reflection surface 43 of the hand 4b is followed by an area 4c with a reduced cross section.
- FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the optical transmission element 1 and the optical reception element 2 are arranged next to one another behind the dial 5, the optical reception element 2 lying closely behind the optical transmission element 1 according to FIG.
- An opening 10 is provided in the dial for the beam passage of the optical signal 9.
- the beam path runs in the exact 12:00 o'clock position from the transmission element 1 to the functional area 44 of the pointer 4a.
- This functional area 44 is designed as a transparent prism and is inclined on the side facing away from the transmitting element 1 and the receiving element 2.
- the optical signal 9 emanating from the optical transmission element 1 is refracted in the functional area 44 and directed onto an inclined reflection surface 45 of the pointer 4b, from where the optical signal 9 reflects back to the functional area 44, and directed to the optical receiving element 2 by refraction again becomes.
- the optical signal 9 is reflected not offset in itself, but offset with respect to the plane of the drawing, so that it is reflected behind the transmission element 1 lying receiving element 2 strikes.
- FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the pointers 4a, 4b are designed as light guides, the optical receiving element 2 being arranged behind the optical transmitting element 1 in the direction of viewing the dial 5.
- the optical signal 9 emanating from the optical transmission element 1 arrives at a light entry surface 46 perpendicular to the beam path and from there is guided in the pointer 4b to an inclined reflection surface 47 which the signal is reflected at an angle of 90 ° to a light exit surface 48 of the pointer 4b.
- the optical passes from the light exit surface 48 Signal to a light entry surface 49 of the pointer 4a and is directed from there after reflection at an angle of 90 ° to a reflection surface 50 in the longitudinal direction of the pointer 4a designed as a light guide.
- the optical signal 9 emerges at a flat light exit surface 51 perpendicular to the beam path and reaches the optical receiving element 2. This light path is only open if both pointers 4a and 4b are in the correct pointer position. Instead of designing the pointers 4a and 4b as light guides, it is also possible to provide conventional pointers with light guides.
- the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here; rather, further variants of the beam path are possible, even if more than two pointers are used in a clock.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
- Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE4311065 | 1993-04-03 | ||
DE4311065A DE4311065C1 (en) | 1993-04-03 | 1993-04-03 | Defined position identification system for analogue timepiece hands - uses functional zone at end of hours hand to provide optical path between optical source and photoelement. |
PCT/EP1994/000658 WO1994023349A1 (en) | 1993-04-03 | 1994-03-05 | Process and device for recognizing the position of indicator elements |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0692107A1 true EP0692107A1 (en) | 1996-01-17 |
EP0692107B1 EP0692107B1 (en) | 1997-04-16 |
Family
ID=6484717
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94910368A Revoked EP0692107B1 (en) | 1993-04-03 | 1994-03-05 | Process and device for recognizing the position of indicator elements |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0692107B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE151897T1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE4311065C1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994023349A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1357448A1 (en) * | 2002-04-26 | 2003-10-29 | Kienzle Time (Hong Kong) Limited | Radio controllable clock |
EP1510891A1 (en) * | 2003-04-17 | 2005-03-02 | Hideki Electronics Limited | Radio controlled analogue display clock with digital projection |
FR2884927B1 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2007-06-29 | Valeo Systemes Thermiques | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESETTING A SET OF COAXIAL ROTATING ELEMENTS OBTAINING A CINEMA LAW, AND CORRESPONDING SYSTEMS |
EP2548085B1 (en) * | 2011-06-01 | 2019-09-18 | Fung, Wai Tong | Analog quartz timepiece and method for providing time-correction of the same |
US9547280B2 (en) | 2012-02-08 | 2017-01-17 | The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd. | Device for detecting and synchronising the position of a wheel of a timepiece mechanism |
EP2626752B1 (en) * | 2012-02-08 | 2014-11-19 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. | Device for detecting and synchronising the position of a wheel of a clock mechanism |
EP2869140B1 (en) | 2013-10-30 | 2016-04-06 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. | Device for the detection of the position of timepiece hands |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH646301GA3 (en) * | 1981-12-23 | 1984-11-30 | ||
DE3510861C2 (en) * | 1984-11-09 | 1986-09-25 | Gebrüder Junghans GmbH, 7230 Schramberg | Display position detection device for a clock, in particular a radio clock |
GB2197968A (en) * | 1986-11-21 | 1988-06-02 | Europ Electronic Syst Ltd | Analogue clock |
-
1993
- 1993-04-03 DE DE4311065A patent/DE4311065C1/en not_active Revoked
-
1994
- 1994-03-05 DE DE59402453T patent/DE59402453D1/en not_active Revoked
- 1994-03-05 WO PCT/EP1994/000658 patent/WO1994023349A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-03-05 AT AT94910368T patent/ATE151897T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-03-05 EP EP94910368A patent/EP0692107B1/en not_active Revoked
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO9423349A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE151897T1 (en) | 1997-05-15 |
DE4311065C1 (en) | 1994-02-17 |
EP0692107B1 (en) | 1997-04-16 |
DE59402453D1 (en) | 1997-05-22 |
WO1994023349A1 (en) | 1994-10-13 |
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