Electronic timepiece, and method of power supply and time adjustment thereof

Abstract

An electronic timepiece comprises an analog circuit (160) driven by a power supply (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a voltage regulator (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the voltage regulator, a power supply switch (162) for cutting off power to all the analog circuits except the voltage regulator during a time adjustment, and a clock cut gate (171) capable of blocking the clock signal from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. Since the oscillator circuit and the voltage regulator are only operated during a time adjustment, the timepiece consumes less power but is accurate in time indication.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an electronically controlled timepiece that controls the movement of hands based on signals of an oscillation circuit using a time standard source such as a crystal oscillator, a power supply control method for the electronically controlled timepiece, and a time correction method for the electronically controlled timepiece. Background technique [0002] As one of electronically controlled timepieces controlled by an IC or a crystal oscillator, there is known one that converts the mechanical energy when the mainspring is released into electrical energy by a generator, and uses the electrical energy to operate a rotation control device to control the coil in the generator. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece that accurately displays the time by driving the hands fixed on the gear train that transmits the mechanical energy of the mainspring to the generator according to the value of the current flowing in it. ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0016] However, increasing the capacitance of the capacitor slows down the rise of the power supply voltage, so it takes a long time to raise the voltage from a state where no charge has accumulated in the power supply capacitor, for example, as when the mainspring is released and then stopped.

That is, the hands will not be able to indicate the correct time for a long time from the start of winding the mainspring to the rise of the power supply voltage.

At this time, depending on the state, the user may mistakenly think that the watch is malfunctioning, so it is difficult to increase the capacitance of the capacitor.

[0017] In addition, it is also considered that increasing the power generation capacity of the generator can be charged in a short time, but the size of the generator will increase accordingly, and the torque of the spring that supplies mechanical energy to the generator will increase. , so it is necessary to increase the size of the mainspring, which cannot be used when the plane size and thickness are limited like a watch.

[0018] In addition, in various electronically controlled timepieces other than electronically controlled mechanical timepieces, such as self-winding power generation timepieces, solar rechargeable timepieces, and battery-type timepieces, time correction operations are sometimes performed in order to reduce power consumption and prolong driving time. At this time, the oscillation circuit or IC is also stopped. At this time, it may take several seconds to tens of seconds to achieve the stable operation of the oscillation circuit. At this time, a time error will occur.

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