Patent Grant
12174590
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2020-212194, filed Dec. 22, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to an electronic watch.
An electronic watch with a battery has been widely used. As indicated in JP-A-2018-163166, a shape of a battery is often a button shape. A movement is provided with a motor, a torque transmission mechanism by a toothed gear, a mechanism for rotating a hand by rotation of a setting stem, a printed wired board that drives the motor, and an area for housing a battery.
As disclosed in JP-A-2018-163166, when the battery is disposed in the movement, a thickness and a size of the battery are great constraints, and thus a reduction in thickness and size of the movement is limited.
An electronic watch includes a hand configured to indicate time, a dial having a through hole through which a hand shaft configured to rotate the hand passes, a movement including the hand shaft configured to rotate the hand, a motor configured to rotate the hand shaft, and a circuit electrically coupled to the motor, and a battery electrically coupled to the circuit and configured to supply power to the motor, wherein the battery is disposed between the dial and the movement, and has a first opening through which the hand shaft passes.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A dial 7 is disposed on a back surface side of the cover glass 5. A hand shaft 8 is disposed at the center of the dial 7 in plan view of the dial 7. A seconds hand 9, a minute hand 11, and an hour hand 12 indicating time are attached to the hand shaft 8. Hereinafter, the seconds hand 9, the minute hand 11, and the hour hand 12 are referred to as a hand 13.
The hand shaft 8 is formed of three rotary shafts to which the seconds hand 9, the minute hand 11, and the hour hand 12 are attached. The hand 13 rotates about the hand shaft 8. The cover glass 5 is transparent, and the dial 7 and the hand 13 are visible through the cover glass 5.
A first through hole 7a is formed at the center of the dial 7. The hand shaft 8 passes through the first through hole 7a. The dial 7 includes a mark 14. The mark 14 is disposed concentrically about the first through hole 7a. The mark 14 is disposed every 30 degrees. The hand 13 indicates time with the mark 14 as a graduation.
A battery 15 is disposed on a back surface side of the dial 7. A movement 16 is disposed on a back surface side of the battery 15. The movement 16 includes a main plate 17, a train wheel bridge 18, a motor 19, a circuit portion 22 as a circuit, a train wheel mechanism 21, and the hand shaft 8. The motor 19 and the train wheel mechanism 21 are disposed between the main plate 17 and the train wheel bridge 18. The train wheel mechanism 21 transmits torque of the motor 19 to the hand shaft 8. The hand shaft 8 is a part of the movement 16. The motor 19 and the train wheel mechanism 21 rotate the hand shaft 8. A guide frame 20 is disposed between the dial 7, the battery 15, and the movement 16, and the outer case 4. A position of the dial 7, the battery 15, and the movement 16 in a thickness direction of the watch body 2 is determined by the guide frame 20. Note that the battery 15 may be fixed to the dial 7 by adhesion or the like, and the battery 15 may be fixed to the movement 16 by adhesion or the like.
The circuit portion 22 is disposed on a back surface side of the main plate 17. The circuit portion 22 is electrically coupled to the motor 19. The circuit portion 22 outputs a drive current that drives the motor 19.
The battery 15 is disposed between the dial 7 and the movement 16, and has a first opening 15a through which the hand shaft 8 passes. The first opening 15a is a through hole. The first opening 15a and the first through hole 7a are disposed so as to overlap each other, and the hand shaft 8 passes through both of the first opening 15a and the first through hole 7a. The battery 15 is electrically coupled to the circuit portion 22, and supplies power to the motor 19. A power supply connector 10 is disposed on a side surface of the outer case 4. The power supply connector 10 is electrically coupled to the circuit portion 22. The battery 15 is electrically coupled to the power supply connector 10, and power is supplied from the power supply connector 10.
According to this configuration, the battery 15 is disposed between the dial 7 and the movement 16. The hand shaft 8 passes through the first opening 15a of the battery 15, and the hand shaft 8 rotates the hand 13 disposed on the dial 7 side. Therefore, the battery 15 does not need to be disposed in the movement 16, and thus the movement 16 can be made thinner and smaller.
According to this configuration, since the battery 15 has the first opening 15a as a through hole, the battery 15 can be disposed between the movement 16 and the dial 7.
The battery 15 includes a first surface 15b on the dial 7 side and a second surface 15c on the main plate 17 side. The battery 15 includes a first electrode 15d and a second electrode 15e on the second surface 15c. The circuit portion 22 includes, on a surface facing the battery 15, a third electrode 22a as an electrode and a fourth electrode 22b as an electrode.
A first spring 23 is disposed between the first electrode 15d and the third electrode 22a. The first spring 23 electrically couples the first electrode 15d and the third electrode 22a. A second spring 24 is disposed between the second electrode 15e and the fourth electrode 22b. The second spring 24 electrically couples the second electrode 15e and the fourth electrode 22b. A through hole is formed in the main plate 17 at a place where the first spring 23 and the second spring 24 are disposed. Thus, even with the main plate 17 between the battery 15 and the circuit portion 22, the first spring 23 and the second spring 24 can electrically couple the battery 15 and the circuit portion 22. Note that, when the battery 15 is adhesively fixed to the movement 16, stability of electrical coupling between the battery 15 and the movement 16 can be improved.
In this way, the movement 16 includes, at an upper surface 16a side facing the battery 15, the third electrode 22a and the fourth electrode 22b that are electrically coupled to the battery 15. According to this configuration, when the movement 16 includes the third electrode 22a and the fourth electrode 22b on the upper surface 16a, the third electrode 22a and the fourth electrode 22b are disposed on the surface on the battery 15 side, thereby facilitating electrical coupling to the battery 15.
In plan view viewed from an axial direction of the hand shaft 8, the size of the battery 15 is the same as that of the movement 16. According to this configuration, by adopting the battery 15 as a battery having the same size as that of the movement 16 in the plan view viewed from the axial direction of the hand shaft 8, a larger battery can be adopted than when the battery 15 is included in the movement 16, and thus capacity of the battery 15 can be increased. Note that “the same” also includes “substantially the same”.
The battery 15 is an all-solid battery. According to this configuration, since the battery 15 is an all-solid battery, a leak does not need to be taken into consideration, and thus safety can be ensured.
Next, the battery 15 will be described according to
As illustrated in
A cylindrical first insulating portion 26 is installed on an outer circumference of the overlapped battery units 25, and a second insulating portion 27 is installed on an inner circumference. The second electrode 15e is installed on an upper side of the battery units 25, the first insulating portion 26, and the second insulating portion 27 in the diagram, and a third insulating portion 28 is installed on an outer circumferential side of the second electrode 15e and on a side surface side of the first insulating portion 26. The third insulating portion 28 is disposed between the first electrode 15d and the second electrode 15e, and is also disposed between the first electrode 15d and the first insulating portion 26. Furthermore, the third insulating portion 28 is installed on an inner circumferential side of the second electrode 15e and on a side surface side of the second insulating portion 27. Even in the vicinity of the first opening 15a, the third insulating portion 28 is disposed between the first electrode 15d and the second electrode 15e, and is also disposed between the first electrode 15d and the second insulating portion 27.
The first insulating portion 26 and the second insulating portion 27 fix the battery units 25 such that the battery units 25 do not move in a left-and-right direction in the diagram. Furthermore, the first insulating portion 26 and the second insulating portion 27 perform insulation such that the side surface of the battery units 25 does not conduct with the first electrode 15d. The third insulating portion 28 insulates the first electrode 15d and the second electrode 15e. A material of the first electrode 15d and the second electrode 15e is stainless steel. A material of the first insulating portion 26, the second insulating portion 27, and the third insulating portion 28 is insulating acrylic resin.
As illustrated in
The lower electrode 29 is an electrode that serves as a positive electrode, and functions as a substrate that maintains a structure. A material of the lower electrode 29 is copper. The carbon sheet 31 is a carbon film that efficiently flows a current between the lower electrode 29 and the electrode composite 32.
The separation film 33 is a film that prevents a short circuit between the electrode composite 32 and the upper electrode 34, and is a film formed of LBO (lithium triborate), LCBO (lithium carbon borate), and the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, LCBO is adopted for the separation film 33. Further, the upper electrode 34 is an electrode that serves as a negative electrode, and is a lithium film.
As illustrated in
The communication hole 37 is filled with a non-crystalline solid electrolyte 38. Since the communication hole 37 is installed in a mesh pattern, the active material forming body 35 and the solid electrolyte 38 are in contact with each other over a wide area. Thus, lithium ions easily move between the active material forming body 35 and the solid electrolyte 38.
Further, the solid electrolyte 38 fills the communication hole 37 between the active material forming bodies 35. Therefore, the solid electrolyte 38 is a continuous structure having a mesh pattern. The lithium ions move within the solid electrolyte 38. Then, since the solid electrolyte 38 in a mesh pattern fills the communication hole 37, a path in which lithium ions can move to every corner of the active material forming body 35 is secured. The solid electrolyte 38 is in a non-crystalline form, has low resistance of a grain boundary, and can thus make the lithium ions easy to move. As a result, the battery 15 can stably perform a charging-discharging cycle.
When the battery 15 is charged, the lithium ions in the solid electrolyte 38 move from the active material forming body 35 of the electrode composite 32 to the upper electrode 34. The upper electrode 34 is a negative electrode of a lithium film. Then, when the battery 15 is discharged, the lithium ions in the solid electrolyte 38 move from the upper electrode 34 to the active material forming body 35 of the electrode composite 32.
A lithium double oxide is used as a material for forming the active material particles 36. Note that the lithium double oxide is an oxide that always contains lithium, contains two or more kinds of metal ions, and does not contain oxoacid ions. Examples of the lithium double oxide include LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4, Li2Mn2O3, LiFePO4, Li2FeP2O7, LiMnPO4, LiFeBO3, Li3V2(PO4)3, Li2CuO2, LiFeF3, Li2FeSiO4, and Li2MnSiO4.
In addition, solid solutions in which a part of atoms of these lithium double oxide is substituted with other transition metal, a typical metal, an alkali metal, an alkali rare earth, lanthanoid, chalcogenide, halogen, and the like may also be included in the lithium double oxide, and these solid solutions can also be used as positive electrode active materials. In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, LiCoO2 is used for the active material particles 36.
Li2+XC1−XBXO3 is used for a material of the solid electrolyte 38. X is a substitution rate of boron B and represents a real number greater than 0 and less than or equal to 1. Therefore, Li2CO3 when X is 0 is not included in the solid of the solid electrolyte 38, and Li3BO3 when X is 1 is included. Then, in the communication hole 37, the solid electrolyte 38 is non-crystalline.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in a point that the first opening 15a in the battery 15 is a slit. Note that configurations identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
The battery 41 has a first opening 41a. The first opening 41a is a slit extending from a place through which a hand shaft 8 passes toward an outer circumference of the battery 41. According to this configuration, since the first opening 41a is a slit, the hand shaft 8 can pass through the first opening 41a. Further, an operator can put in and take out the battery 41 between the dial 7 and the movement 16 by moving the battery 41 toward the side surface.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in a point that the size of the battery 15 is increased. Note that configurations identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
According to this configuration, in the plan view viewed from the axial direction of the hand shaft 8, capacity of the battery 46 can be increased further than that when the size of the battery 46 is smaller than that of the movement 16.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in a point that a date indicator is disposed. Note that configurations identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
In plan view viewed from an axial direction of a hand shaft 8, the size of the battery 52 is larger than an inside diameter of the date indicator 53 and is smaller than the size of the movement 16. According to this configuration, in the plan view viewed from the axial direction of the hand shaft 8, the battery 52 can have the size that does not protrude from the movement 16. Further, capacity of the battery 52 can be increased further than that when the size of the battery 52 is smaller than the inside diameter of the date indicator 53.
The dial 51 includes a date window 51a through which a mark described at the date indicator 53 is visible. This mark is a number indicating a date. “1” of a first day and “31” of a 31st day correspond to the mark. The battery 52 has a second opening 52a in a position corresponding to the date window 51a. According to this configuration, since the battery 52 has the second opening 52a in the position corresponding to the date window 51a, an operator can confirm the mark of the date indicator 53 through the date window 51a and the second opening 52a.
The movement 16 includes, at an upper surface 16a facing the battery 52, a third electrode 22a and a fourth electrode 22b that are electrically coupled to the battery 52. The battery 52 includes a first electrode 52d and a second electrode 52e, and the first electrode 52d is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the battery 52.
According to this configuration, the third electrode 22a is disposed at an end portion of the upper surface 16a. The third electrode 22a is closer to the first electrode 52d than when the third electrode 22a is disposed at the center of the upper surface 16a. Therefore, the battery 52 and the movement 16 can be easily electrically coupled to each other.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in a point that an electrode electrically in contact with the side surface of the battery 15 is disposed. Note that configurations identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
The battery 15 includes a first electrode 15d on a side surface. The first electrode 15d is electrically coupled to a first end 61a of a coupling terminal 61. The circuit portion 60 includes a third electrode 60a as an electrode on a side surface 59c. The third electrode 60a is electrically coupled to a second end 61b of the coupling terminal 61. The first end 61a and the second end 61b are plate springs. The first end 61a presses the first electrode 15d. The second end 61b presses the third electrode 60a. A material of the coupling terminal 61 is metal, and the first end 61a and the second end 61b are electrically coupled to each other. Therefore, the first electrode 15d and the third electrode 60a are electrically coupled to each other by the coupling terminal 61. Note that it is assumed that the coupling terminal 61 and an outer case 4 are electrically insulated.
The movement 59 includes the third electrode 60a electrically coupled to the battery 15 on the side surface 59c side being a surface parallel to a rotary shaft of a hand shaft 8. According to this configuration, when the movement 59 includes the third electrode 60a on the side surface 59c, the side surface 59c is closer to the battery 15 than a lower surface 59b, thereby facilitating electrical coupling to the battery 15. Note that “parallel” also includes “substantially parallel”.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the fourth exemplary embodiment in a point that an electrode electrically in contact with the side surface of the battery 52 is disposed. Note that configurations identical to those in the fourth exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
The movement 59 includes a circuit portion 60. The circuit portion 60 includes a fourth electrode 60b at an upper surface 59a facing the front side. A second electrode 52e and the fourth electrode 60b are electrically coupled to each other by a second spring 24.
The battery 52 includes a first electrode 52d on a side surface. The first electrode 52d is electrically coupled to a first end 61a of a coupling terminal 61. The circuit portion 60 includes a third electrode 60a on a side surface 59c. The third electrode 60a is electrically coupled to a second end 61b of the coupling terminal 61. A material of the coupling terminal 61 is metal, and the first end 61a and the second end 61b are electrically coupled to each other. Therefore, the first electrode 52d and the third electrode 60a are electrically coupled to each other by the coupling terminal 61.
The movement 59 includes the third electrode 60a electrically coupled to the battery 52 on the side surface 59c being a surface parallel to a rotary shaft of a hand shaft 8. According to this configuration, since the third electrode 60a is disposed on the side surface 59c of the movement 59, the third electrode 60a is closer to the first electrode 52d of the battery 52 than when the electrode is disposed at the center of the upper surface 59a of the movement 59. Therefore, the battery 52 and the movement 59 can be easily electrically coupled to each other. Note that “parallel” also includes “substantially parallel”.
The present exemplary embodiment is different from the first exemplary embodiment in a point that an electrode protruding in a radial direction farther than an outer circumference of the second surface 15c is disposed on the first surface 15b side of the battery 15. Note that configurations identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference signs and redundant descriptions will be omitted.
As illustrated in
The battery 70 includes a first electrode 70d on a first surface 70b on the side facing the dial 7. Therefore, the battery 70 includes the first surface 70b including the first electrode 70d, and the second surface 70c including the second electrode 70e on a side opposite to the first surface 70b. The first electrode 70d protrudes in the radial direction farther than the outer circumference of the second surface 70c. The first electrode 70d and the third electrode 22a are electrically coupled to each other by a first spring 71. The second spring 24 and the first spring 71 are linear coil springs.
According to this configuration, since the second surface 70c faces the movement 16, the second electrode 70e and the fourth electrode 22b can be easily electrically coupled to each other. Since the first electrode 70d protrudes in the radial direction from the outer circumference of the second surface 70c, the first electrode 70d and the third electrode 22a can be electrically coupled to each other by the linear coil spring. Therefore, the first electrode 70d and the third electrode 22a can be easily electrically coupled to each other.
In the first exemplary embodiment described above, a planar shape of the watch body 2, the dial 7, and the battery 15 is circular. A planar shape of the watch body 2, the dial 7, and the battery 15 may be rectangular. The production efficiency of the battery 15 can be improved.
In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the power supply connector 10 is installed on the side surface of the outer case 4. The power supply connector 10 may be installed on the case back 6. Electrical conduction through the power supply connector 10 can be easily performed. In addition, a power generating unit such as a solar that supplies power to the battery 15 may be provided instead of providing the power supply connector 10.
In the first exemplary embodiment described above, a global positioning system (GPS) is not mounted. The GPS may be disposed on the movement 16. A through hole may be formed in the battery 15 at a place facing an antenna of the GPS. The antenna can receive radio waves with excellent sensitivity.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-212194 | Dec 2020 | JP | national |
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| 20150268639 | Abe et al. | Sep 2015 | A1 |
| 20160179061 | Abe et al. | Jun 2016 | A1 |
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| 20190387288 | Scordilis | Dec 2019 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| S51-124471 | Oct 1976 | JP |
| S52-117165 | Oct 1977 | JP |
| S62-004639 | Jan 1987 | JP |
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| 2020-134141 | Aug 2020 | JP |
| 2020-134276 | Aug 2020 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220197223 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |
