Electric and / or electronic watch and energy harvester for use in such a watch

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric and / or electronic watch (1) comprising a casing (2) accommodating an electric watch movement, such a quartz movement (20) or a tuning fork movement, a dial and / or a display, a rechargeable electric accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery (16) and / or a (super)capacitor, a rotary or slidable operating element, such as a bezel or winding crown (3), a shaft (3A) rotatably drivable by the rotary operating element (3), an electric generator (9) rotatably drivable by the shaft (3A) for converting at least part of the movement of the operating element (3) to electrical power to be stored in the accumulator (16) and / or to be used to operate the watch (1). The rotational axis of the electric generator (9) extends at least substantially parallel to the dial and / or the display and in that the watch (1) comprises a transmission (8) to increase rotational speed between the shaft (3A) and the generator (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electric and / or electronic watch, in particular a hand wound electric and / or electronic watch, comprising a casing accommodating an electric and / or electronic watch movement, such a quartz movement or a tuning fork movement, a dial and / or a display, a rechargeable electric accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery and / or a (super)capacitor, a rotary or slidable operating element, such as a bezel or winding crown, a shaft rotatably drivable by the rotary operating element, an electric generator rotatably drivable by the shaft for converting at least part of the movement, e.g. rotation, of the operating element to electrical power to be stored in the accumulator and / or to be used to (directly) operate the watch.

[0002] Automatic quartz is a collective term describing watch movements that combine a self-winding rotor mechanism (as used in automatic mechanical watches) to generate electricity with a piezoelectric quartz crystal as its timing element. Such movements aim to provide the advantages of quartz without the inconvenience and environmental impact of batteries. Several manufacturers employ this technique.

[0003] WO 2015 / 107132 relates to a "Watch (1) comprising a recharging device (3) able to collaborate with an energy supply unit (2), characterized in that the recharging device (3) comprises: - an electric generator (4); and - a rotary bezel (5) kinematically connected to the generator (4)." (Machine translated in Espacenet)

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a watch comprising an improved energy harvester.

[0005] To this end, in the watch according to the present invention, the rotational axis of the electric generator extends at least substantially parallel to the dial and / or the display and the watch comprises a transmission to increase rotational speed between the shaft and the generator.

[0006] In an embodiment, the transmission comprises an epicyclic gear train comprising a sun gear, one or more planet gears and a ring gear.

[0007] In an embodiment, in at least one of the gear trains, preferably all but one of the gear trains, the sun gear is fixed to, e.g. an integral part of, the carrier of a neighboring planetary gear. E.g. , the sun of the first stage, nearest the shaft, the angled and / or offset transmission is fixed to the carrier of the second stage, and so on. In an embodiment, the sun of the last stage, nearest the generator, is also the driven shaft of the generator or directly fixed to the driven shaft of the generator.

[0008] In a refinement, the further transmission comprises two or more epicyclic gear trains, e.g. three, four or five epicyclic gear trains, preferably in series and preferably with the rotational axes of the epicyclic gear trains coinciding. In an embodiment, the at least two gear trains and identical, modular and / or nested.

[0009] In a refinement, at least two of the epicyclic gear trains, preferably all epicyclic gear trains, share a common ring gear, which preferably also functions as a housing for the epicyclic gear trains. This enhances the compactness of the design while delivering high ratio multiplications and providing a cost-effective and modular and / or scalable solution, which facilitates the production purpose.

[0010] The watch according to the present invention requires no disposable batteries, is capable of highly efficient harvesting and enables a compact, e.g. slim design. Further, the transmission with epicyclic gear trains according to the present invention provides a tactile quality in that it is pleasing to operate.

[0011] In an embodiment, the transmission has a transmission ratio in a range from 25 to 1000, preferably in a range from 50 to 800, preferably in a range from 100 to 700.

[0012] In an embodiment, the generator is an electric motor, such as a permanent magnet motor and / or a motor having two or four poles.

[0013] In an embodiment, the rotary operating element comprises a winding stem or a bezel.

[0014] In another embodiment, the watch comprises, between the shaft and the generator, an angled and / or offset transmission, which comprises first and second gears and wherein the (imaginary) axes of the first and second gears cross, intersect and / or extend in parallel.

[0015] In a refinement, the transmission is an angled transmission and the first and second gears are bevel gears.

[0016] In an embodiment, the angle between the shaft and the rotational axis of the transmission is in a range from 10 to 60 degrees, preferably in a range from 20 to 50 degrees.

[0017] In an embodiment, the rotational axis of the transmission and a rotational axis of the generator coincide.

[0018] In an embodiment, to further optimize e.g. increase the transmission ratio in a small form factor, the angled and / or offset transmission has a transmission ratio in a range from 0.5 to 30, preferably in a range from 2 to 30, preferably in a range from 3 to 25, preferably in a range from 4 to 15, preferably in a range from 4 to 10.

[0019] In an embodiment, the rotary element has an operating torque in range from 2 to 200 milliNewtonmeter (mNm), preferably in a range from 3 to 100 mNm.

[0020] In an embodiment, the rotary operating element, in addition to generating electric energy, performs a function of the watch itself, such as an indicator for setting a timer (dive watch) or setting the hands of the watch.

[0021] In an embodiment, the accumulator has a capacity in a range 3 to 500 mAh.

[0022] In an embodiment, the device comprises power management electronics. Such electronics may in turn comprise an ambient energy charging chip (integrated circuit) and / or a diode for one way electric transfer from the generator to the accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery and / or a resistor matched or close to the resistance of the generator to get an optimal power storage and the operating voltage. To ensure bidirectional harvesting a rectifying circuit can be used, such as a diode bridge or a full wave rectifier, preferably supplemented with a smoothing capacitor. The energy storage preferably comprises a rechargeable battery, e.g. a 1,5 Volt (V) and / or lithium ion battery, and / or a (super)capacitor, e.g. having a capacity of at least 20 milliFarad (mF), preferably at least 40 mF, if the capacitor is primarily used as a smoothing capacitor or at least 200 mF if the capacitor is (also) used as storage of electricity for operating the watch.

[0023] In an embodiment, the generator and transmission are separate from the movement. Thus, the movement can be e.g. a standard or 'off the shelf' movement and / or, excepting replacing the battery by a rechargeable battery or connecting the generator to the accumulator to the movement, the movement can remain at least substantially unaffected by the inclusion of the harvester.

[0024] The invention also relates to a modular energy harvester for building into an electric and / or electronic watch, in particular the watch according the present invention, as described above. The harvester comprises an electric generator and a transmission to increase rotational speed, preferably according to one or more of the embodiments described above, between a drivable shaft, such as a winding stem, in a watch, and an input shaft to be operatively connected, e.g. by means of a gear, such as a bevel gear, to the drivable shaft. In an example, the transmission, generator and power management, and preferably also a beveled gear to be fitted on a winding stem and / or a rechargeable battery or capacitor are contained in a kit, e.g. for watch manufacturers to build into a new watch or to be retrofitted in an existing watch.

[0025] In another embodiment, the harvester is placed inside the movement, e.g. in a cavity in the movement, to maximize the length for the power generator e.g. to increase power output. E.g., if a movement is built around the harvester, the harvester can be placed as close as possible to the centre increase the axial space for the harvester.

[0026] Within the framework of the present invention "at least substantially parallel to the dial and / or the display" is defined as at an angle of less than 20 degrees, preferably less than 10 degrees, with the dial and / or the display, e.g. parallel to the dial.

[0027] KR 100370949 relates to "a power generation device, wherein an internal gear part (1) is formed on the rear side, and a first planetary gear (3) and a second planetary gear (5) are meshed on the inside of the internal gear part (1), respectively. A rotating body (10) forming a bevel gear portion (7) on the outer peripheral surface, a first bevel gear (15), and a second bevel gear 20 that respectively rotate according to the rotation of the rotating body (10). It rotates according to the rotation of the first bevel gear (15) and the second bevel gear (20), and has a permanent magnet rotating member (30) with a permanent magnet (21) attached to its inner circumferential surface, and a coil (31) to one side of its outer circumferential surface, and a rotor (40) is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft (33) with a pinion (35) meshing with the first planetary gear (3) and the second planetary gear (5) of the rotating body (10). It consists of the first bevel gear (15) and the second bevel gear (20), a permanent magnet rotating member (30), and a channel-shaped support member (50) that rotatably supports the rotor (40)." (Machine translated in Espacenet.)

[0028] Examples of the watch according to the present inventions are explained with reference to the following Figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a watch according to the present invention, depicted schematically with just a casing, winding stem, and an energy harvester, the latter also in an enlarged view. Figure 2 is a top view of a further example of a watch according to the present invention, wherein the winding stem extends parallel to the generator. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the main components for generating electrical power in a exemplary watch according to the present invention. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of examples of the watch according to the present invention, with i.a. the dial removed, and comprising a modular energy harvester. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views of examples wherein the energy harvester is driven via a slide or via a rotary bezel on the watch, respectively.

[0029] The Figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale and details that are not required for understanding the present invention may have been omitted. The terms "upward", "downward", "below", "above", and the like, relate to the embodiments as oriented in the drawings, unless otherwise specified. Further, elements that are at least substantially identical or that perform an at least substantially identical function are denoted by the same numeral.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a watch 1 comprising a casing 2 accommodating an electronic watch movement (not shown and known in itself), such a quartz movement, and a crown 3 plus winding stem 3A for winding the watch and preferably for setting the hands via so-called keyless works (not shown and known in itself). Inside the casing, the winding stem 3A is provided with a first bevel gear 4 that meshes with a second bevel gear 5. The (imaginary) axes of the first and second bevel gears intersect at a an angle of 45 degrees. Optionally, both gears are supported by a respective bearings, e.g. plain bearings 7. The bevel gears and bearings are held in place e.g. by a bridge (not shown). In addition to providing an angled transmission, the first and second gears provide, in this example, a transmission ratio of e.g. 1:2. The second gear 5 is part of or mounted on the driven axis 8A of a further transmission 8, which further transmission is located between the angled transmission 4, 5 and a generator 9 to increase rotational speed between the operating element, i.c. crown 3, and the generator 9. More specifically, as shown in the enlarged view, the further transmission comprises a multi-stage planetary gear, i.c. two planetary gears in series . Each of these planetary gear comprises a sun gear 10A, 10B, one or more, e.g. three, planet gears 11A, 11B, on a carrier 12A, 12B, and a ring gear 13. The carrier 12A of the planetary gear nearest the second bevel gear 5, i.e. the first planetary gear of the further transmission, provides the shaft 8A on which the second bevel gear 5 is mounted. The carrier 12B of the next planetary gear, i.e. the second planetary gear of the further transmission, is fixed to or forms an integral part with the sun gear 10A of the first planetary gear, and so on for additional planetary gears, if required. Also, in this example, the ring gears of the planetary gears are formed as a common ring gear 13, which also functions as the housing for the planetary gears.

[0031] Figure 2 shows a watch similar to the watch shown in Figure 1, but with the winding stem 3A and the rotational axes of the transmission 8 and the generator 9 extending in parallel and at an offset.

[0032] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the components of a watch according to the present invention, comprising, in addition the angled and / or offset transmission, the transmission to increase rotational speed between the shaft and the generator, and the generator, a power management system 15, a rechargeable battery 16 and the functions 17 of the device, such as keeping time and driving the hands or the display. The power management system 15 comprises an ambient energy charging chip (integrated circuit), such as an e-peas ™< AEM30300, or a diode for one way electric transfer from the generator to the accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery (not shown) and / or a resistor matched or close to the resistance of the generator to get an optimal power storage and the operating voltage.

[0033] During tests of the watch, simulating normal use, the rotor of the generator reached rotational speeds of 100*2*136=27.200 revolutions per minute (rpm) in both the clockwise and counterclockwise direction, providing ample electrical power for initial charging and for uninterrupted use.

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a watch 1 very similar to the watch shown in Figure 1, comprising a watch casing 2, accommodating an electronic watch movement, such a quartz movement 20. The watch further comprises a winding crown 3 and stem 3A, which winding stem is provided with a first bevel gear 4 that meshes with a second bevel gear 5. The (imaginary) axes of the first and second bevel gears intersect at an angle of 45 degrees, such that the further transmission and the generator do not interfere with the movement 20. The transmission, generator and power management are housed in a separate compartment 21. In an example, these components, i.e. a bevel gear to be fitted on the winding stem, the epicycle transmission, the generator and / or a rechargeable battery and / or capacitor are contained in a kit, e.g. for watch manufacturers to build into a new watch or to be retrofitted in an existing watch.

[0035] Figure 5 shows a watch 1 similar to the watch shown in Figure 6, but with an additional crown 3 and winding stem 3A. Also, in Figure 5 the lid has been removed from the compartment 21, to show the transmission 8, generator 9 and power management 15 that are housed inside.

[0036] Figure 6 shows a watch 1 comprising a winding slide 3, similar to the slide of a minute repeating watch. Internally, the slide is provided with a rack with its gear teeth facing up or down and meshing with a pinion on the input shaft of the transmission (8). The slide can be spring loaded to return it to its starting or rest position after having been pushed away from that position, preferably generating electrical energy in both directions.

[0037] Figure 7 shows a watch 1 comprising a circular winding bezel 3. Internally, the bezel is provided with gear teeth 42 facing down and meshing with a pinion 41 on a shaft 3A that also carries a first bevel gear 4 that meshes with a second bevel gear 5. Suitable examples of such gears include crown gears, miter gears, and spiral bevel gears. The (imaginary) axes of the first and second bevel gears intersect at an angle of 30 degrees. The second gear 5 is part of or mounted on the driven axis of a further transmission 8, which further transmission is located between the angled transmission 4, 5 and a generator 9 to increase rotational speed between the operating element, i.c. bezel 3, and the generator 9. The bezel can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise, preferably generating electrical energy in both directions.

[0038] The watch according to the present invention requires no disposable batteries, is capable of highly efficient harvesting and enables a compact, e.g. slim design, with improve freedom in positioning the harvester relative to others components of the device.

[0039] The disclosure is not restricted to the above described embodiments which can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Electric and / or electronic watch (1) comprising a casing (2) accommodating an electric watch movement, such a quartz movement (20) or a tuning fork movement, a dial and / or a display, a rechargeable electric accumulator, such as a rechargeable battery (16) and / or a (super)capacitor, a rotary or slidable operating element, such as a bezel or winding crown (3), a shaft (3A) rotatably drivable by the operating element (3), an electric generator (9) rotatably drivable by the shaft (3A) for converting at least part of the movement of the operating element (3) to electrical power to be stored in the accumulator (16) and / or to be used to operate the watch (1), characterized in that the rotational axis of the electric generator (9) extends at least substantially parallel to the dial and / or the display and in that the watch (1) comprises a transmission (8) to increase rotational speed between the shaft (3A) and the generator (9).

2. Watch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transmission (8) comprises an epicyclic gear train comprising a sun gear (10a, 10B), one or more planet gears (11A, 11B) and a ring gear (13).

3. Watch (1) according to claim 2, wherein the transmission (8) comprises two or more epicyclic gear trains, preferably in series and preferably with the rotational axes of the epicyclic gear trains coinciding.

4. Watch (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least two of the epicyclic gear trains (8), preferably all epicyclic gear trains, share a common ring gear (13), which preferably also functions as a housing for the epicyclic gear trains (8).

5. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission (8) has a transmission ratio in a range from 25 to 1000, preferably in a range from 50 to 800, preferably in a range from 100 to 700.

6. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary operating element (3) comprises a crown (3) or a bezel (40).

7. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising, between the shaft (3A) and the generator (9), an angled and / or offset transmission, which comprises first and second gears (4, 5) and wherein the axes of the first and second gears (4, 5) cross, intersect and / or extend in parallel.

8. Watch (1) according to claim 7, wherein the transmission is an angled transmission and the first and second gears are bevel gears (4, 5) and / or wherein the angle between the shaft and the rotational axis of the transmission (8) is in a range from 10 to 60 degrees, preferably in a range from 20 to 50 degrees.

9. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotational axis of the transmission (8) and a rotational axis of the generator (9) coincide.

10. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the angled and / or offset transmission (4, 5) has a transmission ratio in a range from 0.5 to 30, preferably in a range from 2 to 30, preferably in a range from 3 to 25, preferably in a range from 4 to 15, preferably in a range from 4 to 10.

11. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary operating element (3) has an operating torque in range from 2 to 200 milliNewtonmeter (mNm), preferably in a range from 3 to 100 mNm.

12. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary operating element (3), in addition to generating electric energy, performs a function of the watch itself.

13. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising power management electronics (15) in turn comprising at least a diode and / or a resistor.

14. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the generator and transmission are separate from the movement.

15. Modular energy harvester for building into an electric and / or electronic watch, in particular the watch according claim 14, the harvester comprising an electric generator (9) and a transmission (8) to increase rotational speed between a drivable shaft, such as a winding stem (3A), in a watch, and an input shaft to be operatively connected, e.g. by means of a gear, such as a bevel gear, to the drivable shaft.

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