Timepiece module and electronic timepiece

Abstract

To provide a timepiece module and an electronic timepiece capable of suppressing reduction in reception sensitivity of an antenna even when a display screen and the antenna overlap each other.SOLUTION: A timepiece module includes a liquid crystal display screen (13), an antenna element (11) having an antenna pattern (112) and an antenna component (111) related to communication, and a metal component (12). The antenna pattern (112) has a curved shape in a plan view and is positioned to overlap the liquid crystal display screen (13). The antenna element (11) is positioned so that either one side or the other side on a virtual line which is an extension direction of an antenna component (111) extending from the antenna pattern (112) does not overlap with the metal component (12).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece module and an electronic timepiece. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic watches, particularly wristwatches worn on the wrist, can perform many functions within the constraints of size and weight. Among these, electronic watches capable of receiving and transmitting radio waves have an antenna used to transmit and receive those radio waves. If this antenna is subject to interference from other metal parts, it will be difficult to transmit and receive radio waves at an appropriate sensitivity. Therefore, the antenna's position relative to other metal parts is determined to minimize the reduction in transmission and reception sensitivity.

[0003] However, in electronic watches, it can be difficult to position the antenna in an ideal location in order to perform more functions while minimizing increases in size. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for positioning the antenna to receive satellite signals so that it overlaps only part of the display electrodes and connecting wiring, even when the antenna overlaps the liquid crystal display screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-83229 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it may be difficult to adjust the positional relationship of the antenna to a display screen having a large number of display pixels.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece module and an electronic timepiece that can prevent a decrease in antenna reception sensitivity even when the display screen and antenna overlap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides A digital display screen and an antenna element having an antenna pattern for communication and an antenna component connected to the antenna pattern and extending from the antenna pattern; Metal parts and Equipped with the antenna pattern has a curved shape in a plan view and is positioned so as to overlap the digital display screen; The antenna element is positioned so that either one side or the other side of an imaginary line extending from the antenna pattern in the extension direction of the antenna part does not overlap with the metal part. Clock module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when the display screen and the antenna overlap, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the reception sensitivity of the antenna. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating the positional relationship of the antenna elements in the watch module. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a watch module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a bottom view illustrating the positional relationship of the antenna element 11 in the watch module 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the watch module 100 taken along the cross-sectional line AA.

[0011] In FIG. 1, the positional relationship of the antenna element 11 and the liquid crystal display screen 13 (digital display screen) with respect to the metal part 12 is indicated by dashed lines. An electronic timepiece using the watch module 100 may, for example, use both a hand display and a liquid crystal display. For this reason, the liquid crystal display screen 13 is located on one side of the center position O, which is the axis of rotation of the hands (not shown), in this case on the lower left side in FIG. 1. Since FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the timepiece (viewed from the back side), the liquid crystal display screen 13 is mainly located between the 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display screen 13 is fixed by a resin part 16. The liquid crystal display screen 13 displays digital data using, for example, a dot matrix.

[0012] The antenna element 11 includes an antenna component 111 and an antenna pattern 112. As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna component 111 is connected to and extends from the antenna pattern 112 for communication. The antenna pattern 112 (antenna element) is a monopole antenna (including an inverted L-shaped antenna) having a gentle arc shape (curved shape) with a large radius of curvature relative to its length in a plan view (a see-through shape when part or all of the pattern is obscured by other components) viewed from above the liquid crystal display screen 13 (the +z side in FIG. 2). As a result, the actual length of the antenna pattern 112 is slightly (several to several tens of percent) longer than the length corresponding to the wavelength (e.g., 1 / 8 of the wavelength) of the frequency (used frequency) for transmission and reception (either one may be used). This increase in length increases the area for transmitting and receiving radio waves while preventing a large difference in the transmission and reception frequencies of the radio waves, thereby improving sensitivity. Here, the antenna element 11 is used for short-range wireless communication, particularly for Bluetooth® communication in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0013] The antenna element 11 can be trimmed to adjust the reception frequency, including the increased length of the antenna pattern 112, by adjusting the capacitance of a capacitor (not shown) located within the watch module 100.

[0014] The antenna component 111 is not particularly limited, but for example, has a rectangular shape in a plan view seen from above the liquid crystal display screen 13, and is positioned near an end of the antenna pattern 112 so as to protrude from a plane including the antenna pattern 112. The antenna component 111 is positioned with its longitudinal direction oriented along a direction perpendicular to the contact surface with the antenna pattern 112. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the antenna component 111 is connected and fixed to the substrate 15, and transmission and reception data are input and output to and from the signal line of the substrate 15.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, antenna element 11 is positioned so as to overlap liquid crystal display screen 13 in a plan view. Even in this case, it is best to position antenna element 11 as close to the outer edge of watch module 100 as possible. As a result, antenna element 11 is positioned slightly inside the outer edge of watch module 100. At the same time, a distance (clearance) is maintained between the periphery of antenna element 11 and metal component 12 to reduce interference with the transmission and reception of radio waves.

[0016] The metal part 12 includes a retaining member 121 that secures the entire watch module 100 inside the watch case, and a member 122 for securing the battery in an appropriate position. Objects secured by the retaining member 121 include the board 15 and the housing.

[0017] The housing includes a resin part 16. The housing contains components related to the digital display, including the LCD screen 13, as well as components related to the display of the hands, such as the hands, gear train (wheel train mechanism), and stepping motor. The metal part 12 also includes a leaf spring that generates elastic stress for the push button switch located on the side of the watch. The metal part 12 also functions as a grounding surface for the housing, and may be electrically connected to the grounding surface on the board 15. The metal part 12 may also include other components, such as screws, springs, and the battery itself, which are not shown. The battery is a button battery, or it may be a secondary battery.

[0018] The cross-sectional line AA in the cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 2 extends perpendicular to the direction of the antenna component 111. On this cross-sectional line AA, the watch module 100 is stacked in the following order from the bottom of Fig. 2, i.e., from the top side (+z direction): LCD screen 13, resin component 16, antenna element 11, substrate 15, insulating sheet 14, and metal component 12. Pressing member 121 of metal part 12 in Fig. 2 is the portion located to the left of antenna pattern 112 in Fig. 1, and member 122 of metal part 12 in Fig. 2 is the portion located to the upper right of antenna pattern 112 in Fig. 1. Note that hatched areas in Fig. 2 indicate cross sections of the corresponding members, and the non-hatched areas of insulating sheet 14, pressing member 121, and member 122 on the left side of Fig. 2 are portions located behind the cross section. Also, the convex portion located to the right of pressing member 121 in Fig. 2 is the leaf spring located in the upper left of the four leaf springs in Fig. 1.

[0019] The substrate 15 may be equipped with various electronic components for operating the electronic timepiece, such as IC chips, large-capacity capacitors, crystal oscillators, physical sensors, and communication control (which may include modulation / demodulation processing) circuits. The substrate 15 also has wiring and a ground plane that connects the electronic components. The substrate 15 is not particularly limited, but may also be a laminated substrate having multiple substrate layers.

[0020] The insulating sheet 14 prevents other metal components 12 from coming into contact with the wiring or ground surface on the substrate 15 and causing a short circuit. The insulating sheet 14 includes an area that overlaps with the metal component 12 in a plan view, and is provided with an area slightly larger than the outer periphery of the metal component 12.

[0021] The direction along the orientation of the antenna component 111 indicated by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1 (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2) represents the direction of radio wave emission from the antenna pattern 112 and / or the direction of radio wave incidence on the antenna pattern 112. In the watch module 100, the metal component 12 is not located in the extension direction of one outward-facing side of the antenna component 111 (the outer periphery side of the watch module 100). The metal components 12 are located on the left and right sides of the extension line of the outer periphery of the antenna component 111. Furthermore, here, the direction perpendicular to each point on the side surface of the curved antenna pattern 112 (the outer surface side of the watch module 100, the side toward the center of curvature of the antenna pattern 112) is essentially open, with no metal component 12 present. In other words, the antenna element 11 is located so that either one side or the other side of an imaginary line (the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1) that is the extension direction of the antenna component 111 extending from the antenna pattern 112 does not overlap the metal component 12. Of the two sides of the imaginary line, the one that does not overlap with the metal part 12 is the outer periphery side.

[0022] The antenna pattern 112 and the pressing member 121 are positioned so that they are closest (shortest distance) at one end of the antenna pattern 112. The shortest distance at this time is set to be equal to or greater than a reference value. Here, the reference value is 0.6 to 0.7 mm. By ensuring (separating) a certain distance (equal to or greater than the reference distance) from the end of the antenna pattern 112, interference with radio wave transmission and reception by the metal part 12 can be suppressed.

[0023] Note that metal components of wiring, ground planes, and electronic components on the substrate 15 are not included in the metal component 12 of this embodiment. However, it is preferable to exclude these from the above range as much as possible. However, this does not apply to items that are difficult to exclude from the above range, including signal lines connecting to the antenna component 111.

[0024] Although the insulating sheet 14 is open to match the open area of ​​the metal component 12, this is not necessary because the insulating sheet 14 does not interfere with radio waves. The insulating sheet 14 may extend along the board 15 even in the open area.

[0025] In the electronic timepiece of this embodiment, the above-mentioned timepiece module 100 is housed in an exterior member (housing and bezel), and is sealed by being covered on the top with a crystal glass and on the bottom with a case back. Push button switches and the like protrude through the sides of these exterior members, and external input operations move the leaf springs in the above-mentioned metal component 12 inside. This allows the timepiece module 100 to detect the input operation and perform an operation in accordance with that input operation.

[0026] As described above, the timepiece module 100 of this embodiment includes the liquid crystal display screen 13, the antenna element 11 having the antenna pattern 112 and antenna component 111 related to communications, and the metal component 12. The antenna pattern 112 has a curved shape in a plan view and is positioned so as to overlap the liquid crystal display screen 13. The antenna element 11 is positioned so that either one side or the other side of an imaginary line that is the extension direction of the antenna component 111 does not overlap the metal component 12. This structure makes it possible to suppress interference between metal component 12 and antenna pattern 112 and prevent a decrease in reception sensitivity, even in cases where antenna element 11 must be placed in a position where it is covered above by an LCD display screen or the like. This allows watch module 100 to have greater freedom in placement, including antenna element 11. As a result, watch module 100 can be configured to provide multiple functions more efficiently.

[0027] Furthermore, the antenna component 111 is rectangular in plan view, and its extension direction is the longitudinal direction of the antenna component 111. Of the two sides of the imaginary line, the one that does not overlap with the metal component 12 is the outer periphery of the watch module 100. In other words, by avoiding overlap with the metal component 12 in the outer circumferential direction where radio waves are more likely to enter and exit, the watch module 100 can further improve its radio wave transmission and reception sensitivity.

[0028] Furthermore, the antenna pattern 112 may be longer than the length corresponding to the wavelength of the frequency being used. By adopting a curved shape as described above, the antenna pattern 112 can be made slightly longer even with the same width. By trimming this additional length with a capacitor, the tuning frequency can be maintained at the desired frequency being used. This allows the watch module 100 to improve its reception sensitivity.

[0029] The frequency used may also be a frequency associated with short-range wireless communication, particularly Bluetooth. In other words, the antenna element 11 may be one used for short-range wireless communication. This invention is particularly applicable when an antenna that is approximately linear in plan view can be placed within the watch module 100, such as in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0030] In addition, it is preferable that the metal part 12 is spaced apart from the antenna pattern 112 by a reference distance or more. By ensuring the overall distance between the antenna pattern 112 and the metal part 12, not just on the extension line of the antenna part 111, interference relating to radio wave transmission and reception can be effectively suppressed.

[0031] Furthermore, the curved shape of the antenna pattern 112 may be an arc shape. By not making the curves too large and complex, it is possible to increase the antenna length and improve the reception sensitivity while suppressing a decrease in reception efficiency.

[0032] The electronic timepiece of this embodiment also includes the above-described timepiece module 100. This electronic timepiece can be efficiently equipped with a wider variety of configurations and can be used while suppressing increases in size and decreases in radio wave transmission and reception sensitivity.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the short-range wireless communication may include WiFi in the same frequency band, or may be in accordance with other communication standards.

[0034] Furthermore, the antenna pattern 112 does not have to have an arc shape in plan view, but may have another curved shape, such as a quadratic curve or a part of a hyperbola.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a liquid crystal display screen has been described as an example of a digital display screen, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescent) screen or the like. Furthermore, the digital display screen is not limited to a dot matrix display.

[0036] Furthermore, the extent to which the open space of the metal component 12 is provided on the other side of the extension direction of the antenna component 111 (extension direction of the imaginary line), that is, inside the watch module 100, may be determined as appropriate.

[0037] In the above embodiment, one end of the antenna pattern 112 is located at the position with the shortest distance from the metal part 12, but this is not limited to this. The point with the shortest distance may be located above or below the antenna pattern 112.

[0038] Furthermore, the position where the antenna element 11 overlaps the liquid crystal display screen 13 is not limited to the position shown in the above embodiment, but may be determined appropriately depending on the relationship with other electronic components, metal components 12, etc. In addition, the specific configurations, structures, positional relationships, etc. shown in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 11 Antenna element 111 Antenna parts 112 Antenna Pattern 12 Metal parts 121 Holding member 122 Components 13 LCD display screen 14 Insulation sheet 15 PCB 16 Resin parts 100 Clock Module

Claims

1. A digital display screen and an antenna element having an antenna pattern for communication and an antenna component connected to the antenna pattern and extending from the antenna pattern; Metal parts and Equipped with the antenna pattern has a curved shape in a plan view and is positioned so as to overlap the digital display screen; The antenna element is positioned so that either one side or the other side of an imaginary line extending from the antenna pattern in the extension direction of the antenna part does not overlap with the metal part. Clock module.

2. The antenna component is rectangular in plan view, the extension direction of the antenna component is the longitudinal direction of the antenna component, The one side and the other side on the virtual line that does not overlap with the metal component is an outer circumferential side. The timepiece module according to claim 1.

3. 2. The timepiece module according to claim 1, wherein the antenna element is used for short-distance wireless communication.

4. 2. A timepiece module according to claim 1, wherein the antenna pattern has a length longer than the length corresponding to the wavelength of the frequency used.

5. 5. The timepiece module according to claim 4, wherein the frequency used is a frequency related to short-distance wireless communication.

6. 2. The timepiece module according to claim 1, wherein the metal part is spaced apart from the antenna pattern by a reference distance or more.

7. 2. The timepiece module according to claim 1, wherein the curved shape is an arc shape.

8. An electronic timepiece comprising the timepiece module according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images