GPS Timepiece Dual Voltage Conversion for Compact Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic timepieces with receiver circuits for radio signals face challenges in size reduction while maintaining reception sensitivity, often requiring separate batteries for the timekeeping and receiver units, which increases the device's size.

Innovation Solution

The use of a dual voltage conversion system, where a first voltage conversion unit drives the timekeeping unit and a second unit drives the receiver unit, allowing both to be powered by a single battery, with the first unit's output connected to the frame for stable operation and improved sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate batteries are used for the timekeeping unit and receiver unit, then stable voltage supply and reception sensitivity are improved, but the size of the electronic timepiece increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereception sensitivityVSAvoidsize of electronic timepiece

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two independent voltage conversion units, each converting battery voltage to the appropriate level for its destination (timekeeping unit or receiver unit). This segmentation allows independent voltage control without requiring separate batteries, resolving the contradiction between reliability and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single battery serves multiple functions by powering both the timekeeping unit and receiver unit through separate voltage conversion units. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate batteries while maintaining stable voltage supply to both systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If a single battery is used for both timekeeping unit and receiver unit, then the size of the electronic timepiece is reduced, but voltage stability and reception sensitivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of electronic timepieceVSAvoidvoltage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage conversion system is divided into two independent units that operate separately from a single battery. Each unit maintains stable output voltage for its specific load, preventing voltage fluctuations from affecting both systems simultaneously and thus maintaining voltage stability while using a single battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage conversion units act as intermediaries between the single battery and the two different loads. These intermediaries isolate the loads from each other's electrical characteristics, ensuring stable voltage delivery to both the timekeeping unit and receiver unit despite their different power requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the frame is made from non-conductive material, then design flexibility is improved, but electrical connection to the frame becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is constructed with mixed material properties: non-conductive materials for most of the frame body provide design flexibility, while conductive portions are strategically placed at specific locations (such as the output terminal connection point) to enable electrical connections. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between design flexibility and ease of electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables a compact electronic timepiece with stable voltage supply to both units, enhancing reception sensitivity and eliminating the need for separate batteries, allowing for stable operation and reduced size.

Implementation Method 1

a first voltage conversion unit that converts output voltage from the battery to a first drive voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a second voltage conversion unit that converts output voltage from the battery to a second drive voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion:

Implementation Method 3

the output terminal of the first voltage conversion unit is connected to the timekeeping unit and the frame... the potential of the frame can also be held at the same voltage as the first drive voltage used for the timekeeping unit because the output terminal of the first voltage conversion unit is conductive to the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8885446B2Electronic timepiece

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An electronic timepiece has a case of which at least part is conductive; a clock chip that keeps and displays time on a time display means; a receiver chip that receives a radio signal through a GPS antenna; a storage battery; a timekeeping voltage conversion unit that converts output voltage from the storage battery to drive voltage for the clock chip; and a receiver voltage conversion unit that converts output voltage from the storage battery to drive voltage for the receiver chip. The output terminal of the timekeeping voltage conversion unit is connected to the clock chip and the case, and the output terminal of the receiver voltage conversion unit is connected to the receiver chip.