Motor Control Circuit for Electronic Watch Voltage Fluctuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor control techniques for electronic watches are unstable due to fluctuations in battery voltage, which affect the estimation of rotor position and lead to unstable motor control, especially when voltage fluctuates, causing inaccuracies in ON and OFF times.

Innovation Solution

An electronic watch with a motor control circuit that includes a current detector, a target current value setter, and a driver controller, which adjusts the drive current based on detected current values and voltage, switching polarity when predetermined conditions regarding ON and OFF times are met, ensuring stable rotor rotation by dynamically setting maximum and minimum current thresholds in proportion to the drive voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed current threshold is used for motor control, then the control is simple, but the motor control becomes unstable when voltage fluctuates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol circuit complexityVSAvoidmotor control stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the current threshold variable rather than fixed. The threshold value dynamically adapts to voltage fluctuations, allowing the system to maintain stable motor control under varying voltage conditions. This is achieved through continuous monitoring of voltage and adjusting the threshold proportionally, transforming a static parameter into a dynamic one that responds to environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of current threshold from a constant value to a voltage-dependent variable. When voltage fluctuates, the threshold is adjusted proportionally to maintain the correct control ratio. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to voltage variations without increasing overall system complexity, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If voltage fluctuates, then the battery can operate over a wider range, but the ON time and OFF time change causing inaccurate rotor position estimation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage range adaptabilityVSAvoidrotor position estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the voltage and using this information to adjust the current threshold. The system measures the actual voltage condition and feeds this information back to the control logic, which then modifies the threshold proportionally. This feedback mechanism ensures that rotor position estimation remains accurate even when voltage fluctuates, as the threshold adjustment compensates for voltage-induced timing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively adjusting the current threshold before voltage fluctuations cause measurement errors. By anticipating the effect of voltage changes on ON/OFF timing and pre-adjusting the threshold accordingly, the system prevents rotor position estimation errors from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to correct them afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a constant voltage power supply is used to stabilize motor operation, then the motor control becomes stable, but the circuit complexity and power supply requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotor operation stabilityVSAvoidpower supply circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the voltage stabilization function from the power supply circuit and relocates it to the control logic. Instead of requiring a complex constant voltage power supply, the system takes out the voltage regulation task and implements it through software-based threshold adjustment. This extraction simplifies the hardware power supply requirements while maintaining stable motor operation through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes a mechanical/electrical solution (constant voltage power supply circuit) with a logical/software solution (voltage-dependent threshold adjustment). By replacing the need for complex voltage regulation hardware with a simple proportional threshold calculation based on measured voltage, the system achieves the same stability effect with significantly reduced circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution stabilizes rotor rotation and simplifies the circuit configuration by adjusting current thresholds according to voltage fluctuations, allowing the motor to maintain stable operation over a wider voltage range without the need for a constant voltage power supply, thereby enhancing the electronic watch's reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a current detector configured to detect a current value of a current flowing to the coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current detection: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

switch polarity of the drive current when detecting that an ON time, which is a duration of the ON state of the driver, or an OFF time, which is a duration of the OFF state of the driver, meets a predetermined condition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical polarity switching: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11899405B2Electronic watch, motor control circuit, and method for controlling electronic watch
Publication Date: 2024.02.13 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US11899405B2 patent drawing
  • US11899405B2 patent drawing
  • US11899405B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electronic watch includes a driver controlled to be in an ON state in which a drive current is supplied to a coil of a motor and an OFF state in which the drive current is not supplied to the coil, a target current value setter configured to set a target current value in accordance with a drive voltage for driving the motor, and a driver controller configured to compare a detected current value of a current flowing to the coil with the target current value, control the driver to be in the ON state or the OFF state in accordance with a result of the comparison, and switch polarity of the drive current when detecting that an ON time, which is a duration of the ON state of the driver, meets a predetermined condition or an OFF time, which is a duration of the OFF state of the driver, meets a predetermined condition.