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
Engineering 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Data Source
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.


