Loading patent…
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsKunio Koike, Eisaku Shimizu, Hidenori Nakamura
Estimating the term…
With respect to a generator (20), a storage device (22) for storing electrical energy output from the generator and a bypass circuit (31) are connected in parallel with each other. A bypass circuit switch (33) of this bypass circuit (31) is controlled on and off according to the voltage of the storage device (22). This makes it possible to reduce the input current into the storage device so as to implement a reduction in the voltage of the storage device, thereby preventing overcharging. Moreover, since a generated waveform corresponding to the rotation period of the generator can be obtained, the rotation period of the generator can be controlled highly precisely and reliably based on this generated waveform, thereby implementing the indication of the correct time.
An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece including a mechanical energy source, a generator, driven by said mechanical energy source, for outputting electrical energy by generating induction power, a storage device for storing the electrical energy output from said generator, and a rotation control device, driven by electrical energy supplied from said storage device, for controlling a rotation period of said generator, said electronically controlled mechanical timepiece further comprising:
An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece set forth in claim/, wherein a first end of said storage device is connected to a first end of said rectifier circuit connected to said generator, and a second end of said storage device is connected to a second end of said rectifier circuit, and said rectifier circuit and said circuit opening/closing device are connected between said generator and said bypass circuit, and between said generator and said storage device.
An overcharge-prevention method for an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece which includes a mechanical energy source, a generator, driven by said mechanical energy source, for outputting electrical energy by generating induction power, a storage device for storing the electrical energy output from said generator, and a rotation control device, driven by electrical energy supplied from said storage device, for controlling a rotation period of said generator, said overcharge-prevention method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.