Abstract: A magnetic core portion 16, a residual base material portion 42, and a connecting portion 43 are formed by pressing from a base material 40. Notches 18A are formed at a peripheral edge of the magnetic core portion 16, which is bent in the direction of the plate thickness to form a temporary fixing portion 18. When base materials 40 are overlapped to cut the magnetic core portions 16 from the connecting portion 43, the magnetic core portions 16 are pressed in directions toward one another so that the temporary fixing portion 18 is filled between notches 18A in the other magnetic core portion 16, to fix temporarily the other magnetic core portions 16. Since the magnetic core portions 16 are temporarily and simultaneously fixed by pressing in a cutting step normally carried out, the magnetic core portions can be temporarily fixed with ease.

Abstract: A magnetic core portion 16, a residual base material portion 42, and a connecting portion 43 are formed by pressing from a base material 40. Notches 18A are formed at a peripheral edge of the magnetic core portion 16, which is bent in the direction of the plate thickness to form a temporary fixing portion 18. When base materials 40 are overlapped to cut the magnetic core portions 16 from the connecting portion 43, the magnetic core portions 16 are pressed in directions toward one another so that the temporary fixing portion 18 is filled between notches 18A in the other magnetic core portion 16, to fix temporarily the other magnetic core portions 16. Since the magnetic core portions 16 are temporarily and simultaneously fixed by pressing in a cutting step normally carried out, the magnetic core portions can be temporarily fixed with ease.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a timepiece spring whereby it is possible to ensure high precision and stable operation of precision mechanisms such as timepieces, and to provide a timepiece spring, a mainspring, a hairspring, and a timepiece wherein long-term operation can be ensured when the spring is used as a power source. [Means] A mainspring used as a source to power a drive source is formed from a special titanium alloy and has an S-shape when freely spread out, wherein the inflection point at which the curving direction of the freely spread-out shape changes is formed farther inward than the midpoint of an inner end at the end of the winding side and an outer end at the end opposite the inner end. The titanium alloy constituting the present invention has high tensile stress and a low average Young's modulus, making it possible to increase the mechanical energy accumulated in the mainspring 31.

Abstract: A magnetic core portion 16, a residual base material portion 42, and a connecting portion 43 are formed by pressing from a base material 40. Notches 18A are formed at a peripheral edge of the magnetic core portion 16, which is bent in the direction of the plate thickness to form a temporary fixing portion 18. When base materials 40 are overlapped to cut the magnetic core portions 16 from the connecting portion 43, the magnetic core portions 16 are pressed in directions toward one another so that the temporary fixing portion 18 is filled between notches 18A in the other magnetic core portion 16, to fix temporarily the other magnetic core portions 16. Since the magnetic core portions 16 are temporarily and simultaneously fixed by pressing in a cutting step normally carried out, the magnetic core portions can be temporarily fixed with ease.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point, where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: A barrel gear 1 as a driving mechanism of an electronic control mechanical timepiece has a mainspring 1A having a surface of elastic material coated with a film made of DLC thin film. The mainspring 1A has a superior anti-corrosion property and reduced slide resistance while sufficiently securing both of toughness and rigidity on account of the film, so that proportional limit thereof can be increased to increase energy accumulated in the mainspring 1A.

Abstract: A timepiece, whose hands move by mechanical energy of a mainspring transmitted through a wheel train, includes a winding-up portion for accumulating energy in the mainspring, an addition and subtraction wheel train driven by addition and subtraction of accumulated energy corresponding to an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, respectively, an addition and subtraction wheel, disposed in the addition and subtraction wheel train, that rotates in correspondence with an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, and a lock mechanism actuated in response to the rotation of the addition and subtraction wheel to limit winding up and unwinding of the mainspring to a selected range of windings of the mainspring. This controls the torque output by the mainspring to a fixed range. The addition and subtraction wheel train allows efficient use of space, and can be incorporated in a watch.

Abstract: A timepiece, whose hands move by mechanical energy of a mainspring transmitted through a wheel train, includes a winding-up portion for accumulating energy in the mainspring, an addition and subtraction wheel train driven by addition and subtraction of accumulated energy corresponding to an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, respectively, an addition and subtraction wheel, disposed in the addition and subtraction wheel train, that rotates in correspondence with an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, and a lock mechanism actuated in response to the rotation of the addition and subtraction wheel to limit winding up and unwinding of the mainspring to a selected range of windings of the mainspring. This controls the torque output by the mainspring to a fixed range. The addition and subtraction wheel train allows efficient use of space, and can be incorporated in a watch.

Abstract: A fourth wheel 8 disposed in a torque transmission path and to which a second hand is mounted includes a pinion 8a and a gear 8b. Therefore, when the gear 8b engages a fifth-wheel first intermediate wheel 9, the diametrical dimension from a center of rotation of the fourth wheel 8 to a portion where it engages the fifth-wheel first intermediate wheel 9 can be made large, so that, even when the fourth wheel 8 is decentered, the amount by which the second hand gets shifted can be made small by making the effects of the decentering at the center-of-rotation side small. In addition, since the fourth wheel 8 is disposed so as not to overlap a mainspring 1a, the width of the mainspring 1a can be made correspondingly small. Thus, the length of time a timepiece continues operating can be increased by increasing the torque of the mainspring 1a without increasing the thickness of the entire timepiece.

Abstract: A control device for stepping motor including a driving pulse supplying unit for supplying a plurality of driving pulses to a driving coil for driving a rotor. A rotation detecting pulse supplying unit supplies rotation detection pulses for detecting whether the rotor rotated. A magnetic field pulse supplying unit supplies a plurality of magnetic field detection pulses for detecting the presence of magnetic field external to said stepping motor. A detection unit determines whether the driving rotor rotated and whether a magnetic field is present. An auxiliary pulse supplying unit supplies an auxiliary pulse when either rotor was not detected or when said an external magnetic field was detected. Before the driving pulse, is output, two said magnetic field detecting means magnetic field detecting pulses having different polarities are output.

Abstract: A mainspring used as a power source for a driving mechanism is made of an amorphous metal sheet, and has an S-shaped free-exploded shape. The curvature changing point, where the curving direction of the free-exploded shape changes is formed on the inner end side of a middle point between the inner end on the winding side and the outer end serving as the other end of the inner end. Because of the high tensile stress and a low Young's modulus, the amorphous metal permits increase in mechanical energy stored in the mainspring.

Abstract: A timepiece, whose hands move by mechanical energy of a mainspring transmitted through a wheel train, includes a winding-up portion for accumulating energy in the mainspring, an addition and subtraction wheel train driven by addition and subtraction of accumulated energy corresponding to an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, respectively, an addition and subtraction wheel, disposed in the addition and subtraction wheel train, that rotates in correspondence with an amount by which the mainspring is wound up and unwound, and a lock mechanism actuated in response to the rotation of the addition and subtraction wheel to limit winding up and unwinding of the mainspring to a selected range of windings of the mainspring. This controls the torque output by the mainspring to a fixed range. The addition and subtraction wheel train allows efficient use of space, and can be incorporated in a watch.

Abstract: A control device for stepping motor including a driving pulse supplying unit for supplying a plurality of driving pulses to a driving coil for driving a rotor. A rotation detecting pulse supplying unit supplies rotation detection pulses for detecting whether the rotor rotated. A magnetic field pulse supplying unit supplies a plurality of magnetic field detection pulses for detecting the presence of magnetic field external to said stepping motor. A detection unit determines whether the driving rotor rotated and whether a magnetic field is present. An auxiliary pulse supplying unit supplies an auxiliary pulse when either rotor was not detected or when said an external magnetic field was detected. Before the driving pulse, is output, two said magnetic field detecting means magnetic field detecting pulses having different polarities are output.

Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.

Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.

Abstract: A device for controlling a stepping motor including a first drive pulse supply unit for supplying a first drive pulse to a drive coil for rotating a rotor. A rotation detecting pulse supply part supplies a rotation detecting pulse for detecting whether the rotor has rotated. An auxiliary pulse supply part supplies an auxiliary pulse having an effective power that is greater than the first drive pulse. A level adjustment pulse supply part reduces the effective power of the first drive decrements pulse after the rotor has rotated for a predetermined number of times consecutively. A second drive pulse supply part supplies a second drive pulse for a second predetermined number of time after the auxiliary pulse is supplied.

Abstract: A generator of an electronically controlled mechanical timepiece comprises a mechanical energy source, a generator, a train wheel and an electronic circuit. The train wheel connects the mechanical energy source and the generator. The generator includes a rotor, a first plate-shaped stator, a second plate-shaped stator, a pair of semi-circular stator holes and at least a first coil.

Abstract: In an electronic watch including a so-called automatic winding dynamo, structures of parts themselves and layout of the parts are improved to achieve a reduction in thickness of the electronic watch. Bearing portions for a rotational shaft (211) of a dynamo rotor (21) are made up of hole jewels (212, 214) and ring-shaped caps (213, 215). The cap (215) covers, from the outer side, one end surface (216) of the hole jewel (214) which locates on the side facing a dynamo rotor (21), and defines a lubricant holding annular slot (G3) between the cap and an outer circumferential surface of the rotational shaft (211). Accordingly, even with the dynamo rotor (21) rotating at a high speed, a lubricant is prevented from scattering to the surroundings from the annular slot (G3). Spacings between adjacent parts can be narrowed and the thickness of the electronic watch can be reduced.

Abstract: An analog indication type electronic timepiece includes a power generation device for transforming kinetic energy produced by motions of a user into electric energy and for causing the electric energy to output from a magnetic coil as an electric charging energy; a secondary power source charged by said electric charging energy; a timepiece circuit driven by a charged energy from said secondary power source to output motor drive pulses; and a drive motor including a drive coil and a drive rotor rotatably driven when the drive coil is energized by said motor drive pulses.