Abstract: An electromechanical timepiece module (1) has a main plate (10) with an actuator module (40) driving at least one mobile part (30) by a gear train (42). The mobile part (30) displays a time or non-time function. A wireless communication module (2) is configured for transmitting and/or receiving a wireless signal. And a control unit (6) is configured for controlling the actuator module (40) depending on a received wireless signal. The mobile part (30) and the gearing (42) are made of an electrically conductive material and are in electrical contact with each other but electrically isolated from the remainder of the timepiece module (1). The mobile part (30) is electrically connected to the communication module (2) so as to act as an antenna for the transmission and/or reception of the wireless signal and to transmit the wireless signal between the mobile part (30) and the wireless communication module (2).

Abstract: An educational timepiece provided with the hour hand and the minute hand, which comprises a base plate having an upper surface on which the hour hand and the minute hand rotate, and an angle hand rotating on the upper surface of the base plate for measuring the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand, wherein the angle hand serves to measure the angle between the hour hand and one of the hour indication parts adjacent to the hour hand, the interval between every two adjacent hour indication parts being divided by a given angle.

Abstract: An analog electronic timepiece including: a second hand; a driver configured to drive the second hand; a current time display processor configured to control the driver to move the second hand at a first time interval such that the second hand indicates a second of a current time; and a measured time display processor configured to control the driver to move the second hand at a second time interval different from the first time interval such that the second hand indicates a second of a measured time.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece movement including a timepiece motor formed by an assembly comprising a frame made of non-magnetic material and a rotor housed in said frame; and method of manufacturing a motor of this type wherein the frame is first made with a lateral aperture, said frame including a first part and a second part each carrying a bearing, the first part or the first and second parts of the frame being elastically deformable. Next, the rotor is mounted in the frame through the lateral aperture therein by increasing the distance between the two bearings of the frame via the elastic deformation of the first part or of the first and second parts of said frame, said elastic deformation being provided in particular for the insertion of the two rotor pivots into the two respective bearings of the pre-formed frame.

Abstract: A watch including: a case middle forming a transparent central region, a first and second display placed on each face of the watch; at least two transparent indicator plates placed in a pivoting fashion in the central region and including at least one indicator; a drive unit driving each indicator plate in rotation at its periphery; a holding element capable of holding each indicator plate at its periphery in a position roughly perpendicular to its rotation axis; the drive unit and holding element being housed completely in the case middle of the watch such that the drive unit and the holding element the are outside the central region; and said at least one indicator of each of the indicator plates is visible on one face so as to form the first display, and visible on the other face so as to form the second display.

Abstract: The analog electronic watch includes: a crystal oscillator; an oscillator circuit; a frequency divider circuit; an output control circuit; a constant voltage circuit; and a cell. The constant voltage circuit and the output control circuit are powered from the cell. The oscillator circuit and the frequency divider circuit are powered from the constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit is capable of outputting a first constant voltage and a second constant voltage in a switchable manner. The second constant voltage is a voltage which is equal to or lower than a cell voltage. The first constant voltage is a voltage which is smaller than the second constant voltage. The constant voltage is switched to the second constant voltage in a period of outputting the motor drive pulse.

Abstract: The analog electronic watch includes: a crystal oscillator; an oscillator circuit; a frequency divider circuit; an output control circuit; a constant voltage circuit; and a cell. The constant voltage circuit and the output control circuit are powered from the cell. The oscillator circuit and the frequency divider circuit are powered from the constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit is capable of outputting a first constant voltage and a second constant voltage in a switchable manner. The second constant voltage is a voltage which is equal to or lower than a cell voltage. The first constant voltage is a voltage which is smaller than the second constant voltage. The constant voltage is switched to the second constant voltage in a period of outputting the motor drive pulse.

Abstract: The electrostatic motor includes an electrostatic actuator (10) and a pulse generator (7, 8) for actuating said actuator with sufficient energy to drive the motor, the pulse generator is adapted to determine a pulse voltage level (UD) and a shortened pulse duration that is a function of the determined voltage level (UD) and the electric energy necessary for driving the motor and a function of parasitic capacitances (CP) and the maximum capacitance (Cact—m) of the actuator in order to reduce electrostatic losses in the actuator.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate generally to real-time clock circuit, and more particularly to systems, devices and methods of integrating two oscillators in one real-time clock circuit to generate accurate time of day over an industrial temperature range. A primary oscillator is employed to generate a first high precision clock while having a higher frequency and consuming more power; a secondary oscillator is employed to generate a second clock that has a low frequency and consumes less power, but may not meet the time accuracy requirement. When the real-time clock is provided with sufficient power (MSN mode), time of day is constantly tracked by the primary oscillator, but when the real-time clock is powered by a battery (SLEEP mode), time of day is tracked by the secondary oscillator while the primary oscillator is switched on at an update frequency to compensate errors in the time of day.

Abstract: A temperature compensated resonator including a body used in deformation, the core of the body including a first material. The body includes at least a first and second coating allowing the resonator to have substantially zero first and second order temperature coefficients. The temperature compensated regulator can be used in the field of time and frequency bases.

Abstract: A device for the locking and unitary incrementation of a drive module (1) for a timepiece gear train is provided. The module (1) includes an actuator (2) fitted with an active click (5) cooperating with a toothed wheel (7), and the device includes a first (8) and a second (9) finger cooperating with the toothed wheel (7). The device is characterized in that the first finger (8) entirely locks the rotation of the toothed wheel (7) when it is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7); and in that the second finger (9) is arranged between a first (10) and a second (11) stop member, wherein the space between the stop members (10, 11) limits the angular travel of the toothed wheel (7) when the second finger (9) is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7).

Abstract: A stepping motor control circuit includes a rotation detecting means which detects an induced signal generated by rotation of a rotor of a stepping motor, and detects a rotation state of the stepping motor according to whether the induced signal exceeds a predetermined reference threshold voltage in a predetermined detection section, and a control means which controls driving of the stepping motor by using any one of a plurality of main driving pulses having energies different from each other or a correction driving pulse with energy higher than energy of each main driving pulse according to a detection result of the rotation detecting means. The detection section is divided into a first section immediately after driving by the main driving pulse, a second section after the first section and a third section after the second section.

Abstract: The present invention can rotationally drive a motor with main drive pulses corresponding to loads with the simple constitution without using a counter circuit. A control circuit, in driving a motor with a second main drive pulse, when a rotation detection signal which is indicative of the rotation of the motor is detected by a rotation detection circuit after a predetermined reference time elapses, continues rotational driving of the motor with the second main drive pulse, when the rotation detection signal is detected before the predetermined reference time elapses, changes the rotational driving of the motor with a first main drive pulse having a shorter pulse width than the second main drive pulse, and when the rotation detection signal is not detected, forcibly rotationally drives the motor with a correction drive pulse having a largest pulse width and, thereafter, rotationally drives the motor with the first main drive pulse.

Abstract: Mechanical clockwork assembly, comprising a drive mechanism, a mechanical control device comprising a mechanical oscillator and a first transmission device for providing a transmission between the drive mechanism and the mechanical oscillator, an electric generator and a second transmission device for providing a transmission between the drive mechanism and the generator, wherein the generator is spaced apart from the mechanical oscillator. In one embodiment the clockwork assembly comprises a sensor for determining a timing of the mechanical oscillator, an actuator for adapting a timing of the mechanical oscillator, an electronic control device connected to the sensor and the actuator, wherein the control device comprises an entry for a reference signal for controlling the timing of the mechanical oscillator on the basis of the reference signal, and wherein at least the control device is connected to the generator for supplying the control device with electric energy from the generator.

Abstract: Device for the locking and unitary incrementation of a drive module (1) for a timepiece gear train. The module (1) includes an actuator (2) fitted with an active click (5) cooperating with a toothed wheel (7), and the device includes a first (8) and a second (9) finger cooperating with said toothed wheel (7). The device is characterized in that the first finger (8) entirely locks the rotation of the toothed wheel (7) when it is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7); and in that the second finger (9) is arranged between a first (10) and a second (11) stop member, the space between the stop members (10, 11) limiting the angular travel of the toothed wheel (7) when said second finger (9) is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7).

Abstract: The electrostatic motor includes an electrostatic actuator (10) and a pulse generator (7, 8) for actuating said actuator with sufficient energy to drive the motor, the pulse generator is adapted to determine a pulse voltage level (UD) and a shortened pulse duration that is a function of the determined voltage level (UD) and the electric energy necessary for driving the motor and a function of parasitic capacitances (CP) and the maximum capacitance (Cact—m) of the actuator in order to reduce electrostatic losses in the actuator.

Abstract: The time base device for a watch includes at least one electric motor coil (30), an electronic module (1) that has at least one time base oscillator circuit mounted in a case of the module, and an electric power source (8). The electric motor coil (30), the electronic module (1) with an oscillator circuit and the voltage source (8), which is preferably a battery, are connected to each other mechanically and electrically without the use of a printed circuit board to form a compact unit. The electronic module includes four connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17) on an external surface for connecting the voltage source on one side and the wires (31, 32) of a winding of the coil (30) on the other side.

Abstract: A drive device formed by etching a wafer. The drive device includes a drive element that can sequentially mesh with a driven element and an actuating element that can displace the drive element according to a hysteresis movement thereby driving the driven element. Placement of the drive element on an outer edge of the wafer enables an interfacing of the drive element with a driven element placed opposite therefrom. A clockwork mechanism including a drive device of the aforementioned type and an input gear that can be rotationally driven by the drive device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention can rotationally drive a motor with main drive pulses corresponding to loads with the simple constitution without using a counter circuit. A control circuit, in driving a motor with a second main drive pulse, when a rotation detection signal which is indicative of the rotation of the motor is detected by a rotation detection circuit after a predetermined reference time elapses, continues rotational driving of the motor with the second main drive pulse, when the rotation direction signal is detected before the predetermined reference time elapses, changes the rotational driving of the motor with a first main drive pulse having a shorter pulse width than the second main drive pulse, and when the rotation detection signal is not detected, forcibly rotationally drives the motor with a correction drive pulse having a largest pulse width and, thereafter, rotationally drives the motor with the first main drive pulse.

Abstract: The invention proposes a MEMS micromotor produced in a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material, in particular based on silicon, which comprises a lower layer forming a substrate, and an upper layer in which at least one actuator and a rotor is etched, the actuator driving the rotor in rotation about a shaft (64), characterized in that the shaft (64) is connected to the plate, in that the shaft (64) extends axially through a hole of the plate, and in that the shaft (64) is clamped in the hole and centered in the hole by means of elastic fixing structures which are produced by etching in the substrate and which are arranged on the circumference of the hole.

Abstract: The invention proposes a drive module intended to engage with a clock wheel having a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material comprising a lower layer, which forms a substrate, and an upper layer, into which an MEMS type of micromotor is etched, wherein the micromotor has at least one actuator rotatably driving a rotor, characterized in that a pinion arranged coaxially to the rotor is rotatably connected to the rotor and disposed above the rotor, said pinion being provided to engage with the clock wheel in an engagement zone located close to an outer peripheral edge of the plate, that the rotor is disposed on the plate in order to minimize the distance between the outer peripheral edge of the rotor and the outer peripheral edge of the plate corresponding to the engagement zone, and that the diameter of the pinion is larger than that of the rotor so as to protrude relative to the plate into the engagement zone.

Abstract: To make it possible by a simple constitution to perform a forcible rotation drive by a correction drive pulse and obtain a demagnetization effect. In a case where a control circuit has judged on the basis of a detection signal from a rotation detection circuit 106 that a motor has not rotated by a drive by a 1st normal drive pulse of a predetermined energy, after it has forcibly rotation-driven the motor by a correction drive pulse whose energy is larger than the 1st normal drive pulse, it rotation-drives the motor by a 2nd normal drive pulse whose polarity differs from the correction drive pulse and whose energy is larger than the 1st normal drive pulse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin bearing section. Moreover, the invention relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin bearing section. The invention is constituted by the timepiece provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by the wheel train apparatus provided with a gear wheel and supporting members which support the gear wheel, the supporting members being formed from a filler containing resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin substrate, rotors, and wheel trains, and relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin substrate, bearing members, gear wheel, and the like. The invention is constituted by a timepiece comprising; a gear wheel, and a substrate which supports a shaft of a rotor and/or a shaft of the gear wheel, the substrate being formed from a filled resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by a wheel train apparatus comprising: a gear wheel; a substrate which supports one shaft section of the gear wheel, and a bridge which rotatably supports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, the substrate and the bridge being formed from a filled resin.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a radio wave receiving antenna (8) for receiving radio waves, electromagnetic motors (61, 65) for driving a time display part, a battery (5), and a body case for receiving the antenna (8), electromagnetic motors (61, 65), and the battery (5). The antenna (8), electromagnetic motors (61, 65), and the battery (5) do not overlap as viewed in the viewing direction of a time display part, that is, they do not overlap two-dimensionally. By such a structure, the electronic timepiece can be thin and flat.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece that maintains the mounting integrity of an electronic circuit substrate and an electronic circuit component mounted on the electronic circuit substrate. In a movement 1 including a main plate 2 composed of an electric insulting material, a stepping motor 10, a wheel train 4, and a wheel train bridge for supporting the wheel train 4, an electronic circuit substrate 20, on which an electronic circuit component 22 for controlling the rotation cycle of the stepping motor 10 is mounted, is attached to an end portion of an coil magnetic core 12 of the stepping motor 10, and the relatively large electronic circuit component 22 is positioned by being superimposed on the coil magnetic core 12 in a plane. Accordingly, the electronic circuit substrate 20 formed of a synthetic resin film and the like can be reliably attached to the coil magnetic core 12, and the mounting integrity the electronic circuit component 22 can be maintained.

Abstract: Protrusions (260) for adjusting the cogging torque of a rotor (21) are formed on a stator (22) in a small-size power generator (20). Since the protrusions (260) are formed on an inner periphery of a rotor accommodation hole (230) within an angular range of ±45° around a magnetic flux direction of a first magnetic circuit (100) having a smaller magnetic reluctance at a rotation center of the rotor (21), the cogging torque can be effectively reduced. Accordingly, even when the size of components such as an oscillating weight and a power spring is reduced for making a thin timepiece, rotation startability of the rotor can be improved, thus improving power generation efficiency of the small-size power generator.

Abstract: A bi-directional stepping motor in which a rotor is rotatable in steps of 180 degrees each, the stepping motor comprising a rotor comprising a permanent magnet and rotatably mounted about an axis and providing a permanent magnetic field; a first electrical coil and a second electrical coil; a stator on which the first electrical coil is mounted; and a control circuit, coupled to the first and second electrical coils, for applying electrical pulses independently to each coil and for controlling the polarity thereof, the coils producing magnetic fields in response to the pulses and wherein the rotor is rotatable in response to the magnetic fields; wherein each step of 180 degrees is effectuated by providing to the first coil, a first pulse of a first polarity and a second pulse of a second polarity; and to said second coil, a pulse of the second polarity simultaneously with the providing of the second pulse to the first coil; wherein during the providing of the first pulse to the first coil, there is no pulse b

Abstract: The invention concerns an escapement device comprising a power source capable of delivering a variable torque based on the angle of rotation of a pinion fixed to said power source, said variable torque having at least a stable position and an unstable position. The device further comprises locking means capable of locking power transmission to an oscillator in a stable point of equilibrium and unlocking means capable of unlocking power transmission to said oscillator between a stable point of equilibrium and an unstable point of equilibrium.

Abstract: Watch movement in which the rotor of a generator (10, 11, 13) is driven by a spring over a plurality of wheels (51, 61, 71) and pinions (50, 60, 70), the operation of the generator being regulated by an electronic regulating circuit (81). Said wheels and pinions are all electrically grounded to avoid spark discharges which can be produced by the charging of voltages through frictional electricity.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a time base (13), a generator (1) formed in particular of a rotor (2) with permanent magnets and at least one coil (3), a barrel (6) with a mainspring coupled to said generator in order to drive it, analogue time indicating means (7) also driven by said barrel. These time indicating means operate substantially synchronously relative to said time base as long as the torque CB provided by said barrel is greater than or equal to a minimum synchronisation torque CSYNC. The timepiece also includes means (12, 16) for braking said generator, magnetised means (18) having with the rotor, when the generator is stopped, a static positioning torque CP allowing said rotor to be kept in a substantially stationary position.

Abstract: Generator of the clockwork type including a stator formed of at least three coils (11a, 11b, 11c) and a rotor formed of two flanges (81, 82) carried by a shaft (5) and supporting an even number of magnets (91, 92). The rotor is formed of at least two distinct parts prior to assembly with the stator. In order to assemble the rotor, its shaft is introduced into a central space (13) defined by the coils coaxially to the axes of said coils, which thus allows the coils to be closer together so that the distance separating any two adjacent coils is less than the diameter D of said shaft (5) at its center.

Abstract: Inner notches (225A, 226A) for adjusting the cogging torque of a rotor (21) are formed on a stator (22) in a small-size power generator (20). Since the inner notches (225A, 226A) are formed on an inner periphery of a rotor accommodation hole (230) within an angular range of ±45° around a magnetic flux direction of a first magnetic circuit (100) having a smaller magnetic reluctance at a rotation center of the rotor (21), the cogging torque can be effectively reduced. Accordingly, even when the size of components such as an oscillating weight and a power spring is reduced for making a thin timepiece, rotation startability of the rotor can be improved, thus improving power generation efficiency of the small-size power generator.

Abstract: An electronic watch which can be small-sized even with an additional mechanism such as a calendar mechanism. In the electronic watch, a rectangular piezoelectric oscillator 32 acting as a piezoelectric actuator is forced at its end face to contact with a beam portion 35, which is mounted on a date ring 31 acting as a second indication member, thereby to drive the date ring 31 directly.

Abstract: It is an object to make it possible to drive a motor at a high speed without causing any shift in the position of a hand. A memory stores a count value representing a target position to which a hand is to move; a rotation detecting circuit detects that a motor has rotated to output a rotation detection pulse signal and detects that the motor has not rotated to output a non-rotation detection pulse signal; a hand position counter counts the rotation detection pulse signal; and a control circuit controls the rotation of the motor with a normal pulse until the count value stored in the memory and the value counted by the hand position counter agree with each other. When a non-rotation counter counts a predetermined number of consecutive non-rotation detection pulse signals, the control circuit drives the motor with a corrective driving pulse having a great pulse width.

Abstract: To provide an analog electronic timepiece capable of driving a motor by a drive pulse having a narrow pulse width without deteriorating mechanical strength of a stator. A control circuit controls a switch in a normally closed state and switches through in a normally opened state, controls the switch to a closed state at an initial period of a drive pulse when the drive pulse is supplied to a motor via a motor driving circuit and controls the switch to a closed state during a successive period successive to the initial period. Thereby, the motor is supplied with the drive pulse having a predetermined wave height value during the initial period and the drive pulse having a wave height value smaller than the predetermined wave height value and capable of controlling to rotate the motor during the successive period, a saturation time period of a saturable portion in a stator of the motor is shortened and the motor is driven by a drive pulse having a narrow pulse width.

Abstract: Generator of the clockwork type including a rotor formed of two flanges 8 supporting magnets 9 and arranged at the end of shaft 5 having a diameter D at its centre. The stator is formed of three coils 11a, 11b, 11c carried by a support made in two parts 21 and 22 allowing the coils to be mounted in a separate manner between the rotor flanges upon the assembly of the rotor with the stator. Accordingly, the distance separating two adjacent coils can be less than the diameter D of the rotor shaft after the assembly of the generator. This allows the magnet-coil coupling to be increased by increasing the dimensions of the coils so that the overlapping surface between the flanges 8 which carry the magnets 9 is optimum.

Abstract: An electronic device has a battery for storing electric power, an electronic circuit driven by electric power from the battery, and a coil block for generating a magnetic field in accordance with a signal from the electric circuit. A protective film is connected to the battery and is disposed over the coil block for protecting the coil block.

Abstract: An output of an oscillating circuit is inputted to a system clock generating circuit, and a CPU performing various arithmetic processes is operated by this system clock. In order to operate a chopping pulse generating circuit and a one-shot pulse generating circuit, the CPU enters into an interrupt operation by means of an interrupt signal from an interrupt signal generating circuit, pulse information of a pulse rank storage circuit which stores a duty width of the chopping pulse generating circuit and pulse information of the one-shot pulse generating circuit, are independently controlled by means of rotation detection information of a rotation detecting circuit in previous driving of a motor, and the motor is driven by means of motor driving pulses formed by the chopping pulse generating circuit and the one-shot pulse generating circuit.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus such as a timing device capable of a quick-moving operation, a detecting coil wound coaxially with a driving coil for driving a rotor is arranged, a feedback-induced voltage appearing in the detecting coil is detected by a detector circuit, and a first peak appearing first subsequent to the supply of a drive pulse and having the same polarity as the drive pulse is picked up to detect the rotation of a rotor. Based on the detected timing of the first peak, a next drive pulse is supplied, and the drive pulse is thus fast supplied while the rotation of the rotor is checked. This arrangement allows a quick-moving operation free from faulty watch hand driving to run even faster.

Abstract: The reference voltage of the rotation detecting comparator is set to the constant voltage circuit used in another circuit. However, because the constant voltage circuit used in another circuit has a constant voltage value suitable for its original purpose, a voltage is inputted to the rotation detecting comparator from an arbitrary location of a resistant element which is connected in series to a coil that affects a value of the rotation VRS and the non-rotation VRS. With this structure, a voltage value to be detected which is inputted to the rotation detecting comparator can be lowered as much as the resistant ratio with the voltage of the VRS per se being not changed, so that rotation or non-rotation can be detected even by the reference voltage of the constant voltage circuit which is used in another circuit.

Abstract: A viscous coupling gear device has a first case having a protrusion extending from a surface thereof, and a second case having a surface facing the surface of the first case and a protrusion extending from the surface of the second case. A gear has a driving portion for driving engagement with a first rotary member undergoing intermittent rotation and for transmitting intermittent rotation to the gear, a tubular portion extending from the gear and mounted on the protrusion of the first case for relative rotation therewith, and a tubular wall portion extending from the gear and disposed coaxially with and spaced from the tubular portion to define a cavity therebetween, the protrusion of the second case extending into the cavity and defining, together with the cavity and the tubular wall portion, a clearance. A driving member engages with a second rotary member for transmitting rotation of the gear to the second rotary member.

Abstract: A timepiece movement comprises a rotor driven for intermittent rotation by a stepping motor, a speed-reducing wheel train and a second stop device. The speed-reducing wheel train has a movement conversion mechanism for transmitting intermittent rotary movement of the rotor to continuous rotary movement of a second hand wheel in a smooth manner. The second stop device is moveable between a first position, for immediately stopping the second hand wheel, and a second position, for immediately moving the second hand wheel at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: The stator of the motor comprises two pole pieces (1, 2) which are axially staggered. An axially magnetized cylindrical rotor (5) is disposed in the openings or bores of said pole pieces. The rotor (5) is provided with an external toothing (3) which is continuously engaged with an internal toothing (4) of the stator. In the unexcited stator, the rotor (5) assumes a stable position by attraction to the pole pieces (1, 2). Due to the excitation of the stator by a pulse having a suitable polarity, the rotor is displaced to a diametrically opposed stable position. The toothings (3, 4) stay in engagement during said displacement, resulting in an angular displacement of the rotor, the angle being defined by the difference of the number of teeth of said toothings (3, 4). The motor allows a miniaturization and a simple control by alternating pulses of opposed polarities.

Abstract: To obtain an electronic clock which realizes miniaturization and low power consumption, and improves the precision of the rotation detection of a rotor by supplying a stepping motor with an effective power in accordance with the increase of a load to the stepping motor with time and performance of parts.A detect assistant pulse is supplied to the stepping motor to amplify a voltage induced by the rotational motion of the rotor which occurs after the main drive pulse is interrupted.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece utilizing a motor to drive indicating hands is provided. The motor includes a first member having displaceable portions displaceable in a first direction. A second member moveable in a second direction is moved in the second direction by selectively coming in contact with the first member.

Abstract: The driving device comprises two single-phase stepping motors (1, 2), each having a different preferential direction of rotation. The bidirectional drive is achieved by selectively feeding one or the other of the two motors.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a stepping motor having a coil and a rotor with a permanent magnet magnetically coupled to the coil. A drive pulse is applied to the coil each time the rotor has to turn by one step, and a representation of the quantity of mechanical energy supplied by the motor is measured during this drive pulse. The instant when the representation of the mechanical energy passes through its maximum value is detected, and the drive pulse is interrupted at this instant. The method and device increase the operating reliability of the stepping motor.

Abstract: Method of supplying power to a single phase step motor of a time-piece, adapted to provide the motor with chopped voltage pulses of time-period T.sub.6 variable with respect to the load conditions and to the supply voltage of the motor, characterized in that each said impulsion of chopped voltage is composed of a sequence of elementary pulses of the same polarity and of a constant duration T.sub.4, and in that the durations T.sub.5i separating the said elementary voltage pulses vary according to load conditions and according to the supply voltage of the motor variable with respect to the load conditions and to the supply voltage of the motor.The invention finds a field of application in motors for time-pieces.

Abstract: Analog timepiece movement adapted for a large diameter, thin energy cell, the movement comprising a molded frame of insulating material having a top central wall, and having depending peripheral side wall portions. A flat bridge of insulating material divides the movement into an inner cavity. A stepping motor and gear train are disposed in the inner cavity and a quartz crystal is disposed outside of the cavity. One of the wheel assemblies is of non-magnetic material and extends through a hole in by the stepping motor stator. The peripheral wall portions and the bridge together define a circular envelope in the outer cavity adapted to locate and contain said energy cell. The movement is substantially elliptical in shape, the ellipse having a minor axis slightly greater than that of the energy cell, and the quartz crystal is disposed on one end of the elliptical frame alongside the energy cell.