Quartz controlled clock mechanism - includes pulse counters providing outputs for sound signal on hours and quarter-hours

摘要

The clock comprises an analogue quartz movement, formed as an integrated circuit (1) including a quartz oscillator connected to a drive motor (3). The oscillator signals are also applied to a control circuit which provides hour and quarter hour signals. The input of this control includes a frequency divider (6) producing pulses at 1/60 second intervals. A counter (100) is connected to these pulse signals via a two input switch (7). The pulses are counted in order to determine the time at which the sound signals need to be produced. When the battery is removed from the clock the time and striking mechanisms are automatically synchronised, the counters being reset to zero. This system avoids the need for any mechanical connection between the display and the striking part of the clock.