Analog electronic timepiece drive circuitry for energizing stepping motor drive coil in full and intermediate excitation states, and method therefor

摘要

An analog electronic timepiece comprises a stepping motor having a stator, rotor and drive coil, and electronic circuitry for periodically energizing the drive coil in two distinct excitation states to rotationally drive the rotor in a stepwise manner. The electronic circuitry effects sequential energization of the drive coil in first a full excitation state which is effective to at least initiate driving of the rotor from an initial position through a predetermined angle of rotation to a new position, and then in an intermediate excitation state which is effective to ensure completion of the driving of the rotor through the predetermined angle of rotation by preventing return rotation of the rotor after the rotor has advanced through a certain angular extent towards its new position. A method of operating a stepping motor of an analog electronic timepiece comprises periodically energizing the drive coil of the stepping motor by first energizing the drive coil in a discrete full excitation state to initiate driving of the rotor through one rotational step, and then energizing the drive coil in a discrete intermediate excitation state to complete the driving of the rotor through the rotational step.