CH712680B1 - Watch movement, assembly for watch movement and timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is to propose a solution allowing a reduction in the thickness of a watch movement. A watch movement according to the invention comprises a mechanism module 21, a cog (30) comprising several toothed wheels; a cog drive motor (40A); a receiving terminal (47b) provided at a first height position (A) in a predetermined direction and capable of receiving an electric signal for driving the motor (40A), from an external component; and a projecting portion (52) projecting from the first height position (A) in the predetermined direction to a second height position B. At the first height position (A), a first circuit board (123 ) is made in such a shape that electrically connected to the receiving terminal (47b) can be mounted at a position different from the projecting portion (52).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a watch movement, an assembly for a watch movement and a timepiece.

Prior art

[0002] An analog-type electronic timepiece includes a gear train comprising several toothed wheels, a motor driving the gear train, and an integrated circuit controlling the motor. For example, the patent document 1 mentioned below describes an electronic apparatus of the type to be attached (timepiece) comprising a module (mechanism module) comprising a cog wheel arrangement comprising at least one rotating cog wheel and a stepper motor with a rotor rotatably connected to the rotating cogwheel, and a bare circuit board receiving a controller that spins the module's rotor. In this clamp-on type electronic device, the bare circuit board is positioned on the module and it is fixed in position by means of screws.

Documents representative of the prior art

Patent documents

Patent Document 1: JP-T-2012-516996

[0003] In the conventional constitution described above, the mechanism module and the bare circuit board are stacked, so that there are possibilities for improvement in terms of reducing the thickness of the movement including the mechanism module. and the circuit.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a mechanism module, a movement and a timepiece allowing a reduction in the thickness of the movement.

[0005]According to the present invention, there is provided a watch movement according to claim 1. In addition to a first circuit board(s), this watch movement comprises a mechanism module comprising: a gear train comprising several toothed wheels; a gear drive motor; a reception terminal provided at a first height position in a predetermined direction and able to receive an electric signal to drive the motor, from an external component; and a projecting portion projecting from the first height position, along the predetermined direction, to a second height position. At the first height position, the first circuit board (s) electrically connected to the receiving terminal can be mounted at a position different from the protruding portion.

According to the present invention, at the first position in height and at a position different from the protruding portion, a first circuit plate (s) can be mounted, so that by giving the first circuit plate ( s) a shape avoiding the projecting portion, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the movement provided with the mechanism module and the first circuit board(s) without reducing the thickness of the mechanism module in the predetermined direction. Thus, it is possible to propose a mechanism module allowing a reduction in the thickness of the movement.

[0007] There is also proposed an assembly for a watch movement according to claim 3.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second circuit board(s) can be mounted at the second height position, so that there is no need for the second circuit board(s) ) has a shape avoiding the protruding portion. As a result, it is possible to produce a movement comprising a second large surface circuit(s) plate. Thus, it is possible to provide a mechanism module having a high general versatility allowing the mounting of any of the first and second circuit boards depending on the functions required for the movement.

[0009] In addition, with regard to the receiving terminal electrically connected to the first electrical circuit, it is possible that the conduction to the second circuit board (s) disposed at a different position from the first circuit board (s) according to the predetermined direction is realized by the relay element, so that the first circuit board(s) and the second circuit board(s) have the possibility of sharing the reception terminal in a simple constitution.

[0010] In the above watch movement assembly, it is desirable to provide a spacer which is intended to be held between the mechanism module and the second circuit board(s).

In one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to mount the second circuit board (s) in a configuration in which a step is filled due to the spacer. Thus, it is possible to reliably secure the second circuit board(s) to the mechanism module.

A watch movement according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the above mechanism module and the first circuit board(s).

According to the present invention, the first circuit board (s) is mounted at the first height position, so that, compared to the constitution in which the circuit board is mounted at the second height position, it is possible to obtain a reduction in the thickness of the movement.

In the watch movement above, it is desirable for the first circuit board(s) to have an annular shape comprising an opening where there is the protruding portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an improvement in terms of robustness of the first circuit board (s) compared to the case where the first circuit board (s) is in the form of C to avoid the protruding portion.

A watch movement according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the above mechanism module and the second circuit board(s).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second circuit board (s) is mounted at the second position in height, above the protruding portion, so that there is no need to give the second circuit plate(s) a shape avoiding the protruding portion, which makes it possible to propose a movement comprising the second circuit plate(s) having a large surface. As a result, it is possible to provide more circuits on the second circuit board, so that it is possible to provide a high performance movement.

[0018] A timepiece according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the above timepiece movement or a timepiece movement made from the assembly for timepiece movement mentioned above.

According to the present invention, in the case where the watch movement comprises the first circuit plate(s), it is possible to obtain a reduction in the thickness of the timepiece and, in the case where the watch movement includes the second circuit plate(s), it is possible to increase the performance of the timepiece.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism module allowing a reduction in the thickness of the watch movement.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of a timepiece according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a section of the timepiece according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a mechanism module according to the embodiment and shows this mechanism module as seen from the front side. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the internal constitution of the mechanism module according to the embodiment and shows this internal constitution as seen from the front side. FIG. 5 is an enlargement of a section of a first timepiece movement according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a winding block of a first motor according to the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the first timepiece movement according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the front side. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the mechanism module and a relay circuit board according to the embodiment, and shows them as seen from the front side. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the first timepiece movement according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the rear side. Fig. 10 is a plan view of a second timepiece movement according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the front side. FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a section of the second timepiece movement according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlargement of a section of the first timepiece movement according to a variant of the embodiment.

Description of embodiments

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment described below, an electronic timepiece of analog quartz type will be described by way of example.

embodiment

timepiece

[0023] A mechanical assembly comprising the drive part of a timepiece is generally called a “(watchmaker) movement”. A finished product obtained by mounting a dial and hands on this movement and placing the assembly in a timepiece case is called a "finished product". Also, among the two sides of a mainplate forming the basic part of the timepiece, the side where the dial is located is called the “back side” of the movement. Among the two sides of the plate, the side where there is the case back of the timepiece, i.e. the side opposite the dial, is called the "front side" of the movement.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a timepiece according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a section of the timepiece according to the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the timepiece 1 in the finished product state comprises a movement 10, a dial 11, an hour hand 12, a minute hand 13 and a hand seconds 14 inside a timepiece case 4 comprising a case back 2 and a crystal 3. The dial 11 has a scale or the like indicating at least information relating to the time. Dial 11, hour hand 12, minute hand 13 and second hand 14 are arranged so as to be visible through crystal 3. Case back 2 is made of a metallic material.

As shown in Figure 1, among the portions of the side surface of the timepiece case 4, that located at the 2 o'clock position and that located at the 4 o'clock position are respectively provided with buttons 15. Buttons 15 are used, for example, to make time corrections in order to correct the time indicated by the hour hand 12 and the minute hand 13.

Movement (watchmaker)

[0027] We will now describe the movement (timepiece) 10 of the embodiment. The movement 10 of the present embodiment comprises a mechanism module 21. Two types of circuit blocks 23 and 123 can equip the mechanism module 21. In other words, the movement 10 is according to two alternatives: that comprising the module module 21 and the first circuit block 23 (corresponding to what is called the "second circuit board(s)", "external component" in the claims) shown in Figure 5 and that comprising the mechanism module 21 and the second circuit block 123 (corresponding to what is called the "first circuit board(s)" in the claims - external component) represented in figure 11. In the following description, among the movements 10, the movement comprising the mechanism module 21 and the first circuit block 23 will be called the first movement 10A and the movement including the mechanism module 21 and the second circuit block 123 will be called the second movement 10B.

First movement

First, we will describe the first movement 10A.

As shown in Figure 2, the first movement 10A is arranged on the front side of the dial 11 and the rear side of the case back 2. The first movement 10A includes the mechanism module 21, on which the hour hand 12, the minute hand 13 and the second hand 14 are mounted, the first circuit block 23 disposed on the front side of the mechanism module 21 and controlling the drive of the mechanism module 21, a relay circuit board 24 (corresponding to what is called the "relay element" in the claims - see figure 8) arranged between the mechanism module 21 and the first circuit block 23, together with a module frame 25 holding the module to mechanism 21 and the first circuit block 23.

In the following description, the direction along which the axis of rotation O of the hour hand 12, of the minute hand 13 and of the second hand 14 extends will be called the axial direction. (corresponding to what is called the „predetermined direction“ in the claims), while any direction orthogonal to the axial direction and extending radially from the axis of rotation O will be called the radial direction. In the present embodiment, the axial direction coincides with the direction of the thickness of the timepiece 1 in the finished product state.

Mechanism module

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism module according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the front side. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the internal constitution of the mechanism module according to the embodiment and shows this internal constitution as seen from the front side. Figure 5 is an enlargement of a section of the first movement according to the embodiment. Figure 4 shows the arrangement of the relay circuit board 24 on the mechanism module 21.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the mechanism module 21 comprises a cog 30 comprising several toothed wheels, a first motor 40A, a second motor 40B and a third motor 40C driving the cog 30, a plate 51 and a gear train bridge 52 carrying the gear train 30, an hour wheel retainer 53 fixed to the plate 51, as well as a center wheel bridge 54 arranged between the plate 51 and the gear train bridge 52.

As shown in Figure 3, the plate 51 constitutes the base part of the mechanism module 21. The plate 51 is arranged on the front side, in the axial direction, of the dial 11 (see Figure 5) . The plate 51 is made of plastic material, which is a non-metallic material, in the form of a plate whose thickness direction is in the axial direction.

[0034] The gear train bridge 52 is arranged on the front side, in the axial direction, of the plate 51. The gear train bridge 52 is made of plastic material, which is a non-metallic material, in the form of a plate whose thickness direction is in the axial direction.

As shown in Figure 5, the hour wheel retainer 53 is fixed to the rear side, in the axial direction, of the plate 51. The hour wheel retainer 53 is made in one metallic material, in the form of a flat plate whose thickness direction is the axial direction. The hour wheel retainer 53 is disposed on the front side of the rear side end portion of the plate 51 and is disposed so as to be spaced from the dial 11.

The center wheel bridge 54 is made of a metallic material, in the form of a flat plate whose direction of thickness is the axial direction. The center wheel bridge 54 has a through hole 54a extending therein in the axial direction. A first cylindrical female screw 55 is engaged in the through hole 54a. The first female screw 55 is made of a metallic material. The first female screw 55 extends through the plate 51, from the rear side, towards the front side, and it protrudes from the plate 51, towards the front side. The first female screw 55 is in contact with the peripheral inner wall of the through hole 54a of the center wheel bridge 54. As a result, the center wheel bridge 54 and the first female screw 55 are electrically connected to each other. 'other.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first motor 40A, the second motor 40B and the third motor 40C are arranged on the front side of the outer edge of the plate 51 and around the axis of rotation O 40A to 40C motors have the same construction. Therefore, in the following description of the constitution of the motors 40A to 40B, the first motor 40A will be described by way of example. Components common to 40A through 40C engines are designated by the same reference numbers and their descriptions will be omitted.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a winding block of the first motor according to the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the first motor 40A comprises a winding block 41 having a winding wire 43 wound around a winding core 42, a stator 44 arranged to be in contact with both ends of the winding core 42 of the winding block 41, and a rotor 45 disposed in the rotor hole 44a of the stator 44.

As shown in Fig. 6, winding block 41 includes winding core 42, winding wire 43 and a winding connection circuit board 46 attached to one end of winding core 42. .

As shown in Figure 4, the winding core 42 extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the radial direction. The core for winding 42 is fixed to the plate 51, by screws 56 respectively inserted in through holes 42a (see FIG. 6) provided at its two ends.

As shown in Figures 3-6, winding connection circuit board 46 is a bare printed circuit. The winding connection circuit board 46 is disposed on the front side of one end of the winding core 42 and is held together with the winding core 42 by screws 56. The winding connection circuit board 46 extends from a stationary portion opposite the corresponding end of the winding core 42, towards the central portion of the plate as seen in the axial direction. Substantially at the central portion of the winding connection circuit board 46, there is a rod insertion hole 46a through which passes a rod 51a provided to protrude from the platen 51, toward the front side. At one end 46b, inner side in the radial direction, of the winding connection circuit board 46, there is a through hole 46c through which a second cylindrical female screw 57 passes. The second female screw 57 extends through the plate 51, from the rear side to the front side, and protrudes from the plate 51, in the direction of the front side.

As shown in Figure 6, two connections 47 are made on the front face of the winding connection circuit board 46. The connections 47 extend in the direction in which the plate extends. winding connection circuit 46. At one end of each lead 47, namely the end of the side of the winding core 42, there is formed a welding terminal 47a to which the end of the winding wire 43 is welded. At the other end of each connection 47, that of the inner side in the radial direction, is formed a reception terminal 47b receiving an electric signal driving the first motor 40A.

The end 46b of the winding connection circuit plate 46, that is to say the inner side end in the radial direction, is arranged on the surface of the plate 51. The receiving terminals 47b respective motors 40A to 40C are provided at a first height position A in the axial direction (see Figure 5).

As shown in Figure 4, the stator 44 is disposed on the inner side, in the radial direction, of the winding core 42. The stator 44 is secured to the winding core 42, by means of screws 56.

The rotor 45 is carried so as to be rotatable, by the plate 51 and by the gear bridge 52 (see Figure 3).

The cog 30 comprises a first cog 30A transmitting the driving force of the first motor 40A, a second cog 30B transmitting the driving force of the second motor 40B, as well as a third cog 30C transmitting the driving force of the third 40C engine.

The first train 30A comprises a first intermediate wheel set for the hours 31, a second intermediate wheel set for the hours 32 and an hour wheel 33. The first intermediate wheel set for the hours is made, for example, of plastic material. The first intermediate hour wheel set comprises a first intermediate hour toothed wheel 31a and a first intermediate hour pinion (not visible), and is carried so as to be rotatable by plate 51 and gear train bridge 52. The first wheel intermediate toothed hours 31a meshes with the pinion of the rotor 45 of the first motor 40A. The second intermediate hour wheel 32 is made, for example, of plastic material. The second intermediate hour wheel set 32 comprises a second intermediate hour toothed wheel 32a and a second intermediate hour pinion (not visible), and is supported so as to be rotatable, by plate 51 and gear train bridge 52. The second intermediate hour toothed wheel 32a meshes with the first intermediate hour pinion of the first intermediate hour wheel set.

The hour wheel 33 is made of a metallic material. As shown in Figure 5, the hour wheel is rotatably mounted on a central tube 62 on the rear side of the plate 51. The central tube 62 is retained by the plate 51. The central tube 52 extends coaxially with the axis of rotation O and protrudes from the main plate 51, rear side. The central tube 62 is made of a metallic material and it is electrically connected to the hour wheel 33. The hour wheel comprises a toothed hour wheel 33a meshing with the second intermediate hour pinion of the second intermediate hour wheel set 32 ( see figure 4). The hour wheel is carried by the hour wheel carrier 53. The hour wheel 33 is biased towards the plate side 51 (the front side in the axial direction), by a first dial washer 63 disposed between the hour wheel carrier 53 and the hour gear 33a. The first dial washer is made of a metallic material. As a result, the hour wheel 33 and the hour wheel carrier are electrically connected to each other via the first dial washer 63. The hour hand 12 is mounted on one end, rear side, of the hour wheel 33.

As shown in Figure 4, the second gear train 30B includes a first intermediate center wheel set 34, a second intermediate center wheel set 35 and a center wheel set 36. The first intermediate center wheel set 34 is produced by example, plastic. The first center intermediate mobile 34 comprises a first center toothed wheel 34a and a first center intermediate pinion 34b, and it is carried, so as to be rotatable, by the plate 51 and the gear bridge 52 (see FIG. 3 ). The first center intermediate toothed wheel 34a meshes with the rotor 45 of the second motor 40B. The second intermediate mobile center 35 is made, for example, of plastic material. The second center intermediate wheel set 65 comprises a second center intermediate toothed wheel 35a and a second center intermediate pinion (not visible), and it is carried so as to be rotatable by the plate 51 and the gear bridge 52. The second center intermediate toothed wheel 35a meshes with the first center intermediate pinion 34b of the first center intermediate mobile 34.

The center mobile 36 is made of a metallic material. As shown in Fig. 5, the center wheel set 36 is rotatably inserted into the center tube 62 from the front side in the axial direction, and is electrically connected to the center tube 62. front end of the center wheel set 36 is supported by the center wheel bridge 54. The center wheel set 36 comprises a center toothed wheel 36a meshing with the second intermediate center pinion of the second intermediate center wheel set 35 (see the figure 4). The center mobile 36 is biased rearward in the axial direction, by a second dial washer 64 arranged between the center wheel bridge 54 and the center toothed wheel 36a, and it is in contact with the open end front of the central tube 62. The second dial washer 64 is made of a metallic material. As a result, the center wheel set 36 and the center wheel bridge 54 are electrically connected to each other via the second dial washer 64.

[0052] The minute hand 13 is mounted on the rear end of the center wheel set 36.

As shown in Figure 4, the third wheel 30C comprises a sixth mobile 37, a fifth mobile 38 and a second mobile 39. The sixth mobile 37 is made, for example, of a plastic material. The sixth mobile 37 comprises a sixth toothed wheel 37a and a sixth pinion 37b, and it is carried so as to be rotatable, by the plate 51 and by the gear bridge 52 (see FIG. 3). The sixth toothed wheel 37a meshes with the pinion of the rotor 45 of the third motor 40C. The fifth mobile 38 is made, for example, of a plastic material. The fifth mobile comprises a fifth toothed wheel 38a, and it is supported so as to be rotatable, by the plate 51 and the gear bridge 52. The fifth toothed wheel 38a meshes with the sixth pinion 37b of the sixth mobile 37.

The second mobile 39 is made of a metallic material. As shown in FIG. 5, the seconds pinion 39 is arranged coaxially with the axis of rotation O. The seconds mobile 39 includes a shaft 39a and a seconds toothed wheel 39b fixed to the shaft 39a. The shaft 39a is inserted, so as to be rotatable, in the center wheel set 36. As a result, the seconds wheel set 39 is electrically connected to the center wheel set 36. The front portion of the second wheel set 39 is pivoted in a bearing 52a provided on the gear bridge 52. The seconds hand 14 is mounted on the rear end of the shaft 39a. The seconds toothed wheel 39b is arranged on the front side, in the radial direction, of the center wheel bridge 54. The seconds toothed wheel 39b meshes with the fifth toothed wheel 38a (see figure 4) of the fifth mobile 38. The seconds mobile is biased rearwards in the axial direction, by a third dial washer 65 arranged between the gear train bridge 52 and the seconds toothed wheel 39b. The third dial washer 65 is made of a metallic material.

[0055] Now, the gear train 52 will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 3, the gear bridge 52 comprises a portion forming the main body 58 (corresponding to what is called the "projecting portion" in the claims), as well as several (four in the present embodiment ) mounting arm portions 59 protruding from the main body portion 58. As viewed from the axial direction, the main body portion 58 is formed in a shape which avoids winding blocks 41 and circuit boards from winding connection 46 of motors 40A to 40C. As shown in Figure 5, the main body portion 58 projects at a second height position B which is offset forward relative to the first height position A, in the axial direction. The main body portion 58 has a through hole 58a coaxial with the through hole 54a of the center wheel bridge 54.

The mounting arm portions 59 are fastened together by screws 56 which secure the winding cores 42 of the motors 40A-40C. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the mounting arm portions 59 are attached together by the two screws 56 fixing the core for winding 42 of the first motor 40A, by the screw 56 which, among the screws 56 fixing the core for winding 42 of the second motor 40B, also fixes the winding connection circuit board 46, and by the screw 56 which, among the screws 56 fixing the core for winding 42 of the third motor 40C, also fixes the connection circuit board winding 46.

First circuit block

As shown in Figure 2, the first circuit block 23 is mounted on the mechanism module 21, at the aforementioned second height position B (see Figure 5). The first circuit block 23 mainly comprises a circuit board main body 71 which is a printed circuit board, an integrated circuit (IC) 72 mounted on the circuit board main body 71, and a circuit board unit. crystal oscillator 73.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the movement according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the front side.

As shown in Fig. 7, the circuit board main body 71 is formed in a circular shape as viewed from the axial direction. Holes formed in the circuit board main body 71 are a first screw insertion hole 71a, through which passes a first male screw 60 in screw engagement with the first female screw 55, and three second screw insertion holes screw 71b, in which pass second male screws 61 respectively in engagement by screwing with the second female screws 57 (see FIG. 5).

A ground terminal 74 is formed on the surface of the circuit board main body 71. The ground terminal 74 is, for example, a bare circuit board and is formed on the opening edge of the first hole. screw insertion 71a. Ground terminal 74 is electrically connected to case bottom 2 (see Figure 2) and is provided on an arm or the like via case bottom 2 so as to allow grounding.

Three transmission terminal paths 75 are formed on the rear face of the circuit board main body 71. The transmission terminals 75 of the respective paths consist, for example, of printed circuits, each of which is formed around one of the second insertion holes 71b. The transmit terminal 75 of each path is electrically connected to a receive terminal 47b of one of the motors 40A-40C via the relay circuit board 24 (see Fig. 5). The transmission terminal 75 transmits, to the reception terminal 47b, an electric signal to drive each of the motors 40A to 40C.

As shown in Figure 2, the integrated circuit 72 is formed, for example, by a CMOS, a programmable logic array (PLA in English) or the like. Integrated circuit 72 generates an electrical signal to drive motors 40A through 40C. The crystal oscillator unit 73 contains a crystal oscillator oscillating at a predetermined frequency and is connected to the integrated circuit 72. As seen from the axial direction, the integrated circuit 72 and the crystal oscillator unit are arranged on the outer side, in the radial direction, of the mechanism module 21.

An accumulator holder 26 is arranged on the front side of the first circuit block 23. The accumulator holder 26 is configured so as to be able to carry an accumulator 27. The plus terminal of the accumulator 27 carried by the accumulator 26 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 74 (see Figure 7) of the first circuit block 23.

Relay circuit board

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the mechanism module and the relay circuit board of the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 3 and 8, three relay circuit boards 24 are disposed between the plate 51 of the mechanism module 21 and the circuit board main body 71 (see Figure 5) of the first circuit block 23. Specifically, the relay circuit plates 24 are disposed at the first height position A (see Fig. 5) in the axial direction, on the winding connection circuit plates 46 of the motors 40A to 40C. As seen in the axial direction, each relay circuit board 24 is shaped so as to overlap a portion of the winding connection circuit board 46 of one of the motors 40A to 40C, namely its portion running from the central portion to the end 46b. The thickness, in the axial direction, of each relay circuit board 24 is equal to the distance between the receiving terminal 47b of each motor 40A to 40C and the end, on the front side in the axial direction, of the bridge of cog 52.

Each relay circuit board 24 has a pair of relay conductors 28. The two relay conductors 28 respectively pass through through holes extending through the relay circuit board 24, in the axial direction, from the face back of the relay circuit board 24, so as to be continuous with the front face of the relay circuit board 24. The two relay conductors 28 are in contact with the receiving terminals 47b of the motors 40A to 40C on the rear face of the the relay circuit board 24, and are in contact with the transmission terminals 75 (see Fig. 5) of the circuit board main body 71, on the front side of the relay circuit board 24. As a result, the circuit board A relay circuit 24 electrically connects the receiving terminal 47b of the winding connection circuit board with the transmitting terminal 75 of the circuit board main body 71.

Each relay circuit plate 24 has a first through hole 24a, where the rod 51a of the plate 51 is arranged, and a second through hole 24b, where the second female screw 57 is arranged. The rod 51a of the plate 51 is caused to enter the first through hole 24a, while the second female screw 57 is caused to enter the second through hole 24, whereby each relay circuit board 24 can be positioned.

As shown in Figure 5, the mechanism module 21 and the first circuit block 23 are fixed to each other by screwing the first male screw 60 made of a metallic material in the first female screw 55, and screwing three second male screws 61 respectively into the second female screws 57. Specifically, the first male screw 60 is inserted into the first screw insertion hole 71a of the circuit board main body 71, from the side front, and it is screwed into the first female screw 55. In this procedure, the head of the first male screw 60 comes into contact with the ground terminal 74 formed on the circuit board main body 71. As a result, the ground terminal 74 is electrically connected with the center wheel bridge 54 via the first male screw 60 and the first female screw 55. The second male screws 61 are respectively inserted into the second screw insertion holes 71b of the main body by c plate ircuits 71, from the front side, and they are screwed into the second female screws 57. As a result, the second male screws 61 and the second female screws 57 cause the relay circuit board 24 to be held between the circuit boards of winding connection 46 and circuit board main body 71.

Module frame

[0069] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the movement according to the embodiment and shows it as seen from the rear side.

As shown in Figures 2 and 9, the module frame 25 is made in the form of a disk having substantially the same diameter as the first circuit block 23. The thickness, in the axial direction, of the module frame 25 coincides with the thickness, in the axial direction, of the mechanism module 21. The first circuit block 23, to which the mechanism module 21 is fixed, is mounted in the module frame 25, from the front side . The module frame 25 is fixed to the dial 11, from the rear side.

The module frame 25 has a module receiving hole 25a and an element receiving recess 25b. At the central portion of the module frame 25, the module receiving hole 25a passes through the module frame 25 in the axial direction. The module receiving hole 25a is formed in a shape corresponding to the mechanism module 21 as viewed from the axial direction. The mechanism module 21 is disposed in the module receiving hole 25a. On the periphery of the module receiving hole, the element receiving hollow 25b is dug from the front face towards the rear face of the module frame 25. The element receiving hollow 25b is formed in such a way as to avoid contact with the elements of the first circuit block 23, such as the integrated circuit 72 and the crystal oscillator unit 73.

Second movement

[0072] Now, the second movement 10B will be described.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the second movement according to the embodiment and shows this second movement as seen from the front side. Figure 11 is an enlargement of a section of the second movement according to the embodiment.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second movement 10B comprises a mechanism module 21, a second circuit block 123 disposed on the front side of the mechanism module 21 and controlling the drive of the mechanism module 21 , as well as a module frame 125 retaining the mechanism module 21 and the second circuit block 123.

Second circuit block

The second circuit block 123 is mounted on the mechanism module 21, at the first height position A different from the gear bridge 52. The second circuit block 123 mainly has a circuit board main body 171 which is a bare circuit board, together with an integrated circuit and a crystal oscillator unit (not shown) mounted on the circuit board main body 171.

As viewed from the axial direction, the circuit board main body 171 is formed in an annular shape having an opening 171a where the gear bridge 52 is disposed. In other words, the circuit board main body circuit board 171 has a shape avoiding the gear bridge 52. The circuit board main body 171 includes an annular main body portion 176 provided on the outer side, in the radial direction, of the mechanism module 21 as seen from the axial direction, as well as three extension portions 177 extending radially inward from the inner peripheral edge of the main body portion 176.

[0077] The extension portions 177 respectively extend towards the front side of the ends 46b (see Figures 3 and 6) on the inner side, in the radial direction, of the winding connection circuit plates 46 of the motors 40A at 40C. Each extension portion 177 has a second screw insertion hole 171b, into which is inserted the second male screw 61 screwed into the second female screw 57. The transmission terminal 75 is formed on the rear face of each portion of extension 177. The transmission terminals 75 consist, for example, of bare circuit boards and are respectively formed around the second screw insertion holes 171b. The transmission terminals 75 transmit, to the reception terminals 47b, an electric signal to drive the motors 40A to 40C.

Each extension portion 177 is superimposed on a reception terminal 47b from the front side, so that the transmission terminal 75 can come into contact with the reception terminal 47b to achieve conduction. As a result, the second circuit block 123 is mounted on the mechanism module 21 at the first height position in the axial direction.

The mechanism module 21 and the second circuit block 123 are fixed to each other by screwing the three second male screws 61 respectively into the second female screws 57. More specifically, the second male screws 61 are respectively inserted into the second screw insertion holes 171b of the circuit board main body 171 from the front side and are screwed into the second female screws 57.

Module frame

Like the module frame 25 of the first movement 10A, the module frame 125 is shaped like a disc having substantially the same diameter as the second circuit block 123. The thickness, in the axial direction, of the module frame 125 coincides with the thickness, in the axial direction, between the rear end portion of the mechanism module 21 and the first height position A. The second circuit block 123 to which the mechanism module is assembled to the module frame 125 from the front side.

[0081] The module frame 125 has a module receiving hole 125a and an element receiving hollow (not visible). In the center of the module frame 125, the module receiving hole 125a passes through the module frame in the axial direction. As in the case of the module receiving hole 25a of the module frame 25 of the first movement 10A, the mechanism module 21 is disposed in the module receiving hole 125a. As in the case of the element-receiving recess 25b of the module frame 25 of the first movement 10A, the element-receiving recess is formed to avoid contact with the elements such as the circuit board and the crystal oscillator unit (none of which is visible) of the second circuit block 123.

In this way, in the mechanism module 21 of this embodiment, the second circuit block 123 can be mounted at the first height position A, at a different position from the gear bridge 52, so that, by forming the second circuit block 123 in a shape avoiding the gear bridge 52, it is possible to obtain a reduction in the thickness, in the axial direction, of the second movement 10B comprising the mechanism module 21 and the second circuit block 123 , without having to reduce the thickness, in the axial direction, of the module with mechanism 21. In this way, it is possible to propose a module with mechanism 21 allowing a reduction in the thickness of the second movement 10B.

[0083] In addition, the first circuit block 23 can be mounted at the second height position B of the mechanism module 21, so that there is no need to give the first circuit block 23 a shape avoiding the gear train 52. As a result, it is possible to produce a first movement 10A comprising a first circuit block 23 having a large surface. In this way, it is possible to propose a module with mechanism 21 having a great general versatility which makes it possible to mount one or the other of the first and second circuit blocks 23 and 123, according to the function required for the movement 10.

[0084] In addition, with regard to the reception terminal 47b coming into contact with the transmission terminal 75 of the second circuit block 123 so that there is conduction, it is possible to carry out the conduction at the second terminal. transmission 75 of the first circuit block 23 arranged at a different height from the second circuit block 123 in the axial direction, via the relay circuit plate 24. Thus, with a simple constitution, it is possible to make the first block to circuits 23 and second circuit block 123 share receive terminal 47b.

Further, in the second movement, the second circuit board 123 is mounted at the first height position A, so that compared to the constitution in which the circuit board is mounted at the second height position B , it is possible to obtain a reduction in the thickness of the movement 10.

In addition, the second circuit block 123 is made in an annular shape so that, compared to the case where the circuit block is made in a C shape in order to avoid the gear bridge 52, one can obtain an improvement in terms of robustness of the second circuit block 123.

[0087] In addition, in the first movement 10A, the first circuit block 23 is mounted at the second height position B, above the gear bridge 52, so that there is no need to give to the first circuit block 23 a shape avoiding the first gear train, which makes it possible to propose a movement 10 comprising a first circuit block 23 having a large surface. As a result, it is possible to provide more circuits on the first circuit block 23, so that it is possible to provide a movement 10 with high performance.

Modification of the embodiment

[0088] Figure 12 is an enlargement of a section of a first movement according to a variant of the embodiment.

As shown in Figure 12, a mechanism module 221 may include a spacer 266 held between itself and the first circuit block 23 when the first circuit block 23 is mounted at the second height position B .

[0090] A main body portion 258 of the gear bridge 252 comprises a hollow 252b formed on the periphery of the through hole 58a. The hollow 252b is hollowed out from the front face of the main body portion 258 of the gear bridge 252, towards the rear side, and it is open towards the outside in the radial direction. The position, in the radial direction, of the bottom surface of the recess 252b is the first height position A. The spacer 266 is placed in the recess 252b. Spacer 266 has through hole 266a coaxial with through hole 58a.

[0091] In this way, the mechanism module 221 comprises the spacer 266 arranged in the hollow 252b of the gear bridge 252, so that the second circuit block 123 can be mounted at the first height A, in a configuration in which the spacer is removed. Here, the bottom surface of the recess 252b is at the first height position A, so that the circuit block 123 can be made so that its surface is large, making it possible to also arrange the second circuit block 123 in a position in which spacer 266 has been placed. Thus, it is possible to give a large area to the second circuit block 123. As a result, it is possible to provide more circuits on the second circuit block 123.

And, as shown in Figure 12, it is possible to mount the first circuit block 23 in a configuration where the step of the hollow 252b of the gear bridge 252 is filled with the spacer 266. Thus, it It is possible to reliably mount the first circuit block 23 on the mechanism module 221.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings but it allows various modifications within its scope.

For example, while the present invention is applied to a timepiece of the analog quartz type in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a timepiece of the combined type with quartz, including both analog and digital display.

[0095] Moreover, whereas, in the above embodiment, the mechanism module 21 comprises the gear bridge 52, as a projecting portion projecting from the first position in height A to the second position in height B according to the axial direction, this should not be interpreted restrictively. The projecting portion can be formed on a part of the plate so as to project from the first position in height, in the axial direction, towards the second position in height, rear side in the axial direction.

[0096] Moreover, whereas, in the embodiment above, the reception terminal 47b provided at the first position in height A is provided on the periphery of the projecting portion (constituted by the gear bridge 52 in the embodiment described above) protruding up to the second height position B, this should not be interpreted restrictively. For example, the receiving terminal may be formed on the inner side of the protruding portion as seen in the axial direction. In other words, the mechanism module can adopt a construction such that it includes a projecting portion projecting up to the second height position, on the periphery of the reception terminal provided at the first height.

Further, while in the above embodiment the second circuit block 123 is formed in an annular shape, this should not be construed restrictively. It is only necessary that the second circuit block mounted at the first height position A be made in a shape avoiding the gear bridge 52; for example, it can be made in the shape of a C, as seen in the axial direction.

[0098] Furthermore, the components of the above embodiment can be replaced by well-known components, appropriately, without departing from the scope of the principle of the present invention.

Description of reference numbers and symbols

[0099] 1... timepiece, 10... movement, 10A... first movement (movement), 10B... second movement (movement), 21 and 221... mechanism module, 23. .. first circuit block (second circuit board(s), external component), 24... relay circuit board, 30... gear train, 40A... first motor (motor), 40B... second motor (motor), 40C... third motor (motor), 47b... receiving terminal, 52 and 252 gear bridge (projecting portion), 123... second circuit block (first circuit plate(s) , external component), 266... spacer.

Claims (6)

1. Watch movement, comprising: a mechanism module (21); and a first circuit board (123), the mechanism module (21) comprising: a cog (30) comprising several toothed wheels; a motor (40A, 40B, 40C) for driving the gear train (30); a reception terminal (47b) provided at a first position in height (A) according to a predetermined direction and able to receive an electric signal to drive the motor (40A, 40B, 40C), from an external component; and a projecting portion (52; 252) projecting from the first height position (A), along the predetermined direction, to a second height position (B); wherein the first circuit(s) plate (123) is formed in such a shape that, at the first height position (A), the first circuit(s) plate (123) is electrically connected to the receiving terminal ( 47b) can be mounted at a different position from the projecting portion (52; 252). 2. Timepiece movement according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit board (s) (123) has an annular shape comprising an opening (171a) where the projecting portion (52; 252) is arranged. 3. Set for watch movement, comprising: a mechanism module (21, 221); a first circuit board (123); and a second circuit board (23), the mechanism module (21, 221) comprising: a cog (30) comprising several toothed wheels; a motor (40A, 40B, 40C) for driving the gear train (30); a reception terminal (47b) provided at a first position in height (A) according to a predetermined direction and able to receive an electric signal to drive the motor (40A, 40B, 40C), from an external component; and a projecting portion (52; 252) projecting from the first position in height (A), in the predetermined direction, up to a second position in height (B), wherein the first circuit(s) board (123) is formed in such a shape that, at the first height position (A), the first circuit(s) board (123) is to be electrically connected to the receiving terminal (47b) can be mounted at a different position from the projecting portion (52; 252), and in which: the second circuit board(s) (23) can be mounted at the second height position (B); and the receiving terminal (47b) can be electrically connected to the second circuit board (23) via a relay element (24) mounted at the first height position (A). 4. A watch movement assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a spacer (266) provided to be held between the mechanism module (221) and the second circuit board (s) (23). 5. A watch movement assembly according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first circuit board (s) (123) has an annular shape comprising an opening (171a) where the projecting portion (52; 252) is intended to be placed. ). 6. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement (10) according to one of claims 1 and 2 or a timepiece movement (10) produced from an assembly for a timepiece movement according to one of claims 3 to 5.