EP2976686A1

EP2976686A1 - Watch winder

Info

Publication number: EP2976686A1
Application number: EP14709258.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Oliver ESPENNER; Alexander MERKLINGER
Original assignee: M & E Uhrenbeweger Manufaktur GmbH
Current assignee: M & E Uhrenbeweger Manufaktur GmbH
Priority date: 2013-03-20
Filing date: 2014-03-10
Publication date: 2016-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2034-03-10
Also published as: EP2976686B1; WO2014146924A1; CN105051624A; CN105051624B

Abstract

Described is a watch winder having a number of receiving cylinders for receiving watches and allowing a very uniform movement of the watches for winding the mechanical movement.

Description

winder

The present invention relates to a watch winder with a number of receiving cylinders for receiving watches, which allows a very smooth movement of the watches for mounting the mechanical movement.

Watch winders are generally used for mounting mechanical automatic watches. Such mechanical automatic watches are designed in principle that they are constantly raised by wearing on the wrist and the resulting movements. If the clock fully wound, that is, the drive spring of the watch mechanism is fully biased, so depending on the design and functionality of the clock a runtime, or a so-called power reserve, guaranteed from 20 to 40 hours. Unless the watch is worn, so if there is no regular movement, the movement stops at the end of the power reserve and the clock must be wound manually.

By stopping the clock but not only the current time must be set, but especially for high-quality watches, the so-called complications, such as days of the week, months, moon phases, time zones, etc. This is not only an unnecessary burden on the wearer of the clock, but Can be made in part only by appropriately trained persons such as watchmakers. In addition, stopping the movement has mechanical effects, for example, because when the movement stops, the viscosity of the lubricant changes in the bearings of the moving parts. If a watch often stops for an extended period of time, this can lead to an impairment of the movement. Watch winder are known in principle from the prior art. Thus, EP 1 780 614 A1 describes a tourbillon watch winder in which a watch carrier is stored in a drum and moved by means of driven rollers about a longitudinal axis. This makes it possible to reliably move one or two watches to wind up.

In WO 2005/073817 A1, a watch winder for six wristwatches is described in which individual watch holders are offset by a shielded planetary gear of a motor in a rotary motion. The structure of this watch winder is mechanically demanding and expensive. In order to simultaneously raise a larger number of clocks, a cabinet is proposed in US 2005/265129 A1, in which a larger number of individual devices are arranged to move one clock at a time. However, this arrangement takes up a lot of space, as it is more of a piece of furniture.

The movement of clocks in a simple manner is described in the prior art only for single or very few clocks, while a simultaneous movement of several clocks can be realized only with high mechanical effort. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a watch winder with which a plurality of watches can be simultaneously moved and wound up in a simple and reliable manner. At the same time, this watch winder is intended to be as space-saving and energy-efficient as possible and to offer an attractive exterior appearance.

This object is achieved in a watch winder of the type mentioned above in that a number of recording cylinders for watches are so interconnected that by driving a single recording cylinder all cylinders and thus the watches stored therein are moved simultaneously.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a watch winder (1) comprising

- A first receiving cylinder (3) which is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis,

a number of second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), each of which is rotatably guided about its longitudinal axis,

- A number of third receiving cylinder (7 a, 7 b, 7 c, 7 d, 7 e), which are each guided rotatably about its longitudinal axis, and

at least one housing component (9) having a substantially circular opening (11), which holds the first receiving cylinder (3) and the second and third receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e),

wherein the second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are arranged without contact on a concentric circular path (K1) rotatably guided around the first receiving cylinder (3) and are in frictional contact therewith, wherein the third receiving cylinder (7a , 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are mutually guided in a non-contact manner on a concentric circular path (K2) around the second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and wherein each of the third receiving cylinders (7a, 7b, 7c , 7d, 7e) with two second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) is in frictional contact, and

wherein the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are in frictional contact with the substantially circular opening (1 1) of the housing member (9). The present invention is based on the finding that a watch winder (1) can be used for watches by cleverly arranging and mechanically bringing into contact a plurality of receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). can be created, in which the drive of a single receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) is sufficient to reliably all receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d , 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) of the watch winder (1) and the clocks arranged therein.

The above-described watch winder (1) is characterized in that a watch disposed in one of the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) is smoothly and reliably moved while it is possible by simply reversing the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder to change the movement of the clock and thus exert a different mechanical stress on the watch mechanics. This leads to the advantage that a one-sided mechanical load of the watch mechanism is prevented, so that the service life can be increased and the maintenance intervals of the mechanism can be extended.

In the following, the present invention will be illustrated in detail. By "receiving cylinder" is essentially understood a tubular body whose inner diameter is sufficiently dimensioned so that a clock on a corresponding support can be arranged therein.

For the purposes of the present invention, "watch" is understood to mean, in particular, watches whose mechanical movement has an automatic winding, which are frequently wrist watches, but can in principle be all types of mechanical watches with automatic winding.

The phrase "in frictional contact" means in particular that the rotational movement of a receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) without noticeable loss and substantially no slip on the or In this case, for example, a rotational movement of a first receiving cylinder (3) in a clockwise direction in a rotational movement of a second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) transferred in a counterclockwise direction.

The individual receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are arranged relative to one another such that their longitudinal axes are parallel to one another. The phrase "rotatably guided" means in particular that the receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) on the one hand to their own On the other hand, they can rotate on a circular path (K1, K2) around a first receiving cylinder (3).

In a preferred embodiment of the watch winder (1) according to the invention, the first receiving cylinder (3) is driven about its longitudinal axis, so that the second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and the third receiving cylinder (7a , 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are also rubbed. The drive of the first receiving cylinder (3) via a suitable drive unit, for example via an electric motor. But it is also possible to use a spring-driven mechanical drive. The drive can take place directly on the first receiving cylinder (3) by the drive unit is arranged on the first receiving cylinder (3), for example by an electric motor is flanged. Alternatively, the drive unit may be located at a distance from the first receiving cylinder (3) and the rotational movement may be transmitted by a transmission with propshaft. This embodiment has the advantage that on the receiving cylinder (3) directly or spaced therefrom a arranged drive unit can be easily maintained or replaced.

In an alternative embodiment of the watch winder (1) according to the invention, in each case the third receiving cylinders (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are driven so that they respectively rotate about their longitudinal axis, wherein the second receiving cylinders (5a , 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and the first receiving cylinder (3) are also driven. In this embodiment, the drive unit is arranged in or on the substantially circular opening (11) of the housing component (9), for example an element rotating in the opening (11), that its rotational movement onto the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). This embodiment has the advantage that inside the watch winder neither electrical nor mechanical installations have to be made in order to move the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e).

It is preferred in a further embodiment if the first receiving cylinder (3) and the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) each have at their opposite ends an outwardly projecting flange (13).

Alternatively, it is preferred if the second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) each have at their opposite ends an outwardly projecting flange (13) and the housing member (9) at its substantially circular opening (1 1 ) has an inwardly projecting, flange-like edge. The described alternative embodiments ensure that the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) which are in contact with one another do not move relative to one another during the rotational movement. In other words, for example, in the first alternative, the second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are replaced by the respective flanges (13) of the first receiving cylinder (3) and the third receiving cylinders (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e ) prevents it from emigrating out of the rotary motion.

In order to achieve the advantageous effect, it is sufficient if the flanges (13) at least 0.5 mm over the lateral surface of the respective receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) protrude. A larger flange width is not mechanically necessary and causes more mass to be moved.

The housing component (9) can be designed as a single solid component whose thickness substantially corresponds to the length of the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). In another embodiment, two housing components (9) are arranged spaced from each other, wherein the distance between these two housing components (9) substantially the length of the individual receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d , 7e).

In order to ensure the most uniform possible rotational movement of each individual receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) have substantially the same outer diameter. It is particularly advantageous if the outer diameter are exactly the same within the scope of the technically possible manufacturing tolerances.

Furthermore, it is advantageous for a perfect mechanical interaction when the receiving cylinders (3, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) have substantially the same length and the receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) by 1% to 5% shorter than the receiving cylinder (3, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), so that a pinch-free game can form. In the case of receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), which are provided at their ends with a flange (13), this means that the respective flange (13 ) is placed on the end of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), so that the flange (13) the adjacent receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c , 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) without flange (13) leads.

To better transfer the rotational movement of a receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) on an adjacent receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a , 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), it has proven to be advantageous if the lateral surfaces of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) at least partially have means (15) for improving the frictional contact. This device (15) may, for example, consist of a row of teeth at least partially present on the lateral surface, which engages in the row of teeth of an adjacent receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). Alternatively, the device (15) may consist of elastic or semi-elastic polymer materials which prevent slippage of the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) , The simplest conceivable embodiment here is a rubber band, in particular a flat O-ring. The device (15) can also be accommodated at least partially in a recess in the lateral surface. In the event that devices (15) are present, the flanges (13) protrude by at least 0.5 mm beyond the largest diameter.

In order to variably arrange a clock in a receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), at least the second and third receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) open on both sides. In one embodiment, in which the drive to the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) takes place, also the first receiving cylinder (3) can be designed to be open on both sides.

In a further development of the invention, the watch winder (1) further comprises at least one watch carrier (17) in its dimensions for receiving in the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e ) is designed. The watch carrier (17) is preferably formed of an elastic or semi-elastic material, on the one hand to wear the watch to be fastened without damage and on the other hand easily in one of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). An elastic material for the watch carrier (17) can further ensure that the watch carrier is held securely by a press fit in a receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e).

By the press fit, the watch carriers (17) and the watches mounted thereon are rotated together with the take-up cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), thereby effecting the lift of the watches ,

In a further development of the watch winder (1) according to the invention, this further comprises

- A number of fourth receiving cylinder, which are each guided rotatably about its longitudinal axis, and

a number of fifth receiving cylinders, each rotatable about its longitudinal axis, wherein the fourth receiving cylinder with each other without contact on a concentric circular path around the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are arranged rotatably and in frictional contact with these, wherein the fifth receiving cylinder with each other without contact on a concentric circular path around the fourth receiving cylinder are arranged rotatably guided around, and

wherein the fifth receiving cylinder instead of the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) in frictional contact with the circular opening (1 1) of the housing member (9).

By adding further receiving cylinder in a fourth or fifth arrangement level, the number of clocks to be moved evenly can be increased almost arbitrarily. It is also conceivable to provide a sixth and seventh arrangement level of receiving cylinders, but here are technical limits. Since the masses to be moved are always larger at higher-level arrangement levels of the receiving cylinder, the individual receiving cylinder and the drive must be dimensioned more and more. In addition to the mechanics leads among other things, the visual appearance. By "on a concentric circular path" is meant an imaginary circular path (K1, K2) which extends concentrically around the longitudinal axis of the first receiving cylinder (3), wherein the longitudinal axes of the further receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e , 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are located on such a concentric circular path.

A particularly preferred embodiment provides that in the watch winder (1) according to the invention about the first receiving cylinder (3) on a concentric circular path (K1) five second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and the five second receiving cylinder ( 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) on a concentric circular path (K2) five third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are arranged.

This particularly preferred embodiment makes it possible to move at least one clock in eleven receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e). If a clock from each side in the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) is introduced, up to 22 clocks can move simultaneously and smoothly. This preferred embodiment provides an optimum balance between simultaneously moving multiple watches and visually appealing presentation thereof. In another embodiment of the present invention, a time display means (18) is inserted in the first receiving cylinder (3). As a time display means (18) mechanical hand-wound watches, mechanical quartz watches and digital watches are preferred.

The time display means (18) is mounted friction in the first receiving cylinder (3). The phrase "frictionally supported" means, in view of the rotational movement of the first receiving cylinder (3) and the time indicating means (18), that the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3) is not transmitted to the time indicating means (18) the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3) thus not part, but remains frozen by the low-friction storage in a stationary state.

The subject of the present invention is also a watch winder (1), in which in the first receiving cylinder (3) a friction-mounted time display means (18) is received, which does not participate in the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3).

For this purpose, the inner surface of the first receiving cylinder (3) and / or the outer surface of the time display means (18) on a device for reducing the friction (14) between the inner surface of the receiving cylinder (3) and the outer surface of the time display means (18).

The device for reducing the friction (14) can in this case be formed for example by a low-friction plastic, such as Teflon, or a ball bearing.

In a preferred embodiment, the time-indicating means (18) is designed as a cylinder which carries the time display of the time-indicating means (18) on the front side. The dimensions of the cylindrical time-indicating means (18) are dimensioned such that the cylindrical time-indicating means (18) can be introduced into the first receiving cylinder (3). The time display means (18) is thus dimensioned to be received in the first receiving cylinder (3). The length of the cylindrical time-indicating means (18) corresponds at most to the length of the first receiving cylinder (3). In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical time indicating means (18) has a length which is 1 to 5% shorter than the length of the first receiving cylinder (3).

In a preferred embodiment, only the outer surface (lateral surface) of the cylindrical time-indicating means (18) has a device for reducing the friction (14). This has the advantage that the user of the watch winder (1) can decide whether he wants to introduce a clock or the time display means (18) mounted on the watch carrier (17) into the first receiving cylinder (3). The device for reducing the friction (14) may be, for example, in a plastic sleeve, preferably a Teflon sleeve or in an at least partially on the lateral surface of the cylindrical Zeitanzeigemittels (18) existing existing ball bearing at least partially on the lateral surface of the cylindrical Zeitanzeigemittels (18).

In a preferred embodiment, the lateral surface of the cylindrical Zeitanzeigemittels (18) on at least one ball bearing, which is mounted on the lateral surface of the cylindrical Zeitanzeigemittels (18). In a further preferred embodiment, the cylindrical time-indicating means (18) has two ball bearings mounted on the lateral surface of the cylindrical time-indicating means (18).

By the means for reducing the friction (14), as described above, the rotational movement of the first receiving cylinder (3) is not transmitted to the cylindrical time display means (18). The cylindrical time display means (18) therefore remains in the receiving cylinder (3) in a stationary state. This embodiment has the advantage that in the center of the watch winder (1), the time display of the time display means (18) can be read easily.

The housing component (9) of the watch winder (1) is mounted on a base (19). In a preferred embodiment, the base (19) has at least one illumination means (20). The base (19) can be made of an opaque material or of a translucent or opaque material.

The subject of the present invention is thus also a watch winder (1) in which the housing component (9) is fastened on a base (19) which has at least one illumination means (20).

The illumination means (20) is located in a preferred embodiment in a milling in the interior of the base (19). As illumination means (20), LED illumination is preferred. In the event that the base (19) is made of an opaque material, come as materials such as wood or stone in question. In this embodiment, the base (19) on the upper side, that is to say the side facing the housing component (9), has at least one opening from which the light emitted by the illumination means (20) emerges from the base (19) can. In this case, a slot on the upper side of the base (19), which is positioned in front of the housing component (9), is preferred. The light emerging from this slot thus illuminates the front of the housing component (9). This allows the clocks housed in the watch winder (1) to be illuminated.

Since mechanical automatic watches on the dial or the hands are usually coated with phosphorescent pigments, the illumination means (20) allows charging of the phosphorescent pigments even in a dark environment.

In a further embodiment, the base (19) of the watch winder (1) is made of a translucent or opaque material. Suitable translucent or opaque materials are, for example, high-grade plastics, such as acrylic glass or clear, impact-modified polystyrene. Other suitable translucent materials are, for example, opaque natural stones and minerals, such as quartz glass.

In this embodiment, the top of the pedestal (19) generally has no opening. Rather, the base (19) is illuminated by the illumination means (20) from the inside out. The lighting means (20) is here, as stated above, preferably mounted in a milling within the base (19). In the case of a translucent or opaque base material, the base (19) is illuminated from the inside, and a so-called indirect, diffuse illumination is obtained. Also in this embodiment, the readability of the clock winder (1) introduced clocks is facilitated in a dark environment. In addition, the phosphorescent pigments of the dials or hands of the automatic timepieces are charged by this indirect illumination. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of the watch winder (1) described above for the manual, semi-automatic or automatic mounting of mechanical automatic timepieces. The watch winder (1) according to the invention can be put into operation in its simplest embodiment by manual starting. It is also conceivable that in a semi-automatic mode of operation, the movement of the clocks is terminated after a predetermined period. Likewise, a fully automatic mode of operation is conceivable in which a predetermined rest time of the clocks takes place after a predetermined movement time. In order to enable the most uniform possible mechanical loading of the movement of the clocks in the receiving cylinders (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), the movement of the clocks at regular intervals in one be made opposite direction of rotation. In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method of mounting mechanical automatic watches using the watch winder (1) described above and according to the invention. This method comprises the steps:

- Attaching at least one mechanical automatic watch on a watch carrier

(17)

Inserting the watch carrier (17) with the mechanical automatic watch mounted thereon into a first, second or third receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) of the watch winder (1),

- Driving the first receiving cylinder (3) or the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), so that the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e ) are put in a rotary motion,

wherein the at least one mechanical automatic watch is wound up by the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e).

With the method according to the invention it is possible to reliably and simultaneously wind several mechanical automatic watches simultaneously. Other features, advantages and applications will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. All described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination form the subject matter of the invention, regardless of their combination in the claims or their dependency.

Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an inventive

Clock Winder (1) in a preferred embodiment,

2a, 2b are schematic views of a receiving cylinder (5),

3a, 3b schematic views of a receiving cylinder (3, 7)

Device (15) on the lateral surface,

FIG. 4 shows a watch winder according to the invention shown in FIG

(1) with watch holders used (17), and Figure 5 shows a watch winder according to the invention shown in Figure 1

(1) with indicated rotational movements. FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the watch winder 1 according to the invention. In it, a receiving cylinder 3 is centrally arranged, which has a flange 13 at its two opposite ends. To the receiving cylinder 3 five receiving cylinder 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, 5 e are arranged, which each touch with their lateral surface, the lateral surface of the receiving cylinder 3, which are spaced from each other, however. This ensures that the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder 3, which is transmitted in an opposite rotational movement of the receiving cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, is not inhibited. The receiving cylinders 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e form a second arrangement plane. The receiving cylinders 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e have no flange 13 at their opposite ends, but are guided between the flanges 13 of the receiving cylinder 3. In a third arrangement level, the receiving cylinder 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e are arranged, which in turn each have flanges 13 at their ends. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the receiving cylinders 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e are not in contact with each other, but one receiving cylinder 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is provided with two receiving cylinders 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e in frictional contact, so that the respective rotational movements of the receiving cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e to opposite rotational movements of the receiving cylinder 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e are set.

The receiving cylinders 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e in turn are in frictional contact with the circular openings 1 1 of two parallel spaced apart housing components 9 and engage with their flanges 13 so that they are securely held in their movement. The housing components 9 are mounted on a base 19 and are held by suitable, not shown in the figures fastening means spaced from each other.

By a rotational movement of the receiving cylinder 3, the receiving cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e both rotated about its longitudinal axis, as well as on a concentric to the receiving cylinder 3 circular path K1 moves. This movement is also transmitted to the receiving cylinder 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, which also not only rotate about their own longitudinal axis, but also move on a further concentric to the receiving cylinder 3 circular path K2. The different rotational movements of the receiving cylinders 3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e are shown in FIG. An example of a receiving cylinder 5 is shown schematically in FIGS. 2a and 2b. It is in the simplest embodiment, a cylinder with an inner diameter of 70 mm and an outer diameter of 80 mm. The preferred length of the receiving cylinders 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e is 70 mm.

In contrast to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, a receiving cylinder 3, 7 is shown schematically in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. At the end faces of the cylinder a flange 13 is mounted in each case. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange is attached via fastening means 21 to the receiving cylinder 3, 7, which are received in bores 23. Furthermore, FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show how a device 15 for improving the frictional contact is partially arranged on the lateral surface of the receiving cylinder 3, 7. The cylinders 3, 7 also preferably have an inner diameter of 70 mm and an outer diameter of 80 mm. The preferred length of the receiving cylinders 3, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e is 70.5 mm. The outer diameter of the cylinders 3, 7 inclusive Aufstellte device 15 is preferably 86 mm. The flange expediently protrudes by at least 0.5 mm beyond the largest cylinder diameter.

The illustrated watch winder 1 is designed so that it ensures not only by its reliable and uniform movement, the mounting of mechanical automatic watches, but at the same time allows a visually appealing presentation of watches. For this purpose, individual watches are placed on watch carrier 17 in the form of visually appealing foam pads and this foam pad 17 so in the respective receiving cylinder 3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e inserted that the dial to the viewer shows. FIG. 3 schematically shows the arrangement of the watch carriers 17 in the receiving cylinders 3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e of a watch winder 1 according to the invention. During operation of the watch winder 1 according to the invention, this results in a harmonious carousel movement in which the clocks literally dance around one another during their winding up.

The reliable technical design is supported by a very quiet operating precision motor, which is characterized in particular by its smoothness. Such a precision motor also has a very low magnetic field which does not affect the mechanical functions of the clocks to be wound up. An influence can be completely excluded when the precision motor is arranged so that it is spaced from the clocks, for example when the drive on the third receiving cylinder 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e or via a drive mechanism with propeller shaft on the receiving cylinder. 3 is effected. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the precision motor is flanged directly to the first receiving cylinder 3. In addition to the two possible directions of rotation, the infinitely adjustable precision motor allows different speeds for the rotational movement to be set.

Due to the open construction of the individual receiving cylinders 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, viewing of the clocks to be wound up is possible from both sides.

The visual appearance of the watch winder 1 according to the invention is still supported by the selection of high quality materials. For example, transparent materials such as Plexiglas can be used for the take-up cylinders 3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, while the flanges 13 and the housing member 9 are made of aluminum, stainless steel or other high-grade materials are. Likewise, individual components may be constructed by noble woods, steel, natural stone or glass or be veneered or clad.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I watch winder

3 first receiving cylinder

5a, 5b, 5c, 5d second receiving cylinder

7a, 7b, 7c, 7d third receiving cylinder

9 housing component

I I circular opening

13 flange

14 Device for reducing friction

15 Device for improving the frictional contact

17 o'clock carrier

18 time display means

19 sockets

20 lighting means

21 fasteners

23 hole

Claims

claims

1 . Watch winder (1) comprising

- A number of third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), each to their

Longitudinal axis are rotatably guided, and

at least one housing component (9) having a substantially circular opening (11), which holds the first receiving cylinder (3) and the second and third receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), the second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) being arranged so as to be guided in a non-contact manner on a concentric circular path (K1) around the first receiving cylinder (3) and being in frictional contact therewith,

wherein the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) contact each other without contact on a concentric circular path (K2) about the second

Receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are arranged rotatably guided around and wherein each of the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) with two second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) is in frictional contact, and

wherein the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) in frictional

Contact with the substantially circular opening (1 1) of the housing part (9) are.

2. watch winder (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving cylinder (3) is driven about its longitudinal axis, so that by the frictional

Contact each other, the second and third receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are also driven.

3. watch winder (1) according to claim 1, wherein the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are each driven about its longitudinal axis, so that by the non-positive contact with each other, the second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) and the first receiving cylinder (3) are also driven. Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first receiving cylinder (3) and the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) at their opposite ends each have an outwardly projecting flange (13).

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second receiving cylinder (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) at their opposite ends each have an outwardly projecting flange (13) and the housing member (9) at its in Essentially circular opening (1 1) has an inwardly projecting, flange-like edge.

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) have substantially the same outer diameter.

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiving cylinders (3, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) have substantially the same length and the receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) by 1 % to 5% shorter than the receiving cylinders (3, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are.

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lateral surfaces of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) at least partially a means (15) for improving the having non-positive contact.

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least the second and third receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are designed to be open on both sides.

Watch winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the watch winder (1) further comprises at least one watch carrier (17) in its dimensions for receiving in the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e).

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising

a number of fifth receiving cylinders, each rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the fourth receiving cylinders being arranged so as to be guided in a non-contact manner in a concentric circular path about the third receiving cylinders (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) and being in frictional contact therewith,

wherein the fifth receiving cylinder are arranged mutually guided without contact on a concentric circular path around the fourth receiving cylinder around, and

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein five second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) are arranged around the first receiving cylinder (3) on a concentric circular path (K1) and around the five second receiving cylinders (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) on a concentric circular path (K2) five third receiving housing (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e) are arranged.

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the first receiving cylinder (3) a friction-mounted time display means (18) is received, which does not participate in the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3).

Watch winder (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the housing component (9) is mounted on a base (19) having at least one illumination means (20).

A method of mounting mechanical automatic watches using the watch winder (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of:

Attaching at least one mechanical automatic watch to a watch carrier (17),

- Driving the first receiving cylinder (3) or the third receiving cylinder (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e), so that the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e ) are put in a rotary motion, wherein the at least one mechanical automatic watch is wound up by the rotational movement of the receiving cylinder (3, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e).