JP2001159687A - Skeleton clock - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a skeleton clock improved in sense by efficiently obtaining amusing functions. SOLUTION: A clock body 3 driving hands 331 and 332 with a motor 320 and an external case 2 covering the clock body 3 are provided to a skeleton clock visually exposing the mechanical structure of the clock body 3. The clock body 3 comprises a spring winding means 370 for winding the spring 371, a spring releasing means 380 releasing the spring 371 in connection with the hands 331 and 332, and a drive part 390 driving by the power of the spring 371. As for the external case 2, the clock has a constitution visually exposing a spring winding means 370, the spring releasing means 380 at least a part of the drive part 390.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a skeleton timepiece having a timepiece main body driven by a motor and a transparent outer case covering the timepiece body, wherein the mechanical structure of the timepiece body is visually exposed. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a skeleton timepiece having a transparent outer case (which may be translucent) and visually exposing the mechanical structure of the timepiece body is provided as a timepiece having an improved appearance. Are known.

[0003] That is, this type of timepiece has a look that is intriguing to the viewer by making it possible to observe, in addition to the hands for displaying the time, a deceleration device for moving the hands.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned skeleton timepiece, more operations are obtained, for example, by using a gear meshing with a reduction gear, a cam mechanism, and a link mechanism to constitute a time signal function. At the same time, this can be observed, and a more complicated object can be constructed.

[0005] However, the operation obtained by the gears, the cam mechanism, and the link mechanism must be relatively simple, and the operation of the skeleton watch has a structure that gives a visually larger impression to a viewer. Is desired.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a skeleton timepiece that further improves its taste by efficiently obtaining a more interesting operation in consideration of such a problem.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a timepiece body for driving a hand by a motor, and an outer case for covering the timepiece body. In the skeleton clock which is visually exposed, the main body of the timepiece is driven by a mainspring winding means for winding the mainspring, a mainspring releasing means for releasing the mainspring in conjunction with driving of the hands, and a power of the mainspring. A driving unit, and the outer case includes:
A skeleton timepiece having a structure in which at least a part of the mainspring winding unit, the mainspring releasing unit, and the driving unit is visually exposed. According to such a configuration, a more interesting operation can be efficiently obtained, and its taste is improved. It is further improved.

That is, in the skeleton timepiece of the present invention, it is possible to wind the mainspring, release the mainspring in conjunction with the driving of the hands, drive the driving unit with the power of the mainspring, and observe the operation thereof. Yes, it is possible to give a greater impression to a viewer as compared with a case where the operation of the driving unit is obtained only by the gear, the cam mechanism, and the link mechanism.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the mainspring winding means is a skeleton timepiece configured to wind the mainspring by using a force of a motor for driving the hands. According to such a configuration, the mainspring is automatically wound by using the power of the motor without providing another driving source or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a timepiece body for driving a hand by a motor, and a transparent outer case for covering the timepiece body, so that the mechanical structure of the timepiece body is visually exposed. In the skeleton timepiece described above, the timepiece body is interlocked with a speed reducer disposed between the hands and the motor, a spring winding means for winding the spring using the force of the motor, and driving of the hands. The mainspring releasing means for releasing the mainspring, a driving unit driven by the force of the mainspring, and the pointer, the speed reduction device, the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the driving unit are arranged in front of the mainspring. A skeleton clock having a configuration in which at least the front side of the plate is visually exposed with respect to the outer case. According to the configuration, more interesting behavior is obtained efficiently, its taste is further improved.

That is, in the skeleton timepiece of the present invention, the operation of the speed reducer for driving the hands, the operation of winding the mainspring, and the release of the mainspring in conjunction with the driving of the hands,
It is possible to observe the operation of driving the drive unit with the force of the mainspring, and for example, a greater impression on the viewer as compared to the case where the operation of the drive unit is obtained only with gears, cam mechanisms, and link mechanisms. Can be given.

Further, the mainspring is automatically wound up by using the power of a motor without providing another driving source or the like.

In particular, a pointer, a reduction gear,
Since the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the drive unit are arranged, a series of movements woven by them can be observed from the same direction, and can be suitably used as, for example, a table clock or a wall clock.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the outer case is a skeleton timepiece constructed by assembling a plurality of case members. The outer case is efficiently provided by assembling the case member while disposing the watch main body inside.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the timepiece includes a sounding body, and the driving unit is a skeleton timepiece configured to strike the sounding body. According to such a configuration, a sound is generated by the driving unit hitting the sounding body, so that in addition to visual interest, auditory interest is obtained.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a skeleton timepiece 1 of the present embodiment has an outer case 2 entirely or partially transparent.
The watch main body 3 is fitted in the inside, and the mechanical structure of the watch main body 3 is visually exposed.

The exterior case 2 is assembled with a plurality of case members 210 constituting the front side and the back side of the timepiece 1, respectively. Of the plurality of case members 210, at least the front side is colored in pastel color. It is made of transparent acrylic resin or glass.

The case members 210 are assembled by screwing or using an adhesive.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the timepiece body 3 of the present embodiment has a plate 310 serving as a substrate thereof,
10, a step motor 320 provided on the back surface of the plate 310 and its power supply (not shown), a minute hand 331 and an hour hand 332 provided on the front surface of the plate 310,
A speed reducer 340 including a plurality of gears and a pinion interposed between 0 and the minute hand 331 and the hour hand 332 is provided, and the minute hand 331 and the hour hand 332 are driven by the step motor 320.

The plate 310 is a mirror-finished metal plate in this embodiment, but may be made of a transparent member.

The output shaft 32 of the step motor 320
1 is penetrated from the back to the front of the plate 310, and the reduction gear 340 is provided on the front of the plate 310.

In the reduction gear transmission 340, a cylindrical pinion 341 supporting the minute hand 331 is meshed with a minute wheel 350. The minute wheel 350 is meshed with a hand setting pin 360 operated from the rear side of the plate 310, and the minute hand 331 and the hour hand 332 are adjusted by operating the hand setting pin 360. In addition, the case member 210 constituting the back side is provided with an opening for bringing the operation unit and the like of the needle adjusting pin 360 to the outside.

Further, as shown in these figures and FIGS. 5 to 8, the timepiece main body 3 is provided with a mainspring winding means 3 for winding the mainspring 371 by using the power of the motor 320.
70 and a spring releasing means 380 for releasing the mainspring 371 at a predetermined timing in conjunction with the driving of the minute hand 332.
And a drive unit 390 that is driven by the force of the mainspring 371.

The driving section 390 of this embodiment is a hitting table for hitting the sounding body 391 supported on the front of the plate 310, and the mainspring releasing means 380 releases the mainspring 371 every time the minute hand 321 makes one rotation.

The timepiece 1, however, has a time signal function constituted by the mainspring winding means 370, the mainspring releasing means 380, and the drive section 390.

The mainspring winding means 370 is provided on the front of the plate 310 and includes a first gear 372 and a second gear 373 which support both ends of the mainspring 371, respectively. To rotate the mainspring 371. In addition, the second gear 373 controls the rotation of the
80, and the restriction is released at a predetermined timing.

The first gear 372 meshes with the pinion pinion 360, and is loosely fitted to the tip of a shaft 374 integral with the second gear 373.
It is pivoted to 10.

The mainspring 371 is a coil-shaped elastic member. The mainspring 371 is mounted along the outer periphery of the shaft 374, and one end thereof is fixed to a ratchet wheel 375 detachably provided to the first gear 372. The other end is fixed to the second gear 373.

The ratchet wheel 375 is provided with the stopper 3
While being loosely fitted to the intermediate portion of the shaft portion 374 by using 76,
It is regulated by a ratchet spring 377 supported on the plate 310, and is rotated only in a predetermined direction.

The first gear 372 and the ratchet wheel 375 are provided with an engagement piece 372a and an engagement hole 375a which engage with each other.

The stopper 376 is a hook-shaped member fixed to the shaft 374, and the tip of the hook is formed in a groove 375 provided in the ratchet wheel 375.
It is configured to move along b.

That is, according to such a configuration, the reduction gear 340 and the minute wheel 35
0 rotates the needle adjustment pinion 360, and the needle adjustment pinion 36
The first gear 372 is rotated at a torque of 0.

When the first gear 372 rotates, the ratchet wheel 375 rotates with the first gear 372 while engaging the engagement piece 372a with the engagement hole 375a.

At this time, the mainspring 371 has one end supported by the first gear 372 via the ratchet wheel 375 and the other end supported by the second gear 373. Winded up with rotation.

When the mainspring 371 is wound up to some extent, the ratchet wheel 375 moves to the second gear 373.
The engagement piece 372a and the engagement hole 375a are disengaged from each other by being slightly pulled. Therefore, the mainspring 37
1 is not wound up more than necessary.

Here, the wound mainspring 371
Since the rotation direction of the ratchet wheel 375 is regulated by the ratchet spring 377, it is not released unnecessarily.

Further, since the rotation direction of the ratchet wheel 375 is regulated, when the needle adjusting pin 360 is operated in a direction opposite to the rotation direction by the motor 320,
The engagement between the locking piece 372a and the engagement hole 375a is released, and only the first gear 372 rotates. In addition, the edge of the engaging piece 372a is set to be inclined toward a predetermined direction.
In such a case, the locking piece 372a and the engagement hole 375a
Are easily detached. Therefore, the mainspring 371 is not reversely wound.

As described above, in the mainspring winding means 370 of the present embodiment, by providing the ratchet wheel 375 and the ratchet spring 377, the mainspring 37 is provided.
1 constitutes a spring protection means for preventing reverse winding and excessive winding.

Then, the driving unit 390 controls the plate 310
And the base end 390a of the second gear 3
When the mainspring 371 is released, the second gear 373
Rotates together with the star wheel 378,
0 is rocked by the torque of the second gear 373 at which the mainspring 371 is generated.

The mainspring releasing means 380 of this embodiment is provided on the front of the plate 310, and
The rotation of the second gear 373 is regulated at a predetermined timing, and the regulation is released at a predetermined timing. The minute hand cam 381 fixed to the cylindrical pinion 341 supporting the minute hand 331 and the second hand operated by the minute hand cam 381 are used. One lever 382,
Second lever 383 operated by first lever 382
A windmill 384 provided with a pin 384a abutting on the first lever 382; an intermediate gear 385 meshed with the pinion 384b of the windmill 384; A time signal stop cam 386 provided with a notch 386a for fitting the tip 383a of the lever 383.
And a second gear regulating pinion 387 provided integrally with the intermediate gear 385 and the time signal stop cam 386 and meshed with the second gear.

According to such a configuration, the minute hand cam 381 provided on the barrel pinion 341 rotates together with the minute hand 331 to push up the first lever 382 and to push up the first lever 382.
Pushes up the second lever 383 (see FIG. 6).

Here, the tip 383 of the second lever 383
Since a is fitted into the notch 386a of the hourly signal stop cam 386, the second gear regulating pinion 387 remains stationary.

When the second lever 383 is pushed up to some extent, the tip 383a of the second lever 383 is
The stationary state of the second gear regulating pinion 387 is released by removing from the notch 368a of the time signal stop cam 368. Therefore,
The second gear 373 is rotated by the force of the mainspring 371, and is driven by the second gear 373 to rotate the second gear regulating pin 387, the time signal stop cam 386, the intermediate gear 385, and the windmill 384 (see FIG. 7). ).

However, the rotation here stops immediately after the pin 384a of the windmill 384 comes into contact with the first lever 382. That is, when the second gear 373 rotates, the pin 384 a of the windmill 384 is moved by the first lever 38.
When the abutment with the sound source 391 is made, the driving unit 390 does not hit the sounding body 391 again.

Thereafter, when the minute hand cam 381 further rotates, the first lever 382 falls from the top of the minute hand cam 381, and the pin 384a of the windmill 384 is moved from the first lever 382.
Comes off (see FIG. 8).

When the pin 384a of the windmill 384 comes off,
The restriction of the second gear 373 is released, and the second gear 373, the second gear restriction pinion 387,
Time signal stop cam 386, intermediate gear 385, and windmill 38
4 rotates, and the drive unit 390 hits the sounding body 391.

The above operation is performed by the time signal stop cam 38.
After one week, the tip 383a of the second lever 383 is stopped by falling into the notch 386a. still,
The drive unit 390 swings a plurality of times during this time, and the sounding body 391
Is set to be hit a predetermined number of times.

The minute hand cam 381, the first
The lever 382, the second lever 383, the windmill 384, the intermediate gear 385, the time signal stop cam 386, and the second gear regulation pinion 387, when the time signal stop cam 386 has been moved for one week,
Return to the initial state (see FIG. 6).

As described above, the timepiece 1 of the present embodiment has the hands 33
The mainspring 371 is wound up using the force of a motor 320 for driving
The sounding body sounds a predetermined number of times every time. Also,
By using the transparent outer case 2, such a series of mechanisms can be observed, and the appearance of the mechanism is improved.

The driving section 390 of this embodiment is provided with a sounding body 391.
However, it may be configured by using a decoration such as a doll. That is, the configuration of the mainspring winding means 370 and the mainspring releasing means 380 in this example is as follows.
The present invention can also be applied to a mechanical timepiece, a decorative timepiece, and the like, in which a decoration operates at a predetermined timing.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of such spring winding means and driving units so as to obtain more operations.

Further, the mainspring winding means 370 of this embodiment
Is to wind up the mainspring 371 by using the force of a motor 321 for driving the hands 331 and 332, or alternatively, a motor different from the motor 321 for driving the hands 331 and 332 is provided, and the motor is used for winding up. It may be configured as follows.

As described above, according to the skeleton timepiece of the present embodiment, the main body of the timepiece is constituted by a mainspring winding means for winding the mainspring, a mainspring releasing means for releasing the mainspring in conjunction with the driving of the hands, and the power of the mainspring. A driving unit for driving, and for the outer case, at least a part of the mainspring winding unit, the mainspring releasing unit, and the driving unit are visually exposed, so that a more interesting operation can be efficiently obtained, and Can be further improved.

That is, the skeleton timepiece of the present example is capable of winding the mainspring, releasing the mainspring in conjunction with the driving of the hands, driving the driving unit with the force of the mainspring, and observing the operation thereof. There is, for example, a larger impression can be given to a viewer as compared with a case where the operation of the drive unit is obtained only by the gear, the cam mechanism, and the link mechanism.

Further, according to the skeleton timepiece of this embodiment, the mainspring winding means winds the mainspring using the power of the motor for driving the hands, so that the mainspring is automatically wound without providing another driving source or the like. be able to.

Further, according to the skeleton timepiece of the present embodiment, the timepiece main body includes a speed reducer disposed between the hands and the motor, and a hand, the speed reducer, the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the drive unit in front of the timepiece. Since the outer case has at least the front side of the plate visually exposed, a series of movements woven by the hands, the speed reducer, the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the drive unit are performed by the plate. It can be observed from the same direction on the front side, and can be suitably used as a table clock or wall clock.

Further, according to the skeleton timepiece of the present embodiment, since the outer case is constructed by assembling a plurality of case members, the outer case can be efficiently provided by assembling the case member while disposing the main body of the watch inside. Can be.

Further, according to the skeleton clock of the present embodiment, the timepiece has a sounding body, and the driving unit hits the sounding body. In addition to fun, auditory fun can also be obtained.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 will be described.

It should be noted that the illustration and description of the basic configuration such as the outer case common to the above-described specific example is omitted.

As shown in these figures, the mainspring winding means 370 of the present embodiment has the first gear 372 meshed with the pinion 351 of the Hino wheel and rotates with the torque of the Hino wheel 350. Things. The pinion 351 of the Hino wheel is a member provided integrally with a shaft supporting the Hino wheel 350.

The first gear 372 and the second gear 373
Is loosely fitted to a shaft portion 374 provided on the plate 310.

Further, the first gear 372 is provided with a plurality of engagement holes 372b at a predetermined pitch, and the ratchet wheel 375 is provided with an engagement piece 375c to be engaged with any one of the plurality of engagement holes 372b. Provided.

The first gear 372 and the ratchet wheel 37
5, a support plate 379 supported by the second gear 373
The engagement between the engagement hole 372b and the locking piece 375c is released by the rotation of the first gear 372 and the engagement piece 375c riding on the support plate 379.

When the mainspring 371 is released,
The support plate 379 rotates together with the second gear 373, and the engagement pieces 375c engage with the engagement holes 372b again.

In the case of this example, the first gear 372 is
It is set to rotate once per hour.
The time for winding 1 is approximately 10 hours.

The drive section 390 has a long groove 390b at the base end 390a, and the eccentric cam 393 meshed with the train wheel 392 is locked in the long groove 390b. Wheel train 39
2 is meshed with the second gear 373 of the mainspring winding means, and the drive unit 390 swings with the torque of the second gear 373 as the eccentric cam 393 rotates.

The spring release means 380 of this embodiment is provided integrally with a guide lever which can be set at an arbitrary time, and the rotation of the second gear 373 is locked by being locked to the base end 390a of the drive section 390. Regulating and driving unit 390
The restriction is released by moving away from the base end 390a. That is, the timing for releasing the mainspring 371 is provided so as to be arbitrarily set, and constitutes an alarm function.

As described above, the timepiece 1 of this embodiment uses the mainspring release means 380 provided integrally with the reference lever, and sounds the sounding body at an arbitrary time. Therefore, it is used as an alarm clock. The configuration of the reference lever is widely used in general alarm clocks, and the mainspring releasing means 380 can be configured using such a reference lever.

[0071]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a watch main body for driving a hand by a motor, and an outer case for covering the watch main body, so that the mechanical structure of the watch main body is visually exposed. In the skeleton timepiece, the main body of the timepiece is a winding means for winding a mainspring,
A main spring releasing unit for releasing the mainspring in conjunction with the driving of the hands, and a driving unit driven by the force of the mainspring; and for the outer case, the mainspring winding unit, the mainspring releasing unit, and the This is a skeleton timepiece having a configuration in which at least a part of the drive unit is visually exposed. According to such a configuration, an interesting operation can be efficiently obtained, and the taste can be further improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the mainspring winding means is a skeleton timepiece configured to wind the mainspring by using a force of a motor for driving the hands. According to this configuration, the mainspring can be automatically wound by using the power of the motor without providing another driving source or the like.

The invention described in claim 3 of the present application comprises a watch main body that drives a hand by a motor, and a transparent outer case that covers the watch main body, so that the mechanical structure of the watch main body is visually exposed. In the skeleton timepiece described above, the timepiece body is interlocked with a speed reducer disposed between the hands and the motor, a spring winding means for winding the spring using the force of the motor, and driving of the hands. The mainspring releasing means for releasing the mainspring, a driving unit driven by the force of the mainspring, the pointer, the speed reduction device, the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the driving unit are arranged at the front thereof. A skeleton watch having a configuration in which at least the front side of the plate is visually exposed with respect to the outer case. According to the configuration, it is possible to efficiently obtain more interesting behavior, it is possible to further improve the taste.

In particular, a pointer, a reduction gear,
Since the mainspring winding means, the mainspring releasing means, and the drive unit are arranged, a series of movements woven by these can be observed from the same direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the outer case is a skeleton timepiece constructed by assembling a plurality of case members. By attaching the case member while arranging the timepiece body inside, the outer case can be efficiently provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the timepiece includes a sounding body, and the driving unit is a skeleton timepiece configured to strike the sounding body. According to such a configuration, a sound can be generated by the driving section hitting the sounding body, so that in addition to visual interest, auditory interest can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a timepiece according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a timepiece according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a watch main body according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a watch main body according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a mainspring winding means according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a spring releasing means according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a spring releasing means according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a spring releasing means according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a main part of a timepiece body according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of a timepiece body according to a specific example of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a mainspring winding means according to a specific example of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Skeleton clock 2 Exterior case 3 Watch main body 210 Case member 310 Plate 320 Step motor 321 Output shaft 331 Minute hand 332 Hour hand 340 Reduction gear 341 Cylindrical pinion 350 Hino back wheel 351 Hino back wheel kana 360 Hand setting kana 370 Winding spring winding means 371 Spring 372 First gear 372a Engagement piece 372b Engagement hole 373 Second gear 374 Shaft 375 Ratchet wheel 375a Engagement hole 375b Groove 375c Engagement piece 376 Clamp 377 Ratchet spring 378 Star wheel 379 Support plate means 380 Spring 381 minute hand cam 382 first lever 383 second lever 383a tip 384 windmill 384b pinion of windmill 384a pin 385 intermediate gear 386 hourly stop cam 386a notch 387 Second gear regulations pinion 390 driving portion 390a proximal end 390b slot 391 sounding body 392 gear train 393 eccentric cam

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A timepiece body for driving a hand by a motor,
A skeleton timepiece including an outer case that covers the timepiece main body and mechanically exposing the mechanical structure of the timepiece main body, wherein the timepiece main body is interlocked with a mainspring winding unit that winds up a mainspring and the driving of the hands. And a driving unit driven by the force of the mainspring, and the outer case is provided with at least a part of the mainspring winding unit, the mainspring releasing unit, and the driving unit. A skeleton clock characterized by being visually exposed. 2. The skeleton timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the mainspring winding means winds the mainspring by using a force of a motor for driving the hands. 3. A watch body driven by a motor with a pointer,
A skeleton timepiece including a transparent outer case that covers the timepiece body, wherein the mechanical structure of the timepiece body is visually exposed. A spring winding means for winding the mainspring using the power of the motor, a spring releasing means for releasing the mainspring in conjunction with driving of the hands,
A driving unit driven by the force of the mainspring, the pointer, the speed reduction device, the mainspring winding means, the mainspring release means, and a plate having the driving unit disposed on the front surface thereof; A skeleton clock, wherein at least a front side of the plate is visually exposed. 4. The skeleton timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the outer case is configured by assembling a plurality of case members. 5. The skeleton timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the timepiece includes a sounding body, and the driving unit hits the sounding body.