JP2008267978A - Start/stop lever, timepiece with chronograph with start/stop lever, and method of forming nickel-hardened layer and hard carbon layer on start/stop lever surface - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a start/stop lever capable of making button click force appropriate and suppressing a hand jump without lowering the resilience of a clutch spring. <P>SOLUTION: Each of the start/stop levers 302, 309 comprises a hard carbon layer formed at a contact part with a clutch plate 222 at least, and a nickel hardened layer formed, by applying heat treatment to an electroless nickel plated layer and formed at a part, other than the formed part of the hard carbon layer at least. As a result, slip torque with the clutch plate 222 can be reduced thereby, and force required to insert and pull out the start/stop levers 302, 309 inserted and pulled out between a clutch spring 218 and a gear 113 constituting a basic timepiece gear train, between the clutch spring 218 and the gear 113 can be reduced. Button click force can thereby be made appropriate; and since there is no need to lower the resilience of the clutch spring 218, hand jumping of chronograph hands can be suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a start / stop lever, a chronograph timepiece having the start / stop lever, and a method of forming a nickel hardened layer and a hard carbon layer on the surface of the start / stop lever.

Conventionally, a chronograph timepiece having a chronograph wheel train for displaying a chronograph is known. In such a timepiece, the chronograph train wheel is generally arranged at a different level from the basic watch train wheel connected to the drive source and displaying the normal time. That is, in the thickness direction of the timepiece, the basic timepiece wheel train is arranged on the dial side layer, and the chronograph wheel train is arranged on the back cover side layer.
In a timepiece having such a chronograph wheel train, a timepiece in which power is transmitted to the chronograph wheel train side by a vertical clutch from a basic watch train wheel side connected to a drive source is known (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

More specifically, in the timepiece described in Patent Document 1, a second chronograph wheel that constitutes a chronograph wheel train and accumulates seconds is provided with a second chronograph hand, a second heart cam, a clutch plate, and a clutch spring. Is fitted with a fourth wheel constituting a basic clock train. The clutch plate is urged toward the fourth wheel side by a clutch spring.
As a result, during chronograph measurement, the second chronograph wheel rotates by receiving frictional force from the fourth wheel when the clutch plate biased by the clutch spring comes into surface contact with the fourth wheel, and accumulates seconds. To do. Further, the chronograph wheel train is driven by the rotation of the second chronograph wheel, and the minute chronograph wheel constituting the chronograph wheel train is also rotated to accumulate the minutes (during chronograph measurement). The following description will be given focusing on the movement of the second chronograph wheel.

  In this state, when the start / stop button (operation button) is pushed, the pair of start / stop levers are moved in conjunction with the pushing operation of the start / stop button and inserted between the clutch plate and the fourth wheel. As a result, the clutch plate is lifted and the clutch plate and the fourth wheel are separated from each other, so that rotation is not transmitted from the fourth wheel to the second chronograph wheel, and the accumulation of seconds is stopped (when stopped).

  In this state, when the reset button (operation button) is pressed, the second hammer is moved in conjunction with the pressing operation of the reset button and presses the second heart cam. As a result, the second chronograph wheel is forcibly rotated while slipping the clutch plate between the start and stop lever, and the second chronograph hand is returned to the 0 second position (at the time of resetting).

In a conventional watch equipped with such a vertical clutch, if the frictional force between the clutch plate and the start / stop lever is high, the force required to insert the start / stop lever into the second chronograph wheel will also increase. The button click force required for pressing the button increases.
Also, if the friction force between the clutch plate and the start / stop lever is high, the force required for the second hammer to press the heart cam (returning force) also increases, so the button click required for pressing the reset button Power is also increased.

  For this reason, conventionally, by using a clutch spring having a slightly low elastic force, the frictional force between the clutch plate and the start / stop lever is lowered, and the button click force is reduced and optimized.

JP 2006-275550 A (paragraph 0039 to paragraph 0041)

However, in a watch with a vertical clutch, when the chronograph is measured, the slip torque of the clutch plate against the fourth wheel on the second chronograph hand is caused by the shock caused by the drop of the watch and the imbalance between the second chronograph hand and the heart cam. When a torque equal to or greater than (the torque when the clutch plate starts to slide with respect to the fourth wheel) is applied, there is a possibility that a so-called needle jump occurs in which the clutch plate slips and the second chronograph hand turns freely. That is, when the elastic force of the clutch spring is lowered, the slip torque of the clutch plate with respect to the fourth wheel is also reduced, and there is a possibility that the needle jump is likely to occur.
Therefore, in a conventional watch with a vertical clutch, when the elastic force of the clutch spring is lowered, the size, shape, and weight of the second chronograph hand must be adjusted to balance the heart cam. It was a design restriction. In addition, the design is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to optimize the button click force without lowering the elastic force of the clutch spring and to suppress the needle jump at the time of impact, a chronograph timepiece having the start / stop lever, and a start / stop lever. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming a nickel hardened layer and a hard carbon layer on the surface of a stop lever.

  The start / stop lever of the present invention is arranged in a state in which it is loosely fitted on the shaft of the chronograph wheel and constitutes a basic clock train wheel for displaying a normal time, and a clutch spring provided in the chronograph wheel. A clutch lever that is urged toward the gear side and rotates integrally with the chronograph wheel to connect and separate the clutch plate and the gear, and at least a clutch plate A hard carbon layer formed on the contact portion; and at least a nickel hard layer formed on a portion other than the portion on which the hard carbon layer is formed, wherein the electroless nickel plating layer is heat-treated. It is formed by this.

According to the start / stop lever of the present invention, since the hard carbon layer is formed at least at the contact portion with the clutch plate, when used in a chronograph timepiece, the slip torque with the clutch plate can be reduced. it can. As a result, the force required for insertion / removal between the clutch plate and the gear of the start / stop lever that is inserted / removed between the clutch plate and the gears constituting the basic watch wheel train in conjunction with the pushing operation of the external operation member. Can be reduced. Therefore, the button click force required for the pressing operation of the external operation member can be reduced, and the button click force can be optimized.
Since the button click force can be optimized without reducing the elastic force of the clutch spring, the frictional force between the clutch plate and the gears constituting the basic timepiece wheel train can be maintained. Therefore, if the start / stop lever of the present invention is used for a chronograph timepiece, it is possible to suppress the skipping of the hands at the time of impact of the chronograph hands attached to the chronograph wheel. Here, the chronograph hand refers to a pointer for integrating and displaying time.
Further, since the skipping of the hands can be suppressed, the restriction on the design of the chronograph hands can be reduced, and the design and quality of the watch can be improved.
In addition, since the hard carbon layer hardly shows a decrease in the initial friction coefficient due to secular change, the friction coefficient of the contact portion of the start / stop lever formed with the hard carbon layer with the clutch plate is low for many years. Thus, the life of the start / stop lever can be extended.
Further, according to the present invention, the nickel hardened layer and the hard carbon layer are formed on the surface of the coupling lever. That is, at the time of manufacturing the start / stop lever, first, an electroless nickel plating layer is formed on the surface of the start / stop lever, and if a hard carbon layer is formed thereafter, the hard carbon layer is formed simultaneously with the formation of the hard carbon layer. The electroless nickel plating layer can be heat-treated with the heat during formation to form a nickel hardened layer. Therefore, the nickel hardened layer can be reliably formed without separately performing a process for heat-treating the electroless nickel plating layer, the manufacturing time of the start / stop lever can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
In addition, since the nickel hardened layer is formed on a portion other than at least the portion where the hard carbon layer is formed (at least the contact portion with the clutch plate), that is, for example, on the side surface of the coupling lever, Strength and durability can be further improved.

In the start / stop lever of the present invention, it is preferable that the hard carbon layer is formed on the nickel hardened layer.
According to the present invention, since the electroless nickel plating layer can be formed on the entire surface of the base of the start / stop lever, a mask or the like is attached to the portion where the hard carbon layer is formed when the electroless nickel plating layer is formed. And the formation of the electroless nickel plating layer can be facilitated.

In the coupling lever according to the present invention, it is preferable that the hard carbon layer is formed on the entire upper surface of the coupling lever.
According to the present invention, the hard carbon layer can be formed on the upper surface of the start / stop lever in one step using a general method such as plasma DVD method, ionized vapor deposition method, arc plasma method, etc. In this step, the hard carbon layer can be formed on a wide surface including the contact surface with the clutch plate, and the strength and durability of the start / stop lever can be improved while suppressing the cost.

In the start / stop lever of the present invention, it is preferable that the nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base member of the start / stop lever.
According to the present invention, since the nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base of the start / stop lever, not only the contact surface with the clutch plate but also the durability of the portion where the stress such as the side surface is strongly applied is improved. The durability of the product can be dramatically improved.

The timepiece with a chronograph according to the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned start / stop lever.
According to the present invention, since the start / stop lever having the same configuration as that of the above-described start / stop lever is provided, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  The method for forming a nickel hardened layer and a hard carbon layer on the surface of a start / stop lever according to the present invention is a gear that constitutes a basic timepiece wheel train arranged in a loosely fitted state on a shaft of a chronograph wheel and displaying a normal time. And the clutch plate and the gear are connected by insertion / extraction between the clutch plate that is urged toward the gear by a clutch spring provided in the chronograph wheel and rotates integrally with the chronograph wheel. A method of forming a nickel hardened layer and a hard carbon layer on a surface of a start / stop lever to be isolated, wherein after forming an electroless nickel plating layer on the surface of the start / stop lever, at least the electroless nickel plating layer on the surface A hard carbon layer is formed at the contact portion with the clutch plate, and the electroless nickel plating layer is simultaneously heat-treated using the heat at the time of forming the hard carbon layer. And forming a layer.

  According to the present invention, the electroless nickel plating layer can be heat-treated to form a hardened nickel layer by using heat at the time of forming the hard carbon layer simultaneously with the formation of the hard carbon layer. The nickel hardened layer can be reliably formed without performing a separate process for heat-treating. Therefore, the manufacturing time of the start / stop lever can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the present invention as described above, the sliding torque on the contact surface with the clutch plate can be reduced without narrowing the constraint on the needle imbalance, improving the design, improving the impact resistance, and optimizing the button click force. All can be realized. In addition, since durability such as a contact surface with the clutch plate can be ensured, the durability of the start / stop lever can be dramatically improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a speed adjusting mechanism of a basic timepiece wheel train 102 of the timepiece according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing chronograph wheel trains 202 and 203. In the following, “CHRONOGRAPH” may be abbreviated as “CG”.

[1. overall structure〕
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronically controlled mechanical timepiece with chronograph includes a basic clock train 102 having a pointer 101 (second hand, minute hand, and hour hand) indicating a normal time, and a chronograph time (integrated time). A first chronograph wheel train 202 having a second CG hand (second chronograph hand, hereinafter abbreviated) and a minute CG hand not shown, and a second chronograph wheel train 203 having a CG hand not shown. It is configured. The watch also has a start / stop button 301 as a first external operation button for starting or stopping chronograph measurement (time display by the second, minute and hour CG hands) and a second, minute and hour CG hand. A reset button 401 is provided as a second external operation button for returning to zero and resetting the chronograph measurement.

  The second CG hand, the minute CG hand, and the hour CG hand are respectively dials (not shown) of the shafts 208, 210, and 235 of the second CG wheel 204, the minute CG wheel 206, and the hour CG wheel 232 shown in FIG. It is attached to the tip of the side. The basic clock train 102 and the chronograph trains 202 and 203 are arranged at different levels in the thickness direction of the watch, and the basic clock train 102 is arranged at the level on the dial side (the back side of the drawing in FIG. 2). The chronograph wheel trains 202 and 203 are arranged in a layer on the back cover side (not shown) with the basic watch train wheel 102 and the basic watch train wheel bridge interposed therebetween.

[2. Basic clock train speed control mechanism)
First, the speed control mechanism of the basic timepiece wheel train 102 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the basic timepiece wheel train 102 is configured to include a barrel wheel 112 (first car: see FIG. 2) having a mainspring 103 as a driving source and second to sixth cars not shown. The sixth wheel is in mesh with the rotor of the generator 104. The basic timepiece wheel train 102 is driven to rotate by a barrel complete 112 that is rotated by the unwinding force of the mainspring 103, and the rotation of the barrel complete 112 is increased about 270,000 times and transmitted to the rotor of the generator 104.

  The generator 104 also serves as a speed governor, and includes a rotor (not shown), a stator in which the rotor is disposed, and a coil wound around the stator, and is driven by the basic clock train 102 to generate induced power. appear. The AC output from the generator 104 is boosted and rectified through a rectifier circuit 105 as shown in FIG.

The control circuit 107 configured with a one-chip IC is driven by the power supplied from the capacitor 106. The control circuit 107 includes an oscillation circuit 108, a rotor rotation detection circuit 109, and a brake control circuit 110.
The oscillation circuit 108 outputs an oscillation signal (32768 Hz) using the crystal resonator 111 which is a time standard source, divides this oscillation signal by a predetermined frequency dividing circuit, and outputs it as a reference signal fs to the brake control circuit 110. To do.
The rotation detection circuit 109 detects the rotation speed of the rotor from the power generation waveform output from the generator 104 and outputs the rotation detection signal FG to the brake control circuit 110.

  The brake control circuit 110 inputs a brake signal to the generator 104 based on the phase difference of the rotation detection signal FG with respect to the reference signal fs. As a result, braking is applied to the basic timepiece wheel train 102 to adjust the speed of the basic timepiece wheel train 102, and the time is displayed by the hands 101 connected to the basic timepiece wheel train 102. Further, as will be described in detail below, power is transmitted from the basic clock train 102 to the first chronograph train 202 and the second chronograph train 203, respectively.

[3-1. Overall configuration of chronograph train)
Next, the chronograph trains 202 and 203 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the chronograph wheel train of this embodiment includes a first chronograph wheel train 202 having a second CG wheel 204 and a minute CG wheel 206 and a second chronograph wheel train 203 having an hour CG wheel 232. It consists of and. The first chronograph train wheel 202 and the second chronograph train wheel 203 have different transmission paths, but both are driven to rotate by transmission of power from the basic watch train wheel 102.

[3-2. Configuration of first chronograph train]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first chronograph wheel train 202 includes a second CG wheel 204, a minute CG intermediate wheel 205, and a minute CG wheel 206. The second CG wheel 204 will be described in detail later. At the time of chronograph measurement by pressing the start / stop button 301, the fourth wheel & pinion wheel 113 constituting the basic clock train 102 and rotating once per minute (see FIG. 3). The power is transmitted from the motor to make one rotation per minute, and the second is accumulated and displayed by the second CG hand held by itself. The second CG wheel 204 includes a minute CG feed claw 207 that meshes with the sleep-like gear 205A of the minute CG intermediate wheel 205, and the rotation of the second CG wheel 204 passes through the minute CG intermediate wheel 205 to the minute CG wheel 206. The CG wheel 206 is decelerated so that the CG wheel 206 is rotated once in 30 minutes, and transmitted. The minutes are accumulated and displayed by the minute CG hands held in the minute CG wheel 206. Note that the second CG wheel 204, the minute CG wheel 206, and the hour CG wheel 232 described later rotate in the counterclockwise direction in FIG.

  The second CG wheel 204 includes a second CG axle 208 and a second CG heart cam 209 provided integrally with the second CG axle 208. The minute CG wheel 206 includes a minute CG axle 210, a minute CG heart cam 211 and a minute CG gear 212 provided integrally with the minute CG axle 210.

At the time of stopping by pressing the start / stop button 301 again, the transmission of power from the fourth wheel 113 to the second CG wheel 204 is cut off, so that the rotation of the second CG wheel 204 and the minute CG wheel 206 is stopped. Then, chronograph measurement stops.
Further, at the time of resetting (returning to zero) by pressing the reset button 401 at the time of stop, the second CG heart cam 209 is pressed by the second hour CG hammer 424 described later and is forced to rotate, so that the second CG The hand rotates (returns to zero) to the 0 second position. Further, the minute CG heart cam 211 is pressed by the minute CG hammer 418 and is forcibly rotated, whereby the minute CG hand rotates (returns to zero) to the 0 minute position.

  In the vicinity of the minute CG intermediate wheel 205, as shown in FIG. 2, a minute CG jump control spring 213 and a minute CG jump control lever 214 are provided. In the minute CG jump control spring 213, the base end portion is held by the spring holding screw 215, and the minute CG jump control lever 214 is urged. The minute CG jump control lever 214 is urged counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIG. 2) about the central axis 216 by the minute CG jump control spring 213 and comes into contact with the kana 205B of the minute CG intermediate wheel 205. The CG intermediate wheel 205 is prevented from erroneously rotating (reversely rotating) due to an impact.

[3-3. Configuration of second chronograph train]
As shown in FIG. 2, the second chronograph wheel train 203 includes a first temporary CG intermediate wheel 230, a second hour CG intermediate wheel 231, and an hour CG wheel 232. The first temporary CG intermediate wheel 230 is provided on the dial plate side of the shaft 230A and meshes with the barrel complete 112, and the second temporary CG intermediate wheel 231 is provided on the back cover side of the shaft 230A. 231B meshes with the second gear 234, and transmits the rotation of the barrel complete 112 to the second-time CG intermediate wheel 231.

The second time CG intermediate wheel 231 includes a shaft 231A, a gear 231B provided so as to be able to slip with respect to the shaft 231A, and a kana 231C provided integrally with the shaft 231A. The rotation transmitted from the car 230 is transmitted to the hour CG wheel 232.
By the first temporary CG intermediate wheel 230 and the second time CG intermediate wheel 231, the rotation of the barrel complete 112 is decelerated and transmitted to the hour CG wheel 232 so that the hour CG wheel 232 makes one rotation in 12 hours. The Then, the hour is accumulated and displayed by the hour CG hand held in the hour CG wheel 232.

  The hour CG wheel 232 has a diameter from the hour CG axle 235, an hour CG heart cam 236 provided integrally with the hour CG axle 235, an hour CG balancer 237 provided integrally with the hour CG heart cam 236, and the hour CG axle 235. (Not shown) that is provided integrally with the hour CG axle 235, and a collar portion (not shown) that protrudes outward in the direction, an hour CG gear 238 that is loosely fitted to the hour CG axle 235, and is slidable with respect to the hour CG axle 235. A friction spring fixing plate and a friction spring (not shown) that is supported by the friction spring fixing plate and presses the CG gear 238 against the collar portion are configured.

The hour CG wheel 232 rotates in conjunction with the hour CG gear 238 by the pressing force of the friction spring during chronograph measurement. That is, at the time of chronograph measurement, the hour CG wheel 232 is rotated by the rotation transmitted from the second hour CG intermediate wheel 231.
At the time of stop, the hour CG gear 238 is pressed by the hour CG regulating lever (not shown) urged by the hour CG regulating spring 316 to stop the hour CG axle 235 from rotating, and the chronograph measurement is stopped. . Further, since the kana 231C of the second hour CG intermediate wheel 231 that meshes with the hour CG gear 238 is fixed, the shaft 231A of the second hour CG intermediate wheel 231 integrated with the kana 231C is also fixed, and the rotation is transmitted from the barrel complete 112. The gear 231B of the second time CG intermediate wheel 231 rotates while slipping with respect to the shaft 231A.
At the time of resetting, the hour CG heart cam 236 is pressed against the second hour CG hammer 424 and is forcedly rotated with respect to the CG gear 238 when it is fixed by the CG restricting lever (not shown), so that the hour CG hand is zero. Rotate to the hour position (return to zero).

[4-1. Configuration of second CG car]
Next, the second CG wheel 204 and the start / stop levers 302 and 309 will be described. The second CG wheel 204 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state of the second CG wheel 204 at the time of chronograph measurement, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state of the second CG wheel 204 at the time of stop and reset.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second CG wheel 204 includes a second CG axle 208, a second CG heart cam 209, a second CG balancer 217, a minute CG feed claw 207 (see FIG. 2), and a radial direction from the second CG axle 208. A flange portion (not shown) protruding outward, a clutch spring 218, and a clutch ring 222 as a clutch plate are provided.

  A second wheel 113 constituting the basic clock train 102 is loosely fitted on the second CG axle 208. A flat plate-like portion 114 is formed inside the fourth wheel & pinion 113. The second CG heart cam 209 is provided integrally with the second CG axle 208 at the lower part (lower part in FIG. 3) of the upper tenon 208A of the second CG axle 208. The second CG balancer 217 is provided integrally with the second CG axle 208 below the second CG heart cam 209. The minute CG feed claw 207 is provided so as to rotate integrally with the second CG axle 208 on the side facing the second CG balancer 217 and the second CG axle 208 (see FIG. 2). A collar portion (not shown) projects radially outward from the lower portion of the second CG balancer 217 and the minute CG feed claw 207 of the second CG axle 208.

As shown in FIG. 3, the clutch spring 218 includes a small annular portion 219 that is fitted to the second CG axle 208 and supported by the collar (not shown), a large annular portion 220 that is fitted to the clutch ring 222 and bonded thereto, A plurality of leaf spring-shaped arm portions 221 connecting the small annular portion 219 and the large annular portion 220 are configured to rotate integrally with the second CG axle 208.
The clutch ring 222 includes a cylindrical large-diameter portion 223 and a cylindrical small-diameter portion 224 formed below the large-diameter portion 223. The large-diameter portion 223 is formed in a cylindrical shape that becomes thinner as the outer diameter decreases downward, and includes a tapered outer peripheral surface 223A. As described above, the clutch spring 218 is fitted and bonded to the large diameter portion 223 to urge the large diameter portion 223 toward the fourth wheel & pinion 113. As a result, the clutch ring 222 is biased toward the fourth wheel & pinion 113 side. The lower end surface of the small diameter portion 224 is formed flat and comes into surface contact with the plate-like portion 114 of the fourth wheel & pinion 113 during chronograph measurement.

[4-2. (Composition of start / stop lever)
5 is a plan view showing the start / stop levers 302 and 309 at the time of chronograph measurement, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the start / stop levers 302 and 309 at the time of stop and reset, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the start / stop levers at the time of chronograph measurement. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the stop lever 302 and the hammer control lever 410 at the time of resetting.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of start / stop levers 302 and 309 are provided on the side of the second CG wheel 204. The start / stop lever 302 includes a main body 303 formed in a substantially H shape in a plan view, a claw portion 304 formed on the lower left (lower left in FIG. 5) protrusion 303A of the main body 303 for lifting the clutch ring 222, and an upper left of the main body The protrusion / release lever restricting portion 305 formed in a beak shape in a plan view on the protrusion 303B of the main body and a contact portion 306 formed on the protrusion portion 303C on the lower right side of the main body and in contact with the start / stop lever 309 are configured. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the claw portion 304 is formed horizontally at the tip of a protruding portion 303 </ b> A that extends while descending from the main body 303 toward the fourth wheel & pinion 113. The tip of the claw portion 304 is chamfered so that the claw portion 304 can be easily inserted into the clutch ring 222. The claw portion 304 is formed with a flat lifting surface 304A that contacts the lower end surface of the large-diameter portion 223 of the clutch ring 222, and a slope 304B that is a chamfered portion and is continuous with the tip of the lifting surface 304A.

The start / stop lever restricting portion 305 rides on the operation cam column 52 or enters between the operation cam columns 52 according to the rotation state of the operation cam 5 described later in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, a concave portion 307 that is curved in a concave shape is formed at the base portion of the protruding portion 303 </ b> B where the start / stop lever restricting portion 305 is formed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the start / stop lever 302 is inserted through a rotation shaft 308 and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 308.

  On the other hand, the start / stop lever 309 is formed in a substantially U-shaped main body 310 in plan view and a protrusion 310A on the left side (left side in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the main body 310, as shown in FIG. A claw portion 311 to be lifted, a contact portion 312 that is formed on the right-side protruding portion 310B of the main body 310 and contacts the contact portion 306 of the coupling lever 302, and protrudes from the main body 310 to the opposite side of the protruding portions 310A and 310B. And a spring portion 313. The start / stop lever 309 is inserted into the rotation shaft 314 and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 314.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the claw portion 311 is formed in the same manner as the claw portion 304 of the start / stop lever 302, and is provided at the tip of the protruding portion 310A that extends while descending from the main body 310 toward the fourth wheel & pinion 113 side. It is formed horizontally and the tip is chamfered. The claw portion 311 is formed with a flat lifting surface 304A that comes into contact with the lower end surface of the large-diameter portion 223 of the clutch ring 222, and a slope 311B that continues to the tip of the lifting surface 311A. As shown in FIG. 5, the claw portion 311 is disposed at a position facing the claw portion 304 of the start / stop lever 302 across the second CG wheel 204.

  The spring portion 313 urges the start / stop lever 309 away from the second CG wheel 204, that is, counterclockwise when the start / stop lever 309 is inserted into the second CG wheel 204. A substantially U-shaped notch 315 in plan view with which the hour CG regulating spring 316 abuts is formed at the base of the left protrusion 310A of the start / stop lever 309. At this time, the CG restriction spring 316 urges the above-mentioned not-shown CG restriction lever that fixes the hour CG gear 238 at the time of stop.

[4-3. (Operation of start / stop lever)
The start / stop levers 302 and 309 are controlled by an operation cam 5 described later. The operation of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 will be described below.
At the time of normal hand movement (reset time) when chronograph measurement is not performed, as shown in FIG. 6, the start / stop lever restricting portion 305 rides on the operating cam column 52, and the start / stop levers 302 and 309 are both The second CG wheel 204 is inserted. At this time, the start / stop lever 309 is rotated clockwise by the start / stop lever 302, and is biased counterclockwise by the spring portion 313. The start / stop lever 302 is urged clockwise by the start / stop lever 309 urged counterclockwise, that is, the direction in which the start / stop lever restricting portion 305 is pressed against the operating cam column 52.

  In this state, when the start / stop button 301 is pushed (when starting), the operating cam 5 rotates clockwise by one pitch as shown in FIG. The start / stop lever restricting portion 305 is inserted between the operating cam columns 52. As a result, the start / stop lever 302 rotates clockwise and leaves the second CG wheel 204. Further, the restriction on the start / stop lever 309 by the start / stop lever 302 is released, and the start / stop lever 309 rotates counterclockwise by the elastic force of the spring portion 313 and is separated from the second CG wheel 204.

  From this state, when the start / stop button 301 is pushed again (when the operation is stopped), as shown in FIG. 6, the operation cam 5 is rotated by one pitch in the clockwise direction, and the start / stop lever restricting portion 305 is Ride on the operating cam column 52. As a result, the start / stop lever 302 rotates counterclockwise and is inserted into the second CG wheel 204. The start / stop lever 309 is rotated clockwise by the start / stop lever 302 and is inserted into the second CG wheel 204.

[4-4. Connection and disconnection of power from the fourth car to the second CG car]
As described above, the claw portions 304 and 311 of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 are both clutched as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 during normal operation (at reset) when chronograph measurement is not performed. The clutch ring 222 is lifted by being inserted between the large diameter portion 223 of the ring 222 and the fourth wheel & pinion 113. Thereby, the transmission of power from the fourth wheel 113 to the second CG wheel 204 is cut off. At this time, the second wheel 113 is idle with respect to the second CG axle 208 because the second CG heart cam 209 is pressed against the second CG hammer 424 and the second CG axle 208 is fixed.

  On the other hand, at the start of chronograph measurement, the start / stop levers 302 and 309 are both moved away from the second CG wheel 204, so that the clutch ring 222 is moved by the clutch spring 218 as shown in FIGS. It is pressed against the plate-like portion 114 of the fourth wheel & pinion 113. Further, the second CG hammer 424 moves to a position away from the second CG heart cam 209, and the second CG axle 208 is released from being fixed. Therefore, power is transmitted from the fourth wheel 113 to the second CG wheel 204, the second CG wheel 204 starts to rotate, and chronograph measurement starts.

At the time of stop, the claws 304 and 311 are again inserted between the large diameter portion 223 of the clutch ring 222 and the fourth wheel 113, whereby the clutch ring 222 is lifted and the second wheel 113 is Transmission of power to the car 204 is cut off. Thereby, chronograph measurement stops. At this time, the claw portions 304 and 311 lift the clutch ring 222 while rubbing the inclined surfaces 304B and 311B and the lifting surfaces 304A and 311A against the outer peripheral surface 223A and the bottom surface of the clutch ring 222.
At the time of resetting, the second CG heart cam 209 presses against the second CG hammer lever 424 while the clutch ring 222 is lifted to the claw portions 304 and 311. As a result, the second CG wheel 204 rotates while sliding the clutch ring 222 between the start / stop levers 302 and 309 and returns the second CG hand to zero.

[5-1. (The surface structure of the lever)
Here, in the start / stop levers 302 and 309 of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 (see FIG. 3 and the like for the start / stop lever 309), a slope that is a contact portion (sliding portion) with the clutch ring 222 A hard carbon layer made of a hard carbon film (DLC film: Diamond like Carbon film) is formed on the entire upper surface including 304B, 311B and lifting surfaces 304A, 311A. Further, a nickel hardened layer made of a nickel hardened film is formed on the whole of the start / stop levers 302 and 309. That is, in the start / stop levers 302 and 309 of this embodiment, a nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base material made of a metal material, and corresponds to the upper surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 on the nickel hardened layer. A hard carbon layer is formed in the portion.

Thereby, in the timepiece of the present embodiment, the slip torque between the clutch ring 222 and the inclined surfaces 304B, 311B and the lifting surfaces 304A, 311A of the start / stop levers 302, 309 can be reduced, and the start / stop levers 302, 309 at the time of stop. The force required to insert the second CG wheel 204 into the second CG wheel 204 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the force (button click force) required for the pressing operation of the start / stop button 301 at the time of stop, and to optimize the button click force.
Further, since the slip torque between the start / stop levers 302 and 309 and the clutch ring 222 at the time of resetting can be reduced, the force required for the press contact of the second CG hammer 424 to the second CG heart cam 209 at the time of resetting can be reduced. The button click force of the reset button 401 can be optimized.

  Further, since the button click force of the start / stop button 301 and the reset button 401 can be optimized without reducing the elastic force of the clutch spring 218, the frictional force between the clutch ring 222 and the fourth wheel & pinion 113 can be maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the needle jump of the second CG hand at the time of impact. Further, since the frictional force between the clutch ring 222 and the fourth wheel & pinion 113 can be maintained, the adjustment range of the balance between the second CG hand, the second CG heart cam 209, and the second CG balancer 217 can be expanded. Design constraints can be reduced. As a result, the design and quality of the watch can be improved.

In addition, since the hard carbon layer has almost no decrease in the initial friction coefficient due to aging, the friction coefficient of the contact surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 on which the hard carbon layer is formed remains low for many years. It is possible to increase the life of the start / stop levers 302 and 309.
In addition, since the nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309, the strength and durability of the entire surface of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 can be ensured.

[5-2. Nickel hardened layer treatment and hard carbon layer treatment on the start / stop lever)
The nickel hard layer and the hard carbon layer are formed on the start / stop levers 302 and 309 as follows. In addition, since the formation method of a nickel hardened layer and the formation method of a hard carbon layer are well-known, it demonstrates easily.
First, the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 subjected to the pretreatment is immersed in a plating solution to form an electroless nickel plating layer on the entire surface of the base material. Subsequently, on the electroless nickel plating layer, a plasma DVD method using methane as a raw material, an ionized vapor deposition method using benzene as a raw material, and an arc plasma method using graphite as a raw material on portions corresponding to the upper surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309. The hard carbon layer is laminated by, for example.

  At this time, since the base material is heated by the heat at the time of forming the hard carbon layer, simultaneously with the formation of the hard carbon layer, the electroless nickel plating formed on the entire surface of the base material is heat-treated to form the nickel hardened layer and Become. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the nickel hardened layer can be reliably formed without separately providing a process for heat-treating the electroless nickel plating layer, and the manufacturing time can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[6-1. (Operation cam configuration)
Below, the structure which concerns on chronograph measurement is demonstrated.
As shown in FIG. 5, the operating cam 5 (pillar wheel) is arranged on the extending direction of the crown 6 arranged at the intermediate portion between the start / stop button 301 and the reset button 401.

  The operating cam 5 is for controlling the movement of the start / stop lever 302, the hammer transmission lever 406, and the hammer control lever 410. As shown in FIG. 5, the operation cam 5 includes an operation cam gear 51 having substantially triangular teeth and a plurality of operation cams protruding upward from the outer edge portion of the operation cam gear 51 (front side in FIG. 5). A column 52 is provided. The operation cam column 52 is formed in a substantially triangular shape in plan view, and the number of the half of the teeth of the operation cam gear 51 is formed. A jumper portion 325 of an operation cam jumper 324 is engaged with the gear of the operation cam 5. When the operation cam 5 is rotated clockwise by an operation lever 318 described later, the rotation position is fixed by the operation cam jumper 324 after rotating by one pitch.

[6-2. (Operation lever configuration)
As shown in FIG. 5, an operating lever 318 is arranged in the direction in which the start / stop button 301 is immersed. The operation lever 318 is for rotating the operation cam 5 by one pitch in the clockwise direction. The actuating lever 318 is formed with an actuating lever restricting portion 319 that comes into contact with the teeth of the actuating cam gear 51 and a track-like hole 320 extending in the direction in which the start / stop button 301 is retracted. A guide shaft 321 for restricting the moving direction of the operating lever 318 is disposed in the hole 320. The operating lever 318 is formed with a receiving pin 322 that receives the operating lever spring 323.
When the start / stop button 301 is pressed, the operating lever 318 is pressed by the start / stop button 301 and moves in the direction in which the start / stop button 301 is retracted, and the operating cam 5 is rotated by one pitch by the operating lever restricting portion 319. After that, the actuator is biased in the original position direction by the operating lever 318 spring and returns to the original position. As a result, the start / stop button 301 is also returned to the original protruding state.

[6-3. Configuration of hammer transmission lever)
FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the main part of the timepiece at the time of stop, and FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the main part of the timepiece at the time of reset.
As shown in FIG. 9, a hammer transmission lever 402 is arranged in the direction in which the reset button 401 is immersed. The hammer transmission lever 402 is for moving a hammer transmission lever 406 (to be described later) and causing the hammer transmission lever 406 to press the hammer control lever 410. The hammer transmission lever 402 is inserted into the rotation shaft 403 and is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 403. The hammer transmission lever 402 is urged clockwise by the hammer transmission lever spring 404 when it is pressed by the reset button 401 and rotated counterclockwise (counterclockwise in FIGS. 9 and 10). , Configured to return to the original position. Accordingly, when the reset button 401 is also pushed, the hammer transmission lever 402 returns to the original protruding state. The hammer transmission lever 402 is formed with a substantially half-moon shaped fixed shaft 407.

[6-4. (Composition of hammer transmission lever)
A hammer transmission lever 406 is arranged on the hammer transmission lever 402 as shown in FIG. The hammer transmission lever 406 is fitted into a substantially half-moon fixed shaft 407 and is fixed to the hammer transmission lever 402 integrally with the hammer transmission lever 402. On one end side of the hammer transmission lever 406, an abutting portion 408 that abuts on the operating cam column 52 when stopped is formed. A pressing portion 409 that presses the hammer control lever 410 is formed on the other end side of the hammer transmission lever 406. The hammer transmission lever 406 moves integrally with the hammer transmission lever 402 around the contact portion 408 that contacts the operating cam column 52 when the hammer transmission lever 402 rotates by pressing the reset button 401. Then, the hammer 408 is pressed by the pressing portion 409.

[6-5-1. Configuration of hammer control lever)
The hammer control lever 410 is for moving the second CG hammer 424 and eventually the minute CG hammer 418. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the hammer control lever 410 is fitted into a hammer control lever restricting portion 411 formed in a beak shape in plan view and concave portions 416 and 417 of a hammer jumper 415 described later. A protrusion 412 and an operating pin 413 formed at the lower end are provided. The hammer control lever 410 is inserted into the rotation shaft 414 and configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 414.
The hammer control lever restricting portion 411 is formed in such a size that it can enter between the operation cam columns 52, and the operation cam 5 rotates at the start of entering between the operation cam columns 52. 410 is rotated counterclockwise.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first concave portion 416 and a second concave portion 417 are formed at the distal end portion of the hammer jumper 415 from the distal end side, and the protruding portion 412 of the hammer control lever 410 is formed by the hammer jumper 415. The hammering control lever 410 is positioned by fitting into these recesses 416 and 417.
The operation pin 413 is disposed in an operation hole 425 of a second-time CG hammer lever 424, which will be described later, and moves the second-time CG hammer lever 424 by pressing the side surface of the operation hole 425. Further, by moving the second CG hammer 424, the minute CG hammer 418 integrated with the second CG hammer 424 is moved.

[6-5-2. Movement of hammer operation lever)
As shown in FIG. 10, the hammer control lever 410 has the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 entering between the operation cam columns 52 and the protrusion 412 returning to the normal position when the chronograph measurement is not started. The needle jumper 415 is fitted and positioned in the second recess 417.
At the start of chronograph measurement, the hammer control lever 410 rotates counterclockwise by rotating the actuation cam 5 by one pitch and pressing the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 against the actuation cam column 52. . The protrusion 412 is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 9 by fitting into the first recess 416 of the hammer jumper 415.

FIG. 9 shows a state at the time of stop, and the operating cam 5 at the time of chronograph measurement (at the time of start) is a position returned by one pitch counterclockwise from the rotational position shown in FIG. The contact portion 408 of the transmission lever 406 is in a position where it can enter between the operating cam columns 52. For this reason, even if the reset button 401 is pressed during chronograph measurement, the hammer transmission lever 406 slides to the operating cam 5 side without rotating because the contact portion 408 enters between the operating cam columns 52. Then, the hammer control lever 410 is not pressed. As a result, malfunction caused by pressing the reset button 401 during chronograph measurement is prevented.
The rotational position of the actuation cam 5 at the time of chronograph measurement is a position where the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 hits the actuation cam column 52 when attempting to rotate.

At the time of stop, the operating cam 5 rotates by one pitch from the rotation position at the time of chronograph measurement, and is positioned at the position shown in FIG. Thereby, the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 can enter between the operating cam columns 52.
At the time of resetting, as shown in FIG. 10, the hammer control lever 410 is pressed by the hammer transmission lever 406, so that the protrusion 412 comes out of the first recess 416 and rotates counterclockwise. By 413, the second hour CG hammer 424 is moved. At this time, the hammer control lever 410 is positioned by the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 entering between the operating cam columns 52 and the protrusion 412 fitting into the second recess 417.

[6-6. Configuration of CG hammer lever in seconds)
As shown in FIG. 9, the second hour CG hammer 424 includes an arm portion 424A that presses the second CG heart cam 209 and an arm portion 424B that presses the hour CG heart cam 236. The second hour CG hammer 424 is formed with a curved track-shaped operating hole 425, a track-shaped second guide hole 426, and a track-shaped third guide hole 420.
An operation pin 413 of the hammer control lever 410 is disposed in the operation hole 425. A guide shaft 427 is disposed in the second guide hole 426. The third guide hole is formed below a minute CG hammer 418 (described later in FIG. 9). In the third guide hole 420, guide pins 428 planted in the basic watch wheel train holder are arranged. This guide pin 428 is also disposed below the minute CG hammer 418.

  When the second CG hammer 424 is reset, the side of the operating hole 425 is pressed by the operating pin 413 of the hammer control lever 410 that rotates counterclockwise around the rotating shaft 414, thereby guiding the CG hammer. The second guide hole 426 and the third guide hole 420 slide in the extending direction while being guided by the shaft 427 and the guide pin 428. Then, the second hour CG hammer 424 presses the second and hour CG heart cams 209 and 236 by the respective arm portions 424A and 424B to return the second and hour CG hands to zero.

[6-7. (Configuration of minute CG hammer)
As shown in FIG. 9, the minute CG hammer 418 includes an arm portion 418 </ b> A that presses the minute CG heart cam 209. The CG hammer 418 is arranged on the second CG hammer 424 and is fixed to the second CG hammer 424 by fixing screws 429 and 431 and a fixing pin 430. The minute CG hammer 418 is formed with a guide hole 419 having substantially the same shape as the operation hole 425 of the second hour CG hammer 424 and slightly larger than the operation hole 425. An operation pin 413 formed on the hammer control lever 410 is disposed in the guide hole 419.
The minute CG hammer 418 is slid integrally with the second CG hammer 424 when the second CG hammer 424 is slid by the operating pin 413, and the minute CG heart cam 211 is moved by the arm 418A. And the minute CG hand is returned to zero.

[7-1. (Overall movement during normal operation)
In the following, the movement of the entire chronograph mechanism will be described separately for normal hand movement, start time, stop time, and reset time. First, it demonstrates from the time of normal hand operation.

  During normal hand movement in which chronograph measurement is not performed, the operating cam 5 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. 2, and the start / stop lever 302 (start / stop lever restricting portion 305) rides on the operating cam column 52, and the second CG wheel. 204. A start / stop lever 309 that is linked to the start / stop lever 302 is also inserted into the second CG wheel 204. That is, the clutch ring 222 of the second CG wheel 204 is lifted by the start / stop levers 302 and 309, and the transmission of power from the fourth wheel 113 to the clutch ring 222 is cut off. Accordingly, the transmission of power from the fourth wheel 113 to the second CG wheel 204 and the minute CG wheel 206 connected to the second CG wheel 204 via the minute CG intermediate wheel 205 is cut off.

  Further, the second CG hammer 204 is pressed against the second CG heart cam 209 so that the rotation of the second CG wheel 204 is stopped. As a result, the fourth wheel & pinion 113 idles on the second CG axle 208. In addition, the minute CG hammer 204 is pressed against the minute CG heart cam 211 to stop the minute CG wheel 204 from rotating. The start / stop lever 302 is urged by a start / stop lever 309 having a spring portion 313 in the clockwise direction, that is, in a direction in which the start / stop lever 302 abuts the operating cam column 52.

The hour CG wheel 232 is also pressed by the hour CG restriction lever (not shown) whose side surface of the hour CG gear 238 is urged by the hour CG restriction spring 316, and the hour CG heart cam 236 is pushed by the second CG hammer 418. The rotation is stopped by the pressure contact. At this time, since the shaft 231A of the second hour CG intermediate wheel 231 is fixed by the kana 231C that meshes with the hour CG gear 238, the gear 231B of the second hour CG intermediate wheel 231 to which the rotation from the barrel complete 112 is transmitted. Rotates while slipping with respect to the shaft 231A.
During normal hand movement, the hammer control lever 410 is positioned with the protrusion 412 fitted into the second recess 417 of the hammer jumper 415 (see FIG. 10). Further, the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 enters between the operating cam columns 52.

[7-2. Overall movement at start)
When the start / stop button 301 is pressed, the operation lever 318 shown in FIG. 5 slides in the direction in which the start / stop button 301 is inserted, and the operation lever restricting portion 319 presses the teeth of the operation cam 5, whereby the operation cam 5 Is rotated one pitch clockwise. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the hammer control lever 410 is pushed into the first recess 416 of the hammer jumper 415 by the hammer control lever restricting portion 411 being pushed by the operating cam column 52. It rotates counterclockwise to the position where it is inserted.
As a result, the second CG hammer 424 is moved to a position away from the second and hour CG heart cams 209, 236 by the operating pin 413 of the hammer control lever 410, and the second, The hour CG cars 209 and 232 are unlocked. The minute CG hammer 418 integrated with the second CG hammer 424 is also moved to a position away from the minute CG heart cam 211, and the minute CG wheel 206 is not fixed by the minute CG hammer 418. Is done.

  At the same time, as shown in FIG. 5, the start / stop lever 302 urged toward the operation cam 5 by the start / stop lever 309 rotates clockwise and enters between the operation cam columns 52. Further, the start / stop lever 309 is also released from being fixed at the position rotated clockwise by the start / stop lever 302, and is rotated counterclockwise by the counterclockwise biasing force of the spring portion 313. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the clutch ring 222 of the second CG wheel 204 is pressed by the clutch spring 218 and comes into contact with the fourth wheel 113, whereby power is transmitted from the fourth wheel 113 to the second CG wheel 204. The second CG wheel 204 rotates. Also, power is transmitted from the second CG wheel 204 to the minute CG wheel 206 via the minute CG intermediate wheel 205, and the minute CG wheel 206 also rotates. Thereby, the chronograph measurement by the second CG hand and the minute CG hand is started.

  Here, in the present embodiment, unlike the conventional case, the elastic force of the clutch spring 218 is not lowered in order to optimize the button click force, so the clutch ring 222 is biased by the clutch spring 218. Rub firmly with the fourth wheel 113. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the needle jump of the second CG hand at the time of impact. Further, since the clutch ring 222 firmly rubs with the fourth wheel & pinion 113, the adjustment range of the balance between the second CG hand, the second CG heart cam 209, and the second CG balancer 217 can be expanded. Therefore, design restrictions can be reduced, and the design and quality of the watch can be improved.

  Also in the hour CG wheel 232, the hour CG heart cam 236 is disengaged by the second CG hammer 424, and the hour CG regulating spring 316 is moved by the clockwise rotation of the start / stop lever 309. When not shown, the hour CG gear 238 (hour CG wheel 232) is unlocked by the CG restriction lever. Thereby, the hour CG wheel 232 starts to rotate and chronograph measurement by the hour CG hand starts.

[7-3. Overall movement at stop)
When the start / stop button 301 is pushed again from the time of chronograph measurement (after the start), the operation cam 5 is rotated by one pitch and the start / stop lever 302 is moved onto the operation cam column 52 as shown in FIG. It rides and turns counterclockwise and is inserted into the second CG wheel 204. The start / stop lever 309 is also rotated clockwise by the contact portion 306 of the start / stop lever 302 and inserted into the second CG wheel 204. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the clutch ring 222 of the second CG wheel 204 is lifted by the start / stop levers 302 and 309, and the transmission of power from the fourth wheel 113 to the clutch ring 222 is cut off. And the rotation of the minute CG wheel 206 stops.

  At this time, since the hard carbon layer is formed on the upper surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 of this embodiment, the sliding torque of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 with respect to the clutch ring 222 can be reduced, and The force required to insert the levers 302 and 309 into the second CG wheel 204 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the button click force necessary for the pressing operation of the start / stop button 301, and to optimize the button click force.

At this time, when the start / stop lever 309 is rotated counterclockwise, the hour CG restriction spring 316 is moved, and when not shown, the CG restriction lever presses the side surface of the hour CG gear 238. Thereby, the rotation of the hour CG wheel 232 is stopped.
As the operating cam 5 rotates by one pitch, the rotational position of the operating cam 5 at the time of stop is set by the hammer control lever regulating portion 411 of the hammer control lever 410 as shown in FIG. It becomes a position which can enter between 52. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotation position of the operation cam 5 is a position where the contact portion 408 of the hammer transmission lever 406 contacts the operation cam column 52.

[7-4. (Overall movement at reset)
When the reset button 401 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed at the stop, the hammer transmission lever 402 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 403. As a result, the hammer transmission lever 406 fixed on the hammer transmission lever 402 rotates counterclockwise integrally with the hammer transmission lever 402 around the contact portion 408 to press-contact the hammer control lever 410. To do. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, until the hammer control lever 410 presses the second-time CG hammer lever 424 with the operating pin 413, the protrusion 412 reaches the position where it is fitted in the second recess 417 of the hammer jumper 415. It is rotated counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 414 and positioned. A hammer control lever restricting portion 411 is inserted between the operating cam columns 52.

  The second CG hammer 424 pressed by the operating pin 413 slides to the second and hour CG heart cams 209 and 236 as shown in FIG. 10, and the second and hour CG heart cams 209 and 424 are moved by the arm portions 424A and 424B. 236 is pressed. The second / hour CG hammer lever 424 presses the second / hour CG heart cams 209 and 236 to force the second / hour CG wheels 204 and 232 to rotate, thereby returning the second and hour CG hands to zero.

  Here, when the second CG hammer 424 is pressed against the second CG heart cam 209, the second CG wheel 204 is slid between the clutch ring 222 of the second CG wheel 204 and the start / stop levers 302 and 309. While forcibly turning. However, since the hard carbon layer is formed on the upper surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 of this embodiment, that is, the contact surfaces with the clutch ring 222 (the inclined surfaces 304B and 311B and the lifting surfaces 304A and 311A), the clutch ring The slip torque between 222 and the start / stop levers 302 and 309 is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the force required to press the second CG hammer 424 against the second CG heart cam 209 is reduced, and thereby the button click force of the reset button 401 can be reduced and optimized.

  Further, as the second CG hammer 424 slides, the minute CG hammer 418 integrated with the second CG hammer 424 also slides toward the minute CG heart cam 211 and presses the minute CG heart cam 211. The minute CG wheel 206 is forcibly rotated to return the minute CG hand to zero.

[8. Effects according to this embodiment
According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a hard carbon layer is formed on the contact surfaces of the clutch levers 222 and 309 with the clutch ring 222, that is, the inclined surfaces 304B and 311B and the lifting surfaces 304A and 311A, the clutch levers 302 and 309 and the clutch ring The slip torque with 222 can be reduced, and the force required to insert the start / stop levers 302 and 309 into the second CG wheel 204 can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the button click force necessary for the pressing operation of the start / stop button 301, and to optimize the button click force. In addition, the pressing force of the second CG hammer 424 to the second CG heart cam 209 can be reduced, and the button click force of the reset button 401 can be optimized.
Further, unlike the conventional case, the elastic force of the clutch spring 218 is not lowered in order to optimize the button click force. Therefore, the clutch ring 222 is urged by the clutch spring 218 and firmly connected to the fourth wheel & pinion 113. Rubbing. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the needle jump of the second CG hand at the time of impact. In addition, since the adjustment range of the balance between the second CG hand, second CG heart cam 209, and second CG balancer 217 can be expanded, the design constraints and quality of the watch can be reduced. Can be improved.
Furthermore, since the friction coefficient of the contact part with the clutch ring 222 in which the hard carbon layer of the coupling levers 302 and 309 is formed can be kept low for many years, the coupling levers 302 and 309 Long life can be achieved.

(2) Since the nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309, not only the contact surface with the clutch ring 222 but also the durability of the side surface and the bottom surface where stress is applied strongly. Can also be improved. Accordingly, the durability of the product can be dramatically improved. Further, when forming the electroless nickel plating layer, it is not necessary to attach a mask or the like to the portion where the hard carbon layer is formed, and the formation of the electroless nickel plating layer can be facilitated.

(3) Since the electroless nickel plating layer is first formed on the surface of the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309, and then the hard carbon layer is formed, the heat at the time of forming the hard carbon layer is formed simultaneously with the formation of the hard carbon layer. Thus, the electroless nickel plating layer can be heat-treated to form a nickel hardened layer. Therefore, the nickel hardened layer can be reliably formed without performing a separate process for heat-treating the electroless nickel plating layer, the manufacturing time of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(4) Since a hard carbon layer is formed on the upper surfaces of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 by using a general method such as a plasma DVD method, an ionized vapor deposition method, or an arc plasma method, the hard carbon layer is formed in a single step. It can be formed on the upper surface including the contact surface with the clutch ring 222, and the strength and durability of the start / stop levers 302 and 309 can be improved while reducing costs.

[9. Modification of this embodiment]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, and the like within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, if the start / stop levers 302 and 309 of the present invention are used to disconnect and connect the power of the number wheel (gear) constituting the basic timepiece wheel train 102 and the chronograph wheel, the second CG wheel 204 It is not limited to being plugged in, and may be plugged into a minute CG car or an hour CG car. The start / stop levers 302 and 309 may be inserted into a chronograph wheel that is not provided with a CG hand provided in front of the second CG wheel 204, the minute CG wheel 206, and the hour CG wheel 232.

In the said embodiment, although the base material of the coupling levers 302 and 309 was comprised with the metal, you may comprise with the nonmetal containing plastics, ceramics, etc.
In the above embodiment, the hard carbon layer is formed on the entire upper surface of the start / stop levers 302 and 309. However, if the hard carbon layer is formed on at least the contact surface with the clutch ring 222, it is not necessary to be formed on the entire upper surface. .

In the embodiment, the nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309. However, the nickel hardened layer needs to be formed on the entire surface of the base material of the start / stop levers 302 and 309. However, it may be formed at least other than the contact surface with the clutch ring 222 (for example, the side surfaces and the back surface of the start / stop levers 302 and 309).
In the embodiment, the hardened carbon layer is formed by heat-treating the electroless nickel plating layer with the heat of the hard carbon layer. However, the hard carbon layer is formed after the heat-treated electroless nickel plating layer is formed. May be.

Oil may be applied to the contact surface between the start / stop levers 302 and 309 and the clutch ring 222. In this way, the slip torque between the start / stop levers 302 and 309 and the clutch ring 222 can be further reduced.
In the timepiece of the above embodiment, the chronograph wheel trains 202 and 203 and the start / stop levers 302 and 309 are controlled by the operation cam (pillar wheel) 5 that rotates, but only the cam that swings without using the operation cam is used. May be controlled. However, the pillar wheel type has a structure in which the force for pushing the buttons 301 and 401 is transmitted by the rotation of the operation cam 5, so that the button operation can be performed lightly and there are few malfunctions. In addition, there is a merit that various parts are less likely to be burdened and durability is higher.

In the embodiment described above, the driving source is the mainspring. However, rubber or a spring may be used, and the driving source is not limited to the mainspring.
The start / stop lever of the present invention is not limited to being used in an electronically controlled opportunity timepiece with chronograph, and can also be applied to a self-winding power generation timepiece or a mechanical timepiece if a chronograph is attached.

The block diagram which shows the speed control mechanism of the basic timepiece wheel train with a chronograph of the timepiece which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the chronograph wheel train of this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state of the second CG wheel at the time of chronograph measurement of this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state of the second CG wheel at the time of a stop of this embodiment, and a reset. The perspective view which shows the start / stop lever and the hammer control lever at the time of chronograph measurement of this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the start / stop lever and the hammer control lever at the time of the stop of this embodiment. The top view which shows the start / stop lever at the time of the chronograph measurement of this embodiment. The top view which shows the start / stop lever at the time of the stop of this embodiment. The top view which shows the principal part of the timepiece of the timepiece of the stop at the time of this embodiment. The top view which shows the principal part of the timepiece at the time of reset of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  102: Basic clock train, 113: Fourth wheel (gear), 204: Second CG wheel (chronograph wheel), 208: Second CG axle (chronograph wheel shaft), 218: Clutch spring, 222: Clutch ring ( Clutch plate), 302, 309...

Claims (6)

A gear that constitutes a basic timepiece wheel train that is arranged in a loosely fitted state on the shaft of the chronograph wheel and displays a normal time, and is urged toward the gear by a clutch spring provided in the chronograph wheel. A clutch lever that connects and separates the clutch plate and the gear by inserting and removing between the clutch plate that rotates integrally with the chronograph wheel,
A hard carbon layer formed at least in contact with the clutch plate and at least a nickel hardened layer formed in a portion other than the portion where the hard carbon layer is formed;
The nickel hardened layer is formed by heat-treating an electroless nickel plating layer. The start / stop lever according to claim 1,
The hard carbon layer is formed on the nickel hardened layer. The start / stop lever according to claim 1 or 2,
The hard carbon layer is formed on the entire top surface of the start / stop lever. The start / stop lever according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The nickel hardened layer is formed on the entire surface of the base material of the start / stop lever. A timepiece with a chronograph comprising the start / stop lever according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A gear that constitutes a basic timepiece wheel train that is arranged in a loosely fitted state on the shaft of the chronograph wheel and displays a normal time, and is urged toward the gear by a clutch spring provided in the chronograph wheel. A method of forming a hardened nickel layer and a hard carbon layer on a surface of a start / stop lever that connects and separates the clutch plate and the gear by inserting and removing between the clutch plate and a clutch plate that rotates integrally with a chronograph wheel. ,
After the electroless nickel plating layer is formed on the surface of the start / stop lever, a hard carbon layer is formed on at least a contact portion with the clutch plate on the electroless nickel plating layer, and heat at the time of forming the hard carbon layer is formed. A method of forming a hardened nickel layer and a hard carbon layer on the surface of a lever, wherein the electroless nickel plating layer is heat-treated simultaneously to form a hardened nickel layer.

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