JP3124810B2 - Register ring holding structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a holding structure for a register ring rotatably mounted on a watch case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional structure for holding a register ring, for example, there is a structure shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 28189/1987. In the holding structure of the register ring, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of spring portions 1a rising upward from an annular click spring 1 are formed at intervals along a circumferential direction.
As shown in FIG. 10, a sliding portion 1b which is greatly curved is formed at the tip of each spring portion 1a, and a projection 1c is provided at the center of only one sliding portion 1b. The watch case 2 with the spring portion 1a facing upward.
, And a plurality of engaging grooves 3 are provided on the lower surface 3a of the register ring 3 at positions facing the respective sliding portions 1b of the click spring 1.
b are formed continuously along the circumferential direction, and the sliding portion 1b is slidably engaged with the engaging groove 3b so that the position of the register ring 3 in the rotational direction is regulated.

As described above, in order for the register ring to be rotatable with respect to the watch case, it is necessary to provide a minimum gap between the register ring and the watch case to allow the rotation. . However, simply providing a gap causes the register ring to rattle in the radial direction due to the gap.
In the structure for holding a register ring disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1707081, the inner periphery of the register ring 6 which rotates by engaging a projection 6a with an engagement step 5 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the protection member 4 as shown in FIG. A fitting ring 6b is formed in the surface, an elastic packing 7 (O-ring) is fitted into the fitting groove 6b, and the inner peripheral surface of the packing 7 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the watch case 8 to thereby register the register ring. 6 to absorb backlash in the radial direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 11).

Further, in the holding structure of the register ring shown in FIG. 12 described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 59-74390, a fitting groove 8a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the watch case 8, and an elastic groove is formed in the fitting groove 8a. (O-ring) 9 having
And the outer circumferential surface of the packing 9 is brought into contact with the inner circumferential surface 11a of the register ring 11 to absorb the backlash in the radial direction of the register ring 11.

[0005]

However, in the case of such a structure in which packing is used to absorb backlash in the radial direction of the register ring, the fitting groove 6b shown in FIG.
Since the fitting grooves for fitting the packings 7 and 9 like the fitting grooves 8a of 2 have to be formed in the register ring 6 and the watch case 8 by cutting or the like, there is a problem that the number of processing steps increases accordingly. was there. Further, there is a problem that the number of parts is increased by the amount of the packing, and the number of assembling steps for assembling the parts is also increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a structure in which a radial direction of a register ring with respect to a watch case is provided without providing an annular packing formed of an elastic body between the watch case and the register ring. The purpose is to be able to absorb backlash.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the above-described structure for holding a register ring, the entire structure is formed in a substantially circular shape, and the lower surface is engaged with a watch case on a lower surface. A fixing portion for positioning and fixing has a click portion on the upper surface which engages with a ratchet groove of the register ring with elastic force, and projects radially outward on the outer periphery of the substantially circular portion to form an inner peripheral surface of the register ring. A ratchet spring is formed between the timepiece case and the register ring, in which a plurality of ratchet springs are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction to prevent backlash that slides with elasticity. Each of the spring portions has a substantially U-shape with one end portion opened, and has a contact portion slightly protruding outward at the tip end on the open side.
And, connecting the respective outer ends of the plurality of abutment portions in the free state external diameter line is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the registering, the watch case the registering
Each spring by the respective abutting portions in assembled state in which engaged presses outward the inner peripheral surface of the register ring
Parts is obtained by the sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the upper Symbol registering with an elastic force. Further, in the holding structure of the register ring, the ratchet spring may be integrally formed of resin, or the click portion of the ratchet spring may be formed of metal, and the other portion may be formed of resin to integrate the click portion. It is good to be fixed to the.

[0008]

According to the holding structure of the register ring configured as described above, the ratchet spring is positioned and fixed between the watch case and the register ring in a state where the fixed portion on the lower surface is engaged with the watch case. The elasticity of a plurality of springs for preventing backlash that projects radially from the peripheral surface of the ratchet spring acts on the inner peripheral surface of the register ring that is rotatably attached to the watch case. The play between the register ring and the watch case is absorbed, and the play of the register ring in the radial direction is prevented.

[0009] Each of the spring portions of the ratchet spring has a substantially U-shape with one end thereof being opened , and is slightly protruded outward at a tip end on the open side .
Each having a contact portion, and a plurality of contact portions in a free state.
The outer diameter line connecting each outer end is the inner peripheral surface of the register ring
Formed slightly larger than the inner diameter of the register ring.
The above-mentioned contact parts are assembled when the watch is
By pressing the inner peripheral surface of the register ring outward
Each of the above springs has elastic force and the inner circumference of the register ring
Even if each spring part is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the register ring, the reaction force is absorbed by bending of the spring part, so that the click part of the ratchet spring is Since a force is hardly applied to the formed portion, the portion is not displaced. Therefore, the click portion engages with the ratchet groove of the register ring at an accurate position with elastic force, so that the register ring can be smoothly rotated, and at the same time, the register ring is regulated and held at an accurate rotational position. be able to. If the ratchet spring is formed integrally with the resin, the click portion and the spring portion are formed integrally, so that the labor for assembling them can be omitted, so that the productivity is improved. Also, if the click part of the ratchet spring is made of metal and the other part is made of resin and the click part is integrally fixed there, even if the part of the ratchet groove of the register ring is made of metal, the click of the ratchet spring There is no possibility that the part is scraped. In addition, the click feeling at the time of rotating the register ring is also improved because the sound is a metallic sound.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of an embodiment of a holding structure of a register ring according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which a click portion of a ratchet spring is engaged with a ratchet groove of the register ring in the holding structure. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire ratchet spring, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the ratchet spring.

The structure for holding the register ring is shown in FIG.
Is a structure for holding a register ring 21 rotatably attached to the watch case 18 shown in FIG. 1, and a columnar projection which is a fixing portion for positioning and fixing by engaging a hole 18a formed in the watch case 18 on the lower surface 13a. 13
As shown in FIG. 2, a click portion 13 d (see FIG. 2) engages a ratchet groove 21 b formed in the back (upper side) of an annular groove 21 a formed on the lower surface side of the register ring 21 on the upper surface 13 c with elastic force. 4 also protrudes radially (rightward in FIG. 1) from the outer peripheral surface 13e to the inner peripheral surface 21c on the outer side of the annular groove 21a of the register ring 21.
A ring-shaped ratchet spring 13 formed with six rattle-preventing spring portions 13f which are slidably contacted with an elastic force at circumferential intervals as shown in FIG. 3 and a watch case 18 as shown in FIG. It is arranged between the register ring 21.

The register ring 21 is formed, for example, in an annular shape with a resin, and is provided with characters for time display for 60 minutes (may be other times) on the upper surface by printing or the like. The innermost surface 21d Is formed with an engagement protrusion 21e projecting inward (to the left in FIG. 1), and the inner diameter D1 of the protrusion is formed on the watch case 18 so as to correspond to the engagement protrusion 21e. It is slightly smaller than the outer diameter D2. Then, when an external force is applied to the engagement protrusion 21e rightward in FIG. 1 by the elastic force of the material itself, the thickness of the portion of the surface 21d where the engagement protrusion 21e is formed is displaced by the elastic force of the material itself, and the external force is removed. It has a thickness that allows it to return to its original position when it is dropped.

Therefore, the register ring 21 is
When pushed from above the watch case 18 with the
The portion e contacts the slope of the flange 18b of the watch case 18 and the surface 21d bends outward, and when further pressed, the engagement projection 21e enters the lower side of the flange 18b as shown. The engagement causes the register ring 21 to be rotatable along the flange portion 18b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the entire ratchet spring 13 is formed in a substantially circular annular shape by integral molding of resin, and the upper surface 13c has a substantially right triangle (see FIGS. Click section 13)
d are formed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and the thickness of each of the click portions 13d is reduced by a predetermined range (see also FIG. 5) as shown in FIG. When the portion 13d is pressed in the direction of arrow A, the click portion 1
3d can be displaced in the direction of arrow A within the elastic range of the thin portion.

When the click portion 13d is assembled by engaging the register ring 21 with the watch case 18 as shown in FIG. 1, the click ring 13d is formed over the entire periphery of the annular groove 21a of the register ring 21. As shown in FIG. 2, when the register ring 21 is engaged with the ratchet grooves 21b formed at equal intervals over the entire area, and the register ring 21 is rotated in the direction of arrow B in this state, the ratchet grooves 21b engaging with the click portion 13d are successively formed. The user moves with a click feeling while changing the engagement position with the adjacent ratchet groove 21b.

When the register ring 21 is to be rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow B, the click portion 13d has a substantially right-angled triangular shape as described above, and the right surface 13g in FIG. Since the surface 21f of the ratchet groove 21b opposed to the surface 13g is also substantially perpendicular to the surface 13g, they only come into contact with each other, and no component force acts on the click portion 13d to push it downward. 21 does not rotate (one-way rotation type). In this embodiment, six spring portions 13f of the ratchet spring 13 shown in FIG. 3 are provided along the circumferential direction, and two of them are continuous in the circumferential direction, and are arranged in a well-balanced manner as a whole.

Each of the spring portions 13f has a
The ratchet spring 13 is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and has a free end of the contact portion 13h slightly protruding outward at each end thereof. Outer diameter D which is the outer diameter wire connecting those outer ends in the state
₃ is the inner peripheral surface 21c of the register ring 21 shown in FIG.
Slightly formed larger than the inner diameter D _4, thereby pressing the respective spring portion 13f the inner circumferential surface 21c of the register ring 21 in the illustrated state where engaged to the watch case 18 to the outside,
As a result, play between the register ring 21 and the watch case 18 can be absorbed, and a constant rotational torque is generated when the register ring 21 is rotated. A cylindrical projection 13b for positioning and fixing the ratchet spring 13 to the watch case 18 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, two are provided on the lower surface 13a at intervals.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show an embodiment in which the click portion of the ratchet spring is formed of a metal spring material, and portions corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. I have. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that
The click portion 23 of the ratchet spring 13 'is formed of a spring material made of metal such as stainless steel or phosphor bronze, and the other portions are formed of resin, and the click portion 23 is integrally formed therewith by insert molding or the like as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, three click portions 23 are fixed at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
The only difference is that j is formed.

The click portion 23 is a simple one obtained by bending a part of the above-mentioned spring material upward as shown in FIG. Since the receiving portion 13j is provided, it is possible to prevent a rotational play when the register ring 21 is rotated and a lateral play in the rotation direction thereof. According to this embodiment, even if the register ring 21 is made of metal, the ratchet spring 1
Since the 3 ′ click portion 23 is not scraped off, the selection range of the material of the register ring 21 is widened, and it is possible to respond to a wide range of exterior requirements. In addition, a click feeling (feel of a metallic sound) when the register ring 21 is rotated is improved, so that a sense of quality is created.

In each of the above embodiments, the fixing portion for positioning and fixing the ratchet springs 13 and 13 'to the watch case 18 is a projection projecting downward from the lower surface 13a of the ratchet spring shown in FIGS. It is not limited to the lower surface 13b of the ratchet spring.
A hole similar to the hole 18a may be formed on the a side, and a protrusion similar to the protrusion 13b may be formed on the watch case 18 side corresponding thereto. Alternatively, the protrusion side may be formed as an elastically deformable claw. An engagement portion that engages with the claw may be provided on the side that receives it, and the ratchet springs 13 and 13 ′ may be positioned and fixed to the watch case 18 by engaging them.

The number of the spring portions 13f (FIGS. 3 and 8) of the ratchet springs 13 and 13 'is not limited to six, but may be changed according to the shape of the ratchet spring, the set value of the rotational torque of the register ring 21, and the like. Can be increased or decreased. Further, the spring portion 13f is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the ratchet spring to absorb the backlash between the watch case 18 and the register ring 21 by sliding the register ring 21 with elasticity. You may make it.

[0022]

As described above, according to the register ring holding structure of the present invention, the timepiece of the register ring can be provided without providing an annular packing formed of an elastic body between the timepiece case and the register ring. The play in the radial direction with respect to the case can be absorbed. Also,
The spring part of the Chet spring is elastic on the inner peripheral surface of the register ring.
Even if you touch with sexual force, the click part will change
Register ring because there is no
Rotate smoothly to the correct position and position it
can do. Furthermore , if the click portion of the ratchet spring is formed of metal, the click portion of the ratchet spring will not be scraped even if the register ring is made of metal, so that the range of selection of the material of the register ring is expanded. This makes it possible to respond to a wide range of exterior requirements, and the click feeling when rotating the register ring is also improved by a metallic sound, creating a sense of quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of an embodiment of a holding structure of a register ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a click portion of a ratchet spring is engaged with a ratchet groove of a register ring in the holding structure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire ratchet spring.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the ratchet spring.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the ratchet spring of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment in which a click portion of a ratchet spring is formed of a metal spring material.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a click portion of a ratchet spring is engaged with a ratchet groove of the register ring in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the entire ratchet spring.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a click spring used for holding a conventional register ring.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the tip side of the click spring is engaged with an engagement groove of a register ring.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of a conventional holding structure for a register ring in which packing is used to absorb backlash in the radial direction of the register ring.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another example of the conventional register ring holding structure using packing.

[Explanation of symbols]

13, 13 'Ratchet spring 13b Projection (fixed portion) 13d, 23 Click portion 13e Outer peripheral surface 13f Spring portion 13j Spring receiving portion 18 Watch case 18a Hole 21 Register ring 21b Ratchet groove 21c Inner peripheral surface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G04B 19/28 G04B 45/00 G04G 1/00 305

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A holding structure for a register ring rotatably attached to a watch case, wherein the whole is formed in a substantially circular shape, and a fixing portion for positioning and fixing by engaging the watch case on a lower surface and a fixing portion on an upper surface. Each of the click portions has an elastic force and engages with a ratchet groove of the register ring. The play portion protrudes radially from the outer periphery of the substantially circular portion and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the register ring with elastic force. A ratchet spring is formed between the watch case and the register ring, and a plurality of ratchet springs are formed between the watch case and the register ring at intervals in the circumferential direction. It is in the shape, slightly outwardly at the distal end of the open side
A is protruded abutting portion, respectively, it is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the outer diameter line connecting the outer end each of the registering of the abutting portions of the plurality of in a free state, the LES
In the assembled state in which the sterling is engaged with the watch case, the respective abutting portions make the inner peripheral surface of the register ring outward.
Before have an elastic force each spring portion by pressing the
A holding structure for a register ring, which is in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the register ring. 2. The holding structure for a register ring according to claim 1, wherein said ratchet spring is integrally formed of resin. 3. The holding structure for a register ring according to claim 1, wherein the click portion of the ratchet spring is formed of metal, and the other portion is formed of resin to fix the click portion integrally. Characteristic holding structure of register ring.