JPS6360870B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding and rotary stem 2 for controlling two functions of an analog display watch carries a fixed pinion 4. An intermediate gear 6 is mounted rotatably at the end of a rocking lever 32. Pivotal movement of the lever 32 against the action of a spring 36 is produced by the stem 2. In a first position of the stem 2, the gear 6 is in mesh with a data setting wheel 8 but out of mesh with the pinion 4. In a second position, the gear 6 is engaged by the pinion 4 and remains in mesh with the wheel 8. In a third, fully pulled out position, the gear 6 remains engaged by the pinion 4 and is pulled out of mesh with the wheel 8 and into mesh with a time setting wheel 10. <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a setting mechanism for a mechanical or electrical analog display timepiece having separately mechanically controlled functions, such as a time correction function and a date correction function.

Such setting mechanisms often have a winding stem that can be moved into three positions: a neutral position and two working positions. A sliding pinion is attached to the end of the winding stem, and the sliding pinion is free to move along the winding stem, but is immovable relative to the winding stem. In order to define the axial position of the sliding pinion in relation to the axial position of the winding stem, the setting mechanism further includes a mechanism consisting of two levers, one of which is generally connected to the pull-out member. is called a mandarin duck, and the other is called a return lever or return yoke. The withdrawal member is swung by the winding stem and acts on a return lever, which in turn displaces the sliding pinion in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the winding stem.

Although such a setting mechanism is effective, it requires cutting of the sliding pinion, and the cutting operation requires high precision.

For the reasons mentioned above, it has already been proposed to fix the pinion relative to the winding stem. However, in the proposed arrangement the pinion only engages a single gear, so such a setting mechanism is only used to control a single function, ie to set the time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a setting mechanism which can be mechanically controlled to a large number of functions and which can fix the pinion to the winding stem taking into account rotational and translational movements.

According to the setting mechanism for a timepiece according to the present invention, the setting mechanism includes a support structure, a first gear and a second gear having rotation axes extending parallel to each other, and a first gear and a second gear having rotation axes extending parallel to each other. a winding stem that is movable axially at right angles to the winding stem and rotatable about the axis at right angles to the winding stem; a pinion mounted coaxially to the winding stem; 3.
a member for holding the winding stem in one of two axial positions; an intermediate gear mounted about a movable shaft, the movable shaft being parallel to the axis of rotation of the gear; and a member for moving the movable shaft in response to movement of the winding stem, the intermediate gear engaging the first gear when the winding stem occupies the first position. On the other hand, if it is free with respect to the pinion and the winding stem occupies the second position, the intermediate gear is maintained in engagement with the first gear and is also engaged with the pinion. and when the winding stem is in the third position, the intermediate gear is maintained in engagement with the pinion and is adapted to engage the second gear; The solution is that it is fixedly attached to the winding stem and that the intermediate gear cooperates with the rear side of the pinion.

Not only does this arrangement fix the pinion relative to the winding stem, but it also eliminates one of the two normally used levers, which further simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the setting mechanism. It is clear that

In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate gear is attached to the end of the pivotable lever. The pivoting movement of the lever is produced by an elastic member, one end of which is in an abutting position against the support structure or the case of the watch. In the first position, the elastic member is slightly tightened in such a way that it engages the intermediate gear with the first gear, but frees it relative to the pinion and holds the lever against the stop.
In the second position of the winding stem, the pivotable lever is not moved and remains in contact with the stop, while the pinion is engaged with the first gear. Third
In the position , the pinion, which is moved by the winding stem acting on the pivotable lever and pivots the pivotable lever in a direction in which the stopper does not act on the lever, further compresses the elastic member. The intermediate gear is disengaged from the first gear and engaged with the second gear.

The invention will now be explained with reference to the illustrated embodiment.

As already mentioned, the setting mechanism essentially has a winding stem 2, on the end of which a pinion 4 cooperating with an intermediate gear 6 is mounted. pinion 4
The axis of the winding stem 2 coincides with the axis of the winding stem 2. The setting mechanism is engageable with a first gearwheel 8, a wheel for correcting the date and possibly the day of the week, and a second gearwheel 10 for correcting the time. be. The intermediate gear 6 is mounted rotatably about an axis, which axis is movable in the manner described below but remains parallel to the axis of the gears 8,10.

The winding stem 2 is equipped with a rear winding stem 12 in order to be able to move the winding stem 2 axially to rotate the winding stem 2 and the pinion 4 for the watch user.
have. The winding stem 2 has a longitudinal guide 14 which cooperates with a hole 16 in the support structure 18 of the watch in order to guide the winding stem 2 allowing for sliding and rotational movements. do. Vertical guide member 1
4 has a groove 20 for a seal 22. Furthermore, the winding stem 2 has three grooves 26a, 26b, 26c, which cooperate with the end 28a of the detent spring 28, so that the three grooves 26a, 26b, 26c of the winding stem 2 An axial position is defined. In FIG. 1, the end 28a of the detent spring 28 engages a groove 26a that defines the neutral position of the winding stem. Furthermore, the winding stem 2 has a pinion 4 with a phase gear 4a at its end. Advantageously, the crown 12 and the pinion 44 are manufactured at the same time during separate machining operations on the winding stem 2.

The members provided for moving the intermediate gear 6 are as follows. The intermediate gear 6 is rotatably mounted around a pin 30, and the pin 30 is fixed to an end 32a of a lever 32 (hereinafter referred to as a swing lever). The swing lever 32 is mounted so as to be pivotable about a shaft 34,
The shaft 34 is fixed relative to the support structure of the watch. The swing lever 32 extends beyond the shaft 34 by an extension section 36 forming a spring tongue. The end 36a of the extension section 36 is in an abutting position against the support structure 18 or against the wall of the watch case. The end 36a is thus stationary relative to the support structure in the direction of movement of the winding stem.

Furthermore, the setting mechanism has a stop 40 which cooperates with a projection or column 41 which is fixed to the support structure and which is fixed to the rocker lever 32. The abutting member is
When the winding stem 2 is inactive, that is, in the position shown in FIG. 1, it is positioned so that the intermediate gear 6 does not engage with the pinion 4. It is clear that the mechanical stop 40 can be formed of any suitable material and constitute a unidirectional abutment.

Furthermore, it is clear that the gear wheels 8, 10 and the intermediate gear 6 lie in the same plane offset relative to the axis of the winding stem 2. Said plane is defined by the diameter of the pinion 4. Furthermore, the swing lever 32
is clearly located in a plane parallel to the plane of the gears 8, 10 and the intermediate gear 6 and not including the axis of the winding stem 2.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show the mode of operation of the setting mechanism.

In FIG. 2a, the winding stem 2 is completely pushed in, which corresponds to a neutral position in which the winding stem 2 can be rotated without acting on the gear wheels 8 or 10. The winding stem 2 is held in said position by the force of the end 28a of the detent spring 28 which engages in the groove 26a. The extension section 36 is designed in such a way that, when the winding stem 2 is in this position, the projection 41 of the rocking lever is held against a fixed stop 40 by a slight tightening of the extension section 36. . The end 36a of the extension section 36 rests on the support structure 18. The intermediate gear 6 is engaged with the first gear 8, but not with the pinion 4 provided on the winding stem 2. The rotational movement of the winding stem 2 therefore has no effect.

FIG. 2b shows the position of the setting mechanism for driving gear 8. FIG. If the user moves the winding stem 2 to the second position shown, the intermediate gear 6 is not displaced and thus remains in engagement with the gear 8. As the winding stem 2 moves, the pinion 4 is brought into engagement with the intermediate gear 6. The swing lever 32 does not move. The swing lever 32 is held in place by the spring force of the extension section 36 which holds the projection 41 against the fixed stop 40. As for the winding stem 2, it is held in said position by the end 28a of the detent spring 28 which engages in the groove 26b. In this case, when the user turns the winding stem 2, the rotary movement of the pinion 4 causes the intermediate gear 6 to rotate, which in turn rotates the gear 8, which is provided, for example, for correcting the date. Rotate.

FIG. 2c shows the setting mechanism in a second working position for driving gear 10. FIG. When the winding stem 2 is moved from the first working position to the second working position, the translational movement of the winding stem 2 causes the swing lever 32 to move its position based on the action of the pinion 4 on the intermediate gear 6. It is pivoted about an axis 34. Advantageously virtually in the position shown in FIG. 2b, the toothless surface of the pinion 4 is in contact with the edge portion 32b of the end of the rocker lever 32 which supports the intermediate gear 6. The setting mechanism moves from the first working position (Fig. 2b) to the second working position (Fig. 2c).
), the non-toothed surface of the pinion, which is moved by the winding stem 2, acts on the edge portion 32b of the rocking lever and produces a pivoting movement of the rocking lever. Close. It is clear that during said movement the extension portion 36 is further tightened.
During said movement, the intermediate gear 6 is brought into engagement with the gear 10 after the engagement with the gear 8 is removed. The winding stem 2 is held in said position by the end 28a of the detent spring, which engages in the groove 26c. At said position,
By rotating the winding stem 2, the user can rotate the gear 10 for correcting the time. The pivoting movement of the rocking lever is such that it brings the intermediate gear 6 into exact engagement with the pinion 4 both in the second position of the winding stem and also in the third position.

If the user moves the winding stem 2 successively into the second axial position and then into the first axial position, the end 36a of the extension section 36 will move against the support structure of the watch. Extension category 3
6 acts as a return spring.

As can be seen from the above description, the setting mechanism, i.e. the invention, is significantly simpler than mechanisms of known type.

In particular, the pinion is a component that is integrated with the winding stem and is extremely easy to work with. Furthermore, pull-out members are omitted, which simplifies assembly of the mechanism. Moreover, due to this simplification, in the operation of the setting mechanism, in particular when moving the winding stem from one position to another, no disturbances or hindrances arise with respect to the engagement of the different pinions or gears. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an overall view of the setting mechanism, FIG.
Figures b and 2c are schematic diagrams showing the operating type of the setting mechanism, respectively. 2... Winding stem, 4... Pinion, 4a... Face gear, 6... Intermediate gear, 8, 10... Gear, 12... Reuse, 14... Vertical guide member, 16... Hole, 18... Support structure, 20, 26a, 26b, 26c...Groove, 2
2... Seal, 28... Detent spring, 28a, 32
a, 36a...end portion, 30...pin, 32...swing lever, 32b...edge portion, 34...shaft, 36...extension section, 40...stopper, 41...protrusion.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A setting mechanism for a timepiece, comprising a support structure, a first gear and a second gear having rotation axes extending parallel to each other, and an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the gears. a winding stem that is movable in a direction and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the winding stem; a pinion that is coaxially attached to the winding stem; and a stem that is fixedly attached to the outer end of the winding stem. a member for holding the winding stem in one of three axial positions; an intermediate gear mounted about a movable shaft; and a member for holding the winding stem in one of three axial positions; and a member for moving the movable shaft in response to movement of the winding stem, the intermediate gear being the first gear when the winding stem is in the first position. , while the intermediate gear is maintained in engagement with the first gear when it is free with respect to the pinion and the winding stem occupies the second position. , the intermediate gear is maintained in engagement with the pinion and engaged with the second gear when the winding stem is in the third position; A setting mechanism for a watch, further characterized in that the pinion is fixedly attached to the winding stem, and the intermediate gear cooperates with the crown side of the pinion. 2. The member for moving the intermediate gear has a lever, the lever is attached to be rotatable about a fixed axis parallel to the rotational axis of the gear, and the intermediate gear is rotatable on the lever. Further, an elastic member is fixed to the lever at one end, and the other end of the elastic member is abutted against a support structure, and a stopper fixed to the support structure is arranged so that the winding stem is in the first position. The pinion cooperates with the lever to maintain the intermediate gear and the first gear in engagement under the action of the elastic member when occupying the first and second positions; When moving into the third position, the lever cooperates with the component formed by the intermediate gear and the lever in order to pivot about its axis and engage the intermediate gear with the second gear. A setting mechanism according to claim 1. 3. A setting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said elastic member is formed from an extension of a spring tongue-shaped lever. 4. Setting mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the spring tongue is slightly compressed when the lever cooperates with the stop.