US3762153A

US3762153A - Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece

Info

Publication number: US3762153A
Application number: US00227535A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Komiyama; Y Iinuma
Original assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Current assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
Priority date: 1971-07-12
Filing date: 1972-02-18
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02
Also published as: GB1343745A; CH246272A4; CH557558A; JPS5235314B1; DE2208516A1

Abstract

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to timesetting device for an electronic timepiece wherein a mechanical vibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystal oscillator or the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillating state by means of electric energy. The invention resides in a time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and nonenergizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching means is kept in its ineffect position.

Description

llnlted stateS Patent 1 1 lfiomlyama et al.

1 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 TIME-SETTING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC TlMEPlECE [75] Inventors: Katsuhiko Komiyama; Yoshio llinuma, both of Tokyo, Japan Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan 221 Filed: Feb. 18,1972

1211 App1.No.:227,535

[73] Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 12, 1971 Japan 46/51635 [52] US. Cl 58/23 R, 58/58, 58/85.5, 58/63 [51] llnt. Cl G04c 3/00 [58] lField of Search 58/85.5, 63-72, 58/23 R, 58

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,412 10/1962 Epperlein 58/85.5 X 3,421,312 1/1969 Raval 58/85.5 3,526,088 9/1970 Meitinger 58/85.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 1,094,666 12/1960 Germany 58/85.5

Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Assistant Examiner-U. Weldon Atl0rneySughrue, Rothwell et al.

[57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to improvements in and relating to time-setting device for an electronic timepiece wherein a mechanical vibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystal oscillator or the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillating state by means of electric energy.

The invention resides in a time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base 1 of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching means is kept in its ineffect position.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SHEET 1 [IF 2 TIME-SETTING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE This invention relates to improvements in and relating to time-setting device for an electronic timepiece wherein a mechanical vibrator, preferably a balance wheel tuning fork, a crystal oscillator or the like, used as its time base is kept in its oscillating state by means of electric energy.

Conventional electronic watches are so designed and arranged that with its time-settable stern pushed into its axially settable innermost position, electric switching means for on-off control of the electronic drive circuit for maintaining the oscillation of said mechanical vibrator is kept in its service position so that a rotation of the stem can not bring any operational effect upon the timepiece movement. When, however, the timepiece is fitted with a date calendar display means, a quick date calendar correcting service can be per formed at the innermostly set position of the stem.

With the stem drawn-out to its first axially shiftable step position, the seconds hand can be brought to its dead stop position and a rotation of the stem can invite a time-setting operation. In addition to said stopping possibility for the seconds hand and to the time-settable chance, drive current interruption generally takes place at this first step position of the stem in the case of an electronic timepiece.

When there is no source current interrupting means is not fitted with, considerable and useless consumption of source battery and the like main working parts may be encountered in case of a long and extended non-use of the timepiece, for instance, during a preservation period thereof.

On the other hand, when the source current interruption can be performed at the said first step drawn-out position of the stern, in addition to the seconds hand stoppage and the time-setting possibilities, as was set forth hereinabove, the time-setting operation will bring the mechanical vibrator as the time base of the timepiece will be brought into out of time-keeping oscillation, even at a shortest period.

Therefore, when the timepiece wearer should make a time-setting operation and then push the stem back into its axially settable innermost position for bringing the timepiece movement into its regular stepping movement, there must be a certain time lag for recovery of the regularly oscillating operation for the mechanical vibrator. Therefore, an elaborate time-setting operation will invite an erroneous time display in contradiction to the expectation of the operator.

The main object of the invention is to provide an improved time-setting mechanism for an electronic timepiece having a mechanical vibrator of the above kind, which mechanism is, however, devoid of the aforementioned various conventional draw-backs.

The invention resides in its broadest aspect in such a time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a timesetting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem is other than said time-setting one and where said switching means is kept in its ineffect position.

The mechanism according to this invention may be so designed and arranged that said switching means can completely cut off the electric drive current, when the stem is set to its current-interrupting position. Or alternatively, a weak current, say the dark current, can flow through the transistor or transistors contained in the electronic drive circuit, when the said switching means is brought into its source current cut-off position and the mechanical vibrator is brought into its dead stop state.

This and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when read the following detailed description of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrative of substantially a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of an electronic timepiece movement employing the time-setting device according to this invention, certain elements such as the electronic circuit employed therein being shown, however, in a schematic block diagram added thereto, wherein the time-settable stem is shown at its innermost pushed-in position.

FIG. 2 is a substantially similar view to FIG. 1 wherein, however, the stem has been set to its first drawn-out step position.

FIG. 3 is a substantially similar view to FIG. 2 wherein, however, the stem has been set to its second or outermost drawn-out position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and combined sectional view, the sections being taken substantially along respective section lines IV-IV and IV-IV".

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the inner or actuating end part of a setting lever spring employed in the time-setting device according to this invention.

In the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this embodiment, the invention has been incorporated in an electronic watch having a time base mechanical oscillator in the form of tuning fork, in no limited sense to the invention, because the timepiece can be fitted with other type of oscillator, such as, for instance, balance wheel, crystal oscillator or the like.

In the drawing, numeral ll represents partially a conventional pillar plate which mounts a winding stem 2 rotatably and slidably in a groove la, formed in the plate 1, as is commonly known to those skilled in the art. The stem 2 is rigidly fitted with a serrated crown 2a at its outer end, a ring groove 2b, a square part 2c at its intermediate portions and a reduced end part 2d.

Numeral 3 represents a conventional setting lever having a pinned end 3a kept permanently with said ring groove 2b on stem 2, a conventional positioning pin 3b adapted for engagement with recessed end of spring arm 8d of a conventional cheekor setting lever spring 8, a switching cam 30 for on-off control of

switch contacts

16a and 17a, and a setting lever cam 311, said setting lever being fixedly attached with a pin 3e which is rotatably mounted on the plate I.

Numeral 4 represents a date calendar display correction wheel is loosely mounted on the stem 2 and formed with a radial tooth 4a adapted for performing the date correction service as will be mentioned hereinafter more in detail, and with a series of axial clutch teeth 4b.

Numeral 5 is a conventional clutch wheel which is axially slidably mounted on said square part 2c of the stem 2, thus being rotatable in unison therewith. This clutch wheel 5 is selectively engageable either with said date correction wheel 4 or with a conventional setting sheel 6 which is permanently kept in meshing with a conventional minute wheel, not shown.

The clutch lever 7 is pivotable around a pin la which is studded on the plate 1, said clutch lever being subjected to a resilient turning moment in clockwise direction in FIG. 1 under the action of a U-shaped spring 7b which is held in precompression between a recessed wall 101 formed on the pillar plate 1 and the clutch lever. The clutch lever is formed with a curved head 7a kept in pressure contact with said clutch lever cam 3d of the setting lever 3. The lever 7 is kept at its intermediate portion in engagement with a ring groove 5a formed on the clutch wheel 5. The spring arm 8d is formed with three

successive recesses

8a, 8b and 80 which are adapted for engagement with said positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3, so as to control the position thereof, as was briefly hinted hereinbefore. The cheekor setting lever spring 8 is rigidly mounted on the pillar plate 1 by means of said pin la and screw means 100.

Numeral 9 denotes a seconds hand stop lever which is formed into a bell crank as shown and pivotably mounted by a pin lb studded on the plate I, said stop lever being provided with a pin 9a fixedly mounted on its one arm, an actuating part 9b formed into a bentdown flange on the outer end of the other arm, and a recess 9c formed at an intermediate portion of the stop lever and adapted for engagement with the reduced miner end 2d of the winding stem.

A U-shaped lever spring 10 is inserted under a precompression between a recessed wall 102 only partially and schematically shown in FIGS. l-3, and projection 9d formed on the stop lever 9 which is thus subjected to a resilient turning moment in counter clockwise direction in these figures. With the winding stem 2 kept in its most pushed-in neutral position shown in FIG. 1, one side wall of said recess 9c on the stop lever 9 is kept in pressure contact with the reduced end 2d of stem 2.

Numeral 11 represents a resilient stop pawl which is attached with its root end fixedly to a mounting pin 103 mounted in turn by a mounting arm 104 partially and only schematically shown, and cooperates by its tip end with a drive ratchet wheel 14 called frequently index wheel" among those skilled in the art, said arm 104 being fixedly mounted on the back surface of the plate 1, although not shown by virtue of its very popularity. The wheel 14 is rotatably supported by the plate 1, and a train bridge 105 as shown specifically in FIG. 4.

A feed pawl 12 cooperating with said wheel 14 is mounted fixedly by its root end on one arm ofa tuning fork 13 shown only partially, said tuning fork being mounted on the plate 1 as conventionally, although not shown.

A circular disc 15 fixed on a seconds hand wheel shaft, not shown and arranged to cooperate with the actuating part 9b of stop lever 9.

A first base element 16 is made integral with the resilient arm contact 16a and fixedly attached by means of

rivets

105 and 106 to a mounting plate 107 which mounts in turn a conventional electronic circuit block 18 only schematically shown by a reduced rectangular block only in FIG. 1.

This circuit block 18 comprises at least a transistor, several resistors and several capacitors, so to form a sensing and driving electronic circuit, although not shown by virtue of its very popularity.

A second base element 17 made integral with the resilient arm contact 17a is fixedly mounted on pillar plate 1 by means of pin 108 and screw 109. These

contacts

16a and 17a are connected in series to said block 18 and a source battery 19 as shown in FIG. 1 by means of conductor means 110 which is shown in its crosssection also in FIG. 4.

The operation of the mechanism so far shown and described is as follows.

In FIG. 1, the winding stem 2 and its related parts are shown when the stern has been pushed-in into its innermost position.

In this position, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is kept in engagement with the top recess 8a on spring arm 8d and clutch lever 7 is held at its most pivoted position in clockwise direction in FIGS. l-3, while date correction wheel 4 and clutch wheel 5 are kept in tooth-meshing with each other as shown.

By turning the crown 2a and stem 2 in clockwise when seen from upper in FIG. 1 as shown by an arrow Q," date correction wheel 4 is rotated in unison therewith and the correction pawl 4a thereon will be brought into cooperation with a date calendar display 111 dial which is shown in FIG. 1 only partially and schematically, for feeding the dial by one tooth pitch corresponding to a complete calendar date, for every complete rotation of said stem 2.

Under the operating conditions shown in FIG. 1 switching cam part SC on setting lever 3 is kept in pressure contact with one contact 17a, so as to bring the both contacts 16a; 17a into contact with each other, for completing the electronic circuit including the block 18 and source battery 19.

On the other hand, the reduced stern part 2d is brought into and kept in engagement with the recess 90 on stop lever 9, as was briefly hinted hereinbefore. Since, in this case, the lever 9 is so positioned that the pin 90 thereof is separated from contact with stop pawl 11, and the actuating part 9b of the same lever 9 is also separated from contact with the disc 15, the timekeeping and time-display gear train which is driven from the sprocket wheel 14 is not subjected to any checking resistance from these parts so that the timepiece movement can perform its regular stepping movement without hindrance.

In FIG. 2, the stem 2 is shown in its first pulled-out position.

In this case, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is kept in engagement with the second and middle recess 8b so that clutch lever 7 is held at its most counter clockwise rotated position when seen in FIGS. 1-3. In this position, clutch wheel 5 is brought into engagement with setting wheel 6 so that any desired timesetting operation may be carried out without hindrance by turning the crown 2a and stem 2 either in clockwise or counter clockwise direction as desired and to any desired degree.

Although in this case, the contacts and 17a are kept in pressure contact with each other as before, stop lever 9 is kept in separation from engagement with stem end 2d, the same lever 9 being turned clockwise under the action of spring and pin 9a acting upon stop pawl Ill so that the stop pawl I1 is separated from its cooperating position with sprocket wheel 14 upon being resiliently flexed. On the other hand, actuating part 9b is brought into pressure contact with disc 15, thus the seconds hand shaft, not shown, made rigid therewith, being subjected to a substantial friction to such a degree that the movement of the gear train and thus all the time-display hands related with the seconds hand is brought into stoppage. It will be understood that even at this stage, the tuning fork 3 acts to oscillate as regularly.

It may be further understood when the stem 2 is pushed-in again into the position shown in FIG. I, the timepiece movement can restart instantly the regular time-keeping movement.

When it is desired to bring the timepiece movement into its dead stop position, the stem 2 is drawn-out further from that shown in FIG. 2 into that shown in FIG.

In this position, positioning pin 3b on setting lever 3 is brought into the remaining third recess 80 on the spring so that clutch lever 7 is turned slightly clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 2.

In this position, clutch wheel 5 is kept in separation from the wheels 4 and 6. Under these operational conditions, the inherent resiliency of contact 17a will release it from contact with its mating contact 116a, thus the electronic circuit being electrically interrupted from source battery 19. The seconds hand stop lever 9 is kept at the same position as shown in FIG. 2, thus the timepiece movement being kept at its dead stop.

A modification, the setting lever spring 8 may be fabricated in such shape as shown in a partially enlarged form in FIG. 5. In this modification, the projection 82 defined by and between two engageable recesses 8a and 8b is shaped so as to have a substantially taller height than employed in the foregoing. Or alternatively, it is shifted to occupy a rather nearer position to the first recess 8a, as shown at 8e in chain-dotted line in FIG. 5. With this modified form of the projection 8e or See, a mechanical vibration effect can be applied reversedly to the mechanical vibrator when the stem 2 has been axially shifted from the position with the positioning pin 3b kept in engagement with third recess SC for keeping the timepiece movement in its dead stop, to the utmost pushed-in position, thus providing an effieient and powerful assisting means to bring the mechanical oscillator into its regular and stabilized oscillating state. In FIG. 5, the dotted line below the fulllined projection 82 represents the foregoing configuration of the corresponding projection adopted in the foregoing.

As may be well understood from the foregoing that according to the teachings of the present invention, otherwise practically unavoidable and uneconomical consumption of the source battery or the like main working parts of the electronic timepiece which may be encountered in the case of long term non-use thereof, for instance, during the period of preservation of the timepiece, can be completely prevented and the mechanical oscillator, for instance, electromagnetically driven tuning fork, of an electronic watch, can be effectively kept at its stabilizedly oscillating conditions even when a time-setting operation is being carried into effeet, and therefore, an accurate and precise timesetting job can be realized.

What is claimed is:

l. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece. comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillation-maintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stern of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem (2) is other than said time-setting one and where said switching means (3)(16)(I7) is kept in its ineffect position.

2. Time-setting device as claimed in claim I, characterized by that said switching means comprises two resilient contact arms (16a; 17a) and a part (3) of said switching means is so designed and arranged as to mechanically cooperate with said stem (2) and act upon selected one (17a) of said contact arms (16a; 17a) for on-off control thereof by resiliently flexing the selected contact, or the both.

3. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 2, characterized by that said part comprises a setting lever (3) which is provided with a pin (3b) adapted for engagement with a spring arm part (8d) of a setting lever spring (8).

4. Time-setting device as set forth in claim 3, having a tuning fork acting as its time-base and said spring arm (8d) of said setting lever spring (8) being formed with undulations (8a; 8b; adapted for engagement with said pin (3b), said device being characterized by that said undulations (8a; 8b; 8c) are so designed and arranged that when the stem (2) is drawn from its outermost drawn-out position to its any one of axially inner positions, mechanical oscillation is given to said tuning fork (113) for substantially assisting oscillating start thereof.

5. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by that a clutch wheel is mounted on said stern axially slidable thereof and rotatable in unison thereof, said clutch wheel being mounted between a date correction wheel mounted on said stem in an idle way and a setting wheel rotatably mounted on a pillar plate of said timepiece and the axial position of said clutch wheel on said stem being set by turning movement of a setting lever which is kept in cooperation with the stem.

6. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 5, characterized by that when said clutch wheel is set to its position kept in separation from said date correction wheel and said setting wheel, said electronic drive circuit is cut-off from a source battery.

7. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising in combination:

a rotatable and axially shiftable stem,

a mechanical vibrator,

a positioning means for positioning said stem at its several axial positions thereof,

an electronic drive circuit for said timepiece,

means for switching over for said electronic drive circuit for switching over between its active state for maintaining said mechanical vibrator in its oscillating state and its inactive state,

the outermost drawn-out position of said stem being other than that of said stem adapted for making a time-setting operation and said switching-over to said ineffective state of said circuit being carried out at the outermost drawn-out position of said stem.

Claims

1. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising a switching means adapted for switching over an electronic timepiece drive circuit from its active and oscillationmaintaining state for a mechanical oscillator acting as a time base of the timepiece, to its unactive and non-energizing state for the mechanical oscillator, and mechanical positioning means for a time-settable stem of said timepiece adapted for axially positioning the stem at its several axial positions including a time-setting one, said device being characterized by that the most drawn-out position of said stem (2) is other than said timesetting one and where said switching means (3)(16)(17) is kept in its ineffect position.

2. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by that said switching means comprises two resilient contact arms (16a; 17a) and a part (3) of said switching means is so designed and arranged as to mechanically cooperate with saiD stem (2) and act upon selected one (17a) of said contact arms (16a; 17a) for on-off control thereof by resiliently flexing the selected contact, or the both.

4. Time-setting device as set forth in claim 3, having a tuning fork acting as its time-base and said spring arm (8d) of said setting lever spring (8) being formed with undulations (8a; 8b; 8c) adapted for engagement with said pin (3b), said device being characterized by that said undulations (8a; 8b; 8c) are so designed and arranged that when the stem (2) is drawn from its outermost drawn-out position to its any one of axially inner positions, mechanical oscillation is given to said tuning fork (13) for substantially assisting oscillating start thereof.

5. Time-setting device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by that a clutch wheel is mounted on said stem axially slidable thereof and rotatable in unison thereof, said clutch wheel being mounted between a date correction wheel mounted on said stem in an idle way and a setting wheel rotatably mounted on a pillar plate of said timepiece and the axial position of said clutch wheel on said stem being set by turning movement of a setting lever which is kept in cooperation with the stem.

7. Time-setting device for an electronic timepiece, comprising in combination: a rotatable and axially shiftable stem, a mechanical vibrator, a positioning means for positioning said stem at its several axial positions thereof, an electronic drive circuit for said timepiece, means for switching over for said electronic drive circuit for switching over between its active state for maintaining said mechanical vibrator in its oscillating state and its inactive state, the outermost drawn-out position of said stem being other than that of said stem adapted for making a time-setting operation and said switching-over to said ineffective state of said circuit being carried out at the outermost drawn-out position of said stem.