US3813873A - Switching device for electronic watch - Google Patents

Switching device for electronic watch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3813873A
US3813873A US00343083A US34308373A US3813873A US 3813873 A US3813873 A US 3813873A US 00343083 A US00343083 A US 00343083A US 34308373 A US34308373 A US 34308373A US 3813873 A US3813873 A US 3813873A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
arm
switch
disc
improvement
wheel
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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US00343083A
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English (en)
Inventor
Y Nakagawa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Instruments Inc
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Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of US3813873A publication Critical patent/US3813873A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C9/00—Electrically-actuated devices for setting the time-indicating means

Definitions

  • References Cited vice includes means for avoiding stress on the drive UNITED STATES PATENTS train and motor while setting the hands.
  • a stem which can be moved in opposite axial directions from the exterior of a watch'engages an end of a pivotable transmitting and regulating arm.
  • the opposite end of the pivotable arm is linked to a switch lever which engages both mechanically and electrically a switch pin.
  • the switch lever When the watch is operating, the switch lever is in contact with the switch pin, energizing the electronic drive means of the watch.
  • the watch includes a gear train for setting the minute hand and the hour hand of the watch.
  • the minute wheel of the watch is coupled by frictional engagement with the cannonpinion which carries the minute hand. Movement of the stem cuts off power to the drive train and then holds it stationary while the minute and hour hands are adjustcd as by a crown.
  • the frictional coupling between the minute wheel and the cannon-pinion acts as a clutch whereby the drive train can be held stationary while the minute and hour wheels are rotated for setting the hands. Further, since the watch can be instantly restarted by movement of the stem, the watch can be set accurately to the second.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching device for an electronic watch which makes it possible to set the watch to the nearest second.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching device which serves for starting and stopping the motor of thewatch and which, in stopped position, permits setting the minute and hour hands without damage to any of the components of the watch, and holds the drive train stationary.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching device for an electronic watch which operatesindependently of the crown used for setting the watch.
  • Yetanother object of the present invention is to provide an improved switching device using frictional engagement between components thereof where the frictional engagement serves as a clutch.
  • An important object of the present invention is an improved switchingdevice for an electronic watch where the switching device is simple in construction, suitable for mass-production and low in cost.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view of an improved switching device for an electronic watch in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the switching device and gear trains.
  • arm 1 is'pivoted on arbor 2.
  • Stem 3 which is analogous to a winding stem in a spring-driven watch, can be pushed inward or pulled outward from the exterior of the watch.
  • the normal runningposition for stem 3 is the inward position marked (a) in which the tip of stem 3 makes contact with arm I placing it in the more counterclockwise of the two positions shown.
  • Arm 1 has proximate its lower end (5a) a transmitting pin 4 mounted thereon. the transmitting pin 4 projecting both upwardly and downwardlyfrom arm I.
  • Mounted on circuit block C is a switch lever 5 which pivots around axle 7 which is screwed into third wheel bridge 6. Switch lever 5 is held in position on screwed axle 7 by means of screw 8.
  • Switch lever 5 has an elongated opening 5b at its base end 5a through which protrudes pin 4. Rotation of arm 1 as a result of movement of stem 3 causes switch lever 5 to rotate correspondingly as the result of contact of pin 4 with the walls of opening 51). Switch lever 5 has a second top end 50 which makes contact proximate tip 5d with switch pin 9, mounted on circuit block C, when lever 5 is rotated counterclockwise in response to a corresponding rotation of arm l.-Arm Sc, preferably, is flexible. Topend 5c and switch pin 9 are electrically connected into the circuitry of the watch so that contact therebetweensets the watch motor into operatIon.
  • Spring 10 is fixed at one end of portion 1'! (FIG. 2) of plate 16 and makes contact at the other end with the lower end of the pin 4.
  • Spring 10 is so positioned that it biases pin 4 and therefore arm 1 and switch lever 5 in clockwise direction; movement in clockwise direction would break electrical contact between tip 5d and switch pin 9, thereby stopping the drive motor of the watch.
  • stem 3 when in position (a) forces both pivoted members 1 and 5 in counterclockwise direction against the urging of spring 10 so that electrical contact is made between tip 5d and switch pin 9.
  • Switch pin 9 is held in circuit block C by solder 12.
  • the driving train of the indirect center second system electronic watch of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2.
  • the train includes third wheel 15, a third pinion 14 supported between third wheel bridge 6 and supporting means 13. It further includes a centerv second pinion 19 which meshes with third gear 15 and is mounted on a second shaft 18 which passes through tube 17 mounted on plate 16.
  • a cannon-pinion 21 is frictionally engaged with a minute gear 20 which in turn meshes with third pinion 14 and is driven thereby. Also, hour wheel 22 is engaged with cannon-pinion 21.
  • a disk 23 is mounted on third pinion l4 coaxially with third wheel 15 and is fixed thereto. Disk 23 is mounted at the same level in the watch as arm 1 and proximate thereto. Frictional disk 23 may be made of a-material having a high coefficient-of-friction or may be coated with such a material. Thus the disk may be made of a slightly elastic rubber or it may be coated with a rosin such as is used on a violin bow.
  • an object of the present invention is .to make it possible to set the hour and minute hands while holding the second hand still.
  • arm 1 rotates in clockwise direction under the urging of spring and electrical contact with switch pin 9 is broken, stopping the watch motor. Further, arm 1 moves into contact with the periphery of wheel 23 holding same firmly against rota tion.
  • arm 1 is preferably fitted with a projection or cusp la at the point of contact between arm 1 and disk 23. The firmness with which disk 23 and wheel are held immovable is increased when the disk 23 is slightly flexible so that the cusp 121 can indent it slightly.
  • the disk is preferably of aslightly flexible rubber. Alternatively, the disk may be coated with a material such as rosin to increase its coefficient of friction.
  • Arm 1 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction when the tip of stem 3 is pushed inwardly to the position marked (a) in FIG. 1, and simultaneously switch lever 5 is moved in the same-direction by means of transmitting pin 4. Contact is thereby made between tip 5d of switch lever 5 and switch pin 9, starting the motor of the watch. As is evident from FIG. 1, cusp la is moved away from the friction disk 23. As a result, all of the hands, namely the hour, the minute and the second hands can move normally in response to the operation of the watch motor 30. The torque developed by the watch motor is transmitted to that portion of the watch mechanism shown in FIG. 2 through third wheel 15. The rotation of third wheel 15 is transmitted to center second pinion 19 and to second shaft 18 on which the second hand is mounted.
  • Third wheel 15 also drives third pinion 14 which in turn rotates minute wheel 20 and thereby cannonpinion 21.
  • Cannon-pinion 21 carries minute hand 24, and hour wheel 22 carries hour hand 25.
  • Cannonpinion 21 engages minute wheel 20 frictionally, this frictional engagement constituting a clutch mechanism.
  • the frictional engagement may convenienly be between the common shaft of minute wheel 20 and cannon-pinion 21 and either of these wheels 20 and 21.
  • the stem 3 is pulled outward to position (b) whereupon transmitting and regulating arm 1 is rotated about arbor 2 under the biasing force of spring 10.
  • the cusp 1a of lever 1 presses against frictional disk 23 stopping same and also third wheel 15. Consequently, second pinion 19 receives no rotational force from third gear 15 so that second shaft 18 is stationary.
  • switch lever 5 is turned in clockwise direction about pivot 7 breaking contact with switch pin 9.
  • aperture 5b in arm 5 is elongated to allow for the fact that arm 1 and lever 5 do not rotate around the same axis.
  • an electronic watch including electrical drive means, switch means externally manipulatable between on and off positions for turning said electrical drive means on or off, a drive train powered by said drive means, minute hand and hour hand, a wheel operatively connecting said drive train said minute hand and said hour hand, and frictional clutch means between said wheel and said minute hand, the improvement comprising a disc mounted for rotation with said wheel and an arm having first and second ends, said arm being operatively connected with said switch means to make sufficiently firm contact with said disc to prevent rotation thereof when said switch means is in off position, the halting of said drive means and of said drive train by said disc and wheel and said frictional clutch means making it possible to adjust the position of said hour and minute hands without stressing said drive means said disk is sufficiently flexible to be indented by said cusp.
  • said switch means includes spring means engaging said arm, a stem movable between inward and outward positions from the exterior of said watch, said inward and outward positions corresponding to on and off switch positions, said stem in said inward position engaging said arm and holding same away from said disc, and in said outward position permitting said arm to move and remain in firm contact with said disc thereby holding same stationary.
  • switch means including a pivoted switch lever having top and base ends, said base end being linked to said second end of said arm, the relative positions of said arm and switch lever being such that said arm when disengaged from said disc holds said top end of said switch means against said switch pin and activates said drive means and when pressed against said disc holds said top end away from said switch pin thereby deactivating said drive means.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US00343083A 1972-03-21 1973-03-20 Switching device for electronic watch Expired - Lifetime US3813873A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP47027443A JPS4895867A (xx) 1972-03-21 1972-03-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3813873A true US3813873A (en) 1974-06-04

Family

ID=12221241

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00343083A Expired - Lifetime US3813873A (en) 1972-03-21 1973-03-20 Switching device for electronic watch

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3813873A (xx)
JP (1) JPS4895867A (xx)
CH (2) CH403873A4 (xx)
DE (1) DE2314130A1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1406175A (xx)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3939644A (en) * 1973-06-25 1976-02-24 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-G.M.B.H. Circuit arrangement for controlling the running of a quartz-controlled electric clock
US4022013A (en) * 1972-03-02 1977-05-10 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Regulating device for electric timepieces
US4050234A (en) * 1973-08-30 1977-09-27 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece hand-return mechanism
US4079582A (en) * 1975-04-22 1978-03-21 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece
US4262354A (en) * 1978-05-04 1981-04-14 Citizens Watch Co. Ltd. Time setting mechanism

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS575590Y2 (xx) * 1976-10-23 1982-02-02
JPS5414578U (xx) * 1977-07-01 1979-01-30

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2947137A (en) * 1959-04-07 1960-08-02 Henry E Berry Time setting mechanism for dual purpose clock
DE1094666B (de) * 1957-10-24 1960-12-08 Durowe Deutsche Uhren Rohwerke Vorrichtung zum Anhalten der Unruh einer Uhr
US3059412A (en) * 1958-11-19 1962-10-23 Hamilton Watch Co Electric watch
US3111807A (en) * 1961-05-18 1963-11-26 Ebauches Sa Electric clock or watch having an oscilatory regulator
US3129554A (en) * 1961-03-06 1964-04-21 Suwa Seikosha Kk Electric timekeeper
US3296790A (en) * 1964-08-27 1967-01-10 Suisse Horlogerie Hands setting mechanism for an electric timepiece
US3421312A (en) * 1965-07-08 1969-01-14 Omega Brandt & Freres Sa Louis Electric timepiece
US3731481A (en) * 1971-03-27 1973-05-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Time-setting device for electric timepiece

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1094666B (de) * 1957-10-24 1960-12-08 Durowe Deutsche Uhren Rohwerke Vorrichtung zum Anhalten der Unruh einer Uhr
US3059412A (en) * 1958-11-19 1962-10-23 Hamilton Watch Co Electric watch
US2947137A (en) * 1959-04-07 1960-08-02 Henry E Berry Time setting mechanism for dual purpose clock
US3129554A (en) * 1961-03-06 1964-04-21 Suwa Seikosha Kk Electric timekeeper
US3111807A (en) * 1961-05-18 1963-11-26 Ebauches Sa Electric clock or watch having an oscilatory regulator
US3296790A (en) * 1964-08-27 1967-01-10 Suisse Horlogerie Hands setting mechanism for an electric timepiece
US3421312A (en) * 1965-07-08 1969-01-14 Omega Brandt & Freres Sa Louis Electric timepiece
US3731481A (en) * 1971-03-27 1973-05-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Time-setting device for electric timepiece

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4022013A (en) * 1972-03-02 1977-05-10 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Regulating device for electric timepieces
US3939644A (en) * 1973-06-25 1976-02-24 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-G.M.B.H. Circuit arrangement for controlling the running of a quartz-controlled electric clock
US4050234A (en) * 1973-08-30 1977-09-27 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece hand-return mechanism
US4079582A (en) * 1975-04-22 1978-03-21 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece
US4262354A (en) * 1978-05-04 1981-04-14 Citizens Watch Co. Ltd. Time setting mechanism

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2314130A1 (de) 1973-10-04
JPS4895867A (xx) 1973-12-08
CH599591B5 (xx) 1978-05-31
GB1406175A (en) 1975-09-17
CH403873A4 (xx) 1977-07-29

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