Timepiece

Abstract

The present application provides a timepiece capable of properly exerting a logical urgency function. The timepiece is provided with a base plate (11) configured with timepiece components, a circuit substrate (150) having an urgency pattern, an urgency switch (100) configured to be contactable with the circuit substrate (150), and a pressing component (160) configured on the side opposite to the circuit substrate (150) with respect to the urgency switch (100). The urgency switch (100) is provided with a guide pin (110) fixed to the base plate (11), a stem (120) having an opening portion (121) into which the guide pin (110) is inserted and a contact portion (122) contactable with the urgency pattern, and a coil spring (130) having an opening portion (131) into which the guide pin (110) is inserted, which presses the stem (120) toward the circuit substrate (150) side. The pressing component (160) presses the coil spring (130) by sandwiching the coil spring (130) between the pressing component (160) and the stem (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to clocks and watches. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the following structure for the emergency switch of an electronic clock: a circuit board with an emergency pattern is electrically contacted with an emergency switch lever to perform logic emergency switching. The emergency switch lever is used as an S-shaped leaf spring by bending the switch arm upward, thereby making contact with the circuit board by a predetermined pressure.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-139592 Summary of the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, since the emergency switch lever is constructed of a leaf spring, the switch arm may deform due to impacts such as falling. As a result, there is a problem that the emergency switch lever cannot apply sufficient pressure to the circuit board, causing the logic emergency switch to no longer function properly.

[0005] The clock includes: a base plate on which clock components are disposed; a circuit board having a cadence pattern; a rotary switch configured to contact the circuit board; and a pressing member disposed on the opposite side of the circuit board relative to the rotary switch. The rotary switch includes: a guide pin fixed to the base plate; a lever having an opening for insertion of the guide pin and a contact portion for contacting the cadence pattern; and a coil spring having an opening for insertion of the guide pin. The pressing member presses the lever towards the circuit board by clamping the coil spring between itself and the lever. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the structure of a clock.

[0007] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the structure of the back cover side of the clock.

[0008] Figure 3 It is shown in magnification Figure 2 A top view of part A of the clock shown.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the emergency switch.

[0010] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the BB line of the emergency switch.

[0011] Figure 6A This is a top view showing the structure of the lever of the emergency switch.

[0012] Figure 6B It is along Figure 6A The cross-sectional view of the rod along the CC line shown.

[0013] Figure 6C This is a side view showing the structure of the lever of the emergency switch.

[0014] Figure 7A This is a top view showing the structure of the lever shaft of the emergency switch.

[0015] Figure 7B It is along Figure 7A The cross-sectional view of the rod shaft along line DD is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a top view showing the structure of the gradient pattern on the circuit board.

[0017] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the combination of emergency and emergency switches.

[0018] Figure 10 This is a block diagram showing the structure of an oscillator circuit with logic easing circuitry.

[0019] Label Explanation

[0020] 1: Clock; 2: Outer case; 3: Dial; 3A: Calendar window; 3B: Scale; 4A: Hour hand; 4B: Minute hand; 4C: Second hand; 6: Date wheel; 8: Case back; 11: Base plate; 12: Scale; 13: Abutment; 75: Quartz oscillator; 80: Oscillation circuit; 81: Grid capacitor; 82: Drain capacitor; 83: Amplifier; 84: Feedback resistor; 85: Frequency divider circuit; 86: Logic deceleration circuit; 100: Deceleration switch as a rotary switch; 110: Guide pin; 120: Rod; 121: Opening; 22: Contact part; 123: Grip handle; 123a: End; 130: Coil spring; 131: Opening; 140: Rod shaft; 141: Flange; 142: First cylindrical part; 143: Second cylindrical part; 144, 145: Opening; 150: Circuit board; 151: Gradient pattern; 151a: First gradient pattern; 151b: Second gradient pattern; 151c: Third gradient pattern; 151d: Fourth gradient pattern; 160: Pressing component; AS1: Terminal; AS2: Terminal; AS3: Terminal; AS4: Terminal. Detailed Implementation

[0021] In the following figures, the three mutually orthogonal axes are designated as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The direction along the X-axis is referred to as the "X-direction," the direction along the Y-axis as the "Y-direction," and the direction along the Z-axis as the "Z-direction." The direction of the arrow is the "+" direction, and the direction opposite to the "+" direction is designated as the "-" direction. It should be noted that the +Z direction is sometimes referred to as "up" or "above," and the -Z direction as "down" or "below." Views from the +Z or -Z directions are also referred to as top-down views. Furthermore, the surface on the +Z side is designated as the upper surface, and the surface on the -Z side (opposite to it) is designated as the lower surface.

[0022] First, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of clock 1 will be explained.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, watch 1 is a wristwatch worn on a user's wrist, having a cylindrical outer casing 2, with a dial 3 arranged on the inner circumference of the outer casing 2. The front opening of the outer casing 2 is blocked by a glass cover, and the back opening is blocked by a back cover 8. Furthermore, Figure 2 This shows the state after the back cover 8 has been removed.

[0024] The watch 1 has a dial 3 housed within an outer case 2, a movement (not shown), and hour hands 4A, minute hands 4B, and second hands 4C for indicating time. The dial 3 has a calendar window 3A through which the date wheel 6 can be viewed. In addition, the dial 3 has scales 3B for indicating the time.

[0025] A crown 7 is provided on the side of the outer casing 2. The crown 7 can be pulled out from the 0th position, which is pressed in toward the center of the watch 1, and moved to the 1st and 2nd positions. For example, when the crown 7 is pulled to the 1st position and rotated, the date wheel 6 can be moved to calibrate the date. When the crown 7 is pulled to the 2nd position, the second hand 4C stops, and when the crown 7 is rotated in the 2nd position, the hour hand 4A and the minute hand 4B move to calibrate the time.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, when the back cover 8 of the clock 1 is removed, for example, a deceleration switch 100, which functions as a rotary switch, is located near the crown 7. The deceleration switch 100 is a switch that adjusts the accuracy in case of advance or delay caused by environmental factors by switching circuits and correcting them at certain intervals.

[0027] Next, refer to Figures 3 to 5 The structure of the emergency switch 100 will be explained.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, the emergency switch 100 is configured to work with an emergency pattern 151 (see reference). Figure 8 The circuit board 150 is in contact with the switch. Specifically, the emergency switch 100 includes a guide pin 110, a lever 120, and a coil spring 130.

[0029] The guide pin 110 is fixed to the base plate 11. The base plate 11 is a plate-shaped component with clockwork parts such as gears (not shown). The lever 120 has an opening 121 for inserting the guide pin 110 and a contact portion 122 that contacts the eccentricity pattern 151. Additionally, the lever 120 has a handle 123 for rotating the contact portion 122 about the central axis of the guide pin 110. Figure 4 As shown, the grip 123 is disposed at two locations on the rod 120.

[0030] The coil spring 130 has an opening 131 for inserting a guide pin 110 to press the lever 120 toward the circuit board 150. A pressing member 160 is disposed on the side opposite to the circuit board 150, relative to the coil spring 130. To press the emergency switch 100 toward the circuit board 150, the pressing member 160 clamps the coil spring 130 between itself and the lever 120.

[0031] Furthermore, the emergency switch 100 includes a cylindrical rod shaft 140 into which a guide pin 110 is inserted and to which a rod body 120 is fixed. This cylindrical shape extends the engagement range between the rod shaft 140 and the guide pin 110, preventing the rod shaft 140 from tilting relative to the guide pin 110. This also prevents the rod body 120 from tilting, thus stabilizing its posture and ensuring reliable contact between the contact portion 122 of the rod body 120 and the emergency switch pattern 151.

[0032] Furthermore, a flange 141 is provided on the rod shaft 140 to abut against the rod body 120. Thus, due to the flange 141, the position of the rod body 120 can be determined when it is engaged with the rod shaft 140, and the posture of the rod body 120 relative to the circuit board 150 can be correctly maintained. Specifically, the coil spring 130 is clamped between the flange 141 and the pressing member 160.

[0033] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the guide pin 110 and the pressing member 160 are normally configured with a gap, but preferably, when an impact is applied to the watch 1, the guide pin 110 and the pressing member 160 abut at the abutment portion 13. This configuration, where the guide pin 110 and the pressing member 160 abut, can suppress extreme extension and contraction of the coil spring 130 and prevent deterioration of the coil spring 130.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown, "+" and "-" markings 12 are engraved near the emergency switch 100. As described above, by rotating the lever 123 of the emergency switch 100, the position of the contact portion 122 can be moved in the "+" or "-" direction, thereby adjusting the delay and advance.

[0035] As described above, in the emergency switch 100, the lever 120 and the coil spring 130 are separate components. Therefore, for example, by making the lever 120 function as a spring, deformation of the lever 120 when the clock 1 is impacted can be suppressed, thereby allowing the emergency switch 100 to be reliably pressed towards the circuit board 150 by the coil spring 130. Furthermore, by using the coil spring 130, for example, compared to using a leaf spring, even when the clock 1 is impacted, the reduction of spring force can be suppressed. As a result, the logic emergency function can be properly performed.

[0036] Furthermore, precision adjustments can be easily made by adjusting the urge / deceleration switch 100.

[0037] Next, refer to Figures 6A to 6C The structure of rod 120 is described.

[0038] like Figure 6A As shown, when viewed from above, the rod 120 has two contact portions 122 arranged diagonally around the opening 121 into which the guide pin 110 is inserted, and two grips 123 arranged diagonally.

[0039] like Figure 6B As shown, as described above, the contact portion 122 makes electrical contact with the gradient pattern 151 of the circuit board 150. Furthermore, the contact portion 122 is, for example, bent into a generally hemispherical shape so that the contact portion 122 makes smooth contact with the gradient pattern 151 when the grip 123 is rotated.

[0040] like Figure 6C As shown, the grip 123 is bent upwards into an S-shape from the surface where the contact portion 122 is located. That is, the end 123a is raised from the aforementioned surface, making it easy to grasp the grip 123 and rotate it.

[0041] Next, refer to Figure 7A as well as Figure 7B The structure of rod shaft 140 is described.

[0042] like Figure 7A and Figure 7BAs shown above, the rod shaft 140 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The rod shaft 140 has a first cylindrical portion 142, a flange 141, and a second cylindrical portion 143. The rod body 120 is fixed to the rod shaft 140 by pressing the opening 121 of the rod body 120 into the second cylindrical portion 143. Furthermore, the upper surface of the rod body 120 abuts against the lower surface of the flange 141, and the axial height position of the rod body 120 is determined by the flange 141.

[0043] The guide pin 110 is inserted into the opening 144. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an opening 145 with a diameter larger than the opening 144 is provided to facilitate the insertion of the guide pin 110. That is, the rod shaft 140 is formed as two-stage openings 144 and 145. Alternatively, it may be constructed solely of an opening 144 without a step difference.

[0044] Next, refer to Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 The structure of the circuit board 150 with logic urgency mode and the combination table of logic urgency mode are explained.

[0045] like Figure 8 As shown, the circuit board 150 is a logic easing mode circuit that detects and quantitatively corrects the short circuit of the easing pattern 151. Specifically, the easing pattern 151 has a first easing pattern 151a, a second easing pattern 151b, a third easing pattern 151c, and a fourth easing pattern 151d.

[0046] In addition, the circuit board 150 is provided with a terminal AS1 connected to the first fast / slow pattern 151a, a terminal AS2 connected to the second fast / slow pattern 151b, a terminal AS3 connected to the third fast / slow pattern 151c, and a terminal AS4 connected to the fourth fast / slow pattern 151d.

[0047] like Figure 9 As shown, the logic urgency combination table, as a step level, can perform precision adjustments in six stages: -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, and +3. In terminals AS1-AS4, for example, a short circuit results in a "1", and no short circuit results in a "0".

[0048] For example, in Figure 8 In this case, the contact portion 122 of the lever 120 of the emergency switch 100 only contacts the third emergency pattern 151c, and does not contact the other emergency patterns 151. In this situation, terminal AS3 becomes "1", and the other terminals AS1, AS2, and AS4 become "0", therefore according to... Figure 9 The logical priority combination table shown has a step level of "0", meaning no time adjustment is performed.

[0049] For example, in Figure 8In this case, the contact portion 122 of the rod 120 contacts both the third slow-motion pattern 151c and the fourth slow-motion pattern 151d. Since terminal AS3 becomes "1" and terminal AS4 becomes "1", therefore according to... Figure 9 The logical priority combination table shown has a step level of "+1", which allows time to be fast-forwarded.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 10 The structure of the oscillation circuit 80, which is formed on the circuit board 150 and has a logic urge / deceleration circuit 86, will be described.

[0051] The oscillation circuit 80 is composed, for example, of an amplifier 83 such as an inverter, a feedback resistor 84, a gate capacitor 81, and a drain capacitor 82. Power supplied by a battery (not shown) as a power source forms a voltage Vreg through a power supply circuit and is supplied to the oscillation circuit 80.

[0052] The oscillation circuit 80 uses a quartz oscillator 75 as a time standard source to output a 32kHz oscillation signal as the source oscillator. This oscillation signal is divided to a specified period by a frequency divider circuit 85 consisting of multiple frequency dividers (e.g., a 15-stage flip-flop).

[0053] Time accuracy adjustment is achieved by pre-checking the characteristics of each quartz oscillator 75 and setting the corresponding speed amount for each oscillation circuit 80 using a logic speed-delay circuit 86. Specifically, the speed amount corresponding to the oscillation circuit 80 is set by appropriately selecting and shorting the speed-delay patterns 151a to 151d. Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, the speed-delay is configured to adjust the speed amount by t seconds (sec / day) per step.

[0054] Furthermore, although the characteristics of the quartz oscillator 75 may change over time, by checking the characteristics of the quartz oscillator 75 again several years after the manufacture of the clock 1, and by rotating the rotary switch according to the changed characteristics to select the appropriate speed pattern 151a to 151d, an appropriate speed can be set. Thus, timekeeping accuracy can be maintained appropriately for a long time.

[0055] As described above, the clock 1 of this embodiment includes: a base plate 11 on which clock components are disposed; a circuit board 150 having a throttle pattern 151; a throttle switch 100 configured to contact the circuit board 150; and a pressing member 160 disposed on the side opposite to the circuit board 150 relative to the throttle switch 100. The throttle switch 100 includes: a guide pin 110 fixed to the base plate 11; a rod 120 having an opening 121 for inserting the guide pin 110 and a contact portion 122 for contacting the throttle pattern 151; and a coil spring 130 having an opening 131 for inserting the guide pin 110. When the rod 120 is pressed toward the circuit board 150, the pressing member 160 clamps the coil spring 130 between itself and the rod 120 to perform the pressing.

[0056] According to this structure, in the emergency switch 100, since the lever 120 and the coil spring 130 are formed separately, for example, as if the lever 120 had the function of a spring, deformation of the lever 120 when the clock 1 is impacted can be suppressed, thereby allowing the emergency switch 100 to be reliably pressed towards the circuit board 150 by the coil spring 130. Furthermore, by using the coil spring 130, for example, compared to using a leaf spring, even when an impact is applied to the clock 1, the reduction of spring force can be suppressed. As a result, the logic emergency function can be properly performed.

[0057] Furthermore, although the vibration of the quartz oscillator 75 is minute, it is still resonantly transmitted to the circuit board 150. When the force applied to the circuit board 150 changes, it also affects the vibration of the quartz oscillator 75, which becomes the main cause of the clock 1's inaccuracy. However, as in this embodiment, since the spring force can be maintained stably for a long time, the accuracy of the clock 1 can be kept stable for a long time.

[0058] Furthermore, in the clock 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the guide pin 110 and the pressing member 160 abut against each other when the clock 1 is subjected to an impact. According to this structure, the guide pin 110 abuts against the pressing member 160 when an impact is applied to the clock 1, thus suppressing extreme extension and contraction of the coil spring 130 and suppressing deterioration of the coil spring 130.

[0059] Furthermore, in the clock 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the emergency switch 100 includes a cylindrical lever 140 into which a guide pin 110 is inserted and to fix a lever 120. According to this structure, since the lever 140 is cylindrical, the engagement range between the lever 140 and the guide pin 110 can be extended, suppressing tilting of the lever 140, and consequently, also suppressing tilting of the lever 120. Therefore, the posture of the lever 120 is stable, allowing the contact portion 122 of the lever 120 to reliably contact the emergency switch pattern 151.

[0060] Furthermore, in the clock 1 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the rod shaft 140 has a flange 141 that abuts against the rod body 120. According to this structure, since the flange 141 is present, the position of the rod body 120 can be determined when the rod body 120 is fitted with the rod shaft 140, and the posture of the rod body 120 relative to the circuit board 150 can be made correct.

[0061] Hereinafter, variations of the above embodiments will be described.

[0062] As described above, the emergency switch 100 includes a lever 120 and a lever shaft 140, but is not limited to this; it may also have a structure without the lever shaft 140. In this case, the opening 121 of the lever 120 contacts the guide pin 110. Thus, even without the lever shaft 140, due to the presence of the coil spring 130, the reduction in spring force can be suppressed even when an impact is applied to the watch 1, compared to the case using a leaf spring.

[0063] As described above, when viewed from above, the rod 120 has two contact portions 122 diagonally arranged around the opening 121 into which the guide pin 110 is inserted, and two grips 123 diagonally arranged, but this is not a limitation. For example, there may be one or more contact portions 122 and grips 123, or the two contact portions 122 and two grips 123 may not be diagonally arranged.

Claims

1. A type of clock, The clock features: The base plate, which is equipped with clock components; A circuit board having a gradient pattern; A rotary switch configured to contact the circuit board; and The pressing component is positioned on the side opposite to the circuit board relative to the rotary switch. The rotary switch includes: A guide pin fixed to the base plate, the guide pin extending in a first direction; The rod body has: a first opening for insertion of the guide pin; and a first rod portion having a contact portion that contacts the gradient pattern. The first and second rod portions have a grip, and the first and second rod portions extend outward from the first opening in different directions. as well as A helical spring, disposed along the first direction between the pressing member and the first and second rod portions of the rod body, the helical spring having a second opening for insertion of the guide pin, and pressing the rod body toward the circuit board side. The end of the second rod portion of the rod is closer to the pressing member in the first direction than the portion of the second rod portion near the first opening. The portion of the first rod part of the rod near the first opening is closer to the pressing member than the contact portion of the first rod part.

2. The clock according to claim 1, wherein, When the clock is subjected to an impact, the guide pin abuts against the pressing component.

3. The clock according to claim 1, wherein, The rotary switch has a cylindrical rod shaft into which the guide pin is inserted and to fix the rod body.

4. The clock according to claim 3, wherein, The rod shaft has a flange that abuts against the rod body.

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