Spring loaded zero reset mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a zeroing device 100 for a chronograph movement 300, comprising at least one zeroing heart 110, 120, a zeroing unit 200 having a zeroing lever arm 210 and a zeroing lever latch 220, the first end 221 of which is designed to abut the at least one zeroing heart 110, 120, and a control means 130 cooperating with the zeroing lever arm 210, wherein the zeroing unit 200 is set to zero by actuating the control means 130. The object of the present invention is to provide a zeroing device 100 for a chronograph that enables cost-effective manufacturing and low maintenance while simultaneously ensuring a reliable, durable, and user-friendly reset of the counter hands to the zero position.The problem is solved by the zeroing device 100 comprising a first compression spring 140 which is supported on the zeroing lever arm 210 and is operatively connected to the control means 130, and the control means 130 interacting indirectly with the zeroing unit 200 via the first compression spring 140.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a zero-setting device for a chronograph movement, comprising at least one zero-setting heart, a zero-setting unit, and a control means. The zero-setting unit has a zero-setting lever arm and a zero-setting lever latch. A first end of the zero-setting lever latch is designed to engage the at least one zero-setting heart. The control means interacts with the zero-setting lever arm, whereby a zero setting of the zero-setting unit is effected by actuation of the control means.

[0002] The invention also relates to a chronograph with such a zero-setting device, the central second counter hand and the central minute counter hand of which are each rotatably mounted about the main axis of the chronograph movement.

[0003] A chronograph is typically understood to be an analog, mechanical watch or wristwatch with a stopwatch function. The movement includes additional counter hands, such as a second and a minute hand, which can be rotated independently of the hands used to display the time. Timing is started and stopped using a start / stop pushbutton. A reset pushbutton resets the second and minute hands to their initial zero position, in which the hands point to the zero digit on the dial, to allow a new timing operation. Resetting the second and minute hands to the zero position is achieved using a zero-setting device, which is another component of the chronograph movement.

[0004] Such a zero-setting device for a chronograph is known from the published patent application US 2009 / 0086583 A1. The zero-setting device comprises two, usually heart-shaped cams, also referred to as zero-setting hearts, which are connected to the chronographic counters, e.g., a second and minute counter hand, in a torque-transmitting manner. A latch, also referred to as a zero-setting lever latch, has a hammer at each end. When a hammer strikes the associated cam, the latter is forced into a position in which the stop surface of the cam rests against the complementary stop surface of the hammer. The stop surface of the cam and the hand position are aligned in such a way that the hand is then in the zero position. This position, in which the latch orwhose ends or hammers rest on the heart-shaped cams to cause them to rotate and thus reset the hands to the zero position, is called the zero position.

[0005] The bolt, which houses the two hammers, is movably connected to a zero-setting lever, also called a zero-setting lever arm. By means of a spring that exerts a return spring force on the zero-setting lever, the bolt and the zero-setting lever are held in a free position in which the two hammers cannot come into contact with the heart-shaped cams. By operating a pusher or reset pusher, the bolt and the zero-setting lever can be moved to reset them. As previously described, in the zero position the hammers act on the heart-shaped cams, thereby resetting the hands to the zero position. Via an intermediate control device, also implemented as a lever here, the force applied by the user to the pusher is transmitted to the zero-setting device. The user must overcome the opposing return spring force.The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the force or impulse exerted by the user against the return spring force is often insufficient to ensure reliable rotation of the cams and thus reset the hands. Often, the user may need to press the pusher several times to reset the hands to the zero position.

[0006] The patent US 9,164,492 B2 also discloses a zero-setting device for a chronograph. The zero-setting device shown here comprises a total of three zero-setting cams, which correspond to respective zero-setting bars or zero-setting hammers. Each hammer has a stop surface at a first end that complements the shape of the respective associated zero-setting cam. The individual hammers are kinetically connected to one another, but can rotate independently about their respective axes. By means of a return spring and a return bar, the hammers are initially held in a rest position in which there is no engagement with the associated zero-setting cams. Each of the hammers is also assigned a respective hammer spring, the attachment end of which is firmly connected to the second end of the hammer. The other, free end of the hammer springs rests on respective pins of a winding and release device.

[0007] By pressing the reset button, a control device is intended to deflect the winding and release mechanism in such a way that the hammer springs supported on it are tensioned or "wound up," which results in a respective preload of the individual hammers. The positioning of the hammers themselves initially remains unchanged. Only upon further pressing of the reset button is a position of the reset latch finally reached in which the hammers are released and pivoted by the preloaded springs into contact with the respective zero-setting cams. The preload is intended to increase the impulse to the zero-setting cams and thus achieve the zero position more reliably. The zero-setting device shown is complex and has a multitude of individual components, which not only significantly increases costs but also maintenance effort and the need for repairs.Each of the zero-setting cams is coupled to a separate zero-setting hammer, which is why the individual hands are often reset to zero at different times. To reset the hands, the user must overcome not only the force of the return spring but also the opposing force of each individual hammer spring. This requires a comparatively high amount of force and consequently reduces operating comfort.

[0008] Finally, utility model DE 20 2017 107 668 U1 also discloses a zero-setting device for a chronograph, which has as its essential components a second zero-setting heart, a minute zero-setting heart, and a zero-setting unit with a zero-setting lever arm and a zero-setting lever latch. The zero-setting lever latch is designed with its first end, or "hammer," to abut against the second zero-setting heart, and with its second end, or "hammer," to abut against the minute zero-setting heart, so that, as described above, when the respective ends are in contact, they are rotated into a position in which the connected hands are held in their zero position. The chronograph disclosed here is equipped with a center second counter hand and a center minute counter hand, which, like the hands intended for displaying the time, rotate around the central main axis of the movement.

[0009] A control cam holds the zero-setting unit in the release position, in which the two ends of the zero-setting lever latch are not in contact with the second or minute zero-setting heart. By pressing the reset button, the control cam can be rotated, releasing the zero-setting lever arm. A compression spring applied to the zero-setting lever arm moves the zero-setting lever latch indirectly by pivoting the zero-setting lever arm, towards the zero-setting hearts. To support the force applied by the compression spring, a rod connected to the control cam, in the form of a second zero-setting unit, acts directly on the zero-setting lever arm, so that the rotation of the control cam simultaneously pivots the zero-setting lever arm.By achieving the zero setting of the zero-setting unit partly by preloading the compression spring and partly via the rod assembly through a user-initiated rotation of the control cam, the resetting of the hands to the zero position is achieved more reliably. The rod assembly is fixedly mounted in the chronograph movement and converts the rotation of the control cam into a directed pressure movement on the seconds or minute zero-setting heart. However, the rod assembly comprises several individual components, each of which is mounted so that it can move relative to one another. The disadvantages of this are the increased maintenance effort and increased manufacturing costs caused by the additional components of the rod assembly.

[0010] It is the object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a zero-setting device for a chronograph which enables cost-effective production and low maintenance while at the same time enabling a safer, more durable and user-friendly resetting of the counter hands to the zero position.

[0011] The object is achieved by a zero-setting device according to claim 1 and a chronograph with a zero-setting device according to claim 16.

[0012] A zero-setting device according to the invention of the type described in more detail at the outset is characterized in that the zero-setting device comprises a first compression spring supported on the zero-setting lever arm and operatively connected to the control means, wherein the control means interacts indirectly with the zero-setting unit via the first compression spring.

[0013] By actuating the control means, the zero-setting unit can be moved from a free position, in which the first end of the zero-setting lever latch cannot come into contact with the at least one zero-setting heart, to a zero position in which the first end of the zero-setting lever latch rests against the at least one zero-setting heart. According to the invention, the control means does not act directly on the zero-setting lever arm, but indirectly via the first compression spring. There is an operative connection between the control means and the first compression spring, so that when the control means is actuated, the first compression spring is moved and additionally deflected, in particular compressed or tensioned. A significant advantage here is that the first compression spring fulfills two functions simultaneously.On the one hand, the compression spring is designed to spring-load the zero-setting lever arm through elastic deformation, and on the other hand, to transmit the movement of the control means to the zero-setting lever arm. For this purpose, the zero-setting lever arm and the first compression spring are aligned such that the first compression spring rests against the zero-setting lever arm. Continuous actuation of the control means increases the pressure or spring force on the zero-setting lever arm, thereby zeroing the zero-setting unit and bringing the first end of the zero-setting lever latch into contact with at least one zero-setting pin.

[0014] Unlike in the prior art, the first compression spring serves to transmit force from the control means to the zero-setting lever arm, supporting the movement of the zero-setting unit from the release position to the zero position. A further advantage is that even after the zero-setting unit has been reset, the spring force of the first compression spring can continue to act on the zero-setting lever arm, thereby permanently forcing the zero-setting unit into the zero position or holding it there. In this way, the rotation of the at least one zero-setting heart required to zero the chronograph's counter hands can be achieved more reliably and with only a single actuation of the reset pusher.Because the use of the compression spring replaces more complex constructions, such as rods or similar, the total number of components of the zero-setting device, in particular the number of moving components or components that move relative to one another, can be reduced, thereby drastically reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance requirements.

[0015] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the subclaims and are explained in more detail below.

[0016] Optionally, the zero-setting lever arm can also be preloaded by the first compression spring in the released position, i.e., before the control means is actuated to effect the zero position. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the zero-setting lever arm therefore has a bolt- or pin-like stop against which the first compression spring is supported. Depending on the positioning of the bolt- or pin-like stop on the zero-setting lever arm relative to the position of the first compression spring, the spring force acting on the zero-setting lever arm can be increased or decreased as needed, thereby, in particular, realizing the aforementioned preload.

[0017] In a further development of this invention, the bolt- or pin-like stop is designed as an eccentric for finely adjusting the spring force exerted by the first compression spring on the zero-setting lever arm. In particular, the stop can be seated eccentrically in a receptacle of the zero-setting lever arm, allowing its positioning on the zero-setting lever arm to be changed by rotating the eccentric, e.g., with a screwdriver. In this way, the spring force of the first compression spring, which rests on the bolt- or pin-like stop, can be adjusted with high precision for fine adjustment of the zero-setting device.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first compression spring has a fastening end and a free end, wherein the fastening end is directly connected to the control means and the free end is supported on the zero-setting lever arm. In this variant of the invention, the first compression spring is preferably designed as a U-shaped bow spring. The fastening end connected to the control means is then arranged on one leg and the free end supported on the zero-setting lever arm is arranged on the other leg. When the control means is actuated in order to zero the zero-setting unit, the free end of the first compression spring is deflected in the direction of the fastening end, i.e. in the elastically deformed state of the first compression spring, the distance between the two legs is reduced.

[0019] Preferably, the zeroing lever arm and the first compression spring perform a mutually opposite movement by actuating the control means in order to effect the zeroing of the zeroing unit.

[0020] For this purpose, the first compression spring can be connected to the control means, in particular in a torque-transmitting manner, and the zero-setting lever arm can be connected at its second end to the zero-setting lever latch and can be mounted at its first end so as to be rotatable and / or pivotable about a zero-setting lever arm pivot point, such that a rotational and / or pivotal movement of the control means about its rotational axis results in a co-directional rotational and / or pivotal movement of the compression spring and an opposite rotational and / or pivotal movement of the zero-setting lever arm. Preferably, the zero-setting lever latch is freely pivotably articulated to the second end of the zero-setting lever arm.

[0021] In an advantageous variant of the invention, this is achieved by the first compression spring being supported in a region of the zero-setting lever arm between the connection to the zero-setting lever latch and the rotatable and / or pivotable bearing on the latch. The rotational movement transmitted by the control means to the compression spring pivots the compression spring slightly in a first direction of rotation, corresponding to the clockwise rotation of the chronograph. The free end of the first compression spring acts on the zero-setting lever arm, causing it to pivot about the zero-setting lever arm pivot point in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first direction of rotation and counterclockwise.Through the action of the first compression spring, the first end of the zero-setting lever arm, which is connected to the zero-setting lever latch, is pivoted toward the at least one zero-setting pin, causing the zero-setting lever latch to rest against the at least one zero-setting pin, i.e., the zero-setting unit is reset. By pressing the start / stop button, the zero setting can be released and the zero-setting unit can be returned to the free position, enabling a new timing operation.

[0022] The control mechanism itself can be activated via a reset pusher that protrudes from the chronograph case for user operation. For example, using a transmission mechanism, the longitudinal force of the reset pusher is converted into a rotary movement of the control mechanism, pivoting the control mechanism around its rotational axis.

[0023] In an optional variant of the invention, the zero setting of the zero-setting unit is supported by a second compression spring, which is fixedly mounted in the chronograph movement and whose free end also rests on the zero-setting lever arm, exerting a spring force that resets the zero-setting unit. Preferably, the second compression spring is in a deflected position when the zero-setting unit is in the free position, so that the second compression spring exerts a permanent pressure or spring force on the zero-setting lever arm, forcing the zero-setting unit into the zero position.

[0024] The first compression spring and the second compression spring redundantly reset the zero-setting unit when the control means is actuated, whereby the first compression spring is elastically deformed, in particular deflected or tensioned, by the movement of the control means, and the second compression spring relaxes from a deflected position towards its rest position. Both the first and the second compression spring are supported on the zero-setting lever arm for this purpose, and the zero-setting lever arm is double-spring loaded. Due to the double spring loading of the zero-setting unit, its zero position can be held securely and permanently when the reset pusher is actuated once, whereby the chronograph counter hands are reset to a clear zero position. The zero setting can be released and the zero-setting unit can be returned to the free position by actuating the start / stop pusher.

[0025] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the first compression spring and the second compression spring are offset from each other with respect to the Z-coordinate direction of the chronograph movement. In particular, the first compression spring is offset from the zero-setting lever arm with respect to the Z-coordinate direction, and the second compression spring is arranged in a common plane with the zero-setting lever arm with respect to the Z-coordinate direction. Structurally, this can be implemented, for example, by having the first compression spring rest on a bolt- or pin-like stop on the zero-setting lever arm, and the second compression spring rest on its outer contour on the front side.

[0026] In an optional variant of the invention, in particular to hold the zero-setting unit in the released position against the spring force of the second compression spring, the control means is in locking engagement with the first end of the zero-setting lever arm. The engagement can be released by actuating the control means to bring about the zero-setting unit's zero position. For example, this can be structurally implemented by the second end of the zero-setting lever arm having a receptacle and the control means having a complementary contour for engaging the receptacle of the zero-setting lever arm. Upon actuation of the control means, it is moved, in particular rotated, whereby the engagement is released and the locking of the zero-setting lever arm is released.

[0027] Finally, according to a variant of the invention, the zero-setting device can have a third spring, in particular a detent spring, which is fixedly mounted in the movement of the chronograph and whose free end interacts with the control means. Preferably, the free end of the third spring engages the control means in the position causing the zero setting upon actuation of the control means. The third spring is in particular designed as a detent spring and has, for example, a V-shaped nose at its free end, which interacts with or engages a complementary contour of the control means and thus prevents movement, in particular rotation, of the control means. The third spring thus provides further security for the zero position of the zero-setting unit.By pressing the start / stop button, the zero setting can be released and the zero setting unit can be returned to the free position, which allows the time to be taken again.

[0028] According to an optional development of this variant of the invention, the third spring can expediently be arranged offset from the zero-setting lever arm and offset from the first compression spring with respect to the Z coordinate direction of the chronograph movement. Preferably, the first compression spring is arranged in a first, lower plane with respect to the Z coordinate direction, the zero-setting lever arm, the second compression spring, and the control means in a second, common plane, and the third spring in a third, upper plane. The first and second compression springs are each operatively connected to the zero-setting lever arm via their respective free ends or are supported on it, and the free end of the third spring interacts with the control means.The second compression spring and the third spring are each fixedly mounted in the chronograph movement with their other end, the fastening end; the fastening end of the first compression spring is in particular fixedly or torque-transmittingly connected to the control means.

[0029] Actuation of the control means thus causes a movement, in particular rotation, of the first compression spring, which can be transmitted via its free end to the zero-setting lever arm. Optionally, this also causes the zero-setting lever arm to be released from the locked position and the third spring to engage to lock the zero position.

[0030] The inventive problem posed at the outset is also solved by a chronograph with a zero-setting device according to one of the previously described embodiments. A chronograph according to the invention comprises a center second counter hand and a center minute counter hand, each of which is rotatably mounted around the main axis of the movement for timekeeping. The center second counter hand is connected to a second wheel, and the center minute counter hand is connected to a minute wheel. According to the invention, the chronograph is characterized in that the zero-setting lever latch of the zero-setting device has a first end for engagement with a first zero-setting heart, namely a second zero-setting heart, and a second end for engagement with a second zero-setting heart, namely a minute zero-setting heart.The zero-setting unit can be reset by actuating the control means, which interacts with the zero-setting unit via the first compression spring supported on the zero-setting lever arm. The second zero-setting heart interacts directly with the seconds wheel, transmitting torque, and the minute zero-setting heart interacts indirectly with the minute wheel, transmitting torque to reset the central seconds counter hand and the central minute counter hand to their zero positions.

[0031] Further details, features, feature (sub)combinations, advantages and effects based on the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the drawings. These show in Fig. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a zero-setting device according to the invention in the zero position, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the zero-setting device from Figure 1 in the release position, Fig. 3 a plan view from behind of the zero setting device from Figure 1 and 2 in the zero position, Fig. 4 a front view of the zero setting device from the Figures 1 to 3 , in the release position, Fig. 5 a front view of the zero setting device from the Figures 1 to 4 , here in the zero position, Fig. 6 a perspective detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of a bolt- or pin-like stop and in Fig. 7 a plan view from behind of the bolt- or pin-like stop from Figure 6 .

[0032] The figures are merely exemplary and serve only to clarify the invention. The same elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0033] Figure 1shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a zero-setting device 100 according to the invention from an angle from behind, i.e., from the viewpoint of the back of the chronograph, as well as some other components of the movement 300 that interact with the zero-setting device 100. The movement 300 is driven by a pivot drive (not shown here), which engages the gear train of the watch with the seconds wheel 310. The seconds wheel 310 is fixedly connected to the center seconds counter hand (not shown here) via a shaft. The center seconds and center minutes counter hands are each rotatably mounted about the main axis of the movement 300 of the chronograph. A driver spring 311 is fixedly connected to the seconds wheel 310 and is designed to engage the pulse receiving wheel 330. The pulse receiving wheel 330 is connected to the drive wheel (hidden in the figure) and the pulse transmission wheel 340 via a multi-function shaft.The drive wheel is in constant mesh with the zero-setting wheel 350, and the impulse transmission wheel 340 is in constant mesh with the minute wheel 320. The latter is connected to the center minute counter hand (not shown here) in a torque-transmitting manner. After a complete revolution of the seconds wheel 310, the impulse receiving wheel 330 is rotated a further fractional unit by the driver spring 311. The rotary motion is transmitted via the multifunction shaft to the drive wheel and the impulse transmission wheel 340, thereby further moving the zero-setting wheel 350 and the minute wheel 320, and finally advancing the center minute counter hand by one unit. A minute counter detent 321 engages the minute wheel 320 to count the minutes elapsed during the timekeeping operation.

[0034] In the embodiment shown here, the zero-setting device 100 comprises, for example, a first zero-setting heart 110, a second zero-setting heart, and a second zero-setting heart 120, a minute zero-setting heart. The second zero-setting heart 110 is fixedly connected to the second wheel 310, and the minute zero-setting heart 120 is fixedly connected to the zero-setting wheel 350. By actuating the zero-setting unit 200, the second zero-setting heart 110 and the minute zero-setting heart 120 can be rotated to the zero position shown here, which corresponds to the respective zero position of the center second and center minute counter hands.In an exemplary embodiment of the movement 300 with center second and center minute counter hands rotating around the main axis of the movement 300, the second zero-setting heart 110 interacts directly with the second wheel 310 to transmit torque, and the minute zero-setting heart 120 interacts indirectly with the minute wheel 320 to transmit torque via the multifunction shaft, the drive wheel, and the impulse transmission wheel 340. Alternatively, the minute zero-setting heart 120 could also be directly connected to the minute wheel 320.

[0035] The zero-setting unit 200 is shown here in the zero position, in which the first end 221 of the zero-setting lever latch 220 rests on the second zero-setting heart 110 and the second end 222 rests on the minute zero-setting heart 120.

[0036] In the Figure 2 the zero setting device 100 is made of Figure 1in the same perspective view, but shown in isolation. The zero-setting device 100 comprises the first or second zero-setting heart 110 and the second or minute zero-setting heart 120, a zero-setting unit 200 having the zero-setting lever latch 220 and the zero-setting lever arm 210, a control means 130, and a first compression spring 140. The control means 130 is implemented here, for example, as a control cam and is mounted in the chronograph movement 300 so as to be pivotable and / or rotatable about its control means rotation axis SA. The first compression spring 140 can be designed as a U-shaped bow spring, wherein a fastening end 141 connected to the control means 130 in a rotationally transmitting manner is arranged on one of the legs. The other leg is designed as a free end 142 and is supported on the zero-setting lever arm 210, in particular on a bolt- or pin-like stop 213 of the zero-setting lever arm 210.The leg having the free end 142 and the zero-setting lever arm 210 run approximately parallel to each other when the zero-setting unit 200 is in the released position. The zero-setting lever arm 210 is mounted at its first end 211 for rotation about the zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214. The zero-setting lever latch 220 is freely pivotably connected to the second end 212 of the zero-setting lever arm 210. The bolt- or pin-like stop 213 is arranged in a region between the first end 211 and the second end 212 of the zero-setting lever arm 210, i.e., between the zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214 and the connection to the zero-setting lever latch 220.

[0037] To the Figure 1To effect the zero setting of the zero-setting unit 200 as shown, the control means 130 is pivoted about the control means axis SA in a clockwise direction of the chronograph movement 300. The first compression spring 140, which is fixedly or torque-transmittingly connected to the control means 130, follows the rotational movement and also pivots clockwise of the movement 300. Because the compression spring 140 is supported with its free end 142 on the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 of the zero-setting lever arm 210, the latter is pivoted in a movement opposite to the first compression spring 140 about its zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214, specifically in a counterclockwise direction of rotation of the chronograph movement 300. The zero-setting lever arm 210 and the leg of the first compression spring 140 having the free end 142 shear apart.At the free end 142 of the first compression spring 140, a pulse generator 143 is formed which, during the rotational movement of the first compression spring 140, exerts additional pressure on the zero-setting lever arm 210 and thus increases its impulse for rotation about the zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214.

[0038] Due to the pivoting movement of the zero-setting lever arm 210, the zero-setting lever latch 220, which is hinged at its second end 212, is moved in the direction of the zero-setting hearts 110, 120, so that finally the first end 221 of the zero-setting lever latch 220 comes into contact with the second zero-setting heart 110 and the second end 222 comes into contact with the minute zero-setting heart 120. The zero-setting unit 200 is then in the zero position (see Figure 1). Even after reaching the zero position, the spring force of the first compression spring 140 continues to bear on the zero-setting lever arm 210, thereby increasing the pressure exerted by the zero-setting lever latch 220 on the zero-setting hearts 110, 120 and permanently forcing the zero-setting unit 200 into the zero position or holding it there. The pressure exerted by the zero-setting lever latch 220 on the zero-setting hearts 110, 120 causes them to rotate until the zero position is reached, in which the flattened areas of the zero-setting hearts 110, 120 rest against the respective ends 221, 222 of the zero-setting lever latch 220.

[0039] The force acting on the zero-setting lever arm 210 or its impulse to rotate about the zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214 can be further increased by a second compression spring 150, the function of which can be determined by the Figure 3 will be explained in more detail. The Figure 3shows a plan view from behind, ie from the viewpoint of the back of the chronograph, of the zero-setting device 100 from the Figures 1 and 2 The zero-setting unit 200 is in the zero position, in which the two ends 221, 222 of the zero-setting lever latch 220 rest against the second or minute zero-setting heart 110, 120. To ensure that this system for zero-positioning the zero-setting hearts 110, 120 and the associated counter hands is always achieved, the second compression spring 150 rests with its free end 152 on the zero-setting lever arm 210. The force application point, at which the spring force applied by the second compression spring 150 acts on the zero-setting lever arm 210, is selected such that the pivoting movement of the zero-setting lever arm 210 is deviated from the free position, in which the second compression spring 150 is deflected against the spring force acting on the zero-setting lever arm 210 (see Figure 2) to support the zero-setting lever arm pivot point 214 into the zero position shown here. At one fastening end 151, the second compression spring 150 is fixedly mounted in the movement 300 via at least one mounting means (not shown).

[0040] The spring force of the second compression spring 150 acts permanently on the first end 211 of the zero-setting lever arm 210. To prevent the second compression spring 150 from causing the zero-setting unit 200 to be zeroed during the timing process, the first end 211 of the zero-setting lever arm 210 is also operatively connected to the control means 130. For example, the first end 211 of the zero-setting lever arm 210 can have a U-shaped receptacle 215. The control means 130 has a correspondingly complementary contour and is arranged with respect to the receptacle 215 such that, when the zero-setting unit 200 is in the released position, its contour is in locking engagement with the first end 211 of the zero-setting lever arm 210 (see Figure 2). By actuating the control means 130, it is pivoted about the control means axis SA in the clockwise direction of the clockwork 300, whereby the locking engagement is released and the contour of the control means 130 lies contact-free in the receptacle 215, as the Figure 3 The zero-setting lever arm 210 is released and is simultaneously pivoted by the first compression spring 140 and the second compression spring 150 to the zero position of the zero-setting unit 200. By using both compression springs 140, 150, the zero-setting unit 200 is moved into the zero position under double spring load and is securely held there by the continuing spring forces.

[0041] In the Figures 3 and 5Also shown is a reset pusher 360, which protrudes from the chronograph case and can be actuated, or "pressed," by a user to exert a longitudinally directed force or movement. A transmission mechanism 370 converts the axial or longitudinal movement of the reset pusher 370 into the previously described rotational or pivoting movement of the control means 130. The control means 130 is actuated by "pressing" the reset pusher 360 and pivots about its control means rotation axis SA in the clockwise direction of the chronograph.

[0042] The Figures 4 and 5 show the zero-setting device 100 from a front view, ie from the front of the chronograph. Figure 4 The zero setting unit 200 is in the release and in the Figure 5 shown in the zero position.

[0043] A third spring 160 is clearly visible, namely a detent spring, which is fixedly mounted with its fastening end 161 in the movement 300 of the chronograph. The free end 162 of the detent spring 160 is formed with a V-shaped nose for engaging in complementary V-shaped receptacles 132 arranged on the outer contour of a detent means 131, in particular a detent cam. The detent means 131 represents a component of the control means 130 and is mounted thereon in a floating manner and can pivot or rotate about the control means rotation axis SA. The free end 162 of the detent spring 160 cooperates with the control means 130 via the detent means 131 in order to lock the control means in the position that causes the zero setting of the zero-setting unit 200. In the embodiment shown here, the detent means 131 has a total of three V-shaped receptacles 132 running along the outer contour. In the release of the zero setting unit 200, according to the Figure 4, the V-shaped nose of the detent spring 160 engages in the foremost receptacle 132 in the direction of rotation of the detent means 131. When the control means 130 is actuated, the detent means 131 also rotates clockwise of the chronograph about the control center axis SA. The detent spring 160 attempts to engage completely in the V-shaped receptacles 132 and in doing so slides along the bevel of the outer contour of the detent means 131. In the event that the detent spring 160 does not engage centrally in the V-shaped receptacles 132, the detent spring 160 will attempt to rotate the detent means 131 in one direction and thus precisely bring about the desired position of the control means 130 for the zero setting of the zero setting unit 200. In order to Figure 5To effect the zero setting of the zero-setting unit 200 as shown, the reset pusher 360 is pressed. The transmission mechanism 370 converts the linear movement of the reset pusher 360 into a pivoting movement of the locking means 131 or the control means 130 about the control means rotation axis SA in the clockwise direction of the chronograph. When the zero-setting unit 200 is in the zero position, the V-shaped nose of the locking spring 160 engages in the rearmost receptacle 132 in the direction of rotation of the locking means 131. The third spring 160 thus further secures the zero-setting unit 200 in the zero position. By actuating a start / stop pusher (not shown here), the zero setting can be released and the zero-setting unit 200 can be returned to the free position, thereby enabling further timekeeping.

[0044] Preferably and as in particular in the Figures 1 and 2As can be clearly seen, the first compression spring 140 and the second compression spring 150 are arranged offset from one another with respect to the Z coordinate direction of the movement 300. In particular, the second compression spring 150 is supported on the end face against the outer contour of the zero-setting lever arm 210 and is arranged in a common plane with the zero-setting lever arm 210 and the control means 130 with respect to the Z coordinate direction. The first compression spring 140, on the other hand, is supported on the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 of the zero-setting lever arm 210, which protrudes from the common plane, and, from the perspective of the front of the chronograph, is arranged together with the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 in a plane below or below.The detent spring 160 is in turn arranged offset with respect to the Z-coordinate direction relative to the first and second compression springs 140, 150 and is located together with the detent means 131 in an upper plane which, as seen from the front of the chronograph, is above the common plane.

[0045] Finally, the Figures 6 and 7a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 which is fastened to the zero-setting lever arm 210 can be seen. In this embodiment, the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 is designed as an eccentric, with an upper cylindrical section 216 relative to the longitudinal axis and a lower cylindrical section 217 arranged eccentrically below it. The upper cylindrical section 216 is provided for connection to a receptacle, in particular a bore of the zero-setting lever arm 210. The lower cylindrical section 217 protrudes from the zero-setting lever arm 210 so that the first compression spring 140 can be supported thereon (see, for example, Figure 1). In addition, the lower cylindrical section 217 has a slot or groove 218 which, with the aid of an appropriate tool, e.g., a screwdriver, allows rotation of the bolt- or pin-like stop 213 in the receptacle of the zero-setting lever arm 210 about the rotation axis RA of the upper cylindrical section 216. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the lower cylindrical section 217, it follows a circular path on the zero-setting lever arm 210, whereby the position of the stop 213 relative to the first compression spring 140 can be changed. In this way, the spring force of the first compression spring 140, which is supported on the bolt- or pin-like stop 213, can be adjusted with high precision for fine adjustment of the zero-setting device 100. List of reference symbols

[0046] 100Zero-setting device 110First zero-setting heart, in particular second zero-setting heart 120Second zero-setting heart, in particular minute zero-setting heart 130Control means, in particular control cam 131Locking means, in particular locking cam 132V-shaped receptacle 140First compression spring 141Fastening end of the first compression spring 142Free end of the first compression spring 143Pulse generator 150Second compression spring 151Fastening end of the second compression spring 152Free end of the second compression spring 160Third spring, in particular locking spring 161Fastening end of the third spring 162Free end of the third spring 200Zero-setting unit 210Zero-setting lever arm 211First end of the zero-setting lever arm 212Second end of the zero-setting lever arm 213Bolt- or pin-like stop 214Zero-setting lever arm pivot point 215Receptacle 216Upper cylindrical section 217Lower cylindrical section 218Groove 220Zero-setting lever latch 221First end of the zero-setting lever latch 222Second end of the zero-setting lever latch 300Clockwork 310Second wheel 311Drive spring 320Minute wheel 321Minute counter detent 330Impulse receiving wheel 340Impulse transmission wheel 350Zero setting wheel 360Reset pusher 370Transmission mechanism RARotation axis SAControl center rotation axis

Claims

1. Zero-setting device (100) for a movement (300) within a chronograph, consisting of - at least one zero-setting heart (110, 120), - one zero-setting unit (200), consisting of a zero-setting lever arm (210) and a zero-setting lever latch (220), the first end (221) of which is designed to contact at least one zero-setting heart (110, 120), and - a control means (130) which interacts with the zero-setting lever arm (210), wherein a zero-setting of the zero-setting unit (200) is effectuated by actuating the control means (130), characterised in that the zero-setting device (100) comprises a first compression spring (140) which is supported on the zero-setting lever arm (210) and is operatively connected to the control means (130), and the control means (130) interacts indirectly with the zero-setting unit (200) via the first compression spring (140).

2. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the zero-setting lever arm (210) has a bolt-like or pin-like stop (213), on which the first compression spring (140) is supported.

3. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the bolt-like or pin-like stop (213) is designed as an eccentric for setting and adjusting the spring force exerted by the first compression spring (140) on the zero-setting lever arm (210).

4. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that the first compression spring (140) has a mounting end (141) and a free end (142), where the mounting end (141) is directly connected to the control means (130) and the free end (142) is supported on the zero-setting lever arm (210).

5. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 4, characterised in that the first compression spring (140) is designed as a U-shaped bow spring, wherein the fastening end (141) connected to the control means (130) is arranged on one leg and the free end (142) supported on the zero-setting lever arm (210) is arranged on the other leg.

6. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that by actuating the control means (130) to bring about the zero setting of the zero-setting unit (200), the zero-setting lever arm (210) and the first compression spring (140) execute a movement in opposite directions to each other.

7. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that the first compression spring (140) is connected to the control means (130) in a torque-transmitting manner and the zero-setting lever arm (210) is mounted at its first end (211) so it can be rotated and / or pivoted about a zero-setting lever arm pivot point (214) and is connected at its second end (212) to the zero-setting lever latch (220), so that a rotational and / or pivotal movement of the control means (130) about its control means rotation axis (SA) results in a rotational and / or pivotal movement of the first compression spring (140) in the same direction and an opposite rotational and / or pivotal movement of the zero-setting lever arm (210).

8. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first compression spring (140) is supported in a region of the zero-setting lever arm (210) between the connection with the zero-setting lever latch (220) and the rotatable and / or pivotable bearing on the zero-setting lever arm (210).

9. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that the zero-setting device (100) comprises a second compression spring (150) which is mounted such that it is fixed in the movement (300) of the chronograph and whose free end (152) is supported on the zero-setting lever arm (210) exerting a spring force which causes the zero setting of the zero-setting unit (200).

10. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 9, characterised in that the first compression spring (140) is offset from the zero-setting lever arm (210) with respect to the Z-coordinate direction of the movement (300) of the chronograph and the second compression spring (150) is arranged in a common plane with the zero-setting lever arm (210) with respect to the Z-coordinate direction.

11. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that the control means (130) is in locking engagement with the second end (212) of the zero-setting lever arm (210), which engagement can be released by actuating the control means (130) to bring about the zero setting of the zero-setting unit (200).

12. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 11, characterised in that the second end (212) of the zero-setting lever arm (210) has a receptacle (215) and the control means (130) has a complementary contour for engaging in the receptacle (215) of the zero-setting lever arm (210).

13. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of the previous Claims, characterised in that the zero-setting device (100) comprises a third spring (160), in particular a detent spring, which is mounted such that it is fixed in the movement (300) of the chronograph and whose free end (162) interacts with the control means (130).

14. Zero-setting device (100) according to Claim 13, characterised in that the free end (162) of the third spring (160) can be transferred by actuation of the control means (130) into an engagement which holds the control means (130) in the position causing the zero setting.

15. Zero-setting device (100) according to one of Claims 13 to 14, characterised in that the third spring (160) is arranged offset from the zero-setting lever arm (210) and offset from the first compression spring (140) with respect to the Z-coordinate direction of the movement (300) of the chronograph.

16. Chronograph with a zero-setting device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 15, whose central second counter hand and central minute counter hand are each rotatably mounted about the main axis of the movement (300) of the chronograph, the central second counter hand being connected to a second wheel (310) and the central minute counter hand being connected to a minute wheel (320), characterised in that the zero-setting lever latch (220) of the zero-setting device (100) has a first end (221) for contact with a first zero-setting heart (110), a second zero-setting heart, and a second end (222) for contact with a second zero-setting heart (120), a minute zero-setting heart, and a zero setting of the zero-setting unit (200) can be effected by actuating the control means (130), wherein the control means (130) interacts with the zero-setting unit (200) via the first compression spring (140) supported on the zero-setting lever arm (210), and wherein the second zero-setting heart (110) interacts directly with the second wheel (310) to transmit torque, and the minute zero-setting heart (120) interacts indirectly with the minute wheel (320) to transmit torque, in order to reset the centre second counter hand and the centre minute counter hand to their zero position.

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