HK1047165B

HK1047165B - Electronic timepiece with indicator hands

Info

Publication number: HK1047165B
Application number: HK02108701.1A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 筱裕一; 里馆贵之; 里館貴之
Original assignee: 精工电子有限公司; 精工電子有限公司
Priority date: 2000-04-06
Filing date: 2000-04-06
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: EP1184748A1; HK1047165A1; CN1132072C; CN1353827A; WO2001077758A1; AU3672300A

Abstract

An electronic timepiece (100) is provided that is provided with indicator hands capable of making a variety of indications by utilizing a mechanical drive mechanism, which comprises a time hand (101, 102) to indicate time, first and second indicator hands (104, 103) separately provided from the time hand (101, 102), a motor (200) for conveying rotation of the motor (200) in one direction, and a train wheel for conveying rotation of the motor (200) and reciprocally rotating the first and second indicator hands (104, 103) in opposite directions to each other within a predetermined range. The train wheel conveys rotation of the motor (200) and reciprocally rotates the first and second indicator hands (104, 103) in directions opposite to each other within the predetermined range. <IMAGE>

Description

Electronic timepiece with indicator hands

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece having an indicator hand formed integrally with a figure or the like.

Background

Conventionally, an electronic timepiece with indicator hands integrally formed with a figure such as a character has been used.

In a conventional electronic timepiece having an indicator hand, a hand having a function such as an indicator hand is constituted by a needle-like second hand or a disk-like second hand, which is also used as the indicator hand. In addition, in the conventional electronic timepiece with the indicator hand which is adjusted only by the user's operation, the indicator hand is also used as a time hand which indicates time or the indicator hand interacts with the time hand.

Therefore, in any of the above electronic timepieces, there is only a display hand which is also used as an indication of time. With one pointer, graphics such as characters having various motions and various indications cannot be provided.

Meanwhile, although there has been an electronic timepiece having an indicator hand which is always moved, a figure or the like can be provided only on a disc-shaped second hand or a needle-shaped second hand, and it is impossible to have various displays such as providing various motions.

Meanwhile, when the indicator hand is also used as or interacts with the time hand, the size of the figure or the like integrally formed on the indicator hand is limited, making it difficult to use the indicator hand having various displays.

The invention provides an electronic timepiece having an indicator hand capable of forming a plurality of indications by a mechanical driving mechanism.

Summary of The Invention

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical structure.

That is, the electronic timepiece with indicator hands of the invention is characterized by including time hands indicating time, first and second indicator hands provided separately from the time hands, a motor for transmitting rotation of the motor in a single direction, and a train wheel for transmitting rotation of the motor and reciprocally rotating the first and second indicator hands in opposite directions to each other within a predetermined range. The train wheel receives the unidirectional rotation of the motor and reciprocally rotates the first and second indicator hands within a predetermined range.

Here, the gear train may be configured to have a first wheel rotationally driving the first indicator hand; a second wheel rotationally driving a second indicator hand; first and second gear shafts formed in the partially circular rim and alternately engaged with the first and second wheels, respectively; and a third wheel rotated according to rotation of the motor and the reversely rotating wheel, wherein when the first pinion is engaged with the first wheel, rotation of the first pinion is transmitted to the second wheel through the reversely rotating wheel; and when the second pinion is engaged with the second wheel, rotation of the second pinion is transmitted to the first wheel through the counter-rotating wheel.

Likewise, the third wheel may be configured to have first and second gear shafts and teeth, receive the rotation of the motor to be transmitted and rotate, the second gear shaft is not engaged with the second wheel when the first gear shaft is engaged with the first wheel, and the first gear shaft is not engaged with the first wheel when the second gear shaft is engaged with the second wheel.

In addition, the first and second gear shafts may have the same number of teeth.

Likewise, the time hand and the indicator hand may be arranged on the same axis.

Incidentally, the electronic timepiece may be an electronic watch.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of an embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of a driving mechanism used in a specific embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hand according to the invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear view of a driving mechanism used in a specific embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hand according to the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view B-B in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing an external appearance of another embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing an external appearance of another embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to the invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out The Invention

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of an electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of an embodiment of an electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to the present invention, showing an example of an electronic wristwatch. In fig. 1, an electronic watch 100 has time hands for indicating time constituted by a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102, and is provided with a first indicator hand 104 formed integrally with a star pattern 106, a second indicator hand 103 formed integrally with a crescent pattern 105, a dial 107, and an operation switch 108 for producing music. Indicator hands 103, 104 are provided between the minute hand 101, hour hand 102 and dial 107.

As shown below, two sets of train wheel systems are used which have a motor as a driving source, and relatively transmit reverse rotation to the indicator hands 103, 104 at a reduced rate with respect to the second hand, unlike the motor for driving the hour hand 101, 102, thereby rotationally driving the indicator hands 103, 104 in pairs in a predetermined angular range a at the same speed so that they reciprocally move in opposite directions.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the drive mechanism of the electronic watch 100 with the indicator hands shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view illustrating the drive mechanism of the electronic watch 100 with the indicator hands shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view B-B of FIG. 2; and fig. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of fig. 4, wherein like structure is indicated by the same reference numeral.

In fig. 2 to 5, mounted between the main plate 201 and the support plate 202 are: time hands including a minute hand 101 and an hour hand 102, a drive mechanism for rotationally driving a pair of indicator hands 103, 104, and an electronic circuit. Specifically, the structure is as follows.

The first stepping motor 200 is constituted by a coil 203, a stator 204, and a rotor magnet 205, and rotates only in a single direction. The stator 204 and the coil 203 are fixed to the main plate 201 by screws 207, 208.

The gear shaft 206 of the rotor magnet 205 meshes with the teeth 301 of the gear 209. The gear shaft 302 of the gear 209 meshes with the teeth 303 of the gear 210 as the third wheel. The gear 210 has the same number of teeth as the first gear shaft 304 and the second gear shaft 305, which are formed in the circumference and located at the top and bottom, respectively, sandwiching the teeth 303. That is, the gear 210 is a three-step structure composed of the teeth 303 and the gear shafts 304, 305.

The pinion shafts 304, 305 are configured to alternately mesh with the hour wheel 213 as the first wheel and the hour wheel 212 as the second wheel, respectively. That is, when the pinion 304 meshes with the tooth 307 of the hour wheel 213, the pinion 305 does not mesh with the tooth 306. When the pinion 304 is not engaged with the teeth 307, the pinion 305 is engaged with the teeth 306. Likewise, when the pinion 305 is not engaged with the teeth 306, the pinion 304 is structurally engaged with the teeth 307.

The hour wheel 213 is used to rotationally drive the indicator hand 104, and is formed integrally with the indicator hand 104. The hour wheel 212 is used to rotationally drive the indicator hand 103, and is formed integrally with the indicator hand 103.

On the other hand, between the hour wheel 212 and the hour wheel 213, there are provided a fourth gear 230 and a fifth gear 229 of the same shape engaged with each other, configured such that the hour wheels 212, 214 rotate at the same speed but in opposite directions. Based on this, the indicator hand 103 and the indicator hand 104 are configured to be rotationally driven with respect to each other at the same speed but in opposite directions. Thus, a crescent-shaped pattern 105 is integrally formed on the indicator needle 103, while a star-shaped pattern 106 is integrally formed on the indicator needle 104, mutually rotationally driven at the same speed but in opposite directions.

Incidentally, the gear 210, the hour wheels 212, 213, and the gears 229, 230 constitute a train for transmitting the rotation of the motor 200 to mutually rotate the first and second indicator hands 104, 103 in opposite directions and within a predetermined range.

On the other hand, the wristwatch 100 is provided with a structure for rotationally driving the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102. That is, there are provided a second stepping motor 222 constituted by the coil 219, the stator 220 and the rotor magnet 221, and a third train wheel constituted by the gear 214 and the hour wheel 215, wherein the gear 214 rotationally drives the gears 223, 224 for transmitting the rotation of the rotor magnet 221 and the minute wheel 101, and the hour wheel 215 rotationally drives the hour wheel 102.

The hour wheels 212, 213, 215 are eccentrically provided on a shaft 216 integrally formed with the gear 214. Based on this, the minute hand 101, the hour hand 102, and the indicator hands 103, 104 are provided on the same axis. Therefore, since an additional space for installing the indicator hands 103, 104 is not required, the size can be reduced and the feeling of being integrally designed with the dial 107 can be provided.

Meanwhile, an integrated circuit 217 including a quartz oscillator 218 constituting a circuit for oscillating it and a drive circuit is integrated therein.

The operation principle of this embodiment is explained below by using fig. 1 to 5.

In fig. 3, when the rotor magnet 205 of the stepping motor 200 rotates in one direction (arrow direction) and the pinion 206 rotates in the arrow direction, the gear 209 in which the gear teeth 301 mesh with the pinion 206 rotates in the arrow direction. The gear 210 whose gear teeth 303 mesh with the gear shaft 302 of the gear 209 rotates in the arrow direction, and the gear shaft 305 rotates in a state where the gear shaft 305 meshes with the teeth 306 of the hour wheel 212. Based on this, the hour wheel 212 rotates in the arrow direction of the solid line and the pointer hand 103 rotates in the arrow direction.

Simultaneously, the gear 229, whose gear teeth 308 are engaged with the gear shaft 306 of the hour wheel 212, rotates in the arrow direction, and the gear 230, whose gear teeth 309 are engaged with the teeth 308, rotates in the arrow direction. Based on this, the hour wheel 213, in which the cog 307 meshes with the cog 309, rotates in the direction of the dotted arrow opposite to the direction of the hour wheel 212, and the indicator hand 104 rotates in the direction of the arrow.

The above operation is performed during the meshing of the pinion 305 with the teeth 306. Based on this, the crescent-shaped pattern 105 integrally formed with the pointer 103 turns through a predetermined angle in the arrow direction, and the star-shaped pattern 106 integrally formed with the pointer 104 turns through the same angle at the same speed as the crescent-shaped pattern 105.

Next, the gear 210 rotates in the arrow direction from the state in fig. 3, in which the pinion 305 is separated from the teeth 306 and at the same time the pinion 304 is engaged with the teeth 307 of the hour wheel 213, and rotates in the arrow direction. Based on this, the hour wheel 213 rotates in the arrow direction of the solid line, and the pointer hand 104 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow.

At the same time, the gear 230 whose gear teeth 309 mesh with the teeth 307 of the hour wheel 213 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow, and the gear 229 whose gear teeth 308 mesh with the teeth 309 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow. Based on this, the hour wheel 212, with the gear teeth 306 engaged with the teeth 308, rotates in the direction of the dotted arrow, and the indicator hand 103 rotates in the direction opposite to the arrow.

The above operation is performed during the meshing of the pinion shaft 304 with the teeth 307. Based on this, the crescent-shaped pattern 105 integrally formed with the pointer 103 turns through a predetermined angle in the arrow direction, and the star-shaped pattern 106 integrally formed with the pointer 104 turns through the same angle at the same speed as the crescent-shaped pattern 105.

Next, the gear 210 further rotates, the pinion 304 rotates and separates from the teeth 307, while the pinion 305 rotates in the arrow direction in a state of meshing with the teeth 306 of the hour wheel 212.

Up to now, the above-described operation is repeated so that the crescent pattern 105 formed integrally with the indicator hand 103 and the star pattern 106 formed integrally with the indicator hand 104 are reversely rotated in opposite directions to each other at the same speed within a predetermined angle range.

Fig. 6 is a front view of an external view of another embodiment of an electronic timepiece having indicator hands according to the invention.

In fig. 6, the electronic watch 100 has time hands including a minute hand 101, an hour hand 102, a first indicator hand 103 formed integrally with an arrow-shaped pattern 801, and a second indicator hand 104 formed integrally with a heart-shaped pattern 802. Indicator hands 103, 104 are provided between the minute hand 101, hour hand 102 and dial 107. A pair of indicator hands 103, 104 are reciprocally moved within a predetermined angular range C at the same speed in mutually opposite directions, respectively.

Fig. 7 is a front view of an external view of another embodiment of an electronic timepiece having an indicator hand according to the invention, in which the same parts as those in fig. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In fig. 7, the electronic watch 100 has time hands including a minute hand 101, an hour hand 102, a first indicator hand 103 formed integrally with an arrow-shaped pattern 801, and a second indicator hand 104 formed integrally with a heart-shaped pattern 802. Indicator hands 103, 104 are provided between the minute hand 101, hour hand 102 and dial 107. A pair of indicator hands 103, 104 are reciprocally moved in mutually opposite directions at the same speed within a predetermined angular range D, respectively.

As shown in fig. 1, 6, and 7, a variety of display forms can be given by changing the pattern fixed to the indicator hands 103, 104 into various patterns such as symbols or letters, or changing the fixed angle of the indicator hands 103, 104 or changing the range of the rotation angle of the indicator hands 103, 104.

As described above, the electronic timepiece having the indicator hand according to the embodiment of the invention is characterized by having the time hands 102, 102 for displaying time, the first and second indicator hands 104, 103 provided separately from the time hands 101, 102, the motor 200 rotating in a single direction, and the train wheel (the gears 210, 229, 230, the hour wheels 212, 213) for transmitting the rotation of the motor 200 and reciprocally rotating the first and second indicator hands 104, 103 in the opposite directions within a predetermined range, respectively.

Accordingly, an electronic watch 100 with indicator hands having indicator hands 103, 104 capable of providing a variety of displays may be provided.

Likewise, the indicator hands 103, 104 are driven by means of a motor. Since it is not necessary to use a plurality of motors, cost reduction can be achieved. Also, it is recognized that the use of the motor for forward-reverse rotation instead of the motor 200 has problems of high power consumption, reduction in output torque, and as a result, shorter battery life of the electronic timepiece. However, the present embodiments do not present such a problem because a motor that rotates in a single direction is used.

Likewise, it becomes possible to display the required movement within a certain predetermined range, which display may be made not only by turning the representation in one direction, e.g. all hands or all feet of the symbol are integrally formed on both indicator hands 103, 104.

Also, since the patterns of both the pointers are integrally formed on the pointer pointers 103, 104, when both the pointers are cammingly reciprocated within a predetermined range of movement, such movement can be indicated, or the pointer of the symbol is swung more widely by variably setting the fixed angle of the pointer pointers 103, 104, or the tap pointer is displayed.

In addition, since the indicator hands 103, 104 are constantly reciprocated, for example, displayed from the point of sale, a display different from other timepieces can be realized.

In addition, by providing the indicator hands 103, 104 between the hour hand and the dial, it is possible to provide a feeling of being integrally designed on the dial 107.

Incidentally, in the above embodiment, although the indicator hands 103, 104 are made to rotate at the same speed, they may be rotated at mutually different speeds by changing the gear ratio of the train wheel.

Likewise, in the above embodiments, the indicator hands 103, 104 are made to have the same range of rotation, and may be made differently.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the time hand is composed of the minute hand 101 and the hour hand 102, and the second hand can be added.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the electronic timepiece according to the invention can be applied to various electronic timepieces ranging from an electronic wristwatch to a hanging type electronic timepiece and a desk type electronic timepiece.

Claims

1. An electronic timepiece having indicator hands, characterized by having: the time display device includes time hands (101, 102) for displaying time, first and second indicator hands (104, 103) provided separately from the time hands (101, 102), a motor (200) rotating in a single direction, and a train wheel for transmitting the rotation of the motor (200) and reciprocally rotating the first and second indicator hands (104, 103) in opposite directions within a predetermined range, respectively.

2. Electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to claim 1, characterised in that the train of wheels has a first wheel (213) driving in rotation the first indicator hand (104); a second wheel (212) that rotationally drives the second indicator hand (103); first and second gear shafts (304, 305) respectively formed in the part-circular rim and alternately meshing with the first wheel (213) and the second wheel (212); and a third wheel (210) rotated according to the rotation of the motor (200) and the wheels (229, 230) for reverse rotation,

wherein when the first gear shaft (304) is engaged with the first wheel (213), rotation of the first gear shaft (304) is transmitted to the second wheel (212) through the counter-rotating gears (229, 230); and

when the second gear shaft (305) is engaged with the second wheel (212), the rotation of the second gear shaft (305) is transmitted to the first wheel (213) through the gears (229, 230) rotating in opposite directions.

3. The electronic timepiece with indicator hand of claim 2, characterized in that the third wheel (210) is configured to have the first and second toothed shafts (304, 305) and teeth (303), receives the rotation of the motor (200) to be transmitted to the gear (303) and rotates, the second toothed shaft (305) is not engaged with the second wheel (212) when the first toothed shaft (304) is engaged with the first wheel (213), and the first toothed shaft (304) is not engaged with the first wheel (213) when the second toothed shaft (305) is engaged with the second wheel (212).

4. Electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to claim 3, characterised in that the first and second axes of toothing (304, 305) have the same number of teeth.

5. Electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to claim 4, characterised in that the time hands (101, 102) and the indicator hands (103, 104) are arranged on the same axis.

6. Electronic timepiece with indicator hands according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the electronic timepiece is an electronic watch (100).