JPS6213775B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a switching structure for a timepiece.

In recent years, the number of digital display watches using liquid crystals and the like has been increasing, but most of these are operated by pressing a button. The main reason for this seems to be that by using a spring to return the button, it can be done easily and in a small amount of space. However, when considering ease of use, the method of correcting the time or calendar by rotating the winding stem drawer, which has been practiced with analog display watches for many years and has become common sense, is the original method. Seem. However, there were problems in adopting the operating method using the winding stem. The current trend in digital watches is that they are not only becoming more functional, but also becoming thinner and more fashionable. When considering specific matters regarding fashion, in order to make the model look smart, the LCD panel cutout size and the ratio of the area of the exterior case have a large influence. The width of cases has been limited to become smaller. As the winding stem becomes thinner, the winding stem and the liquid crystal panel overlap in cross-section, and as the winding stem becomes more fashionable, the dimension from the liquid crystal panel to the outer shape is restricted, so the length of the winding stem becomes smaller. cannot be adequately secured. Furthermore, due to the need for enhanced functionality, it is not possible to take up a large planar space, as elements and the like are now crowded together. Considering these limitations, it is impossible to deal with the length of the winding stem, space, etc. with the conventional structure using mandarin ducks, cannukis, cannuki pushers, etc., and a new changeover/switch structure is needed. It becomes necessary. The present invention solves these problems and makes it possible to operate the watch using a winding stem, similar to analog display watches. A description will be given below along with examples.

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of this embodiment. Groove portion 1b of winding stem 1 guided by winding stem pipe 6 provided on the exterior
is engaged with the groove portion 2a of the click spring 2, which is positioned by the guide pin 7 and the click pin 8 installed on the center line of the winding stem of the main plate 4. The click spring 2 and the switch spring 3 are sandwiched together between the base plate 4 and the plate member 10 to determine their cross-sectional positions. With the initial deflection, it is inserted in one of the two recesses, 2c. The switch spring 3 is engaged with the click spring 2 by a shaft pin 9 installed on the switch spring 3 with play so that the shaft pin 9 is located on the extension of the axis of the winding stem, and has four spring parts.
Of these, the spring portions 3a and 3b engage with the click spring outer shape portion 2d to determine the normal position of the switch spring 3, and the spring portions 3c and 3d are in pressure contact with the circuit board 5 with initial deflection in cross section. Further, the tip 3e of the switch spring 3 is engaged with a gear 1a provided on a part of the winding stem 1. The circuit board has copper foil patterns 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e for conduction, of which 5a and 5b are provided on the side surface of the circuit board. 11 represents a liquid crystal panel, and 12 represents a reflection plate.

Figures 1 and 2 show the normal carrying state, but
When the winding stem 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in this state, the gear 1a provided on the winding stem 1 and the switch spring tip 3e
is engaged, the switch spring 3 rotates around the shaft pin 9, the spring part 3a is deflected, and the other spring part 3
b rotates together with the main body of the switch spring 3 and reaches the position 3b' in the figure, where it comes into contact with the copper foil pattern 5b to establish electrical continuity. When further rotated from this state, the spring parts 3a and 3b continue to bend, and when the gear 1a provided on the winding stem 1 and the switch spring tip 3e disengage, the spring force of the spring part 3a returns to the initial state. It can be restored and electrical continuity can be released. When the winding stem 1 is further rotated, the same operation as described above is repeated. As a result, continuous rotation of the winding stem allows the switch to turn on and off.
can be done repeatedly. Further, even when the rotation direction of the winding stem is reversed, the spring portion 3a and the copper foil pattern 5a can be brought into contact with each other in the same manner to establish electrical continuity. In these cases, the spring portion 3c of the switch spring 3 is always in contact with the copper foil pattern 5c, and the (+)
(-) It has one of the potentials. next,
Regarding the correction state, when the winding stem 1 is pulled out, the click spring 2 that is engaged with the winding stem 1 moves in the same way, and the click pin 8 installed on the main plate engages with the click spring recess 2b, causing the winding stem 1 and the click spring to 2 position is determined. In this case, the click pin 8 moves from one recess to another in the click spring, so that an appropriate click feeling can be obtained by setting the recess and the shape of the mountain between the recesses. As the winding stem 1 and the click spring 2 move, the switch spring 3 that was engaged with the click spring 2 also moves, and the spring portion 3 that was in spring contact with the circuit board 5 also moves.
d comes into contact with the copper foil pattern 5d, and the mode can be switched from the normal carrying state to the correction state. If you rotate the winding stem in this state, you can turn the switch on and off in the same way as in the normal carrying state, but in this case, as the winding stem is pulled out, the click spring and switch spring also move in parallel. The engagement between the gear and the tip of the switch spring is
This is exactly the same as the normal carrying state, and the contact conditions of the switch spring portion with the copper foil pattern are also the same. Next, when the switch is pressed from the normal carrying state, the switch spring part 3d comes into contact with the copper foil pattern 5e and the switch can be turned on. When the push is released, the relationship between the click pin 8 and the slope part 2e of the click spring 2 , the device returns to the normal mobile state. By using the structure of this embodiment, the switch can be operated by rotating the winding stem both left and right when normally carried.
The switch can be turned on and off by turning the winding stem left and right when it is pulled out one step (turning the switch on and off by turning the winding stem button), but it is possible to turn the switch on and off by rotating the winding stem to the left and right when the winding stem is pulled out. In the normal carrying state, it is possible to prohibit turning the switch on and off, or to prohibit turning the switch on and off by rotating the winding stem in either direction. Furthermore, the winding stem is not limited to one level, but can be pulled out to any number of levels by increasing the number of recesses in the click spring.As for the push button, if a means is used to return the click spring to its normal carrying state,
The structure is not limited to this embodiment, and any structure may be used. Furthermore, the conduction between the spring parts 3a, 3b of the switch spring 3 and the copper foil pattern on the circuit board can be achieved by other methods other than the method of bringing the switch spring into contact with the side surface of the circuit board.
It is also possible to conduct by press-contacting them as shown in the figure above, or by placing a pin on the circuit board and bringing the side surface of the pin into contact with the spring part to establish conduction, and the structure is not limited to these.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

3 represents a plan view of another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 represents a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. The click spring 2 is assembled to the base plate 4 with a play by a flanged screw pin 13,
It engages with the winding stem 1 guided by a winding stem pipe 6 provided on the exterior so as to be interlocked with the reciprocating movement of the winding stem 1. The switch spring 3 has three spring parts,
A pin 14 provided on the click spring so as to be in pressure contact with the circuit board and interlocked with the reciprocating movement of the click spring 2 engages with the switch spring 3, and a tip 3c of the switch spring engages with a gear 1a provided on the winding stem 1. , is fixed to the base plate 4 with a set screw 15 with some play. Click spring 2 and switch spring 3 are
Both screw pins 13 and click pins 8 and 16 with flanges
is positioned. 11 represents a liquid crystal panel, and 12 represents a reflection plate. Next, regarding the operation, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the normal carrying state. When the winding stem is rotated in the direction of the arrow in this state, the switch spring 3 rotates around the flanged screw pin 13, the spring part 3a bends, the spring part 3b rotates in the same way as the switch spring body, and the copper foil pattern 5b to establish electrical continuity (3b' in the figure). When the winding stem 1 is further rotated, the spring portion 3a continues to bend, and when the engagement with the winding stem gear portion 1a is disengaged, the spring force of the spring portion 3a returns to the initial state. It can operate in the same way even when rotating in reverse. Next time you pull out the winding stem, you will feel a click due to the relationship between the click spring 2 and the click pin 8, and the position of the click spring 2 will be determined.The click spring spring portion 3c will come into contact with the copper foil pattern 5c, allowing you to switch modes. . The operation by rotating the winding stem is the same as in the normal carrying state. or,
When the winding stem is pressed, the switch spring part 3c
comes into contact with the copper foil pattern 5d, and the switch can be turned on. Restoration to the normal carrying state can be carried out by grasping the slope of the click spring in the same manner as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. In these cases, the switch spring 3 has a potential due to the ground plate 4.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the click pin is fixed and the click spring moves to provide a click feeling, but on the contrary,
A similar effect can be obtained by moving a plate member with a click pin into engagement with the winding stem and fixing the click spring.

As described above, in this invention, the click spring is moved parallel to the reciprocating movement of the winding stem, so the spring length of the click spring can be obtained most effectively, and it can also be placed overlapping the switch spring, so it requires less space. Can be equipped with a changeover/switch mechanism. Further, since the switch spring reciprocates in conjunction with the click spring, the engagement relationship with the winding stem gear remains constant, allowing stable rotational operation of the winding stem.

Further, since the switch spring has both a switch by rotating the winding stem and a switch by pushing or pulling out the winding stem, the number of parts can be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the winding stem and liquid crystal panel overlap in cross-section, and the dimensions from the liquid crystal panel outline to the movement outline only need to be taken into consideration, including the thickness of the gear part of the winding stem, the thickness of the click spring plate, and the winding stem stroke. It can be minimized, making it possible to create thin and smart models.

With these features, the present invention enables easy-to-operate winding stem operations in digital display watches, and provides a changeover/switch structure suitable for digital display watches, which are becoming thinner and more fashionable.

According to the present invention, the criterion lever and the switch lever are integrated, and the winding stem teeth and the operating section of the switch lever are always engaged, so that stable switch operation is always obtained, and the positioning pin of the criterion lever is always engaged. By arranging the winding stem on an extension of the axis of the winding stem, it is possible to downsize the entire switching mechanism.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of another embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. 1... Winding stem, 2... Click spring, 3... Switch spring, 4... Main plate, 5... Circuit board, 6... Winding stem pipe,
7... Guide pin, 8... Click pin, 9... Shaft pin,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Plate member, 11... Liquid crystal panel, 12... Reflection plate, 13... Screw pin with collar, 14, 16... Pin,
15... Set screw.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Winding stem with teeth, main plate, crick lever,
In a timepiece comprising a switch lever, a circuit board, etc., the criterion lever is supported on the main plate so as to be movable in the direction of the winding shaft, and one end of the criterion lever is bent in the thickness direction of the watch body, and the bent portion is wound. By engaging with the true groove, the click lever is configured to move in accordance with the movement of the winding stem in the axial direction, and a positioning pin provided on the main plate is elastically attached to the other end of the click lever. A clamping arm is formed, a click recess that engages with the positioning pin is formed in the arm, and the positioning pin is disposed on an extension of the axis of the winding stem, and the switch lever is connected to the winding stem. It is pivotally supported on the click lever so as to be able to swing freely, and is configured such that one end is always engaged with the teeth of the winding stem, and the other end is opposed to the electrode part of the circuit board to form a switch part. The switch lever moves together with the click lever in accordance with the movement of the winding stem in the axial direction, thereby coming into contact with and separating from the first electrode portion of the circuit board to form a first switch; A switching structure for a timepiece, characterized in that the switch lever swings in response to true rotation and contacts and separates from a second electrode portion of the circuit board to form a second switch.