Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6612734
-
Patent Number
6,612,734
-
Date Filed
Friday, April 27, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 2, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Martin; David
- Goodwin; Jeanne-Marguerite
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 368 175
- 368 203
- 368 139
- 368 140
- 368 142
- 368 127
-
International Classifications
- G04B1500
- G04B110
- G04B1700
-
Abstract
A mechanical timepiece movement has a mainspring serving as a power source, a wheel train rotated by a rotational force produced by the mainspring for driving a display, and an escapement and speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the wheel train and having a balance with hairspring, an escape wheel and pinion and a pallet fork. A stud holder is rotatably mounted with respect to a central axis of the balance with hairspring and a hairspring holder is attached to the stud holder to undergo movement in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the balance with hairspring. A hairspring has a central portion fixed to the balance with hairspring and an outer portion fixed to the hairspring holder. The hairspring is adjustable by pivoting the hairspring holder.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a mechanical time piece having a hairspring holder adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting a position of a hairspring holder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to a conventional mechanical time piece, as shown in FIG.
6
and
FIG. 7
, a movement (machine body)
1100
of a mechanical time piece is provided with a main plate
1102
constituting a base plate of the movement. A winding stem
1110
is rotatably integrated to a winding stem guide hole
1102
a
of the main plate
1102
. A dial
1104
(shown in
FIG. 7
by an imaginary line) is attached to the movement
1100
.
Generally, in both sides of the main plate, a side thereof having the dial is referred to as “back side” of the movement and a side thereof opposed to the side having the dial is referred to as “front side” of the movement. A train wheel (or wheel train) integrated to the “front side” of the movement is referred to as “front wheel train” and a train wheel integrated to the “back side” of the movement is referred to as “back train wheel” (or “back wheel train”).
The position in the axis line direction of the winding stem
1110
is determined by a switch apparatus including a setting lever
1190
, a yoke
1192
, a yoke spring
1194
and a setting lever jumper
1196
. A winding pinion
1112
is provided rotatably at a guide shaft portion of the winding stem
1110
. When the winding stem
1110
is rotated in the state in which the winding stem
1110
is disposed at a first winding stem position (0-stage) which is the position furthest inward along the stem axis, the winding pinion
1112
is rotated via rotation of a clutch wheel. A crown wheel
1114
is rotated by rotation of the winding pinion
1112
. A ratchet wheel
1116
is rotated by rotation of the crown wheel
1114
. By rotating the ratchet wheel
1116
, a mainspring
1122
contained in a barrel
1120
is wound up. A center wheel & pinion
1124
is rotated by rotation of the barrel
1120
. An escape wheel & pinion
1130
is rotated via rotation of a fourth wheel & pinion
1128
, a third wheel & pinion
1126
and the center wheel & pinion
1124
. The barrel
1120
, the center wheel & pinion
1124
, the third-wheel & pinion
1126
and the fourth wheel & pinion
1128
constitute a front wheel train.
An escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front wheel train includes a balance with hairspring
1140
, the escape wheel & pinion
1130
and a pallet fork
1142
. The balance with hairspring
1140
includes a balance stem
1140
a
, a balance wheel
1140
b
and a hairspring
1140
c
. Based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion
1124
, a cannon pinion
1150
is simultaneously rotated. A minute hand
1152
attached to the cannon pinion
1150
displays “minute”. The cannon pinion
1150
is provided with a slip mechanism relative to the center pinion & wheel
1124
. Based on rotation of the cannon pinion
1150
, via rotation of a minute wheel (not illustrated), an hour wheel
1154
is rotated. An hour hand
1156
attached to the hour wheel
1154
displays “hour”.
The barrel
1120
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1120
and a barrel bridge
1160
. The center wheel & pinion
1124
, and the third wheel & pinion
1126
, the fourth wheel & pinion
1128
and the escape wheel & pinion
1130
are supported rotatably by the main plate
1102
and a train wheel bridge
1162
. The pallet fork
1142
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1102
and a pallet bridge
1164
. The balance with hairspring
1140
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1102
and a balance bridge
1166
.
The hairspring
1140
c
is a leaf spring in a helical (spiral) shape having a plural turn number. The inner end portion of the hairspring
1140
c
is fixed to an inner hairspring holder
1140
d
fixed to the balance stem
1140
a
. A stud support
1170
is rotatably attached to the balance bridge
1166
. The rotational center of the stud support
1170
is the same as the rotational center of the balance with hairspring
1140
.
As shown in FIG.
6
through
FIG. 9
, a hairspring holder
1172
is fixedly screwed to the stud support
1170
by a hairspring holder screw
1174
. The outer end portion of the hairspring
1140
c
is fixed to the hairspring holder
1172
. In a state in which the hairspring holder screw
1174
is loosened, the hairspring holder
1172
can be moved in a direction in parallel with the axis line of the balance with hairspring
1140
.
A regulator
1168
is attached rotatably to the balance bridge
1166
. A hairspring bridge
1168
a
and a hairspring rod
1168
b
are attached to the regulator
1168
. A portion of the hairspring
1140
c
proximate to the outer end portion is disposed between the hairspring bridge
1168
a
and the hairspring rod
1168
b.
However, according to the conventional mechanical time piece, the hairspring holder can be moved only in a direction in parallel with the axis line of the balance with hairspring. Therefore, in fabricating a highly accurate mechanical time piece, it has been difficult to effectively carry out an operation of aligning the rotational center of the balance with hairspring and the center of the hairspring (the so-called operation of “centering of rotation of hairspring”). That is, according to the operation of centering of rotation of the hairspring, there is needed an operation of adjusting the original shape of the hairspring by using hairspring tweezers.
The operation of adjusting the original shape of the hairspring is a very difficult operation even in the case in which an operator having a highly skilled technique carries out the operation. Therefore, there poses a problem in which fabrication of a highly accurate mechanical time piece requires an operator having a highly skilled technique and a long period of time.
It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanical time piece having a hairspring holder adjusting mechanism constituted such that the position of a hairspring holder relative to a rotational center of a balance with hairspring can be adjusted simply and firmly.
It is another object of the invention to provide a highly accurate mechanical time piece capable of easily carrying out adjustment of the original shape of a hairspring and facilitating fabrication thereof.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a mechanical time piece characterized in that in a mechanical time piece having a mainspring constituting a power source of the mechanical time piece, a front wheel train rotated by the rotational force from rewinding the mainspring and an escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front wheel train in which the escapement & speed control apparatus is constituted to include a balance with hairspring alternately repeating right rotation and left rotation, an escape wheel & pinion rotated based on the rotation of the front wheel train and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on an operation of the balance with hairspring, the mechanical time piece comprising a stud holder provided rotatably to a central axis line of a balance with hairspring, a hairspring holder attached to the stud holder to be movable orthogonal to the central axis line of the balance with hairspring, and a hairspring an inner end portion of which is fixed to the balance with hairspring and an outer end portion of which is fixed to the hairspring holder in the mechanical time piece having the mainspring constituting the power source of the mechanical time piece, the front wheel train rotated by the rotational force of rewinding the mainspring and the escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling the rotation of the front wheel train in which the escapement & speed control apparatus is constituted to include the balance with hairspring alternately repeating right rotation and left rotation, the escape wheel & pinion rotated based on the rotation of the front wheel train and the pallet fork for controlling the rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on the operation of the balance with hairspring.
According to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that an eccentric pin is rotatably attached to the stud holder, the eccentric pin includes an eccentric hole and the hairspring holder is integrated to the eccentric hole.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the mechanical time piece further comprises a hairspring holder setscrew for fixing the hairspring holder to the stud holder, wherein the eccentric pin includes a lateral hole formed in a shape of a long hole which is elongated at the opening such that the length thereof orthogonal to the central axis line is long and the length thereof the same direction as the central axis line is short, and the front end of the hairspring holder setscrew penetrates the lateral hole of the eccentric pin and fixes the hairspring holder by pressing on it.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, it is preferable that the hairspring holder is rotatably integrated to the eccentric pin.
By constituting the mechanical time piece in this way, adjustment of an original shape of the hairspring holder can easily be carried out.
Further, according to the mechanical time piece of the invention, the eccentric pin is rotatably attached to the stud holder and accordingly, fabrication of the mechanical timepiece and adjustment of the hairspring are facilitated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement of a mechanical time piece according to the invention. (in
FIG. 1
, portions of parts are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
FIG. 2
is an outline partial sectional view of the movement of the mechanical time piece according to the invention (in
FIG. 2
, portions of parts are omitted).
FIG. 3
is an enlarged partial plane view of a stud support of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
FIG. 4
is an enlarged partial sectional view of the stud support of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
FIG. 5
is an enlarged perspective view of an eccentric pin of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
FIG. 6
is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement according to a conventional mechanical time piece (in
FIG. 6
, portions of parts are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
FIG. 7
is an outline partial sectional view of the movement of the conventional mechanical time piece (in
FIG. 7
, portions of parts are omitted).
FIG. 8
is an enlarged partial plane view of a stud support of the conventional mechanical time piece.
FIG. 9
is an enlarged partial sectional view of the stud support of the conventional mechanical time piece.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An explanation will be given of embodiments of a mechanical time piece according to the invention in reference to the drawings as follows.
In reference to FIG.
1
and
FIG. 2
, according to an embodiment of a mechanical time piece of the invention, a movement (machine body)
1300
of the mechanical time piece is provided with a main plate
1302
constituting a base plate of the movement. A winding stem
1317
is rotatably integrated to a winding stem guide hole
1302
a
of the main plate
1302
. A dial
1304
(shown in
FIG. 2
by an imaginary line) is attached to the movement
1300
.
The winding stem
1317
is provided with a square portion and a guide shaft portion. A clutch wheel (not illustrated) is integrated to the square portion of the winding stem
1310
. The clutch wheel is provided with a rotational axis line the same as a rotational axis line of the winding stem
1317
. That is, the clutch wheel is provided with a square hole and is provided to rotate based on rotation of the winding stem
1317
by fitting the square portion of the winding stem
1317
to the square hole. The clutch wheel is provided with teeth A and teeth B. The teeth A are provided at the end portion of the clutch wheel proximate to the center of the movement. The tooth B are provided at the end portion of the clutch wheel proximate to an outer side of the movement.
The movement
1300
is provided with a switch apparatus for determining the position of the winding stem
1317
in the axis line direction. The switch apparatus includes a setting lever
1390
, a yoke
1392
, a yoke spring
1394
and a setting lever jumper
1396
. Based on rotation of the setting lever, the position in the rotational axis line of the winding stem
1317
is determined. Based on rotation of the yoke, the position in the rotational axis line direction of the clutch wheel is determined. Based on rotation of the yoke, the position in the rotational axis line direction of the clutch wheel is determined. Based on rotation of the setting lever, the yoke is positioned to two positions in the rotational direction.
A winding pinion
1318
is provided rotatably at the guide shaft portion of the winding stem
1317
. When the winding stem
1317
is rotated in a state in which the winding stem
1317
is disposed at a first winding stem position (0-stage) most proximate to the center of the movement along the rotational axis line, the winding pinion
1318
is constituted to rotate via rotation of the clutch wheel. A crown wheel
1319
is constituted to rotate by rotation of the winding pinion
1312
. A ratchet wheel
1321
is constituted to rotate by rotation of the crown wheel
1319
.
The movement
1300
is provided with a mainspring
1322
contained in a barrel
1320
as its power source. The mainspring
1322
is made of an elastic material having spring performance such as iron. By rotating the ratchet wheel
1321
, the mainspring
1322
is constituted to be capable of being wound up.
A center wheel & pinion
1324
is constituted to rotate by rotation of the barrel
1320
. A third wheel & pinion
1326
is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion
1324
. A fourth wheel & pinion
1328
is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the third wheel & pinion
1326
. An escape wheel & pinion
1330
is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the fourth wheel & pinion
1328
. The barrel
1320
, the center wheel & pinion
1324
, the third wheel & pinion
1326
and the fourth wheel & pinion
1328
constitute the front wheel train.
The movement
1300
is provided with an escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front wheel train. The escapement & speed control apparatus includes a balance with hairspring
1340
repeating right rotation and left rotation at a constant period, the escape wheel & pinion
1330
rotating based on rotation of the front wheel train and a pallet fork
1342
for controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion
1330
based on operation of the balance with hairspring
1340
.
The balance with hairspring
1340
includes a balance stem
1340
a
, a balance wheel
1340
b
and a hairspring
1340
c
. The hairspring
1340
c
is made of an elastic metallic material having spring performance such as “elinbar”.
Based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion
1324
, a cannon pinion
1350
is simultaneously rotated. A minute hand
1352
attached to the cannon pinion
1350
is constituted to display “minute”. The cannon pinion
1350
is provided with a slip mechanism having a predetermined slip torque relative to the center wheel & pinion
1324
.
Based on rotation of the cannon pinion
1350
, a minute wheel (not illustrated) is rotated. Based on rotation of the minute wheel, an hour wheel
1354
is rotated. An hour hand
1356
attached to the hour wheel
1354
is constituted to display “hour”.
The barrel complete
1320
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1302
and a barrel bridge
1360
. The center wheel & pinion
1324
, the third wheel & pinion
1326
, the fourth wheel & pinion
1328
and the escape wheel & pinion
1330
are supported rotatably by the main plate
1302
and a wheel train bridge
1362
. The pallet fork
1342
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1302
and a pallet bridge
1364
.
The balance with hairspring
1340
is supported rotatably by the main plate
1302
and a balance bridge
1366
. That is, an upper mortise
1340
a
1
of the balance stem
1340
a
is supported rotatably by a balance upper bearing
1366
a
fixed to the balance bridge
1366
. The balance upper bearing
1366
a
includes a balance upper hole jewel and a balance upper cap jewel. The balance upper hole jewel and the balance upper cap jewel are made of an insulating material such as ruby.
A lower mortise
1340
a
2
of the balance stem
1340
a
is supported rotatably by a balance lower bearing
1302
b
fixed to the main plate
1302
. The balance lower bearing
1302
b
includes a balance lower hole jewel and a balance lower cap jewel. The balance lower hole jewel and the balance lower cap jewel are made of an insulating material such as ruby.
The hairspring
1340
c
is a leaf spring in a helical (spiral) shape having a plurality. The end portion of the hairspring
1340
c
toward the center is fixed to an inner hairspring holder
1340
d
fixed to the balance stem
1340
a
. A stud holder
1310
is rotatably attached to the balance bridge
1366
. The rotational center of the stud holder
1310
is the same as the rotational center of the balance with hairspring
1340
.
Next, an explanation will be given of a detailed structure of the stud holder
1310
of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
As shown in FIG.
1
through
FIG. 4
, an eccentric pin
1316
is rotatably attached to the stud holder
1310
.
In reference to
FIG. 5
, the eccentric pin
1316
includes a fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
, an eccentric hole
1316
b
, and an outer peripheral cylindrical portion
1316
c
provided with slit portions
1316
d
and a lateral hole
1316
e
. The central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
is eccentric to the central axis line of the eccentric hole
1316
b
of the eccentric pin
1316
. The central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
is the same as the central axis line of the outer peripheral cylindrical portion
1316
c
of the eccentric pin
1316
.
The lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
is provided to penetrate a portion of a wall of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
from an outer periphery of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
to the eccentric hole
1316
b
. Inner wall faces of the lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
are constituted to be orthogonal to the central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
.
The lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
is formed in a shape of a long hole which is elongated at the opening such that the length thereof orthogonal to the central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
is long and the length thereof in the same direction as the central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
is short. For example, the lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
is formed at an angle of a range of 90 through 180 degree relative to the central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a.
Further, as the lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
, the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
may be formed with a plurality of round holes to direct to the central axis line.
As shown in FIG.
1
through
FIG. 4
, a hairspring holder
1312
includes a fitting shaft portion
1312
a
, a slit portion
1312
b
and a cut portion
1312
c.
The outer periphery of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
is rotatably integrated into an eccentric pin hole
1310
a
of the stud holder
1310
. The hairspring holder
1312
is rotatably integrated into the eccentric hole
1316
b
of the eccentric pin
1316
.
The hairspring holder cut portion
1312
c
is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the hairspring holder
1312
. Wall faces of the hairspring holder cut portion
1312
c
are constituted in parallel with the central axis line of the hairspring holder
1312
.
A hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is screwed to a screw hole of the stud holder
1310
. Fixing of the hairspring holder
1312
to the stud holder
1310
is carried out by screwing the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
to the stud holder
1310
in a state in which the front end of the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
penetrates the lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
and presses the cut portion
1312
c
of the hairspring holder
1312
.
The central axis line of the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is constituted to be orthogonal to the central axis line of the fitting cylindrical portion
1316
a
of the eccentric pin
1316
after fixing the hairspring holder
1312
. Further, the central axis line of the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is constituted to be orthogonal to the central axis line of the hairspring holder
1312
after fixing the hairspring holder
1312
.
The end portion of the hairspring
1340
c
toward the periphery is fixed to a hairspring receiving portion provided at a lower end portion of the hairspring holder
1312
.
A regulator
1368
is rotatably attached to the balance bridge
1366
. A hairspring bridge
1368
a
and a hairspring rod
1368
b
are attached to the regulator
1368
. A portion of the hairspring
1340
c
proximate to its peripheral end is disposed between the hairspring bridge
1368
a
and the hairspring rod
1368
b.
The hairspring
1340
c
is elongated and contracted in the radius direction of the hairspring
1340
c
in accordance with the rotational angle the balance with hairspring
1340
. For example, in the state shown by
FIG. 1
, when the balance with hairspring
1340
is rotated in the clockwise direction, the hairspring
1340
c
is contracted toward the center of the balance with hairspring
1340
, and when the balance with hairspring
1340
is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the hairspring
1340
c
is expanded away from the center of the balance with hairspring
1340
.
Next, an explanation will be given of the operation of adjusting the position of the hairspring holder
1312
in the embodiment of the mechanical time piece according to the invention.
In reference to FIG.
1
through
FIG. 4
, the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is loosened and the front end of the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is separated from the wall faces of the hairspring holder cut portion
1312
c
. In such a state in which the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is loosened, the eccentric pin
1316
can be rotated.
Next, a front end of a driver (not illustrated) is inserted into the slit portions
1316
d
of the eccentric pin
1316
and rotated to thereby rotate the eccentric pin
1316
. By rotating the eccentric pin
1316
, a position of the hairspring holder
1312
integrated to the eccentric pin
1316
is changed. That is, by rotating the eccentric pin
1316
, a position of the eccentric hole
1316
b
of the eccentric pin
1316
is changed, as a result, a distance between the central axis line of the eccentric hole
1316
b
of the eccentric pin
1316
and the central axis line of the balance with hairspring
1340
is changed.
Next, a front end of a driver (not illustrated) is inserted into the slit portion
1312
b
of the hairspring holder
1312
and the driver is rotated to thereby rotate the hairspring holder
1312
. Thereby, the position and the direction of the outer end portion of the hairspring
1340
c
can be adjusted highly accurately.
Next, the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
is screwed to the stud holder
1310
by bringing the front end portion of the hairspring holder setscrew
1314
into a state in which the front end portion penetrates the lateral hole
1316
e
of the eccentric pin
1316
and presses the cut portion
1312
c
of the hairspring holder
1312
. Thereby, the position of the outer end portion of the hairspring
1340
c
is determined.
As has been explained above, according to the invention, in the mechanical time piece, there is constructed the constitution having the stud holder provided rotatably to the central axis line of the balance with hairspring (
1340
), the hairspring holder attached to the stud holder to be movable in the direction orthogonal to the central axis line of the balance with hairspring and the hairspring the center-facing end of which is fixed to the balance with hairspring and the periphery-facing end of which is fixed to the hairspring holder and accordingly, the position of the hairspring holder relative to the rotational center of the balance with hairspring can be adjusted simply and firmly and adjustment of the original shape of the hairspring can easily be carried out. Therefore, fabrication of the mechanical time piece of the invention is facilitated.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The mechanical time piece of the invention is suitable for realizing a highly accurate mechanical time piece constituted to be able to firmly adjust a position of a hairspring holder.
Claims
- 1. A mechanical timepiece movement comprising: a mainspring serving as a power source of the mechanical timepiece; a front wheel train rotated by a rotational force produced by the mainspring for driving a time-indicating display; and an escapement and speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front wheel train and comprising a balance with hairspring for undergoing repetitive rotation in alternating directions, an escape wheel and pinion mounted to undergo rotation based on the rotation of the front wheel train, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion based on the repetitive rotation of the balance with hairspring; wherein the balance with hairspring has a stud holder rotatably mounted with respect to a central axis of the balance with hairspring, a hairspring holder attached to the stud holder to undergo movement in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the balance with hairspring, and a hairspring having a central portion fixed to the balance with hairspring and an outer peripheral portion fixed to the hairspring holder so that the hairspring is adjustable by pivoting the hairspring holder.
- 2. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1; wherein the balance with hairspring further comprises an eccentric pin rotatably mounted to the stud holder, the eccentric pin having an eccentric hole formed axially therethrough, and wherein the hairspring holder is rotatably disposed in the eccentric hole.
- 3. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 2; wherein the balance with hairspring further comprises a hairspring holder set screw for fixing the hairspring holder to the stud holder; wherein the eccentric pin has an elongated hole formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof to extend from the outer peripheral surface to the eccentric hole, the elongated hole having a longer length in a circumferential direction of the eccentric pin than in an axial direction thereof; and wherein a front end of the hairspring holder set screw penetrates the elongated hole of the eccentric pin and fixes the hairspring holder by pressing against the hairspring holder.
- 4. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 3; wherein the hairspring holder is rotatably inserted in the eccentric hole of the eccentric pin.
- 5. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1; further comprising a base plate having a first surface for supporting the mainspring, the front wheel train, the escapement and speed control apparatus, the stud holder, and the balance with hairspring.
- 6. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 5; further comprising a dial mounted to a second surface of the base plate opposite the first surface; and a time-indicating member driven by the front wheel train to cooperate with the dial to indicate time.
- 7. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 5; further comprising a winding stem guide hole formed in the base plate; and a winding stem inserted in the guide hole to be axially and rotatably movable with respect thereto for winding the mainspring and setting a time.
- 8. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1; wherein the front wheel train comprises a barrel containing the mainspring, a center wheel and pinion mounted to undergo rotation with the barrel, and one or more other wheels and pinions mounted to undergo rotation with the center wheel and pinion to drive the time-indicating display.
- 9. A mechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1; further comprising a cannon wheel mounted to undergo rotation with the front wheel train for driving time-indicating members of the time-indicating display.
- 10. A timepiece movement comprising: a mainspring; a wheel train rotated by the mainspring; a time-indicating display driven by the wheel train; and a control apparatus for controlling rotation of the wheel train and having a balance with hairspring for undergoing repetitive rotation in alternating directions, the balance with hairspring having a rotating stem, a stud holder rotatably mounted with respect to a central axis of the rotating stem, a hairspring holder attached to the stud holder to undergo movement in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the stem, and a hairspring having a central portion fixed to the stem and an outer peripheral portion fixed to the hairspring holder so that the hairspring is adjustable by pivoting the hairspring holder.
- 11. A timepiece movement according to claim 10; wherein the control apparatus further comprises an escape wheel and pinion mounted to undergo rotation based on the rotation of the wheel train, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion based on the repetitive rotation of the balance with hairspring.
- 12. A timepiece movement according to claim 10; wherein the balance with hairspring further comprises an eccentric pin rotatably mounted to the stud holder, the eccentric pin having an eccentric hole formed axially therethrough, and wherein the hairspring holder is rotatably disposed in the eccentric hole.
- 13. A timepiece movement according to claim 12; wherein the balance with hairspring further comprises a hairspring holder set screw for fixing the hairspring holder to the stud holder; wherein the eccentric pin has an elongated hole formed in an outer peripheral surface thereof to extend from the outer peripheral surface to the eccentric hole, the elongated hole having a longer length in a circumferential direction of the eccentric pin than in an axial direction thereof; and wherein a front end of the hairspring holder set screw penetrates the elongated hole of the eccentric pin and fixes the hairspring holder by pressing against the hairspring holder.
- 14. A timepiece movement according to claim 13; wherein the hairspring holder is rotatably inserted in the eccentric hole of the eccentric pin.
- 15. A timepiece movement according to claim 10; further comprising a base plate having a first surface for supporting the mainspring, the wheel train and the control apparatus.
- 16. A timepiece movement according to claim 15; further comprising a dial mounted to a second surface of the base plate opposite the first surface; and a time-indicating member driven by the wheel train to cooperate with the dial to indicate time.
- 17. A timepiece movement according to claim 15; further comprising a winding stem guide hole formed in the base plate; and a winding stem inserted in the guide hole to be axially and rotatably movable with respect thereto for winding the mainspring and setting a time.
- 18. A timepiece movement according to claim 10; wherein the wheel train comprises a barrel containing the mainspring, a center wheel and pinion mounted to undergo rotation with the barrel, and one or more other wheels and pinions mounted to undergo rotation with the center wheel and pinion to drive the time-indicating display.
- 19. A timepiece movement according to claim 10; further comprising a cannon wheel mounted to undergo rotation with the front wheel train for driving time-indicating members of the time-indicating display.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/JP99/04076 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO01/09687 |
8/2/2001 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (13)