Power reserve mechanism

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6507537
  • Patent Number
    6,507,537
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, August 29, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, January 14, 2003
    22 years ago
Abstract
A power reserve mechanism has a ratchet wheel having a winding stem, a first winding stem train wheel connected to the winding stem of the ratchet wheel and having a first power reserve wheel, and a barrel member having a winding stem. A spring member is mounted in the barrel member. A second winding stem train wheel independent from the first winding stem train wheel is connected to the winding stem of the barrel member and has a second power reserve wheel. A first indicator is disposed on the first power reserve wheel. A second indicator is disposed on the second power reserve wheel. An amount of spring power stored by the spring member is indicated utilizing a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates to a power reserve mechanism and indicator unit for same and, more particularly, to a power reserve mechanism and indicator unit for same which indicates a power storage amount using two indicator hands and the like.




2. Background of the Invention





FIG. 6

is a sectional view showing a train wheel structure of a power reserve structure.

FIG. 7

is a top view showing the train wheel of the power reserve structure shown in FIG.


6


. The power reserve mechanism


500


train wheel is structured by a barrel complete


501


accommodating a spiral spring as a power source, a ratchet wheel


502


arranged on a dial side of the barrel complete


501


, a intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


in mesh with the barrel complete


501


, a planetary wheel


504


rotatably arranged in an eccentric part of the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


, a planetary wheel gear


505


and planetary pinion


506


fixed to the planetary wheel


504


in a form sandwiching the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


, a sun wheel


507


in mesh with the planetary pinion


506


of the planetary wheel


504


, on the other hand a second sun wheel


508


in mesh with the planetary wheel gear


505


of the planetary wheel


504


, a intermediate indicator wheel


510


in mesh with the sun pinion


509


of the sun wheel


507


, a indicator wheel


512


in mesh with the intermediate indicator pinion


511


of the intermediate indicator wheel


510


, and a intermediate planetary wheel


514


in mesh with the ratchet wheel


502


and the second sun wheel gear


513


of the second sun wheel


508


.




A reference numeral


515


is an indication degree determining pin. The intermediate indicator wheel


510


is structured to slip at a contact point when a predetermined difference of torque is caused between the intermediate indicator wheel gear


5101


and the intermediate indicator wheel pinion


511


. The indicator wheel


512


is provided with a fan-shaped cutout


516


to view the indication degree determining pin


515


. The indication degree determining pin


515


is secured to a second wheel train bridge


601


to regulate an angle of rotation of the indicator wheel


512


.




Next, the operation of the power reserve mechanism will be explained. When spring power to the spiral spring, the ratchet wheel


502


is first rotated through a crown, winding stem and crown wheel from an outside. Because the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


is regulated in rotation by the barrel complete


501


, the same intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


is a substantially fixing gear. The rotation of ratchet wheel


502


is transmitted through the intermediate planetary wheel


514


, second sun gear


508


, planetary gear


504


, sun gear


507


, intermediate indicator wheel


510


and indicator wheel


512


, in this order. This causes the indicator wheel


512


to rotate leftward (reverse to a rotation direction in usual hand movement). The rotation of indicator wheel


512


causes the indicator hand


517


mounted on the indicator wheel


512


to rotate in a spiral spring power storing direction.




If the spiral spring achieves a fully wound state, the fan-shaped cutout


516


of the indicator wheel


512


and the indication degree determining pin


515


are brought into engagement to thereby regulate rotation of the indicator wheel


512


. In this case, slip occurs at a contact plane between the intermediate indicator wheel gear


5101


and the intermediate indicator wheel pinion


510


. Due to this, even if the crown is excessively wound, the indicator hand


517


is unchanged in position without imposing a load onto the train wheel.




Next, during usual movement of the hands, the power on the barrel complete


501


is transmitted from the barrel complete gear


5011


to the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


. On the other hand, the second sun wheel


508


coaxial to the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


is in mesh with the ratchet wheel


502


through the intermediate planetary wheel


514


. Because this ratchet wheel


502


is out of rotation during usual hand movement, the second sun wheel


508


is a fixing gear. Consequently, when the intermediate planetary gear wheel


503


rotates, the planetary wheel


504


of the intermediate planetary wheel gear


503


makes movement of rotation and revolution along the second sun wheel


508


. Because the sun wheel gear


5072


and the planetary pinion


506


are secured on a sun stem


5071


and in mesh with each other, the rotation of planetary wheel


504


is transmitted to the indicator wheel


512


through the sun wheel gear


5072


, sun stem


5071


, sun pinion


509


and intermediate indicator wheel


510


. The rightward rotation of indicator wheel


512


also rotates rightward the indicator hand


517


mounted on the indicator wheel


512


. It will be understood that as this indicator hand


517


rotates rightward the power storage amount on the spiral spring decreases.




However, the prior art power reserve mechanism


500


using the planetary wheel gear mechanism comprising the planetary wheel


504


, etc. have involved the following problems:




(1) cost increase because of increased number of movement parts,




(2) difficult and troublesome assembling because of increased number of movement assembling steps;




(3) reduced freedom in method of indicating a spiral spring power storage amount,




(4) much sectional space required.




Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object to provide a power reserve mechanism and indicator unit thereof which is




(1) capable of reducing the number of parts,




(2) easy to assemble,




(3) obtain a freedom of a method of indicating a spiral spring power storage amount,




(4) capable of reducing sectional space.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In order to achieve the above object, a power reserve mechanism comprises: a first power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a ratchet wheel through a train wheel; a first indicator member attached on the first power reserve wheel; a second power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a barrel complete through a train wheel; a second indicator member attached on the second power reserve wheel to change relative to the first indicator member; wherein a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a difference between the first indicator member and the second indicator member.




That is, a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a relative change of the first indicator member and the second indicator member. Where a remaining amount is indicated by one indicator member (indicator hand) as in the conventional, there is a need to rotate the one indicator member in respective directions thereby requiring a planetary gear mechanism. However, indication by a mere relative change requires rotation only in one direction. Accordingly, a planetary gear mechanism is not necessary. Also, the structure is simple because only relative change is made by the two indicator members. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced and assembling is facilitated. Also, indicator freedom increases. Furthermore, because it is possible to structure by simple two train wheels, space efficiency is good due to the planar structure.




An indicator unit of the power reserve mechanism is disposed coaxially relative to the first power reserve wheel connected to the first indicator member and the second power reserve wheel connected to the second indicator member, so that a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a difference between the first indicator member and the second indicator member. By this construction, it is possible to determine a spiral spring power storage amount from the relative position relationship between both indicator members. Furthermore, in order to transmit rotation to the indicator members, separate train wheels may be connected respectively from the ratchet wheel and the barrel complete.




In another a power reserve mechanism comprises: a first power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a ratchet wheel through a train wheel; a first indicator hand attached on the first power reserve wheel; a second power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a barrel complete through a train wheel; a second indicator hand attached on the second power reserve wheel to change relative to the first indicator hand; wherein a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a difference between the first indicator hand and the second indicator hand.




In this manner, each indicator member may, for example, be an indicator hand. Where indicating by indicator hands, a remaining amount can be determined by a spacing between the first indicator hand and the second indicator hand.




In another embodiment, a power reserve mechanism comprises: a first power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a ratchet wheel through a train wheel; a fun-shaped scale plate attached on the first power reserve wheel; a second power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a barrel complete through a train wheel; an indicator hand attached on the second power reserve wheel to change relative to the scale plate; wherein a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a division point of the scale plate pointed by the indicator hand.




In this manner, where the indicator member on a ratchet wheel side uses a fan-shaped scale plate and the indicator member on a barrel complete side uses an indicator hand, a remaining amount can be determined by a position of the indicator hand on the scale plate.




In another embodiment, a power reserve mechanism comprises: a first power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a ratchet wheel through a train wheel; an indicator hand attached on the first power reserve wheel; a second power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation of a barrel complete through a train wheel; a scale plate attached on the second power reserve wheel to change relative to the indicator hand; wherein a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a division point of the scale plate pointed by the indicator hand.




In this manner, where the indicator member on the ratchet wheel side uses an indicator hand and the indicator member on the barrel complete side uses a scale plate, a remaining amount can be determined by a position of the indicator hand on the scale plate.




In another embodiment, a power reserve mechanism comprises: an intermediate power reserve train wheel for transmitting rotation of a ratchet wheel; a first power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation from the first intermediate power reserve train wheel; a first indicator member attached on the first power reserve wheel; an intermediate second power reserve train wheel for transmitting rotation of a barrel complete; a second power reserve wheel for obtaining rotation from the intermediate second power reserve train wheel; a second indicator member attached on the second power reserve wheel to change relative to the first indicator member; wherein a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a difference between the first indicator member and second indicator member.




By this structure, a remaining amount can be indicated by a relative position of the first indicator member and the second indicator member. Accordingly, a planetary gear structure is not necessarily provided in order to obtain rotation in respective directions. Also, a power reserve mechanism can be structured by a simple train wheel. As a result, the number of parts can be educed and assembling is facilitated. Also, indicator freedom increases. Furthermore space efficiency is good because of the planar structure.




Also, an indicator unit for a power reserve mechanism according to claim


7


is structured coaxially by a first power reserve wheel attached with a first indicator member and a second power reserve wheel attached with a second indicator member, and characterized in that a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a difference between the first indicator member of the first power reserve wheel and second indicator member of the second power reserve wheel.




If the first indicator member and the second indicator member are coaxially structured, a spiral spring power storage amount can be determined from a relative position relationship between the both members. Incidentally, in order to transmit rotation to the both members, separate train wheels may be connected respectively from the ratchet wheel and the barrel complete.




Also, an indicator unit for a power reserve mechanism according to claim


8


is structured, in the above power reserve mechanism indicator unit, such that the first indicator member is an indicator hand or scale plate, and the second indicator member being a scale plate or indicator hand.




In this manner, the indicator members include an indicator hand and a scale plate. The indicator hands may be respective scale plates or a combination of an indicator hand and a scale plate.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a top view showing a power reserve mechanism of this invention.





FIG. 2

is a top view showing first power reserve train wheel of the power reserve mechanism shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a top view showing a second power reserve train wheel of the power reserve mechanism shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 4

is a top view showing indicator hands of the power reserve mechanism.




FIGS.


5


(


a


)-


5


(


c


) are explanatory views showing an indication example of a spiral spring remaining amount.





FIG. 6

is a top view showing a conventional power reserve mechanism.





FIG. 7

is a top view showing a power reserve mechanism shown in FIG.


6


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Hereunder, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, the invention is not limited to by this embodiment.





FIG. 1

is a top view showing a power reserve mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 2

is a sectional view showing a first power reserve train wheel of the power reserve mechanism shown in FIG.


1


.

FIG. 3

is a sectional view showing a second power reserve train wheel of the power reserve mechanism shown in FIG.


1


. In

FIG. 1

a main plate is omitted. A power reserve mechanism


100


of the invention is provided separately with a first power reserve train wheel


150


and a second power reserve train wheel


160


. Each train wheel has a power reserve wheel provided with an indicator hand to indicate an amount of spiral spring storage power.




Referring to FIG.


1


and

FIG. 2

, the first power reserve train wheel is first explained. The first power reserve train wheel


150


is structured by a ratchet wheel


2


attached to a dial plate side of a barrel complete


1


, an intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


in mesh with this ratchet wheel


2


, an intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


in mesh with an intermediate first power reserve wheel pinion


31


of the intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


, and a first power reserve wheel


5


in mesh with an intermediate second power reserve wheel pinion


41


of the intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


. This first power reserve wheel


5


which is structured to slip when a predetermined torque difference occurs in a contact plane between the gear and the pinion


41


, is mounted with a first indicator hand


51


. The ratchet wheel


2


is fixed on a shaft of the barrel complete


1


through a ratchet screw


21


. The intermediate power reserve wheel


3


is rotatably supported at its shaft between a power reserve wheel bridge


103


and a third bridge


104


. The intermediate first second power reserve wheel


4


is rotatably supported at its shaft between a main plate


101


and a barrel bridge


102


. The first power reserve wheel


5


is rotatably assembled between the main plate


101


and the power reserve wheel bridge


105


, and the main plate


101


serves as a bearing for the power reserve hour part


52


. Also, the first power reserve wheel


5


is opened with an elongate hole


53


in which a pin


83


for the power reserve wheel, hereinafter described, is to be inserted.




Next, the second power reserve train wheel


160


is explained with reference to FIG.


1


and FIG.


3


. The second power reserve train wheel


160


is structured by a barrel member (herein after “barrel complete”)


1


accommodating a spiral spring as a power source, an intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


in mesh with a barrel complete gear


11


provided around the barrel complete


1


, an intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


in mesh with an intermediate third power reserve wheel pinion


61


of the intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


, and a second power reserve wheel


8


in mesh with an intermediate fourth power reserve wheel pinion


71


of the intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


. This second power reserve wheel


8


is mounted with a second indicator hand


81


. The barrel complete


1


is rotatably supported at its shaft between the main plate


101


and the barrel bridge


102


. The intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


is rotatably supported at its shaft between the main plate


101


and the barrel bridge


102


. The intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


are rotatably supported at its shaft between the second wheel bridge


106


and the barrel bridge


102


. The second power reserve wheel


8


is rotatably assembled between the main plate


101


and the power reserve wheel bridge


105


. Also, this second power reserve wheel


8


has at a shaft part


82


an hour part


52


of the first power reserve wheel


5


and penetrates through the hour part


52


. Also, the second power reserve wheel


8


is provided with a projecting power reserve wheel pin


83


. The power reserve wheel pin


83


is inserted through an elongate hole


53


of the first power reserve wheel


5


and restricted in movement by a shape of the elongate hole


53


.




A reference numeral


106


is a crown. The crown


106


is attached to one end of a hand setting stem


107


. This hand setting stem


107


has at the other end a winding pinion


108


. The winding pinion


108


is in mesh with a crown wheel


109


to alter a rotation axis direction by 90 degrees. The crown wheel


109


is in mesh with a ratchet wheel


2


to convey rotation from the crown


106


to the ratchet wheel


2


. Also, the ratchet wheel


2


is attached with a click


22


to regulate rotation of the ratchet wheel


2


to one direction. Incidentally, the first power reserve train wheel


150


and the second power reserve train wheel


160


both do not use a planetary wheel mechanism.





FIG. 4

is a top view showing an indicator hand for the power reserve mechanism


100


. An example is shown with a dial


171


for a three hand watch. The dial


171


after assembling is positioned under the main plate. A reference numeral


172


is a remaining amount indicator part to indicate an amount of spiral spring storage power. The remaining amount indicator part


172


is arranged at an eccentric position from a center of the dial


171


. A first indicator hand


51


and a second indicator hand


81


respectively use small hands. Particularly, the second indicator hand


81


is formed with a teaching part


84


to represent a direction for determining a remaining amount. Incidentally, although a scale plate may be used in place of the indicator hands, a concrete example thereof will be described hereafter.




Next, the operation of the power reserve mechanism


100


is explained.




[In Spiral Spring Power Storage]




The crown


106


if rotated transmits its rotation to the crown wheel


109


through the winding stem


107


and winding pinion


108


. Because the crown wheel


109


and the ratchet wheel


2


are meshed with, the rotation of the crown wheel


109


rotates the ratchet wheel


2


. The ratchet wheel


2


is regulated in direction of rotation by the click


22


. Due to this, the ratchet wheel


2


will not be reversely rotated by a force of the spiral spring. The ratchet wheel


2


if rotated transmits its rotation to the intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


. Since the intermediate first power reserve wheel pinion


31


meshes with the intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


, the rotation of the intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


is transmitted to the intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


. Because the intermediate second power reserve wheel pinion


41


meshes with the first power reserve wheel


5


, the rotation of the intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


is transmitted to the first power reserve wheel


5


. The rotation of the ratchet wheel


2


is reduced as transmitted through the intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


, intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


and first power reserve wheel


5


. The rotation of the first power reserve wheel


5


causes the first indicator hand


51


mounted on its hour part


52


to rotate over the remaining amount indicator part


172


in the dial


171


.




On the other hand, the second indicator hand


81


is almost in an non-rotation state. This is because the barrel complete


1


is very slow in rotation and accordingly the train wheel formed by the intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


, intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


and second power reserve wheel


8


is regulated in rotation thus placing the second power reserve wheel


8


substantially in a fixed state. Due to this, as shown in

FIG. 4

the first indicator hand


51


and the second indicator hand


81


have an increased spacing due to rotation of the first indicator hand


51


. The first indicator hand


51


and the second indicator hand


81


are restricted in their maximum spacing by engagement of the elongate hole


53


of the first power reserve wheel


5


with the power reserve wheel pin


83


of the second power reserve wheel


8


.




[In Normal Hand Movement]




In normal hand movement the ratchet wheel


2


will not rotate. This is because the click


22


regulates against reverse rotation. Accordingly, the train wheel formed by the intermediate first power reserve wheel


3


, intermediate second power reserve wheel


4


and first power reserve wheel


5


is regulated in rotation and the first power reserve wheel


5


is substantially a fixed wheel. Therefore, the first indicator hand


51


put on the first power reserve wheel


5


remains fixed at the rotated position. If the barrel complete


1


now rotates, its rotation is transmitted to the intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


. Because the intermediate third power reserve wheel pinion


61


is in mesh with the intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


, the rotation of the intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


is transmitted to the intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


. Also, because the intermediate fourth power reserve wheel pinion


71


meshes with the second power reserve wheel


8


, the rotation of the intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


is transmitted to the second power reserve wheel


8


. The rotation of the barrel train


1


is reduced through the intermediate third power reserve wheel


6


, intermediate fourth power reserve wheel


7


and second power reserve wheel


8


. If the second power reserve wheel


8


rotates, the second indicator hand


81


put on its shaft part


82


rotates over the remaining amount indicator part


172


of the dial


171


. The rotational direction of the second indicator hand


81


becomes same as the rotational direction of the first indicator hand


51


. Consequently, the rotation of the second indicator hand


81


reduces the spacing to the first indicator hand


51


. At a time point of agreement between the second indicator hand


81


and the first indicator hand


51


, it can be found that there is no remaining amount on the spiral spring.




As described above, according to this power reserve mechanism


100


, the first indicator hand


51


and the second indicator hand


81


are rotated in the same direction to have a spacing between the both thereby indicating a remaining amount on the spiral spring. Thus, there is no need to use a planetary mechanism for each train wheel. Due to this, it is possible to reduce the number of parts for the power reserve mechanism


100


. Also, the structure is simple and hence easy to assemble. Furthermore, sectional spacing can be reduced.





FIG. 5

shows an explanatory view showing an example of indicating a power storage amount on the spiral spring. As shown in (a) of the figure, a fan-shaped scale plate


201


may be attached to the first power reserve wheel


5


and an indicator hand


202


be on the second power reserve wheel


8


. This makes it possible to indicate a spiral spring power storage amount by a position of the indicator hand


202


over the scale plate


201


. Also, fan-shaped scale plates may be mounted on the first power reserve wheel


5


and the second power reserve wheel


8


. This also can indicate a spiral power storage amount due to a relative change of position between the scale plates.




Also, colors may be provided to the scale plate to give indication with change of color. As shown in (b) of the figure, for example scale plates


203


,


204


are given different colors that are mounted on the first power reserve wheel


5


and second reserve power wheel


8


so that one scale plate


203


covers over the other scale plate


204


. In this case, when one color becomes invisible, it can be judged that there is no amount of spiral spring storage power. Incidentally, regardless of the above example shown in the figure, the member is not limited to the indicator hand or scale plate provided that relative change is to be found. For example, as shown in (c) of the figure, circular indicator plates


205


,


206


may be attached to the first power reserve wheel


5


and second power reserve wheel


8


to add design elements.




As explained above, according to a power reserve mechanism of the invention, respective train wheels for rotating the first indicator member and the second indicator member are provided independently and in parallel so that a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a relative change of the first indicator member and the second indicator member. Accordingly, the power reserve mechanism is simple in structure. Due to this, the number of parts can be reduced and assembling is facilitated. Also, indication freedom increases. Furthermore, space efficiency is good due to the planar structure.




Also, because the first indicator member and the second indicator member are coaxially structured, a spiral spring power storage amount can be determined from the relative position relationship of both indicator members rotating about the same axis. This indicator unit is adapted for the above power reserve mechanism.




According to a next power reserve mechanism, because the indicator members use indicator hands, a remaining amount can be determined by a spacing between the first indicator hand and the second indicator hand.




According to a next power reserve mechanism because the indicator member on a ratchet wheel side uses a fan-shaped scale plate and the indicator member on a barrel complete side uses an indicator hand, a remaining amount can be determined by a position of the indicator hand on the scale plate.




According to a next power reserve mechanism, because the indicator member on the ratchet wheel side uses an indicator hand and the indicator member on the barrel complete side uses a scale plate, a remaining amount can be determined by a position of the indicator hand on the scale plate.




According to a next power reserve mechanism, independently provided are an intermediate first power reserve train wheel for transmitting rotation of a ratchet wheel and a first power reserve wheel and an intermediate second power reserve train wheel for transmitting rotation of a barrel complete and a second power reserve wheel. The first power reserve wheel and the second power reserve wheel of each train wheel are respectively provided with a first indicator member and a second indicator member so that a spiral spring power storage amount is indicated by a relative change between the first indicator member and second indicator member. Due to this, the power reserve mechanism is made simple in structure. Due to this, the number of parts can be educed and assembling is facilitated. Also, indication freedom increases. Furthermore space efficiency is good because of the planar structure.




According to a next power reserve mechanism, because a first indicator member and a second indicator member are coaxially structured. Accordingly it is possible to determine a spiral spring power storage amount from a relative position relationship between the both indicator member rotating about a same axis. This indicator unit is adapted for the above power reserve mechanism.




According to a next power reserve mechanism (claim


7


), because the first indicator member is an indicator hand or scale plate, and the second indicator member being a scale plate or indicator hand. Accordingly, it is possible to indicate a spiral spring power storage amount in an intelligibly manner.



Claims
  • 1. A power reserve mechanism comprising:a ratchet wheel mounted for undergoing rotation; a first power reserve wheel for undergoing rotation with the ratchet wheel; a first gear train for transmitting rotation of the ratchet wheel to the first power reserve wheel; a first indicator member disposed on the first power reserve wheel for rotation therewith; a barrel member; a spring member mounted in the barrel member; a second power reserve wheel for undergoing rotation with the barrel member; a second gear train for transmitting rotation of the barrel member to the second power reserve wheel; a second indicator member disposed on the second power reserve wheel for rotation herewith and cooperating with the first indicator member to indicate an amount of spring power stored by the spring member in accordance with a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicator members; slip means for slipping when there is a preselected torque difference between the first power reserve wheel and the first gear train; and restricting means for restricting a phase difference between the first power reserve wheel and the second power reserve wheel.
  • 2. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first and second power reserve wheels are mounted coaxially relative to one another.
  • 3. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first indicator member comprises a first indicator hand and the second indicator member comprises a second indicator hand.
  • 4. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first indicator member comprises a scale plate and the second indicator member comprises an indicator hand.
  • 5. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first indicator member comprises an indicator hand and the second indicator member comprises a scale plate.
  • 6. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first indicator member comprises a first scale plate and the second indicator member comprises a second scale plate.
  • 7. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 1; wherein the first gear train has a first intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the ratchet wheel and a second intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the first intermediate gear and having a pinion in meshing engagement with the first power reserve wheel.
  • 8. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 7; wherein the slip means comprises the second intermediate gear and the pinion of the second intermediate gear.
  • 9. A power reserve mechanism comprising:a ratchet wheel having a winding stem; a first winding stem train wheel connected to the winding stem of the ratchet wheel and having a first power reserve wheel; a barrel member having a winding stem; a spring member mounted in the barrel member; a second winding stem train wheel independent from the first winding stem train wheel and connected to the winding stem of the barrel member, the second winding stem train wheel having a second power reserve wheel; a first indicator disposed on the first power reserve wheel; a second indicator disposed on the second power reserve wheel; display means for displaying an amount of spring power stored by the spring member in accordance with a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators; and slip means for slipping when there is a preselected torque difference between the first power reserve wheel and one other wheel of the first winding stem train wheel.
  • 10. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first indicator comprises a first indicator hand and the second indicator comprises a second indicator hand.
  • 11. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first indicator comprises a first scale plate and the second indicator comprises a second scale plate.
  • 12. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first indicator comprises an indicator hand and the second indicator comprises a scale plate.
  • 13. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first indicator comprises a scale plate and the second indicator comprises an indicator hand.
  • 14. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first winding stem train wheel has a first intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the ratchet wheel and a second intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the first intermediate gear, the second intermediate gear having a pinion in meshing engagement with the first power reserve wheel.
  • 15. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 14; wherein the slip means comprises the second intermediate gear and the pinion of the second intermediate gear.
  • 16. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 9; wherein the first and second power reserve wheels are mounted coaxially relative to one another.
  • 17. A power reserve mechanism comprising:a first power reserve wheel train comprised of a ratchet wheel mounted for undergoing rotation, a first intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the ratchet wheel and having a first pinion, a second intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the first pinion and having a second pinion, and a first power reserve wheel in meshing engagement with the second pinion; a second power reserve wheel train comprised of a barrel member having a gear, a third intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the gear of the barrel member and having a third pinion, a fourth intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the third pinion and having a fourth pinion, and a second power reserve wheel in meshing engagement with the fourth pinion; a spring member mounted in the barrel member; a first indicator disposed on the first power reserve wheel; a second indicator disposed on the second power reserve wheel; and display means for displaying an amount of spring power stored by the spring member in accordance with a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicators.
  • 18. A power reserve mechanism combination according to claim 17; wherein the first indicator comprises a first indicator hand and the second indicator comprises a second indicator hand.
  • 19. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 17; wherein the first indicator comprises a first scale plate and the second indicator comprises a second scale plate.
  • 20. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 17; wherein the first indicator comprises an indicator hand and the second indicator comprises a scale plate.
  • 21. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 17; wherein the first indicator comprises a scale plate and the second indicator comprises an indicator hand.
  • 22. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 17; further comprising slip means for slipping when there is a preselected torque difference between the first power reserve wheel and the second intermediate wheel.
  • 23. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 22; wherein the slip means comprises the second intermediate wheel and the second pinion.
  • 24. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 22; further comprising restricting means for restricting a phase difference between the first power reserve wheel and the second power reserve wheel.
  • 25. A power reserve mechanism according to claim 24; wherein the restricting means comprises a slot formed in the first power reserve wheel and a pin projecting from the second power reserve wheel and extending into the slot of the first power reserve wheel.
  • 26. In a timepiece having a spring member as a power source for the timepiece: a power reserve mechanism for indicating an amount of spring power stored by the spring member, the amount of spring power being representative of the power reserve of the timepiece, the power reserve mechanism comprising a first power reserve wheel train comprised of a ratchet wheel mounted for undergoing rotation, a first intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the ratchet wheel and having a first pinion, a second intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the first pinion and having a second pinion, and a first power reserve wheel in meshing engagement with the second pinion; a second power reserve wheel train comprised of a barrel member having a gear and to which the spring member is mounted, a third intermediate wheel in meshing engagement with the gear of the barrel member and having a third pinion, a fourth intermediate gear in meshing engagement with the third pinion and having a fourth pinion, and a second power reserve wheel in meshing engagement with the fourth pinion; a first indicator disposed on the first power reserve wheel; and a second indicator member disposed on the second power reserve wheel an cooperating with the first indicator member to indicate an amount of spring power stored by the spring member in accordance with a relative variation in movement between the first and second indicator members.
  • 27. A combination according to claim 26; further comprising slip means for slipping when there is a preselected torque difference between the first power reserve wheel and the second intermediate wheel; an restricting means for restricting a phase difference bet ween the first power reserve wheel and the second power reserve wheel.
  • 28. A combination according to claim 27; wherein the slip means comprises the second intermediate wheel and the second pinion; and wherein the restricting means comprises a slot formed in the first power reserve wheel and a pin projecting from the second power reserve wheel and extending into the slot of the first power reserve wheel.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
9-358076 Dec 1997 JP
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/JP98/65939 WO 00
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO99/34261 7/8/1999 WO A
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number Name Date Kind
5828628 Born et al. Oct 1998 A
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number Date Country
0329449 Apr 1958 CH
2743906 Jul 1997 FR
13010981 Aug 1938 JP
10197653 Jul 1998 JP