This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-078602, filed on Apr. 17, 2019, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a timepiece.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a gimmick clock moving a decorative body (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6088898). The gimmick clock described in Japanese Patent No. 6088898 includes a rotatably disposed decorative plate and a decorative body disposed on the front side of the decorative plate and movable, in which the decorative plate and the decorative body function as a single dial, and at a predetermined time, the decorative plate rotates and the decorative body rotates while revolving.
However, it is desired to develop a timepiece in which a decorative body operates in a more complicated manner.
Therefore, the present invention provides a timepiece having a decorative body operating in a complicated manner.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a timepiece including a main plate; a rotating plate rotatable relative to the main plate around a predetermined axis of rotation; a gear rotatably supported on the rotating plate and rotating in synchronization with rotation of the rotating plate with respect to the main plate; and a decorative body that is linked with the gear and displaced along a first direction extending radially with the axis of rotation as a center when viewed from the rotating plate.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to move the decorative body in a direction towards and away from the axis of rotation while making the decorative body revolve around the axis of rotation in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate. Accordingly, the timepiece provided with the decorative body performing a complicated operation that is not performed in the timepiece of the related art can be provided.
According to a second aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of the first aspect, the decorative body may be disposed on a rear side of a dial, the decorative body may be configured to protrude from the dial when viewed from the front.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to express an operation in which the decorative body protrudes from the rear side of the dial or returns to the rear side of the dial. Accordingly, it is possible to make the timepiece more interesting as compared with the timepiece of the related art.
According to a third aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of the first or second aspect, the main plate may be provided with a tooth part extending in a circular-arc shape with the axis of rotation as a center, and the gear may mesh with the tooth part.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the rotating plate is rotated relative to the main plate, the gear meshing with the tooth part of the main plate rotates while revolving around the axis of rotation. Accordingly, it is possible to form the gear rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of the first, second, or third aspect, a direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed in an axial direction of the axis of rotation may be set as a second direction, and the rotating plate may be provided with a restriction portion capable of corning into contact with the decorative body in the second direction.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the displacement of the decorative body in the second direction can be restricted by the restriction portion. Accordingly, it is possible to make the decorative body revolve around the axis of rotation in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of the fourth aspect, the decorative body may be configured to come into contact with the restriction portion at at least two points different in position from each other in the first direction.
Here, in a case where the restriction portion comes into contact with the decorative body at one point, there is a possibility that the decorative body may be displaced so as to rotate on the rotating plate with the contact portion as a fulcrum. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decorative body being displaced so as to rotate on the rotating plate. Therefore, it is possible to make the decorative body be displaced along the first direction extending radially with respect to the rotating plate.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of any one of the first to fifth aspects, the gear may be provided with a guide pin protruding toward the decorative body side at a position eccentric with respect to a center of rotation of the gear, and the decorative body may have a guide groove extending in a direction intersecting the first direction, the guide pin may be inserted into the guide groove.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to make the decorative body be displaced in the first direction in conjunction with the displacement of the guide pin in the first direction while allowing the displacement of the guide pin relative to the decorative body in the direction intersecting the first direction by making the guide pin be displaced in the guide groove. Therefore, it is possible to convert the rotary motion of the gear into the linear motion of the decorative body.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of any one of the first to sixth aspects, the timepiece may further include a pressing plate coming into contact with the decorative body on an opposite side of the decorative body from the rotating plate.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the displacement of the decorative body in the direction away from the rotating plate can be restricted by the pressing plate. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the decorative body.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the timepiece of the seventh aspect, the decorative body may be in contact with the pressing plate at at least two points different in position from each other in the first direction.
Here, in a case where the pressing plate comes into contact with the decorative body at one point, there is a possibility that the decorative body may be displaced so as to be deflected with the contact portion as a fulcrum. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the decorative body. Therefore, it is possible to more stabilize the decorative body.
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a timepiece having a decorative body operating in a complicated manner.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, configurations having the same or similar function are denoted by the same reference numerals. Then, there is a case where overlapping description of these configurations is omitted.
First, the schematic configuration of a timepiece 1 will be described.
As shown in
The decorative plate 3 is formed in a disk shape centered on the central axis O. Numbers indicating the time are clearly indicated on the front surface of the decorative plate 3. In this embodiment, numbers “2”, “6”, and “10” are clearly indicated at equal angular intervals around the central axis O on the front surface of the decorative plate 3.
The plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are provided so as to be rotatable relative to the decorative plate 3. The plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are disposed at equal angular intervals around the central axis O. Each of the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 includes a plate portion 11 on which numbers indicating the time are stated, and a tip portion 12 extending from the plate portion 11 toward the central axis O side. Numbers “11”, “12”, and “1” are clearly indicated on the front surface of the plate portion 11 of the first front decorative body 4. Numbers “3”, “4”, and “5” are clearly indicated on the front surface of the plate portion 11 of the second front decorative body 4, Numbers “7”, “8”, and “9” are clearly indicated on the front surface of the plate portion 11 of the third front decorative body 4. In the initial state, the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are disposed so as to expose the numerals clearly indicated on the decorative plate 3. In the initial state, the numbers clearly indicated on the decorative plate 3 and the numbers clearly indicated on the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are arranged at equal angular intervals around the central axis O when viewed from the front. In the initial state, the decorative plate 3 and the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are maintained in a circular state as a whole when viewed from the front and function as a single dial.
The plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 are formed so as to be parallel-movable with respect to the decorative plate 3 and to be able to protrude from the decorative plate 3 to the outside in a radial direction when viewed from the front. The plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 are disposed at equal angular intervals around the central axis O. Each of the plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 is provided with a protrusion portion 14 protruding from the decorative plate 3 to the outside in the radial direction. The protrusion portion 14 is formed in a plate shape extending along a circumferential direction around the central axis O. The protrusion portion 14 is provided with an outer peripheral edge 14a and an inner peripheral edge 14b each extending in a circular-arc shape. The outer peripheral edge 14a extends in a circular-arc shape less than 120° with the central axis O as the center in the initial state. In the initial state, the entirety of the plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 is covered with the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front. The inner peripheral edge 14b extends in a circular-arc shape less than 120° with the central axis O as the center in a state where the rear decorative body 5 most protrudes with respect to the decorative plate 3 (a state shown in
As shown in
Subsequently, the configuration of the main part of the timepiece 1 will be described in detail.
As shown in
As shown in
The fixed member 25 is supported on the front side of the main plate 20. The fixed member 25 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending with the central axis O as the center. The fixed member 25 surrounds the rotary shaft 8. A flange portion 26 protruding outward in the radial direction is provided at an end portion on the front side of the fixed member 25. In the initial state, the flange portion 26 partially overlaps the tip portion 12 of each of the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 when viewed from the front (refer to
The rotating plate 30 is disposed on the front side of the main plate 20 and on the rear side of the flange portion 26 of the fixed member 25. The rotating plate 30 is formed in a circular shape centered on the central axis O when viewed from the front. A through-hole 31 into which an end portion on the rear side of the fixed member 25 is slippably inserted is formed at the center of the rotating plate 30.
As shown in
The outer peripheral portion 34 is provided with a plurality of first shaft portions 36 each supporting the first gear 51, and a plurality of second shaft portions 37 each supporting the second gear 52. The plurality of first shaft portions 36 are provided in the same number as the plurality of first gears 51. The plurality of second shaft portions 37 are provided in the same number as the plurality of second gears 52. Each of the first shaft portions 36 and the second shaft portions 37 protrudes to the front side. Each of the plurality of first shaft portions 36 is provided at a position overlapping the window portion 35 formed in the stepped portion 33 in the circumferential direction. The plurality of first shaft portions 36 are provided on the same circumference centered on the central axis O. The plurality of second shaft portions 37 are provided on the same circumference centered on the central axis O on the outer side in the radial direction of the plurality of first shaft portions 36. The first shaft portions 36 and the second shaft portions 37 are alternately provided at equal angular intervals around the central axis O. That is, the angular interval between the first shaft portion 36 and the second shaft portion 37 adjacent to each other is 60°.
A plurality of bosses 38 to which the decorative plate 3 is connected are provided on the front surface side of the rotating plate 30. The boss 38 protrudes from the rotating plate 30 to the front side. The plurality of bosses 38 are provided around each first shaft portion 36. In this embodiment, three bosses 38 are provided around each first shaft portion 36. The plurality of bosses 38 are provided at positions overlapping the front decorative body 4 when viewed from the front. As the plurality of bosses 38, two bosses 38 are provided at the outer peripheral portion 34 around each first shaft portion 36, and one boss 38 is provided at the inner peripheral portion around each first shaft portion 36.
A plurality of guide portions 40 each guiding the movement of the rear decorative body 5 are provided on the front surface side of the rotating plate 30. The plurality of guide portions 40 are provided in the same number as the plurality of rear decorative bodies 5. One guide portion 40 is provided in the same area as each of the plurality of second shaft portions 37 in the circumferential direction. Here, in each guide portion 40, a direction in which an imaginary line segment connecting the central axis O and the center of the second shaft portion 37 when viewed from the front extends is defined as a first direction, and a direction orthogonal to the first direction when viewed from the front is defined as a second direction. The first direction is one direction of the directions extending radially with the central axis O as the center when viewed from the rotating plate 30. Further, the imaginary line segment connecting the central axis O and the center of the second shaft portion 37 when viewed from the front is referred to as a center line of the guide portion 40. The guide portion 40 can come into contact with the rear decorative body 5 in the second direction and restricts the movement of the rear decorative body 5 in the second direction. The guide portion 40 is provided with an inner guide portion 41 on the inner side in the radial direction and an outer guide portion 44 on the outer side in the radial direction.
The inner guide portion 41 is provided at the inner peripheral portion 32 of the rotating plate 30. The inner guide portion 41 is provided with a pair of inner rails 42. The pair of inner rails 42 is disposed symmetrically with the center line of the guide portion 40 interposed therebetween. The pair of inner rails 42 protrudes to the front side and extends parallel to the center line of the guide portion 40. The end portions on the front side of the pair of inner rails 42 are formed to be flat along a vertical plane to the central axis O. A through-hole 47 extending along the pair of inner rails 42 is formed between the pair of inner rails 42. The through-hole 47 receives a rear pin 67 (described later) of the rear decorative body 5.
The outer guide portion 44 is provided over the outer peripheral portion 34 from the inner peripheral portion 32 of the rotating plate 30. The outer guide portion 44 is provided with a pair of outer rails 45. The pair of outer rails 45 is disposed symmetrically with the center line of the guide portion 40 interposed therebetween. The pair of outer rails 45 is disposed at positions farther from the center line of the guide portion 40 in the second direction than in the pair of inner rails 42. The pair of outer rails 45 protrudes to the front side and extends parallel to the center line of the guide portion 40. The end portions on the front side of the pair of outer rails 45 are formed to be flat along the same plane as the end portions on the front side of the pair of inner rails 42. A through-hole 48 is formed on the center line side of the guide portion 40 in each of the pair of outer rails 45. The through-hole 48 is provided in the inner peripheral portion 32 of the rotating plate 30. The through-hole 48 receives the rear pin 67 of the rear decorative body 5.
As shown in
Each of the plurality of second gears 52 is rotatably supported on each of the second shaft portions 37. Each of the plurality of second gears 52 is disposed between the pair of outer rails 45 of the guide portion 40. The plurality of second gears 52 mesh with the internal teeth 22 of the main plate 20. In this way, the rotating plate 30 rotates relative to the main plate 20, whereby the plurality of second gears 52 rotate while revolving around the central axis O in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30. Each of the plurality of second gears 52 is provided with a guide pin 53 protruding to the front side at a position eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the second gear 52. In the initial state, the guide pin 53 is located on the center line of the guide portion 40 when viewed from the front. That is, the guide pin 53 is located closest to the central axis O in the initial state.
The plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 are disposed one by one in the respective areas where the plurality of guide portions 40 are provided, in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 is linked with the second gear 52 and provided so as to be parallel-movable with respect to the rotating plate 30 along the first direction in the guide portion 40. The rear decorative body 5 is further provided with an arm portion 60 in addition to the protrusion portion 14 described above. The arm portion 60 extends from the center of the inner peripheral edge 14b of the protrusion portion 14 to the inner side in the radial direction. The arm portion 60 is provided with a plurality of rear pins 67 protruding to the rear side and a plurality of front pins 68 protruding to the front side (refer to
The arm main body 61 is disposed so as to overlap the center line of the guide portion 40 when viewed from the front. The arm main body 61 is formed in a plate shape extending in the first direction with a substantially constant width when viewed from the front. A guide groove 62, into which the guide pin 53 of the second gear 52 is inserted, and a plurality of mounting portions 63, to each of which the pin member 65 is mounted, are formed in the arm main body 61. The guide groove 62 is open on the rear surface of the arm main body 61 In this embodiment, the guide groove 62 penetrates the arm main body 61. The guide groove 62 extends across the center line of the guide portion 40. Specifically, the guide groove 62 extends in the second direction. The dimension of the guide groove 62 in the second direction is set to be equal to or more than the movement range of the guide pin 53 in the second direction according to the rotation of the second gear 52. The width of the guide groove 62 in the first direction is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the guide pin 53. In the initial state, the guide pin 53 is inserted into the center of the guide groove 62.
As shown in
Each of the plurality of pin members 65 is mounted to the mounting portion 63. That is, each of the plurality of pin members 65 is provided with a first pin member 65A provided at the end portion on the central axis O side of the arm portion 60, and a pair of second pin members 65B provided at the end portions on both sides of the arm portion 60 in the second direction. The pair of second pin members 65B is provided symmetrically with the center line of the guide portion 40 interposed therebetween when viewed from the front. The pair of second pin members 65B is disposed on the outer side in the radial direction of the first pin member 65A.
As shown in
As shown in
The rear decorative body 5 is capable of coming into contact with the guide portion 40 in the second direction at two points different in position from each other in the first direction. Specifically, the small diameter portion 73 of the first pin member 65A is disposed between the pair of inner rails 42 of the guide portion 40 and can come into contact with the inner rails 42 in the second direction. Further, the small diameter portions 73 of the pair of second pin members 65B are disposed between the pair of outer rails 45 of the guide portion 40 at positions different from the first pin member 65A in the first direction and can come into contact with the outer rails 45 in the second direction. In this way, the movement of the rear decorative body 5 in the second direction with respect to the rotating plate 30 is restricted at two points different in position from each other in the first direction, and therefore, the rear decorative body 5 is parallel-movable with respect to the rotating plate 30 in the first direction.
As shown in
As shown in
A through-hole 3a into which the shaft portion extending from the rear surface of the front decorative body 4 is inserted is formed in the decorative plate 3, whereby the first gear 51 and the front decorative body 4 which are provided on the opposite sides to each other with the decorative plate 3 interposed therebetween are connected to each other (refer to
Next, the operation of the timepiece 1 will be described in detail.
As described above, in the initial state of the timepiece 1, the decorative plate 3 and the plurality of front decorative bodies 4 are maintained in a circular state as a whole when viewed from the front. Further, the entirety of the plurality of rear decorative bodies 5 is covered with the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front.
Here, if the motor connected to the teeth 39 of the rotating plate 30 is driven, the rotating plate 30 rotates relative to the main plate 20 and the plurality of first gears 51 and the plurality of second gears 52 revolve. Since the first gear 51 meshes with the external teeth 21 of the main plate 20, the first gear 51 rotates in synchronization with the revolution. In this way, the front decorative body 4 fixedly mounted to the first gear 51 also rotates with respect to the decorative plate 3.
The second gear 52 meshes with the internal teeth 22 of the main plate 20, and therefore, the second gear 52 rotates in synchronization with the revolution. In this way, the guide pin 53 provided at the second gear 52 is displaced in a direction away from the central axis O in the first direction while being displaced in the second direction from a position closest to the central axis O in the initial state. At this time, the rear decorative body 5 is provided so as to be parallel-movable with respect to the rotating plate 30 in the first direction, and therefore, the guide pin 53 moves in the second direction in the guide groove 62 while pushing the rear decorative body 5 in a direction away from the central axis O in the first direction. If the guide pin 53 reaches a position farthest from the central axis O, a state where the rear decorative body 5 most protrudes from the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front is created. Further, if the second gear 52 continues to rotate, the guide pin 53 is displaced in a direction approaching the central axis O in the first direction while being displaced in the second direction, and the rear decorative body 5 moves in the direction approaching the central axis O in the first direction.
As described above, the timepiece 1 of this embodiment includes the rotating plate 30 rotatable relative to the main plate 20 around the central axis O, the second gear 52 rotatably supported on the rotating plate 30 and rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30 with respect to the main plate 20, and the rear decorative body 5 that is linked with the second gear 52 and displaced along the first direction.
According to this configuration, it is possible to move the rear decorative body 5 in a direction approaching and away from the central axis O while making the rear decorative body 5 revolve around the central axis O in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30. Accordingly, the timepiece 1 provided with the rear decorative body 5 performing a complicated operation which is not performed in the timepiece of the related art can be provided.
Further, the rear decorative body 5 is disposed on the rear side of the decorative plate 3 forming a dial and configured to protrude from the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front.
According to this configuration, it is possible to express an operation in which the rear decorative body 5 protrudes from the rear side of the decorative plate 3 or returns to the rear side of the decorative plate 3. Accordingly, it is possible to make the timepiece more interesting as compared with the timepiece of the related art.
Further, the main plate 20 is provided with the internal teeth 22 extending in a circular-arc shape with the central axis O as the center. The second gear 52 meshes with the internal teeth 22.
According to this configuration, if the rotating plate 30 is rotated relative to the main plate 20, the second gear 52 meshing with the internal teeth 22 of the main plate 20 rotates while revolving around the central axis O. Accordingly, it is possible to form the second gear 52 rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30.
Further, the rotating plate 30 is provided with the guide portion 40 capable of coming into contact with the rear decorative body 5 in the second direction.
According to this configuration, the displacement of the rear decorative body 5 in the second direction can be restricted by the guide portion 40. Accordingly, it is possible to make the rear decorative body 5 revolve around the central axis O in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30.
Further, the rear decorative body 5 is configured to come into contact with the guide portion 40 at two points different in position from each other in the first direction.
Here, in a case where the guide portion comes into contact with the rear decorative body 5 at one point, there is a possibility that the rear decorative body 5 may be displaced so as to rotate on the rotating plate 30 with the contact portion as a fulcrum. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the rear decorative body 5 being displaced so as to rotate on the rotating plate 30. Therefore, it is possible to make the rear decorative body 5 be displaced along the first direction extending radially when viewed from the rotating plate 30.
Further, the second gear 52 is provided with the guide pin 53 protruding toward the rear decorative body 5 side at a position eccentric with respect to the center of rotation of the second gear 52. The rear decorative body 5 has the guide groove 62 extending in a direction intersecting the first direction and the guide pin 53 is inserted into the guide groove 62.
According to this configuration, it is possible to make the rear decorative body 5 be displaced in the first direction in conjunction with the displacement of the guide pin 53 in the first direction while allowing the displacement of the guide pin 53 relative to the rear decorative body 5 in the direction intersecting the first direction by making the guide pin 53 be displaced in the guide groove 62. Therefore, it is possible to convert the rotary motion of the second gear 52 into the linear motion of the rear decorative body 5.
Further, the timepiece 1 includes the decorative plate 3 coming into contact with the rear decorative body 5 on an opposite side of the rear decorative body 5 from the rotating plate 30.
According to this configuration, the displacement of the rear decorative body 5 in the direction away from the rotating plate 30 can be restricted by the decorative plate 3. Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the rear decorative body 5.
Further, the rear decorative body 5 is in contact with the decorative plate 3 at two points different in position from each other in the first direction.
Here, in a case where the decorative plate comes into contact with the rear decorative body 5 at one point, there is a possibility that the rear decorative body 5 may be displaced so as to be deflected with the contact portion as a fulcrum. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the rear decorative body 5. Therefore, it is possible to more stabilize the rear decorative body 5.
Further, the timepiece 1 includes the first gear 51 rotatably supported on the rotating plate 30 and rotating in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30 with respect to the main plate 20, and the front decorative body 4 fixedly mounted to the first gear 51.
According to this configuration, it is possible to rotate the front decorative body 4 with respect to the rotating plate 30 while making the front decorative body 4 revolve around the central axis O in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the timepiece 1 provided with the front decorative body 4 performing a complicated operation.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above with reference to the drawings, and various modification examples can be considered within the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the three rear decorative bodies 5 are provided. However, there is no limitation thereto, and the number of rear decorative bodies can be set randomly. The same applies to the front decorative body. Further, the present invention may also be applied to a timepiece that does not have a front decorative body.
Further, in the embodiment described above, in the initial state, the rear decorative body 5 is covered with the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front. However, there is no limitation thereto. In the initial state, a part of the rear decorative body may protrude from the decorative plate 3 when viewed from the front. Further, the shape of the protrusion portion 14 of the rear decorative body 5 is not limited to that in the above embodiment and can be randomly designed.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the guide pin 53 of the second gear 52 is inserted into the guide groove 62 formed in the rear decorative body 5, whereby the rear decorative body 5 and the second gear 52 are linked with each other. However, the linkage configuration of the rear decorative body 5 and the second gear 52 is not limited thereto. For example, a guide pin of the rear decorative body may be inserted into a guide groove formed in the second gear. Further, the rear decorative body and the second gear may be linked with each other by a rack-and-pinion mechanism. Specifically, a configuration may be made in which a rack meshing with the second gear is provided on the rear decorative body and the rear decorative body is capable of parallel-moving with respect to the rotating plate 30.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the guide groove 62 extends in the second direction. However, there is no limitation thereto.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the second gear 52 meshes with the internal teeth 22 of the main plate 20, whereby the second gear 52 is made rotatable in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30 with respect to the main plate 20. However, there is no limitation thereto. For example, the second gear may mesh with the external teeth 21 of the main plate 20. Further, for example, the second gear may be made rotatable in synchronization with the rotation of the rotating plate 30 with respect to the main plate 20 by making the second gear mesh with the first gear 51 through another gear.
In addition, it is possible to appropriately replace the constituent elements in the above-described embodiment with well-known constituent elements within a scope which does not depart from the gist of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2019-078602 | Apr 2019 | JP | national |