[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece movement main body easy to be added
with a chronograph function and a chronograph function attached timepiece including
the timepiece movement main body.
[0002] It has been proposed to form a chronograph function attached timepiece by coupling
a chronograph function portion to a movement main body by overlapping the chronograph
function portion on a dial side of the timepiece movement main body having a normal
hand moving function and a normal time setting function (for example,
JP-A-5-215868 or
JP-A-2004-294276). Particularly,
JP-A-2004-294276 discloses a specific structure of a chronograph function attached timepiece in details.
[0003] In this way, a base unit 201 of a chronograph function attached timepiece 200 formed
by combining a chronograph unit 202 with the base unit 201 comprising a timepiece
movement main body is normally on a premise of a movement comprising a specific train
wheel referred to as 'eta train wheel' (ETA (eta) is a corporation name and a registered
trade mark) as is known from Fig. 7 through Fig. 9. The train wheel is referred to
as E train wheel in the following. Further in details, the train wheel is as follows.
[0004] As shown by Fig. 7, the chronograph function attached timepiece 200 of a unit overlapping
type of a background art includes the base unit 201 comprising the timepiece movement
main body of a mode of E train wheel, and the chronograph unit 202 connected to the
base unit 201 on a dial side of the base unit 201.
[0005] The base unit 201 of the chronograph function attached timepiece 200 of Fig. 7 utilizes
a movement 204 of a timepiece 203 of E train wheel shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.
[0006] The timepiece 203 of E train wheel is provided with a structure shown in sectional
views of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 and provided with function related or transmission paths
as shown by block diagrams of Figs. 10C and 10D.
[0007] With regard to normal hand moving, as is known mainly from Fig. 8 and Fig. 10C, the
movement 204 of E train wheel includes a barrel complete 220 supported by a main plate
210 and a barrel bridge 211, a center wheel and pinion 223 rotated by a pinion portion
(second pinion) 222 by a barrel wheel 221 of the barrel complete 220, a third wheel
and pinion 226 supported by the main plate 210 and the train wheel bridge 212 and
rotated by a wheel portion (second wheel) 224 of the center wheel and pinion 223 at
a pinion portion (third pinion) 225 disposed on a dial side of the main plate 210,
a fourth wheel and pinion 230 including a stem 228 and rotated by a wheel portion
(third wheel) 227 of the third wheel and pinion 226 at a pinion portion (fourth pinion)
229, a minute indicator 233 including a minute indicator main body 232 rotated by
a wheel portion (minute wheel) 231 in a circular disk shape by a third pinion 225
and slippingly engaged with the minute wheel 231, a minute wheel 236 (Fig. 9) disposed
on a dial side of the main plate 210 and rotated by a wheel portion (minute wheel)
235 by a pinion portion 234 of the main body 232 of the minute indicator 233, and
an hour wheel 239 disposed on a dial side of the main plate 210 and rotated by a wheel
portion (hour wheel) 238 by a pinion portion (cannon pinion) 237 of the hour wheel
236.
[0008] In E train wheel, the fourth wheel and pinion 230, the minute indicator 233 and the
hour wheel 239 are arranged along a center axis line C1. That is, in E train wheel,
the center wheel and pinion 223 is arranged in a state of being shifted from a center
axis line C1, and a second hand, a minute hand and an hour hand are attached to a
front end portion of the fourth stem 228 disposed along the center axis line C1, a
front end portion of a cylindrical portion 241 of the minute main body 232 arranged
by way of a center pipe 240, and a front end portion of a cylindrical portion 242
of the hour wheel 239 fitted to the cylindrical portion 241 of the minute wheel main
body 232. Further, a wheel portion (fourth wheel) 243 of the fourth wheel and pinion
230 is brought in mesh with a pinion portion 249 of an escape wheel and pinion 248
a speed of which is controlled by a balance with hairspring 246 supported by a balance
bridge 244 and a pallet fork 247 supported by a pallet fork bridge 245 to control
the speed.
[0009] Further, according to the timepiece 203 having E train wheel, in setting time, as
is known from Fig. 9 and Fig. 10D, when a hand setting stem 250 drawn to a hand setting
position is rotated, the minute wheel 236 is rotated by way of a clutch wheel 252
a position in an axial direction of which is rectified by a yoke 251 or the like,
and a setting wheel 253 brought in mesh therewith, the minute wheel main body 232
and the hour wheel 239 brought in mesh with the minute wheel 236 are rotated to set
the minute hand and the hour hand. Here, the minute wheel portion 231 in the shape
of the circular disk of the minute indicator 233 is slippingly engaged with a base
end portion 232a of the minute indicator main body 232, rotation of the third wheel
and pinion 226 (Fig. 8) with which the wheel portion 231 of the minute indicator 233
is brought in mesh by the pinion portion 225 in a speed increasing direction is actually
rectified by other speed increasing train wheel, and therefore, the minute wheel 231
is not rotated, the minute indicator main body 232 is rotated relatively while being
slipped at the engaging portion 232a relative to the minute wheel 231 against a friction
force. Notation 254 designates a winding pinion.
[0010] Here, in order to form the chronograph function attached timepiece 200 having the
base unit 201 utilizing the movement 204 of the timepiece 203 shown in Fig. 8 and
Fig. 9 as it is as much as possible, generally speaking, the base unit 201 may be
formed by cutting by an imaginary line A in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 (line of dividing the
pinion portion 234 of the minute indicator main body 232 by a middle portion in a
thickness direction), the chronograph unit 202 may be connected to the cut portion,
further, a remaining portion cut by the imaginary line A may be brought to a dial
side of the chronograph unit 202.
[0011] In details, as shown by Fig. 7 and Figs. 10A and 10B, the chronograph function attached
timepiece 200 of the background art using E train wheel includes a first minute indicator
280 and a second minute indicator 284 in place of the minute indicator 233. Further,
the chronograph function attached timepiece 200 includes a first minute wheel 260
and a second minute wheel 262 in place of the minute wheel 236. The first minute indicator
280 is constituted by the minute wheel 231, a first minute indicator main body 282
including a first minute pinion 281 actually the same as the base end portion 232a
slippingly engaged with the minute wheel 231 and the minute pinion 234, and a position
in an axis line direction is restricted by a minute indicator holder 283. The second
minute indicator 284 is concentric with the first minute indicator 280 and is disposed
on a dial side of the chronograph unit 202. The second minute indicator 284 includes
a second minute pinion 285 and a cylindrical portion 286 of a shape similar to that
of the cylindrical portion 241 by a shape actually similar to that of the minute pinion
234 and a portion on a dial side of the minute pinion 234 in the minute indicator
233. The second minute wheel 262 includes wheel portions 264, 265 concentrically mounted
to a shaft 263 by the same diameter, connects a first and a second pinion 281, 285
by being brought in mesh with the first minute pinion 281 and the second minute pinion
285, and rotates the hour wheel 239 by way of the hour wheel 238 by a minute pinion
266 disposed on a dial side of the wheel portion 265.
[0012] Further, the fourth stem 228 is connected to a second indicator 275 by way of a second
transmission wheel 268 and an intermediate second counter 274. On the other hand,
the second minute wheel 262 rotates a minute counter 273 by way of first and second
intermediate minute counters 271, 272 from the wheel portion 265. Further, a second
counter 269 is arranged concentrically with the hour wheel 239 and the second minute
indicator 284, and is rotated by way of the intermediate second counter 274 in operating
the chronograph.
[0013] Here, as is known by comparing Fig. 7 with Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, according to the movement
of E train wheel, by only cutting the minute indicator 233 and the minute wheel 236
by the middle portion in the thickness direction of the minute pinion 234 and the
hour wheel 235, the base unit 201 for the chronograph function attached timepiece
200 can actually be formed. Further, in the chronograph function attached timepiece
200 of Fig. 7, notation 218 designates a chronograph main plate, and notation 219
designates a chronograph bridge.
[0014] In contrast thereto, in a case of a train wheel of a type which has been used for
a long period of time as a basic structure of a movement of a mechanical wristwatch,
a structure thereof differs from E train wheel, and therefore, a base unit capable
of being overlappingly connected to a chronograph mechanism cannot be formed by the
above-described cutting.
[0015] That is, the train wheel which has been used for a long period of time as the basic
structure of the movement of the mechanical wristwatch includes a barrel complete,
a center wheel and pinion rotated in accordance with rotation of the barrel complete,
a third wheel and pinion rotated in accordance with rotation of the second wheel and
pinion, a fourth wheel and pinion coaxial with the center wheel and pinion and rotated
in accordance with rotation of the third wheel and pinion, and a cannon pinion slippingly
engaged with a cylindrical portion of the center wheel and pinion by being fitted
around the cylindrical portion of the center wheel and pinion on a dial side of a
main plate. Here, a wheel portion of the hour pinion is brought in mesh with the cannon
pinion, and a minute pinion is brought in mesh with a wheel portion of an hour wheel
fitted slidably rotatably around a cylindrical portion of the cannon pinion. Such
a train wheel is referred to as 'main center three hands', and is referred to as H
train wheel in the following specification.
[0016] The H train wheel is constituted such that a desired friction engagement or slip
engagement is realized between the cylindrical portion of the cannon pinion and the
cylindrical portion of the center wheel and pinion by partially crushing the cylindrical
portion of the cannon pinion around the cylindrical portion of the center wheel and
pinion, in normal hand moving state, the center wheel and pinion and the cannon pinion
are integrally rotated, in setting time (setting hand), the cannon pinion is slippingly
rotated relative to the center wheel and pinion.
[0017] Therefore, in order to realize the chronograph function attached timepiece realized
by the E train wheel by the H train wheel, on one hand, it is indispensable to maintain
the friction engagement between the cylindrical portion of the cannon pinion and the
cylindrical portion of the center wheel and pinion, on the other hand, it is necessary
to leave the friction engagement between the cylindrical portions at a base module
on a case back side of a chronograph mechanism portion, and therefore, in a background
art, it is conceived to be unable to realize such a chronograph function attached
timepiece.
[0018] Further, even when a chronograph function attached timepiece is provided by changing
a structure and an arrangement per se of the H train wheel, thereby, new design and
fabrication are needed and it is difficult to avoid an increase in cost.
[0019] EP 1462883 discloses a chronograph timepiece containing a main plate, a front train wheel and
an escapement/speed control device, and possessing a base unit having at least one
of a self-winding device or a hand winding device. The timepiece has a chronograph
unit containing a second display mechanism, a second chronograph train wheel, a minute
chronograph train wheel, and an hour chronograph train wheel. The chronograph unit
is disposed in a dial side of the base unit. The base unit contains a first transmission
wheel, i.e. a second wheel and pinion, and a second transmission wheel, i.e. a minute
driving wheel & pinion, which are rotated on the basis of a rotation of a movement
barrel complete. The second chronograph train wheel is comprised so as to be rotated
on the basis of a rotation of the first transmission wheel, and the minute chronograph
train wheel and the hour chronograph train wheel are comprised so as to be rotated
on the basis of a rotation of the second transmission wheel.
[0020] Under the situation, the inventors have found that when the structure of the H train
wheel is compared with the E train wheel by going back to an essence thereof, contrary
to a fixed idea of the background art, by only adding a minimum change, a base unit
of a chronograph function attached timepiece actually using the H train wheel as it
is can be formed, further, a chronograph function attached timepiece based on the
H train wheel can easily be formed, further, even a chronograph mechanism portion
can actually be used commonly to reach the invention.
[0021] The invention has been carried out in view of the above-described points and it is
an object thereof to provide a timepiece movement main body constituting a base unit
of a chronograph function attached timepiece at minimum cost even in a train wheel
of a type which has been conceived to be impossible or difficult in the background
art, and provide a chronograph function attached timepiece using the same.
[0022] In order to achieve the above-described object, an aspect of the present invention
provides a timepiece movement main body as defined in claim 1.
[0023] The timepiece movement main body of the invention includes 'the barrel complete,
the center wheel and pinion rotated in accordance with rotation of the barrel complete,
the third wheel and pinion rotated in accordance with rotation of the center wheel
and pinion, the fourth wheel and pinion coaxial with the center wheel and pinion and
rotated in accordance with rotation of the third wheel and pinion, and the minutes
transmission wheel slippingly engaged with the center wheel and pinion on the dial
side of the main plate and coaxial with the center wheel and pinion and brought in
mesh with the minutes wheel structure', and therefore, even in a movement based on
so-to-speak main center three hands (hereinafter, as described above, referred to
as 'H train wheel') realized when it is assumed that 'the center wheel and pinion
includes a cylindrical portion, a minutes pinion is slippingly engaged with the cylindrical
portion of the center wheel and pinion at the cylindrical portion in place of the
minutes transmission wheel', by only substituting 'the minutes transmission wheel
slippingly engaged with the center wheel and pinion' for 'a cannon pinion slippingly
engaged with the cylindrical portion of the center wheel and pinion', a base unit
capable of connecting with a chronograph unit by overlapping can be constituted.
[0024] Further, although the base unit is based on the movement of the H train wheel, the
base unit can be connected with the chronograph unit connected to the base unit based
on the movement of the E train wheel actually as it is (by only selecting one having
a fit size).
[0025] According to the timepiece movement main body of the invention, typically, the minutes
transmission wheel is a wheel in a shape of a flat plate, engaged with the center
wheel and pinion at an elastic engaging portion at a center thereof and is constituted
to slip when the elastic engaging portion receives a predetermined or more torque.
[0026] In this case, the base unit can be formed to be as thin as possible although the
base unit is based on the movement of the H train wheel.
[0027] A timepiece having a chronograph function of the invention is defined by the appended
claim 1.
[0028] In this case, a modification of the movement main body of the H train wheel may be
minimised, and therefore, the chronograph function attached timepiece including the
base unit based on the movement of the H train wheel can be formed at minimum cost.
[0029] Preferably, the chronograph structure portion includes a seconds transmission wheel
and a seconds counting wheel coaxial with a stem of the fourth wheel and pinion.
[0030] In this case, the typical chronograph function attached timepiece in which a seconds
counting hand is disposed at the center and the seconds hand is arranged at a location
shifted from the center can be formed.
[0031] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of further example
only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a sectional explanatory view of a chronograph function attached timepiece
of a preferable embodiment of the invention including a timepiece movement main body
of a preferable embodiment of the invention as a base unit and connected to a chronograph
unit.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged plane explanatory view of a minute transmission wheel of the
chronograph function attached timepiece of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plane explanatory view viewing the timepiece of Fig. 1 from a dial side.
Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show related functions of the chronograph function attached
timepiece of Fig. 1 and a timepiece of H train wheel of Fig. 5, Fig. 4A is a function
related block diagram of normal hand moving operation of the timepiece of Fig. 1,
Fig. 4B is a function related block diagram of a setting operation of the timepiece
of Fig. 1, Fig. 4C is a function related block diagram of a normal hand moving operation
of the timepiece of Fig. 5, Fig. 4D is a function related block diagram of a setting
operation of the timepiece of Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 is a sectional explanatory view showing to center on a normal hand moving function
portion of the timepiece including a movement of H train wheel constituting a basis
of a base unit of the chronograph function attached timepiece of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a sectional explanatory view showing to center on a setting function portion
of the timepiece of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a sectional explanatory view of a chronograph function attached timepiece
of a background art including a timepiece movement main body of E train wheel as a
base unit and connected with a chronograph unit.
Fig. 8 is a sectional explanatory view showing to center on a normal hand moving function
portion of a timepiece including a movement of E train wheel constituting a basis
of the base unit of the chronograph function attached timepiece of Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a sectional explanatory view showing to center on a hand setting function
portion of the timepiece of Fig. 8.
Figs. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show related functions of the chronograph function attached
timepiece of Fig. 7 and the timepiece of E train wheel of Fig. 8, Fig. 10A is a function
related block diagram of a normal hand moving operation of the timepiece of Fig. 7,
Fig. 10B is a function related block diagram of a hand setting operation of the timepiece
of Fig. 7, Fig. 10C is a function related block diagram of a normal hand moving operation
of the timepiece of Fig. 8, Fig. 10D is a function related block diagram of a hand
setting operation of the timepiece of Fig. 8.
[0032] A preferable embodiment of the invention will be explained based on a preferable
example shown in the attached drawings.
[Example]
[0033] A chronograph function attached timepiece 1 in which a movement of a mode of H train
wheel is constituted by a base unit 2 and a chronograph unit 3 will be described with
reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Figs. 4A and 4B.
[0034] However, before going to a detailed explanation with regard to the chronograph function
attached timepiece 1, a brief explanation will be given of a timepiece 5 having a
movement 4 of a mode of H train wheel constituting a basis of the base unit 2 of the
timepiece 1 in reference to Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Figs. 4C and 4D.
[0035] The movement 4 of the mode of the H train wheel of the timepiece 5 includes a barrel
complete 20 supported by a main plate 10 and a first bridge 11, a center wheel and
pinion 24 rotated around a center axis line C by being brought in mesh with a barrel
wheel 21 of the barrel complete 20 at a pinion portion (second pinion) 25, a third
wheel and pinion 32 rotated by a wheel portion (center wheel) 26 of the center wheel
and pinion 24 by a pinion portion (third pinion) 33, and a fourth wheel and pinion
36 coaxial with the center wheel and pinion 24 and rotated by a wheel portion (third
wheel) 34 of the third wheel 32 at a pinion portion (fourth pinion) 37. On a dial
side of the main plate 10, at a surrounding of a cylindrical portion 27 of the center
wheel and pinion 24, a cannon pinion 30 integrally including a pinion portion 28 and
a cylindrical portion 29 is frictionally engaged and fitted with the cylindrical portion
29. At the dial side of the main plate 10, further, a minute wheel 40 is brought in
mesh with the pinion portion 28 of the cannon pinion 30 at a wheel portion (minute
wheel) 41, and is brought in mesh with a wheel portion (hour wheel) 45 of an hour
wheel 44 at a pinion portion (minute portion) 42. Notation 12 designates a second
bridge.
[0036] In the H train wheel, the fourth wheel and pinion 36, the center wheel and pinion
24 and the hour wheel 44 are disposed around the center axis line C. That is, in the
H train wheel, a second hand, a minute hand and an hour hand are attached to the front
end portion of a stem (fourth stem) 38 of the fourth wheel and pinion 36 disposed
along the center axis line C, a front end portion of the cylindrical portion 29 of
the cannon pinion 30 is frictionally engaged with the cylindrical portion 27 of the
center wheel and pinion 24 slidably rotatably fitted to the fourth stem 38, and a
front end portion of a cylindrical portion 43 of the hour wheel 44 is slidably rotatably
fitted to the cylindrical portion 29 of the cannon pinion 30. Further, a wheel portion
(fourth wheel) 39 of the fourth wheel and pinion 36 is brought in mesh with a pinion
portion 49 of an escape wheel and pinion 48 a speed of which is controlled by a balance
with hairspring 46 supported by a balance bridge 13 and a pallet fork 47 supported
by a pallet fork bridge 14.
[0037] Further, according to the timepiece 5 having the H train wheel, in setting time,
as is known from Fig. 6 and Fig. 4D, when a hand setting stem 50 drawn to a hand setting
position is rotated, the minute wheel 40 is rotated by way of a clutch wheel 52 a
position in an axial direction of which is rectified by a yoke 51 or the like, the
pinion portion 28 of the cannon pinion 30 brought in mesh with the minute wheel 40
and the wheel portion 45 of the hour wheel 44 are rotated, and the minute hand and
the hour hand are set. Here, the cylindrical portion 29 of the cannon pinion 30 is
frictionally engaged with the cylindrical portion 27 of the center wheel and pinion
24 to be able to slippingly rotate, the wheel portion (center wheel) 26 of the center
wheel and pinion 24 is coupled with the third pinion 33 in a speed increasing direction
to actually restrict rotation thereof, and therefore, the center wheel and pinion
24 is not rotated, the cannon pinion 30 is relatively rotated while being slipped
from the center wheel and pinion 24 against a frictional force. That is, according
to the movement 4 of the mode of the H train wheel, a frictional engagement between
the cylindrical portion 29 of the cannon pinion 30 and the cylindrical portion 27
of the center wheel and pinion 24 is apparently indispensable. Notation 54 designates
a winding pinion.
[0038] Next, the chronograph function attached timepiece 1 constituted by the base unit
2 including a movement main body 6 of an H train wheel type constituted by partially
changing the movement 4 based on the movement 4 of the mode of the H train wheel and
the chronograph unit 3 by constituting a premise by the above-described situation
will be explained in reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 and Figs. 4A and 4B. In the chronograph
function attached timepiece 1 of Fig. 1, elements actually the same as elements of
Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are attached with the same notations. Further, with regard to constituent
elements of the chronograph unit 3, when the constituent elements are actually the
same as the constituent elements of the chronograph unit 202, basically, the constituent
elements are designated by notations (numbers of order of 10 and numbers of order
of 1 are the same numbers) excluding a number '2' of order of 100 from notations of
the constituent elements of the chronograph unit 202. For example, reference numeral
'275' in fig. 7 becomes reference numeral '75' in fig. 1. However, when the constituent
elements are the same as elements shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, there is also case of
using notations used in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 as they are.
[0039] As can be seen from Fig. 1 and Figs. 4A and 4B, the chronograph function attached
timepiece 1 including the base unit 2 constituted by the movement main body 6 of the
H train wheel type includes a center wheel and pinion or a kind of a minute indicator
24A modified in including a short cylindrical portion 27A in place of the center wheel
and pinion 24 including the long cylindrical portion 27, and includes the minute transmission
wheel 80 and the second minute indicator 84 in place of the cannon pinion 30. Further,
the chronograph function attached timepiece 1 including the H train wheel type base
unit 2 includes the first minute wheel 60 and the second minute wheel 62 in place
of the minute wheel 40. The minute transmission wheel 80 is frictionally engaged or
slippingly engaged with a small diameter portion 27Aa formed at a dial side end portion
of the short cylindrical portion 27A of the modified center wheel and pinion 24A.
As shown by, for example, Fig. 2, the minute transmission wheel 80 typically includes
an elastic engaging portion 80a in a mode of a spring at an inner peripheral edge
thereof and is frictionally engaged or slippingly engaged with the small diameter
portion 27Aa of the modified center wheel and pinion 24A at a front end portion 80b
of the elastic engaging portion 80a. The elastic engaging portion 80a may be a both
end supporting spring in place of a cantilever spring. Therefore, when a torque is
applied to the pinion portion 25 of the modified center wheel and pinion 24A from
the barrel wheel 21, the minute transmission wheel 80 is rotated integrally with the
modified center wheel and pinion 24A, and when a torque is applied from the first
minute wheel 60 to the minute transmission wheel 80, the minute transmission wheel
80 is rotated to slip relative to the modified center wheel and pinion 24A connected
to the speed increasing side.
[0040] The second minute indicator 84 is concentric with the minute transmission wheel 80
and is disposed on the dial side of the chronograph unit 3. The second minute indicator
84 is constituted by a shape substantially similar to that of the pinion portion 28
of the cannon pinion 30 of the timepiece 5 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and that of the cylindrical
portion 29 on the dial side of the pinion portion 28.
[0041] Further in details, the second minute indicator 84 is constituted by a structure
and a shape rather substantially the same as those of the second minute indicator
284 of the chronograph unit 202 of the timepiece 200 shown in Fig. 7, and includes
the second minute pinion 85 in correspondence with the pinion portion 28, and the
cylindrical portion 86 in correspondence with the cylindrical portion 29 and constituted
by the shape the same as that of the cylindrical portion 286. The cylindrical portion
86 is fitted slidably rotatably around the center pipe 56 of a structure and a shape
the same as those of the center pipe 256 of the timepiece 200 of Fig. 7.
[0042] The second minute wheel 62 is constituted by a structure and a shape substantially
the same as those of the second minute wheel 262 of the chronograph unit 202 of the
timepiece 200 of Fig. 7, includes the wheel portions 64, 65 having the same diameter
and concentrically mounted to the shaft 63, connects the two wheel portions 80, 85
by being brought in mesh with the minute transmission wheel 80 and the second minute
pinion 85 and rotates the hour wheel and pinion 44 by way of the hour wheel 45 at
the minute pinion 66 disposed on the dial side of the wheel portion 65. Here, the
hour wheel 44 is provided with a structure and a shape similar to those of the hour
wheel 239 of the chronograph unit 202 of the timepiece 200 of Fig. 7.
[0043] The fourth stem 38 is connected to the second indicator 75 by way of the second transmission
wheel 68 and the intermediate second counter 74 similar to the case of the fourth
stem 228 of the timepiece 200 of Fig. 7. On the other hand, the second minute wheel
62 rotates the minute counting wheel 73 from the wheel portion 65 by way of the first
and second intermediate minute counting wheels 71, 72 similar to the case of the second
minute wheel 262 of the chronograph unit 202 of the timepiece 200. Further, similar
to the case of the chronograph unit 202 of the timepiece 200, the second counting
wheel 69 is arranged concentrically with the hour wheel 44 and the second minute indicator
84 and is rotated by way of the intermediate second counter 74 when the chronograph
works.
[0044] Thereby, as shown by Fig. 3, there is provided the chronograph timepiece 1 including
a second hand 91, a minute hand 92, an hour hand 93, a chronograph second hand 94,
a chronograph minute hand 95, and a chronograph hour hand 96. Further, in Fig. 1,
notation 18 designates a chronograph main plate, notation 19 designates a chronograph
bridge.
[0045] Here, the chronograph unit 3 of the chronograph function attached timepiece 1 in
which the base unit 2 is based on the movement of the H train wheel is provided with
a structure and a shape substantially the same as those of the chronograph unit 202
of the chronograph function attached timepiece 200 in which the base unit 201 is based
on the movement of the E train wheel. However, diameters and distances from centers
of respective wheels depend on diameters and distances from centers of corresponding
parts of the base units 2, 201, and therefore, these are excluded. When these are
the same, the chronograph unit 3 of the chronograph function attached timepiece 1
in which the base unit 2 is based on the movement of the H train wheel can be quite
the same as the chronograph unit 202 of the chronograph function attached timepiece
200 in which the base unit 201 is based on the movement of the E train wheel.
[0046] The chronograph function attached timepiece 1 can be formed as a whole by being connected
with the chronograph unit 3 of the structure and the shape of the embodiments the
same as those of the chronograph unit 202 connected to the base unit 201 based on
the movement of the E train wheel although the base unit is the base unit 2 including
the movement main body 6 based on the movement of the H train wheel, because in the
base unit 2, the center wheel and pinion 24 and the cannon pinion 30 of the timepiece
5 of the H train wheel are constituted by the modified center wheel and pinion 24A
and the minute transmission wheel 80, and the second minute indicator 84, particularly,
the minute transmission wheel 80 slippingly engaged with the modified center wheel
and pinion 24A is constituted by a thin wheel in a shape of a circular plate. Here,
the second minute indicator 84 is to be integrated to the chronograph unit 3, and
is substantially the same as the second minute indicator 284 integrated to the chronograph
unit 202 in the case of the E train wheel.
[0047] The chronograph function attached timepiece 1 constituted as described above can
enlarge a range of utilizing the movement of the H train wheel in being able to be
simply coupled to the chronograph mechanism similar to the movement of the E train
wheel also in the case of the movement of the H train wheel by being slightly modified
as described above. Further, according to the chronograph function attached timepiece
1, when the above-described modification is carried out, the possibility of utilizing
the chronograph unit can considerably be enlarged in that the same chronograph train
wheel can commonly be used actually as it is even by the base unit based on the E
train wheel or the base unit based on the H train wheel so far as the size stays the
same.
[0048] The foregoing description has been given by way of example only and it will be appreciated
by a person skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.