Spring-Loaded Zeroing Device

Abstract

A zeroing device 100 for a chronograph, comprising at least one zeroing heart 110, 120, a zeroing unit 200, which has a zeroing lever arm 210 and a zeroing lever bar 220, the first end 221 of which is designed to contact the zeroing heart 110, 120, and a control means 130 which interacts with the zeroing lever arm 210, wherein a zeroing of the zeroing unit 200 is effectuated by actuating the control means 130. This enables low production and maintenance costs and allows the counter hands to be reset to the zero position in a safer, more durable, and user-friendly manner. The zeroing device 100 comprises a first compression spring 140 which is supported on the zeroing lever arm 210 and is operatively connected to the control means 130, and the control means 130 interacts indirectly, via the first compression spring 140, with the zeroing unit 200.

Claims

1. A zeroing device (100) for a movement (300) of a chronograph, comprising at least one zeroing heart (110, 120), a zeroing unit (200), which has a zeroing lever arm (210) and a zeroing lever bar (220), the first end (221) of which bears on the at least one zeroing heart (110, 120), and a control means (130) which interacts with the zeroing lever arm (210), wherein a zero position of the zeroing unit (200) is effectuated by actuating the control means (130), characterized in that the zeroing device (100) comprises a first compression spring (140) which is supported on the zeroing lever arm (210) and is operatively connected to the control means (130), and the control means (130) interacts indirectly, via the first compression spring (140), with the zeroing unit (200).

2. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the zeroing lever arm (210) has a bolt-like or pin-like stop (213) on which the first compression spring (140) is supported.

3. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the bolt-like or pin-like stop (213) is an eccentric for adjusting and fine-tuning a spring force exerted by the first compression spring (140) on the zeroing lever arm (210).

4. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first compression spring (140) has a fastening end (141) and a free end (142), wherein the fastening end (141) is directly connected to the control means (130) and the free end (142) is supported on the zeroing lever arm (210).

5. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first compression spring (140) is a U-shaped bow spring, wherein the fastening end (141) connected to the control means (130) is arranged on one leg and the free end (142) supported on the zeroing lever arm (210) is arranged on the other leg.

6. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the zeroing lever arm (210) and the first compression spring (140) carry out a movement in opposite directions to one another by actuating the control means (130) in order to effectuate the zeroing of the zeroing unit (200).

7. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the first compression spring (140) is connected to the control means (130) in a torque-transmitting manner, and the zeroing lever arm (210) is mounted at its first end (211) so that it is rotatable or pivotable around a zeroing lever arm pivot point (214) and is connected at its second end (212) to the zeroing lever bar (220), so that a rotational or pivot movement of the control means (130) around its control means axis of rotation (SA) results in a rotational or pivot movement of the first compression spring (140) in the same direction and a rotational or pivot movement of the zeroing lever arm (210) in the opposite direction.

8. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first compression spring (140) is supported in an area of the zeroing lever arm (210) between the connection to the zeroing lever bar (220) and the rotatable or pivotable mounting on the zeroing lever arm (210).

9. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the zeroing device (100) comprises a second compression spring (150) with a free end (152), which is mounted in a stationary manner in the movement (300) of the chronograph, and the free end (152) is supported on the zeroing lever arm (210) by exerting a spring force that causes the zeroing of the zeroing unit (200).

10. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the first compression spring (140) is offset from the zeroing lever arm (210) with respect to the Z coordinate direction of the movement (300) of the chronograph and the second compression spring (150) is arranged in a common plane with the zeroing lever arm (210) with respect to the Z coordinate direction.

11. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (130) is in locking engagement with the second end (212) of the zeroing lever arm (210), which engagement is releasable by actuating the control means (130) to effectuate the zeroing of the zeroing unit (200).

12. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second end (212) of the zeroing lever arm (210) has a receptacle (215) and the control means (130) has a complementary contour for engaging in the receptacle (215) of the zeroing lever arm (210).

13. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the zeroing device (100) comprises a third spring (160) with a free end (162), which is mounted in a stationary manner in the movement (300) of the chronograph, and the free end (162) interacts with the control means (130).

14. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 13, characterized in that the free end (162) of the third spring (160) is transferable by actuating the control means (130) into an engagement that holds the control means (130) in the position effectuating the zero position.

15. The zeroing device (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the third spring (160) is arranged offset from the zeroing lever arm (210) and offset from the first compression spring (140) with respect to the Z coordinate direction of the movement (300) of the chronograph.

16. A chronograph having a zeroing device (100) according to claim 1 and having a center second counter hand and a center minute counter hand of which are each mounted rotatably around the main axis of the movement (300) of the chronograph, wherein the center second counter hand is connected to a second wheel (310) and the center minute counter hand is connected to a minute wheel (320), characterized in that the zeroing lever bar (220) of the zeroing device (100) has a first end (221) for contact on a first zeroing heart (110), a second zeroing heart, and a second end (222) for contact on a second zeroing heart (120), a minute zeroing heart, and zeroing of the zeroing unit (200) can be effectuated by actuating the control means (130), wherein the control means (130) interact with the zeroing unit (200) via the first compression spring (140) supported on the zeroing lever arm (210), and wherein the second zeroing heart (110) interacts directly in a torque-transmitting manner with the second wheel (310) and the minute zeroing heart (120) interacts indirectly in a torque-transmitting manner with the minute wheel (320) in order to cause a reset of the center second counter hand and the center minute counter hand to their zero position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a zeroing device according to the invention in the zero position,

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the zeroing device from FIG. 1 in the release position,

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a top view from behind of the zeroing device from FIGS. 1 and 2 in the zero position,

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a top view from the front of the zeroing device from FIGS. 1 to 3, in the release position,

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a top view from the front of the zeroing device from FIGS. 1 to 4 in the zero position,

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a perspective detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of a bolt-like or pin-like stop, and

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a top view from behind of the bolt-like or pin-like stop from FIG. 6.

[0039] The figures are merely exemplary in nature and only serve to understand the invention. The same elements are given the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a zeroing device 100 according to the invention diagonally from behind, i.e., from the view of the rear side of the chronograph, as well as some other components of the movement 300, which interact with the zeroing device 100. The movement 300 is driven via a pivot drive (not shown here), which brings the gear train of the clock into engagement with the second wheel 310. The second wheel 310 is firmly connected to the center second counter hand (not shown here) via a shaft. The center second and center minute counter hands are each rotatably mounted around the main axis of the movement 300 of the chronograph. A driving spring 311 is firmly connected to the second wheel 310 and is designed to engage in the pulse pickup wheel 330. The pulse pickup wheel 330 is rotatably connected to the drive wheel (hidden in the figure) and the pulse transmission wheel 340 via a multi-function shaft. The drive wheel is in constant engagement with the zeroing wheel 350 and the pulse transmission wheel 340 is in constant engagement with the minute wheel 320, the latter is connected to the center minute counter hand (not shown here) in a torque-transmitting manner. After a complete rotation of the second wheel 310, the pulse pickup wheel 330 is rotated further by one partial unit by the driving spring 311. The rotational movement is passed on to the drive wheel and the pulse transmission wheel 340 via the multi-function shaft, by which the zeroing wheel 350 and the minute wheel 320 are moved further and finally the center minute counter hand advances by one unit. A minute counter catch 321 engages in the minute wheel 320 to count the minutes that have passed during timekeeping.

[0041] In the embodiment shown here, the zeroing device 100 comprises, for example, a first zeroing heart 110, a second zeroing heart and a second zeroing heart 120, a minute zeroing heart. The second zeroing heart 110 is firmly connected to the second wheel 310 and the minute zeroing heart 120 is firmly connected to the zeroing wheel 350. By actuating the zeroing unit 200, the second zeroing heart 110 and the minute zeroing heart 120 can be rotated into the zero position shown here, which corresponds to the respective zero position of the center second and center minute counter hands. In an exemplary embodiment of the movement 300 having center second and center minute counter hands, which rotate around the main axis of the movement 300, the second zeroing heart 110 interacts directly in a torque-transmitting manner with the second wheel 310 and the minute zeroing heart 120 acts indirectly in a torque-transmitting manner, via the multi-function shaft, with the drive wheel, and the pulse transmission wheel 340 interacts with the minute wheel 320. Alternatively, the minute zeroing heart 120 could also be connected directly to the minute wheel 320.

[0042] The zeroing unit 200 is shown here in the zero position, in which the first end 221 of the zeroing lever bar 220 bears on the second zeroing heart 110 and the second end 222 bears on the minute zeroing heart 120.

[0043] In FIG. 2, the zeroing device 100 from FIG. 1 is shown in the same perspective view, but in the release position. The zeroing device 100 comprises the first or second zeroing heart 110 and the second or minute zeroing heart 120, a zeroing unit 200 having the zeroing lever bar 220 and the zeroing lever arm 210, a control means 130, and a first compression spring 140. The control means 130 is implemented here, for example, as a control cam and is mounted in the movement 300 of the chronograph so that is pivotable and/or rotatable around its control means axis of rotation SA. The first compression spring 140 can be designed as a U-shaped bow spring, wherein a fastening end 141, which is rotatably connected to the control means 130, is arranged on one of the legs. The other leg is designed as a free end 142 and is supported on the zeroing lever arm 210, in particular on a bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 of the zeroing lever arm 210. The leg having the free end 142 and the zeroing lever arm 210 extend approximately parallel to one another in the release position of the zeroing unit 200. The zeroing lever arm 210 is rotatably mounted around the zeroing lever arm pivot point 214 at its first end 211. At the second end 212 of the zeroing lever arm 210, the zeroing lever bar 220 is linked on so it is freely pivotable. The bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 is arranged in an area between the first end 211 and the second end 212 of the zeroing lever arm 210, i.e., between the zeroing lever arm pivot point 214 and the connection to the zeroing lever bar 220.

[0044] In order to effectuate the zeroing of the zeroing unit 200 shown in FIG. 1, the control means 130 is pivoted around the control means axis SA in the clockwise direction of the movement 300 of the chronograph. The first compression spring 140, which is connected to the control means 130 in a firm or torque-transmitting manner, follows the rotational movement and also pivots in the clockwise direction of the movement 300. Because the compression spring 140 is supported with its free end 142 on the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 of the zeroing lever arm 210, the latter is pivoted in a movement in the opposite direction to the first compression spring 140 around its zeroing lever arm pivot point 214, specifically in a counterclockwise rotational direction of the movement 300 of the chronograph. The zeroing lever arm 210 and the leg of the first compression spring 140 having the free end 142 shear apart. A pulse generator 143 is formed on the free end 142 of the first compression spring 140, which exerts additional pressure on the zeroing lever arm 210 during the rotational movement of the first compression spring 140 and thus increases its impulse to rotate around the zeroing lever arm pivot point 214.

[0045] Due to the pivoting movement of the zeroing lever arm 210, the zeroing lever bar 220 linked on its second end 212 is moved in the direction of the zeroing hearts 110, 120, so that finally the first end 221 of the zeroing lever bar 220 comes into contact with the second zeroing heart 110 and the second end 222 comes into contact with the minute zeroing heart 120. The zeroing unit 200 is then in the zero position (see FIG. 1) Even after reaching the zero position, the spring force of the first compression spring 140 continues to load the zeroing lever arm 210, by which the pressure exerted by the zeroing lever bar 220 on the zeroing hearts 110, 120 is increased and the zeroing unit 200 is permanently forced into the zero position or held therein. Due to the pressure exerted by the zeroing lever bar 220 on the zeroing hearts 110, 120, these are rotated until the zero position is reached, in which the flattened areas of the zeroing hearts 110, 120 bear on the respective ends 221, 222 of the zeroing lever bar 220.

[0046] The force acting on the zeroing lever arm 210 or its impulse to rotate around the zeroing lever arm pivot point 214 can be further increased by a second compression spring 150, the function of which is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a top view from behind, i.e., from the view of the rear side of the chronograph, of the zeroing device 100 from FIGS. 1 and 2. The zeroing unit 200 is in the zero position, in which the two ends 221, 222 of the zeroing lever bar 220 bear on the second or minute zeroing heart 110, 120. So that this contact for zero positioning of the zeroing hearts 110, 120 and the counter arms connected thereto is always achieved, the second compression spring 150 is supported with its free end 152 on the zeroing lever arm 210. The force application point at which the spring force applied by the second compression spring 150 acts on the zeroing lever arm 210 is selected so that the pivoting movement of the zeroing lever arm 210 is deflected from the release position in which the second compression spring 150 is deflected against the spring force acting on the zeroing lever arm 210 (see FIG. 2) to support the zeroing lever arm pivot point 214 in the zero position shown here. At a fastening end 151, the second compression spring 150 is mounted in a stationary manner in the movement 300 via at least one mounting means (not shown).

[0047] The spring force of the second compression spring 150 acts permanently on the first end 211 of the zeroing lever arm 210. In order that the second compression spring 150 does not already effectuate the zeroing of the zeroing unit 200 during the timekeeping, the first end 211 of the zeroing lever arm 210 is also operatively connected to the control means 130. For example, the first end 211 of the zeroing lever arm 210 can have a U-shaped receptacle 215. The control means 130 has a corresponding complementary contour and is arranged in relation to the receptacle 215 in such a way that in the release position of the zeroing unit 200, its contour is in locking engagement with the first end 211 of the zeroing lever arm 210 (see FIG. 2 in this regard). By actuating the control means 130, it is pivoted around the control means axis SA in the clockwise direction of the movement 300, by which the locking engagement is released and the contour of the control means 130 lies in the receptacle 215 without contact, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The zeroing lever arm 210 is released and is simultaneously pivoted by the first compression spring 140 and the second compression spring 150 to the zero position of the zeroing unit 200. By using both compression springs 140, 150, the zeroing unit 200 is transferred to the zero position under double spring-loading and is held securely there by the spring forces that continue to act.

[0048] A reset pusher 360 is also shown in each of FIGS. 3 and 5, which protrudes from the housing of the chronograph and can be actuated, pressed, by a user to exert a longitudinally directed force or movement. The axial or longitudinal movement of the reset button 370 is converted into the previously described rotational or pivoting movement of the control means 130 by a transmission mechanism 370. The control means 130 is actuated by pressing the reset button 360 and pivoted around its control means axis of rotation SA in the clockwise direction of the chronograph.

[0049] FIGS. 4 and 5 each show the zeroing device 100 from a top view from the front, i.e., from the view of the front side of the chronograph. The zeroing unit 200 is shown in the release position in FIG. 4 and in the zero position in FIG. 5.

[0050] A third spring 160 can be clearly seen, namely a detent spring, which is mounted in a stationary manner in the movement 300 of the chronograph with its fastening end 161. The free end 162 of the detent spring 160 is designed having a V-shaped lug for engagement in complementary V-shaped receptacles 132 arranged on the outer contour of a detent means 131, in particular a detent cam. The detent means 131 represents a component of the control means 130 and is mounted in a floating manner thereon and is pivotable or rotatable around the control means axis of rotation SA. The free end 162 of the detent spring 160 cooperates with the control means 130 via the detent means 131 in order to lock it into the position effectuating the zeroing of the zeroing unit 200. In the embodiment shown here, the detent means 131 has a total of three V-shaped receptacles 132 extending along the outer contour. In the release position of the zeroing unit 200, according to FIG. 4, the V-shaped lug of the detent spring 160 engages in the frontmost receptacle 132 in the rotational direction of the detent means 131. When the control means 130 is actuated, the detent means 131 also rotates in the clockwise direction of the chronograph around the control means axis SA. The detent spring 160 attempts to lock completely into the V-shaped receptacles 132 and thereby slides on the slope of the outer contour of the detent means 131. For the case that the detent spring 160 does not engage centrally in the V-shaped receptacles 132, the detent spring 160 will attempt to turn the detent means 131 away in one direction and thus precisely effectuate the desired position of the control means 130 for the zero position of the zeroing unit 200. In order to effectuate the zero position of the zeroing unit 200 shown in FIG. 5, the reset button 360 is pressed. The transmission mechanism 370 converts the linear movement of the reset button 360 into a pivot movement of the detent means 131 or the control means 130 around the control means axis of rotation SA in the clockwise direction of the chronograph. In the zero position of the zeroing unit 200, the V-shaped lug of the detent spring 160 engages in the rearmost receptacle 132 in the rotational direction of the detent means 131. Further securing of the zeroing unit 200 in the zero position is thus provided by means of the third spring 160. By actuating a start/stop button (not shown here), the zero position can be released and the zeroing unit 200 can be returned to the release position, which enables further timekeeping.

[0051] Preferably and as can be clearly seen in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first compression spring 140 and the second compression spring 150 are arranged offset from one another with respect to the Z coordinate direction of the movement 300. In particular, the second compression spring 150 is supported frontally for this purpose on the outer contour of the zeroing lever arm 210 and is arranged in a common plane with the zeroing lever arm 210 and the control means 130 with respect to the Z coordinate direction. The first compression spring 140, on the other hand, is supported on the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 of the zeroing lever arm 210 protruding from the common plane and, from the perspective of the front side of the chronograph, is arranged together with the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 in an underlying or lower plane. The third spring or detent spring 160 is in turn arranged offset from the first and second compression springs 140, 150 with respect to the Z coordinate direction and is located together with the detent means 131 in an upper plane lying above the common plane from the perspective of the front side of the chronograph.

[0052] Finally, FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 which is fastened on the zeroing lever arm 210. In this embodiment, the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 is designed as an eccentric, having an upper cylindrical section 216 with respect to the longitudinal axis and a lower cylindrical section 217 arranged eccentrically underneath. The upper cylindrical section 216 is intended for connection to a receptacle, in particular a bore, of the zeroing lever arm 210. The lower cylindrical section 217 protrudes from the zeroing lever arm 210 so that the first compression spring 140 can be supported thereon (see, for example, FIG. 1). In addition, the lower cylindrical section 217 has a slot or a groove 218, which, with the aid of a corresponding tool, for example a screwdriver, allows the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213 to rotate in the receptacle of the zeroing lever arm 210 around the axis of rotation RA of the upper cylindrical section 216. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the lower cylindrical section 217, it follows a circular path on the zeroing lever arm 210, by which the position of the stop 213 relative to the first compression spring 140 can be changed. In this way, the spring force of the first compression spring 140, which is supported on the bolt-like or pin-like stop 213, is adjustable with high precision for fine adjustment of the zeroing device 100.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0053] 100 zeroing device [0054] 110 first zeroing heart, in particular second zeroing heart [0055] 120 second zeroing heart, in particular minute zeroing heart [0056] 130 control means, in particular control cam [0057] 131 detent means, in particular detent cam [0058] 132 V-shaped receptacle [0059] 140 first compression spring [0060] 141 fastening end of the first compression spring [0061] 142 free end of the first compression spring [0062] 143 pulse generator [0063] 150 second compression spring [0064] 151 fastening end of the second compression spring [0065] 152 free end of the second compression spring [0066] 160 third spring, in particular detent spring [0067] 161 fastening end of the third spring [0068] 162 free end of the third spring [0069] 200 zeroing unit [0070] 210 zeroing lever arm [0071] 211 first end of the zeroing lever arm [0072] 212 second end of the zeroing lever arm [0073] 213 bolt-like or pin-like stop [0074] 214 zeroing lever arm pivot point [0075] 215 receptacle [0076] 216 upper cylindrical section [0077] 217 lower cylindrical section [0078] 218 groove [0079] 220 zeroing lever bar [0080] 221 first end of the zeroing lever bar [0081] 222 second end of the zeroing lever bar [0082] 300 movement [0083] 310 second wheel [0084] 311 driving spring [0085] 320 minute wheel [0086] 321 minute counter catch [0087] 330 pulse pickup wheel [0088] 340 pulse transfer wheel [0089] 350 zeroing wheel [0090] 360 reset button [0091] 370 transmission mechanism [0092] RA axis of rotation [0093] SA control means axis of rotation