GB2191610A - Movement for watch with hands for indicating time and having additional functions - Google Patents

Abstract

A movement for a watch with hands for indicating the time and having an additional function, including a main plate (1), a spacer (3) for supporting a driving mechanism of the watch, an electronic circuit 19 for driving the additional function, and an additional mechanism for indicating and/or adjusting the additional function. The spacer (3) has a ledge (3a) formed integrally therewith and projecting outward beyond the outer periphery of the main plate (1), and the electronic circuit 19 and the additional mechanism are supported on the ledge (3a). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Movement for watch with hands for indicating time and having additional functions The present invention relates to a wristwatch with hands for indicating the current time. More precisely, it relates to a movement for a wrist watch which has additional functions, such as an alarm function, chronograph function or dual time indicating function.

Wristwatch having various functions in addition to conventional time indicating functions are known.

Those additional functions are, for example, an alarm function which sounds an alarm at a preset time, a chronog raph function which indicates a time elapsed since a preset time, a timerfunction which indicates a time remaining from a preset time, and a dual time indicating function for indicating the presenttime in cities in various countries.

Most conventional watches having such additional functions have special movements for performing these additional functions, in addition to a basic standard movement for driving the hands to indicate the time. Namely, wrist watches having additional functions have movements which are more complex than the standard movements of watches without additional functions, and which have a larger number of elements than that ofthe standard movements, resulting in a more complex watch assembly.

In addition, there is a relatively small demandforthe movements for such wrist watches having additional functions, in comparison with the demand for standard movements for wrist watches without additional functions. Namely, the movements having the additional functions can not be massproduced since special instruments or devices are needed for the assembly thereof. These require- ments all contribute to an increase in the cost of manufacture ofthe movements.

To solve the above problems, a watch has been proposed having a separate frame, which has a movement for an alarm function as an additional function incorporated therein, around the standard movement, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) Nos. 60152980 and 60-154185. In these watches in which the frame having the additional movement for the alarm function is located around the standard watch movement, it is very difficult to accurately position the frame relative to the standard watch movement in both the radial and thickness directions thereof, and a mechanism for transmitting the rotation of a rotational member, i,e., an alarm setting stem which is supported bytheframe,to an alarm wheel which is mounted on a rotational shaft in the standard watch movement, is very complicated.

Furthermore, it is necessary to provide positioning portions, a slight gap for absorbing any intolerance, and connecting members, between the frame and the standard movement, in view of the difficulty in positioning the frame relative to the standard movement. Also, because of the inaccuracy ofthe positioning, it is necessary to further provide electrical contacts having relatively large contacting surfaces between the frame and the standard movement. In addition, since it is very difficult to precisely locate the standard movement relative to the frame in a parallel arrangement, it is necessary to provide a relatively large gap between the standard movement and the frame to prevent contact therebetween.It is possible that the frame will come into surface con tactwith the standard movement, duetovibration or accidental shock, resulting in an undesirable chattering, or deformation or bending ofthe alarm wheel, which supports the weight of the frame and the standard movement to a certain extent.

The primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a slim and inexpensive watch movement which is free from the afore-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art and which has a long service life.

To achieve the object mentioned above, according to the present invention, there is provided a movement for a watch with hands for indicating the time and having at least one additional function, comprising a main plate, a driving means mounted on the main plate for driving the watch to indicate the time, a spacer for supporting the driving means, an electronic circuit connected to a power source for driving the at least one additional function, and a mechanism for indicating and/or adjusting the at least one additional function, wherein the improvement comprises a ledge integral with the spacer, and projecting outward beyond the outer periphery of the main plate, the electronic circuit and the mechanism being supported on the ledge.

With this arrangement, the additional mechanism for the at least one additional function, such as a drive control circuitforthe additional function, is provided on the ledge without necessitating a major design modification of the existing components of the watch, and resulting in the realization of a compact, slim, and easy-to-operate wristwatch.

The invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa sectional view of a watch movement, according to the present invention; Figure2 is a planviewofFigure 1; Figure3 is a sectional view of a winding stem portion shown in Figure 1; Figure4 is a block diagram showing a driving circuitforan alarm function; Figure 5is a sectional view of a phase detection switch portion of an arrangement shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a plan view of a position detection switch portion, according to the present invention; Figure 7is a plan view of an alarm switch portion according to the present invention;; Figures 8to 10 are plan views of a winding stem portion, shown in three different positions, according to the present invention; Figure 11 is a sectional view, taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 7, of a switch stem portion according to the present invention; Figure 12 is a sectional view of a watch movement, showing the electrical connections between componentsthereof; and Figure 13 is a bottom view of Figure 12 with the alarm wheel support removed.

Figure lisa sectional view of a watch movement according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the movement comprises a main plate 1 which is made of metal, and a train wheel bridge 2.

Numeral 3 designates a plate-like spacer which is provided with a ledge 3a projecting outward from an outer periphery 1 a of the main plate 1, and comprises one of the features ofthe present invention. The spacer3 is made of an electrical insulation material, such as molded plastic resin. Numeral 4 designates a rotor having a magnet 4a therein and driven to rotate by a driving coil 5 connected to a battery 21 (Figure 2). The rotation ofthe rotor4 is transmitted to a second wheel 7 through a fifth wheel 6 which is in mesh with the rotor 4 and with the second wheel 7.

The second wheel 7 is extended at one end through a pipe 8a of a center wheel 8 and has a second hand 9 fixed to that end. The rotation ofthe second wheel 7 is transmitted to the center wheel 8through an intermediate wheel 10. The center wheel 8 has a minute hand 11 mounted thereon at one end ofthe pipe 8a.

An hour hand gear 12, which is made of metal, is supported by the pipe 8a of the center wheel 8 and has a pipe 12a which has an hour hand 13 mounted atone end thereof. A contact spring 14 is press fitted onto the base portion of the pipe 12a ofthe hour hand gear 12, so that the contact spring 14 rotates together with hour hand gear 12. The contact spring 14 has a bent arm with a spring contact 14a. The spring contact 14a comes into electrical sliding contact with an electrical contact plate 16, which is press fitted onto an alarm wheel 15 made of an insulation material.

The alarm wheel 15 has a pipe 15a which has an alarm hand 17 mounted at one end thereof. The alarm wheel contact plate 16 is made of an electrically conductive material and is provided with an an angular insulation film 1 6a which is partially discontinuous at slit 16c, as shown in Figure 6 and described in detail hereinafter. The insulation film 1 6a is brought into sliding contact with the spring contact 1 4a of the contact plate 14. Numeral 18 designates an alarm wheel support having a center hole 18a and a plurality of hooks 1 8c on the outer peripherythereof. The alarm wheel 15 is supported at the outer periphery thereof by an inner wall defining the center hole 18a of the alarm wheel support 18.An alarm circuit board 19 having an electronic circuitfor driving the alarm function, and the ledge 3a ofthe spacer3, are held between and by a plate portion 18b ofthe alarm wheel support 18 and engaging portions 18d ofthe hooks 18c.

Numeral 20 designates a dial provided with a plurality of legs 20a which are press fitted into the spacer3.

Figure 2 shows a top view of Figure 1. In Figure 2, the battery 21 is located between the train wheel bridge 2 and the alarm circuit board 19 as shown in plan view, and is held by a battery support 22 secured to the alarm circuit board 19. The battery suppport 22 is made of an electrically conductive material, and serves as a contact terminal for establishing an electrical connection between the battery 21 and the alarm circuit board 19.

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of a winding stem portion ofthewatch movement shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3, a minute wheel 23 is provided with a gear 23a which is in mesh with the center wheel 8.

The minute wheel 23 has a pinion 23b which extends through the main plate 1 to come into engagement with the hour hand gear 12. Awinding stem 24 is rotatablysupported bythe spacer 3 and has two angular portions 24a and 24b having a square shape in section, in the vicinity of the front, i.e., inner end, of the winding stem 24. At each end of the angular portion 24a are provided round portions 24c and 24d which are circular in section and able to fit between the square ofthe angular portions 24a and 24b; in the Figure, the circular round portion 24d is located between the two angular portions 24a and 24b. The winding stem 24 has an abutment 24e which comes into engagement with a setting lever 41. A sliding pinion 25 has a center square shaped hole in which the angular portion 24b can be fitted.The sliding pinion 25 is provided, on the face adjacent to the centerwheel 8, with a crown gear 25a, and on the barrel portion thereof, with an engaging groove 25b in which a yoke 40 can be engaged. A setting wheel 26 is in mesh with minute wheel 23 and can be also en gaged by the crown gear 25a ofthe sliding pinion 25.

An alarm correction transmission wheel 27 is arranged in a slot3b formed in the spacer3 and has a square center hole in which the angular portion 24a ofthe winding stem 24 is fitted. An alarm correction wheel 28 is supported by a boss 3c ofthe spacer 3 to transmit the rotation of the alarm correction transmission wheel 27 to the alarm wheel 15.

The geartrain for indicating thetime will bedescri- bed below in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The coil 5, which is energized by a clock circuit (not shown), drives the rotor 4. The rotation of the rotor4 is transmitted to the fifth wheel 6, the second hand wheel 7, the intermediate wheel 10, the minute hand wheel 8,the minute wheel 23, and the hour hand gear 12, so that the second hand 9 connected to the second hand wheel 7, the minute hand 11 connected tothe minute hand wheel 8, andthe hour hand 13 connected to the hour hand gear 12 are rotated to indicate the time.

The hand adjusting mechanism is described asfollows.

The winding stem 24 can selectively occupy three stepsor positions "0", "1 ", and "2". Atthe "0" step, the winding stem 24 is furthest retracted into the alarm support 18, as shown in Figure 8. In the "0" step ofthe winding stem 24, the circular round portion 24c ofthe winding stem 24 is fitted in the center hole ofthe alarm correction transmission wheel 27, and the angular portion 24aofthewindingstem24is fitted in the sliding pinion 25. The sliding pinion 25 is broughtto a position at which itis not engaged with the setting wheel 26 by the yoke 40. Accordingly, the rotation of the winding stem 24 does not rotate the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27 and the setting wheel 26.

When the winding stem 24 is moved by one step from the "0" step to the "1" step in ordertoadjust the time atwhich the watch sounds an alarm, the an- gular portion 24a of the winding stem 24 is disengaged from the sliding wheel 25 and is engaged with the center hole of the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27, and the angular portion 24b comes into engagementwith the sliding pinion 25, as shown in Figure 9. The setting lever4l,which engageswith the winding stem 24, rotates about a setting lever shaft 41 a so that a projection 41 b of the setting lever 41 moves from a "0" step position to a "1" step position ofathree-step groove 42a of a setting lever jumper42.In this position, as shown in Figure 9, the sliding pinion 25 is still at a position in which it is not engaged with the setting wheel 26 bytheyoke40.

Accordingly, the rotation ofthewinding stem 24 causes a rotation ofthe alarm wheel 15 through the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27 and the alarm adjusting wheel 28, to adjust the alarm time.

Afurthermovementofthewinding stem 24from the "1 " step to the "2" step, to adjustthetime (not the alarm time) causes the angular portion 24to disengage from the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27 andthe circular round portion 24d ofthewinding stem 24to move into the center hole of the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27, as shown in Figure 10 and in Figure 3. The setting lever 41 rotates further from the position shown in Figure 9, about the shaft 41 a, to move the projection 41 b from the "1" step to a "2" step position of the three-step groove 42a position. The yoke 40 is moved toward the center ofthe watch movement by the setting lever 41 about a yoke shaft 40b, so that the sliding pinion 25 is engaged by the setting wheel 26.Therefore, when the winding stem 24 is rotated, the minute hand wheel 8 and the hour hand gear 12 are rotated through the sliding pinion 25, the setting wheel 26, and the minutewheel 23,sothatthehourhand 13and the minute hand 11 are rotated to adjust the time. When the winding stem 24 is returned to the initial position, i.e., the "0" step position, the watch begins normal operation.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an electronic circuitfordrivingthealarmfunction. In Figure4,the electronic circuit is connected to the battery 21 for an existing watch driving circuit 50 formed on a watch circuit board 54 (Figure 12) which is adapted to drive the watch.

When both a phase detection switch 30 and an alarm switch are made ON, namely, when a low vol- tagefromthealarmswitch31 anda highvoltage from the phase detection switch 30 are applied to a drive control circuit 77, which has, for example, an AND circuit 78, the circuit 77 supplies a high voltage to a driver 79 in orderto sound an alarm buzzer43 at a desired time.

This electronic circuit per se is well known.

Figures 5 and 6 show details ofthe phase detection switching mechanism. In Figures 5 and 6, numeral 32 designates an alarm lead plate made of metal and held between and by the ledge3a of the spacer3 and the alarm wheel support 18. The alarm lead plate 32 is provided, at the inner end thereof, with three con- tact springs 32a which are brought into contact with an outerconductor 16b surrounding the annular insulation film 1 6a of the alarm contact plate 16, which is secured to the alarm wheel 15atthe front ends of the contact springs 32a. The alarm lead plate 32 is provided, on the outer periphery thereof, with a contact spring 32bwhich comes into contact with a contact terminal (not shown) of the buzzer 43 (Figure 4).

The alarm wheel support 18 has projections 1 8e which are brought into contact with the main plate 1 and which are positioned in such a mannerthatthey do not interfere with the contact springs 32a ofthe alarm lead plate 28.

On one hand, the contact spring 14 is electrically connected to the main plate 1 through the hour hand gear 12 and the setting lever jumper42 for holding the battery 21. On the other hand, the alarm contact plate 16 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit on the alarm circuit board 19through the alarm lead plate 32. As a result, the phase detection switch is made OFF when the spring contact 1 4a of the contact spring 14 is connected tothe annular insulation film 1 6a ofthe alarm contact plate 16 in accordance with the rotation ofthe hour hand gear 12, and is made ON when the spring contact 14a comes into contact with the slit 1 6c, which is electrically con- ductive.

The contact springs 32a of the alarm lead plate 32 exert a spring force, so that the alarm wheel 15is continuously pressed toward the dial 20, to ensure an electrical connection between the contact springs 32a and the alarm contact plate 16. Also, the pressure force ofthe contact springs 32a holds the alarm wheel 15firmly in the center hole 18a ofthe alarm wheel support 18. The pressure force is such that when the user rotates the alarm wheel 15, the alarm wheel 15 slips in the center hole 18a, and thatac- cidental movement ofthe alarm wheel 15 dueto shock or impact during usage of the watch, is prevented.

The alarm wheel 15 is subjected to the spring force ofthe spring contact 14a ofthe contact spring 14, which is press fitted in the hour hand gear 12. The alarmwheelsupport l8forsupportingthealarm wheel 15 is made of a non-conductive material, since the alarm wheel supportl8,togetherwith the ledge 3a ofthe winding stem spacer 3, holds the alarm lead plate 28.

The projections 1 8e bear against the main plate 1 in the vicinity of the center hole 18a, providing an increase of positioning accuracy in the thickness direction of the watch, and a reduction of the thickness of the center portion of the alarm wheel support around the center hole 18a. Thus providing a reduction in the total thickness of the movement.

Figure 7 is a plan view ofthe alarm switch portion and Figure 11 is a sectional view of the switch stem portion taken along the lineXII-XII in Figure 7. Numeral 33 designates a switch control spring secured to the alarm circuit board 19 and having two forked arms 33a, which are formed by bending the control spring 33. The switch stem 34 has, at the front end thereof, a substantially conical projection 34a which extends through and between the two arms 33a of the switch control spring 33, sothatthe projection 34a can move between the two arms 33a by expanding them outward, as described hereinafter. The switch stem 34 can occupy two positions, depending on the positions of the projection 34a in the front of or behind the two arms 33a.

An alarm switch spring 35 made of metal has a bent portion 35a which is in pressure contact with the switch stem 34through an insulation plate 36 made of an electrically insulative material and a spring portion 35b which comes into contact with the terminal (conductor pattern) 1 9a ofthe alarm circuit board 19. The alarm switch spring 35 is electrically connected to the battery 21, and the terminal 1 9a of the circuit board 19 is electrically connected to the electronic circuit on the circuit board 19. Consequently, when the switch stem 34 is pushed inward, the projection 34a thereof is retained inthefirst position in which the projection 34a is located in front of the bent arm 33a of the switch control spring 33, as shown bya solid line in Figure 11.In this first position of the switch stem, the spring portion 35b ofthe alarm switch spring 35 is separated from the terminal 19a ofthe circuit board 19, so thatthe alarm switch is made OFF.

Conversely, when the switch stem 34 is pulled outward,the projection 34a is brought two a second position in which the projection 34a is located behind the bent arm 33a of the switch control spring 33, as shown bya phantom line34a' in Figure 1 1,sothat the spring portion 35b of the alarm switch spring 35 comes into contact with the terminal 1 9a ofthe circuit board 19. As a result, the alarm switch is made ON. When the projection 34a is moved from the first position to the second position, and vice versa, the projection 34a elastically expands the two arms 33a ofthe switch control spring 33 with the help ofthe inclined peripheral surfaces of the cone of the projection 34a.The two arms 33a are returned to their initial positions undertheirown elasticity, afterthe projection 34a has passed therethrough. The switch stem 34 has, at the front end thereof, a pusher34b which is pressed against the bent portion 35a ofthe alarm switch spring 35through the insulation plate 36.

At the "0" position ofthewinding stem 24(Figure 8), the watch operates normally, i.e., indicates the time by the hour hand 13, the minute hand 1 1,and the second hand 9.

When the winding stem 24 is moved by one step to the "1 " position, the user is able to rotate the wind ing stem 24to movethe alarm hand 17 and set a des ired time for an alarm operation. The phase ofthe alarm contact plate 16 is determined in accordance with the alarm time set. The winding stem 24 is then returnedtothe"0" position.

Then the user pulls the switch stem 34 outward to make the alarm switch ON. Namely, the switch stem is brought from the first position to the second position. In this state, the spring contact 1 4a ofthe con tactspring 14 is located on the annular insulation film 1 6a of the alarm contact plate 16, so thatthe phase detection switch 30 (Figure 4) is kept OFF.

During operation ofthe watch, the contact spring 14 rotates together with the hour hand gear 12. When the time approaches at which the alarm has been set, the spring contact 14a of the contact spring 14 reaches the conductive slit 1 6c of the insulation film 1 6a of the alarm contact plate 16, so that the phase detection switch is made ON and an alarm sounded.

The insulation plate 36, which is supported by the spacer 3, preventsshortcircuiting between the switch stem 34 and the main plate 1,which although only a slight possibility, can occur at the main plate particularly when the switch stem 3 is retained in the second position. If the switch stem 34 can be made of a completely insulative material, the insulation plate 36 can be omitted.

The user can stop the alarm by pushing the switch stem 34to the first position, so that the alarm switch is made OFF.

When the winding stem 24 is brought to the second position to disengage the alarm adjusting transmission wheel 27 from the winding stem 24, the alarm time can be set again.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the battery21, the setting leverjumper 12, a battery receiving spring 59, and a watch circuit plate 54are all provided on the main plate 1. A negative terminal 21 a ofthe battery 21, which is a powersource of the basic movement, is electrically connected to the battery receiving spring 59. The battery receiving spring 59 is supported on and by bosses 3g ofthe spacer 3, and is connected to a conductor 56 provided on the watch circuit board 54. The watch circuit board 54 has an IC 55 mounted thereon which is electrically connected to the conductor 56.A positive terminal 21 b, i.e., the outer shell of the battery 21, is electrically connected to the watch circuit board 54 through the setting leverjumper 42 which presses the battery 21 in the lateral direction in the plane of the watch movement.

The conductive main plate 1 is grounded to the positive side of the battery 21 through the setting leverjumper42.

The alarm elements are provided on and in the generally annular ledge 3a of the spacer 3 which surrounds the outer periphery 1 a of the main plate 1.

That is, a battery lead plate 61 which applies the negative voltage to the alarm elements is positioned on the alarm wheel support 18 by the bosses 3b provided on the ledge 3a ofthe spacer 3. Namely, the battery lead plate 61 is held between the alarm wheel support 18 and the ledge 3a of the spacer 3. The spacer3 also has bosses 3f which fix the relative position ofthe spacer 3 and the main plate 1 and the free ends of which come into contact with the battery lead plate 61 to hold the battery lead plate 61 between the bosses 3f and the alarm wheel support 18.

The battery lead plate 11 is provided, on the end adjacent to the basic movement, with a contact portion 61 a which is bent toward the main plate 1 and which is brought into contact with the battery receiving spring 59.

At the opposite end ofthe battery lead plate 61 is formed a contact portion 61 b, which is bent toward the alarm circuit board 19so as to come into contact with a contact 58 provided on the alarm circuit board 19.

Numeral 18fdesignates guide holes provided in the alarm wheel support 18 to receive the bosses 3b of the ledge 3a. The battery lead plate 61 the alarm circuit board 19, and the ledge 3a of the spacer 3 are held by and between the abutment 1 8d and the planar portion 1 8b, of the alarm wheel support 18.

Tubes 65, made of metal, are press fitted into holes 189 of the alarm wheel support 1 8. These tubes 65 have threaded holes in which set screws 16 are screwed to secure the ledge 3a of the spacer 3 and the battery support 22.

In the electrical connection of the alarm elements, the negative terminal 21 a of the battery 21 is connected to the contact portion 58 of the alarm circuit board 19 through the battery receiving spring 59 and the battery lead plate 61, as mentioned before. The positive terminal 21 b ofthe battery 21 is connected to a contact 67, provided on the alarm circuit board 19, through the battery support 22, the set screws 16, and the tubes 65, which are press fitted into the alarm wheel support 18 and connected to the contact 67ofthealarmcircuitboard 19. The alarm circuit board 19 has an alarm IC (not shown) mounted thereon. The alarm circuit per sue is known.

A problem of a leakage ofthe electrolytic solution ofthe battery 21 can arise. In particular, with a battery having an electrolytic solution of KOH contained therein and often used as a power source for a wrist watch having an additional alarm function, in which a large amount of electric current is needed from time to time.

In this type of battery, the possibility of the leakage of KOH is increased, and to avoid a contactfailure due to such a leakage, the contact portion 59a ofthe battery receiving spring 59 must be pressed against the negative terminal 21 a of the battery 21 with a large contact pressure. If the battery lead plate 61 is brought into direct contact with the negative terminal 21a of the battery,withoutthe intervention of the battery receiving spring 59 (unlike the illustrated embodiment),the battery lead plate61 musthavea larger thickness to ensure a sufficient contact pressure, and accordingly, the supporting mechanism therefor must be reinforced. This results in an increase ofthe total thickness ofthe movement.

Conversely, by placing the battery lead plate 61 in contact with the negative terminal 21 a of the battery through the battery receiving spring 59, which is a component of the basic movement of the watch, the possibility of a failure of contact between the negative terminal 21 a and the battery receiving spring 59 and the contact portion 61 a ofthe battery lead plate 61 are elastically flexible. In addition,the battery receiving spring 59 provides a large surface in contact with the negative terminal 21 a of the battery 21.

As can be understood from the above description, the alarm elements are precisely positioned by the basic watch movement, and have a compact arrangement.

According to the present invention, since only a part ofthe design of an existing basic (standard) movement need be modified, almost all of the elements ofthe watch movement can be used without design modification, andtherefore,thewatch can be mass-produced at a lower cost, since the need for special instruments is avoided in the assembly of the watch of the present invention.

Furthermore, since the alarm mechanism can be arranged on the plate 1 and the spacer 3, it is possible to increase the contact surface area between the alarm wheel support 18 and the spacer 3, to enhance the strength of the alarm wheel support, so thatthe contact pressure between the contact spring 14 and the alarm lead plate 32 can be increased. This contributts to a prevention of chattering due to vibration, which can cause a contact failure, and to a reduction of the distance between the hands and the movement. In addition, according to the present invention, a special and additional componentforsupporting the electronic circuit mechanism for driving the alarm function becomes unnecessary, and the positioning accuracy between the components can be increased. These factors also contribute to a realization of a slim and compact watch movement.

According to the present invention, the separation ofthe hour hand gear 12 andthe contactspring 14 makes it possibleforthese components to be made of materials most suitable for obtaining the optimum functioning of the components.

Also, the separation of the alarm wheel 15 and the alarm contact plate 16 makes it possible forthese components to be made of the most appropriate materials, taking into consideration the weightbearing properties, elasticity, resistance to the vibration, etc., required of these components, thus ensuring a longer service life thereof.

It is possible to increase the length of the portion of the winding stem 24 supported by the spacer 3, according to the present invention, and accordingly, ensure that a load is not imposed on the portion of the winding stem that has a smaller diameter, thus avoiding the bending or deformation which otherwise would occurdue to the load.

Sincethealarm circuit board 19andthespacer3 are held bythe hook portion 18e of the alarm wheel support 18, the alarm wheel 15 can be easily held by the alarm wheel support 18 and the number ofthe set screws needed for the assembly can be decreased, simplifying the assembly procedures of the watch.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic cir cuitfordriving the alarm function andthe alarm mechanism are supported on the spacer 3. Alternatively, it is also possible to support the alarm mechanism and driving circuitthereforonthetrainwheel bridge 2 instead of the spacer 3. In this alternative, the train wheel bridge 2 is preferably made of an insulation material, but can be made of metal provided that necessary portions are coated with an insulation material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the abutment 1 8d of the hook portion 18e of the alarm wheel support 18 comes into contact with the alarm circuit board 19, but alternatively, the latter may be located between the spacer 3 and the planar portion 18b of the alarm wheel support 18.

Although, in the aforegoing description, the additi onalfunction is an alarmfunction,theadditionalfun- ctions are not limited thereto but may be, for ex ample, a chronography function, timerfunction, and dual time function, etc.

As can be seen from the above description of the present invention, the alarm mechanism and the cir cuitfordriving the same are provided on the ledge of the spacer which projects outward therefrom beyond the outer periphery of the main plate of the watch, and thus a watch movement can be provided which is slim, compact, avoids contact failure contact due to chattering, etc., is not subject to bending and deformation, is easy to operate, has a long service life, and with which it easy to see the time.

Claims (9)

1. Amovementforawatch with handsforindica- ting the currenttime and having at least one additional function, comprising a main plate, a means mounted on the main plate for driving the watch to indicate the current time, a spacer for supporting the drive means, an electronic circuit connected to a power source for driving the at least one additional function, and a mechanism for indicating and/or adjusting the at least one additional function, wherein the improvement comprises a ledge formed integrally with the spacer, and projecting outward beyond the outer periphery ofthe main plate, said electronic circuit and said mechanism being supported on and by the ledge.

2. Awatch movement according to claim 1, wherein said at least one additional function is an alarm function for sounding a buzzer alarm at a preset time.

3. A watch movement according to claim 1, further comprising a train wheel bridge, wherein said spacer is held between the main plate and the train wheel bridge.

4. Awatch movement according to claim 1, wherein said spacer is made of an electrically insulative material.

5. Awatch movementaccording to claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises a phase detection switch for detecting a preset time, an alarm wheel supportfor rotatably mounting the phase detection switch onto the main plate, an alarm stem for setting the phase detection switch art a desired alarm time, and an alarm switch for controlling electrical connection between the power source and the electronic circuit.

6. Awatch movementaccording to claim 5, wherein said phase detection switch comprises an electrically insulative alarm wheel having an alarm contact plate with a conductor pattern, which is displaceable in accordance with the set alarm time, and a conductive hour hand gear having a contact spring with a spring contact which rotates at a constant speed while coming into sliding contact with the alarm contact plate.

7. Awatch movement according to claim 5, wherein said alarm wheel support has a hook portion which holds the ledge ofthe spacer upon which the electronic circuitfor driving the additional function is held.

8. Awatch movement according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic circuit board on which said electronic circuit is formed and which is supported on the ledge ofthe spacer.

9. Awatch movement, substantially as here it before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.