EP2444860B1 - Regulating mechanism for a Timepiece - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a regulating mechanism for a timepiece.

A regulating mechanism known as an anchor escapement which makes it possible to regulate the speed of a motor movement produced by a motor member, such as a spring-loaded barrel, so that this motor movement is transmitted to at least one display member, such as a needle combined with a dial.

Such a regulating mechanism conventionally comprises at least three functional members known as balance wheel, anchor and escape wheel, the balance cooperating with the anchor which itself cooperates with the escape wheel.

The escape wheel is a gear which is intended to drive in a controlled manner at least one display member and is, for this purpose, rotated by a motor member.

The anchor has the function of precisely sequencing the rotation of the escape wheel and consists of a member which, mounted pivotally on an axis, between two extreme positions called first position and second position, cooperates with the toothing of this wheel so as to alternatively, allow and impede its rotation while taking on the wheel an engine movement to maintain its own tilting movement.

The rocker has the function of precisely sequencing the tilting of the anchor and consists of a flywheel which, mounted oscillating on an axis, on the one hand, is coupled to a spiral spring intended to participate in a maintenance function of an oscillation of this flywheel and, on the other hand, cooperates with the anchor so as, alternatively, to authorize and hinder its tilting while taking from the anchor or the escape wheel an engine movement allowing maintain your own swinging motion.

There are many variations of this anchor regulator mechanism and in particular variants that are distinguished essentially by the configuration, namely the features, of their anchor.

Two of the anchor-regulating mechanisms frequently used by watchmakers are the so-called "anchor Robin" and "Swiss anchor" mechanisms.

These mechanisms are sensitive to abrupt movements of the timepieces they equip and, particularly, are sensitive to abrupt acceleration, such as shocks, suffered by the timepieces.

Indeed, abrupt accelerations induce uncontrolled tilting of the anchor, including the tilting of an extreme position towards the other, which, at least, disrupts the operation of the watch movement.

• d'équiper le balancier d'un plateau circulaire qui, appelé petit plateau, présente une face périphérique cylindrique de révolution avec une encoche radiale,
• d'équiper la partie de l'ancre qui coopère avec le balancier d'un élément saillant qui, appelé dard, est destiné à,
  • dans une position prédéterminée d'oscillation du balancier, s'engager dans l'encoche du petit plateau de manière à, lors de l'oscillation du balancier, autoriser le basculement de l'ancre d'une position extrême de basculement vers une autre,
  • dans les autres positions d'oscillation du balancier, en cas de brusque accélération appliquée au mouvement (c'est-à-dire de choc), venir coopérer avec une butée que constitue la face périphérique du petit plateau et ainsi interdire le basculement inopportun de l'ancre d'une position extrême vers une autre.

To remedy this drawback, it is known:

• equipping the balance with a circular plate which, called a small plate, has a cylindrical peripheral face of revolution with a radial notch,
• to equip the part of the anchor which cooperates with the balance of a projecting element which, called dart, is intended for,
  • in a predetermined position of oscillation of the balance, engage in the notch of the small plate so as, during the oscillation of the balance, allow the tilting of the anchor from one extreme tilting position to another,
  • in the other oscillation positions of the rocker arm, in the event of sudden acceleration applied to the movement (that is to say of impact), come to cooperate with an abutment that constitutes the peripheral face of the small plate and thus to prohibit the untimely tilting of the anchor from one extreme position to another.

It is known to adopt these technical features to secure the operation of a Robin anchor mechanism or Swiss anchor.

However, one skilled in the art has found that perfectly secure operation can be obtained only for the Swiss anchor mechanism ( figure 1 ) but not for the Robin anchor mechanism ( figure 2 ).

Indeed, the anchor Robin has a tilt amplitude which is reduced relative to the tilt amplitude of the Swiss anchor and the penetration value of the dart in the notch of the small plate must be reduced, failing which the passage from one tilting position to another is impossible given the reduced value of the amplitude of the tilting and therefore the reduced value of the arc described by the end of the stinger.

Because of this low penetration value of the dart into the notch, the manufacturing tolerances as well as the operating clearances and the presence of damping devices on the axes of oscillation or tilting make the function of the sting random, because the sting can, in some cases, cross the stop that constitutes the peripheral face of the small plateau, that is to say without the notch of the small plate is placed in a position allowing this tilting ( figure 2 ).

Those skilled in the art who are familiar with the advantages of the Robin anchor mechanism in relation to the Swiss anchor mechanism, in particular the fact that the anchor mechanism Robin frees itself from lubrication, however seeks to perfect the anchor mechanism Robin.

By way of illustration, an improvement has been described in the patent application EP-A-1122617 .

This improvement is working properly, but the licensee is still looking for other technical solutions.

FR 2 928 015 a tangential pulse anchor escapement device, the device comprising an escape wheel with teeth, an anchor and at least one balance spring, the anchor being in two parts each pivoting on a separate axis, the two parts being hinged together by means of two transmission arms terminating at their adjacent ends by a joint joint to rotate the two parts of the anchor at the same speed but in opposite directions. Each part of the anchor comprises a rest lift and a pulse lift, the latter receiving thrusts of the teeth of the escape wheel in a tangential manner.

EP 1 710 636 is intended to provide an exhaust system benefiting the mechanical performance of a detent escapement, without the disadvantages. More specifically, the invention relates to an escapement for a mechanical watch comprising: an escape wheel kinematically connected to a source of energy; a platform mounted on a rocker comprising, on two different levels, an ankle and a pulse pallet cooperating with the escape wheel; a limiting member performing a periodic movement during which it cooperates with the ankle to limit the travel of the plate; and a control member provided with a rest lift performing, from a stable position in which the escape wheel is resting on the lift, a periodic movement during which the wheel is released and gives a pulse to the pulse pallet.

EP 1 276 021 is relative to an escapement disposed between a gear train and a platform to which a pendulum of a timepiece is attached, the balance being able to traverse a free oscillation arc and to receive oscillation maintenance pulses, this escapement comprising in particular a gear wheel driven by the gear train. It further comprises first and second flip-flops adapted to alternately receive pulses generated by the wheel. The second flip-flop is also able to transmit the pulses received to the first flip-flop which is able to transmit the pulses received from the wheel and those received from the second flip-flop to a plate which carries a balance-spring. The latches are arranged to alternately lock the wheel after each pulse transmitted.

EP 2 407 830 A1 is included in the state of the art within the meaning of art. 54 (3) EPC. It describes a direct impulse exhaust including a locking latch of the escape wheel comprises two locking pallets, a fork and a dart pivotally mounted on this fork. Drive means integral with the frame are provided to amplify the angular displacement of the stinger.

EP 2,504,737 A1 is included in the state of the art within the meaning of art. 54 (3) EPC. There is talk of an exhaust comprising a lever adapted to block an escape wheel, and a rod interacting with a rocker. Means of articulation between the lever and the rod comprise a stirrup and a cam engaged in this stirrup.

One result that the invention aims to achieve is an escapement mechanism which makes it possible to reconcile the advantages of the Robin anchor mechanism, such as the fact that it does not require lubrication, with advantages of the Swiss anchor mechanism, such as the that it can be effectively secured by means of a dart as further described.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a mechanism according to claim 1.

• figure 1, un mécanisme d'échappement à ancre suisse observé dans une phase de fonctionnement et lorsqu'une accélération est appliquée à la pièce d'horlogerie qu'il équipe,
• figure 2, un mécanisme d'échappement à ancre Robin observé dans une phase de fonctionnement et lorsqu'une accélération est appliquée à la pièce d'horlogerie qu'il équipe,
• figures 3 à 6, un mécanisme d'échappement selon l'invention dans quatre phases de fonctionnement.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the attached drawing which shows schematically and in top view:

• figure 1 , a Swiss lever escapement mechanism observed in an operating phase and when an acceleration is applied to the timepiece it equips,
• figure 2 , a Robin anchor escapement mechanism observed in an operating phase and when an acceleration is applied to the timepiece it equips,
• Figures 3 to 6 , an exhaust mechanism according to the invention in four phases of operation.

Referring to the attached drawing, we see a regulating mechanism for timepiece 1.

The timepiece is not represented and is only symbolized.

The regulating mechanism is simply called mechanism 2 and comprises three main functional members known as balance 3, anchor 4 and escape wheel 5, the balance 3 cooperating with the anchor 4, which itself co-operates with the escape wheel 5.

• le premier élément 41 porte une partie fonctionnelle qui, appelée première partie fonctionnelle 410, est destinée à coopérer avec le balancier 3 et est montée basculante sur un axe appelé premier axe 411,
• le second élément 42 porte une partie fonctionnelle qui appelée seconde partie fonctionnelle 420, est destinée à coopérer avec la roue d'échappement 5 et est montée basculante sur un axe appelé second axe 421,
• le premier élément 41 et le second élément 42 portent respectivement une troisième partie fonctionnelle 430 et une quatrième partie fonctionnelle 440 qui, ensemble, constituent une liaison articulée 6 capable d'assurer la transmission d'un mouvement de basculement du premier élément 41 au second élément 42 et réciproquement.

Remarkably, the mechanism 2 comprises an anchor 4 consisting of two functional elements which are called first element 41 and second element 42, and

• the first element 41 carries a functional part which, called first functional part 410, is intended to cooperate with the rocker 3 and is pivotally mounted on an axis called first axis 411,
• the second element 42 carries a functional part which is called the second functional part 420, is intended to cooperate with the escape wheel 5 and is pivotally mounted on an axis called second axis 421,
• the first element 41 and the second element 42 respectively carry a third functional part 430 and a fourth functional part 440 which, together, constitute an articulated connection 6 capable of ensuring the transmission of a tilting movement of the first element 41 to the second element 42 and vice versa.

These technical features make it possible to envisage the construction of a mechanism 2 comprising functional elements which, interposed between the rocker 3 and the escape wheel 5 in order to ensure the function of an anchor 4, have a first functional part 410 and a second functional portion 420 whose tilt amplitudes, although linked by the transmission of the aforementioned tilting movement, may have different angular values.

This makes it possible to envisage, in a manner different from that known, the anchor 4 and balance 3 interactions and the anchor 4 and escape wheel 5 interactions.

In a notable manner, the articulated connection 6 is, in relation to the first axis 411 and the second axis 421, positioned in such a way that a tilting of the second element 42 of a predetermined value amplitude causes the first element 41 to tilt. an amplitude of higher value.

For example, the angular value of the tilt amplitude of the first element 41 may be fourteen degrees, so even the angular value of the tilt amplitude of the second element 42 is only three degrees.

These technical features allow that, during the tilting of the first element 41, the first functional part 410 describes an arc whose length can be increased relative to the known values.

This arrangement makes it possible to operate the first element 41 with the necessary values of the Swiss anchor escapements and to operate the second element 42 with the necessary values of the Robin exhaust.

According to a first embodiment, the third functional part 430 and the fourth functional part 440 which constitute the articulated connection 6, are formed by toothed sectors which are engaged with each other so as to ensure the transmission of motion sought.

This solution has not been represented, but the person skilled in the art is able to understand it and to implement it without difficulty.

According to a second embodiment, the third functional part 430 and the fourth functional part 440 which constitute the articulated connection 6, are formed by a cylindrical pin 61 of revolution, of longitudinal axis substantially parallel to any of the axes called first axis 411 and second axis 421 and a cutout 62 which cooperate to provide the desired motion transmission.

It is this solution that has been represented.

• la première partie fonctionnelle 410 du premier élément 41 est montée basculante sur le premier axe 411 entre deux positions angulaires prédéterminées au moyen de butées 8 et appelées première position 4111 et seconde position 4112,
• la seconde partie fonctionnelle 420 du second élément 42 est montée basculante sur le second axe 421 entre deux positions angulaires prédéterminées au moyen de butées et appelées troisième positon 4211 et quatrième position 4212,
• la liaison articulée 6 constituée par la troisième partie fonctionnelle 430 et la quatrième partie fonctionnelle 440 assure la transmission du mouvement de basculement du premier élément 41 au second élément 42 et réciproquement, de manière telle que :
  • . lorsque la première partie fonctionnelle 410 est dans sa première position 4111 alors la seconde partie fonctionnelle 420 est dans sa troisième position 4211 et
  • . lorsque la première partie fonctionnelle 410 est dans sa seconde position 4112 alors la deuxième partie fonctionnelle 420 est dans sa quatrième position 4212.

Also noticeably,

• the first functional part 410 of the first element 41 is pivotally mounted on the first axis 411 between two angular positions predetermined by means of abutments 8 and called first position 4111 and second position 4112,
• the second functional portion 420 of the second member 42 is pivotally mounted on the second axis 421 between two predetermined angular positions by means of stops and called third position 4211 and fourth position 4212,
• the articulated connection 6 constituted by the third functional part 430 and the fourth functional part 440 ensures the transmission of the tilting movement of the first element 41 to the second element 42 and vice versa, in such a way that:
  • . when the first functional part 410 is in its first position 4111 then the second functional part 420 is in its third position 4211 and
  • . when the first functional part 410 is in its second position 4112 then the second functional part 420 is in its fourth position 4212.

• le balancier 3 comprend,
  • . un arbre 30 axial et, fixés sur cet arbre 30, deux plateaux dont
  • . un premier plateau qui, appelé petit plateau 31 présente une face périphérique 310 cylindrique de révolution dans laquelle est réalisé une encoche 311 destinée à accueillir l'extrémité d'un organe appelé dard 7 et ayant pour fonction d'entraver le basculement inopportun du premier élément 41 entre ses deux positions dites première position 4111 et seconde position 4112, cette fonction étant obtenue par contact du dard 7 avec la face périphérique 310,
  • . un second plateau qui, appelé grand plateau 32, porte une pièce appelée palette de levée d'impulsion 321 et ayant pour fonction de recevoir une impulsion de la roue d'échappement 5 et une autre pièce appelée cheville de plateau 322 et ayant pour fonction de commander le basculement du premier élément 41 en vue d'obtenir une fonction connue sous le nom de levée d'ancre,
• la roue d'échappement 5 a une denture 50 dont le profil correspond à celui d'une roue d'échappement 5 pour échappement de type Robin, c'est-à-dire capable d'imprimer à la palette de levée d'impulsion 321 une impulsion d'entretien du mouvement d'oscillation du balancier 3,
• la première partie fonctionnelle 410 portée par le premier élément 41 comprend, d'une part, une portion en forme de fourche 412 constituée par deux organes appelés cornes 413 destinées à coopérer avec la cheville de plateau 322 et, d'autre part, le dard 7 est destiné à coopérer avec la face périphérique 310 du petit plateau 31 ou à s'engager dans l'encoche 311 réservée dans cette face périphérique 310, et ce, avec une pénétration qui est telle qu'en cas de brusque accélération appliquée à la pièce d'horlogerie, la fonction d'interdiction de basculement de la première partie entre ses deux positions dites première position et seconde position est garantie notamment en dépit des jeux de fonctionnement,
• la seconde partie fonctionnelle portée 420 par le second élément 42 porte deux pièces qui sont appelées l'une palette d'entrée 422, l'autre palette de sortie 423, lesquelles sont orientées et portées de manière à autoriser le verrouillage et le déverrouillage de la roue d'échappement 5 avec une amplitude de basculement du second élément 42 qui a une valeur moindre que la valeur de basculement du premier élément 41.

In a notable way:

• the balance 3 comprises,
  • . an axial shaft and, fixed on this shaft 30, two trays whose
  • . a first plate which, called small plate 31 has a cylindrical peripheral face 310 of revolution in which is made a notch 311 intended to accommodate the end of an organ called stinger 7 and having the function of hindering the untimely tilting of the first element 41 between its two positions said first position 4111 and second position 4112, this function being obtained by contact of the stinger 7 with the peripheral face 310,
  • . a second plate which, called a large plate 32, carries a part called a pulse lifting pallet 321 and having the function of receiving a pulse from the escape wheel 5 and another piece called a plateau pin 322 and having the function of controlling the tilting of the first element 41 to obtain a function known as an anchor lift,
• the escape wheel 5 has a toothing 50 whose profile corresponds to that of a escape wheel 5 for a Robin type exhaust, that is to say capable of printing to the pulse lift pallet 321 a maintenance pulse of the oscillation movement of the balance 3,
• the first functional part 410 carried by the first element 41 comprises, on the one hand, a fork-shaped portion 412 constituted by two organs called horns 413 intended to cooperate with the plateau pin 322 and, on the other hand, the stub 7 is intended to cooperate with the peripheral face 310 of the small plate 31 or to engage in the notch 311 reserved in this peripheral face 310, and this, with a penetration which is such that in case of sudden acceleration applied to the timepiece, the function of prohibition of tilting of the first part between its two positions said first position and second position is guaranteed in particular despite the operating games,
• the second functional portion carried 420 by the second member 42 carries two parts which are called an entry pallet 422, the other output pallet 423, which are oriented and carried so as to allow the locking and unlocking of the escape wheel 5 with a tilting amplitude of the second element 42 which has a value less than the tilting value of the first element 41.

It can be seen that the first position 4111 and the second position 4112 of the first functional part 410 may have a situation widely separated from the small plate 31.

Therefore, the stinger 7 can be brought into positions which are widely spaced from the small plate 31 which makes it possible for the end of the stinger 7 to have a penetration value in the notch 311 of the small plate 31 of the balance 3 which is sufficient to ensure the unsuitable failover blocking function assigned to it.

The invention thus makes it possible to combine the advantages of a Robin-type anchor escapement (no need for lubrication) with the advantages of a Swiss-type anchor escapement (efficiency of the stinger 7 in its function of blocking the unsuitable tilting ).

Claims (5)

1. Regulating mechanism (2) for a timepiece (1), this mechanism (2) comprising at least three functional organs known by the designations of balance (3), pallet fork (4) and escapement wheel (5), the balance (3) cooperating with the pallet fork (4) which, itself, co-operates with the escapement wheel (5),
   this mechanism being characterized in that it comprises a pallet fork (4) constituted by two functional elements which are referred to as first element (41) and second element (42), and

   - the first element (41) bears a functional part which, referred to as first functional part (410), is intended to co-operate with the balance (3), which comprises for this purpose a dart (7) provided to prevent an accidental tilting and two horns (413) constituting a portion in the form of a fork (412) and which is mounted rocking on a first shaft (411),

   - the second element (42) bears a functional part which is referred to as second functional part (420), is intended to co-operate with the escapement wheel (5) and is mounted rocking on a second shaft (421),

   - the first element (41) and the second element (42) bear respectively a third functional part (430) and a fourth functional part (440) which, together, constitute an articulated connection (6) capable of ensuring the transmission of a rocking movement of the first element (41) to the second element (42) and vice-versa, characterized in that the articulated connection (6) is, with respect to the first shaft (411) and second shaft (421), positioned in such a way that a rocking of the second element (42) at a predetermined amplitude value, brings about a rocking of the first element (41) at a greater amplitude value.
2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the third functional part (430) and the fourth functional part (440), which constitute the articulated connection (6), are formed by toothed sections which are engaged with one another in such a way as to ensure the sought-after transmission of movement.
3. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the third functional part (430) and the fourth functional part (440), which constitute the articulated connection (6), are formed by a pin (61) shaped as a cylinder of revolution, with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to any one of the shafts referred to as first shaft (411) and second shaft (421), and a cutout (62) which co-operate in such a way as to ensure the sought-after transmission of movement.
4. Mechanism according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

   - the first functional part (410) of the first element (41) is mounted rocking on the first shaft (411) between two angular positions, predetermined by means of stops and referred to as first position (4111) and second position (4112),

   - the second functional part (420) of the second element (42) is mounted rocking on the second shaft (421) between two angular positions predetermined by means of stops and referred to as third position (4211) and fourth position (4212),

   - the articulated connection (6) constituted by the third functional part (430) and the fourth functional part (440) ensures the transmission of the rocking movement of the first element (41) to the second element (42) and vice-versa, in such a way that:

   • when the first functional part (410) is in its first position (4111) then the second functional part (420) is in its third position (4211) and

   • when the first functional part (410) is in its second position (4112) then the second functional part (420) is in its fourth position (4212).
5. Mechanism according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that:

   - the balance (3) comprises

   • an axial arbor (30) and, fixed on this arbor (30), two rollers which are

   • a first roller which, referred to as small roller (31), has a peripheral face (310) shaped as a cylinder of revolution and in which a notch (311) is made intended to receive the end of an element referred to as dart (7) and having as a function to prevent the accidental tilting of the first element (41) between its two positions referred to as first position (4111) and second position (4112), this function being achieved by contact of the dart (7) with the peripheral face (310),

   • a second roller which, referred to as large roller (32), bears a piece referred to as impulse pallet (321) and having as a function to receive an impulse from the escapement wheel (5) and another piece referred to as impulse pin (322) and having as a function to activate the rocking of the first element (41) with a view to bringing about an operation known by the name of lift of the pallet fork,

   - the escapement wheel (5) has a toothing (50) whose profile corresponds to that of an escapement wheel (5) for escapement of the Robin type, that is to say capable of imparting to the impulse pallet (321) an impulse for maintaining the oscillation movement of the balance (3),

   - the portion in the form of a fork (412) constituted by the two horns (413) is intended to co-operate with the impulse pin (322) and the dart (7) is intended to co-operate with the peripheral face (310) of the small roller (31) or to engage itself in the notch (311) reserved in this peripheral face (310), and this, with a penetration which is such that in the case of abrupt acceleration applied to the timepiece, the function of preventing the tilting of the first part between its two positions referred to as first position and second position is ensured in particular despite operational play,

   - the second functional part (420) borne by the second element (42) bears two pieces which are referred to, the one, as entry pallet (422), the other as exit pallet (423), which are oriented and borne in such a way as to permit the locking and unlocking of the escapement wheel (5) with an amplitude of rocking of the second element (42) having a value less than the rocking value of the first element (41).

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