CH705491A2 - Assembly barrel for use in clockwork of clock element or keyless watch, has drum guided in swiveling manner around fulcrum pin by swiveling guidance unit that is arranged peripherally to cooperate with turntable or bridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The barrel (1) has a driving spring (2) comprising a set of ends (21, 22), where one of the ends is arranged with a barrel drum (3) and the other end is arranged with a reception surface (5). The reception surface comprises a barrel plug (4) that is arranged coaxial to the drum around a fulcrum pin (D). The drum is guided in a swiveling manner around the fulcrum pin by a swiveling guidance unit (16) that is arranged peripherally to cooperate with a turntable (10) or a bridge (11). An independent claim is also included for a clockwork.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a barrel assembly for mechanical watch with reduced bung diameter.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such barrel assembly.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement and / or at least one such barrel assembly.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly the field of energy storage barrels, for feeding a movement, a ring, or other functionality of a timepiece.

Background of the invention

To increase the power reserve, by increasing the number of turns of a mainspring, a solution consists of a decrease in the diameter of the barrel shaft and the associated bung, so as to increase the available space in the drum for the spring.

The ratio of the bead radius with respect to the thickness of the spring is usually between 10 and 20, and the invention proposes to lower this ratio below 10, and preferably in the range between 5 and 10. and 10.

The sizing should not be done lightly, indeed a risk of breakage exists if the diameter of the plug is too small.

In the conventional architecture of the barrels, a ratchet is mounted axially on a barrel axis or on a bung, via a square, the ratchet being generally fixed by an axial screw. The size of this screw and that of the square thus condition a minimum diameter of a pivoting surface. A shoulder abutting with this pivoting surface limits axial fretting of the shaft or the bung relative to a plate or bridge carrying a stone or the like.

[0009] A diameter even greater than that of this shoulder is necessary for a pivoting guide surface of the drum on the shaft or on the bung, combined with a shoulder for limiting the axial frustum of the drum. The respect of minimal sections of matter implies a quotation chain which results in a large size, difficult to reduce. In particular, it is not enough to reduce all the sizing, because the sections of material are then insufficient to ensure fatigue resistance.

Summary of the invention

Due to these physical limits to the dimensioning of the various components, it is necessary to consider other barrel architectures than the conventional architecture that has just been described.

An important constraint is to ensure the disassembly of the assembly, for a possible exchange of the mainspring.

The invention proposes to set up a solution allowing a significant decrease in bung diameter compared to the prior art.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch barrel assembly, arranged to be mounted on a plate or / and a bridge of a movement or a timepiece, and comprising at least one mainspring barrel assembly mounted in torsion between, at one end a barrel drum, and at a second end a receiving surface that comprises a barrel plug coaxial with said drum about a pivot axis, characterized in that the maximum radius of said bung with respect to said pivot axis is less than ten times the maximum thickness of said spring, in that said bung is pivotally guided about said pivot axis by first pivoting guide means arranged to cooperate as appropriate with said platinum or said bridge, in that said drum is pivotally guided about said pivot axis by second peripheral pivot guide means arranged to cooperate with each other; the case with said platen or said bridge.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said receiving surface is a surface of revolution with respect to said pivot axis.

According to a feature of the invention, said spring is enclosed in a chamber defined by said drum and a lid which is integral with said bung.

According to a feature of the invention, said cover is a ratchet arranged to receive or transmit energy stored by said spring in said barrel assembly.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said first pivot guide means are constituted by at least one ball bearing, an inner cage is guided on a first cylindrical surface that comprises said bung along said pivot axis, and comes in direct or indirect support against a second range that includes said bung and extending perpendicularly to said pivot axis.

According to a feature of the invention, said ball bearing comprises an outer cage arranged to be fixed on said plate or said bridge.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said second pivoting guide means comprise at least three ball bearings, arranged to be fixed on said plate or said bridge, and external to said drum with which a cage of each of said bearings cooperates. by pressing at a peripheral guiding surface of said drum.

According to a feature of the invention, a first non-zero axial clearance exists between the axial end of said drum shaft and a bottom that includes said bore of said bung, said bore being blind.

According to a feature of the invention, a second non-zero axial clearance exists between an axial end of said bung, and an opposing surface that includes said drum about said drum shaft at a drum bottom.

According to a feature of the invention, said spring is fixed to said bung by friction.

According to a feature of the invention, said spring is welded or brazed to said bung so as to form a monoblock spring-binder subassembly.

The invention also relates to a movement comprising at least one such barrel assembly for energy storage with an incorporated inlet, or by a ratchet integral pivotally of said bung or by a fixed drum toothing in pivoting of said drum, and an output constituted respectively, or by a toothing of drum mounted integral pivotally of said drum, or by a ratchet integral pivotally of said bung.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement and / or at least one such barrel assembly for energy storage with an incorporated input, or by a ratchet mounted integral with pivoting of said bung or by a toothing of drum mounted pivotally integral with said drum, and an output constituted respectively, or by a toothing of drum mounted pivotally integral with said drum, or by a ratchet mounted pivotally attached to said bung .

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <tb> - fig. 1 <sep> shows, schematically and in section in a plane passing through its pivot axis, a watch cylinder according to the invention, with guide of the bung on a ball bearing, and guide the drum on d other ball bearings, and a coaxial guide of the bung with the drum at the pivot axis, <tb> - fig. 2 <sep> represents, schematically and in perspective, a barrel plug according to the invention, <tb> - fig. 3 <sep> represents, in the form of a block diagram, a watch movement comprising a barrel assembly according to the invention, and a timepiece comprising this movement and a barrel assembly according to the invention, <tb> - fig. 4 <sep> represents a barrel similar to that of FIG. 1, with hooking of the spring on a hook of the bung, <tb> - fig. <Sep> represents a variant where the bung and the drum are independent.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly the field of energy storage barrels, for feeding a movement, a ring, or other functionality of a timepiece.

More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanical watch cylinder with reduced bung diameter.

Fig. 1 a watch cylinder 1 according to the invention, with guiding of its bung 4 on a bearing biiles15, and guiding the drum 3 on other ball bearings 16, and a coaxial guide of the bung 4 with the drum 3 at the pivot axis D of the assembly.

In a particular version, the invention relates to a clock assembly 1 watch, comprising at least one mainspring 2 barrel. This spring 2 is mounted in torsion between, at a first end 21 a barrel drum 3, and at a second end 22 a receiving surface 5 which comprises a barrel plug 4 coaxial with the drum 3 about a pivot axis D.

According to the invention the maximum radius of the plug 4 with respect to the pivot axis D is less than ten times, and preferably less than six times, the maximum thickness of the spring 2.

The watch cylinder assembly 1 is arranged to be mounted on a plate 10 or / and a bridge 11 of a movement 100 or a timepiece 1000.

According to the invention, in the version illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the bung 4 comprises a bore 411 pivoting on a bearing 141 that comprises a drum shaft 14 integral with the drum 3. This central guide is particularly advantageous for handling the barrel out of motion. It guarantees a good assembly in spare part.

In motion, the pivoting is provided, according to the invention, by first pivoting guide means 15 for the plug 4, and by second peripheral pivoting guide means 16 for the drum 3.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the bung 4 is pivotally guided about the pivot axis D by first pivoting guide means 15 arranged to cooperate as appropriate with the plate 10 or the bridge 11.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the drum 3 is pivotally guided about the pivot axis D by second peripheral pivoting guide means 16. These are arranged to cooperate, as the case may be, with the plate 10 or the bridge 11.

In a variant not illustrated, the barrel assembly 1 further comprises, at the first pivoting guide means 15 on the one hand and at the second pivoting guide means 16 on the other hand, means adjustment of the longitudinal loop 6, in the direction of the pivot axis D, between the plate 10 or the bridge 11 on the one hand and respectively the drum 3 or the bung 4 on the other hand, in particular by wedging ball bearing cages preferably constituting the first pivot guide means 15 and the second pivot guide means 16.

In a particular embodiment, the receiving surface 5 at the bung 4 is a surface of revolution relative to the pivot axis D.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 1, the spring 2 is enclosed in a chamber 32 delimited by the drum 3 and a cover 7 which is mounted integral with the bung 4.

In this same variant, the cover 7 is constituted by a ratchet 12 arranged to receive or transmit the energy stored by the spring 2 in the barrel assembly 1. In other variants not shown in the figures, a cover 7 is fixed on the drum 3, while the bung 4, or a barrel shaft 14 cooperating with this bung 4, carries such a ratchet 12.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a, the first pivotal guiding means 15 are constituted by at least one ball bearing of which an inner cage 15A is guided on a first cylindrical surface 415 that the bung 4 comprises along the axis of pivoting D, and comes into direct or indirect support against a second bearing 414 that includes the bung 4 and extending perpendicularly to the pivot axis D.

This ball bearing comprises an outer cage 15B arranged to be fixed on the plate 10 or the bridge 11, according to FIG. 1.

In this particular embodiment, and in no way limiting, of FIG. 1, the second pivot guide means 16 comprise at least three ball bearings or the like, such as rollers or guide pads, arranged to be fixed on the plate 10 or the bridge 11, and outside the drum 3 with which a cage each of the bearings cooperates by support at a peripheral guiding surface 17 of the drum 3.

The functional axial clearances result from the first pivot guide means 15 and the second peripheral pivot guide means 16.

In this preferred embodiment illustrated by the figures, a first non-zero axial play J1 exists between the axial end of the drum shaft 14 and a bottom 416 that includes the bore 411 of the bung 4.

Similarly, a second non-zero axial play J2 exists between an axial end 417 of the bung 4, and an opposing surface 418 that the drum 3 comprises around the drum shaft 14 at a bottom of drum 473.

The bung 4 is here driven on the barrel shaft 14, by the cooperation of a bore 411 of the bung 4 with a bearing 141 of the shaft 14. The figures illustrate a fat fit on a reduced surface, located near the end 417 of the shaft 14. Beyond, the plug 4 and the shaft 14 are separated by a clearance J3 positive or zero. Naturally, the bore 411 of the bung 4 and the bearing 141 of the shaft 14 of the drum 3 can be separated over their entire length by a clearance J3 guaranteeing only the passage of one into the other.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, and in particular when the receiving surface 5 is of revolution about the axis D, the spring 2 is fixed to the bung 4 by friction.

In a particular and particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, and in particular when the receiving surface 5 is of revolution about the axis D, the spring 2 is welded or brazed to the bung 4 so as to form a monoblock bung spring subassembly.

FIG. 4 represents a cylinder similar to that of FIG. 1, with attachment of the spring 2 on a hook 41 of the bung 4, it is the same in FIG. 5, this hook 41 is visible in FIG. 2 illustrating the bung of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 represents a variant where the bung 4 and the drum 3 are independent, the drum 3 is guided by the second peripheral pivoting guide means 16, here constituted by bearings, while the bung is cantilevered and guided by the first pivot guide means 15, here constituted by a ball bearing.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 100 comprising at least one such barrel assembly 1 for energy storage with an incorporated inlet, or by a ratchet 12 mounted pivotally integral with the bung 4, or by a toothing drum 13 mounted pivotally integral with the drum 3, and an outlet respectively constituted by either a toothing drum 13 mounted pivotally integral with the drum 3, or by a ratchet 12 mounted pivotally integral with the bung 4 .

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 comprising at least one such watch movement 100 and / or at least one such barrel assembly 1 for energy storage with an incorporated entrance, or by a ratchet 12 mounted pivotally mounted on the bung 4, or by a toothing drum 13 mounted pivotally integral with the drum 3, and an outlet respectively formed, or by a toothing drum 13 mounted integral pivotally of the drum 3, or by a ratchet 12 mounted pivotally integral with the bung 4.

Claims (14)

1. Clock assembly (1) watch, arranged to be mounted on a plate (10) or / and a bridge (11) of a movement (100) or a timepiece (1000), and comprising at least one torsion-mounted mainspring (2) mounted between a barrel drum (3) at a first end (21) and a receiving surface (5) at a second end (22) with a bung ( 4) barrel coaxial with said drum (3) about a pivot axis (D), characterized in that the maximum radius of said bung (4) with respect to said pivot axis (D) is less than ten times the maximum thickness of said spring (2), in that said plug (4) is pivotally guided about said pivot axis (D) by first pivoting guide means (15) arranged to cooperate as appropriate with said plate (10). ) or said bridge (11), in that said drum (3) is pivotally guided about said pivot axis (D) by second guide means e pivoting (16) devices arranged to cooperate as appropriate with said plate (10) or said bridge (11). 2. barrel assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said receiving surface (5) is a surface of revolution relative to said pivot axis (D). 3. Barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spring (2) is enclosed in a chamber (32) defined by said drum (3) and a cover (7) which is mounted integral with said plug (4). 4. Barrel assembly (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said cover (7) is a ratchet (12) arranged to receive or transmit the energy stored by said spring (2) in said barrel assembly (1). 5. barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first pivoting guide means (15) are constituted by at least one ball bearing of which an inner cage (15A) is guided on a first bearing (415) cylindrical that comprises said bung (4) according to said pivot axis (D), and bears directly or indirectly against a second range that includes said bung (4) and which extends perpendicularly to said pivot axis ( D). 6. A barrel assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said ball bearing comprises an outer cage (15B) arranged to be fixed on said plate (10) or said bridge (11). 7. barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second pivoting guide means (16) comprise at least three ball bearings, arranged to be fixed on said plate (10) or said bridge (11), and external to said drum (3) with which a cage of each of said bearings cooperates by support at a peripheral guiding surface (17) of said drum (3). Barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bung (4) comprises a bore (411) pivoting on a bearing surface (141) that comprises a drum shaft (14) integral with said drum ( 3). 9. A barrel assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a first non-zero axial play (J1) exists between the axial end of said drum shaft (14) and a bottom (416) that comprises said bore (411). ) of said bung (4), said bore (411) being blind. 10. barrel assembly (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that a second non-zero axial play (J2) exists between an axial end (417) of said bung (4), and an opposing surface ( 418) that includes said drum (3) around said drum shaft (14) at a drum bottom (473). 11. A barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spring (2) is fixed to said bung (4) by friction. 12. A barrel assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said spring (2) is welded or brazed to said bung (4) so as to form a monoblock spring-binder subassembly. 13. Watchmaking movement (100) comprising at least one barrel assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims for storing energy with an incorporated inlet, or by a ratchet (12) pivotally mounted on said bung (4), or by a toothing drum (13) mounted pivotally integral with said drum (3), and an outlet constituted respectively, or by a toothing drum (13) mounted pivotally integral with said drum (3) or by a ratchet (12) pivotally mounted on said bung (4). 14. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one watch movement (100) according to claim 13 and / or at least one barrel assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 for energy storage. with an inlet constituted by either a ratchet (12) pivotably mounted to said bung (4) or by a toothing of drum (13) pivotably mounted to said drum (3) and an outlet respectively constituted by or by a toothing drum (13) mounted pivotally integral with said drum (3), or by a ratchet (12) mounted integral pivotally of said bung (4).