CH708818A2 - Mobile watch with unidirectional wheel. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a unidirectional wheel watchmaker (8) comprising a shaft (80) carrying a pinion (81) and at least a first wheel (82) coaxial with said pinion (81) and pivotally mounted on said shaft (80). Said first wheel (82) is connected to said shaft (80) by first resiliently rotating return means or at least a first spring (84) constituting first disengaging means (9) and which exert on said first wheel (82) a frictional effort.

Description

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a unidirectional wheel watchmaker having a carrier shaft of a pinion and at least a first coaxial wheel with said pinion and pivotally mounted on said shaft.

The invention further relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such mobile.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement.

The invention relates to the field of mechanical clockwork movements.

Background of the invention

It is often useful in a clockwork mechanism. to be able to control the same pivoting mobile so as to obtain a different response according to the pivoting direction applied. Such a function is generally exercised by a differential mechanism, bulky and expensive, especially if the mobile has several inputs.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a mobile watch, one or more inputs, providing a different output response in the direction of pivoting imposed on it by one or other of the inputs.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a unidirectional wheel watchmaker having a shaft carrying a pinion and at least a first wheel coaxial with said pinion and pivotally mounted on said shaft, characterized in that said first wheel is connected to said shaft by first resilient means of rotation in rotation or at least a first spring constituting first disengaging means and which exert on said first wheel a frictional force.

According to a feature of the invention, said first disengaging means exert on said first wheel a friction force whose moment of torque is different in the direction of relative pivoting between said first disengaging means and said first wheel.

According to a feature of the invention, said mobile further comprises a second wheel pivotally mounted on said shaft and connected to said shaft by second elastic return means in rotation or at least a second spring constituting second disengaging means and which exert on said second wheel a frictional force.

According to a feature of the invention, said second disengaging means exert on said second wheel a friction force whose moment of torque is different in the direction of relative pivoting between said second disengagement means and said second wheel.

According to a feature of the invention, said first spring is arranged to generate a unidirectional direction of pivot without play of said first wheel relative to said shaft of said mobile, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to a mobile antagonist by a first toothing that includes said first wheel when applying a torque to said pinion.

According to a feature of the invention, said first spring is arranged to generate a unidirectional direction of pivot without play of said first wheel relative to said shaft of said mobile, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by said pinion when applying a torque to a first toothing that includes said first wheel.

According to a feature of the invention, said second spring is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of said second wheel relative to said shaft of said mobile, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by a second toothing that includes said second wheel when applying a torque to said pinion.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said second spring is arranged to generate a unidirectional direction of pivot without play of said second wheel with respect to said shaft of said mobile, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to a mobile opposing by said pinion when applying a torque to a second toothing that includes said second wheel.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such mobile, characterized in that said movement comprises at least one mobile transmitter meshing with a toothing of a wheel of said mobile, and a mobile receiver meshing with said pinion of said mobile.

According to a feature of the invention, said movement comprises at least a first mobile transmitter meshing with a first gear of a first wheel of said mobile and a second mobile transmitter meshing with a second toothing of a second wheel of said mobile.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement.

2 Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents, diagrammatically and in perspective, a clockwork wheel with a unidirectional wheel according to the invention, comprising, on either side of a shaft, a first partially pivotally free wheel connected by resilient return means to this shaft, and a second wheel also partially free pivotally connected by elastic return means to the same shaft; figs. 2 to 8 show, schematically and in plan, different variants of the elastic return means equipping the first wheel and / or the second wheel; fig. 9 shows, schematically, partially and in section, a watch movement comprising such a mobile; fig. 10 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece comprising such a movement.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a unidirectional wheel watchmaker 8 having a shaft 80 carrying a pinion 81 and at least a first wheel 82 coaxial with the pinion 81 and pivotally mounted on the shaft 80.

According to the invention, this first wheel 82 is connected to the shaft 80 by first resiliently rotating return means or at least a first spring 84 constituting first disengaging means 91, and which exert on this first wheel 82 a frictional effort.

Advantageously, these first disengaging means 91 exert on this first wheel 82 a friction force whose moment of the torque is different according to the direction of relative pivoting between the first disengaging means 91 and the first wheel 82.

In an advantageous embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile 8 further comprises a second wheel 86 pivotally mounted on the shaft 80, and which is connected to the shaft 80 by second resilient means for rotating or at least a second spring 88 constituting second disengaging means 92 and which exert on this second wheel 86 a frictional force.

Advantageously, these second disengagement means 92 exert on this second wheel 86 a friction force whose moment of torque is different in the direction of relative pivoting between the second disengaging means 92 and the second wheel 86.

In a particular embodiment, the first spring 84 is arranged to generate a unidirectional direction of pivoting without play of the first wheel 82 relative to the shaft 80 of the mobile 8, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by a first toothing 85 that includes the first wheel 82 when applying a torque to the pinion 81.

In a particular embodiment, the first spring 84 is arranged to generate a unidirectional direction of pivoting without play of the first wheel 82 relative to the shaft 80 of the mobile 8, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by the pinion 81 when applying a torque to a first set of teeth 85 that includes the first wheel 82.

In a particular embodiment, the second spring 88 is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of the second wheel 86 relative to the shaft 80 of the mobile 8, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by a second toothing 89 that includes the second wheel 86 when applying a torque to the pinion 81.

In a particular embodiment, the second spring 88 is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of the second wheel 86 relative to the shaft 80 of the mobile 8, so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by the pinion 81 when applying a torque to a second set of teeth 89 that the second wheel 86 comprises.

In a particular embodiment, the first wheel 82 and the second wheel 86 are unidirectional in the same direction of pivoting.

In a particular embodiment, the first wheel 82 has a first gear 85 which is different from a second gear 89 which the second wheel 86 comprises.

In a particular embodiment, the first spring 84 is identical to the second spring 88.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 100 comprising at least one such mobile 8. According to the invention this movement 100 comprises at least one mobile transmitter 1, 2, meshing with a toothing 85, 89, a 82.86 wheel, this mobile 8, and a mobile receiver 3 meshing with the pinion 81 of the mobile 8.

In a particular embodiment, the movement 100 comprises at least a first mobile transmitter 1 meshing with a first set of teeth 85 of a first wheel 82 of said mobile device 8 and a second mobile transmitter 2 meshing with a second set of teeth 89 of a second wheel 86 of the mobile 8.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 200, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such movement 100.

Thus, disengaging means 9, constituted by the first elastic return means in rotation or by the at least one first spring 84, exert on the first wheel 82 a friction force, the moment of the torque is different according to the direction of relative pivoting between these disengaging means 9 and the first wheel 82.

FIG. 1 shows a particular, non-limiting embodiment of a mobile 8 mounted, consisting of five parts: an axis 80, preferably a 20AP steel neck, the first wheel 82 and the second wheel 86, which rotate freely, and the first spring 84 and the second spring 88 which ensure the drive or non-driving of these wheels.

Regarding the unidirectional first wheel 82 and second wheel 86, preferably made of hardened copper-beryllium (CuBe), their function is to drive the axis 80 when they undergo a torque of external origin. .

By cons, they must not transmit torque when driven by the axis 80 (clutch system between the two wheels). In addition, the wheel 82 or 86 must have no dead angle, unlike a ratchet wheel, for example. In addition, the teeth 85 and 89 of these wheels 82 and 86 are optimized to minimize gearing. The very different behavior of each spring 84, 88, according to the direction of the torque applied to it can be simplified in a first "free" direction and a second "friction" drive direction. However, even in the so-called free direction of the spring, there is a small friction between the spring and the wheel concerned, because of a slight preload applied to the spring on its outer diameter, which implies that the wheel will be driven by this weak friction torque, and will turn up to come catch the game with the next wheel or pinion.

The two wheels 82 and 86 are preferably designed to receive the same spring, which limits the number of components. In addition, their pivot diameters are preferably identical. This allows to have the same size for the attachment of the spring in the center on the drive, including hexagon, axis 80.

The first 84 or second 88 flexible spring has the function of driving the axis 80 when working in blocking direction. In the case where the axis 80 drives a spring, it should not drive the corresponding wheel. Preferably, the friction torque is minimized and the locking torque is maximized.

It is understood that such a disengagement system is essential to avoid inadvertent force feedback by a cog. The mobile 8 forms a unidirectional wheel whose operation resembles a reversing ratchet wheel. The mobile 8 is a big improvement over the known inverters, because it is much less bulky, and therefore easier to implant in a movement 100. The mobile 8 according to the invention has no dead angle, which allows its assembly in an automatic movement.

Figs. 2 to 8 illustrate various non-limiting geometries of springs which are applicable to both the first spring 84 and the second spring 88. FIG. 2 shows more particularly the first spring 84 housed in the first additional ratchet drive wheel 82, and FIGS. 3 to 8 the second spring 88 housed in the second additional ratchet drive wheel 86. Their attachment to the corresponding wheel is based on friction: an outer turn 841, respectively 881, the first spring 84, respectively the second spring 88 , cooperates with a housing 820, respectively 860, of the wheel 82, respectively 86, in which it is held by friction at its periphery or / and lugs 84A, respectively 88A that includes the first spring 84, respectively second spring 88. The inner part of each spring, 842, respectively 882, cooperates with the shaft 80, by a female part 840, respectively 880, of the first spring 84, respectively of the second spring 88, of profile complementary to a male portion 800 of the tree 80.

The particular profile of the illustrated springs, with asymmetrical stiffness of at least one arm 843, respectively 883, joining the inner portion of each spring, 842, respectively 882, to its outer portion 841, respectively 881, allows applying a torque with a high moment differential, depending on whether the relative pivotal movement between the shaft 80 and the respective wheel, is in one direction or the other. The ratio of the torque exerted in one direction with respect to the other is preferably greater than 3; depending on the shape of the spring, the sections used, and the pairs of materials present, this ratio can be notably increased, in particular beyond a factor of 10.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring profile is closed: the inner part of each spring, 842, 882 respectively, has the shape of a rhombus centered on the shaft 80, one of the ends A of the rhombus constitutes the beginning of the outer part 841, respectively 881, which is circular in almost a complete turn, before winding on itself at point C and forming an arm 843, respectively 883, in a circular sector of about a half-turn, radius less than that of the outer part, clinging to point B at the other end of the symmetrical rhombus at the first end A.

In FIG. 4, the profile of the spring is open: the inner part, 842, respectively 882, has the shape of a disc extended on a radius by a triangle, whose distal tip E is the start of an arm 843, respectively 883, in a circular sector of about a half turn, before winding on itself at the point F and forming the outer portion 841,

4

Claims (14)

respectively 881, which is circular almost a full turn, radius greater than that of the arm, before stopping at a distal end G. In FIG. 5, the profile of the spring is open: the inner part, 842, respectively 882, has the shape of a disc extended on a radius by a triangle, whose distal tip H is the start of an arm 843, respectively 883, in a spiral increasing about a half-turn to the point I where starts an outer portion 841, respectively 881, circular, before stopping at a distal end J, after about a turn and a quarter with respect to the point H. In FIG. 6, the profile of the spring is open, the spring having two symmetrical strands: the inner part, 842, respectively 882, has the shape of a disc which is hooked in K, N, an arm 843, respectively 883, spiral increasing about three-quarters of a turn to the point L, P, where starts an outer portion 841, respectively 881, circular one-half turn, before stopping at a distal end M, Q. In FIG. 7, the profile of the spring is closed, and comprises a mesh with a pitch of 120 °: the inner part, 842, respectively 882, has the shape of a disc whose part R at point R an arm 843, respectively 883, substantially radial but curved, which joins at point S a rope 885 which joins two circular sectors of larger diameter, a sector TU forming an outer portion 841, respectively 881, the spring starting at point U on another rope 885 making about 120 ° with the former, and joining at point V another radial arc similar to the first, the point V being the conjugate of the starting point S. In FIG. 8, the profile of the spring is open, the spring having two symmetrical strands: the inner part, 842, respectively 882, has the shape of a disk which is hooked in W a radial arm 886 of strong section, up to a point X of which part at right angle arm 843, respectively 883, of smaller section than the radial arm 886, to a distal end Y periphery of the wheel. These springs of Figs. 2 to 8 can be achieved by stamping, or, for those with very fine strands, in a manufacture "LIGA", "DRE" or the like. The mechanism according to the invention satisfies the following criteria: - system safety during operation; - simplicity of realization and implementation in an existing movement; - system reliability for both manual and automatic movement; - optimal efficiency of energy reinjection by minimizing losses; - limitation of the number of components and their complexity. The catch-up and blocking functionalities are ensured each time directly by a single component. claims 1. Unidirectional wheel watchmaker (8) comprising a shaft (80) carrying a pinion (81) and at least one first wheel (82) coaxial with said pinion (81) and pivotally mounted on said shaft (80), characterized in that said first wheel (82) is connected to said shaft (80) by first elastically rotating return means or at least a first spring (84) constituting first disengaging means (91) and which exert on said first wheel (82) a frictional force. 2. Mobile (8) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first disengaging means (91) exert on said first wheel (82) a friction force whose moment of torque is different in the direction of relative pivoting between said first disengaging means (91) and said first wheel (82). 3. Mobile (8) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a second wheel (86) pivotally mounted on said shaft (80) and connected to said shaft (80) by second elastic return means in rotation or at least a second spring (88) constituting second disengaging means (92) and which exert on said second wheel (86) a frictional force. 4. Mobile (8) according to claim 3, characterized in that said second disengagement means (92) exerts on said second wheel (86) a friction force whose moment of torque is different in the direction of relative pivoting between said second disengaging means (92) and said second wheel (86). 5. Mobile (8) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first spring (84) is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of said first wheel (82) relative to said shaft (80). ) of said mobile (8), so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by a first toothing (85) that includes said first wheel (82) when applying a torque to said pinion (81) . 6. Mobile (8) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said first spring (84) is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of said first wheel (82) relative to said shaft (80). ) of said mobile (8), so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by said pinion (81) when applying a torque to a first toothing (85) that comprises said first wheel (82). ). 5 7. Mobile (8) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said second spring (88) is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of said second wheel (86) relative to said shaft (80) of said mobile (8), so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by a second toothing (89) that includes said second wheel (86) when applying a torque to said pinion (81). 8. Mobile (8) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said second spring (88) is arranged to generate a unidirectional pivoting direction without play of said second wheel (86) relative to said shaft (80) of said mobile (8), so as to prevent any transmission of a torque to an opposing mobile by said pinion (81) when applying a torque to a second toothing (89) that comprises said second wheel (86). 9. Mobile (8) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said first wheel (82) and said second wheel (86) are unidirectional in the same direction of pivoting. 10. Mobile (8) according to claim 3 or 4 characterized in that said first wheel (82) comprises a first toothing (85) which is different from a second toothing (89) that comprises said second wheel (86). 1 1. Mobile (8) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said first spring (84) is identical to said second spring (88). 12. Watch movement (100) comprising at least one mobile (8) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement (100) comprises at least one mobile transmitter (1; 2) meshing with a toothing ( 85; 89) of a wheel (82; 86) of said mobile (8), and a mobile receiver (3) meshing with said pinion (81) of said mobile (8). 13. Watchmaking movement (100) according to claims 3 and 12, characterized in that said movement (100) comprises at least a first mobile transmitter (1) meshing with a first toothing (85) of a first wheel (82). ) of said mobile (8) and a second mobile transmitter (2) meshing with a second toothing (89) of a second wheel (86) of said mobile (8). 14. Timepiece (200) comprising at least one movement (100) according to one of claims 12 or 13. 6