CH709948A2 - Fast setting mechanism. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (1) for rapid time-setting for a timepiece, comprising: a minute reset cam (11) associated with a minute indicator (3) of the current time; a minute hammer (13) arranged to interact with the minute cam (11) in response to an action of a user. According to the invention, the minute reset cam (11) and the minute hammer (13) are arranged so that the minute indicator (3) of the current time can be reset.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. More particularly, it relates to a quick setting mechanism for an analog display timepiece.

State of the art

The accuracy of a mechanical or electromechanical watch, certainly improved in recent years, still requires correction from time to time, in order to synchronize the time displayed with the official time. We have known for a long time flyback mechanisms that allow to reset the seconds hand after pressing a push button, or an action on a crown setting time. This kind of mechanism was particularly used in military mechanical watches of the 40s.

However, this kind of mechanism only allows to reset the seconds hand to zero, and therefore requires an additional correction of the minute by means of the time setting rod, if the difference between the displayed time and the official time is more than about 30 seconds.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a fast setting mechanism for which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a fast time setting mechanism for a timepiece, which comprises: a timer reset cam associated with a minute indicator of the current time; a minute hammer arranged to interact with the minute reset cam in response to a user action.

According to the invention, the minute reset cam and the minutes hammer are arranged so that the minute indicator of the current time can be reset.

Therefore, following an action of a user, the indication of the minute of the current time can be brought to the nearest time automatically in response to a single action. No manipulation of the standard setting mechanism is therefore no longer necessary.

[0008] Advantageously, the mechanism, and in particular the minute reset cam and the minutes hammer, is arranged so that the minute indicator of the current time can be reset when the pointer minutes of the current time indicates a value within a predetermined range of values, and so that the minutes indicator of the current time can not be reset when the hour minute indicator current indicates a value outside of said predetermined range of values. This predetermined range of values may be for example a preset number of minutes on either side of zero (that is to say, the position 12h), symmetrical or not. Therefore, the fast reset functionality is limited to indication errors within this range of values, a conventional reset being necessary elsewhere.

[0009] Advantageously, the mechanism further comprises: a seconds reset cam associated with an indicator of the seconds of the current time, that is to say that the reset cam is integral directly with for example a second hand or a second disc, or finds kinematic connection with a mobile carrying such an indicator; a seconds hammer arranged to interact with the seconds reset cam in response to an action of a user, the seconds reset cam and the seconds hammer being arranged so that the seconds indicator the current time can be reset regardless of its angular position.

Therefore, the indication of seconds can be reset at any time, independently of the minute hand.

Advantageously, the minute reset cam comprises a first surface portion intended to interact with the minute hammer in order to reset the minute indicator of the current time to zero and a second portion of the arranged surface of so that no reset is done when the minute hammer interacts with it.

Therefore, if the difference between the indicated time and the actual time is outside the predetermined range of values, the minute indicator is not reset.

To ensure this functionality, said second portion may have a curvature constant radius, which follows a circular arc and generates no rotation when the hammer comes into contact with, and / or the first part may present substantially radial flanks or convex curves.

Advantageously, the second resetting cam is integral with a second indication wheel, the second indication wheel being arranged to be in selective kinematic connection with a base movement by means of a first one. disengaging device, and wherein the minute reset cam is integral with a minute indicating mobile, the minutes indication wheel being arranged to be in selective kinematic connection with a base movement by means of a second disengaging device.

As a result, the indicators can be stopped and disengaged from the basic movement during the quick setting time.

Advantageously, the time setting mechanism comprises a first brake and a second brake arranged to cooperate respectively with the seconds indicating mobile and the minutes indicating mobile when at least one of the mobile. indication of the seconds and the minute indication mobile is disengaged by the corresponding or associated disengaging mechanism. Any inadvertent movement of the indicators during the quick setting is avoided.

Advantageously, the rapid setting mechanism comprises a control rocker having a rest position, and an actuated position, the control rocker being arranged to disengage said disengaging mechanisms and to actuate said brakes following a action of a user who brings the control rocker to its actuated position, that is to say in its actuated position or in an intermediate position between the rest position and the actuated position. As a result, the disengagement and braking of the seconds and minutes indication mobiles can be stopped.

Advantageously, the control rocker is also arranged to bring the hammers into contact with the respective reset cams, following an action of a user who brings the control rocker into its actuated position.

Advantageously, the control rocker also has an intermediate position between its rest position and its actuated position, the control rocker being arranged to disengage said disengagement mechanisms and to actuate said brakes following an action of a user. which brings the control lever into its intermediate position. The user can therefore stop the indicators minutes and seconds without resetting, for example to catch up a few seconds at any time.

Advantageously, the rapid setting mechanism comprises at least one spring which tends to push at least one of the reset hammer seconds and reset hammer minutes to the reset cam corresponding zero. Since the hammer resting force on the corresponding cams is provided by springs and not by the user, the risk of damaging the mechanism when applying too much force is thus reduced. Preferably, the latch lifts said one of the seconds reset hammer and the minute reset hammer against the force exerted by the corresponding spring.

In addition or alternatively, at least one of the hammers may comprise a flexible portion, which reduces the risk of damaging the mechanism even in the case of the application of a force by the user directly on the hammer.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <Tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> is a view of a mechanism according to the invention in the normal operating position; <Tb> Fig. 2 <SEP> is a view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 in the intermediate position; <Tb> Fig. 3 <SEP> is a view of the mechanism of FIG. 1 in the activated position; <Tb> Fig. 4 and 5 <SEP> are views of a hammer and reset cam variant.

Embodiment of the invention

FIG. 1 illustrates a particular and non-limiting embodiment of a quick setting mechanism 1 according to the invention, in the normal operating position. This mechanism 1 is associated with a minute indicator 3, here in the form of a needle, arranged to make a turn in 60 minutes, and a second indicator 5, here also in the form of a needle, arranged to make a turn in 60 seconds. In addition, and conventionally, the minute hand 3 is kinematically connected through a reduction gear with an hour hand (not shown), arranged to take a turn in 12 (or 24) hours. .

The seconds hand 5 is integral in rotation and coaxial with a resetting cam of the second conventional 7 heart-shaped, which is integral with a mobile indication seconds 8 and which allows to put back the seconds hand 5 to zero (ie indicating in the direction of 12h), from any angular position of the second hand 5, by means of a hammer seconds 9. The hammer 9 is of conventional form and is pivotally mounted in a conventional manner by means of a pivot 9a on a frame member (not shown) as generally known, and which tends to come into contact with the reset cam of 7 seconds thanks to the force provided by a spring 10, which presses the hammer seconds 9.

The minute hand 3 is integral in rotation and is coaxial with a reset cam minute 11, which is integral with a mobile indication minutes 12 and which allows to reset the minute hand 3 at zero (i.e. indicating in the 12 o'clock direction), by means of a minute hammer 13, which is also of conventional shape and is pivotally mounted in a conventional manner by means of a pivot 13a on an element frame (not shown) as generally known, and which tends to come into contact with the reset cam minute 11 by the force provided by a spring 14, which presses the minute hammer 13.

[0026] Even if, in the most generic form of the invention, the shape of the resetting cam of minutes 11 could be conventional, in the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the shape of the cam of resetting of the minutes 11 is specific, and comprises a first portion 11a of variable radius and a second portion 11b of constant radius. The first portion 11a is shaped such that, if the minute hammer 13 contacts the one or the first portion to be brighter, the minute hand 3 is reset. This first portion 11a extends over a first angle, which corresponds to a predetermined angular spacing of the minute hand 3 with respect to the direction 12h. For example, this angular spacing could be +/- 15minutes, +/- 12 minutes, +/- 10 minutes, +/- 5 minutes, or any other desired spacing, either symmetrical or asymmetric relative to at 12.

By cons, if the minute hammer 13 comes into contact with the second part 11b constant radius, which follows a circular arc centered on the axis of rotation of the minute cam 11 and extends over a second angle, the angular position of the minute cam 11, and thus the angular position of the minute hand 3, remain unchanged, and the minute hand 3 is not reset.

It should be noted that it is not mandatory that the cams 7, 11 are coaxial with their indicators or their respective needles 3, 5, and that the needles 3, 5 can be located on appropriate mobiles which meshes with the seconds and minutes indicating mobiles 8, 12 respectively.

The mobile indication seconds 8 is conducted from a mobile 15 seconds, which is integral with the second wheel of the underlying finishing train (not shown) that includes a base movement, at The first declutching system 17 comprises a first intermediate wheel 19 which meshes permanently with the seconds handwheel 15 and selectively meshes with the seconds indicating wheel 8, and is freely mounted. in rotation on a first disengagement lever 21, itself being pivotally mounted at 22 on a frame member (not shown). By slightly turning the first clutch lever 21 clockwise (according to the view of FIG 1), the toothing of the first intermediate wheel 19 is disengaged from that of the seconds indicating mobile 8. In the rest position illustrated in fig. 1, the first clutch lever 21 is in its extreme counterclockwise position, thanks to the force of a spring 24, and the second indication wheel 8 is thus engaged and in kinematic connection with the seconds 15.

Similarly, the indication mobile minutes 12 is conducted from a minute mobile 23, which is lanterned to the wheel of high average underlying work train (not shown) that includes the base movement, by means of a second clutch release system 25. The second clutch release system 25 comprises a second intermediate wheel 27 which meshes permanently with the minute handpiece 23, and selectively with the minute indication wheel 12, and is rotatably mounted on a second disengagement lever 29, itself being pivotally mounted at 28 on a frame member (not shown). By slightly turning the second clutch lever 29 clockwise (according to the view of FIG 1), the toothing of the second intermediate wheel 27 is disengaged from that of the minute indicating mobile 12. In the rest position illustrated in fig. 1, the second clutch lever 29 is in its extreme counterclockwise position, thanks to the force of a spring 30, and the minute indication wheel 12 is thus engaged and in cinematic connection with the mobile of minutes 23. It should be noted that, in the illustrated embodiment, the toothing of the mobiles and wheels 8, 15, 19, 12, 23, 27 is of triangular shape, although other shapes or combinations of shapes are possible.

Furthermore, a first brake 38 is arranged to brake the seconds indication wheel 8, and a second brake 40 is arranged to brake the minute indication wheel 12, as will be described later. These brakes 38, 40 are resilient and are arranged so that they tend to be in abutment against the mobiles 8, 12 respectively, in order to brake the mobiles 8, 12 respectively by friction.

The hammers 9, 13, and the clutch rockers 21 and 29 are controlled by a control rocker 32, pivotally mounted at 34 on a frame member. A spring 36 tends to bring the control rocker 32 in its extreme position in a clockwise direction, as illustrated in FIG. 1, against which acts a push button (not shown) accessible from outside the timepiece. This spring 36 exerts sufficient force not only to overcome the friction, but also to overcome the force exerted by the springs 10 and 14 of the hammers 9 and 13 respectively.

In its rest position, the control rocker 32 bears against stops provided on the two hammers 9 and 13, the force resting on said hammers 9, 13 being sufficient to overcome the force exerted by the two springs. 10 and 14, and therefore to separate the two hammers 9 and 13 of their respective cams 7 and 11. In addition, the control rocker 32 is not in contact with the two clutch latches 21 and 29, the latter being therefore in the engaged position thanks to the force provided by their respective springs 24 and 30. In addition, the control lever 32 lifts each brake 38, 40 by means of a stud 43, 45 respectively which interacts with a hook 44, 46 respectively provided on the corresponding brake 38, 40 respectively, which leaves the mobile 8, 12 free to turn.

Therefore, the two reset cams 7 and 11 are free, the two clutch devices are engaged, and the needles 3 and 5 rotate in synchronism with the basic finishing gear.

FIG. 2 illustrates the position of the components following a pressure up to an intermediate position of the push button. This pressure causes a rotation in the counterclockwise direction (relative to the view of FIG 2) of the control lever 32 around its pivot 34.

In this position, the control lever 32 abuts against the free end of the first clutch lever 21 and against the free end of the second clutch lever 29, which causes the disengagement clocks 21, 29 to turn. slightly in the clockwise direction, thereby moving the toothing of the intermediate wheels 19, 27 respectively from that of the seconds indicating mobiles 8 and minutes 12.

In addition, the brakes 38, 40 act on the mobile indicating seconds 8 and minutes 12, which block them to prevent inadvertent rotation of these mobiles 8, 12 which could occur for example when 'a shock.

However, the rotation of the control rocker 32 is not sufficient to release the hammers 9 and 13, which are therefore remote from their cams 7, 11 respectively.

Displays mobile seconds 8 and minutes 12 are disengaged and braked, and the needles 3, 5 are stopped, but no reset is performed.

FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the components following a complete press of the push button when the mobile indicating minute 12 is spaced angularly from the direction 12h of a value in the range of values mentioned above.

A complete pressure on the push button causes an additional rotation of the control lever 32 in the counterclockwise direction (according to the view of Figure 3). The brakes 38, 40 remain active and thus bear against the mobiles 8, 12 respectively, and the hammers 9, 13 are released by the control lever 32. The hammers 9, 13 fall under the effect of the springs 10, 14 respectively , and come into contact with the cams 7 and 11 respectively. The force exerted by the hammers 9, 13 on their respective cams 7, 11 is sufficient to overcome the friction exerted by the brakes 38, 40, which therefore rotate the indicating mobiles seconds 8 and minutes 12. The hammer resetting seconds 7 therefore returns the seconds hand 5 to zero from any angular position in which it is located, and independently of the position of the minute hand 3. In the case illustrated in fig. 3, the minute hammer 13 has contacted the first portion 11a of the minute reset cam 11, and thus returns the minute hand 3 to zero.

If, on the other hand, the minute hand 3 is not within the range of values mentioned above, the minutes hammer 13 comes into contact with the second portion 11b of the reset cam of the minutes. 11. As this second part 11b is of constant radius, the minutes hammer 13 simply bears against this part 11b without any effect on the angular position of the minute indication wheel. The minute hammer 13 being driven by its spring 14 and not directly by the control lever 32, any damage to the minute reset cam 11 and the control lever 32 is avoided because the force exerted by the minute hammer 13 on the reset cam minutes 11 is limited to that provided by the spring 14, and the control rocker exerts no force on the minute hammer 13.

If the user now releases the push button, the sequence of movements of the components is reversed: the control lever 32 pivots clockwise under the effect of its spring 36; the control lever 32 rests against the stops of the hammers 9 and 11, which therefore pivot in the counterclockwise direction (with reference to the figures), thus compressing their respective springs 10, 14 and moving away from the reset cams 9 , 11 respectively; the control rocker 32 releases the clutch rockers 21 and 29, which thus restores the gearing of the intermediate wheels 19 and 27 with the indicating mobiles seconds 8 and minutes 12 respectively; at the same time, the control rocker raises the brakes 38, 40, thus freeing the indicating mobiles seconds 8 and minutes 12, respectively, which begin to rotate under the action of the gear train (not shown).

The system is found again in normal operating mode.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a variant of the minute hammer 13 and a variant of the corresponding minute reset cam 11, FIG. 4 in the neutral position, FIG. 5 in the reset position.

This variant differs from that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 in the form of the minute hammer 13 and the corresponding cam 11. The portion 11a of the minute reset cam 11 is shaped like a "V" with a convex bottom, the flanks of the "V" being directed substantially in a radial direction, and the corresponding portion of the minutes hammer 13 is of substantially complementary shape, generally shaped "V" concave bottom. As clearly visible in fig. 5, the angle between the flanks of the "V" is slightly larger on the minute hammer 13 than on the minute reset cam 11. Other shapes of the reset cam of the minutes 11 and the hammer minutes 13 are naturally conceivable. In particular, it should be noted that it is not mandatory for the flanks of the "V" of the minute cam 11 to move in a radial direction, and that they may even be curved.

The minute hammer 13 comprises a flexible portion 13b between its head and its pivot 13a. Next to the pivot 13a is a pin 13c against which a leaf spring 47 is mounted, mounted to a frame member (not shown). Unlike the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the leaf spring 47 tends to keep the minute hammer 13 away from the minute reset cam 11, the hammer being positively actuated by means of a push lever 49, pivotally mounted at 49a, itself even being actuated by the control rocker 32 or the push button.

If the components are in the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the concave part of the minute hammer 13 comes into contact with the part 11b of constant radius at two points, that is to say the interface between the right flanks and the concave part, and the flexible part 13b of the hammer flexes to prevent damage to the mechanism.

If the minute hand is within the aforementioned range of angles, the minute hammer 13 contacts the portion 11a of the minute cam 11, and returns the minute hand to zero.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to particular embodiments, they are not to be construed as limiting to the scope of the invention, which is defined exclusively by the appended claims. For example, as variants, one could consider among other things that the disengaging devices are vertical type, known in chronographs. The various springs may be of any suitable kind, and the control rocker may be shaped differently. The brakes 38, 40 may be of the "clamp" type, also known in chronographs. In addition, in a very simple embodiment, the brakes 38, 40 and the disengaging devices 17, 25 could be suppressed, the zeroing being carried out by means of a fatty friction connection, or even of a lantern, between the carrying devices the reset cams 7, 11 and the basic movement.

Claims (15)

1. Mechanism (1) for rapid time setting for a timepiece, comprising: A minute reset cam (11) associated with a minute indicator (3) of the current time; A minute hammer (13) arranged to interact with the minute reset cam (11) in response to an action by a user, characterized in that the minute reset cam (11) and the hammer minutes (13) are arranged so that the minute indicator (3) of the current time can be reset. The fast time setting mechanism (1) according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is arranged so that the minute indicator (3) of the current time can be reset when the indicator minutes (3) of the current time indicates a value within a predetermined range of values, and such that the minute indicator (3) of the current time is not reset when the minutes (3) of the current time indicates a value outside of said predetermined range of values. 3. mechanism (1) fast setting according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising: - a seconds reset cam (7) associated with a second indicator (5) of the current time; A seconds hammer (9) arranged to interact with the seconds reset cam (7) in response to an action by a user; wherein the seconds reset cam (7) and the seconds hammer (9) are arranged such that the seconds indicator (5) of the current time can be reset regardless of its angular position . 4. mechanism (1) fast setting according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reset cam minutes (11) comprises a first portion (11a) of surface for interacting with the hammer minutes (13) to reset the minute indicator (3) of the current time to zero and a second portion (11b) of surface arranged so that no reset is performed when the hammer minutes (13) interact with it. The quick setting mechanism (1) according to claim 4, wherein said second portion (11b) has a constant radius curvature and / or the first portion (11a) has one of the following forms: Substantially radial flanks; - convex curves. 6. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the seconds reset cam (7) is integral with a second indication wheel (8), the seconds indication wheel (8) being arranged to be in selective kinematic connection with a base movement by means of a first disengaging device (17), and in which the minute reset cam (11) is integral with a minute indication wheel (12), the minute indicating wheel (12) being arranged to be in selective kinematic connection with a base movement by means of a second disengaging device (25). 7. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to claim 6, comprising a first brake (38) and a second brake (40) arranged to cooperate with the seconds indicating mobile (8) and the mobile d indication of the minutes (12) respectively when at least one of the seconds indicating mobile (8) and the minutes indicating mobile (12) is disengaged by the corresponding disengaging mechanism (17, 25). 8. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to claim 7, comprising a control rocker (32) having a rest position, and an actuated position, the control rocker (32) being arranged to disengage said mechanisms disengaging (17, 25) and for actuating said brakes (38, 40) following an action of a user which brings the control rocker (32) to its actuated position. 9. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to claim 8, wherein the control rocker (32) is also arranged to bring the hammers (9, 13) in contact with the reset cams (7). , 11) respectively, following an action of a user which brings the control rocker (32) into its actuated position. 10. mechanism (1) fast setting according to claim 9, wherein the control rocker (32) also has an intermediate position between its rest position and its actuated position, the control rocker (32) being arranged to disengage said disengaging mechanisms (17, 25) and to actuate said brakes (38, 40) following an action of a user who brings the control lever (32) into its intermediate position. 11. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one spring (10, 14) which tends to push at least one of the reset hammer seconds (9) and the minute reset hammer (13) to the corresponding reset cam (7, 11). 12. mechanism (1) fast setting according to claim 8 and claim 11, wherein the control rocker (32) raises said one of the hammer reset seconds (9) and the hammer resetting the minutes (13) against the force exerted by the corresponding spring (10, 14). 13. Mechanism (1) fast setting according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the hammers (13) comprises a flexible portion (13b). 14. A clockwork movement comprising a mechanism (1) for fast setting according to one of claims 1 to 13. 15. Timepiece comprising a watch movement according to claim 14.