CH711132A2 - power reserve indicator timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork motor (10) comprising a barrel, pivoting about a shaft (11), enclosing a spring mounted between the barrel and the shaft (11), which pivotally supports a ratchet (21). ) for driving the shaft (11). This engine (10) comprises a differential (20) coaxial with the barrel and a first input is driven indirectly by the ratchet (21) and a second input is the barrel, and whose output is an output wheel (23) pivoting , coaxial with the shaft (11), and causing a power reserve indicator. The differential (20) comprises balls driving housing of the output wheel (23) forming a basket, and cooperating with an upper surface (13) of the barrel and with a lower surface (26) of a differential board (22) , which pivots on the shaft (11), coaxial with it, and is connected to the ratchet (21) by a friction means (24), which constitutes the first input.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch engine comprising a barrel, pivoting about a shaft, enclosing a spring mounted between said barrel and said shaft, which carries pivotally a ratchet outside said barrel.

The invention also relates to a power reserve indicator mechanism for displaying the power reserve of a clockwork motor of the type comprising a drum consisting of a drum provided with a toothing and a lid enclosing together a spring mounted between on the one hand said barrel and on the other hand a barrel shaft around which rotates said barrel, said barrel shaft being load-bearing and pivotally integral with a transmission ratchel outside said barrel and facing to said cover, or respectively to said drum.

The invention also relates to a differential subassembly arranged to be mounted on a clock tree.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such motor, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch, or timepiece, comprising at least one such motor, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of mechanical timepieces, including watches, comprising as energy source at least one spring barrel motor.

The invention relates to the display complication of the available power reserve.

Background of the invention

The power reserve indication of a mechanical watch, powered by one or more barrels, is a useful complication for the user.

It is nonetheless common because it often requires a significant change in the basic movement, and this complication consumes a lot of space, both in volume and thickness. It is therefore often reserved for movements housed in fairly spacious boxes, and its generalization is difficult.

The document EP 1 970 778 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET SA describes a power reserve indicator comprising a planetary differential gear, rather complex execution, a first input is connected to the barrel shaft, a second input barrel, and an output to a power reserve indicator. The frame of the differential gear is coaxial with the barrel shaft, the second input being integral with the barrel cover. The output is a ring gear, which is kinematically connected to the first input by satellites meshing with each other, and which are carried by the cover.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide a power reserve display device easy to achieve by transforming an existing mechanical movement, inexpensive, and consuming the minimum space.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a clockwork motor according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a power reserve indicator mechanism according to claim 6.

The invention also relates to a removable differential subassembly in a single block according to claim 16.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such motor, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch, or timepiece, comprising at least one such motor, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism.

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: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> represents, schematically, in section passing through its pivot axis, a clockwork clock motor comprising a coaxial ball differential mechanism according to the invention for viewing the remaining power reserve at the level of an indicator controlled by an output wheel which is the wheel serving as a basket for the differential balls; <tb> fig. 2 <SEP> similarly represents a power reserve indicator on the basis of the mechanism of FIG. 1, supplemented with gear wheels for the transmission of movement between a ratchet and a differential board serving as a first input to the ball differential, the second input being constituted by the cylinder itself; <tb> fig. 3 <SEP> similarly represents a power reserve indicator on the basis of the mechanism of FIG. 1, completed with a planetary gear train for the transmission of movement between a ratchet and a differential board serving as a first input to the ball differential, the second input being constituted by the cylinder itself; <tb> fig. 4 <SEP> is a block diagram illustrating a watch comprising a movement incorporating a power reserve indicator, a motor, and a coaxial ball differential according to the invention; <tb> fig. <SEP> represents, similarly to FIGS. 1 to 3, but more schematically, a clockwork clock motor comprising a coaxial ball differential mechanism according to the invention, wherein a ratchet directly forms the lid of the barrel; <tb> fig. 6 <SEP> represents, similarly to FIGS. 1 to 3, a partial view of another alternative power reserve indicator, comprising a removable differential subassembly in a single block; <tb> fig. 7 <SEP> represents, schematically and in perspective, such a differential subassembly, seen from an upper side opposite to a lower side where the balls are projecting; <tb> fig. 8 <SEP> shows, schematically and in perspective, the upper surface of a barrel, and a shaft arranged to receive the differential subassembly of FIG. 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a power reserve display device for a mechanical timepiece, including a watch, comprising at least one energy source constituted by a spring barrel.

The patent applications of the same applicant, CH 01 102/14 and EP 14 177 775.5, incorporated herein by reference, describe a clock power reserve indicator for the display of the power reserve indication. a plurality of energy accumulators each comprising an indicator cooperating with an input of a differential mechanism that comprises this power reserve indicator, and an output of which differential mechanism cooperates with a display mechanism of the reserve of total of the plurality of energy accumulators, of which at least two of the inputs are coaxial.

More particularly, in this prior art, the differential comprises a hub driving a carrier disc, which carries balls in contact with both a first input tray and a second input tray, which are mounted crazy on this hub, under the action of friction imposed by one or more springs. The hub is still secured to an outlet in the form of a wheel which meshes with a return plate that comprises an input mobile, pivoting about another fourth pivot axis, this board being coaxial and pivotally integral. a pinion that drives an input board of a power reserve display mechanism, coaxial and pivotally integral with a shaft arranged to carry a display element such as needle, disk, or the like.

The invention described below relates to different objects according to a common inventive step: an engine comprising a barrel, an additional mechanism designed for the conversion at a lower cost of such a motor to add the reserve display function of walking, or an autonomous power reserve mechanism comprising such an engine.

The invention is described only in the simple case of a single cylinder engine, the skilled person will extrapolate, especially with the documents cited above, for a timepiece comprising several barrels.

In a first variant, the invention relates to a watch motor 10 comprising a barrel. This barrel is of conventional type, pivoting about a shaft 11, enclosing a spring mounted between the barrel and the shaft 11, which carries pivotally a ratchet 21 outside the barrel.

According to the invention, the engine 10 comprises a differential 20, coaxial with the cylinder along the pivot axis D of the cylinder which is also the axis of the shaft 11, and a first input is driven indirectly by the Ratchet 21, and a second entry is the barrel. The output of this differential 20 is a pivoting output wheel 23, coaxial with the shaft 11, which either constitutes a power-reserve indicator or which drives a power-reserve indicator mechanism 50, in particular and without limitation. via a gear train 51 or the like.

And, in a preferred embodiment, because very economical, illustrated in the figures, this differential 20 comprises balls 25, which cooperate with an upper surface 13 of the cylinder and with a lower surface 26 of a differential plate 22, which pivots on the shaft 11, coaxial with it, and is connected to the ratchet 21 by a friction means 24, and which constitutes the first input. These balls 25 cause in their rotation of the housing that includes the output wheel 23 basket.

More particularly, the barrel is conventionally constituted by a drum 14 provided with a toothing and a lid 12 enclosing the spring together. According to the configuration of the barrel assembly, the ratchet 21 faces the lid 12 as visible in the figures, or respectively to the drum 14.

The first entry for the arming is driven indirectly by the ratchet 21 and the second entry for disarming is constituted by the cover 12, or respectively by the drum 14. And the balls 25 cooperate, on the one hand with a upper surface 13 of the cover 12, or respectively of the drum 14, and secondly with the lower surface 26 of the differential board 22.

More particularly, the friction means 24 is a spring disposed between the ratchet 21 and the differential wheel 22.

In a second variant, the invention relates to a power reserve indicator mechanism 100 for displaying the power reserve of a watchmaking motor of the type comprising a drum consisting of a drum 14 provided with a toothing and a lid 12 enclosing together a spring mounted between on the one hand the barrel and on the other hand a barrel shaft 11 around which the barrel rotates, the barrel shaft 11 being bearing and integral in pivoting a transmission ratchet 21 outside the barrel and facing the cover 12, or respectively to the drum 14. This is an additional mechanism, it is sufficient to add to an existing barrel assembly if it is predisposed (by adequate machining of the barrel shaft 11), or to add to an existing barrel assembly which has previously been replaced the barrel shaft 11 by a shaft adapted to receive this power reserve indicator mechanism 100.

This mechanism 100 then comprises a very small number of components, each of low unit cost. The mechanism 100 comprises a differential ball mechanism 20, which is coaxial with the barrel, and comprises a subassembly which is arranged to be interposed axially between a lid 12, or respectively a drum 14, and a ratchet 21. -Set includes: a differential board 22, which is arranged to pivot coaxially with the shaft 11, this differential board 22 being disposed between: an upper side, a friction drive means 24 arranged for a relative drive between the differential board 22 and a ratchet 21, and, on a lower side, an output wheel 23 which is arranged to pivot coaxially with the shaft 11, and which constitutes a ball-holding basket 25 that still includes the subassembly, these balls 25 being arranged to roll between a lower surface 26 of the differential board 22 and an upper surface 13 of a cover 12, or respectively of a drum 14, and where the output wheel 23 is arranged to constitute or train a power reserve indicator 51 of a motor 10.

Of course, the power reserve indicator mechanism 100 can integrate a motor 10 as described above.

The transmission of movement of the ratchet 21 to the differential wheel 22 requires compliance with the direction of rotation, and may require a gear ratio or reduction: due to the ball differential principle it is a gear ratio in a ratio of 2.

In a third variant, a non-limiting example is visible in FIG. 2, the power reserve indicator mechanism 100 includes a plate 2, which is the carrier of the motor 10. And this plate 2 carries a differential drive gear 30 meshing with the ratchet 21 and with a differential gear wheel 40 that also carries the plate 2 and which meshes with the differential board 22.

The differential drive gear 30 includes a differential drive gear 32, which carries a differential gear 31, which meshes directly with the ratchet 21. The toothing 33 of the differential gear 32 meshes with the toothing 42 of a differential gear 41.

In a fourth variant, visible in FIG. 3, the power reserve indicator mechanism 100 comprises a plate 2 carrying the motor 10: This plate comprises at least two pivots 60. Each holder of a pinion 61 having a toothing 62 meshes, on the one hand with external toothing that comprises the differential board 22, and secondly with an internal toothing 210 that includes a ratchet 21. This fourth variant planetary gearing is, however, more expensive than the third variant with intermediate gear wheels.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in a very simplified manner, to the extent that most of the components it comprises are similar to those set out above, another fifth variant, in which the ratchet 21 directly forms the lid of the barrel, and there is naturally a game (not shown in the figure) between the ratchet 21 and the drum 14. The balls 25 then cooperate with an upper surface of the drum 14. This ratchet 21 has a toothing 211, which attacks the differential board via an ad hoc cogwheel. For example, in fig. 5, the toothing 211 cooperates with a first toothing 72 of a ratchet 71, a second gear 73 of which engages a toothing 75 of a reversing gear 74, which also meshes with the toothing 220 of the differential board 22. The friction means 24 then bears directly on a plate 2. Naturally, the driving of the train by the drum 14 of the barrel must then be done in another peripheral zone of the barrel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth variant, comprising a removable differential subassembly 50 in a single block.

This differential subassembly 50 is fully assembled on a first shoulder ring 51, arranged to be mounted axially free on a bearing 112 of the shaft 11 on which it is threaded. A first outer shoulder 52 of this first shoulder ring 51 carries the output wheel 23 of the differential, free to pivot relative to the first shoulder ring 51.

As before, the outlet wheel 23 forming a basket comprises, in housings 231, balls 25 which cooperate with the upper surface 13 of the drum 12 of the barrel, and with the lower surface 26 of a differential plate 22. Preferably, these housings 231 are made with a narrowing at their lower orifice, on the side facing the drum 12, so as to be able to handle the subassembly 50 equipped without losing the balls 50. This necking can be obtained during the stamping the output wheel 23, or still be achieved by a light matte or the like. After positioning the output wheel 23 equipped with its balls 25 bearing on the first outer shoulder 52, the differential board 22 is mounted which is already driven on a second shoulder ring 56, abutting on a second outer shoulder 58 that includes this second shoulder ring 56. This second shoulder ring 56 is free to pivot on the first shoulder ring 51, in particular in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 6 a bore 57 of the second shoulder ring 56 pivots freely on an outer bearing surface 54 that includes the first shoulder ring 51.

Naturally, one can also achieve in a single component the second shoulder ring 56 and the differential board 22, the important thing being to sufficiently separate the teeth of the ratchet 21 of that of the differential board 22. The second shoulder ring 56 allows above all to use a board 22 after stamping, much less expensive than a machined wheel.

The differential board 22 bears on the balls 25.

The differential subassembly 50 is finally capped by the ratchet 21 which is driven on the first shoulder ring 51, and resting on an upper bearing face 58 of the second shoulder ring 56.

At this stage, the differential subassembly 50 can be handled in one block, and be returned if necessary, in particular by a robotic mounting means.

The shaft 11 advantageously comprises drive means 111, shown in a nonlimiting manner in FIG. 8 by plates, arranged to cooperate with complementary drive means 511 that includes the first shoulder ring 51, as visible in FIG. 7, for their driving in pivoting one by the other, and for the reassembly of the engine 10. Naturally, this pivoting drive can be achieved by any means known to those skilled in the art, directly or indirectly by the intermediate of a key or the like.

We still see in FIG. A friction means 24, of elastic washer type or the like, between the ratchet 21 and the plate 2.

The friction between the ratchet 21 and the second shoulder ring 56 carrying the differential board 22 which is thus always the first input of the differential, the second input being constituted by the barrel drum 12.

The invention also relates to such an independent differential subassembly 50, arranged to be mounted on a clockwork shaft 11, that it constitutes a removable subassembly in a single block and comprises a first shoulder ring 51, arranged to being axially free mounted on a bearing surface of a shaft 11 and pivotally integral with this shaft 11, which first coaxial shoulder ring 51 bears, an output wheel 23 pivotably mounted relative to the first shoulder ring 51, this wheel output 23 constituting a basket for a plurality of balls 25 protruding at a lower end of said differential subassembly 50 and arranged to roll on a surface of revolution of a mobile or barrel, this first shoulder ring 51 carrying, directly or indirectly, a differential board 22 also free to pivot on the first shoulder ring 51 and mounted frictionally on the balls 25 of the opposite side at their projecting end at the lower end, and a ratchet 21 being driven on the first shoulder ring 51 so as to frictionally drive the differential board 22.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 200 comprising at least one such motor 10, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism 100.

The invention also relates to a watch 300, or timepiece, comprising at least one such motor 10, and / or at least one such power reserve indicator mechanism 100.

In sum, the integration of a ball differential directly on the barrel, coaxially, according to the invention, provides a useful horological complication, at an acceptable production cost, since requiring only limited transformations, and additions of simple components in small numbers.

At the barrel, just modify the tree. It is no longer necessary to add a pinion integral with the cover or the drum for the drive of the differential.

The height gain compared to a standard differential is appreciable. The saving of space in the plane is important, because the differential is coaxial with the barrel.

The lid (or the drum, according to the disposition) of the barrel is directly used as an entrance for disarming.

The output wheel 23 of the differential can not be directly driven through the transmission ratchet 21, in fact, the latter rotating in the same direction as the barrel, the output of the differential would rotate only in one direction. This is why, according to the invention, a gear train is integrated to change the direction of pivoting. The transmission ratchet, integral with the barrel shaft, drives the differential board through a simple kinematics, in particular a gear train, with the interposition of an inverter to make up the correct direction of rotation: this is the object of the third and fourth variants, respectively double wheel, and planetary gear, which is a little more expensive but less cumbersome than the previous one. Overall gain of space remains, whatever the chosen solution, important compared to the prior art.

Claims (18)

1. A clockwork motor (10) comprising a barrel, pivoting about a shaft (11), enclosing a spring mounted between said barrel and said shaft (11), which pivotally supports a ratchet (21) for driving said shaft (11), characterized in that said motor (10) comprises a differential (20) whose first input is driven indirectly by said ratchet (21) and a second input is said cylinder, and whose output is a wheel pivoting outlet (23), coaxial with said shaft (11), arranged to drive a power reserve indicator (51), and in that said differential (20) comprises balls (25) driving housing of said output wheel (23) forming a basket, and cooperating with an upper surface (13) of said cylinder and with a lower surface (26) of a differential board (22), which pivots on said shaft (11), coaxial with it, and is connected to said ratchet (21) or to a plate (2) by means of e friction (24), and which constitutes said first input. 2. Motor (10) timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said ratchet (21) is outside said barrel, and in that said differential board (22) is connected to said ratchet (21) by means of friction (24). 3. Motor (10) timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that said barrel consists of a drum (14) provided with a toothing and a cover (12) enclosing said spring together, in that said ratchet (21) faces said cover (12), or respectively said drum (14), in that said first entry for the arming is driven indirectly by said ratchet (21) and said second entry for disarming is said cover (12), or respectively said drum (14), in that said balls (25) cooperate, on the one hand with an upper surface (13) of said cover (12), or respectively of said drum (14), and of on the other hand with said lower surface (26) of said differential board (22). 4. Motor (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said friction means (24) is a spring disposed between said ratchet (21) and said differential wheel (22). 5. Motor (10) timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said ratchet (21) is integrated in said cylinder which it forms a cover, and in that said differential board (22) is connected to a plate ( 2) by a friction means (24). 6. Motor (10) timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said differential (20) is a differential subassembly (50) removable in one block and which comprises a first shoulder ring (51) arranged for being mounted axially free on a bearing surface of said shaft (11) and pivotally integral with said shaft (11), which first shoulder ring (51) carries said output wheel (23) free to pivot relative to said first shoulder ring (51 ), which still bears, directly or indirectly, said differential board (22) also free to pivot on said first shoulder ring (51), said differential board (22) bearing on said balls (25), and said ratchet (21) being driven on said first shoulder ring (51) so as to frictionally drive said differential board (22). 7. Power reserve indicator mechanism (100) for displaying the power reserve of a clockwork motor (10) of the type comprising a barrel constituted by a drum (14) provided with a set of teeth and a lid enclosing together a spring mounted between on the one hand said barrel and on the other hand a barrel shaft (11) around which rotates said barrel, said barrel shaft (11) being load-bearing and pivotally integral with a ratchet transmission device (21), characterized in that said mechanism (100) comprises a differential ball mechanism (20), coaxial with said cylinder, and having a subassembly arranged to be mounted coaxially with said cylinder and said ratchet (21). ) and having a differential board (22) arranged to pivot coaxially with said shaft (11), said differential board (22) being disposed between, on an upper side, a friction drive means (24) arranged for a drive rela between said differential board (22) and said ratchet (21) or plate (2) and, on a lower side, an output wheel (23) arranged to pivot coaxially with said shaft (11) and constituting a ball retaining basket (25) that still comprises said subassembly, said balls (25) being arranged to roll between a lower surface (26) of said differential board (22) and a upper surface (13) of said cylinder, and in that said output wheel (23) is arranged to constitute or drive a power reserve indicator (51) of said engine (10). 8. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said transmission ratchet (21) is external to said barrel which consists of a drum (14) provided with a toothing and a cover (12) and faces said cover (12), or respectively to said drum (14), and in that said subassembly is arranged to be interposed axially between said cover (12), or respectively said drum (14), and a said ratchet (21), and in that said differential board (22) is disposed between, on an upper side, friction drive means (24) arranged for relative drive between said board differential (22) and a said ratchet (21), and on a lower side an output wheel (23) arranged to pivot coaxially with said shaft (11) and which constitutes a ball holding basket (25) that includes still said subassembly, said balls (25) being arranged for rolling in a lower surface (26) of said differential board (22) and an upper surface (13) of said cover (12), or respectively of said drum (14), and that said output wheel (23) is arranged to constitute or drive a power reserve indicator (51) of a said engine (10). 9. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 8, comprising a said motor (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4 or 6. 10. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a plate (2) carrying said motor (10), and in that said plate (2) carries a gear train differential drive gear (30) meshing with said ratchet (21) and a differential gear wheel (40) which also carries said plate (2) and which meshes with said differential board (22). 11. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises a plate (2) carrying said motor (10), and which comprises at least two pivots (60) each carrying an idler gear (61) having a toothing (62) meshing, on the one hand with an external toothing that includes said differential board (22), and on the other hand with an internal toothing (210) that includes a said ratchet (21). 12. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said ratchet (21) is integrated in said cylinder which it forms a cover, and in that said differential board (22) is connected to a platinum (2) by a friction means (24). 13. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 12, comprising a said motor (10) according to claim 5. 14. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said ratchet (21) comprises a toothing (211), which drives the gear teeth (220) through a gear train (220). said differential board (22). 15. power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that said toothing (220) cooperates with a first toothing (72) of a ratchet (71), including a second toothing (73). driving a toothing (75) of an inverting gear (74) which also meshes with the toothing (220) of said differential board (22). 16. Differential subassembly (50) arranged to be mounted on a clockwork shaft (11), characterized in that it constitutes a removable subassembly in a single block and comprises a first shoulder ring (51), arranged to be freely mounted axially on a bearing surface of a shaft (11) and pivotally integral with a said shaft (11), which first shoulder ring (51) carries, coaxially, an output wheel (23) freely pivotally mounted by relative to said first shoulder ring (51), said output wheel (23) constituting a basket for a plurality of balls (25) projecting at a lower end of said differential subassembly (50) and arranged to roll on a surface of revolution a mobile or barrel, said first shoulder ring (51) carrying, directly or indirectly, a differential board (22) also free to pivot on said first shoulder ring (51) and mounted frictionally on the said the balls (25) on the side opposite their projecting end at said lower end, and a ratchet (21) being driven on said first shoulder ring (51) so as to frictionally drive said differential board (22). Clock movement (200) comprising at least one motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and / or at least one power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to one of claims 7 to 15. 18. Watch (300) or timepiece, comprising at least one motor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and / or at least one power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to one of claims 7 at 15.