CH713658B1 - Watch movement comprising two regulating members. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch movement comprising a first regulating member (2), a first escapement associated with the first regulating member, a first gear train (20) connecting the first escapement to a first energy source (1), a second regulating member (3), a second escapement associated with the second regulating member, and a second train (30) connecting the second escapement to a second energy source (5); the watch movement comprising means for displaying the current time (60, 61) and at least one differential gear (4) which comprises a first input wheel (48) in meshing relation with the first gear and a gear second input wheel (49) in meshing relation with the second gear, this differential gear driving said means for displaying the current time; the watch movement being characterized in that the second regulating member consumes less energy than the first regulating member; in that it comprises means for stopping and releasing each of the first and second regulating members, these means being arranged in such a way as to be able to lock the first gear train and the first regulating member together, while freeing the second gear train and the second gear regulating, and together the second wheel and the second regulating member while releasing the first wheel and the first regulating member; and in that said differential gear (4) is arranged such that said display means displays the current time regardless of which regulating member, among the first and second regulating members, is released.

Description

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a device for extending the power reserve, so as to limit the energy consumption of the movement when the watch is not worn or in the rest position. . In particular, the invention relates to a watch movement comprising two regulating bodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Usually, in mechanical watches, the source of energy for driving the gear train and the hands, and other functions, is a spiral spring wound in a barrel.

When a mechanical watch is not wound regularly, or an automatic watch is not worn for several hours, the barrel spring fully relaxes and the watch stops. The average power reserve of a normal watch with fully wound spring is around 40 to 60 hours.

There are several causes to explain the discharge of energy from a watch until it stops, in particular not wearing the watch for a certain period (chest, weekend, etc.) or even forgetting to wind the watch in case it does not have automatic winding. It is therefore useful to have a watch with an above-average power reserve.

In the past, we have already sought to remedy the problem of the power reserve. For example, European patent application EP 2 455 820 proposes the use of a drive member comprising a barrel in which are mounted two superposed and coaxial springs.

This document is only an example for watches with two barrels or two springs because there are many similar publications.

Such proposals to solve the problem of increased walking are not very interesting because the power reserve is privileged at the expense of the available space.

Summary of the invention [0008] The aim of the invention is in particular to overcome the various drawbacks of these known techniques.

More specifically, an objective of the invention is to provide a movement for a timepiece making it possible to obtain a better power reserve by limiting the energy consumption of the movement when it is not worn or in position. rest.

The invention also aims, at least in one particular embodiment, to avoid excessive thickness of the movement and therefore of the watch.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved according to the invention using a watch movement as defined in claim 1 appended.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its different functional and structural aspects, makes it possible to obtain a movement with an increased power reserve.

According to advantageous variants of the invention:

- the regulating organs are of the same type;

- the regulating organs are of different types;

- at least one regulating organ is a tourbillon or a carousel;

- at least one of the exhausts is a very low consumption exhaust;

- The means for stopping and releasing the operation of a regulating member include manual control;

the means for stopping and releasing the operation of each of the two regulating members comprise a first rocker arranged to be actuated by manual control, the first rocker acting on a second rocker provided with two friction members arranged to respectively and alternately engage with the first gear and the second gear;

the means for stopping and releasing the operation of each of the two regulating members comprise a third rocker arranged to cooperate, on the one hand with the second rocker when the manual control is actuated, and on the other hand, arranged to cooperate with a mass oscillating during the rotation of the latter.

The invention also relates to a timepiece equipped with a movement according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings [0015] Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

CH 713 658 B1 fig. 1 fig. 2a and 2b fig. 3a and 3b fig. 4a and 4b fig. 5a and 5b fig. 6a and 6b fig. 7a to 7c illustrates a perspective view of a watch movement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

respectively represent the distribution of energy to a first regulating member seen from above and seen in section along the line A-A of a timepiece movement according to an embodiment of the invention;

respectively represent the kinematic connection between the first regulating member and the differential seen from above and sectional view along line B-B of a watch movement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

respectively represent the distribution of energy to a second regulating member seen from above and seen in section along line C-C of a timepiece movement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

respectively represent the kinematic connection between the second regulating member and the differential seen from above and sectional view along line D-D of a timepiece movement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

respectively represent a top view and a sectional view along the line E-E of a differential of a watch movement according to an embodiment of the invention;

illustrate the means for stopping and releasing the operation of one of the two regulating organs of a timepiece movement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0016] A timepiece movement in accordance with the invention will now be described in the following, referring jointly to FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 7c.

The movement according to the invention comprises a first regulating member, a first exhaust associated with the first regulating member, a first train connecting the first exhaust to a first energy source, a second regulating member, a second exhaust associated with the second regulating member, and a second gear connecting the second exhaust to a second source of energy; the watch movement comprising means for displaying the current time and at least one differential gear which comprises a first input wheel in gear relationship with the first gear and a second input wheel in gear relationship with the second gear, this differential gear driving said means for displaying the current time;

the watch movement being characterized in that the second regulating organ consumes less energy than the first regulating organ; in that it comprises means for stopping and releasing each of the first and second regulating members, these means being arranged so as to be able to alternately block together the first train and the first regulating member, while releasing the second train and the second member adjusting, and together the second gear and the second adjusting member while releasing the first gear and the first adjusting member; and in that said differential gear is arranged so that said display means display the current time regardless of the regulating member, among the first and second regulating members, which is released.

The regulating members can be chosen from a balance, a carousel, a tourbillon, a resonator (tuning fork type or magnetic rotor for example), a motor balance or a quartz oscillator.

In what follows, and for the sake of clarity, a movement according to the invention is described comprising at least two regulating members each provided with an exhaust, and this by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example. As described above, any type of regulating member can be used and a tourbillon / quartz oscillator association can for example be envisaged.

Referring to FIG. 1, the watch movement according to the invention notably comprises:

- A first source of mechanical energy 1, and a second source of mechanical energy 5, such as barrels for example;

a first regulating member 2, preferably having great precision, and a first exhaust, comprising a first escape wheel 21 and a first anchor 22, connected by a first train 20 to the energy source 1, the first exhaust , the barrel 1, the first gear 20 and the first regulating member 2 forming a first assembly;

a second regulating member 3, preferably with low consumption, and a second exhaust comprising a second escapement wheel 31 and a second anchor 32, connected by a second train 30 to the energy source 5, the second exhaust, the barrel 5, the second gear train 30 and the second regulating member 3 forming a second assembly;

- a differential gear 4 arranged to ensure a kinematic connection between the first set and the second set, the differential gear 4 being connected to the first regulating member 2 and to the second regulating member 3 respectively by the first and second cogs 20 and 30.

CH 713 658 B1 In the embodiment shown in the figures, the regulating members 2 and 3 are respectively a vortex and a simple balance spring, but those skilled in the art could obviously use two simple balance springs, two vortices , two carousels, or one of each. Likewise, the first and second escapements shown are Swiss anchors, but they could be of another type, such as detent escapements or other known types of escapement.

According to another variant of the invention, not shown in the figures, the regulating members 2 and 3 can be a conventional balance spring associated with a quartz oscillator, or a carousel associated with a resonator, or even an associated tourbillon to a quartz oscillator, or any other combination imaginable by a person skilled in the art of two of the regulating organs mentioned.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the first regulating member 2 used is a tourbillon, and the second regulating member 3 is a simple low-consumption balance wheel such as a 1 Hz balance wheel.

As can be seen in Figs. 6a and 6b, the differential gear 4 comprises a shaft 40 carrying the time display means 6 at a first end of the shaft 40 and comprises a satellite carrier 42 near the other end of the shaft 40. Advantageously, the satellite carrier 42 is integral with the shaft 40.

It is obvious that the movement can include several mobiles between the differential gear 18 and the energy source 1.

The satellite carrier 42 includes a satellite carrier shaft 44 parallel to the shaft 40, and on which are pivotally mounted two planet gears. In the illustrated embodiment, a first pinion-satellite, said lower pinion-satellite 45, and a second pinion-satellite, said upper pinion-satellite 46, are provided integral and mounted coaxially on the planet carrier shaft 44.

We could also have several satellite gears (or several double satellites), for example two or three, so as to ensure a better distribution of forces.

The differential gear 4 also comprises a first input wheel 48 having an external toothing and an internal toothing, and a second input wheel 49 having an external toothing, each being respectively mounted free to rotate around the 'tree 40.

The first input wheel 48 is mounted on a plate 43 mounted to rotate freely around the shaft 40, under the satellite carrier 42, by means of a barrel for example. The plate 43 and the first input wheel 48 have a diameter greater than that of the planet carrier 42, so that the internal toothing of the first input wheel 48 is meshed with the toothing of the satellite pinion 45 when the external toothing of the input wheel 48 is meshed with the first gear 20.

The differential gear 4 also includes a transmission wheel 47 mounted around the shaft 40, under the second input wheel 49 and integral with the latter, the transmission wheel 47 having an external toothing intended to be meshed by the teeth of the upper planet gear 46 when the second input wheel 49 is meshed by the second gear train 30.

This differential gear 4 is described by way of illustration and not limitation, and a person skilled in the art would obviously be able to set up any other type of differential gear to achieve the smooth running of the watch movement.

The energy distribution to the first regulating member 2 is shown in Figs. 2a and 2b. The energy of the barrel 1, or the driving force, is transmitted to the first gear 20, and arrives at the first regulating member 2 via the exhaust 21.

Similarly, the energy distribution to the second regulating member 3 is shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. The energy of the barrel 5 is transmitted to the second train 30, and arrives at the second regulating member 3 via the exhaust 31.

Figs. 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b respectively illustrate the kinematic link between the first regulating member 2 and the differential 4, and the kinematic link between the second regulating member 3 and the differential 4 in order to be able to display the current time.

According to the invention, the watch movement also includes means for stopping and releasing the operation of one of the regulating members, preferably the one consuming the most energy, when the user is not wearing the watch. In the case illustrated in the figures, it is the tourbillon which is stopped when the watch is not worn.

Such means for stopping and releasing the operation of one of the regulating members are illustrated in FIGS. 7a to 7c and are arranged to cooperate with an oscillating mass and a pusher for example.

Stopping the first train 20, and therefore the tourbillon in the illustrated case, is achieved by means of a manual control, such as a pusher 9 to block the first train 20 and release the second train 30 connected to the classic balance spring which is stopped when the watch is worn.

To stop the tourbillon 2 and launch the classic balance spring 3, it suffices for the user to press the pusher 9 or place the watch in its rest position, namely on the edge of the middle so that the pusher 9 rests against a support so that the pusher sinks under the weight of the watch and blocks the regulating member consuming the most energy, here the tourbillon 2.

CH 713 658 B1 More specifically, the means for stopping and releasing the operation of one of the regulating members include a first lever 74 controlled by the pusher 9, the first lever 74 acting on a second lever 70 provided with two members friction 71, 72 each one being linked to this second rocker by means of a leaf spring 710, 720 so as to limit the mechanical stresses when one of the friction members 71, 72 engages with the first gear train 20 or the second cog 30. The second rocker 70 is mounted so that it can rotate on a bridge (not visible in the figures) and is constrained by a helical spring in the blocking position of the second cog 30.

The means for stopping and releasing the operation of one of the regulating members also include a third rocker 73, mounted movable in rotation on the same bridge (not visible in the figures) and which is also constrained by a helical spring. This third rocker 73 comprises on the one hand, a notch 730 arranged to cooperate with a spout 700 of the second rocker 70 when the pusher 9 is pressed, and on the other hand, a spout 731 arranged to cooperate with the oscillating mass 8 via a lug 80 secured to the oscillating mass when the latter rotates.

Thus, after pressing the pusher 9, the first rocker 74 acts on the second rocker 70 to rotate it so that the friction member 71 engages the first train 20 and the friction member 72 releases the second gear train 30, the spout 700 then being housed in the notch 730 of the third lever 73 and blocking the position of the second lever.

To release the spout 700 from the notch 730, and therefore release the vortex 2 and block the balance spring 3, it suffices to rotate the oscillating mass so that the lug 80 comes to strike the spout 731 of the third lever 73, which has the effect of dislodging the spout 700 of the second lever 70 from the notch of the second lever 73 and therefore of releasing the first gear 20 and blocking the second gear 30 simultaneously.

Advantageously, the oscillating mass can rotate in both directions.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, provision can be made to tilt the regulating member with low consumption, here a simple balance spring as illustrated in the figures, by 30 ° for example, so as to optimize its operation and limit errors when the movement / watch is in the rest position.

As mentioned above the mechanism makes it possible to stop and activate all the other kinds of escapements, for example a standard Swiss anchor escapement and a standard balance wheel automatically when the user is not wearing the watch or well at the request of the user so as to save energy.

When the first regulating member 2 is supplied with energy by the barrel 1, the first gear 20 transmits its energy and its rotational movement to the differential gear 4 via the input wheel 48. The rotational movement is then transmitted to the pinion-satellite 45 via the internal toothing of the input wheel 48, the pinion-satellite 45 then driving the pinion carrier 42 and the shaft 40 in rotation.

Finally, the shaft 40 rotates the display means of the current time 6, namely a tube 60 fixedly mounted on the shaft 40, the tube 60 can support a hand to indicate the minutes. The current time display means 6 also include a second tube 61 mounted to rotate on the first tube 60, and meshed by the gear train 62,63 so as to indicate the hours.

Thanks to these various aspects of the invention, there is a movement of simple design making it possible to extend the power reserve of the movement.

Of course, the present invention, within the scope of the claims, is not limited to the example illustrated but is capable of various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

claims

Claims (12)

1. Watch movement (100) comprising a first regulating organ (2), a first escapement associated with the first regulating organ, a first train (20) connecting the first escapement to a first energy source (1), a second regulating organ (3), a second exhaust associated with the second regulating member and a second train (30) connecting the second exhaust to a second source of energy (5); the watch movement comprising means for displaying the current time (60, 61) and at least one differential gear (4) which comprises a first input wheel (48) in meshing relationship with the first gear train and a second input wheel (49) in engagement with the second gear, this differential gear driving said means for displaying the current time; the watch movement being characterized in that the second regulating organ consumes less energy than the first regulating organ; in that it comprises means for stopping and releasing each of the first and second regulating members, these means being arranged so as to be able to alternately block together the first train and the first regulating member, while releasing the second train and the second member adjusting, and together the second gear and the second adjusting member while releasing the first gear and the first adjusting member; and in that said differential gear (4) is arranged so that said display means display the current time regardless of the regulating member, among the first and second regulating members, which is released. CH 713 658 B1 2. Watch movement (100) according to claim 1, wherein said differential gear (4) carries said means for displaying the current time. 3. Watch movement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the regulating members are of the same type. 4. Watch movement (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the regulating members are of different types. 5. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least the first regulating member is a tourbillon or a carousel. 6. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which at least the second regulating member is a simple balance spring. 7. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first and second regulating members (2,3) operate at different frequencies, the second regulating member (3) having a lower frequency than that of the first regulating organ (2). 8. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means for stopping and releasing the operation of each of the first and second regulating members comprise a first rocker (74) arranged to be actuated by a manual control, the first rocker (74) acting on a second rocker (70) provided with two friction members (71,72) which are arranged to be able, when this second rocker is alternately pivoted in both directions between two locking positions , respectively and alternately block together the first train (20) and the first regulating member (2) and together the second train (30) and the second regulating member (3). 9. Watch movement (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the two friction members are arranged to come respectively and alternately into engagement with the first gear and the second gear when the second rocker is alternately pivoted in both directions between the two locking positions. 10. Watch movement (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the two friction members (71,72) are each linked to the second lever by means of a leaf spring (710, 720). 11. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the means for stopping and releasing the operation of each of the first and second regulating members comprise a third rocker (73) arranged to cooperate, on the one hand , with the second rocker (70) when the manual control is actuated to block this second rocker in a first position, among said two blocking positions, in which the first regulating member and the first gear train are blocked and, on the other hand, with an oscillating mass during a rotation of this oscillating mass to unlock the second rocker, when the latter is in the first position, and allow this second rocker to pivot until the second of the two blocking positions in which the second regulating organ and the second gear train are blocked. 12. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11.