CH716421A2 - Regulating device comprising means for blocking an oscillator carried by the cage of a tourbillon or carousel. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a regulating device (100) comprising an oscillator (200) and blocking means capable of blocking this oscillator (200) carried by the cage (10) of a tourbillon (300) or carousel. They comprise a stop wheel (1), coaxial with the cage wheel (3) and of angular mobility limited by a stop pin (4) limited by a slot (13) of the cage (10), and comprise a toothing cooperating with an external control member for its rotation, the cage (10) carries an elastic element (5) arranged to bear on a moving part of the oscillator (200) to stop it when the control member is in an active position, and to stay away from the cage (10) and any moving part of the oscillator (200) when the control member is in a rest position in which the stop wheel (1) is in another angular position relative to the cage wheel (3).

Description

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a timepiece regulator device for a watch, comprising an oscillator, and means for limiting the rate deviation of said oscillator, in the different positions of said watch in space, said device comprising at least one tourbillon or a carrousel, comprising the said oscillator, and which comprises a cage which is pivotally mounted about a cage axis with respect to a plate, which carries a fixed wheel when the said regulating device comprises a tourbillon , which cage carries said oscillator and comprises a cage pinion or a cage wheel arranged to be driven by a power source of the watch or of a movement through a going train, and which cage carries a mechanism escapement arranged to cooperate with said oscillator, and comprising an escapement pinion meshing with said fixed wheel when said regulating device comprises a tourbillon or else meshing with a wheel of the going train, when said regulating device comprises a carousel.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch comprising a timepiece movement comprising energy storage and/or distribution means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a regulating device incorporating this oscillator. .

The invention relates to the field of high-precision chronometric mechanical watches equipped with tourbillons or carousels, and so-called stop-second or stop-cage mechanisms for performing fine adjustment of the state of the watch.

Background of the invention

The document GB674764 in the name of HEPTINSTALL describes a finger-spring for locking a pendulum.

[0005] The document EP1617305B1 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET describes a stop control, manual by the stem, of levers with pads for locking a balance wheel.

[0006] The document EP2787400B1 in the name of CHOPARD describes a stop element, integral in rotation with a cage, and which is a disc coaxial with this cage, moved axially for axial friction with a pendulum.

[0007] The document EP2085832B1 in the name of FREDERIC PIGUET describes a friction clutch mechanism, by radial plating of clutch elements at the ends of star-shaped arms in a cylindrical surface of a drive plate, under the axial action of a clutch spring.

Summary of the invention

[0008] The invention proposes to stop a tourbillon or carousel cage when setting the time in order to be able to set a watch to the nearest second.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece regulator device for a watch, arranged for the limitation of the variation of rate of an oscillator which comprises this regulator device, according to claim 1.

[0010] The invention also relates to a watch comprising a timepiece movement comprising energy storage and/or distribution means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a regulating device.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

- Figure 1 shows, schematically, partially, and in perspective, a watch regulator device for a watch, for limiting the variation of rate of an oscillator that includes this regulator device, this balance-spring oscillator being carried by the cage of a tourbillon, which also carries, on either side of an interior bridge of the cage, a stop wheel coaxial with the cage wheel, and a stop mechanism partly carried by this stop wheel and by the internal bridge of the cage, this stop mechanism comprising an elastic stop element, here a stop spring, which is arranged to rest on a cam represented under the double plate of the balance wheel, under the action of a stop pin operated by a relative angular movement between the stop wheel and the cage wheel; this figure also shows, in the lower part, a fixed wheel arranged to be fixed on a plate of a movement, and that an escapement pinion travels externally, for the movement of the cage;

- Figure 2 shows, in bottom view, the mechanism of Figure 1, where are visible, from the outside to the inside, the interior cage bridge, the cage wheel, the stop wheel which includes a inclined toothing and which carries the stop pin, and which is represented in Superposition in its two extreme positions, the escape pinion which meshes with the fixed wheel, and the ball bearing for guiding the cage; the positions corresponding to positions T1 and T2 of the rod are represented in Superposition;

- Figure 3 shows, schematically and in section by Tax cage, the mechanism of Figure 1; in the left part of this figure, the stop pin is movable in a light of the inner bridge of the cage and cooperates, in a

plane situated above the lower bridge of the cage, with the elastic element constituted by a spring which is arranged to place the stop cam visible between the lower bridge of the cage and the double plate of the balance wheel;

- Figure 4 shows, schematically and in top view, a variant in which the stop spring comprises a projection arranged to cooperate with the projection of the stop cam to move away from the dead point of the balance;

- Figures 5 and 6 are partial views, from below and from above, of the mechanism of Figure 1, the balance-spring not being represented with the exception of the stop cam which is integral with the balance, in a rest position T1 where the oscillator is free to move;

- Figures 7 and 8 relate, in a similar fashion, to the active position T2 where the elastic element cooperates in unlocking support with the stop cam and where the oscillator is stopped;

- Figure 9 is a block diagram representing a watch comprising a clock movement comprising energy storage means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a regulating device.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0012] The invention relates to the field of mechanical watches with high chronometric performance.

To improve the insensitivity to the positions of a watch 1000, it is known to equip it with a timepiece regulator device 100, comprising an oscillator 200, and comprising means for limiting the difference in operation of this oscillator 200, in the different positions of the watch 1000 in space.

[0014] This device 100 comprises at least one tourbillon 300 or a carrousel, which, in one or the other case, comprises a cage 10 which is pivotally mounted around a cage axis D with respect to a plate 900.

This plate 900 carries a fixed wheel 210 when the regulator device 100 includes a tourbillon 300.

The cage 10 carries the oscillator 200, and comprises a cage wheel 3, which is arranged to be driven by an energy source 400 of the watch 1000 or of a movement 800 that the watch comprises, through of a cog. This energy source 400 may in particular comprise at least one barrel or the like. Naturally the cage wheel can be replaced by a cage pinion; the cage wheel, or the cage pinion, can be integral with a lower cage bridge or form with it a one-piece component. Other arrangements are possible for the attachment to the cage 10 of the wheel or the cage pinion.

[0017] Cage 10 further carries an escapement mechanism 700, which is arranged to cooperate with oscillator 200, and which comprises an escapement pinion 201. lower bridge 11 and an upper bridge 12. The cage upper bridge 12 surmounts and protects both the oscillator 200, the escapement mechanism 700, and part of the stop mechanism according to the invention, and can advantageously comprise a display index.

[0018] This escapement pinion 201 meshes with the fixed wheel 210 when the regulator device 100 comprises a tourbillon, or else meshes with a wheel of the going train, for example a middle wheel or a second wheel, when the device regulator 100 comprises a carousel.

[0019] The stop mechanism according to the invention makes it possible to stop an oscillator wheel set, in particular an inertial wheel set such as a pendulum, carried by a tourbillon or carousel cage, during the setting operation. hour. The mechanism is designed to also stop the cage.

[0020] According to the invention, for blocking the oscillator 200, the device 100 comprises stop means with a stop wheel 1, which is coaxial with the cage wheel 3. The angular mobility of the wheel stopper 1 with respect to cage wheel 3 is limited by a stopper pin 4, which is carried by stopper wheel 1, and whose travel is limited by a slot 13 which cage 10 comprises, and that includes in particular a lower cage bridge 11, that includes the cage 10. The cage wheel 3 also includes an opening to allow passage for the stop pin 4.

[0021] This stopper wheel 1 comprises a toothing, which is arranged to cooperate with an external control member to the tourbillon 300 or carousel for a rotation of the stopper wheel 1 under the action of a movement exerted by this Command body. This Control Unit may in particular include a time-setting stem, or the like.

And the cage 10 carries, in particular but not limited to the level of a lower cage bridge 11 in the non-limiting case of the figures, an elastic element 5, which is arranged to rest on a mobile of the oscillator 200 to stop the latter when the control member is in an active position in which the stop wheel 1 is in a first angular position with respect to the cage wheel 3, and to remain at a distance from the cage 10 and any of the oscillator 200 when the control member is in a rest position, in which the stop wheel 1 is in a second angular position with respect to the cage wheel 3. It is understood that any passage from the position from rest to the active position triggers an immediate stop of the oscillator.

More particularly, this elastic element 5 is or comprises a spring, and in particular comprises at least one elastic blade.

[0024] More particularly, the moving part of the oscillator 200, on which the elastic element 5 rests, is synchronous with the inertial element of the oscillator.

[0025] Thus, compared to a classic tourbillon or carousel, which comprises a cage 10, which itself carries an oscillator 200, in particular but not limited to a balance-spring 7 as in the case of the figures, the mechanism according to the invention comprises a limited number of specific components, mounted on cage 10:

- A stop wheel 1;

- A stop wheel bridge 2;

- a locking pin 4 carried by the locking wheel 1, which has limited mobility with respect to a slot 13 made in the cage 10 or the interior bridge of the cage 11;

- an elastic element 5, in particular a stop spring, fixed to the cage 10 and more particularly to a lower bridge of the cage 11;

- a stop cam 6 mechanically synchronous with the inertial mass of the oscillator 200.

[0026] More specifically, the moving part of the oscillator 200, on which the elastic element 5 rests, is a stop cam 6 which is synchronous with an inertial mass 72 which comprises the oscillator 200, and which is arranged to stop the inertial mass 72 in angular indexing in a position different from the neutral point of the oscillator 200, so as to facilitate the restarting of the oscillator 200 during a subsequent release of the stop wheel 1.

[0027] More particularly, the stop cam 6 is coaxial with the inertial mass 72, and is arranged to pivot around the cage axis D.

[0028] More particularly, the oscillator 200 is a balance-spring assembly 7, a balance 72 of which constitutes an inertial mass.

[0029] Even more particularly, this rocker 72, the double rocker plate 71, and the stop cam 6 constitute a one-piece assembly.

The figures show a stop cam 6 of very simple profile, with a single pointed radial projection, the aim being to move away from neutral. In combination with the profile of the stop cam 6, the elastic element 5, in particular a stop spring, may also locally comprise a projection, or a bump, to cooperate with the projection of the stop cam 6 and impose a blocking of the stop cam 6 in a position different from the neutral point of the oscillator 200.

[0031] More particularly, the elastic element 5 is arranged to bring the stopper wheel 1 into a rest position with respect to the cage wheel 3, in the absence of traction on the stopper wheel 1.

[0032] More particularly, the stop wheel 1 comprises pointed and inclined teeth, of the wolf tooth or triangular ratchet tooth type, or the like, to allow its attachment cooperation with the control member whatever the angular position of stop wheel 1.

[0033] More particularly, the elastic element 5 is a spring fixed on the cage 10 or on a lower bridge 11 of the cage 10, which lower bridge 11 comprises the light 13 to limit the relative angular travel between the stop wheel 1 and the cage wheel 3, the ends of the slot 13 constituting abutment positions of the stopper pin 4 which define the first angular position and the second angular position of the stopper wheel 1 with respect to the crate 3.

[0034] More particularly, and as visible in the specific non-limiting case of the figures, the escapement mechanism 700 is a coaxial escapement mechanism, and the escapement pinion which moves the cage 10 is an intermediate pinion d exhaust 201.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising a clock movement 800 comprising energy storage means 400, time-setting means 500, and such a regulating device 100 comprising at least one oscillator 200 .

[0036] More particularly, the tourbillon 300 or carousel constitutes a display member of the watch 1000, in particular by a display index that comprises the upper bridge 12 or another element of the cage 10, or else is arranged to drive at least one watch display member 1000, and the time-setting means 500 constitute or control the control member.

[0037] In a variant, the regulator device 100 comprises a tourbillon 300, and the escapement pinion 201 meshes with the fixed wheel 210 that comprises the plate 900.

[0038] In another variant, the regulator device 100 comprises a carousel, the movement 800 comprises a going train, in particular with an average wheel and a second wheel, and the escapement pinion 201 meshes with a wheel set of the wheel finishing, including but not limited to the middle wheel or the second wheel of the train.

[0039] In normal operation, the tourbillon, or respectively the carousel, is driven by the going train of the caliber and rotates on a ball bearing as seen in FIG. 3, or even between two blanks.

[0040] The operation of the invention is more particularly described for passing from a rest position T1, in which the oscillator is free, to a position T2, in which the oscillator is blocked. The control member can thus be a conventional time-setting control stem. We have seen that the stop wheel 1 comprises cut-out and oriented teeth such as to be able to interact with a control device, which is a mechanism external to the tourbillon,

Claims (11)

or respectively at the carrousel, during the transition from TI to T2. Such an external mechanism is visible in the document EP2085832A1 in the name of FREDERIC PIGUET SA. [0041] In summary, the shape of the teeth on the periphery of the stop wheel 1 is such that it allows the external mechanism to hook into one of the teeth regardless of the position of the stop wheel 1 , and rotate it by a certain angle. This stop wheel 1 is positioned in rotation by the stop wheel bridge 2, and falt its movement between the stop wheel bridge 2 and the cage wheel 3. The stop wheel 1 carries the pin d stop 4. The stop pin 4 is in contact with the elastic element 5, in particular a stop spring, which is fixed on the cage 10, and which has two functions: - in T1, bring back and hold the stop wheel 1 in place in rotation; - at T2, stop the moving part of the oscillator 200, and in particular the balance wheel 72 of the balance-spring 7 in the case of the figures, in a preferential position, using the stop cam 6, which is integral with this phone. [0043] When switching from TI to T2, that is to say when switching to time setting, the external mechanism comprising the control member catches in a tooth of the stop wheel 1 and the falt swivel a certain angle. The elastic element 5, in particular the stop spring, which holds the stop wheel 1 in place through the intermediary of the stop pin 4, is then moved into the trajectory of the stop cam 6. A once the contact has been established between the elastic element 5 and the stop cam 6, the oscillator 200, in particular the sprung balance 7, is stopped and can only be in a preferred position to restart later when the System, since the oscillator 200 has been stopped in a position distant from its neutral point, and the torque is sufficient to ensure restarting. The mechanism illustrated in the figures comprises a coaxial escapement mechanism 700, which comprises a stopper 202 which is here a coaxial anchor, a coaxial escapement wheel 204, an inter-exhaust wheel 201, the whole pivots between the bridge lower cage 11 and an escapement bridge 203. FIG. 6, at T1, shows the cooperation of the ellipse of the double plate 71 with the fork of the coaxial anchor, FIG. 8, at T2, shows that in the stop position, the shape of the stop cam 6 necessarily imposes a relative position of the double plate 71 and of the stopper 202 distinct from neutral. [0045] The external mechanism also causes tension on the cage 10, which immobilizes the latter, and cuts off the arrival of torque in the exhaust. [0046] Naturally, the oscillator 200 is not necessarily centered on cage tax D, it can be off-center. In a particular variant, the stop cam 6 is kinematically connected by at least one reference to the inertial mobile of the oscillator 200, and it is possible to stop on the reference, this reference is however not essential. Indeed, as the elastic element 5 can be placed at any place which allows it to cooperate with the stop cam 6 integral with the balance beam not concentric with the cage, an adequate arrangement of the spring constituting the elastic element 5 is sufficient, in another variant, to act directly on the cam integral with a balance wheel not concentric with the cage. In short, the invention makes it possible to: - Instantly stopping an inertial mass of an oscillator, in particular a pendulum; - instantly stop a tourbillon or carousel cage; - guarantee a restart of the oscillator following a time setting for which the oscillator has been stopped beforehand; - set the time to the nearest second. [0048] The device according to the invention thus comprises a stop-cage with stop wheel, which has the advantage of being included in the tourbillon cage, or carousel as the case may be, which carries it, which makes it possible to to avoid a consumption of space within the watch movement. [0049] This mechanism with an integrated stop wheel is compact, its manufacture involves usual technologies, and its cost is therefore moderate. Claims 1. Timepiece regulating device (100) for a watch (1000), comprising an oscillator (200), and comprising means for limiting the rate deviation of said oscillator (200) in the different positions of said watch (1000) in space, said device (100) comprising at least one tourbillon (300) or a carrousel, which comprises a cage (10) which is pivotally mounted around a cage axis (D) with respect to a plate (900), which carries a fixed wheel (210) when said regulating device (100) comprises a tourbillon, which cage (10) carries said oscillator (200) and comprises a cage wheel (3) arranged to be driven by an energy source (400) of the watch (1000) or of a movement (800) through a going train, and which cage (10) carries an escapement mechanism (700) arranged to cooperate with said oscillator (200), and comprising an escapement pinion (201) meshing with said fixed wheel (210) when said regulating device (100) comprises a tourbillon or else meshing with a wheel of said going train, when said regulating device (100) comprises a carousel, characterized in that said device ( 100) is suitable for blocking said oscillator (200) and comprises stop means with a stop wheel (1) coaxial with said cage wheel (3) with respect to which its angular mobility is limited by a pin of stop (4) limited by a light (13) that comprises said cage (10) or a lower bridge (11) that comprises said cage (10), said stopper wheel (1) comprising a set of teeth arranged to cooperate with a control member external to said tourbillon (300) or carousel for rotation of said stopper wheel (1) under the action of a movement exerted by said control member, and in that said cage (10) carries an elastic element (5) which is arranged to rest on a moving part of said oscillator (200) to stop the latter when said control member is in an active position in which said stop wheel (1) is in a first angular position with respect to said cage wheel (3), and which is arranged to remain at a distance from said cage (10) and from any mobile of said oscillator (200) when said control member is in a rest position in which said stop wheel (1) is in a second angular position with respect to said cage wheel (3). 2. Regulating device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mobile of said oscillator (200) capable of receiving said elastic element (5) in abutment is a stop cam (6) synchronous with an inertial mass (72). ) that said oscillator (200) comprises and arranged to stop said inertial mass (72) in angular indexing in a position different from the neutral point of said oscillator (200) to facilitate the restarting of said oscillator (200) when releasing said wheel. stop (1). 3. Regulator device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said stop cam (6) is coaxial with said inertial mass (72), and is arranged to pivot around said cage axis (D). 4. Regulating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said elastic element (5) is arranged to return said stop wheel (1) to a rest position with respect to said cage (3), in the absence of traction on said stop wheel (1). 5. Regulating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said stop wheel (1) comprises pointed and inclined teeth to allow its attachment cooperation with said control member whatever the angular position of said stop wheel (1). 6. Regulating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said elastic element (5) is or comprises a spring fixed on said cage (10) or on a lower bridge (11) of said cage (10), which lower bridge (11) includes said slot (13) to limit the relative angular travel between said stopper wheel (1) and said cage wheel (3), the ends of said slot (13) constituting abutment positions of said stopper pin (4) which define said first angular position and said second angular position of said stopper wheel (1) with respect to said cage wheel (3). 7. Regulating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said oscillator (200) is a balance-spring assembly. 8. Regulating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said escapement mechanism (700) is a coaxial escapement mechanism, and in that said escapement pinion is an intermediate pinion exhaust (201). 9. Watch (1000) comprising a clock movement (800) comprising energy storage and/or distribution means (400), an oscillator (200), time-setting means (500), and a regulating device (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising the said oscillator (200), characterized in that the said tourbillon (300) or carrousel constitutes a Display member of the said watch (1000) or is arranged to drive at least one display member of said watch (1), and in that said time-setting means (500) constitute or control said control member. 10. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that said regulating device (100) comprises a tourbillon (300), and in that said escapement pinion (201) meshes with said fixed wheel (210) which comprises said plate ( 900). 11. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that said regulating device (100) comprises a carousel, in that said movement (800) comprises a going train with an average wheel and a second wheel, and in that said escape pinion (201) meshes with a wheel of the going train or said middle wheel or said second wheel.