CH716644A2 - Clockwork movement with a cantilevered functional element. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch movement (1) comprising: a main frame (3) serving as a support for a driving source (5) as well as for at least one basic gear train (7) arranged to be driven by said driving source (5 ); at least one flying bridge (11) mounted cantilevered on an element of said main frame (3) and extending superimposed on the latter, characterized in that said flying bridge (11) carries at least one functional element (13) in kinematic connection with said basic gear train (7) via a flywheel gear train (17, 17a, 17b, 17c), and in that said functional element (13) as well as at least certain elements said flying cog (17a, 17b, 17c) are fully supported on said flying bridge (11).

Description

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a watch movement having a particular frame construction.

State of the art

[0002] In so-called "complicated" timepieces, that is to say parts comprising several additional mechanisms, one of the problems often encountered is a lack of volume in the movement for arranging the different mechanisms and/or or on the dial to arrange the displays, animations and other visual elements.The solution most commonly used, concerning the size of the movement, is that of increasing its thickness, by providing mechanisms on (sets of) additional levels. This makes the movement very thick, requiring a bulky watch case.MB&F's "Legacy Machine" Series of parts overcomes this problem to a certain extent. In this construction, the balance-spring assembly is mounted between, on the one hand, a first bearing arranged conventionally in the frame and, on the other hand, a second bearing carried by a pair of cantilevered arms surmounting the mechanism and defining a flying bridge. However, the escapement system is still located on the frame in a relatively conventional manner, requiring a passage for the balance wheel. The fact that one of the bearings for the axis of the balance wheel is arranged conventionally on the frame implies traditional construction constraints concerning the pivoting on the frame as well as on the arrangement of the escapement.

[0003]As regards the arrangement of displays, animations, etc., a common solution is to arrange some of these visual elements on the back side of the piece, visible through a transparent background. However, these elements are not visible when the watch is worn by a user, the latter having to be removed and turned over to be able to consult these displays.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a watch movement in which Tun or other of the aforementioned defects is at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of Invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a watch movement as defined by claim 1. This movement comprises:

- a main frame, typically comprising a plate and at least one bridge, serving as a support for a driving source as well as for at least one basic gear train arranged to be driven by said driving source;

- at least one flying bridge cantilevered over an element of said main frame and extending in superposition of the latter.

According to the invention, said flying bridge carries at least one functional element such as a display member, a regulating system (such as a balance-spring-escapement system), an oscillating winding mass or the like, in kinematic connection with said basic gear train via a flywheel train. Furthermore, said functional element as well as at least certain elements of said flying gear train are entirely supported by said flying bridge. In other words, the Organs in question are pivoted exclusively on the flying bridge, without the intervention of any bearing located on the main frame.

[0007] By these means, the functional element, whether it is a display member, an (element of) regulating system or other, can be superimposed on the main frame, without requiring any bearing carried by the latter. Space in the movement is thus generated, without the obligation to stack even more levels on the main frame, and this not only on the flying bridge but also on the main frame, thus conferring more freedom on the builder. Indeed, when the movement is cased, the flying bridge extends into the gap between the main body and the crystal (or alternatively the back which can also be transparent) and thus uses space which is typically unused.

[0008] Advantageously, all of said flywheel gear train is entirely supported by said flywheel bridge.

[0009] In a particular embodiment, the movement may comprise at least two flying bridges each carrying a respective flying cog. The latter can be independent of each other or can mesh with each other at the level of a respective toothed mobile of each flywheel in order to transmit torque from one side of the main frame to the other. In particular, this meshing can take place at the level of the last mobile of each flywheel.

[0010] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a case closed at least on one side by a crystal as well as a movement as described above mounted in said case, said functional element as well as said flying bridge located between said main frame and said mirror.

Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

-Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of part of a watch movement according to the invention;

-Fig. 2 is an isometric view of part of another Variant of a watch movement according to the invention, comprising two flying bridges carrying flying cogs which mesh with each other;

-Fig. 3 is a schematic view of part of another variant of a watch movement according to the invention, in which the flying bridge carries the regulating system.

Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 schematically illustrates part of a watch movement 1 according to the invention. This movement comprises a main frame 3, comprising a plate and at least one bridge as generally known and which therefore do not need to be described in detail.

The main frame 3 carries a driving source 5, illustrated here as a conventional barrel, housing a mainspring. Other kinds of driving sources 5 such as an electric motor can also find an application in the movement 1 according to the invention. The motive source 5 can be pivotally mounted between two frame elements or can be mounted in a flying fashion, supported exclusively on one of its sides, as generally known.

[0014] The driving source 5 drives a main cog 7, partially illustrated (the rest of the main cog 7 being illustrated schematically by means of thick arrows), which is supported by the frame and which comprises a plurality of toothed mobiles, one or several belts, chains or the like or a combination of such elements, as generally known. Furthermore, the type of toothing of the gear wheels can be straight, but also inclined, conical, edged or the like, depending on the needs of the construction and the shape of the bridge.

[0015] In the case in point, the cog 7 also drives a regulating system 9 mounted on the main frame 3, for example of the balance-spring-escapement type of any kind, a mono-, bi- or tri-axial tourbillon , a carousel, or any other known regulating system used to determine the rate of movement. In addition, each of the regulating systems may or may not be inclined relative to the plane of the main frame 3.

[0016] The clock movement also includes a flying bridge 11, mounted cantilevered on the main frame 3, in particular on a bridge or on the plate of the latter. In other words, the flying bridge has an end fixed to the main frame 3 as well as a free end. The flying bridge 11 extends superimposed on the main frame 3 and carries at least one functional element 13, which is, in this case, a hand arranged to display horological information such as seconds, minutes, hours, the day, date, week number, moon phase or any other horological information. Instead of a needle, a disc or any other type of display member can be provided. Similarly, the display mechanism may for example be retrograde, jumping, or any type of mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

[0017] This functional element 13 is fully supported by the flying bridge 11, by means of a pair of bearings 15a, 15b arranged on either side of the flying bridge 11, or by any other ad hoc arrangement serving to support. It is obvious that any type of bearing can be envisaged, such as for example ball bearings or any other type of bearing known to those skilled in the art.

[0018] The functional element 13 is integral in rotation with an element 17a of a flywheel gear 17, which consists of three toothed wheels 17a, 17b, 17c, which are each fully supported by the flywheel 11 and which form a cog driven by a mobile drive 7a mounted on the main frame 3 and driven by the power source 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobiles 17a and 17c each comprise a single toothed wheel, while the mobile 17b consists of a wheel and a pinion, but other combinations of toothed elements are also possible. By "fully supported", it is meant that the pivoting of the mobiles 17a, 17b, 17c takes place exclusively on the flying bridge, without any use of a bearing located on the main frame 3.

[0019] As illustrated, all of the toothed mobiles 17a, 17b, 17c are mounted on the lower side of the flying bridge 11 opposite the main frame 3, but it is also possible to mount them all on the other side of the bridge 11, next to the user. Furthermore, a combination of toothed elements on both sides of the flying bridge 11 is also possible, in which case at least some of the mobiles may comprise a toothed element on each face of the bridge, linked together by a shaft, a cannon or similar.

[0020] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide several functional elements 13 each integral in rotation with a different mobile 17a, 17b, 17c of the flywheel cog 17. By adapting the gear ratios in an appropriate manner, the flywheel cog can for example serve as a timer, displaying the time through a functional element 13 fixed in rotation to the mobile 17a, and the minutes by a functional element fixed in rotation or driven by the mobile 17b or 17c. Thus, depending on the inclination of the mobiles 17a, 17b, 17c of the flywheel cog, it is possible to have an additional functional element integral with several (or indeed all) of the latter with a different inclination T one from the other , parallel to Tax of its respective mobile. This can give an original aesthetic effect to the timepiece.

Claims (9)

As shown in Figure 2, on which the elements carried by the main frame 3 have not been shown, it is also possible to provide a plurality of flying bridges 11 and flying cogs 17, which can mesh with each other at the level of their latest mobiles 17a. Alternatively, the two flywheels 17 may not cooperate directly with each other. Such an arrangement will allow the watchmaker to provide, for example, a space in the center of the movement 1, the majority of the elements of the movement forming part of the flying cogs 17. This space can be transparent, or can contain any object (sculpture, animation, game device etc.) In the Illustrated Variant, each mobile 17a carries a functional element 13 such as a needle, but it is also possible to provide only one functional element carried by one or other of the flying cogs 17. In this construction, the needles rotate in opposite directions, with an angular speed ratio which depends on the gear ratio between the two mobiles 17a. It is also possible to interpose a transmission between the two wheel sets 17a, or to mount one of the hands integral in rotation with the wheel set 17b on one or the other of the flywheel cogs 17. Alternatively, the two flywheel cogs 17 can be used to transmit torque from one side of the main frame to the other, without the need for a crown or cumbersome gear train passing through the latter. [0023] Figure 3, in which the elements carried by the main frame 3 have also not been shown, illustrates yet another embodiment, in which the regulating system 9 is carried by the flying bridge 11 instead of being located on the main frame 3. In the illustrated variant, the regulating system 9 comprises a balance wheel 21 - hairspring 23 assembly maintained in oscillation by an escapement system 25 of the conventional type, the regulating system 9 being considered as the functional element in the sense of invention. Alternatively, a Regulating System of any other type (detent escapement, tourbillon, carousel, etc.) may be used. [0024] The pendulum 21 can be mounted so as to be supported on only one of its sides ("flying pendulum"), for example by being supported on the flying bridge 11 via a ball bearing. Alternatively, the flying bridge 11 may also comprise a plate (not shown) carrying a conventional bearing, this plate being fixed to the flying bridge 11 by means of a screw or the like, cooperating with the opening 11a for example. In the illustrated construction, the mobile 17d is an escapement mobile comprising a pinion 17dl located on the lower side of the flying bridge 11 as well as an escape wheel 17d2 located on the upper side of the flying bridge 11. This last cooperates with an anchor 25a in a known way, and illustrates the principle that a mobile can include toothed elements located on either side of the bridge 11. [0026] By these means, the balance assembly 21 - balance spring 23 - escapement 25 located on the flying bridge regulates the operation of the base gear 7 driven by the driving source 5, these last two elements not being shown in Figure 3 . Other alternatives which are based on the principles described above are also possible. For example, the functional element carried by the flying bridge 11 can be any animation, a display device for any horological information related to time or movement (such as the power reserve), an oscillating mass to carry out the reassembly of the barrel 5 or similar. [0028] In view of the above, it is clear that, when the movement 1 is fitted together, the flying bridge 11 as well as the functional element 13, 21 will be interposed between the main frame 3 and a glass, whether middle side or back side. [0029] It should also be noted that other Standard elements such as a dial, a watch case, winding and/or time-setting means, etc. were not represented. Although the invention has been previously described in connection with specific embodiments, other additional variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Claims 1. Watch movement (1) comprising: - a main frame (3) serving as a support for a driving source (5) as well as for at least one basic cog (7) arranged to be driven by said driving source (5); - at least one flying bridge (11) cantilevered over an element of said main frame (3) and extending superimposed on the latter, characterized in that said flying bridge (11) carries at least one functional element (13; 9) in kinematic connection with said base train (7) via a flywheel (17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d), and in that said functional element (13; 9) as well as at least certain elements of said flywheel train (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) are entirely supported on said flybridge (11). 2. Movement (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein all of said flywheel train (17, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is entirely supported by said flybridge (11). 3. Movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said functional element is a display member (13). 4. Movement (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said functional element is a regulating system (9). 5. Movement (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said element is an oscillating winding mass. 6. Movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two flying bridges (11) each carrying a flying cog (17) respectively. 7. Movement (1) according to claim 6, wherein said flywheels (17) mesh with each other. 8. Movement (1) according to claim 7, wherein said flywheels (17) mesh with each other at the level of the last mobile (17a) of each flywheel (17). 9. Timepiece comprising a case closed at least on one side by a crystal and a movement (1) according to one of the preceding claims mounted in said case, said functional element (13, 9) and said at least one flying bridge (11) located between said main frame and said window.