CH716979A2 - Musical or ringing mechanism comprising an electric generator system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The musical or striking mechanism (1) for a timepiece or music box, comprises an energy source delivering a mechanical torque and means for transmitting mechanical torque from said energy source to a mobile (4) of music or ringtone generation. The mechanism further comprises a mobile regulator (2). The regulator is configured to regulate, around a setpoint speed value, the pivoting speed of the mobile around a pivot axis, and comprising means for braking the mobile configured to bring its pivoting speed back to the speed of setpoint. The mobile regulator consists of a system comprising an electric generator (16), a rotor of which is mechanically connected to the energy source delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a musical or ringing mechanism for a timepiece or music box comprising an energy source delivering a mechanical torque and mechanical torque transmission means from said energy source to a mobile of music or ringtone generation. The invention also relates to a timepiece or music box comprising such a musical or ringing mechanism, as well as a use of a particular musical mobile or ringing regulator in such a mechanism. More particularly, it relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly that of timepieces comprising a striking mechanism or a musical mechanism, such as mechanical striking watches, music boxes or the like.

Technological background

[0002] Mechanical striking watches generally have a striking regulator, the role of which is to neutralize the effect of strong variations in torque during the arming of the sound creation devices in order to regulate the tempo of the striking. In fact, in repeater watches or in those which strike when the hour passes, the striking hammers must be cocked before striking the gongs, which must be as loud as possible to maximize the acoustic level. The winding torque is optimized depending on what the striking barrel can deliver. However, such a striking barrel cannot provide a constant torque. The variation in the tempo of the strike being closely related to the disarming curve of the barrel spring, in many cases the bell or the music slows down at the end of the function, which is unpleasant for the user. This is why a strike regulator is used in parallel with the winding of the hammers, which makes it possible to stabilize the speed of disarming of the barrel and thus to obtain a strike of constant amplitude and tempo. Such a regulator often consists of a rotating inertia, the energy of which is generally dissipated either by variation of inertia, or by friction, or by eddy currents, or by a combination of different methods. Such a ringing regulator is for example described in patent application EP 2 487 547 A1. There are also anchor systems to perform such a ring regulator function.

The same principle is applied in musical watches, where the striking of the gongs by hammers is replaced by the blades of a keyboard which is armed with moving pins. In music boxes, this regulator often takes the form of fins rotating in the air at high speed, to minimize noise pollution.

[0004] If such systems for regulating mobile music or ringing devices fulfill the regulatory function relatively well, all of the energy dissipated in the regulator is however lost. In addition, such control systems are quite noisy in general.

[0005] There is therefore a need to be able to have a musical or ringing mechanism for a timepiece or music box, making it possible to recover all or part of the energy dissipated in the regulator in order to have a source rechargeable energy in the timepiece or in the music box, while ensuring optimal and discreet regulation of the mobile generating music or ringing.

Summary of the invention

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a musical or striking mechanism for a timepiece or music box, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in independent claim 1.

[0007] Particular forms of the musical or ringing mechanism are defined in dependent claims 2 to 10.

[0008] Thanks to the presence of a mobile regulator comprising an electric generator, a rotor of which is mechanically connected to the energy source delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator, the energy dissipated in the regulator is advantageously recovered in the form of electrical energy. In fact, the alternating voltage supplied by the electric generator makes it possible to obtain a source of rechargeable electric energy within the mechanism. The electrical energy supplied by such a source of electrical energy can then, for example, make it possible to charge an electrical accumulator or a capacitor, in order to be advantageously reused by an electrical component, such as a light-emitting diode to illuminate elements. of the timepiece, such as stamps, hammers or hands for example. The electrical energy can also, alternatively, be reused by a sound or vibration generating component within the mechanism. In addition, such a regulator provides regulation of the mechanical torque delivered by the energy source by braking by the generator, which is itself braked electrically by the electronic circuit, which offers both precise and silent regulation of the mobile. .

[0009] According to a particular technical characteristic of the invention, the mobile braking means are braking means configured to electrically brake the rotation of the rotor of the electric generator.

According to another particular technical characteristic of the invention, the electronic circuit is an electronic oscillator circuit which comprises an integrated servo circuit with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology.

Advantageously, the stator of the generator is formed from a set of coils connected in series, and the integrated servo circuit comprises a transistor, said transistor being connected to the stator of the electric generator and being configured, via a control by the integrated circuit, to short-circuit the set of coils for a fraction of the period of the alternating voltage supplied by the generator, said transistor constituting said electric braking means. Such a configuration provides a simple and economical means of electrically braking the generator and thus making it possible to regulate the mobile for generating music or ringing.

To this end, the invention also relates to a timepiece or music box comprising the musical or striking mechanism described above, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in independent claim 11.

Particular shapes of the timepiece or music box are defined in dependent claims 12 and 13.

To this end, the invention also relates to use as a mobile regulator for generating music or ringing, in the musical or ringing mechanism described above, of a system comprising an electric generator, one of which is rotor is mechanically connected to the energy source delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator, and which comprises the characteristics mentioned in independent claim 14.

Brief description of the figures

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the musical or ringing mechanism for a timepiece or music box according to the invention will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings on which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a striking mechanism of a watch according to one embodiment of the invention, comprising a striking mobile regulator, Figure 2 is a top view of the striking mechanism of Figure 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the mobile ringing regulator of FIG. 1.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly that of music boxes or timepieces comprising a musical or striking mechanism. The invention will be described more precisely for the preferred application of a timepiece comprising a striking mechanism. Nevertheless, the invention is applicable to the regulation of any mobile generating music or ringing. In this regard, in the remainder of the description, the generic term “timepiece” will denote a timepiece or a music box, and the term “striking mechanism” will denote a musical or striking mechanism.

In this description of a preferred use of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the invention relates to a striking mechanism 1 comprising a regulator 2 of striking mobile 4, for a timepiece (not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity). The timepiece is typically a mechanical striking watch, such as for example a repeater watch. In this preferred use of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the striking mobile 4 is a percussion hammer which is configured to strike a gong 5 of the striking mechanism 1. In a variant not shown, the mobile can strike. be one or more lever (s), or one or more moving pin (s) which strike the blades of a keyboard in the case of a musical watch. As a further variant, the gong 5 can be replaced by one or more resonator (s), gong (s), or bell (s), or even by a resonance box in the case of a music box.

As visible in Figure 3 the striking mechanism 1 comprises, in addition to the regulator 2, an energy source 6 delivering a mechanical torque, and mechanical torque transmission means from the energy source 6 to the mobile ringtone 4 (the latter not being shown in the figures for reasons of clarity). Preferably, the striking mechanism 1 also comprises at least one electrical component 10 connected to the regulator 2. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanism 1 comprises three components 10 for storing electrical energy, in this case ceramic capacitors. The energy stored in these capacitors can for example be reused by light components within the timepiece in order to effect synchronized illumination. As a variant or in addition, the electrical component (s) 10 can be an accumulator, and / or a luminous component, such as a light-emitting diode, and / or an electrical generation component. of sound or vibrations within the mechanism 1. When the electrical component 10 is an electrical component for generating sound, the latter is for example a loudspeaker associated with an amplifier.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the energy source 6 is a striking barrel received in a location 12 of the mechanism 1 (the striking barrel 6 is not shown in the Figures 1 and 2 for clarity). Striking barrel 6 is typically a spring barrel, which can be cocked in a single gesture by a user of the timepiece. Such a spring barrel generally delivers a mechanical torque which varies as a function of the unwinding of the spring. In a variant not shown, the energy source 6 can be a barrel of the mechanical watch movement of the timepiece, part of the stored energy of which is recovered for the musical or striking mechanism 1.

The regulator 2 of mobile 4 is intended to regulate the tempo of the ringing tone, or of the melody as the case may be, of the mechanism 1. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the regulator 2 of mobile 4 is intended to regulate the tempo of the ringing of the striking mechanism 1. More precisely, the regulator 2 is configured to regulate, around a set speed value, the pivoting speed of the mobile 4 around an axis pivot. To do this, the regulator 2 comprises means 14 for braking the mobile 4 (which will be described later) configured to bring the pivoting speed of the mobile 4 to the set speed.

As visible in Figure 3, the regulator 2 consists of a system comprising an electric generator 16 and an electronic circuit 18 for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator 16. The generator 16 is for example connected to the circuit electronic 18 via a rectifier circuit 19.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the electric generator 16 comprises a rotor 20 and a stator 22. The rotor 20 is connected to the energy source 6 delivering the mechanical torque, via a kinematic chain not visible in the figures ( cogs and / or gear train). The stator 22 is for example formed from a set of coils 24 connected in series (a single coil 24 being shown in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity). The coils 24 are advantageously coils without iron, which makes it possible to avoid any initial positioning torque. Preferably, the electric generator 16 is an electro-dynamic microgenerator. When the mechanism 1 comprises one or more electrical component (s) 10, the latter or these can be connected directly or indirectly to the electric generator. When at least one of the components 10 is an electrical energy storage component, the electrical energy accumulated in this component can in particular be used to power the electronic circuit 18 when the energy source 6 does not deliver a mechanical torque.

Preferably, the electronic circuit 18 is an oscillator circuit. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the electronic circuit 18 comprises an integrated servo circuit 26 with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology CMOS (standing for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) . According to this particular exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the electronic circuit 18 also comprises a quartz 28, which is connected to the integrated circuit 26 and which provides a reference frequency. In a variant not shown, the electronic circuit 18 comprises a resistance-inductance-capacitance circuit configured to provide a reference frequency.

The integrated circuit 26 has an input terminal 29 connected to the set of coils 24 of the generator 16 and making it possible to recover an analog signal 31 from the latter. Without this being limiting in the context of the present invention, the integrated circuit 26 comprises, for example, a chain of divisions (including inhibition programming logic), a hysteresis comparator for logical formatting of the analog signal 31, a reversible counter, as well as a decision logic (such elements not being shown in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarity). The integrated circuit also comprises a transistor 30, typically an insulated gate field effect transistor with MOS metal oxide semiconductor (standing for Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

The hysteresis comparator is connected to the input terminal 29. The chain of divisions is connected between the quartz 28 and a positive input of the reversible counter. The other input of the reversible counter, which is a negative input, is connected to the output of the hysteresis comparator. The decision logic is connected to the output of the reversible counter, and has a control output of transistor 30.

The reversible counter makes the difference between the two pulse type signals coming from the quartz 28 on the one hand, and from the generator 16 on the other hand, as well as the integration of the pulses over time. The reversible counter also indicates the advance or the delay of the angular position of the rotor 20 of the generator 16 with respect to its ideal angular position (given by the quartz 28) and the decision logic which follows the counter decides on the setpoint. to establish. This decision logic acts in fact according to the value of the reversible counter (positive or negative) and controls the transistor 30.

The transistor 30 is connected to the stator 22 of the electric generator 16. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 3, the transistor 30 is connected in parallel with the coils 24 via its two drain and source electrodes. The transistor 30 constitutes the braking means 14, which are braking means configured to electrically brake the rotation of the rotor 20 of the generator 16.

The electronic circuit 18 is thus configured to regulate, around a set speed, the rotational speed of the generator 16, and thus to brake the mobile 4 so as to regulate its pivoting speed around the axis pivot. The setpoint speed is for example equal to 7 revolutions per second, without this being limiting in the context of the present invention. Thus, whatever the mechanical torque delivered by the energy source 6, the electric generator 16 rotates at constant or almost constant speed. To do this, the frequency of the signal coming from the generator 16 (which is proportional to the speed of rotation of the latter) is compared to a sub-multiple of the reference frequency (supplied by the quartz 28 in the example of embodiment of Figure 3). If necessary, the generator 16 is then electrically braked by the braking means 14 formed by the transistor 30, so as to be slaved to the reference frequency supplied by the quartz 28. To do this, the transistor 30, which is driven by the decision logic of the integrated circuit 26, short-circuits all the coils 24 of the stator 22 during a fraction of the period of the alternating voltage supplied by the generator 16. The transistor 30 then acts as an intermittent and pulsed braking means of the rotor 20 of the generator 16.

In operation, when the rotor 20 of the generator 16 is moved under the effect of a torque supplied by the spring of the barrel 6, an induced alternating voltage appears at the terminals of the set of coils 24 of the stator 22. The induced alternating voltage is then used for two functions: firstly this voltage is rectified via the rectifier circuit 19 and makes it possible to supply the integrated circuit 26, and secondly this voltage makes it possible to provide a source of electrical energy available for the timepiece. This rechargeable electrical energy source then makes it possible, for example, to supply the electrical component (s) 10. The accumulated electrical energy can then be advantageously reused by an electrical component, such as a light emitting diode. to illuminate elements of the timepiece, such as gongs, hammers or hands for example, or even by a component for generating sound or vibrations within the mechanism.

Claims (14)

1. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) for a timepiece or music box, comprising an energy source (6) delivering a mechanical torque and means for transmitting mechanical torque from said energy source (6) to a mobile (4) for generating music or ringing, the mechanism (1) further comprising a regulator (2) of the mobile (4), said regulator (2) being configured to regulate, around a speed value setpoint, the pivoting speed of the mobile (4) around a pivot axis, and comprising means (14) for braking the mobile (4) configured to bring its pivoting speed back to the reference speed, characterized in that that the regulator (2) of mobile (4) consists of a system comprising an electric generator (16) of which a rotor (20) is mechanically connected to the energy source (6) delivering the mechanical torque, and a circuit electronic (18) for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator (16). 2. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit (18) is provided with a quartz (28) providing a reference frequency. 3. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit (18) comprises a resistance inductance capacitance circuit configured to provide a reference frequency. 4. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (14) for braking the mobile (4) are braking means configured to electrically brake the rotation of the rotor (20 ) of the electric generator (16). 5. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic circuit (18) is an oscillator electronic circuit which comprises an integrated servo circuit (26) with semi-technology. complementary metal oxide conductor. 6. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the stator (22) of the generator (16) is formed of a set of coils (24) connected in series, and in that the integrated servo circuit (26) comprises a transistor (30), said transistor (30) being connected to the stator (22) of the electric generator (16) and being configured, via a piloting by the integrated circuit (26), for short-circuiting the set of coils (24) during a fraction of the period of the alternating voltage supplied by the generator (16), said transistor (30) constituting said electric braking means (14 ). 7. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism (1) further comprises at least one electrical component (10) connected to the electrical generator (16). 8. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical component (10) is selected from the group consisting of an electrical energy storage component, such as an accumulator or a capacitor, a luminous component, such as a light emitting diode, and an electrical component for generating sound or vibrations. 9. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the electrical component (10) is connected directly to the electrical generator (16). 10. Musical or ringing mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy source (6) is a ringing barrel. 11. Timepiece or music box comprising a musical or striking mechanism (1), characterized in that the musical or striking mechanism (1) conforms to any one of the preceding claims. 12. Timepiece or music box according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a mechanical clock movement, and in that the energy source (6) of the musical or striking mechanism (1) is a barrel of said mechanical watch movement. 13. Timepiece or music box according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the timepiece is a mechanical striking watch. 14. Use as a regulator (2) of mobile (4) for generating music or ringing, in a musical or ringing mechanism (1) for a timepiece or music box comprising an energy source (6 ) delivering a mechanical torque and mechanical torque transmission means from said energy source (6) to a mobile (4) for generating music or ringing, of a system comprising an electric generator (16) including a rotor (20) is mechanically connected to the energy source (6) delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit (18) for regulating the speed of rotation of the generator (16), said circuit (18) being configured to regulate , around a setpoint speed value, the speed of rotation of the generator (16), and thus brake the mobile (4) so as to regulate the pivoting speed of the mobile (4) around an axis of pivoting.