CH719079A2 - Watchmaking device with simplified assembly. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a horological device (1) comprising a frame (100), a horological component (2) intended to be mounted on the frame (100) and at least two parts (5, 6) interfering with the assembly path of the component on the frame. The device (1) comprises a control member (7) arranged to act directly on each of said at least two parts (5, 6) so as to move them relative to the frame (100) to a position in which no 'they are in the mounting path of said component (2). The invention also relates to a method for mounting such a device and a timepiece comprising such a device. The present invention aims to provide a timepiece device in which the assembly of at least one element is simplified.

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece device with simplified assembly.

[0002] When assembling watchmaking devices, the watchmaker is often confronted with the fact that certain so-called ¿interfering¿ parts such as jumpers, sensors or others, are in positions in which they hinder or even block the setting place of at least one component such as a star, a cam or even a display disc. The watchmaker must then remove these interfering parts from the path of said component in order to put it in place.

[0003] When at least two parts interfere with the assembly of a component on a watchmaking device, it becomes complicated for the watchmaker who only has two hands. He then often works in small movements, sometimes blind, to set up or dismantle said component. This requires great mastery to avoid damaging the various elements and also takes a lot of time.

[0004] The use of robots that may include more than two arms to assist or replace the watchmaker for assembly is an interesting solution for simplifying these steps. However, even in the event of robotic assistance, limiting the number of movements to be carried out for assembly is advantageous. Indeed, the fewer movements there will be to perform by the robot and the simpler the associated movements, the lower the production costs of such a robot will be and the better its reliability.

[0005] The same difficulties and challenges arise for the dismantling of watchmaking devices.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a timepiece device in which the assembly of at least one element is simplified.

To this end, the present invention relates to a horological device comprising a frame, a horological component intended to be mounted on the frame and at least two parts interfering with the mounting path of said component on the frame, the device being characterized in that it comprises a control member arranged to act, preferably directly, on each of said at least two parts so as to move them relative to the frame to a position in which none of them is in the trajectory mounting of said component.

[0008] In the context of the present invention, it is considered that a part interferes with the mounting path of the component to be mounted when it is located at least partly on the path of installation of this component or that 'it participates in blocking a part on the assembly path of this component.

[0009] In such a device, although at least two interfering parts interfere with the positioning of the watch component to be mounted, the watchmaker is able to mount this component without difficulty. In fact, he can remove these parts from the mounting path by manipulating a single control member.

[0010] Preferably, said trajectory corresponds to a translation of the component along an axis perpendicular to the frame

In the context of the present invention, each of said at least two parts is typically subjected to an elastic return force tending to bring it into a ¿rest¿ position in which it interferes with the positioning of said component on the built.

Regarding the position of said two parts prior to the actuation of said control member, two cases are possible: either each of said at least two parts is at least partly on the mounting path of said component on the frame; or at least one of said at least two parts is at least partly on the assembly path and the other(s) participate(s) in blocking it, or in blocking them as the case may be, in this position.

Advantageously, the control member of the device according to the invention is able to move in a plane parallel to the frame. It is typically mobile in rotation relative to the frame. The watchmaker can then act on the lever arms between the center of rotation of the control member and the portions of the control member which act on said first and second parts to adjust their amplitude of movement.

The control member of the device according to the invention is typically a rocker comprising at least a first and a second bearing surfaces, for example first and second studs, said first and second bearing surfaces being arranged to act respectively, preferably directly, on each of said at least two parts interfering with the mounting path of the component on the frame and to move them until neither of said two parts is in the mounting path of said component.

The fact that the control member acts on each of said at least two parts means that the actuation of each of these parts is done by the control member without the intermediary of another of these parts, c ie without going through one to activate the other.

[0016] Advantageously, each of said at least two parts is chosen from a jumper, a pawl, a rocker, a lever, a feeler, a brake, a spring.

[0017] Preferably, the timepiece component of the device according to the invention is a wheel or a moving part comprising a wheel, said wheel being chosen from among a toothed wheel, a star wheel, a cam, a toothed disc.

The device according to the invention is particularly useful when said watch component is a component subject to scratches, for example when it comprises a mirror-polished display disc. Indeed, positioning a component via a translation perpendicular to the plate, for example using a suction tool, without a part interfering with its mounting path, is particularly suitable for avoiding scratches.

The timepiece component of the device according to the invention is typically intended to cooperate directly with at least one of said at least two parts.

The control member of the device according to the invention typically moves between two predetermined positions, a first in which said at least two parts interfere with the mounting path of said component on the frame and a second in which none of they are in the mounting path of said component on the frame.

The invention also relates to a method for mounting a device according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: a. moving the control member from said first predetermined position to said second predetermined position; b. installing said component on the frame; etc. moving the control member from said second predetermined position to said first predetermined position.

Finally, the invention relates to a timepiece such as a wristwatch, a pocket watch, a clock or a clock comprising such a timepiece device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIGS. 1a and 1b represent a top view of a timepiece device according to a first embodiment of the invention in successive configurations; FIG. 2 illustrates a section along axis I-I of the device illustrated in FIG. 1a; FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3b is a top view, by transparency, of the device illustrated in Figure 3a; FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate in top view and by transparency the device illustrated in FIG. 3a in different configurations.

Figures 1a, 1b and 2 show a timepiece device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 1 comprises a plate 100, a mobile display comprising a toothed wheel 2 and a month display disc 3 integral in rotation about an axis 4 driven into the plate 100, a jumper 5 comprising a body 5a subjected to the action of a spring 5b, a brake 6 mounted on the body 5a of the jumper 5 and acting on the lower barrel 2a of the toothed wheel 2 and a control rocker 7.

The device 1 is intended to be integrated into a timepiece such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch.

[0026] The month display disc 3 is typically driven onto the upper barrel 2b of the toothed wheel 2.

[0027] The toothed wheel 2 comprises a central hole through which the axis 4 passes and is mounted free to rotate around this axis 4. The toothed wheel 2 is typically driven in rotation at a rate of one revolution per year by cooperation with a finger of a date star (not shown) kinematically connected to the going train of a watch movement. The relative angular position of the toothed wheel 2 with respect to the plate 100, which defines the month displayed by the month disc 3, can be corrected directly by manual correction (not shown).

The month disc 3 typically has on its upper face 3a indications corresponding to the months of the year. Under its other face, called the lower face 3b, is the toothed wheel 2.

[0029] The upper face 3a of the disk 3 defines the upper face A of the device 1 and is typically intended to be on the "dial side" of a timepiece, that is to say on the side facing the user during normal use. The other face, called the lower face 3b of the disc 3, defines the lower face B of the device 1 and is typically intended to be on the ¿bridge side¿ of a timepiece.

[0030] The toothed wheel 2 is held in a radial position with respect to the plate 100 by the axis 4. It is held in an axial position, in the direction of the lower face B, that is to say in the forward direction. from top to bottom, by a shoulder 4a of axis 4.

The jumper 5 comprises a body 5a pivotally mounted around an axis of rotation A1 fixed relative to the plate 100. It is held in abutment against the toothed wheel 2 by means of its jumper spring 5b to position said toothed wheel 2.

[0032] The brake 6 is typically a one-piece part, a first rigid part 6a of which is fixed to the body 5a of the jumper 5 and a second flexible part consists of a leaf spring 6b, the elastic return force of which is such that it brakes the toothed wheel 2 by pressing against its lower barrel 2a. The brake 6 also comprises a third rigid part 6c intended to cooperate with the control rocker 7. As the brake 6 is mounted on the jumper 5, at each step of the toothed wheel 2, the lifting of the jumper 5 accentuates the effect of braking of the brake 6 on the lower barrel 2a.

The control rocker 7 is pivotally mounted on the plate 100 around an axis of rotation A2. It is capable of pivoting between a first predetermined position illustrated in FIG. 1a in which it is opposite the toothed wheel 2 perpendicular to the plate 100 and a second predetermined position illustrated in FIG. 1b in which this is no longer the case . When it is in the first position, the control rocker 7 maintains the toothed wheel 2 and the mobile of the months 3 in the axial position, in the direction of the upper face A, that is to say in the direction going from the bottom at the top. When it is in the second predetermined position, this is not the case.

[0034] Traditionally, the axial holding of a wheel set such as the display set constituted by the toothed wheel 2/month disc 3 assembly is achieved by the dial itself which must then have numerous properties, in particular be very flat and subject to very precise tolerances. In addition to the obvious disadvantage of such a dial, which is cumbersome to produce, if the dial is used to hold different mobiles axially, the dial will have to be removed for each change of one of said mobiles; inevitably, it will axially release all the components held by this dial. The use of members such as the control rocker 7 for the axial retention of watch components is therefore advantageous, and in particular in the design of a timepiece without a dial, such as a skeleton watch.

[0035] Alternatively, the axial holding of such a mobile 2, 3 could be achieved by means of a screw screwed to the center of the month disc 3 and passing through the toothed wheel 2. Such a solution would have the advantage of freeing the dial of its holding function but would have the disadvantage of occupying part of the upper surface of the display disc. In some cases this is not feasible due to clutter or if there is a turnout in the center of the disc.

The use of a flip-flop such as the control flip-flop 7 has the advantage of overcoming these drawbacks.

In the example shown, the pivoting of the control rocker 7 takes place around a first screw 8a, screwed into the plate 100. The watchmaker can optionally partially screw this screw 8a to allow the pivoting of the control latch 7 from said first predetermined position to said second predetermined position; or else screw it completely to lock the pivoting of rocker 7. A second screw 8b, optional, allows the watchmaker to further secure control rocker 7 when it is in its first predetermined position. Such a screw 8b above all makes it possible to avoid deformations of the control rocker 7 in the event of an impact.

[0038] For the assembly of the watchmaking device 1, the axis 4, the jumper 5 (body and spring) and the brake 6 which it carries as well as the control rocker 7 are placed on the plate 100 before the wheel gear 2 and display disc 3.

At this stage, only the screw 8a is screwed into the plate 100 and only partially so as to allow the pivoting of the control rocker 7 around its axis A2.

As illustrated in Figure 1a, the body 5a of the jumper 5 and the brake 6 are subjected to elastic return forces which push them in the direction of the axis 4 in order to keep them bearing against the toothed wheel 2 These parts therefore interfere with the toothed wheel 2 when it is mounted on the plate 100, along a path perpendicular to the plate 100. Indeed, both the body 5a of the jumper 5 and the spring blade 6b of the brake 6 are located partly on the mounting path of wheel 2.

[0041] In order to be able to put the toothed wheel 2 in place, the watchmaker must keep the rocker 7, the jumper 5 and the brake 6 separated from the axis 4.

The control rocker 7, the jumper 5 and the brake 6 of the device 1 are specially designed to facilitate the installation of the toothed wheel 2. For this purpose, the control rocker 7 comprises a first 75 and a second 76 studs intended to come to cooperate respectively with jumper 5 and with brake 6 when it pivots from its first position illustrated in FIG. 1a to its second position illustrated in FIG. 1b.

[0043] More specifically, when the control rocker 7 pivots from said first position to said second position, the first stud 75 pushes on an inclined plane 5c of the jumper 5, and thus moves the tip of the jumper 5 away from the axis 4, as shown in Figure 1b. Jumper 5 pivots counterclockwise in FIG. 1a around its axis of rotation A1.

As indicated above, the lifting of the jumper 5 tends to bring the leaf spring 6b closer to the lower barrel 2a. However, during its pivoting from said first position to said second position, the control lever 7 raises, via its second pin 76, the brake 6 by acting on the third part 6c of the brake 6. It causes the brake 6 slightly clockwise around its attachment point on jumper 5.

[0045] Once the control rocker 7 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 1b, the watchmaker only has to position the toothed wheel 2 on the plate 100 by inserting it on the axis 4, perpendicularly to plate 100. He can then pivot control rocker 7 again to reposition it in said first position, then tighten screw 8a and finally position then tighten screw 8b to axially lock toothed wheel 2.

[0046] In addition to its advantage of simplified assembly, the device 1 allows axial retention of the mobile display 2, 3 which is particularly interesting.

The month display disc 3 is typically secured to the toothed wheel 2 before it is placed on the plate. This does not change anything in the assembly steps, in fact, the display disk 3 is positioned above all the other organs.

[0048] In summary, to set up the mobile display 2, 3, the watchmaker only has to rotate the control rocker 7 around the screw 8a (at this stage partially screwed) in the counterclockwise to bring it into its position illustrated in Figure 1b (second position), then to hold it in this position with one hand while inserting the toothed wheel 2 and the month disc 3 with which it is integral with its other hand, along a trajectory perpendicular to the plate 100. Alternatively, instead of holding the control rocker 7 with one hand for the time to insert the toothed wheel 2 and the month disc 3 with the other hand, the watchmaker can tighten screw 8a or screw 8b to hold rocker 7 in its second position while inserting the toothed wheel 2 - month disc 3 assembly.

The control rocker 7 advantageously comprises a portion facilitating its handling by the watchmaker. Here it is an arm 7a which forms with the control rocker 7 a one-piece assembly but it could also be an added element.

It will clearly appear to those skilled in the art that such a device 1 is also particularly simple to disassemble.

Indeed, as regards the dismantling of the device 1 from its predetermined position illustrated in Figure 1a, the principle is the same; the watchmaker only has to loosen the screws 8a and 8b, to pivot the control rocker 7 counterclockwise (typically by acting on the arm 7a) to bring it into its second position as illustrated in 1b, then to hold it in this position with one hand (or by tightening the screw 8a or 8b) while extracting the mobile display 2, 3 to which it is attached with its other hand, by lifting it perpendicular to plate 100.

The device 1 can therefore be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0053] In variants, the axis 4 could be replaced by a barrel forming a simple hollow tube whose light would be crossed by a shank, for example carrying a needle, the shank would then be free to rotate inside the tube. . The shank as well as the hand would typically be rotated by the going train of said timepiece mechanism.

[0054] Advantageously, a pin could typically be driven into the plate 100 to limit the angular movement of the control rocker 7 so that it does not pivot counterclockwise beyond its second predetermined position. This would have the advantage of also defining the amplitude of the movements of the brake 6 and the jumper 5 and therefore of limiting the risk of damaging these parts when moving them away from the axis 4. A stop could also be provided limiting the angular movement of the rocker in the clockwise direction.

Alternatively, other means of limiting the angular movement of the control rocker 7 can be envisaged, for example the shape of the milling of the plate 100 in which it pivots. As a variant, the jumper and the control rocker 7 could be arranged so that the portion connecting the part 5c of the jumper to the body 5a of the jumper acts as a stop for the stud 75 of the control rocker 7.

It is notable that the interfering parts which are the jumper 5 and the brake 6 are driven in rotation in different directions of rotation by the actuation of a single part, the control rocker 7. Moreover, as this control rocker 7 is mobile in rotation, the watchmaker can act on the lever arms of the first 75 and second 76 pins with respect to the axis of rotation A2 of the rocker 7 according to the amplitude of movement that he desired for jumper 5 and for brake 6.

[0057] Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, a device 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention comprises a plate 200, a time zone display mobile comprising a toothed annular disc 202 and an annular display disc 203 integral in rotation around a (virtual) axis of rotation A3 fixed relative to the plate 200, a correction rocker 204, a jumper 205 positioning the toothed annular disc 202 and cooperating with a hook 206a of an intermediate part 206 , as well as a control flip-flop 207.

The device 2 is intended to be integrated into a timepiece such as a wristwatch or a pocket watch.

The annular display disc 203 bears on its upper face indications (not shown) relating to time zones. The display disk 203 is intended to remain stationary during the operation of the watch in which the device is integrated and is moved only on command from the wearer of the watch, when the latter wishes to change time zone.

The correction latch 204 is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation A4 fixed relative to the plate 200 between a rest position illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b and a correction position illustrated in Figure 4. It is intended to be actuated by the user of the timepiece in which the device 2 is mounted, for example by means of a pusher not shown, materialized by an arrow bearing the mark P in FIG. 4. It is typically subjected to an elastic return force (not shown) bringing it back to its so-called rest position.

The jumper 205 includes a support portion 205a cooperating with a support portion 204a of the correction rocker 204 to lock the position of the display disc 203 outside the correction phases.

When tilting the correction rocker 204 from its rest position to its correction position (via the actuation of the pusher P), the bearing portions 204a and 205a separate and thus release the jumper 205. The correction latch 204 carries a stud 204b which cooperates with the toothing of the toothed annular disc 202 to cause it to advance by one step, each time the pusher is actuated.

[0063] For mounting the device 2, the correction rocker 204, the jumper 205, the intermediate piece 206 and the control rocker 207 are placed on the plate 200 before the toothed annular disc 202 and the display disc ring 203. As indicated above, the jumper 205 and the correction rocker 204 are typically subjected to elastic restoring forces. They both constitute parts interfering with the mounting path of the toothed annular disc 202 on the frame 200. Indeed, the tip of the jumper 205 tends to come onto the mounting path of the toothed annular disc 202 and the support portion 204a of the correction rocker 204 tends to block jumper 205 in this position.

The device 2 also comprises a control rocker 207 pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation A5 fixed relative to the plate 200. The control rocker 207 is intended to pivot between a first predetermined position illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, which it occupies during normal operation of the watch in which the device 2 is inserted, and a second predetermined position, corresponding to that illustrated in FIG. 6.

The purpose of the control rocker 207 is to simplify the assembly of the toothed annular disc 202 on the plate 200 by acting on the interfering parts previously defined, namely the correction rocker 204 and the jumper 205. To do this, the control rocker 207 includes a clearance 207a to facilitate its manipulation by the watchmaker. It also includes a first arm carrying a first stud 207b and a second arm carrying a second stud 207c.

The first pin 207b is located in a closed opening 204c made in an arm of the correction rocker 204 which carries the pin 204b. The contours of this opening 204c are arranged so that the pivoting of the correction rocker 204 from its rest position to its correction position then its return to its rest position: does not impact the position of the control rocker 207 (cf. FIGS. 3b and 4 illustrating this movement); And causes a slight pivoting of the correction rocker 204 counterclockwise around the axis A4.

[0067] The inclined planes 2041c and 2042c are dimensioned and arranged so that this pivoting is sufficient for the support portions 204a and 205a to separate and release the jumper 205 but without the stud 204b interfering with the placement path of the toothed annular disc 202 (see Figure 6).

The second pin 207c is located in an oblong hole 206b of the intermediate piece 206 which includes the hook 206a. The stud 207c and the oblong hole 206b form an articulation between the parts 207 and 206. These parts are arranged so that the pivoting of the control rocker 207 from its first predetermined position to its second predetermined position causes the lifting of the jumper 205 via hook 206a, as shown in Figure 6.

Thus, when the watchmaker moves the control rocker 207 from its first predetermined position to its second predetermined position, the cooperation of the first stud 207b causes the pivoting of the correction rocker 204 and the release of the jumper 205 by separation of the support portions 204a and 205a, as shown in Figure 5 then the cooperation of the second pin 207c with the intermediate piece 206 causes the lifting of the jumper 205, as shown in Figure 6.

The jumper 205 which was on the mounting path of the toothed annular disc 202 and the rocker 204 which, through its bearing portion 204a blocked the jumper on said path have both been moved by the single actuation of the control rocker 207 so that no more part, and in particular neither the jumper 205 nor the correction rocker 204, is located on the mounting path of the toothed annular disc 202.

The watchmaker can then easily place the toothed annular disc 202 on the plate 200. When he releases the control rocker 207, the latter typically returns to its first predetermined position under the effect of the force of return of jumper 205 and return spring of correction rocker 204.

The annular display disc 203 is typically made integral with the toothed annular disc 202 before its installation on the plate 200. This does not change the assembly steps, in fact, the annular display disc 203 is positioned above all other organs.

It will clearly appear to those skilled in the art that such a device 2 is also particularly simple to disassemble.

Indeed, as regards the dismantling of the device 2 from its position illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the principle is the same; the watchmaker only has to pivot the control rocker 207 clockwise by inserting a tool into the clearance 207a to bring it into its second predetermined position, then to hold it in this position with one hand while coming to extract the mobile display 202, 203 with his other hand, by raising it perpendicularly to the plate 200.

The device 2 can therefore be easily assembled and disassembled.

[0076] In general, the directions of rotation indicated in the description are considered with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

It will clearly appear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments presented above and illustrated in the figures.

It is for example very well conceivable to produce a system in which the control member acts on more than two parts interfering with the mounting path of a component.

The present invention is not limited either to the fact that the control member moves in rotation between its first predetermined position and its second predetermined position. Its movement could be different from a rotation, it could for example be a translation or an intermediate movement between a rotation and a translation.

[0080] In other variants, it is obvious that the shape of the various organs can vary ad infinitum as long as their functions are ensured.

Claims (14)

1. Watchmaking device (1; 2) comprising a frame (100; 200), a watchmaking component (2; 202) intended to be mounted on the frame (100; 200) and at least two parts (5, 6; 204, 205) interfering with the mounting path of said component on the frame, the device (1; 2) being characterized in that it comprises a control member (7; 207) arranged to act on each of said at least two parts (5 , 6; 204, 205) so as to move them relative to the frame (100; 200) to a position in which none of them is in the mounting path of said component (2; 202). 2. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each of said at least two parts (5, 6; 204, 205) is subjected to an elastic return force tending to bring it into a position in which it interferes with the placement of said component (2; 202) on the frame (100; 200). 3. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said trajectory corresponds to a translation of the component (2; 202) along an axis perpendicular to the frame (100; 200). 4. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, prior to the actuation of said control member (7; 207), each of said at least two parts is at least in part, on the mounting path of said component (2; 202) on the frame (100; 200). 5. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, prior to the actuation of said control member (7; 207), at least one of said at least two parts is on the mounting trajectory and the other(s) participate(s) in blocking it or blocking them, as the case may be, in this position. 6. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said control member (7; 207) is able to move in a plane parallel to the frame (100; 200). 7. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control member (7; 207) is rotatable relative to the frame (100; 200). 8. Timepiece device (1; 2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control member (7; 207) is a rocker comprising at least a first (75; 207b) and a second bearing surface, typically at least a first and a second pin, said bearing surfaces being arranged to act respectively, preferably directly, on each of said parts interfering with the mounting path of the component on the frame 100 so that no of said two parts is in the mounting path of said component. 9. Timepiece device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each of said two parts is chosen from a jumper, a spring, a pawl, a rocker, a lever, a feeler, a brake. 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said timepiece component is a wheel or a moving part comprising a wheel, said wheel being chosen from among a toothed wheel, a star, a cam, a toothed disc. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component is intended to cooperate directly with at least one of said at least two parts. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control member moves between two predetermined positions, a first in which said at least two parts interfere with the mounting path of said component on the frame and a second wherein none of them is in the mounting path of said component on the frame. 13. A method of mounting a device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: To. moving the control member from its first predetermined position to its second predetermined position; b. installing said component on the frame; And vs. moving the control member from its second predetermined position to its first predetermined position. 14. Timepiece comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims.