CH719288A2 - Animation mechanism of an object for a timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (1) for animating an object (7) for a portable timepiece, comprising a frame element (3) on which are mounted: – a driving source (5); - a drive wheel (12) arranged to be driven by said power source (5) and defining a main pivot axis (A) around which said drive wheel (12) is arranged to pivot; – a drive element (15) integral in rotation with said drive wheel (12) and arranged to drive said object (7) in rotation around said main pivot axis (A); – a turntable (17) arranged coaxially with respect to said drive wheel (12) and carrying a support system (13) of said object, said support system (13) being off-center with respect to said main pivot axis (A ), wherein said support system (13) comprises a first frame (13b) pivotally mounted on said turntable (17) about a first pivot axis, and an inner frame (13f) pivotally mounted in said first frame (13b) about a second pivot axis which is substantially orthogonal to said first pivot axis, and wherein said object (7) is carried by a shaft pivotally mounted in said inner frame (13f) about a third pivot axis (A3), said shaft being integral in rotation with a pinion (13l) meshing with a toothing (19a) which is coaxial with said drive wheel (12), said toothing (19a) being fixed or arranged to be animated by a rotation.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a mechanism for animating at least one object such as one or more jewels, one or more precious or semi-precious stones, one or more sculptures or any other object or miniature objects or combination of the latter, adapted to be integrated into a timepiece.

State of the art

[0002] The document FR2988866 describes a mechanism for animating a precious or semi-precious stone, in which a mainspring is arranged to animate the stone according to a rotational movement around a single axis of rotation, by the via a flexible belt. The stone is mounted on a shaft by four claws or jaws, which hold it in place. However, the movement of the stone is monotonous and only reveals one of its faces, which always presents the same angle to the wearer and therefore limits its visibility. Moreover, the scintillation of the stone is thus relatively limited and the user is obliged to observe it from an acute angle in order to visualize more than its crown.

[0003] The document US4734895 describes a mechanism for animating a stone, arranged in such a way that the latter performs rotations around the dial. To do this, the stone is fixed on a lever pivotally mounted around the center of the movement, and the movements of the user's wrist generate movements of the stone under the effect of gravity. However, if the piece is not moving, the stone remains stationary.

[0004] The object of the invention is, therefore, to propose an animation mechanism in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of Invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism for animating at least one object for a portable timepiece, as defined by claim 1.

This mechanism comprises a frame element on which are mounted: - a driving source, such as a mainspring or an electric motor, a manual force input (rod, bolt or similar), an oscillating weight; - a drive wheel arranged to be driven by said power source and defining a main pivot axis around which it is arranged to pivot; - A drive element integral in rotation with said drive wheel and arranged to drive said object in rotation about said main pivot axis; - A turntable, which is coaxial with said drive wheel and which carries a support system for said object, said support system being off-center with respect to said main pivot axis.

[0007] Said support system comprises a first frame pivotally mounted on said turntable about said first pivot axis, as well as an inner frame pivotally mounted in said first frame about a second pivot axis which is substantially orthogonal to to said first pivot axis. Said object is carried by a shaft pivotally mounted in said inner frame about a third pivot axis, said shaft being integral in rotation with a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial with said drive wheel and is separate from the latter, said toothing being fixed or arranged to be rotated. This toothing is typically carried by a secondary wheel.

[0008] By these means, an orbital movement of the object can be obtained, the object being inclined with respect to the main pivoting axis and rotating around the third axis during its course around the latter, which increases the visibility of the object. Furthermore, the degrees of freedom provided by the frames make it possible to compensate for the manufacturing tolerances and thus to avoid jamming of the mechanism and/or loss of grip between said pinion and said toothing with which the latter meshes. In the case where the object is a cut stone, its movement optimizes the scintillations, and the angle of inclination of the object can be easily predetermined by the manufacturer by modifying the diameter of said wheel and the angle of its teeth. as well as that of the gable, for example in order to optimize the scintillations for a particular stone or to optimize the visibility of any object.

[0009] Advantageously, said drive element, which may be a lever, a crank or the like, cooperates with one end of said shaft. The pinion is thus forced to remain in engagement with the teeth with which it meshes, without any need to provide other means for this purpose.

Advantageously, the diameter ratio between said pinion and said toothing is at least 5, preferably between 5 and 400, more preferably between 5 and 50, and more preferably between 5 and 20.

Advantageously, said turntable is located outside of said frame element, surrounding it in its plane.

[0012] Advantageously, the mechanism further comprises a regulating system such as an escapement-balance-spring system, tuning fork, quartz system, a centrifugal regulator, a paddle wheel rotating in air or in a liquid, a mono-, bi- or triaxial whirlpool, a carousel or the like, arranged to be driven by said driving source and thus regulate the speed of rotation of said object.

The mechanism forming the subject of the invention can, of course, be integrated into a timepiece, such as for example a wristwatch or a pocket watch, but also a table clock.

Brief description of the drawings

[0014] Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an animation mechanism according to the invention integrated into a timepiece; -Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the support system and the object supported thereon; and - Figs. 3 is a sectional view of the support system and the object supported therein.

Embodiments of the Invention

Figure 1 illustrates an animation mechanism according to the invention integrated into a timepiece.

The animation mechanism 1 comprises a frame element 3 which serves as a support for the other components of said mechanism 1, and which can be fixed to the frame (for example on a plate or a bridge) of a movement M base or can be integrated with such a frame. A driving source 5, such as a barrel storing a mainspring or a stepping motor, is mounted on the frame element 3 and is arranged to supply the energy necessary for driving the object 7 The driving source 5 can be dedicated to the animation mechanism 1, or can be shared with the watch movement M arranged to drive display members 9 of any type and in a known way, which surmount a dial 10 ( if present). Alternatively, the driving source 5 can be a rod, bolt or similar, arranged to be manipulated by the user, or an oscillating mass.

The driving source 5 is preferably arranged to drive a regulating system 11 (in particular but not exclusively in the case where the driving source is a mainspring), which can be of any known mechanical type, such as, for example, a centrifugal regulator, a paddle wheel rotating in air or in a liquid, a tuning fork regulator, an escapement-balance-spring regulator, a mono-, bi- or triaxial tourbillon, a carousel or any other system (or combination of systems) similar. In the case of a stepper motor, the regulating system 11 can also be of the electric or electronic type (for example a quartz regulator).

The driving force, regulated by the regulating system 11, rotates a drive wheel 12 pivotally mounted on the frame element 3, for example on a cylindrical bearing surface 3a of the latter, by means of a ball bearing or any other kind of known bearing. The nature of the kinematic connection between the driving source 5 and the drive wheel 12 is not important, and can take any suitable form, being composed of wheels, sprockets, belts, chains, combinations of these, etc. In the illustrated construction, an intermediate mobile 14 is provided for this purpose.

A drive element 15 is mounted integral in rotation with the drive wheel 12, and is used to drive a support system 13 around the axis of rotation A of the latter, as will clearly follow later. In the illustrated construction, the drive element 15 is a lever, but it can also be a disc, a sector or the like, or can even be integrated into the drive wheel 12.

[0020] The support system 13, as well as the decorative object 7 (or several grouped decorative objects) that it carries, are off-center with respect to the axis A of the drive wheel, defined as the main pivot axis A ( which is a geometric axis rather than a tree). In the embodiment shown, the support system 13 and the decorative object 7 are not intersected by the axis A (that is to say they are far from the latter), but the reverse can alternatively be the case. The support system 13 is thus arranged to perform an orbital movement around the axis A. The object 7, and possibly also the whole of the support system 13, can be located so as not to be superimposed on the dial 10 (if present), so that these elements orbit around it. Alternatively, these elements can be at least partially superimposed, or at least partially below, dial 10.

The support system 13 is mounted, by means of a pair of pivots 13a carried by supports 13m, on a turntable 17 of annular shape, which is itself pivotally mounted on the frame 3 via a ball bearing or any other type of suitable bearing. Consequently, the turntable 17 surrounds the frame element 3. Alternatively, the turntable 17 can be of any shape, and/or can be pivoted on a shaft or on any bearing surface with which the element is provided. of frame 3.

The pivots 13a define a first pivot axis A1, around which is pivoted a first frame 13b consisting of an annular ring of generally circular shape. Other shapes (oval, square, rectangular, etc.) are also possible. This frame carries a pair of intermediate pivots 13d, which define a second pivot axis A2, substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis A1. An inner frame 13f is pivotally mounted around this second axis A2, and is integral with a base 13g which directly or indirectly carries the animated object 7. The inner frame 13f consists of a part having a substantially circular shape, as well as only two arms 13f1 which connect the pivots 13d to the base 13g. It goes without saying that other shapes are also possible, and it is not even mandatory that the frame 13f includes the annular part. Indeed, the base 13g can simply be connected to the pivots by the arms 13f1 or by another ad hoc arrangement.

At least one of the frames 13b, 13f can be provided with any decoration, for example enamelling, precious or semi-precious stones, or any other desired decoration. Furthermore, at least one of the shafts of the pivots 13d, 13a can exceed the surface of the element that it crosses, that is to say the outer surface of the first frame 13b for the pivots 13d, or the surface exterior of the support 13m in the case of the pivots 13a, and can carry a decoration, such as, for example, a precious or semi-precious stone. The movement of this stone will therefore generate scintillations which will accentuate the perception of the pivoting of the frame to which the stone is integral in rotation.

[0024] It should also be noted that none of the frames 13b, 13f is superimposed on the animated object 7, which overflows from the latter 13b, 13f and protrudes, thus maximizing its visibility. In other words, at least part of said object 7 is farther from drive element 15 than all of frames 13b, 13f.

In the illustrated embodiment, the animated object 7 is supported by a shaft 13h, which passes through the base 13g and which is integral with a support 13j in which the animated object 7 is fixed by crimping. Alternatively, the object 7 can be fixed there by gluing, screwing, welding, driving in or the like, depending on the nature of the object 7 and of the support 13j, and it is noted that the animated object 7 can be coaxial with the shaft 1 p.m., or may be offset from the latter. Furthermore, the connection between the animated object 7 and the inner frame 13f may comprise a flexible element, for example made of elastomer, to allow a slight “floating” of the object under the effect of the movement of the part.

The shaft 13h is mounted in 13k bearings provided in the base 13g so that said shaft 13h can pivot relative to the latter.

[0027] From the above, it is clear that the support system defines a gimbal support, which gives the animated object 7 two degrees of freedom in rotation, and, substantially, no degree of freedom in translation. . The pivoting of the shaft 13h in the base 13g confers a third degree of freedom in rotation to the animated object 7 around a third axis A3, which corresponds to the geometric axis of the shaft 13h. The axis A3 is advantageously orthogonal to each of the axes A1 and A2, but this is not compulsory.

The driving of the animated object 7 around the third axis A3 is ensured by the cooperation between a pinion 131 consisting of a toothing that includes the shaft 13h and a conical toothing 19a that includes a secondary wheel 19 which is coaxial with drive member 15 and is fixed in the illustrated construction. Other forms of toothing are also possible, such as, for example, an internal conical toothing carried by a crown, or other ad hoc gears. For the surplus, the secondary wheel 19 can also be rotated by an ad hoc mechanism in order to provide a rotation of the object 7 around the axis A3 which is faster, slower and/or which is in the other direction than that obtained with a secondary wheel 19 fixed.

[0029] The drive element 15 cooperates with one end of the shaft 13h so as to cause the support system 13 and the turntable 17 to pivot around the axis A, while maintaining the pinion 131 in taken with the toothing 19a. For the rest, the drive element 15, or another element integral in rotation with the drive wheel 12, can also cooperate directly or indirectly with the turntable 17, for example through the cooperation between a pin and an oblong slot provided on these two elements. In yet another variant not shown, the drive element 15 can cooperate with the turntable 17. In addition, other means can be provided to ensure the engagement between the pinion 131 and the toothing 19a, as well as the positioning from the tree 1 p.m. For this purpose, one can cite, for example, one or more pressure springs mounted directly or indirectly on the turntable 17.

By these means, the animated object 7 is pivoted around the central axis A, while it pivots around its own pivot axis A3, the angle formed between these two axes remaining constant during the rotations. The object is thus made very visible, and in the case of a stone, the scintillations can be accentuated.

[0031] At first sight, it might appear that the prediction of the axes of rotation A1 and A2 is useless. However, this is not the case. In view of the small size of the pinion 131 (typically of the order of 0.10 to 1 mm) and the relatively large diameter of the secondary wheel 19 (typically of the order of 15 to 40mm), the usual tolerances as well as the games operation of the gears make the implementation of the support system 13 which provides only the pivot axis A3 difficult or even impossible. The axes A1 and A2 are thus necessary for the proper functioning of the mechanism, to avoid any jamming or loss of meshing, particularly in the event of an impact.

[0032] For the rest, the illustrated construction facilitates the adaptation of the angle formed between the axes A and A3 at the time of construction, for example in order to optimize the scintillations of a precious stone of any shape. To do this, the manufacturer can simply adapt the diameter of the secondary wheel 19, as well as the meshing angle between the pinion 131 and the toothing 19a. In doing so, it is possible that the axis A3 intersects with the main pivot axis A on the dial side (i.e. in the direction of an observer) or on the back side of the mechanism (i.e. whether the object is heading inward or outward, respectively, depending on an observer's point of view.)

In view of the foregoing, it should be emphasized that the support system 13 is distinct from the regulating system 11, the latter simply serving to determine the speed of rotation of the drive wheel 12 and the movements of the animated object 7 In other words, the animated object 7 does not form part of the regulating system 11 as a functional or support element, is not mounted on an element of the latter, does not carry any element of the regulating system 11 and can be considered kinematically parallel to the latter.

[0034] In order to allow the illumination of the object 7 from below (that is to say from the direction of the mobile drive 15), the support system 13 can be located inside, or in superposition, of a polished well (not illustrated), which can take for example the form of a goblet, a parabolic, elliptical, hemispherical or similar mirror, which is arranged to direct the ambient light onto the lower face of the object. Still alternatively, a light source (for example a tritium element, one or more LEDs or the like) can be placed below the object and the frames 13b, 13f. By these means, if the object 7 is a stone, its scintillations can be enhanced.

[0035] 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 (6)

1. Mechanism (1) for animating at least one object (7) for a portable timepiece, comprising a frame element (3) on which are mounted: – a driving source (5); - a drive wheel (12) arranged to be driven by said power source (5) and defining a main pivot axis (A) around which said drive wheel (12) is arranged to pivot; - a drive element (15) integral in rotation with said drive wheel (12) and arranged to drive said object (7) in rotation around said main pivot axis (A); – a turntable (17) arranged coaxially with respect to said drive wheel (12) and carrying a support system (13) of said object, said support system (13) being off-center with respect to said main pivot axis (A ), wherein said support system (13) comprises a first frame (13b) pivotally mounted on said turntable (17) about said first pivot axis (A1), and an inner frame (13f) pivotally mounted in said first frame (13b) about a second pivot axis (A2) which is substantially orthogonal to said first pivot axis (A1), and wherein said object (7) is carried by a shaft (13h) pivotally mounted in said inner frame (13f) about a third pivot axis (A3), said shaft (13h) being fixed in rotation to a pinion (131) meshing with a toothing (19a) which is coaxial with said driving wheel, said toothing (19a) being fixed or arranged to be rotated. 2. Mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said drive element (15) cooperates with one end of said shaft (13h). 3. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter ratio between said pinion (131) and said toothing (19a) is at least 5, preferably between 5 and 400, more preferably between 5 and 50, and more preferably between 5 and 20. 4. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said turntable (17) is located outside of said frame element (3), considered in the plane of the latter. 5. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a regulating system (11) arranged to be driven by said driving source (5). 6. Timepiece comprising a mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims.