CH719555A1 - Chronograph mechanism with striker. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a chronograph mechanism (1) for a clock movement, comprising: - a timed seconds counter (3) arranged to be driven by a clock movement and in kinematic connection with a display member (3a ) timed seconds; – a striking mechanism (11) comprising a sounding member arranged to be struck by a striking hammer under the effect of a striking barrel system (19) which cooperates with a striking hammer lifting lever (13) arranged to operate said striking hammer. According to the invention, said chronograph mechanism (1) is arranged in such a way that, when it is started in a delayed start mode: – said display member (3a) of the timed seconds is moved back to indicate -N seconds, where N is an integer greater than 2; – said striking barrel system is reassembled; – said timed seconds counter (3) begins to rotate around its axis of rotation; – said striking mechanism (11) performs M ringing at the rate of one ringing per second in synchronism with the movements of said display member (3a) of the timed seconds up to, and including, an indication of zero by the latter, M being an integer less than or equal to N, preferably less than or equal to 0.6N.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a chronograph mechanism comprising a striking mechanism.

State of the art

[0002] Document WO2021/219646 reveals a chronograph mechanism comprising a striking mechanism, arranged such that the chronograph mechanism performs a countdown of a predetermined period, an alarm-type strike ringing asynchronously for a predetermined number of the last seconds of said countdown. When the chronograph indicates zero, the chime stops.

[0003] In a particular embodiment, the countdown seconds are indicated by a chronograph second hand hand, which, at the end of the ringing, continues its journey in order to allow timing of the time elapsed since that moment. .

[0004] For the user, since the ringtone is of the alarm type and therefore rings constantly for a few seconds, without reference to the seconds that have elapsed, it is difficult for the user to anticipate the moment when the zero indication will be reached. He must therefore react to the stopping of the ringing if he wishes to use the mechanism to indicate a starting time for a race (on skis, on foot, by bike, by sail, etc.), without being able to anticipate it precisely .

[0005] Furthermore, the mechanism proposed by document WO2021/219646 is complex, cumbersome and difficult to implement.

[0006] Document EP1672442 reveals a chronograph mechanism arranged to emit a sound signal when the chronograph is started, but does not provide any other sound information to the user.

The aim of the invention is therefore to propose a chronograph mechanism in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of the invention

[0008] More precisely, the invention relates to a chronograph mechanism for a timepiece movement, as defined by claim 1. This chronograph mechanism comprises:

[0009] - a timed seconds counter arranged to be rotated by a clockwork movement and kinematic connection with a timed seconds display member, such as a needle or disk integral in rotation with said counter, or a mobile driven by the latter;

[0010] - a striking mechanism comprising a sounding member such as a gong, bell, membrane or the like, arranged to be struck by a striking hammer under the effect of a striking barrel system which cooperates with a lever for lifting the striking hammer arranged to operate said striking hammer.

[0011] According to the invention, said chronograph mechanism, including of course said striking mechanism which it comprises, is arranged in such a way that, when the chronograph mechanism is started in a delayed start mode:

[0012] - said timed seconds display member is moved back to indicate -N seconds, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, preferably greater than 5, more preferably 10, and defines the number of seconds according to which the start of the counting of the timed time is deferred;

[0013] - said striking barrel system is reassembled;

[0014] - said timed seconds counter (3) begins to rotate around its axis of rotation;

[0015] - said striking mechanism performs M rings (that is to say M strikes of the striking hammer) at the rate of one ring per second in synchronism with the movements of said display member of the seconds counted up to , and including, an indication of zero by the latter, M being an integer less than or equal to N, preferably less than or equal to 0.6N.

By these means, the user can prepare, and will listen to a predetermined number M of rings before the start of counting the elapsed time, each ring indicating one second. He can thus anticipate the moment of departure, without having to react to the end of an asynchronous ringing.

[0017] Advantageously, said chronograph mechanism comprises a pusher rocker arranged so that, during an action by a user:

[0018] - reassemble said striking barrel system,

[0019] - reset said timed seconds counter to an indication of - N seconds via a reset hammer which is controlled directly or indirectly by said pusher rocker and which is arranged to cooperate with an integral core in rotation of said timed seconds counter,

[0020] - start the chronograph mechanism,

[0021] - start the ringing mechanism.

[0022] Advantageously, said striking hammer lifting lever is arranged to be actuated via a rake integral in rotation with a striking barrel drum which comprises said striking barrel system.

Advantageously, said rake comprises at least three series of M teeth regularly distributed around its periphery. Other numbers of series of M teeth are also possible.

[0024] Advantageously, said barrel drum is arranged to pivot, directly or indirectly, a whip which is arranged to be blocked and released by a star in kinematic connection with said timed seconds counter, said star preferably being integral in rotation of a wheel which meshes with said timed seconds counter. The synchronism of the hammer blows with the movements of the timed seconds counter is thus ensured.

[0025] Advantageously, the chronograph mechanism further comprises a start-stop rocker which is pivotally mounted between a first position in which it blocks said whip and a second position in which it releases said whip, said chronograph mechanism being arranged to bring said start-stop rocker in its second position when starting the chronograph in said delayed start mode.

[0026] Advantageously, a stop cam which is integral in rotation with said rake is arranged in such a way as to reset, following actuation of the striking hammer lifting lever to indicate -1 seconds, said start-stop rocker in its first position and thus stop the ringing mechanism following the next release of said whip by said star and the last ringing which indicates 0 seconds.

Advantageously, said start-stop rocker is arranged to be returned to said second position via said reset hammer to synchronize the start-up of the striking mechanism with the reset to -N seconds of the member display of the timed time.

Brief description of the designs

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings in which: – Figure 1 is a plan view of a chronograph mechanism according to the invention , upper side; – Figure 2 is a plan view of the chronograph mechanism of Figure 1, under side; – Figure 3 is an isometric view of the striking barrel of the chronograph mechanism of Figures 1 and 2; – Figure 4 is a partial top side plan view of the mechanism of Figures 1 and 2, the chronograph being stopped; – Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4, the mechanism being about to leave in delayed start mode; – Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 5, the mechanism has just been started in delayed start mode; – Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, one second later; – Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, again 3 seconds later; – Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, again one second later; – Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, just after the -1 second ring; – Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, at a moment just after the situation illustrated by the latter; – Figure 12 is a view similar to that of Figure 11, just after the 0 second bell.

Mode of carrying out the invention

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a chronograph mechanism 1 intended to be integrated with a basic movement (not shown) to form a watch movement. The basic movement comprises, in a conventional manner, a driving source such as a mainspring housed in a barrel and arranged to drive a regulating system such as a classic escapement-spiral balance system via a finishing gear train.

[0030] In order to count and indicate a timed time, the chronograph mechanism 1 comprises a seconds counter 3 arranged to cooperate directly or indirectly with a timed seconds display member 3a such as a hand, disc or the like which is integral in rotation or which is integral in rotation with another mobile driven by the seconds counter 3. The seconds counter 3 also carries a core 4 of the “reset” type, but which is angularly aligned such so that, when actuated by a reset hammer 5, it resets the timed seconds display member to an indication of -N seconds, as will appear more clearly later. If it is also desired to reset the timed seconds display member to zero, an additional heart as well as an additional reset hammer can be provided, arranged in a conventional manner.

The seconds counter 3 is arranged to be driven from a clock movement. To do this, several options are possible. Firstly, said seconds counter 3 can be driven by the seconds mobile of a finishing gear which said movement comprises, for example by being coaxial therein and the drive being carried out by means of a friction 6, to form a very simple chronograph mechanism. Alternatively, the seconds counter 3 can be driven otherwise from said seconds mobile or from another mobile forming part of, or being driven by, said finishing gear train. In each of these cases, the timed seconds display member 3a also serves as a seconds indication member, and cannot be stopped other than by cooperation between a hammer and a heart integral in rotation with said member. display 3a. Alternatively, a conventional clutch can be provided to link the seconds counter 3 selectively to said finishing gear, this clutch being for example of the horizontal, vertical, sliding pinion, differential or similar type. Still alternatively, the seconds counter 3 can be part of a chronograph mechanism of the type described in document CH702354.

The seconds counter 3 can be arranged to rotate at the rate of one or more angular steps per second, and meshes with a mobile 7 carrying a star 9, the operation of which will appear more clearly below.

The chronograph mechanism further comprises a striking mechanism 11 comprising a lifting lever 13 of striking hammer 14 (the latter being visible in Figures 4 to 12) arranged to actuate a hammer 14 to strike a sound member 16 , such as a gong (visible in Figures 4 to 18), but which can also be a bell, a membrane, a case back or the like.

The lifting lever 13 of the striking hammer 14 is held in its rest position by means of a spring 15, and is actuated by means of a rake 17 which comprises a striking barrel system 19 (see Figure 3). This rake 17 comprises three series of 6 teeth, regularly distributed angularly around a disc such that a rotation of 120° of this disc activates the lifting lever 13 of the striking hammer M=6 times. Of course, other numbers of series of teeth, as well as the number of teeth in each series, are possible depending on the needs of the manufacturer and the desired value of M.

This striking barrel system 19 comprises a striking barrel 21 housing a driving spring 22 connecting the barrel 21 to a barrel axis 27 in a known manner, the teeth 23 of the drum of the barrel 21 meshing with a mobile 25 which meshes in turn with a whip pinion 28 pivotally mounted on a frame element (not shown) and integral in rotation with a whip 29 which is arranged to cooperate with the star 9 in the manner of a dead second system such as described in document CH256885 and as will be better understood in connection with Figures 4 to 18.

The whip 29 is arranged to be blocked and released by a start-stop rocker 39 pivotally mounted on a frame element and comprising a locking pin 41 arranged to block the whip 29, a pin 43 which cooperates with a bistable jumper 45 in order to define two stable positions of the rocker 39, an additional pin 47 arranged to cooperate with the reset hammer 5, as well as a beak 42 arranged to cooperate with stop fingers 25a which include a cam stop 25 secured in rotation to the rake 17, as will become clear later. Structures other than pins 43, 47 and the nozzle 42 are within the reach of those skilled in the art to obtain the desired operation.

The barrel system 19 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 3.

[0038] Integral in rotation of the drum 21 and its teeth 23 are:

[0039] - the aforementioned rake 17, which is arranged to cooperate with the lifting lever 13 to operate the striking hammer 14;

[0040] - the stop cam 25 carrying a plurality of stop fingers 25a regularly distributed angularly and arranged to cooperate with the nose 42 of the start-stop rocker 39.

[0041] Integral in rotation with the axis 27 of the drum are:

[0042] - a non-return ratchet 30 which cooperates with a pawl 32 in a known manner in order to prevent the spring 22 from unwinding via the axis 27;

[0043] - a winding pinion 31 arranged to be actuated by a winding rake 33;

[0044] - a unidirectional drive system 35 of any type (the one illustrated being based on flexures cooperating with a crown with internal saw teeth).

[0045] In order to wind the striking barrel, the winding pinion 31 is in kinematic connection with a pusher rocker 37 pivotally mounted on a frame element and arranged to be actuated by a user by means of a push button or similar (not shown). This kinematic connection is obtained by means of an ad hoc gear 38 (as illustrated), or alternatively by means of a set of ad hoc levers or the like, the details of which are not important and do not need to be explained. 'be described.

[0046] Furthermore, the pusher rocker 37 is arranged to advance a column wheel of the delayed start 51 at the rate of one step per actuation via a hook 53, the columns 55 of the wheel at columns 51 cooperating with the hammer 5 to operate it in a conventional manner.

[0047] Finally, a conventional chronograph column wheel 57 as well as a function selection column wheel 49 (see Figures 1 and 2) are also provided. The operation of these column wheels 57, 49, as well as the associated elements, are not necessary for understanding the present invention and will therefore not be described in more detail.

The operation of the chronograph mechanism 1 illustrated, in a delayed start mode, is as follows.

[0049] When the user triggers the chronograph in this mode, the timed seconds display member 3a is returned to its starting position, which corresponds to -10 seconds in the present case (more generically -N seconds , where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2 seconds, i.e. -N is -2 or -3 or -4 or -5 or -6 or -7 or -8 or - 9 or - 10 etc. seconds). The chronograph starts, and the striking mechanism 11 sounds a sequence of strokes at -5, -4, -3, -2, -1 and 0 seconds (more generically M chimes include a chime corresponding to an indication of zero, where M is an integer less than or equal to N, preferably less than or equal to 0.6 N. For example, if N=2 and M=2, the display member will have -2 seconds as starting position, the seconds -1 and 0 being sounded. In the construction shown, N=10 and M=6). The striking mechanism 11 stops, and the counting of time continues in the conventional manner.

[0050] The manner in which this operation is obtained will be better understood in connection with the operating sequence of Figures 4 to 12. In order not to overload the figures, only the elements mentioned specifically in connection with a particular figure have been indicated by reference signs.

[0051] Figure 4 illustrates the chronograph mechanism 1 when stopped. The striking hammer 14 is at rest, away from the gong 16, and the drum 21 of the barrel is blocked by the cooperation between the whip 29 and the locking pin 41 of the start-stop rocker 39. The reset hammer 5 is far from the heart 4.

[0052] Figure 5 illustrates the situation after the user has selected the delayed start chronograph function via a function selection column wheel 49, and then pressed the pusher rocker 37. The movement of the pusher rocker 37 raised the barrel system 19 at a rate of 120° of rotation of the winding pinion 31 (see Figure 2), and the pivoting of the column wheel of the delayed start 51 caused a pivoting of the reset hammer 5 such that it cooperates with the heart 4 in order to reset the timed seconds display member 3a to an indication of -10 seconds (more generically -N seconds), and that it cooperates with the pin 47 of the start-stop rocker 39 in order to put it in its other stable position. In doing so, the locking pin 41 is out of reach of the whip 29, which is thus free to rotate under the effect of the spring 22 housed in the drum 21 of the barrel system 19. Furthermore, the timed seconds counter 3 begins to pivot, either under the effect of the seconds mobile of the basic movement, or through the activation of a clutch, or by the activation of a chronograph mechanism of the type described in document CH702354, according to the type of mechanism implemented.

[0053] Figure 6 illustrates the situation approximately 0.1 seconds after that of Figure 5. The reset hammer 5 has returned to its initial position, away from the core 4, and the whip 29 has pivoted counterclockwise ( according to the orientation of Figure 6; subsequently, the directions of rotation are always (according to the orientation of the figure concerned) under the effect of the spring housed in the drum 21 until its end is returned in contact with the star 9 of the mobile 7, which is rotating under the effect of the movement and thus provides a time base for the rotations of the whip 29.

[0054] Figure 7 illustrates the situation 1 second after that of Figure 5. In the meantime, since the situation of Figure 6, the whip 29 has been released by the star 9, has rotated through 360° counterclockwise and was blocked again by the next point of the star 9. In doing so, the drum 21 of the barrel as well as the elements which are attached to it in rotation rotated at a rate of 1/30<th>d 'one turn counterclockwise.

[0055] This sequence is repeated, the drum 21 of the barrel, together with the rake 17 and the cam 25, performing a step of 1/30 of a revolution each time the whip 29 is released under the control of the star 9, at a rate of one step per second.

[0056] Figure 8 illustrates the situation 3 seconds after that of Figure 7. The beak 13a of the lifting lever 13 is ready to cooperate with the first tooth of a series of teeth of the rake 27 at the next rotation step of this last.

[0057] Figure 9 illustrates the situation 1 second after that of Figure 8. During the last step of the barrel 13 and the rake 17 which has just ended, the first tooth of the series of teeth of the rake 27 activated the lever lifting 13 to activate the striking hammer 14. The latter therefore struck a blow on the gong 16 and then returned to its rest position.

[0058] Then, the same sequence is repeated for the passage of each tooth of the rake 17, until the penultimate stroke is sounded.

[0059] Figure 10 illustrates the situation briefly after the striking hammer 14 has sounded the penultimate stroke (that is to say the stroke indicating -1 seconds), the hammer 14 having just risen after this cut. A stop finger 25a of the stop cam 25 has just come into contact with the rocker, and the whip 29 is in the process of pivoting towards the star 9.

[0060] Figure 11 illustrates the situation just after that of Figure 10, the whip 29 being blocked again by the star 9. The stop cam 25 has pivoted further in the counterclockwise direction, and the finger 25a has move the start-stop rocker 39 to its original position, in which the locking pin 41 is in the path of the whip 29.

[0061] Figure 12 illustrates the situation following the next, and final, release of the whip 29 by the star 9. The rake 17 has pivoted such that the last tooth in a series has actuated the lifting lever 13 so that the striking hammer 14 sounded the stroke indicating zero, which signals the end of the countdown and the start of conventional timing, then the whip 29 was blocked by the locking pin 41.

[0062] The striking mechanism 11 is thus stopped, and conventional timing continues.

[0063] In view of the above, it is clear that by varying the number of teeth of each series of the rake 17, a number M of desired strokes can be obtained, M being an integer less than N, preferably less than or equal to 0.6N.

[0064] Of course, the chronograph mechanism 1 can also indicate the minutes and possibly also the timed hours, in a known manner, and can also be capable of operating in a conventional chronograph mode with immediate start.

[0065] 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 (10)

1. Chronograph mechanism (1) for a clock movement, comprising: – a timed seconds counter (3) arranged to be rotated by a clockwork movement and in kinematic connection with a timed seconds display member (3a); – a striking mechanism (11) comprising a sounding member (16) arranged to be struck by a striking hammer (14) under the effect of a striking barrel system (19) which cooperates with a lifting lever ( 13) a striking hammer arranged to operate said striking hammer (14); characterized in that said chronograph mechanism (1) is arranged such that, when it is started in a delayed start mode: – said display member (3a) of the timed seconds is moved back to indicate -N seconds, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; – said striking barrel system (19) is reassembled; – said timed seconds counter (3) begins to rotate around its axis of rotation; – said striking mechanism (11) performs M ringing at the rate of one ringing per second in synchronism with the movements of said display member (3a) of the timed seconds up to, and including, an indication of zero by the latter, M being an integer less than or equal to N, preferably less than or equal to 0.6N. 2. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a pusher rocker (37) arranged for, during an action by a user: – reassemble said striking barrel system (19), – reset said timed seconds counter (3) to an indication of -N seconds via a reset hammer (5) which is controlled by said pusher rocker (37) and which is arranged to cooperate with a heart (4) integral in rotation with said timed seconds counter (3), – start said chronograph mechanism (1), – start said ringing mechanism (11). 3. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said lifting lever (13) of the striking hammer is arranged to be actuated by means of a rake (17) integral in rotation with a striking barrel drum (21) which comprises said striking barrel system (19). 4. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said rake (17) comprises at least three series of M teeth regularly distributed around its periphery. 5. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of claims 3 and 4, wherein said barrel drum (21) is arranged to rotate a whip (29) which is arranged to be blocked and released by a star (9 ) in kinematic connection with said timed seconds counter (3), said star (9) preferably being integral in rotation with a wheel (7) which meshes with said timed seconds counter (3). 6. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising a start-stop rocker (39) which is pivotally mounted between a first position in which it blocks said whip (29) and a second position in which it releases said whip (29), said chronograph mechanism (1) being arranged to bring said start-stop rocker (39) into its second position when starting the chronograph mechanism (1) in said delayed start mode. 7. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, in which a stop cam (25), which is integral in rotation with said rake (17), is arranged in such a way as to reset, following actuation of the lever lifting (13) of the striking hammer to indicate -1 seconds, said start-stop rocker (39) in its first position. 8. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of claims 6 and 7 as dependent on claim 2, wherein said start-stop rocker (39) is arranged to be returned to said second position by means of said starting hammer. reset to start (5). 9. Clock movement comprising a chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims. 10. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement according to the preceding claim.