CN106970513B

CN106970513B - Tourbillon clock mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN106970513B
Application number: CN201611203146.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马修·巴罗德
Original assignee: Richemont International SA
Current assignee: Richemont International SA
Priority date: 2016-01-13
Filing date: 2016-12-23
Publication date: 2020-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-23
Also published as: CH712031A1; CN106970513A; EP3193216B1; EP3193216A1

Abstract

The invention proposes a timepiece mechanism comprising at least one energy source (1,2), a first gear (3), a second gear (4), a tourbillon frame (20) kinematically connected to the first gear (3) and supporting an escapement mechanism (18) and an adjusting member (19), a driving mobile (30) kinematically connected to the second gear (4) and configured to directly or indirectly drive the escapement mechanism (18), and selection means (33,35) for selecting at least one between a first operating mode in which the first gear (3) rotates and the second gear (4) is stopped, and a second operating mode in which the second gear (4) rotates and the first gear (3) is stopped. In a first operating mode, the tourbillon rotates and the mechanism operates as a conventional movement with a tourbillon. In a second operating mode, the tourbillon frame is at a standstill and the mechanism operates as a conventional movement without a tourbillon.

Description

Tourbillon clock mechanism

Technical Field

The invention relates to a tourbillon mechanism. The entire rotary control system, including the so-called tourbillon and the rotary drive, is extended to the scope of the invention by the "tourbillon".

Background

In the movement of a mechanical timepiece, the vibrations of the regulating member are of equal amplitude by means of an escapement mechanism which itself is driven by an energy source through a gear, called a finishing gear. In some timepiece movements, the escapement and the regulating member are mounted on a frame (cage) to form a tourbillon. The frame is driven in rotation by the finishing gear, while for the drive of the escapement with respect to the frame, the pinion of the escapement meshes with the fixed seconds wheel. The function of such tourbillons is to compensate for the variations in operation due to gravity by allowing the adjustment member to adopt different vertical positions.

A timepiece movement equipped with a tourbillon is therefore advantageous in terms of the accuracy of the time measurement. However, for the same amplitude of vibration of the adjustment member, more energy is consumed than in a conventional movement without a tourbillon, since the tourbillon frame should be rotated. This increase in energy consumption reduces the duration of the run, i.e. requires the user to wind the movement more frequently. There is therefore a need for a timepiece mechanism that allows the user to be provided with a choice between greater accuracy or longer duration of operation.

Disclosure of Invention

To meet this need, the invention proposes a timepiece mechanism comprising:

-at least one source of energy,

-a first gear wheel, which is,

-a second gear wheel, which is,

a tourbillon frame kinematically connected to the first gear and supporting the escapement and the regulating member,

-a driving mobile kinematically connected to the second gear and configured to drive, directly or indirectly, the escapement mechanism, and

-selecting means for selecting at least one between a first operating mode in which the first gear is rotating and the second gear is stopped and a second operating mode in which the second gear is rotating and the first gear is stopped.

In a first operating mode, the tourbillon frame and the mechanism according to the invention operate as a conventional movement with a tourbillon. In a second operating mode, the tourbillon frame is stopped and the mechanism according to the invention operates as a conventional movement without a tourbillon. The user can thus select the mode of operation of his watch and the advantages corresponding thereto.

In an embodiment, the at least one energy source comprises first and second energy sources configured to drive the first and second gears, respectively.

Typically, the driving mover is coaxial with the tourbillon frame.

Preferably, the tourbillon frame is coaxial and coupled to the first ring of the bearing, and the driving runner is coaxial and coupled to or formed by the second ring of the bearing.

It is also preferred that the first and second loops are separated by a fixed intermediate loop coaxial with the first and second loops.

Typically, the first loop is an inner loop and the second loop is an outer loop.

The selection means may comprise a stop lever which can take a first position in which the first gear is blocked while the second gear is free to rotate and which can take a second position in which the second gear is blocked while the first gear is free to rotate.

The selection device may further comprise a column wheel to control the stop lever.

Advantageously, the timepiece mechanism according to the invention also includes a return-to-zero device for the tourbillon frame.

In an embodiment, the stop lever comprises a reed which, in a first position of the stop lever, is inserted in a toothing of a wheel or star wheel kinematically connected to the first toothed wheel, and the zeroing device comprises a zeroing lever configured to deform the reed so that it comes out of the toothing to halt the path of the stop carried by said wheel or star wheel.

Preferably, the zeroing lever is controlled by the column wheel.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a top plan view of a timepiece mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 2 is a perspective view of a timepiece mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a timepiece mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4 is a perspective half-view of a tourbillon as part of a clockwork according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Detailed Description

With reference to fig. 1 to 4, a timepiece mechanism according to the invention for forming or being part of a movement of a timepiece, such as a watch or pocket watch, comprises two independent barrels 1,2 which drive respective first and second gears 3, 4. The barrels 1,2 can be wound, for example, by known mechanisms comprising a winding rod whose rotation in one direction winds one of the barrels and in the other direction winds the other barrel. The first gear 3 comprises a large intermediate (de grande moyenne) pinion 5 meshing with the barrel 1, a large intermediate wheel 6 coaxial with and coupled to the large intermediate pinion 5, an intermediate (de moyenne) pinion 7 meshing with the large intermediate wheel 6, an intermediate wheel 8 coaxial with and coupled to the intermediate pinion 7, and a seconds pinion 9 meshing with the intermediate wheel 8. The second gear 4 comprises a large intermediate pinion 10 meshing with the barrel 2, a large intermediate wheel 11 coaxial with and coupled to the large intermediate pinion 10, an intermediate pinion 12 meshing with the large intermediate wheel 11, an intermediate wheel 13 coaxial with and coupled to the intermediate pinion 12, a seconds pinion 14 meshing with the intermediate wheel 13 and a seconds wheel 15 coaxial with and coupled to the seconds pinion 14. The first stop star 16 is coaxial with and coupled to the seconds pinion 9 of the first gear 3. The second stop star 17 is coaxial with and coupled to the seconds pinion 14 and the seconds wheel 15 of the second gear 4.

The two gears 3, 4 connect the two barrels 1,2 to the same adjustment system in the form of a tourbillon comprising an escapement mechanism 18 supported by a tourbillon frame and an adjustment member 19. However, the two gears 3, 4 do not operate simultaneously. When the first gear 3 rotates, the second gear 4 stops and when the second gear rotates, as will be described later, the first gear stops. In the example, the escapement structure 18 comprises an escape pinion 21, an escape wheel 22 coaxial and coupled with the escape pinion 21, and a pallet 23, and the regulating member 19 comprises a balance 24 and a balance spring 25. The tourbillon frame 20 supports a second hand or second hand (not shown). The two gears 3, 4 can drive, for example by means of a differential, the moving members that support the hour and minute hands of the movement.

As seen in fig. 4, the tourbillon frame 20 is coaxial with and coupled to an inner ring 26 of a bearing 27, for example a ball bearing. This inner ring 26 is itself coaxial and coupled to a seconds pinion 28, the seconds pinion 28 meshing with the intermediate wheel 8 of the first gear wheel 3. Bearing 27 also comprises an intermediate ring 29 fixed to the deck plate and an outer ring 30 comprising two

outer teeth

31, 32. The inner collar 26 and the outer collar 30 can thus rotate coaxially with the intermediate collar 29 independently of one another relative to the latter. The gear teeth 31 of the outer ring 30 mesh with the escape pinion 21. The other tooth 32 of the outer ring 30 meshes with the second wheel 15 of the second tooth 4.

The mechanism according to the invention also comprises a stop lever 33 rotating at a point 34 and controlled by a column wheel 35, itself controlled by a push-button switch (not shown) accessible from the outside of the timepiece. The stop lever 33 comprises a beak 36 which, depending on the angular position of the column 35 of the guide wheel and under the action of a return spring, abuts against the column wheel 35 or is placed between two guide columns. The stop lever 33 can thus occupy two angular positions. In the first of these angular positions, the end of the spring 38 of the stop lever 33 is inserted into the toothing of the first stop star 16 to fix the star and therefore the whole first toothed wheel 3, while the second toothed wheel 4 is free in rotation. In the second angular position of the stop lever 33, the beak 39 of the stop lever 33 is inserted into the toothing of the second stop star 17 to fix the star and therefore the whole second gear wheel 4, while the first gear wheel 3 is free in rotation.

When the second gear 4 is fixed by the action of the stop lever 33, the first gear 3, more precisely the intermediate wheel 8, causes the tourbillon frame 20 to rotate under the action of the barrel 1, and the outer ring 30 of the bearing 27 acts as a fixed seconds wheel meshing with the escape pinion 21. The tourbillon formed by the frame 20, the escapement 18 and the adjustment member 19 therefore operates as a conventional tourbillon. When the first gear wheel 3 is fixed by the action of the stop lever 33, the tourbillon frame 20 is also fixed, but under the action of the barrel 2, the outer ring 30 of the bearing 27 driven by the seconds wheel 15 acts as a seconds wheel driving the escape pinion 21 in a conventional manner, as in a movement without a tourbillon. The tourbillon frame 20 stops but the adjustment member 19 continues to vibrate.

It is therefore understood in the present invention that the user can operate the mechanism according to two different ways by controlling the push-button switch of the column wheel 35, namely a first way in which the mechanism operates as a conventional movement with a tourbillon, and a second way in which the mechanism operates as a conventional movement without a tourbillon. In the first case, the user can enjoy the increased accuracy of the measurement over time by means of the rotation of the tourbillon. In the second case, the duration of the operation is longer due to the same amplitude of the vibration of the adjustment member 19. Furthermore, since in the second operating mode it can be seen that the adjustment member 18 vibrates while the tourbillon frame is stationary, the present invention has the surprising feature of not corresponding to the conventional arrangement.

According to another advantageous feature of this preferred embodiment of the invention, a return-to-zero lever 40 rotating at a point 41 is provided to return to zero the tourbillon frame 20 and the second hands supported by it. At one of the ends of the zero lever, the zero lever 40 comprises a beak 42 cooperating with the column wheel 35 under the action of a return spring (not shown) acting on the lever 40. At the other end of the return-to-zero lever, the return-to-zero lever 40 comprises a leaf 43 having a relief 44 (see fig. 2) in its lower surface, which relief in the lower surface allows the passage of the leaf 38 of the stop lever 33.

After the first gear 33 is fixed by the stopper 33 following the operation of the push switch for controlling the column wheel 35, a new operation of the push switch turns the return-to-zero lever 40 without driving the movement of the stopper 33. During this movement, the inclined plane of the relief groove 44 cooperates with the spring plate 38 of the stop lever 33 to deform and lower the spring plate 38, so that it comes out of the toothing of the first stop star 16 and stops the path of the stop 45 (see fig. 3) supported by the first stop star 16. The first gear 3 and the tourbillon frame 20 with it resume rotation under the action of the barrel 1 until the stop 45 is fixed against the leaf 38. At this moment, the tourbillon frame 20 stops in a predetermined position corresponding to the zero position of the second hand, which allows, for example, an accurate calibration of the time pair, even of the second hand supported by the tourbillon 20. The new operation of the push-button switch drives the movement of the return-to-zero lever 40 and of the stop lever 33 to stop the second gear wheel 4 and free the first gear wheel 3 and the tourbillon frame 20.

Thus, by three successive presses of the push-button switch, the user can fix the tourbillon frame 20, then zero it, then restart it, without the adjustment member 19 stopping vibrating.

The invention has been described in the foregoing by way of example only. It will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, it is possible to use only one barrel as energy source instead of two barrels 1, 2. In this case, the barrel may be connected to the two gears 3, 4 by a differential device, or one of the gears 3, 4 may be connected to the lid of the barrel and the other gear to the barrel (tombour) of the barrel. Another modification may consist in mounting the tourbillon frame 20 around the shaft, instead of mounting it on the internal ring of the bearing, as in the embodiment. In this case, the driving mobile of the escape pinion 21 itself, which in the embodiment consists of the outer ring 30 of the bearing 27, can also be mounted around the shaft.

Furthermore, the tourbillon of the mechanism according to the invention can be coupled or connected to means known per se, which allow, for example, to vary the speed or direction of rotation of the tourbillon frame 20, or to move the tourbillon frame 20 in a jerking manner. In this case, the gears of the mechanism may be modified to control the tourbillon frame in a desired manner according to different operating modes, by stopping the frame before changing its rotation speed, rotation direction or its movement (dragging/jumping) type. Of course, a plurality of gears (and a plurality of operating modes) are conceivable and therefore a selection device for the gear should be adapted. In yet another variant, the tourbillon may be a multi-axis tourbillon comprising at least two frames on which the drive mobile does not necessarily directly drive the escapement. In this case, for example, a multi-axis tourbillon operation and a single-axis tourbillon operation can be achieved. According to yet another example, the tourbillon frame 20 can be used as a stopwatch timer of a stopwatch mechanism of a timepiece.

Claims

1. A clockwork mechanism, comprising:

-at least one energy source (1,2),

-a first gear wheel (3),

-a second gear wheel (4),

-a tourbillon frame (20) kinematically connected to said first gear (3) and supporting an escapement (18) and a regulating member (19),

-a driving movement (30) kinematically connected with the second gear (4) and configured to directly or indirectly drive the escapement mechanism (18),

characterized in that, further comprising:

-selection means (33,35) for selecting at least between a first operating mode in which said first gear (3) rotates and said second gear (4) is stopped and a second operating mode in which said second gear (4) rotates and said first gear (3) is stopped.

2. The clockwork mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said at least one energy source (1,2) comprises a first and a second energy source configured to drive a first gear (3) and a second gear (4), respectively.

3. The clockwork mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving movement (30) is coaxial with the tourbillon frame (20).

4. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the tourbillon frame (20) is coaxial and coupled to a first ring (26) of a bearing (27), and the driver mobile (30) is coaxial and coupled to or formed by a second ring (30) of a bearing (27).

5. The clockwork according to claim 4, wherein the first ring (26) and the second ring (30) are separated by a fixed intermediate ring (29) of the bearing (27) coaxial to the first ring (26) and the second ring (30).

6. The clockwork mechanism of claim 4 or 5, wherein the first ring (26) is an inner ring and the second ring (30) is an outer ring.

7. Timepiece mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the selection means (33,35) comprise a stop lever (33) able to occupy a first position in which it catches the first toothed wheel (3) while freeing the second toothed wheel (4) in rotation, and able to occupy a second position in which it catches the second toothed wheel (4) while freeing the first toothed wheel (3) in rotation.

8. The clockwork according to claim 7, wherein said selection means (33,35) further comprise a column wheel (35) to control the stop lever (33).

9. The timepiece mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a zeroing device (35,40) of the tourbillon frame (20).

10. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the stop lever (33) comprises a spring (38) which, in a first position of the stop lever (33), is inserted in a toothing of a wheel (16) kinematically connected to the first gear wheel (3), and the zeroing means (35,40) comprise a zeroing lever (40) configured to deform the spring (38) so that it comes out of the toothing to halt the path of a stop (45) supported by the wheel (16).

11. The clockwork according to claim 10, wherein said return-to-zero lever (40) is controlled by a column wheel (35).

12. The clockwork according to claim 10, wherein said wheel (16) is a star wheel.