EP2315081B1 - Tourbillon and clockwork including a tourbillon - Google Patents

Tourbillon and clockwork including a tourbillon Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2315081B1
EP2315081B1 EP09174080A EP09174080A EP2315081B1 EP 2315081 B1 EP2315081 B1 EP 2315081B1 EP 09174080 A EP09174080 A EP 09174080A EP 09174080 A EP09174080 A EP 09174080A EP 2315081 B1 EP2315081 B1 EP 2315081B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fixed
wheel
cage
toothing
pinion
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EP09174080A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2315081A1 (en
Inventor
Vincent Calabrese
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Blancpain SA
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Blancpain SA
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Publication date
Application filed by Blancpain SA filed Critical Blancpain SA
Priority to EP09174080A priority Critical patent/EP2315081B1/en
Priority to KR1020100103277A priority patent/KR101208845B1/en
Priority to CN2010105770279A priority patent/CN102053554B/en
Priority to US12/911,333 priority patent/US8337076B2/en
Priority to JP2010239705A priority patent/JP5346903B2/en
Publication of EP2315081A1 publication Critical patent/EP2315081A1/en
Priority to HK11112053.6A priority patent/HK1157881A1/en
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Publication of EP2315081B1 publication Critical patent/EP2315081B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of unbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon
    • G04B17/285—Tourbillons or carrousels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/02—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots
    • G04B13/027—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots planar toothing: shape and design

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising an escapement comprising a wheel and an escapement pinion, and a balance spring, the escapement and the balance-spring being mounted in a rotary cage intended to be pivoted on the frame of a watch movement equipped with a motor cylinder, and to be rotated by said engine cylinder, and further comprising a circular toothing, said fixed toothing, provided to be fixed to the frame in a position concentric with the axis of rotation of the cage , the exhaust pinion being provided to be connected to said fixed toothing by a gear.
  • a mechanism that corresponds to the above definition is commonly called a vortex.
  • the present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a motor barrel, an escapement comprising a wheel and an escapement pinion, and a balance spring, the escapement and the sprung balance being mounted in a cage pivoted on a frame of the movement.
  • a watch movement that corresponds to the above definition is commonly referred to as a tourbillon watch movement.
  • Tourbillon clock mechanisms are known which correspond to the definition given in the preamble above.
  • the purpose of the tourbillon is to compensate for the differences in walking due to the vertical position in which the watch is held.
  • the center of gravity of the sprung-balance system should be located on the axis of rotation and remain there permanently during oscillations.
  • the gravitational attraction has the effect of recalling the center of gravity of the balance-spring system downwards.
  • the gravitational force produces a variable torque which acts on the balance and changes the intensity of the torque generated by the elasticity of the balance spring. This phenomenon is the main cause of the differences of gait between vertical positions of the watch.
  • the function of the vortex is to rotate on itself the exhaust-pendulum assembly so as to make it take all positions, so as to average the deviations. It will therefore be understood that the purpose of the vortex is not to eliminate the differences between vertical positions, but to compensate for them.
  • the figure 1 reproduced from the site www.horlogerie-suisse.com , illustrates a known tourbillon.
  • the vortex 1 comprises a rotary cage 3 which is fixed coaxially on the shaft of a pinion 15, and which is mounted to rotate with this pinion between two bearings 5, 6.
  • the cage 3 carries a device constituted by a balance-spiral 9 and an assortment with anchor 11 A, 12, 13. It can be observed that, in the vortex illustrated, the sprung balance 9 is mounted coaxially with the cage 3. However, it will be understood that the sprung balance could just as easily be worn by the cage 3 in off-center position.
  • the cage gear 15 is connected to a cylinder (not shown) by the wheel of the watch (of which only the average wheel 17 is visible in the figure).
  • the barrel contains a motor spring designed to drive the train and the tourbillon. As is usually the case, the whirlwind of the figure 1 occupies the place that would devolve to the second mobile in the workings of a tourbillon-free watch. This is the reason why the cage gear 15 is often called the second gear.
  • a fixed gear wheel 19 in the form of a ring which is adjusted and fixed to a plate 21 in a position concentric with the axis of rotation of the cage 3. It can further be seen that the teeth of the fixed wheel 19 penetrate between the wings of the exhaust pinion 11 B carried by the cage so as to achieve a gear. As the fixed wheel 19 meshes with the exhaust pinion 11 B, sometimes called the fixed wheel "wheel of second”.
  • the cage 3 is under the effect of the driving force acting on the cage gear 15.
  • the fixed toothing 19 exerts a force in the opposite direction on the escape pinion 11 B.
  • the exhaust receives the energy dispensed at the base by the barrel. Inside the cage 3 the role of the exhaust is conventional, and it will be understood that the exhaust can regulate the speed of rotation of the cage through the pinion 11 B which meshes with the fixed wheel 19 at the way of a satellite. It will be understood that when the watch is in a vertical position, the cage successively occupies all the vertical positions during its rotation. The vertical error is averaged.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C schematically represent the relative positions of the fixed wheel 19 and the exhaust pinion 11 B in three vertical positrons of the cage 3 (not shown in FIGS. figures 2 ).
  • the two pivots 23A, 23B of the cage 3 ( figure 1 ) have a diameter of 0.20 mm and that the bearings 5, 6 ( figure 1 ) have a hole of 0.21 mm.
  • the pivots of the escape wheel have a diameter of 0.09 mm and that their bearings have holes of 0.10 mm.
  • the spacing "a" between the fixed wheel 19 and the exhaust pinion 11 B is 3.50 mm.
  • the Figure 2A shows the escape pinion 11B and the fixed wheel 19 side by side in a first vertical position of the cage.
  • the pivot axes of the cage and the exhaust are in the same horizontal plane.
  • the fixed wheel being secured to the plate 21, it is not affected by the vertical position.
  • the cage shifts 0.005 mm downwards relative to the center of the fixed wheel (these 0.005 mm correspond to the equilibrium of the pivots of the cage in their bearing ).
  • the bearings that hold the exhaust pinion mounted in the cage they follow the movement and also shift down parallel to the axis of the cage.
  • the escapement mobile will also move 0.005 mm downward in its bearing that has shifted itself.
  • the Figure 2B shows the exhaust pinion 11B directly below the fixed wheel 19, in which corresponds to a second vertical position of the cage.
  • the axis of the escape gear shifts 0.01 mm downwards from the center of the fixed wheel.
  • the exhaust pinion is vertical to the fixed wheel, the amplitude of its displacement is added to the value of the distance between the exhaust pinion and the fixed wheel.
  • the center distance a 2 is 3.51 mm, and the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the escape pinion decreases by 0.01 mm. This decrease in penetration can lead to a gearing defect known as bracing which is manifested by a decrease in the force transmitted, see a blockage of the gear train.
  • the Figure 2C shows the exhaust pinion 11 B directly above the fixed wheel 19, which corresponds to a third vertical position of the cage.
  • the exhaust pinion is vertical and above the fixed wheel.
  • shifting the pinion down reduces the value of the distance between the exhaust pinion and the fixed wheel.
  • the center distance a 3 is 3.49 mm, which corresponds to an increase in the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the escape gear of 0.01 mm. This increase can lead to a gear defect known as a fall which is manifested by an increase in transmitted force and an irregular velocity.
  • the tourbillon makes it possible to compensate for the differences in walking due to the vertical position in which the watch is held.
  • the whirlpool itself may be the cause of instability of walking; this instability reflecting the fact that the gait of a tourbillon watch tends to vary with the orientation of the cage relative to the vertical.
  • the tourbillon described in the preceding example is a conventional vortex which is pivoted between two bearings 5, 6. Flying vortices are also known whose cage is mounted on a single pivot which supports it by the base. With such an arrangement, it is possible to remove the step upper and the bridge on which this bearing is mounted, so that the cage is completely free on the top. In the vertical position of the watch, the tourbillon cage is cantilevered, and gravity tends to incline down the axis of the cage. If a large clearance exists at the level of the single bearing, the inclination will be sufficient to also influence the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the exhaust pinion.
  • the patent document EP 1,903,408 describes a timepiece comprising a tourbillon movement and which does not in principle suffer from the defects described above.
  • the tourbillon cage comprises a bridge which has a circular periphery and which is arranged to cooperate with three rollers mounted pivoting on the movement, so as to ensure the positioning and guiding of the tourbillon cage.
  • An object of the present invention is to remedy the defects shared by all the vortices which have just been described with the exception of the latter.
  • the present invention achieves this goal by providing either a watch mechanism according to claim 1 or a watch movement comprising such a watch mechanism,
  • the fixed toothing meshes with said at least two mobiles. Said mobiles are evenly spaced along the circumference of the fixed toothing and they also mesh with the toothed wheel they surround. It is finally the gear which meshes with the pinion of escape.
  • the connection between the fixed toothing is the escape pinion is made by a gear comprising the fixed toothing, said at least two mobile, the toothed wheel and finally the exhaust pinion.
  • the gear wheel which meshes with the exhaust pinion we will call the cogwheel the "false" fixed wheel. It will be understood that the false fixed wheel is placed just above and substantially in the axis of the fixed toothing.
  • the distance between these two mobiles is not influenced by any existing game at the pivoting of the cage.
  • the spacings between each of said at least two mobiles and the fixed toothing are likely to change depending on the orientation of the cage relative to the vertical.
  • said at least two mobiles being evenly spaced along the circumference of the fixed toothing, any reduction in the value of one of the center distances is substantially compensated by the concomitant increase in the value of at least one other of the center distances, and vice versa. This phenomenon considerably reduces the variation in walking that accompanies the rotation of the tourbillon cage when the watch is in the vertical position.
  • the fixed toothing is constituted by the toothing of a wheel fixed to the frame.
  • the false fixed wheel and the wheel fixed to the frame have the same pitch radius and therefore rotate at the same speed. It will be understood that, since the wheel attached to the frame does not rotate, the fixed wheel does not rotate relative to the frame. This feature makes it possible to use for the tourbillon according to this embodiment an exhaust operating at the same speed as that of a conventional vortex.
  • each of said at least two mobiles can be a pinion.
  • said at least two mobiles regularly spaced around the false fixed wheel are two movers occupying diametrically opposite positions.
  • This variant makes it possible to limit the number of mobiles to two, and thus to simplify the construction of the tourbillon.
  • the figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a tourbillon watch mechanism showing the fixed toothing and the lower part of the rotary cage.
  • a fixed wheel 119A whose toothing is the fixed toothing.
  • the fixed wheel 119A is intended to be adjusted and fixed to the frame of a watch movement (not shown).
  • a bearing (not shown), for example a ball bearing, is arranged in the hub of the fixed wheel. This bearing is traversed by the shaft of a pinion 115 which is arranged to rotate in an existing space under the fixed wheel, between the fixed wheel and platinum.
  • the rotary cage 103 of which only the lower part is represented on the figure 3 , is fixed coaxially on the shaft of the pinion 115 which it is secured. So that the cage 103 can be rotated, the gear 115 (called cage gear) is provided to be kinematically connected to the cylinder of a watch movement (not shown) by the work train of the watch (not shown).
  • the cage 103 carries two pinions 125A, 125B. These two gears are pivoted in the cage and they occupy diametrically opposite positions on either side of the fixed wheel 119A. Although the perspective view does not show it, the wings of the pinions 125A, 125B meshing with the fixed toothing.
  • the cage 103 still carries a wheel 127 (hereinafter called the false fixed wheel) which has the same diameter and the same number of teeth as the fixed wheel.
  • the false fixed wheel is pivoted in the center of the cage concentrically with the pinion shaft 115. It can be seen again that the two pinions 125A, 125B also mesh with the wheel 127.
  • the two pinions function as referrals inserted between the wheel 119A and the wheel 127. These two wheels will therefore rotate at the same speed, and as the fixed wheel 119A is fixed to the frame of the watch movement, the wheel 127 (the false fixed wheel) is also animated with a zero rotation speed relative to the frame.
  • the lower part of the cage 103 carries at its periphery a bearing 126 which is provided to receive the lower end of the pivot of the mobile escapement (not visible on the figure 3 ).
  • the figure 4 shows a first bridge 129 of the cage 103.
  • the bridge 129 carries a bearing 131 designed to receive the lower end of the balance spring shaft (not visible in FIG. figure 4 ). It can be observed that in the present example, the sprung balance is pivoted in the cage in off-center position. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention applies equally well to vortex clock mechanisms in which the balance spring is carried by the cage in coaxial position. It can still be seen that the first bridge 129 still carries three other bearings (not referenced). A bearing in the center which is provided for the upper end of the pivot of the wheel 127 and two lateral bearings provided to receive the upper ends of the pivots of the two pinions 125A, 125B.
  • the figure 4 still shows the escapement wheel formed by the exhaust pinion 111 B and the escape wheel 111 A. It can be seen in the figure that the pinion 111 of the pinion wings penetrate between the two wheels 127. It will be understood that when the vortex clock mechanism operates, the escapement wheel is driven by a planetary movement around the wheel 127.
  • the fixed wheel does not have the ability to rotate relative to the frame, its teeth exerts a reaction force in the opposite direction of the planetary rotation of the escape pinion 111 B.
  • the false fixed wheel therefore plays exactly the same role as the fixed wheel of a tourbillon clock mechanism of the prior art.
  • the false fixed wheel and the escape wheel are both carried by the cage 103. Thus, in a watch mechanism according to the present invention, the force of gravity acting on the cage does not influence the value of the distance between the false fixed wheel and the mobile escape.
  • the spacings between the fixed wheel 119A, on the one hand, and the two pinions 125A, 125B, on the other hand are likely to vary according to the momentary orientation of the cage relative to the vertical.
  • the pinions 125A and 125B occupy diametrically opposed positions relative to the fixed wheel 119A, any variation in the spacing between the fixed wheel and one of the pinions and compensated by an opposite variation of the spacing between the fixed wheel and the other gear.
  • the force transmitted to one of the pinions decreases, the force transmitted to the other pinion increases, and vice versa.
  • having at least two gears regularly spaced allows to average the transmitted force.
  • the figure 5 represents the fully assembled cage 103.
  • the figure 5 shows in particular the sprung balance 133.
  • the fixed toothing is not necessarily the toothing of a fixed wheel.
  • the fixed toothing for example, the internal toothing of a ring integral with the frame.
  • An embodiment using a fixed crown in place of a fixed wheel is partially illustrated by the figure 6 .
  • the figure 6 shows schematically a fixed ring 219A with an internal toothing 219, and a fixed false wheel 227 carried by the cage (not shown).
  • the tourbillon clock mechanism according to this second embodiment further comprises three mobiles 225A, 225B, 225C pivoted in the cage and evenly spaced (every 120 °) around the fixed fixed wheel 227.
  • the mobiles 225A, 225B and 225C are formed each of a first pinion of larger diameter and a second pinion of smaller diameter; the two gears being assembled in the extension of one another.
  • the first pinion of each mobile meshes with the internal toothing of the fixed ring and the second pinion meshes with the fixed false wheel.
  • the ratio between the diameters of the first and second pinion equal to the ratio between the pitch radii of the fixed ring and the fixed fixed wheel has also been chosen.
  • the cage when the vortex mechanism operates, the cage turns clockwise concentrically to the fixed ring and the fixed wheel false.
  • the rotational speed of the cage may be one revolution per minute.
  • the rotation of the fixed ring relative to the cage causes the three mobiles 225A, 225B and 225C in the counterclockwise direction. The three mobiles in turn drive the false fixed wheel clockwise.
  • the false fixed wheel rotates at the speed of one revolution per minute in the direction time relative to the cage. This means that with respect to the fixed ring, the fixed counter wheel rotates at a speed of 2 revolutions per minute clockwise.
  • the false fixed wheel thus rotates clockwise relative to the cage.
  • the escape wheel must rotate in the opposite direction of what is the case with a usual watch movement.
  • the skilled person knows to achieve escapements rotating in one direction or the other. He will therefore not encounter any particular difficulties in achieving the tourbillon of this example.
  • an advantageous consequence of the ratios between primitive rays used in the preceding example is that the balance and the escapement can operate at the same frequency as in a usual clockwork movement.
  • This second embodiment illustrates in particular the fact that, according to the invention, the speed of the fixed false wheel relative to the frame is not necessarily zero.
  • the only requirement related to the invention being that the false fixed wheel and the cage turns relative to each other.
  • said "at least two mobile regularly spaced around the gear wheel” are not necessarily formed solely of pinions, it could be just as well a wheel and a pinion assembled.
  • mobiles are not necessarily two or three in number. There could, for example, be four spaced 90 degrees apart.

Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

La présente invention concerne un mécanisme horloger comportant un échappement comprenant une roue et un pignon d'échappement, et un balancier-spiral, l'échappement et le balancier-spiral étant montés dans une cage rotative prévue pour être pivotée sur le bâti d'un mouvement horloger équipé d'un barillet moteur, et pour être entraînée en rotation par ledit barillet moteur, et comportant en outre une denture circulaire, dite denture fixe, prévue pour être fixée au bâti en position concentrique à l'axe de rotation de la cage, le pignon d'échappement étant prévu pour être relié à ladite denture fixe par un engrenage.The present invention relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising an escapement comprising a wheel and an escapement pinion, and a balance spring, the escapement and the balance-spring being mounted in a rotary cage intended to be pivoted on the frame of a watch movement equipped with a motor cylinder, and to be rotated by said engine cylinder, and further comprising a circular toothing, said fixed toothing, provided to be fixed to the frame in a position concentric with the axis of rotation of the cage , the exhaust pinion being provided to be connected to said fixed toothing by a gear.

Un mécanisme qui correspond à la définition qui précède est communément appelé un tourbillon.A mechanism that corresponds to the above definition is commonly called a vortex.

La présente invention concerne également un mouvement horloger comportant un barillet moteur, un échappement comprenant une roue et un pignon d'échappement, et un balancier-spiral, l'échappement et le balancier-spiral étant montés dans une cage pivotée sur un bâti du mouvement horloger et reliée cinématiquement au barillet moteur de sorte que la cage puisse être entraînée en rotation, le pignon d'échappement étant relié par un engrenage à une denture circulaire fixe solidaire du bâti, ladite denture fixe étant arrangée concentriquement avec l'axe de rotation de la cage.The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a motor barrel, an escapement comprising a wheel and an escapement pinion, and a balance spring, the escapement and the sprung balance being mounted in a cage pivoted on a frame of the movement. watchmaker and kinematically connected to the engine cylinder so that the cage can be rotated, the exhaust pinion being connected by a gear to a fixed circular toothing fixed to the frame, said fixed toothing being arranged concentrically with the axis of rotation of the cage.

Un mouvement horloger qui correspond à la définition qui précède est communément appelé un mouvement horloger à tourbillon.A watch movement that corresponds to the above definition is commonly referred to as a tourbillon watch movement.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

On connaît des mécanismes horlogers à tourbillon qui correspondent à la définition donnée dans le préambule ci-dessus. Le but du tourbillon est de compenser les écarts de marche liés à la position verticale dans laquelle la montre est tenue.Tourbillon clock mechanisms are known which correspond to the definition given in the preamble above. The purpose of the tourbillon is to compensate for the differences in walking due to the vertical position in which the watch is held.

Dans une montre idéale, le centre de gravité du système balancier-spiral devrait être situé sur l'axe de rotation et s'y maintenir en permanence pendant les oscillations. Lorsque le comportement réel du système balancier-spiral ne se conforme pas à cet idéal, on observe des écarts de marche qui dépendent de l'orientation de la montre relativement à la verticale. En effet, l'attraction terrestre a pour effet de rappeler le centre de gravité du système balancier-spiral vers le bas. Ainsi, lorsque l'axe du balancier n'est pas en position verticale, la force de gravitation produit un couple variable qui agit sur le balancier et modifie l'intensité du couple engendré par l'élasticité du spiral. Ce phénomène est la cause essentielle des écarts de marche entre positions verticales de la montre.In an ideal watch, the center of gravity of the sprung-balance system should be located on the axis of rotation and remain there permanently during oscillations. When the actual behavior of the sprung balance system does not conform to this ideal, there are differences in operation that depend on the orientation of the watch relative to the vertical. Indeed, the gravitational attraction has the effect of recalling the center of gravity of the balance-spring system downwards. Thus, when the axis of the balance is not in a vertical position, the gravitational force produces a variable torque which acts on the balance and changes the intensity of the torque generated by the elasticity of the balance spring. This phenomenon is the main cause of the differences of gait between vertical positions of the watch.

La fonction du tourbillon est de faire tourner sur lui-même l'ensemble échappement-balancier de manière à lui faire prendre toutes les positions, de manière à moyenner les écarts de marche. On comprendra donc que le but du tourbillon n'est pas de supprimer les différences entre positions verticales, mais de les compenser.The function of the vortex is to rotate on itself the exhaust-pendulum assembly so as to make it take all positions, so as to average the deviations. It will therefore be understood that the purpose of the vortex is not to eliminate the differences between vertical positions, but to compensate for them.

La figure 1, reproduite à partir du site www.horlogerie-suisse.com, illustre un tourbillon connu. Le tourbillon 1 comprend un cage rotative 3 qui est fixée coaxialement sur l'arbre d'un pignon 15, et qui est montée pour tourner avec ce pignon entre deux paliers 5, 6. La cage 3 porte un dispositif constitué par un balancier-spiral 9 et un assortiment à ancre 11 A, 12, 13. On peut observer que, dans le tourbillon illustré, le balancier-spiral 9 est monté coaxialement avec la cage 3. On comprendra toutefois que le balancier-spiral pourrait tout aussi bien être porté par la cage 3 en position décentrée.The figure 1 , reproduced from the site www.horlogerie-suisse.com , illustrates a known tourbillon. The vortex 1 comprises a rotary cage 3 which is fixed coaxially on the shaft of a pinion 15, and which is mounted to rotate with this pinion between two bearings 5, 6. The cage 3 carries a device constituted by a balance-spiral 9 and an assortment with anchor 11 A, 12, 13. It can be observed that, in the vortex illustrated, the sprung balance 9 is mounted coaxially with the cage 3. However, it will be understood that the sprung balance could just as easily be worn by the cage 3 in off-center position.

Le pignon de cage 15 est relié à un barillet (non représenté) par le rouage de la montre (dont seul la roue moyenne 17 est visible sur la figure). Le barillet renferme un ressort moteur prévu pour entraîner le rouage et le tourbillon. Comme c'est habituellement le cas, le tourbillon de la figure 1 occupe la place qui serait dévolue au mobile de seconde dans le rouage d'une montre sans tourbillon. C'est la raison pour laquelle, le pignon de cage 15 est souvent appelé pignon de seconde.The cage gear 15 is connected to a cylinder (not shown) by the wheel of the watch (of which only the average wheel 17 is visible in the figure). The barrel contains a motor spring designed to drive the train and the tourbillon. As is usually the case, the whirlwind of the figure 1 occupies the place that would devolve to the second mobile in the workings of a tourbillon-free watch. This is the reason why the cage gear 15 is often called the second gear.

On voit encore sur la figure 1 une roue dentée fixe 19 en forme de couronne qui est ajustée et fixée à une platine 21 en position concentrique à l'axe de rotation de la cage 3. On peut observer en outre que les dents de la roue fixe 19 pénètrent entre les ailes du pignon d'échappement 11 B porté par la cage de sorte à réaliser un engrenage. Comme la roue fixe 19 engrène avec le pignon d'échappement 11 B, on appelle parfois la roue fixe « roue de seconde ».We still see on the figure 1 a fixed gear wheel 19 in the form of a ring which is adjusted and fixed to a plate 21 in a position concentric with the axis of rotation of the cage 3. It can further be seen that the teeth of the fixed wheel 19 penetrate between the wings of the exhaust pinion 11 B carried by the cage so as to achieve a gear. As the fixed wheel 19 meshes with the exhaust pinion 11 B, sometimes called the fixed wheel "wheel of second".

La cage 3 est sous l'effet de la force motrice agissant sur le pignon de cage 15. En réaction, la denture fixe 19 exerce une force en sens inverse sur le pignon d'échappement 11 B. Ainsi, dans une montre à tourbillon comme dans une montre classique, l'échappement reçoit l'énergie dispensée à la base par le barillet. A l'intérieur de la cage 3 le rôle de l'échappement est conventionnel, et on comprendra que l'échappement peut réguler la vitesse de rotation de la cage par l'intermédiaire du pignon 11 B qui engrène avec la roue fixe 19 à la manière d'un satellite. On comprendra que lorsque la montre est en position verticale, la cage occupe successivement toutes les positions verticales au cours de sa rotation. L'erreur verticale est donc moyennée.The cage 3 is under the effect of the driving force acting on the cage gear 15. In response, the fixed toothing 19 exerts a force in the opposite direction on the escape pinion 11 B. Thus, in a tourbillon watch like in a classic watch, the exhaust receives the energy dispensed at the base by the barrel. Inside the cage 3 the role of the exhaust is conventional, and it will be understood that the exhaust can regulate the speed of rotation of the cage through the pinion 11 B which meshes with the fixed wheel 19 at the way of a satellite. It will be understood that when the watch is in a vertical position, the cage successively occupies all the vertical positions during its rotation. The vertical error is averaged.

Le tourbillon présente théoriquement l'avantage de compenser les écarts de marche entre positions verticales. Toutefois, une étude réalisée par la demanderesse montre que cet avantage est souvent annulé par des fluctuations de l'énergie transmise. Ces fluctuations sont causées par un jeu existant au niveau de l'entraxe entre le pignon d'échappement et la roue fixe. Ce jeu est dû à l'emploi de pivotements classiques, dans lesquels le pivot est tenu dans le palier avec un certain ébat latéral, pour la réalisation d'un engrenage de type planétaire.The vorticity theoretically has the advantage of compensating for differences in the path between vertical positions. However, a study conducted by the applicant shows that this advantage is often canceled by fluctuations in the energy transmitted. These fluctuations are caused by an existing clearance at the center distance between the exhaust pinion and the fixed wheel. This game is due to the use of classical pivoting, in which the pivot is held in the bearing with a certain side-to-side, for the realization of a planetary-type gear.

Les figures 2A, 2B et 2C représentent schématiquement les positions relatives de la roue fixe 19 et du pignon d'échappement 11 B dans trois positons verticales de la cage 3 (non représentée sur les figures 2). Pour ce fixer les idées, à titre d'exemple, on admettra que les deux pivots 23A, 23B de la cage 3 (figure 1) ont un diamètre de 0,20 mm et que les paliers 5, 6 (figure 1) possèdent un trou de 0,21 mm. On admettra également à titre d'exemple que les pivots du mobile d'échappement ont un diamètre de 0,09 mm et que leurs paliers ont des trous de 0,10 mm. On admettra encore qu'en position horizontale de la montre, la roue fixe et la cage sont parfaitement concentriques, et l'entraxe « a » entre la roue fixe 19 et le pignon d'échappement 11 B vaut 3,50 mm.The FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C schematically represent the relative positions of the fixed wheel 19 and the exhaust pinion 11 B in three vertical positrons of the cage 3 (not shown in FIGS. figures 2 ). To fix the ideas, by way of example, it will be admitted that the two pivots 23A, 23B of the cage 3 ( figure 1 ) have a diameter of 0.20 mm and that the bearings 5, 6 ( figure 1 ) have a hole of 0.21 mm. It will also be admitted by way of example that the pivots of the escape wheel have a diameter of 0.09 mm and that their bearings have holes of 0.10 mm. It will be further admitted that in horizontal position of the watch, the fixed wheel and the cage are perfectly concentric, and the spacing "a" between the fixed wheel 19 and the exhaust pinion 11 B is 3.50 mm.

La figure 2A montre le pignon d'échappement 11 B et la roue fixe 19 côte à côte dans une première position verticale de la cage. Dans cette position, les axes de pivotements de la cage et de l'échappement sont dans le même plan horizontal. La roue fixe étant solidaire de la platine 21, elle n'est pas affectée par la position verticale. En revanche, en position verticale, sous l'influence de la gravité, la cage se décale de 0,005 mm vers le bas par rapport au centre de la roue fixe (ces 0,005 mm correspondent à l'ébat des pivots de la cage dans leur palier). Les paliers qui maintiennent le pignon d'échappement étant montés dans la cage, ils suivent le mouvement et se décalent également vers le bas parallèlement à l'axe de la cage. Le mobile d'échappement va également se déplacer de 0,005 mm vers le bas dans son palier qui s'est lui-même décalé. Au final, on constate que l'axe du mobile d'échappement se déplace de 0.010 mm par rapport au centre de la roue fixe. Toutefois, ce déplacement étant pratiquement perpendiculaire au plan contenant les deux axes, il ne change pratiquement pas la valeur de l'entraxe a1.The Figure 2A shows the escape pinion 11B and the fixed wheel 19 side by side in a first vertical position of the cage. In this position, the pivot axes of the cage and the exhaust are in the same horizontal plane. The fixed wheel being secured to the plate 21, it is not affected by the vertical position. On the other hand, in the vertical position, under the influence of gravity, the cage shifts 0.005 mm downwards relative to the center of the fixed wheel (these 0.005 mm correspond to the equilibrium of the pivots of the cage in their bearing ). The bearings that hold the exhaust pinion mounted in the cage, they follow the movement and also shift down parallel to the axis of the cage. The escapement mobile will also move 0.005 mm downward in its bearing that has shifted itself. Finally, we find that the axis of the mobile escapement moves 0.010 mm from the center of the fixed wheel. However, since this displacement is substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the two axes, it does not substantially change the value of the center distance to 1 .

La figure 2B montre le pignon d'échappement 11B directement au dessous de la roue fixe 19, dans ce qui correspond à une deuxième position verticale de la cage. Comme déjà expliqué en relation avec la figure 2A, en position verticale, l'axe du pignon d'échappement se décale de 0.01 mm vers le bas par rapport au centre de la roue fixe. Comme dans le présent exemple, le pignon d'échappement se trouve à la verticale de la roue fixe, l'amplitude de son déplacement s'ajoute à la valeur de l'entraxe entre le pignon d'échappement et la roue fixe. Ainsi dans le présent exemple, l'entraxe a2 vaut 3,51 mm, et la pénétration des dents de la roue fixe entre les ailes du pignon d'échappement diminue de 0.01 mm. Cette diminution de la pénétration peut conduire à un défaut d'engrenage connu sous le nom d'arc-boutement qui se manifeste par une diminution de la force transmise, voir un blocage du rouage.The Figure 2B shows the exhaust pinion 11B directly below the fixed wheel 19, in which corresponds to a second vertical position of the cage. As already explained in relation to the Figure 2A in the vertical position, the axis of the escape gear shifts 0.01 mm downwards from the center of the fixed wheel. As in the present example, the exhaust pinion is vertical to the fixed wheel, the amplitude of its displacement is added to the value of the distance between the exhaust pinion and the fixed wheel. Thus in the present example, the center distance a 2 is 3.51 mm, and the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the escape pinion decreases by 0.01 mm. This decrease in penetration can lead to a gearing defect known as bracing which is manifested by a decrease in the force transmitted, see a blockage of the gear train.

La figure 2C montre le pignon d'échappement 11 B directement au dessus de la roue fixe 19, dans ce qui correspond à une troisième position verticale de la cage. Dans ce dernier cas de figure, le pignon d'échappement se trouve à la verticale et au dessus de la roue fixe. Ainsi, le décalage du pignon vers le bas réduit la valeur de l'entraxe entre le pignon d'échappement et la roue fixe. Dans le présent exemple, l'entraxe a3 vaut 3,49 mm, ce qui correspond à une augmentation de la pénétration des dents de la roue fixe entre les ailes du pignon d'échappement de 0.01 mm. Cette augmentation peut conduire à un défaut d'engrenage connu sous le nom de chute et qui se manifeste par une augmentation de la force transmise et par une vitesse irrégulière.The Figure 2C shows the exhaust pinion 11 B directly above the fixed wheel 19, which corresponds to a third vertical position of the cage. In the latter case, the exhaust pinion is vertical and above the fixed wheel. Thus, shifting the pinion down reduces the value of the distance between the exhaust pinion and the fixed wheel. In the present example, the center distance a 3 is 3.49 mm, which corresponds to an increase in the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the escape gear of 0.01 mm. This increase can lead to a gear defect known as a fall which is manifested by an increase in transmitted force and an irregular velocity.

En résumé, le tourbillon permet de compenser les écarts de marche liés à la position verticale dans laquelle la montre est tenue. Toutefois, le tourbillon peut lui-même être la cause d'une instabilité de la marche ; cette instabilité traduisant le fait que la marche d'une montre à tourbillon à tendance à varier avec l'orientation de la cage relativement à la verticale.In summary, the tourbillon makes it possible to compensate for the differences in walking due to the vertical position in which the watch is held. However, the whirlpool itself may be the cause of instability of walking; this instability reflecting the fact that the gait of a tourbillon watch tends to vary with the orientation of the cage relative to the vertical.

Le tourbillon décrit dans l'exemple qui précède est un tourbillon classique qui est pivoté entre deux paliers 5, 6. On connaît également des tourbillons volants dont la cage est montée sur un seul pivot qui la supporte par la base. Avec un tel arrangement, il est possible de supprimer le palier supérieur et le pont sur lequel ce palier est monté, de manière à ce que la cage soit entièrement libre sur le dessus. En position verticale de la montre, la cage du tourbillon se trouve en porte-à-faux, et la gravité a donc tendance à incliner vers le bas l'axe de la cage. Si un jeu important existe au niveau de l'unique palier, l'inclinaison sera suffisante pour influencer également la pénétration de des dents de la roue fixe entre les ailes du pignon d'échappement.The tourbillon described in the preceding example is a conventional vortex which is pivoted between two bearings 5, 6. Flying vortices are also known whose cage is mounted on a single pivot which supports it by the base. With such an arrangement, it is possible to remove the step upper and the bridge on which this bearing is mounted, so that the cage is completely free on the top. In the vertical position of the watch, the tourbillon cage is cantilevered, and gravity tends to incline down the axis of the cage. If a large clearance exists at the level of the single bearing, the inclination will be sufficient to also influence the penetration of the teeth of the fixed wheel between the wings of the exhaust pinion.

Le document de brevet EP 1 903 408 décrit une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mouvement à tourbillon et qui ne souffre en principe pas des défauts décrits ci-dessus. Selon ce document, la cage du tourbillon comporte un pont qui présente une périphérie circulaire et qui est agencé pour coopérer avec trois galets montés pivotant sur le mouvement, de manière à assurer le positionnement et le guidage de la cage du tourbillon.The patent document EP 1,903,408 describes a timepiece comprising a tourbillon movement and which does not in principle suffer from the defects described above. According to this document, the tourbillon cage comprises a bridge which has a circular periphery and which is arranged to cooperate with three rollers mounted pivoting on the movement, so as to ensure the positioning and guiding of the tourbillon cage.

Bref exposé de l'inventionBrief description of the invention

Un but de la présente invention est de remédier aux défauts partagés par tous les tourbillons qui viennent d'être décrits à l'exception du dernier. La présente invention atteint ce but en fournissant, soit un mécanisme horloger conforme à la revendication 1, soit un mouvement horloger comportant un tel mécanisme horloger,An object of the present invention is to remedy the defects shared by all the vortices which have just been described with the exception of the latter. The present invention achieves this goal by providing either a watch mechanism according to claim 1 or a watch movement comprising such a watch mechanism,

Selon la présente invention, au lieu d'engrener directement avec le pignon d'échappement, la denture fixe engrène avec lesdits au moins deux mobiles. Lesdits mobiles sont régulièrement espacés le long de la circonférence de la denture fixe et ils engrènent également avec la roue dentée qu'ils entourent. C'est finalement la roue dentée qui engrène avec le pignon d'échappement. Ainsi, la liaison entre la denture fixe est le pignon d'échappement est réalisé par un engrenage comprenant la denture fixe, lesdits aux moins deux mobiles, la roue dentée et, enfin, le pignon d'échappement. Comme ce n'est pas la denture fixe, mais la roue dentée qui engrène avec le pignon d'échappement, nous appellerons la roue dentée la « fausse » roue fixe. On comprendra que la fausse roue fixe est placée juste au dessus, et sensiblement dans l'axe, de la denture fixe.According to the present invention, instead of meshing directly with the escape pinion, the fixed toothing meshes with said at least two mobiles. Said mobiles are evenly spaced along the circumference of the fixed toothing and they also mesh with the toothed wheel they surround. It is finally the gear which meshes with the pinion of escape. Thus, the connection between the fixed toothing is the escape pinion is made by a gear comprising the fixed toothing, said at least two mobile, the toothed wheel and finally the exhaust pinion. As it is not fixed toothing, but the gear wheel which meshes with the exhaust pinion, we will call the cogwheel the "false" fixed wheel. It will be understood that the false fixed wheel is placed just above and substantially in the axis of the fixed toothing.

On comprendra que, comme, selon l'invention, la fausse roue fixe étant montée dans la cage comme le pignon d'échappement, l'entraxe entre ces deux mobiles n'est pas influencé par un éventuel jeu existant au niveau du pivotement de la cage. En revanche, les entraxes entre chacun des dits au moins deux mobiles et la denture fixe sont susceptibles de changer en fonction de l'orientation de la cage par rapport à la verticale. Toutefois, lesdits au moins deux mobiles étant régulièrement espacés le long de la circonférence de la denture fixe, toute réduction de la valeur d'un des entraxes est sensiblement compensée par l'augmentation concomitante de la valeur d'au moins un autre des entraxes, et inversement. Ce phénomène permet de réduire considérablement la variation de la marche qui accompagne la rotation de la cage du tourbillon lorsque la montre est en position verticale.It will be understood that, as, according to the invention, the false fixed wheel being mounted in the cage as the exhaust pinion, the distance between these two mobiles is not influenced by any existing game at the pivoting of the cage. However, the spacings between each of said at least two mobiles and the fixed toothing are likely to change depending on the orientation of the cage relative to the vertical. However, said at least two mobiles being evenly spaced along the circumference of the fixed toothing, any reduction in the value of one of the center distances is substantially compensated by the concomitant increase in the value of at least one other of the center distances, and vice versa. This phenomenon considerably reduces the variation in walking that accompanies the rotation of the tourbillon cage when the watch is in the vertical position.

Selon un mode particulier de réalisation de la présente invention, la denture fixe est constituée par la denture d'une roue fixée au bâti. Selon une variante avantageuse de ce mode de réalisation, la fausse roue fixe et la roue fixée au bâti (la roue fixe) ont le même rayon primitif et tournent donc à la même vitesse. On comprendra que, comme la roue fixée au bâti ne tourne pas, la fausse roue fixe ne tourne pas non plus relativement au bâti. Cette caractéristique permet d'utiliser pour le tourbillon selon ce mode de réalisation un échappement fonctionnant à la même vitesse que celui d'un tourbillon classique.According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the fixed toothing is constituted by the toothing of a wheel fixed to the frame. According to an advantageous variant of this embodiment, the false fixed wheel and the wheel fixed to the frame (the fixed wheel) have the same pitch radius and therefore rotate at the same speed. It will be understood that, since the wheel attached to the frame does not rotate, the fixed wheel does not rotate relative to the frame. This feature makes it possible to use for the tourbillon according to this embodiment an exhaust operating at the same speed as that of a conventional vortex.

Il est également possible de prévoir que la roue fixe et la fausse roue fixe ont le même nombre de dents. Dans ces conditions, chacun des dits au moins deux mobiles peut être un pignon.It is also possible to provide that the fixed wheel and the fixed wheel have the same number of teeth. Under these conditions, each of said at least two mobiles can be a pinion.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention, lesdits au moins deux mobiles espacés régulièrement autour de la fausse roue fixe sont deux mobiles occupant des positions diamétralement opposées. Cette variante permet de limiter le nombre de mobiles à deux, et donc de simplifier la construction du tourbillon.According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, said at least two mobiles regularly spaced around the false fixed wheel are two movers occupying diametrically opposite positions. This variant makes it possible to limit the number of mobiles to two, and thus to simplify the construction of the tourbillon.

Brèves description des figuresBrief description of the figures

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif, et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue partielle en coupe d'un mécanisme horloger à tourbillon de l'art antérieur ;
  • les figures 2A, 2B et 2C sont des représentations schématiques illustrant les positions relatives de la roue fixe et du pignon d'échappement correspondant à trois positions verticales de la cage d'un mécanisme horloger à tourbillon de l'art antérieur ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective montrant une roue fixe et la partie inférieure de la cage d'un mécanisme horloger à tourbillon selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue partielle en perspective de la roue fixe et de la cage de la figure 3, montrant notamment le mobile d'échappement monté dans la cage ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue partielle en perspective de la roue fixe et de la cage des figures 3 et 4, la cage étant entièrement assemblée ;
  • la figure 6 est une représentation schématique de dessus qui montre la denture fixe et la fausse roue fixe, ainsi que l'engrenage les reliant l'une à l'autre, selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given only by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a vortex clock mechanism of the prior art;
  • the FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic representations illustrating the relative positions of the fixed wheel and the escape pinion corresponding to three vertical positions of the cage of a tourbillon clock mechanism of the prior art;
  • the figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing a fixed wheel and the lower part of the cage of a vortex clock mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the fixed wheel and the cage of the figure 3 , showing in particular the escapement mounted in the cage;
  • the figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the fixed wheel and the cage of figures 3 and 4 the cage being entirely assembled;
  • the figure 6 is a schematic representation of above which shows the fixed toothing and the false fixed wheel, and the gear connecting them to one another, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation exemplaireDetailed description of an exemplary embodiment

La figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective d'un mécanisme horloger à tourbillon montrant la denture fixe et la partie inférieure de la cage rotative. Sur la figure, on peut voir une roue fixe 119A dont la denture constitue la denture fixe. La roue fixe 119A est prévue pour être ajustée et fixée au bâti d'un mouvement horloger (non représenté). Un palier (non représenté), par exemple un palier à billes, est arrangé dans le moyeu de la roue fixe. Ce palier est traversé par l'arbre d'un pignon 115 qui est disposé pour tourner dans un espace existant sous la roue fixe, entre la roue fixe et la platine. La cage rotative 103, dont seul la partie inférieure est représentée sur la figure 3, est fixée coaxialement sur l'arbre du pignon 115 dont elle est solidaire. A fin que la cage 103 puisse être entraînée en rotation, le pignon 115 (appelé pignon de cage) est prévu pour être relié cinématiquement au barillet d'un mouvement horloger (non représenté) par le rouage de la montre (non représenté).The figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a tourbillon watch mechanism showing the fixed toothing and the lower part of the rotary cage. In the figure, we can see a fixed wheel 119A whose toothing is the fixed toothing. The fixed wheel 119A is intended to be adjusted and fixed to the frame of a watch movement (not shown). A bearing (not shown), for example a ball bearing, is arranged in the hub of the fixed wheel. This bearing is traversed by the shaft of a pinion 115 which is arranged to rotate in an existing space under the fixed wheel, between the fixed wheel and platinum. The rotary cage 103, of which only the lower part is represented on the figure 3 , is fixed coaxially on the shaft of the pinion 115 which it is secured. So that the cage 103 can be rotated, the gear 115 (called cage gear) is provided to be kinematically connected to the cylinder of a watch movement (not shown) by the work train of the watch (not shown).

La cage 103 porte deux pignons 125A, 125B. Ces deux pignons sont pivotés dans la cage et ils occupent des positions diamétralement opposées de part et d'autre de la roue fixe 119A. Bien que la vue en perspective ne le montre pas, les ailes des pignons 125A, 125B engrènent avec la denture fixe. La cage 103 porte encore une roue 127 (appelée ci-après la fausse roue fixe) qui a le même diamètre et le même nombre de dents que la roue fixe. La fausse roue fixe est pivotée au centre de la cage concentriquement avec l'arbre du pignon 115. On peut voir encore que les deux pignons 125A, 125B engrènent également avec la roue 127. On comprendra donc que dans l'exemple illustré les deux pignons fonctionnent comme des renvois insérés entre la roue 119A et la roue 127. Ces deux roues vont donc tourner à la même vitesse, et comme la roue fixe 119A est fixée au bâti du mouvement horloger, la roue 127 (la fausse roue fixe) est également animée d'une vitesse de rotation nulle relativement au bâti.The cage 103 carries two pinions 125A, 125B. These two gears are pivoted in the cage and they occupy diametrically opposite positions on either side of the fixed wheel 119A. Although the perspective view does not show it, the wings of the pinions 125A, 125B meshing with the fixed toothing. The cage 103 still carries a wheel 127 (hereinafter called the false fixed wheel) which has the same diameter and the same number of teeth as the fixed wheel. The false fixed wheel is pivoted in the center of the cage concentrically with the pinion shaft 115. It can be seen again that the two pinions 125A, 125B also mesh with the wheel 127. It will therefore be understood that in the example illustrated the two pinions function as referrals inserted between the wheel 119A and the wheel 127. These two wheels will therefore rotate at the same speed, and as the fixed wheel 119A is fixed to the frame of the watch movement, the wheel 127 (the false fixed wheel) is also animated with a zero rotation speed relative to the frame.

On peut voir encore sur la figure 3 que la partie inférieure de la cage 103 porte à sa périphérie un palier 126 qui est prévu pour recevoir l'extrémité inférieure du pivot du mobile d'échappement (non visible sur la figure 3).We can still see on the figure 3 that the lower part of the cage 103 carries at its periphery a bearing 126 which is provided to receive the lower end of the pivot of the mobile escapement (not visible on the figure 3 ).

En plus des éléments déjà décrits en relation avec la figure 3, la figure 4 montre un premier pont 129 de la cage 103. Le pont 129 porte un palier 131 prévu pour recevoir l'extrémité inférieure de l'arbre du balancier-spiral (non visible dans la figure 4). On peut observer que dans le présent exemple, le balancier-spiral est pivoté dans la cage en position décentrée. Toutefois, l'homme du métier comprendra que la présente invention s'applique tout aussi bien à des mécanismes horlogers à tourbillon dans lesquels le balancier-spiral est porté par la cage en position coaxiale. On peut voir encore que le premier pont 129 porte encore trois autres paliers (non référencés). Un palier au centre qui est prévu pour l'extrémité supérieure du pivot de la roue 127 et deux paliers latéraux prévus pour recevoir les extrémités supérieures des pivots des deux pignons 125A, 125B.In addition to the elements already described in relation to the figure 3 , the figure 4 shows a first bridge 129 of the cage 103. The bridge 129 carries a bearing 131 designed to receive the lower end of the balance spring shaft (not visible in FIG. figure 4 ). It can be observed that in the present example, the sprung balance is pivoted in the cage in off-center position. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention applies equally well to vortex clock mechanisms in which the balance spring is carried by the cage in coaxial position. It can still be seen that the first bridge 129 still carries three other bearings (not referenced). A bearing in the center which is provided for the upper end of the pivot of the wheel 127 and two lateral bearings provided to receive the upper ends of the pivots of the two pinions 125A, 125B.

La figure 4 montre encore le mobile d'échappement formé par le pignon d'échappement 111 B et la roue d'échappement 111 A. On voit sur la figure que les ailes du pignon 111 B pénètrent entre les deux de la roue 127. On comprendra que lorsque le mécanisme horloger à tourbillon fonctionne, le mobile d'échappement est animé d'un mouvement planétaire autour de la roue 127. La fausse roue fixe n'ayant pas la possibilité de tourner pas par rapport au bâti, sa denture exerce une force de réaction en sens inverse de la rotation planétaire du pignon d'échappement 111 B. La fausse roue fixe joue donc exactement le même rôle que la roue fixe d'un mécanisme horloger à tourbillon de l'art antérieur. Toutefois, selon la présente invention, la fausse roue fixe et le mobile d'échappement sont tous les deux portés par la cage 103. Ainsi, dans un mécanisme horloger selon la présente invention, la force de gravité agissant sur la cage n'influence pas la valeur de l'entraxe entre la fausse roue fixe et le mobile d'échappement.The figure 4 still shows the escapement wheel formed by the exhaust pinion 111 B and the escape wheel 111 A. It can be seen in the figure that the pinion 111 of the pinion wings penetrate between the two wheels 127. It will be understood that when the vortex clock mechanism operates, the escapement wheel is driven by a planetary movement around the wheel 127. The fixed wheel does not have the ability to rotate relative to the frame, its teeth exerts a reaction force in the opposite direction of the planetary rotation of the escape pinion 111 B. The false fixed wheel therefore plays exactly the same role as the fixed wheel of a tourbillon clock mechanism of the prior art. However, according to the present invention, the false fixed wheel and the escape wheel are both carried by the cage 103. Thus, in a watch mechanism according to the present invention, the force of gravity acting on the cage does not influence the value of the distance between the false fixed wheel and the mobile escape.

En se référant à nouveau à la figure 3, on peut comprendre que les entraxes entre la roue fixe 119A, d'une part, et les deux pignons 125A, 125B, d'autre part, sont susceptibles de varier selon l'orientation momentanée de la cage par rapport à la verticale. Toutefois, comme les pignons 125A et 125B occupent des positions diamétralement opposées relativement à la roue fixe 119A, toute variation de l'entraxe entre la roue fixe et l'un des pignons et compensée par une variation opposée de l'entraxe entre la roue fixe et l'autre pignon. Ainsi, lorsqu'en raison d'une variation de l'entraxe, la force transmise à l'un des pignons diminue, la force transmise à l'autre pignon augmente, et inversement. On comprendra donc que le fait d'avoir au moins deux pignons régulièrement espacés permet de moyenner la force transmise.Referring again to the figure 3 it can be understood that the spacings between the fixed wheel 119A, on the one hand, and the two pinions 125A, 125B, on the other hand, are likely to vary according to the momentary orientation of the cage relative to the vertical. However, since the pinions 125A and 125B occupy diametrically opposed positions relative to the fixed wheel 119A, any variation in the spacing between the fixed wheel and one of the pinions and compensated by an opposite variation of the spacing between the fixed wheel and the other gear. Thus, when due to a variation of the center distance, the force transmitted to one of the pinions decreases, the force transmitted to the other pinion increases, and vice versa. We will understand so that having at least two gears regularly spaced allows to average the transmitted force.

La figure 5 représente la cage 103 entièrement assemblée. La figure 5 montre notamment le balancier-spiral 133.The figure 5 represents the fully assembled cage 103. The figure 5 shows in particular the sprung balance 133.

On comprendra en outre que diverses modifications et/ou améliorations évidentes pour un homme du métier peuvent être apportées au mode de réalisation qui fait l'objet de la présente description sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention définie par les revendications annexées. En particulier, la denture fixe n'est pas forcément la denture d'une roue fixe. En effet, il est également possible d'utiliser pour la denture fixe, par exemple, la denture intérieure d'une couronne solidaire du bâti. Une réalisation utilisant une couronne fixe en lieu et place d'une roue fixe est partiellement illustrée par la figure 6. La figure 6 montre de manière schématisée une couronne fixe 219A avec une denture intérieure 219, et une fausse roue fixe 227 portée par la cage (non représentée). Le mécanisme horloger à tourbillon selon ce deuxième mode de réalisation comporte encore trois mobiles 225A, 225B, 225C pivotés dans la cage et régulièrement espacés (tous les 120°) autour de la fausse roue fixe 227. Les mobiles 225A, 225B et 225C sont formés chacun de d'un premier pignon de plus grand diamètre et d'un second pignon de plus petit diamètre ; les deux pignons étant assemblés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre. Le premier pignon de chaque mobile engrène avec la denture intérieure de la couronne fixe et le second pignon engrène avec la fausse roue fixe. Dans l'exemple illustré, on a encore choisi le rapport entre les diamètres du premier et du second pignon égal au rapport entre les rayons primitifs de la couronne fixe et de la fausse roue fixe.It will be further understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiment which is the subject of the present description without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. In particular, the fixed toothing is not necessarily the toothing of a fixed wheel. Indeed, it is also possible to use for the fixed toothing, for example, the internal toothing of a ring integral with the frame. An embodiment using a fixed crown in place of a fixed wheel is partially illustrated by the figure 6 . The figure 6 shows schematically a fixed ring 219A with an internal toothing 219, and a fixed false wheel 227 carried by the cage (not shown). The tourbillon clock mechanism according to this second embodiment further comprises three mobiles 225A, 225B, 225C pivoted in the cage and evenly spaced (every 120 °) around the fixed fixed wheel 227. The mobiles 225A, 225B and 225C are formed each of a first pinion of larger diameter and a second pinion of smaller diameter; the two gears being assembled in the extension of one another. The first pinion of each mobile meshes with the internal toothing of the fixed ring and the second pinion meshes with the fixed false wheel. In the illustrated example, the ratio between the diameters of the first and second pinion equal to the ratio between the pitch radii of the fixed ring and the fixed fixed wheel has also been chosen.

Conformément à l'exemple illustré, lorsque le mécanisme à tourbillon fonctionne, la cage tourne dans le sens horaire concentriquement à la couronne fixe ainsi qu'à la fausse roue fixe. A titre d'exemple toujours, la vitesse de rotation de la cage peut être d'un tour par minute. Dans ces conditions, en se plaçant dans le référentiel de la cage, on peut dire que, relativement à la cage, c'est la couronne fixe qui tourne à la vitesse d'un tour par minute dans le sens anti-horaire. La rotation de la couronne fixe par rapport à la cage entraîne les trois mobiles 225A, 225B et 225C dans le sens anti-horaire. Les trois mobiles entraînent à leur tour la fausse roue fixe dans le sens horaire. Comme le rapport entre les circonférences primitives de la denture fixe et du premier pignon et égal au rapport entre les circonférences primitives de la fausse roue fixe et du second pignon, la fausse roue fixe tourne à la vitesse d'un tour par minute dans le sens horaire relativement à la cage. Cela veut dire que relativement à la couronne fixe, la fausse roue fixe tourne à la vitesse de 2 tours par minute dans le sens horaire.According to the illustrated example, when the vortex mechanism operates, the cage turns clockwise concentrically to the fixed ring and the fixed wheel false. By way of example, the rotational speed of the cage may be one revolution per minute. In these conditions, by placing oneself in the reference frame of the cage, we can say that, relative to the cage, it is the fixed crown which rotates at the speed of one turn per minute in the anti-clockwise direction. The rotation of the fixed ring relative to the cage causes the three mobiles 225A, 225B and 225C in the counterclockwise direction. The three mobiles in turn drive the false fixed wheel clockwise. As the ratio between the primary circumferences of the fixed teeth and the first pinion and equal to the ratio between the primary circumferences of the false fixed wheel and the second pinion, the false fixed wheel rotates at the speed of one revolution per minute in the direction time relative to the cage. This means that with respect to the fixed ring, the fixed counter wheel rotates at a speed of 2 revolutions per minute clockwise.

Selon ce deuxième mode de réalisation, la fausse roue fixe tourne donc dans le sens horaire relativement à la cage. Dans ces conditions, le mobile d'échappement doit tourner en sens inverse de ce qui est le cas avec un mouvement horloger habituel. Toutefois, l'homme du métier sait réaliser des échappements tournant dans un sens ou dans l'autre. Il ne rencontrera donc pas de difficultés particulières pour réaliser le tourbillon du présent exemple. D'autre part, une conséquence avantageuse des rapports entre rayons primitifs utilisés dans l'exemple qui précède est que le balancier et l'échappement peuvent fonctionner à la même fréquence que dans un mouvement horloger habituel.According to this second embodiment, the false fixed wheel thus rotates clockwise relative to the cage. Under these conditions, the escape wheel must rotate in the opposite direction of what is the case with a usual watch movement. However, the skilled person knows to achieve escapements rotating in one direction or the other. He will therefore not encounter any particular difficulties in achieving the tourbillon of this example. On the other hand, an advantageous consequence of the ratios between primitive rays used in the preceding example is that the balance and the escapement can operate at the same frequency as in a usual clockwork movement.

Ce deuxième mode de réalisation illustre notamment le fait que, selon l'invention, la vitesse de la fausse roue fixe par rapport au bâti n'est pas forcément nulle. La seule exigence liée à l'invention étant que la fausse roue fixe et la cage tourne l'une relativement à l'autre. On comprendra d'autre part que, lesdits « au moins deux mobiles espacés régulièrement autour de la roue dentée » ne sont pas forcément formés uniquement de pignons, il pourrait s'agir tout aussi bien d'une roue et d'un pignon assemblés. De plus, les mobiles ne sont pas forcément au nombre de deux ou de trois. Il pourrait par exemple y en avoir quatre espacés de 90 degrés les uns des autres.This second embodiment illustrates in particular the fact that, according to the invention, the speed of the fixed false wheel relative to the frame is not necessarily zero. The only requirement related to the invention being that the false fixed wheel and the cage turns relative to each other. It will be understood further that, said "at least two mobile regularly spaced around the gear wheel" are not necessarily formed solely of pinions, it could be just as well a wheel and a pinion assembled. In addition, mobiles are not necessarily two or three in number. There could, for example, be four spaced 90 degrees apart.

Claims (8)

  1. Timepiece mechanism including an escapement including an escape wheel (111A) and pinion (111B), and a sprung balance (133), the escapement and the sprung balance being mounted in a rotating carriage (103) designed to be pivoted on the frame of a timepiece movement fitted with a driving barrel, and to be driven in rotation by said driving barrel, and further including a circular toothing (119; 219), called the fixed toothing, designed to be fixed to the frame in a concentric position to the axis of rotation of the carriage, the escape pinion (111 B) being designed to be connected to said fixed toothing by gearing (119, 125A, 125B, 127; 219, 225A, 225B, 225C, 227), characterized in that the timepiece mechanism further includes a toothed wheel (127; 227) and at least two mobile elements (125A, 125B; 225A, 225B, 225C) pivoted in the carriage (103), said toothed wheel, which meshes with the escape pinion (111B), being freely mounted in the carriage, coaxial with the carriage, and said at least two mobile elements (125A, 125B; 225A; 225B, 225C) being regularly spaced around said toothed wheel (127; 227) with which said mobile elements mesh, said at least two mobile elements each being designed to also mesh with the fixed toothing (119; 219) so as to connect the escape pinion to the fixed toothing.
  2. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed toothing (119) is formed by the toothing of a wheel (119A) fixed to the frame.
  3. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed toothing (219) is formed by the inner toothing of a crown (219A) fixed to the frame.
  4. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that said toothed wheel (127) and the wheel (119A) fixed to the frame have the same pitch diameter and in that the rotational speed of the toothed wheel relative to the frame is zero.
  5. Timepiece mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that said at least two mobile elements are pinions (125A, 1258).
  6. Timepiece mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least two mobile elements are two mobile elements (125A, 125B) occupying diametrically opposite positions around the toothed wheel (127).
  7. Timepiece mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least two mobile elements are three mobile elements (225A, 2258, 225C) regularly spaced around the toothed wheel (227).
  8. Timepiece movement including a frame, a driving barrel and a timepiece mechanism according to one of the preceding claims.
EP09174080A 2009-10-26 2009-10-26 Tourbillon and clockwork including a tourbillon Active EP2315081B1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09174080A EP2315081B1 (en) 2009-10-26 2009-10-26 Tourbillon and clockwork including a tourbillon
KR1020100103277A KR101208845B1 (en) 2009-10-26 2010-10-22 Tourbillon and timepiece movement including the same
CN2010105770279A CN102053554B (en) 2009-10-26 2010-10-25 Tourbillon mechanism and clockwork including a tourbillon mechanism
US12/911,333 US8337076B2 (en) 2009-10-26 2010-10-25 Tourbillon and timepiece movement including the same
JP2010239705A JP5346903B2 (en) 2009-10-26 2010-10-26 Tourbillon and watch movement including the tourbillon
HK11112053.6A HK1157881A1 (en) 2009-10-26 2011-11-08 Tourbillon and timepiece movement including the same

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP09174080A EP2315081B1 (en) 2009-10-26 2009-10-26 Tourbillon and clockwork including a tourbillon

Publications (2)

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EP2315081A1 EP2315081A1 (en) 2011-04-27
EP2315081B1 true EP2315081B1 (en) 2012-08-29

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US (1) US8337076B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2315081B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5346903B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101208845B1 (en)
CN (1) CN102053554B (en)
HK (1) HK1157881A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2397921B1 (en) * 2010-06-17 2017-08-30 Blancpain S.A. Mechanism for a jumping tourbillon cage
CH704775A2 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-15 Richemont Int Sa chronograph mechanism.
CN103668074A (en) * 2012-09-04 2014-03-26 深圳市特艺实业有限公司 Vacuum film-plating device having three-section shell and alternate plating piece turners
USD762127S1 (en) * 2015-05-06 2016-07-26 Ralph Lauren Watch & Jewelry Company SARL Watch
USD762134S1 (en) * 2015-05-06 2016-07-26 Ralph Lauren Watch And Jewelry Company Sarl Watch dial
CN106950812B (en) * 2017-05-11 2022-04-29 李国强 Tight speed and slow pin fine adjustment mechanism with clamping balance wheel and locking function
EP3719588B1 (en) * 2019-04-03 2021-11-03 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Auto-adjustable clock oscillator
CH718187A1 (en) * 2020-12-17 2022-06-30 Mft Dhorlogerie Audemars Piguet Sa Tourbillon for watch movement.

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EP1460492A1 (en) * 2003-03-20 2004-09-22 Manufacture Roger Dubuis S.A. Watch mechanism provided with tourbillon
DE602005013758D1 (en) * 2004-04-15 2009-05-20 Montres Breguet Sa Manufacture CLOCK WITH AT LEAST TWO TOURBILLONS
ATE470890T1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2010-06-15 Montres Breguet Sa WATCH WITH AT LEAST TWO REGULATION SYSTEMS
CH701725B1 (en) * 2006-09-25 2011-03-15 Franck Mueller Watchland S A Tourbillon timepiece.
EP2275880B1 (en) * 2007-02-08 2012-07-04 CompliTime SA Watch movement
EP1995650B1 (en) * 2007-05-23 2018-03-07 Blancpain S. A. Timepiece movement comprising a karrusel
CN201116973Y (en) * 2007-07-27 2008-09-17 天津海鸥表业集团有限公司 Watch coaxial type rotating escapement speed-adjusting mechanism
US8313234B2 (en) 2008-03-11 2012-11-20 Parmigiani Fleurier SA Coaxial horological movement
EP2172815A1 (en) * 2008-10-02 2010-04-07 Montres Breguet S.A. Timepiece gear-train
CN101446799B (en) * 2009-01-09 2010-11-24 天津海鸥表业集团有限公司 A tourbillon mechanical wristwatch with simultaneous rotation and revolution

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JP2011089994A (en) 2011-05-06
JP5346903B2 (en) 2013-11-20
EP2315081A1 (en) 2011-04-27
CN102053554B (en) 2013-04-24
US20110096635A1 (en) 2011-04-28
US8337076B2 (en) 2012-12-25
KR20110046306A (en) 2011-05-04
KR101208845B1 (en) 2012-12-05
HK1157881A1 (en) 2012-07-06
CN102053554A (en) 2011-05-11

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