EP2362279A1 - Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring - Google Patents

Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2362279A1
EP2362279A1 EP10154767A EP10154767A EP2362279A1 EP 2362279 A1 EP2362279 A1 EP 2362279A1 EP 10154767 A EP10154767 A EP 10154767A EP 10154767 A EP10154767 A EP 10154767A EP 2362279 A1 EP2362279 A1 EP 2362279A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
spring
hammer
stamp
counter
striking
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP10154767A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2362279B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-François Pesenti
Sylvain Maréchal
Nakis Karapatis
Jérôme Favre
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Montres Breguet SA
Original Assignee
Montres Breguet SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Montres Breguet SA filed Critical Montres Breguet SA
Priority to EP10154767.7A priority Critical patent/EP2362279B1/en
Priority to CH00264/10A priority patent/CH702721A2/en
Priority to TW100100814A priority patent/TW201200978A/en
Priority to CN201110046099.5A priority patent/CN102193489B/en
Priority to JP2011041526A priority patent/JP5249373B2/en
Priority to US13/036,263 priority patent/US8547803B2/en
Publication of EP2362279A1 publication Critical patent/EP2362279A1/en
Priority to HK12102669.2A priority patent/HK1162691A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2362279B1 publication Critical patent/EP2362279B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
    • G04B21/06—Details of striking mechanisms, e.g. hammer, fan governor
    • 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
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
    • G04B21/12—Reiterating watches or clocks
    • 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
    • G04B23/00—Arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times
    • G04B23/02—Alarm clocks
    • G04B23/026—Hammer driving; hammers; devices with several hammers or sounding bodies; vibrators

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a striking mechanism of a watch provided with an active damping counter-spring.
  • the mechanism comprises at least one hammer arranged to strike at least one stamp attached to a stamp holder at specific times. Said hammer is kept at a distance from the stamp by said damper counter-spring in a rest mode.
  • a hammer driving spring of the mechanism may be configured as a resilient beam or blade. This drive spring can be armed to drive said hammer against the stamp to acoustically signal for example a programmed period of time.
  • a striking mechanism can be combined with a traditional watch movement to serve in particular for minute repetitions or to signal a programmed alarm time.
  • a striking mechanism generally comprises at least one stamp made of metal material, such as steel, bronze, precious metal, metal glass, sapphire or quartz.
  • This stamp can describe for example at least a portion of a circle around the watch movement in the watch cage.
  • the stamp is fixed by at least one of its ends to a stamp holder, which is itself secured to a watch plate.
  • a hammer mechanism is rotatably mounted on the plate for example near the stamp holder so as to hit the stamp to make it vibrate.
  • the sound produced by the hammer-struck tone is particularly in the audible frequency range from 1 kHz to 20 kHz. This makes it possible to signal to the wearer of the watch, a definite time, a programmed alarm or a minute repetition.
  • the striking mechanism of a watch may include two timbres fixed by one of their ends to a same stamp holder, which is itself secured to a plate. Each stamp may be struck by a respective hammer. To do this, each hammer is driven by a proper drive spring, which had to be previously armed, so as to drive the hammer against the stamp to signal a minute repeater or an alarm time.
  • Two damping counter-springs are each provided for pushing and holding the two hammers away from the stamps in a rest mode. The shock-absorbing counter-springs also slow the fall of each hammer before striking against the respective stamp before pushing it back to the rest position. Eccentrics are also provided for adjusting the operation of the counter-springs to prevent rebound of each hammer against the respective stamp.
  • a disadvantage of such a structure of the striking mechanism with these counter-springs is that there is a significant loss of kinetic energy of the hammer during the striking of the respective stamp, which reduces the acoustic level of the ring. This loss of energy is largely due to the slowdown imposed by each counter-spring on the path of the hammer when it hits the stamp. Moreover, even if the pre-arming of the drive springs is increased, this implies an adaptation of the counter-springs via their eccentric to also avoid any rebound, which is another disadvantage of such a striking mechanism.
  • the invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above by providing a striking mechanism of a watch, which comprises means for increasing the acoustic level of the sound produced by at least one stamp struck by the minus a hammer avoiding any rebound and any loss of energy from the hammer when striking.
  • the invention relates to a striking mechanism of a watch, which comprises the features defined in the independent claim 1.
  • An advantage of the striking mechanism according to the present invention lies in the fact that it comprises a damper counter-spring considered active, that is to say that when the hammer is struck against the stamp, it acts not directly to push said hammer back to its rest position.
  • the counter-spring can be activated with a certain delay, in particular by means of the driving spring in support of a stop combined with the counter spring.
  • the drive spring can take the form of an elastic metal beam or blade attached to the watch plate and having a free end to push a pin or pin of the rotary hammer when the hammer is struck against the stamp.
  • the hammer is rotated by the drive spring to hit the stamp retaining all the energy of striking without being braked by the counter-spring. This ensures an increase in the acoustic level produced by the struck stamp.
  • the braking of the drive spring in contact with the stop combined with the counter-spring can also intervene after the striking of said hammer against the stamp.
  • the counter-spring pushes the hammer towards its rest position to avoid any rebound of the hammer against the stamp. In the rest mode, the hammer shaft is held trapped between the free end of the drive spring and one end of the spring.
  • the striking mechanism 1 comprises at least one stamp, which is fixed at one of its ends to a stamp holder, which is integral with a plate 15 of shows. The other end of the stamp is usually free of movement.
  • This striking mechanism 1 also comprises at least one hammer rotatably mounted about an axis 7 on the plate, in particular near the stamp holder.
  • the stamp, the stamp holder and the hammer of the striking mechanism 1 are not represented on this figure 1 , because they are on the other side of the plate 15. This allows to easily change the spring elements shown in the figure 1 , if needed.
  • the striking mechanism 1 further comprises a damping counter-spring 5 for holding the hammer 2 away from the bell in a rest mode, and a driving spring 3 of the hammer.
  • This drive spring 3 may be armed by a lift 11 explained hereinafter to drive the hammer 2 in a bell mode against the bell to produce an acoustic sound.
  • the damping counter-spring 5 is defined as active, since it acts on the hammer to return it to its rest position just after the hammer hits the stamp to avoid any energy loss of the hammer in action. This increases the quality of the sound produced.
  • the driving spring 3 of the hammer is fixed at one of its ends 3b in the form of a bead by means of a screw 13 on the watch plate 15. Since this heel 3b, the drive spring 3 has a beam or metal blade, which describes a U shape. This beam 3 surrounds a stop 10, in the form of a lever, which is combined with the damper counter-spring 5 to make the active counter-spring as explained below. This stop plays part of the role of activation means of said counter-spring.
  • This abutment 10 comprises a first branch 12, a free end of which is intended to come into contact with an intermediate portion of the beam of the drive spring 3.
  • the contact of the first branch 12 of this abutment with the intermediate portion of the spring 3 can be performed for example in a portion corresponding to half the length of the beam from its end 3b fixed to the plate 15. In this mode of rest, the intermediate portion of the beam of the drive spring 3 remains in direct contact with this end of the abutment 10.
  • the free end 3a of the beam of the drive spring 3 can be arranged in a rest mode slightly distant from the rod 6 of the not shown hammer.
  • the abutment 10 is combined with the counter-spring 5
  • the first end 5a of this counter-spring is actively driven with the hammer shaft 6 by the abutment 10 against the free end 3a of the driving spring in the operating mode. rest.
  • the hammer is thus kept remote from the stamp by the damping counter-spring 5 bearing against the hammer rod 6, which protrudes from the plate 15 on the side of the spring elements.
  • the damping counter-spring 5 is constituted by a substantially rectilinear lever rotatably mounted about an axis 8 perpendicular to the watch plate 15.
  • a first end 5a of the counter spring lever 5 thus bears against the rod 6 of the hammer to keep it remote from the stamp in a rest mode.
  • a second end 5b of this counter-spring lever 5 is disposed on an opposite side of the first end 5a with respect to the axis of rotation 8.
  • An eccentric part 4 can be rotatably mounted on the plate 15 to serve as a stop rotation of the counter spring lever 5.
  • the first end 5a of the metal counter-spring may bend slightly in the striking mode just after the hammer hits the bell, by the force applied by the driving spring 3 in action as explained hereinafter with reference to Figures 2A to 2E .
  • the first end 5a of the damper counter-spring 5 is momentarily released from the rod 6 of the hammer. This allows the hammer to not lose energy when it is in action for the striking of the stamp.
  • this first end 5a of the counter-spring 5 pushes the hammer with a certain delay towards its rest position after the hammer strike. .
  • the eccentric part 4 is not used in this embodiment to serve in particular as a fulcrum of the counter-spring lever 5 so that it pushes the hammer towards its position of rest after the strike. It could possibly not be present in the striking mechanism.
  • This eccentric part 4 consists of a wheel which can be in contact with a surface of the second end 5b. This wheel of the eccentric part 4 is mounted eccentrically on a rotation pin disposed in a bore of the plate 15.
  • the abutment 10 in the form of a lever, is mounted on the axis of rotation 8 of the counter-spring 5.
  • a screw root is provided for the mounting of the abutment 10 and the counter-spring 5 on the plate 15.
  • This screw foot comprises a disk at its base fixed on the plate 15 and on the disc, a tubular portion smooth on the outside and threaded inside.
  • the counter-spring 5 in the form of a lever is first mounted on the screw base 17 to bear on the disc of the screw foot.
  • the counter spring 5 comprises a through opening at the axis of rotation 8. This through opening has a diameter equivalent to the outer perimeter of the tubular portion to allow mounting the spring against, for example, without play on the tubular part.
  • the stop 10 also comprises a through opening in an intermediate portion 10a.
  • This opening of the abutment is of diameter equivalent to the outer perimeter of the tubular portion of the screw foot 17 to mount the stop without play on the tubular portion above the spring-spring 5.
  • a second eccentric part 14 which is rotatably mounted on the counter spring 5, for adjusting the position of the stop 10 on the counter spring 5.
  • This eccentric part 14 comprises a pin inserted into a bore of equivalent diameter formed on an intermediate portion of the counter-spring 5 between the axis of rotation 8 and the second end 5b of the spring against.
  • the second eccentric part 14 has, above the pin, an eccentric portion placed in another through opening 24 of particular shape at one end 10b of a second branch of the abutment 10. This eccentric portion is in contact with a surface inside the other through opening 24 of the stop. When the second eccentric part 14 is turned, this allows the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 to be more or less remote from the stamp.
  • the intermediate portion of the pre-armored training spring 3 returns more or less quickly in contact with the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 when the hammer is struck against the stamp. This also has the effect of adapting the action delay of the counter-spring 5 following the first hammer strike against the stamp.
  • the hammer activated by the drive spring in action is propelled quickly against the bell before the drive spring activates the counter-spring by contact on the stop 10 to push the hammer to its rest position.
  • the delay of action of the counter-spring 5 may be of the order of 2 ms depending on the configuration of the spring elements and the hammer, and the materials constituting them.
  • first and second branches of the lever of the abutment 10 are arranged substantially opposite one another, with a perforated portion between the two branches.
  • the rotation of the free end of the first branch 12 and the second branch is on the same side with respect to the axis of rotation 8 of the abutment 10 and the counter-spring 5.
  • the intermediate part of the spring comes into contact of the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10.
  • the second leg of the stop lever 10 is normally provided to drive the counter-spring 5 so that its first end 5a comes into contact with the hammer rod 6 in the rest mode.
  • This second branch 12 of the lever of the abutment 10 also serves to brake the drive spring 3 in action, while making the damping counter-spring 5 active to pinch the rod 6 of the hammer and bring it back to the rest position. This operation is carried out with a certain delay compared to the striking of the hammer against the stamp.
  • the base of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 may be located at the end 10b of the stop, where is disposed the second eccentric part 14.
  • the contact of the end of the first leg 12 of the abutment 10 with the drive spring 3 can be done in a portion closer to the free end 3a of said drive spring.
  • the abutment 10 has instead of a lever, a simple protruding portion. This protruding portion may be made in a single piece between the two through-openings of the abutment to come into contact with the intermediate portion of the drive spring 3.
  • a second eccentric part 14 for adjusting the position of the abutment 10 on the counter-spring 5
  • the preassembly operation of the drive spring 3 can be performed by means of the hammer shaft 6, which is driven by a lift 11 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 27 on the plate 15.
  • this lift 11 can also be mounted on the axis of rotation 7 of the hammer.
  • this lift 11 has a tooth 11 activated by a toothed wheel 16 rotatably mounted on the plate.
  • the teeth 16a of this wheel 16 are arranged according to the desired ring repetition.
  • the lift 11 can be turned by this toothed wheel 16 in a ringing mode to arm the drive spring 3 by pushing the rod 6 of the hammer against the free end 3a of the drive spring 3.
  • the damping counter-spring 5 is free to rotate while being limited in rotation by the first eccentric part 4.
  • an initial setting in particular by the second eccentric piece 14 must be made to avoid any rebound when hammering the hammer against the stamp.
  • the impact portion of the hammer may be arranged further from the stamp.
  • the drive spring 3 can be more or less strongly pre-armed with any type of stamp material once the initial setting has been made.
  • the hammer can be made of a hard material, such as tungsten cobalt carbide (WCCo), or a ceramic material or diamond. At least the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 against the stamp 21 should be made of this hard material.
  • the material of said hammer 2 can also have a high density. This makes it possible to increase the energy during the impact of the hammer against the stamp according to a given typing speed of the hammer. No energy loss during the impact of the hammer is caused by the damping counter-spring 5, since it acts with a certain delay to bring the hammer back to its rest position.
  • This counter spring 5 can also be made of hard metal or steel, as the stop 10, while the drive spring 3 can be made of traditional spring steel.
  • the stamp 21 can be made in the form of at least a portion of a circle or rectangle.
  • the stamp may be for example a wire of circular or rectangular cross section, which is generally steel or precious metal or metal glass. Traditionally, this portion of a circle or rectangle surrounds part of the unrepresented watch movement.
  • the Figure 2A represents only in top view the striking mechanism 1 in a rest mode, as previously described with reference to the figure 1 .
  • the free end 3a of the drive spring 3 and the end 5a of the counter spring 5 pinch the rod 6 of the hammer 2.
  • the end 5a of the spring spring is pushed towards the rod 6 by the pressure of the drive spring 3 against the first branch 12 of the abutment 10.
  • the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 remains remote from the stamp 21.
  • the hammer 2 is also kept remote by the counter-spring 5 and the spring 3 training even in case of shock of the watch equipped with this striking mechanism 1.
  • the drive spring 3 is pre-armed at the beginning of the ringing mode as shown in part at figure 2B .
  • the drive spring 3 is dimensioned in such a way as to be able to pre-arm it with a maximum force of the order of 1 N.
  • the preaming operation of the drive spring 3 can be carried out by means of the hammer rod 6 which is driven by a lift 11 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 27 on the plate 15. This lift 11 is rotated by means of its tooth 11a, which is activated by one of the teeth 16a of a wheel 16 in rotary position on the plate 15. In this position of the pre-armed spring, the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2, which ends in the form of an edge, is even further from the stamp 21. In this position, the against shock absorber 5, as well as the abutment 10, are no longer in contact with the rod 6 of the hammer 2 and the drive spring 3.
  • the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 strikes the stamp 21, at its highest speed, without being braked by the counter-spring 5, which increases the quality of the sound produced compared to a striking mechanism traditional.
  • the striking time of the hammer 2 against the stamp 21 from the position of the drive spring 3 prealarm may be of the order of 0.2 ms.
  • the drive spring 3 in action and in contact with the abutment 10, activates the damper counter-spring 5 with delay relative to the striking of the stamp 21 by the hammer 2. This delay can be of the order of 2 ms.
  • the abutment 10 mounted on the counter spring 5, therefore acts as a sensor for triggering the counter spring 5 at the desired time.
  • the counter spring 5 is activated by the driving spring 3 in contact with the stop 10, as shown in FIG. figure 2E .
  • the activated counter-spring will push the hammer 2 through its rod 6 to its rest position. From this moment, the damper counter-spring 5 makes it possible in combination with the driving spring 3 to avoid any rebound of the hammer against the stamp.
  • the stop and the counter-spring can form a single piece.
  • a triggering device can force the counter-spring into a remote position when pre-shaping the drive spring. This trigger device can release the spring against the first strike of the hammer against the stamp so that the counter-spring pushes the hammer to its rest position without rebound against the stamp.
  • the hammer can be mounted on the plate to hit the stamp in a straight path rather than rotating.
  • each stamp may be struck by a respective hammer, where each hammer is driven by a proper drive spring.
  • a damping counter-spring combined with an abutment must be provided for each hammer.

Abstract

The mechanism has a damper counter spring (5) i.e. lever, maintaining a hammer (2) at distance from a gong (21) in a rest position. A driving spring (3) is armed to drive the hammer against the gong in a striking mode to produce acoustic sound. An activating unit i.e. metallic stopper, activates the damper counter spring in the striking mode with certain delay following strike of the hammer against the gong such that the counter spring pushes the hammer to the rest position after striking of the hammer against the gong. The spring is in a form of a spring blade or binder.

Description

L'invention concerne un mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre muni d'un contre-ressort amortisseur actif. Le mécanisme comprend au moins un marteau agencé pour venir frapper au moins un timbre fixé à un porte-timbre à des instants déterminés. Ledit marteau est maintenu à distance du timbre par ledit contre-ressort amortisseur dans un mode de repos. Un ressort d'entraînement du marteau du mécanisme peut être configuré sous forme d'une poutre ou lame élastique. Ce ressort d'entraînement peut être armé pour entraîner ledit marteau contre le timbre pour signaler acoustiquement par exemple une période de temps programmée.The invention relates to a striking mechanism of a watch provided with an active damping counter-spring. The mechanism comprises at least one hammer arranged to strike at least one stamp attached to a stamp holder at specific times. Said hammer is kept at a distance from the stamp by said damper counter-spring in a rest mode. A hammer driving spring of the mechanism may be configured as a resilient beam or blade. This drive spring can be armed to drive said hammer against the stamp to acoustically signal for example a programmed period of time.

Dans le domaine de l'horlogerie, un mécanisme de sonnerie peut être combiné à un mouvement horloger traditionnel pour servir notamment de répétitions minutes ou pour signaler une heure d'alarme programmée. Un tel mécanisme de sonnerie comprend généralement au moins un timbre réalisé en matériau métallique, tel qu'en acier, en bronze, en métal précieux, en verre métallique, en saphir ou en quartz. Ce timbre peut décrire par exemple au moins une portion de cercle autour du mouvement horloger dans la cage de montre. Le timbre est fixé par au moins une de ses extrémités à un porte-timbre, qui est lui-même solidaire d'une platine de montre. Un marteau du mécanisme est monté rotatif sur la platine par exemple à proximité du porte-timbre de manière à frapper le timbre pour le faire vibrer. Le son produit par le timbre frappé par le marteau se situe notamment dans la gamme de fréquences audibles de 1 kHz à 20 kHz. Cela permet de signaler au porteur de la montre, une heure bien définie, une alarme programmée ou une répétition minute.In the field of horology, a striking mechanism can be combined with a traditional watch movement to serve in particular for minute repetitions or to signal a programmed alarm time. Such a striking mechanism generally comprises at least one stamp made of metal material, such as steel, bronze, precious metal, metal glass, sapphire or quartz. This stamp can describe for example at least a portion of a circle around the watch movement in the watch cage. The stamp is fixed by at least one of its ends to a stamp holder, which is itself secured to a watch plate. A hammer mechanism is rotatably mounted on the plate for example near the stamp holder so as to hit the stamp to make it vibrate. The sound produced by the hammer-struck tone is particularly in the audible frequency range from 1 kHz to 20 kHz. This makes it possible to signal to the wearer of the watch, a definite time, a programmed alarm or a minute repetition.

Comme représenté dans le document de brevet EP 1 574 917 , le mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre peut comprendre deux timbres fixés par une de leurs extrémités à un même porte-timbre, qui est lui-même solidaire d'une platine. Chaque timbre peut être frappé par un marteau respectif. Pour ce faire, chaque marteau est entraîné par un propre ressort d'entraînement, qui a dû au préalable être armé, de manière à entraîner le marteau contre le timbre afin de signaler une répétition minute ou une heure d'alarme. Deux contre-ressorts amortisseurs sont prévus chacun pour repousser et maintenir les deux marteaux à distance des timbres dans un mode de repos. Les contre-ressorts amortisseurs ralentissent également la chute de chaque marteau avant la frappe contre le timbre respectif avant de le repousser en position de repos. Des excentriques sont également prévus pour le réglage du fonctionnement des contre-ressorts pour éviter tout rebond de chaque marteau contre le timbre respectif.As shown in the patent document EP 1 574 917 , the striking mechanism of a watch may include two timbres fixed by one of their ends to a same stamp holder, which is itself secured to a plate. Each stamp may be struck by a respective hammer. To do this, each hammer is driven by a proper drive spring, which had to be previously armed, so as to drive the hammer against the stamp to signal a minute repeater or an alarm time. Two damping counter-springs are each provided for pushing and holding the two hammers away from the stamps in a rest mode. The shock-absorbing counter-springs also slow the fall of each hammer before striking against the respective stamp before pushing it back to the rest position. Eccentrics are also provided for adjusting the operation of the counter-springs to prevent rebound of each hammer against the respective stamp.

Un inconvénient d'une telle structure du mécanisme de sonnerie avec ces contre-ressorts est qu'il se produit une perte importante d'énergie cinétique du marteau lors de la frappe du timbre respectif, ce qui réduit le niveau acoustique de la sonnerie. Cette perte d'énergie est due en grande partie par le ralentissement imposé par chaque contre-ressort sur le trajet du marteau lors de sa frappe contre le timbre. De plus même si le préarmage des ressorts d'entraînement est augmenté, cela implique une adaptation des contre-ressorts par l'intermédiaire de leur excentrique pour éviter également tout rebond, ce qui est un autre inconvénient d'un tel mécanisme de sonnerie.A disadvantage of such a structure of the striking mechanism with these counter-springs is that there is a significant loss of kinetic energy of the hammer during the striking of the respective stamp, which reduces the acoustic level of the ring. This loss of energy is largely due to the slowdown imposed by each counter-spring on the path of the hammer when it hits the stamp. Moreover, even if the pre-arming of the drive springs is increased, this implies an adaptation of the counter-springs via their eccentric to also avoid any rebound, which is another disadvantage of such a striking mechanism.

On peut citer également le document de brevet EP 2 048 548 , qui décrit principalement un marteau d'un mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre. Ce marteau comprend deux parties articulées l'une à l'autre et un élément élastique fixé à l'une des parties articulées. Dans une position stable du marteau, l'élément élastique ressort maintient les deux parties du marteau, alors que dans une position de frappe du marteau, les deux parties s'éloignent l'une de l'autre en étant rappelée par l'élément élastique ressort. Avec cet agencement, il est possible de réduire la perte d'énergie cinétique du marteau contre un organe amortisseur. Cependant un tel agencement du marteau complique la réalisation du mécanisme de sonnerie pour pouvoir éviter une perte d'énergie du marteau lors de la frappe du timbre, ce qui est un inconvénient. Il peut également survenir des rebonds indésirables du marteau contre le timbre lors de la frappe, ce qui est un autre inconvénient.We can also mention the patent document EP 2 048 548 , which mainly describes a hammer of a striking mechanism of a watch. This hammer comprises two parts hinged to each other and an elastic element attached to one of the hinged parts. In a stable position of the hammer, the resilient spring element maintains the two parts of the hammer, whereas in a striking position of the hammer, the two parts move away from each other being recalled by the elastic member. spring. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the kinetic energy loss of the hammer against a damping member. However such an arrangement of the hammer complicates the realization of the striking mechanism to be able to avoid a loss of energy of the hammer during the striking of the stamp, which is a drawback. It can also occur unwanted rebounds of the hammer against the stamp when striking, which is another drawback.

L'invention a donc pour but de pallier aux inconvénients de l'état de la technique susmentionné en fournissant un mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre, qui comprend des moyens pour augmenter le niveau acoustique du son produit par au moins un timbre frappé par au moins un marteau en évitant tout rebond et toute perte d'énergie du marteau lors de la frappe.The invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art mentioned above by providing a striking mechanism of a watch, which comprises means for increasing the acoustic level of the sound produced by at least one stamp struck by the minus a hammer avoiding any rebound and any loss of energy from the hammer when striking.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre, qui comprend les caractéristiques définies dans la revendication indépendante 1.For this purpose, the invention relates to a striking mechanism of a watch, which comprises the features defined in the independent claim 1.

Des formes d'exécution particulières du mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre sont définies dans les revendications dépendantes 2 à 12.Particular embodiments of the striking mechanism of a watch are defined in dependent claims 2 to 12.

Un avantage du mécanisme de sonnerie selon la présente invention, réside dans le fait qu'il comprend un contre-ressort amortisseur considéré comme actif, c'est-à-dire que lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, il n'agit pas directement pour repousser ledit marteau vers sa position de repos. Dès la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, le contre-ressort peut être activé avec un certain retard notamment par l'intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement en appui d'une butée combinée au contre-ressort.An advantage of the striking mechanism according to the present invention lies in the fact that it comprises a damper counter-spring considered active, that is to say that when the hammer is struck against the stamp, it acts not directly to push said hammer back to its rest position. As soon as the hammer is struck against the bell, the counter-spring can be activated with a certain delay, in particular by means of the driving spring in support of a stop combined with the counter spring.

Avantageusement, le ressort d'entraînement peut prendre la forme d'une poutre ou lame métallique élastique fixée sur la platine de montre et ayant une extrémité libre pour pousser un ergot ou tige du marteau rotatif lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre. Le marteau est entraîné en rotation par le ressort d'entraînement pour venir frapper le timbre en conservant toute l'énergie de frappe sans être freiné par le contre-ressort. Cela assure ainsi une augmentation du niveau acoustique produit par le timbre frappé. Le freinage du ressort d'entraînement en contact de la butée combiné au contre-ressort, peut intervenir également après la frappe dudit marteau contre le timbre. Une fois que le marteau a frappé ledit timbre, le contre-ressort pousse le marteau vers sa position de repos pour éviter tout rebond du marteau contre le timbre. Dans le mode de repos, la tige du marteau est maintenue emprisonnée entre l'extrémité libre du ressort d'entraînement et une extrémité du contre-ressort.Advantageously, the drive spring can take the form of an elastic metal beam or blade attached to the watch plate and having a free end to push a pin or pin of the rotary hammer when the hammer is struck against the stamp. The hammer is rotated by the drive spring to hit the stamp retaining all the energy of striking without being braked by the counter-spring. This ensures an increase in the acoustic level produced by the struck stamp. The braking of the drive spring in contact with the stop combined with the counter-spring, can also intervene after the striking of said hammer against the stamp. Once the hammer has struck said stamp, the counter-spring pushes the hammer towards its rest position to avoid any rebound of the hammer against the stamp. In the rest mode, the hammer shaft is held trapped between the free end of the drive spring and one end of the spring.

Les buts, avantages et caractéristiques du mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre à contre-ressort amortisseur actif apparaîtront mieux dans la description suivante notamment en regard des dessins sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue tridimensionnelle d'un agencement des éléments ressort du mécanisme de sonnerie à contre-ressort amortisseur actif selon l'invention dans un mode de repos, et
  • les figures 2A à 2E représentent des vues de dessus de différentes positions des éléments du mécanisme de sonnerie, selon l'invention, avant, pendant et après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre.
The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the striking mechanism of an active shock-absorbing counter-spring watch will become more apparent in the following description, especially with reference to the drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 represents a three-dimensional view of an arrangement of the spring elements of the active damper counter-spring striking mechanism according to the invention in a rest mode, and
  • the Figures 2A to 2E represent top views of different positions of the elements of the striking mechanism, according to the invention, before, during and after the striking of the hammer against the stamp.

Dans la description suivante, toutes les parties du mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre en combinaison au mouvement horloger, qui sont bien connues dans ce domaine technique, ne seront décrites que sommairement. L'accent est principalement mis sur l'agencement des éléments ressort du mécanisme de sonnerie, dont le contre-ressort amortisseur actif. Grâce aux différents éléments ressort dudit mécanisme de sonnerie, il est constaté moins de perte d'énergie du marteau lors de la frappe contre le timbre, et une sécurité améliorée contre d'éventuels rebonds du marteau contre le timbre.In the following description, all parts of the striking mechanism of a watch in combination with the watch movement, which are well known in this technical field, will be described only briefly. The main focus is on the arrangement of the spring elements of the striking mechanism, including the active damping counter spring. Thanks to the different spring elements of said striking mechanism, there is less energy loss of the hammer when striking against the stamp, and improved security against possible rebounds of the hammer against the stamp.

A la figure 1, il est représenté de manière détaillée une vue tridimensionnelle d'un mécanisme de sonnerie 1 d'une montre. Le mécanisme de sonnerie 1 comprend au moins un timbre, qui est fixé à une de ses extrémités à un porte-timbre, qui est solidaire d'une platine 15 de montre. L'autre extrémité du timbre est généralement libre de mouvement. Ce mécanisme de sonnerie 1 comprend également au moins un marteau monté rotatif autour d'un axe 7 sur la platine en particulier à proximité du porte-timbre. Le timbre, le porte-timbre et le marteau du mécanisme de sonnerie 1 ne sont pas représentés sur cette figure 1, car ils se trouvent de l'autre côté de la platine 15. Ceci permet de facilement changer les éléments ressort représenté à la figure 1, si besoin est.To the figure 1 , there is shown in detail a three-dimensional view of a striking mechanism 1 of a watch. The striking mechanism 1 comprises at least one stamp, which is fixed at one of its ends to a stamp holder, which is integral with a plate 15 of shows. The other end of the stamp is usually free of movement. This striking mechanism 1 also comprises at least one hammer rotatably mounted about an axis 7 on the plate, in particular near the stamp holder. The stamp, the stamp holder and the hammer of the striking mechanism 1 are not represented on this figure 1 , because they are on the other side of the plate 15. This allows to easily change the spring elements shown in the figure 1 , if needed.

Le mécanisme de sonnerie 1 comprend encore un contre-ressort amortisseur 5 pour maintenir le marteau 2 à distance du timbre dans un mode de repos, et un ressort d'entraînement 3 du marteau. Ce ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être armé par une levée 11 expliquée ci-après pour entraîner le marteau 2 dans un mode de sonnerie contre le timbre pour produire un son acoustique. Le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 est défini comme actif, car il agit sur le marteau pour le ramener dans sa position de repos juste après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre pour éviter toute perte d'énergie du marteau en action. Ceci permet d'augmenter la qualité du son produit.The striking mechanism 1 further comprises a damping counter-spring 5 for holding the hammer 2 away from the bell in a rest mode, and a driving spring 3 of the hammer. This drive spring 3 may be armed by a lift 11 explained hereinafter to drive the hammer 2 in a bell mode against the bell to produce an acoustic sound. The damping counter-spring 5 is defined as active, since it acts on the hammer to return it to its rest position just after the hammer hits the stamp to avoid any energy loss of the hammer in action. This increases the quality of the sound produced.

Comme on peut le remarquer sur cette figure 1, le ressort d'entraînement 3 du marteau est fixé à une de ses extrémités 3b sous forme de talon par l'intermédiaire d'une vis 13 sur la platine 15 de montre. Depuis ce talon 3b, le ressort d'entraînement 3 présente une poutre ou lame métallique, qui décrit une forme de U. Cette poutre 3 entoure une butée 10, sous forme de levier, qui est combinée avec le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 pour rendre le contre-ressort actif comme expliqué ci-après. Cette butée joue en partie le rôle de moyen d'activation dudit contre-ressort. Cette butée 10 comprend une première branche 12, dont une extrémité libre est destinée à venir en contact d'une partie intermédiaire de la poutre du ressort d'entraînement 3. Le contact de la première branche 12 de cette butée avec la partie intermédiaire du ressort 3 peut être effectué par exemple dans une portion correspondant à la moitié de la longueur de la poutre depuis son extrémité 3b fixée à la platine 15. Dans ce mode de repos, la partie intermédiaire de la poutre du ressort d'entraînement 3 reste en contact direct avec cette extrémité de la butée 10.As can be seen on this figure 1 the driving spring 3 of the hammer is fixed at one of its ends 3b in the form of a bead by means of a screw 13 on the watch plate 15. Since this heel 3b, the drive spring 3 has a beam or metal blade, which describes a U shape. This beam 3 surrounds a stop 10, in the form of a lever, which is combined with the damper counter-spring 5 to make the active counter-spring as explained below. This stop plays part of the role of activation means of said counter-spring. This abutment 10 comprises a first branch 12, a free end of which is intended to come into contact with an intermediate portion of the beam of the drive spring 3. The contact of the first branch 12 of this abutment with the intermediate portion of the spring 3 can be performed for example in a portion corresponding to half the length of the beam from its end 3b fixed to the plate 15. In this mode of rest, the intermediate portion of the beam of the drive spring 3 remains in direct contact with this end of the abutment 10.

L'extrémité libre 3a de la poutre du ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être disposée dans un mode de repos légèrement distante de la tige 6 du marteau non représenté. Cependant comme la butée 10 est combinée avec le contre-ressort 5, la première extrémité 5a de ce contre-ressort est activement entraînée avec la tige 6 du marteau par la butée 10 contre l'extrémité libre 3a du ressort d'entraînement dans le mode de repos. Le marteau est ainsi maintenu distant du timbre par le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 en appui contre la tige 6 du marteau, qui dépasse de la platine 15 du côté des éléments ressort.The free end 3a of the beam of the drive spring 3 can be arranged in a rest mode slightly distant from the rod 6 of the not shown hammer. However, since the abutment 10 is combined with the counter-spring 5, the first end 5a of this counter-spring is actively driven with the hammer shaft 6 by the abutment 10 against the free end 3a of the driving spring in the operating mode. rest. The hammer is thus kept remote from the stamp by the damping counter-spring 5 bearing against the hammer rod 6, which protrudes from the plate 15 on the side of the spring elements.

Le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 est constitué par un levier sensiblement rectiligne monté rotatif autour d'un axe 8 perpendiculaire à la platine 15 de montre. Une première extrémité 5a de ce levier du contre-ressort 5 s'appuie donc contre la tige 6 du marteau pour le maintenir distant du timbre dans un mode de repos. Une seconde extrémité 5b de ce levier du contre-ressort 5 est disposée d'un côté opposé de la première extrémité 5a par rapport à l'axe de rotation 8. Une pièce excentrique 4 peut être montée rotative sur la platine 15 pour servir de butée de rotation du levier du contre-ressort 5.The damping counter-spring 5 is constituted by a substantially rectilinear lever rotatably mounted about an axis 8 perpendicular to the watch plate 15. A first end 5a of the counter spring lever 5 thus bears against the rod 6 of the hammer to keep it remote from the stamp in a rest mode. A second end 5b of this counter-spring lever 5 is disposed on an opposite side of the first end 5a with respect to the axis of rotation 8. An eccentric part 4 can be rotatably mounted on the plate 15 to serve as a stop rotation of the counter spring lever 5.

La première extrémité 5a du contre-ressort 5 métallique peut fléchir légèrement dans le mode de sonnerie juste après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, par la force appliquée par le ressort d'entraînement 3 en action comme expliqué ci-après en référence aux figures 2A à 2E. Lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, la première extrémité 5a du contre-ressort amortisseur 5 est momentanément dégagée de la tige 6 du marteau. Ceci permet au marteau de ne pas perdre d'énergie lorsqu'il est en action pour la frappe du timbre. Par contre et grâce à la butée métallique 10 avec la branche 12, qui est combinée au contre-ressort amortisseur 5, cette première extrémité 5a du contre-ressort 5 pousse le marteau avec un certain retard vers sa position de repos après la frappe du marteau.The first end 5a of the metal counter-spring may bend slightly in the striking mode just after the hammer hits the bell, by the force applied by the driving spring 3 in action as explained hereinafter with reference to Figures 2A to 2E . When striking the hammer against the stamp, the first end 5a of the damper counter-spring 5 is momentarily released from the rod 6 of the hammer. This allows the hammer to not lose energy when it is in action for the striking of the stamp. On the other hand, and thanks to the metal abutment 10 with the branch 12, which is combined with the damping counter-spring 5, this first end 5a of the counter-spring 5 pushes the hammer with a certain delay towards its rest position after the hammer strike. .

Il est à noter qu'en principe, la pièce excentrique 4 n'est pas utilisée dans cette forme d'exécution pour servir notamment de point d'appui du levier du contre-ressort 5 afin qu'il repousse le marteau vers sa position de repos après la frappe. Elle pourrait éventuellement ne pas être présente dans le mécanisme de sonnerie. Cette pièce excentrique 4 est constituée d'une roue qui peut être en contact d'une surface de la seconde extrémité 5b. Cette roue de la pièce excentrique 4 est montée de manière excentrée sur une goupille de rotation disposée dans un alésage de la platine 15. Par la rotation de cette pièce excentrique 4, la liberté de rotation du contre-ressort 5, pendant l'opération de frappe du marteau contre le timbre, peut ainsi être réglée.It should be noted that, in principle, the eccentric part 4 is not used in this embodiment to serve in particular as a fulcrum of the counter-spring lever 5 so that it pushes the hammer towards its position of rest after the strike. It could possibly not be present in the striking mechanism. This eccentric part 4 consists of a wheel which can be in contact with a surface of the second end 5b. This wheel of the eccentric part 4 is mounted eccentrically on a rotation pin disposed in a bore of the plate 15. By the rotation of this eccentric part 4, the freedom of rotation of the counter-spring 5, during the operation of hammer strike against the stamp, so can be set.

Dans la forme d'exécution de la figure 1, la butée 10, sous forme de levier, est montée sur l'axe de rotation 8 du contre-ressort 5. Pour le montage de la butée 10 et du contre-ressort 5 sur la platine 15, il est prévu un pied de vis 17. Ce pied de vis comprend un disque à sa base fixé sur la platine 15 et sur le disque, une partie tubulaire lisse sur l'extérieur et filetée à l'intérieur. Le contre-ressort 5 sous forme de levier est tout d'abord monté sur le pied de vis 17 pour prendre appui sur le disque du pied de vis. Pour ce faire, le contre-ressort 5 comprend une ouverture traversante au niveau de l'axe de rotation 8. Cette ouverture traversante a un diamètre équivalent au périmètre extérieur de la partie tubulaire pour permettre de monter le contre-ressort, par exemple, sans jeu sur la partie tubulaire. La butée 10 comprend également une ouverture traversante dans une portion intermédiaire 10a. Cette ouverture de la butée est de diamètre équivalent au périmètre extérieur de la partie tubulaire du pied de vis 17 pour monter la butée sans jeu sur la partie tubulaire au-dessus du contre-ressort 5. Une fois que le contre-ressort 5 et la butée 10 sont disposés sur la partie tubulaire du pied de vis 17, une vis 18 est vissée dans la partie filetée de la partie tubulaire. Cette vis 18 est vissée jusqu'au niveau de l'embouchure de la partie tubulaire, qui dépasse légèrement de l'ouverture de la butée 10 positionnée pour maintenir libre de rotation sur la platine, le contre-ressort 5 et la butée 10.In the form of execution of the figure 1 , the abutment 10, in the form of a lever, is mounted on the axis of rotation 8 of the counter-spring 5. For the mounting of the abutment 10 and the counter-spring 5 on the plate 15, a screw root is provided. 17. This screw foot comprises a disk at its base fixed on the plate 15 and on the disc, a tubular portion smooth on the outside and threaded inside. The counter-spring 5 in the form of a lever is first mounted on the screw base 17 to bear on the disc of the screw foot. To do this, the counter spring 5 comprises a through opening at the axis of rotation 8. This through opening has a diameter equivalent to the outer perimeter of the tubular portion to allow mounting the spring against, for example, without play on the tubular part. The stop 10 also comprises a through opening in an intermediate portion 10a. This opening of the abutment is of diameter equivalent to the outer perimeter of the tubular portion of the screw foot 17 to mount the stop without play on the tubular portion above the spring-spring 5. Once the counter-spring 5 and the 10 abutment are arranged on the tubular portion of the screw foot 17, a screw 18 is screwed into the threaded portion of the tubular portion. This screw 18 is screwed up to the level of the mouth of the tubular part, which slightly exceeds the opening of the stop 10 positioned to maintain free rotation on the plate, the counter-spring 5 and the stop 10.

Il peut être prévu encore une seconde pièce excentrique 14, qui est montée rotative sur le contre-ressort 5, pour le réglage de position de la butée 10 sur le contre-ressort 5. Cette pièce excentrique 14 comprend une goupille insérée dans un alésage de diamètre équivalent pratiqué sur une portion intermédiaire du contre-ressort 5 entre l'axe de rotation 8 et la seconde extrémité 5b du contre-ressort. La seconde pièce excentrique 14 présente au-dessus de la goupille, une portion excentrée placée dans une autre ouverture traversante 24 de forme particulière à une extrémité 10b d'une seconde branche de la butée 10. Cette portion excentrée est en contact d'une surface intérieure de l'autre ouverture traversante 24 de la butée. Quand la seconde pièce excentrique 14 est tournée, cela permet à l'extrémité libre de la première branche 12 du levier de la butée 10 d'être plus ou moins éloignée du timbre. Dans ces conditions, la partie intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement 3 préarmé rentre plus ou moins vite en contact avec l'extrémité libre de la première branche 12 du levier de la butée 10 lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre. Ceci a pour effet également d'adapter le retard d'action du contre-ressort 5 suite à la première frappe du marteau contre le timbre.There may be provided a second eccentric part 14, which is rotatably mounted on the counter spring 5, for adjusting the position of the stop 10 on the counter spring 5. This eccentric part 14 comprises a pin inserted into a bore of equivalent diameter formed on an intermediate portion of the counter-spring 5 between the axis of rotation 8 and the second end 5b of the spring against. The second eccentric part 14 has, above the pin, an eccentric portion placed in another through opening 24 of particular shape at one end 10b of a second branch of the abutment 10. This eccentric portion is in contact with a surface inside the other through opening 24 of the stop. When the second eccentric part 14 is turned, this allows the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 to be more or less remote from the stamp. Under these conditions, the intermediate portion of the pre-armored training spring 3 returns more or less quickly in contact with the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 when the hammer is struck against the stamp. This also has the effect of adapting the action delay of the counter-spring 5 following the first hammer strike against the stamp.

Le marteau activé par le ressort d'entraînement en action est propulsé rapidement contre le timbre avant que le ressort d'entraînement active le contre-ressort par contact sur la butée 10 pour repousser le marteau vers sa position de repos. Le retard d'action du contre-ressort 5 peut être de l'ordre de 2 ms en fonction de la configuration des éléments ressort et du marteau, et des matériaux les constituant.The hammer activated by the drive spring in action is propelled quickly against the bell before the drive spring activates the counter-spring by contact on the stop 10 to push the hammer to its rest position. The delay of action of the counter-spring 5 may be of the order of 2 ms depending on the configuration of the spring elements and the hammer, and the materials constituting them.

Dans cette forme d'exécution, les première et seconde branches du levier de la butée 10 sont disposées sensiblement en regard l'une de l'autre, avec une partie ajourée entre les deux branches. La rotation de l'extrémité libre de la première branche 12 et de la seconde branche se fait d'un même côté par rapport à l'axe de rotation 8 de la butée 10 et du contre-ressort 5. Sur le trajet du ressort d'entraînement 3 lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, la partie intermédiaire du ressort vient en contact de l'extrémité libre de la première branche 12 du levier de butée 10. La seconde branche du levier de butée 10 est prévue normalement pour entraîner le contre-ressort 5 pour que sa première extrémité 5a vienne en contact de la tige 6 de marteau dans le mode de repos. Après le contact avec le butée 10 durant une opération de sonnerie, le déplacement restant du ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être estimée entre 0.03 à 0.06 mm. Cette seconde branche 12 du levier de la butée 10 permet également de freiner le ressort d'entraînement 3 en action, tout en rendant actif le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 pour pincer la tige 6 du marteau et le ramener en position de repos. Cette opération est effectuée avec un certain retard par rapport à la frappe du marteau contre le timbre.In this embodiment, the first and second branches of the lever of the abutment 10 are arranged substantially opposite one another, with a perforated portion between the two branches. The rotation of the free end of the first branch 12 and the second branch is on the same side with respect to the axis of rotation 8 of the abutment 10 and the counter-spring 5. On the path of the spring of 3 when the hammer hits the stamp, the intermediate part of the spring comes into contact of the free end of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10. The second leg of the stop lever 10 is normally provided to drive the counter-spring 5 so that its first end 5a comes into contact with the hammer rod 6 in the rest mode. After contact with the stopper 10 during a ringing operation, the remaining displacement of the drive spring 3 can be estimated between 0.03 to 0.06 mm. This second branch 12 of the lever of the abutment 10 also serves to brake the drive spring 3 in action, while making the damping counter-spring 5 active to pinch the rod 6 of the hammer and bring it back to the rest position. This operation is carried out with a certain delay compared to the striking of the hammer against the stamp.

Dans une forme d'exécution non représentée, la base de la première branche 12 du levier de butée 10 peut être située au niveau de l'extrémité 10b de la butée, où est disposée la seconde pièce excentrique 14. Ceci donne une partie ajourée entre les deux branches de la butée disposée inversement de celle de la forme d'exécution montrée à la figure 1. Dans ces conditions, le contact de l'extrémité de la première branche 12 de la butée 10 avec le ressort d'entraînement 3 peut se faire dans une partie plus proche de l'extrémité libre 3a dudit ressort d'entraînement. Il peut être prévu également que la butée 10 présente au lieu d'un levier, une simple portion en saillie. Cette portion en saillie peut être réalisée dans une même pièce entre les deux ouvertures traversantes de la butée pour venir en contact de la partie intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement 3. Au lieu d'utiliser une seconde pièce excentrique 14 pour le réglage de position de la butée 10 sur le contre-ressort 5, il peut être prévu de jouer sur l'élasticité de la première branche 12 pour adapter le retard d'action du contre-ressort 5.In an embodiment not shown, the base of the first leg 12 of the stop lever 10 may be located at the end 10b of the stop, where is disposed the second eccentric part 14. This gives a perforated part between the two branches of the abutment disposed inversely from that of the embodiment shown in FIG. figure 1 . Under these conditions, the contact of the end of the first leg 12 of the abutment 10 with the drive spring 3 can be done in a portion closer to the free end 3a of said drive spring. It can also be provided that the abutment 10 has instead of a lever, a simple protruding portion. This protruding portion may be made in a single piece between the two through-openings of the abutment to come into contact with the intermediate portion of the drive spring 3. Instead of using a second eccentric part 14 for adjusting the position of the abutment 10 on the counter-spring 5, it can be expected to play on the elasticity of the first branch 12 to adapt the delay of action of the counter-spring 5.

Comme représenté à la figure 1, l'opération de préarmage du ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être effectuée au moyen de la tige 6 du marteau, qui est entraînée par une levée 11 montée rotative selon un axe de rotation 27 sur la platine 15. Selon une autre forme d'exécution non représenté, cette levée 11 peut aussi être montée sur l'axe de rotation 7 du marteau. De manière connue, cette levée 11 présente une dent 11 a activée par une roue à dents 16 montée rotative sur la platine. Les dents 16a de cette roue 16 sont agencées en fonction de la répétition de sonnerie désirée. Ainsi, la levée 11 peut être tournée par cette roue à dents 16 dans un mode de sonnerie pour armer le ressort d'entraînement 3 en poussant la tige 6 du marteau contre l'extrémité libre 3a du ressort d'entraînement 3. Dans une position du ressort d'entraînement 3 préarmé comme décrit ci-après, le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 est libre de rotation en étant limité en rotation par la première pièce excentrique 4.As represented in figure 1 , the preassembly operation of the drive spring 3 can be performed by means of the hammer shaft 6, which is driven by a lift 11 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 27 on the plate 15. According to another form of execution not shown, this lift 11 can also be mounted on the axis of rotation 7 of the hammer. Of known manner, this lift 11 has a tooth 11 activated by a toothed wheel 16 rotatably mounted on the plate. The teeth 16a of this wheel 16 are arranged according to the desired ring repetition. Thus, the lift 11 can be turned by this toothed wheel 16 in a ringing mode to arm the drive spring 3 by pushing the rod 6 of the hammer against the free end 3a of the drive spring 3. In a position of the drive spring 3 pre-cocked as described hereinafter, the damping counter-spring 5 is free to rotate while being limited in rotation by the first eccentric part 4.

En fonction du matériau constituant le timbre, un réglage initial notamment par la seconde pièce excentrique 14 doit être réalisé pour éviter tout rebond éventuel lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre. Pour un timbre en or par rapport à un timbre en acier, la portion d'impact du marteau peut être disposée plus distante du timbre. Cependant grâce à la butée 10, le ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être plus ou moins fortement préarmé avec tout type de matériau du timbre une fois que le réglage initial a été opéré.Depending on the material constituting the stamp, an initial setting in particular by the second eccentric piece 14 must be made to avoid any rebound when hammering the hammer against the stamp. For a gold stamp with respect to a steel stamp, the impact portion of the hammer may be arranged further from the stamp. However, thanks to the stop 10, the drive spring 3 can be more or less strongly pre-armed with any type of stamp material once the initial setting has been made.

Il va maintenant être décrit différentes positions notamment des différents éléments ressort avant, pendant et après la frappe du timbre par le marteau en référence aux figures 2A à 2E. Les parties des figures 2A à 2E, qui correspondent à ceux de la figure 1, portent des signes de référence identiques. Par simplification, il ne sera pas répété toute la description de ces différents éléments du mécanisme de sonnerie 1.Various positions will now be described, in particular the different spring elements before, during and after the striking of the stamp by the hammer with reference to the Figures 2A to 2E . The parts of Figures 2A to 2E , which correspond to those of the figure 1 , bear identical reference signs. For simplicity, it will not be repeated all the description of these different elements of the striking mechanism 1.

Sur ces figures 2A à 2E, la platine a été volontairement retirée de manière à observer chaque élément du mécanisme de sonnerie 1 dans différentes positions pour une opération de signalement, par exemple, d'une heure d'alarme programmée de la montre. On remarque bien le marteau 2 monté rotatif autour de l'axe de rotation 7, et le timbre 21, dont une extrémité est fixée au porte-timbre 22. Tous les autres éléments sont similaires à ceux qui ont été décrits en référence à la figure 1 et sont représentés au moins en partie sur ces figures 2A à 2E.On these Figures 2A to 2E , the plate has been voluntarily removed so as to observe each element of the striking mechanism 1 in different positions for a signaling operation, for example, a scheduled alarm time of the watch. Note the hammer 2 rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation 7, and the stamp 21, one end of which is fixed to the stamp holder 22. All other elements are similar to those described with reference to the figure 1 and are represented at least in part on these Figures 2A to 2E .

Pour améliorer encore la qualité du son du timbre 21 frappé par le marteau 2, le marteau peut être réalisé dans un matériau dur, tel que le carbure de tungstène cobalt (WCCo), ou un matériau céramique ou diamant. Au moins la portion d'impact 2a du marteau 2 contre le timbre 21 devrait être réalisée dans ce matériau dur. De plus, le matériau dudit marteau 2 peut également avoir une masse volumique importante. Ceci permet d'augmenter l'énergie lors de l'impact du marteau contre le timbre selon une vitesse de frappe donnée du marteau. Aucune perte d'énergie lors de l'impact du marteau n'est occasionnée par le contre-ressort amortisseur 5, étant donné qu'il agit avec un certain retard pour ramener le marteau vers sa position de repos. Ce contre-ressort 5 peut également être réalisé en métal dur ou en acier, comme la butée 10, alors que le ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être réalisé en acier à ressort traditionnel.To further improve the sound quality of the stamp 21 hit by the hammer 2, the hammer can be made of a hard material, such as tungsten cobalt carbide (WCCo), or a ceramic material or diamond. At least the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 against the stamp 21 should be made of this hard material. In addition, the material of said hammer 2 can also have a high density. This makes it possible to increase the energy during the impact of the hammer against the stamp according to a given typing speed of the hammer. No energy loss during the impact of the hammer is caused by the damping counter-spring 5, since it acts with a certain delay to bring the hammer back to its rest position. This counter spring 5 can also be made of hard metal or steel, as the stop 10, while the drive spring 3 can be made of traditional spring steel.

Le timbre 21 peut être réalisé sous la forme d'au moins une portion de cercle ou de rectangle. Le timbre peut être par exemple un fil métallique de section transversale circulaire ou rectangulaire, qui est généralement en acier ou en métal précieux ou en verre métallique. Traditionnellement, cette portion de cercle ou de rectangle entoure une partie du mouvement de montre non représenté.The stamp 21 can be made in the form of at least a portion of a circle or rectangle. The stamp may be for example a wire of circular or rectangular cross section, which is generally steel or precious metal or metal glass. Traditionally, this portion of a circle or rectangle surrounds part of the unrepresented watch movement.

La figure 2A représente uniquement en vue de dessus le mécanisme de sonnerie 1 dans un mode de repos, comme précédemment décrit en référence à la figure 1. Dans cette position de repos, l'extrémité libre 3a du ressort d'entraînement 3 et l'extrémité 5a du contre-ressort 5 pincent la tige 6 du marteau 2. L'extrémité 5a du contre-ressort est poussée vers la tige 6 par la pression du ressort d'entraînement 3 contre la première branche 12 de la butée 10. La portion d'impact 2a du marteau 2 reste distante du timbre 21. Le marteau 2 est également maintenu distant par le contre-ressort 5 et le ressort d'entraînement 3 même en cas de choc de la montre équipée avec ce mécanisme de sonnerie 1.The Figure 2A represents only in top view the striking mechanism 1 in a rest mode, as previously described with reference to the figure 1 . In this rest position, the free end 3a of the drive spring 3 and the end 5a of the counter spring 5 pinch the rod 6 of the hammer 2. The end 5a of the spring spring is pushed towards the rod 6 by the pressure of the drive spring 3 against the first branch 12 of the abutment 10. The impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 remains remote from the stamp 21. The hammer 2 is also kept remote by the counter-spring 5 and the spring 3 training even in case of shock of the watch equipped with this striking mechanism 1.

A la suite d'un mode de repos, le ressort d'entraînement 3 est préarmé au début du mode de sonnerie comme montré en partie à la figure 2B. Le ressort d'entraînement 3 est dimensionné de telle manière à pouvoir le préarmer d'une force maximum de l'ordre de 1 N. L'opération de préarmage du ressort d'entraînement 3 peut être effectuée au moyen de la tige 6 du marteau, qui est entraînée par une levée 11 montée rotative selon un axe de rotation 27 sur la platine 15. Cette levée 11 est entraînée en rotation par l'intermédiaire de sa dent 11 a, qui est activée par une des dents 16a d'une roue à dents 16 montée rotative sur la platine 15. Dans cette position du ressort préarmé, la portion d'impact 2a du marteau 2, qui se termine sous forme d'arête, est encore plus éloignée du timbre 21. Dans cette position, le contre-ressort amortisseur 5, ainsi que la butée 10, ne sont plus en contact avec la tige 6 du marteau 2 et le ressort d'entraînement 3.Following a rest mode, the drive spring 3 is pre-armed at the beginning of the ringing mode as shown in part at figure 2B . The drive spring 3 is dimensioned in such a way as to be able to pre-arm it with a maximum force of the order of 1 N. The preaming operation of the drive spring 3 can be carried out by means of the hammer rod 6 which is driven by a lift 11 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 27 on the plate 15. This lift 11 is rotated by means of its tooth 11a, which is activated by one of the teeth 16a of a wheel 16 in rotary position on the plate 15. In this position of the pre-armed spring, the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2, which ends in the form of an edge, is even further from the stamp 21. In this position, the against shock absorber 5, as well as the abutment 10, are no longer in contact with the rod 6 of the hammer 2 and the drive spring 3.

A la figure 2C, la levée 11 est libérée, ce qui permet au ressort d'entraînement 3 préarmé d'entraîner le marteau 2 en direction du timbre. Dans cette phase d'entraînement du marteau et sous l'impulsion du ressort d'entraînement 3, il est constaté que la vitesse de rotation du marteau 2 devient plus grande que celle du ressort d'entraînement qui arrive légèrement en contact de la première branche 12 de la butée. Dans ce cas, on remarque sur la figure 2C, que la tige 6 du marteau 2 n'est plus en contact de l'extrémité libre 3a du ressort d'entraînement 3, comme le marteau tourne plus vite que le ressort d'entraînement, autour de son axe de rotation. Le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 n'est bien entendu pas encore actif et ne freine pas le marteau dans sa rotation en direction du timbre 21.To the Figure 2C , the lift 11 is released, which allows the training spring 3 prearmed to drive the hammer 2 towards the stamp. In this phase of driving the hammer and under the impulse of the drive spring 3, it is found that the rotational speed of the hammer 2 becomes larger than that of the drive spring which comes into contact with the first limb slightly. 12 of the stop. In this case, we notice on the Figure 2C , that the rod 6 of the hammer 2 is no longer in contact with the free end 3a of the drive spring 3, as the hammer rotates faster than the drive spring, about its axis of rotation. The damping counter-spring 5 is of course not yet active and does not brake the hammer in its rotation towards the stamp 21.

A la figure 2D, la portion d'impact 2a du marteau 2 vient frapper le timbre 21, à sa plus grande vitesse, sans être freiné par le contre-ressort 5, ce qui permet d'augmenter la qualité du son produit par rapport à un mécanisme de sonnerie traditionnel. La durée de frappe du marteau 2 contre le timbre 21 depuis la position du ressort d'entraînement 3 préarmé, peut être de l'ordre de 0.2 ms. Le ressort d'entraînement 3 en action et en contact de la butée 10, active le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 avec retard par rapport à la frappe du timbre 21 par le marteau 2. Ce retard peut être de l'ordre de 2 ms. La butée 10 montée sur le contre-ressort 5, joue donc un rôle de capteur pour déclencher le contre-ressort 5 au moment voulu.To the 2D figure the impact portion 2a of the hammer 2 strikes the stamp 21, at its highest speed, without being braked by the counter-spring 5, which increases the quality of the sound produced compared to a striking mechanism traditional. The striking time of the hammer 2 against the stamp 21 from the position of the drive spring 3 prealarm, may be of the order of 0.2 ms. The drive spring 3 in action and in contact with the abutment 10, activates the damper counter-spring 5 with delay relative to the striking of the stamp 21 by the hammer 2. This delay can be of the order of 2 ms. The abutment 10 mounted on the counter spring 5, therefore acts as a sensor for triggering the counter spring 5 at the desired time.

Une fois que le marteau a frappé ledit timbre, le contre-ressort 5 est activé par le ressort d'entraînement 3 en contact de la butée 10, comme représenté à la figure 2E. Le contre-ressort activé va ainsi pousser le marteau 2 par l'intermédiaire de sa tige 6 vers sa position de repos. Dès cet instant, le contre-ressort amortisseur 5 permet en combinaison du ressort d'entraînement 3 d'éviter tout rebond du marteau contre le timbre.Once the hammer has struck said stamp, the counter spring 5 is activated by the driving spring 3 in contact with the stop 10, as shown in FIG. figure 2E . The activated counter-spring will push the hammer 2 through its rod 6 to its rest position. From this moment, the damper counter-spring 5 makes it possible in combination with the driving spring 3 to avoid any rebound of the hammer against the stamp.

A partir de la description qui vient d'être faite, plusieurs variantes du mécanisme de sonnerie d'une montre à contre-ressort actif peuvent être conçues par l'homme du métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention définie par les revendications. La butée et le contre-ressort peuvent former une seule pièce. Il peut être prévu un autre moyen pour activer le contre-ressort avec un certain retard suite à la frappe du marteau contre le timbre. Un dispositif à déclenchement peut forcer le contre-ressort dans une position écartée lors du préarmage du ressort d'entraînement. Ce dispositif à déclenchement peut libérer le contre-ressort dès la première frappe du marteau contre le timbre afin que le contre-ressort pousse le marteau vers sa position de repos sans rebond contre le timbre. Le marteau peut être monté sur la platine pour venir frapper le timbre selon un trajet rectiligne plutôt que rotatif. Il peut être prévu plusieurs timbres de longueur différente fixés ou venant de matière avec un même porte-timbre monté sur la platine ou sur une portion du boîtier de la montre. Chaque timbre peut être frappé par un marteau respectif, où chaque marteau est entraîné par un propre ressort d'entraînement. Un contre-ressort amortisseur combiné avec une butée doit ainsi être prévue pour chaque marteau.From the description that has just been given, several variants of the striking mechanism of an active counter-spring watch can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. The stop and the counter-spring can form a single piece. There may be provided another means for activating the counter spring with a delay following the hammer striking the stamp. A triggering device can force the counter-spring into a remote position when pre-shaping the drive spring. This trigger device can release the spring against the first strike of the hammer against the stamp so that the counter-spring pushes the hammer to its rest position without rebound against the stamp. The hammer can be mounted on the plate to hit the stamp in a straight path rather than rotating. It can be provided several timbres of different length fixed or coming from material with the same stamp holder mounted on the plate or on a portion of the watch case. Each stamp may be struck by a respective hammer, where each hammer is driven by a proper drive spring. A damping counter-spring combined with an abutment must be provided for each hammer.

Claims (12)

Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) d'une montre, le mécanisme comprenant : - un timbre (21), qui est relié à un porte-timbre (22), - un marteau (2) monté sur une platine pour venir frapper le timbre (21) en des instants prédéterminés, - un contre-ressort amortisseur (5) pour maintenir le marteau à distance du timbre (21) dans un mode de repos, et - un ressort (3) d'entraînement du marteau, qui comprend une extrémité fixe (3b) et une extrémité libre de mouvement (3a), ledit ressort étant susceptible d'être armé pour entraîner ledit marteau (2) contre le timbre (21) dans un mode de sonnerie pour produire un son acoustique,
caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un moyen (10) pour activer le contre-ressort amortisseur (5) dans un mode de sonnerie avec un certain retard suite à la frappe du marteau (2) contre le timbre (21), afin qu'après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, le contre-ressort pousse ledit marteau vers une position de repos. Clock mechanism (1) of a watch, the mechanism comprising: a stamp (21), which is connected to a stamp holder (22), a hammer (2) mounted on a plate for striking the stamp (21) at predetermined times, a damping counter-spring (5) for keeping the hammer at a distance from the stamp (21) in a rest mode, and a spring (3) for driving the hammer, which comprises a fixed end (3b) and a free movement end (3a), said spring being capable of being armed to drive said hammer (2) against the stamp (21 ) in a ring mode to produce an acoustic sound,
characterized in that it comprises means (10) for activating the damper counter-spring (5) in a striking mode with a delay following the striking of the hammer (2) against the stamp (21), so that after striking the hammer against the stamp, the counter-spring pushes said hammer to a rest position. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le moyen pour activer le contre-ressort amortisseur (5) dans le mode de sonnerie comprend une butée (10, 12) disposée sur le trajet du ressort d'entraînement.Bell mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for activating the damping counter-spring (5) in the bell mode comprises a stop (10, 12) arranged in the path of the drive spring. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité libre (3a) du ressort est destinée à entraîner le marteau (2) contre le timbre (21) dans un mode de sonnerie, et en ce qu'une partie intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement (3) en action est destinée à entrer en contact de la butée (10) pour activer ledit contre-ressort amortisseur après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre.Bell mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the free end (3a) of the spring is intended to drive the hammer (2) against the bell (21) in a bell mode, and in that an intermediate portion of the driving spring (3) in action is intended to come into contact with the abutment (10) to activate said damping counter-spring after the striking of the hammer against the stamp. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon l'une des revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que le ressort d'entraînement est configuré sous la forme d'une poutre ou lame ressort (3), afin qu'une partie intermédiaire du ressort préarmé vienne en contact avec la butée (10) pour activer ledit contre-ressort amortisseur (5) après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre.Bell mechanism (1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the drive spring is configured as a beam or leaf spring (3), so that an intermediate portion of the spring prearmed comes into contact with the stop (10) to activate said damper counter-spring (5) after the hammer hits the stamp. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le contre-ressort amortisseur (5) est un levier monté rotatif selon un axe de rotation (8) sur la platine (15), une première extrémité (5a) du levier servant à repousser le marteau (2) après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre vers une position de repos.Ringing mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the damping counter-spring (5) is a lever rotatably mounted on an axis of rotation (8) on the plate (15), a first end ( 5a) of the lever for pushing the hammer (2) after the striking of the hammer against the stamp to a rest position. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le marteau (2) est monté rotatif sur la platine (15) selon un axe de rotation (7) sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan de la platine, et en ce que le marteau comprend une tige (6), qui est maintenue en contact d'une première extrémité (5a) du contre-ressort (5) et de l'extrémité libre (3a) du ressort d'entraînement dans un mode de repos, et qui est entraînée par l'extrémité libre (3a) du ressort d'entraînement en action lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre (21).Striking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hammer (2) is rotatably mounted on the plate (15) about an axis of rotation (7) substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, and that the hammer comprises a rod (6), which is held in contact with a first end (5a) against the spring (5) and the free end (3a) of the drive spring in a rest mode and which is driven by the free end (3a) of the drive spring in action when the hammer hits the stamp (21). Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon l'une des revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce que le levier du contre-ressort (5) comprend une seconde extrémité (5b) rectiligne d'un côté opposé à la première extrémité (5a) par rapport à l'axe de rotation (8), et en ce qu'une première pièce excentrique (4) est montée rotative sur la platine (15) pour servir de butée de rotation de la seconde extrémité du levier du contre-ressort.Bell mechanism (1) according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the lever of the counter-spring (5) comprises a second end (5b) rectilinear on a side opposite the first end (5a) by relative to the axis of rotation (8), and in that a first eccentric part (4) is rotatably mounted on the plate (15) to serve as a rotational stop of the second end of the counter spring lever. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon l'une des revendications 2 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une levée (11) montée rotative sur la platine sur un axe de rotation (7) du marteau (2) ou sur un axe de rotation (27) parallèle à l'axe de rotation du marteau (2), ladite levée étant prévue pour pousser une tige (6) du marteau (2) avec l'extrémité libre (3a) du ressort d'entraînement (3) pour placer le ressort dans une position préarmée distante de la butée (10), tout en plaçant le contre-ressort amortisseur libre de mouvement avant de pouvoir être activé suite à la frappe du marteau contre le timbre (21).Ring mechanism (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a lift (11) rotatably mounted on the plate on an axis of rotation (7) of the hammer (2) or on an axis of rotation (27) parallel to the axis of rotation of the hammer (2), said lifting being provided to push a rod (6) of the hammer (2) with the free end (3a) of the driving spring (3) to place the spring in a prearranged position remote from the stop (10), while placing the counter-spring free of movement damper before it can be activated following the hammer striking the stamp (21). Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la butée (10) sous forme de levier, comprend une première branche (12), dont l'extrémité libre est prévue pour entrer en contact avec une partie intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement lors de la frappe du marteau contre le timbre, et en ce que la butée (10) est montée sur le contre-ressort (5) afin de l'activer après la frappe du marteau contre le timbre.Bell mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop (10) in the form of a lever comprises a first leg (12), the free end of which is designed to come into contact with an intermediate portion of the spring during the striking of the hammer against the stamp, and in that the stop (10) is mounted on the counter-spring (5) in order to activate it after the striking of the hammer against the stamp. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'une portion intermédiaire (10a) de la butée (10) est montée sur un axe de rotation (8) du contre-ressort (5), qui est sous forme d'un levier, pour constituer la base de la première branche (12) de la butée.Bell mechanism (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that an intermediate portion (10a) of the stop (10) is mounted on an axis of rotation (8) of the counter spring (5), which is in the form of a lever, to form the base of the first branch (12) of the stop. Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce qu'une extrémité (10b) d'une seconde branche de la butée (10) est reliée au contre-ressort par l'intermédiaire d'une seconde pièce excentrique (14) pour régler la position de la butée sur le contre-ressort (5).Bell mechanism (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that one end (10b) of a second limb of the abutment (10) is connected to the counter-spring via a second eccentric part (14). ) to adjust the position of the stop on the counter spring (5). Mécanisme de sonnerie (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la butée (10) et le contre-ressort (5) forment une seule pièce pour que dans un mode de sonnerie, la butée active directement le contre-ressort par l'intermédiaire du ressort d'entraînement (3) en action suite à la frappe du marteau (2) contre le timbre (21).Ringing mechanism (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the stop (10) and the counter-spring (5) form a single piece so that in a striking mode, the stop directly activates the spring against the spring. intermediate of the driving spring (3) in action following the striking of the hammer (2) against the stamp (21).
EP10154767.7A 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring Active EP2362279B1 (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10154767.7A EP2362279B1 (en) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring
CH00264/10A CH702721A2 (en) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Ringing mechanism for watch, has stop activating counter-spring in striking mode with certain delay following to striking of hammer against gong, so that counter-spring pushes hammer to rest position after striking of hammer against gong
TW100100814A TW201200978A (en) 2010-02-26 2011-01-10 Striking mechanism for a watch with an active damper counter-spring
CN201110046099.5A CN102193489B (en) 2010-02-26 2011-02-25 Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring
JP2011041526A JP5249373B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2011-02-28 Wristwatching mechanism of a watch with a counterspring for active vibration control
US13/036,263 US8547803B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2011-02-28 Striking mechanism for a watch with an active damper counter-spring
HK12102669.2A HK1162691A1 (en) 2010-02-26 2012-03-16 Striking mechanism for a watch with an active damper counter-spring

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EP10154767.7A EP2362279B1 (en) 2010-02-26 2010-02-26 Chiming mechanism of a watch with active buffer counter spring

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EP2362279A1 true EP2362279A1 (en) 2011-08-31
EP2362279B1 EP2362279B1 (en) 2019-05-08

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US (1) US8547803B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2362279B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5249373B2 (en)
CN (1) CN102193489B (en)
CH (1) CH702721A2 (en)
HK (1) HK1162691A1 (en)
TW (1) TW201200978A (en)

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US641478A (en) * 1899-07-29 1900-01-16 Enrique Torres Repeating watch.
EP1574917A2 (en) 2004-03-09 2005-09-14 Franck Muller-Watchland SA Minute-repeater timepiece
EP2048548A2 (en) 2007-10-10 2009-04-15 Richemont International S.A. Hammer for a timepiece mechanism, timepiece mechanism, in particular striking mechanism, equipped with it, and timepiece comprising them

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2660662A2 (en) 2012-05-02 2013-11-06 Patek Philippe SA Genève Alarm mechanism

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HK1162691A1 (en) 2012-08-31
US8547803B2 (en) 2013-10-01
CN102193489B (en) 2014-09-24
JP5249373B2 (en) 2013-07-31
CH702721A2 (en) 2011-08-31
TW201200978A (en) 2012-01-01
JP2011180140A (en) 2011-09-15
CN102193489A (en) 2011-09-21
EP2362279B1 (en) 2019-05-08
US20110211427A1 (en) 2011-09-01

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