Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
  • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
  • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
  • G04F7/0842—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms
  • G04F7/0847—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms with column wheel
• • 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
• • 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
  • G04B13/028—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots wheels in which the teeth are conic, contrate, etc; also column wheels construction
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
  • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
  • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
  • G04F7/0842—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms
  • G04F7/0857—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms with single push-button or actuation member for start-stop and reset

Definitions

• the invention relates to a chronograph column wheel comprising columns whose shape is optimized. It also relates to a chronograph control mechanism and a chronograph watch comprising such a column wheel.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing a column wheel for a better distribution of forces on the levers and a higher level of precision in the management of chronograph functions. She achieved by providing a column wheel according to the appended claim 1.
• the characteristics of the invention make it possible to optimize the general mechanical characteristics of the levers cooperating with the columns: for example, a reduction in friction, wear and energy losses, and a better accuracy of the arrangements of parts and functions are obtained. resulting, etc. This results in better management of the chronograph functions.
• An advantage of the present invention is that the geometry of the columns makes it possible to precisely define the direction of the force vectors necessary for lifting the levers. This results in a reduction of the forces involved, a better performance, a decrease in wear and increased control of the force to exert on the command "start / stop”.
• the hub and the arms have a height of between 10% and 50% of the height of the columns; in other words, from a certain height, the rear part of the columns is disengaged.
• the base is convex so as to be substantially parallel to the circumference of the column wheel.
• the angle ⁇ is advantageously less than the angle ⁇ of at least 10% and preferably at least 20%. Moreover, the angle ⁇ is preferably between 50 and 53 degrees. It will be understood on the one hand that by choosing a sufficiently salient angle ⁇ ( ⁇ ⁇ 53 °) it is possible to maximize the length of the spout stroke, which allows either to increase the lever lift angle or to increase the length of the lever arm while maintaining the same lift angle. On the other hand, if the angle ⁇ is too salient ( ⁇ ⁇ 50 °), the efforts are concentrated on the angle ⁇ , which can result in an undesirable increase of the losses and the force necessary to actuate a ordered.
• the invention also provides a chronograph control mechanism comprising a column wheel as previously described and at least one rocker lever whose beak is likely to cooperate with the columns of the column wheel.
• the invention furthermore provides a chronograph watch comprising a column wheel as previously described and at least one rocking lever whose beak is capable of cooperating with the columns of the column wheel.
• the lever may for example be a clutch rocker, a hammer or a blocker.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a column wheel of known type
• FIG. 2 is a schematic top view in cross section of a column of a column wheel according to a particular embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the column wheel of FIG. 2; - AT -
• FIG. 4 is a top view of the column wheel of Figures 2 and 3;
• FIG. 5 is a side view showing an exemplary integration in a chronograph watch of a column wheel according to a particular embodiment of the present invention
• FIGS. 6a and 7 to 12 correspond to seven successive snapshots describing the "start" function, that is to say the sequence during which a pressure of the user on a pusher advances by a step of 30 ° the column wheel mounted in a chronograph watch. Advancing the column wheel to raise a hammer to release the chronograph hearts and also actuate the clutch rocker to start the chronograph hand. The seven "snapshots" are taken every 5 °;
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a known type of column wheel.
• the columns are evenly distributed around the rim.
• a symmetrical profile is obtained, substantially in the form of a truncated triangle, or a trapezium, whose large base is parallel to the circumference of the column wheel and turned towards the outside of the column. the teeth of the ratchet.
• Such a symmetrical arrangement has advantages in terms of design and especially the manufacture of columns.
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a column wheel 1 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
• Figure 4 shows a top view of the same column wheel.
• the ratchet 2 is pierced at its center so to provide an assembly element for mounting the wheel 1 in a chronograph device.
• the ratchet 2 is capped with a superstructure constituted by a hub 21, by arms 20 and by columns 10.
• the six columns 10 are arranged symmetrically on the periphery of the ratchet 2 thus giving the superstructure 10, 20, 21 a symmetry of rotation of order 6.
• the ratchet 2 has 12 teeth regularly spaced from each other by 30 °.
• the column wheel of the present example is a two-stroke column wheel.
• the arrow R in FIG. 4 illustrates the direction of rotation of the column wheel 1, ie the clockwise direction.
• Figure 2 shows a cross section of a column 10. It is observed that the section of the column generally has a non-isosceles triangle shape truncated in the area of the summit. The three sides of the triangle are the large base 14, located near the edge of the ratchet 2, the leading edge 12, and the trailing edge 13. The leading edge 12 is so designated because it is the first to come into contact with the spout of the lever (s) of the chronograph mechanism during the rotation of the wheel 1. The trailing edge 13 designates the last face to contact the lever before the latter plunges into the inter column space 22 and is free.
• the two angles ⁇ and ⁇ adjacent to the large base 14 are rounded. As will be seen below, this feature facilitates the progression of the nozzle of the lever cooperating with the column during operation of the chronograph.
• the truncated or trapezoidal triangle shape of the cross section of a column is asymmetrical, with an angle ⁇ less than the angle ⁇ , where the angle ⁇ represents the angle formed between the large base 14 and the leading edge 12, while the angle ⁇ represents the angle formed between the large base 14 and the edge of According to such an arrangement, the leading edge 12 is substantially projected forward (in the direction of rotation R) in comparison with a conventional symmetrical arrangement as shown in FIG.
• the angles ⁇ and ⁇ are 51, 5 degrees and 69.5 degrees respectively. According to various alternative embodiments, the angle ⁇ may vary, but it is preferably between 50 and 53 degrees. In the present example, the angle ⁇ is about 26% lower than the angle ⁇ . According to various embodiments, the distance between the two angles is preferably between 23 and 28%.
• FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 also make it possible to clearly visualize the hub 21 and the arms 20 serving to reinforce the columns 10.
• the arms 20 extend between the columns and the hub 21 which is centered on the axis of the wheel. The arms and the hub make it possible to stiffen the construction of the wheel in general, and the columns in particular. This stiffening of the columns allows operation with a particularly high level of precision.
• the hub 21 and the arms 20 have a height less than that of the columns 10, so that the upper part of the columns protrudes above the rest of the superstructure.
• the height of the hub and the arms will preferably be between 10% and 50% of the height of the columns.
• the column wheel according to the invention is preferably manufactured entirely on a lathe. A manufacture without recovery on a lathe allows to give the piece a remarkable precision.
• FIG. 5 shows an exemplary implementation of a column wheel 1 according to the invention in a chronograph control mechanism.
• FIG. 5 shows a shuttle, or ratchet,
• Figures 6a and 6b are top views which correspond to the perspective view of Figure 5.
• Figure 6b is more general than Figure 6a to show also other elements of a chronograph. These elements include a jumper 26 whose spout is intended to cooperate with the teeth of the ratchet 2.
• Figure 6b also shows that the blocking lever 30 is integral with a shoe 32 and that it is arranged to cooperate with the column wheel to alternately brake and release the chronograph mobile (referenced 5).
• the hammer lever 40 it is seen that it is provided with a spout 41 capable of cooperating with the columns of the column wheel.
• the hammer 40 is provided for acting on the cores 43 to control and manage the chronograph return to zero function.
• FIG. 6b shows the hammer 40 in a lowered position where it co-operates with the cores 43. It can still be seen in FIG. 6b that the lowered position of the hammer corresponds to a position of the column wheel which allows the spout 41 of the hammer lever 40 that plunges in the gap between two columns 10. This position of the column wheel, identified as 0 degrees, serves as a reference.
• Figures 6a and 7 to 12 show the evolution of the position of the wheel, in steps of 5 degrees, to a position of 30 degrees ( Figure 12).
• the snapshot shown in FIG. 6a corresponds to the 0 ° position of the column wheel.
• the hammer is lowered against the cores and the hammer beak 41 is positioned freely between two columns 10.
• the spout 51 of the latch clutch 50 is in abutment against the outer face of a column 10.
• the clutch rocker is thus lifted which has the effect of maintaining a reference 28 spaced apart from the chronograph wheel 5, and thus to disengage the latter.
• the hammer 40 and the blocking lever 30 are shaped to cooperate with each other. so that the blocker is held up regardless of the position of the column wheel as long as the hammer is lowered against the cores 43.
• the snapshot shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to the 5 ° position of the column wheel.
• the hammer 40 and always lowered against the cores 43 and the blocker 30 is always lifted.
• the hammer nose 41 initiates contact with the leading edge of a column A.
• the spout 41 is substantially tangent to the leading edge, and the tip of the spout is behind the column; above the arm connecting the column to the hub.
• This position is made possible by the fact that, on the one hand, the hub and the arms of the column wheel have a height less than that of the columns and, on the other hand, that the hammer lever 40 is placed above other levers, high enough to allow the passage of its beak over the arms.
• the snapshot shown in Figure 9 corresponds to the 15 ° position of the column wheel. It can be seen that in this position the lifting of the hammer beak 41 is accentuated by the action of the column A. The hammer has now completely released the cores 43. It can also be seen that the clutch lever 51 arrives near the rear area of the large base 14 of the column A. On the other hand, the hammer 40 is release the blocker 31, but simultaneously the blocker beak 31 initiates contact with the outer face of the column B.
• the snapshot shown in FIG. 11 corresponds to the 25 ° position of the column wheel. It can be seen that in this position, the hammer nose 41 bears against the large base 14 of the column A. The clutch rocker nose 51 has plunged between two columns, but the chronograph mobile 5 is not yet engaged. The blocker nose 31 is still resting against the large base 14 of the column B.
• the snapshot shown in Figure 12 corresponds to the 30 ° position of the column wheel. It can be seen that in this position, the clutch lever 51 is always lowered between two columns and the gear 28 now meshes with the chronograph mobile which is thus engaged, which corresponds to the start ("start") of the chronograph.
• the blocking nose 31 remains resting against the large base 14 of the column B. It can be seen from the foregoing, and more particularly from FIGS. 7 to 11, that the stroke made by the hammer lever's nose along the edge
• the driving force of a column is larger than if the leading edge 12 and the trailing edge 13 were symmetrical. This spreading of the displacement over a greater distance makes it possible to reduce the applied force.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)

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Publications (2)

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• 2009
  • 2009-03-12 EP EP09155010A patent/EP2228692A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2010
  • 2010-03-11 JP JP2011553451A patent/JP5548708B2/ja active Active
  • 2010-03-11 CN CN201080011225.7A patent/CN102405445B/zh active Active
  • 2010-03-11 WO PCT/EP2010/053073 patent/WO2010103060A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2010-03-11 RU RU2011141296/28A patent/RU2523750C2/ru active
  • 2010-03-11 US US13/255,446 patent/US8529121B2/en active Active
  • 2010-03-11 EP EP10709199.3A patent/EP2406690B1/de active Active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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