EP2444861B1 - Function selector - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a function selection device, in particular for a watch movement, for connecting a driving wheel to different wheels made to choose.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Watch movements include mechanisms for reassembly, time setting, quick date correction, time setting, or a time zone (to name a few ). These mechanisms, generally called "time-setting mechanism" have two positions, one for winding and another for setting the time. A watch equipped with a date has a "time-setting mechanism" with three positions, one for winding, another for setting the time and another for quick correction of the date. Rare are watches with more than three positions, for several reasons.

One of the reasons is the ergonomics, with a three-position mechanism, the user knows what position the crown is when it pulls the rod, because there is a position "thrust crown", a second position "intermediate" and a third position "drawn crown". With a four-position mechanism, there are two "intermediate" positions, thus making the perception of the exact position of the crown vague.

• Dans un mécanisme à deux positions, en tirant la tige, un jeu de bascule positionne le pignon coulant sur le pignon de remontoir ou sur le petit pignon.
• Dans un mécanisme à trois positions, en tirant la tige, un jeu de bascule positionne le pignon coulant sur le pignon de remontoir (position 1) ou sur le petit pignon (position 2) et pour la troisième position il y a deux solutions. La première consiste a déplacer le pignon coulant sur une troisième position avec le petit pignon sur un autre pignon. Dans la deuxième solution le pignon coulant n'a que deux positions, et la troisième position est effectuée par l'embrayage et/ou le débrayage de pignons qui se situent après le pignon coulant.
• Dans un mécanisme à plus de trois positions, les positions suivantes deviennent très complexes à réaliser.

Another reason, which makes it difficult to apply a crown with more than three positions, is the complexity of the mechanism using the conventional solution of time-setting mechanisms. This classic solution includes a stem (winding) that acts "square" on a sliding pinion (walkman).

• In a two-position mechanism, by pulling the rod, a rocker set positions the sliding pinion on the winder pinion or on the small pinion.
• In a three-position mechanism, by pulling the rod, a rocker set positions the sliding pinion on the winding pinion (position 1) or on the small pinion (position 2) and for the third position there are two solutions. The first is to move the sliding pinion to a third position with the small pinion on another pinion. In the second solution the sliding pinion has only two positions, and the third position is effected by the clutch and / or the disengagement of gears which are located after the sliding pinion.
• In a mechanism with more than three positions, the following positions become very complex to perform.

One solution is to set several time-setting mechanisms, with several crowns; awakening is an example.

EP 2 112 564 relates to a clutch device especially for a clockwork movement, for connecting a driving wheel to a driven wheel. The invention also relates to a watch movement and a timepiece comprising such a clutch device. More particularly, the invention is intended to be implemented in a chronograph mechanism, the chronograph wheel corresponding to the driven wheel.

CH 534 381 relates to a timepiece having a manually operable control rod capable of occupying at least two axial positions.

FR 2 157 863 relates to a calendar watch provided with a control mechanism comprising a rod arranged so as to occupy at least two different axial positions.

EP 1 939 699 relates to a multifocal coaxial corrector device making it possible, for example in a timepiece, to select and / or modify the information displayed on a dial by means of a single control member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problems of known solutions. The present invention therefore proposes a solution of selecting one of several possible functions as explained in more detail below.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a selection device for a timepiece according to claim 1, the device being intended to connect at least one driving wheel to at least two driven wheels to select a function from at least two possible functions.

The present invention therefore proposes a simple and reliable solution that makes it possible to select one of several possible functions. The proposed solution easily allows the selection of a function among more than three alternatives. The advantage of this device is to allow more than three positions with a single crown. Such a device makes it possible to select the function that the user wishes to manipulate. By manipulation of the crown or by pressing a pushbutton the user will select the function he wants to operate. For ergonomic reasons, a display can be arranged to inform the user in which position the selector is placed.

This device may also include a mechanism that eliminates any rearward movement or front of the "chosen" wheel at the time of connection.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a movement for a timepiece comprising the selection device, and further comprising a control member connected to the driving wheel.

The other aspects of the present invention are in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

- figure 1 :

en perspective, un dispositif de sélection de fonction selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention,

- figure 2 :

une vue en coupe selon la ligne A-A (figure 3) du dispositif de sélection de la figure 1,

- figure 3 :

une vue de dessus du dispositif de sélection de fonction de la figure 1,

- figure 4 :

une vue éclatée d'un dispositif anti-mouvement arrière ou avant selon un aspect de la présente invention,

- figure 5 :

en perspective, une vue de dessous du dispositif de sélection de fonction de la figure 1,

- figure 6 :

une vue éclatée d'un dispositif anti-mouvement arrière ou avant selon un autre aspect de la présente invention,

- figure 7 :

la prise en contact da la denture du satellite avec la denture d'une roue menée sans le dispositif d'anti-mouvement, et

- figures 8-11 :

la prise en contact da la denture du satellite avec la denture d'une roue menée avec le dispositif d'anti-mouvement selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which diagrammatically show:

- figure 1 :

in perspective, a function selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

- Figure 2:

a sectional view along line AA ( figure 3 ) of the selection device of the figure 1 ,

- Figure 3:

a top view of the function selection device of the figure 1 ,

- Figure 4:

an exploded view of an anti-back or front motion device according to an aspect of the present invention,

- Figure 5:

in perspective, a bottom view of the function selection device of the figure 1 ,

- Figure 6:

an exploded view of an anti-back or front motion device according to another aspect of the present invention,

- Figure 7:

contacting the toothing of the satellite with the toothing of a driven wheel without the anti-movement device, and

- Figures 8-11:

contacting the toothing of the satellite with the toothing of a driven wheel with the anti-movement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, some non-limiting embodiments of a selection device according to the present invention are now explained in more detail.

The present invention relates to a function selection device, in particular for a watch movement, for connecting a driving wheel to different wheels made to choose. This device can be applied to a crown (of a watch) and to be able to manipulate (by the crown) different functions in the watch. The device according to the present invention is particularly advantageous if one wants to select a function among at least three possible functions. It should nevertheless be noted that the present invention can be applied independently of the possible functions.

Thus, we can obtain a neutral position (optional), that is to say a position where no function is connected. After a selection, we can reassemble the watch, after another selection we can operate a time setting, after another selection we can correct the date (optional) and so on, until we find the initial position once the finished selection game. In the illustrated example, the selection set is limited to four positions, but the number may vary between 1 and n positions, where n is an integer.

The selection device 101 according to the invention is intended to connect a driving wheel 103 to one of the driven wheels 105a, 105b, 105c. In the variants described here, the driving wheel 103 is for example the winding pinion of a clockwork movement, and the driven wheel 105a is a wheel of the winding system and the driven wheel 105b is a wheel of the rapid correction system. of the date and the driven wheel 105c is a wheel of the system of time setting.

The selection device 101 firstly comprises a wheel 107 consisting of an external toothing 107a, surmounted by another wheel 109 of smaller diameter with an internal toothing 109a. The wheel 107 is mounted free to rotate about a central axis 111 fixed to the frame of the clockwork movement, for example between two plates. In the illustrated example, the plane of rotation of the driving wheel 103 is substantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the wheel 107 with the external toothing 107a. The externally-toothed wheel 107 and the internally-toothed wheel 109 are connected by an elastic means 201 (the figure 2 ). These two wheels are not integral, but the angular phase shift of these two wheels is limited as explained in more detail later. Consequently, the rotation of the externally-toothed wheel 107 causes rotation of the internally-toothed wheel 109.

In the center of the internal gear is a satellite carrier 113 coaxial with the central axis 111. The planet carrier 113 is rotatably mounted around this central axis 111. The planet carrier 113 comprises a base 113a and an upper portion 113b, between which is mounted free to rotate a satellite 115 about an axis.

The upper part 113b of the planet carrier 113 is generally circular in shape and has, regularly distributed around its periphery, a number of actuating fingers 113c constituting means for actuating the planet carrier 113, and arranged for passing the gate satellite from one to the other wheels to carry 105a, 105b, 105c. For this, there is provided in the watch movement control means arranged to rotate the satellite gate 113 on demand. According to the solution shown here, said control means comprise a control lever 117 movably mounted on the support (center of rotation 119). The end 117a of the lever 117 is arranged to cooperate successively with the actuating fingers 113c of the planet carrier 113 and drive it in rotation so as to rotate it about the central axis 111 by 1 / n of turn at each solicitation of the control lever, n corresponding to the number of functions.

A return spring 120 is provided to return the control lever to the initial position, abutting against an actuating finger 113c, waiting for a new bias. The end 117b of the lever 117 is arranged to cooperate with the hollow between the actuating fingers 113c to lock or prevent rotation of the planet carrier 113.

In addition, said control lever 117 is connected to a control member 121, arranged to operate on demand said control lever 117. This control member is for example a winding stem. It is obvious that other control means can be used.

The various elements of the selection device 101 are sized and arranged so that the satellite 115 cooperates with the internal toothing 109a. In this variant, the satellite 115 must, in addition, be thick enough to also cooperate with the driven wheels 105 in the connected position, once the selection device 101 mounted in a clockwork movement. Likewise, the external toothing 107a of the wheel 107 is dimensioned to mesh with the driving wheel 103 once the selection device 101 has been mounted.

The satellite 115 and the actuating fingers 113c are arranged around the planet carrier 113 so that, once the selection device is mounted in a clockwork movement, the rotation of 1 / n of a turn of one of the fingers of the actuation 113c pushed by the index 117a of the control lever 117 causes rotation 1 / n turn of the planet carrier 113 and its satellite 115. On the figure 1 , the satellite 115 cooperates with the driven wheel 105b following the movement of the actuating finger 113c. This position corresponds in the example to the quick correction of the date.

In the example which follows, the satellite 115 which cooperates with the driven wheel 105b is in the initial position. Successive rotation of the planet carrier 113 will cause the satellite 115 to cooperate with the driven wheel 105c; this position corresponds in this example to the time setting. Successive rotation of the planet carrier 113 will not cause the satellite 115 to cooperate with any wheel; this position is a neutral or empty position. Successive rotation of the planet carrier 113 will cause the satellite 115 to cooperate with the driven wheel 105a; this position corresponds in the example to the winding of the mainspring. Successive rotation of the planet carrier 113 will cause the satellite 115 to cooperate with the driven wheel 105b; we find the initial position.

It is obvious that the number of wheels to be led can be bigger or smaller than in the example (a number of three). It is also obvious that one can arrange other functions than those mentioned before. It is also obvious that the number of satellites can vary and that it is possible to provide for example one, two, three, four or more satellites. It is also obvious that the number of neutral or empty positions can be arranged according to the needs. It is also obvious that the selection device 101 can be placed on another axis than that of the planet carrier 113. In this case, a connection means will connect the two axes in order to transmit the rotary movement. It is also obvious that the display device can be placed on another axis than that of the planet carrier 113. In this case, a connection means will connect the two axes in order to transmit the rotary movement.

The skilled person knows how to calculate the number and shape of the teeth, the number and dimensions of the satellites, as well as the dimensions of the different wheels, depending on the desired dimensions for this type of mechanism.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the wheel 107 having the external toothing 107a and the wheel 109 having the internal toothing are not integral as explained in more detail below. The first embodiment has a rear or front anti-movement mechanism as illustrated on the figures 4 and 6 .

Such a device makes it possible to select a function so that no rearward or forward movement of the "chosen" wheel at the moment of connection is allowed. Without this precaution, the "chosen" wheel would move backwards or forwards at the time of connection, causing unwanted needle (or disk) rotation or blockage.

Referring to the figure 7 , the device of the invention hinders anti-backward movement or before describes the phenomenon where the "chosen" wheel 105 undergoes undesirable movement backwards or forwards. The reference A designates the movement of the satellite 115 and the reference B designates the parasitic rotation direction of the wheel 105.

In this case, the wheel 107 comprising the external toothing 107a is integral with the inner gear wheel 109a 109a. It shows the evolution of the trajectory of a satellite 115, moving from one position to another and wanting to connect to the wheel 105. When the satellite 115 arrives near the driven wheel 105 to connect to it, it is driven on the one hand by a rotation movement in the counterclockwise direction (reference A) due to the displacement of the planet carrier 113 and, on the other hand, by a rotational movement in the clockwise direction on its axis by meshing with the internal toothing 109a of the wheel in response to the displacement imposed by the planet carrier 113.

Because of this compound motion, the tooth R of the satellite 115, which is closest to the wheel 105, collides with it. Wheel 105 goes turn because the wheel 107 is rotated due to the seal which increases the friction on the winding stem. Rotation of wheel 105 will result in undesirable blocking or rotation of the display.

The first embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to absorb the parasitic movement by a flexible or elastic element 201 placed in the kinematic chain. According to this embodiment the selection device 101 includes a mechanism for suppressing any back or forward movement of the "chosen" wheel at the time of connection. In the following example, the flexible device 201 is placed between the wheel 107 which contains only an external toothing 107a and a second concentric wheel 109 as illustrated in FIGS. figures 4 or 6 .

Referring to the figure 8 , the device equipped with the invention anti-movement back or front describes the phenomenon where the "chosen" wheel does not undergo any unwanted movement back or front.

The wheel 107 with external toothing (without internal toothing) is placed on the same axis with another wheel 109 with internal teeth. A pin 401 acts between two stops 107b and 107c whose purpose is to limit the angular phase shift between the wheel 107 with external teeth 107a and the inner gear wheel 109a 109a. The stops 107b, 107c are in this example the extremes of an oblong hole which is in the external gear wheel. The wheel 107 and the wheel 109 being free relative to each other are connected by an elastic means 201 which acts on the pin 401 in order to maintain it between the two stops 107b and 107c. The pin 401 then moves in the oblong hole. It is represented, the evolution of the trajectory of a satellite 115, passing from one position to another and wanting to connect to the wheel 105. When the satellite 115 arrives near the driven wheel 105 to connect to it , it is driven on the one hand by a rotation movement in the counterclockwise direction (reference A) due to the displacement of the planet carrier 113 and on the other hand by a rotational movement in the clockwise direction on its axis by meshing with the internal toothing 109a of the wheel 109 in response to the displacement imposed by the satellite door 113.

Because of this compound motion, the tooth R of the satellite 115, which is closest to the wheel 105, collides with it. According to this embodiment it is the wheel 109 which will rotate causing an angular phase shift with the wheel 107. The latter being fixed in rotation because of the seal which increases the friction on the winding stem and the wheel 105 is subject to friction or pressure. On the figure 8 the angular phase shift between the externally toothed wheel 107 and the internally toothed wheel 109 can be seen.

Depending on the case, the angular phase shift can take place in one direction or the other. Reason why in the example it is represented centered between the two stops.

It is obvious that the device or some parts of the devices are arranged so that the angular phase shift occurs only in one direction. In this case the elastic device 201 will maintain the pin 401 against one of the abutments 107b and 107c. We could therefore use the mechanism illustrated on the figure 6 .

Referring to the figure 9 this figure shows us the satellite 115 which has taken place and the final value of the angular phase shift between the externally-toothed wheel 107 and the internally-toothed wheel 109. Of course, there may be a case where the angular phase shift can take place in the other direction.

Referring to the figure 10 this figure illustrates what happens when you turn the crown. The reference C designates the direction of rotation of the satellite 115 and the reference D designates the direction of rotation of the wheel 107 with external teeth. In this case the wheel 107 starts to rotate through the driving wheel 103, the abutment 107b encounters the pin 401 and the wheel 109 begins to rotate in turn meshing the satellite 115 (the satellite gate 113 being blocked) which drives the wheel 105.

Referring to the figure 11 we have the same explanation as image 10 but with an inverted rotation of the crown.

It is obvious that the parasitic motion absorption device, which is created at the time of connection of the satellite 115 with one of the wheels to be driven, can be placed at other places in the selection device 101. for example, a variant of the invention consists in keeping the wheel 107 with the external toothing and wheel 109 with the internal toothing integral with each other. It is satellite 115 that would be made up of three parts. A first wheel which meshes with the internal toothing of the wheel 109, another wheel placed on the same axis of the first and which meshes with the wheel 105. The two satellite wheels being free relative to each other are connected by a third elastic portion 201 which acts on a pin 401 in order to maintain it in the hole whose purpose is to limit the angular phase shift.

One could also divide the driven wheels 105 into two parts: a first wheel (top wheel) and a second wheel (bottom wheel). The elastic means 201 can therefore be located between these two wheels. One can also imagine a solution in which the driving wheel is composed of two wheels and the elastic means being placed between these two wheels. The absorption device may also be part of the stem.

Those skilled in the art will be able to arrange the parasitic movement absorption device, which is created at the time of connection of the satellite 115 with one of the wheels to be driven 105 at other places in the selection device 101 which have not been mentioned.

It is obvious that concerning the pin 40 we can put something else instead.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the selection device 101 does not contain a parasitic motion absorption mechanism. In this case the selection device 101 comprises the wheel 107 consisting of an external toothing 107a, surmounted by a concentric ring, of smaller diameter, and having an internal toothing 109a. The external toothing 107a and the internal toothing 109a are therefore integral. The wheel 107 is mounted free to rotate about a central axis 111 fixed to the frame of the clockwork movement, for example between two plates.

One could also consider several variations in the configuration explained above without departing from the scope of the present invention which is defined by the appended claims. For example, instead of having the solution as explained where the inner gear wheel 109a 109a is above the outer gear wheel 107a 107a, one could have a structure where the inner gear wheel 109a 109a is surmounted by the wheel 107 with external teeth 107a.

Claims (15)

1. A selection device (101) for a timepiece, intended to connect at least one driving wheel (103) to at least two driven wheels (105a, 105b, 105c) for selecting a function of a setting mechanism between at least two possible functions in the setting mechanism, characterised in that the selection device (101) comprises:

   • a first element (107) with an outer toothing (1 07a) designed to turn about an axis (111), and on the same axis (111) a second element (109) with an inner toothing (109a), the outer toothing (1 07a) being designed to be connected kinematically to the driving wheel (103), the rotation of the first element (107) bringing about the rotation of the second element (109);

   • at least two driven wheels (1 05a, 105b, 105c) which are each connected to specific functions of the setting mechanism;

   • a planet carrier (113) on which at least one planetary wheel (115) is mounted in a way free in rotation and designed to be able take at least a first position in which the planetary wheel (115) is connected kinematically to a first driven wheel (105a) and a second position in which the planetary wheel (115) is connected kinematically to a second driven wheel (1 05b), the planetary wheel (115) being also designed to be connected kinematically to the inner toothing (109a);

   • actuation means (113c) of the planet carrier (113) designed to select the different positions or functions; and

   • a means of positioning (117a) of the planet carrier (113), designed to position it in the said positions.
2. The selection device (101) according to claim 1, wherein the first and second elements (107, 109) are wheels.
3. The selection device (101) according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the wheel (109) with inner toothing (109a) is less than the diameter of the wheel (107) with outer toothing (107a).
4. The selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (101) further comprises display means for indicating to the user what the chosen function is.
5. The selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a means of locking (117b) of the actuation means (113c) of the planet carrier (113).
6. The selection device (101) according to claim 5, wherein the locking means (117b) and the positioning means (117a) are integral and form part of a control lever (117) which is designed to turn about an axis (119).
7. The selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the planet carrier (113) is designed to be able to take a third position, in which the planet carrier (113) is not connected to any driven wheel (105).
8. The selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plane of rotation of the driving wheel (103) is substantially perpendicular in relation to the plane of rotation of the element (107) with the outer toothing (107a).
9. The selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection device (101) further comprises a mechanism of absorption of the undesirable backward or forward movement of the driven wheel (105) at the moment of connection of the planetary wheel (115) to the driven wheel (105).
10. The selection device (101) according to claim 9, wherein the absorption mechanism comprises a first wheel (109) and a second wheel (107) and an elastic means (201) inserted between the first wheel (109) and the second wheel (107), the first wheel (109) further comprises a pin (401) acting between two stops (107b, 107c) of the second wheel (107) to limit the angular phase shift of the first wheel (109) and the second wheel (107), <and> the elastic means (201) is designed to act on the pin (401) in order to keep it between the two stops (107b, 107c).
11. The selection device (101) according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first wheel (109) and of the second wheel is designed to connect itself kinematically to a third wheel (115) and the other of these wheels is connected to another element.
12. The selection device (101) according to any one of the claims 10 or 11, wherein the first wheel (109) is the element with the inner toothing avec (1 09a) and the second wheel (107) is the element with the outer toothing (107a).
13. The selection device (101) according to any one of the claims 10 or 11, wherein one of the following elements is composed of two wheels designed to rotate about a same axis: the driven wheel (105), the driving wheel (103) and the planetary wheel (115), the first wheel (109) being one of these two wheels, and the second wheel (107) being the other of these two wheels.
14. The selection device (101) according to any one of the claims 1 to 11 or 13, wherein the first element (107) with an outer toothing (1 07a) and the second element (109) with an inner toothing (1 09a) are integral.
15. A movement for a timepiece comprising the selection device (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, and further comprising a control element (121) connected to the driving wheel (103).

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