EP2469358B1 - Mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between two offset shafts - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between two offset axes finding a particular application in a mechanism for setting the time and winding of a timepiece and more particularly to such a mechanism comprising a crown of winding operating a winding and setting time.

More particularly, the present invention relates to such a mechanism whose winding stem and setting time is in two parts of axes located in parallel planes but offset with respect to each other. Such mechanisms of winding and setting time rod stem two offset parts are particularly useful for complicated movements, including modular, because in such movements the winding stem is offset from the median plane of the movement. which is a disadvantage from the practical and especially aesthetic point of view.

Such a device for reassembling and setting the time of the document is known. DE 197 25 884 which discloses a winding and setting rod in two parts of parallel axes and offset kinematically connected firstly in rotation by a first kinematic link and secondly in translation by a second kinematic link. The major disadvantage of the mechanism described in this document lies in the fact that the first kinematic connection introduces a reversal of the direction of rotation between the first and the second part of the winding and setting rod. This is particularly unpleasant for the user when setting the time, winding or any other corrections, because it is in the opposite direction of what is usual. In addition, in this known device the part of the winding stem engaged with the movement of the watch must be guided in the middle part of the watch case by its free end. which complicates the device and its assembly in the watch case. After-sales service operations are also complicated by this fact.

To overcome these drawbacks, the incumbent has developed such a mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary motion between two axes, in particular a winding and setting mechanism including a winding rod in two parts of axes located in parallel planes kinematically connected in rotation and in translation but which avoids a reversal of the direction of rotation of the two parts of the winding rod and which facilitates the casing of the movement in the watch case.

This mechanism, described in the document EP 1134628 , comprises a movable assembly movable axially, the second portion of the rod carrying a second pinion and being arranged to be pivoted on said movable assembly but axially integral with the mobile assembly; the first portion of the rod being arranged to be pivoted on the movable assembly but axially integral therewith is secured to a first pinion; an odd number of pivots rotated on the moving assembly kinematically connecting the first pinion to the second pinion.

However, this mechanism has a disadvantage that is its size because the movable assembly consists of two plates secured together and in parallel planes using rivets. This moving assembly is necessarily thick and requires a large space between the middle of the watch case and movement. Another disadvantage of this construction is that it requires the use of a casing ring.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between two parts of a staggered shaft which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks of the existing devices.

The subject of the present invention is a mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between two parts of a rod of offset axes and comprising an axially displaceable moving assembly, the second part of the rod carrying a second pinion and being arranged to be pivoted on said mobile assembly but axially integral with this mobile assembly; the first part of the rod being arranged to be pivoted on the movable assembly but axially integral therewith and secured to a first pinion.

This mechanism is distinguished by the fact that the moving assembly consists of a single flat part and that this flat part comprises at least one elastic arm forming with the body of this flat part a bearing for the inner end of the second part of the stem.

According to the invention, the inner end of the second part of the rod is coupled by snapping into the bearing following a rotation of the plane connecting piece about the axis of the first part of the rod.

• La figure 1 illustre en perspective la pièce constituant l'ensemble mobile d'une première forme d'exécution du mécanisme de transmission.
• La figure 2 illustre la pièce de la figure 1 sur laquelle est pivoté un renvoi.
• Les figures 3a et 3b illustrent la pièce de la figure 1 et son renvoi sur laquelle est montée par clipsage une première partie de la tige de remontoir munie de son pignon qui engrène avec le renvoi.
• La figure 4 illustre la pièce de la figure 1 munie du renvoi et de la première partie de la tige de remontoir en position pour le montage de la seconde partie de la tige de remontoir munie de son pignon.
• La figure 5 illustre la pièce de la figure 1 munie du renvoi et des deux parties de la tige de remontoir montées par clipsage formant le mécanisme de transmission.
• La figure 6 est une coupe diamétrale d'une pièce d'horlogerie passant par les axes des deux parties de la tige de remontoir de la première forme d'exécution du mécanisme de transmission.
• La figure 7 illustre une seconde forme d'exécution du mécanisme de transmission.
• La figure 8 illustre en perspective une troisième forme d'exécution du mécanisme de transmission.
• La figure 9 illustre en plan la pièce constituant l'ensemble mobile de la troisième forme d'exécution du dispositif de transmission.

The attached drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example three embodiments of the mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements according to the invention applied to a winding mechanism and time setting of a timepiece.

• The figure 1 illustrates in perspective the part constituting the moving assembly of a first embodiment of the transmission mechanism.
• The figure 2 illustrates the piece of the figure 1 on which a reference is rotated.
• The Figures 3a and 3b illustrate the piece of the figure 1 and its return on which is mounted by clipping a first portion of the winding rod provided with its pinion meshing with the return.
• The figure 4 illustrates the piece of the figure 1 provided with the return and the first part of the winding stem in position for mounting the second part of the winding stem with its pinion.
• The figure 5 illustrates the piece of the figure 1 provided with the return and the two parts of the winding stem mounted by clipping forming the transmission mechanism.
• The figure 6 is a diametrical section of a timepiece passing through the axes of the two parts of the winding stem of the first embodiment of the transmission mechanism.
• The figure 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the transmission mechanism.
• The figure 8 illustrates in perspective a third embodiment of the transmission mechanism.
• The figure 9 illustrates in plan the part constituting the moving assembly of the third embodiment of the transmission device.

The timepiece comprises a box having a bottom 1, a caseband 2 and an ice 3 inside which is mounted a movement 4 optionally equipped with an additional mechanism 5 located between the movement 4 and the dial 7.

As we see on the figure 6 , the first part 8 of the winding stem, part of the movement 4, is located much lower than the median plane of this timepiece due to the extra thickness due to the chronograph module 5. The first part 8 of the stem winding includes near its end in the movement 4 a square to go up by a conventional wheel barrel movement when this part 8 of the winding stem is in the winding position. This square slides in a conventional manner in a mobile actuating a kinematic link rotating the switch of the movement for setting the time when the first portion 8 of the winding stem is in the pulled position setting time.

The middle part 2 is crossed by a tube 6 whose axis is situated in the median plane of the timepiece in which the second part 9 of the winding stem slides and rotates, the outer end of which has a thread 10 serving to fix the hub 11 of a winding crown.

The outer end of the first portion 8 of the winding stem is formed of a first pinion 13 from a workpiece with this first portion 8 of the winding stem. In the immediate vicinity of this first pinion 13 this first portion 8 of the winding stem has a groove 14. This outer end of the first portion 8 of the rod, formed by the first pinion 13, is free and does not cooperate in any way with the middle 2 of the box shows what greatly facilitates device assembly and after-sales service operations.

The inner end of the second portion 9 of the winding stem comprises a guide pin 15 and a stop 16 from a workpiece with this second portion of the winding stem. This inner end of this second portion 9 of the winding stem further comprises a second pinion 17 coming from a workpiece with this second portion 9 of the winding stem separated from the abutment 16 by a groove 18.

The mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between the two parts 8, 9 of the winding stem further comprises a movable connecting assembly consisting of a single flat part 19 having a general shape in a circular half-disk. The thickness of this connecting piece 19 corresponds to the width of the grooves 14 and 18 of the first 8 and second 9 parts of the winding stem.

This connecting piece 19 comprises a bore 20 receiving the axis of a return 21 pivoted on this connecting piece 19.

This connecting piece 19 comprises an elastic support 22, of generally rectilinear shape in this particular embodiment, whose free end comprises a first cylindrical surface 23 and a first inclined face 24. The cylindrical surface 23 is arranged opposite a second cylindrical surface 25 formed in the edge of the body of the connecting piece 19. Together these two cylindrical surfaces 23, 25 form a bearing for the first part 8 of the winding stem.

Opposite the first inclined face 24 of the elastic support 22 of the connecting piece 19 is a second inclined face 26 of the connecting piece 19 adjacent to the second cylindrical surface 25.

To assemble the first part 8 of the winding stem on the connecting piece 19, this first part 8 of the winding stem is placed perpendicularly to the plane of the connecting piece 19 so that its throat 14 facing the first and second inclined faces 24, 26 of the connecting piece and then pushing the first portion 8 of the winding stem towards the bearing formed by the first and second cylindrical surfaces 23, 25 of the connecting piece 19. The elastic support 22 deviates from the body of the connecting piece, allows the first portion 8 of the winding stem to penetrate into the bearing formed by the first and second cylindrical surfaces 23, 25. The elastic support 22 resumes its position. and maintaining the first portion 8 of the winding stem assembled to the connecting piece. In this position ( Figures 3a, 3b ) the first pinion 13 of the first portion 8 of the winding stem meshes with the return 21 pivoted on this connecting piece. In addition, since the connecting piece 19 penetrates into the groove 14 of the first part 8 of the winding stem, it is axially secured to the connecting piece 19.

The assembly of the first part 8 of the winding stem on the connecting piece 19 is easy and fast, snap-fastening, and allows disassembly just as easy, especially since the free outer end of this first part 8 of the stem does not need to cooperate with the middle of the watch case.

The connecting piece 19 further comprises an elastic arm 27 having a curved shape whose free end, located substantially in the extension of the elastic support 22 of the piece 19, has a bearing face 28. This elastic arm 27 forms all or part of the curved peripheral portion of the connecting piece 19.

The central portion of the piece 19 comprises a third cylindrical surface 29 while the elastic arm 27 has, facing this third cylindrical surface 29 a fourth cylindrical surface 30, corresponding to the third cylindrical surface 29 and forming therewith a bearing for the second part 9 of the winding stem.

In the direction of the free end of the elastic arm 27 the third 29 and the fourth cylindrical surface are respectively extended by a third 31 and a fourth 32 inclined face connecting the bearing formed by the third and fourth cylindrical surfaces 29, 30 to an enlarged passage 33.

The second part 9 of the winding stem can be assembled to the connecting piece 19 by clipping, positioning the groove 18 of this second part 9 of the winding stem between the third and fourth inclined faces 31, 32 and pushing the second part of the winding stem in the bearing formed by the third and fourth cylindrical surfaces 29, 30 which by elastically moving the elastic arm 27 of the connecting piece is coupled to it by snapping. In doing so, the second gear 17 of the second part of the winding stem meshes with the gear 21. The second part 9 of the winding stem is thus pivoted on the connecting piece 19 while being fixed axially thereto. , the edge of the connecting piece 19 to the right of the third and fourth cylindrical surfaces 29, 30 being housed in the groove 18 of the second portion 9 of the winding stem.

In assembled position ( figure 5 and 6 ) the first portion 8 of the winding stem is fixed axially to the connecting piece 19 as the second portion 9 of the winding stem. In addition, these two parts 8, 9 of the winding stem are connected in rotation by their respective pinions 13, 17 which both meshing with the return 21, these two parts 8, 9 of the winding stem turn therefore in the same meaning.

As we see on the figure 6 when this mechanism is mounted in a timepiece the connecting piece 19, the return 21 and the first and second pinions 13, 17 are housed in a space 38 formed in the middle part 2 of the watch case so as to be able to move axially according to the different axial positions of the winding crown 11.

This connecting piece 19 thus comprises in this embodiment two elastically deformable elements, the arm 27 and the support 22.

1. 1. Le renvoi 21 est pré-monté et pivoté sur la pièce de liaison 19.
2. 2. La première partie 8 de la tige de remontoir est clipsée sur la pièce de liaison 19, comme expliqué plus haut par la déformation élastique du support élastique 22.
3. 3. Cet ensemble est introduit dans le mouvement 4, l'extrémité interne de la première partie 8 de la tige venant coopérer avec les organes correspondants de ce mouvement.
4. 4. Le mouvement 4 de montre muni de cet ensemble est mis en place et fixé dans la carrure 2 de la boîte de montre sans que la première partie 8 de la tige ne coopère de quelle que façon avec ladite carrure 2.
5. 5. La pièce de liaison 19 est orientée angulairement par rotation autour de l'axe de la première partie 8 de la tige de remontoir, pour que son passage élargi 33 soit centré sur le tube 6 traversant la carrure 2.
6. 6. La seconde partie 9 de la tige de remontoir, avec ou sans sa couronne de remontoir, est introduite latéralement dans le tube 6 traversant la carrure 2, sa butée 16 passe dans le passage élargi 33 et sa gorge 18 est placée dans le plan de la pièce de liaison 19.
7. 7. La pièce de liaison est alors pivotée autour de l'axe de la première partie 8 de la tige de remontoir en direction de la seconde partie 9 de cette tige de remontoir de manière à ce que celle-ci soit accouplée par encliquetage sur cette pièce de liaison par déformation élastique du bras élastique 27.
8. 8. Le fond 1 de la boîte peut alors être fixé sur la carrure 2.

The assembly and setting up of the mechanism described in a timepiece is carried out as follows:

1. 1. The reference 21 is pre-mounted and pivoted on the connecting piece 19.
2. 2. The first part 8 of the winding stem is clipped onto the connecting piece 19, as explained above by the elastic deformation of the elastic support 22.
3. 3. This assembly is introduced into the movement 4, the inner end of the first portion 8 of the rod cooperating with the corresponding members of this movement.
4. 4. The watch movement 4 provided with this set is put in place and fixed in the middle part 2 of the watch case without the first part 8 of the rod cooperating in any way with said middle part 2.
5. 5. The connecting piece 19 is oriented angularly by rotation about the axis of the first portion 8 of the winding stem, so that its widened passage 33 is centered on the tube 6 passing through the middle part 2.
6. 6. The second part 9 of the winding stem, with or without its winding crown, is introduced laterally into the tube 6 passing through the middle part 2, its stop 16 passes into the enlarged passage 33 and its groove 18 is placed in the plane of the connecting piece 19.
7. 7. The connecting piece is then pivoted about the axis of the first portion 8 of the winding stem towards the second portion 9 of the winding stem so that it is coupled by snapping on this connecting piece by elastic deformation of the elastic arm 27.
8. 8. The bottom 1 of the box can then be fixed on the middle part 2.

To disassemble the mechanism simply remove the bottom 1 of the watch case and push with a tool on the bearing face 28 of the elastic arm 27 of the connecting piece 19 to rotate and uncouple the second part 9 of the winding rod. This second part 9 of the winding rod can then be extracted laterally out of the watch case. Then, the movement, the connecting piece 19 and the first part 8 of the rod can be extracted from the middle part 2 perpendicular to the plane of the watch case the first part 8 of the rod does not interfere with said middle part 2. In Indeed, the outer end of this first portion 8 of the rod, formed of the first pinion 13 is cantilevered having no contact with the middle part 2.

The first part 8 of the rod can be extracted laterally from the movement and separated from the connecting piece 19.

Of course it is advantageous that the first 8 and second 9 parts of the winding stem are each in one piece however in variants the first 13 and second 17 gears could be reported on their respective rod portion.

Preferably, the connecting piece 19 is made of spring steel but another material could be used as long as it allows the coupling of this connecting piece 19 by snapping to the first 8 and second 9 parts of the winding stem.

The widened passage 33 of the connecting piece 19 is not essential, it is simply necessary that the passage continuing the end of the third 31 and fourth 32 inclined faces to the end of the elastic arm 27 is wide enough to pass axially the stop 16 of the second portion 9 of the winding stem.

In this particular embodiment, this mechanism has important advantages because its size, especially in the direction perpendicular to the The axes of the parts 8, 9 of the winding stem is very small, the connecting piece being thin. In addition, its realization and assembly are easy and the two parts of the winding stem rotate in the same direction.

Such a mechanism for transmitting axial and rotary movements between two axes located in two parallel planes can be applied in timepieces having a movement alone or with one or more additional mechanisms either for reassembly and setting the time, for activating a calendar or alarm function, etc.

In a variant the return causing the inversion of the rotational movement so that the two rod parts rotate in the same direction can be replaced by a gear train having an odd number of wheels, this may be necessary if the distance separating the two planes in which are the two parts of the stem is large.

The described mechanism can also be used in non-horological applications wherever it is necessary to transmit between two axes, located in parallel planes, axial and rotary movements.

In a second embodiment illustrated in figure 7 the transmission mechanism has no return 21, the first pinion 13 meshing directly with the second pinion 17.

In another variant there could be several references 21 forming a kinematic chain connecting the first pinion 13 to the second pinion 17, all these references 21 being pivoted on the single plane connecting piece 19.

In the case where there is no reference 21, or if the number of these references is even, the rotation of the crown for a time setting will be reversed compared to what is usual but all the other advantages of the device are preserved.

The Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a third embodiment of the transmission mechanism in which the movable assembly comprises only one elastic element 36. In this embodiment, this moving assembly is formed of the flat connecting piece 37 and comprises an elastic arm 36 corresponding to the elastic arm 27 of the first embodiment described.

The body of the flat connecting piece has a cylindrical surface 29 while the elastic arm 36 has a cylindrical surface 30 facing the cylindrical surface 29 carried by the body of the connecting piece 37. These two cylindrical surfaces 29, 30 form a bearing for the groove 18 of the second portion 9 of the rod which carries the pinion 17 and which is constituted identically to that described in relation to the first embodiment of the transmission device.

This connecting piece 37 also has a recess 34 connecting the bearing 29, 30 to the periphery of said piece 37 flaring from said bearing 29, 30, wide enough to introduce the stop 16 of the second part 9 of the rod perpendicular to the plane of the connecting piece 37.

This connecting piece 37 further comprises a bore 35 intended to receive the end, of smaller diameter, of the first portion 8 of the rod on which the first pinion 13 is driven.

The free end of the elastic arm 36 has a bearing face 28 as in the previous embodiments.

In such an embodiment the first portion 8 of the rod and the first pinion 13 are pres mounted on the connecting piece 37. This pre-assembly is then introduced into the movement and this set is placed in the watch case. The connecting piece is then moved angularly so that the recess 34 is facing the tube 6 through the middle of the watch case. Then, the second portion 9 of the rod is introduced through the tube 6 to place its groove 18 in the plane of the connecting piece 37. Finally, a rotation of this connecting piece allows the snapping of the second part of the rod in the bearing 29, 30 of the connecting piece 37 by elastic deformation of the elastic arm 36 thereof.

Of course, in variants of this third embodiment, one or more references could be pivoted on the connecting piece 37 to kinematically connect the first pinion 13 to the second pinion 17.

In all the embodiments, the curved elastic arm 27, 36 defines with the body of the connecting piece 19, 37 a concentric empty space at the bearing 23, 25, 35 receiving the first part 8 of the winding stem, which allows snapping the second portion 9 of the rod into the bearing 29, 37 of the connecting piece 19, 37 by rotation thereof about the axis of the first portion 8 of the rod.

Claims (10)

1. Mechanism for transmission of axial and rotational movements between two parts of a shaft with offset axes comprising first (8) and second (9) parts of a shaft and an axially displaceable mobile assembly, the second part (9) of the shaft bearing a second pinion (17) and being arranged to be pivoted on said mobile assembly but axially fixedly attached to this mobile assembly; the first part (8) of the shaft being arranged to be pivoted on the mobile assembly but axially fixedly attached thereto and fixedly attached to a first pinion (13), the mobile assembly being formed of a single planar connection piece (19, 37) comprising a body and at least one elastic element (27, 36) forming, with the body of this planar piece (19, 37), a bearing (29, 30) in which the inner end of the second part (9) of the shaft is coupled by a snap-fit arrangement following a rotation of said planar connection piece (19, 37) about the axis of the first part (8) of the shaft.
2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the connection piece (19, 37) is in the general form of a circular half-disc, said at least one elastic element being formed by an elastic arm (27, 36) forming all or part of the curved peripheral portion of the connection piece (19, 37).
3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the connection piece (19) comprises two elastic elements: said elastic arm (27, 36) and an elastic support (22).
4. Mechanism as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that each elastic element (22, 27, 36) comprises a cylindrical surface (23, 30) cooperating with a corresponding cylindrical surface (25, 29) produced in the body of the piece (19, 37) and together forming said bearing (19, 30) intended to receive the end of the second part (9) of the shaft and a second bearing (23, 25) intended to receive said first part (8) of the shaft.
5. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the second part (9) of the shaft comprises a groove (18) able to be introduced, by elastic deformation of the elastic arm (27, 36) of the connection piece (19, 37), into said bearing (29, 30).
6. Mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that each part (8, 9) of the shaft comprises a groove (14, 18) able to be introduced, by elastic deformation of the connection piece (19), into said bearings.
7. Mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 5, characterised in that the first part (8) of the shaft is pivoted in a piercing in the connection piece (19) and mounted on the first pinion (13).
8. Mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one or more intermediate wheels (21) pivoted on the mobile assembly (19, 37) connect the first pinion (13) to the second pinion (17).
9. Timepiece comprising a mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second part (9) of the shaft extends laterally across a watch case and is arranged to be connected to an operating member accessible from the outside of this watch case while the first part (8) of this shaft is arranged to be connected to a timepiece movement placed in said watch case.
10. Timepiece characterised in that it comprises a mechanism as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and that its middle (2) is not in contact with the first part (8) of the shaft of this mechanism.

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