EP2615503B1 - Barrel control mechanism for timepiece movement - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a mechanism for controlling a watch movement cylinder, all or nothing type, the barrel comprising a spring housed in a drum which it is secured by a first end, its second end being secured to a shaft of barrel, one and the other defining rotary input and output members of the barrel, the mechanism comprising a winding train, arranged to drive the rotating barrel shaft to reload the spring.

The present invention also relates to a watch movement provided with such a control mechanism and a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

State of the art

Control mechanisms of this type are known, in particular in bell-type timepieces in which a barrel supplies energy to a mechanism for indicating the time of day. Some of these timepieces are designed in such a way that the buzzer can be triggered by simply pressing a push button. In this case, a control releases the barrel drum whose spring is already loaded to operate the striking mechanism. Once the audible indication is complete, the barrel drum is locked to maintain the state of charge of the barrel spring.

A watch movement of this type is described for example in the patent application EP 1708050 A1 . This movement includes a barrel housing a spring for powering a minute repeater mechanism. The barrel spring is recharged by the movements of the wearer of the watch by means of an automatic winding mechanism. When the buzzer is switched on, a counting wheel (202) is also driven, the latter cooperating with a rocker to ensure the locking of the barrel at the end of the ringing cycle. However, given the general structure of this watch movement, it is necessary to provide a safety mechanism preventing the user from activating the buzzer when the charging of the mainspring is unable to supply the operation of a complete ringing cycle, which adds additional complexity to an already complex movement at the base.

Disclosure of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to present an alternative to the barrel control mechanisms known from the prior art, by proposing such a mechanism having an integrated structure by which the triggering of the winding of the barrel is validated by a certain level of load. of its spring, more precisely when the load of the spring reaches a predefined value. In addition, this mechanism is adapted to ensure the locking winding of the barrel end cycle of the watch mechanism it allows to operate.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a control mechanism of the type mentioned above, characterized in that it also comprises
a first mobile driven in rotation by the winding train,
a second mobile slaved to the rotational movements of the output member of the barrel,
a latching lever arranged to pivot between first and second positions, respectively associated with the locking of the input member of the barrel and the locking of its output member,
a movable control member arranged for alternately
position the latch in its second position, and
release the latch latch to let it take its first position under the effect of the action of an elastic member,
the first and second mobiles being provided with first and second respective stops, arranged to act alternately on the control member and respectively
moving it to release the latch latch when the winding train is actuated and the input member of the barrel has traveled a predefined angle,
move it to position the latch in its second position when the output member of the barrel has traveled the same angle, to lock the latter and allow a subsequent winding of the barrel spring.

Preferably, but in a nonlimiting manner, the input member of the barrel is its shaft, while the output member of the barrel is its drum.

Thus, the mechanism has two operating states. A first state corresponds to the rest or reassembly of the mainspring, the drum being locked by the latch and the barrel shaft being possibly rotated by the winding train. The second state corresponds to unwinding of the barrel, which is engaged when the barrel spring is raised by a predetermined amount by construction. The positions of the latch latch are controlled by the control member, whose position is defined by the rotation of the barrel drum and its shaft, via the two mobiles.

Thanks to these characteristics, the clock mechanism powered by the barrel can only be engaged once the mainspring is sufficiently loaded, while the locking of the barrel is ensured at the end of the cycle of operation of the clock mechanism, with a Compact and simplified construction with reference to known mechanisms.

Preferably, the latch is intended to be pivotally mounted on a frame member of the watch movement, the latter having first and second spouts arranged on either side of its pivot axis and intended to ensure the locking respectively, of the barrel shaft in the first position of the latch and the drum in its second position.

Advantageously, the first and second mobiles have first and second respective stop surfaces intended to cooperate, alternately, respectively with the first and second latches of the latch. In addition, the first and second mobiles are preferably coaxial with each other and even more preferably with barrel, the control member being arranged between them, which provides a compact construction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first mobile is integral in rotation with the barrel shaft and has the shape of a disc having a recess at its periphery to define the first stop surface. The second mobile advantageously constitutes the barrel drum at the periphery of which a tooth is formed to define the second stop surface.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control member comprises a base, engaged free in rotation on the barrel shaft and from which extends an arm having a first portion, substantially radial, followed by a bend oriented substantially at right angles to the first portion and from which extends a second portion for cooperating with the latch latch.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a control mechanism meeting the above characteristics, the barrel being arranged to supply mechanical energy, on demand, to an indicator mechanism, in response to an actuation of the winding train. predefined amplitude. The invention also relates to a timepiece provided with such a watch movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective éclatée d'une partie d'un mécanisme de commande selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue de dessus en transparence partielle du mécanisme de la figure 1 dans une première configuration;
• la figure 3 représente une vue de dessus en transparence partielle du mécanisme de la figure 1 dans une seconde configuration;
• la figure 4 représente une vue de dessus en transparence partielle du mécanisme de la figure 1 dans une troisième configuration;
• la figure 5 représente une vue de dessus en transparence partielle du mécanisme de la figure 1 dans une quatrième configuration, et
• la figure 6 représente une vue de dessus en transparence partielle du mécanisme de la figure 1 dans une cinquième configuration.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• the figure 2 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of the figure 1 in a first configuration;
• the figure 3 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of the figure 1 in a second configuration;
• the figure 4 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of the figure 1 in a third configuration;
• the figure 5 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of the figure 1 in a fourth configuration, and
• the figure 6 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of the figure 1 in a fifth configuration.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

This mechanism comprises a barrel 1 similar to a conventional barrel comprising a drum 2 housing a spring (not visible) whose one end is integral with the drum and the second end is integral with a barrel shaft 4 whose outer portion has a section square.

The drum 2 has a peripheral toothing 6 arranged in engagement with a pinion 8, represented here by way of nonlimiting illustration and, intended to transmit the energy released by the mainspring to a clock mechanism to ensure the operation of the latter.

More specifically, the control mechanism according to the present invention is intended to supply a clock mechanism for it to perform a complete cycle of operation. For example, the clock mechanism may take the form of a striking mechanism and its operating cycle may consist of the audible indication of the current time.

For this purpose, the mechanism comprises a latching lever 10 intended to be pivotally mounted on a frame member of the watch movement (not shown for the sake of clarity) by means here of a shaft 11.

The latch 10 comprises first and second spouts 12 and 14 disposed on either side of the shaft 11. The first spout 12 is intended to lock the winding train of the barrel 1 in a manner that will be exposed further. The second spout 14 is intended to lock the barrel drum 2, by cooperation with a tooth (reference number 16 on Figures 2 to 6 ) at the periphery of the drum (the latter rotating in the direction of clockwise rotation in the illustration of the figure 1 when unwinding the barrel).

The winding of the barrel is achieved by means of a winding train, conventionally, of which only the last element, namely a ratchet 18, is illustrated in the figures. The movements of the winding train are controlled by an external control member such as a winding crown for example.

The ratchet 18 is provided with a central hole 20 of square shape, adapted to ensure the rotational connection of the ratchet with the barrel shaft 4. A bearing is provided at the periphery of the hole 20 to allow assembly of the ratchet to the shaft by means of a screw 22.

A first mobile 24 is interposed between the ratchet 18 and the drum 2, the latter having the shape of a disc, on the periphery of which is formed a recess 26 defining a stop surface of the disc by cooperation with the first beak 12 latch latch 10, as will be apparent from the detailed description made later in connection with the Figures 2 to 6 . The first mobile is also provided with a central hole 28 of square shape intended to make it integral in rotation with the barrel shaft 4.

In addition, a control member 30 of the latch 10 is interposed between the first mobile 24 and the drum 2.

The control member 30 comprises a base, engaged free in rotation on a circular portion 32 of the barrel shaft 4 and from which extends an arm 34 having a first portion 35, substantially radial, followed by a bend 36 oriented substantially at right angles to the first portion and from which extends a second portion 37 for cooperating with the latch.

More specifically, the second portion 37 is arranged to cooperate with a third spout 38 of the latch 10 to move the latter from a first position, in which it locks the barrel shaft 4 via the first mobile 24, to a second position in which it locks the drum 2 by acting on its tooth 16.

Note that an elastic member 40 is provided to exert an action on the latch latch tending to position it in its first position, that is to say the one in which it locks the barrel shaft.

The control member 30 is intended to be rotated around the barrel shaft 4 in order, alternatively, to let the latch 10 be placed in its first position and to lock the barrel shaft 4 or to act on the barrel shaft 4. latch switch to move it to its second position and lock the drum 2.

For this purpose, the first mobile 24 comprises a first stop (reference numeral 42 on the Figures 2 to 6 ) for rotating the control member 30 when the barrel shaft 4 is driven from the winding train.

Similarly, the drum 2 also carries a second stop 44 for rotating the control member 30 when the drum rotates on itself.

A conventional ratchet spring 46 has also been illustrated on the figure 1 , it cooperating with the teeth of the ratchet 18 in a known manner.

The Figures 2 to 6 represent, in a same top view in partial transparency, the control mechanism which has just been described in relation to the figure 1 in different configurations illustrating the kinematics of its operation.

The figure 2 illustrates the default state of the control mechanism according to the invention, that is to say when the clock mechanism that is intended to supply mechanical energy is not actuated.

It appears from figure 2 that in this state, the third spout 38 of the latch 10 rests on the second portion 37 of the control member 30, the latch is therefore maintained in its second position, against the force qu it is spring loaded 40.

The second spout 14 of the latch 10 cooperates with the tooth 16 of the drum 2 to keep the latter stationary.

At the same time, the first lip 12 of the latch 10 is arranged outside the recess 26 of the first mobile, thus leaving it free to rotate, if necessary. In the absence of action by a user, however, the first mobile also remains stationary under the effect of the action of the spring-pawl 46 acting on the ratchet 18.

When a user wishes to actuate the clock mechanism, which may be for example a striking mechanism as indicated above, it actuates the winding train of the barrel 1, causing a rotation of the ratchet 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow F on the figure 2 .

During this operation, the first mobile 24 is driven simultaneously in rotation in the same direction. The first stop 42 that it carries is initially located in front of the first arm 35 of the control member with reference to its direction of rotation. At the same time, the control member remains stationary under the effect of the pressure it undergoes from the latch lever on its second arm 37.

Note that the second stop 44 of the drum is then located behind the first arm 35 of the control member 30.

The figure 3 illustrates the state of the control mechanism according to the invention when the ratchet 18 has performed almost a complete revolution.

The first stop 42 is then passed to the rear of the control member 30 and abuts on its first arm 35.

The drum 2 is always held stationary by the locking lever 10.

When the winding train movement continues, as illustrated on the figure 4 , the first stop 42 exerts a pressure on the control member 30 and carries it with it.

In doing so, it causes the release of the latch 10 whose first spout 12 falls into the recess 26 of the first mobile 24, under the effect of the action of its spring 40.

The ratchet 18 is then immobilized, as is the winding train.

At the same time, in its rotational movement from its second position to its first position, the latch 10 releases the drum 2 which becomes free to rotate to release the mechanical energy stored in the barrel spring and transmit it to the mechanism watchmaker through pinion 8.

By turning, the drum 2 drives the control member 30 in rotation, via its second stop 44 as it appears from the figure 5 .

The figure 6 illustrates the state of the control mechanism according to the invention when the drum 2 has almost completed a complete turn on itself. The second arm 35 of the control member 30 engages under the third spout 38 of the latch 10 to lift the latter.

When the drum completes a complete revolution, the control member 30 is again positioned in its configuration as shown in FIG. figure 2 that is, its second arm 35 has lifted the third spout 38 of the latch 10 to extract the latter from the recess 26 of the first mobile and release it.

The clock mechanism powered by the barrel has thus performed a complete cycle of operation and the drum 2 can again be locked by the latch, by cooperation between the second spout 14 and the tooth 16 of the drum.

It is well understood that the control mechanism according to the present invention is arranged in such a way that the watch mechanism that it supplies is actuated only when the mainspring is recharged with a predefined amplitude, corresponding to a predefined rotation angle of the barrel shaft when charging. As long as this amplitude is not reached, the drum remains locked. When the drum is released, it travels at an angle identical to that traveled by the shaft during charging, corresponding to a complete cycle of operation of the watch mechanism, before being locked again. Thus, the barrel spring transmits to the mechanism substantially the same amount of energy that it received during the load.

Thanks to these operating characteristics, the mainspring can be calibrated relatively accurately according to the needs of the powered clockwork mechanism, since it is only required to operate within a known operating range, by construction. . Thus, the size of the barrel 1 can be optimized as needed.

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, for example the fact that the first mobile is mounted directly on the barrel. Indeed, it can be provided that the first mobile is not arranged being coaxial with the barrel, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the control mechanism may advantageously comprise a second mobile replacing the functions of the barrel drum as regards its locking, that is to say that the second mobile is slaved to the rotational movements of the drum and carries a stop surface arranged to cooperate with the second mouth of the latch latch. In addition, the second mobile, which would preferably be arranged coaxial with the first mobile, carry the second stop intended to cooperate with the control member which would be arranged between the first and second mobile.

Similarly, it is also possible, alternatively or in addition, that the angle traveled by the barrel shaft during reassembly before actuation of the watch mechanism, as well as the angle traveled by the drum during unwinding of the barrel , different from 360 degrees, or a complete turn. Indeed, the control mechanism may be arranged to release the mechanical energy of the mainspring when the barrel shaft has made a half-turn for example, the drum then also performing a half-turn to release the energy of the cylinder. spring, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the control member may advantageously comprise two arms, the first mobile, two recesses, and the drum, two teeth stop.

In general, the locking of the drum could be achieved by the cooperation of the latch with a second mobile distinct from the drum but integral with the latter, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the barrel shaft could be the barrel outlet and drum entry without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the resilient member acting on the latch may tend to position it in the position in which it latches the drum. In this case, the control member would be arranged to push it back to its first position when the winding train has been actuated with a sufficient winding amplitude of the mainspring, while the positions of the stops of the first and second mobiles would also be adapted accordingly.

Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing a control mechanism for a cylinder having first and second mobiles associated with a control member arranged to act. on a latching rocker which allows to lock alternately the winding train and the barrel drum, in an all-or-nothing type of operation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A mechanism for controlling a barrel (1) for a clock movement, of the all or nothing type, the barrel (1) comprising a mainspring housed in a drum (2) to which it is secured by a first end, its second end being secured to a barrel arbor (4), these two defining rotary input (4) and output (2) members of said barrel, the mechanism comprising a winding train (18) designed to drive the rotation of said input member (4) and rewind said spring, and being characterized in that it additionally comprises

   - a first mobile (24) made to rotate by said rewinding train (18),

   - a second mobile (2) tied to the rotational movements of said output member (2),

   - a locking lever (10) designed to pivot between first and second positions which are respectively associated with the locking of said input member (4) and with the locking of said output member (2),

   - a mobile control member (30) designed to, alternately,

   -- position said locking lever (10) in a first of its positions, and

   -- release said locking lever (10) to allow it to adopt its other position, under the effect of the action of an elastic member (40),

   said first (24) and second (2) mobiles being equipped with respective first (42) and second (44) stops designed to act alternately on said control member (30) and, respectively,

   -- to move it until said locking lever (10) is assuredly positioned in its first position when said rewinding train (18) is actuated and said input member (4) has traveled through a predefined angle,

   -- to move it until said locking lever (10) is assuredly positioned in its second position when said output member (2) has traveled through an angle substantially equal to said predefined angle so as to lock the latter member and allow subsequent rewinding of said mainspring.
2. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said control member (30) is able to act on said locking lever (10) to position it in its second position, whereas said elastic member (40) is designed to tend to position said locking lever (10) in its first position.
3. The mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said input member of said barrel is the barrel arbor (4) whereas said output member of the barrel is the drum (2).
4. The mechanism as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said locking lever (10) is intended to be pivot mounted on a frame element of the clockwork movement, this lever having first and second beaks (12, 14) arranged one on each side of its axis of pivoting (11) and intended respectively to lock said barrel arbor (4) when said locking lever (10) is in the first position and to lock said drum (2) when said locking lever is in said second position.
5. The mechanism as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) have first and second respective stop surfaces (26, 16) intended alternately to collaborate respectively with said first and second beaks (12, 14) of said locking lever (10).
6. The mechanism as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) are coaxial, said control member (30) being positioned between them.
7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) are coaxial with said barrel (1).
8. The mechanism as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said first mobile (24) rotates as one with said barrel arbor (4) and has the form of a disk comprising a recess (26) at its periphery to define said first stop surface, whereas said second mobile constitutes said barrel drum (2) at the periphery of which a tooth (16) is formed to define said second stop surface.
9. The mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said control member (30) comprises a base, engaged with freedom to rotate on said barrel arbor (4) and from which base there extends an arm (34) having a substantially radial first portion (35), followed by an elbow (36) directed substantially at right angles with reference to said first portion and from which there extends a second portion (37) intended to collaborate with said locking lever (10).
10. A clock movement comprising a mechanism for controlling a barrel (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said barrel (1) being designed to supply mechanical energy, on demand, to an indicator mechanism (8), in response to actuation of a predefined amplitude of said rewinding train (18).
11. A timepiece comprising a clock movement as claimed in claim 10 and an external control member designed to control the operation of said rewinding train (18).
12. The timepiece as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said control mechanism is designed to control the operation of an indicating mechanism, such as a chime mechanism or an automaton, for a predetermined duration.

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