EP2634649B1 - Inexpensive timepiece barrel - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch cylinder comprising a drum coaxial with a barrel axis in a pivoting direction, said drum being arranged to enclose at least one barrel spring whose one end is fixed or attached to said drum, and a second end is fixed or hooked to a plug coaxial with said barrel axis and guided on said barrel shaft, wherein said plug is pivotally guided in a bore in said barrel, and has a first plug limiting surface arranged to limit the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung with respect to an inner face of said drum, and a second bung-stop surface opposite said first bead-limiting surface and arranged to limit the axial stroke, in said direction of pivoting, said bung relative to an outer face of said drum, which drum is mounted on the one hand prisoner ier between said first bung restriction surface and said second bung stop surface, and further freely pivotable about said bung. The invention relates to a clockwork incorporating at least one such barrel.

The invention relates to a timepiece incorporating such a watch movement and / or at least one such barrel.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly the field of barrel-spring energy storage with a mainspring for a motor movement or a ringing movement.

Background of the invention

Traditionally, a motor cylinder for a watch movement comprises a drum, in which is mounted a barrel spring, wound around a barrel axis. This barrel spring, usually spiral, is hung or attached to a first peripheral end within this drum. It is hooked or attached to a second central end, either to this barrel axis, or to a plug which is coaxial with this barrel axis, and at least partially guided thereon.

The barrel pivots with respect to a turntable or a barrel bridge, at the level of the barrel shaft, or the bung, in stones or guides of this plate or this bridge.

The barrel is closed, to enclose the spring, either by a cover fixed to the drum by clipping or other, or by a ratchet fixed to rotate with the barrel shaft, or the bung as appropriate, and also forming a lid .

Few configurations allow both an automated assembly, and an easy extraction of the barrel relative to the movement, as part of a maintenance operation.

In the first case with a lid attached to the drum and independent of the ratchet, fixing the ratchet, generally by screwing, is awkward to automate. If it is necessary to extract the barrel, for example in case of breakage of the spring, it is necessary to largely disassemble the watch movement in which is incorporated the barrel.

In the second case, where the closure is achieved by the single ratchet, the integral holding of the barrel is performed only by the barrel spring itself, which is insufficient to allow automated assembly of the assembly. When, in this configuration, the second central end of the spring is hooked or attached to a bung which pivots about a fixed axis integral with the plate and / or the barrel bridge, the extraction of the barrel is possible with less disassembly of movement components than in the previous case of the lid attached to the drum and independent of the ratchet.

In the first as the second case, the barrel may, under the effect of accelerations and especially during a shock, out of its pivot points, and can no longer be able to fulfill its function of training the movement to which it is dedicated.

The document DE 18 72 388 U in the name of EPPLE KG OTERO UHREN describes a cylinder with a threaded socket pivoting in a bridge, and carrying a pivoting ratchet. This socket has an outer groove which cooperates with a spring blade fixed to this bridge and resting on the plate. The tapping of the sleeve serves as a housing for a barrel axis which comprises: a lower bearing pivoting in the plate, a median cylindrical bearing pivoting in a bung which bears on the sleeve, a thread cooperating with the tapping of the sleeve, and an upper head that holds the ratchet on the socket. The bung has two shoulders, one serving to support the drum, the other to cover. A first bung limiting surface which is that of bearing on the drum, and a second bung stop surface, which is that of bearing on the sleeve, constitute a limitation in the same direction of movement of the bung.

The document CH 158 295 A in the name of AMIDA describes a barrel with a drum having external latching lugs and limiting the expansion of the spring. This drum is pressed on a ring, and a minute wheel and a small wheel can slide on a bearing of the ring, in which rotates the barrel shaft, limited by a circlip washer. The shaft is this time limited by two opposite stops: this washer-circlip, and the upper bearing of the largest diameter of the shaft, on both sides of the ring. The drum, secured to the ring, is mounted prisoner between the two stop surfaces of the bung.

The document US 389,852A in the name of MOULTON describes a barrel for pendulum, without drum, but with a fixed cage which has a fixed point of attachment for the external end of the spring.

The document FR 1 042 548 A in the name of PARRENIN LANGE describes an extractable barrel, rotatably mounted around a hollow shaft which contains a removable axis, integral in pivoting with it but free in translation, this axis having means for driving the ratchet.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to design a barrel whose assembly is easily automated, in particular with a simplification of the fastening of the ratchet, and whose components are integral so as to make this barrel an autonomous subassembly ready to be mounted in a movement of higher order, especially a movement. The invention is also intended to allow a easy extraction of the barrel relative to the movement or movement in which it is mounted.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watch cylinder comprising a drum coaxial with a barrel axis in a pivoting direction, said drum being arranged to enclose at least one barrel spring whose one end is fixed or attached to said drum , and a second end of which is attached to or attached to a plug coaxial with said barrel axis and guided on said barrel shaft, wherein said plug is pivotally guided in a bore of said barrel, and has a first plug surface arranged to limit the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung with respect to an inner face of said drum, and a second bung stop surface opposite said first bung restriction surface and arranged to limit the axial stroke in said pivoting direction, said bung with respect to an outer face of said drum, which drum is mounted, of a part prisoner between said first bung-limiting surface and said second bead-stop surface, and further freely pivotable about said bung, characterized in that said first bung-limiting surface and / or said second surface stop valve is constituted by a rivet radially projecting from said bore of said drum.

According to a characteristic of the invention, one of said first bung-limiting surface and second bung-stop surface which is not constituted by a said rivet, is constituted by a component that is coaxial with said bung flushed or fixed on said bung, and radially protruding from said bore of said drum.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said barrel shaft is removable, and comprises a bearing arranged to co-operate in guiding, in a bore of said bung, and further comprises a first shaft stop surface and a second surface of shaft stops opposed to each other and arranged to limit, together, the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, said barrel shaft relative to a receiving structure of said barrel.

According to a characteristic of the invention, at least said first shaft stop surface or said second shaft stop surface is integrally formed with said shaft in the form of a collar projecting radially from said span. . According to a characteristic of the invention, at least said first shaft stop surface or said second shaft stop surface is made at a removable component relative to said shaft.

According to a feature of the invention, at least said first shaft stop surface or said second shaft stop surface is constituted by a circlip or a key cooperating with a groove or housing that includes said shaft.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said bung comprises means for axially supporting and centering a ratchet, and means for pivoting said ratchet.

According to one characteristic of the invention, said means for pivoting said ratchet comprise at least one drive plate.

According to a feature of the invention, said ratchet is driven or fixed on said bung

According to one characteristic of the invention, said ratchet comprises spacing means with an inner surface of a receiving structure of said barrel.

According to a feature of the invention, said barrel is an engine cylinder or a ringer barrel.

The invention relates to a watch movement incorporating at least one such barrel, characterized in that said movement comprises a structure with at least a first partition and a second partition defining together a chamber for receiving said barrel, and each having a bore coaxial with each other for pivotally receiving and guiding said barrel shaft, said first partition having a first shaft stop complementary surface arranged to provide an axial stroke limitation of said first stop surface; shaft, and said second partition having a second complementary shaft stop surface to constitute an axial stroke limitation of said second shaft stop surface, to limit, together, the axial stroke, in said direction of rotation; pivoting said shaft relative to said structure.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said first partition comprises, opposite to said first complementary shaft stop surface, a first axial stroke limiting inner surface for limiting the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung or / and said drum relative to said structure.

According to a characteristic of the invention, said second partition comprises, opposite to said second complementary shaft stop surface, a second axial running limiting inner surface for limiting the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung or / and said ratchet relative to said structure.

According to a feature of the invention, said second axial stroke limiting inner surface comprises spacing means with said ratchet.

The invention relates to a timepiece incorporating such a watch movement and / or at least one such barrel.

• un dit barillet comportant :
  • un tambour coaxial à un axe de barillet selon une direction de pivotement, ledit tambour étant agencé pour enfermer au moins un ressort de barillet dont une première extrémité est fixée ou accrochée audit tambour, et dont une deuxième extrémité est fixée ou accrochée à une bonde coaxiale audit axe de barillet et guidée sur ledit arbre de barillet,
  • ledit arbre de barillet étant amovible et comportant une portée agencée pour coopérer avec un alésage de ladite bonde et comportant encore une première surface d'arrêt d'arbre et une deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre opposées l'une à l'autre et agencées pour limiter, ensemble, la course axiale, selon ladite direction de pivotement, dudit arbre de barillet par rapport à ladite structure,
  • ladite bonde étant guidée en pivotement dans un alésage que comporte ledit tambour, et comportant une première surface de limitation de bonde agencée pour limiter la course axiale, selon ladite direction de pivotement, de ladite bonde par rapport à une face interne dudit tambour, et une deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde opposée à ladite première surface de limitation de bonde et agencée pour limiter la course axiale, selon ladite direction de pivotement, de ladite bonde par rapport à une face externe dudit tambour, et ladite bonde comportant des moyens d'appui axial et de centrage d'un rochet, et des moyens d'entraînement en pivotement dudit rochet,
  • une dite structure comportant au moins une première cloison et une deuxième cloison délimitant ensemble une chambre pour la réception dudit barillet, et ladite première cloison et ladite deuxième cloison comportant chacune un alésage coaxial l'un à l'autre pour la réception et le guidage en pivotement dudit arbre de barillet, ladite première cloison comportant une première surface complémentaire d'arrêt d'arbre agencée pour constituer une limitation de course axiale de ladite première surface d'arrêt d'arbre, et ladite deuxième cloison comportant une deuxième surface complémentaire d'arrêt d'arbre pour constituer une limitation de course axiale de ladite deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre, pour limiter, ensemble, la course axiale, selon ladite direction de pivotement, dudit arbre par rapport à ladite structure,
  encore caractérisé en ce que on effectue successivement les étapes suivantes :
  • on insère ladite bonde dans ledit tambour de façon à monter celui-ci, d'une part prisonnier entre ladite première surface de limitation de bonde et ladite deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde, et d'autre part libre en pivotement autour de ladite bonde, par immobilisation de ladite première surface de bonde et de ladite deuxième surface de bonde par rapport à ladite bonde ;
  • on insère ledit au moins un ressort de barillet dans ledit tambour, et on fixe ou accroche ladite première extrémité audit tambour, et on fixe ou accroche ladite deuxième extrémité à ladite bonde ;
  • on immobilise un rochet sur lesdits moyens d'appui axial et de centrage et lesdits moyens d'entraînement en pivotement dudit rochet que comporte ladite bonde ;
  • on insère entre ladite première cloison et ladite deuxième cloison de ladite structure ledit sous-ensemble constitué par ledit tambour de barillet, ledit ressort de barillet, ladite bonde et ledit rochet, et on positionne ledit alésage de ladite bonde en alignement desdits alésages coaxiaux de ladite structure ;
  • on enfile, depuis un des côtés de ladite structure, ledit arbre de barillet au travers de l'une desdites cloisons de ladite structure, au travers de ladite bonde, puis au travers de l'autre desdites cloisons de ladite structure, puis on immobilise ledit arbre de barillet par fixation à ce dernier desdites première surface d'arrêt d'arbre et deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting, in a receiving structure, a watch cylinder, characterized in that:

• a said cylinder comprising:
  • a drum coaxial with a barrel axis in a pivoting direction, said drum being arranged to enclose at least one barrel spring whose one end is fixed or hooked to said drum, and a second end of which is attached to or attached to a coaxial plug to said barrel axis and guided on said barrel shaft,
  • said barrel shaft being removable and having a bearing arranged to cooperate with a bore of said bung and further comprising a first shaft stop surface and a second shaft stop surface opposite to each other and arranged to limit, together, the axial stroke, according to said pivoting direction, of said barrel shaft with respect to said structure,
  • said bung being pivotally guided in a bore in said drum, and having a first bung limiting surface arranged to limit the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung with respect to an inner face of said drum, and a second stopping surface of bonde opposed to said first bead-limiting surface and arranged to limit the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said bung with respect to an outer face of said drum, and said bung having axial support and centering means of said bung a ratchet, and means for driving pivoting said ratchet,
  • a said structure comprising at least a first partition and a second partition defining together a chamber for receiving said cylinder, and said first partition and said second partition each having a bore coaxial with each other for receiving and guiding pivoting said barrel shaft, said first partition having a first complementary shaft arresting surface arranged to provide an axial stroke limitation of said first shaft stopping surface, and said second partition having a second complementary surface thereof. shaft stop for providing an axial stroke limitation of said second shaft stop surface, for limiting together the axial stroke, in said pivoting direction, of said shaft relative to said structure,
  characterized in that the following steps are successively carried out:
  • said bung is inserted into said drum so as to mount it, on the one hand prisoner between said first bung restriction surface and said second bung stop surface, and on the other hand free to pivot about said bung by immobilizing said first bung surface and said second bung surface with respect to said bung;
  • said at least one barrel spring is inserted into said drum, and said first end is fixed or hooked to said drum, and said second end is fixed or hooked to said bung;
  • a ratchet is immobilized on said axial bearing and centering means and said means for pivoting said ratchet that comprises said bung;
  • between said first partition and said second partition of said structure is inserted said subassembly constituted by said barrel drum, said mainspring, said plug and said ratchet, and said bore of said plug is positioned in alignment with said coaxial bores of said structure;
  • one threads, from one of the sides of said structure, said barrel shaft through one of said partitions of said structure, through said bung, then through the other of said partitions of said structure, and then immobilizes said barrel shaft by attaching thereto one of said first stopping surface and second stopping surface.

The invention allows a significant reduction in production and assembly costs, a simplification of the barrel assembly, and also a simplification of its components. It allows the fastening of the components at the subset stages, which simplifies the assembly which can be easily automated, with a paraxial manipulator according to the pivoting direction, which further lowers the costs already improved by the simplification of the components and therefore the lowering their unit cost. The barrel remains extractable after complete assembly of the movement. Finally, the impact resistance is improved by locking the barrel axis which passes through the partitions of the structure, and which is rigidly stopped by the first and second shaft stop surfaces.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe selon un plan passant par son axe de pivotement, un barillet selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente un détail de cette figure 1, au niveau d'une bonde de ce barillet dans une variante particulière de réalisation ;
• la figure 3 représente, en vue de bout, une extrémité d'une telle bonde pour la réception et l'entraînement d'un rochet ;
• la figure 4 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie incorporant un mouvement d'horlogerie incorporant un tel barillet ;
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent, de façon schématisée et en élévation, des variantes de bondes particulières.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and in section along a plane passing through its pivot axis, a cylinder according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents a detail of this figure 1 at the level of a bung of this barrel in a particular variant embodiment;
• the figure 3 represents, in end view, an end of such a plug for receiving and driving a ratchet;
• the figure 4 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece incorporating a clockwork incorporating such a cylinder;
• the Figures 5 and 6 represent, schematically and in elevation, variants of particular bungs.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly the field of barrel-spring energy storage with a mainspring for a motor movement or a ringing movement.

The invention relates to a watch cylinder 1 comprising a drum 2 coaxial with a barrel axis 3 in a pivoting direction D.

This drum 2 is designed to enclose at least one barrel spring 4, a first end 41 of which is fixed to or hooked to this drum 2, or cooperates with the drum 2 in the case of mounting of the spring 4 by adhesion with a sliding flange, and one of which second end 42 is fixed or hooked to a plug 5 coaxial with the barrel axis 3 and guided on the barrel shaft 3, at a hook 43 or the like.

The bung 5 is pivotally guided in a bore 21 that the drum 2 comprises, and has a first bung limiting surface 51 arranged to limit the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the bung 5 relative to a face internal 22 of the drum 2, and a second bung stop surface 52 opposite the first bung limiting surface 51 and arranged to limit the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the bung 5 with respect to a face external 23 of the drum 2.

Preferably, there is a gap between the first limiting surface 51 and the inner face 22, so as to avoid friction decreasing the yield.

The drum 2 is mounted on the one hand prisoner between the first bung limiting surface 51 and the second bung stop surface 52, and on the other hand free to pivot around the bung 5.

In an advantageous embodiment visible on the Figures 1, 2 , and 5 , the first bung restrictor surface 51 and / or the second bead stop surface 52 is constituted by a rivet 57 radially projecting from this bore 21 of the drum 2. In the variant of FIG. figure 6 , the second bung stop surface 52 is constituted by a flange 58.

In another variant, the first bung restrictor surface 51 and / or the second bung stop surface 52 is constituted by a component coaxial with the bung 5 driven or attached to the bung 5, and radially protruding from the bore 21 of the drum 2, such as a ring or the like. The Figures 5 and 6 illustrate bungs 5 having an outer guide surface 50, only the second bead stop surface 52 is radially projecting from said outer guide surface 50, on which a ring or the like constituting the first surface of 51. The bung 5 then comprises, recessed from the surface 50, a hook 43 for hooking the mainspring 4 and a clearance 44 around the hook 43.

In a preferred and advantageous manner, the barrel shaft 3 is removable, and comprises a bearing 31 arranged to cooperate in guiding in a bore 53 of the plug 5. This shaft 3 also comprises a first shaft stop surface 32 and a second shaft stopping surface 33 opposed to each other and arranged to limit, together, the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the barrel shaft 3 with respect to a structure 6 of receiving the barrel.

In a first embodiment, as visible on the Figures 1 and 2 at least the first shaft stop surface 32 or the second shaft stop surface 33 is integrally formed with the barrel shaft 3 in the form of a flange 34 projecting radially from the span 31. On the figure 1 this flange 34 forming a head is located on a dial side of a plate 7. A bridge 8 guides the other end of this barrel shaft 3, and covers the cylinder 1.

In a particular embodiment, at least the first shaft stopping surface 32 or the second shaft stopping surface 33 is made at a removable component with respect to this barrel shaft 3. Economically, at least the first shaft stop surface 32 or the second shaft stop surface 33 is constituted by a circlip 35 or a key, or a driven or bonded washer or the like, cooperating with a groove 36 or a housing that comprises the barrel shaft 3, as in the variant illustrated by the figure 1 . This key or circlip guarantees the resistance of the assembly during shocks, and in particular cash the inertia of the barrel assembly, thus avoiding any deterioration of the movement 100 in which the barrel 1 is mounted.

To make it easy to automate the mounting of a ratchet, the bung 5 advantageously comprises axial bearing and centering means 54 of a ratchet 9, and pivoting drive means 55 of the ratchet 9.

Preferably, the ratchet 9 is driven out or fixed on the bung 5.

In a particular and economical variant, as visible on the figure 3 , the pivoting drive means 55 of the ratchet 9 comprise at least one drive plate 56. They may also be constituted by two plates, a square or any other polygon, or simply result from a laser welding, gluing, or similar. Preferably, when the ratchet 9 is mounted removably, the clearance between the pivoting drive means 55 of the ratchet 9 and the latter is minimal, preferably an assembly is chosen with a slight tightening, so as to guarantee good concentricity at the ratchet, to avoid any disturbance of the gear.

In the same way, it is preferable to limit to the minimum the clearance between the bearing 31 of the barrel shaft 3 and the boring bore 53, as well as between the bearing surface 31 of the barrel shaft 3 and the bore 82 of the bridge 8.

In a variant as visible on the figure 1 , the ratchet 9 comprises spacing means 91 with an inner surface 81 of an element 8, such as a bridge, of a structure 6 for receiving the barrel 1. In a variant also visible on the figure 1 this bridge 8 carries spacing means 85.

In a variant not illustrated in the figures, the barrel shaft 3 is fixed permanently on the deck, by welding or the like.

Yet another variant is to bouteroller, or rivet, or the like, the end of the barrel shaft 3 protruding from the side of the bridge 8, so as to avoid the use of an additional component

Preferably, the invention applies to a barrel 1 which is a motor cylinder or a barrel of a bell, for a timepiece such as a watch.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 100 incorporating at least one such barrel 1.

This movement 100 comprises a structure 6 with at least a first partition 7, such as a plate, and a second partition 8, such as a bridge, defining together a chamber for receiving the barrel 1, and each comprising a boring 72, 82, coaxial with each other for the reception and the pivotal guidance of the barrel shaft 3. The first partition 7 comprises a first complementary shaft stop surface 73 arranged to constitute a limitation axial stroke, in particular in case of shock, the first shaft stop surface 32, and the second partition 8 comprises a second complementary shaft stop surface 83 to constitute an axial stroke limitation of the second surface shaft stop 33, to limit, together, the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the shaft 3 relative to the structure 6.

In a particular embodiment, visible on the figure 1 , the first partition 7 comprises, opposite to the first complementary shaft stop surface 73, a first axial stroke limiting inner surface 74 for limiting the axial stroke, in the pivoting direction D, of the bung 5 or / and drum 2 relative to the structure 6. But, preferably, this surface 74 is dimensioned so that there remains a functional game. Preferably, the limitation to contact is rather by the cooperation of a thread 24 that comprises the drum 2, with an opposing surface 75 of the plate 7: due to the small surface of the thread 24, the friction is reduced. The same arrangement is visible on the opposite side between a thread 91 of the ratchet 9 and an opposing inner surface 81 of the bridge 8.

In a particular embodiment, visible on the figure 1 , the second partition 8 comprises, opposite to the second complementary shaft stop surface 83, a second axial running limiting inner surface 84 for limiting the axial stroke, in the pivoting direction D, of the plug 5 or / and ratchet 9 with respect to the structure 6. In a particular embodiment, visible on the figure 1 , the second axial running limiting inner surface 84 comprises spacing means 85 with the ratchet 9, so as to prevent a large surface of the ratchet 9 forming a lid from rubbing over a large surface of the bridge 8.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 incorporating at least one such movement 100, and / or at least one such barrel 1.

• un barillet 1 comportant :
• un tambour 2 coaxial à un axe de barillet 3 selon une direction de pivotement D, le tambour 2 étant agencé pour enfermer au moins un ressort de barillet 4 dont une première extrémité 41 est fixée ou accrochée à ce tambour 2, et dont une deuxième extrémité 42 est fixée ou accrochée à une bonde 5 coaxiale à cet axe de barillet 3 et guidée sur l'arbre de barillet 3,
• l'arbre de barillet 3 étant amovible et comportant une portée 31 agencée pour coopérer avec un alésage 53 de la bonde 5 et comportant encore une première surface d'arrêt d'arbre 32 et une deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre 33 opposées l'une à l'autre et agencées pour limiter, ensemble, la course axiale, selon la direction de pivotement D, de l'arbre de barillet 3 par rapport à la structure 6,
• la bonde 5 étant guidée en pivotement dans un alésage 21 que comporte le tambour 2, et comportant une première surface de limitation de bonde 51 agencée pour limiter la course axiale, selon la direction de pivotement D, de la bonde 5 par rapport à une face interne 22 du tambour 2, et une deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde 52 opposée à la première surface de limitation de bonde 51 et agencée pour limiter la course axiale, selon la direction de pivotement D, de la bonde 5 par rapport à une face externe 23 du tambour 2, et la bonde 5 comportant des moyens d'appui axial et de centrage 54 d'un rochet 9, et des moyens d'entraînement en pivotement 55 du rochet 9,
• une structure 6 comportant au moins une première cloison 7 et une deuxième cloison 8 délimitant ensemble une chambre pour la réception du barillet 1, et la première cloison 7 et la deuxième cloison 8 comportant chacune un alésage 72, 82, coaxial l'un à l'autre pour la réception et le guidage en pivotement de l'arbre de barillet 3, la première cloison 7 comportant une première surface complémentaire d'arrêt d'arbre 73 agencée pour constituer une limitation de course axiale de la première surface d'arrêt d'arbre 32, et la deuxième cloison 8 comportant une deuxième surface complémentaire d'arrêt d'arbre 83 pour constituer une limitation de course axiale de la deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre 33, pour limiter, ensemble, la course axiale, selon la direction de pivotement D, de l'arbre de barillet 3 par rapport à la structure 6,

The invention also relates to a method of mounting, in a receiving structure 6, a watch cylinder 1. According to this method, use is made of:

• a barrel 1 comprising:
• a drum 2 coaxial with a barrel axis 3 in a pivoting direction D, the drum 2 being arranged to enclose at least one barrel spring 4, a first end 41 of which is fixed or attached to the drum 2, and a second end of which 42 is fixed or hooked to a plug 5 coaxial with this barrel axis 3 and guided on the barrel shaft 3,
• the barrel shaft 3 being removable and having a bearing 31 arranged to cooperate with a bore 53 of the bung 5 and further comprising a first shaft stop surface 32 and a second opposite shaft stop surface 33 to one another and arranged to limit, together, the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the barrel shaft 3 with respect to the structure 6,
• the bung 5 being pivotally guided in a bore 21 that includes the drum 2, and having a first bung limiting surface 51 arranged to limit the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the bung 5 relative to a face internal 22 of the drum 2, and a second bung stop surface 52 opposite the first bung limiting surface 51 and arranged to limit the axial stroke, in the direction of pivoting D, of the bung 5 with respect to a face external 23 of the drum 2, and the bung 5 comprising means for axial support and centering 54 of a ratchet 9, and pivoting drive means 55 of the ratchet 9,
• a structure 6 comprising at least a first partition 7 and a second partition 8 defining together a chamber for receiving the barrel 1, and the first partition 7 and the second partition 8 each having a bore 72, 82, coaxial with each other; another for receiving and pivotally guiding the barrel shaft 3, the first partition 7 having a first shaft stop complementary surface 73 arranged to constitute an axial stroke limitation of the first stop surface of 32, and the second partition 8 having a second complementary shaft stop surface 83 to constitute an axial stroke limitation of the second shaft stop surface 33, to limit, together, the axial stroke, according to the pivoting direction D of the barrel shaft 3 with respect to the structure 6,

• on insère la bonde 5 dans le tambour 2 de façon à monter celui-ci, d'une part prisonnier entre la première surface de limitation de bonde 51 et la deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde 52, et d'autre part libre en pivotement autour de la bonde 5, par immobilisation de la première surface de limitation de bonde 51 et de la deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde 52 par rapport à la bonde 5 et, pour ce faire, ou bien on déforme sous forme d'une rivure 57 une extrémité de la bonde 5, ou bien on rapporte à ladite extrémité un composant saillant radialement et faisant arrêt. Dans le mode de réalisation avantageux où au moins la première surface de limitation de bonde 51 ou la deuxième surface d'arrêt de bonde 52 est constituée par une rivure 57, celle-ci est ainsi faite après avoir enfilé le tambour 2 sur la bonde 3 ;
• on insère le au moins un ressort de barillet 4 dans le tambour 2, et on fixe ou accroche la première extrémité 41 à ce tambour 2, et on fixe ou accroche la deuxième extrémité 42 à la bonde 5;
• on immobilise un rochet 9 sur les moyens d'appui axial et de centrage 54 et les moyens d'entraînement en pivotement 55 du rochet 9 que comporte la bonde 5;
• on insère entre la première cloison 7 et la deuxième cloison 8 de la structure 6 un sous-ensemble 10 ainsi constitué par le tambour de barillet 2, le ressort de barillet 4, la bonde 5 et le rochet 9, et on positionne l'alésage 53 de la bonde 5 en alignement des alésages coaxiaux 72 et 82 de la structure 6;
• on enfile, depuis un des côtés de la structure 6, l'arbre de barillet 3 au travers de l'une des cloisons 7, 8, de la structure 6, au travers de la bonde 5, puis au travers de l'autre des cloisons 8, 7, de la structure 6, puis on immobilise l'arbre de barillet 3 par fixation à ce dernier des première surface d'arrêt d'arbre 32 et deuxième surface d'arrêt d'arbre 33.

According to the invention, the following steps are carried out successively:

• the bung 5 is inserted into the drum 2 so as to mount it, on the one hand prisoner between the first bung restriction surface 51 and the second bung stop surface 52, and on the other hand free to pivot around the bung 5, by immobilizing the first bung limiting surface 51 and the second bung stop surface 52 with respect to the bung 5 and, for this purpose, or deforming in the form of a rivet 57 an end of the bung 5, or is reported to said end a radially protruding component and stopping. In the advantageous embodiment where at least the first bung restriction surface 51 or the second bung stop surface 52 is constituted by a rivet 57, it is thus made after having threaded the drum 2 on the bung 3 ;
• the at least one barrel spring 4 is inserted into the drum 2, and the first end 41 is fixed or hooked to this drum 2, and the second end 42 is fixed or hooked to the bung 5;
• a ratchet 9 is immobilized on the axial bearing and centering means 54 and the pivoting drive means 55 of the ratchet 9 which comprises the bung 5;
• is inserted between the first partition 7 and the second partition 8 of the structure 6 a subassembly 10 thus constituted by the barrel drum 2, the barrel spring 4, the bung 5 and the ratchet 9, and the bore is positioned 53 of the bung 5 in alignment with the coaxial bores 72 and 82 of the structure 6;
• one threads, from one of the sides of the structure 6, the barrel shaft 3 through one of the partitions 7, 8, of the structure 6, through the bung 5, then through the other of the partitions 8, 7, of the structure 6, then the barrel shaft 3 is immobilized by fixing the first shaft stop surface 32 and the second shaft stop surface 33 thereto.

Preferably, this method is implemented by a robotic manipulator. Thanks to the very simple design of the invention, only mounting movements parallel to the pivoting direction D are necessary to perform the assembly.

This design, with pre-assembly of the drum and the bung, then assembly of the mainspring, then the ratchet on the bung, allows a ease of assembly compared to a conventional assembly where the ratchet is often preassembled on the bung.

The subassembly 10 can be stored pre-assembled and functionally controlled. It is enough to put it in position in its movement, to immobilize it by the barrel shaft, and to stop the latter longitudinally by a simple circlip or a simple key, to ensure a precise assembly, inexpensive, and very shock resistant.

The barrel remains extractable after complete assembly of the movement.

Claims (17)

1. Timepiece barrel (1) including a pivoting drum (2), coaxial to a barrel arbour (3) in a direction of pivoting (D), said drum (2) being arranged to confine at least one barrel spring (4), a first end (41) of which is fixed or hooked to said drum (2) or cooperates with said drum (2), and a second end (42) of which is fixed or hooked to a core (5), which is coaxial to said barrel arbour (3) and guided on said barrel arbour (3), said core (5) being pivotally guided in a bore (21) comprised in said drum (2), and including a first core limiting surface (51) arranged to limit the axial travel of said core (5), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to an inner surface (22) of said drum (2), and a second core stopping surface (52) opposite said first core limiting surface (51) and arranged to limit the axial travel of said core (5), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to an outer surface (23) of said drum (2), said drum (2) being arranged, on the one hand, imprisoned between said first core limiting surface (51) and said second core stopping surface (52), which are in opposition to each other, and on the other hand, to pivot freely about said core (5), characterized in that said first core limiting surface (51) or/and said second core stopping surface (52) is formed by a rivet seam (57) which projects radially relative to said bore (21) of said drum (2).
2. Barrel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said first core limiting surface (51) or said second core stopping surface (52), which is not formed by a said rivet seam, is formed by a component, which is coaxial to said core (5), driven onto or fixed to said core (5) and projects radially relative to said bore (21) of said drum (2).
3. Barrel (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said barrel arbour (3) is removable and includes a shoulder (31) arranged to cooperate in guidance in a bore (53) of said core (5) and further includes a first arbour stopping surface (32) and a second arbour stopping surface (33), which are opposite each other and are arranged to limit together the axial travel of said barrel arbour (3), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to a structure for receiving said barrel.
4. Barrel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least said first arbour stopping surface (32) or said second arbour stopping surface (33) is made in a single-piece with said barrel arbour (3) in the form of a collar (34) which projects radially relative to said shoulder (31).
5. Barrel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least said first arbour stopping surface (32) or said second arbour stopping surface (33) is made on a component that can be removed from said barrel arbour (3).
6. Barrel (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that at least said first arbour stopping surface (32) or said second arbour stopping surface (33) is formed by a circlip (35) or a key cooperating with a groove (36) or a housing comprised in said barrel arbour (3).
7. Barrel (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said core (5) includes a means (54) of axially supporting and centring a ratchet (9), and a means (55) of pivotally driving said ratchet (9).
8. Barrel (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said means (55) of pivotally driving said ratchet (9) includes at least one flat driving portion (56).
9. Barrel (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said ratchet (9) is driven onto or fixed to said core (5).
10. Barrel (1) according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said ratchet (9) includes a means (91) of spacing with respect to an internal surface (81) of a structure (6) for receiving said barrel (1).
11. Barrel (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said barrel (1) is a going barrel or a striking work barrel.
12. Timepiece movement (100) incorporating at least one barrel (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that said movement (100) includes a structure (6) with at least one first wall (7) and one second (8) wall together delimiting a chamber for receiving said barrel (1), and each including a bore (72; 82) coaxial to the other for receiving and pivotally guiding said barrel arbour (3), said first wall (7) including a first complementary arbour stopping surface (73) arranged to form an axial travel limit for said first arbour stopping surface (32), and said second wall (8) including a complementary arbour stopping surface (83) to form an axial travel limit for said second arbour stopping surface (33), to limit together the axial travel of said arbour (3), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to said structure (6).
13. Movement (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said drum (2) includes a fillet (24) arranged to limit the axial travel in relation with an antagonistic surface (75) comprised in said first wall (7), to limit the axial travel of said core (5) or/and said drum (2), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to said structure (6).
14. Movement (100) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, opposite said second complementary arbour stopping surface (83), said second wall (8) includes a second inner axial travel limiting surface (84) for limiting the axial travel of said core (5) or/and said ratchet (9), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to said structure (6).
15. Movement (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said second inner axial travel limiting surface (84) includes a means (85) of spacing with respect to said ratchet (9).
16. Timepiece (1000) including at least one movement (100) according to any of claims 12 to 15, or/and at least one barrel (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11.
17. Method of assembling a timepiece barrel (1) in a receiving structure (6), characterized in that the following are used:

    - one said barrel (1) including:

    - a drum (2) coaxial to a barrel arbour (3) in a pivoting direction (D), said drum (2) being arranged to confine at least one barrel spring (4), a first end (41) of which is fixed or hooked to said drum (2) and a second end (42) of which is fixed or hooked to a core (5), which is coaxial to said barrel arbour (3) and guided on said barrel arbour (3),

    - said barrel arbour (3) being removable and including a shoulder (31) arranged to cooperate with a bore (53) of said core (5) and further including a first arbour stopping surface (32) and a second arbour stopping surface (33), which face each other and are arranged to limit together the axial travel of said barrel arbour (3), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to said structure (6),

    - said core (5) being pivotally guided in a bore (21) comprised in said drum (2), and including a first core limiting surface (51), which is arranged to limit the axial travel of said core (5) in said pivoting direction (D), relative to an inner face (22) of said drum (2), and a second core stopping surface (52), which is opposite said first core limiting surface (51) and arranged to limit the axial travel of said core (5), in said pivoting direction (D), relative to an outer face (23) of said drum (2), and said core (5) including a means (54) of axially supporting and centring a ratchet (9), and a means (55) of pivotally driving said ratchet (9),

    - one said structure (6) including at least one first wall (7) and one second wall (8) together delimiting a chamber for receiving said barrel (1), and said first wall (7) and said second wall (8) each including a bore (72; 82), coaxial to the other, for receiving and pivotally guiding said barrel arbour (3), said first wall (7) including a first complementary arbour stopping surface (73) to form an axial travel limit for said first arbour stopping surface (32), and said second wall (8) including a second complementary arbour stopping surface (83) to form an axial travel limit for said second arbour stopping surface (33), to limit together the axial travel of said barrel arbour (3) in said pivoting direction (D), relative to said structure (D),

    further characterized in that the following steps are performed in succession:

    - said core (5) is inserted into said drum (2) so that said drum (2) is arranged, on the one hand, imprisoned between said first core limiting surface (51) and said second core stopping surface (52), and on the other hand to pivot freely about said core (5), by immobilising said first core limiting surface (51) and said second core limiting surface (52) relative to said core (5) and, in order to do so, one end of said core (5) is deformed in the shape of a rivet seam (57), or a radially projecting component forming a stop is added to said end;

    - said at least one barrel spring (4) is inserted into said drum (2), and said first end (41) is fixed or hooked to said drum (2), and said second end (42) is fixed or hooked to said core (5);

    - a ratchet (9) is immobilised on said axial supporting and centring means (54) and said means (55) of pivotally driving said ratchet (9) comprised in said core (5);

    - a sub-assembly (10) formed by said barrel drum (2), said barrel spring (4), said core (5) and said ratchet (9) is inserted between said first wall (7) and said second wall (8) of said structure (6), and said bore (53) of said core (5) is positioned in alignment with said coaxial bores (72; 82) of said structure (6);

    - said barrel arbour (3) is passed from one of the sides of said structure (6) through one of said walls (7, 8) of said structure (6), through said core (5), then through the other of said walls (8; 7) of said structure (6), said barrel arbour (3) is then immobilised by fixing said first arbour stopping surface (32) and said second arbour stopping surface (33) thereto.

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