Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon
  • G04B17/285—Tourbillons or carrousels
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B1/00—Driving mechanisms
  • G04B1/10—Driving mechanisms with mainspring
  • G04B1/12—Driving mechanisms with mainspring with several mainsprings
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
  • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
  • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
  • G04F7/0866—Special arrangements

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a tourbillon watch movement for chronograph.
• the march of the mechanical regulating organs depends on the position of the watch; the gravity tends to create gaps especially when the watch and held vertically which tends to deform the spiral under its own weight.
• the vortex was imagined by A.-L. Breguet. It generally comprises a movable cage which carries the regulating member and rotates it to compensate for the influence of gravity in different positions.
• the cage is usually 1 turn per minute.
• a vortex can be considered an epicyclic train where the escape wheel and the anchor constitute a sun gear, the mobile exhaust as a satellite and the cage as a satellite door.
• a difficulty in designing a vortex is often to manage the compromise between frequency of the oscillator and speed of rotation of the cage. This is to design a planetary gear where the speed of entry and exit are imposed with limited space. It is precisely this compromise that makes most vortices work to display the seconds directly using a 4Hz oscillator and a 20-tooth escape wheel.
• the realities that make most vortices work to display the seconds directly using a 4Hz oscillator and a 20-tooth escape wheel.
• congestion compel the gear ratios and require adjustment of the frequency of the oscillator.
• EP1738230 discloses a mechanical movement watch having at least two swirls mounted on a common rotating support and coupled by a differential gear that averages the walking of both movements.
• CH697523 describes a movement comprising a frame and disposed on this frame two barrels and two finishing wheels forming two kinematic chains and two regulators.
• a differential gear connected to the two kinematic chains makes it possible to average the steps of the two
• EP1706796 discloses a watch movement comprising a time base with two rockers and two escapements and a differential gear.
• the time base comprises at least two vortices each provided with a cage carrying an escapement and a balance. Both cages are rotated by the differential gear.
• GB190606858 discloses a watch movement comprising a vortex with a rocker and an escapement mechanism.
• the pinion of the exhaust is driven by the fourth wheel, the position of the fourth wheel not being affected by the introduction of the vortex.
• the vortex is driven by one of the wheels of the watch movement.
• This chronograph movement adds to the basic movement of which it is not a part. This solution can therefore only be applied to bulky watches, capable of accommodating two distinct movements.
• the gain of precision brought by the tourbillon only benefits the measurement of the current time; the measurement of durations timed by the chronograph movement remains imprecise, especially when the chronograph is held in a position other than that for which it was calibrated.
• a vortex associated with a conventional regulating organ at 2.5 or 4Hz only allows to count time with a resolution of 1 / 5th or 1 / 8th of a second ... in all cases this resolution is not sufficient to a precise measurement in the tenth or hundredth of a second, and the use of a vortex does not change anything.
• a chronometer is called a high precision watch, having generally obtained an official market bulletin issued by an observatory or other body. Many tourbillon watches, but also other watches, are chronometers.
• Chronograph is called a watch having at least one needle that can be turned on and stopped by means of a pusher, to measure a duration.
• Many chronographs also feature hands for displaying the current time in addition to displaying the measured time.
• a chronograph is qualified chronometer if it is able to display the current time with the accuracy required by certification tests.
• chronograph watches equipped with a regulating organ tourbillon and able to display the current time with great precision.
• stopwatches can sometimes measure and display durations
• a regulating member that provides excellent accuracy for measuring the current time may be poor or unsuitable for measuring a timed duration.
• the number of alternations per unit of time determines the temporal resolution of the regulator.
• a mechanical watch displaying the seconds of the current time must comprise a regulating member performing at least 3,600 vibrations per hour.
• the usual regulating bodies perform 28,800 or sometimes 36 ⁇ 00 vibrations per hour, which makes it possible to measure the time with a resolution of 0.125 or 0.1 seconds respectively.
• the temporal resolution is improved, which makes it possible to count shorter time intervals.
• An improved temporal resolution is especially useful for chronographs, for which a temporal resolution of the tenth or hundredth of a second, or more finely, is sometimes desired.
• a high oscillation frequency however, generates a higher energy consumption, especially at the exhaust, which reduces the power reserve of the watch. For this reason, the oscillation frequency chosen is usually a compromise between the resolution requirements of the chronograph and the desire to maintain as high a power reserve as possible for the display of the current time.
• the international application WO03 / 065130 describes a dual movement in which the barrel and the regulating organ are split.
• One of the regulating members which oscillates at high frequency and is powered by its own barrel, serves to adjust the chronograph function while the other regulating member, slower, is used for counting and displaying the current time.
• the construction allows to realize a chronograph watch able to measure the time with a resolution of the hundredth of a second, without affecting the power reserve of the basic movement used for the display of the current time.
• the power reserve of the chronograph is adapted to the maximum duration that one wishes and can time with a given precision.
• Chronographs are usually used for short durations. Therefore, even an unacceptable run error for the very long durations required to display the current time only results in a small deviation during the short periods measured by the chronograph. If this principle is commonly accepted at the usual frequencies of 4 and 5 Hz, it is no longer acceptable for high-end chronographs operating at higher frequencies and especially in the case where it is desired to ensure optimum accuracy for a certain period of time. measure to the user.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a chronograph watch movement free of the limitations of known movements.
• Another object of the invention is to propose a chronograph watch movement which makes it possible to measure durations
• a first time measurement system comprising a first regulating member, a first transmission chain and a first set of indicators for indicating the current time
• a second time measurement system comprising a second regulating member, a second transmission chain and a second set of indicators for indicating a timed duration
• the second regulating member comprises a vortex
• the first transmission chain is kinematically linked to the first regulating member and the first set of indicators to indicate the current time, so that the first regulating member adjusts the march of the first set of indicators through of the first transmission chain,
• the invention starts from the observation that the high-frequency regulating members that can now be made open new fields of application to vortices.
• a tourbillon dedicated to the chronograph can improve the accuracy of the measurement of time timed by the chronograph.
• the use of a tourbillon dedicated to the chronograph is particularly useful since the chronograph is often used in vertical or near vertical position when the user looks at his dial.
• a tourbillon is advantageous in the context of a sporting use during which shocks or vibrations disturb the spiral spring; its rotation makes it easier to smooth out errors
• the use of a dual chain also allows, from the same base, to make several watches adapted to different uses by changing only the regulating organ of the chronograph.
• the present invention also relates to a watch equipped with two vortices which perform rotations at different speeds from each other, regardless of the function assigned to these two vortices.
• the present invention also relates to a watch equipped with two vortices which perform rotations at speeds independent of each other, regardless of the function assigned to these two vortices.
• tourbillon should be interpreted in this application in its widest acceptance, and also includes regulating members rotating in a cage at a frequency different from the rotation frequency of the usual vortices.
• the vortex can rotate continuously or jerkily.
• the tourbillon can be constituted by a carousel. Each vortex can rotate around an axis perpendicular to the platen, or around an axis not perpendicular to the platen, or simultaneously around several axes.
• the first regulating member may comprise another vortex.
• the first regulating member may comprise another vortex oriented differently than the tourbillon intended for the chronograph.
• the first regulating member may also be devoid of vortex.
• the first regulating member oscillates at a first oscillation frequency and the second regulating member oscillates at a second oscillation frequency which may be greater than the first oscillation frequency.
• the accuracy or resolution for time measurement with the chronograph is better than for the measurement of time.
• the duration of rotation of the first vortex dedicated to the measurement of the current time may be greater than the rotation time of the second vortex dedicated to the measurement of a timed duration. So, the second vortex performs finer averaging of errors due to a variable orientation of movement during the duration measurement.
• the two measurement chains are not coupled. This means that the position of each indicator depends only on one of the two regulating organs.
• the first time measuring system may comprise a first barrel and the second time measuring system may comprise a second barrel.
• the first time measurement system may comprise one or more barrels.
• the second time measurement system may comprise one or more barrels.
• the second barrel (or barrels) can be arranged to be unloaded independently of the first barrel (or barrels) when the chronograph is started.
• the use of the chronograph does not affect the power reserve of the first system for measuring and displaying the current time. There is no energy transfer between the two barrels.
• the torque required to drive the second measurement system does not create any disturbance on the first measurement system.
• the watch movement comprises a chronograph start button for starting the measurement of a timed duration by means of the second time measuring system, and a launcher for actuating the rotation of the second vortex when the start button.
• the second time measuring system, and in particular the second vortex can thus be stopped when the chronograph is not used, and started almost instantaneously thanks to the launcher when the chronograph is started.
• the launcher may include an elastically deformable member to accumulate energy and restore it almost instantly when the start button is actuated.
• the second time measuring system may comprise a pendulum.
• the launcher can be arranged to move in a plane different from that of said pendulum. So, the planar clutter of the launcher-pendulum assembly is minimal, since at least a part of the pendulum can be above or above the pendulum.
• the second time measuring system may comprise a spiral mounted on an axis.
• the launcher can be arranged to give a pulse on this axis when the start button is actuated.
• the launcher may be arranged to pulse a hub or a range of that axis when the start button is actuated.
• One of the regulating members may comprise a rocker above the spiral, and the other regulating member may comprise a rocker below the spiral.
• the two pendulums can be in different planes, which reduces the overall size.
• the two spirals can be in different planes.
• the two vortices can be simultaneously visible on the same face of the movement, for example on the front face.
• Figure 1 illustrates in block diagram form a watch movement according to the invention.
• Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view from above of the main elements of the movement, the plate and the bridges have been removed to improve readability.
• Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view from below the main elements of the movement, the plate and the bridges have been removed to improve readability.
• FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically illustrates a mechanical watch movement according to the invention.
• FIGS. 2 and 3 One possible embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the illustrated movement comprises a dual chain, that is to say a first time measurement system 1 for measuring and displaying the current time, and a second time measurement system 2 intended for the measurement and display of a timed duration. Measurement chains may also be provided for measuring and displaying a second timed measurement, a second time zone, etc.
• the first measuring system 1 comprises a cylinder 13 with a high power reserve, for example 40 hours or more, whose energy is transmitted to a first transmission chain 12 based on gears and / or belts , to cause indicators of the current time 120, for example hours, minutes, seconds hands, date discs, or other indicators allowing the user to determine the current time.
• the cylinder 13 can be reassembled
• An exhaust 1 1 makes it possible to brake and regulate the winding chain 12 so that the indicators move in an isochronous manner.
• the exhaust may for example be a Swiss lever escapement, or any other suitable exhaust.
• the exhaust transmits a portion of the energy from the barrel 13 to a first regulating member 10 which regulates the operation of the exhaust.
• the first regulating member comprises in this example a first balance 102 and a first balance spring 101.
• the first beam 102 may be of variable inertia type with fine adjustment parietal weights. It performs a first number of alternations per hour, for example 21 '600 vibrations per hour or 28,800 vibrations per hour. The number of alternations of the first pendulum is
• the first regulating member 10 is preferably mounted in a cage 100 in rotation and meshing with a fixed gear. It is therefore a whirlpool, for example a classic whirlpool or a carousel.
• the cage 100 comprises vertical pillars 105.
• the first vortex for example, performs one complete revolution per minute, and makes it possible to compensate for the effects of gravity on the operation of the first measurement system during long periods of measurement.
• the second measuring system 2 comprises a barrel 23 whose energy is transmitted to a second transmission chain 22 based on gears and / or belts, to cause indicators 220 of duration timed and display durations measured by the chronograph between pressing a start button and pressing a chronograph stop button.
• the barrel 23 can be manually raised by means of an unillustrated crown and / or automatically by means of a not shown oscillating mass.
• the second barrel 23 is raised by the same ring and / or by the same winding mass as the first barrel 13. It is also possible to use a single barrel, or barrel assembly, for two measuring systems. The use of two barrels or sets of separate barrels, however, avoids disturbance of the first measurement system when the chronograph is engaged, and to use the chronograph without affecting the power reserve of the watch.
• a second exhaust 21 makes it possible to brake and regulate the winding chain 22 so that the chronograph indicators move in an isochronous manner.
• the exhaust 21 may for example be a Swiss lever escapement, or any other suitable exhaust.
• the exhaust transmits a portion of the energy from the barrel 23 to a second regulating member 20 which regulates the operation of the
• the second regulating member comprises in this example a second balance 202 and a second balance 201. It is also possible to provide a second regulating member without a balance.
• the axis of the second regulating member, and the balance if there is a balance, performs a second number of alternations per hour, for example 360 ⁇ 00 vibrations per hour or more.
• the number of alternations of the second regulating member is voluntarily high in order to guarantee a high precision and a high resolution of the second measurement system, for example a resolution sufficient for a duration measurement with a resolution of the order of a hundredth of a second, or even a thousandth of a second.
• the second regulating member 20 is preferably mounted in a cage 200 in rotation and meshing with a fixed gear.
• the cage is preferably very simplified and is reduced to an arm bridge provided with a shockproof and which rotates the end of the balance shaft. This system makes it possible to release the beam laterally in order to be able to start it from its stop position.
• the cage is indeed devoid of vertical pillars on the outside of the balance, to allow a launcher 204 controlled from the column wheel to give a pulse to the balance or any other part of the regulating organ regardless of the position angular second regulating organ, without being bothered by these pillars. The second vortex can be stopped and restarted at your leisure.
• the second regulating member although lacking a conventional cage, nevertheless constitutes a vortex, for example a classic tourbillon or a carousel.
• the second vortex for example, performs a complete revolution in a few seconds, for example a revolution in 5 seconds or in less than 5 seconds, and makes it possible to compensate for the effects of gravity on the operation of the second measurement system during short periods of time. measuring, with a finer averaging than that of the first vortex but at the cost of greater energy consumption.
• the watch movement comprises a start button not shown to start the measurement of a timed duration by means of the second time measurement system 2, and a launcher 204 to actuate the rotation of the second vortex when the button start up is in a hurry.
• the second system of time measurement, and in particular the second vortex can thus be stopped when the chronograph is not used, and started almost instantaneously thanks to the launcher when the chronograph is started.
• the launcher comprises an elastically deformable element, for example a spring blade, for accumulating energy and restoring it almost instantaneously when the start button is actuated.
• the launcher may be arranged to move in the manner of a whip in a plane different from that of the balance 202 of the second regulating member 20.
• the planar bulk of the launcher-pendulum assembly is minimal, as At least a portion of the launcher may be above or above the pendulum.
• the launcher may be pressed against the balance 202, against the axis of this beam, or against a hub of this axis when the chronograph is stopped, in order to block this axis.
• the launcher 204 can be raised when the chronograph is armed, and released to whip the axis of the second regulating member and give it a pulse to rotate it almost instantaneously when the chronograph start button is pressed.
• the chronograph is armed, and released to whip the axis of the second regulating member and give it a pulse to rotate it almost instantaneously when the chronograph start button is pressed.
• chronograph does not need to be armed and the launcher 204 merely gives a pulse when the chronograph start button is pressed.
• the vortex of the second regulating member 20 may be oriented along an axis different from that of the first regulating member 10.
• the first vortex dedicated to the measurement of the current time may be oriented in an optimized manner for use of the movement held horizontally or almost horizontally when the user is sitting or lying down.
• the second tourbillon dedicated to the chronograph can be oriented in an optimized way for a use of the movement held vertically or almost vertically when the user looks at his watch.
• the second vortex can be a one-axis, two-axis, or three-axis vortex.
• One of the regulating members 10, 20 may comprise a rocker above the hairspring, and the other regulating member 20, 10 may comprise a rocker below the hairspring.
• the two balances are then in different planes, which reduces the total size. This arrangement further allows the launcher 204 to move in a plane that is not encumbered by the balance of the first regulating organ.
• the two spirals can also be in different planes.
• the two regulating members are preferably mounted on the same frame or plate, and visible from the same face of the movement. Preferably, the two vortices are visible from the front of the movement.
• the regulating organ 20 dedicated to the chronograph is preferably placed near the center of the movement, in order to be able to drive a needle in the center of the tenths, hundredths or thousandths of a second with a minimum of intermediate references, and thus to reduce the inertia of the system to allow a start and a near instantaneous stop of this needle.
• the regulating organ 20 of the chronograph is placed in an imaginary circle coaxial with said movement and having a radius less than 50% of the maximum external radius of said movement,
• the regulating organ 20 of the chronograph is preferably placed closer to the center of the movement than the first regulating organ 10 dedicated to the display of the current time.
• the anchor wheel of the second regulating member directly drives a needle of the
• this anchor wheel drives the needle in the center of the movement through a gear chain having a single mobile to reverse the direction of rotation given by the anchor wheel.

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

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• 2013
  • 2013-01-08 WO PCT/EP2013/050239 patent/WO2013104634A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2013-01-08 EP EP13700145.9A patent/EP2802944B1/de active Active

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