EP2824518B1 - Micrometric adjustment of the shake of a clock mobile - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clockwork movement comprising at least one carrying structure of at least one mobile, the frage of said at least one mobile relative to said at least one structure being adjustable by means of an adjusting device micrometric, according to an axis of pivot relative to said structure, said device comprising at least one pivot bearing of said mobile, said at least one bearing defining at least one axial stop of said mobile in the axial direction of said axis, said device comprising at least a first variable thickness adjustment stage in said axial direction, which first adjustment stage comprises, on the one hand, a first component provided with first accessible pivoting drive means for driving them by a tool and carrying said bearing, and on the other hand a second component on which said first component is pushed by at least one elastic return means, said second component (8) being directly attached to said structure, said first component having a first evolutive contact surface in said axial direction as a function of the angular position, and said second component having a second evolutive contact surface in said axial direction as a function of the angular position, cooperating in contact with said first contact surface under the action of said elastic return means, said first evolutive contact surface and said second evolutive contact surface enabling said first adjustment stage to be free of threading and tapping.

The invention relates to the field of watch movements, and more particularly to the field of guiding watchmobiles and their adjustment.

Background of the invention

The setting of the frolicking of a watch mobile is a delicate operation carried out by highly qualified personnel, often by plastic deformation of a structural element, bridge or the like, or by stripping a stone and its sound. rechassage. The mechanisms rarely incorporate adjustment means, because of the very small desired adjustment ranges, of a few microns or a few hundredths of a millimeter at most, that conventional micrometric means such as thread-tapping assemblies do not make it possible to obtain because of the necessary functional clearances, greater than the control ranges desired. In addition, any adjustment mechanism necessarily has a size that is rarely compatible with that of the watch movement.

The document CH 339 136 A in the name of ERARD TECHNICAL OFFICE, describes a horological bearing comprising, arranged concentrically, a member constituting the bearing body and a central member carrying at least one bearing. The axial position of the central member can be adjusted by rotating it relative to the bearing body.

The document CH 356 090 A in the name of SEITZ & CO describes a bearing with axial abutment member removably mounted in a bearing body having one of the projections which cooperate with helical ramps that comprises a kitten constituting this axial abutment element.

The document US 4,192,136 A in the name of ROBINSON describes an axial adjustment mechanism in a timepiece, based on the cooperation of sectors of helical ramps.

The document US 2010/188941 A1 in the name of SEIKO (FUJIEDA HISASHI) discloses a bearing structure, with a fully axial configuration, rotatably supporting a front end portion of a wheel shaft relative to a base body, comprising: a bearing, a bearing support body supporting the bearing and having a male screw portion on an outer peripheral surface of the wheel shaft, and an adjusting nut having a female screw portion threadingly engaged with the male screw portion of the bearing support body, regulated in its displacement in the direction of extension of the wheel shaft by the base body, and adapted to adjust the position of the bearing relative to the direction of extension of the shaft by via the bearing support member.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to integrate a micrometer function frolicking adjustment to a clock mechanism, with sensitivity allowing adjustment of a few micrometers, in a space reduced in thickness, and adaptable to an existing movement at the cost of limited transformations and inexpensive structural components in which are housed the bearings of the mobile which we want to adjust the frolicking. The invention must allow frolicking without disassembly of the pre-assembled assembly, by an external intervention by means of a tool.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a clockwork movement comprising at least one carrier structure of at least one mobile, including the frost of said at least one mobile with respect to said at least one structure is adjustable by means of a micrometric adjustment device, according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un dispositif de réglage micrométrique d'ébat d'un mobile horloger selon l'invention, réalisé sous la forme d'une première variante d'un boîtier équipé comportant des moyens de réglage en position d'un palier selon une direction axiale, manoeuvrables par un outil au niveau d'une fente ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective éclatée, les composants du boîtier équipé de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un premier composant comportant une première surface de contact évolutive constituée de trois tronçons de came en hélice ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un deuxième composant comportant une deuxième surface de contact évolutive constituée de trois tronçons de came en hélice, complémentaire de la première surface de contact de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, au moins un moyen de rappel élastique, réalisés sous forme d'un ressort étampé poussant le premier composant de la figure 3 sur le deuxième composant de la figure 4, qui constituent ensemble un premier étage de réglage d'ébat ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, une deuxième variante de boîtier équipé avec deux étages de réglage ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective éclatée, les composants du boîtier équipé de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe passant par l'axe de pivotement du mobile, le boîtier équipé de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe passant par l'axe de pivotement du mobile, une structure comportant un lamage dans lequel sont intégrés les moyens de réglage de l'ébat du palier, selon l'invention ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon partielle et similaire à la figure 8, une réalisation avantageuse de l'invention ;
• la figure 11 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mouvement d'horlogerie avec une structure porteuse un mobile, dont l'ébat par rapport à cette structure est réglable par le moyen d'un dispositif de réglage micrométrique selon l'invention.

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 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a micrometric adjustment device of a watchmaker according to the invention, realized in the form of a first variant of an equipped housing comprising adjustment means in the position of a bearing in an axial direction, operable by a tool at a slot;
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and exploded perspective, the components of the housing equipped with the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 schematically shows in perspective a first component comprising a first evolutionary contact surface consisting of three helical cam sections;
• the figure 4 represents schematically and in perspective, a second component comprising a second evolutive contact surface consisting of three helical cam sections, complementary to the first contact surface of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 represents schematically and in perspective, at least one elastic return means, made in the form of a stamped spring pushing the first component of the figure 3 on the second component of the figure 4 which together constitute a first stage of frolicking;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in perspective, a second housing variant equipped with two adjustment stages;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically and exploded perspective, the components of the housing equipped with the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 represents, schematically and in section passing through the axis of pivoting of the mobile, the housing equipped with the figure 1 ;
• the figure 9 represents, schematically and in section passing through the axis of pivoting of the mobile, a structure comprising a counterbore in which are integrated the means for adjusting the bearing of the bearing, according to the invention;
• the figure 10 represents, in a partial way and similar to the figure 8 an advantageous embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 11 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece comprising a clockwork movement with a mobile carrying structure, whose play with respect to this structure is adjustable by means of a micrometric adjustment device according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of guiding of watchmakers and their adjustment.

The invention is illustrated with the adjustment of the frog at a single pivoting guide bearing of a mobile. Naturally it is possible to equip each guide bearing in pivoting of a mobile with a similar mechanism.

The invention relates to a clockwork movement 100 comprising at least one structure 3 carrying at least one clockwork mobile 2, which pivots about a pivot axis D with respect to a carrier structure 3. The frosting of this at least one mobile 2 relative to this at least one structure 3 is adjustable by means of a micrometric adjustment device 1. In another embodiment, the frost is adjustable by means of a housing equipped 20 exposed further.

This micrometric adjustment device 1 comprises at least one bearing 4 for pivoting the mobile 2. This bearing 4 defines at least one axial stop of the mobile 2 in the axial direction of the axis D. By step 4 is meant, in the broad sense, the guiding function of the mobile 2: the actual pivoting guide, the possible axial support, the possible anti-shock damper, this bearing 4 is in one or more parts, and can in particular be made integrally, silicon , "Liga" or "MEMS" technology, incorporating radial guidance, axial support, and shock absorption.

The device 1 comprises at least a first adjustment stage 5, which is free of threading and tapping, and whose thickness is variable in the axial direction, according to the relative setting of the components it comprises: firstly a first component 6 provided with pivoting driving means 7 accessible for their drive by a tool (screwdriver or key or the like) and bearing carrier 4 (which can also be integrated), and secondly a second component 8 on which is pushed the first component 6 by at least one elastic return means 9.

This second component 8 is attached to the structure 3, either directly as in the variant of FIG. figure 9 according to the invention, or via at least one housing 10 according to another embodiment as in the case of Figures 1, 2 , 6 and 8 . It is still conceivable to fix it via at least one other adjustment stage 50 of variable thickness in the axial direction as in the case of Figures 6 and 7 , provided that each of the stages can be locked angularly.

The elastic return means 9 are supported on the structure 3, either directly as in the variant of the figure 9 or via at least one housing 10 as in the case of Figures 1, 2 , and 6 to 8 .

In the case of Figures 1, 2 , and 6 to 8 , the elastic return means 9 are thus supported on the structure 3 by means of at least one housing 10, and the second component 8 is fixed to this housing 10 in a fixed position in the axial direction and in a position fixed angle.

In a particular embodiment, as visible on the Figures 2, 5 and 9 , the elastic return means 9 (in particular in the form of a stamped spring) comprise first indexing means 91, for example peripheral claws or notches, for their angular positioning relative to the housing 10 which comprises first complementary indexing means 11, for example notches or bosses respectively. The elastic return means 9 also comprise second indexing means 92, such as notches or notches for their angular positioning relative to the first component 6, which face opposite complementary means, not illustrated so as not to overload the figures, such as notches or pins respectively.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated by the figures, the first component 6 comprises a first contact surface 16 that can be scaled in the axial direction as a function of the angular position, and the second component 8 has a second contact surface 18 that is scalable in the axial direction. function of the angular position. This second contact surface 18 cooperates in contact with the first contact surface 16 under the action of at least one elastic return means 9.

It will be understood that, according to the relative angle between the first component 6 and the second component 8, the contacting surfaces correspond to a particular height, thus the overall thickness of the stage 5 formed by the stacking of these components. two components depends on the angular offset between them. Advantageously, the contact surfaces are designed so that at a given offset angle corresponds to a particular total thickness value, which provides reproducibility, and allows, if necessary, to scale the visible face of the second component 8 facing the drive means 7 (here a radial right slot) to indicate to the user the resulting change in frog.

In a preferred variant illustrated in the figures, at least the first contact surface 16 or the second contact surface 18 comprises at least one helical annular cam track, tangent along its entire width with any radial perpendicular to the axial direction. The antagonistic contact surface may comprise a relief such as another cam, a succession of steps, or a succession of bosses or notches, or other. Moreover, each of the contact surfaces can be made according to one of these examples, but the variant with a very low pitch cam is preferred in the case of the invention because it allows a continuous adjustment, a very small axial variation for a large angular deflection and therefore a high sensitivity. In addition, its low slope ensures sufficient friction for holding it in position. The friction provided by the elastic return means 9 fulfills the same function of holding in position.

In the preferred variant of the figures, both the first contact surface 16 and the second contact surface 18 each comprise at least one helical annular cam track, tangent along its entire width with any radial perpendicular to the axial direction.

And, even more particularly, the first contact surface 16 and the second contact surface 18 each comprise the same number of cam tracks (here three), of the same angular amplitude, and likewise no cam, and are arranged in complementarity. in profile. These low slope cams also have a small clean thickness, which is favorable for space saving and the integration of the frost control device 1 in a flat or ultra-flat movement.

The figure 10 shows a detail of a particular embodiment, wherein the return means 9 is a spring stamped in a spherical cap, and wherein the first component 6 comprises a guide surface 62 which cooperates in radial guiding with an antagonistic surface 102 of the housing 10. The first component 6 further comprises housings 61 for receiving and stopping in rotation of the lugs 92 of the spring 9 forming the indexing means 92, the housings 61 forming the complementary indexing means.

The invention also makes it possible to accumulate several adjustment stages, for example to have an enlarged adjustment amplitude, while having an adjustment for values of a few micrometers. In this case, the second component 8 is fixed to the structure 3 via at least one other adjustment stage 50 of variable thickness in the axial direction. This other stage 50 is preferably of similar composition to that of the first adjustment stage 5, and comprises, on the one hand a third component 60 provided with pivoting drive means 70 accessible for their drive by a tool, this third component 60 being secured to the second component 8 and having a third contact surface 160 opposite the second contact surface 18, and secondly a fourth component 80 carrying a fourth contact surface 180 cooperating with the third contact surface 160, this fourth component 80 being fixed to the structure 3, either directly or via at least one other adjustment stage. The Figures 6 and 7 illustrate such a two-stage mounting 5 and 50, with concentric adjustment means 7 and 70, accessible to the operator on the same side.

An alternative embodiment relates to an equipped housing 20 comprising such a device 1. It preferably comprises such a housing 10, which encloses at least one such first adjustment stage 5 and whose second component 8 is secured to the housing 10, and whose the elastic return means 9 are supported in the housing 10. Such an equipped housing 20 is a complete micrometric adjustment means, of small thickness, easy to accommodate in a bore or countersink of a structure 3. It constitutes a cabochon particular, integrating the bearing 4 and all or part of the functions of radial guidance, axial support, and shock absorption, and which has the advantage of providing an axial adjustment, for a similar size, barely higher than that of a classic cabochon. Naturally, the housing 10 may comprise an outer shoulder for mounting it in a smooth bore and resting on a face of a plate or a bridge. In the case of mounting in a countersink of the structure, the housing 10 may comprise a cylindrical outer diameter, and be removed or fixed in position by any known method of the watchmaker.

In the embodiment according to the invention illustrated by the figure 9 this movement 100 comprises a structure 3, which comprises a countersink 30 for receiving at least one such first adjustment stage 5 without threading and tapping. The first component 6 and the second component 8 of this stage 5 are guided in a bore 32 of the countersink 30, the second component 8 being directly attached to the structure 3, and the elastic return means 9 resting on the bottom 31 of the In a particular embodiment as illustrated, the second component 8 comprises a flange 81 fastened integrally to a shoulder 33 that includes the countersink 30.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 200 comprising at least one such movement 100.

The use of housings equipped with differentiated adjustment ranges makes it possible to adapt to several cases (range of adjustment of narrow amplitude or on the contrary very wide), for the same external bulk. The first and second components, as well as the housing, can be made by micro-injection, or according to "MEMS" type technologies, and require no machining, while the spring constituting the elastic return means is advantageously formed and cut by stamping. The only machining required is that of the structure for receiving the device according to the invention.

In short, the invention achieves the objectives of high sensitivity, ease of adjustment accessible to watchmaking personnel normal qualification, small footprint, reduced cost of implementation. It makes it possible to easily modify an existing template, by simply machining a bore or countersink in a deck or bridge, to integrate the frolicking setting function allowing the achievement of better chronometric performances, and therefore , a valuation of the timepiece receiving the caliber concerned.

Claims (7)

1. Timepiece movement (100) including at least one structure (3) carrying at least one wheel set (2), wherein the endshake of said at least one wheel set (2) with respect to said at least one structure (3) is adjustable by means of a micrometric adjustment device (1), along a pivot axis (D) relative to said structure (3), said device (1) including at least one pivot bearing (4) for said wheel set (2), said at least one bearing (4) defining at least one axial stop member for said wheel set (2) in said axial direction of said axis (D), said device (1) including at least a first adjustment stage (5) of variable thickness in said axial direction, which first adjustment stage (5) includes, on the one hand, a first component (6) provided with means for pivoting (7) accessible for operation by a tool and carrying said bearing (4), and on the other hand, a second component (8) onto which said first component (6) is pushed by at least one elastic return means (9), said second component (8) being directly fixed to said structure (3), said first component (6) including a first contact surface (16) that progresses in said axial direction as a function angular position, and said second component (8) including a second contact surface (18) that progresses in said axial direction as a function of angular position, cooperating in contact with said first contact surface (16) under the action of said elastic return means (9), said first progressive contact surface (16) and said second progressive contact surface (18) making it possible for said first adjustment stage (5) to be devoid of internal or external thread, characterized in that said elastic return means (9) are directly supported on said structure (3), and characterized in that said at least one structure (3) includes a counterbore (30) for receiving at least one said first adjustment stage (5), wherein said first component (6) and said second component (8) are guided in a bore (32) of said counterbore (30), said second component (8) being directly fixed to said structure (3), and said elastic return means (9) being supported on the bottom (31) of said counterbore (30).
2. Movement (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least said first contact surface (16) or said second contact surface (18) includes at least one annular helical cam path, tangent over its entire width with every radial line perpendicular to said axial direction.
3. Movement (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said first contact surface (16) and said second contact surface (18) each include at least one annular helical cam path, tangent over its entire width with every radial line perpendicular to said axial direction.
4. Movement (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first contact surface (16) and said second contact surface (18) each include the same number of cam paths, having the same angular amplitude, and the same cam pitch and are arranged with complementary profiles.
5. Movement (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said second component (8) is fixed to said structure (3) via at least one other adjustment stage (50) of variable thickness in said axial direction, and which includes, on the one hand, a third component (60) provided with pivoting means (70) accessible for operation by a tool, said third component (60) being integral with said second component (8) and including a third contact surface (160) opposite said second contact surface (18), and on the other hand, a fourth component (80) carrying a fourth contact surface (180) cooperating with said third contact surface (160), said fourth component (80) being fixed to said structure (3), either directly, or via at least one other adjustment stage (50).
6. Movement (100) according to any claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said second component (8) includes a collar (81) fixed integrally with a shoulder (33) comprised in said counterbore (30).
7. Timepiece (200) including at least one movement (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6.

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