EP2899598B1 - Stem-operated mechanism with secure extraction - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a control mechanism for a watch movement, comprising, in a housing of a plate that includes said mechanism, a control rod movable in a longitudinal direction, said rod having a groove cooperating with a stud that includes a puller for pivoting operation on said platen of said pull tab, which is held in position by a jumper, and said mechanism having a bridge cooperating with said platen to enclose said rod.

The invention also relates to a winding and setting mechanism comprising such a control mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one control mechanism and / or such a winding and setting mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such control mechanism and / or such a winding mechanism and setting time and / or such a watch movement.

The invention relates to the field of clock control mechanisms, in particular for watches.

Background of the invention

When dismounting a watch, it is necessary to extract the winding stem before being able to release the movement of its box. Generally, it is necessary to press on a pull tab, which frees the different organs of the stem mechanism of the rod itself.

When reassembling the watch, the rod is reintroduced by pressing again on this stud zipper. However, the pull tab race is generally not blocked and it is common that the rod mechanism members are out of their housing. In this case, disengage the movement and disassemble it so that the rod mechanism can be properly raised.

In addition, the pull tab is generally close to the winding pinion, and there is therefore a risk of damaging the teeth with the tool used during the extraction of the rod. In order to limit this risk, the input of the tool can be realized by an oblong hole or a groove, which requires a precise orientation of the tool, usually a screwdriver. If an improper tool is used, the shape hole is of no use. In addition, its shape complicates and increases the manufacture of the plate or the bridge concerned, which would be simpler if a cylindrical hole was made.

An improvement results from the use of a zipper pin screwed into the zipper. However, this zipper block does not really offer a limitation of the pull of the zipper, because it must be unscrewed to release the rod (instead of pressing on it in the usual mechanisms), and unscrewing too important brings risks similar to the general case. This execution is also more expensive, because of the threads and additional threads, and the screwing of this very small component, which makes this execution difficult to use for small movements.

We still know from the document US 1,087,525 in the name of BANNATYNE, a movement with spacers between platinum and bridge, and where the pull axis is such a spacer in several parts, one of which carries a groove that holds the zipper stamped, and is transversely movable relative to the rod, to at least partially release the rod of a fork that includes the pull in a plane perpendicular to the rod axis. This mechanism keeps the components in the movement during disassembly of the rod, but is however expensive to manufacture, and very bulky in the direction of the thickness of the movement.

The document CH 134 409 A in the name of SUTER & CIE UHRENFABRIK HAFIS describes a winding mechanism and time setting by zipper, where the pivot of the zipper is formed by a pin movable along its axis in the frame of the movement, and arranged in such a way that it is accessible from the rear face of the latter, and that it can be actuated as a push to push it with the zipper it carries, against a return spring tending to ensure assembly the zipper and the winding stem with each other.

The document CH 132 961 A in the name of MAMBRETTI MANLIO describes a fastening device of the time setting zipper, which has a cylindrical post whose one end is screwed into the pull tab, and the other forms a head that exceeds a few hundredths the barrel bridge to allow to exit the winding stem by simply pressing on this head, tenon and zipper being held in place by means of a spring plate, fixed on the plate and pressing the pull tab.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to develop a control mechanism rod, manufacturing, assembly, and disassembly economic, with a possibility of easy extraction of the rod, without risk of damage to neighboring components, including teeth.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a control mechanism with a limitation of the travel of the pull tab, by a stroke limiter which offers a simple alternative (manufacture and assembly) to the current systems and, moreover, allows a transformation of an existing rod mechanism without much modification.

Also, for this purpose, the invention relates to three alternative configurations for a control mechanism for a watch movement, these alternatives being defined in the independent claims 1, 2 and 7.

In the three variants, the invention defines a control mechanism for a watch movement, comprising, in a housing of a plate that includes said mechanism, a control rod movable in a longitudinal direction, said rod having a groove cooperating with a stud that includes a pull tab for pivoting operation on said platen of said pull tab, which is held in position by a jumper, and said mechanism comprising a bridge cooperating with said platen to enclose said rod.
In addition, the three variants are characterized in that said control mechanism comprises a means for limiting the stroke of said stud of said pull tab, this limiting means comprising a limiting piston, and in that said bridge comprises a housing in which is mobile said limiter piston, arranged to bear on one end of a trunnion that includes said puller under the application of a force in a transverse direction substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal direction, to allow the release of said rod after a race given said limiting piston. In addition, in the first alternative, said control mechanism further comprises a limiting bridge fixed or supported said bridge to immobilize a captive head of said limiter piston, said head limiting said stroke of said limiter piston.

In the second alternative, said housing comprises a tapping arranged to cooperate with a thread that comprises on at least a portion of its height in said transverse direction said limiter piston, which comprises a limiting head of said travel stroke relative to said bridge.

Finally, in the third alternative, the housing comprises a tapping arranged to cooperate with a thread which comprises on at least a portion of its height in said transverse direction said limiter piston, which comprises a limiting head of its travel stroke relative to said bridge. The invention also relates to a winding and setting mechanism comprising such a control mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one control mechanism and / or such a winding and setting mechanism.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such control mechanism and / or such a winding mechanism and setting time and / or such a watch movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe, la première alternative décrite ci-dessus
• la figure 2 une première variante de la deuxième alternative décrite ci-dessus;
• la figure 3 représente une deuxième variante de la deuxième alternative décrite ci-dessus;
• la figure 4 représente la troisième alternative décrite ci-dessus;
• la figure 5 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un mouvement qui comporte un mécanisme de remontage et de mise à l'heure, lequel comporte un mécanisme de commande selon l'invention;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, dans la première variante de la figure 1, un détail de la coopération entre un plot de tirette et une gorge de tige d'une part, et entre le tourillon de tirette et le piston limiteur, d'autre part.

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, the first alternative described above
• the figure 2 a first variant of the second alternative described above;
• the figure 3 represents a second variant of the second alternative described above;
• the figure 4 represents the third alternative described above;
• the figure 5 is a block diagram showing a watch having a movement which includes a winding and setting mechanism, which comprises a control mechanism according to the invention;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically and in perspective, in the first variant of the figure 1 , a detail of the cooperation between a pull tab and a stem groove on the one hand, and between the pull pin and the limiter piston, on the other hand.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of clock control mechanisms, in particular for watches.

It is here illustrated, without limitation, in an application to a winding and setting mechanism 200.

The invention relates to a control mechanism 100 for a watch movement. This control mechanism 100 comprises a plate 1 with a housing for receiving a control rod 10 movable in a longitudinal direction D. Usually, this rod 10 is movable in translation in this direction D, and in rotation around this same axis. This rod 10 comprises a groove 11, which cooperates with a stud 20 which comprises a pull tab 2 for pivoting operation, on the plate 1 of this pull tab 2. The pull tab 2 pivots, in a conventional manner, around a transverse axis T direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rod 10, and is held in position by a jumper 3, which cooperates with a pin 38 of the zipper 2, as visible on the figure 6 . The pull tab 2 comprises a pin 29, which is housed in a bore of the plate 1, to ensure its pivoting. The mechanism 100 further comprises a bridge 5, for example a barrel bridge, which cooperates with the plate 1 for enclosing the rod 10. This bridge 5 comprises a housing 54, which receives the end of the pin 29 when the rod 10 and the pull tab 2 are in the service position.

According to the invention, the control mechanism 100 comprises a limiter piston 6, which is movable in this housing 54. This limiter piston 6 is arranged to bear, by an end 65 which it comprises, on an end 21 of the trunnion. 29 under the application of a force in the transverse direction T, to allow the release of the rod 10 after a given stroke C of the limiter piston 6.

In a first alternative of visible realization on the figures 1 and 6 , the mechanism 100 comprises a limiting bridge 7 fixed or supported on the bridge 5, to immobilize captive a head 61 of the limiter piston 6 within the limit of this stroke C. This limiting bridge 7 can be fixed on the plate 1, or on a other bridge, and only support the bridge 5.

Preferably, this limiting bridge 7 comprises an orifice 71 allowing the passage of a tool to apply a force in the transverse direction T on the limiting piston 6.

The limiter piston 6 comprises, recessed from its head 61, a narrowed portion 64 which is its smallest diameter; this narrowed portion 64 is cylindrical in the particular example of the first variant of the figure 1 , and is movable in the housing 54 of the bridge 5.

Thus the limiting piston 6 is a spacer piece of very simple geometry and low production cost, which is inserted into the extraction hole of the rod. During the movement of the movement, it is therefore exerted on this limiting piston. Because of its geometry, it is not possible to move it beyond its support zone. The stroke is therefore limited by the head 61 of the limiter piston 6.

Another advantage is that the point of contact between the limiter piston 6 and the tool used is very far from the different teeth of the winding, including the winding pinion 4 in the case of a winding mechanism and setting time. There is no risk of injury, even with an inappropriate tool. Therefore, the conventional form of the bridge hole for orienting the tool, in order to avoid this risk, is no longer necessary, and can be replaced by a simple machining revolution, which simplifies the manufacture of the bridge .

In certain cases, in particular for reasons of space or cost, it is not possible to lock the limiter piston 6 by an upper bridge limiter 7 as in this first variant. In these cases, it may be considered tapping the extraction hole, and partially thread the limiter piston. Thus, once engaged in the extraction hole, the limiter piston can no longer come out without unscrewing. The operation remains the same as for the first run.

In particular, in a second alternative embodiment visible on the figure 2 , the housing 54 comprises a tapping 52 arranged to cooperate with a thread 62 that comprises on at least a portion of its height, in the transverse direction T, the limiter piston 6, which comprises a head 61 for limiting its stroke C of travel compared to the bridge 5.

Preferably, this threading 62 and this tapping 52 are limited to an insertion stroke of the limiting piston 6, at a distance from the pin 29, after which the insertion stroke the limiting piston 6 is pivotally free to come into contact with the pin 29 The narrowed portion 64 is located between the head 61 and the thread 62, and it slides freely in the tapping 52 of the bridge 5.

In order to avoid any confusion between the limiting pin 6 and a screw to be unscrewed, it is conceivable to reverse it so that the slot 66 which preferably comprises the limiter piston 6 is not visible on the bridge side: thus, in a variant of reverse realization with respect to this second alternative, and as visible on the figure 3 , the head 61 comprises flange 69, which is trapped between the tapping 52 and the plate 1. The tapped area serves to facilitate assembly, avoiding the limiter piston 6 does not fall when mounting the bridge 5. The narrowed portion 64 is located between the head 61 and the thread 62, and it slides freely in the tapping 52 of the bridge 5. Another variant, without tapping, can be made, in inverse configuration of the first variant of the figure 1 .

In a third visible alternative on the figure 4 in order to simplify the machining operations as much as possible, a limiting piston is used comprising an elastic part, in particular split: the limiting piston 6 comprises at least one slot 67, deforms when it is introduced into the extraction hole, and then remains a prisoner in its housing when it resumes its original geometry. Depending on the geometry of this part, it can be rendered indémontable or not, depending on the range of the caliber in which it is used. Thus, the limiting piston 6 is, at least in part, elastic, and the housing 54 has a shoulder 53 arranged to immobilize, after its introduction into the housing 54 by compression at least one elastic zone 63 of the limiting piston 6, this elastic zone 63 returned to the free state between this shoulder 53 and the plate 1. Another variant, not shown, consists in introducing the limiting piston 6 in the other sense, with the elastic part away from the zipper trunnion.

Conventionally, the trunnion 29, like the stud 20, which preferably extend in parallel directions, are movable in the transverse direction T. The jumper 3 allows a transverse stroke of the zipper 20 relative to the direction longitudinal D under the application of a force in the transverse direction T by the limiter piston 6 to allow removal or insertion of the rod 10.

Naturally it is possible to push the zipper 2 other than on its pivot point, this solution is preferred because it limits the effort to be applied, and does not deform the zipper.

The invention also relates to a winding and setting mechanism 200 comprising such a control mechanism 100.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 300 comprising at least one such control mechanism 100 and / or such a winding and setting mechanism 200.

The invention also relates to a watch 400 comprising at least one such control mechanism 100 and / or such a winding and setting mechanism 200 and / or such a watch movement 300.

• simplification de la fabrication du pont possédant le trou d'extraction;
• limitation de la course du tourillon de tirette par une pièce simple (pièce de décolletage ou de formage à froid) ;
• protection des dentures du remontage manuel.

The invention brings many advantages:

• simplification of the manufacture of the bridge having the extraction hole;
• limitation of the travel of the zipper pin by a single piece (free cutting or forming part);
• protection of the teeth of manual winding.

Claims (13)

1. Control mechanism (100) for a timepiece movement, including, in a housing of a main plate (1) comprised in said mechanism (100), a control stem (10) which is movable in a longitudinal direction (D), said stem (10) including a groove (11) cooperating with a stud (20) comprised in a pull-out piece (2) for actuating the pivoting of said pull-out piece (2) on said main plate (1), said pull-out piece (2) being held in position by a jumper spring (3), and said mechanism (100) including a bridge (5) cooperating with said main plate (1) to confine said stem (10), characterized in that said control mechanism (100) includes a means of limiting the travel of said stud (20) of said pull-out piece (2), via a travel limiter including a limiter piston (6), said bridge (5) includes a housing (54) in which said limiter piston (6) has mobility, said limiter piston is arranged to abut on one end of a trunnion (29) comprised in said pull-out piece (2) under the application of a force in a transverse direction (T) substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (D), to permit the release of said stem (10) after a given travel (C) of said limiter piston (6), and characterized in that said control mechanism (100) still includes a limiter bridge (7) which is fixed or abuts on said bridge (5) to immobilise and confine a head (61) of said limiter piston (6) within the limit of said travel (C).
2. Control mechanism (100) for a timepiece movement, including, in a housing of a main plate (1) comprised in said mechanism (100), a control stem (10) which is movable in a longitudinal direction (D), said stem (10) including a groove (11) cooperating with a stud (20) comprised in a pull-out piece (2) for actuating the pivoting of said pull-out piece (2) on said main plate (1), said pull-out piece (2) being held in position by a jumper spring (3), and said mechanism (100) including a bridge (5) cooperating with said main plate (1) to confine said stem (10), characterized in that said control mechanism (100) includes a means of limiting the travel of said stud (20) of said pull-out piece (2), via a travel limiter including a limiter piston (6), said bridge (5) includes a housing (54) in which said limiter piston (6) has mobility, said limiter piston is arranged to abut on one end of a trunnion (29) comprised in said pull-out piece (2) under the application of a force in a transverse direction (T) substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (D), to permit the release of said stem (10) after a given travel (C) of said limiter piston (6), and characterized in that said housing (54) includes an internal thread (52) arranged to cooperate with an external thread (62) comprised in said limiter piston (6) on at least part of the height thereof in said transverse direction (T), said limiter piston includes a head (61) for limiting said clearance travel (C) thereof with respect to said bridge (5).
3. Control mechanism (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said external thread (62) and said internal thread (52) are limited to an initial travel of said limiter piston (6), remote from said trunnion (29) after said initial travel said limiter piston (6) is free to pivot and come into contact with said trunnion (29).
4. Control mechanism (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said head (61) is confined between said internal thread (52) and said main plate (1).
5. Control mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said limiter bridge (7) includes an orifice (71) allowing the passage of a tool to apply a force in said transverse direction (T) on said limiter piston (6).
6. Control mechanism (100) according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that said housing (54) includes a shoulder (53) arranged, after insertion thereof into said housing (54) by compressing at least one elastic area (63) of said limiter piston (6), to immobilise said elastic area (63) returned to the free state between said shoulder (53) and said main plate (1).
7. Control mechanism (100) for a timepiece movement, including, in a housing of a main plate (1) comprised in said mechanism (100), a control stem (10) which is movable in a longitudinal direction (D), said stem (10) including a groove (11) cooperating with a stud (20) comprised in a pull-out piece (2) for actuating the pivoting of said pull-out piece (2) on said main plate (1), said pull-out piece (2) being held in position by a jumper spring (3), and said mechanism (100) including a bridge (5) cooperating with said main plate (1) to confine said stem (10), characterized in that said control mechanism (100) includes a means of limiting the travel of said stud (20) of said pull-out piece (2), via a travel limiter including a limiter piston (6), said bridge (5) includes a housing (54) in which said limiter piston (6) has mobility, said limiter piston is arranged to abut on one end of a trunnion (29) comprised in said pull-out piece (2) under the application of a force in a transverse direction (T) substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal direction (D), to permit the release of said stem (10) after a given travel (C) of said limiter piston (6), characterized in that said housing (54) includes a shoulder (53) arranged, after insertion thereof into said housing (54) by compressing at least one elastic area (63) of said limiter piston (6), to immobilise said elastic area (63) returned to the free state between said shoulder (53) and said main plate (1).
8. Winding and time-setting mechanism (200) including a control mechanism (100) according to claim 1 or 5.
9. Winding and time-setting mechanism (200) including a control mechanism (100) according to any of claims 2 to 4.
10. Timepiece movement (300) including at least one control mechanism (100) according to claim 1 or 5 and/or a winding and time-setting mechanism (200) according to claim 8.
11. Timepiece movement (300) including at least one control mechanism (100) according to any of claims 2 to 4 and/or a winding and time-setting mechanism (200) according to claim 9.
12. Watch (400) including at least one timepiece movement (300) according to claim 10.
13. Watch (400) including at least one timepiece movement (300) according to claim 11.

Images