EP3032358B1 - Chronograph mechanism for a clock movement - Google Patents

Chronograph mechanism for a clock movement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3032358B1
EP3032358B1 EP14197810.6A EP14197810A EP3032358B1 EP 3032358 B1 EP3032358 B1 EP 3032358B1 EP 14197810 A EP14197810 A EP 14197810A EP 3032358 B1 EP3032358 B1 EP 3032358B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mobile
wheel
driven
chronograph
friction
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP14197810.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3032358A1 (en
Inventor
Vincent Jolion
Mario Jose Vides de Oliveira
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Richemont International SA
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Richemont International SA
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Priority to EP14197810.6A priority Critical patent/EP3032358B1/en
Publication of EP3032358A1 publication Critical patent/EP3032358A1/en
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Classifications

    • 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
    • G04F7/0823—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement
    • G04F7/0828—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement acting in the plane of the movement
    • 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
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/02—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots
    • G04B13/021—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots elastic fitting with a spindle, axis or shaft
    • G04B13/023—Wheels; Pinions; Spindles; Pivots elastic fitting with a spindle, axis or shaft allowing rotational slipping when a threshold torque is exceeded
    • 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
    • G04F7/0842—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms
    • G04F7/0857—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms with single push-button or actuation member for start-stop and reset
    • 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
    • G04F7/0804—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms
    • G04F7/0809—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms with single hammers, i.e. one hammer acts on each counter
    • 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
    • G04F7/0823—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement
    • G04F7/0833—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement acting perpendicular to the plane of the movement
    • 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
    • G04F7/0823—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement
    • G04F7/0838—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with couplings between the chronograph mechanism and the base movement involving a tilting movement

Definitions

  • a main aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative construction of a chronograph mechanism of the type which has just been described, exhibiting few modifications with reference to known constructions, while using components of the conventional type, but allowing to answer at least in part to the aforementioned problems.
  • the present invention relates more particularly to a chronograph mechanism of the type mentioned above, characterized in that a mobile among the driving, transmission and driven moving parts comprises a friction wheel, mounted in friction on the shaft. correspondent and arranged to cooperate with the wheel of another mobile among the driving, driving, transmission and driven wheels, the kinematic link integrating the friction wheel in such a way that the driving wheel set and the display member are capable of being connected to each other by means of a friction.
  • the friction wheel can turn freely on its shaft when the value of the torque to be transmitted exceeds a predefined value.
  • the installation of a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft in the chronograph train makes it possible to lift the hammers only after the change of position of the clutch and to avoid in particular the jump of the chronograph seconds hand when starting the measurement of a time. Any offset between the teeth of the clutch wheels and of the chronograph wheel set is thus caught up by friction, without impacting the position of the display hand.
  • the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the transmission mobile and be arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the driven mobile, while the wheel of the transmission mobile is arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the leading mobile.
  • the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the clutch mobile to cooperate with the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile, while the first wheel (conventional) of the clutch mobile cooperates with the wheel on the field.
  • the friction wheel is mounted in friction on the shaft of the driven mobile and is arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the transmission mobile while the first wheel of the driven mobile is intended to control the movements of a display unit.
  • the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the chronograph seconds wheel set by being arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the clutch wheel set, the latter itself cooperating. with the wheel on the field, in a conventional manner.
  • the reset hammers fall on the heart-shaped cams carried by the seconds, minutes and possibly hours chronograph wheels, to make them turn quickly and reposition the display members in their position. rest position.
  • the minute chronograph mobile is generally driven by jumps from the seconds chronograph mobile when measuring time. This drive is typically carried out by a finger arranged in such a way that it can be retracted when resetting, if necessary.
  • the construction according to the present invention makes it possible for example to implement a simplified construction to ensure the drive of the minute chronograph mobile, having a kinematic connection, from a driving wheel, in which is involved a mounted wheel. friction on his shaft.
  • the chronograph minute mobile can be driven from the central mobile of the watch movement with which the chronograph mechanism is associated.
  • the central mobile fulfills the role of driving mobile for the chronograph minutes mobile, which it advantageously drives via a transmission mobile comprising an intermediate mobile.
  • the intermediate mobile or the chronograph minutes mobile then advantageously comprises a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft.
  • the driving wheel ensuring the driving of the chronograph minute mobile unit can be a chronograph seconds mobile unit, this drive being carried out via an intermediate wheel unit comprising a shaft intended to be pivotally mounted on the corresponding watch movement and carrying a wheel. friction assembly.
  • the wheels of the chronograph train can advantageously each have a toothing having an NIHS 20-25 tooth profile.
  • This profile conventional in cogs other than those of chronograph mechanisms, makes it possible to ensure better efficiency than the triangular profiles generally used in particular between the clutch wheel and the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile.
  • the use of such a tooth profile makes it possible to avoid a jerking of the display hand of the seconds of the measured times without having to use the conventional friction spring.
  • the friction wheel (frictionally assembled on its shaft) and the wheel with which it cooperates each have a micro-modulus toothing.
  • the first wheels associated with wheels other than the second wheel preferably each have small modulus teeth.
  • the present invention also relates to a horological movement comprising a chronograph mechanism having the characteristics which have just been described, as well as a timepiece provided with such a horological movement.
  • the figures 1 , 2 and 3 show the same top view of a part of a watch movement 1 comprising a chronograph mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latter being visible through its bridge side in first, second and third states of respective operation. More precisely, the figure 1 illustrates the chronograph mechanism in its idle state after reset to zero (RESET operating mode), the figure 2 illustrates this mechanism during the measurement of a time (START operating mode) and, the figure 3 illustrates this mechanism after stopping the measurement of a time, before resetting its counters to zero (STOP function mode).
  • RESET operating mode reset to zero
  • STOP function mode the mechanism after stopping the measurement of a time, before resetting its counters to zero
  • the figures 1 , 2 and 3 illustrate, in a simplified manner, the main elements of the chronograph mechanism making it possible to drive conventional display members, namely chronograph seconds hands and chronograph minutes (not visible).
  • This movement 1 comprises frame elements including in particular a bridge 2, on which are mounted mobiles, levers, levers and other watch components, of which only those related to the chronograph mechanism are illustrated and will be described in detail in this presentation. .
  • These components could be mounted on a plate, as an alternative, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the chronograph mechanism has 10 chronograph (or chronograph seconds counter) and 20 minute counters.
  • Each of these counters includes a mobile (whose wheel 11, 21 is visible) intended to be driven in relation to a time base (that of the finishing gear or a time base specific to the chronograph) and is arranged to drive in rotation. a measured time display member (not shown).
  • the mobile minute counter 20 also comprises a second wheel 23 which is mounted in friction on the shaft of this mobile, the role of which will be explained below.
  • Each counter also comprises a heart-shaped cam 12, 22, each cam being integral in rotation with the corresponding display member and intended to cooperate with a suitable surface of a corresponding reset hammer 14, 24.
  • the chronograph mechanism illustrated here by way of non-limiting example is of the type comprising a column wheel 30.
  • the latter can be driven in rotation on itself by a hook 32, integral with a control 34 whose pivoting can be. controlled, in a conventional manner, from a pusher 35.
  • the chronograph mechanism illustrated and described in this example is of the three-stroke single-push-button type, in other words a complete operating cycle corresponds to three steps of the column wheel 30.
  • each pressure on the push-button 35 causes the column wheel 30 to rotate by one step, causing the chronograph function to pass successively from a state at rest (RESET mode) to a state for measuring a time (START mode), from the state of measurement of a time (START mode) in a stopped state (STOP mode) or of the stopped state (STOP mode) in the idle state (RESET mode).
  • the alternation of full (the columns) and voids acts on various rockers to activate or deactivate functions relating to the measurement of time intervals.
  • the column wheel cooperates in particular with a clutch lever 36, carrying a clutch mobile 38 and pivotally mounted on the frame between a first position, rest or disengaged, and a second position, drive or engaged.
  • the clutch lever 36 is arranged here to establish or interrupt a kinematic connection in the chronograph train, and to allow the drive of driven mobiles, here the chronograph counters 10 and 20, from a finishing train (not shown), by means of a driving mobile, here a seconds wheel 40 commonly called wheel on the field with regard to the counter 10, and by either a center mobile (not visible) or the chronograph wheel 11 for what concerns the counter 20.
  • the clutch mobile plays the role of a transmission mobile between the driving mobile and at least one driven mobile.
  • the driving wheel is here driven by a driving wheel set (not visible), itself driven from a power source of the watch movement, possibly via a finishing gear.
  • the minute counter mobile 20 is, in this embodiment, driven by the center (or minutes) mobile of the watch movement, via an intermediate mobile 42 which permanently meshes with the wheel 23 of the watch movement. counter 20.
  • the minute counter 20 can instead be driven, again via an intermediate mobile 142, from the seconds counter 10 when the latter is engaged with the clutch mobile 38. According to this variant, it is the mobile 142 and not the mobile 20 which comprises a wheel mounted in friction on the shaft of the mobile.
  • Column wheel 30 also cooperates with brakes 44 and 46, the function of which is, typically, to maintain fixed the angular position, respectively, of chronograph wheel 11 and of the counter wheel. 21 minutes, when the measurement of a time is interrupted, before resetting.
  • the column wheel 30 is arranged to cooperate with the seconds reset hammer 14, while the latter itself cooperates with the minutes reset hammer 24 via a first jaw. 48, so that the two hammers are synchronized.
  • the seconds hammer 14 comprises a second nose 50 which may or may not cooperate with the columns of the column wheel 30 to define the angular position of the hammer.
  • the hammers are capable of moving, in a conventional manner, between a position at rest, in which each of them bears against the heart-shaped cam with which it is associated, and a raised position, in which each of them is remote from the heart-shaped cam with which it is associated to leave the corresponding wheel 11, 21 free to rotate and perform the measurement of a time.
  • the figure 1 illustrates the watch movement while the chronograph mechanism is in its idle state (RESET mode).
  • the hammers 14 and 24 are positioned to bear against the heart-shaped cams 12, 22 to keep the measured time display members stationary, in their position corresponding to the measurement of zero time.
  • the brakes 44 and 46 are here preferably positioned at a distance from the wheels 11 and 21.
  • the brakes could also be positioned resting against the wheels 11 and 21, in this state, without departing from the scope of the present invention. invention.
  • the clutch lever 36 is positioned in its disengaged position, resting on a column of the column wheel 30, such that the kinematic connection between the field wheel 40 and the chronograph wheel 11 is not established, the clutch mobile 38 not meshing not with chronograph wheel 11 in this configuration.
  • the friction wheel 23 of the minute counter mobile 20 engages permanently with a wheel of the intermediate mobile 42, while the other wheel of this intermediate mobile 42 meshes with the central mobile of the watch movement. Since the hammer 24 acting against the heart 22 maintains the wheel 21 of the minute counter 20 in the zero position, there is a disengagement between the wheels 21 and 23 thanks to the friction of the wheel 23, and the wheel 21 remains stationary.
  • Pressing the pusher 35 rotates the column wheel 30 by one step, via the control 34, to position it in its configuration illustrated on the figure. figure 2 , corresponding to the measurement of a time (START mode).
  • the clutch mobile 38 then engages with the chronograph wheel 11.
  • the brakes 44 and 46 remain supported on the same columns as in the configuration at rest in order to stay away from the chronograph wheels 11 and 21.
  • the clutch mobile 38 acts as a transmission mobile between the field wheel 40 and the chronograph wheel 11. No longer being blocked by the hammer 24, acting against the heart 22, the wheel chronograph minutes 21 engages with the wheel 23 so that the wheel 21 is driven by the center mobile of the watch movement, via the mobile 42 also fulfilling the role of a transmission mobile.
  • the hammer 14 remains resting on the same column as in the previous phase, while the brakes 44 and 46 are released, before the rise of the lever 36, by shifting the columns on which they have rested until then, and can fall on the chronograph wheels 11 and 21 minutes to lock them in their respective positions, under the effect of the action of their respective springs 58 and 60.
  • the figure 4 illustrates a simplified perspective view of a first construction detail of the chronograph train which has just been described.
  • FIG 4 illustrates more clearly the mode of cooperation between the driving, transmission and driven wheels, that is to say between the field wheel 40, the clutch wheel 38 and the chronograph wheel 11.
  • the clutch or transmission wheel set comprises a first wheel 68 arranged in permanent engagement with the wheel on the field 40, in a conventional manner.
  • the present invention provides for the arrangement of a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft in the chronograph train.
  • This wheel is here a second wheel 70 mounted in friction on the shaft 72 of the clutch mobile 38.
  • a bridge 73 is integral with the clutch lever 36 to ensure the pivot assembly of the shaft 72.
  • the teeth of the second wheel 70 then engage in the teeth of the chronograph wheel 11 with a combined translational and rotational movement.
  • the clutch lever 36, the hammers 14, 24 and the columns of the column wheel 30 are preferably shaped and arranged such that the hammers 14, 24 are still resting against the heart cams 12, 22 when the teeth of the second wheel 70 engage with the teeth of the chronograph wheel 11.
  • the shapes of the nose 50 and of the columns of the column wheel 30 are adapted to ensure lifting of the hammer 14 of the cam 12 as soon as the teeth of the second wheel 70 are engaged in that of the wheel 11. The measurement of a time can then start.
  • the assembly of the second wheel 70 on the shaft 72 can be carried out in any known and suitable manner and those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing it.
  • a person skilled in the art may draw inspiration from the teaching of the patent. CH 701075 B1 to achieve this assembly.
  • the clutch wheel set comprises only one wheel 68, the second wheel 70 being in this case frictionally assembled on the shaft of the chronograph wheel set 10, being arranged to mesh with the wheel. clutch wheel 68.
  • the second wheel 70 would slide on the shaft of the mobile 10 when the clutch lever 36 falls, while the chronograph wheel 11 would be blocked by the hammer 14, to prevent the corresponding hand from jumping.
  • the figure 5 illustrates an example of an alternative construction of the chronograph gear figures 1 to 3 , not belonging to the invention, making it possible to demonstrate an alternative approach for ensuring the training of the minute counter.
  • the minute counter 20 no longer has a friction wheel and the entire mobile is driven, via an intermediate mobile 142, from the seconds counter 10 when the latter is engaged with the clutch mobile 38. .
  • the method of driving the minute counter 20 from the seconds counter 10 by means of a finger can be replaced by a gear, including a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft and exhibiting better precision.
  • the intermediate mobile 142 comprises first and second wheels 74 and 76, the first 74 of which is integral with the shaft 78 of the mobile 142, while the second 76 is mounted in friction on this shaft 78.
  • the first wheel 74 is here arranged in permanent engagement with a reference 80 integral with the shaft 82 of the mobile seconds counter 10.
  • the displacement of the mobile of seconds 10 is transmitted to the mobile of 20 minutes by the intermediate mobile 142, which makes it possible to obtain a trailing display of timed minutes, unlike jumping mechanisms with a retractable finger.
  • the second wheel 76 begins to slide on its shaft 78 as soon as the mobile 10 seconds and 20 minutes are driven in a non-synchronized manner by their respective hammers.
  • the leading mobile is the chronograph seconds mobile 10 whose movements are transmitted to the chronograph minutes mobile 20, playing the role of driven mobile, via the intermediate mobile 142 playing the role of transmission mobile. .
  • the wheel mounted in friction on the shaft of the intermediate mobile 142 is the one which meshes with the second mobile unit 10 or the one which meshes with the 20 minute mobile. It is also possible to provide that the wheels 74 and 76 are both integral with the axle 78 but that the wheel mounted in friction on its shaft is the return 80 of the second mobile 10.
  • the wheels of the chronograph train according to the present invention can advantageously each have a set of teeth having an NIHS 20-25 tooth profile or another toothed tooth with good transmission efficiency.
  • This profile conventional in cogs other than those of chronograph mechanisms, makes it possible to ensure better efficiency than the triangular profiles generally used in particular between the clutch wheel and the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile.
  • the use of such a tooth profile makes it possible to avoid a jerking of the display hand of the seconds of the measured times without having to use the conventional friction spring.
  • the wheel mounted in friction on its shaft and the wheel with which it cooperates have each has a micro-modulus toothing, while the other wheels preferably each have a small-modulus toothing.

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

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un mécanisme de chronographe, pour mouvement horloger, comportant un mobile menant susceptible d'être entraîné en rotation par un mobile d'entraînement pour assurer l'entraînement à la demande d'un mobile mené par l'intermédiaire d'un mobile de transmission, le mobile d'entraînement étant lui-même destiné à être entraîné à partir d'une source d'énergie du mouvement horloger, le mobile mené étant destiné à contrôler les déplacements d'un organe d'affichage, chacun des mobiles d'entraînement, menant, de transmission et mené comportant un arbre solidaire d'une roue, la roue du mobile menant étant une roue sur champ, le mobile de transmission étant un mobile d'embrayage porté par une bascule d'embrayage destinée à être agencée sur le mouvement horloger en étant susceptible de se déplacer entre

  • une première position, associée à un état embrayé dans lequel une liaison cinématique destinée à relier le mobile d'entrainement à l'organe d'affichage est créée, et
  • une deuxième position, associée à un état débrayé dans lequel cette liaison cinématique est interrompue.
The present invention relates to a chronograph mechanism, for a watch movement, comprising a driving wheel capable of being driven in rotation by a driving wheel set in order to ensure the driving on demand of a wheel driven wheel set by means of a transmission mobile, the drive mobile itself being intended to be driven from a power source of the watch movement, the driven mobile being intended to control the movements of a display member, each of the mobile drive, drive, transmission and driven comprising a shaft integral with a wheel, the wheel of the driving wheel being a wheel on the field, the transmission wheel unit being a clutch wheel unit carried by a clutch lever intended to be arranged on the watch movement by being capable of moving between
  • a first position, associated with an engaged state in which a kinematic connection intended to connect the mobile drive unit to the display member is created, and
  • a second position, associated with a disengaged state in which this kinematic link is interrupted.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Des mécanismes de chronographe comprenant des rouages de ce type sont bien connus dans le domaine de l'horlogerie. Un exemple conventionnel est présenté dans l'ouvrage intitulé " Théorie d'horlogerie", de C.-A. Reymondin et al., édité par la Fédération des Ecoles Techniques (Suisse), ISBN 2-940025-10-X, notamment des pages 232 à 237 .Chronograph mechanisms comprising cogs of this type are well known in the field of watchmaking. A conventional example is presented in the work entitled " Theory of horology ", by C.-A. Reymondin et al., Edited by the Fédération des Ecoles Techniques (Switzerland), ISBN 2-940025-10-X, in particular pages 232 to 237 .

Ces mécanismes de chronographe présentent un grand nombre de composants mobiles interagissant les uns avec les autres et leur mise au point est très complexe.These chronograph mechanisms have a large number of moving components interacting with one another and their development is very complex.

En particulier, une difficulté reconnue dans la conception de ces mécanismes réside dans la mise au point d'un dispositif d'embrayage permettant notamment de limiter autant que possible un saut de l'aiguille de chronographe lors de la mise en fonction de la mesure d'un temps, comme expliqué aux pages 234-235 de l'ouvrage cité ci-dessus. Pour limiter l'amplitude de ce saut, il est courant de prévoir un jeu d'engrenage important entre la roue de l'embrayage et la roue du compteur des secondes de chronographe avec laquelle elle engrène. Toutefois, la présence d'un tel jeu d'engrenage nécessite la mise en place d'un ressort de friction sur le mobile des secondes de chronographe pour éviter un chevrotement de l'aiguille d'affichage correspondante. En outre, des dentures de profil triangulaire sont généralement prévues sur ces deux roues pour tenter de répondre aux problèmes qui viennent d'être mentionnés, mais un tel profil de denture résulte en une transmission médiocre des forces entre ces roues. Ces solutions connues présentent notamment un impact défavorable sur la marche du mouvement horloger.In particular, a recognized difficulty in the design of these mechanisms resides in the development of a clutch device making it possible in particular to limit as much as possible a jump of the chronograph hand when starting the measurement d. 'a time, like explained on pages 234-235 of the above-cited work. To limit the amplitude of this jump, it is common practice to provide a large backlash between the clutch wheel and the chronograph seconds counter wheel with which it meshes. However, the presence of such a set of gears requires the installation of a friction spring on the chronograph seconds wheel set to prevent the corresponding display hand from jerking. In addition, triangular profile teeth are generally provided on these two wheels in an attempt to address the problems which have just been mentioned, but such a tooth profile results in poor transmission of forces between these wheels. These known solutions have in particular an unfavorable impact on the performance of the watch movement.

D'autres solutions ont été proposées, soit par la mise en œuvre de profils de dentures particuliers, comme par exemple dans le brevet EP 1437633 B1 , soit par la mise en œuvre de constructions différentes du dispositif d'embrayage, comme par exemple dans la demande de brevet EP 2112564 A1 , qui présente une construction complexe comportant un engrenage différentiel.Other solutions have been proposed, either by the implementation of particular tooth profiles, as for example in the patent EP 1437633 B1 , or by the implementation of different constructions of the clutch device, as for example in the patent application EP 2112564 A1 , which has a complex construction including a differential gear.

Ces solutions alternatives, non conventionnelles, sont complexes et coûteuses. Ainsi, le besoin existe toujours de trouver une approche alternative pour la réalisation d'un mécanisme de chronographe qui soit simple à mettre en œuvre et permettant de répondre au moins en partie à au moins certains des problèmes mentionnés plus haut.These alternative, unconventional solutions are complex and expensive. Thus, the need still exists to find an alternative approach for producing a chronograph mechanism which is simple to use and which makes it possible to respond at least in part to at least some of the problems mentioned above.

On remarque également que le mécanisme divulgué dans CH 62172 ne comporte pas de roue sur champ.We also note that the mechanism disclosed in CH 62172 does not have a wheel on the field.

Divulgation de l'inventionDisclosure of the invention

Un but principal de la présente invention est de proposer une construction alternative d'un mécanisme de chronographe du type qui vient d'être décrit, présentant peu de modifications en référence aux constructions connues, tout en utilisant des composants de type conventionnel, mais permettant de répondre au moins en partie aux problèmes précités.A main aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative construction of a chronograph mechanism of the type which has just been described, exhibiting few modifications with reference to known constructions, while using components of the conventional type, but allowing to answer at least in part to the aforementioned problems.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un mécanisme de chronographe du type mentionné plus haut, caractérisé par le fait qu'un mobile parmi les mobiles menant, de transmission et mené comporte une roue de friction, montée à friction sur l'arbre correspondant et agencée pour coopérer avec la roue d'un autre mobile parmi les mobiles d'entraînement, menant, de transmission et mené, la liaison cinématique intégrant la roue de friction de telle manière que le mobile d'entrainement et l'organe d'affichage soient susceptibles d'être reliés l'un à l'autre par l'intermédiaire d'une friction.To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a chronograph mechanism of the type mentioned above, characterized in that a mobile among the driving, transmission and driven moving parts comprises a friction wheel, mounted in friction on the shaft. correspondent and arranged to cooperate with the wheel of another mobile among the driving, driving, transmission and driven wheels, the kinematic link integrating the friction wheel in such a way that the driving wheel set and the display member are capable of being connected to each other by means of a friction.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la roue de friction peut tourner librement sur son arbre lorsque la valeur du couple à transmettre dépasse une valeur prédéfinie.Thanks to these characteristics, the friction wheel can turn freely on its shaft when the value of the torque to be transmitted exceeds a predefined value.

Une telle éventualité peut intervenir essentiellement dans deux cas de figure dans le rouage de chronographe, de manière non limitative.Such an eventuality can occur essentially in two cases in the chronograph train, in a nonlimiting manner.

D'une part, la mise en œuvre des caractéristiques ci-dessus, en relation avec un dispositif d'embrayage de rouage de chronographe de construction conventionnelle, permet de résoudre au moins partiellement les problèmes mentionnés plus haut. En effet, à titre d'exemple, dans le cas d'un mécanisme de chronographe conventionnel dans lequel des marteaux de remise à zéro sont appuyés sur des cames en cœur des mobiles de chronographe à l'arrêt, il est nécessaire de synchroniser parfaitement le passage de l'embrayage de son état débrayé vers son état embrayé avec la levée des marteaux libérant les mobiles de chronographe. Le mobile monté sur la bascule d'embrayage joue ici le rôle de mobile de transmission entre une roue sur champ et le mobile des secondes de chronographe. Dans ce cas, la mise en place d'une roue montée à friction sur son arbre dans le rouage de chronographe, selon la présente invention, permet de ne soulever les marteaux qu'après le changement de position de l'embrayage et d'éviter notamment le saut de l'aiguille de chronographe des secondes lors du démarrage de la mesure d'un temps. Un éventuel décalage entre les dentures des roues de l'embrayage et du mobile de chronographe est ainsi rattrapé par la friction, sans impact sur la position de l'aiguille d'affichage.On the one hand, the implementation of the above characteristics, in connection with a chronograph gear clutch device of conventional construction, makes it possible to at least partially solve the problems mentioned above. Indeed, by way of example, in the case of a conventional chronograph mechanism in which resetting hammers are pressed on cams at the heart of the chronograph wheels when stopped, it is necessary to perfectly synchronize the passage of the clutch from its disengaged state to its engaged state with the lifting of the hammers releasing the chronograph wheels. The mobile mounted on the clutch lever here plays the role of transmission mobile between a wheel on the field and the chronograph seconds mobile. In this case, the installation of a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft in the chronograph train, according to the present invention, makes it possible to lift the hammers only after the change of position of the clutch and to avoid in particular the jump of the chronograph seconds hand when starting the measurement of a time. Any offset between the teeth of the clutch wheels and of the chronograph wheel set is thus caught up by friction, without impacting the position of the display hand.

Ainsi, on notera que, de manière générale, la roue de friction peut être montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile de transmission et être agencée pour coopérer avec la roue du mobile mené, tandis que la roue du mobile de transmission est agencée pour coopérer avec la roue du mobile menant.Thus, it will be noted that, in general, the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the transmission mobile and be arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the driven mobile, while the wheel of the transmission mobile is arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the leading mobile.

Autrement dit, pour revenir au cas particulier évoqué précédemment, la roue de friction peut être montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile d'embrayage pour coopérer avec la roue du mobile des secondes de chronographe, tandis que la première roue (conventionnelle) du mobile d'embrayage coopère avec la roue sur champ.In other words, to return to the particular case mentioned above, the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the clutch mobile to cooperate with the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile, while the first wheel (conventional) of the clutch mobile cooperates with the wheel on the field.

Il est également possible de prévoir, en alternative, que la roue de friction est montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile mené et est agencée pour coopérer avec la roue du mobile de transmission tandis que la première roue du mobile mené est destinée à contrôler les déplacements d'un organe d'affichage.It is also possible to provide, as an alternative, that the friction wheel is mounted in friction on the shaft of the driven mobile and is arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the transmission mobile while the first wheel of the driven mobile is intended to control the movements of a display unit.

Autrement dit, pour revenir au cas particulier évoqué précédemment, la roue de friction peut être montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile des secondes de chronographe en étant agencée pour coopérer avec la roue du mobile d'embrayage, cette dernière coopérant elle-même avec la roue sur champ, de manière conventionnelle.In other words, to return to the particular case mentioned above, the friction wheel can be mounted in friction on the shaft of the chronograph seconds wheel set by being arranged to cooperate with the wheel of the clutch wheel set, the latter itself cooperating. with the wheel on the field, in a conventional manner.

D'autre part, il peut être souhaitable de découpler un mobile du reste du rouage de chronographe lors de la remise à zéro du temps mesuré. En effet, lors de cette opération, les marteaux de remise à zéro chutent sur les cames en cœur portées par les mobiles de chronographe des secondes, des minutes et éventuellement des heures, pour les faire tourner rapidement et repositionner les organes d'affichage dans leur position de repos. Outre le fait que les mobiles tournent rapidement, ils ne tournent pas forcément tous dans le même sens, d'où la nécessité de découpler certains mobiles les uns des autres. En particulier, le mobile de chronographe des minutes est généralement entraîné par sauts à partir du mobile de chronographe des secondes lors de la mesure d'un temps. Cet entraînement est typiquement réalisé par un doigt agencé de telle manière qu'il peut s'escamoter lors de la remise à zéro, en cas de besoin. Ainsi, la construction selon la présente invention permet par exemple de mettre en œuvre une construction simplifiée pour assurer l'entraînement du mobile de chronographe des minutes, présentant une liaison cinématique, à partir d'un mobile menant, dans laquelle est impliquée une roue montée à friction sur son arbre.On the other hand, it may be desirable to decouple a mobile from the rest of the chronograph train when resetting the measured time to zero. In fact, during this operation, the reset hammers fall on the heart-shaped cams carried by the seconds, minutes and possibly hours chronograph wheels, to make them turn quickly and reposition the display members in their position. rest position. Besides the fact that the mobiles turn quickly, they do not necessarily all turn in the same direction, hence the need to decouple some mobiles from each other. In particular, the minute chronograph mobile is generally driven by jumps from the seconds chronograph mobile when measuring time. This drive is typically carried out by a finger arranged in such a way that it can be retracted when resetting, if necessary. Thus, the construction according to the present invention makes it possible for example to implement a simplified construction to ensure the drive of the minute chronograph mobile, having a kinematic connection, from a driving wheel, in which is involved a mounted wheel. friction on his shaft.

Suivant un exemple de construction qui n'appartient pas à l'invention, le mobile des minutes de chronographe peut être entraîné à partir du mobile de centre du mouvement horloger auquel est associé le mécanisme de chronographe. Dans ce cas, le mobile de centre remplit le rôle de mobile menant pour le mobile des minutes de chronographe, qu'il entraîne avantageusement par l'intermédiaire d'un mobile de transmission comportant un mobile intermédiaire. Le mobile intermédiaire ou le mobile des minutes de chronographe comporte alors avantageusement une roue montée à friction sur son arbre.According to an example of construction which does not belong to the invention, the chronograph minute mobile can be driven from the central mobile of the watch movement with which the chronograph mechanism is associated. In this case, the central mobile fulfills the role of driving mobile for the chronograph minutes mobile, which it advantageously drives via a transmission mobile comprising an intermediate mobile. The intermediate mobile or the chronograph minutes mobile then advantageously comprises a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft.

En alternative, le mobile menant assurant l'entraînement du mobile des minutes de chronographe peut être un mobile des secondes de chronographe, cet entraînement étant réalisé via un mobile intermédiaire comprenant un arbre destiné à être monté pivotant sur le mouvement horloger correspondant et portant une roue assemblée à friction.As an alternative, the driving wheel ensuring the driving of the chronograph minute mobile unit can be a chronograph seconds mobile unit, this drive being carried out via an intermediate wheel unit comprising a shaft intended to be pivotally mounted on the corresponding watch movement and carrying a wheel. friction assembly.

De manière générale, les roues du rouage de chronographe peuvent avantageusement présenter chacune une denture présentant un profil de denture NIHS 20-25. Ce profil, conventionnel dans les rouages autres que ceux des mécanismes de chronographe, permet d'assurer un meilleur rendement que les profils triangulaires généralement utilisés notamment entre la roue d'embrayage et la roue du mobile des secondes de chronographe. En outre, l'utilisation d'un tel profil de denture permet d'éviter un chevrotement de l'aiguille d'affichage des secondes des temps mesurés sans avoir à utiliser le conventionnel ressort de friction.In general, the wheels of the chronograph train can advantageously each have a toothing having an NIHS 20-25 tooth profile. This profile, conventional in cogs other than those of chronograph mechanisms, makes it possible to ensure better efficiency than the triangular profiles generally used in particular between the clutch wheel and the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile. In addition, the use of such a tooth profile makes it possible to avoid a jerking of the display hand of the seconds of the measured times without having to use the conventional friction spring.

De manière préférée, la roue de friction (assemblée à friction sur son arbre) et la roue avec laquelle elle coopère présentent chacune une denture à micro-module. De plus, les premières roues associées à des roues autres que la deuxième roue présentent préférablement chacune une denture à petit module.Preferably, the friction wheel (frictionally assembled on its shaft) and the wheel with which it cooperates each have a micro-modulus toothing. In addition, the first wheels associated with wheels other than the second wheel preferably each have small modulus teeth.

Par ailleurs, la présente invention concerne également un mécanisme de chronographe répondant aux caractéristiques mentionnées ci-dessus et comprenant

  • une came en cœur destinée à être solidaire en rotation de l'organe d'affichage,
  • un marteau de remise à zéro ayant une surface adaptée destinée à coopérer avec la came en cœur,
  • un frein pour, en position de service, maintenir fixe la position angulaire d'une roue du mobile mené solidaire de la came en cœur,
  • une bascule d'embrayage portant le mobile de transmission, et
  • une roue à colonnes destinée à coopérer avec le marteau, le frein et la bascule d'embrayage, pour les actionner selon différents modes de fonctionnement START, STOP, RESET du mécanisme de chronographe. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, le marteau, la bascule d'embrayage et la roue à colonnes sont conformés et agencés de telle manière que, lors de l'enclenchement du mode START, le marteau se soulève de la came en cœur juste après l'actionnement de la bascule d'embrayage par la roue à colonnes visant à la placer dans son état embrayé.
Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a chronograph mechanism meeting the characteristics mentioned above and comprising
  • a heart-shaped cam intended to be integral in rotation with the display member,
  • a reset hammer having a suitable surface intended to cooperate with the heart-shaped cam,
  • a brake for, in the service position, to keep the angular position of a wheel of the driven mobile unit integral with the heart cam fixed,
  • a clutch lever carrying the transmission mobile, and
  • a column wheel intended to cooperate with the hammer, the brake and the clutch lever, to actuate them according to different operating modes START, STOP, RESET of the chronograph mechanism. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hammer, the clutch lever and the column wheel are shaped and arranged such that, when engaging the START mode, the hammer lifts off the cam in heart just after actuation of the clutch lever by the column wheel to place it in its engaged state.

En outre, on peut alors avantageusement prévoir que le frein, la bascule d'embrayage et la roue à colonnes sont conformés et agencés de telle manière que, lors de l'enclenchement du mode STOP, le frein agit sur la roue du mobile mené, pour maintenir sa position angulaire fixe, avant l'actionnement de la bascule d'embrayage par la roue à colonnes visant à la placer dans son état débrayé.In addition, provision can then be made advantageously for the brake, the clutch lever and the column wheel to be shaped and arranged in such a way that, when the STOP mode is engaged, the brake acts on the wheel of the driven mobile, to maintain its fixed angular position, before actuation of the clutch lever by the column wheel to place it in its disengaged state.

La présente invention concerne également un mouvement horloger comportant un mécanisme de chronographe présentant les caractéristiques qui viennent d'être exposées, ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie munie d'un tel mouvement horloger.The present invention also relates to a horological movement comprising a chronograph mechanism having the characteristics which have just been described, as well as a timepiece provided with such a horological movement.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation préféré qui suit, faite en référence aux dessins annexés donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue de face simplifiée d'un mécanisme de chronographe selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, dans un premier état de fonctionnement;
  • la figure 2 représente une vue de face simplifiée du mécanisme de la figure 1, dans un deuxième état de fonctionnement;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue de face simplifiée du mécanisme de la figure 1, dans un troisième état de fonctionnement;
  • la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un premier détail de construction du mécanisme de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 5 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un deuxième détail de construction du mécanisme de la figure 1.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:
  • the figure 1 shows a simplified front view of a chronograph mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in a first operating state;
  • the figure 2 represents a simplified front view of the mechanism of the figure 1 , in a second operating state;
  • the figure 3 represents a simplified front view of the mechanism of the figure 1 , in a third operating state;
  • the figure 4 shows a simplified perspective view of a first construction detail of the mechanism of the figure 1 , and
  • the figure 5 shows a simplified perspective view of a second construction detail of the mechanism of the figure 1 .

Mode(s) de réalisation de l'inventionMode (s) for carrying out the invention

Les figures 1, 2 et 3 représentent une même vue de dessus d'une partie d'un mouvement horloger 1 comportant un mécanisme de chronographe selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, celui-ci étant visible par son côté ponts dans des premier, deuxième et troisième états de fonctionnement respectifs. Plus précisément, la figure 1 illustre le mécanisme de chronographe dans son état au repos après remise à zéro (mode de fonctionnement RESET), la figure 2 illustre ce mécanisme pendant la mesure d'un temps (mode de fonctionnement START) et, la figure 3 illustre ce mécanisme après arrêt de la mesure d'un temps, avant remise à zéro de ses compteurs (mode de fonction STOP).The figures 1 , 2 and 3 show the same top view of a part of a watch movement 1 comprising a chronograph mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latter being visible through its bridge side in first, second and third states of respective operation. More precisely, the figure 1 illustrates the chronograph mechanism in its idle state after reset to zero (RESET operating mode), the figure 2 illustrates this mechanism during the measurement of a time (START operating mode) and, the figure 3 illustrates this mechanism after stopping the measurement of a time, before resetting its counters to zero (STOP function mode).

Les figures 1, 2 et 3 illustrent, de manière simplifiée, les éléments principaux du mécanisme de chronographe permettant d'assurer l'entraînement d'organes d'affichage conventionnels, à savoir des aiguilles des secondes de chronographe et des minutes de chronographe (non visibles).The figures 1 , 2 and 3 illustrate, in a simplified manner, the main elements of the chronograph mechanism making it possible to drive conventional display members, namely chronograph seconds hands and chronograph minutes (not visible).

Il est évident que ce mouvement est représenté à titre illustratif non limitatif et, que l'homme du métier pourra mettre en œuvre l'objet de la présente invention en l'adaptant à un mécanisme de chronographe de construction alternative sans sortir du cadre de l'invention. En particulier, on notera que la structure générale de ce mécanisme de chronographe est ici proche de celle mentionnée plus haut au titre d'art antérieur, pour illustrer le fait que la mise en œuvre de la présente invention ne nécessite d'apporter que peu de modifications aux mécanismes existants, sans pour autant remettre en question l'avancée importante qu'elle représente.It is obvious that this movement is shown by way of non-limiting illustration and that a person skilled in the art will be able to implement the object of the present invention by adapting it to a chronograph mechanism of alternative construction without departing from the scope of the invention. 'invention. In particular, it will be noted that the general structure of this chronograph mechanism is here close to that mentioned above in the context of prior art, to illustrate the fact that the implementation of the present invention requires little effort to be made. modifications to existing mechanisms, without however calling into question the significant advance it represents.

Ce mouvement 1 comporte des éléments de bâti dont notamment un pont 2, sur lequel sont montés des mobiles, leviers, bascules et autres composants horlogers, dont seuls ceux en rapport avec le mécanisme de chronographe sont illustrés et seront décrits en détail dans le présent exposé. Ces composants pourraient être montés sur une platine, en alternative, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.This movement 1 comprises frame elements including in particular a bridge 2, on which are mounted mobiles, levers, levers and other watch components, of which only those related to the chronograph mechanism are illustrated and will be described in detail in this presentation. . These components could be mounted on a plate, as an alternative, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Le mécanisme de chronographe comporte des compteurs de chronographe 10 (ou compteur des secondes de chronographe) et de minutes 20.The chronograph mechanism has 10 chronograph (or chronograph seconds counter) and 20 minute counters.

Chacun de ces compteurs comprend un mobile (dont la roue 11, 21 est visible) destiné à être entraîné en relation avec une base de temps (celle du rouage de finissage ou une base de temps propre au chronographe) et est agencé pour entraîner en rotation un organe d'affichage de temps mesurés (non représenté). De plus, dans cette forme d'exécution, le mobile compteur des minutes 20 comprend également une deuxième roue 23 qui est montée à friction sur l'arbre de ce mobile, le rôle de laquelle sera expliqué ci-dessous.Each of these counters includes a mobile (whose wheel 11, 21 is visible) intended to be driven in relation to a time base (that of the finishing gear or a time base specific to the chronograph) and is arranged to drive in rotation. a measured time display member (not shown). In addition, in this embodiment, the mobile minute counter 20 also comprises a second wheel 23 which is mounted in friction on the shaft of this mobile, the role of which will be explained below.

Chaque compteur comporte également une came en cœur 12, 22, chaque came étant solidaire en rotation de l'organe d'affichage correspondant et destinée à coopérer avec une surface adaptée d'un marteau de remise à zéro correspondant 14, 24.Each counter also comprises a heart-shaped cam 12, 22, each cam being integral in rotation with the corresponding display member and intended to cooperate with a suitable surface of a corresponding reset hammer 14, 24.

Le mécanisme de chronographe illustré ici à titre d'exemple non limitatif est du type comportant une roue à colonnes 30. Cette dernière peut être entraînée en rotation sur elle-même par un crochet 32, solidaire d'une commande 34 dont le pivotement peut être commandé, de manière conventionnelle, à partir d'un poussoir 35.The chronograph mechanism illustrated here by way of non-limiting example is of the type comprising a column wheel 30. The latter can be driven in rotation on itself by a hook 32, integral with a control 34 whose pivoting can be. controlled, in a conventional manner, from a pusher 35.

Plus précisément, le mécanisme de chronographe illustré et décrit dans cet exemple est du type à mono-poussoir à trois temps, autrement dit un cycle complet de fonctionnement correspond à trois pas de la roue à colonnes 30. En effet, chaque pression sur le poussoir 35 entraîne une rotation d'un pas de la roue à colonnes 30, faisant passer successivement la fonction chronographe d'un état au repos (mode RESET) à un état de mesure d'un temps (mode START), de l'état de mesure d'un temps (mode START) à un état arrêté (mode STOP) ou de l'état arrêté (mode STOP) à l'état au repos (mode RESET). Dans ce but, l'alternance de pleins (les colonnes) et de vides agit sur différentes bascules pour activer ou désactiver des fonctions relatives à la mesure d'intervalles de temps.More precisely, the chronograph mechanism illustrated and described in this example is of the three-stroke single-push-button type, in other words a complete operating cycle corresponds to three steps of the column wheel 30. In fact, each pressure on the push-button 35 causes the column wheel 30 to rotate by one step, causing the chronograph function to pass successively from a state at rest (RESET mode) to a state for measuring a time (START mode), from the state of measurement of a time (START mode) in a stopped state (STOP mode) or of the stopped state (STOP mode) in the idle state (RESET mode). For this purpose, the alternation of full (the columns) and voids acts on various rockers to activate or deactivate functions relating to the measurement of time intervals.

La roue à colonnes coopère notamment avec une bascule d'embrayage 36, portant un mobile d'embrayage 38 et montée pivotante sur le bâti entre une première position, de repos ou débrayée, et une seconde position, d'entraînement ou embrayée. La bascule d'embrayage 36 est agencée ici pour établir ou interrompre une liaison cinématique dans le rouage de chronographe, et permettre l'entraînement de mobiles menés, ici les compteurs de chronographe 10 et 20, à partir d'un rouage de finissage (non représenté), par l'intermédiaire d'un mobile menant, ici une roue de secondes 40 communément appelée roue sur champ pour ce qui concerne le compteur 10, et par soit un mobile de centre (non visible) soit la roue de chronographe 11 pour ce qui concerne le compteur 20. Dans ce sens, le mobile d'embrayage joue le rôle d'un mobile de transmission entre le mobile menant et au moins un mobile mené. Le mobile menant est ici entraîné par un mobile d'entraînement (non visible), lui-même entraîné à partir d'une source d'énergie du mouvement horloger, éventuellement par l'intermédiaire d'un rouage de finissage.The column wheel cooperates in particular with a clutch lever 36, carrying a clutch mobile 38 and pivotally mounted on the frame between a first position, rest or disengaged, and a second position, drive or engaged. The clutch lever 36 is arranged here to establish or interrupt a kinematic connection in the chronograph train, and to allow the drive of driven mobiles, here the chronograph counters 10 and 20, from a finishing train (not shown), by means of a driving mobile, here a seconds wheel 40 commonly called wheel on the field with regard to the counter 10, and by either a center mobile (not visible) or the chronograph wheel 11 for what concerns the counter 20. In this sense, the clutch mobile plays the role of a transmission mobile between the driving mobile and at least one driven mobile. The driving wheel is here driven by a driving wheel set (not visible), itself driven from a power source of the watch movement, possibly via a finishing gear.

Comme décrit ci-dessous, le mobile compteur des minutes 20 est, dans cette forme d'exécution, entrainé par le mobile de centre (ou de minutes) du mouvement horloger, via un mobile intermédiaire 42 qui engrène en permanence avec la roue 23 du compteur 20. Dans une variante (décrite ultérieurement, en relation avec l'illustration de la figure 5) le compteur des minutes 20 peut être à la place entraîné, toujours via un mobile intermédiaire 142, à partir du compteur de secondes 10 lorsque ce dernier est en prise avec le mobile d'embrayage 38. Selon cette variante, c'est le mobile 142 et pas le mobile 20 qui comprend une roue montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile.As described below, the minute counter mobile 20 is, in this embodiment, driven by the center (or minutes) mobile of the watch movement, via an intermediate mobile 42 which permanently meshes with the wheel 23 of the watch movement. counter 20. In a variant (described later, in relation to the illustration of the figure 5 ) the minute counter 20 can instead be driven, again via an intermediate mobile 142, from the seconds counter 10 when the latter is engaged with the clutch mobile 38. According to this variant, it is the mobile 142 and not the mobile 20 which comprises a wheel mounted in friction on the shaft of the mobile.

La roue à colonnes 30 coopère également avec des freins 44 et 46 dont la fonction est, typiquement, de maintenir fixe la position angulaire, respectivement, de la roue de chronographe 11 et de la roue du compteur des minutes 21, lorsque la mesure d'un temps est interrompue, avant remise à zéro.Column wheel 30 also cooperates with brakes 44 and 46, the function of which is, typically, to maintain fixed the angular position, respectively, of chronograph wheel 11 and of the counter wheel. 21 minutes, when the measurement of a time is interrupted, before resetting.

Par ailleurs, la roue à colonnes 30 est agencée pour coopérer avec le marteau de remise à zéro des secondes 14, tandis que ce dernier coopère lui-même avec le marteau de remise à zéro des minutes 24 par l'intermédiaire d'un premier bec 48, de telle manière que les deux marteaux sont synchronisés. En effet, le marteau des secondes 14 comprend un second bec 50 coopérant ou non avec les colonnes de la roue à colonnes 30 pour définir la position angulaire du marteau. Les marteaux sont susceptibles de se déplacer, de manière conventionnelle, entre une position au repos, dans laquelle chacun d'eux est en appui contre la came en cœur à laquelle il est associé, et une position levée, dans laquelle chacun d'eux est distant de la came en cœur à laquelle il est associé pour laisser la roue 11, 21 correspondante libre de tourner et effectuer la mesure d'un temps.Furthermore, the column wheel 30 is arranged to cooperate with the seconds reset hammer 14, while the latter itself cooperates with the minutes reset hammer 24 via a first jaw. 48, so that the two hammers are synchronized. In fact, the seconds hammer 14 comprises a second nose 50 which may or may not cooperate with the columns of the column wheel 30 to define the angular position of the hammer. The hammers are capable of moving, in a conventional manner, between a position at rest, in which each of them bears against the heart-shaped cam with which it is associated, and a raised position, in which each of them is remote from the heart-shaped cam with which it is associated to leave the corresponding wheel 11, 21 free to rotate and perform the measurement of a time.

Divers ressorts 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 et 64 ont en outre été représentés à titre non limitatif, ceux-ci agissant respectivement sur la commande 34, sur les marteaux de remise à zéro des secondes 14 et des minutes 24, sur les freins des secondes 44 et des minutes 46, sur la bascule d'embrayage 36 et sur la roue à colonnes 30, pour en définir des positions par défaut, de manière connue.Various springs 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 have also been shown without limitation, these acting respectively on the control 34, on the hammers for resetting seconds 14 and minutes 24, on the brakes for seconds 44 and minutes 46, on the clutch lever 36 and on the column wheel 30, to define default positions thereof, in a known manner.

La figure 1 illustre le mouvement horloger alors que le mécanisme de chronographe est dans son état au repos (mode RESET). Dans cet état, les marteaux 14 et 24 sont positionnés en appui contre les cames en cœur 12, 22 pour maintenir les organes d'affichage des temps mesurés immobiles, dans leur position correspondant à la mesure d'un temps nul.The figure 1 illustrates the watch movement while the chronograph mechanism is in its idle state (RESET mode). In this state, the hammers 14 and 24 are positioned to bear against the heart-shaped cams 12, 22 to keep the measured time display members stationary, in their position corresponding to the measurement of zero time.

Dans le même temps, les freins 44 et 46 sont ici préférablement positionnés à distance des roues 11 et 21. Les freins pourraient aussi être positionnés en appui contre les roues 11 et 21, dans cet état, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de la présente invention.At the same time, the brakes 44 and 46 are here preferably positioned at a distance from the wheels 11 and 21. The brakes could also be positioned resting against the wheels 11 and 21, in this state, without departing from the scope of the present invention. invention.

La bascule d'embrayage 36 est positionnée dans sa position débrayée, en étant en appui sur une colonne de la roue à colonnes 30, de telle manière que la liaison cinématique entre la roue sur champ 40 et la roue de chronographe 11 n'est pas établie, le mobile d'embrayage 38 n'engrenant pas avec la roue de chronographe 11 dans cette configuration. Dans cette forme d'exécution, la roue à friction 23 du mobile compteur de minutes 20 engrène en permanence avec une roue du mobile intermédiaire 42, tandis que l'autre roue de ce mobile intermédiaire 42 engrène avec le mobile de centre du mouvement horloger. Puisque le marteau 24 agissant contre le cœur 22 maintient la roue 21 du compteur de minutes 20 à la position zéro, il y a un débrayage entres les roues 21 et 23 grâce à la friction de la roue 23, et la roue 21 reste immobile.The clutch lever 36 is positioned in its disengaged position, resting on a column of the column wheel 30, such that the kinematic connection between the field wheel 40 and the chronograph wheel 11 is not established, the clutch mobile 38 not meshing not with chronograph wheel 11 in this configuration. In this embodiment, the friction wheel 23 of the minute counter mobile 20 engages permanently with a wheel of the intermediate mobile 42, while the other wheel of this intermediate mobile 42 meshes with the central mobile of the watch movement. Since the hammer 24 acting against the heart 22 maintains the wheel 21 of the minute counter 20 in the zero position, there is a disengagement between the wheels 21 and 23 thanks to the friction of the wheel 23, and the wheel 21 remains stationary.

Une pression sur le poussoir 35 fait tourner la roue à colonnes 30 d'un pas, par l'intermédiaire de la commande 34, pour la positionner dans sa configuration illustrée sur la figure 2, correspondant à la mesure d'un temps (mode START).Pressing the pusher 35 rotates the column wheel 30 by one step, via the control 34, to position it in its configuration illustrated on the figure. figure 2 , corresponding to the measurement of a time (START mode).

Lorsque la roue à colonnes 30 tourne, elle actionne la bascule d'embrayage 36 et les marteaux 14, 24. En particulier, la colonne sur laquelle la bascule d'embrayage 36 était en appui au repos se décale et fait tomber la bascule d'embrayage dans le vide situé entre elle et la colonne suivante, sous l'effet de l'action du ressort 62, pour placer la bascule d'embrayage dans son état embrayé.When the column wheel 30 turns, it actuates the clutch lever 36 and the hammers 14, 24. In particular, the column on which the clutch lever 36 was resting at rest shifts and causes the lever to fall off. clutch in the vacuum located between it and the next column, under the effect of the action of the spring 62, to place the clutch lever in its engaged state.

Le mobile d'embrayage 38 entre alors en prise avec la roue de chronographe 11.The clutch mobile 38 then engages with the chronograph wheel 11.

Les marteaux 14 et 24 sont soulevés, juste après la chute de la bascule, par une colonne de la roue à colonnes 30, pour libérer les roues de compteurs chronographes des secondes 11 et des minutes 21.Hammers 14 and 24 are lifted, just after the rocker has fallen, by a column of column wheel 30, to release the chronograph counters wheels for 11 seconds and 21 minutes.

Les freins 44 et 46 restent quant à eux en appui sur les mêmes colonnes que dans la configuration au repos pour rester à distance des roues de chronographe 11 et 21.The brakes 44 and 46, for their part, remain supported on the same columns as in the configuration at rest in order to stay away from the chronograph wheels 11 and 21.

En cours de mesure, le mobile d'embrayage 38 assure le rôle de mobile de transmission entre la roue sur champ 40 et la roue de chronographe 11. N'étant plus bloquée par le marteau 24, agissant contre le cœur 22, la roue des minutes de chronographe 21 embraye avec la roue 23 afin que la roue 21 soit entrainée par le mobile de centre du mouvement horloger, par l'intermédiaire du mobile 42 remplissant également le rôle d'un mobile de transmission.During measurement, the clutch mobile 38 acts as a transmission mobile between the field wheel 40 and the chronograph wheel 11. No longer being blocked by the hammer 24, acting against the heart 22, the wheel chronograph minutes 21 engages with the wheel 23 so that the wheel 21 is driven by the center mobile of the watch movement, via the mobile 42 also fulfilling the role of a transmission mobile.

Une nouvelle pression sur le poussoir 35 fait à nouveau tourner la roue à colonnes 30 d'un pas, par l'intermédiaire de la commande 34, pour la positionner dans sa configuration illustrée sur la figure 3, correspondant à l'interruption de la mesure d'un temps (mode STOP).A further pressure on the pusher 35 again rotates the column wheel 30 by one step, by means of the control 34, to position it in its configuration illustrated on the figure. figure 3 , corresponding to the interruption of the measurement of a time (STOP mode).

Lorsque la roue à colonnes 30 tourne, une nouvelle colonne vient soulever la bascule d'embrayage 36 qui interrompt la liaison cinématique entre le mobile d'embrayage 38 et la roue de chronographe 11, dans son état débrayé.When the column wheel 30 rotates, a new column raises the clutch lever 36 which interrupts the kinematic connection between the clutch mobile 38 and the chronograph wheel 11, in its disengaged state.

Le marteau 14 reste en appui sur la même colonne que dans la phase précédente, tandis que les freins 44 et 46 sont libérés, avant la montée de la bascule 36, par décalage des colonnes sur lesquels ils reposaient jusque-là, et peuvent tomber sur les roues de chronographes des secondes 11 et des minutes 21 pour les verrouiller dans leurs positions respectives, sous l'effet de l'action de leurs ressorts respectifs 58 et 60.The hammer 14 remains resting on the same column as in the previous phase, while the brakes 44 and 46 are released, before the rise of the lever 36, by shifting the columns on which they have rested until then, and can fall on the chronograph wheels 11 and 21 minutes to lock them in their respective positions, under the effect of the action of their respective springs 58 and 60.

Une nouvelle pression sur le poussoir 35 fait à nouveau tourner la roue à colonnes d'un pas pour revenir à la configuration illustrée sur la figure 1 (mode RESET).A further pressure on the push-button 35 again causes the column wheel to turn by one step to return to the configuration illustrated on the figure. figure 1 (RESET mode).

La figure 4 illustre une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un premier détail de construction du rouage de chronographe qui vient d'être décrit.The figure 4 illustrates a simplified perspective view of a first construction detail of the chronograph train which has just been described.

Plus précisément, la figure 4 illustre plus clairement le mode de coopération entre les mobiles menant, de transmission et mené, c'est-à-dire entre la roue sur champ 40, le mobile d'embrayage 38 et la roue de chronographe 11.More precisely, the figure 4 illustrates more clearly the mode of cooperation between the driving, transmission and driven wheels, that is to say between the field wheel 40, the clutch wheel 38 and the chronograph wheel 11.

Il ressort de la figure 4 que le mobile d'embrayage, ou de transmission, comprend une première roue 68 agencée en prise permanente avec la roue sur champ 40, de manière conventionnelle.It emerges from the figure 4 that the clutch or transmission wheel set comprises a first wheel 68 arranged in permanent engagement with the wheel on the field 40, in a conventional manner.

La présente invention prévoit l'agencement d'une roue montée à friction sur son arbre dans le rouage de chronographe. Cette roue est ici une deuxième roue 70 montée à friction sur l'arbre 72 du mobile d'embrayage 38. Un pont 73 est solidaire de la bascule d'embrayage 36 pour assurer le montage à pivot de l'arbre 72.The present invention provides for the arrangement of a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft in the chronograph train. This wheel is here a second wheel 70 mounted in friction on the shaft 72 of the clutch mobile 38. A bridge 73 is integral with the clutch lever 36 to ensure the pivot assembly of the shaft 72.

Lorsque la bascule d'embrayage 36 tombe entre deux colonnes de la roue à colonnes 30, pour passer de sa position illustrée sur la figure 1 à celle illustrée sur la figure 2 (enclenchement du mode START), la première roue 68 roule sur la roue sur champ 40, entraînant l'arbre 72 et la deuxième roue 70 en rotation dans le même sens.When the clutch lever 36 falls between two columns of the column wheel 30, to change from its position illustrated on the figure 1 to her illustrated on the figure 2 (engagement of START mode), the first wheel 68 rolls on the wheel on the field 40, causing the shaft 72 and the second wheel 70 to rotate in the same direction.

La denture de la deuxième roue 70 s'engage alors dans la denture de la roue de chronographe 11 avec un mouvement combiné de translation et de rotation.The teeth of the second wheel 70 then engage in the teeth of the chronograph wheel 11 with a combined translational and rotational movement.

La bascule d'embrayage 36, les marteaux 14, 24 et les colonnes de la roue à colonnes 30 sont préférablement conformés et agencés de telle manière que les marteaux 14, 24 sont encore en appui contre les cames en cœur 12, 22 au moment où la denture de la deuxième roue 70 s'engage dans la denture de la roue de chronographe 11.The clutch lever 36, the hammers 14, 24 and the columns of the column wheel 30 are preferably shaped and arranged such that the hammers 14, 24 are still resting against the heart cams 12, 22 when the teeth of the second wheel 70 engage with the teeth of the chronograph wheel 11.

Ainsi, lorsque les dentures de la deuxième roue 70 et de la roue de chronographe 11 ne sont pas alignées l'une avec l'autre, ce qui entraîne le saut de l'aiguille dans les mécanismes de l'art antérieur tel que mentionné plus haut, la deuxième roue 70 glisse ici sur son arbre 72, grâce à son assemblage par friction, pour aligner sa denture avec celle de la roue 11, sous l'effet de l'action du ressort 62 repoussant la bascule d'embrayage 36 en direction de la roue 11. Ce mouvement n'entraîne pas ici de saut d'aiguille étant donné que la roue 11 est bloquée par son marteau de remise à zéro 14.Thus, when the teeth of the second wheel 70 and of the chronograph wheel 11 are not aligned with each other, which causes the needle to jump in the mechanisms of the prior art as mentioned more up, the second wheel 70 slides here on its shaft 72, thanks to its assembly by friction, to align its teeth with that of the wheel 11, under the effect of the action of the spring 62 pushing the clutch lever 36 back into direction of wheel 11. This movement does not result in a needle jump here, given that wheel 11 is blocked by its reset hammer 14.

Les formes du bec 50 et des colonnes de la roue à colonnes 30 sont adaptées pour assurer une levée du marteau 14 de la came 12 dès que la denture de la deuxième roue 70 est engagée dans celle de la roue 11. La mesure d'un temps peut alors démarrer.The shapes of the nose 50 and of the columns of the column wheel 30 are adapted to ensure lifting of the hammer 14 of the cam 12 as soon as the teeth of the second wheel 70 are engaged in that of the wheel 11. The measurement of a time can then start.

L'assemblage de la deuxième roue 70 sur l'arbre 72 peut être réalisé de toute manière connue et adaptée et l'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour le mettre en œuvre. A titre d'exemple illustratif non limitatif, l'homme du métier pourra s'inspirer de l'enseignement du brevet CH 701075 B1 pour réaliser cet assemblage.The assembly of the second wheel 70 on the shaft 72 can be carried out in any known and suitable manner and those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing it. By way of nonlimiting illustrative example, a person skilled in the art may draw inspiration from the teaching of the patent. CH 701075 B1 to achieve this assembly.

En alternative, il est possible de prévoir que le mobile d'embrayage ne comporte qu'une seule roue 68, la deuxième roue 70 étant dans ce cas assemblée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile de chronographe 10 en étant agencée pour engrener avec la roue d'embrayage 68. Dans ce cas, la deuxième roue 70 glisserait sur l'arbre du mobile 10 lors de la chute de la bascule d'embrayage 36, alors que la roue de chronographe 11 serait bloquée par le marteau 14, pour éviter un saut de l'aiguille correspondante.As an alternative, it is possible to provide that the clutch wheel set comprises only one wheel 68, the second wheel 70 being in this case frictionally assembled on the shaft of the chronograph wheel set 10, being arranged to mesh with the wheel. clutch wheel 68. In this case, the second wheel 70 would slide on the shaft of the mobile 10 when the clutch lever 36 falls, while the chronograph wheel 11 would be blocked by the hammer 14, to prevent the corresponding hand from jumping.

On mentionnera également la possibilité d'assembler la deuxième roue 70 à friction sur le mobile menant, c'est-à-dire sur l'arbre solidaire de la roue sur champ 40, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention. Dans ce cas, la roue sur champ 40 serait entraînée par le mouvement horloger mais c'est la deuxième roue 70 qui serait agencée en prise permanente avec la roue unique 68 du mobile d'embrayage 38, voire en alternative avec le mobile d'entraînement.Mention will also be made of the possibility of assembling the second friction wheel 70 on the driving wheel set, that is to say on the shaft integral with the wheel on the field 40, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the field wheel 40 would be driven by the watch movement, but it is the second wheel 70 which would be arranged in permanent engagement with the single wheel 68 of the clutch wheel 38, or even alternatively with the drive wheel. .

La figure 5 illustre un exemple d'une construction alternative du rouage de chronographe des figures 1 à 3, n'appartenant pas à l'invention, permettant de mettre en évidence une approche alternative pour assurer l'entraînement du compteur des minutes. Selon cette variante, le compteur des minutes 20 n'a plus de roue à friction et le mobile entier est entraîné, via un mobile intermédiaire 142, à partir du compteur de secondes 10 lorsque ce dernier est en prise avec le mobile d'embrayage 38.The figure 5 illustrates an example of an alternative construction of the chronograph gear figures 1 to 3 , not belonging to the invention, making it possible to demonstrate an alternative approach for ensuring the training of the minute counter. According to this variant, the minute counter 20 no longer has a friction wheel and the entire mobile is driven, via an intermediate mobile 142, from the seconds counter 10 when the latter is engaged with the clutch mobile 38. .

En fonction des positions angulaires des roues 11 et 21 en cours de mesure d'un temps, il est possible que ces deux roues soient amenées à tourner en sens opposés lors de la remise à zéro par les marteaux 14, 24.Depending on the angular positions of the wheels 11 and 21 during the measurement of a time, it is possible that these two wheels are caused to turn in opposite directions during the resetting by the hammers 14, 24.

Selon cette variante, la méthode d'entraînement du compteur des minutes 20 à partir du compteur des secondes 10 par l'intermédiaire d'un doigt peut être remplacée par un engrenage, incluant une roue montée à friction sur son arbre et présentant une meilleure précision de fonctionnement.According to this variant, the method of driving the minute counter 20 from the seconds counter 10 by means of a finger can be replaced by a gear, including a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft and exhibiting better precision. Operating.

En effet, il ressort de la figure 5 que le mobile intermédiaire 142 comporte des première et seconde roues 74 et 76, dont la première 74 est solidaire de l'arbre 78 du mobile 142, tandis que la seconde 76 est montée à friction sur cet arbre 78.Indeed, it emerges from the figure 5 that the intermediate mobile 142 comprises first and second wheels 74 and 76, the first 74 of which is integral with the shaft 78 of the mobile 142, while the second 76 is mounted in friction on this shaft 78.

La première roue 74 est ici agencée en prise permanente avec un renvoi 80 solidaire de l'arbre 82 du mobile compteur des secondes 10.The first wheel 74 is here arranged in permanent engagement with a reference 80 integral with the shaft 82 of the mobile seconds counter 10.

Ainsi, dans la variante de la figure 5, lors de la mesure d'un temps le déplacement du mobile des secondes 10 est transmis au mobile des minutes 20 par le mobile intermédiaire 142, ce qui permet d'obtenir un affichage traînant des minutes chronométrées, contrairement aux mécanismes sautants à doigt escamotable.Thus, in the variant of the figure 5 , during the measurement of a time the displacement of the mobile of seconds 10 is transmitted to the mobile of 20 minutes by the intermediate mobile 142, which makes it possible to obtain a trailing display of timed minutes, unlike jumping mechanisms with a retractable finger.

Lors d'une opération de remise à zéro, la seconde roue 76 se met à glisser sur son arbre 78 dès que les mobiles des secondes 10 et des minutes 20 sont entraînés de manière non synchronisée par leurs marteaux respectifs.During a resetting operation, the second wheel 76 begins to slide on its shaft 78 as soon as the mobile 10 seconds and 20 minutes are driven in a non-synchronized manner by their respective hammers.

Dans ce cas, le mobile menant est le mobile des secondes de chronographe 10 dont les mouvements sont transmis au mobile des minutes de chronographes 20, jouant le rôle de mobile mené, par l'intermédiaire du mobile intermédiaire 142 jouant le rôle de mobile de transmission.In this case, the leading mobile is the chronograph seconds mobile 10 whose movements are transmitted to the chronograph minutes mobile 20, playing the role of driven mobile, via the intermediate mobile 142 playing the role of transmission mobile. .

Bien entendu, l'homme du métier pourra choisir si la roue montée à friction sur l'arbre du mobile intermédiaire 142 est celle qui engrène avec le mobile des secondes 10 ou celle qui engrène avec le mobile des minutes 20. En alternative, il est également possible de prévoir que les roues 74 et 76 sont toutes deux solidaires de l'axe 78 mais que la roue montée à friction sur son arbre est le renvoi 80 du mobile des secondes 10.Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to choose whether the wheel mounted in friction on the shaft of the intermediate mobile 142 is the one which meshes with the second mobile unit 10 or the one which meshes with the 20 minute mobile. It is also possible to provide that the wheels 74 and 76 are both integral with the axle 78 but that the wheel mounted in friction on its shaft is the return 80 of the second mobile 10.

Grâce à la construction qui vient d'être décrite, notamment par l'implantation d'une roue montée à friction sur son arbre en un emplacement judicieux, il apparaît comment un mécanisme de chronographe de construction proche des constructions connues peut être réalisé, tout en évitant certains problèmes de fonctionnement comme le saut de l'aiguille au démarrage.Thanks to the construction which has just been described, in particular by the installation of a wheel mounted in friction on its shaft in a judicious location, it appears how a chronograph mechanism of construction close to known constructions can be produced, while avoiding certain operating problems such as the needle jump at start-up.

On notera par ailleurs, de manière générale, que les roues du rouage de chronographe selon la présente invention peuvent avantageusement présenter chacune une denture présentant un profil de denture NIHS 20-25 ou une autre denture à ogives à bon rendement de transmission. Ce profil, conventionnel dans les rouages autres que ceux des mécanismes de chronographe, permet d'assurer un meilleur rendement que les profils triangulaires généralement utilisés notamment entre la roue d'embrayage et la roue du mobile des secondes de chronographe. En outre, l'utilisation d'un tel profil de denture permet d'éviter un chevrotement de l'aiguille d'affichage des secondes des temps mesurés sans avoir à utiliser le conventionnel ressort de friction. De manière préférée, la roue montée à friction sur son arbre et la roue avec laquelle elle coopère présentent chacune une denture à micro-module, tandis que les autres roues présentent préférablement chacune une denture à petit module.It will also be noted, in general, that the wheels of the chronograph train according to the present invention can advantageously each have a set of teeth having an NIHS 20-25 tooth profile or another toothed tooth with good transmission efficiency. This profile, conventional in cogs other than those of chronograph mechanisms, makes it possible to ensure better efficiency than the triangular profiles generally used in particular between the clutch wheel and the wheel of the chronograph seconds mobile. In addition, the use of such a tooth profile makes it possible to avoid a jerking of the display hand of the seconds of the measured times without having to use the conventional friction spring. Preferably, the wheel mounted in friction on its shaft and the wheel with which it cooperates have each has a micro-modulus toothing, while the other wheels preferably each have a small-modulus toothing.

La description qui précède s'attache à décrire un mode de réalisation particulier à titre d'illustration non limitative et, l'invention n'est pas limitée à la mise en œuvre de certaines caractéristiques particulières qui viennent d'être décrites, comme par exemple le nombre de mobiles que comporte le rouage de chronographe ou les implantations illustrées et décrites pour la roue montée à friction sur son arbre.The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as for example the number of moving parts included in the chronograph gear train or the arrangements illustrated and described for the wheel mounted in friction on its shaft.

L'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour adapter le contenu de la présente divulgation à ses propres besoins et mettre en œuvre un rouage de chronographe comportant au moins une roue montée à friction sur l'un des arbres du rouage. En particulier, on notera que plusieurs roues de friction peuvent être combinées dans une même partie du rouage, ou encore qu'une seule roue de friction peut être utilisée, comme par exemple celle du mobile d'embrayage, sans pour autant nécessairement mettre en œuvre le mobile intermédiaire 42 ou 142.Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and in implementing a chronograph gear train comprising at least one wheel mounted in friction on one of the shafts of the gear train. In particular, it will be noted that several friction wheels can be combined in the same part of the cog, or even a single friction wheel can be used, such as for example that of the clutch mobile, without necessarily implementing the intermediate mobile 42 or 142.

Claims (10)

  1. Chronograph mechanism, for a timepiece movement (1), having a driving mobile able to be driven in rotation by a drive mobile for driving, on request, a driven mobile (10) by way of a transmission mobile (38), said drive mobile itself being intended to be driven from a power source of the timepiece movement, said driven mobile (10) being intended to control the movements of a display member, each of said drive mobile, driving mobile, transmission mobile (38) and driven mobile (10) having a shaft (72, 82) secured to a wheel (40, 68, 11), the wheel (40) of said driving mobile being a chronograph driving wheel, said transmission mobile (38) being a clutch mobile carried by a clutch lever (36) intended to be arranged on the timepiece movement (1), so as to be able to move between a first position, associated with an engaged state in which a kinematic connection intended to connect the drive mobile to the display member is created, and a second position, associated with a disengaged state in which said kinematic connection is interrupted, wherein one mobile from said driving mobile, transmission mobile (38) and driven mobile (10) has a friction wheel (70), frictionally mounted on the corresponding shaft and designed to cooperate with the wheel of another mobile from said drive mobile, driving mobile, transmission mobile (38) and driven mobile (10), said kinematic connection integrating said friction wheel (70) in such a way that the drive mobile and the display member are able to be connected together by way of friction.
  2. Mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wheel (68) of said transmission mobile (38) is designed to cooperate with the wheel (40) of said driving mobile, while said friction wheel (70) is frictionally mounted on the shaft (72) of said transmission mobile (38) and is designed to cooperate with the wheel (11) of said driven mobile (10) .
  3. Mechanism according to Claim 2, characterized in that the wheel (11) of said driven mobile (10) is a chronograph seconds wheel, said first and second positions of said clutch lever (36) being respectively associated with engaged and disengaged states between said friction wheel (70) of said transmission mobile (38) and the wheel (11) of said driven mobile (10).
  4. Mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that the wheel (11) of said driven mobile (10) is intended to control the movements of a display member, while the friction wheel is frictionally mounted on the shaft (82) of said driven mobile (10) and is designed to cooperate with the wheel (68) of said transmission mobile (38).
  5. Mechanism according to Claim 4, characterized in that the wheel (11) of said driven mobile (10) is a chronograph seconds wheel, said first and second positions of said clutch lever (36) being respectively associated with engaged and disengaged states between the wheel (68) of said transmission mobile (38) and said friction wheel of said driven mobile (10).
  6. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wheels and friction wheel (11, 40, 68, 70, 76) each have a toothing having an NIHS 20-25 toothing profile, according to the 2002 version, or a toothing of the type having ogives.
  7. Mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 6, comprising
    a heart cam (12) intended to rotate as one with the display member,
    a zero-resetting hammer (14) having an adapted surface intended to cooperate with the heart cam (12),
    a brake (44) for keeping, in the service position, the angular position of a wheel of said driven mobile (11) secured to the heart cam (12) fixed,
    a clutch lever (36) carrying the transmission mobile (38), and
    a column wheel (30) intended to cooperate with said hammer (14), said brake (44) and said clutch lever (36) in order to actuate them in different operating modes START, STOP, RESET of the chronograph mechanism,
    characterized in that the hammer (14), the clutch lever (36) and the column wheel (30) are shaped and designed such that, when the START mode is triggered, the hammer (14) lifts off the heart cam (12) just after the clutch lever (36) has been actuated by the column wheel (30) for putting it in its engaged state.
  8. Mechanism according to Claim 7, characterized in that the brake (44), the clutch lever (36) and the column wheel (30) are shaped and designed such that, when the STOP mode is triggered, the brake (44) acts on said wheel of the driven mobile (11), in order to keep its angular position fixed, before the clutch lever (36) is actuated by the column wheel (30) for putting it in its disengaged state.
  9. Timepiece movement (1) having a chronograph mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 8.
  10. Timepiece having a timepiece movement according to Claim 9.
EP14197810.6A 2014-12-12 2014-12-12 Chronograph mechanism for a clock movement Active EP3032358B1 (en)

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EP3324249A1 (en) * 2016-11-17 2018-05-23 Nogerah SA Clutch system for chronograph
EP3407143A1 (en) 2017-05-24 2018-11-28 Rolex Sa Mechanical linking device
CH714798B1 (en) * 2018-03-19 2022-03-31 Hublot Sa Geneve Chronograph mechanism for a timepiece.
CN111895042A (en) * 2020-08-10 2020-11-06 周祖焕 Tripolar gear train device and constant speed clock
EP4310606A1 (en) * 2022-07-19 2024-01-24 Chopard Technologies SA Three-stroke chronograph mechanism and methods for manufacturing and for transforming two-stroke and three-stroke chronograph mechanisms

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CH701075B1 (en) 2007-03-02 2010-11-30 Richemont Int Sa Cannon-pinion wheel and arbor assembly for clock movement, has wheel whose hub is connected to felloe to form rigid, monolithic and effectively non-deformable assembly, and pad with surface provided in contact with periphery of arbor
ES2401928T3 (en) 2008-04-23 2013-04-25 Société Anonyme de la Manufacture d'Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Clutch device

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