EP3101486B1 - Heart of timepiece or chronograph - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clockwork mobile comprising a shaft carrying a wheel, and a heart indexed angularly in position relative to this wheel.

The invention also relates to a chronograph mechanism comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a GMT time indication mechanism over several time zones comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such a chronograph mechanism, and / or such a mechanism GMT.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such a chronograph mechanism, and / or such a GMT mechanism, and / or such movement.

The invention relates to the field of watch mechanisms comprising heart cams.

Background of the invention

The positioning of a heart-type reset element, especially for the delivery of a chronograph counter in zero position, generally requires the use of a jumper, bulky, and energy consumer, or of a hammer flexible or articulated in several parts.

• deux roues de mémoire programmables, comportant chacune une roue comportant des moyens d'entraînement en rotation autour d'un axe de rotation, et un coeur mobile de façon réversible par pivotement entre des positions d'indexation que comporte la roue,
• des moyens d'appui agencés pour coopérer de façon débrayable avec une surface d'appui que comporte chaque roue de mémoire, et, entre deux actions de l'utilisateur, coopérant de façon embrayée avec la surface d'appui de l'une des roues de mémoire et étant alors débrayés de la surface d'appui de l'autre des roues de mémoire,
• un différentiel à deux entrées et une sortie, une première entrée étant constituée par un mobile de minuterie agencé pour être entraîné par le mouvement, une seconde entrée étant constituée par une couronne que comporte le différentiel, et la sortie consistant en une chaussée ou un axe portant une aiguille des heures, chacune des roues de mémoire engrenant par les moyens d'entraînement, directement ou indirectement, avec la couronne de différentiel.

The document CH702718 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET SA describes a time zone mechanism, arranged for displaying on demand the time in a particular time zone, on the main switch of a timepiece comprising:

• two programmable memory wheels, each comprising a wheel comprising means for driving in rotation about an axis of rotation, and a core movable reversibly by pivoting between indexing positions that comprises the wheel,
• support means arranged to cooperate in a disengageable manner with a bearing surface that comprises each memory wheel, and between two actions of the user cooperating in a geared manner with the bearing surface of one of the wheels of memory and then being disengaged from the bearing surface of the other of the memory wheels,
• a differential with two inputs and an output, a first input being constituted by a timer mobile arranged to be driven by the movement, a second input being constituted by a ring that comprises the differential, and the output consisting of a roadway or an axis carrying an hour hand, each of the memory wheels meshing by the drive means, directly or indirectly, with the differential ring.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to ensure the precise positioning of a heart in zero position, without resorting to a flexible or articulated hammer, or to a jumper positioning. The invention thus proposes to compensate for the set of manufacturing tolerances of the unitary components, which ordinarily condition the accuracy of the zero position.

The main purpose is the best possible adaptation of the core to the hammer to compensate for all the shape defects due to the execution tolerances.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a watchmaker according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a chronograph mechanism comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a GMT time indication mechanism over several time zones comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such a chronograph mechanism, and / or such a mechanism GMT.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such mobile, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such chronograph mechanism, and / or such a GMT mechanism, and / or such a movement.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en vue en plan, un mobile selon l'invention, comportant un arbre porteur d'une roue, et un coeur indexé angulairement en position par rapport à cette roue, ce mobile comportant un ressort entre la roue et le coeur d'indexage;
• la figure 2 représente le même mobile en coupe dans un plan passant par un plan de symétrie, passant par l'axe de pivotement du mobile et aligné selon une direction radiale préférentielle de mobilité du coeur;
• la figure 3 représente le coeur en vue en plan ;
• la figure 4 représente le coeur en vue en coupe par un plan de symétrie;
• la figure 5 représente la roue en vue en plan ;
• la figure 6 représente la roue en vue en coupe par un plan de symétrie;
• les figures 7 à 9 représentent, sous différents angles, le ressort visible sur Is figures 1 et 2, joignant le coeur à la roue ;
• les figures 10 à 13 représentent, en vue en plan, différentes variantes de coeurs comportant des lames flexibles constituant une surface méplate de contact avec un marteau ou similaire ;
• les figures 14 et 15 représentent, en vue en plan et en coupe par un plan de symétrie aligné selon une direction radiale préférentielle de mobilité du coeur une variante de coeur comportant une partie supérieure coopérant avec un marteau et similaire à celui de la figure 10, et une partie inférieure coopérant avec la roue et tendant à rappeler le coeur vers l'axe de pivotement du mobile ;
• la figure 16 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un mouvement, lequel comporte un mécanisme de chronographe et un mécanisme GMT, tous deux équipés avec au moins un mobile selon l'invention.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, and in plan view, a mobile according to the invention, comprising a shaft carrying a wheel, and a heart angularly indexed in position with respect to this wheel, this wheel having a spring between the wheel and the indexing heart;
• the figure 2 represents the same mobile section in a plane passing through a plane of symmetry, passing through the pivot axis of the mobile and aligned in a preferred radial direction of mobility of the core;
• the figure 3 represents the heart in plan view;
• the figure 4 represents the heart in sectional view by a plane of symmetry;
• the figure 5 represents the wheel in plan view;
• the figure 6 represents the wheel in sectional view by a plane of symmetry;
• the Figures 7 to 9 represent, from different angles, the visible spring on Is Figures 1 and 2 , joining the heart to the wheel;
• the Figures 10 to 13 show, in plan view, different core variants having flexible blades constituting a flat contact surface with a hammer or the like;
• the Figures 14 and 15 represent, in plan view and in section through a plane of symmetry aligned in a preferred radial direction of mobility of the heart, a variant of a core comprising an upper part cooperating with a hammer and similar to that of the figure 10 , and a lower portion cooperating with the wheel and tending to return the heart towards the pivot axis of the mobile;
• the figure 16 is a block diagram representing a watch comprising a movement, which comprises a chronograph mechanism and a GMT mechanism, both equipped with at least one mobile according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a watch mobile 1 1.

According to the invention, the core 2 is mounted floating in a radial direction R with respect to the axis D of the shaft 3 of the mobile 1, and is biased in the neutral position towards this axis D by at least one flexible element 6. This flexible element 6 is either a flexible blade 25, 26, integrated in the core 2, or a spring 60 interposed between the wheel 4 and the core 2. This at least one flexible element 6 is sized to damp an impact applied to a peripheral cam track 23 that includes the core 2.

In a first embodiment of the invention, this at least one flexible element 6 is a spring 60 interposed between the wheel 4 and the core 2, as visible on the Figures 1, 2 , 7 to 9 .

More particularly, this spring 60 comprises at least one distal end 61, 62, which is arranged to cooperate with a housing 21, 22, which comprises the core 2, and this spring 60 comprises a radiated portion 64, which is arranged to cooperate in support with a housing 9 that includes the wheel 4 so as to tend to push the heart 2 to the axis D of the shaft 3. On the non-limiting version illustrated by the figures, this housing 9 is a circular groove.

In a particular achievement visible on Figures 7 to 9 the spring 60 is symmetrical with respect to a spring plane PRE, which is, in the service position of the spring, coinciding with a radial plane PRA passing through the axis D of the shaft 3 and parallel to the radial direction R. And the first radiated part 64, which has a center of curvature towards the inside of the wheel 4, is made of two symmetrical parts on either side of a second radiated part 63. This second radiated part 63 is of curvature inverse to that of the first radiated part 64, and its center of curvature is located outside the wheel 4. The second radiated part 63 is located at the spring plane PRE and in its immediate vicinity, to define two zones of symmetrical contact between the spring 60 and the wheel 4, so that the resultant of the elastic return force exerted by the spring 60 on the core 2 for its return to the axis D of the shaft 3 is located on a radial with respect to this axis D, according to the direct radial ion R.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 , the core 2 comprises a central oblong slot 30 with two parallel faces, which is arranged to guide the tree with minimal clearance 3. The core 2 further comprises, aligned in parallel with the central oblong slot 30, an eccentric light 50 which is arranged to guide at minimum clearance a pin 5 mounted integral with the wheel 4, so as to allow the relative mobility of the core 2 by relative to the shaft 3 between two stop positions in the radial direction R.

Preferably, the core 2 is then symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry PS parallel to the two lumens: central oblong light 30 and eccentric light 50. And its peripheral cam track 23 comprises, in the vicinity of central oblong light 30 a flattened area 20, which is arranged to cooperate with a hammer or reset control member.

In a second embodiment of the invention, as visible on the Figures 10 to 13 this at least one flexible element 6 is a blade 25, 26, which is integrated in the core 2, and comprises a portion of the peripheral surface 23, at least one flattened zone 20 is arranged to cooperate with a hammer or a control member reset. This blade 25, 26 is dimensioned to damp the percussion force printed by a hammer or reset control member.

The figure 10 shows a core 2 with a continuous peripheral cam track 23, the blade 25 is separated from the solid part of the core 2 by a groove 28.

The figure 11 shows a configuration where the peripheral cam track 23 is discontinuous, the flattened area 20 is reduced to the two distal ends of two cantilever blades 26, each is separated from the solid portion of the core 2 by a groove 27, opening at the an opening 24 separating the two blades 26.

The figure 12 illustrates a variant of the figure 11 , where the core 2 comprises, in the vicinity of its peripheral cam track 23, pockets 28 giving it a certain flexibility.

The figure 13 shows an asymmetrical heart 2, whose flattened area 20 is reduced to a solid portion of the heart, and the distal end of a single blade 26 cantilevered in front of a pocket 29 of large volume.

In a mixed configuration, the mobile 1 comprises at least one blade 25, 26 integrated in the core 2, and at least one spring 60 interposed between the wheel 4 and the core 2.

The Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a mixed configuration, where the wheel 4 has a groove 9 in which is housed a lower portion 2A of a core 2, which has elastic tabs 91 for holding the lower part 2A in the groove 9, and elastic blades 92 which play the same role as the spring 20 of the Figures 1 and 2 , tending to push the heart 2 towards the axis D of the shaft 3. This lower portion 2A is secured to an upper portion 2B, which is equivalent to the heart 2 of the figure 10 , and which supports the striking of a hammer or the like.

Thus, in the various configurations illustrated, it ensures the best contact between the heart and the hammer during the reset, and therefore a perfect position.

Whether the heart has integrated flexible parts, or that it is suspended from the wheel, the effect obtained is similar. Tolerance compensation is thus ensured.

The damping effect is a side effect, which can be positive when the heart is almost at its neutral position, the maximum torque of the hammer acting on the heart is then amortized.

Many other configurations can be imagined with flexible blades or / and conventional springs, without departing from the invention.

The invention also relates to a chronograph mechanism 100 comprising at least one such mobile 1, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a GMT 200 time indication mechanism over several time zones comprising at least one such mobile 1, associated with a hammer or a reset control member.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 300 comprising at least one such mobile 1, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such a chronograph mechanism 100, and / or such a GMT mechanism. 200.

The invention also relates to a watch 400 comprising at least one such mobile 1, associated with a hammer or a reset control member, and / or such a chronograph mechanism 100, and / or such a mechanism GMT 200, or and such a movement 300.

Claims (12)

1. Timepiece mobile component (1) including an arbor (3) carrying a wheel (4), and a heart cam (2) in an angularly indexed position with respect to said wheel (4), characterized in that said heart cam (2) is mounted with a clearance in a radial direction (R) with respect to the axis (D) of said arbor (3) of said mobile component (1), and returned in a neutral position towards said axis (D) by at least one flexible element (6), said flexible element (6) being either a strip (25; 26) incorporated in said heart cam (2), or a spring (60) inserted between said wheel (4) and said heart cam (2), and said at least one flexible element (6) being dimensioned to damp impacts applied to a peripheral cam track (23) of said heart cam (2).
2. Mobile component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one flexible element (6) is a spring (60) inserted between said wheel (4) and said heart cam (2).
3. Mobile component (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that spring (60) includes at least one distal end (61; 62) arranged to cooperate with a housing (21; 22) comprised in said heart cam (2), and includes a curved portion (64) arranged to cooperate in abutment with a housing (9) comprised in said wheel (4) in order to push said heart cam (2) back towards said axis (D) of said arbor (3).
4. Mobile component (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that spring (60) is symmetrical with respect to a spring plane (PRE), which, in the operating position of said spring, is coincident with a radial plane (PRA) passing through said axis (D) of said arbor (3) and parallel to said radial direction (R), and in that said first curved portion (64), which has a centre of curvature towards the interior of said wheel (4), is made of two symmetrical parts on either side of a second curved portion (63), of reverse curvature to that of said first curved portion and whose centre of curvature lies outside said wheel (4), which is located in the spring plane (PRE) and in immediate proximity thereto, to define two symmetrical contact areas between said spring (60) and said wheel (4), so that the resultant of the elastic return effort exerted by said spring (60) on said heart cam (2) to return the latter towards said axis (D) of said arbor (3) lies on a radial line with respect to said axis (D) in said radial direction (R).
5. Mobile component (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said heart cam (2) includes a central oblong opening (30) which has two parallel faces and is arranged to guide said arbor (3) with minimum play, and, aligned parallel with said central oblong opening (30), an off-centre opening (50) arranged to guide with minimum play an integrally mounted pin (5) of said wheel (4), so as to allow for the relative mobility of said heart cam (2) with respect to said arbor (3) between two stop positions in said radial direction (R).
6. Mobile component (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said heart cam (2) is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry (PS) parallel to said central oblong opening (30) and off-centre opening (50), and in that its said peripheral cam track (23) includes, in proximity to said central oblong opening (30), a flat section (20) arranged to cooperate with a hammer or a return-to-zero control member.
7. Mobile component (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the mobile component includes a portion of said peripheral surface (23) of which at least one flat section (20) is arranged to cooperate with a hammer or a return-to-zero member, said strip (25; 26) being dimensioned to damp the impact effort imparted by a said hammer or return-to-zero control member.
8. Mobile component (1) according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that said mobile component (1) includes at least one said strip (25; 26) incorporated in said heart cam (2), and at least one said spring (60) inserted between said wheel (4) and said heart cam (2).
9. Chronograph mechanism (100) including at least one mobile component (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, associated with a hammer or a return-to-zero control member.
10. GMT mechanism (200) for indicating the time in several time zones including at least one mobile component (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, associated with a hammer or a return-to-zero control member.
11. Timepiece movement (300) including at least one mobile component (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, associated with a hammer or a return-to-zero control member.
12. Watch (400) including at least one mobile component (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, associated with a hammer or a return-to-zero control member.

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