EP3543797B1 - Clock movement comprising a regulating system and clockwork comprising such a movement - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a regulating system of the tourbillon type, this regulating system comprising a support, the timepiece further comprising at least one motor member kinematically linked to the regulating system.

The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.

PRIOR TECHNIQUE

There are currently many timepieces comprising regulating systems of the carousel or tourbillon type. In addition to providing the movement with optimal isochronism, such regulating systems provide the timepiece in which they are placed, a particular aesthetic aspect sought after by amateurs.

As part of technical and aesthetic research, movements or timepieces have been developed with different variants of regulating systems. Some of these movements include several regulating systems, these can be synchronous, rotate at different speeds or in opposite directions for example.

When these regulating systems are driven during normal operation of the timepiece, the movement of the regulating system takes place in a single plane. The regulating system is therefore always at the same distance from the glass or from the back of the timepiece and therefore from the view of the user. It could be interesting to propose a regulating system approaching and moving away alternately from the user.

The document EP 3 136 186 discloses a vortex actuated axially by means of rollers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to move the regulating system in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of the timepiece, so as to alternately approach and move away this regulating mechanism from the watch crystal and therefore from the user. In this way, this regulating system is more or less visible to the wearer of this timepiece and moves evoking a “beat” of a living organism.

• un mécanisme de déplacement cyclique entraîné en rotation par ledit au moins un organe moteur ;
• un mécanisme de conversion d'un mouvement rotatif en un mouvement rectiligne longitudinal, ce mécanisme de conversion d'un mouvement rotatif en un mouvement rectiligne longitudinal comportant au moins une crémaillère et étant entrainé par ledit mécanisme de déplacement cyclique;
• un mécanisme de conversion d'un mouvement rectiligne longitudinal en un mouvement rectiligne transversal, ce mécanisme de conversion d'un mouvement rectiligne longitudinal en un mouvement rectiligne transversal étant lié cinématiquement audit mécanisme de conversion d'un mouvement rotatif en un mouvement rectiligne longitudinal; et
• au moins une colonne de guidage du système réglant.

The object of the invention is achieved by a timepiece movement as defined in the preamble and characterized in that it comprises:

• a cyclic displacement mechanism driven in rotation by said at least one motor member;
• a mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a longitudinal rectilinear motion, said mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a longitudinal rectilinear motion comprising at least one rack and being driven by said cyclic displacement mechanism;
• a mechanism for converting a longitudinal rectilinear motion into a transverse rectilinear motion, said mechanism for converting a longitudinal rectilinear motion into a transverse rectilinear motion being kinematically linked to said mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a longitudinal rectilinear motion; and
• at least one guide column of the regulating system.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.

According to the invention, a motor member such as for example a barrel - barrel spring assembly is used to set in motion a regulating system such as a tourbillon. Conventionally, the motor member is arranged in a plane and pivots about an axis perpendicular to this plane. The organ engine always remains in the same plane. As for the regulating system, it is also arranged in a plane, generally parallel to the plane of the motor member, and pivots about an axis perpendicular to the plane in which it is arranged. However, unlike conventional regulating systems, this regulating system can also move along its axis of rotation. In other words, the regulating system remains in planes parallel to the plane of the motor organ, but these planes being different as a function of time.

These movements are carried out according to a cycle which can have a chosen period, for example one minute, and alternately allow the regulating system to be approached and removed from the view of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 illustre un mouvement d'horlogerie selon la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre une première chaîne cinématique du mouvement d'horlogerie de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente une deuxième chaîne cinématique du mouvement d'horlogerie de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un élément du mouvement d'horlogerie selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus de l'élément de la figure 4, dans une première position ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus de l'élément de la figure 4, dans une deuxième position ;
• la figure 7 est une vue de profil d'une partie du mouvement d'horlogerie de l'invention, dans une première position, dite position basse ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de profil de la partie du mouvement d'horlogerie illustrée par la figure 7, dans une deuxième position, dite position haute ; et
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective de la partie du mouvement d'horlogerie illustrée par la figure 8.

The present invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the appended figures and to the detailed description of a particular embodiment, in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates a timepiece movement according to the present invention;
• the figure 2 illustrates a first kinematic chain of the watch movement of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 represents a second kinematic chain of the watch movement of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of an element of the timepiece movement according to the invention;
• the figure 5 is a top view of the element of the figure 4 , in a first position;
• the figure 6 is a top view of the element of the figure 4 , in a second position;
• the figure 7 is a side view of part of the clockwork movement of the invention, in a first position, called the low position;
• the figure 8 is a side view of the part of the clockwork movement illustrated by the figure 7 , in a second position, called the high position; and
• the figure 9 is a perspective view of the part of the clockwork movement illustrated by the figure 8 .

WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the figure 1 , the clockwork movement 10 according to the present invention comprises two separate kinematic chains 11, 12. The first kinematic chain 11, specifically illustrated by the figure 2 , comprises an energy source or a driving member produced in the form of a barrel 13 comprising a barrel spring 14. This barrel 13 engages a center mobile 15. A center wheel 16 of the center mobile 15 engages a train of gears formed of an average mobile 17, a second mobile 18 and a driving wheel 19 of a regulating system, this gear train resulting in a regulating system 20. This regulating system 20 is shown here in the form of a tourbillon comprising in particular a movable cage 21 as well as an escape mechanism 22. This tourbillon is held in a support 23 described in more detail below.

The second kinematic chain 12, specifically illustrated by figure 3 , also comprises an energy source or driving member produced in the form of a barrel 24 comprising a barrel spring 25. This driving member also comprises a gear train produced in the form of pinions and toothed wheels, this train of gears leading on the one hand to a so-called cyclic displacement mechanism 26, the operation of which is explained in detail below, and on the other hand to a regulating member 27.

In more detail, the barrel 24 of the second kinematic chain 12 meshes with a pinion of a first mobile 28 of the cyclic displacement mechanism 26. This first mobile 28 comprises a toothed wheel which meshes with a pinion of a second mobile 29 of the cyclic displacement mechanism 26. A toothed wheel of this second mobile wheel 29 meshes with a pinion 30 'of a control member 30, the operation of which is described in detail below.

The wheel of the second mobile 29 meshes with a toothed pinion of a third mobile 31 leading to the regulator member 27 comprising a sprung balance 32 and an escape mechanism 34 formed for example of an escape wheel and of an anchor. Alternatively, the described regulator member may be replaced by an inertial flywheel.

As can be seen in the drawings, the first kinematic chain 11 is relatively conventional and makes it possible to display the time, while benefiting from an improved isochronism thanks to the regulating system 20.

The second kinematic chain 12 is responsible for the linear displacement of the regulating system 20 in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the clockwork movement. This movement therefore makes it possible to approach and move away alternately the regulating system 20 of a crystal of a timepiece in which the movement 10 is placed, which makes it possible to approach and move away alternately, the regulating system. from the user's view.

For the sake of simplification, the cyclic linear displacement of the regulating system 20 is here called vertical displacement, transverse displacement or transverse rectilinear displacement.

The cyclic movement mechanism 26 includes an actuation mechanism 35, a mechanism for converting a rotary motion into a longitudinal rectilinear motion 36, and a mechanism for converting the longitudinal rectilinear motion into a transverse rectilinear motion 37.

The actuation mechanism 35 includes the pinion 30 'meshing the second mobile 29. This actuation mechanism 35 comprises a rod 38 integral with the pinion 30', this rod further comprising a finger 39 disposed near one end of the rod, parallel to the axis of rotation of the pinion, at a non-zero distance from this axis of rotation.

The mechanism for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement 36 comprises, in the illustrated embodiment, a guide plate 40 provided with a groove 41. This guide plate 40 comprises a pivot pin 42 integral with the frame. of the timepiece. The finger 39 of the actuating mechanism 35 is arranged in the groove 41 of the guide plate 40 such that the rotary movement of this finger 39 generates a pivoting movement of the guide plate 40 around the pivot axis 42 .

The mechanism for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement 36 further comprises two racks 43 integral with the guide plate 40. In the illustrated embodiment, these two racks 43 are fixed to the guide plate 40, of on either side of the pivot axis 42 of this guide plate. These racks 43 are fixed to this guide plate 40 so as to be able to pivot on this plate. The racks 43 are also guided longitudinally by guides 44 integral with the frame of the watch, such that the pivoting of the guide plate 40 about its pivot axis 42 generates a linear movement of the racks 43. For this purpose, a slight play is provided at the level of the attachment of the racks 43 on the guide plate 40, to allow a substantially linear displacement of these racks while the displacement of the attachment points of the racks 43 on the guide plate 40 takes place in an arc circle.

The mechanism for converting longitudinal rectilinear motion into transverse rectilinear motion 37 is illustrated by figures 4 and 7 to 9 . This mechanism comprises in particular a toothed rake 45 and an arm 46, the toothed rake 45 engaging with the corresponding rack 43. The toothed rake 45 may have substantially the shape of a portion of a circle, the toothed area being produced on an arc of a circle at the periphery of this portion of a circle. The toothed rake 45 comprises an axis 47 disposed at the axis of rotation of the circle, this axis 47 being fixed to a support (not shown) integral with the frame of the timepiece.

The arm 46 is integral with the toothed rake 45 and can be made in one piece with this rake. In the example illustrated, the arm ends with a guide rod 48 and a roller 49, the function of which is explained below.

The regulating system 20 is provided with a guide rail 50 in which the roller 49 disposed on the guide rod 48 of the arm 46 of the conversion mechanism 37 moves.

The frame of the timepiece comprises two guide columns 51 cooperating with the support 23 of the regulating system 20. More specifically, this support 23 comprises two slides 52 arranged to move vertically along the two guide columns 51.

It should be noted that in the first kinematic chain 11, the drive mobile 19 of the regulating system 20 meshes with the mobile cage 21 of the regulating system. As this movable cage 21 moves vertically along the guide columns 51, the driving mobile 19 is elongated in such a way that it meshes with the mobile cage 21 whatever the position of the regulating system 20.

When the timepiece is used, the barrel 13 of the first kinematic chain 11 meshes with the gear train leading to the regulating system 20 and supplies the energy necessary for driving the movement of the timepiece, to as regards the time indicators and the rotational drive of the regulating system.

The barrel 24 of the second kinematic chain 12 is responsible for supplying the energy necessary for the vertical displacement of the regulating system 20. For this purpose, this barrel 24 drives the first mobile 28, which in turn drives the second mobile 29, then the pinion of the cyclic displacement mechanism 26. The rotational speed of the elements of this second chain kinematics is regulated by the escape mechanism 34. The rotation of the pinion of the actuating mechanism 35 at a defined rotational speed causes the movement of the finger 39 in the groove 41 of the guide plate 40 at a corresponding frequency. The guide plate 40 then pivots about its pivot axis 42 at a frequency corresponding to the speed of rotation of the rod 38, for example one cycle per minute.

The pivoting movement of the guide plate 40 around its pivot axis 42 causes a linear displacement of the racks 43 according to the same cycle. The toothed zone of the toothed rake 45 being meshed with the racks 43, the displacement of the racks 43 involves a pivoting of these toothed rakes 45. This has the effect of causing the arms 46 to pivot relative to the toothed rakes. The rollers 49 of these arms 46 being arranged in the guide rails 50 of the regulating system 20, the pivoting movement of these arms 46 has the effect of moving the regulating system 20 along the guide columns 51, according to a cycle having a frequency identical to the frequency of the actuating mechanism 35.

In this way, the regulating system 20 moves vertically at a frequency defined by the kinematic chain 12 specific to this movement.

In the illustrated embodiment, as well as in the description of an embodiment, the movement according to the present invention comprises two distinct energy sources, namely two barrels 13, 24 and therefore two barrel springs 14, 25. According to one variant, it is possible to use only one energy source, produced for example in the form of a barrel. In this case, the escape mechanism 34 of the second kinematic chain must be eliminated.

The mechanism 36 for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement is shown in the form of a guide plate 40 having a groove. It is also conceivable to replace this guide plate 40, for example a grooved cam, in which move follower members similar to the racks of the illustrated embodiment.

Claims (12)

1. Clockwork movement comprising a regulating system (20) of the tourbillon type, this regulating system (20) comprising a support (23), the clockwork movement (10) further comprising at least one drive unit kinematically connected to the regulating system (20), this clockwork movement being characterized in that it comprises:

   • a cyclic moving mechanism (26) driven in rotation by said at least one drive unit;

   • a conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement, this conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement comprising at least one rack (43) and being driven by said cyclic moving mechanism (26);

   • a conversion mechanism (37) for converting a longitudinal rectilinear movement into a transverse rectilinear movement, this conversion mechanism (37) for converting a longitudinal rectilinear movement into a transverse rectilinear movement being kinematically connected to said conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement; and

   • at least one guide column (51) of the regulating system.
2. Clockwork movement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement comprises a guide plate (40) pivoting around a pivot axis (42), this guide plate (40) comprising a groove (41), the cyclic moving mechanism (26) further comprising a finger (39) sliding in said groove (41), the moving of the finger (39) in said groove (41) causing the guide plate (40) to pivot around its pivot axis (42).
3. Clockwork movement according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises two racks (43) connected to said guide plate (40).
4. Clockwork movement according to claim 3, characterized in that said two racks (43) are arranged on each side of the pivot axis (42) of said guide plate (40).
5. Clockwork movement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion mechanism (37) for converting a longitudinal rectilinear movement into a transverse rectilinear movement comprises a toothed wheel (45) and an arm (46) integral with said toothed wheel (45).
6. Clockwork movement according to claim 5, this clockwork movement being placed in a case of a timepiece, said clockwork movement being characterized in that said toothed wheel (45) pivots around a stationary axis relative to said case of the timepiece.
7. Clockwork movement according to claim 5, characterized in that said arm (46) is connected to the support (23) of the regulating system (20), so as to be able to slide relative to this support (23).
8. Clockwork movement according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement comprises a cam and in that said at least one rack (43) forms a follower unit of said cam.
9. Clockwork movement according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two kinematic chains, one of the kinematic chains containing said regulating system and the other kinematic chain containing said conversion mechanism (36) for converting a rotary movement into a longitudinal rectilinear movement and said conversion mechanism (37) for converting a longitudinal rectilinear movement into a transverse rectilinear movement.
10. Clockwork movement according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a drive unit for both kinematic chains.
11. Clockwork movement according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a drive unit per kinematic chain.
12. Timepiece characterized in that it comprises a movement according to any of claims 1 to 11.

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