EP3627233B1 - Timepiece power reserve indicator mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clockwork power reserve indicator mechanism, for displaying the power reserve of the energy storage means of a clockwork movement, which energy storage means are arranged to be powered in the winding phase by an entry wheel actuated by a stem that comprises said movement or by an automatic winding mechanism that comprises said movement or by an external crown, and are arranged to restore energy to said movement in phase disarming by an output wheel, said mechanism comprising at least one display mobile arranged to be driven indirectly by said input wheel or by said output wheel, said mechanism comprising a differential mechanism including said input wheel and said output wheel constitute two inputs, and comprising, at a single output, an output mobile which is arranged to directly or indirectly drive said display mobile.

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

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such clock movement, and/or at least one such mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of clockwork mechanisms, and the management of the energy storage of such mechanisms, in particular the display of the remaining power reserve at the motor means.

Background of the invention

The display of the power reserve on a mechanical watch is a useful function, making it possible to prevent any untimely stopping of the watch for lack of energy, which could oblige the user to update calendar mechanisms, or similar, which is always tedious, and which also makes it possible to maintain the level of energy stored in a range where the torque delivered is substantially constant, thus allowing optimum chronometry.

This function cannot always be positioned at will in the watch case, because it is dependent on the position of the energy transmission cogs, and it is often difficult, in the case of a calendar watch or a complication watch, to position all the displays in the best possible way, with the minimum of references, which consume space and energy.

The document EP2977828 in the name of ETA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse describes a watchmaking power reserve indicator for displaying the power reserve indication of a plurality of energy accumulators each comprising an indicator cooperating with an input of a differential mechanism which the indicator comprises power reserve, and of which an output of the differential mechanism cooperates with a mechanism for displaying the total power reserve of the plurality of energy accumulators, and at least two inputs are coaxial.

The document EP1970778 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET describes a timepiece which comprises a power reserve indicator device with a differential frame which is arranged coaxially with respect to a barrel arbor. The secondary output of the differential is attached to a cover. The differential gear output is obtained by an inner ring gear which is kinetically connected to the primary input by the planet wheels meshed with each other and carried by the cover.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide a simple, compact mechanism which allows the designer to place a power reserve indicator in any available place of a watch.

To this end, the invention relates to an operating indicator mechanism according to claim 1.

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

The invention also relates to a watch comprising at least one such clock movement, and/or at least one such mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe par les principaux axes de pivotement, un mécanisme indicateur de marche selon l'invention, et le mécanisme différentiel qu'il comporte;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un détail de ce mécanisme, centré sur le mécanisme différentiel à billes ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un détail de ce mécanisme, lors du désarmage d'un barillet, le côté cadran étant en partie inférieure de la figure ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 2, un autre détail de ce mécanisme, lors de l'armage, le côté cadran étant en partie inférieure de la figure ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un autre détail encore de ce mécanisme, avec la limitation de course d'une roue d'affichage qui comporte une ganse coopérant avec une goupille fixe ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en vue en plan, un mouvement comportant un mécanisme indicateur de marche selon l'invention, comportant un anneau denté qui entraîne une roue d'affichage montée extérieurement à cet anneau ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 6, un tel mouvement, avec l'anneau denté qui entraîne une roue d'affichage montée intérieurement à cet anneau ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 7, un tel mécanisme, avec l'anneau denté qui entraîne une roue d'affichage montée intérieurement à cet anneau, sur l'axe six heures-douze heures, la roue d'affichage comportant une ganse pour la limitation de sa course angulaire, cette roue d'affichage étant disposée très près du centre du mouvement, et cet agencement autorisant différents angles d'affichage ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 8, un tel mécanisme, avec l'anneau denté qui entraîne une roue d'affichage montée intérieurement à cet anneau, sur l'axe six heures-douze heures, la roue d'affichage comportant une ganse pour la limitation de sa course angulaire, cette roue d'affichage étant disposée très près de l'anneau denté, et cet agencement autorisant aussi différents angles d'affichage ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en vue en plan, un anneau denté qui comporte, sur un fond clair, un marquage contrasté en spirale, de façon à faire apparaître dans un guichet la part de réserve de marche restante ;
• les figures 11 et 12 sont deux représentations de l'anneau de la figure 10 dans le guichet d'un cadran, respectivement en fin de désarmage et en début de désarmage ;
• la figure 13 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, la partie axiale du mécanisme différentiel, illustrée en coupe à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 14 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un mouvement avec des moyes de stockage d'énergie, et un tel mécanisme indicateur de marche.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, and in section through the main pivot axes, an operating indicator mechanism according to the invention, and the differential mechanism which it comprises;
• the picture 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , a detail of this mechanism, centered on the differential ball mechanism;
• the picture 3 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , a detail of this mechanism, during the unwinding of a barrel, the dial side being in the lower part of the figure;
• the figure 4 represents, similarly to the picture 2 , another detail of this mechanism, during winding, the dial side being in the lower part of the figure;
• the figure 5 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , yet another detail of this mechanism, with the stroke limitation of a display wheel which comprises a loop cooperating with a fixed pin;
• the figure 6 represents, schematically, partially, and in plan view, a movement comprising a running indicator mechanism according to the invention, comprising a toothed ring which drives a display wheel mounted outside this ring;
• the figure 7 represents, analogously to the figure 6 , such a movement, with the toothed ring which drives a display wheel mounted inside this ring;
• the figure 8 represents, analogously to the figure 7 , such a mechanism, with the toothed ring which drives a display wheel mounted inside this ring, on the axis six o'clock-twelve o'clock, the display wheel comprising a loop for the limitation of its angular stroke, this display wheel being arranged very close to the center of the movement, and this arrangement allowing different display angles;
• the figure 9 represents, analogously to the figure 8 , such a mechanism, with the toothed ring which drives a display wheel mounted inside this ring, on the axis six o'clock-twelve o'clock, the display wheel comprising a loop for the limitation of its angular stroke, this display wheel being arranged very close to the toothed ring, and this arrangement also allowing different display angles;
• the figure 10 shows, schematically, partially, and in plan view, a toothed ring which has, on a light background, a contrasting spiral marking, so as to show in an aperture the remaining part of the power reserve;
• the figures 11 and 12 are two representations of the ring of the figure 10 in the aperture of a dial, respectively at the end of unwinding and at the start of unwinding;
• the figure 13 represents, schematically and in perspective, the axial part of the differential mechanism, illustrated in section at the picture 2 ;
• the figure 14 is a block diagram representing a watch comprising a movement with energy storage means, and such a working indicator mechanism.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a clockwork power reserve indicator mechanism 100, for displaying the power reserve of energy storage means 200 of a clockwork movement 300.

These energy storage means 200, such as barrels or the like, are arranged to be powered during the winding phase by an input wheel 2. This input wheel 2 is actuated by a stem 1 which the movement 300 includes. , or by an automatic winding mechanism 400 included in the movement 300, or even by an external winding mechanism.

The energy storage means 200 are arranged to restore energy to the movement 300 in the disarming phase by an output wheel 14.

Mechanism 100 includes at least one display mobile 10 or 12, arranged to be driven indirectly by input wheel 2 or by output wheel 14.

According to the invention, the mechanism 100 comprises a differential mechanism 30 whose input wheel 2 and output wheel 14 constitute two inputs, and comprising, at a single output, an output mobile 7 which is arranged to directly or indirectly drive the mobile display 10 or 12.

More particularly, and as seen in the figures, the differential mechanism 30 is a ball and friction differential mechanism, comprising a first plate 3 meshing directly or indirectly with the input wheel 2, and a second plate 16 parallel to the first board 3 and meshing directly or indirectly with the output wheel 14. This differential mechanism 30 further comprises balls 5 which are arranged to roll between the first board 3 and the second board 16, under the action of friction means 4 which are arranged to push the first board 3 and the second board 16 towards each other, driving during their rolling a basket 6 in which the balls 5 are enclosed and which is arranged to drive the output mobile 9.

More particularly, the first board 3 and the second board 16 are coaxial.

More particularly still, the first board 3 and the second board 16 are coaxial with the basket 6 which is secured to the output wheel set 9, which is secured to a shaft 7 carrying the first board 3 and the second board 16.

In the non-limiting alternative embodiment illustrated by the figures, the friction means 4 comprise at least one elastic element resting, on the one hand, on a plate 20 or a bridge 21 or 22 that comprises the mechanism 100 or the movement 300, and on the other hand on the first board 3 in the variant of the figures, or on the second board 16.

The figure 1 shows these friction means 4 in the form of a left-hand spring resting on the barrel bridge 21. A washer 17 driven onto the differential shaft 7, which carries the basket 6 and the output mobile 9 for driving the mobile display 10 or 12. The first board 3 and the second board 16 pivot around this shaft 7. This washer 17 holds the spring 4, and makes it possible to hold the balls 5 in their basket 6, between the first board 3 and the second plate 16.

In a particular variant, the mechanism 100 comprises a first mobile display visible on a first side of a plate 20 or of a bridge 21 or 22 that comprises the mechanism 100 or the movement 300, and a second mobile display visible on a second side opposite the first side.

According to the invention, a mobile display is a display wheel 12, which is driven directly or indirectly by a toothed ring 10 which meshes with the output mobile 9, and the pivot axis of this display wheel 12 is inside or outside the ring 10 inside which the mobiles that comprise the differential mechanism 30 pivot.

The figures 6 to 9 show an internally and externally toothed ring, which allows the manufacturer to choose the position of a display wheel 12 outside this ring as on the figure 6 , or inside this ring as on the figures 7 to 9 .

In a particular variant, visible on the figure 5 , 8 and 9 , the display wheel 12 comprises a loop 120 which cooperates with a pin 121 which is fixed on a plate 20, or on such a bridge 21 or 22, to limit the angular travel of the display wheel 12 which is pivoted by its shaft 23 between plate 20 and a bridge 22 or a dial 40.

In one embodiment which does not form part of the invention, a display mobile is directly constituted by a toothed ring 10 which meshes with the output mobile 9, inside which ring 10 pivots the mobiles that comprise the differential mechanism 30. More particularly, this display mobile constitutes a power reserve display, and this ring 10 advantageously bears a progressive marking 101 on at least one of its flat surfaces, contrasting with a clear background 102, arranged to allow the visualization of the remaining power reserve in an aperture 41 of a dial 40.

In another embodiment which does not form part of the invention, a timepiece movement 300 comprises at least one dial 40, one plate 20 and at least one bridge 21 or 22, arranged to support the differential mechanism 30, and comprising a plurality of layouts each capable of receiving a display wheel 12 according to the first variant, in different angular positions of the dial 40. It is thus very easy to arrange, at will, a power reserve indicator on any zone of the dial. And, in the second variant, more particularly, the movement 300 comprises a plate 20 and at least one bridge 21 or 22, arranged to support the differential mechanism 30, and the dial 40 comprises an aperture 41 for viewing the progressive marking 101 .

• lors du remontage, au travers de la tige 1 de la montre, ou d'autres moyens d'apport d'énergie, la roue d'entrée 2 fait tourner la première planche 3 ; grâce à la friction imprimée par le ressort 4, la première planche 3 fait tourner les billes 5, entraînant du même coup le panier 6 qui contient ces billes 5. Ce panier 6 est chassé sur l'arbre de différentiel 7, qui entraîne, au travers d'un carré 8 qu'il comporte, le mobile de sortie 9, lequel entraîne le premier mobile d'affichage 10, qui entraîne à son tour une roue intermédiaire d'entraînement 11, laquelle entraîne le deuxième mobile d'affichage 12, qui indique l'angle de réserve de marche instantané ;
• lors du désarmage, un moyen de stockage d'énergie 200, tel qu'un barillet 13, entraîne la roue de sortie 14, qui fait tourner une roue intermédiaire de différentiel 14, qui entraîne une roue d'entraînement de différentiel 15, laquelle fait tourner la deuxième planche 16, ce qui fait tourner les billes 5 et donc leur panier 16, et donc l'arbre de différentiel 7, et, comme lors de l'armage, la cascade de rouage avec le premier mobile d'affichage 10 et le deuxième mobile d'affichage 12.

The operation of the mechanism is simple:

• during winding, through the stem 1 of the watch, or other energy supply means, the input wheel 2 rotates the first plate 3; thanks to the friction imparted by the spring 4, the first board 3 rotates the balls 5, thereby driving the basket 6 which contains these balls 5. This basket 6 is driven onto the differential shaft 7, which drives, at the same time, the basket 6 which contains these balls 5. through a square 8 that it comprises, the output wheel set 9, which drives the first display wheel set 10, which in turn drives an intermediate drive wheel 11, which drives the second display wheel set 12, which indicates the instantaneous power reserve angle;
• during uncocking, an energy storage means 200, such as a barrel 13, drives the output wheel 14, which rotates an intermediate differential wheel 14, which drives a differential drive wheel 15, which turn the second plate 16, which turns the balls 5 and therefore their basket 16, and therefore the differential shaft 7, and, as during winding, the cog cascade with the first mobile display 10 and the second mobile display 12.

Naturally, the invention is applicable to the display of the power reserve of energy sources specific to the movement, but also to ancillary functionalities such as a striking mechanism, or a music box, or other.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising at least one such movement 300, and/or at least one such mechanism 100 power reserve indicator.

This construction offers the possibility of easily displaying the power reserve over 360°, in any appropriate zone of the dial or of the movement of the watch.

Claims (9)

1. Power reserve indicator mechanism (100) for horology, for displaying the power reserve of energy storage means (200) of a timepiece movement (300), which energy storage means (200) are arranged to be powered in the winding phase by an input wheel (2) actuated by a winding-stem (1) comprised in said movement (300) or by an automatic winding mechanism (400) comprised in said movement (300) or by an external winder, and are arranged to restore energy to said movement (300) in the unwinding phase via an output wheel (14), said mechanism (100) including at least one display wheel set (10; 12) arranged to be directly or indirectly driven by said input wheel (2) or by said output wheel (14), said mechanism (100) including a differential mechanism (30) of which said input wheel (2) and said output wheel (14) constitute two inputs, and including, at a single output, an output wheel set (9) which is arranged to directly or indirectly drive said display wheel set (10; 12), characterized in that one said display wheel set is a display wheel (12) directly or indirectly driven by a toothed ring (10) which meshes with said output wheel set (9), and in that the pivot axis of said display wheel (12) is internal or external to said ring (10), inside which pivot the wheel sets of said differential mechanism (30).
2. Mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said differential mechanism (30) is a friction ball differential mechanism, including a first wheel (3) directly or indirectly meshing with said input wheel (2), and a second wheel (16) parallel to said first wheel (3) and directly or indirectly meshing with said output wheel (14), and ball bearings (5) which are arranged to roll between said first wheel (3) and said second wheel (16) under the action of friction means (4) which are arranged to push said first wheel (3) and said second wheel (16) towards one another, driving while rolling a carrier (6) which contains said ball bearings (5) and which is arranged to drive said output wheel set (9).
3. Mechanism (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that said first wheel (3) and said second wheel (16) are coaxial.
4. Mechanism (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first wheel (3) and said second wheel (16) are coaxial to said carrier (6), which is secured to said output wheel set (9), which is secured to an arbor (7) carrying said first wheel (3) and said second wheel (16).
5. Mechanism (100) according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said friction means (4) include at least one elastic member resting on a plate (20) or a bridge (21; 22) comprised in said mechanism (100) or said movement (300).
6. Mechanism (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said mechanism (100) includes a first display wheel set visible on a first side of a plate (20) or of a bridge (21; 22) comprised in said mechanism (100) or said movement (300), and a second display wheel set visible on a second side opposite to said first side.
7. Mechanism (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said display wheel (12) includes an eyelet (120) which cooperates with a pin (121) fixed to a plate (20) or a bridge (21; 22) comprised in said mechanism (100) or said movement (300) to limit the angular travel of said display wheel (12).
8. Timepiece movement (300) including at least one power reserve indicator mechanism (100) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, and including at least one dial (40), characterized in that said movement (300) includes a plate (20) and at least one bridge (21; 22) arranged for supporting said differential mechanism (30) and including a plurality of arrangements each able to receive a said display wheel (12), in different angular positions of said dial (40).
9. Watch (1000) including a movement (300) according to claim 8 and/or a power reserve indicator mechanism (300) according to one of the claims 1 to 7.

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