EP3637197A1 - Adjusting device for a timepiece retrograde display - Google Patents

Abstract

Retrograde display mechanism (10) comprising a plate (20), and a rake (1) pivoting at the level of a first shaft (11) around a first axis (D1) centering its teeth (2), and comprising a probe (3) along a cam (4) pivoting at a second shaft (12) around a second axis (D2), the position of the first pivot axis (D1) and / or the second pivot axis (D2) is adjustable in position relative to the plate (20) by means of an adjustment plate (30; 40), carrying the first shaft (11) and / or respectively the second shaft (12), and movable with at least one degree of freedom relative to the plate (20), the position of which relative to the plate (20) is adjustable by an adjustment control means (50) or an eccentric screw (51) fixed on the plate (20) and cooperating with a notch (52) of the adjustment plate (30; 40), or vice versa.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a retrograde clock display mechanism, comprising a plate, and at least one rake mounted to pivot at a first shaft pivoting around a first pivot axis and comprising a toothing centered on said first axis. pivoting, which rake comprises a feeler finger arranged to follow the periphery of a cam that comprises said retrograde display mechanism and which is pivotally mounted at a second shaft pivoting around a second pivot axis.

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

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such retrograde display mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of clockwork display mechanisms, and more particularly to the field of retrograde display mechanisms.

Invention background

Retrograde display systems using a cam and a probe are, by design, imprecise. In fact, the imprecision depends on the gear ratio between the feeler rake and the display pinion. In a concrete example, if the size does not allow a rake travel angle limited to 25 °, while the display on the dial must be 270 °, this configuration implies a gear ratio of 10.8, and the logical consequence is that any imprecision (tolerances of positioning of the elements, tolerances of forms, plays of pivoting, deformation during the driving of the cam on its shaft, or of the rake feeler on its shaft, and others) is amplified by the same factor on the 'display. Any error is then amplified according to the same ratio due to the gear ratio. It is then possible that the display initially planned on an angular sector of 270 ° can only be done on an angular sector of 266 ° or 274 °, which is visible, and unpleasant for the user, the optical effect possibly still be amplified according to the design of the dial.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to develop a system for adjusting the angle of a retrograde display making it possible to overcome the limitations of the prior art, and to ensure good display precision.

The invention provides a simple adjustment system which exploits this high reduction ratio between the feeler rake and the display pinion.

To this end, the invention relates to a retrograde clock display mechanism according to claim 1.

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

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such retrograde display mechanism.

The invention allows a slight offset from the pivot center of the feeler rake, and / or the cam. For example, in the example illustrated by the figures presented below, a variation of the feeler rake angle of +/- 0.37 ° allows an adjustment of +/- 4 ° on the retrograde display. This adjustment is necessary because it compensates for inaccuracies in the manufacturing of components that are unpredictable between two batches.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en plan, une commande d'affichage rétrograde selon l'art antérieur, avec un râteau palpeur pivoté sur une platine, et comportant un doigt suivant le contour périphérique d'une came escargot, le râteau palpeur comporte un secteur denté qui engrène avec un pignon porteur d'un afficheur rétrograde tel qu'une aiguille;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, la géométrie du profil de la came de la figure 1, et la position de retour rétrograde lors de la chute du palpeur sur le limaçon ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, un mécanisme d'affichage rétrograde selon l'invention, selon une variante particulière où la position de l'arbre du râteau palpeur est réglable, grâce à une plaquette intermédiaire supportant cet arbre, et laquelle est réglable en position par rapport à la platine, notamment par deux lumières de guidage et un excentrique de réglage, et où un ressort de rattrapage de jeux prend appui sur cet arbre, et contraint la plaquette toujours dans le même sens, pour rattraper les jeux, et éviter le désindexage lors du réglage et lors des chocs éventuels ;

• la figure 4 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 2, la géométrie du profil de la came de la figure 3, et la position de retour rétrograde lors de la chute du palpeur sur le limaçon, et un déplacement de l'axe de rotation de l'arbre du palpeur râteau vers la came par rapport à sa position théorique, d'une valeur de 0.0493 mm correspondant à un angle de chute de 25.2991° sur le limaçon ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 4, la géométrie du profil de la came de la figure 3, et la position de retour rétrograde lors de la chute du palpeur sur le limaçon, et un déplacement de l'axe de rotation de l'arbre du palpeur râteau en éloignement de la came par rapport à sa position théorique, d'une valeur de 0.0585 mm correspondant à un angle de chute de 24.5679° sur le limaçon ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon similaire aux figures 4 et 5, le point de contact du doigt palpeur avec la came lors du retour rétrograde, dans ces deux positions encadrant la position théorique;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, et en plan, une variante de réglage selon laquelle la position de l'axe du palpeur est réglable par une plaquette comportant des ganses coopérant avec des tourillons que comporte la platine ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon schématisée, et en plan, une variante de réglage selon laquelle la position de l'axe du palpeur est réglable par une plaquette comportant des tourillons coopérant avec des ganses que comporte la platine ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée, et en plan, une variante de réglage selon laquelle la position de l'axe de la came est réglable par une plaquette comportant des ganses coopérant avec des tourillons que comporte la platine ;
• la figure 10 représente, de façon schématisée, et en plan, une variante de réglage selon laquelle la position de l'axe de la came est réglable par une plaquette comportant des tourillons coopérant avec des ganses que comporte la platine ;
• la figure 11 est un schéma-blocs représentant une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mouvement qui comporte lui-même un tel mécanisme d'affichage rétrograde.

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 shows, schematically, and in plan, a retrograde display control according to the prior art, with a feeler rake pivoted on a plate, and comprising a finger along the peripheral contour of a snail cam, the feeler rake comprises a toothed sector which meshes with a pinion carrying a retrograde display such as a needle;
• the figure 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , the geometry of the cam profile of the figure 1 , and the retrograde return position when the feeler falls on the snail;
• the figure 3 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , a retrograde display mechanism according to the invention, according to a particular variant where the position of the feeler rake shaft is adjustable, thanks to an intermediate plate supporting this shaft, and which is adjustable in position relative to the plate, especially by two guide lights and an adjustment eccentric, and where a play take-up spring is supported on this shaft, and constrains the plate always in the same direction, to take up play, and to avoid de-indexing during adjustment and during shocks possible;

• the figure 4 represents, similarly to the figure 2 , the geometry of the cam profile of the figure 3 , and the retrograde return position when the probe falls on the snail, and a displacement of the axis of rotation of the rake probe shaft towards the cam relative to its theoretical position, by a value of 0.0493 mm corresponding to a fall angle of 25.2991 ° on the snail;
• the figure 5 represents, similarly to the figure 4 , the geometry of the cam profile of the figure 3 , and the retrograde return position when the probe falls on the snail, and a displacement of the axis of rotation of the rake probe shaft away from the cam with respect to its theoretical position, by a value of 0.0585 mm corresponding to a fall angle of 24.5679 ° on the snail;
• the figure 6 represents, similarly to Figures 4 and 5 , the point of contact of the feeler finger with the cam during retrograde return, in these two positions framing the theoretical position;
• the figure 7 shows, schematically, and in plan, an adjustment variant according to which the position of the probe axis is adjustable by a plate comprising loops cooperating with pins which comprises the plate;
• the figure 8 shows, schematically, and in plan, an adjustment variant according to which the position of the probe axis is adjustable by a plate having pins cooperating with loops that comprises the plate;
• the figure 9 shows, schematically, and in plan, an adjustment variant according to which the position of the axis of the cam is adjustable by a plate comprising loops cooperating with pins which comprises the plate;
• the figure 10 shows, diagrammatically, and in plan, an adjustment variant according to which the position of the axis of the cam is adjustable by a plate comprising pins cooperating with loops that the plate comprises;
• the figure 11 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a movement which itself comprises such a retrograde display mechanism.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention relates to a retrograde clock display mechanism 10, comprising a plate 20, and at least one feeler rake 1. This rake 1 is pivotally mounted at the level of a first shaft 11 pivoting around a first axis of pivot D1, and has a toothing 2 centered on this first pivot axis D1. The rake 1 comprises a feeler finger 3, which is arranged to follow the periphery of a cam 4, which comprises this retrograde display mechanism 10, and which is pivotally mounted at a second shaft 12 pivoting around a second pivot axis D2. The toothing 2 of the rake 1 is arranged to drive a display pinion 21, which carries or drives a display such as a needle or the like, not shown in the figures.

In the nonlimiting exemplary embodiment illustrated by the figures, the reduction ratio between the feeler rake and the display pinion is 130/12. A theoretical total rake angle of 24.929 ° corresponds to a theoretical angle of 270.06 ° on the display gear. Naturally, if due to manufacturing, minimal errors accumulate, and above all are amplified due to the gear ratio, the actual angle of the retrograde display can deviate significantly from its theoretical value of 270 °, for take a value for example of only 267 °, which is visible on the display, and which should be avoided.

Inevitable errors have several sources, the effects of which are cumulative: tolerances for the positioning of the elements, tolerances for shapes, pivoting play in the pivots, deformation when driving the cam on its shaft, or the feeler rake on its shaft, and other.

The invention proposes a new construction with an adjustment system: the feeler rake pivots on a shaft which is mounted on a plate, which can slide, via an eccentric, along at least one determined axis to have the greatest impact on the probe angle.

Thus, according to the invention, the position of the first pivot axis D1 and / or of the second pivot axis D2 is adjustable in position relative to the plate 20 by means of an adjustment plate 30, 40, carrying the first shaft 11 and / or respectively the second shaft 12, and mounted movable with at least one degree of freedom relative to the plate 20, and whose position relative to the plate 20 is adjustable by an adjustment control means 50, so as to adjust the total angle of the retrograde display.

More particularly, the adjustment plate 30, 40 comprises at least one pin 31, 32, 41, 42 movable in a strap 21, 22, which comprises the plate, and / or comprises at least one strap 33, 34, 43, 44 arranged to cooperate with a pin 23, 24, which comprises the plate 20. Recall that in watchmaking a loop is an oblong guide light. The figures 7 to 11 illustrate non-limiting variants of these configurations, in a simple version where the loops are rectilinear, and where each plate is guided in translation by two couples gansetourillon. Naturally, other configurations can be envisaged, for example a single loop in an arc of a circle allowing the plate to pivot, or with more than two loops, in particular with the use of loops with crossed directions allowing two-dimensional positioning with respect to in terms of the stage. The illustrated variants have the advantage of being very simple, easy to implement, and perfectly meet the need for adjustment, especially when the direction of the loops is substantially parallel to the direction that together define the theoretical positions of the first axis of pivot D1 and the second pivot axis D2.

Thus, in a variant, the adjustment plate 30, 40 comprises two pins 31, 32, 41, 42, each movable in a strap 21, 22, which comprises the plate. More particularly, the first shaft 11 and / or respectively the second shaft 12 constitutes one of the pins 31, 32, 41, 42.

In another variant, the adjustment plate 30, 40 comprises two loops 33, 34, 43, 44, each arranged to cooperate with a pin 23, 24, which comprises the plate 20.

Advantageously, the retrograde display mechanism 10 comprises at least one play take-up spring 61, 62, arranged to push the first shaft 11 and / or respectively the second shaft 12 always in the same direction relative to the plate 20 , and to maintain the adjustment plate 30, 40.

More particularly the adjustment control means 50 comprises an eccentric screw 51 fixed on the plate and arranged to cooperate with a notch 52 which comprises the adjustment plate 30, 40, or else comprises a notch formed in the plate 20 and with which is arranged to cooperate with an eccentric screw fixed to the adjustment plate 30, 40. More particularly, the adjustment control means only comprises this eccentric screw 51 which is unique.

More particularly, the feeler finger 3 is arranged to return to direct contact with the cam 4 after the reset, the cam 4 constituting an end of travel stop for the feeler finger 3.

In a variant, the adjustment control means 50 is arranged to control a translation of the center of rotation of the feeler finger 3 constituted by the first pivot axis D1.

A linear stroke of the first pivot axis D1 or / and of the second pivot axis D2 corresponds to a preferred embodiment, of inexpensive embodiment, and in which it is easy to revert to a previous setting. This does not exclude the possibility of enlarged geometric adjustments in the plane.

In a variant, the adjustment control means 50 is arranged to control a rotation of the center of rotation of the feeler finger 3 constituted by the first pivot axis D1.

In a variant, the adjustment control means 50 is arranged to control a translation of the center of rotation of the cam 4 constituted by the second pivot axis D2.

In a variant, the adjustment control means is arranged to control a rotation of the center of rotation of the cam 4 constituted by the second pivot axis D2.

In another variant not illustrated, the positions of the first pivot axis D1 and of the second pivot axis D2 are adjustable, and their relative mobility is limited by a mechanical connection between their respective adjustment plates 30, 40, for example by a bar comprising two pins each circulating in a lumen of one of the adjustment plates 30, 40, or the like.

If the invention essentially relates to a position adjustment at zero, it is possible to extrapolate the principle to dynamic adjustments. Thus, in yet another variant, not illustrated, the adjustment means 50 are movable during the running of the timepiece, for example the eccentric 51 or 52 can be controlled by movement to describe a periodic angular stroke, in one or two senses.

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

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such retrograde display mechanism.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to increase or decrease the total angle of a retrograde display in order to have an accurate display with a space-saving system. Indeed, in general, in order not to have imprecision on the display, it is necessary to have a ratio close to 6 between the angle of the probe and the angle of the retrograde display. It is therefore understood that to have a display at 300 ° on the dial without an adjustment system, it is necessary to have a probe traversing an angle of 50 °.

The probe returns to contact with the cam after resetting to zero, the cam is the minimum stop. This arrangement is better than mechanisms with adjustment systems where the feeler falls against an eccentric and not on the cam allowing the increase of the display angle, which then brings another problem which is that the needle display, or the display if it is a disc, or other, remains frozen on zero for a certain time before starting again.

In the variant illustrated by the figures, a single eccentric allows the adjustment of the display range. The adjustment is therefore quite simple.

• un râteau monté sur une plaquette de réglage permettant sa translation ;
• cette plaquette de réglage pilotée par excentrique pour faciliter l'intervention de l'horloger ;
• un ressort maintenant la plaquette de réglage, et rattrapant les jeux de pivotement des éléments.

En somme, l'invention, simple à réaliser, procure des avantages substantiels :

• la possibilité de régler l'angle d'affichage rétrograde d'un élément par la simple action d'un excentrique, et notamment d'un excentrique unique ;
• la compensation des intolérances de fabrication pour un affichage rétrograde.

The constitution of the mechanism according to the invention is not very complex, to reliably adjust the angle of a retrograde display by displacement (translation or rotation) of the center of rotation of the probe and or of the cam. The mechanism only requires:

• a rake mounted on an adjustment plate allowing its translation;
• this eccentrically controlled adjustment plate to facilitate the intervention of the watchmaker;
• a spring holding the adjustment plate, and catching up with the pivoting play of the elements.

In summary, the invention, which is simple to carry out, provides substantial advantages:

• the possibility of adjusting the retrograde display angle of an element by the simple action of an eccentric, and in particular a single eccentric;
• compensation for manufacturing intolerance for a retrograde display.

Claims (16)

Clockwork retrograde display mechanism (10), comprising a plate (20), and at least one rake (1) pivotally mounted at a first shaft (11) pivoting around a first pivot axis (D1 ) and comprising a toothing (2) centered on said first pivot axis (D1), which rake (1) comprises a feeler finger (3) arranged to follow the periphery of a cam (4) which comprises said display mechanism retrograde (10) and which is pivotally mounted at a second shaft (12) pivoting about a second pivot axis (D2), characterized in that the position of said first pivot axis (D1) and / or said second pivot axis (D2) is adjustable in position relative to said plate (20) by means of an adjustment plate (30; 40) carrying said first shaft (11) and / or respectively said second shaft (12) and movable mounted with at least one degree of freedom relative to said plate (20), and whose position relative to port to said plate (20) is adjustable by an adjustment control means (50), so as to adjust the total angle of said retrograde display. Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said adjustment plate (30; 40) comprises at least one pin (31, 32; 41; 42) movable in a strap (21; 22) that comprises said plate, and / or comprises at least one loop (33, 34; 43; 44) arranged to cooperate with a pin (23; 24) that comprises said plate (20). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjustment plate (30; 40) comprises two pins (31, 32; 41; 42) each movable in a strap (21; 22) which comprises said platinum. Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that said first shaft (11) and / or respectively said second shaft (12) constitutes one of said pins (31, 32; 41; 42). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjustment plate (30; 40) comprises two loops (33, 34; 43; 44) each arranged to cooperate with a pin (23; 24) that comprises said plate (20). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said retrograde display mechanism (10) comprises at least one play take-up spring (61; 62) arranged to push said first shaft (11) and / or respectively said second shaft (12) always in the same direction relative to said plate (20), and to maintain said adjustment plate (30; 40). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said adjustment control means comprises an eccentric screw (51) fixed on said plate and arranged to cooperate with a notch (52) that comprises said adjustment plate (30; 40), or else comprises a notch formed in said plate (20) and with which is arranged to cooperate an eccentric screw fixed on said adjustment plate (30; 40). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that said adjustment control means comprises only said eccentric screw (51) which is unique. Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said feeler finger (3) is arranged to return in direct contact with said cam (4) after resetting, said cam ( 4) constituting an end of travel stop for said feeler finger (3). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said adjustment control means is arranged to control a translation of the center of rotation of said probe must (3) constituted by said first axis of pivot (D1). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said adjustment control means is arranged to control a rotation of the center of rotation of said feeler finger (3) constituted by said first axis of pivot (D1). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said adjustment control means is arranged to control a translation of the center of rotation of said cam (4) constituted by said second axis of pivot (D2). Retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said adjustment control means is arranged to control a rotation of the center of rotation of said cam (4) constituted by said second axis of pivot (D2). Clock movement (100) comprising at least one retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one retrograde display mechanism (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13. Timepiece (1000) according to claim 15, characterized in that it is a watch.

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