EP3770696B1 - Timepiece stop-cage with lifting finger and stopping finger - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a clock-limiting device, for a watch, comprising an oscillator and comprising means for limiting the operating deviation of this oscillator in the different positions of said watch in space, said device comprising at the same time least a tourbillon or a carousel, which comprises a cage which is mounted to pivot about a cage axis relative to a plate, which carries a fixed wheel when said limiting device comprises a tourbillon, which cage carries said oscillator and comprises a cage wheel arranged to be driven by a power source of the watch or by a movement through a cog, and which cage carries an escape mechanism arranged to cooperate with said oscillator, and comprising a pinion exhaust meshing with said fixed wheel when said limiting device comprises a tourbillon or else meshing with an average wheel or a second wheel, which said cog comprises, when the said limiting device comprises a carousel.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising a timepiece movement comprising energy storage means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a limiting device.

The invention relates to the field of high precision chronometric mechanical watches equipped with tourbillons or carousels, and so-called stop-seconds or stop-cage mechanisms designed to perform fine adjustment of the state of the watch.

Background of the invention

The document GB674764 in the name of HEPTINSTALL describes a spring-locking finger for a balance.

The document EP1617305B1 in the name of WATCHES BREGUET describes a stop control, manual by the rod, of levers with skates for the blocking of a balance.

The document EP2787400B1 in the name of CHOPARD describes a stop element, integral in rotation with a cage, and which is a disc coaxial with this cage, displaced axially for axial friction with a balance.

The document EP2085832B1 in the name of FREDERIC PIGUET describes a friction clutch mechanism, by radial placing of clutch elements at the ends of the star arms in a cylindrical surface of a drive plate, under the axial action of a spring clutch.

The document EP 3 136 186 in the name of Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb discloses a tourbillon with a brake which acts on the small plate of the balance.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to stop a tourbillon or carousel cage when setting the time in order to be able to adjust a watch to the nearest second.

To this end, the invention relates to a clockwork limiter device for limiting the operating deviation of an oscillator that a watch comprises, according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising a timepiece movement comprising energy storage means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a limiting device.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en perspective, un dispositif limiteur d'horlogerie pour la limitation de l'écart de marche d'un oscillateur, cet oscillateur ici à balancier-spiral étant porté par la cage d'un tourbillon, laquelle cage est solidaire d'une roue de cage pour son entraînement ; l'oscillateur est pivoté entre un pont inférieur de cage et un pont supérieur de cage; le dispositif limiteur comporte un mécanisme d'arrêt, commandé par une tringle d'enclenchement mue par un organe de commande de la montre, ici constitué par une tige de remontage et de mise à l'heure ; cette tringle d'enclenchement est agencée pour mouvoir radialement, par rapport à l'axe de cage, un mécanisme à poussoir, comportant un doigt élévateur de course perpendiculaire à celle de la tringle d'enclenchement et rappelée par un premier ressort, et qui est agencé pour manœuvrer un doigt d'arrêt qui lui est perpendiculaire, à l'encontre d'un deuxième ressort ; la figure 1 représente l'ensemble visible par le dessous, du côté opposé à celui habituellement visible par l'utilisateur ; la tige est dans une position de repos, dans laquelle le doigt d'arrêt n'entrave pas le fonctionnement de l'oscillateur ;
• la figure 2 représente de façon schématisée, partielle, et en perspective, en vue de dessus, le mécanisme de la figure 1, les ponts de cage n'étant pas représentés, ni la serge de balancier, ni le spiral; seuls sont visibles la tringle d'enclenchement, le doigt élévateur et son premier ressort, le doigt d'arrêt et son deuxième ressort, le double plateau de balancier solidaire d'une came d'arrêt, avec laquelle le doigt d'arrêt peut coopérer pour bloquer l'oscillateur ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en plan en vue de dessous, la platine de la montre portant la tige de commande, la tirette, la tringle d'enclenchement, et l'extrémité inférieure du doigt élévateur ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en coupe passant par l'axe de cage, l'ensemble du mécanisme à poussoir décrit ci-dessus, en position de repos ;
• la figure 5 représente le même mécanisme, de façon schématisée, partielle, et en perspective, en vue de dessus, dans la position de repos, où l'on voit le doigt d'arrêt à distance de la came d'arrêt, avec laquelle il ne peut pas interférer, cette position correspondant à la position la plus basse du doigt élévateur visible sur la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 4, le même mécanisme, dans une position active, dans laquelle le doigt élévateur est soulevé, et dont sa rampe repousse le doigt d'arrêt vers l'axe de cage pour bloquer la came d'arrêt ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée et similaire à la figure 5, le même mécanisme, dans la position active de la tige de commande, avec le doigt d'arrêt bloquant la came d'arrêt ;
• la figure 8 représente, de façon schématisée et en plan en vue de dessus, un détail de la coopération du doigt élévateur et du doigt d'arrêt dans la position de repos T1 ;
• la figure 9 représente, de façon schématisée et en plan en vue de dessus, un détail de la coopération du doigt élévateur et du doigt d'arrêt dans la position active T2 ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant un mouvement d'horlogerie comportant des moyens de stockage d'énergie, un oscillateur, des moyens de mise à l'heure, et un tel dispositif limiteur.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, partially, and in perspective, a clockwork limiting device for limiting the operating deviation of an oscillator, this oscillator here with a sprung balance being carried by the cage of a tourbillon, which cage is integral with a cage wheel for its drive; the oscillator is pivoted between a lower cage bridge and an upper cage bridge; the limiting device comprises a stop mechanism, controlled by a latching rod driven by a watch control member, here constituted by a winding and time-setting rod; this engagement rod is arranged to move radially, relative to the cage axis, a push mechanism, comprising an elevator finger of travel perpendicular to that of the engagement rod and returned by a first spring, and which is arranged to operate a stop finger which is perpendicular to it, against a second spring; the figure 1 represents the assembly visible from below, on the side opposite to that usually visible to the user; the rod is in a rest position, in which the stop finger does not interfere with the operation of the oscillator;
• the figure 2 represents schematically, partially, and in perspective, in top view, the mechanism of the figure 1 , the cage bridges not being shown, neither the balance rim, nor the hairspring; only the engagement rod is visible, the lifting finger and its first spring, the stop finger and its second spring, the double balance plate integral with a stop cam, with which the stop finger can cooperate to block the oscillator;
• the figure 3 shows, schematically, partial and in plan in bottom view, the plate of the watch carrying the control rod, the pull tab, the locking rod, and the lower end of the lifting finger;
• the figure 4 represents, schematically and in section passing through the cage axis, the entire push-button mechanism described above, in the rest position;
• the figure 5 shows the same mechanism, schematically, partially, and in perspective, in top view, in the rest position, where we see the stop finger at a distance from the stop cam, with which it cannot not interfere, this position corresponding to the lowest position of the elevator finger visible on the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 represents, similarly to the figure 4 , the same mechanism, in an active position, in which the lifting finger is raised, and of which its ramp pushes the stop finger towards the cage axis to block the stop cam;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically and similar to the figure 5 , the same mechanism, in the active position of the control rod, with the stop finger blocking the stop cam;
• the figure 8 shows, schematically and in plan in top view, a detail of the cooperation of the lifting finger and the stop finger in the rest position T1;
• the figure 9 shows, schematically and in plan in top view, a detail of the cooperation of the lifting finger and the stop finger in the active position T2;
• the figure 10 is a block diagram showing a watch comprising a timepiece movement comprising energy storage means, an oscillator, time-setting means, and such a limiting device.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The invention relates to the field of mechanical watches with high chronometric performance.

To improve the insensitivity to the positions of a watch 1000, it is known practice to equip it with a device comprising an oscillator 200, comprising means for limiting the operating deviation of this oscillator 200 in the various positions of the watch 1000 in space. The device 100 according to the invention comprises at least one tourbillon 300 or a carousel, which, in either case, comprises a cage 4 which is mounted to pivot about a cage axis D relative to a plate 900.

This plate 900 carries a fixed wheel 210 when the limiting device 100 includes a tourbillon 300.

The cage 4 carries the oscillator 200, and comprises a cage wheel 6, which is arranged to be driven by a power source 400 of the watch 1000 or of a movement 800 that the watch includes, through a cog. This energy source 400 can in particular include at least one barrel or the like.

The cage 4 also carries an escape mechanism 700, which is arranged to cooperate with the oscillator 200, and which comprises an escape pinion 201. The cage 4 comprises a lower bridge 7 and an upper bridge 8. The upper bridge cage 8 protects both the oscillator 200, the escape mechanism 700, and a limiter mechanism.

This escape pinion 201 meshes with the fixed wheel 210 when the limiting device 100 comprises a tourbillon, or else meshes with an average wheel or a second wheel, which the gear train comprises, when the limiting device 100 comprises a carousel.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to stop the tourbillon or carousel cage during the time-setting operation.

According to the invention, the device 100 is able to stop the oscillator 200 and comprises a control rod 3, which is arranged to cooperate with a control member external to the vortex 300 or to the carousel.

This control rod 3 is arranged to axially push a lifting finger 9, in the direction of the cage axis D, into an active locking position. This thrust imparted by the control rod 3 is applied to this lifting finger 9 against a first elastic return means 90, which tends to axially return the lifting finger 9 to an axial rest position resting on the wheel. cage 6, in the direction of the cage axis D.

More particularly, the first elastic return means 90 is a foil stamped or the like.

More particularly, the control rod 3 comprises a thrust surface 39, which is arranged to cooperate with the lifting finger 9, and which is a surface substantially orthogonal with respect to the cage axis D, or which has a slight slope for facilitate its insertion under the elevator finger 9. More particularly, the end of the elevator finger 9, which cooperates with this thrust surface 39, is locally spherical or radiated.

This lifting finger 9 comprises a ramp 99 which is arranged to push back a stop finger 11, radially with respect to the cage axis D, against a second elastic return means 12 which tends to radially move this apart. stop finger 11 of the cage pin D.

More particularly, the second elastic return means 12 is fixed on the lower cage bridge 7, and is a spring of substantially circular shape, open, so as to free the axial space around the cage axis D, and in in particular the space to house a balance pivot, a double balance plate, a balance, or the like.

This stop finger 11 is in its radial position furthest from the cage axis D when the lifting finger 9 is in its rest position.

According to the invention, in the active locking position of the lifting finger 9, the stop finger 11 is arranged to interfere with a stop cam 14, which is integral with a mobile of the oscillator 200, and to block this stop cam 14 in an angular position distant from the neutral position of oscillator 200.

More particularly, the stop finger 11 constitutes the distal end of a fork 110 guided on the lower cage bridge 7 in a radial direction with respect to the cage axis D, by the cooperation of oblongs 111 and of pins 112, some integral with the lower bridge 7 and the others with the fork 110, or vice versa.

More particularly the stop finger 11 comprises, at its contact surface with the stop cam 14, a point 113 or a tapered surface.

More particularly, the stop cam 14 comprises, at its contact surface with the stop finger 11, a point 143 or a tapered surface.

More particularly, the device 100 comprises time-setting means 500 which constitute or which control the control member, which is arranged to move the control rod 3 in a first direction of activation during the passage of the control means. setting the time 500 from a rest position T1 to an activated position T2, and to move the control rod 3 into a second direction opposite to the first direction during the passage of the time-setting means 500 from the activated position T2 to the rest position T1.

In a variant which is not included in the invention, the control rod 3 is further arranged to, under the action of the external control member, push, substantially radially with respect to the cage axis D, an elastic blade 66 which is arranged to bear substantially tangentially on the cage wheel 6, to stop the cage 4 during a passage of the control member from a rest position to an active position, and to remain at distance from the cage wheel 6 when the control member is in its rest position.

More particularly, the control rod 3 is arranged to, in a first stroke block the mobile of the oscillator, then, in a second stroke, block the cage, or vice versa.

More particularly, the elastic blade 66 is more flexible than the first elastic return means 90, and is also more flexible than the second elastic return means 12.

More particularly, the oscillator 200 is a balance-spring assembly.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising a clockwork movement 800 comprising energy storage means 400, an oscillator 200, time-setting means 500, and such a limiting device 100.

More particularly, the tourbillon 300 or carousel constitutes a display member of the watch 1000 or is arranged to drive at least one display member of the watch 1000, and the time-setting means 500 constitute or control the control unit.

In the non-limiting variant illustrated by the figures, time-setting means 500 constitute or control the control member, and comprise a conventional winding and time-setting rod 1, and the mechanism comprises in particular a zipper 2, a control rod 3, a tourbillon cage 4, a tourbillon bearing 5, a cage wheel 6, a tourbillon lower bridge 7, a tourbillon upper bridge 8, a lifting finger 9, a finger foil elevator 10, a stop finger 11, a stop finger spring 12, a sprung balance 13, a stop cam 14, and a double plate 15 of the balance.

• en position T1, le mécanisme se présente dans les conditions suivantes :
  • La tringle de commande 3 est maintenue en place par la tirette 2. Sur le tourbillon,
  • le doigt élévateur 9 est en position de repos, plaqué contre la roue de cage de tourbillon 6 par le clinquant de doigt élévateur 10. Le doigt d'arrêt 11 est en position de repos sur le pont inférieur de tourbillon 7, plaqué contre le doigt élévateur 9 par le ressort de doigt d'arrêt 12. Le balancier-spiral 13 oscille librement entre le pont supérieur de tourbillon 8 et le pont inférieur de tourbillon 7.
• en position T2, le mécanisme se présente dans les conditions suivantes :
  • La tige de remontoir 1 est tirée et entraîne la tirette 2 avec elle. La tirette 2 déplace la tringle de commande 3 qui vient en contact avec le doigt élévateur 9 et le soulève.
  • Le doigt élévateur 9 est guidé dans la roue de cage de tourbillon 6. En montant, le doigt élévateur 9 compresse le clinquant de doigt élévateur 10 contre le pont inférieur de tourbillon 7 et pousse en avant le doigt d'arrêt 11. Ce dernier vient alors se mettre dans la trajectoire circulaire du balancier-spiral 13 et par l'intermédiaire de la came d'arrêt 14, qui est solidaire du balancier, il arrête le mouvement du balancier dans une position préférentielle, en dehors de la zone du point mort du double plateau 15. Ceci permet de garantir un redémarrage de l'oscillateur 200 lors du passage de T2 à T1. Le ressort de doigt d'arrêt 12 tend à pousser le doigt d'arrêt 11 contre le doigt élévateur 9 ce qui garantit un retour en place du doigt d'arrêt 12 lors du passage de T2 à T1.

The operation is as follows:

• in position T1, the mechanism is in the following conditions:
  • The control rod 3 is held in place by the pull tab 2. On the tourbillon,
  • the lifting finger 9 is in the rest position, pressed against the tourbillon cage wheel 6 by the lifting finger foil 10. The stop finger 11 is in the rest position on the lower tourbillon bridge 7, pressed against the finger elevator 9 by the stop finger spring 12. The sprung balance 13 oscillates freely between the upper tourbillon bridge 8 and the lower tourbillon bridge 7.
• in position T2, the mechanism is in the following conditions:
  • The winding stem 1 is pulled and drives the pull tab 2 with it. The zipper 2 moves the control rod 3 which comes into contact with the lifting finger 9 and lifts it.
  • The elevator finger 9 is guided in the tourbillon cage wheel 6. As it goes up, the elevator finger 9 compresses the elevator finger foil 10 against the lower tourbillon bridge 7 and pushes forward the stop finger 11. The latter comes up. then put itself in the circular path of the sprung balance 13 and by means of the stop cam 14, which is integral with the balance, it stops the movement of the balance in a preferred position, outside the neutral zone of the double plate 15. This makes it possible to guarantee a restart of the oscillator 200 when switching from T2 to T1. The stop finger spring 12 tends to push the stop finger 11 against the lifting finger 9 which guarantees a return in place of the stop finger 12 during the passage from T2 to T1.

The system is designed to stop the tourbillon, or the carrousel, respectively, when setting the time.

The system, in the variant not included in the invention, rests on the cage wheel with a leaf spring which exerts sufficient pressure to stop the cage.

• stopper instantanément une cage de tourbillon ou de carrousel ;
• effectuer une mise à l'heure à la seconde près
• garantir un redémarrage de l'oscillateur suite à la mise à l'heure ;

In short, the invention makes it possible to:

• instantly stop a tourbillon or carousel cage;
• set the time to the nearest second
• guarantee a restart of the oscillator following the time setting;

In addition, the system is, with the exception of the control rod, essentially integrated into the tourbillon cage, which gives space in the movement.

This mechanism is compact, its manufacture is based on standard technologies, and its cost is therefore moderate.

Claims (7)

1. Horological limiting device (100) for a watch (1000) comprising an oscillator (200) and means for limiting the variation of rate of said oscillator (200) in the different positions of said watch (1000) in space, said device (100) comprising at least one tourbillon (300) or a karussel, which comprises a carriage (4) which is mounted such that it pivots about a carriage axis (D) relative to a plate (900) carrying a fixed wheel or a third wheel or a fourth wheel, said device (100) being capable of stopping said oscillator (200), characterized in that the device comprises a control rod (3) arranged to engage with a control member external to said tourbillon (300) or karussel, to axially push a lifting finger (9) in the direction of said carriage axis (D) into an active blocking position, against a first elastic return means (90) which tends to axially bring said lifting finger (9) back, in the direction of said carriage axis (D), into an axial rest position in which it bears against said carriage wheel (6), which lifting finger (9) comprises a ramp (99) which is arranged to repel a stop finger (11), radially relative to said carriage axis (D), against a second elastic return means (12) which tends to radially distance said stop finger (11) from said carriage axis (D), which stop finger (11) is in the radial position thereof located the furthest from said carriage axis (D) when said lifting finger (9) is in the rest position thereof, and characterised in that, in the active blocking position of said lifting finger (9), said stop finger (11) is arranged to interfere with a stop cam (14) integral with a wheel set of said oscillator (200), and block said stop cam (14) in an angular position remote from the dead centre position of said oscillator (200).
2. Limiting device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said device (100) comprises hand-setting means (500), which constitute or control said control member, which is arranged so as to move said control rod (3) in a first activation direction upon the passage of said hand-setting means (500) from a rest position T1 to an activated position T2, and to move said control rod (3) in a second direction opposite said first direction upon the passage of said hand-setting means (500) from said activated position T2 to said rest position T1.
3. Limiting device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said stop finger (11) constitutes the distal end of a fork (110) guided on a lower carriage bridge (7) comprised in said carriage (4), in a radial direction relative to said carriage axis (D), by the engagement of oblongs (111) and of pins (112), the first integral with said lower bridge (7) and the second integral with said fork (110), or vice-versa.
4. Limiting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said stop finger (11) comprises, at the contacting surface thereof with said stop cam (14), a tip (113) or a tapered surface.
5. Limiting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said stop cam (14) comprises, at the contacting surface thereof with said stop finger (11), a tip (143) or a tapered surface.
6. Limiting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said oscillator (200) is a sprung balance assembly.
7. Watch (1000) comprising a horological movement (800) comprising energy storage means (400), an oscillator (200), hand-setting means (500), and a limiting device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising said oscillator (200), characterised in that said tourbillon (300) or karussel constitutes a display member of said watch (1000), or is arranged so as to drive at least one display member of said watch (1), and in that said hand-setting means (500) constitute or control said control member.

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