EP3825778B1 - Control crown for a timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a control crown for a timepiece, capable of cooperating with a middle part for operating a control rod belonging to said control crown, said middle part comprising at least one main housing along a main axis for the reception of a tube that comprises said control crown, which comprises a crown body capable of being rotatably mounted about said main axis and arranged to be manipulated by a user for maneuvering said control rod, and said crown body covering both said tube and said control rod.

The invention relates to a timepiece case, comprising such a middle part, and at least one such control crown.

The invention relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a case and/or at least one such control crown.

The invention relates to the field of control mechanisms for timepieces.

Background of the invention

Timepieces often include components bearing technical indications, such as graduated sectors, or bearing product identification elements such as a logo, name, or the like, and may also include external components that must be assembled. in a particular orientation so as not to interfere with or injure the user.

The realization of the indexing of such components must guarantee the functionalities and in particular the sealing required. These components are often screwed, which makes it necessary to create additional mechanisms to ensure their correct orientation: these mechanisms result in an increased number of components, and an additional production cost.

The document CH711600A1 in the name of OFFICINE PANERAI describes a push-piece crown comprising a crown provided with a central extension capable of being connected to a winding stem of a clockwork movement and a push-piece which can be moved axially with respect to the crown against an elastic action, this push-button crown further comprising a tube able to pass through the wall of a watch case and to be fixed thereon on which the crown is pivoted. This crown includes a blocking device preventing actuation of the pusher as long as the crown is not placed in at least one predetermined angular position relative to the tube.

The document EP2385432A2 in the name of ROLEX describes a watch case comprising a middle part, a tube provided with a thread, integral with the middle part, a control crown provided with a thread capable of being screwed onto the thread of the tube. The control ring comprises an outer part having a distinctive sign visible from the outside and an inner part housed inside the outer part and provided with the thread capable of being screwed onto the thread of the tube, one of the said parts comprising means for connecting to a control stem, in particular to a winding stem, and clamping means for maintaining the outer part and the inner part in a determined angular position with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The inner part comprises first angular indexing means, the outer part comprises second angular indexing means, these indexing means being shaped to engage axially in each other by relative axial displacement between the inner part and the outer part, these indexing means being held engaged by said clamping means.

The document EP2275883A1 on behalf of ROLEX describes a timepiece comprising a case enclosing a timepiece movement, a mechanism for transmitting homokinetic rotational movements between two rods with substantially parallel axes, connecting the exterior of the case to the timepiece movement to through a passage in the housing. The adjacent ends of these two rods are secured to two respective sliding elements of determined sections, in engagement with two respective slides of sections complementary to those of said sliding elements, of sliding planes perpendicular to said axes, the two slides being fixed to a common connecting member and being oriented at 90° to each other.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to produce an indexed component, the indexing of which remains constant, at the lowest cost and with the lowest possible number of constituents. And the invention relates more particularly to a crown for a timepiece, in particular for a watch.

Thus, the invention relates to a control crown according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece case equipped with at least one such crown.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a case, and/or at least such a crown.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe longitudinale, une partie d'un ensemble constitué d'une carrure de montre et d'une couronne de commande selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective, l'ensemble de la figure 1, laquelle couronne est porteuse d'un bouchon de fermeture d'extrémité porteur d'un logo ;
• la figure 3 représente, en vue de bout, l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe transversale perpendiculaire à l'axe de couronne, l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 représente, selon deux angles différents, la perspective éclatée des constituants de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 6 à 10 représentent, de façon schématisée et n perspective, les étapes successives d'assemblage des différents constituants les uns avec les autres :
• la figure 6 illustre l'insertion et la fixation d'un tube dans un logement de la carrure, prévu à cet effet ; ce tube comporte un évidement destiné à recevoir une tige de commande, ici de façon excentrée par rapport à la portée de fixation du tube ; ce tube comporte, à son extrémité opposée à la carrure, des moyens d'indexation, formés par deux alésages dans ce cas particulier ;
• la figure 7 illustre l'insertion d'un corps de couronne sur ce tube, et en appui sur la carrure ; ce corps de couronne comporte, du côté de la carrure, une collerette intérieure, et il comporte ensuite, en s'éloignant de la carrure, une cannelure ou une denture intérieure, suivie d'un taraudage puis d'un chambrage à l'extrémité opposée à la carrure ;
• la figure 8 illustre l'insertion d'une tige de commande entre le corps de couronne et le tube, cette tige comporte, du côté de la carrure, une portée de guidage visible sur la figure 1, qui est insérée dans un alésage traversant de la carrure également visible sur la figure 1, et elle comporte ensuite une cannelure ou respectivement une denture extérieure, qui engrène avec la cannelure ou denture intérieure du corps de couronne ; du côté opposé à la carrure, cette tige comporte une surface d'appui sensiblement plane, perpendiculaire à son axe ;
• la figure 9 illustre le vissage d'un écrou dans le corps de couronne, laissant le passage à l'extrémité du tube opposée à la carrure, et de façon à limiter la course axiale de la tige de commande qu'il emprisonne ;
• la figure 10 illustre la fixation d'un bouchon de fermeture sur le tube, dans une position angulaire imposée ;
• la figure 11 est un schéma-blocs représentant une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant une boîte avec une telle carrure et une telle couronne de commande.

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

• there figure 1 shows, schematically, and in longitudinal section, part of an assembly consisting of a watch middle and a control crown according to the invention;
• there figure 2 represents, in a schematic way, and in perspective, the whole of the figure 1 , which ring bears an end closure cap bearing a logo;
• there picture 3 represents, in end view, the entire figure 1 ;
• there figure 4 represents, schematically, and in cross-section perpendicular to the crown axis, the whole of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 5 represents, from two different angles, the exploded perspective of the constituents of the entire figure 1 ;
• THE figures 6 to 10 represent, in a schematic and n perspective, the successive stages of assembly of the various constituents with each other:
• there figure 6 illustrates the insertion and fixing of a tube in a housing of the caseband, provided for this purpose; this tube has a recess intended to receive a control rod, here eccentrically with respect to the mounting surface of the tube; this tube comprises, at its end opposite the caseband, indexing means, formed by two bores in this particular case;
• there figure 7 illustrates the insertion of a crown body on this tube, and resting on the caseband; this crown body comprises, on the side of the caseband, an internal flange, and it then comprises, moving away from the caseband, a spline or internal toothing, followed by a tapping then a recess at the end opposed to the middle;
• there figure 8 illustrates the insertion of a control rod between the crown body and the tube, this rod comprises, on the caseband side, a guide surface visible on the figure 1 , which is inserted in a through bore of the caseband also seen on the figure 1 , and it then comprises a spline or respectively an outer toothing, which meshes with the spline or inner toothing of the crown body; on the side opposite to the middle part, this rod has a substantially planar support surface, perpendicular to its axis;
• there figure 9 illustrates the screwing of a nut in the crown body, leaving the passage to the end of the tube opposite the caseband, and so as to limit the axial travel of the control rod that it imprisons;
• there figure 10 illustrates the fixing of a closing plug on the tube, in an imposed angular position;
• there figure 11 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a case with such a middle part and such a control crown.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a control crown 10 for a timepiece 1000. This crown 10 is able to cooperate with a middle part 20, which includes a case 100 of the timepiece 1000, or which includes the timepiece 1000, for operating a control rod 4 belonging to control crown 10.

The caseband 20 conventionally comprises at least one main housing 21, along a main axis D1, for receiving a tube 1 that comprises the control crown 10. The crown 10 comprises a crown body 8, which is capable of being mounted rotatable about the main axis D1, and is arranged to be manipulated by a user for maneuvering the control stem 4, for example for controlling a function for setting the time, winding, triggering chronograph, reset, ringing trigger, time zone setting, or other.

Crown body 8 covers both tube 1 and control rod 4.

According to the invention, the tube 1 comprises a recess 11, which is provided for the passage and/or the rotational guidance of the control rod 4 around an axis D2 parallel with the main axis D1. And the control ring 10 includes a closure cap 7, which is arranged to be fixed to the tube 1 in a fixed angular position with respect to the middle part 20, by the cooperation between indexing means 12, such as bores, or shaped housings, which the tube 1 comprises and means additional indexing 71 that includes the closure cap 7, such as cylindrical lugs or shaped fingers respectively. The fixing of this closure plug 7 thus makes it possible to enclose the crown body 8 axially between the middle part 20 and the closure plug 7. According to the invention, the recess 11 is eccentric for the passage and/or the guiding in rotation of the control rod 4 around a secondary axis D2 parallel to the main axis D1 and separate from it.

More particularly, the crown body 8 has a recess 83, which is able to receive a seal 6 under the closure cap 7.

More particularly, the crown body 8 includes a toothing or an internal spline 81, which is arranged to cooperate with a toothing or an external spline 43 respectively, which the control rod 4 includes, for driving the command 4.

More particularly, the crown body 8 comprises an internal thread 82, which is capable of cooperating in a complementary manner with a thread 52 of a nut 5 inserted between the control rod 4 and the closing plug 7. This nut 5 comprises a surface front support 53, which is arranged to constitute an axial abutment to a complementary front support surface 44 that comprises the control rod 4, on the side opposite the middle part 20. The nut 5 comprises maneuvering means 51 for gripping it with a suitable tool.

More particularly, the crown body 8 is movable between the caseband 20 and the closure cap 7 with a limited axial travel, and the crown body 8 includes a collar 89, which constitutes an axial stop means for the control rod 4 on the side of the middle part 20. Thus, the control rod 4 has a stroke limited on one side by the collar 89 of the crown body 8, and on the other side by the front bearing surface 53 of the nut 5. The collar 89 makes it possible to pull the control rod 4, for example for its change of position T0/T1/T2, when the crown body 8 has an axial stroke.

In a variant not shown, the crown body 8 is returned towards the middle part 20 by an elastic return means tending to press it against the middle part 20.

In another variant not shown, crown body 8 is moved away from caseband 20 by another elastic return means.

In yet another variant, the toothing or internal spline 81 that comprises the crown body 8, and arranged for the rotational drive of the control rod 4, is engaged with control rod 4 only over part of the axial travel of control rod 4.

The invention also relates to a timepiece case 100, comprising a middle part 20 comprising at least one main housing 21 extending along a main axis D1 for receiving a control crown tube, and at least one such control ring 10 comprising a tube 1 which can be inserted into this at least one main housing 21.

More particularly, the caseband 20 comprises at least one secondary bore 22, extending along a secondary axis D2 parallel to the main axis D1 and separate from it, for receiving and guiding a guide surface 41 that comprises a control rod 4 operated by a control crown 10.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000 comprising such a case 100 and/or at least such a crown 10. More particularly, this timepiece 1000 is a watch.

• la figure 6 illustre l'insertion et la fixation, notamment et non limitativement par chassage, du tube 1 dans le logement principal 21 de la carrure 2, on voit sur le tube 1, à son extrémité opposée à la carrure, des moyens d'indexation, formés par deux alésages 12 dans ce cas particulier ; dans des variantes, le tube 1 peut être collé, soudé, brasé, ou autre. On remarque que, dans le cas particulier et non limitatif des figures, le logement principal 21 est un alésage borgne : ceci a pour conséquence que la seule communication entre l'intérieur de la boîte 100 qui comporte la carrure 20, et le milieu extérieur dans cette zone, est constituée par la liaison entre l'alésage secondaire 22, et la portée de guidage 41 de la tige de commande 4, qui est plus facile à étancher en raison de son petit diamètre ; notamment l'étanchéité est assurée par un joint de tige 3, logé dans une gorge 45 de la tige de commande 4, et qui est comprimé dans l'alésage secondaire 22 de la carrure 20 ;
• la figure 7 illustre l'insertion du corps de couronne 8, monté libre sur le tube 1, et qui peut prendre appui sur une face avant 25 de la carrure 20. On distingue sur cette figure l'extrémité du tube 1, et, à l'intérieur du corps de couronne 8, le taraudage 82 destiné à recevoir l'écrou 5 ; on voit aussi le chambrage 83 destiné à accueillir le bouchon de fermeture 7 ;
• la figure 8 illustre l'insertion de la tige de commande 4 entre le corps de couronne 8 et le tube 1, la tige 1 comportant, du côté de la carrure 20, une portée de guidage 41 visible sur la figure 1, qui est insérée dans l'alésage secondaire 22, qui est un alésage traversant, de la carrure 20 également visible sur la figure 1. La tige de commande 4 comporte ensuite une cannelure ou respectivement une denture extérieure 43, qui engrène avec la cannelure ou denture intérieure 81 du corps de couronne 8 ; on distingue; du côté opposé à la carrure 20, une surface d'appui 44 sensiblement plane, perpendiculaire à l'axe de la tige de commande 4 ;
• la figure 9 illustre le vissage d'un écrou 5 dans le taraudage 82 du corps de couronne 8, cet écrou 5 laisse le passage à l'extrémité du tube opposée à la carrure, mais limite la course axiale de la tige de commande 4 qu'il emprisonne ; plus particulièrement, cet écrou 5 peut être collé, ou arrêté par un point de soudure laser, ou autre ;
• la figure 10 illustre la fixation, par chassage, collage, ou autre, du bouchon de fermeture 7 sur le tube 1, dans une position angulaire imposée ; plus particulièrement ce bouchon 7 comporte des ergots 71 qui coopèrent avec les alésages 12 du tube 1.

The invention makes it possible to have a well-sealed control ring 10, comprising few components. THE figures 6 to 10 illustrate its extremely easy assembly, in place on the crown:

• there figure 6 illustrates the insertion and fixing, in particular and not limited to by driving in, of the tube 1 in the main housing 21 of the middle part 2, one sees on the tube 1, at its end opposite the middle part, indexing means, formed by two bores 12 in this particular case; in variants, the tube 1 can be glued, welded, brazed, or otherwise. It is noted that, in the particular and non-limiting case of the figures, the main housing 21 is a blind bore: this has the consequence that the only communication between the interior of the case 100 which comprises the middle part 20, and the external environment in this area is formed by the connection between the secondary bore 22 and the guide surface 41 of the control rod 4, which is easier to seal due to its small diameter; in particular the seal is ensured by a rod seal 3, housed in a groove 45 of the control rod 4, and which is compressed in the secondary bore 22 of the middle part 20;
• there figure 7 illustrates the insertion of the crown body 8, mounted free on the tube 1, and which can rest on a front face 25 of the middle part 20. This figure shows the end of the tube 1, and, inside of the crown body 8, the thread 82 intended to receive the nut 5; we also see the recess 83 intended to accommodate the closure cap 7;
• there figure 8 illustrates the insertion of the control rod 4 between the crown body 8 and the tube 1, the rod 1 comprising, on the side of the middle part 20, a guide surface 41 visible on the figure 1 , which is inserted into the secondary bore 22, which is a through bore, of the middle part 20 also visible on the figure 1 . The control rod 4 then comprises a spline or respectively an external toothing 43, which meshes with the spline or internal toothing 81 of the crown body 8; we distinguish; on the side opposite middle part 20, a bearing surface 44 that is substantially planar, perpendicular to the axis of control rod 4;
• there figure 9 illustrates the screwing of a nut 5 into the internal thread 82 of the crown body 8, this nut 5 allows the passage to the end of the tube opposite the caseband, but limits the axial travel of the control rod 4 which it imprisons ; more particularly, this nut 5 can be glued, or stopped by a spot of laser welding, or the like;
• there figure 10 illustrates the fixing, by driving in, gluing, or otherwise, of the closure plug 7 on the tube 1, in an imposed angular position; more particularly this plug 7 has lugs 71 which cooperate with the bores 12 of the tube 1.

In short, the invention makes it possible to have a closure cap 7 in a fixed angular position with respect to the middle part 20, and which can bear a logo or the like, without risk of angular disorientation. Rotating components are well protected, and sealing can be achieved by conventional means.

The possibility of offsetting the control rod 4 relative to the crown body 8 allows positioning at will relative to the box 100. This can be interesting for an optimal positioning in the height of the box, or for an offset control compared to the most usual positions.

Claims (11)

1. Control crown (10) for a timepiece (1000), capable of cooperating with a middle (20) for manoeuvring a control rod (4) belonging to said control crown (10), said middle (20) comprising at least one main recess (21) along a main axis (D1) for receiving a tube (1) comprised in said control crown (10), which comprises a crown body (8) capable of being mounted such that it rotates about said main axis (D1) and arranged so as to be handled by a user to manoeuvre said control rod (4), and said crown body (8) covering both said tube (1) and said control rod (4), characterised in that said tube (1) comprises a hollow (11) to allow said control rod (4) to pass and/or be guided in rotation about an axis (D2) parallel to said main axis (D1), and in that said control crown (10) comprises a closing cap (7) arranged so as to be fastened to said tube (1), in a fixed angular position relative to said middle (20) by the cooperation between indexing means (12) comprised in said tube (1) and complementary indexing means (71) comprised in said closing cap (7), to axially enclose said crown body (8) between said middle (20) and said closing cap (7), characterised in that said hollow (11) is off-centred to allow said control rod (4) to pass and/or be guided in rotation about a secondary axis (D2) parallel to said main axis (D1) and separate therefrom.
2. Control crown (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that said crown body (8) comprises a counterbore (83) capable of receiving a gasket (6) beneath said closing cap (7).
3. Control crown (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said crown body (8) comprises a toothing or an inner spline (81), arranged so as to cooperate with a toothing or respectively an external spline (43) comprised in said control rod (4), to drive said control rod (4) in rotation.
4. Control crown (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said crown body (8) comprises a tapping (82) capable of cooperating in a complementary manner with a threading (52) of a nut (5) comprised in a frontal bearing surface (53) arranged so as to form an abutment axial to a complementary frontal bearing surface (44) comprised in said control rod (4), on the side opposite said middle (20).
5. Control crown (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said crown body (8) is capable of moving between said middle (20) and said closing cap (7) with limited axial travel, and in that said crown body (8) comprises a flange (89) constituting a means for axially stopping said control rod (4) on said middle (20) side.
6. Control crown (10) according to claim 5, characterised in that said crown body (8) is returned towards said middle (20) by an elastic return means biased to press same against said middle (20).
7. Control crown (10) according to claims 3 and 5, characterised in that said toothing or inner spline (81) comprised in said crown body (8), and arranged so as to drive said control rod (4) in rotation, is only engaged with said control rod (4) over a part of said axial travel.
8. Timepiece case (100), comprising a middle (20) comprising at least one main recess (21) extending along a main axis (D1) for receiving a control crown tube, and at least one control crown (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a said tube (1) capable of being inserted into said at least one main recess (21).
9. Case (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that said middle (20) comprises at least one secondary bore (22), extending along said secondary axis (D2) parallel to said main axis (D1) and separate therefrom, for receiving and guiding a guiding face (41) comprised in said control rod (4) manoeuvred by said control crown (10).
10. Timepiece (1000) comprising a case (100) according to claim 8 or 9 and/or at least one crown (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7.
11. Timepiece (1000) according to claim 10, characterised in that it is a watch.

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