EP4060428B1 - Driving mechanism for timepiece movement, in particular a chronograph mechanism comprising such a driving mechanism - Google Patents

Driving mechanism for timepiece movement, in particular a chronograph mechanism comprising such a driving mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4060428B1
EP4060428B1 EP22161200.5A EP22161200A EP4060428B1 EP 4060428 B1 EP4060428 B1 EP 4060428B1 EP 22161200 A EP22161200 A EP 22161200A EP 4060428 B1 EP4060428 B1 EP 4060428B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chronograph
control
lever
reset
actuating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP22161200.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP4060428A1 (en
Inventor
Julien MARTEL
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Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
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Manufacture dHorlogerie Audemars Piguet SA
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Publication of EP4060428A1 publication Critical patent/EP4060428A1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/10—Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G04F7/0804—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B27/00—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G04F7/0804—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms
    • G04F7/0809—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms with single hammers, i.e. one hammer acts on each counter
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B29/00—Frameworks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B29/00—Frameworks
    • G04B29/04—Connecting or supporting parts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B33/00—Calibers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G04F7/0842—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms
    • G04F7/0847—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms with column wheel

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function comprising such an actuation mechanism.
  • the present invention also relates to a watch movement provided with such a mechanism as well as a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.
  • this chronograph mechanism comprises a first control intended to be pressed by a user to rotate a column wheel whose columns make it possible to control the positions of several rockers. More precisely, a clutch rocker is controlled by the column wheel to alternately occupy a disengaged position, when no time measurement is in progress, and an engaged position in which a chronograph counter is rotated. The column wheel also controls the position of the reset hammers.
  • the column wheel When the measurement of a time is started, the column wheel raises the reset hammers until a pin secured to the latter is housed in a notch provided in a pivoting control member.
  • the mechanism includes a second, reset, control intended to allow the release of the reset hammers in response to user pressure.
  • this second command When this second command is pressed, it acts on the control member to rotate it until the end of travel where the notch of the control member reaches a position in which it suddenly releases the pin of the reset hammers which can then fall on reset cams, under the effect of the action of a specific spring.
  • the column wheel can occupy three successive angular orientations corresponding to the START, STOP and RESET states of the chronograph mechanism.
  • a main aim of the present invention is to propose an "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism intended to actuate a mechanism of a watch movement, in particular adapted to the implementation of a flyback function in relation to a mechanism. chronograph, and presenting good comfort of use, in particular by offering feedback to the user when he activates the mechanism of the watch movement with which it is associated.
  • the construction of the mechanism according to the invention offers great freedom of design, in particular in the choice of the location of the different components in play, in relation to each other.
  • the user when actuating by pressing on the control, the user must exert a force aimed at simultaneously overcoming the action of three springs, that of the control, that constituted by the deformable portion of the control intended to act on the actuation lever, and that constituted by the jumper of the control member.
  • the elastic properties of these three springs can be adjusted with great flexibility and, in particular, chosen in such a way that the force to be exerted on each of these springs is substantially linear throughout the travel of the control.
  • the user feels an increasing resistance without jerk when operating the control, which is particularly appreciable from the point of view of comfort of use and gives an impression of high quality to the mechanism according to the invention.
  • one or more additional springs are involved depending on the nature of the watch function controlled.
  • the rigid portion of the control carries a retractable pawl intended to cooperate with the control member.
  • the column wheel offers very safe operating precision.
  • the advantages of the actuation mechanism according to the invention are applied to the implementation of a flyback function, in relation to a chronograph mechanism, presenting good ergonomics and great comfort of use.
  • the chronograph mechanism can advantageously comprise a clutch rocker carrying the transmission member and comprising an elastically deformable portion capable of being requested to move the transmission member into its second position in response to a user press on the control.
  • the present invention generally relates to a watch movement comprising an actuation mechanism and/or a chronograph mechanism meeting the characteristics stated above, whether the chronograph mechanism is integrated directly into the movement watchmaker or that it is combined with an existing watch caliber in the form of an additional module to define the watch movement according to the invention, as well as a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.
  • the detailed description which follows attempts to describe a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function comprising an "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by way of non-limiting illustrative example. More precisely, according to the embodiment illustrated and described, the chronograph mechanism may be intended to be integrated into a watch movement or, alternatively, it may be combined with an existing watch caliber in the form of an additional module.
  • actuation mechanism in relation to other types of watch mechanisms without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the set of claims.
  • the actuation mechanism according to the present invention it is possible to associate the actuation mechanism according to the present invention with a ringing mechanism.
  • the actuation mechanism would allow loading a spring powering the striking mechanism and activating the striking mechanism only when the spring would be sufficiently loaded.
  • FIG. 1 represents a partial front view of a chronograph mechanism 1 having a flyback function, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the chronograph mechanism 1 can have different known constructions, such as for example being of the shuttle or column wheel type, without any particular impact on the operation of the actuation mechanism according to the invention. Also, the chronograph mechanism 1 will not be fully described in detail.
  • the chronograph mechanism 1 here comprises two minute counters 2 and seconds 4 arranged coaxially, for non-limiting purposes of illustration.
  • Each of the counters 2 and 4 consists of a mobile comprising a shaft 6, 8 (the minute shaft 6 being hollow to define a passage for the seconds shaft 8), as well as a board 10, 12 and a reset cam 14, 16 secured to the corresponding shaft.
  • Each board 10, 12 is toothed to allow the training of the corresponding counter.
  • Each shaft 6, 8 is intended to carry a display member, respectively minutes and seconds.
  • the chronograph mechanism 1 is provided with a first START/STOP 100 command making it possible to start and stop the training of the counters 2 and 4 to measure a time or stop it, via at minus a clutch 102.
  • the chronograph mechanism 1 also comprises a brake 104 arranged on a frame element so as to be able to pivot typically between two positions, a first START rest position in which it is located at a distance from the counter 4, and a second STOP position in which it acts on board 12 to lock counter 4 and allow the reading of a measured time.
  • a jumper 108 can ensure the locking of the minute counter.
  • the mechanism of chronograph 1 comprises a conventional device arranged to act on the brake 104 and control its position as a function of the current state of the chronograph mechanism (START/STOP), here a column wheel 110 which also cooperates with the clutch 102.
  • the chronograph mechanism 1 is also provided with a second reset control 22.
  • the second control 22 is integral with an actuation surface 23, at a first of its ends, the actuation surface being intended to receive pressure exerted by a user on a reset pusher of the timepiece corresponding, to pivot in the direction of rotation counterclockwise on the view of the figure 1 , along the axis of rotation 24.
  • the additional column wheel is pivoted on a frame element (not visible) of the chronograph mechanism 1, or of the corresponding watch movement, and makes it possible to control the state of different components involved in resetting counters 2 and 4 to zero, as will be described below.
  • the second control 22 comprises a main portion 34, central and rigid, from which extend, on either side, two elastic portions 36, 38, one of which 36 defines an elastic return spring of the control 22 towards its rest position, in relation to a fixed tenon 40, and the other 38 is capable of acting on a pin 42 secured to reset hammers 44, to rotate the latter in the direction of clockwise rotation on the view of the figure, as will be explained later.
  • reset hammers 44 are here superimposed, being integral with each other, which is not visible in front view, each of them being associated with one of the reset cams to zero 14, 16.
  • the stroke of the second control 22 is adjusted in such a way that its pawl 26 acts on the additional column wheel to make it turn counterclockwise a little less than one full step.
  • a jumper 46 is arranged on a frame element to cooperate with the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel and complete the current step, after the end of the action of the pawl 26, and to maintain the additional column wheel in its stable resting position, as shown in the figure 1 .
  • the mechanism according to the invention advantageously comprises a rocker 18, pivoted along an axis of rotation 20, and carrying a nose 48 arranged to cooperate with the columns 32 of the additional column wheel and allow the latter to control the angular orientation of the rocker 18, between a rest position in which it leaves the chronograph brake 104 free to move depending on the START or STOP state of the mechanism, and a reset position in which it acts on the brake 104 chronograph to move it away from counter 4, if necessary.
  • the cooperation between the nozzle 48 and the additional column wheel ensures that the brake 104 is moved away from the counter 4 during reset operations, that the chronograph mechanism 1 is in START mode (brake already moved away from the counter ) or STOP (brake on contact with the meter).
  • An elastic return member 112 here made in one piece with an additional rocker 106 involved in resetting the minute counter 2, is provided to act on the rocker 18, to tend to rotate it in the direction of counter-clockwise rotation in the figure view, i.e. so that it moves in the direction of the additional column wheel.
  • the rotation of the rockers 18 and 106 makes it possible in particular to lift an actuation nozzle of the minutes counter 2 during reset operations, this nozzle ensuring the driving of the minutes counter from the seconds counter during the measurement of 'a time.
  • the operating mode of the flip-flop 18 can be used to be able to act on the kinematic link connecting the chronograph counter 4 to a mobile for driving the watch movement, during reset operations.
  • the clutch comprises a transmission member carried by a clutch rocker movable between two positions, one engaged and one disengaged, making it possible to ensure the establishment of such a kinematic connection or to interrupt it depending on the START or operating mode STOP the chronograph mechanism.
  • the rocker 18 is also arranged to move the transmission member away from the chronograph counter 4 when the chronograph brake 104 is moved away from the counter 4 to reset the latter to zero.
  • the transmission member 114 could in particular be provided, in an original manner, for the transmission member 114 to be connected to the clutch rocker 116 via an elastically deformable connecting member 118, which would thus be deformed under the effect of the action of the rocker 18. Thanks to this construction, the transmission member 114 can be moved away from the seconds counter, by elastic deformation of the connecting member 118, even when the chronograph mechanism is in its START operating mode. Thus, it is not necessary to modify the orientation of the clutch rocker 116 when resetting, as is the case in conventional constructions.
  • the reset hammers 44 are integral with a nozzle 50 arranged to cooperate with the columns 32 of the additional column wheel and control the angular orientation of the reset hammers 44, between their neutral or rest position, as illustrated on the figure 1 , and their active position (as shown in the figure 2e ).
  • FIG. 2a illustrates the configuration of the actuation mechanism according to the invention independently of the START or STOP operating mode of the chronograph mechanism 1.
  • the reset control 22 is not in contact with the additional column wheel, the angular orientation of which is kept fixed by its jumper 46.
  • the rocker 18 is arranged so as to allow disengagement, or isolation, of all the chronograph counters. It always cooperates with the additional rocker 106 which is preloaded under the effect of the action of the elastic return member 112. When the rocker 18 is actuated, it cooperates with the rocker 106 to isolate the minute counter 2 and be able to allow it to be reset to zero, the latter then only being subject to the action of its jumper 108.
  • the column wheel 110 raises the brake 104 of the seconds counter 4, and the rocker 18 therefore does not come into contact with the brake 104 when actuated .
  • the rocker 18 acts on the transmission member 114 to raise it from the seconds counter 4.
  • the column wheel 110 acts on the clutch 102 of such that the transmission member 114 is raised from the seconds counter 4. In this case, when it is actuated, the rocker 18 does not act on the transmission member 114 but it does however act on the brake 104 to lift it from the seconds counter 4.
  • the nose 50 of the reset hammers 44 is held outside the outer perimeter defined by the columns 32 of the additional column wheel by the control 22, thus maintaining the reset hammers at a distance from the reset cams. zero 14, 16.
  • the additional column wheel also begins to rotate, as illustrated in the figure 2c .
  • the nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 is still resting against the same column 32 but is about to find itself facing a hollow between this column and the next.
  • the elastic portions 36 and 38 of the control 22 have meanwhile accumulated substantially a maximum of mechanical energy by deforming, the control 22 being almost at the end of its travel.
  • the elastic portion 38 loaded to the maximum can then release its mechanical energy by pivoting the reset hammers 44 in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 2e , until they come into contact with the reset cams 14, 16, which in turn rotate to take a predefined angular orientation, associated with a positioning at 0 of the seconds and minutes display members of timed times, in a conventional manner.
  • the actuation mechanism remains in the state of the figure 2e , the measurement of a time being suspended with the timed time display elements positioned at 0.
  • the control 22 By rotating in the direction of clockwise rotation, the control 22 comes into contact with the pin 42 of the reset hammers 44 with its rigid central portion 34, at the same time allowing the elastic portion 38 to relax.
  • the elastic portion 36 has elastic properties such as its action on the control 22, aiming to make it rotate in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 2f , also allows the reset hammers 44 to be lifted to bring them back to their rest position.
  • the control 22 acts on the reset hammers 44 to the point that their beak 50 emerges from the hollow between two columns 32 in which it was located, and thus releases the additional column wheel which can complete the step started under the effect of the action of the pawl 26, and take a new stable position, as shown in the figure 2a , under the effect of the driving action of its jumper 46.
  • the chronograph mechanism therefore returns to its configuration dictated by the orientation of the column wheel 110, c that is to say that the brake 104 falls on the wheel 12 of the seconds counter 4 if the chronograph mechanism is in its STOP operating mode, or that the transmission member 114 falls to mesh with the wheel 12 if the Chronograph mechanism is in its START operating mode.
  • the pawl 26 of the control 22 retracts to move from the configuration illustrated on the figure 2f to that of the figure 2a .
  • the actuation mechanism when the user releases the control 22, the actuation mechanism according to the invention returns to the configuration illustrated on the figure 2f to that illustrated on the figure 2a , and the measurement of a time starts again from 0 if the reset carried out was an in-flight reset, that is to say if the chronograph mechanism was in START operating mode. Otherwise, if the chronograph mechanism was in STOP operating mode, all chronograph counters remain at zero.
  • THE figures 3a to 3h represent two by two front views, respectively of a first side and the opposite side, of an actuation mechanism according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in four successive operating phases.
  • this actuation mechanism is similar to that which has just been presented in relation to the figures 2a to 2f , its components being only slightly modified with reference to the preceding description.
  • the same numerical references are used on the figures 3a to 3h to identify the components described above, in order to facilitate understanding.
  • THE figures 3a and 3b illustrate the configuration of the actuation mechanism independently of the START or STOP operating mode of the chronograph mechanism 1.
  • the reset control 22 is not in contact with the additional column wheel, the angular orientation of which is kept fixed by its jumper 46.
  • the nose 48 of the rocker 18 is located in a hollow between two columns 32 of the additional column wheel.
  • the nose 50 of the reset hammers 44 is held outside the outer perimeter defined by the columns 32 of the additional column wheel by the control 22, thus maintaining the reset hammers at a distance from the reset cams. zero 14, 16.
  • control 22 turns the additional column wheel on itself, which is particularly visible on the figure 3c , from which appears the movement traveled by the column 32 on which the nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 rests from the rest configuration illustrated on the figure 3a .
  • the jumper 46 has not yet fully released the stored energy but the additional column wheel can no longer rotate any further due to the fact that the nozzle 50 is on the trajectory of one of its columns 32.
  • control 22 When the control 22 is released, it can pivot towards its rest position, in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 3g , under the effect of the release of the energy stored by its elastic portion 36, and act on the reset hammers 44 to return them to their high position, as already described in relation to the first alternative embodiment. In doing so, the nozzle 50 is extracted from its low position and releases the additional column wheel which can then resume its first state under the effect of the residual driving action of its jumper 46, as visible on the figure 3h .
  • the actuation mechanism then returns to its initial configuration, as illustrated on the figures 3a and 3b .
  • the driving force allowing here to lift the rocker 18 is no longer directly that provided by the user via the command 22, but comes from the jumper 46 (previously loaded by the user via the command 22).
  • the user acts simultaneously on four springs, namely the two elastic portions 36, 38 of the control 22, the jumper 46 and the elastic return member 112 of the rocker 18, while in the context of the second alternative embodiment, illustrated on the figures 3a to 3h , the user only acts on three springs, part of the energy supplied to the jumper 46 being indirectly used, in a second step, to neutralize the action of the elastic return member 112 of the rocker 18.
  • edges of the nozzle 50 are slightly rounded in the context of the second alternative embodiment illustrated on the figures 3a to 3h .
  • the corresponding roundings and the slope of the nose 48 of the rocker 18 allow to accompany the rocker 18, and consequently, the brake 104 or the transmission member 114, when the user releases the reset button, to make them “trailing" and no longer instantaneous as is the case in the first variant of realization of the figures 2a to 2f .
  • the "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism comprises a control acting on a column wheel and on hammers of resetting a chronograph mechanism to zero
  • the control acts on an organ control of a nature other than a column wheel and on an actuating lever other than one or more reset hammers.
  • the actuation mechanism according to the invention can be integrated into a striking mechanism of a watch movement, the control then being arranged to load a striking spring and to activate the mechanism. ringing in response to pressure from a user allowing the control to be moved to the end of its travel.
  • the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the exact geometry of the different components of the mechanism as it has been illustrated and described. In fact, those skilled in the art will not encounter no particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to the implementation of an actuation mechanism meeting the characteristics of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, in which the components would have shapes and locations different from those described and illustrated . Thus, for example, one could provide a single chronograph counter or two non-coaxial chronograph counters, the elastic portions 36, 38 could be replaced by springs distinct from the control 22.
  • the transmission member 114 and the brake 104 are controlled by the fall of the hammers, as is the case in a conventional chronograph mechanism, but this would however require increasing the angular travel of the hammers to be able to disengage the mechanism before acting on the cams. reset.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" pour mouvement horloger comportant

  • un levier d'actionnement d'une fonction horlogère destiné à être monté mobile sur un élément de bâti du mouvement horloger, entre une position de repos et une position active,
  • une commande destinée à être déplacée en réponse à une pression d'un utilisateur, entre une position initiale et une position actionnée, pour pouvoir déplacer le levier d'actionnement de sa position de repos vers sa position active,
  • un organe de rappel élastique agencé pour ramener la commande dans sa position initiale en réponse à sa libération par l'utilisateur,
  • un organe de contrôle susceptible de pivoter entre un premier état, de repos, dans lequel il verrouille le levier d'actionnement dans sa position de repos, et un deuxième état, dans lequel il libère le levier d'actionnement pour lui permettre de se déplacer vers sa position active sous l'effet de l'action de la commande,
  • la commande étant agencée pour agir sur l'organe de contrôle, en réponse à la pression de l'utilisateur, et le faire passer de son premier état vers son deuxième état.
The present invention relates to an “all or nothing” type actuation mechanism for a watch movement comprising
  • a lever for operating a watch function intended to be movably mounted on a frame element of the watch movement, between a rest position and an active position,
  • a control intended to be moved in response to pressure from a user, between an initial position and an actuated position, to be able to move the actuation lever from its rest position to its active position,
  • an elastic return member arranged to return the control to its initial position in response to its release by the user,
  • a control member capable of pivoting between a first rest state, in which it locks the actuation lever in its rest position, and a second state, in which it releases the actuation lever to allow it to move towards its active position under the effect of the command action,
  • the control being arranged to act on the control member, in response to pressure from the user, and cause it to move from its first state to its second state.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, l'invention concerne un mécanisme de chronographe à fonction flyback comportant un tel mécanisme d'actionnement.According to a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function comprising such an actuation mechanism.

La présente invention concerne également un mouvement horloger muni d'un tel mécanisme ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un tel mouvement horloger.The present invention also relates to a watch movement provided with such a mechanism as well as a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Des mécanismes horlogers de ce type sont déjà connus dans l'art antérieur, en particulier en relation avec des mécanismes de chronographe.Watch mechanisms of this type are already known in the prior art, in particular in relation to chronograph mechanisms.

Ainsi, par exemple, le site internet https://www.horlogerie-suisse.com/technique/les-complications/chronographe-a-2-poussoirs illustre et décrit un mécanisme de chronographe comportant un dispositif de remise à zéro répondant aux caractéristiques ci-dessus. Plus précisément, ce mécanisme de chronographe comporte une première commande destinée à être pressée par un utilisateur pour faire pivoter une roue à colonnes dont les colonnes permettent de contrôler les positions de plusieurs bascules. Plus précisément, une bascule d'embrayage est commandée par la roue à colonnes pour occuper alternativement une position débrayée, lorsqu'aucune mesure de temps n'est en cours, et une position embrayée dans laquelle un compteur de chronographe est entraîné en rotation. La roue à colonnes commande également la position de marteaux de remise à zéro. Lorsque la mesure d'un temps est démarrée, la roue à colonnes soulève les marteaux de remise à zéro jusqu'à ce qu'une goupille solidaire de ces derniers aille se loger dans un cran ménagé dans un organe de contrôle pivotant. Le mécanisme comporte une deuxième commande, de remise à zéro, destinée à permettre la libération des marteaux de remise à zéro en réponse à une pression de l'utilisateur. Lorsque cette deuxième commande est pressée, elle agit sur l'organe de contrôle pour le faire pivoter jusqu'en fin de course où le cran de l'organe de contrôle atteint une position dans laquelle il libère brusquement la goupille des marteaux de remise à zéro qui peuvent alors tomber sur des cames de remise à zéro, sous l'effet de l'action d'un ressort spécifique. On note que dans un tel mécanisme, la roue à colonnes peut occuper trois orientations angulaires successives correspondant aux états START, STOP et RESET du mécanisme de chronographe. Dans son état START, la colonne qui a soulevé les marteaux de remise à zéro reste en position et l'activation de la remise à zéro n'est donc pas possible lorsque la mesure d'un temps est en cours. Il faut alors presser la première commande pour faire pivoter la roue à colonnes dans son état STOP dans lequel cette colonne s'est dégagée des marteaux de remise à zéro qui pourraient alors tomber sur les cames de remise à zéro s'ils n'étaient pas retenus en position haute par la coopération entre leur goupille et l'organe de contrôle. Ainsi, une telle construction n'est pas adaptée à la mise en oeuvre d'une fonction flyback, ou retour en vol, c'est-à-dire un actionnement des marteaux de remise à zéro pendant que la mesure d'un temps est en cours. En outre, on note également que le ressort assurant le retour de l'organe de contrôle dans sa position de repos, une fois la deuxième commande libérée par l'utilisateur, est généralement assez fort pour sécuriser la position haute des marteaux de remise à zéro. Ainsi, la pression que doit exercer l'utilisateur sur la deuxième commande pour effectuer une remise à zéro est relativement élevée, voire inconfortable.Thus, for example, the website https://www.watchrie-suisse.com/technique/les-complications/chronographe-a-2-poussoirs illustrates and describes a chronograph mechanism comprising a reset device meeting the characteristics above. More precisely, this chronograph mechanism comprises a first control intended to be pressed by a user to rotate a column wheel whose columns make it possible to control the positions of several rockers. More precisely, a clutch rocker is controlled by the column wheel to alternately occupy a disengaged position, when no time measurement is in progress, and an engaged position in which a chronograph counter is rotated. The column wheel also controls the position of the reset hammers. When the measurement of a time is started, the column wheel raises the reset hammers until a pin secured to the latter is housed in a notch provided in a pivoting control member. The mechanism includes a second, reset, control intended to allow the release of the reset hammers in response to user pressure. When this second command is pressed, it acts on the control member to rotate it until the end of travel where the notch of the control member reaches a position in which it suddenly releases the pin of the reset hammers which can then fall on reset cams, under the effect of the action of a specific spring. Note that in such a mechanism, the column wheel can occupy three successive angular orientations corresponding to the START, STOP and RESET states of the chronograph mechanism. In its START state, the column which raised the reset hammers remains in position and activation of the reset is therefore not possible when a time measurement is in progress. It is then necessary to press the first command to rotate the column wheel into its STOP state in which this column has disengaged from the reset hammers which could then fall on the reset cams if they were not retained in the high position by the cooperation between their pin and the control body. So, such a construction is not suitable for the implementation of a flyback function, that is to say an actuation of the reset hammers while the measurement of a time is in progress . In addition, we also note that the spring ensuring the return of the control member to its rest position, once the second control has been released by the user, is generally strong enough to secure the high position of the reset hammers. . Thus, the pressure that the user must exert on the second command to perform a reset is relatively high, even uncomfortable.

Par ailleurs, le même site internet décrit ici: https://www.horlogerie-suisse.com/technique/les-complications/le-chronographe-flyback une construction de mécanisme de chronographe à fonction flyback. Dans ce cas, une commande de remise à zéro agit sur les marteaux de remise à zéro pour les faire pivoter, par l'intermédiaire d'une bascule. Si ce mécanisme a le mérite de la simplicité, il ne permet pas la mise en oeuvre d'une solution du type "tout ou rien" et ne remonte aucune information en retour à l'utilisateur lorsqu'il actionne la commande de remise à zéro.Furthermore, the same website describes here: https://www.watchrie-suisse.com/technique/les-complications/le-chronographe-flyback a construction of a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function. In this case, a reset command acts on the reset hammers to rotate them, via a rocker. Although this mechanism has the merit of simplicity, it does not allow the implementation of an "all or nothing" type solution and does not provide any feedback to the user when he activates the reset command. .

Le document EP 2 073 079 A2 et le document JP S49 35073 A décrivent chacun un mécanisme d'actionnement de type tout ou rien. UThe document EP 2 073 079 A2 and the document JP S49 35073 A each describe an all-or-nothing type actuation mechanism. u

Divulgation de l'inventionDisclosure of the invention

Un but principal de la présente invention est de proposer un mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" destiné à actionner un mécanisme d'un mouvement horloger, notamment adapté à la mise en oeuvre d'une fonction flyback en relation avec un mécanisme de chronographe, et présentant un bon confort d'utilisation, en particulier en offrant une information en retour à l'utilisateur lorsqu'il actionne le mécanisme du mouvement horloger auquel il est associé.A main aim of the present invention is to propose an "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism intended to actuate a mechanism of a watch movement, in particular adapted to the implementation of a flyback function in relation to a mechanism. chronograph, and presenting good comfort of use, in particular by offering feedback to the user when he activates the mechanism of the watch movement with which it is associated.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne plus particulièrement un mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" comme indiqué plus haut, caractérisé

  • par le fait que la commande présente une portion déformable de manière élastique, agencée pour agir sur le levier d'actionnement et tendre à le déplacer vers sa position active en réponse à la pression de l'utilisateur, et une portion rigide agencée pour agir sur le levier d'actionnement et le déplacer vers sa position de repos en réponse à la libération de la commande, et
  • par le fait que le mécanisme d'actionnement comporte un sautoir agencé pour ramener l'organe de contrôle dans son premier état en réponse à la libération de la commande.
For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to an “all or nothing” type actuation mechanism as indicated above, characterized
  • by the fact that the control has an elastically deformable portion, arranged to act on the actuating lever and tension to move it towards its active position in response to user pressure, and a rigid portion arranged to act on the actuation lever and move it towards its rest position in response to the release of the order, and
  • by the fact that the actuation mechanism comprises a jumper arranged to return the control member to its first state in response to the release of the command.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, la construction du mécanisme selon l'invention offre une grande liberté de design, en particulier dans le choix de l'implantation des différents composants en jeu, les uns par rapport aux autres. De plus, lors de l'actionnement par pression sur la commande, l'utilisateur doit exercer une force visant à surmonter simultanément l'action de trois ressorts, celui de la commande, celui constitué par la portion déformable de la commande destinée à agir sur le levier d'actionnement, et celui constitué par le sautoir de l'organe de contrôle. Les propriétés élastiques de ces trois ressorts peuvent être ajustées avec une grande flexibilité et, en particulier, choisies de telle manière que la force à exercer sur chacun de ces ressorts soit sensiblement linéaire tout au long de la course de la commande. Ainsi, l'utilisateur ressent une résistance croissante dépourvue d'à-coup lors de l'actionnement de la commande, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable du point de vue du confort d'utilisation et confère une impression de grande qualité au mécanisme selon l'invention. Bien entendu, dans certains cas, il est possible qu'un ou plusieurs ressorts supplémentaires soient impliqués suivant la nature de la fonction horlogère commandée.Thanks to these characteristics, the construction of the mechanism according to the invention offers great freedom of design, in particular in the choice of the location of the different components in play, in relation to each other. In addition, when actuating by pressing on the control, the user must exert a force aimed at simultaneously overcoming the action of three springs, that of the control, that constituted by the deformable portion of the control intended to act on the actuation lever, and that constituted by the jumper of the control member. The elastic properties of these three springs can be adjusted with great flexibility and, in particular, chosen in such a way that the force to be exerted on each of these springs is substantially linear throughout the travel of the control. Thus, the user feels an increasing resistance without jerk when operating the control, which is particularly appreciable from the point of view of comfort of use and gives an impression of high quality to the mechanism according to the invention. Of course, in certain cases, it is possible that one or more additional springs are involved depending on the nature of the watch function controlled.

De manière préférée, on peut prévoir que la portion rigide de la commande porte un cliquet escamotable destiné à coopérer avec l'organe de contrôle.Preferably, it can be provided that the rigid portion of the control carries a retractable pawl intended to cooperate with the control member.

En outre, on peut avantageusement prévoir que l'organe de contrôle soit une roue à colonnes comprenant

  • une planche portant N dents destinées à coopérer avec la commande pour passer du premier état au deuxième état, et avec le sautoir pour passer du deuxième état au premier état, et
  • N colonnes destinées à coopérer avec le levier d'actionnement.
In addition, it can advantageously be provided that the control member is a column wheel comprising
  • a board carrying N teeth intended to cooperate with the control to move from the first state to the second state, and with the jumper to move from the second state to the first state, and
  • N columns intended to cooperate with the actuating lever.

Ainsi, outre le fait qu'elle puisse être implantée sur un élément de bâti de manière très flexible pour prendre en compte les formes et dimensions des autres composants du mécanisme, la roue à colonnes offre une précision de fonctionnement très sûre.Thus, in addition to the fact that it can be installed on a building element in a very flexible manner to take into account the shapes and dimensions of the other components of the mechanism, the column wheel offers very safe operating precision.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, la présente invention concerne un mécanisme de chronographe à fonction de retour en vol, pour mouvement horloger, comportant

  • au moins un compteur de chronographe,
  • un organe de transmission susceptible de présenter une première position, embrayée, dans laquelle une liaison cinématique entre un mobile d'entrainement du mouvement horloger et le compteur de chronographe est fonctionnelle, et une deuxième position, débrayée, dans laquelle la liaison cinématique est interrompue,
  • un frein mobile entre une première position, dans laquelle il agit sur le compteur de chronographe pour le verrouiller, et au moins une deuxième position, dans laquelle il laisse le compteur de chronographe libre de tourner,
  • un organe de commande susceptible d'être actionné par un utilisateur pour occuper alternativement un premier état, correspondant à la mesure d'un temps, et un deuxième état, correspondant à un arrêt du mécanisme de chronographe, l'organe de commande étant agencé pour coopérer avec l'organe de transmission et avec le frein pour définir leurs positions respectives,
  • un dispositif de remise à zéro,
  • ainsi qu'un mécanisme d'actionnement selon les caractéristiques mentionnées plus haut, dans lequel le levier d'actionnement remplit la fonction d'un marteau de remise à zéro du dispositif de remise à zéro, en relation avec le compteur de chronographe, le levier d'actionnement étant distant du compteur de chronographe dans sa position de repos, et coopérant avec le compteur de chronographe dans sa position active, pour le placer dans une configuration prédéfinie,
  • l'organe de contrôle étant susceptible d'agir sur l'organe de transmission et sur le frein, pour les faire passer dans leur deuxième position, en réponse à la pression de l'utilisateur sur la commande.
According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function, for a watch movement, comprising
  • at least one chronograph counter,
  • a transmission member capable of having a first, engaged position, in which a kinematic connection between a drive wheel of the watch movement and the chronograph counter is functional, and a second, disengaged position, in which the kinematic connection is interrupted,
  • a movable brake between a first position, in which it acts on the chronograph counter to lock it, and at least a second position, in which it leaves the chronograph counter free to rotate,
  • a control member capable of being actuated by a user to alternately occupy a first state, corresponding to the measurement of a time, and a second state, corresponding to a stopping of the chronograph mechanism, the control member being arranged to cooperate with the transmission member and with the brake to define their respective positions,
  • a reset device,
  • as well as an actuation mechanism according to the characteristics mentioned above, in which the actuation lever fulfills the function of a reset hammer of the reset device, in connection with the chronograph counter, the lever actuation being distant from the chronograph counter in its rest position, and cooperating with the chronograph counter in its active position, to place it in a predefined configuration,
  • the control member being capable of acting on the transmission member and on the brake, to move them into their second position, in response to the user's pressure on the control.

Ainsi, les avantages du mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention sont appliqués à la mise en oeuvre d'une fonction flyback, en relation avec un mécanisme de chronographe, présentant une bonne ergonomie et un grand confort d'utilisation.Thus, the advantages of the actuation mechanism according to the invention are applied to the implementation of a flyback function, in relation to a chronograph mechanism, presenting good ergonomics and great comfort of use.

Dans ce cas, on peut préférablement prévoir

  • que le mécanisme de chronographe comporte une bascule agencée pour coopérer avec l'organe de contrôle de manière à occuper des première et deuxième orientations associées respectivement aux premier et deuxième états de l'organe de contrôle, et
  • que la bascule soit également agencée
    • pour pouvoir faire passer l'organe de transmission de sa première position à sa deuxième position, et
    • pour pouvoir faire passer le frein de sa première position à sa deuxième position,
  • en passant de sa première à sa deuxième orientation.
In this case, we can preferably predict
  • that the chronograph mechanism comprises a rocker arranged to cooperate with the control member so as to occupy first and second orientations associated respectively with the first and second states of the control member, and
  • that the rocker is also arranged
    • to be able to move the transmission member from its first position to its second position, and
    • to be able to move the brake from its first position to its second position,
  • moving from its first to its second orientation.

Dans ce cas, le mécanisme de chronographe peut avantageusement comporter une bascule d'embrayage portant l'organe de transmission et comportant une portion déformable de manière élastique susceptible d'être sollicitée pour faire passer l'organe de transmission dans sa deuxième position en réponse à une pression de l'utilisateur sur la commande.In this case, the chronograph mechanism can advantageously comprise a clutch rocker carrying the transmission member and comprising an elastically deformable portion capable of being requested to move the transmission member into its second position in response to a user press on the control.

De manière générale, on peut avantageusement prévoir

  • que le mécanisme de chronographe comporte un compteur des minutes coaxial au compteur de chronographe ainsi qu'un marteau de remise à zéro supplémentaire mobile entre une position de repos, distante du compteur des minutes, et une position de remise à zéro dans laquelle il coopère avec le compteur des minutes pour le placer dans une configuration prédéfinie, et
  • que le marteau de remise à zéro supplémentaire soit solidaire du levier d'actionnement et présente un même axe de rotation que ce dernier.
In general, we can advantageously predict
  • that the chronograph mechanism comprises a minute counter coaxial with the chronograph counter as well as an additional reset hammer movable between a rest position, distant from the minute counter, and a reset position in which it cooperates with the minute counter to place it in a predefined configuration, and
  • that the additional reset hammer is integral with the actuating lever and has the same axis of rotation as the latter.

La présente invention concerne généralement un mouvement horloger comportant un mécanisme d'actionnement et/ou un mécanisme de chronographe répondant aux caractéristiques énoncées plus haut, que le mécanisme de chronographe soit intégré directement dans le mouvement horloger ou qu'il soit combiné à un calibre horloger existant sous la forme d'un module additionnel pour définir le mouvement horloger selon l'invention, ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un tel mouvement horloger.The present invention generally relates to a watch movement comprising an actuation mechanism and/or a chronograph mechanism meeting the characteristics stated above, whether the chronograph mechanism is integrated directly into the movement watchmaker or that it is combined with an existing watch caliber in the form of an additional module to define the watch movement according to the invention, as well as a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée d'un mode de réalisation préféré qui suit, faite en référence aux dessins annexés donnés à titre d'exemple non limitatif et dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue de face partielle d'un mécanisme de chronographe comprenant un mécanisme d'actionnement selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention;
  • les figures 2a à 2f représentent une même vue de face détaillée du mécanisme d'actionnement illustré sur la figure 1, dans six phases de fonctionnement successives, et
  • les figures 3a à 3h représentent deux-à-deux des vues de face, respectivement d'un premier côté et du côté opposé, d'un mécanisme d'actionnement selon une variante de réalisation de la présente invention, dans quatre phases de fonctionnement successives.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:
  • there figure 1 shows a partial front view of a chronograph mechanism comprising an actuating mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
  • THE figures 2a to 2f represent the same detailed front view of the actuation mechanism illustrated on the figure 1 , in six successive operating phases, and
  • THE figures 3a to 3h represent two by two front views, respectively of a first side and the opposite side, of an actuation mechanism according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in four successive operating phases.

Mode(s) de réalisation de l'inventionMode(s) of carrying out the invention

La description détaillée qui suit s'attache à décrire un mécanisme de chronographe à fonction flyback comportant un mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, à titre d'exemple illustratif non limitatif. Plus précisément, selon le mode de réalisation illustré et décrit, le mécanisme de chronographe peut être destiné à être intégré dans un mouvement horloger ou, en alternative, il peut être combiné à un calibre horloger existant sous forme d'un module additionnel.The detailed description which follows attempts to describe a chronograph mechanism with a flyback function comprising an "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by way of non-limiting illustrative example. More precisely, according to the embodiment illustrated and described, the chronograph mechanism may be intended to be integrated into a watch movement or, alternatively, it may be combined with an existing watch caliber in the form of an additional module.

On notera que l'homme du métier pourra mettre en oeuvre le mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention en relation avec d'autres types de mécanismes horlogers sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention tel que défini dans le jeu de revendications. Ainsi, il est par exemple possible d'associer le mécanisme d'actionnement selon la présente invention à un mécanisme de sonnerie. Dans ce cas, le mécanisme d'actionnement permettrait de charger un ressort alimentant le mécanisme de sonnerie et d'actionner le mécanisme de sonnerie uniquement lorsque le ressort serait suffisamment chargé.It will be noted that those skilled in the art will be able to implement the actuation mechanism according to the invention in relation to other types of watch mechanisms without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the set of claims. For example, it is possible to associate the actuation mechanism according to the present invention with a ringing mechanism. In this case, the actuation mechanism would allow loading a spring powering the striking mechanism and activating the striking mechanism only when the spring would be sufficiently loaded.

La figure 1 représente une vue de face partielle d'un mécanisme de chronographe 1 présentant une fonction flyback, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention.There figure 1 represents a partial front view of a chronograph mechanism 1 having a flyback function, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

De manière générale, le mécanisme de chronographe 1 peut présenter différentes constructions connues, comme par exemple être du type à navette ou à roue à colonnes, sans incidence particulière sur le fonctionnement du mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention. Aussi, le mécanisme de chronographe 1 ne sera pas intégralement décrit en détail.In general, the chronograph mechanism 1 can have different known constructions, such as for example being of the shuttle or column wheel type, without any particular impact on the operation of the actuation mechanism according to the invention. Also, the chronograph mechanism 1 will not be fully described in detail.

Le mécanisme de chronographe 1 comporte ici deux compteurs des minutes 2 et des secondes 4 agencés de manière coaxiale, à titre illustratif non limitatif. Chacun des compteurs 2 et 4 est constitué d'un mobile comprenant un arbre 6, 8 (l'arbre 6 des minutes étant creux pour définir un passage pour l'arbre 8 des secondes), ainsi qu'une planche 10, 12 et une came de remise à zéro 14, 16 solidaires de l'arbre correspondant. Chaque planche 10, 12 est dentée pour permettre l'entrainement du compteur correspondant. Chaque arbre 6, 8 est destiné à porter un organe d'affichage, respectivement des minutes et des secondes.The chronograph mechanism 1 here comprises two minute counters 2 and seconds 4 arranged coaxially, for non-limiting purposes of illustration. Each of the counters 2 and 4 consists of a mobile comprising a shaft 6, 8 (the minute shaft 6 being hollow to define a passage for the seconds shaft 8), as well as a board 10, 12 and a reset cam 14, 16 secured to the corresponding shaft. Each board 10, 12 is toothed to allow the training of the corresponding counter. Each shaft 6, 8 is intended to carry a display member, respectively minutes and seconds.

De manière conventionnelle, le mécanisme de chronographe 1 est pourvu d'une première commande START/STOP 100 permettant de démarrer et de stopper l'entrainement des compteurs 2 et 4 pour mesurer un temps ou l'arrêter, par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un embrayage 102.Conventionally, the chronograph mechanism 1 is provided with a first START/STOP 100 command making it possible to start and stop the training of the counters 2 and 4 to measure a time or stop it, via at minus a clutch 102.

Le mécanisme de chronographe 1 comporte également un frein 104 agencé sur un élément de bâti de manière à pouvoir pivoter typiquement entre deux positions, une première position de repos START dans laquelle il est situé à distance du compteur 4, et une deuxième position STOP dans laquelle il agit sur la planche 12 pour verrouiller le compteur 4 et permettre la lecture d'un temps mesuré. Typiquement, un sautoir 108 peut assurer le verrouillage du compteur des minutes. Ainsi, le mécanisme de chronographe 1 comprend un dispositif conventionnel agencé pour agir sur le frein 104 et commander sa position en fonction de l'état en cours du mécanisme de chronographe (START/STOP), ici une roue à colonnes 110 qui coopère également avec l'embrayage 102.The chronograph mechanism 1 also comprises a brake 104 arranged on a frame element so as to be able to pivot typically between two positions, a first START rest position in which it is located at a distance from the counter 4, and a second STOP position in which it acts on board 12 to lock counter 4 and allow the reading of a measured time. Typically, a jumper 108 can ensure the locking of the minute counter. Thus, the mechanism of chronograph 1 comprises a conventional device arranged to act on the brake 104 and control its position as a function of the current state of the chronograph mechanism (START/STOP), here a column wheel 110 which also cooperates with the clutch 102.

Par ailleurs, le mécanisme de chronographe 1 selon la présente invention est également pourvu d'une deuxième commande 22 de remise à zéro. La deuxième commande 22 est solidaire d'une surface d'actionnement 23, à une première de ses extrémités, la surface d'actionnement étant destinée à recevoir une pression exercée par un utilisateur sur un poussoir de remise à zéro de la pièce d'horlogerie correspondante, pour pivoter dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire sur la vue de la figure 1, suivant l'axe de rotation 24.Furthermore, the chronograph mechanism 1 according to the present invention is also provided with a second reset control 22. The second control 22 is integral with an actuation surface 23, at a first of its ends, the actuation surface being intended to receive pressure exerted by a user on a reset pusher of the timepiece corresponding, to pivot in the direction of rotation counterclockwise on the view of the figure 1 , along the axis of rotation 24.

A son autre extrémité, la deuxième commande 22 porte un cliquet escamotable 26 destiné à coopérer avec une denture 28 d'un organe de contrôle 30, présentant ici la forme d'une roue à colonnes supplémentaire comprenant autant de colonnes 32 que la denture 28 comporte de dents, ici au nombre de N=6, à titre d'exemple illustratif non limitatif.At its other end, the second control 22 carries a retractable pawl 26 intended to cooperate with a toothing 28 of a control member 30, here having the shape of an additional column wheel comprising as many columns 32 as the toothing 28 comprises of teeth, here in the number of N=6, by way of non-limiting illustrative example.

La roue à colonnes supplémentaire est pivotée sur un élément de bâti (non visible) du mécanisme de chronographe 1, ou du mouvement horloger correspondant, et permet de contrôler l'état de différents composants intervenant dans la remise à zéro des compteurs 2 et 4, comme cela sera décrit ci-dessous.The additional column wheel is pivoted on a frame element (not visible) of the chronograph mechanism 1, or of the corresponding watch movement, and makes it possible to control the state of different components involved in resetting counters 2 and 4 to zero, as will be described below.

La deuxième commande 22 comporte une portion principale 34, centrale et rigide, depuis laquelle s'étendent, de part et d'autre, deux portions élastiques 36, 38, dont l'une 36 définit un ressort de rappel élastique de la commande 22 vers sa position de repos, en relation avec un tenon fixe 40, et l'autre 38 est susceptible d'agir sur une goupille 42 solidaire de marteaux de remise à zéro 44, pour faire pivoter ces derniers dans le sens de rotation horaire sur la vue de la figure, comme cela sera exposé plus loin.The second control 22 comprises a main portion 34, central and rigid, from which extend, on either side, two elastic portions 36, 38, one of which 36 defines an elastic return spring of the control 22 towards its rest position, in relation to a fixed tenon 40, and the other 38 is capable of acting on a pin 42 secured to reset hammers 44, to rotate the latter in the direction of clockwise rotation on the view of the figure, as will be explained later.

On notera que les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 sont ici superposés en étant solidaires l'un de l'autre, ce qui n'est pas visible en vue de face, chacun d'eux étant associé à l'une des cames de remise à zéro 14, 16.Note that the reset hammers 44 are here superimposed, being integral with each other, which is not visible in front view, each of them being associated with one of the reset cams to zero 14, 16.

La course de la deuxième commande 22 est ajustée de telle manière que son cliquet 26 agisse sur la roue à colonnes supplémentaire pour la faire tourner dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire d'un peu moins d'un pas complet. Un sautoir 46 est agencé sur un élément de bâti pour coopérer avec la denture 28 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire et compléter le pas en cours, après la fin de l'action du cliquet 26, et pour maintenir la roue à colonnes supplémentaire dans sa position de repos stable, comme illustré sur la figure 1.The stroke of the second control 22 is adjusted in such a way that its pawl 26 acts on the additional column wheel to make it turn counterclockwise a little less than one full step. A jumper 46 is arranged on a frame element to cooperate with the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel and complete the current step, after the end of the action of the pawl 26, and to maintain the additional column wheel in its stable resting position, as shown in the figure 1 .

Il apparait également de la figure 1 que le mécanisme selon l'invention comporte avantageusement une bascule 18, pivotée suivant un axe de rotation 20, et portant un bec 48 agencé pour coopérer avec les colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire et permettre à cette dernière de contrôler l'orientation angulaire de la bascule 18, entre une position de repos dans laquelle elle laisse le frein 104 de chronographe libre de ses déplacements en fonction de l'état START ou STOP du mécanisme, et une position de remise à zéro dans laquelle elle agit sur le frein 104 de chronographe pour l'éloigner du compteur 4, si nécessaire. La coopération entre le bec 48 et la roue à colonnes supplémentaire permet de s'assurer que le frein 104 soit écarté du compteur 4 lors des opérations de remise à zéro, que le mécanisme de chronographe 1 soit en mode START (frein déjà éloigné du compteur) ou STOP (frein au contact du compteur).It also appears from the figure 1 that the mechanism according to the invention advantageously comprises a rocker 18, pivoted along an axis of rotation 20, and carrying a nose 48 arranged to cooperate with the columns 32 of the additional column wheel and allow the latter to control the angular orientation of the rocker 18, between a rest position in which it leaves the chronograph brake 104 free to move depending on the START or STOP state of the mechanism, and a reset position in which it acts on the brake 104 chronograph to move it away from counter 4, if necessary. The cooperation between the nozzle 48 and the additional column wheel ensures that the brake 104 is moved away from the counter 4 during reset operations, that the chronograph mechanism 1 is in START mode (brake already moved away from the counter ) or STOP (brake on contact with the meter).

Un organe de rappel élastique 112, réalisé ici d'une seule pièce avec une bascule 106 supplémentaire impliquée dans la remise à zéro du compteur des minutes 2, est prévu pour agir sur la bascule 18, pour tendre à la faire pivoter dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire sur la vue des figures, c'est-à-dire pour qu'elle se déplace en direction de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire. La rotation des bascules 18 et 106 permet notamment de soulever un bec d'actionnement du compteur des minutes 2 lors des opérations de remise à zéro, ce bec assurant l'entrainement du compteur des minutes à partir du compteur des secondes lors de la mesure d'un temps.An elastic return member 112, here made in one piece with an additional rocker 106 involved in resetting the minute counter 2, is provided to act on the rocker 18, to tend to rotate it in the direction of counter-clockwise rotation in the figure view, i.e. so that it moves in the direction of the additional column wheel. The rotation of the rockers 18 and 106 makes it possible in particular to lift an actuation nozzle of the minutes counter 2 during reset operations, this nozzle ensuring the driving of the minutes counter from the seconds counter during the measurement of 'a time.

Par ailleurs, le mode de fonctionnement de la bascule 18 peut être mis à profit pour pouvoir agir sur la liaison cinématique reliant le compteur de chronographe 4 à un mobile d'entrainement du mouvement horloger, lors des opérations de remise à zéro. En effet, généralement, l'embrayage comprend un organe de transmission porté par une bascule d'embrayage mobile entre deux positions, une embrayée et une débrayée, permettant d'assurer la mise en place d'une telle liaison cinématique ou de l'interrompre en fonction du mode de fonctionnement START ou STOP du mécanisme de chronographe. Or, il est nécessaire d'interrompre cette liaison cinématique, dans le mode START, pour pouvoir remettre notamment le compteur des secondes 4 à zéro. On peut alors prévoir que la bascule 18 soit également agencée pour éloigner l'organe de transmission du compteur de chronographe 4 lorsque le frein 104 de chronographe est écarté du compteur 4 pour remettre ce dernier à zéro. A cet effet, on pourrait notamment prévoir, de manière originale, que l'organe de transmission 114 soit relié à la bascule d'embrayage 116 par l'intermédiaire d'un organe de liaison 118 déformable de manière élastique, qui serait ainsi déformé sous l'effet de l'action de la bascule 18. Grâce à cette construction, l'organe de transmission 114 peut être écarté du compteur de secondes, par déformation élastique de l'organe de liaison 118, même lorsque le mécanisme de chronographe est dans son mode de fonctionnement START. Ainsi, il n'est pas nécessaire de modifier l'orientation de la bascule d'embrayage 116 lors de la remise à zéro, comme c'est le cas dans les constructions conventionnelles.Furthermore, the operating mode of the flip-flop 18 can be used to be able to act on the kinematic link connecting the chronograph counter 4 to a mobile for driving the watch movement, during reset operations. In fact, generally, the clutch comprises a transmission member carried by a clutch rocker movable between two positions, one engaged and one disengaged, making it possible to ensure the establishment of such a kinematic connection or to interrupt it depending on the START or operating mode STOP the chronograph mechanism. However, it is necessary to interrupt this kinematic connection, in START mode, to be able to reset the seconds counter 4 to zero. It can then be provided that the rocker 18 is also arranged to move the transmission member away from the chronograph counter 4 when the chronograph brake 104 is moved away from the counter 4 to reset the latter to zero. For this purpose, it could in particular be provided, in an original manner, for the transmission member 114 to be connected to the clutch rocker 116 via an elastically deformable connecting member 118, which would thus be deformed under the effect of the action of the rocker 18. Thanks to this construction, the transmission member 114 can be moved away from the seconds counter, by elastic deformation of the connecting member 118, even when the chronograph mechanism is in its START operating mode. Thus, it is not necessary to modify the orientation of the clutch rocker 116 when resetting, as is the case in conventional constructions.

On constate également sur la figure 1 que les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 sont solidaires d'un bec 50 agencé pour coopérer avec les colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire et contrôler l'orientation angulaire des marteaux de remise à zéro 44, entre leur position neutre ou de repos, comme illustrée sur la figure 1, et leur position active (comme illustrée sur la figure 2e).We also see on the figure 1 that the reset hammers 44 are integral with a nozzle 50 arranged to cooperate with the columns 32 of the additional column wheel and control the angular orientation of the reset hammers 44, between their neutral or rest position, as illustrated on the figure 1 , and their active position (as shown in the figure 2e ).

Le fonctionnement du mécanisme de remise à zéro va maintenant être présenté en détail en relation avec les figures 2a à 2f qui en présentent différentes étapes successives.The operation of the reset mechanism will now be presented in detail in relation to the figures 2a to 2f which present different successive stages.

La figure 2a illustre la configuration du mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention indépendamment du mode de fonctionnement START ou STOP du mécanisme de chronographe 1.There figure 2a illustrates the configuration of the actuation mechanism according to the invention independently of the START or STOP operating mode of the chronograph mechanism 1.

Dans cette situation, la commande de remise à zéro 22 n'est pas en contact avec la roue à colonnes supplémentaire, dont l'orientation angulaire est maintenue fixe par son sautoir 46.In this situation, the reset control 22 is not in contact with the additional column wheel, the angular orientation of which is kept fixed by its jumper 46.

De manière générale, la bascule 18 est agencée de manière à permettre un débrayage, ou une isolation, de l'ensemble des compteurs de chronographe. Elle coopère toujours avec la bascule 106 supplémentaire qui est précontrainte sous l'effet de l'action de l'organe élastique de rappel 112. Lorsque la bascule 18 est actionnée, elle coopère avec la bascule 106 pour isoler le compteur des minutes 2 et pouvoir en permettre la remise à zéro, ce dernier n'étant alors plus soumis qu'à l'action de son sautoir 108.Generally speaking, the rocker 18 is arranged so as to allow disengagement, or isolation, of all the chronograph counters. It always cooperates with the additional rocker 106 which is preloaded under the effect of the action of the elastic return member 112. When the rocker 18 is actuated, it cooperates with the rocker 106 to isolate the minute counter 2 and be able to allow it to be reset to zero, the latter then only being subject to the action of its jumper 108.

Dans le cas où le mécanisme de chronographe est en mode de fonctionnement START, la roue à colonnes 110 soulève le frein 104 du compteur des secondes 4, et la bascule 18 n'entre donc pas en contact avec le frein 104 lorsqu'elle est actionnée. En revanche, la bascule 18 agit sur l'organe de transmission 114 pour le soulever du compteur de secondes 4. Dans le cas où le mécanisme de chronographe est en mode de fonctionnement STOP, la roue à colonnes 110 agit sur l'embrayage 102 de telle manière que l'organe de transmission 114 soit soulevé du compteur de secondes 4. Dans ce cas, lorsqu'elle est actionnée, la bascule 18 n'agit pas sur l'organe de transmission 114 mais elle agit en revanche sur le frein 104 pour le soulever du compteur de secondes 4.In the case where the chronograph mechanism is in START operating mode, the column wheel 110 raises the brake 104 of the seconds counter 4, and the rocker 18 therefore does not come into contact with the brake 104 when actuated . On the other hand, the rocker 18 acts on the transmission member 114 to raise it from the seconds counter 4. In the case where the chronograph mechanism is in STOP operating mode, the column wheel 110 acts on the clutch 102 of such that the transmission member 114 is raised from the seconds counter 4. In this case, when it is actuated, the rocker 18 does not act on the transmission member 114 but it does however act on the brake 104 to lift it from the seconds counter 4.

Revenant à la figure 2a, on constate que le bec 48 de la bascule 18 est situé dans un creux entre deux colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire.Returning to the figure 2a , we see that the nose 48 of the rocker 18 is located in a hollow between two columns 32 of the additional column wheel.

Le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 est maintenu à l'extérieur du périmètre extérieur défini par les colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire par la commande 22, maintenant ainsi les marteaux de remise à zéro à distance des cames de remise à zéro 14, 16.The nose 50 of the reset hammers 44 is held outside the outer perimeter defined by the columns 32 of the additional column wheel by the control 22, thus maintaining the reset hammers at a distance from the reset cams. zero 14, 16.

Lorsqu'un utilisateur commence à exercer une pression sur la commande de remise à zéro 22 (par l'intermédiaire du poussoir, non visible), celle-ci se met à pivoter dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire sur la vue des figures, comme illustré sur la figure 2b.When a user begins to exert pressure on the reset control 22 (via the pusher, not visible), it begins to pivot in the direction of anti-clockwise rotation in the view of the figures, as illustrated on the figure 2b .

Lorsque la commande 22 pivote, le cliquet 26 entre en contact avec la denture 28 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire. Dans le même temps, les portions élastiques 36 et 38 de la commande 22 commencent à se tendre et à stocker de l'énergie mécanique, la portion élastique 36 en étant en appui contre le tenon fixe 40, et la portion élastique 38 en étant en appui contre la goupille 42 solidaire des marteaux de remise à zéro 44, ces derniers étant maintenus fixes dans leur position de repos du fait de l'appui du bec 50 contre une colonne 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire.When the control 22 pivots, the pawl 26 comes into contact with the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel. At the same time, the elastic portions 36 and 38 of the control 22 begin to tighten and store mechanical energy, the elastic portion 36 being supported against the fixed tenon 40, and the elastic portion 38 being in support against the pin 42 integral with the reset hammers 44, the latter being kept fixed in their rest position due to the support of the nose 50 against a column 32 of the additional column wheel.

A partir d'une certaine course de la commande 22, la roue à colonnes supplémentaire se met également à tourner, comme illustré sur la figure 2c.From a certain travel of the control 22, the additional column wheel also begins to rotate, as illustrated in the figure 2c .

A ce stade, la colonne 32 contre laquelle le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 est toujours en appui s'est simplement déplacée tout en maintenant le verrouillage des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 dans leur position de repos, tandis qu'une autre colonne 32 s'est approchée du bec 48 de la bascule 18.At this stage, the column 32 against which the nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 is still resting has simply moved while maintaining the locking of the reset hammers 44 in their rest position, while a another column 32 has approached the nozzle 48 of the rocker 18.

Lorsque la commande 22 pivote davantage, comme illustré sur la figure 2d, la bascule 18 se soulève sous l'effet de l'action de la colonne 32 qui s'était approchée de son bec 48.When the control 22 pivots further, as illustrated in the figure 2d , the rocker 18 rises under the effect of the action of the column 32 which had approached its nozzle 48.

Le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 est toujours en appui contre la même colonne 32 mais est sur le point de se trouver en regard d'un creux entre cette colonne et la suivante. Les portions élastiques 36 et 38 de la commande 22 ont entretemps accumulé sensiblement un maximum d'énergie mécanique en se déformant, la commande 22 étant quasiment en bout de course.The nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 is still resting against the same column 32 but is about to find itself facing a hollow between this column and the next. The elastic portions 36 and 38 of the control 22 have meanwhile accumulated substantially a maximum of mechanical energy by deforming, the control 22 being almost at the end of its travel.

Un léger pivotement supplémentaire de la commande 22 libère le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44, comme illustré sur la figure 2e, puisque la colonne 32 qui les verrouillait s'est complètement dégagée du bec 50. Dans le même temps, le cliquet 26 s'est dégagé de la denture 28 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire.A slight additional pivoting of the control 22 releases the nose 50 of the reset hammers 44, as illustrated in the figure 2e , since the column 32 which locked them has completely emerged from the nozzle 50. At the same time, the pawl 26 has emerged from the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel.

La portion élastique 38 chargée au maximum peut alors libérer son énergie mécanique en faisant pivoter les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 dans le sens de rotation horaire sur la vue de la figure 2e, jusqu'à ce qu'ils parviennent en butée contre les cames de remise à zéro 14, 16, qui tournent à leur tour pour prendre une orientation angulaire prédéfinie, associée à un positionnement sur 0 des organes d'affichage des secondes et des minutes de temps chronométrés, de manière conventionnelle.The elastic portion 38 loaded to the maximum can then release its mechanical energy by pivoting the reset hammers 44 in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 2e , until they come into contact with the reset cams 14, 16, which in turn rotate to take a predefined angular orientation, associated with a positioning at 0 of the seconds and minutes display members of timed times, in a conventional manner.

Dans le même temps, la colonne 32 qui agit sur la bascule 18 s'est déplacée en regard du bec 48, tout en continuant son action sur lui.At the same time, the column 32 which acts on the rocker 18 has moved opposite the nozzle 48, while continuing its action on it.

Dans cette configuration, on constate que la roue à colonnes supplémentaire est dans une orientation instable, son sautoir 46 étant sous tension, en appui sur une seule dent de la denture 28. Dans le même temps, toute rotation additionnelle de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire sur la vue de la figure 2e est impossible du fait du positionnement des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 dont le bec 50 définit une butée pour la colonne 32 suivante.In this configuration, we see that the additional column wheel is in an unstable orientation, its jumper 46 being under tension, resting on a single tooth of the toothing 28. At the same time, any additional rotation of the additional column wheel in the direction of rotation counterclockwise in the view of the figure 2e is impossible due to the positioning of the reset hammers 44, the nose 50 of which defines a stop for the following column 32.

Tant que l'utilisateur maintient sa pression sur la commande 22 le mécanisme d'actionnement reste dans l'état de la figure 2e, la mesure d'un temps étant suspendue avec les organes d'affichage des temps chronométrés positionnés sur 0.As long as the user maintains pressure on the control 22, the actuation mechanism remains in the state of the figure 2e , the measurement of a time being suspended with the timed time display elements positioned at 0.

Lorsque l'utilisateur libère la commande 22, celle-ci est rappelée vers sa position de repos, comme illustré sur la figure 2f, sous l'effet de l'action de sa portion élastique 36 sur le tenon 40.When the user releases the control 22, it is returned to its rest position, as illustrated in the figure 2f , under the effect of the action of its elastic portion 36 on the tenon 40.

En tournant dans le sens de rotation horaire, la commande 22 entre en contact avec la goupille 42 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 avec sa portion centrale rigide 34, permettant dans le même temps à la portion élastique 38 de se détendre. La portion élastique 36 présente des propriétés élastiques telles que son action sur la commande 22, visant à la faire tourner dans le sens de rotation horaire sur la vue de la figure 2f, permet également de soulever les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 pour les ramener vers leur position de repos.By rotating in the direction of clockwise rotation, the control 22 comes into contact with the pin 42 of the reset hammers 44 with its rigid central portion 34, at the same time allowing the elastic portion 38 to relax. The elastic portion 36 has elastic properties such as its action on the control 22, aiming to make it rotate in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 2f , also allows the reset hammers 44 to be lifted to bring them back to their rest position.

Lorsqu'elle tourne davantage dans le sens horaire dans la configuration de la figure 2f, la commande 22 agit sur les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 au point que leur bec 50 se dégage du creux entre deux colonnes 32 dans lequel il était situé, et libère ainsi la roue à colonnes supplémentaire qui peut compléter le pas commencé sous l'effet de l'action du cliquet 26, et prendre une nouvelle position stable, comme illustré sur la figure 2a, sous l'effet de l'action motrice de son sautoir 46.As it turns more clockwise in the configuration of the figure 2f , the control 22 acts on the reset hammers 44 to the point that their beak 50 emerges from the hollow between two columns 32 in which it was located, and thus releases the additional column wheel which can complete the step started under the effect of the action of the pawl 26, and take a new stable position, as shown in the figure 2a , under the effect of the driving action of its jumper 46.

En tournant davantage, la roue à colonnes supplémentaire libère également le bec 48 de la bascule 18 qui retombe dans un creux entre deux colonnes 32. Le mécanisme de chronographe revient donc dans sa configuration dictée par l'orientation de la roue à colonnes 110, c'est-à-dire que le frein 104 retombe sur la roue 12 du compteur de secondes 4 si le mécanisme de chronographe est dans son mode de fonctionnement STOP, ou que l'organe de transmission 114 retombe pour engrener avec la roue 12 si le mécanisme de chronographe est dans son mode de fonctionnement START.By rotating further, the additional column wheel also releases the beak 48 of the rocker 18 which falls into a hollow between two columns 32. The chronograph mechanism therefore returns to its configuration dictated by the orientation of the column wheel 110, c that is to say that the brake 104 falls on the wheel 12 of the seconds counter 4 if the chronograph mechanism is in its STOP operating mode, or that the transmission member 114 falls to mesh with the wheel 12 if the Chronograph mechanism is in its START operating mode.

Par ailleurs, le cliquet 26 de la commande 22 s'escamote pour passer de la configuration illustrée sur la figure 2f à celle de la figure 2a.Furthermore, the pawl 26 of the control 22 retracts to move from the configuration illustrated on the figure 2f to that of the figure 2a .

Ainsi, lorsque l'utilisateur libère la commande 22, le mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention repasse de la configuration illustrée sur la figure 2f à celle illustrée sur la figure 2a, et la mesure d'un temps recommence depuis 0 si la remise à zéro effectuée était une remise à zéro en vol, c'est-à-dire si le mécanisme de chronographe était en mode de fonctionnement START. Autrement, si le mécanisme de chronographe était en mode de fonctionnement STOP, tous les compteurs de chronographe restent à zéro.Thus, when the user releases the control 22, the actuation mechanism according to the invention returns to the configuration illustrated on the figure 2f to that illustrated on the figure 2a , and the measurement of a time starts again from 0 if the reset carried out was an in-flight reset, that is to say if the chronograph mechanism was in START operating mode. Otherwise, if the chronograph mechanism was in STOP operating mode, all chronograph counters remain at zero.

On notera que si l'utilisateur relâche la commande 22 avant d'avoir fait chuter les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 contre les cames de remise à zéro 14, 16, les deux portions élastiques 36, 38 de la commande 22 peuvent se détendre et la roue à colonnes supplémentaire reprend sa position stable de repos sous l'effet de l'action de son sautoir 46, en tournant dans le sens de rotation horaire.It will be noted that if the user releases the control 22 before having caused the reset hammers 44 to fall against the reset cams 14, 16, the two elastic portions 36, 38 of the control 22 can relax and the additional column wheel returns to its stable rest position under the effect of the action of its jumper 46, rotating in the direction of clockwise rotation.

Les figures 3a à 3h représentent deux-à-deux des vues de face, respectivement d'un premier côté et du côté opposé, d'un mécanisme d'actionnement selon une variante de réalisation de la présente invention, dans quatre phases de fonctionnement successives.THE figures 3a to 3h represent two by two front views, respectively of a first side and the opposite side, of an actuation mechanism according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in four successive operating phases.

Plus précisément, ce mécanisme d'actionnement est similaire à celui qui vient d'être présenté en relation avec les figures 2a à 2f, ses composants n'étant que très peu modifiés en référence à la description qui précède. Ainsi, les mêmes références numériques sont utilisées sur les figures 3a à 3h pour identifier les composants décrits précédemment, afin d'en faciliter la compréhension.More precisely, this actuation mechanism is similar to that which has just been presented in relation to the figures 2a to 2f , its components being only slightly modified with reference to the preceding description. Thus, the same numerical references are used on the figures 3a to 3h to identify the components described above, in order to facilitate understanding.

Les figures 3a et 3b illustrent la configuration du mécanisme d'actionnement indépendamment du mode de fonctionnement START ou STOP du mécanisme de chronographe 1.THE figures 3a and 3b illustrate the configuration of the actuation mechanism independently of the START or STOP operating mode of the chronograph mechanism 1.

Dans cette situation, la commande de remise à zéro 22 n'est pas en contact avec la roue à colonnes supplémentaire, dont l'orientation angulaire est maintenue fixe par son sautoir 46.In this situation, the reset control 22 is not in contact with the additional column wheel, the angular orientation of which is kept fixed by its jumper 46.

Le bec 48 de la bascule 18 est situé dans un creux entre deux colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire.The nose 48 of the rocker 18 is located in a hollow between two columns 32 of the additional column wheel.

Le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 est maintenu à l'extérieur du périmètre extérieur défini par les colonnes 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire par la commande 22, maintenant ainsi les marteaux de remise à zéro à distance des cames de remise à zéro 14, 16.The nose 50 of the reset hammers 44 is held outside the outer perimeter defined by the columns 32 of the additional column wheel by the control 22, thus maintaining the reset hammers at a distance from the reset cams. zero 14, 16.

Lorsqu'un utilisateur commence à exercer une pression sur la commande de remise à zéro 22, celle-ci se met à pivoter dans le sens de rotation anti-horaire sur la vue de la figure 3a, comme illustré sur les figures 3c et 3d.When a user begins to exert pressure on the reset control 22, it begins to pivot in the direction of counter-clockwise rotation on the view of the figure 3a , as shown in the figures 3c and 3d .

Lorsque la commande 22 pivote, le cliquet 26 entre en contact avec la denture 28 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire. Dans le même temps, les portions élastiques 36 et 38 de la commande 22 commencent à se tendre et à stocker de l'énergie mécanique, la portion élastique 36 en étant en appui contre le tenon fixe 40, et la portion élastique 38 en étant en appui contre la goupille 42 solidaire des marteaux de remise à zéro 44, ces derniers étant maintenus fixes dans leur position de repos du fait de l'appui du bec 50 contre une colonne 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire.When the control 22 pivots, the pawl 26 comes into contact with the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel. At the same time, the elastic portions 36 and 38 of the control 22 begin to tighten and store mechanical energy, the elastic portion 36 being supported against the fixed tenon 40, and the elastic portion 38 being in support against the pin 42 integral with the reset hammers 44, the latter being kept fixed in their rest position due to the support of the nose 50 against a column 32 of the additional column wheel.

En pivotant, la commande 22 fait tourner la roue à colonnes supplémentaire sur elle-même, ce qui est particulièrement visible sur la figure 3c, de laquelle apparait le déplacement parcouru par la colonne 32 sur laquelle repose le bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 depuis la configuration de repos illustrée sur la figure 3a.By pivoting, the control 22 turns the additional column wheel on itself, which is particularly visible on the figure 3c , from which appears the movement traveled by the column 32 on which the nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 rests from the rest configuration illustrated on the figure 3a .

Dans le même temps, une nouvelle colonne 32 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire est venue se positionner à l'arrière du bec 48 de la bascule 18.At the same time, a new column 32 of the additional column wheel was positioned at the rear of the nose 48 of the rocker 18.

On constate plus particulièrement de la vue de la figure 3d qu'une dent de la denture 28 de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire a repoussé le sautoir 46 jusqu'à une position de charge maximale de ce dernier, la configuration illustrée représentant un instant précédant le point de basculement, au-delà duquel le sautoir 46 va à nouveau pouvoir se rapprocher de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire en libérant l'énergie mécanique stockée lors de la phase initiale.We see more particularly from the view of the 3d figure that a tooth of the teeth 28 of the additional column wheel pushed the jumper 46 up to a maximum load position of the latter, the configuration illustrated representing an instant preceding the tilting point, beyond which the jumper 46 will once again be able to approach the additional column wheel by releasing the mechanical energy stored during the initial phase.

On comprend alors qu'à partir de la configuration illustrée sur les figures 3c et 3d, toute rotation additionnelle de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire va permettre au sautoir 46 d'exercer une force motrice sur sa denture 28, ce qui ressort des figures 3e et 3f.We then understand that from the configuration illustrated on the figures 3c and 3d , any additional rotation of the additional column wheel will allow the jumper 46 to exert a driving force on its teeth 28, which emerges from the figures 3e and 3f .

En effet, ces figures illustrent une configuration dans laquelle la commande 22 a légèrement poursuivi sa rotation, pour franchir le point de basculement, et la roue à colonnes supplémentaire a ensuite été entraînée par l'action motrice du sautoir 46 au point d'être hors de portée du cliquet 26 de la commande 22.Indeed, these figures illustrate a configuration in which the control 22 slightly continued its rotation, to cross the tipping point, and the additional column wheel was then driven by the driving action of the jumper 46 to the point of being out of position. of reach of the pawl 26 of the control 22.

On constate sur la vue de la figure 3e que la force exercée par le sautoir 46 sur la denture 28 permet de soulever le bec 48 de la bascule 18 tandis que les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 sont toujours maintenus en position haute ou neutre par le repos de leur bec 50 sur une colonne 32.We see from the view of the figure 3e that the force exerted by the jumper 46 on the teeth 28 makes it possible to lift the nose 48 of the rocker 18 while the reset hammers 44 are always maintained in the high or neutral position by the rest of their nose 50 on a column 32 .

II apparait de la vue de la figure 3f que, dans cette configuration, le sautoir 46 agit encore sur la denture 28 pour continuer à faire tourner la roue à colonnes supplémentaire jusqu'à la conduire à l'orientation illustrée sur les figures 3g et 3h.It appears from the view of the figure 3f that, in this configuration, the jumper 46 still acts on the teeth 28 to continue to rotate the additional column wheel until leading it to the orientation illustrated on the figures 3g and 3h .

Le dernier déplacement en rotation de la roue à colonnes supplémentaire, sous l'effet de l'action motrice de son sautoir 46, a permis de positionner la bascule 18 de manière à isoler les compteurs de chronographe en agissant sur le frein 104 ou sur l'organe de transmission 114 en fonction du mode de fonctionnement START ou STOP du mécanisme de chronographe, et a permis au bec 50 des marteaux de remise à zéro 44 de tomber entre deux colonnes 32, sous l'effet de la libération de l'énergie accumulée par la portion élastique 38 de la commande 22.The last rotational movement of the additional column wheel, under the effect of the driving action of its jumper 46, made it possible to position the rocker 18 so as to isolate the chronograph counters by acting on the brake 104 or on the transmission member 114 depending on the START or STOP operating mode of the chronograph mechanism, and allowed the nozzle 50 of the reset hammers 44 to fall between two columns 32, under the effect of the release of the energy accumulated by the elastic portion 38 of the control 22.

Dans cette configuration, le sautoir 46 n'a pas encore intégralement libéré l'énergie stockée mais la roue à colonnes supplémentaire ne peut plus tourner davantage du fait que le bec 50 se trouve sur la trajectoire de l'une de ses colonnes 32.In this configuration, the jumper 46 has not yet fully released the stored energy but the additional column wheel can no longer rotate any further due to the fact that the nozzle 50 is on the trajectory of one of its columns 32.

Lorsque la commande 22 est libérée, elle peut pivoter vers sa position de repos, dans le sens de rotation horaire sur la vue de la figure 3g, sous l'effet de la libération de l'énergie stockée par sa portion élastique 36, et agir sur les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 pour les ramener vers leur position haute, comme déjà décrit en relation avec la première variante de réalisation. Ce faisant, le bec 50 est extrait de sa position basse et libère la roue à colonnes supplémentaire qui peut alors reprendre son premier état sous l'effet de l'action motrice résiduelle de son sautoir 46, comme visible sur la figure 3h.When the control 22 is released, it can pivot towards its rest position, in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figure 3g , under the effect of the release of the energy stored by its elastic portion 36, and act on the reset hammers 44 to return them to their high position, as already described in relation to the first alternative embodiment. In doing so, the nozzle 50 is extracted from its low position and releases the additional column wheel which can then resume its first state under the effect of the residual driving action of its jumper 46, as visible on the figure 3h .

Le mécanisme d'actionnement reprend alors sa configuration initiale, telle qu'illustrée sur les figures 3a et 3b.The actuation mechanism then returns to its initial configuration, as illustrated on the figures 3a and 3b .

Ainsi, contrairement au fonctionnement de la variante décrite en relation avec les figures 2a à 2f, la force motrice permettant ici de soulever la bascule 18 n'est plus directement celle fournie par l'utilisateur par l'intermédiaire de la commande 22, mais provient du sautoir 46 (précédemment chargé par l'utilisateur via la commande 22). Il en ressort que dans le cas de la première variante, l'utilisateur agit simultanément sur quatre ressorts, soit les deux portions élastiques 36, 38 de la commande 22, le sautoir 46 et l'organe de rappel élastique 112 de la bascule 18, tandis que dans le cadre de la seconde variante de réalisation, illustrée sur les figures 3a à 3h, l'utilisateur n'agit plus que sur trois ressorts, une partie de l'énergie fournie au sautoir 46 étant indirectement utilisée, dans un deuxième temps, pour neutraliser l'action de l'organe de rappel élastique 112 de la bascule 18.Thus, unlike the operation of the variant described in relation to the figures 2a to 2f , the driving force allowing here to lift the rocker 18 is no longer directly that provided by the user via the command 22, but comes from the jumper 46 (previously loaded by the user via the command 22). It appears that in the case of the first variant, the user acts simultaneously on four springs, namely the two elastic portions 36, 38 of the control 22, the jumper 46 and the elastic return member 112 of the rocker 18, while in the context of the second alternative embodiment, illustrated on the figures 3a to 3h , the user only acts on three springs, part of the energy supplied to the jumper 46 being indirectly used, in a second step, to neutralize the action of the elastic return member 112 of the rocker 18.

Par ailleurs, on notera également que les arêtes du bec 50 sont légèrement arrondies dans le cadre de la seconde variante de réalisation illustrée sur les figures 3a à 3h. En effet, de manière avantageuse, on prévoit que les arrondis correspondants et la pente du bec 48 de la bascule 18 permettent d'accompagner la bascule 18, et par conséquent, le frein 104 ou l'organe de transmission 114, lorsque l'utilisateur libère le poussoir de remise à zéro, pour les rendre "trainants" et non plus instantanés comme c'est le cas dans la première variante de réalisation des figures 2a à 2f. Ainsi, on peut limiter voire supprimer les risques de saut de l'aiguille des secondes de chronographe lors de son redémarrage après un retour à zéro en vol.Furthermore, it will also be noted that the edges of the nozzle 50 are slightly rounded in the context of the second alternative embodiment illustrated on the figures 3a to 3h . Indeed, advantageously, it is provided that the corresponding roundings and the slope of the nose 48 of the rocker 18 allow to accompany the rocker 18, and consequently, the brake 104 or the transmission member 114, when the user releases the reset button, to make them "trailing" and no longer instantaneous as is the case in the first variant of realization of the figures 2a to 2f . Thus, we can limit or even eliminate the risks of the chronograph seconds hand jumping when restarting after returning to zero in flight.

Grâce aux caractéristiques qui viennent d'être présentées, on obtient un mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" de construction flexible, et au fonctionnement précis et fiable. Comme déjà signalé plus haut, le ressenti de l'utilisateur lors de l'actionnement de ce mécanisme est confortable du fait que les différents ressorts impliqués (les deux portions élastiques 36, 38 et le sautoir 46, voire l'organe de rappel élastique 112) peuvent être réalisés de manière à présenter une résistance sensiblement linéaire tout au long de la course de la commande 22. En outre, l'utilisateur ressent très nettement le moment auquel les marteaux de remise à zéro 44 sont libérés, garantissant également une excellente remontée d'information.Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, we obtain an "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism of flexible construction, and with precise and reliable operation. As already noted above, the user's feeling when operating this mechanism is comfortable due to the fact that the different springs involved (the two elastic portions 36, 38 and the jumper 46, or even the elastic return member 112 ) can be made so as to present a substantially linear resistance throughout the travel of the control 22. In addition, the user very clearly feels the moment at which the reset hammers 44 are released, also guaranteeing excellent ascent of information.

Comme signalé plus haut, si le mécanisme d'actionnement de type "tout ou rien" selon le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, tel qu'illustré et décrit, comporte une commande agissant sur une roue à colonnes et sur des marteaux de remise à zéro d'un mécanisme de chronographe, d'autres réalisations sont envisageables sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention tel que prévu dans le jeu de revendications, et l'homme du métier pourra prévoir que la commande agit sur un organe de contrôle d'une autre nature qu'une roue à colonnes et sur un levier d'actionnement autre qu'un ou des marteaux de remise à zéro. A titre d'exemple non limitatif, on peut prévoir que le mécanisme d'actionnement selon l'invention soit intégré à un mécanisme de sonnerie d'un mouvement horloger, la commande étant alors agencée pour charger un ressort de sonnerie et pour activer le mécanisme de sonnerie en réponse à une pression d'un utilisateur permettant de déplacer la commande jusqu'au bout de sa course.As noted above, if the "all or nothing" type actuation mechanism according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated and described, comprises a control acting on a column wheel and on hammers of resetting a chronograph mechanism to zero, other achievements are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as provided for in the set of claims, and those skilled in the art will be able to foresee that the control acts on an organ control of a nature other than a column wheel and on an actuating lever other than one or more reset hammers. By way of non-limiting example, the actuation mechanism according to the invention can be integrated into a striking mechanism of a watch movement, the control then being arranged to load a striking spring and to activate the mechanism. ringing in response to pressure from a user allowing the control to be moved to the end of its travel.

De manière générale, la mise en oeuvre de la présente invention n'est pas limitée à la géométrie exacte des différents composants du mécanisme telle qu'elle a été illustrée et décrite. En effet, l'homme du métier ne rencontrera aucune difficulté particulière pour adapter le présent enseignement à la mise en oeuvre d'un mécanisme d'actionnement répondant aux caractéristiques de la présente invention telle que définie par les revendications annexées, dans lequel les composants présenteraient des formes et implantations différentes de celles décrites et illustrées. Ainsi, par exemple, on pourrait prévoir un seul compteur de chronographe ou deux compteurs de chronographe non coaxiaux, les portions élastiques 36, 38 pourraient être remplacées par des ressorts distincts de la commande 22. On pourrait aussi prévoir que l'organe de transmission 114 et le frein 104 soient pilotés par la chute des marteaux, comme c'est le cas dans un mécanisme de chronographe conventionnel, mais cela nécessiterait toutefois d'augmenter la course angulaire des marteaux pour pouvoir débrayer le mécanisme avant d'agir sur les cames de remise à zéro.In general, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the exact geometry of the different components of the mechanism as it has been illustrated and described. In fact, those skilled in the art will not encounter no particular difficulty in adapting the present teaching to the implementation of an actuation mechanism meeting the characteristics of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, in which the components would have shapes and locations different from those described and illustrated . Thus, for example, one could provide a single chronograph counter or two non-coaxial chronograph counters, the elastic portions 36, 38 could be replaced by springs distinct from the control 22. It could also be provided that the transmission member 114 and the brake 104 are controlled by the fall of the hammers, as is the case in a conventional chronograph mechanism, but this would however require increasing the angular travel of the hammers to be able to disengage the mechanism before acting on the cams. reset.

Claims (10)

  1. "All-or-nothing" actuating mechanism for a timepiece movement comprising
    an actuating lever for actuating a clock function intended to be mounted so as to be able to move on a frame element of the timepiece movement, between an inactive position and an active position,
    a control lever (22) intended to be moved in response to pressure applied by a user, between an initial position and an actuated position, so as to be able to move said actuating lever from its inactive position to its active position,
    an elastic return member (36) arranged to return said control lever (22) to its initial position in response to it being released by the user,
    a control member (30) capable of pivoting between a first inactive state, in which it locks said actuating lever in its inactive position, and a second state, in which it releases said actuating lever to allow it to move to its active position,
    said control lever (22) being arranged to act on said control member (30), in response to the pressure applied by the user, and move it from its first state to its second state,
    wherein said control lever (22) has an elastically deformable portion (38), arranged to act on said actuating lever and tend to move it towards its active position in response to the pressure applied by the user, and a rigid portion (34) arranged to act on said actuating lever and move it towards its inactive position in response to said control lever (22) being released,
    said actuating mechanism comprising a jumper (46) arranged to return said control member (30) to its first state in response to said control lever (22) being released.
  2. Mechanism according to Claim 1, characterized in that said rigid portion (34) of said control lever (22) carries a retractable pawl (26) intended to cooperate with said control member (30).
  3. Mechanism according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control member (30) is a column-wheel comprising
    a disc carrying N teeth intended to cooperate with said control lever (22) to switch from said first state to said second state, and with said jumper (46) to switch from said second state to said first state, and
    N columns (32) intended to cooperate with said actuating lever.
  4. Chronograph mechanism (1) with a flyback function, for a timepiece movement, comprising
    at least one chronograph counter (2, 4),
    a transmission member (114) capable of having a first, coupled, position, in which a kinematic link between a drive wheel of the timepiece movement and said chronograph counter (2, 4) is functional, and a second, uncoupled, position, in which said kinematic link is broken,
    a brake (104) that is able to move between a first position, in which it acts on said chronograph counter (4) to lock it, and at least one second position, in which it leaves said chronograph counter (4) free to rotate,
    an actuating member (110) that can be actuated by a user to alternately occupy a first state, corresponding to time measurement, and a second state, corresponding to the chronograph mechanism being stopped, said actuating member (110) being arranged to cooperate with said transmission member (114) and with said brake (104) to define their respective positions,
    a zero-reset device,
    characterized in that it comprises an actuating mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 3 in which said actuating lever performs the function of a zero-reset hammer (44) of said zero-reset device, in relation with said chronograph counter (2, 4), said actuating lever being set apart from said chronograph counter (2, 4) in its inactive position, and cooperating with said chronograph counter (2, 4) in its active position, in order to place it in a predefined configuration, and
    in that said control member (30) is capable of acting on said transmission member (114) and on said brake (104), to switch them to their second position, in response to the pressure applied to said control lever (22) by the user.
  5. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to Claim 4, characterized
    in that it comprises a lever (18) arranged to cooperate with said control member (30) so as to occupy first and second orientations associated respectively with said first and second states of said control member (30), and
    in that said lever (18) is also arranged
    to be able to switch said transmission member (114) from its first position to its second position, and
    to be able to switch said brake (104) from its first position to its second position,
    by switching from its first to its second orientation.
  6. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises a coupling lever (116) carrying said transmission member (114) and comprising an elastically deformable portion (118) capable of being stressed to switch said transmission member (114) to its second position in response to pressure applied to said control lever (22) by the user.
  7. Chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a minute counter (2) coaxial with said chronograph counter (4) and an additional zero-reset hammer that is able to move between an inactive position, set apart from said minute counter (2), and a zero-reset position in which it cooperates with said minute counter (2) in order to place it in a predefined configuration, and
    in that said additional zero-reset hammer is secured to said actuating lever and has the same axis of rotation as the latter.
  8. Timepiece movement comprising an actuating mechanism according to one of Claims 1 to 3.
  9. Timepiece movement comprising a chronograph mechanism (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 7.
  10. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement according to Claim 8 or 9.
EP22161200.5A 2021-03-18 2022-03-09 Driving mechanism for timepiece movement, in particular a chronograph mechanism comprising such a driving mechanism Active EP4060428B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00288/21A CH718458A9 (en) 2021-03-18 2021-03-18 Actuation mechanism for a watch movement, in particular a chronograph mechanism comprising such an actuation mechanism.

Publications (2)

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EP4060428A1 EP4060428A1 (en) 2022-09-21
EP4060428B1 true EP4060428B1 (en) 2023-09-27

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EP22161200.5A Active EP4060428B1 (en) 2021-03-18 2022-03-09 Driving mechanism for timepiece movement, in particular a chronograph mechanism comprising such a driving mechanism

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US (1) US11860583B2 (en)
EP (1) EP4060428B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2022145561A (en)
CN (1) CN115113510A (en)
CH (1) CH718458A9 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4451067A1 (en) * 2023-04-19 2024-10-23 Blancpain SA Chronograph mechanism comprising a device for holding in position, in particular in the reference position, a display of a chronograph counter for a timepiece movement

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5238740B2 (en) * 1972-08-03 1977-09-30
JP3568763B2 (en) * 1997-12-22 2004-09-22 セイコーインスツルメンツ株式会社 Chronograph clock with start / stop lever and chronograph receiver
EP1746471B1 (en) * 2005-07-20 2019-09-18 Breitling AG Return-to-zero device for two time counters
CH698827B1 (en) * 2006-08-15 2009-11-13 Chopard Manufacture Sa Device reset for a timepiece.
CH704304B1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2012-06-29 Frank Mueller Watchland S A chronograph mechanism, watch movement and timepiece including such a mechanism.
CH708999A1 (en) * 2013-12-16 2015-06-30 Société Anonyme De La Manufacture D Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Device reset with independent hammers.
EP3876042B1 (en) * 2020-03-05 2023-12-06 Montres Breguet S.A. System for resetting a chronograph

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CN115113510A (en) 2022-09-27
EP4060428A1 (en) 2022-09-21
CH718458A1 (en) 2022-09-30
JP2022145561A (en) 2022-10-04
US11860583B2 (en) 2024-01-02
US20220299945A1 (en) 2022-09-22
CH718458A9 (en) 2022-11-30

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