EP4202562A1 - Coupling device with sliding gear for timepiece mechanism - Google Patents

Coupling device with sliding gear for timepiece mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4202562A1
EP4202562A1 EP21216840.5A EP21216840A EP4202562A1 EP 4202562 A1 EP4202562 A1 EP 4202562A1 EP 21216840 A EP21216840 A EP 21216840A EP 4202562 A1 EP4202562 A1 EP 4202562A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transmission
mobile
elastic bar
coupling device
toothed
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21216840.5A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Didier VUILLEMIN
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Patek Philippe SA Geneve
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Publication date
Application filed by Patek Philippe SA Geneve filed Critical Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority to EP21216840.5A priority Critical patent/EP4202562A1/en
Publication of EP4202562A1 publication Critical patent/EP4202562A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
    • G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
    • G04B5/10—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is not limited
    • G04B5/14—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is not limited acting in both directions
    • 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
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/005—Gearwork where a revolution in both directions is changed into a revolution in one direction
    • 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
    • G04B27/004—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means having several simultaneous functions, e.g. stopping or starting the clockwork or the hands

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for coupling a kinematic chain with a toothed mobile in a watch mechanism, the coupling device comprising a slider formed by a reference and a mobile support on which the reference is rotatably mounted.
  • the reference is permanently connected to the kinematic chain, and the support is arranged to move between a first position in which the reference meshes with the toothed mobile and a second position in which the reference is disengaged from the toothed mobile.
  • Coupled designates a connection established between two parts of a machine, generally two shafts, so that the rotation of one causes that of the other.
  • the expression “coupling device” denotes a device enabling the aforementioned connection.
  • Coupling devices for watch mechanisms are already known which comply with the definition given in the preamble. Such coupling devices are used in particular in automatic winding mechanisms to act as horizontal clutches, the return of the slider then fulfilling the function of a clutch wheel.
  • winding of the barrel spring is ensured by an oscillating mass equipped either with a simple clutch allowing the winding of the barrel when the oscillating mass rotates in one of the two directions of rotation, or with an inverted double clutch thanks to which the movements of the oscillating mass always wind up the barrel, regardless of the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B appended are taken from the work “Théorie d'horlogerie”. These figures are plan views illustrating in a manner schematically an automatic winding mechanism with reversed double clutch whose operation is as follows: whatever the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass 1, the mobiles 6 and 7 must imperatively turn in the direction of the arrow. To do this, use is made of two sliding gears 3 and 4 which are mounted free to pivot on the same small mobile support 5.
  • the mobile support 5 consists of a rocker. Rocker 5 is itself pivotally mounted about an axis which is oriented parallel to the axes of rotation of the two sliding gears and which is located halfway between them.
  • the movable support is not a rocker, but is arranged to slide between two extreme positions.
  • the transmissions 3 and 4 constantly mesh with each other, while also being constantly connected to the pinion 2 of the oscillating mass 1, so that the movements of the oscillating mass cause the two sliding transmissions to rotate in opposite directions. one another.
  • Winding mechanisms that include sliding coupling devices, such as the one just described, are not without problems.
  • the transmission 3 must be constantly in mesh with the pinion 2 of the oscillating mass, while it moves with the rocker 5 which itself pivots around an axis which is not concentric with that of the transmission. .
  • Another problem with these winding mechanisms is that the time required for the reverse double clutch to switch from one configuration to the other is not negligible.
  • the mechanism for winding the figures 1A and 1B further comprises a pawl 8 which is biased against the teeth of the mobile 6 by a spring 9. The function of the pawl 8 is to prevent the mobile 6 from going back during periods when none of the sliding gears 3 and 4 is in taken with him.
  • Coupling devices for watch mechanisms are also used which comply with the definition given in the preamble, in particular in rocker time-setting mechanisms.
  • FIG 2A appended is a diagrammatic representation in plan of a known rocker correction device which is intended to allow the correction of the time and date indications of a timepiece.
  • This figure is taken from the patent document EP 3 486 733 A1 .
  • the device represented comprises a winding stem 11 that is axially movable between a winding position and a time-setting position. It also comprises a correction pinion 13 which is mounted coaxially with the stem, so as to rotate with the latter when it is in the time-setting position.
  • the pinion 13 meshes with a gear train which, in the example shown, is formed by two transmissions 15 and 17 mounted free to rotate.
  • the device shown comprises a player 18 which is formed by a mobile support 19 and a corrector transmission 21 pivotally mounted on the mobile support.
  • the mobile support 19 is constituted by a rocker whose pivot axis (referenced 16) coincides with the axis of rotation of the second reference 17.
  • the corrector return 21 is arranged so as to mesh permanently with the second return 17, so that a kinematic chain connects the rod 11 to the corrector return 21.
  • the rocker correction device of the figure 2A further includes a selector provided to allow a user to control the walkman 18 to selectively mesh the corrective return 21 with a first mobile 23 or with a second mobile 25.
  • a selector provided to allow a user to control the walkman 18 to selectively mesh the corrective return 21 with a first mobile 23 or with a second mobile 25.
  • the corrective idler 21 meshes with the first mobile 23.
  • the configuration in which the corrective idler 21 meshes with the second mobile 25 is not shown.
  • the selector is essentially formed of a bolt 27, accessible from outside the timepiece, and of a positioning lever 29 which comprises two arms which extend on either side of the pivot axis of the lever.
  • the end of one of the arms of the lever 29 is in engagement with the bolt 27, so that the lever rocks in one direction or the other in reaction to the switchings of the bolt.
  • the other arm of the lever 29 ends in a U-shaped fork arranged to receive and to guide between its branches the axis 31 of the corrector transmission 21.
  • the U-shaped fork and the axis 31 together form a sort of articulation which connects the positioning lever 29 to the slider 18. Thanks to the presence of this articulated link, a user has the possibility of causing the correction transmission 21 to mesh selectively with the first mobile 23 or with the second mobile 25 by using the bolt 27 to tilt the positioning lever 29 in one direction or the other.
  • rocker correction devices such as the one just described is not free from problems.
  • the teeth of the corrector return 21 come into abutment against the tops of the teeth of one of the mobiles 23 or 25 instead of being inserted between them. .
  • This situation has the effect of jamming the mechanism, the two teeth being unable to interpenetrate, and the toothed mobiles therefore not being able to mesh with each other.
  • player 18 is blocked in this way before reaching the end of its travel, this blocking has repercussions as far as bolt 27 of the selector, which the user will not fail to feel. Such a situation may encourage the latter to force it at the risk of breaking one of the components of the mechanism.
  • An object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art which have just been explained.
  • the present invention achieves this and other objects by providing a sliding coupling device which is in accordance with appended claim 1.
  • the coupling device comprises a bistable elastic bar held by its two ends between two anchoring points and working in buckling in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transmission.
  • a section of the bistable elastic bar is also fixed to the movable support, so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar.
  • buckling By buckling is meant here the deflection and therefore the deformation of an elastic bar which is held by its ends between two anchoring points and whose undeformed length is greater than the distance between the two anchoring points. Buckling is a deformation in a direction perpendicular to the line passing through the two anchor points.
  • An elastic bar which works in buckling in a given plane of deformation has the possibility of bending in one direction or the other inside this plane, so that a buckled elastic bar has two symmetrical stable configurations (c' is the reason why the elastic bar can be described as "bistable").
  • stable configuration is meant a configuration which is associated with a shape towards which the elastic bar always returns if it is moved away from it by a stress of sufficiently low amplitude.
  • a bistable elastic bar can switch almost instantaneously from one of its stable configurations to another. It will therefore be understood that, thanks to the characteristics of the invention, it is possible to cause the coupling device to switch almost instantaneously.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that the forces associated with the deformations of a bistable elastic bar have the effect of returning the latter to its closest stable configuration. Under these conditions, when the bistable elastic bar is held away from its stable position because the teeth of the transmission abut against those of the toothed mobile, keeping the slider separated from its first position, the bistable elastic bar behaves like a spring which requests the return of the walkman against the teeth of the mobile. It is then sufficient for the toothing of the reference to pivot slightly relative to that of the toothed mobile to unlock the coupling device, the teeth of the reference then lowering spontaneously between those of the mobile.
  • Yet another advantage of the invention is that, because the position of the mobile support is determined by the bistable elastic bar, it is not necessary to provide a fixing of the player to the plate apart from that which is ensured at the level of the anchor points of the bistable elastic blade.
  • the bistable elastic bar works in buckling around a median inflection point, the latter being kept fixed and a median portion of the bistable elastic bar being free to pivot around an axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the transmission and passing through the midpoint of inflection.
  • the coupling device can, advantageously, comprise lateral supports or a pivot member to hold the midpoint of inflection in position.
  • the coupling device comprises a control lever arranged to cooperate with the bistable elastic bar so as to allow it to be switched in one direction or the other between its two stable configurations.
  • the coupling device comprises a control member operable from outside the timepiece comprising the timepiece mechanism, the control member being mechanically connected to the control lever so as to allow a user to switch the coupling device.
  • transmission designates a toothed wheel which is arranged to mesh simultaneously with a driving toothed wheel set and a driven toothed wheel set between which it is interposed.
  • FIG 2B appended is a plan view which schematically illustrates the principle according to which, in accordance with the invention, the position of the player of a time-setting mechanism similar to that of the figure 2A can be slaved to the position of a bistable elastic bar.
  • the coupling device of the time-setting mechanism represented comprises an elastic bar which can be deformed in bending (referenced 33', 33") and two ball joints which are anchored in the plate and arranged to hold the two ends of the elastic bar (only one of the two ball joints, referenced 35, is shown in the figure 2B ).
  • the two ball joints 35 are arranged so as to allow each of the ends of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" to pivot around an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the axis 31 of the corrective return 21.
  • the undeformed length of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" is chosen to be greater than the distance separating the axes of rotation around which its ends are arranged to pivot. Under these conditions, as the 33' elastic bar, 33" is much easier to deform in bending than in compression, its rectilinear configuration (not shown) is unstable. The elastic bar 33', 33" is thus led to adopt a buckled configuration in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the corrective transmission 21, so as to reduce the stresses.
  • the curvature due to the buckling can constitute a deformation of the elastic bar in one direction or the other, so that the elastic bar has two symmetrical fundamental stable configurations (the two fundamental stable configurations are represented in dashed lines in the drawing where they are referenced respectively 33' and 33").
  • the anchoring points of the ends of the bistable elastic bar are on a straight line which passes through the pivot axis 16 of the mobile support 19.
  • the axis 31 of the corrective transmission 21 is also on this same line .
  • a section of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" is integral with the mobile support 19, so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar.
  • the movable support 19 may for example have on its underside (which is not visible in the Figure 3B ) a pair of pins which project parallel to the pivot axis 16 of the movable support, the pair of pins being in engagement with the section of the bistable elastic bar 33 ', the latter passing between the two pins.
  • the movable support 19 could for example have on its underside a tenon which projects parallel to the pivot axis 16 of the movable support, the tenon being inserted into an eyelet formed of material in a portion of the bistable elastic bar 33 '.
  • THE figures 3A and 3B are two partial plan views of a timepiece mechanism which incorporates a coupling device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the timepiece mechanism in question could for example be the calendar mechanism of a complication timepiece.
  • the illustrated coupling device would serve for example to make it possible to selectively correct the indications of the date and the day of the week.
  • the partial schematic views of the figures 3A and 3B only shows the coupling device.
  • the application to a calendar is only one example among others, and that the coupling device represented lends itself to numerous applications even outside the field of the correction of horological displays.
  • the coupling device represented comprises a slider (generally referenced 37) which is formed of a transmission 39 and a mobile support on which the transmission is rotatably mounted.
  • the reference 39 meshes permanently with a wheel 43 which is part of a kinematic chain (not shown) that includes a watch mechanism.
  • the movable support of player 37 is constituted by a rocker 41 which is arranged to pivot about an axis referenced 45.
  • Rocker 41 is arranged to move between a first position in which transmission 39 meshes with a first toothed mobile 47 so that the slider realizes the coupling between the mobile 47 and the kinematic chain which includes the wheel 43 (as shown in the Figure 3A ) and a second position in which the transmission 39 meshes with a second toothed mobile 49, so that the slider 37 performs the coupling between the mobile 49 and the kinematic chain (as shown in the Figure 3B ). It may be noted that the return 39 is disengaged from the second toothed wheel set 49 when it meshes with the first toothed wheel set 47, and vice versa.
  • the wheel 43 could be the driving mobile, the toothed mobiles 47 and 49 then being two driven mobiles, or conversely, the mobile 43 could be a driven mobile, the toothed mobiles 47 and 49 then being two driving mobiles.
  • the coupling device which is the subject of the present example further comprises a bistable elastic bar (referenced 51) which is arranged to work in buckling around a median point of inflection.
  • the bistable elastic bar 51 may consist for example of two leaf springs of the same length which are arranged to extend in opposite directions from a rigid middle element ( referenced 53).
  • the middle element 53 is in the form of a disc pierced with a central hole (reference 55).
  • the distal ends of the two leaf springs each terminate in a ball joint anchored in the plate (the two ball joints are referenced 57a and 57b).
  • the central hole 55 of the middle element is located at the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51.
  • the rigid middle element 53 is fixed on the rocker 41 concentrically to its pivot axis 45, so that the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51 (or in other words the central hole 55) is on the pivot axis 45 of the rocker 41. This arrangement allows the rigid middle element 53 to pivot with the rocker 41 around the midpoint.
  • the undeformed length of the bistable elastic bar 51 is chosen to be greater than the distance separating the two ball joints 57a, 57b.
  • the elastic bar 51 is much easier to deform in bending than in compression, its rectilinear configuration (not shown) is unstable.
  • the elastic bar 51 is thus led to adopt a buckled configuration in a plane which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 45 of the mobile support. Since the position of the midpoint of the bistable spring bar 51 is held fixed, the bar is prevented from adopting a first order buckled configuration. It therefore adopts a second-order soaring configuration characterized by the presence of a median point of inflection.
  • the median point of inflection corresponds to the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51. In the example illustrated, this point is also located on a straight line which passes through the two ends of the bistable elastic bar.
  • the elastic bar 51 can be in one or the other of two symmetrical stable configurations. These two stable configurations are illustrated respectively in the figures 3A and 3B .
  • the coupling device which is the subject of the present example also comprises a control lever 59 pivoted on an axis 60 and arranged in such a way as to make it possible to switch the bistable elastic bar 51 from one to the other of its two stable setups.
  • one of the arms of the control lever 59 carries a pair of pins which project from its end perpendicular to the plane in which the bistable elastic bar 51 is buckled.
  • a section of the bistable elastic bar passes between the two pins, so that the cooperation between the pair of pins and said section creates an articulated link between the control lever 59 and the bistable elastic bar 51.
  • the switching of the bistable elastic bar also causes the slider 37 to pass from its first to its second position, so that the corrector return 39 s 'deviates from the first toothed mobile 47 and comes into engagement with the second toothed mobile 49 (as shown in the Figure 3B ).
  • THE figures 4A and 4B are partial plan diagrams of an automatic winding mechanism comprising a coupling device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. As explained in more detail below, the coupling device illustrated in the figures 4A and 4B is arranged to fulfill the reversed double clutch function.
  • the automatic winding mechanism of the present example comprises an oscillating weight (referenced 72) and a toothed mobile (referenced 76) which must always be driven in the same direction, whatever the direction of rotation of the oscillating weight.
  • the coupling device of the automatic winding mechanism represented in the figures 4A and 4B comprises a walkman (generally referenced 62) which is formed of a support mobile and two references (respectively referenced 64 and 66) which are mounted crazy on the mobile support.
  • the transmissions 64 and 66 constantly mesh with each other, while also being constantly connected to the pinion (referenced 74) of the oscillating mass 72. It will be understood from the above that the transmissions 64 and 66 rotate in opposite directions. from each other when driven by the oscillating mass.
  • the movable support of player 62 consists of a rocker (referenced 68) which is itself pivotally mounted around an axis (referenced 70).
  • the axis 70 is oriented parallel to the axes of rotation of the two transmissions 64 and 66 and it is arranged halfway between them.
  • Rocker 68 is arranged to move between a first position in which transmission 66 meshes with toothed wheel set 76 (as shown in figure 4A ), the toothed mobile being then driven in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the oscillating weight 72, and a second position in which the transmission 64 meshes with the toothed mobile 76 (as shown in the figure 4B ), the toothed mobile being then driven in the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass 72. It can be noted that when the reference 64 meshes with the toothed mobile 76, the reference 66 is disengaged, and that conversely, when the reference with the toothed mobile 76, the reference 64 is disengaged.
  • the coupling device which is the subject of the present example further comprises a bistable elastic bar (referenced 78) which is arranged to work in buckling around a median point of inflection.
  • the bistable elastic bar 78 may consist for example of two leaf springs of the same length which are arranged to extend in opposite directions from a rigid middle element (referenced 80).
  • the middle element 80 is in the form of a disc pierced with a central hole. It can be seen on the other hand that the distal ends of the two leaf springs each terminate in a ball joint anchored in the plate. It will be understood that the central hole of the middle element is located at the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 78.
  • the rigid middle element 80 is fixed on the rocker 68 concentrically to its pivot axis 70, so that the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar (or in other words the central hole) is on the pivot axis 70. This arrangement allows rigid middle member 80 to pivot with rocker 68 around the midpoint of bistable spring bar 78.
  • the elastic bar 78 can adopt either of two stable symmetrical configurations which are buckled in a plane which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 70 of the player 62. As the position of the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 78 is kept fixed, the two stable remarkablyd configurations are characterized by the presence of a midpoint of inflection. These two stable configurations are illustrated respectively in the figures 4A and 4B .
  • the pinion 74 exerts a force oriented tangentially on the toothing of the transmission 64. If the oscillating mass rotates clockwise, this force is oriented towards the top of the drawing. In this case, it generates a torque which tends to cause rocker 68 to pivot counterclockwise. As the middle portion 80 of the bistable elastic bar 78 is fixed on the rocker 68, the torque generated by the tangential force is also exerted on the bistable elastic bar. If the latter is in the configuration illustrated in the figure 4A , the additional stress due to this torque has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated in the figure 4B . Once the passage of the bistable elastic bar 78 from one stable configuration to the other is initiated, the switching is almost instantaneous and it is then the bistable elastic bar which drives the player.
  • the oscillating mass 72 rotates counterclockwise, the tangential force exerted by the pinion 74 is directed towards the bottom of the drawing. In this case, it generates a torque which tends to cause rocker 68 to pivot clockwise. If the bistable elastic bar is in the configuration shown in the figure 4B , the additional stress due to this torque has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated in the figure 4A .
  • An advantage linked to the use of a bistable elastic bar working in buckling around a median inflection point is that its triggering threshold is lower. In other words, the force required to switch the bistable elastic bar is less than the force that would be required if the two stable configurations corresponded to first-order deformations.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Le dispositif d'accouplement d'une chaîne cinématique avec un mobile denté (76) comporte un renvoi (64, 66) et un support mobile (68) sur lequel le renvoi est monté rotatif. Le renvoi fait partie de la chaîne cinématique et il est relié en permanence à un autre élément (74) de celle-ci. Le support (68) est agencé mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le renvoi (64, 66) engrène avec le mobile denté (76) et une deuxième position dans laquelle le renvoi est débrayé du mobile denté. Le dispositif d'accouplement comporte en outre une barre élastique bistable (78) tenue par ses deux extrémités entre deux points d'ancrage et travaillant en flambage dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation du renvoi (64, 66), un tronçon de de la barre élastique bistable (78) étant solidaire du support mobile (68), de sorte que la position de ce dernier est asservie à celle du tronçon de la barre élastique bistable.The device for coupling a kinematic chain with a toothed mobile (76) comprises a transmission (64, 66) and a mobile support (68) on which the transmission is rotatably mounted. The return is part of the kinematic chain and is permanently connected to another element (74) thereof. The support (68) is arranged to move between a first position in which the transmission (64, 66) meshes with the toothed mobile (76) and a second position in which the transmission is disengaged from the toothed mobile. The coupling device further comprises a bistable elastic bar (78) held by its two ends between two anchoring points and working in buckling in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transmission (64, 66), a section of the bistable elastic bar (78) being secured to the movable support (68), so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'accouplement d'une chaîne cinématique avec un mobile denté dans un mécanisme horloger, le dispositif d'accouplement comportant un baladeur formé d'un renvoi et d'un support mobile sur lequel le renvoi est monté rotatif. Le renvoi est relié en permanence à la chaîne cinématique, et le support est agencé mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le renvoi engrène avec le mobile denté et une deuxième position dans laquelle le renvoi est débrayé du mobile denté.The present invention relates to a device for coupling a kinematic chain with a toothed mobile in a watch mechanism, the coupling device comprising a slider formed by a reference and a mobile support on which the reference is rotatably mounted. The reference is permanently connected to the kinematic chain, and the support is arranged to move between a first position in which the reference meshes with the toothed mobile and a second position in which the reference is disengaged from the toothed mobile.

Selon le dictionnaire Larousse, dans le domaine de la mécanique, le terme « accouplement » désigne une liaison établie entre deux organes d'une machine, généralement deux arbres, de manière que la rotation de l'un entraîne celle de l'autre. De plus, l'expression « dispositif d'accouplement » désigne un dispositif permettant la liaison susmentionnée.According to the Larousse dictionary, in the field of mechanics, the term “coupling” designates a connection established between two parts of a machine, generally two shafts, so that the rotation of one causes that of the other. In addition, the expression "coupling device" denotes a device enabling the aforementioned connection.

ART ANTERIEURPRIOR ART

On connait déjà des dispositifs d'accouplement pour mécanismes horlogers qui sont conformes à la définition donnée en préambule. De tels dispositifs d'accouplement sont notamment utilisés dans des mécanismes de remontages automatiques pour servir d'embrayages horizontaux, le renvoi du baladeur remplissant alors la fonction de roue d'embrayage. En effet, dans un mouvement à remontage automatique, le remontage du ressort de barillet est assuré par une masse oscillante équipée soit d'un embrayage simple permettant le remontage du barillet lorsque la masse oscillante tourne dans un des deux sens de rotation, soit d'un double embrayage inversé grâce auquel les mouvements de la masse oscillante remontent toujours le barillet, quel que soit le sens de rotation de la masse oscillante.Coupling devices for watch mechanisms are already known which comply with the definition given in the preamble. Such coupling devices are used in particular in automatic winding mechanisms to act as horizontal clutches, the return of the slider then fulfilling the function of a clutch wheel. In fact, in a self-winding movement, winding of the barrel spring is ensured by an oscillating mass equipped either with a simple clutch allowing the winding of the barrel when the oscillating mass rotates in one of the two directions of rotation, or with an inverted double clutch thanks to which the movements of the oscillating mass always wind up the barrel, regardless of the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass.

Les figures 1A et 1B annexées sont tirées de l'ouvrage «Théorie d'horlogerie ». Ces figures sont des vues en plan illustrant de manière schématique un mécanisme de remontage automatique à double embrayage inversé dont le fonctionnement est le suivant : quel que soit le sens de rotation de la masse oscillante 1, les mobiles 6 et 7 doivent impérativement tourner dans le sens de la flèche. Pour ce faire, on a recours à deux renvois baladeurs 3 et 4 qui sont montés libres de pivoter sur le même petit support mobile 5. Dans l'exemple illustré, le support mobile 5 est constitué par une bascule. La bascule 5 est elle-même montée pivotante autour d'un axe qui est orienté parallèlement aux axes de rotation des deux renvois baladeurs et qui est situé à mi-distance entre ceux-ci. Il vaut la peine de noter en passant que, dans d'autres réalisations connues, le support mobile n'est pas une bascule, mais qu'il est agencé pour coulisser entre deux positions extrêmes. Les renvois 3 et 4 engrènent constamment l'un avec l'autre, tout en étant constamment reliés également au pignon 2 de la masse oscillante 1, de sorte que les mouvements de la masse oscillante font tourner les deux renvois baladeurs en sens contraires l'un de l'autre.THE figures 1A and 1B appended are taken from the work “Théorie d'horlogerie”. These figures are plan views illustrating in a manner schematically an automatic winding mechanism with reversed double clutch whose operation is as follows: whatever the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass 1, the mobiles 6 and 7 must imperatively turn in the direction of the arrow. To do this, use is made of two sliding gears 3 and 4 which are mounted free to pivot on the same small mobile support 5. In the example illustrated, the mobile support 5 consists of a rocker. Rocker 5 is itself pivotally mounted about an axis which is oriented parallel to the axes of rotation of the two sliding gears and which is located halfway between them. It is worth noting in passing that, in other known embodiments, the movable support is not a rocker, but is arranged to slide between two extreme positions. The transmissions 3 and 4 constantly mesh with each other, while also being constantly connected to the pinion 2 of the oscillating mass 1, so that the movements of the oscillating mass cause the two sliding transmissions to rotate in opposite directions. one another.

Lorsque la masse oscillante 1 tourne dans le sens horaire (Figure 1A), le pignon 2 exerce une force orientée tangentiellement sur la denture du renvoi baladeur 3. Le couple engendré par cette force fait pivoter la bascule 5 dans le sens antihoraire, de sorte que le renvoi baladeur 3 vient engrener avec le mobile 6, alors que le renvoi baladeur 4 s'en écarte. Lorsque la masse oscillante 1 tourne dans le sens antihoraire (Figure 1B), la force tangentielle fait pivoter la bascule 5 dans le sens horaire, de sorte que c'est le renvoi baladeur 4 qui vient engrener avec le mobile 6, alors que le renvoi baladeur 3 s'en dégage.When oscillating weight 1 rotates clockwise ( Figure 1A ), the pinion 2 exerts a force oriented tangentially on the toothing of the sliding gear 3. The torque generated by this force causes the rocker 5 to pivot counterclockwise, so that the sliding gear 3 meshes with the mobile 6, while the player reference 4 moves away from it. When oscillating weight 1 rotates counterclockwise ( Figure 1B ), the tangential force causes rocker 5 to pivot clockwise, so that it is sliding gear 4 which meshes with mobile 6, while sliding gear 3 disengages.

Les mécanismes de remontage qui comportent des dispositifs d'accouplement à baladeur, comme celui qui vient d'être décrit, ne sont pas dénués de problèmes. En particulier, le renvoi 3 doit être constamment en prise avec le pignon 2 de la masse oscillante, alors qu'il se déplace avec la bascule 5 qui pivote elle-même autour d'un axe qui n'est pas concentrique avec celui du renvoi. Il en résulte des variations dans la profondeur d'engrènement entre le renvoi 3 et le pignon 2, d'où une usure importante et même un risque de coincement. Un autre problème de ces mécanismes de remontage est que le temps nécessaire pour que le double embrayage inversé passe d'une configuration à l'autre n'est pas négligeable. C'est d'ailleurs la raison pour laquelle le mécanisme de remontage des figures 1A et 1B comporte encore un cliquet 8 qui est rappelé contre la denture du mobile 6 par un ressort 9. La fonction du cliquet 8 est d'empêcher le mobile 6 de revenir en arrière durant les périodes où aucun des renvois baladeurs 3 et 4 n'est en prise avec lui.Winding mechanisms that include sliding coupling devices, such as the one just described, are not without problems. In particular, the transmission 3 must be constantly in mesh with the pinion 2 of the oscillating mass, while it moves with the rocker 5 which itself pivots around an axis which is not concentric with that of the transmission. . This results in variations in the depth of meshing between the transmission 3 and the pinion 2, resulting in significant wear and even a risk of jamming. Another problem with these winding mechanisms is that the time required for the reverse double clutch to switch from one configuration to the other is not negligible. This is also the reason why the mechanism for winding the figures 1A and 1B further comprises a pawl 8 which is biased against the teeth of the mobile 6 by a spring 9. The function of the pawl 8 is to prevent the mobile 6 from going back during periods when none of the sliding gears 3 and 4 is in taken with him.

On utilise également des dispositifs d'accouplement pour mécanismes horlogers qui sont conformes à la définition donnée en préambule, notamment dans des mécanismes de mise à l'heure à bascule. La figure 2A annexée est une représentation schématique en plan d'un dispositif de correction à bascule connu qui est destiné à permettre la correction des indications d'heure et de date d'une pièce d'horlogerie. Cette figure est tirée du document de brevet EP 3 486 733 A1 . A l'instar des dispositifs de correction classiques, le dispositif représenté comporte une tige de remontoir 11 mobile axialement entre une position de remontage et une position de mise à l'heure. Il comprend également un pignon de correction 13 qui est monté coaxialement avec la tige, de manière à tourner avec cette dernière lorsqu'elle est en position de mise à l'heure. Le pignon 13 est en prise avec un train d'engrenages qui, dans l'exemple illustré, est formé de deux renvois 15 et 17 montés libres en rotation. Enfin, le dispositif représenté comporte un baladeur 18 qui est formé d'un support mobile 19 et d'un renvoi correcteur 21 monté pivotant sur le support mobile. On peut observer que, dans l'exemple illustré, le support mobile 19 est constitué par une bascule dont l'axe de pivotement (référencé 16) est confondu avec l'axe de rotation du deuxième renvoi 17. On remarquera d'autre part que le renvoi correcteur 21 est agencé de manière à engrener en permanence avec le deuxième renvoi 17, de sorte qu'une chaîne cinématique relie la tige 11 au renvoi correcteur 21.Coupling devices for watch mechanisms are also used which comply with the definition given in the preamble, in particular in rocker time-setting mechanisms. There figure 2A appended is a diagrammatic representation in plan of a known rocker correction device which is intended to allow the correction of the time and date indications of a timepiece. This figure is taken from the patent document EP 3 486 733 A1 . Like conventional correction devices, the device represented comprises a winding stem 11 that is axially movable between a winding position and a time-setting position. It also comprises a correction pinion 13 which is mounted coaxially with the stem, so as to rotate with the latter when it is in the time-setting position. The pinion 13 meshes with a gear train which, in the example shown, is formed by two transmissions 15 and 17 mounted free to rotate. Finally, the device shown comprises a player 18 which is formed by a mobile support 19 and a corrector transmission 21 pivotally mounted on the mobile support. It can be observed that, in the example illustrated, the mobile support 19 is constituted by a rocker whose pivot axis (referenced 16) coincides with the axis of rotation of the second reference 17. It will also be noted that the corrector return 21 is arranged so as to mesh permanently with the second return 17, so that a kinematic chain connects the rod 11 to the corrector return 21.

Le dispositif de correction à bascule de la figure 2A comprend encore un sélecteur prévu pour permettre à un utilisateur de commander le baladeur 18 pour faire engrener sélectivement le renvoi correcteur 21 avec un premier mobile 23 ou avec un second mobile 25. Dans la configuration illustrée par la figure 2A le renvoi correcteur 21 engrène avec le premier mobile 23. La configuration dans laquelle le renvoi correcteur 21 engrène avec le second mobile 25 n'est pas représentée. En se référant toujours à la figure 2A, on peut voir que le sélecteur est essentiellement formé d'une targette 27, accessible depuis l'extérieur de la pièce d'horlogerie, et d'un levier de positionnement 29 qui comporte deux bras qui s'étendent de part et d'autre de l'axe de pivotement du levier. On peut voir que l'extrémité d'un des bras du levier 29 est en prise avec la targette 27, de sorte que le levier bascule dans un sens ou dans l'autre en réaction aux commutations de la targette. L'autre bras du levier 29 se termine par une fourche en U agencée pour recevoir et pour guider entre ses branches l'axe 31 du renvoi correcteur 21. On comprendra que la fourche en U et l'axe 31 forment ensemble une sorte d'articulation qui relie le levier de positionnement 29 au baladeur 18. Grâce à la présence de ce lien articulé, un utilisateur a la possibilité de faire engrener sélectivement le renvoi de correction 21 avec le premier mobile 23 ou avec le second mobile 25 en se servant de la targette 27 pour faire basculer le levier de positionnement 29 dans un sens ou dans l'autre.The rocker correction device of the figure 2A further includes a selector provided to allow a user to control the walkman 18 to selectively mesh the corrective return 21 with a first mobile 23 or with a second mobile 25. In the configuration illustrated by the figure 2A the corrective idler 21 meshes with the first mobile 23. The configuration in which the corrective idler 21 meshes with the second mobile 25 is not shown. Always referring to the figure 2A , it can be seen that the selector is essentially formed of a bolt 27, accessible from outside the timepiece, and of a positioning lever 29 which comprises two arms which extend on either side of the pivot axis of the lever. It can be seen that the end of one of the arms of the lever 29 is in engagement with the bolt 27, so that the lever rocks in one direction or the other in reaction to the switchings of the bolt. The other arm of the lever 29 ends in a U-shaped fork arranged to receive and to guide between its branches the axis 31 of the corrector transmission 21. It will be understood that the U-shaped fork and the axis 31 together form a sort of articulation which connects the positioning lever 29 to the slider 18. Thanks to the presence of this articulated link, a user has the possibility of causing the correction transmission 21 to mesh selectively with the first mobile 23 or with the second mobile 25 by using the bolt 27 to tilt the positioning lever 29 in one direction or the other.

La mise en œuvre de dispositifs de correction à bascule comme celui qui vient d'être décrit n'est pas exempte de problèmes. En particulier, lorsque l'utilisateur actionne la targette 27 du sélecteur, il peut arriver que les dents du renvoi correcteur 21 viennent en butée contre les sommets de dents d'un des mobiles 23 ou 25 au lieu de s'intercaler entre celles-ci. Cette situation a pour effet de coincer le mécanisme, les deux dentures étant incapables de s'interpénétrer, et les mobiles dentés ne pouvant donc pas engrener l'un avec l'autre. De plus, lorsque le baladeur 18 se bloque ainsi avant d'arriver à la fin de sa course, ce blocage se répercute jusqu'à la targette 27 du sélecteur, ce que l'utilisateur ne manquera pas de ressentir. Une telle situation peut inciter ce dernier à forcer au risque de casser un des composants du mécanisme.The implementation of rocker correction devices such as the one just described is not free from problems. In particular, when the user activates the bolt 27 of the selector, it may happen that the teeth of the corrector return 21 come into abutment against the tops of the teeth of one of the mobiles 23 or 25 instead of being inserted between them. . This situation has the effect of jamming the mechanism, the two teeth being unable to interpenetrate, and the toothed mobiles therefore not being able to mesh with each other. Moreover, when player 18 is blocked in this way before reaching the end of its travel, this blocking has repercussions as far as bolt 27 of the selector, which the user will not fail to feel. Such a situation may encourage the latter to force it at the risk of breaking one of the components of the mechanism.

BREF EXPOSE DE L'INVENTIONBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Un but de la présente invention est de remédier aux inconvénients de l'art antérieur qui viennent d'être expliqués. La présente invention atteint ce but ainsi que d'autres en fournissant un dispositif d'accouplement à baladeur qui est conforme à la revendication 1 annexée.An object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art which have just been explained. The present invention achieves this and other objects by providing a sliding coupling device which is in accordance with appended claim 1.

Conformément à l'invention, le dispositif d'accouplement comporte une barre élastique bistable tenue par ses deux extrémités entre deux points d'ancrage et travaillant en flambage dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation du renvoi. Un tronçon de la barre élastique bistable est en outre fixé au support mobile, de sorte que la position de ce dernier est asservie à celle du tronçon de la barre élastique bistable.According to the invention, the coupling device comprises a bistable elastic bar held by its two ends between two anchoring points and working in buckling in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transmission. A section of the bistable elastic bar is also fixed to the movable support, so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar.

Par flambage, on entend ici le fléchissement et donc la déformation d'une barre élastique qui est tenue par ses extrémités entre deux points d'ancrage et dont la longueur non déformée est supérieure à la distance entre les deux points d'encrage. Le flambage est une déformation dans une direction perpendiculaire à la droite passant par les deux points d'ancrage. Une barre élastique qui travaille en flambage dans un plan de déformation donné a la possibilité de fléchir dans un sens ou dans l'autre à l'intérieur de ce plan, de sorte qu'une barre élastique flambée possède deux configurations stables symétriques (c'est la raison pour laquelle la barre élastique peut être qualifiée de « bistable »). On précisera enfin que, par « configuration stable », on entend une configuration qui est associée à une forme vers laquelle la barre élastique revient toujours si on l'en écarte par une sollicitation de suffisamment faible amplitude.By buckling is meant here the deflection and therefore the deformation of an elastic bar which is held by its ends between two anchoring points and whose undeformed length is greater than the distance between the two anchoring points. Buckling is a deformation in a direction perpendicular to the line passing through the two anchor points. An elastic bar which works in buckling in a given plane of deformation has the possibility of bending in one direction or the other inside this plane, so that a buckled elastic bar has two symmetrical stable configurations (c' is the reason why the elastic bar can be described as "bistable"). Finally, it will be specified that, by “stable configuration”, is meant a configuration which is associated with a shape towards which the elastic bar always returns if it is moved away from it by a stress of sufficiently low amplitude.

Une barre élastique bistable peut passer quasi instantanément d'une de ses configurations stables à l'autre. On comprendra donc que, grâce aux caractéristiques de l'invention, il est possible de faire commuter le dispositif d'accouplement de manière quasi instantanée.A bistable elastic bar can switch almost instantaneously from one of its stable configurations to another. It will therefore be understood that, thanks to the characteristics of the invention, it is possible to cause the coupling device to switch almost instantaneously.

Un autre avantage de l'invention est que les forces associées aux déformations d'une barre élastique bistable ont pour effet de rappeler cette dernière vers sa configuration stable la plus proche. Dans ces conditions, lorsque la barre élastique bistable est retenue à l'écart de sa position stable parce que les dents du renvoi butent contre celles du mobile denté, maintenant le baladeur écarté de sa première position, la barre élastique bistable se comporte comme un ressort qui sollicite le renvoi du baladeur contre la denture du mobile. Il suffit alors que la denture du renvoi pivote légèrement relativement à celle du mobile denté pour débloquer le dispositif d'accouplement, les dents du renvoi s'abaissant alors spontanément entre celle du mobile.Another advantage of the invention is that the forces associated with the deformations of a bistable elastic bar have the effect of returning the latter to its closest stable configuration. Under these conditions, when the bistable elastic bar is held away from its stable position because the teeth of the transmission abut against those of the toothed mobile, keeping the slider separated from its first position, the bistable elastic bar behaves like a spring which requests the return of the walkman against the teeth of the mobile. It is then sufficient for the toothing of the reference to pivot slightly relative to that of the toothed mobile to unlock the coupling device, the teeth of the reference then lowering spontaneously between those of the mobile.

Encore un autre avantage de l'invention est que, du fait que la position du support mobile est déterminée par la barre élastique bistable, il n'est pas nécessaire de prévoir une fixation du baladeur à la platine en dehors de celle qui est assurée au niveau des points d'ancrage de la lame élastique bistable.Yet another advantage of the invention is that, because the position of the mobile support is determined by the bistable elastic bar, it is not necessary to provide a fixing of the player to the plate apart from that which is ensured at the level of the anchor points of the bistable elastic blade.

Conformément à certaines variantes particulières de l'invention, la barre élastique bistable travaille en flambage autour d'un point d'inflexion médian, ce dernier étant maintenu fixe et une portion médiane de la barre élastique bistable étant libre de pivoter autour d'un axe orienté parallèlement à l'axe de rotation du renvoi et passant par le point d'inflexion médian. Dans ce cas, le dispositif d'accouplement peut, de manière avantageuse, comprendre des appuis latéraux ou un organe de pivotement pour maintenir en position le point d'inflexion médian. Un avantage des variantes particulières susmentionnées est qu'elles permettent d'avoir un baladeur qui effectue un mouvement de pivotement sans décalage en translation lorsque la barre élastique bistable passe d'une de ses configurations stables à l'autre. Un autre avantage de ces mêmes variantes particulières est que la force nécessaire pour faire commuter la barre élastique d'une configuration stable à l'autre peut être très faible.In accordance with certain particular variants of the invention, the bistable elastic bar works in buckling around a median inflection point, the latter being kept fixed and a median portion of the bistable elastic bar being free to pivot around an axis oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the transmission and passing through the midpoint of inflection. In this case, the coupling device can, advantageously, comprise lateral supports or a pivot member to hold the midpoint of inflection in position. An advantage of the particular variants mentioned above is that they make it possible to have a slider which performs a pivoting movement without shift in translation when the bistable elastic bar passes from one of its stable configurations to the other. Another advantage of these same particular variants is that the force required to switch the elastic bar from one stable configuration to the other can be very low.

Conformément à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention le dispositif d'accouplement comporte un levier de commande agencé pour coopérer avec la barre élastique bistable de manière à permettre de la faire commuter dans un sens ou dans l'autre entre ses deux configurations stables. Un avantage de cette caractéristique est qu'elle permet de réaliser un dispositif d'accouplement dans lequel le renvoi et le mobile denté peuvent coopérer dans les deux sens de rotation.According to a first embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises a control lever arranged to cooperate with the bistable elastic bar so as to allow it to be switched in one direction or the other between its two stable configurations. An advantage of this characteristic is that it makes it possible to produce a coupling device in which the transmission and the toothed mobile can cooperate in both directions of rotation.

Conformément à une variante avantageuse du premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, le dispositif d'accouplement comporte un organe de commande actionnable depuis l'extérieur de la pièce d'horlogerie comprenant le mécanisme horloger, l'organe de commande étant relié mécaniquement au levier de commande de manière à permettre à un utilisateur de faire commuter le dispositif d'accouplement. Un avantage de cette variante est qu'elle permet de rendre invisible pour l'utilisateur un éventuel blocage du baladeur. En effet, dans l'éventualité où la course du baladeur serait stoppée prématurément par une collision entre les dents du renvoi et celles du mobile avec lequel il devrait engrener, la barre élastique bistable se déformerait un peu plus de façon à permettre à l'organe de commande extérieur d'être actionné normalement.According to an advantageous variant of the first embodiment of the invention, the coupling device comprises a control member operable from outside the timepiece comprising the timepiece mechanism, the control member being mechanically connected to the control lever so as to allow a user to switch the coupling device. An advantage of this variant is that it makes it possible to make invisible to the user any blocking of the player. Indeed, in the event that the slider's travel is stopped prematurely by a collision between the teeth of the transmission and those of the mobile with which it should mesh, the bistable elastic bar will deform a little more so as to allow the component exterior control from being actuated normally.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif, et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1A et 1B sont deux vues schématiques en plan d'un mécanisme de remontage automatique de l'art antérieur qui est équipé d'un double embrayage inversé ;
  • la figure 2A est une vue schématique en plan d'un mécanisme de mise à l'heure à bascule de l'art antérieur ;
  • la figure 2B est une vue en plan qui illustre schématiquement le principe selon lequel, conformément à l'invention, la position du baladeur d'un mécanisme de mise à l'heure semblable à celui de la figure 2A peut être asservie à la position d'une barre élastique bistable ;
  • les figures 3A et 3B sont deux vues schématiques en plan d'un dispositif d'accouplement selon un premier mode de réalisation exemplaire de l'invention ;
  • les figures 4A et 4B sont des schématiques partielles en plan d'un mécanisme de remontage automatique comprenant un dispositif d'accouplement selon à un deuxième mode de réalisation exemplaire de l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • there figures 1A and 1B are two schematic plan views of a prior art automatic winding mechanism which is equipped with an inverted double clutch;
  • there figure 2A is a schematic plan view of a prior art rocker time-setting mechanism;
  • there figure 2B is a plan view which schematically illustrates the principle according to which, in accordance with the invention, the position of the player of a time-setting mechanism similar to that of the figure 2A can be slaved to the position of a bistable elastic bar;
  • THE figures 3A and 3B are two schematic plan views of a coupling device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
  • THE figures 4A and 4B are partial plan diagrams of an automatic winding mechanism comprising a coupling device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE MODES REALISATIONSDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Dans le domaine de l'horlogerie, le terme de « renvoi » désigne une roue dentée qui est agencée pour engrener simultanément avec un mobile denté menant et un mobile denté mené entre lesquels elle est intercalée.In the field of watchmaking, the term “transmission” designates a toothed wheel which is arranged to mesh simultaneously with a driving toothed wheel set and a driven toothed wheel set between which it is interposed.

La figure 2B annexée est une vue en plan qui illustre schématiquement le principe selon lequel, conformément à l'invention, la position du baladeur d'un mécanisme de mise à l'heure semblable à celui de la figure 2A peut être asservie à la position d'une barre élastique bistable. Comme on peut le voir, le dispositif d'accouplement du mécanisme de mise à l'heure représenté comporte une barre élastique déformable en flexion (référencée 33', 33") et deux rotules qui sont ancrées dans la platine et agencées pour tenir les deux extrémités de la barre élastique (une seule des deux rotules, référencée 35, est représentée dans la figure 2B). Conformément au mode de réalisation représenté, les deux rotules 35 sont agencées de manière à permettre à chacune des extrémités de la barre élastique bistable 33', 33" de pivoter autour d'un axe de rotation orienté parallèlement à l'axe 31 du renvoi correcteur 21. La longueur non-déformée de la barre élastique bistable 33', 33" est choisie supérieure à la distance séparant les axes de rotation autour desquels ses extrémités sont agencées pour pivoter. Dans ces conditions, comme la barre élastique 33', 33" est beaucoup plus facile à déformer en flexion qu'en compression, sa configuration rectiligne (non représentée) est instable. La barre élastique 33', 33" est ainsi conduite à adopter une configuration flambée dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation du renvoi correcteur 21, de manière à réduire les contraintes. De façon connue en soi, la courbure due au flambage peut constituer une déformation de la barre élastique dans un sens ou dans l'autre, de sorte que la barre élastique possède deux configurations stables fondamentales symétriques (les deux configurations stables fondamentales sont représentées en traits interrompus sur le dessin où elles sont référencées respectivement 33' et 33").There figure 2B appended is a plan view which schematically illustrates the principle according to which, in accordance with the invention, the position of the player of a time-setting mechanism similar to that of the figure 2A can be slaved to the position of a bistable elastic bar. As can be seen, the coupling device of the time-setting mechanism represented comprises an elastic bar which can be deformed in bending (referenced 33', 33") and two ball joints which are anchored in the plate and arranged to hold the two ends of the elastic bar (only one of the two ball joints, referenced 35, is shown in the figure 2B ). In accordance with the embodiment shown, the two ball joints 35 are arranged so as to allow each of the ends of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" to pivot around an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the axis 31 of the corrective return 21. The undeformed length of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" is chosen to be greater than the distance separating the axes of rotation around which its ends are arranged to pivot. Under these conditions, as the 33' elastic bar, 33" is much easier to deform in bending than in compression, its rectilinear configuration (not shown) is unstable. The elastic bar 33', 33" is thus led to adopt a buckled configuration in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the corrective transmission 21, so as to reduce the stresses. In a manner known per se, the curvature due to the buckling can constitute a deformation of the elastic bar in one direction or the other, so that the elastic bar has two symmetrical fundamental stable configurations (the two fundamental stable configurations are represented in dashed lines in the drawing where they are referenced respectively 33' and 33").

En se référant toujours à la figure 2B, on peut voir encore que les points d'ancrage des extrémités de la barre élastique bistable se trouvent sur une droite qui passe par l'axe de pivotement 16 du support mobile 19. De plus, quand le support mobile 19 se trouve à mi-distance entre sa première position, dans laquelle le renvoi 21 engrène avec le premier mobile 23, et sa deuxième position, dans laquelle le renvoi 21 engrène avec le second mobile 25, l'axe 31 du renvoi correcteur 21 se trouve également sur cette même droite.Always referring to the figure 2B , it can also be seen that the anchoring points of the ends of the bistable elastic bar are on a straight line which passes through the pivot axis 16 of the mobile support 19. In addition, when the mobile support 19 is located halfway distance between its first position, in which the transmission 21 meshes with the first mobile 23, and its second position, in which the transmission 21 meshes with the second mobile 25, the axis 31 of the corrective transmission 21 is also on this same line .

Conformément à l'invention, un tronçon de de la barre élastique bistable 33', 33" est solidaire du support mobile 19, de sorte que la position de ce dernier est asservie à celle du tronçon de la barre élastique bistable. Dans l'exemple de la figure 2B, le support mobile 19 peut par exemple présenter sur sa face inférieure (qui n'est pas visible dans la figure 3B) une paire de chevilles qui font saillie parallèlement à l'axe de pivotement 16 du support mobile, la paire de chevilles étant en prise avec le tronçon de la barre élastique bistable 33', cette dernière passant entre les deux chevilles. Alternativement, le support mobile 19 pourrait par exemple présenter sur sa face inférieure un tenon qui ferait saillie parallèlement à l'axe de pivotement 16 du support mobile, le tenon étant inséré dans un œillet formé de matière dans une portion de la barre élastique bistable 33'.In accordance with the invention, a section of the bistable elastic bar 33', 33" is integral with the mobile support 19, so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar. In the example of the figure 2B , the movable support 19 may for example have on its underside (which is not visible in the Figure 3B ) a pair of pins which project parallel to the pivot axis 16 of the movable support, the pair of pins being in engagement with the section of the bistable elastic bar 33 ', the latter passing between the two pins. Alternatively, the movable support 19 could for example have on its underside a tenon which projects parallel to the pivot axis 16 of the movable support, the tenon being inserted into an eyelet formed of material in a portion of the bistable elastic bar 33 '.

Les figures 3A et 3B sont deux vues partielles en plan d'un mécanisme horloger qui intègre un dispositif d'accouplement selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention. Le mécanisme horloger en question pourrait par exemple être le mécanisme de calendrier d'une pièce d'horlogerie à complication. Dans ce cas, le dispositif d'accouplement illustré servirait par exemple à permettre de corriger sélectivement les indications du quantième et du jour de la semaine. Dans le but de ne pas surcharger le dessin, les vues schématiques partielles des figures 3A et 3B montre uniquement le dispositif d'accouplement. On notera de plus que l'application à un calendrier n'est qu'un exemple parmi d'autres, et que le dispositif d'accouplement représenté se prête à de nombreuses applications même en dehors du domaine de la correction d'affichages horlogers.THE figures 3A and 3B are two partial plan views of a timepiece mechanism which incorporates a coupling device according to a first embodiment of the invention. The timepiece mechanism in question could for example be the calendar mechanism of a complication timepiece. In this case, the illustrated coupling device would serve for example to make it possible to selectively correct the indications of the date and the day of the week. In order not to overload the drawing, the partial schematic views of the figures 3A and 3B only shows the coupling device. It will further be noted that the application to a calendar is only one example among others, and that the coupling device represented lends itself to numerous applications even outside the field of the correction of horological displays.

Le dispositif d'accouplement représenté comporte un baladeur (généralement référencé 37) qui est formé d'un renvoi 39 et d'un support mobile sur lequel le renvoi est monté rotatif. Le renvoi 39 engrène en permanence avec une roue 43 qui fait partie d'une chaîne cinématique (non représentée) que comporte un mécanisme horloger. Dans l'exemple illustré, le support mobile du baladeur 37 est constitué par une bascule 41 qui est agencée pour pivoter autour d'un axe référencé 45. La bascule 41 est agencée mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le renvoi 39 engrène avec un premier mobile denté 47 de sorte que le baladeur réalise l'accouplement entre le mobile 47 et la chaîne cinématique qui comprend la roue 43 (conformément à ce que montre la figure 3A) et une deuxième position dans laquelle le renvoi 39 engrène avec un deuxième mobile denté 49, de sorte que le baladeur 37 réalise l'accouplement entre le mobile 49 et la chaîne cinématique (conformément à ce que montre la figure 3B). On peut noter que le renvoi 39 est débrayé du deuxième mobile denté 49 lorsqu'il engrène avec le premier mobile denté 47, et inversement. On comprendra en outre que selon le domaine d'application, la roue 43 pourrait être le mobile menant, les mobiles dentés 47 et 49 étant alors deux mobiles menés, ou qu'inversement, le mobile 43 pourrait être un mobile mené, les mobiles dentés 47 et 49 étant alors deux mobiles menants.The coupling device represented comprises a slider (generally referenced 37) which is formed of a transmission 39 and a mobile support on which the transmission is rotatably mounted. The reference 39 meshes permanently with a wheel 43 which is part of a kinematic chain (not shown) that includes a watch mechanism. In the example illustrated, the movable support of player 37 is constituted by a rocker 41 which is arranged to pivot about an axis referenced 45. Rocker 41 is arranged to move between a first position in which transmission 39 meshes with a first toothed mobile 47 so that the slider realizes the coupling between the mobile 47 and the kinematic chain which includes the wheel 43 (as shown in the Figure 3A ) and a second position in which the transmission 39 meshes with a second toothed mobile 49, so that the slider 37 performs the coupling between the mobile 49 and the kinematic chain (as shown in the Figure 3B ). It may be noted that the return 39 is disengaged from the second toothed wheel set 49 when it meshes with the first toothed wheel set 47, and vice versa. It will also be understood that depending on the field of application, the wheel 43 could be the driving mobile, the toothed mobiles 47 and 49 then being two driven mobiles, or conversely, the mobile 43 could be a driven mobile, the toothed mobiles 47 and 49 then being two driving mobiles.

On peut observer que, contrairement à ce qui était le cas avec le dispositif d'accouplement illustré dans la figure 2B, l'axe de pivotement 45 du baladeur 37 n'est pas concentrique avec l'axe de rotation de la roue 43. On comprendra cependant que la première et la deuxième position du baladeur sont suffisamment rapprochées l'une de l'autre pour permettre au renvoi 39 de rester constamment en prise avec la roue 43.It can be observed that, contrary to what was the case with the coupling device illustrated in the figure 2B , the pivot axis 45 of the player 37 is not concentric with the axis of rotation of the wheel 43. It will however be understood that the first and the second position of the player are sufficiently close to each other to allow at reference 39 to remain constantly engaged with wheel 43.

Le dispositif d'accouplement qui fait l'objet du présent exemple comporte encore une barre élastique bistable (référencée 51) qui est agencée pour travailler en flambage autour d'un point d'inflexion médian. En se référant toujours aux mêmes figures, on peut voir que la barre élastique bistable 51 peut être constituée par exemple de deux ressorts-lames de même longueur qui sont agencés pour s'étendre dans des directions opposées à partir d'un élément médian rigide (référencé 53). Dans l'exemple illustré, l'élément médian 53 se présente sous la forme d'un disque percé d'un trou central (référencé 55). On peut voir d'autre part que les extrémités distales des deux ressorts-lames se terminent chacune par une rotule ancrée dans la platine (les deux rotules sont référencées 57a et 57b). On comprendra que le trou central 55 de l'élément médian se situe au point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 51.The coupling device which is the subject of the present example further comprises a bistable elastic bar (referenced 51) which is arranged to work in buckling around a median point of inflection. Still referring to the same figures, it can be seen that the bistable elastic bar 51 may consist for example of two leaf springs of the same length which are arranged to extend in opposite directions from a rigid middle element ( referenced 53). In the example illustrated, the middle element 53 is in the form of a disc pierced with a central hole (reference 55). It can also be seen that the distal ends of the two leaf springs each terminate in a ball joint anchored in the plate (the two ball joints are referenced 57a and 57b). It will be understood that the central hole 55 of the middle element is located at the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51.

L'élément médian rigide 53 est fixé sur la bascule 41 concentriquement à son axe de pivotement 45, de sorte que le point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 51 (ou autrement dit le trou central 55) se trouve sur l'axe de pivotement 45 de la bascule 41. Cet agencement permet à l'élément médian rigide 53 de pivoter avec la bascule 41 autour du point milieu.The rigid middle element 53 is fixed on the rocker 41 concentrically to its pivot axis 45, so that the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51 (or in other words the central hole 55) is on the pivot axis 45 of the rocker 41. This arrangement allows the rigid middle element 53 to pivot with the rocker 41 around the midpoint.

De façon analogue à ce qui a déjà été expliqué en relation avec la figure 2B, la longueur non-déformée de la barre élastique bistable 51 est choisie supérieure à la distance séparant les deux rotules 57a, 57b. Dans ces conditions, comme la barre élastique 51 est beaucoup plus facile à déformer en flexion qu'en compression, sa configuration rectiligne (non représentée) est instable. La barre élastique 51 est ainsi conduite à adopter une configuration flambée dans un plan qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe de pivotement 45 du support mobile. Comme la position du point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 51 est maintenu fixe, la barre est empêchée d'adopter une configuration flambée de premier ordre. Elle adopte donc une configuration flambée de deuxième ordre caractérisée par la présence d'un point d'inflexion médian. On comprendra que le point d'inflexion médian correspond au point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 51. Dans l'exemple illustré, ce point se situe en outre sur une droite qui passe par les deux extrémités de la barre élastique bistable. Enfin, de façon tout à fait semblable à ce qui a été expliqué en relation avec la figure 2B, la barre élastique 51 peut se trouver dans l'une ou l'autre de deux configurations stables symétriques. Ces deux configurations stables sont illustrées respectivement dans les figures 3A et 3B.Analogously to what has already been explained in relation to the figure 2B , the undeformed length of the bistable elastic bar 51 is chosen to be greater than the distance separating the two ball joints 57a, 57b. Under these conditions, as the elastic bar 51 is much easier to deform in bending than in compression, its rectilinear configuration (not shown) is unstable. The elastic bar 51 is thus led to adopt a buckled configuration in a plane which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 45 of the mobile support. Since the position of the midpoint of the bistable spring bar 51 is held fixed, the bar is prevented from adopting a first order buckled configuration. It therefore adopts a second-order soaring configuration characterized by the presence of a median point of inflection. It will be understood that the median point of inflection corresponds to the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 51. In the example illustrated, this point is also located on a straight line which passes through the two ends of the bistable elastic bar. Finally, in a way quite similar to what was explained in relation to the figure 2B , the elastic bar 51 can be in one or the other of two symmetrical stable configurations. These two stable configurations are illustrated respectively in the figures 3A and 3B .

Le dispositif d'accouplement qui fait l'objet du présent exemple comporte encore un levier de commande 59 pivoté sur un axe 60 et agencé de manière à permettre de faire commuter la barre élastique bistable 51 de l'une à l'autre de ses deux configurations stables. On peut voir qu'un des bras du levier de commande 59 porte une paire de chevilles qui font saillie à partir de son extrémité perpendiculairement au plan dans lequel la barre élastique bistable 51 est flambée. De plus, un tronçon de la barre élastique bistable passe entre les deux chevilles, de sorte que la coopération entre la paire de chevilles et ledit tronçon crée un lien articulé entre le levier de commande 59 et la barre élastique bistable 51. Ainsi, lorsque le dispositif d'accouplement se trouve dans la configuration de la figure 3A et que le levier de commande 59 est actionné de manière à pivoter dans le sens horaire (tel que représenté), l'extrémité du bras de levier qui porte les deux chevilles repousse le tronçon de la barre élastique bistable 51 qui passe entre les chevilles. Cette contrainte additionnelle sur la barre élastique bistable 51 a pour effet de la faire passer dans la configuration illustrée par la figure 3B. Comme le point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 51 est maintenu sur l'axe de pivotement 45 de la bascule 41, l'élément médian rigide 53 pivote autour du point milieu dans le sens antihoraire lorsque la barre élastique commute. De plus, comme la portion médiane 53 de la barre élastique bistable 51 est fixée sur la bascule 41, la commutation de la barre élastique bistable fait également passer le baladeur 37 de sa première à sa deuxième position, de sorte que le renvoi correcteur 39 s'écarte du premier mobile denté 47 et vient en prise avec le deuxième mobile denté 49 (conformément à ce que montre la figure 3B).The coupling device which is the subject of the present example also comprises a control lever 59 pivoted on an axis 60 and arranged in such a way as to make it possible to switch the bistable elastic bar 51 from one to the other of its two stable setups. It can be seen that one of the arms of the control lever 59 carries a pair of pins which project from its end perpendicular to the plane in which the bistable elastic bar 51 is buckled. In addition, a section of the bistable elastic bar passes between the two pins, so that the cooperation between the pair of pins and said section creates an articulated link between the control lever 59 and the bistable elastic bar 51. Thus, when the coupling device is in the configuration of the Figure 3A and that the control lever 59 is actuated so as to pivot clockwise (as shown), the end of the lever arm which carries the two pins pushes back the section of the bistable elastic bar 51 which passes between the pins. This additional stress on the bistable elastic bar 51 has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated by the Figure 3B . Since the midpoint of bistable elastic bar 51 is maintained on the pivot axis 45 of the rocker 41, the rigid middle element 53 pivots around the midpoint counterclockwise when the elastic bar switches. Moreover, as the middle portion 53 of the bistable elastic bar 51 is fixed on the rocker 41, the switching of the bistable elastic bar also causes the slider 37 to pass from its first to its second position, so that the corrector return 39 s 'deviates from the first toothed mobile 47 and comes into engagement with the second toothed mobile 49 (as shown in the Figure 3B ).

Inversement, lorsque le dispositif d'accouplement se trouve dans la configuration de la figure 3B et que le levier de commande 59 est actionné de manière à pivoter dans le sens antihoraire (tel que représenté), l'extrémité du bras de levier qui porte les deux chevilles repousse dans l'autre sens le tronçon de la barre élastique bistable 51 qui passe entre les deux chevilles. Cette contrainte additionnelle sur la barre élastique bistable a pour effet de la faire passer dans la configuration illustrée par la figure 3A. La commutation de la barre élastique bistable 51 fait également passer la bascule 41 de sa deuxième à sa première position, de sorte que le renvoi correcteur 39 s'écarte du deuxième mobile denté 49 et vient en prise avec le premier mobile denté 47 (conformément à ce que montre la figure 3A).Conversely, when the coupling device is in the configuration of the Figure 3B and that the control lever 59 is actuated so as to pivot counterclockwise (as shown), the end of the lever arm which carries the two pins pushes in the other direction the section of the bistable elastic bar 51 which passes between the two ankles. This additional stress on the bistable elastic bar has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated by the Figure 3A . The switching of the bistable elastic bar 51 also causes the rocker 41 to pass from its second to its first position, so that the corrector transmission 39 moves away from the second toothed mobile 49 and comes into engagement with the first toothed mobile 47 (in accordance with what shows the Figure 3A ).

Les figures 4A et 4B sont des schématiques partielles en plan d'un mécanisme de remontage automatique comprenant un dispositif d'accouplement selon à un deuxième mode de réalisation exemplaire de l'invention. Comme expliqué plus en détail ci-dessous, le dispositif d'accouplement illustré dans les figures 4A et 4B est agencé pour remplir la fonction de double embrayage inversé.THE figures 4A and 4B are partial plan diagrams of an automatic winding mechanism comprising a coupling device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. As explained in more detail below, the coupling device illustrated in the figures 4A and 4B is arranged to fulfill the reversed double clutch function.

Le mécanisme de remontage automatique du présent exemple comprend une masse oscillante (référencée 72) et un mobile denté (référencé 76) qui doit toujours être entraîné dans le même sens, quel que soit le sens de rotation de la masse oscillante. A cette fin, le dispositif d'accouplement du mécanisme de remontage automatique représenté dans les figures 4A et 4B comporte un baladeur (généralement référencé 62) qui est formé d'un support mobile et de deux renvois (référencés respectivement 64 et 66) qui sont montés fou sur le support mobile. Les renvois 64 et 66 engrènent constamment l'un avec l'autre, tout en étant constamment reliés également au pignon (référencé 74) de la masse oscillante 72. On comprendra de ce qui précède que les renvois 64 et 66 tournent en sens contraires l'un de l'autre lorsqu'ils sont entraînés par la masse oscillante.The automatic winding mechanism of the present example comprises an oscillating weight (referenced 72) and a toothed mobile (referenced 76) which must always be driven in the same direction, whatever the direction of rotation of the oscillating weight. To this end, the coupling device of the automatic winding mechanism represented in the figures 4A and 4B comprises a walkman (generally referenced 62) which is formed of a support mobile and two references (respectively referenced 64 and 66) which are mounted crazy on the mobile support. The transmissions 64 and 66 constantly mesh with each other, while also being constantly connected to the pinion (referenced 74) of the oscillating mass 72. It will be understood from the above that the transmissions 64 and 66 rotate in opposite directions. from each other when driven by the oscillating mass.

Dans le présent exemple, le support mobile du baladeur 62 est constitué par une bascule (référencée 68) qui est elle-même montée pivotante autour d'un axe (référencé 70). L'axe 70 est orienté parallèlement aux axes de rotation des deux renvois 64 et 66 et il est agencé à mi-distance entre ceux-ci. La bascule 68 est agencée mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le renvoi 66 engrène avec le mobile denté 76 (conformément à ce que montre la figure 4A), le mobile denté étant alors entraîné dans le sens contraire du sens de rotation de la masse oscillante 72, et une deuxième position dans laquelle le renvoi 64 engrène avec le mobile denté 76 (conformément à ce que montre la figure 4B), le mobile denté étant alors entraîné dans le sens de rotation de la masse oscillante 72. On peut noter que lorsque le renvoi 64 engrène avec le mobile denté 76, le renvoi 66 est débrayé, et qu'inversement, lorsque le renvoi 66 engrène avec le mobile denté 76, le renvoi 64 est débrayé.In the present example, the movable support of player 62 consists of a rocker (referenced 68) which is itself pivotally mounted around an axis (referenced 70). The axis 70 is oriented parallel to the axes of rotation of the two transmissions 64 and 66 and it is arranged halfway between them. Rocker 68 is arranged to move between a first position in which transmission 66 meshes with toothed wheel set 76 (as shown in figure 4A ), the toothed mobile being then driven in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the oscillating weight 72, and a second position in which the transmission 64 meshes with the toothed mobile 76 (as shown in the figure 4B ), the toothed mobile being then driven in the direction of rotation of the oscillating mass 72. It can be noted that when the reference 64 meshes with the toothed mobile 76, the reference 66 is disengaged, and that conversely, when the reference with the toothed mobile 76, the reference 64 is disengaged.

Le dispositif d'accouplement qui fait l'objet du présent exemple comporte encore une barre élastique bistable (référencée 78) qui est agencée pour travailler en flambage autour d'un point d'inflexion médian. En se référant toujours aux figures 4A et 4B, on peut voir que la barre élastique bistable 78 peut être constituée par exemple de deux ressorts-lames de même longueur qui sont agencés pour s'étendre dans des directions opposées à partir d'un élément médian rigide (référencé 80). Dans l'exemple illustré, l'élément médian 80 se présente sous la forme d'un disque percé d'un trou central. On peut voir d'autre part que les extrémités distales des deux ressorts-lames se terminent chacune par une rotule ancrée dans la platine. On comprendra que le trou central de l'élément médian se situe au point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 78.The coupling device which is the subject of the present example further comprises a bistable elastic bar (referenced 78) which is arranged to work in buckling around a median point of inflection. Always referring to figures 4A and 4B , it can be seen that the bistable elastic bar 78 may consist for example of two leaf springs of the same length which are arranged to extend in opposite directions from a rigid middle element (referenced 80). In the example illustrated, the middle element 80 is in the form of a disc pierced with a central hole. It can be seen on the other hand that the distal ends of the two leaf springs each terminate in a ball joint anchored in the plate. It will be understood that the central hole of the middle element is located at the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 78.

L'élément médian rigide 80 est fixé sur la bascule 68 concentriquement à son axe de pivotement 70, de sorte que le point milieu de la barre élastique bistable (ou autrement dit le trou central) se trouve sur l'axe de pivotement 70. Cet agencement permet à l'élément médian rigide 80 de pivoter avec la bascule 68 autour du point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 78.The rigid middle element 80 is fixed on the rocker 68 concentrically to its pivot axis 70, so that the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar (or in other words the central hole) is on the pivot axis 70. This arrangement allows rigid middle member 80 to pivot with rocker 68 around the midpoint of bistable spring bar 78.

Conformément à ce qui a déjà été expliqué en relation avec l'exemple précédent, la barre élastique 78 peut adopter l'une ou l'autre de deux configurations symétriques stables qui sont flambées dans un plan qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe de pivotement 70 du baladeur 62. Comme la position du point milieu de la barre élastique bistable 78 est maintenu fixe, les deux configurations flambées stables se caractérisent par la présence d'un point d'inflexion médian. Ces deux configurations stables sont illustrées respectivement dans les figures 4A et 4B.In accordance with what has already been explained in relation to the previous example, the elastic bar 78 can adopt either of two stable symmetrical configurations which are buckled in a plane which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 70 of the player 62. As the position of the midpoint of the bistable elastic bar 78 is kept fixed, the two stable soared configurations are characterized by the presence of a midpoint of inflection. These two stable configurations are illustrated respectively in the figures 4A and 4B .

Lorsque la masse oscillante 72 tourne, le pignon 74 exerce une force orientée tangentiellement sur la denture du renvoi 64. Si la masse oscillante tourne dans le sens horaire, cette force est orientée vers le haut du dessin. Dans ce cas, elle engendre un couple qui tend à faire pivoter la bascule 68 dans le sens antihoraire. Comme la portion médiane 80 de la barre élastique bistable 78 est fixée sur la bascule 68, le couple engendré par la force tangentielle s'exerce aussi sur la barre élastique bistable. Si cette dernière se trouve dans la configuration illustrée dans la figure 4A, la contrainte supplémentaire due à ce couple a pour effet de la faire passer dans la configuration illustrée dans la figure 4B. Une fois que le passage de la barre élastique bistable 78 d'une configuration stable à l'autre est amorcée, la commutation est presque instantanée et c'est alors la barre élastique bistable qui entraîne le baladeur.When the oscillating mass 72 rotates, the pinion 74 exerts a force oriented tangentially on the toothing of the transmission 64. If the oscillating mass rotates clockwise, this force is oriented towards the top of the drawing. In this case, it generates a torque which tends to cause rocker 68 to pivot counterclockwise. As the middle portion 80 of the bistable elastic bar 78 is fixed on the rocker 68, the torque generated by the tangential force is also exerted on the bistable elastic bar. If the latter is in the configuration illustrated in the figure 4A , the additional stress due to this torque has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated in the figure 4B . Once the passage of the bistable elastic bar 78 from one stable configuration to the other is initiated, the switching is almost instantaneous and it is then the bistable elastic bar which drives the player.

Lorsque la masse oscillante 72 tourne dans le sens antihoraire, la force tangentielle exercée par le pignon 74 est orientée vers le bas du dessin. Dans ce cas, elle engendre un couple qui tend à faire pivoter la bascule 68 dans le sens horaire. Si la barre élastique bistable se trouve dans la configuration illustrée dans la figure 4B, la contrainte supplémentaire due à ce couple a pour effet de la faire passer dans la configuration illustrée dans la figure 4A. Un avantage lié à l'utilisation d'une barre élastique bistable travaillant en flambage autour d'un point d'inflexion médian est que son seuil de déclenchement est moins élevé. Autrement dit, la force nécessaire pour faire commuter la barre élastique bistable est inférieure à la force qui serait nécessaire si les deux configurations stables correspondaient à des déformations de premier ordre.When the oscillating mass 72 rotates counterclockwise, the tangential force exerted by the pinion 74 is directed towards the bottom of the drawing. In this case, it generates a torque which tends to cause rocker 68 to pivot clockwise. If the bistable elastic bar is in the configuration shown in the figure 4B , the additional stress due to this torque has the effect of causing it to pass into the configuration illustrated in the figure 4A . An advantage linked to the use of a bistable elastic bar working in buckling around a median inflection point is that its triggering threshold is lower. In other words, the force required to switch the bistable elastic bar is less than the force that would be required if the two stable configurations corresponded to first-order deformations.

On comprendra en outre que diverses modifications et/ou améliorations évidentes pour un homme du métier peuvent être apportées au mode de réalisation qui fait l'objet de la présente description sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention définie par les revendications annexées.It will also be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the embodiment which is the subject of the present description without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

Dispositif d'accouplement d'une chaîne cinématique avec un mobile denté (23, 25 ; 47, 49 ; 76) dans un mécanisme horloger, comportant un renvoi (21 ; 39 ; 64, 66) et un support mobile (19 ; 41 ; 68) sur lequel le renvoi est monté rotatif, le renvoi faisant partie de la chaîne cinématique et étant relié en permanence à un autre élément (17 ; 43 ; 74) qui fait également partie de cette dernière, et le support (19 ; 41 ; 68) étant agencé mobile entre une première position dans laquelle le renvoi (21 ; 39 ; 64, 66) engrène avec le mobile denté (23, 25 ; 47, 49 ; 76) et une deuxième position dans laquelle le renvoi est débrayé du mobile denté ; caractérisé
en ce qu'il comporte une barre élastique bistable (33', 33" ; 51 ; 78) tenue par ses deux extrémités entre deux points d'ancrage (35 ; 57a, 57b) et travaillant en flambage dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation (31) du renvoi (21 ; 39 ; 64, 66), et en ce qu'un tronçon de de la barre élastique bistable (33', 33" ; 51 ; 78) est solidaire du support mobile (19 ; 41 ; 68), de sorte que la position de ce dernier est asservie à celle du tronçon de la barre élastique bistable.Device for coupling a kinematic chain with a toothed mobile (23, 25; 47, 49; 76) in a watch mechanism, comprising a transmission (21; 39; 64, 66) and a mobile support (19; 41; 68) on which the transmission is rotatably mounted, the transmission forming part of the kinematic chain and being permanently connected to another element (17; 43; 74) which is also part of the latter, and the support (19; 41; 68) being arranged to move between a first position in which the transmission (21; 39; 64, 66) meshes with the toothed mobile (23, 25; 47, 49; 76) and a second position in which the transmission is disengaged from the mobile toothed; characterized
in that it comprises a bistable elastic bar (33', 33";51; 78) held by its two ends between two anchoring points (35; 57a, 57b) and working in buckling in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (31) of the transmission (21; 39; 64, 66), and in that a section of the bistable elastic bar (33', 33";51; 78) is integral with the movable support (19; 41; 68), so that the position of the latter is slaved to that of the section of the bistable elastic bar. Dispositif d'accouplement selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la barre élastique bistable (51 ; 78) travail en flambage autour d'un point d'inflexion médian, la position de ce dernier étant maintenue fixe et une portion médiane (53 ; 80) de la barre élastique bistable étant libre de pivoter concentriquement à un axe (45 ; 70) orienté parallèlement à l'axe de rotation du renvoi (39 ; 64, 66) et passant par le point d'inflexion médian.Coupling device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bistable elastic bar (51; 78) works in buckling around a median point of inflection, the position of the latter being kept fixed and a median portion (53; 80) of the bistable elastic bar being free to pivot concentrically to an axis (45; 70) oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the transmission (39; 64, 66) and passing through the median point of inflection. Dispositif d'accouplement selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des appuis latéraux ou un organe de pivotement (45, 41 ; 70, 68) pour maintenir en position le point d'inflexion médian.Coupling device according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises lateral supports or a pivoting member (45, 41; 70, 68) to maintain the midpoint of inflection in position. Dispositif d'accouplement selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que le tronçon de de la barre élastique bistable (51 ; 78) qui est fixé au support mobile (41 ; 68) correspond à la portion médiane (53 ; 80), de sorte que le support pivote autour d'un axe (45, 70) passant par le point d'inflexion médian lorsque la barre élastique bistable travaille en flambage.Coupling device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the section of the bistable elastic bar (51; 78) which is fixed to the movable support (41; 68) corresponds to the middle portion (53; 80), so that the support pivots around an axis (45, 70) passing through the midpoint of inflection when the bistable elastic bar works in buckling. Dispositif d'accouplement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le support mobile (68) sur lequel est monté le renvoi (64, 66) passe de sa première à sa deuxième position, ou inversement, sous l'effet d'une force d'entraînement qui est exercée par l'autre élément (74) tangentiellement sur la denture du renvoi, dans un sens ou dans l'autre.Coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile support (68) on which the transmission (64, 66) is mounted passes from its first to its second position, or vice versa, under the effect of a driving force which is exerted by the other element (74) tangentially on the toothing of the transmission, in one direction or the other. Dispositif d'accouplement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un levier de commande (29 ; 59) agencé pour coopérer avec la barre élastique bistable (33', 33" ; 51) de manière à permettre de faire passer le support mobile (19 ; 41) sur lequel est monté le renvoi (21 ; 39) de sa première à sa deuxième position, ou inversement.Coupling device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a control lever (29; 59) arranged to cooperate with the bistable elastic bar (33', 33"; 51) in such a way to allow moving the movable support (19; 41) on which the transmission (21; 39) is mounted from its first to its second position, or vice versa. Dispositif d'accouplement selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un organe de commande (27) actionnable depuis l'extérieur d'une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant le mécanisme horloger, l'organe de commande étant relié cinématiquement au levier de commande (29 ; 59) de manière à permettre à un utilisateur de faire passer le support mobile (19, 41) sur lequel est monté le renvoi (21 ; 39) de sa première à sa deuxième position, ou inversement.Coupling device according to Claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control member (27) operable from outside a timepiece comprising the timepiece mechanism, the control member being kinematically connected to the lever control (29; 59) so as to allow a user to pass the movable support (19, 41) on which is mounted the transmission (21; 39) from its first to its second position, or vice versa. Dispositif d'accouplement selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le mobile denté est un premier mobile denté (23, 47), et en ce que le renvoi (21 ; 39) engrène avec un deuxième mobile denté (25 ; 49) lorsque le support mobile (19, 41) se trouve dans la deuxième position.Coupling device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toothed wheel set is a first toothed wheel set (23, 47), and in that the transmission (21; 39) meshes with a second toothed wheel set (25 49) when the movable support (19, 41) is in the second position. Dispositif d'accouplement selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce le renvoi (21, 39) est débrayé du deuxième mobile denté (25 ; 49) lorsque le support mobile (19 ; 41) se trouve dans la première position.Coupling device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the transmission (21, 39) is disengaged from the second toothed mobile (25; 49) when the mobile support (19; 41) is in the first position. Dispositif d'accouplement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que le renvoi est un premier renvoi (64), et en ce qu'il comporte un second renvoi (66) monté rotatif sur le support mobile (68) de manière à engrener avec le premier renvoi (64), le second renvoi (66) étant agencé pour engrener avec le mobile denté (76) lorsque le support mobile (68) se trouve dans la deuxième position et pour être débrayé du mobile denté (76) lorsque le support mobile (68) se trouve dans la première position.Coupling device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transmission is a first transmission (64), and in that it comprises a second transmission (66) rotatably mounted on the mobile support (68 ) so as to mesh with the first transmission (64), the second transmission (66) being arranged to mesh with the toothed mobile (76) when the mobile support (68) is in the second position and to be disengaged from the toothed mobile (76) when the movable support (68) is in the first position.
EP21216840.5A 2021-12-22 2021-12-22 Coupling device with sliding gear for timepiece mechanism Pending EP4202562A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21216840.5A EP4202562A1 (en) 2021-12-22 2021-12-22 Coupling device with sliding gear for timepiece mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21216840.5A EP4202562A1 (en) 2021-12-22 2021-12-22 Coupling device with sliding gear for timepiece mechanism

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EP4202562A1 true EP4202562A1 (en) 2023-06-28

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1029808A (en) * 1950-08-22 1953-06-08 Bulova Watch Co Inc Self-winding watch by oscillating weight
EP3486733A1 (en) 2017-11-20 2019-05-22 Patek Philippe SA Genève Control device for a timepiece comprising a media player
CH716526A2 (en) * 2019-08-26 2021-02-26 Blancpain Sa Clockwork to disengage a gear train.

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1029808A (en) * 1950-08-22 1953-06-08 Bulova Watch Co Inc Self-winding watch by oscillating weight
EP3486733A1 (en) 2017-11-20 2019-05-22 Patek Philippe SA Genève Control device for a timepiece comprising a media player
CH716526A2 (en) * 2019-08-26 2021-02-26 Blancpain Sa Clockwork to disengage a gear train.

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