EP4338015A1 - Echappement a energie constante pour piece d'horlogerie - Google Patents
Echappement a energie constante pour piece d'horlogerieInfo
- Publication number
- EP4338015A1 EP4338015A1 EP22728852.9A EP22728852A EP4338015A1 EP 4338015 A1 EP4338015 A1 EP 4338015A1 EP 22728852 A EP22728852 A EP 22728852A EP 4338015 A1 EP4338015 A1 EP 4338015A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- mobile
- balance
- oscillator
- escapement
- forming part
- 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
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- G04B15/00—Escapements
- G04B15/10—Escapements with constant impulses for the regulating mechanism
-
- 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
- G04B15/00—Escapements
- G04B15/06—Free escapements
- G04B15/08—Lever escapements
-
- 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
- G04B15/00—Escapements
- G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a constant-energy escapement device for a mechanical timepiece.
- This escapement device is capable of supplying the balance wheel with a practically constant quantity of energy in a variable barrel torque range.
- Patent FR 1 009 853 A describes a constant energy escapement made up of 2 superimposed lever escapements; the escape wheels rotate independently around the same axis of rotation and are linked together by a spiral spring ( Figure 3).
- Patent CH 704 764 A2 also describes a constant-energy escapement composed of several superimposed wheels rotating around the same axis of rotation ( Figure 1).
- the 2 aforementioned patents have the same drawbacks already listed above for the escapements described in the book by Charles Gros.
- the object of the present invention is to propose a new type of escapement which makes it possible to deliver practically constant energy to the balance wheel in a variable barrel torque range, with a limited number of components and in a reduced size.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical timepiece fitted with such an escapement.
- a first aspect of the invention relates to an escapement device for a mechanical timepiece comprising:
- an escape wheel comprising teeth, i.e. toothed
- the wheel set comprising elastic means arranged to store elastic energy, and cooperating with the escape wheel by winding means and with the part forming part of the oscillator by pulse means, characterized in that:
- the winding means are arranged to carry out a winding phase of the elastic means according to a first direction of rotation of the pendulum and the impulse means are arranged to carry out an impulse phase given by the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator during the rotation of the balance according to at least one second direction of rotation of the balance, and in that: - the impulse is given directly from the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator, in particular without passing through an intermediate element.
- the winding means are arranged to wind the elastic means of the mobile, that is to say to transmit energy from the escape wheel (in engagement with the reserve of energy of the timepiece, the barrel and its spring) to the mobile and its elastic means.
- the impulse means are provided to distribute or restore the energy (stored by the elastic means) from the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator (the balance plate). Consequently, the rocker does not participate directly in the maintenance of the oscillations of the oscillating system (the balance).
- the energy transmitted to the pendulum is that stored by the elastic means of the mobile, and this energy only depends on the winding of the elastic means of the mobile, it is therefore constant and does not depend on the winding of the barrel spring.
- a winding phase of the elastic means can correspond to a first direction of balance rotation and an impulse phase given by the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator can correspond to a second direction of rotation of the balance.
- the mobile is provided to move between a rest position and an armed position.
- the mobile is designed to be moved from the rest position to the armed position by the escape wheel.
- This movement of the moving part caused (preferably directly) by the escape wheel makes it possible to arm the elastic means, that is to say to cause them to store energy.
- the mobile is designed to be moved from the armed position to the rest position by the action of the elastic means.
- This displacement of the mobile caused by the elastic means makes it possible to move the mobile and simultaneously give an impulse (transmit energy) to the plate of pendulum. It may be noted that the quantity of energy received and stored by the elastic means during movement of the mobile between the rest position and the cocked position is always the same, regardless of the torque applied by the barrel to the escape wheel. .
- the mobile is held in the rest position and/or in the armed position by a mechanical stop. Provision may be made for the mechanical stop which holds the mobile in the armed position to be retractable. Provision may be made for the mechanical stop which holds the mobile in the cocked position to be a portion of the escape wheel, in particular a tooth of the escape wheel.
- a first blocking (or rest) position of the rocker after the spring winding phase is different from a blocking (or rest) position of the rocker after the given impulse phase by the moving part forming part of the oscillator.
- the mobile is blocked by a tooth of the escape wheel after the winding phase of the elastic means.
- the impulse means comprise:
- the impulse means are shared or distributed between the mobile and the part forming part of the oscillator: the rocker does not take part directly in this function.
- the arming means comprise:
- the blocking means comprise:
- the blocking means are shared or distributed between the rocker and the escapement wheel: the mobile does not take part in this function.
- the release means comprise:
- the release means are shared or distributed between the rocker and the part forming part of the oscillator (the balance plate): the mobile does not take part in this function.
- the part forming part of the oscillator comprises a double lift capable of receiving energy from the mobile in both directions of rotation of the balance.
- the elastic means of the mobile are formed by a spring of the spiral type.
- the elastic means of the mobile are formed by a leaf spring.
- the elastic means of the mobile are formed by leaf springs, so as to form a flexible guide system which does not have or does not have a physical axis of rotation.
- the mobile comprises a static part and a mobile part connected to the static part by flexible blades which allow movement of the mobile part, and in particular a rotational movement of the mobile part without any rotation shaft nor sliding or relative pivoting with friction: a virtual axis of rotation is thus generated.
- the elastic means of the mobile can be:
- one or more spring blades or levers working in flexion to allow a movement of a mobile free part facing a fixed part, and preferably to allow rotational movement of a mobile free part around a virtual axis of rotation facing a fixed part.
- the part forming part of the oscillator is a balance plate.
- the lever can cooperate with a first part forming part of the oscillator (typically a balance plate) or with a first part of a part forming part of the oscillator (typically a first part of the balance), and the mobile can cooperate with a second part forming part of the oscillator or with a second part of a part forming part of the oscillator (typically a second part of the balance plate).
- a first part forming part of the oscillator typically a balance plate
- a first part of a part forming part of the oscillator typically a first part of the balance
- the mobile can cooperate with a second part forming part of the oscillator or with a second part of a part forming part of the oscillator (typically a second part of the balance plate).
- the invention may relate to an escapement device for a mechanical timepiece comprising:
- the wheel set comprises elastic means arranged to store elastic energy, and cooperates with the escape wheel by means of winding and with the part forming part of the oscillator by impulse means, in which:
- the winding means are arranged to carry out a winding phase of the elastic means during the rotation of the balance according to a first direction of rotation of the balance and the impulse means are arranged to carry out an impulse phase given by the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator during rotation of the balance according to at least one second direction of rotation of the balance, and in which:
- the impulse is given directly from the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator.
- the invention may relate to an escapement device for a mechanical timepiece comprising:
- the wheel set comprises elastic means arranged to store elastic energy, and cooperates: with the escape wheel by means of winding arranged to transmit energy from the escape wheel to the mobile, to be stored by the elastic means, and with the part forming part of the oscillator by impulse means arranged to transmit the energy stored by the elastic means, from the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator, in which:
- the winding means are arranged to carry out a winding phase of the elastic means during the rotation of the balance according to a first direction of rotation of the balance and the impulse means are arranged to carry out an impulse phase given by the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator during rotation of the balance according to at least one second direction of rotation of the balance, and in which:
- the impulse is given directly from the mobile to the part forming part of the oscillator.
- Another aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece provided with an escapement device according to the first aspect.
- figure 2b represents the situation of the escapement device of figure 1 after release when the balance rotates in a first direction of rotation, in particular counterclockwise,
- figure 2c represents the second blocking position of the escapement device of figure 1 while the balance is rotating in the first direction of rotation
- figure 3a represents the second blocking position of the escapement device of figure 1 while the balance rotates in a second direction of rotation, in particular clockwise,
- - Figure 3b shows the situation of the escapement device of Figure 1 after release when the balance rotates in the second direction of rotation
- - figure 3c represents the position of the various wheel sets of the escapement device of figure 1 after the impulse given by the wheel set 3 to the balance plate
- figure 4b represents an alternative embodiment of the balance plate of the escapement of figure 1,
- figure 4c represents the winding phase of the spring 3.4 with the alternative execution of the balance plate of figure 4b
- FIG. 6 shows a third alternative embodiment of the escapement according to the invention.
- the exhaust device according to Figure 1 comprises:
- an escapement wheel 1 comprising teeth 1.2 forming part of the winding means, driven by the barrel through transmission or finishing wheels not shown; this escape wheel 1 rotates around an axis 1.1 counterclockwise.
- rocker 2 pivoting around an axis 2.1, comprising locking means and release means. The movement of this rocker is limited by limit stops B1 and B2,
- rocker 2 may have the general shape of an asymmetrical anchor fitted with a rod ending in a fork 2.4.
- the blocking means can correspond to the two arms 2.2 and 2.3 of the anchor or be part of the two arms of the anchor (one can also provide added pallets), while the release means can correspond to the fork 2.4 or in particular to horns of the range 2.4.
- the balance plate 4 is also shown in Figure 1.
- This balance plate 4 pivots about an axis 4.1 and comprises release means (here in the form of a finger or lever 4.2) and energy receiving means 4.3, these latter energy receiving means 4.3 forming part of the impulse means mentioned above.
- the release means can be a finger or a lever 4.2, a finger or a lever projecting from the periphery of the balance plate 4 and the energy receiving means 4.3 forming part of the impulse means may form another finger or another lever projecting from the periphery of the balance plate 4.
- this plate 4 also forms part of an oscillating device of the timepiece, in particular of a balance-spring assembly of the timepiece.
- Figures 2a to 2c represent the different stages of the phase of winding or supplying elastic potential energy to the spring 3.4 of the mobile 3 by the escape wheel.
- Figure 2a shows a first blocking position of the escapement device of Figure 1.
- one tooth of the escape wheel rests on the blocking means (the arm 2.3 of the rocker 2) and the movement of the rocker is limited by the stop B1.
- the impulse arm 3.2 of the mobile 3 is based on the stop B3 under the effect of the restoring torque of the spring 3.4.
- the balance 4, which rotates in a first direction of rotation, in this case the anti-clockwise direction in Figure 2a, is in the position just before disengagement.
- Figure 2b shows the situation after the release. Under the effect of the torque of escape wheel 1, mobile 3 rotates clockwise and supplies elastic potential energy to spring 3.4. Note that in this example of execution, the arm 3.2 does not come into contact with the balance plate 4 during the winding of the spring 3.4.
- Figure 2c shows a second blocking position of the escapement device of figure 1.
- the mobile 3 is moved by an angle a, and the energy supplied by the escape wheel to the spring 3.4 is
- Figures 3a to 3c represent the different stages of the energy transmission phase from the spring 3.4 to the balance.
- FIG. 3a represents (like FIG. 2c) the second blocking position of the escapement device of FIG. 1.
- the balance plate 4 rotates in a second direction of rotation, in this case clockwise, and is in the position just before release.
- Figure 3b shows the situation after release.
- the rocker 2 moves from the second locking position to the first locking position, thus releasing the escapement wheel 1 and the arm 3.3 of the mobile 3.
- the arm 3.2 of the mobile 3 under the effect of the torque of the spring 3.4 , gives the impulse to the energy receiving means 4.3 of the balance plate 4, it is noted that this impulse is of the direct type, that is to say that the arm 3.2 directly transmits the torque to the balance plate 4 without pass through an intermediate element.
- FIG. 3c represents the position of the various mobiles of the escapement device after the impulse phase given by the mobile 3 to the balance wheel plate 4.
- the balance wheel therefore always receives the same quantity of energy coming from the spring 3.4 at the transmission efficiency close, if the torque of the escape wheel is greater than or equal to the torque of the spring 3.4.
- the impulse energy is transmitted directly by the spring 3.4, and not by the rocker 2 (the anchor).
- the escapement device according to the invention makes it possible to supply the balance wheel with a practically constant quantity of energy in a range of variable torque of the barrel.
- the device according to the invention requires few components compared to the known devices of the prior art, moreover its size is very small, which allows it to be easily integrated into a timepiece of small volume.
- Figures 4b and 4c represent alternative embodiments of the escapement according to the invention.
- FIG. 4a represents the balance plate 4 of the escapement of FIG. 1, which is provided with release means (the finger or the lever 4.2) and energy reception means (the finger or the lever 4.3), which take as explained respectively the form of a finger or a lever protruding from the periphery of the balance plate 4.
- the means for receiving energy from the balance plate 4 comprises two fingers or levers 4.3.1. and 4.3.2, thus forming a “double trick”.
- the release receiving means remain unchanged and take the form of a finger or lever 14.2, a finger or a lever projecting from the periphery of the balance plate 4.
- Figure 2b shows that during the winding phase of the spring 3.4, the arm 3.2 does not come into contact with the balance plate 4. Given the low inertia of the mobile 3, the movement of the escape wheel 1 during the winding phase of the spring 3.4 can be faster than that of the rocker 2 which is engaged with the balance plate 4. This desynchronization can cause the instability of the escapement device when the latter is positioned in the second blocking position.
- the balance plate 4 shown in FIG. 4b can advantageously be used.
- the first finger or lever 4.3.1 comes into contact with the arm 3.2 of the mobile 3 during the winding phase of the spring 3.4, namely during the rotation of the balance in a first direction of rotation.
- the second finger or lever 4.3.2 serves for its part to receive energy from the spring after release when the pendulum rotates in a second direction of rotation.
- Figure 4c shows the escapement device according to the invention during the winding phase of the spring 3.4 with the new variant of the balance plate 4.
- Figure 5 shows a second alternative embodiment of the escapement according to the invention.
- spiral spring 3.4 is replaced by a leaf spring 3.5 engaged in a slot of the mobile 3.
- FIG. 6 represents a third alternative embodiment of the escapement according to the invention.
- the mobile 3 pivoted on the axis 3.1 of the preceding figures is replaced by a flexible guide system 3a which does not have a physical axis of rotation.
- the arms 3.2 and 3.3 of the mobile 3 are connected to a static part of the timepiece by leaf springs which allow the winding and impulse phases described above.
- the rocker can have any shape and is not limited to an anchor.
- the mobile can give impetus to any part of the balance or even to another part that is part of the oscillator, and not necessarily to a finger or a lever formed on the balance plate. It is possible, for example, to provide toothed sectors or portions.
- the impulse means can be provided to give the impulse from the mobile to a (preferably oscillating) part of the oscillator, such as the balance or the balance plate.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Springs (AREA)
- Micromachines (AREA)
- Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH000542/2021A CH718624B1 (fr) | 2021-05-12 | 2021-05-12 | Échappement à énergie constante pour pièce d'horlogerie. |
| PCT/EP2022/062883 WO2022238524A1 (fr) | 2021-05-12 | 2022-05-12 | Echappement a energie constante pour piece d'horlogerie |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4338015A1 true EP4338015A1 (fr) | 2024-03-20 |
Family
ID=81984845
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP22728852.9A Pending EP4338015A1 (fr) | 2021-05-12 | 2022-05-12 | Echappement a energie constante pour piece d'horlogerie |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20240377787A1 (fr) |
| EP (1) | EP4338015A1 (fr) |
| JP (1) | JP2024516910A (fr) |
| CN (1) | CN117280284A (fr) |
| CH (1) | CH718624B1 (fr) |
| WO (1) | WO2022238524A1 (fr) |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US197430A (en) * | 1877-11-20 | Improvement in watch-escapements | ||
| US194744A (en) * | 1877-08-28 | Improvement in watch-escapements | ||
| FR1009853A (fr) | 1948-07-02 | 1952-06-04 | Mécanisme d'échappement perfectionné | |
| CH704764A2 (fr) * | 2011-03-31 | 2012-10-15 | Cartier Creation Studio Sa | Mécanisme d'échappement notamment pour mouvement d'horlogerie. |
| CH706462B1 (fr) * | 2012-05-01 | 2017-04-28 | Patek Philippe Sa Geneve | Mouvement pour pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mécanisme d'échappement libre. |
| EP3153935B1 (fr) * | 2015-10-06 | 2019-02-20 | Montres Breguet S.A. | Mecanisme d'echappement a detente d'horlogerie a force constante |
| CN108700845B (zh) * | 2015-12-21 | 2020-08-04 | 迪特拉有限公司 | 钟表擒纵装置和该装置的操作方法 |
| EP3273308B1 (fr) * | 2016-07-18 | 2019-06-12 | Sowind S.A. | Mecanisme d'echappement |
| EP3818417B1 (fr) * | 2018-07-02 | 2025-09-03 | Greubel Forsey S.A. | Mecanisme d'echappement horloger |
-
2021
- 2021-05-12 CH CH000542/2021A patent/CH718624B1/fr unknown
-
2022
- 2022-05-12 WO PCT/EP2022/062883 patent/WO2022238524A1/fr not_active Ceased
- 2022-05-12 JP JP2023570155A patent/JP2024516910A/ja active Pending
- 2022-05-12 CN CN202280033300.2A patent/CN117280284A/zh active Pending
- 2022-05-12 EP EP22728852.9A patent/EP4338015A1/fr active Pending
- 2022-05-12 US US18/559,785 patent/US20240377787A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2024516910A (ja) | 2024-04-17 |
| US20240377787A1 (en) | 2024-11-14 |
| WO2022238524A1 (fr) | 2022-11-17 |
| CN117280284A (zh) | 2023-12-22 |
| CH718624A2 (fr) | 2022-11-15 |
| CH718624B1 (fr) | 2024-05-31 |
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