FR2568384A3 - CIRCUIT SUPPORT FOR AN ELECTROMECHANICAL PENDULUM GEAR - Google Patents

Abstract

A SUPPORT FOR CIRCUITS 1 OF AN ELECTROMECHANICAL PENDULUM GEAR MUST BE ABLE TO PRESENT AN ECONOMICAL CONSTITUTION WHILE HAVING A HIGH OPERATING SAFETY. TO DO THIS, AT LEAST ONE NETWORK OF CONDUCTIVE TRACKS 5, 6 IS INTRODUCED IN THE FIXING RECESSES 4 OF THE CIRCUIT SUPPORT 1, IN WHICH ARE ALSO FORMED STAMPING RECESSES 17 FOR THE MECHANICAL SEPARATION OF THE NETWORKS OF INDIVIDUAL CONDUCTIVE TRACKS 5 , 6 OR INDIVIDUAL CONDUCTIVE TRACKS 6. TO DETERMINE THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL CONNECTION OF THE COMPONENTS, ZIGZAG CONNECTION HOLES 20 ARE PROVIDED TO RECEIVE THE COMPONENT PLUG LEGS. THE PAIR OF CONTACTS 2-24 OF A SWITCH 3 HAVE GOLDEN AND CROSS-SECTIONAL SECTIONS OF WIRE WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER, FIXED BELOW THE ELBOWING OF AN ELASTIC ARM 26 CONSTITUTES A NETWORK OF TRACKS CONDUCTORS 5 AND THE OTHER NETWORK OF CONDUCTIVE TRACKS 6 LOCATED BELOW.

Description

Support of circuits of an electromechanical pendulum train.

  The invention relates to a support for circuits of an electromechanical pendulum movement comprising conductive tracks arranged on an insulating substrate, on which are formed tabs.

  elastics freely protruding elastically.

  Such a circuit support is known from DE-U 1 961 988 according to a form in which a contact tab is riveted on a projection in the form of a base, also constituted in the form of a gear plate, of a shoemaker plastic movement; one of its ends serves as a connection to the battery and its other end serves as contact with a conductive plate intended for the

  mounting of the pendulum movement drive circuit.

  It is known from US Pat. No. 3,986,334 to flow a usual switching circuit in plastic material as well as the conductive connection tracks for mounting a digital electronic pendulum with a view to preserving time and controlling the display, but by providing recesses to introduce and electromagnetically connect non-integrable components. It is also known from DE-B 25 22 981 to form or pour, at the same time as this casting, platinum support positions for mounting.

of a clockwork.

  The object of the invention, however, is to improve a circuit support of the type mentioned, intended in particular to be used in the workings of large pendulums, so as to significantly reduce the technical operations of manufacture and the need for space for incorporation. mechanical and electrical connection of the circuit components of an electromechanical pendulum; without having to undergo technical complications in terms of manufacturing, or operating risks as is the case when there is total integration of a cast chip connection and realization of the functions of the gear plate. In this case, we must be assured, considering the interest, knowledge and technical possibilities of traditional watchmaking circles, that the watchmaker can examine the operation of the cog and can eliminate possible disturbances in its operation by a simple exchange of mechanically mounted components, also in the region of the electrical excitation of the

electromechanical train.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved for a support of circuits of the type mentioned because said conductive tracks constitute parts of networks of conductive tracks which are applied by matching shapes on the support of circuits and under which are formed hollow stamping parts in the holder

circuits by.

  According to this solution, the path of integrating the connection of the chip to the functions of the board is no longer followed, but the difficulty hitherto encountered is overcome by the need for an expensive conductive plate with printed electrical circuit to be produced, then fitted with components and mounted separately. Instead, at least one network of conductive tracks stamped in one piece is fixed on a support of plastic circuits inexpensive to manufacture and the electrical circuit is produced by mechanical cutting of the connections. The definition of the conductive tracks in the plastic circuit support can be obtained by a deformation

  local thermal of positioning studs and / or hollow wheels.

  To exchange individual conductive tracks, it suffices to cut out these deformed regions and to set up replacement conductive tracks. The electrical components are soldered onto the conductive tracks, for example by being held on the circuit support, or simply plugged into the latter by retaining them by clips. Elbowed or projecting regions of parts of the conductive tracks of the network can serve as elastic contact springs to constitute, for example, a fixing to a battery or to a signal switch; the adaptation of the elasticity which can be obtained by dimensions of the cross section and by the geometric shape of the flexible elastic arms. It is particularly advantageous that at least two networks of conductive tracks are provided in different starting materials and to provide in this case that the material which is the most rigid in terms of elastic bending is reserved for that of the networks of tracks conductive having the simplest geometric structure but fitted with projecting elastic arms, and the network of conductive tracks whose conductive tracks have a more complicated geometric structure or which must be separated from each other in order to determine mutual electrical insulation , especially when they do not comprise substantially any free projecting region and must be introduced flat in recesses for retaining the conductive tracks, are made of a softer material and more

flexible in t8le.

  Other variants and other improvements, as well as other characteristics and advantages of the invention, will appear

  reading the description which follows and with reference to the attached drawing

  which is limited to the essentials, but substantially to scale, and which

  shows a preferred embodiment of the invention.

  In the drawing: Figure 1 is a top view of a circuit support on which are fixed arrays of conductive tracks on which are constituted a signal switch and contact springs for the battery, Figure 2 is a view in enlarged section of a preferred embodiment of the contact position of the signal switch of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale a view of the connection region of components in one of the conductive tracks, and FIGS. 4a and 4b show the formation of overlapping conductive tracks by stamping two networks from a single

  starting material in one piece.

  The circuit support 1 represented in FIG. 1 is constituted so that between the stages of the train of an alarm clock driven by a stepping motor controlled by quartz, the ringing drop wheel of the train (not shown on the drawing) cooperates, as described in more detail below, with the movable contact 2 of the signal switch

  3 for operating the height switch.

  The circuit support 1 is constituted by an injection molded plastic part in which are formed recesses 4 in the form of grooves intended for the reception and fixing by concordance of shapes of networks of conductive tracks 5, 6 which are fixed. preferably by cold or hot folding of individual edge regions of the recesses 4 on the circuit support 1. The shape of the networks of conductive tracks 5, 6 and therefore of the recesses 4 of the circuit support 1 is determined. on the one hand that the openings 7 provided for the passage of cogs and needles shafts remain clear and on the other hand so that the electrical components of the cog driving can be brought into direct contact (without intermediate arrangement d 'other connections by conductors). With regard to these components, these are in particular the stator coil 8 of the motor fixed to one of the gear plates (not shown in the drawing), the integrated circuit 9 intended for excitation as a function of the time of the stator coil 8 for excitation of the acoustic frequency of a signal generator (not shown in the drawing), as well as of the power source in the form of a stick battery 10 comprising a pole negative 11 applied to the network of conductive tracks 5 and a positive pole 12 applied to the other network of conductive tracks 6. In the crossing regions, the two networks of conductive tracks 5/6 are arranged in different planes by means of parts suitable bends 13 - and possibly support posts 28 on the circuit support 1 - to avoid electrical short circuits. At right angles to the main plane of the network of conductive tracks 6 of the projecting edge regions 14 terminate in the form of elastic tabs 15, 16 projecting freely and intended to come into contact with the cells II or 12 of the battery, by elastically enclosing this battery 10. In this case, provision can be made to press the elastic tab 15 dimensioned so as to have the lowest elastic force facing the pole 11, for example against a portion

  of the bootmaker (not shown in the drawing).

  When the electrical operation determining the cooperation of the components, such as the switching circuit 9 with the coil 8, requires that the conductive tracks 6 are electrically separated from each other and therefore also mechanically, it is however advantageous, as shown on the drawing by unitary hatching, of first stamping a network of continuous conductive tracks 6 in an electrically conductive material and depositing it as a unitary element on the circuit support 1. At the places where the conductive tracks are formed 6 'of the connecting strips so as to be able to manipulate the individual conductive tracks 6' first in the form of a continuous network of conductive tracks 6, the circuit support 1 has recesses 17. After the network of conductive tracks has been set up 6 still continuous, these branches can then be easily broken by placing a punch on these recesses 17; and it follows that the conductive tracks 6 'are electrically separated from each other on the circuit support 1 while retaining

their mechanical fixing.

  One can even plan to stamp in the starting material in the form of t8le a single network of unitary conductive tracks 5 + 6 and to position and fix it on the circuit support 1; and then only to separate from one another the two circuits of conductive tracks 5/6 associated with the two poles 11/12 by elimination of the connecting branches (and in case of need to delimit the individual conductive tracks 6 'electrically separated also by

  cutting branches planned at the beginning for the mechanical connection).

  As can be seen in detail in the simplified principle views of FIGS. 4a and 4b, it is even possible in this case to use overlaps of conductive tracks such as those which are necessary for the 3 / 2-24 contacts of the switch. The conductive regions which are first situated one against the other and which must subsequently constitute the contacts 2, 24 are separated from each other by elimination of their connecting branches by means of a recess stamping 17 formed in the support 1; then, in at least one network 5, a bent part 13 is produced on the route of a connection region 27 h elastic contact tabs to fold the (movable) contact 2 up above a plane of the counter-contact 24 and move it simultaneously above the counter-contact 24 in the direction of the length of this bend

connection 13.

  The components which must be connected for the electrical excitation to the networks of conductive tracks 5/6 can for example be welded by their connections 18 flat on the surfaces of the conductive tracks 5/6 'by applying to them, as we can see it on

  the drawing with regard to the example of the switching circuit 9.

  But this switching circuit 9 in particular can be connected (as known per se) to the networks of conductive tracks 5/6 and be fixed for this purpose mechanically on the support 1. On the other hand, the components (such as the coil 8 or a signal summator which is not shown in the drawing) intended for electrical and mechanical connection to the networks of conductive tracks 5, 6, and therefore to the circuit support 1, can be fitted with plug-in lugs 19 intended to be inserted into the connection holes 20 (FIG. 3), which are provided in connection regions of the networks of conductive tracks 5, 6, for example by means of recesses 34 made in the circuit support 1 or on the side of its border. The connection holes 20 have a projecting and zigzag periphery 21, the points of which 22 describe a free internal circle 23 the diameter of which is a little less than the diameter of the plug tabs 19. When these plug tabs are pressed, the tips 22 fold plastically substantially in the direction of insertion by applying in the manner of hooks against the envelope surface of the lugs 19; to prevent the plug tabs 19 from sliding out in the manner of a quick-fit fastening and then to mechanically fix the components fitted with these plug tabs 19 in the connection regions of the networks of conductive tracks 5 / 6 on the circuit support 1 by establishing electrical contacts. Preferably, the points 22 are wall parts of a recess 35 of conical shape formed in the networks of conductive tracks and opening by its base away from the support 1, which serve as insertion auxiliaries for setting

  place and compression of the legs 19 of the components.

  At the moment in the time provided for the signal, the part of the switching circuit 9 is supplied with the supply voltage coming from the battery 10 via the signal switch 3, this circuit being used for example for the excitation of the acoustic frequency of the signal generator in the form of an electro-acoustic transducer. The signal switch 3 comprises a counter-contact 24 fixed on the circuit support 1 and formed on a network of conductive tracks 6 below the movable contact 2, which can be raised relative to it. As regards the movable contact 2 (see FIG. 2), a projection 25 of an elastic arm 26 bent transversely to the main plane of the network of conductive tracks 5 is used. It is fixed in its connection region 27 to the rest of the network of conductive tracks 5 on a support pillar 28 so as not to bend (twist) the rest of the network of conductive tracks 5 and thus avoid the danger of tearing the edge of the recess 4 from the circuit support , that is to say to limit the elastically flexible region substantially to that situated above the bent part 13. This elastic arm 26 is subjected to a prestress in the direction of the fixed counter-contact 24; so that the signal switch 3, due to an ohmic closure by the contacts 2-24 to trigger the signal, is closed when a ringing wheel (not shown in the drawing) on which the arm rests elastic 26, is moved axially - namely the bottom in the plane of the drawing relative to this drawing - until the movable contact 2 comes to bear against the counter-contact 24. To be able to prevent this contact in position " open "of a striking pendulum regardless of the position of the gear train (therefore the possibility of an axial displacement of the striking wheel), provision may be made (to avoid an additional switching path in the switching path by the circuit 9 and the signal transmitter) to allow a movable stop bar mounted on the gear train or the gear case to pass under the elastic arm to raise the movable contact 2 from the counter contact 2 'or keep it raised regardless of the position axial drop wheel alarm. To obtain this passage from below by means of a stop pusher, it is advantageous, as shown in FIG. 1, to constitute a projecting finger 29 on the elastic arm 26, reaching as close as possible to the edge of the support circuits 1 and therefore up to the cooperation region of the stop button passing below

him in the shape of a ramp.

  In the interest of a high and specific contact pressure to ensure secure contact with the signal switch 3, the free front end of the movable contact 2 may have a triangular shape so that it does not come into contact with the against contact 24 only by a triangular point. Advantageously and as shown in the drawing, provision may be made to make the contact two sections of wire 30 in gold or gold pivoted relative to one another, which are arranged electrically conductive and for example welded to the counter-contact 24 and on mobile contact 2,

  for example below a front bent part 31.

  When provision is made, as shown for the embodiment shown in the drawing, for two networks of conductive tracks 5 and 6 stamped separately and to be installed separately, it is advantageous for the network of conductive tracks 6 whose geometric shape is the most complicated and from which must also be separated from the conductive tracks 6 'electrically separated from each other by sectioning of connecting branches provided at the start is made of a relatively soft material; and that the network of conductive tracks 5, the geometric shape of which is less complicated and on which the elastic arm 15 of greater length which is applied against the pole of the battery is formed, is stamped in an original material having better properties. elastic and mechanical and capable of being subjected to higher mechanical stresses. Instead or in addition, it is possible to adapt the elastic properties by the cross-sectional dimension of the elastic bending region, that is to say on the one hand by the thickness of material of the network of tracks. conductive 6 overall and secondly

  also by the respective width of the tracks in the elastic region.

  When, on the other hand, a maximum elastic force is provided for the functional actuation of the switch 3, that is to say for the lifting of the elastic contact arm 26 relative to the train of the pendulum, the elastic rigidity of the material of the network of corresponding conductive tracks 5 can then advantageously be oriented in this direction and the necessarily higher rigidity possibly for an elastic battery contact arm 16 produced in the other

  circuit 6 (by the choice of material and the thickness of the material).

  To complete the circuit support 1, it therefore suffices simply to introduce the networks of conductive tracks 5, 6 stamped and folded in their edge regions 14 or their corresponding contact projections 25, for example in the recesses 4 electrically separated from the support 1 and to separate them electrically from one another if necessary by the stamping recesses 17 by cutting the connecting strips. There is then in recesses 32 the circuit 9 and possibly an excitation transistor intended for the generator of electro-acoustic signals, and they are connected for example by connections by welding to the networks of tracks.

  conductive 5, 6 or their separate conductive tracks 6 '.

  The circuit support 1 partially or completely finished and equipped with its components is pushed in by its positioning holes 33 on retention pins of a gear plate (not shown in the drawing), and it can also in this case exert the functions

  an intermediate plate for mounting the needle wheels.

  Finally, it suffices to possibly introduce, after the work of assembling the gear train, the lugs 19 of the stator coil 8 and for example of an acoustic signal generator in the associated connection holes 20 of the networks of conductive tracks 5, 6. A fully equipped circuit support 1 is thus produced thanks to a minimum of mounting operations and from a minimum of individual parts, this support being characterized, due to the low number of contact positions electro-mechanical, by its high operating reliability.

Claims (13)

  1. Support for circuits (1) of an electromechanical pendulum movement comprising conductive tracks (6 ′) arranged on an insulating substrate, on which are made elastic legs (15, 16; 26) freely projecting in an elastic manner, characterized in that said conductive tracks (6 ') constitute parts of networks of conductive tracks which are applied by concordance of shapes on the circuit support (1) and under which are formed stamping recesses (17) in the support of circuits (1).   2. Circuit support according to claim 1, characterized in that the conductive tracks (5, 6) are inserted in recesses of   fixing (4) of the circuit support (1).   3. Circuit support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that projecting regions are formed on the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) on the edge of the circuit support (1) or on free recesses (34 ) formed therein, which are provided with connection holes (20) for receiving lugs (19) of components. 4. Circuit support according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection holes (20) have a zigzag periphery (21) whose points (22) describe a free internal circle whose   diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the plug tabs (19).   5. Circuit support according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the connection holes (20) are formed in the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) at the bottom of auxiliaries for the introduction of legs under the form of recesses of conical shape (35).   6. Circuit support according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) are equipped with angled edge regions (14) projecting beyond the edge of the circuit support (1) at right angles to the main plane of the circuit support (1), the free ends of which are bent to form the lugs   elastic connection (15, 16) to the battery.   7. Circuit support according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the elastic arms (26) are connected by means of bent parts (13) to fixed regions of the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) and are provided with bent projections (25) in order to constitute elastically movable contacts (2) on   counter-contacts (24) fixed to the circuit support (1).   8. Circuit support according to claim 7, characterized in that a network of conductive tracks (5) is crossed by concordance of shapes by a support post (28) projecting from the circuit support (1) in the region connecting (27) the fixed part with the bent part (13) of the elastic arm (26) located at a certain distance above.   9. Circuit support according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that below the front end of a bent projection (25) of an elastic arm (26) forming a movable contact (2) is arranged a section of wire (30) below which is fixed, on the region serving against contact (24) of a conductive tracks (6 ') and transversely thereto, another section of wire (30).   10. Circuit support according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that an elastic arm (26) connected by a bent part (13) to a network of conductive tracks (5) comprises outside a bent projection (25) carrying a movable contact (2) a finger projecting (29) intended for mechanical locking of the movable contact   (2) in one of its switching positions.   11. Circuit support according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) projecting one above the other are stamped in a material of unitary origin, the regions close to a separation position being arranged one on the other in the region of   connection by bent parts.   12. Circuit support according to any one of claims   previous, characterized in that the network of conductive tracks (5) of the simplest geometric configuration is stamped in a flexible and elastic material which can be subjected to greater stresses, while the network of conductive tracks (6) of geometric configuration more complicated is on the other hand stamped in a more flexible material, in particular when it is not intended to constitute elastic tabs or else when it is planned an operation of stamping of conductive tracks (6 ') separated one from the other others.   13. Circuit support according to any one of the claims   1 to 10, characterized in that depending on the amount of elastic rigidity at the desired bending, free projecting regions of the networks of conductive tracks (5, 6) are stamped in different starting materials taking into account of their elastic properties   (thin material and / or type of material).