RU2364908C2 - Clock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, hours.

SUBSTANCE: invention concerns field of hour technics. This technical effect is provided because a clock mechanism, according to the invention, contains at least two regulating devices with their mechanism of descent and an agent intended for the serial termination and renewal of operation of regulating devices, and the energy source of the clock carries out during one time gearing of only one regulating device.

EFFECT: possibility to use one or other mechanism of descent which is present in the same hours for definition of time during two continuances for twelve hours.

16 cl, 6 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is a clock mechanism, designed in such a way as to be able to use, on demand or automatically, one or the other trigger mechanism present in the same watch. The goal is to be able to determine the time using one or the other descent mechanism in an entertaining or practical way, such as, for example, over two periods of twelve hours. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanism will be equipped with two control elements with their descent mechanisms, in particular two tourbillon frames, acting alternately for two periods of twelve hours, that is, day and night.

Prior art

Currently, several systems are used to indicate day and night (AM / PM). The simplest is that the hour hand indicates the hour on a dial of twenty-four hours, distributed around a circle of 360 ° on the dial. One well-known option is a window made on the dial that indicates whether day or night is currently taking place, for example by means of the designation AM and PM. It is also possible to use animation in a frame that alternately represents the sun and moon over a period of twelve hours each. And finally, it is possible to digitally display clocks running from one to twenty-four hours.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a new mechanism that, due to its design, can measure time using one or more descent mechanisms, at least two of which are used alternately.

The invention generally relates to a mechanical clockwork. However, it may be equipped with an automatic movement or a small watch. And finally, they can be equipped with an electric or electronic clock, which is regulated by at least two regulatory systems equipped with a mechanical trigger mechanism.

The clock mechanism according to the invention is characterized in that it contains at least two regulating elements with their descent mechanism and means for alternately terminating and resuming operation of the regulating elements, wherein the energy source drives only one regulating element at a time.

The mechanism may obviously contain several regulatory elements. The energy source is preferably connected to the control elements via a differential.

The mechanism alternately actuates the regulating elements of the same type and the regulating elements of various types.

In a preferred embodiment, the control elements are tourbillons.

Obviously, the regulating elements can drive the descent mechanisms of the Swiss type, English type or other types of descent mechanism.

The mechanism will contain means to ensure the transition from one descent mechanism to another using manual control.

The transition from one descent mechanism to another can also be carried out by means of control that exists in the watch and adapted to implement the specified changes over specified periods of time. In this case, the transition from one descent mechanism to another will be controlled, for example, using a gear connected to the clock wheel of the clock mechanism.

A tool adapted to transition from one descent mechanism to another can act for periods of twelve hours, representing day and night.

Regulatory elements may support a circular sign denoting the sun or representing the moon. Signs representing the sun and moon can be adorned with precious stones, and the sign of the moon can also support diamonds. On the other hand, the regulating element depicting the moon can be placed above the bowl, covered with fluorescent or phosphorescent material, adapted to accumulate light during the day and emit it at night.

Regulating elements and their descent mechanism can be seen through a window made in the dial. On the other hand, the regulating elements and their descent mechanism can be seen alternately behind the cut out part of the disk turning in hours, and arranged in such a way as to be driven by the bill wheel of the product mechanism in order to complete the rotation according to a predetermined period of time, for example, every twenty four o'clock.

The means for alternately stopping and actuating the regulating elements and their descent mechanisms may comprise a wheel with levers or spikes placed against an additional bill wheel of the descent mechanism or the teeth of the tourbillon frame of each of the regulating elements of the mechanism, the wheels with spikes being driven by a gear wheel forming integral with the sprocket, which itself is controlled by a pin, driven by the clock wheel of the mechanism, and the sprocket is installed, after moving under the action of the pin, the adjusting action of the latch so as to bring the spike into contact with the teeth of the carrier or second wheel of the trigger mechanism and fix the specified frame or wheel, while the spike of other control elements is separated from the teeth of the frame or second wheel of the trigger mechanism after giving impulse to the specified frame or the second wheel of the trigger mechanism to engage a control element or tourbillon.

The energy source, which alternately drives the control elements or tourbillons, contains a drum connected to a differential in kinematic connection with all the descent mechanisms or tourbillons, the differential containing a roller freely mounted on the first axis and coaxial with the first gear, which rotates a drum, the first gear meshing with a second gear rotating freely on a second axis mounted on a roller parallel to the first axis, the second the gear is integral and coaxial with the third gear meshed with the fourth gear, which is firmly attached to the gear wheel, also mounted loosely on the first axis in order to drive one of the frames, while the other frame is driven directly roller, and the rotation of one of the third and fourth gears is fixed relative to the first axis at a time when one of the frames is stopped, and is free when the latter is driven.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawing shows, as an example, an embodiment of a watch, which is the subject of the invention.

In the drawings:

- figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a clockwork having two tourbillons, which are driven alternately for periods of twelve hours each by means of a starting and stopping device for tourbillon frames;

- figure 2 shows a bottom view of the mechanism of figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a top view of the mechanism of figures 2 and 3, which shows, in particular, the alternating distribution of energy over the frames of the tourbillons;

- Figures 4 and 5 show sections taken along lines IV-IV and V-V of Figure 3, wherein section IV-IV passes through the axis of frame A, and section V-V passes through the axis of frame B, and

- figure 6 shows a view of a variant of the device for starting and stopping the tourbillons of figure 1, and this option allows you to drive tourbillons in turn by means of manual control.

Option (s) for implementing the invention

The mechanism depicted in FIG. 1 comprises a tourbillon A frame and a tourbillon B frame, depicted in the figure one above the other; the two frames of tourbillons A and B will be visible through a window on the watch dial, which is not shown, and it is assumed that frame A will represent twelve hours during the day, and frame B will represent twelve hours at night. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, frames A and B are provided with figures representing the rays of the Sun or, respectively, the Moon for the image of day and night. Two frames of tourbillons A and B with their descent mechanism can be seen all the time from the side of the dial and simply stopped alternately every twelve hours, thus indicating the periods of day and night. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the design of these tourbillon frames makes it possible to identify in one case the Sun and in another case the Moon in the growth phase.

In one embodiment, a sector disk of approximately 180 °, which is not shown, can be attached to the bill wheel, making one revolution in twenty four hours, turning coaxially with the cylindrical axis, and a standard dial wheel alternately covers two tourbillon frames every twelve hours. In this case, the top in figure 1 will symbolize the day, and the bottom - night. Apertures that are not shown and are similar to lenses in a photographic apparatus can be integrated into the watch face in order to open alternately every twelve hours in order to open the tourbillon frames for periods of twelve hours.

In conclusion, the tourbillon night frame can be placed in a bowl coated with fluorescent or phosphorescent material so as to be charged with light during the day when this frame stops and emit it at night by illuminating diamonds inserted into the frame.

The function of alternating starting and stopping the frames is controlled by the clock wheel 1 of the mechanism, which makes one revolution in twelve hours.

The clock wheel 1 of the clock mechanism (Fig. 1) drives the bill wheel 2, to which the pin 3 is firmly attached. This bill wheel 2 performs one revolution in twelve hours. A pin 3 drives the sprocket 7 every twelve hours. The sprocket 7 is mounted at an angle by means of the lock 8. The sprocket 7 is firmly attached to the gear wheel 6, and when the sprocket 7 is positioned under the influence of the lock 8, the gear wheel 6 drives the gear wheels 5a and 5b.

The wheel with levers 4a is firmly fixed to the gear wheel 5a, and the wheel with levers 4b is firmly fixed to the gear wheel 5b.

The levers of the wheels 4a and 4b collide with the teeth of the gear rims 9a and 9b of the frames of the tourbillons A and B, alternately every twelve hours.

During one abrupt transition of the sprocket 7, the movement is transmitted to the gear wheel 6, which is meshed with the wheel 5a. At this moment, one of the levers of the wheel 4a locks the frame A, while at the same time the wheel 5b, which is also engaged with the gear wheel 6, releases the frame B by the movement of the levers 4b.

In addition, when the frame is released by one of the levers of the wheels 4a or 4b, the wheels 4a or 4b perform a rapid circular movement, the accompanying action of the latch 8 gives alternately an impulse to the frames A and B in such a way as to start or facilitate the start-up of control systems.

When the clock mechanism is driven alternately by two or more control elements other than the tourbillons shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the levers or spikes of the wheels 4a and 4b collide and lock, for example, a second wheel of the trigger mechanism of the regulating elements placed between the drum 10 (figure 1) and the anchor gear of the regulatory element. Moreover, when the levers or spikes of the wheels 4a and 4b release the second wheel connected to the anchor gear, the action of the latch 8 during the positioning of the sprocket 7 gives an impulse to the levers or spikes 4a and 4b to release, which makes it possible to restart the regulating element or facilitates its repeated start up.

The energy distribution among the regulating elements is shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

The energy of the drum 10 is transmitted to the Central gear 11, and the Central wheel 12 is firmly fixed to the Central gear 11, and the energy is transmitted to the free gear 13 on its axis a (Fig.3). Gear 13 is engaged with gear 14 mounted on axis b. Gear 14 is firmly fixed to gear 21 (see also FIG. 4).

These two gears 14 and 21 rotate around the b axis eccentrically relative to the axis a of the wheel 15 and can freely rotate in the wheel roller 15 about the b axis, and the roller 15 is freely mounted on the axis a. The gear 21 is engaged with the gear 22, firmly attached to the wheel 16. This bill wheel, consisting of a wheel 16 and gear 22, rotates freely on the axis a.

In order to actuate the frame A at a time when the frame B is stopped, the wheel 16 transfers its energy and rotational motion to the gear wheel 24, and then to the gear of the frame 20a (Fig. 4).

In order to cause the operation of the frame B while the frame A is stopped, energy and rotational movement are transferred from the wheel 15 to the gear wheel 18 and then to the gear wheel 19 and, finally, to the gear of the frame 20b. In this case, two gear wheels are necessary, so that the frame of the tourbillon B rotates in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5).

In order to understand the principle of transition from one descent mechanism to another, it must be remembered that the mechanism has only one drum (energy source), but it contains two different descent mechanisms that act in turn.

The amplitude of the balancer in the standard mechanism depends, among other things, on the energy available in the clock kinematic chain distributed by the drum. Therefore, it should be clear that if it is required that the two balancers act simultaneously, the drum will not be able to distribute a sufficient amount of energy, and in the opposite case, if the drum distributes twice as much energy, one of the two balancers will receive too much energy at that time when the other is stopped. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the distribution of forces from one drum to one or the other of the two lowering mechanisms.

Thus, when the frame A is fixed by the levers of the wheel 4a, the frame B is rotated clockwise. Energy is transferred from the drum 10 to the gear 14 using the central bill wheel 11, the central wheel 12 and gear 13.

When the frame A is fixed, the convertible wheel 24, the wheel 16 and their gear 22 are also fixed (figure 4).

The energy transfer from the drum 10 passes through the gear 14, which is firmly fixed on the gear 21, rotating relative to the gear 22, which cannot be rotated, thus driving the roller 15. The roller 15 drives the gear wheels 18 and 19, and then the gears of the frame 20b (FIG. .5).

When frame B is locked by one of the levers of wheel 4b, frame A rotates clockwise. The transfer wheels 18, 19 and the roller 15 in this case are fixed.

Since the bill wheels 14 and 21 are firmly fixed on the roller 15, the axis b is in a fixed position relative to the first axis a, however, it can freely rotate around its axis (differential). The energy coming from the drum 10 is transferred to the bill wheel 13, and then to the bill wheels 14 and 21, driving the bill wheel formed by gear 22 and wheel 16. The drive then passes through the gear wheel 24 and then through the gear of the frame 20a .

Figure 6 shows a variant of the principle of transition from one descent mechanism to another at the request of the user.

Instead of allowing the mechanism to determine the transition time from one descent mechanism to another automatically, as described above in relation to the AM / PM indication in figures 1-5, one can imagine the use of a control pusher, so that, manually and on demand, you can determine what kind of descent mechanism receives energy from the drum.

For this purpose, it is enough to remove the transfer wheel 2 and its pin 3 (Fig. 1) and act directly with the pusher 30 (Fig. 6) consisting of two parts 31 and 32 on the sprocket 7.

Spring 33 performs two functions:

- firstly, it allows you to change the position of the pusher 30 relative to the pin 34;

- secondly, place part 32 so that it abuts against part 30.

Thus, with each pulse from the pusher 30, one frame stops and the other starts to act.

The mechanism that has just been described with reference to figures 1-5, for example, allows, for example, every twelve hours to automatically operate sometimes one tourbillon frame, sometimes another. It would also be possible to switch from one frame to another, for example, every hour, causing the functioning of one tourbillon frame in all even hours, and the other in all odd hours.

The mechanism allows the ability to transfer energy from the drum of one tourbillon frame to another without separation and without loss of energy. In other words, when the watch kinematic chain leaves one of the two frames, it is already engaged with the other frame.

The final owner of the watch will thus see how the frame of the tourbillon naturally loses its amplitude (the balancer will need more than a minute to stop himself), while within a few seconds the other frame receiving energy from the drum will perceive the amplitude almost instantly.

As mentioned above, the mechanism allows you to stop and start all other types of equipment and the standard balancer, both automatically, and according to the program or at the request of the user.

The mechanism also allows you to start within a given period of time one type of descent mechanism, for example a locking anchor mechanism, and then, for another period of time, a different type of descent mechanism (standard Swiss anchor descent or another), etc. This creates, therefore, the opportunity to obtain a mechanism passing from two to X positions, able to present a real "museum of descent mechanisms." It would be possible, among other things, to show the descent mechanisms in a historical perspective, for example by presenting the English descent mechanism with the Swiss and forcing them to act alternately for a given period of time.

The mechanism described above has the following advantage.

It can be quite simply said that the time determined by a watch containing several descent mechanisms is more accurate than the time determined by a watch containing only one descent mechanism, since at the end of a period of twenty-four hours, a certain time is the arithmetic average of the total time measured various descent mechanisms. An advantage is also that the wear of the components of the kit is at least 50% less than normal.

Claims (16)

1. Clockwork, characterized in that it contains at least two regulatory elements with their descent mechanism and means (1, 2, 3, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7), designed to alternately terminate and resume operation of the regulatory elements, moreover, the energy source (10) carries out at the same time the drive of only one regulatory element. 2. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy source (10) is connected to the regulatory elements through a differential (13-16, 21, 22). 3. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it alternately actuates the regulatory elements of the same type. 4. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it alternately actuates the regulatory elements of various types. 5. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulatory elements are "carousels" or tourbillons. 6. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulatory elements drive the descent mechanisms of the Swiss type, English type or other types of descent mechanism. 7. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains means for ensuring the transition from one descent mechanism to another using manual control (30). 8. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the element of its kinematic chain (2, 3) is adapted to provide a periodic transition from one descent mechanism to another during a given period. 9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said predetermined period is twelve hours representing day and night. 10. The mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that the regulatory element, acting for a period of time representing the night, is placed above the bowl, covered with phosphorescent or fluorescent material, adapted to accumulate light during the day and emit it at night. 11. The mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the regulatory elements supports a round sign denoting the sun, and the other a sign representing the moon. 12. The mechanism according to claim 11, characterized in that the precious stones adorn the signs placed on the regulatory elements. 13. The mechanism according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the means for alternately stopping and actuating the regulating elements and their descent mechanisms comprises a wheel with levers or spikes (4a, 4b) placed against the second bills of the descent mechanism or teeth ( 9a, 9b) on the frame (A, B) of the tourbillon of each of the regulating elements of the mechanism, the wheels with spikes (4a, 4b) being placed in such a way that they are driven by a gear wheel (6), forming one with the asterisk (7), which itself is controlled by a pin (3) driven clockwise (1) mechanism, and the positioning of the sprocket (7) is carried out after moving under the influence of the pin (3) by the installation action of the latch (8), so as to bring the second spike (4b) into contact with the teeth (9b) of the second frame B or second wheels of the second descent mechanism and fix the specified frame or wheel, while the first spike (4a) is positioned in such a way that it is separated from the teeth (9a) of the first frame (A) or the second wheel of the first descent mechanism after impulse to the specified first frame (A ) or specified second mu wheel of the descent mechanism to enable the corresponding regulatory element or tourbillon (figure 1 and 6). 14. The mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that the energy source, which alternately drives the regulatory elements or tourbillons, comprises a drum (10) connected to a differential in kinematic connection with all the descent mechanisms or tourbillons, and the differential contains a roller ( 15), freely mounted on the first axis (a) with the first gear (13), coaxial with the roller (15), which rotates the drum (10), and the first gear (13) is engaged with the second gear (14), component and coaxial with tr six gears (21), freely rotating on the second axis (b), carried by the roller (15) and which is parallel to the first axis (a) of the roller (15), and the third gear (21) meshed with the fourth gear ( 22), firmly attached to the gear (16), freely mounted on the first axis (a) in order to drive the first frame (A), while the second frame (B) is located so as to be driven directly by the roller (15), and the latter is fixed at the time when the first frame (A) is rotated, and rotates freely when Settings of the first frame (A). 15. A watch containing a mechanism according to claim 1, covered by a dial, characterized in that the regulating elements and their descent mechanism can be seen through a window made in the dial. 16. Watches containing a mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that they contain a cutout in a disk mounted in such a way as to rotate with respect to the specified mechanism and are arranged in such a way as to be driven by the bill wheel of the mechanism in order to complete a complete rotation according to a predetermined time period, for example, every twenty-four hours, so that the regulating elements can be seen alternately behind the cut out part of the disk.

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