WO2013104803A1

WO2013104803A1 - Clockwork movement mechanism for controlling a barrel

Info

Publication number: WO2013104803A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/050601
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Marc Wiederrecht; Maximilien Di Blasi
Original assignee: Agenhor Sa
Priority date: 2012-01-13
Filing date: 2013-01-14
Publication date: 2013-07-18
Also published as: CN104115076A; EP2615503A1; CN104115076B; EP2615503B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork movement mechanism for controlling a barrel (1), of the all or nothing type, said barrel (1) comprising a spring housed in a drum (2) to which it is rigidly connected by means of a first end, the second end thereof being rigidly connected to a barrel arbor (4), the mechanism comprising a winding train (18) arranged to rotate the barrel arbor (4) in order to wind the spring. The mechanism is characterised in that it also comprises a first mobile (24) connected to the winding train (18), a second mobile (2) controlled by the drum (2), a locking lever (10) arranged to pivot between first and second positions, associated respectively with the locking of the barrel arbor (4) and the locking of the drum (2), a mobile control member (30) arranged in order alternatively to position the locking lever (10) in one or other of its positions, the first and second mobiles being arranged to act alternately on the control member (30) in order to modify the state of the locking lever in an alternating manner when the winding train (18) is actuated and the barrel arbor (4) has travelled through a pre-defined angle and when the drum (2) has travelled through the same angle after having been released, in order to lock the latter and allow the later winding of the spring of the barrel.

Description

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING A BARREL FOR WATCHMAKING MOVEMENT

Technical area

The present invention relates to a control mechanism of a cylinder for watch movement, all-or-nothing type, the barrel comprising a spring housed in a drum which it is secured by a first end, its second end being secured to a barrel shaft, one and the other defining rotating input and output members of the barrel, the mechanism comprising a winding train, arranged to drive the rotating barrel shaft to reload the spring.

The present invention also relates to a watch movement provided with such a control mechanism and a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

State of the art

Control mechanisms of this type are known, in particular in timepiece-type timepieces in which a barrel supplies power to a sound indication mechanism of the hour. Some of these timepieces are designed in such a way that the buzzer can be triggered by simply pressing a push button. In this case, a control releases the barrel drum whose spring is already loaded to operate the striking mechanism. Once the audible indication is complete, the barrel drum is locked to maintain the state of charge of the barrel spring.

[0004] A watch movement of this type is described, for example, in patent application EP 1708050 A1. This movement includes a barrel housing a spring for powering a minute repeater mechanism. The barrel spring is recharged by the movements of the wearer of the watch by means of an automatic winding mechanism. When the buzzer is switched on, a counting wheel (202) is also driven, the latter cooperating with a rocker to ensure the locking of the barrel at the end of the ringing cycle. However, given the general structure of this watch movement, it is necessary to provide a safety mechanism preventing the user from activating the buzzer when the charging of the mainspring is unable to supply the operation of a complete ringing cycle, which adds additional complexity to an already complex movement at the base.

Disclosure of the invention

A main object of the present invention is to provide an alternative to barrel control mechanisms known from the prior art, by proposing such a mechanism having an integrated structure by which the release of the winding of the barrel is validated by a certain load level of its spring, more precisely when the spring load reaches a predefined value. In addition, this mechanism is adapted to ensure the locking winding of the barrel end cycle of the watch mechanism it allows to operate.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a control mechanism of the type mentioned above, characterized in that it also comprises

a first mobile driven in rotation by the winding train, a second mobile slaved to the rotational movements of the output member of the barrel,

a latching lever arranged to pivot between first and second positions, respectively associated with the locking of the input member of the barrel and the locking of its output member, a movable control member arranged for alternately

position the latch in its second position, and

release the latch latch to let it take its first position under the effect of the action of an elastic member,

the first and second mobiles being provided with first and second respective stops, arranged to act alternately on the control member and respectively

moving it to release the latch latch when the winding train is actuated and the input member of the barrel has traveled a predefined angle, move it to position the latch in its second position when the output member of the barrel has traveled the same angle, to lock the latter and allow a subsequent winding of the barrel spring.

Preferably, but in a non-limiting manner, the input member of the barrel is its shaft, while the output member of the barrel is its drum.

Thus, the mechanism has two operating states. A first state corresponds to the rest or reassembly of the mainspring, the drum being locked by the latch and the barrel shaft being possibly rotated by the winding train. The second state corresponds to unwinding of the barrel, which is engaged when the barrel spring is raised by a predetermined amount by construction. The positions of the latch latch are controlled by the control member, whose position is defined by the rotation of the barrel drum and its shaft, via the two mobiles.

Thanks to these features, the clock mechanism powered by the barrel can be engaged once the barrel spring is sufficiently loaded, while the locking of the barrel is ensured at the end of the cycle of operation of the clock mechanism , with a compact construction and simplified with reference to the known mechanisms.

Preferably, the latch is intended to be pivotally mounted on a frame member of the watch movement, the latter having first and second spouts arranged on either side of its pivot axis and intended for locking, respectively, the bari l tree in the first position of the latch latch and the drum in its second position.

[001 1] Advantageously, the first and second mobiles have first and second respective stop surfaces for cooperating, alternately, respectively with the first and second latches of the latch latch. E no other, the first and seco ndm ob i ns are preferably coaxial with each other and even more preferably barrel, the control member being arranged between them, which provides a compact construction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first mobile is integral in rotation with the barrel shaft and has the shape of a disc having a recess at its periphery to define the first stop surface. The second mobile advantageously constitutes the barrel drum at the periphery of which a tooth is formed to define the second stop surface.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the control member comprises a base, engaged free in rotation on the barrel shaft and from which extends an arm having a first portion, substantially radial, followed by a bend oriented substantially at right angles to the first portion and from which extends a second portion for cooperating with the latch.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a control mechanism meeting the above characteristics, the barrel being arranged to supply mechanical energy, on demand, to an indicator mechanism, in response to an actuation of the predefined amplitude winding train. The invention also relates to a timepiece provided with such a watch movement.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention

will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given as non-limiting examples and in which:

[0016] - Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of a control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 2 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of FIG. 1 in a first configuration;

[0018] - Figure 3 shows a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of Figure 1 in a second configuration; [0019] - Figure 4 shows a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of Figure 1 in a third configuration;

[0020] FIG. 5 represents a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of FIG. 1 in a fourth configuration, and

[0021] - Figure 6 shows a top view in partial transparency of the mechanism of Figure 1 in a fifth configuration.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective view of a portion of a control mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

This mechanism comprises a barrel 1 similar to a conventional barrel having a drum 2 housing a spring (not visible), a first end is integral with the drum and the second end is secured to a barrel shaft 4 whose outer portion has a square section.

The drum 2 has a peripheral toothing 6 arranged in engagement with a pinion 8, shown here by way of nonlimiting illustration and, for transmitting the energy released by the mainspring to a clock mechanism to ensure the operation of this latest.

More specifically, the control mechanism according to the present invention is intended to supply a watch mechanism for it to perform a complete cycle of operation. For example, the clock mechanism may take the form of a striking mechanism and its operating cycle may consist of the audible indication of the current time.

For this purpose, the mechanism comprises a latch 10 to be pivotally mounted on a frame member of the watch movement (not shown for clarity) by means here of a shaft 1 January.

The latch 10 includes first and second spouts 12 and 14 disposed on either side of the shaft 1 1. The first spout 12 is intended to ensure the locking of the winding train of the cylinder 1 of a way that will be explained later. The second spout 14 is intended to lock the barrel drum 2, by cooperation with a tooth (reference numeral 16 in Figures 2 to 6) formed at the periphery of the drum (the latter rotating in the direction of clockwise rotation in the illustration of Figure 1 during the unwinding of the barrel).

The winding of the barrel is achieved by means of a winding train, in conventional manner, of which only the last element, namely a ratchet 18, is illustrated in the figures. The movements of the winding train are controlled by an external control member such as a winding crown for example.

The ratchet 18 is provided with a central hole 20 of square shape, adapted to ensure the rotational connection of the ratchet with the barrel shaft 4. A bearing is provided at the periphery of the hole 20 to allow assembly from the ratchet to the shaft by means of a screw 22.

A first mobile 24 is interposed between the ratchet 18 and the drum 2, the latter having the shape of a disc, on the periphery of which is formed a recess 26 defining a stop surface of the disc by cooperation with the first beak 12 of the latch 10, as will be apparent from the detailed description made later in connection with Figures 2 to 6. The first mobile is also provided with a central hole 28 of square shape to make it integral in rotation of the barrel shaft 4.

In addition, a control member 30 of the latch 10 is interposed between the first mobile 24 and the drum 2.

The control member 30 comprises a base, engaged free in rotation on a circular portion 32 of the barrel shaft 4 and, from which extends an arm 34 having a first portion 35, substantially radial, followed by a bend 36 oriented substantially at right angles with reference to the first portion and from which extends a second portion 37, intended to cooperate with the latch latch.

More specifically, the second portion 37 is arranged to cooperate with a third spout 38 of the latch rocker 10 to pass the latter from a first position, in which it locks the barrel shaft 4 by 1 intermediate of the first mobile 24, a second position in which it locks the drum 2 by acting on its tooth 16.

Note that an elastic member 40 is provided to exert an action on the latch latch tending to position it in its first position, that is to say the one in which it locks the barrel shaft.

The control member 30 is intended to be rotated around the barrel shaft 4 to alternatively allow the latch 10 to move into its first position and lock the barrel shaft 4 or, operate the latch to move it to its second position and lock the drum 2.

For this purpose, the first mobile 24 comprises a first stop (numerical reference 42 in Figures 2 to 6) for rotating the control member 30 when the barrel shaft 4 is driven from the train of reassembly.

Similarly, the drum 2 also carries a second stop 44 for rotating the control member 30 when the drum rotates on itself.

A conventional pawl spring 46 has also been illustrated in Figure 1, it cooperating with the teeth of the ratchet 18 in known manner.

Figures 2 to 6 show, in a same top view in partial transparency, the control mechanism which has just been described in connection with Figure 1 in different configurations illustrating the kinematics of its operation.

[0040] Figure 2 illustrates the default state of the control mechanism according to the invention, that is to say when the clock mechanism that is intended to supply mechanical energy is not actuated.

It appears from Figure 2 that in this state, the third spout 38 of the latch 10 rests on the second portion 37 of the control member 30, the latch latch being therefore maintained in its second position , against the force that it undergoes the spring

40.

The second spout 14 of the latch 10 cooperates with the tooth 16 of the drum 2 to keep the latter motionless. At the same time, the first spout 12 of the latch 10 is arranged outside the recess 26 of the first mobile, thus leaving the latter free to turn, if necessary. In the absence of action by a user, however, the first mobile also remains stationary under the effect of the action of the spring-pawl 46 acting on the ratchet 18.

When a user wishes to operate the clock mechanism, which may be for example a striking mechanism as previously indicated, it actuates the winding train of the barrel 1, causing a rotation of the ratchet 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow F in Figure 2.

During this operation, the first mobile 24 is driven simultaneously in rotation in the same direction. The first stop 42 that it carries is initially located in front of the first arm 35 of the control member with reference to its direction of rotation. At the same time, the control member remains stationary under the effect of the pressure it undergoes from the latch lever on its second arm 37.

Note that the second stop 44 of the drum is then located at the rear of the first arm 35 of the control member 30.

Figure 3 illustrates the state of the control mechanism according to the invention when the ratchet 18 has performed almost a complete turn.

The first stop 42 is then passed to the rear of the control member 30 and abuts on its first arm 35.

The drum 2 is still ma nten u im mobi le by the bascu the locking 10.

When the movement of the winding train continues, as shown in Figure 4, the first stop 42 exerts a pressure on the control member 30 and carries with it.

In doing so, it causes the release of the latch 10 whose first spout 12 falls into the recess 26 of the first mobile 24, under the effect of the action of its spring 40.

The ratchet 18 is then immobilized, as is the winding train. At the same time, in its rotational movement from its second position to its first position, the latch 10 releases the drum 2 which becomes free to rotate to release the mechanical energy stored in the barrel spring and the transmit to the clock mechanism via pinion 8.

By rotating, the drum 2 drives the control member 30 in rotation, via its second stop 44 as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 illustrates the state of the control mechanism according to the invention when the drum 2 has almost completed a complete turn on itself. The second arm 35 of the control member 30 engages under the third spout 38 of the latch 10 to lift the latter.

When the drum completes a complete revolution, the control member 30 is again positioned in its configuration as illustrated in Figure 2, that is to say that its second arm 35 has raised the third beak 38 of the latch 10 to extract the latter from the recess 26 of the first mobile and release it.

The clock mechanism powered by the barrel has thus performed a complete cycle of operation and the drum 2 can again be locked by the latch, by cooperation between the second spout 14 and the tooth 16 of the drum.

It is well understood that the control mechanism according to the present invention is arranged in such a way that the watch mechanism that it supplies is actuated only when the mainspring is recharged with a predefined amplitude, corresponding to an angle of predefined rotation of the barrel shaft during loading. As long as this amplitude is not reached, the drum remains locked. When the drum is released, it travels at an angle identical to that traveled by the shaft during charging, corresponding to a complete cycle of operation of the watch mechanism, before being locked again. Thus, the barrel spring transmits to the mechanism substantially the same amount of energy that it received during the load. Thanks to these operating characteristics, the barrel spring can be calibrated relatively accurately according to the needs of the powered clock mechanism, since it is called to operate only in a known operating range in advance , by construction. Thus, the size of the barrel 1 can be optimized as needed.

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, as for example the fact that the first mobile is mounted directly on the barrel. Indeed, it can be provided that the first mobile is not arranged being coaxial with the barrel, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the control mechanism may advantageously comprise a second mobile replacing the functions of the barrel drum as regards its locking, that is to say that the second mobile is slaved to the rotational movements of the drum and carries a stop surface arranged to cooperate with the second beak of the latch le lock il lage. In addition, the second mobile, which would preferably be arranged coaxial with the first mobile, carry the second stop intended to cooperate with the control member which would be arranged between the first and second mobile.

Similarly, it is also possible, alternatively or in addition, that the angle traveled by the barrel shaft during reassembly before actuation of the clock mechanism, as well as the angle traveled by the drum during the winding the barrel, different from 360 degrees, or a complete turn. Indeed, the control mechanism may be arranged to release the mechanical energy of the mainspring when the barrel shaft has made a half-turn for example, the drum then also performing a half-turn to release the energy of the cylinder. spring, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this case, the control member may advantageously comprise two arms, the first mobile, two recesses, and the drum, two teeth stop. In general, the locking of the drum could be achieved by the cooperation of the latch latch with a second mobile distinct from the drum but integral with the latter, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the barrel shaft could be the barrel outlet and drum entry without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, the resilient member acting on the latch may tend to position it in the position in which it latches the drum. In this case, the control member would be arranged to push it back to its first position when the winding train has been actuated with a sufficient winding amplitude of the mainspring, while the positions of the stops of the first and second mobiles would also be adapted accordingly.

The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt the content of the present disclosure to his own needs and implement a control mechanism of a barrel having first and second mobiles associated with a control member arranged to act on a latch latch which allows to lock alternately the winding train and the barrel drum, in an all-or-nothing type of operation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Control mechanism of a barrel (1) for a watch movement, of the all-or-nothing type, the barrel (1) comprising a spring housed in a drum (2) to which it is secured by a first end, its second end being secured to a barrel shaft (4), both defining rotary input (4) and output (2) members of said barrel, the mechanism comprising a winding train (18), arranged to drive said input member (4) in rotation and recharging said spring, and being characterized in that it further comprises

a first mobile (24) driven in rotation by said winding train (18),

a second mobile (2) controlled by the rotational movements of said output member (2),

a locking rocker (10) arranged to pivot between first and second positions, associated respectively with the locking of said input member (4) and the locking of said output member (2),

a mobile control member (30) arranged to, alternatively,

position said locking rocker (10) in a first of its positions, and

release said locking rocker (10) to let it take its other position under the effect of the action of an elastic member (40),

said first and second mobiles being provided with respective first and second stops (42, 44), arranged to act alternately on said control member (30) and, respectively,

move it until ensuring the positioning of said locking rocker (10) in its first position when said winding train (18) is actuated and said input member (4) has traveled a predefined angle, move it until to ensure the positioning of said locking rocker (10) in its second position when said output member

(2) has traveled an angle substantially equal to said predefined angle, to lock the latter and allow subsequent reassembly of said barrel spring.

Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said control member (30) is capable of acting on said locking rocker (10) to position it in its second position, while said elastic member (40) is arranged to tend to position said locking rocker (10) in its first position.

3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said input member of said barrel is the barrel shaft (4) while said barrel output member is the drum (2).

4. Mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that said locking lever (10) is intended to be pivotally mounted on a frame element of the watch movement, the latter having first and second lips (12, 14) arranged in either side of its pivot axis (1 1) and intended to ensure the locking, respectively, of said barrel shaft (4) in the first position of said locking lever (10) and of said drum (2) in said second position of said locking rocker.

5. Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) have first and second stopping surfaces

(26, 16) respectively intended to cooperate, alternately, respectively with said first and second lips (12, 14) of said locking lever (10).

6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) are coaxial, said control member (30) being arranged between them.

7. Mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and second mobiles (24, 2) are coaxial with said barrel (1).

8. Mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that said first mobile (24) is integral in rotation with said barrel shaft (4) and has the shape of a disc comprising a recess (26) at its periphery to define said first stopping surface, while said second mobile constitutes said barrel drum (2) at the periphery of which a tooth (16) is provided to define said second stopping surface.

9. Mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said control member (30) comprises a base, engaged in free rotation on said barrel shaft (4) and, from which extends an arm (34) having a first portion (35), substantially radial, followed by an elbow (36) oriented substantially at right angles with reference to said first portion and from which extends a second portion (37) intended to cooperate with said locking rocker (10).

10. Watch movement comprising a mechanism for controlling a barrel (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said barrel (1) being arranged to supply mechanical energy, on demand, to an indicator mechanism (8 ), in response to an actuation of said winding train (18) of predefined amplitude.

1 1. Timepiece comprising a watch movement according to claim 10 as well as an external control member arranged to control the operation of said winding train (18).

12. Timepiece according to claim 1 1, characterized in that said control mechanism is arranged to control the operation of an indication mechanism such as a striking mechanism or an automaton for a predefined duration.