WO2022144194A1 - Winding mechanism for a watch using a motorized winding mass - Google Patents
Winding mechanism for a watch using a motorized winding mass Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022144194A1 WO2022144194A1 PCT/EP2021/086531 EP2021086531W WO2022144194A1 WO 2022144194 A1 WO2022144194 A1 WO 2022144194A1 EP 2021086531 W EP2021086531 W EP 2021086531W WO 2022144194 A1 WO2022144194 A1 WO 2022144194A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- watch
- wheel
- motor
- winding mechanism
- oscillating weight
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 230000005294 ferromagnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000005291 magnetic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C1/00—Winding mechanical clocks electrically
- G04C1/04—Winding mechanical clocks electrically by electric motors with rotating or with reciprocating movement
- G04C1/06—Winding mechanical clocks electrically by electric motors with rotating or with reciprocating movement winding-up springs
- G04C1/067—Winding mechanical clocks electrically by electric motors with rotating or with reciprocating movement winding-up springs by stepping rotating movement
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the technical field of automatic winding devices. More precisely, the invention relates to a device making it possible to raise a barrel spring, for example of a timepiece, by means of the ambient light energy via a photovoltaic cell or mechanical motion.
- the watch movements require motive means for providing power to a set of mechanisms which serves to give at least a time indication.
- the automatic watches it is a spring motor by virtue of the movements of the wearer which are transmitted to a barrel spring via an oscillating mass connected to a gear reduction train bar.
- the invention relates to horological movements to automatic winding using an oscillating mass.
- the required energy is harvested from the mechanical motion resulting from the natural movements of the user as aforementioned. Once stationary, the mainspring will slowly drain all the mechanically stored energy into the watch movement and after typically 48 to 80 h the watch will stop.
- the present invention relates to a winding mechanism for a watch or an automatic watch; said winding mechanism comprising at least one first wheel including a plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth and at least one oscillating weight comprising at least one second wheel including a plurality of magnets configured to be attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth.
- said motor preferably said stepper motor, driven by solar energy, may wind the mainspring of a classical mechanical watch. Further, given sufficient ambient light, the mechanical watch will remain mechanically charged even when not in active use.
- a Solar- Automatic mechanism can operate on light power alone, or combine solar and mechanical energy harvesting methods to remain optimally charged for all conditions.
- One of the major advantage of the present invention is that said at least one first wheel in the center of the watch and said at least one second wheel turns around said at least one first wheel.
- said winding mechanism comprises at least one case; said at least one first wheel is configured to be fixed to said at least one case.
- said winding mechanism may wind the mainspring by letting rotate said at least one oscillating weight around said at least one first wheel.
- said at least one oscillating weight comprises at least one motor; said at least one motor comprises said at least one second wheel.
- said at least one motor is configured to be fixed to said at least one oscillating weight.
- said at least one motor is configured to move said at least one oscillating weight via a magnetic coupling when said plurality of magnets is attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic teeth.
- said at least one motor may wind the mainspring when a magnetic coupling occurs between said at least one second wheel and said at least one first wheel.
- FIG. 1 represents a winding mechanism 100 for a watch 200 or an automatic watch 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 3A and 3B illustrate a sectional view of said watch 200 or automatic watch 200.
- FIG. 4A-4E show how at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around at least one first wheel 110.
- the present invention relates to a winding mechanism 100 for a watch 200 or an automatic watch 200.
- Said watch 200 or said automatic watch 200 may comprises a spring motor which may be winded by the movements of the wearer.
- said winding mechanism 100 may comprise at least one case 101, at least one first wheel 110 configured to be fixed to said at least one case 101 and at least one oscillating weight 130 configured to wind a mainspring.
- said at least one first wheel 110 may include a plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 and said at least one oscillating weight 130 may comprise at least one second wheel 120 including a plurality of magnets 125, such as a magnetic coupling may couple said at least one first wheel 110 and at least one second wheel 120.
- Said plurality of magnets 125 may be surrounded by at least one ferromagnetic element 150 which is described in EP20190621.1.
- Said EP20190621.1 application is hereby incorporated by reference, in particular page 7, line 21 to page 12 line 7.
- Said at least one oscillating weight 130 may comprises at least one motor 140 and said at least one second wheel 120 may move about an axis of said at least one motor 140 and said at least one motor 140 is configured to be fixed to said at least one oscillating weight 130.
- said at least one motor 140 may be supplied via solar cell comprised by said at least one oscillating weight 130.
- said at least one motor 140 may move or rotate, said magnetic coupling between said plurality of magnets 125 and said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 may attract each other and said at least one motor 140 may wind the mainspring since said at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around said at least one first wheel 110.
- at least one magnet of said plurality of magnets 125 may attract at least one ferromagnetic gear teeth of said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 and by rotating said at least one motor 140 moves said at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around said at least one first wheel 110 and so may wind the mainspring as depicted in Figs. 4A-4E.
- said at least one first wheel is disposed in the center of the watch, said at least one second wheel turns around said at least one first wheel.
- said at least one first wheel 110 is in the center of said watch 200, said at least one first wheel 110 is only a single piece to switch and attach with a single screw which makes it easier to change and/or repair. Another advantage is the ease to make the alignment between said at least one first wheel 110 and said at least one second wheel 120 precise.
- said motor preferably said stepper motor, driven by solar energy, may wind the mainspring of a classical mechanical watch.
- the magnetic coupling acts as a torque limiter.
- the torque generated by the motor and the coupling to said plurality of magnets 125 is sufficient to turn said at least one oscillating weight 130 and wind the mainspring.
- the watch When worn, the watch will be at an inclination with a preferred position of the oscillating mass, whose center of mass is not at the center of the watch. The resulting torque is greater than the coupling between the two magnetic gears. Consequently, the oscillating mass is free to move, winding the mainspring, when the watch is worn and the user is in motion.
Abstract
The present invention concerns a winding mechanism (100) for a watch (200) or an automatic watch (200) comprising at least one first wheel (110) including a plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth (115) and at least one oscillating weight (130). Said at least one oscillating weight (130) comprises at least one second wheel (120) including a plurality of magnets (125) configured to be attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth (115). An electromotor (140) powered by solar cell may generate a torque thorough said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth (115) and said at least one second wheel (120) which will turn the oscillating mass (130) when the system is in the horizontal position.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic winding devices. More precisely, the invention relates to a device making it possible to raise a barrel spring, for example of a timepiece, by means of the ambient light energy via a photovoltaic cell or mechanical motion.
State of the art
The watch movements require motive means for providing power to a set of mechanisms which serves to give at least a time indication.
For the automatic watches, it is a spring motor by virtue of the movements of the wearer which are transmitted to a barrel spring via an oscillating mass connected to a gear reduction train bar. The invention relates to horological movements to automatic winding using an oscillating mass.
The required energy is harvested from the mechanical motion resulting from the natural movements of the user as aforementioned. Once stationary, the mainspring will slowly drain all the mechanically stored energy into the watch movement and after typically 48 to 80 h the watch will stop.
Summary of the invention
The present invention relates to a winding mechanism for a watch or an automatic watch; said winding mechanism comprising at least one first wheel including a plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth and at least one oscillating weight comprising at least one second wheel including a plurality of magnets configured to be attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth.
Thanks to this arrangement, said motor, preferably said stepper motor, driven by solar energy, may wind the mainspring of a classical mechanical watch. Further, given sufficient ambient light, the mechanical watch will remain mechanically charged even when not in active use. Such a Solar- Automatic mechanism can operate on light power alone, or combine solar and mechanical energy harvesting methods to remain optimally charged for all conditions. One of the major advantage of the present invention is that said at least one first wheel in the center of the watch and said at least one second wheel turns around said at least one first wheel.
According to an embodiment, said winding mechanism comprises at least one case; said at least one first wheel is configured to be fixed to said at least one case.
Thanks to this arrangement, said winding mechanism may wind the mainspring by letting rotate said at least one oscillating weight around said at least one first wheel.
According to an embodiment, said at least one oscillating weight comprises at least one motor; said at least one motor comprises said at least one second wheel.
According to an embodiment, said at least one motor is configured to be fixed to said at least one oscillating weight.
According to an embodiment, said at least one motor is configured to move said at least one oscillating weight via a magnetic coupling when said plurality of magnets is attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic teeth.
Thanks to one of those arrangements, said at least one motor may wind the mainspring when a magnetic coupling occurs between said at least one second wheel and said at least one first wheel.
Brief description of the drawings
The foregoing and other purposes, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments, given by way of illustration and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figures 1 and 2 represent a winding mechanism 100 for a watch 200 or an automatic watch 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention;
- figures 3A and 3B illustrate a sectional view of said watch 200 or automatic watch 200; and,
- figures 4A-4E show how at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around at least one first wheel 110.
Description of the invention
The present invention relates to a winding mechanism 100 for a watch 200 or an automatic watch 200. Said watch 200 or said automatic watch 200 may comprises a spring motor which may be winded by the movements of the wearer.
As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, said winding mechanism 100 may comprise at least one case 101, at least one first wheel 110 configured to be fixed to said at least one case 101 and at least one oscillating weight 130 configured to wind a mainspring. Further, said at least one first wheel 110 may include a plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 and said at least one oscillating weight 130 may comprise at least one second wheel 120 including a plurality of magnets 125, such as a magnetic coupling may couple said at least one first wheel 110 and at least one second wheel 120. Said plurality of magnets 125 may be surrounded by at least one ferromagnetic element 150 which is described in EP20190621.1. Said EP20190621.1 application is
hereby incorporated by reference, in particular page 7, line 21 to page 12 line 7.
Said at least one oscillating weight 130 may comprises at least one motor 140 and said at least one second wheel 120 may move about an axis of said at least one motor 140 and said at least one motor 140 is configured to be fixed to said at least one oscillating weight 130. As it may be construed and observed in the different figures, said at least one motor 140 may be supplied via solar cell comprised by said at least one oscillating weight 130.
Thus, when said at least one motor 140 may move or rotate, said magnetic coupling between said plurality of magnets 125 and said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 may attract each other and said at least one motor 140 may wind the mainspring since said at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around said at least one first wheel 110. Indeed, each time that said at least one motor 140 may rotate, at least one magnet of said plurality of magnets 125 may attract at least one ferromagnetic gear teeth of said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth 115 and by rotating said at least one motor 140 moves said at least one oscillating weight 130 may rotate around said at least one first wheel 110 and so may wind the mainspring as depicted in Figs. 4A-4E. Further, since said at least one first wheel is disposed in the center of the watch, said at least one second wheel turns around said at least one first wheel. Further, since said at least one first wheel 110 is in the center of said watch 200, said at least one first wheel 110 is only a single piece to switch and attach with a single screw which makes it easier to change and/or repair. Another advantage is the ease to make the alignment between said at least one first wheel 110 and said at least one second wheel 120 precise.
Thanks to the invention, said motor, preferably said stepper motor, driven by solar energy, may wind the mainspring of a classical mechanical watch.
The magnetic coupling acts as a torque limiter. When the watch is in the horizontal position, the torque generated by the motor and the coupling to
said plurality of magnets 125 is sufficient to turn said at least one oscillating weight 130 and wind the mainspring. When worn, the watch will be at an inclination with a preferred position of the oscillating mass, whose center of mass is not at the center of the watch. The resulting torque is greater than the coupling between the two magnetic gears. Consequently, the oscillating mass is free to move, winding the mainspring, when the watch is worn and the user is in motion.
Claims
1. Winding mechanism (100) for a watch (200) or an automatic watch (200); said winding mechanism (100) comprising at least one first wheel (110) configured to be fixed to said at least one case (101 ) in the center of said watch (200) or said automatic watch (200) and including a plurality of ferromagnetic teeth (115), and at least one oscillating weight (130) comprising at least one second wheel (120) including a plurality of magnets (125) configured to be attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic teeth (115).
2. Winding mechanism (100) according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one oscillating weight (130) comprises at least one motor (140); said at least one motor (140) comprises said at least one second wheel (120).
3. Winding mechanism (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one motor (140) is configured to be fixed to said at least one oscillating weight (130).
4. Winding mechanism (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one motor (140) is configured to move said at least one oscillating weight (130) via a magnetic coupling when said plurality of magnets (125) is attracted by said plurality of ferromagnetic gear teeth (115).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP20217688.9 | 2020-12-29 | ||
| EP20217688 | 2020-12-29 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2022144194A1 true WO2022144194A1 (en) | 2022-07-07 |
Family
ID=74003786
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/086531 WO2022144194A1 (en) | 2020-12-29 | 2021-12-17 | Winding mechanism for a watch using a motorized winding mass |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2022144194A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB857937A (en) * | 1958-06-16 | 1961-01-04 | Durowe Ag | A self-winding mechanism for watches |
| US20180088534A1 (en) * | 2016-09-27 | 2018-03-29 | The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd | Self-winding watch |
-
2021
- 2021-12-17 WO PCT/EP2021/086531 patent/WO2022144194A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB857937A (en) * | 1958-06-16 | 1961-01-04 | Durowe Ag | A self-winding mechanism for watches |
| US20180088534A1 (en) * | 2016-09-27 | 2018-03-29 | The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd | Self-winding watch |
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