The present invention concerns a timepiece mechanism comprising a control stem mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion mounted so as to rotate with said control stem, and at least one actuating organ configured to engage with said control pinion when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions. The invention also concerns a module comprising such a mechanism.
This type of mechanism is for example a winding and setting mechanism that traditionally comprises a winding stem on which a castle wheel, rotating with the winding stem, can slide between a winding position and a setting position. In the winding position, the castle wheel engages with a first actuating organ formed by a winding pinion and in the setting position, the castle wheel engages with an appropriate intermediate wheel that constitutes a second actuating organ. The different parts are positioned on the winding stem, from the outside towards the center of the movement in the following order: winding pinion, castle wheel, intermediate wheel for setting. The transition from one position to the other is done using a pull-out piece engaging with the winding stem and a lever whereof the end is housed in a notch provided on the castle wheel. The pull-out piece and the lever have the drawback of complicating the construction and operation of the mechanism.
It is known to produce this winding and setting mechanism in the form of an independent module that can be separated from the frame of a timepiece movement. Such a module is for example described in Swiss patent CH 81927, which presents a winding and setting mechanism whereof all of the components are fastened between two plates, forming a removable module. Swiss patent CH 17991 also describes a module made up of a removable bridge fastened on the plate of a watch, on which all of the pieces making up the winding and setting mechanisms are placed. However, these modules have the same drawbacks as those encountered by the traditional winding and setting mechanisms, due to the presence of the pull-out piece and lever.
Also known from patent CH 609 516 is a timepiece mechanism comprising a stem that can move between three axial positions and two pinions rotating with the rod and integral in translation during movements of the rod, each of these pinions engaging with a single actuating organ to perform a single function, i.e. the setting and actuating of the date. The control stem is mounted in a bracket fastened directly to the plate of the movement. The positioning of the stem must be precise so that the control pinions mounted on the stem engage correctly with their actuating organs positioned around the stem. Moreover, if one wishes to modify the position of the stem on the frame of the movement, it is also necessary to revise the position of the actuating organs that engage with the control pinions positioned on the stem. It is therefore necessary generally to revise the entire design of the movement.
One aim of the present invention is therefore to offset these drawbacks, by proposing a module comprising a setting and winding mechanism, and more generally for actuating a function of a timepiece movement, allowing a simplified construction and operation.
Another aim of the present invention is to propose a timepiece module independent of the frame of a movement, with a simple and compact design, easily removable to be able to be used on any type of movement, without having to revise the design of the movement.
To that end, and according to the present invention, proposed is a module for actuating an element of a timepiece movement, intended to be mounted on a frame of said movement, said module containing a mechanism comprising a control stem mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion mounted so as to rotate with said control stem, and at least one actuating organ configured to engage with said control pinion when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions, said control pinion also being translationally secured to said control stem when the latter moves from one to the other of said two positions. According to the invention, said module also comprises an independent case in which said mechanism is contained, and connecting means leaving the case and configured to be able to kinematically connect the actuating organ to the element of the movement to be actuated, such that said actuating organ can actuate said element regardless of the position of the module on the frame of the movement.
The module according to the invention is particularly compact, removable and easily interchangeable. The control pinion and its actuating organ being mounted together in the case, their engagement is always guaranteed, regardless of the position of the module. The connection between the element to be actuated and the module can be ensured directly by the connecting means present on the module or by simply adding other intermediate wheels, simply and precisely guaranteeing the transmission of the information coming from the control pinion and its actuating organ via the connecting means incorporated in the module, regardless of the module's position.
Particularly advantageously, the connecting means can be mounted on the housing so that they can be oriented.
According to a first alternative embodiment, the element to be actuated can be made up of display organs, and the corresponding actuating organ can comprise a setting wheel mounted freely rotating on the control stem, the control pinion comprising, on its face opposite the setting wheel, a toothing able to engage with the toothing of the setting wheel to correct the time. The connecting means between the setting wheel and the display organs can comprise at least one intermediate wheel mounted freely rotating on the case.
According to another alternative embodiment, the element to be actuated can be a barrel spring, and the corresponding actuating organ can comprise a winding pinion configured to be able to be kinematically and at least temporarily connected to said barrel spring by the connecting means, said winding pinion being mounted freely rotating on the control stem, the control pinion comprising, on its face opposite the winding pinion, a toothing able to engage with said winding pinion for the winding of said movement. The connecting means between the winding pinion and the barrel spring can comprise a tongue protruding from the case and mounted rotationally mobile on said case, said tongue supporting at least one intermediate wheel configured on one hand to mesh with the winding pinion and on the other hand to be able to be kinematically and at least temporarily connected to said barrel spring.
According to another alternative embodiment, the mechanism can comprise at least two actuating organs, one to correct the time and the other for winding, like those described above, and the control pinion is then positioned such that, on the control stem, from the outside towards the center, are the setting wheel, the control pinion and the winding pinion.
According to another alternative embodiment, the actuating organ can comprise a rack able to move perpendicularly to the control stem in a bidirectional movement, said rack comprising the connecting means configured to engage with the element to be actuated, and the control pinion can comprise a toothing able to engage with the toothing of the rack so as to move said rack and its connecting means.
Preferably, the toothing of the rack is chosen such that, in one position, the control pinion engages with the rack, and the control pinion can pass through the toothing of the rack to reach the other position.
According to another alternative embodiment, the mechanism can comprise a first control pinion for setting and winding and a second control pinion configured to engage with a rack to actuate another element of the timepiece movement like those described above, the first and second control pinions being positioned such that, on the control stem, from the outside towards the center, are the second control pinion, the setting wheel, the first control pinion and the winding pinion, and the control stem can move between three axial positions, a first position according to which the first control pinion meshes with the winding pinion, a second position according to which the second control pinion meshes with the rack, and a third position according to which the first control pinion meshes with the setting wheel, the second control pinion having passed through the toothing of the rack.
Preferably, the mechanism also comprises a selector spring engaging with the control stem and with a positioning organ to define the positions of the control stem.
Advantageously, the control stem can comprise a first removable element and a second element housed inside the case.
The present invention also concerns a timepiece movement mechanism usable in the actuating module as described above, comprising a control stem mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion mounted so as to rotate with said control stem, and at least one actuating organ configured to engage with said control pinion when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions, said control pinion also being secured in translation with said control stem when the latter moves from one to the other of said two positions. The actuating organ is configured to be kinematically connected to display organs of a timepiece movement, and comprises a setting wheel mounted freely rotating on the control stem, the control pinion comprising, on its face opposite the setting wheel, a toothing able to engage with the toothing of the setting wheel to correct the time.
The present invention also concerns a timepiece movement mechanism usable in the module as defined above, comprising a control stem mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion mounted so as to rotate with said control stem, and at least one actuating organ configured to engage with said control pinion when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions, said control pinion also being translationally secured to said control stem when the latter moves from one to the other of said two positions. The actuating organ comprises a winding pinion configured to be able to be kinematically and at least temporarily connected to a barrel spring of a timepiece movement, said winding pinion being mounted freely rotating on the control stem, the control pinion comprising, on its face opposite the winding pinion, a toothing able to engage with said winding pinion to wind said movement.
Advantageously, the mechanism can comprise at least two actuating organs, one to correct the time and the other for winding, and the control pinion is positioned such that, on the control stem, from the outside towards the center, are the setting wheel, the control pinion and the winding pinion.
The present invention also concerns a timepiece movement mechanism usable in the module as defined above, comprising a control stem mounted in a pivoting manner and movable between at least two axial positions, a control pinion mounted so as to rotate with said control stem, and at least one actuating organ configured to engage with said control pinion when the control stem is occupying one of the axial positions, said control pinion also being integral in translation with said control stem when the latter part moves from one to the other of said two positions. The actuating organ comprises a rack able to move perpendicularly to the control stem in a bidirectional movement, said rack comprising the connecting means configured to engage with the element to be actuated, the control pinion comprising a toothing able to engage with the toothing of the rack so as to move said rack and its connecting means.
In one alternative embodiment, the mechanism can comprise a first control pinion for setting and winding and a second control pinion configured to engage with a rack to actuate another element of the timepiece movement, the first and second control pinions being positioned such that, on the control stem, from the outside towards the center, are the second control pinion, the setting wheel, the first control pinion and the winding pinion, and the control stem being movable between three axial positions, a first position according to which the first control pinion meshes with the winding pinion, a second position according to which the second control pinion meshes with the rack, and a third position according to which the first control pinion meshes with the setting wheel, the second control pinion having passed through the toothing of the rack.
The present invention also concerns a timepiece comprising a module as defined above.
Other features of the present invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description, done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Described in reference to the figures is an embodiment of the mechanism and the timepiece module according to the invention, according to which the mechanism and the module comprise two control pinions and three actuating organs, i.e. a winding pinion, a setting wheel and a rack for actuating one other function, the control stem then being able to occupy three positions.
In
A first actuating organ is formed by a winding pinion 15. Said winding pinion 15 is mounted freely rotating on the element 5 of the control stem 3 on the side of a timepiece movement (not shown) and is blocked in translation using a bearing 45 having a suitable shape and driven onto the case 2. The winding pinion 15 is configured to be able to be kinematically and at least temporarily connected to a barrel spring (not shown) of said movement. To that end, as shown by
On their opposite faces, the winding pinion 15 and the control pinion 11 comprise a Breguet toothing 21 allowing the control pinion 11 to engage with the winding pinion 15 to wind the movement when the control stem 3 is in the winding position. Owing to the Breguet toothing, the meshing between the control pinion 11 and the winding pinion 15 only occurs when the control stem 3 is turned in the winding direction. In the other direction, the control pinion 11 can rotate without driving the winding pinion 15.
On its other face, the control pinion 11 comprises a contrate toothing 22 opposite and able to engage with a contrate toothing 23 of a setting wheel 24. Said setting wheel 24 is mounted freely rotating on the toothed socket 13 of the element 5 of the control stem 3 and constitutes a second actuating organ to correct the time. To do this, the setting wheel 24 comprises a toothing 25 and is positioned so that the toothing 25 meshes with an intermediate wheel 26 mounted freely rotating on the case 2, itself meshing with an intermediate wheel 27 mounted freely rotating on the case 2 and kinematically connected to display organs (not shown) of the timepiece movement.
In this alternative, the module 1 comprises a third actuating organ formed by a rack 30, generally cylindrical. Said rack 30 is able to move perpendicularly to the control stem 3 in a front-to-back bidirectional movement, and is maintained by two strip springs 31 fastened on either side of the case 2 (cf.
In the illustrated alternative, the actuating means of the rack 30 are formed by two actuating fingers 34 provided on the cylindrical body of the rack. These actuating fingers 34 protrude from the case 2, which comprises two channels 35 in which said actuating fingers 34 can circulate. The actuating fingers 34 are configured to engage with a mechanism (not shown) of the timepiece movement, which can for example be a date correction mechanism of a calendar, a mechanism for activating a minute repeater, a triggering mechanism for a chronograph, etc.
Obviously the actuating means of the rack can also be made up of an inverse system, i.e. a slot provided on the body of the rack configured to be able to move pins engaging with a mechanism of the timepiece movement.
The control pinion 11 and the toothed socket 13 are positioned on the control stem 3 such that, on the control stem 3, from the outside towards the center, are the toothed socket 13, the setting wheel 24, the control pinion 11 and the winding pinion 15, and such that the rack 30 is located before the toothed socket 13 when the control stem 3 occupies the first winding position and between the setting wheel 24 and the toothed socket 13, when the control stem 3 occupies the third setting position.
To define the different positions of the control stem 3, a selector spring 40 is provided secured to two pins 41 that plunge into the slot 8 of the element 5 of the control stem 3, such that the selector spring 40 follows the translational movements of the control stem 3. The ends 43 of the selector spring 40 are configured to engage with a positioning organ 42 that comprises three indexing elements on which the ends 43 of the selector spring 40 can engage, thereby defining the three positions of the control stem 3.
All of the elements of the mechanism are dimensioned and positioned to be able to contain in the case 2 and constitute a particularly compact mechanism and module.
All of the elements of the mechanism being grouped together in a same module, this module 1 is independent of the rest of the timepiece movement and can be easily removed to be replaced.
In reference to
Most of the time, the mechanism is in the first winding position, shown in
In reference to
In references to
The positioning organ 42 is configured to allow the mechanism to be returned to the first position by pushing the control stem 3 without going through the second intermediate position.
Obviously the mechanism and the module according to the invention can comprise different combinations of control pinions and actuating organs, as described above. For example, it is possible to provide a mechanism and its module comprising one or several toothed sockets integral with the control stem configured to engage with different racks each actuating a different element of the movement. This mechanism may or may not comprise the control pinion able to engage with the winding pinion and/or the setting wheel. It is also possible to provide a winding and setting mechanism and its module, similar to that described above, but only comprising the control pinion able to engage with the winding pinion and/or the setting wheel. It is for example possible to provide a single control pinion engaging with two actuating organs, one to correct the time and the other for winding, or two racks each actuating a different element of the movement.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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08156728 | May 2008 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2009/055821 | 5/14/2009 | WO | 00 | 1/4/2011 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2009/141262 | 11/26/2009 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3827235 | Bachmann | Aug 1974 | A |
3837162 | Meitinger | Sep 1974 | A |
4104866 | Chappatte | Aug 1978 | A |
4274152 | Ikegami | Jun 1981 | A |
4845693 | Kubota | Jul 1989 | A |
7134783 | Schmiedchen et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7957226 | Chaignat et al. | Jun 2011 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
17991 | Nov 1898 | CH |
81927 | Feb 1919 | CH |
609516 | Mar 1979 | CH |
Entry |
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International Search Report, dated Sep. 10, 2009, from corresponding PCT application. |
European Search Report, dated Jan. 20, 2009, from corresponding PCT application. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20110110199 A1 | May 2011 | US |