MOVEMENT FOR TIMEPIECE AND TIMEPIECE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a watch-movement comprising a counting assembly comprising a first energy source and a gear train kinematically connected to at least one time indicator; and a regulating assembly comprising a regulating organ. This watch-movement is characterised in that it further comprises a locking member for the gear train; a mobile assembly carrying the regulating assembly; a guiding assembly for the mobile assembly comprising at least one rail; a drive mechanism for the mobile assembly arranged to move this mobile assembly along the guiding assembly; and a release mechanism for the locking member.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a watch-movement.

Claims

1. Watch movement comprising-: a counting assembly comprising a first energy source and a gear train kinematically connected to at least one time indicator, this counting assembly forming part of a first kinematic chain; and a regulating assembly comprising a regulating organ and forming part of a second kinematic chain different from the first kinematic chain; said watch movement further comprises a locking member for said gear train, said locking member forming part of said first kinematic chain and being arranged to connect or disconnect said first kinematic chain and said second kinematic chain when said locking member is actuated; a mobile assembly carrying said regulating assembly a guiding assembly for the mobile assembly, comprising at least one rail a drive mechanism for the mobile assembly arranged to move this mobile assembly along the guide assembly; and a mechanism for releasing the locking member.

2. Watch-movement according to claim 1, wherein the guiding assembly comprises at least one driving rail provided with a rack (31).

3. Watch movement according to claim 1, wherein the guiding assembly comprises at least one guide rail.

4. Watch movement according to claim 3, wherein the mobile assembly comprises at least one carriage holding said mobile assembly between said driving rail and said guide rail.

5. Watch movement according to claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism of the mobile assembly (33) comprises a driving wheel meshing with the rack of the driving rail, this driving wheel being kinematically linked to the regulating organ.

6. Watch movement according to claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a mobile part carried by the mobile assembly and a pivoting part carried by a plate of the watch-movement.

7. Watch movement according to claim 1, wherein the counting assembly comprises at least one transmission gear kinematically connected to the first energy source and in that the locking member acts on the transmission gear.

8. Watch movement according to claim 6, wherein the pivoting part of the release mechanism comprises a whip pivoting about a whip axis integral with a plate, and a release arm.

9. Watch movement according to claim 6, wherein the locking part of the release mechanism comprises a lever acting on the transfer gear and actuated by the release arm.

10. Watch movement according to claim 8, wherein the whip comprises a ramp arranged to cause the whip to pivot about the whip axis when the mobile part, of the release mechanism acts on the ramp.

11. Watch movement according to claim 10, wherein the mobile part of the release mechanism comprises a release arm arranged to actuate the ramp of the pivoting part of the release mechanism during the displacement of the mobile assembly along the guiding assembly.

12. Watch movement according to claim 1, wherein the regulating assembly comprises a second energy source.

13. Watch movement according to claim 12, wherein the second energy source comprises a spiral spring kinematically connected to a paddle wheel.

14. Watch movement according to claim 1, wherein the watch movement comprises at least two energy transmission mechanisms arranged to transmit energy from the first energy source, to the second energy source.

15. Watch comprising a watch-movement according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the accompanying figures and the detailed description of a particular embodiment, wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a general view of the watch movement according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a counting assembly of the watch movement of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a view of a regulating assembly of the watch movement of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a release mechanism for the watch movement according to the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a mobile assembly forming part of the watch movement of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the mobile assembly of FIG. 5;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a portion of the mobile assembly of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 8 shows the regulating assembly of FIG. 2 in a first position and the release mechanism of FIG. 4;

[0034] FIG. 9 shows the regulating assembly and release mechanism of FIG. 8 in a second position;

[0035] FIG. 10 shows the release mechanism in a first position;

[0036] FIG. 11 shows the release mechanism of FIG. 10 in a second position;

[0037] FIG. 12 shows the release mechanism of FIG. 10 in a third position; and

[0038] FIG. 13 shows a detail of the release mechanism of FIG. 10 in a fourth position.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] With reference to the figures, the movement of the invention comprises a first assembly, here referred to as the counting assembly 10, which is shown in detail in FIG. 2. This counting assembly performs the functions of energy storage, counting and transmission. The movement of the invention comprises a second assembly, referred to here as the regulating assembly 11 and illustrated in particular in FIG. 3. This regulating assembly performs the functions of distribution and regulation.

[0040] The watch movement according to the invention further comprises a guiding assembly 12, shown in particular in FIGS. 1 to 4, and a release mechanism 13, shown in particular in FIG. 4, the functions and structures of which are explained in detail below.

[0041] With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the counting assembly 10 comprises a first energy source 14 which may advantageously be in the form of a conventional barrel 15, i.e. containing a barrel spring. The counting assembly 10 also comprises a gear train 16 supplied with energy by the barrel spring. This gear train 16 may be formed by a central gear 17 comprising a central wheel 18 and a central pinion 19, and by an intermediate gear 20 comprising an intermediate wheel 21 and an intermediate pinion 22. The gear train 16 further comprises at least one minute indicator 23 formed, for example, by a hand carried by a cannon-pinion 25.

[0042] The counting assembly 10 of the watch-movement according to the invention comprises an energy transfer gear or transfer gear 26 formed by a connecting pinion 27, which forms a kinematic connection with the gear train 16 of the counting assembly 10 and in particular with the intermediate wheel 21, as shown in FIG. 2. The transfer gear 26 further comprises a toothed transfer wheel 28, the function of which will be explained below. The transfer gear 26 further comprises a transfer pinion provided with return toothing 29. The connecting pinion 27, the return toothing 29 and the transfer wheel 28 are integral so that rotation of one causes rotation of the others.

[0043] The counting assembly 10, from the barrel 15 to the transfer gear 26, forms a first kinematic chain of the watch movement according to the invention.

[0044] The guiding assembly 12 of the watch movement according to the invention comprises two rails. One of the rails, called the driving rail 30, is provided with a rack 31 and the other rail, called the guide rail 32, is smooth. In a preferred embodiment, these two rails can have any shape, but must always be in a specific geometrical relationship, as described below. These rails are fixed and connected to a plate of the watch-movement.

[0045] The regulating assembly 11 comprises a mobile assembly 33, illustrated in particular in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. This mobile assembly 33 carries a second energy source 34 and a regulating organ 35. In the embodiment illustrated, this second energy source 34 comprises a spiral spring 36 integral with a toothed ring 37 and an paddle wheel 38. The paddle wheel 38 is kept cocked and in position by a pawl 39. The toothed ring 37 meshes with a pinion of intermediate gear 41. A toothed wheel 42 of this intermediate gear 41 in turn meshes with a pinion of a driving wheel 44 of the mobile assembly 33. This driving wheel 44 meshes with the rack 31 of the driving rail 30 in such a way as to ensure that the mobile assembly 33 moves along the rails when the driving wheel 44 rotates. This is illustrated in particular by FIG. 7. As the rails are fixed relative to a plate of the movement, rotation of the driving wheel 44 causes the mobile assembly 33 to move along the rails.

[0046] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 6, the driving wheel 44 is connected to an escapement wheel 45 by a mechanism known as a constant-force device 46. This escapement wheel 45 cooperates with a balance-spring 47 by means of an anchor 48. The anchor 48 and the balance-spring 47 act in particular as a regulating organ 35 on the movement of the mobile assembly 33, so that this mobile assembly moves in steps, the frequency of which is regulated in particular by the oscillation frequency of the balance-spring 47. In addition to regulating the movement of the mobile assembly 33, the anchor 48 and the balance-spring 47 perform the distribution and regulation functions of a conventional mechanical watch movement.

[0047] As mentioned above, the guiding assembly 12 comprises a driving rail 30 provided with a rack 31 and a guide rail 32 along which the mobile assembly 33 moves. In order to ensure constant contact between the driving wheel 44 and the driving rail 30 and to ensure predictable positioning of the mobile assembly 33, this mobile assembly comprises a first carriage 49 provided with at least one double roller 50 intended to bear against the part of the driving rail 30 opposite the rack 31. This mobile assembly 33 also comprises a second carriage 51 also provided with at least one double roller 52 and arranged to bear against the guide rail 32. In a preferred embodiment, one of the carriages comprising a double roller is mounted so as to pivot on a bridge 53 of the mobile assembly, while the other carriage comprises two double rollers 50. The geometric relationship between the two rails of the guiding assembly 12 is such that the total play of the carriages 49, 51 in relation to the rails remains substantially constant whatever the position of the moving assembly and whatever the curvature of the rails. In this way, the mobile assembly 33 remains constantly guided between the driving rail 30 and the guide rail 32 by means of the carriages.

[0048] The second energy source 34, the balance spring 47, the driving wheel 44 and the elements kinematically connected to them form a second kinematic chain which is distinct from the first kinematic chain. These two kinematic chains may cooperate at certain times and be independent at other times, as will be explained in detail below.

[0049] The release mechanism 13 is carried partly by the mobile assembly 33 and partly by a plate of the watch-movement. The part of the release mechanism carried by the mobile assembly 33 is referred to as the mobile part 54 of the release mechanism. The part of the release mechanism carried by the plate is called the pivoting part 55 of the release mechanism.

[0050] This release mechanism 13 comprises a gear locking member 56 arranged to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the gear train 16 of the counting assembly 10. This locking member 56 can act on any moving part of this counting assembly, depending on the construction of the movement. The locking member 56 comprises a release arm 57 pivoting about an axis 58 connected to a plate (not shown). This locking member 56 is equipped with a lever 59, a return finger 60 and a safety stop 61.

[0051] The mobile part 54 of the release mechanism is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6. This mobile part 54 comprises a release arm 62 which is integral with a bridge 43 of the mobile assembly 33. This release arm 62 comprises a lever 63, the function of which is described in detail below.

[0052] The pivoting part 55 of the release mechanism is illustrated in particular by FIGS. 8 to 13. This pivoting part 55 comprises a whip 64 mounted on the movement plate so as to be able to pivot freely about a whip axis 65. This whip 64 comprise a ramp 66 whose shape and position are such that it can cooperate with the lever 63 of the release arm 62 when the mobile assembly 33 passes close to this ramp 66. The whip 64 also has a groove 67 in which the release arm 57 of the locking member 56 can move. This whip 64 also has a safety shoulder 68 intended to cooperate with the safety stop 61 on the locking member 56, and a return spring 69 intended to return the whip 64 to a rest position.

[0053] In order to prevent the locking member 56 from unexpectedly releasing the transfer mechanism 26, for example in the event of an impact, the rotation of the locking member 56 about its axis of rotation 58 is limited by the safety stop 61 which can come to bear against the safety shoulder 68 of the whip 64. The lever 59 of the locking member 56 remains in the path of a first tooth 70 of the transfer gear 26.

[0054] When the movement of the timepiece is in operation, the counting assembly 10 is initially held stationary by the locking member 56 of the release mechanism 13.

[0055] In a position known as the blocking position, corresponding to a rest position of the release arm 57 of the locking member 56, the lever 59 of this locking member is in contact with the first tooth 70 of the transfer wheel 28 and prevents the transfer gear 26 from rotating about its axis of rotation. The elements forming the first kinematic chain are stationary. This position is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0056] Energy is accumulated in the spiral spring 36 of the second energy source 34 of the regulating assembly 11. Said energy causes the balance spring 47 and the anchor 48 to be actuated in the conventional manner.

[0057] The energy is also transmitted to the driving wheel 44 of the mobile assembly 33. Thus, at each alternation of movement, the anchor 48 disengages the gear of the mobile equipment and allows the driving wheel 44 to pivot, causing the mobile assembly 33 to move along the driving rail 30 by means of the rack 31. Due to the respective positions of the driving rail 30 and the guide rail 32 and the position of the carriages 49, 51, the mobile assembly 33 is guided along the path defined by the rails. The mobile assembly 33 is moved at a known, constant and predefined speed, which depends in particular on the oscillation frequency of the balance spring 47.

[0058] During most of the movement of the mobile assembly 33, the mobile part 54 of the release mechanism does not cooperate with the pivoting part 55 of this release mechanism. The whip 64 is at rest, held in this position by the return spring 69.

[0059] During the movement of the mobile assembly 33, when the latter reaches a predetermined position along its path, as shown in FIG. 9, the release arm 62 of the mobile part 54 of the release mechanism comes into contact with the ramp 66 of the whip 64. The contact of the lever 63 of the release arm 62 with this ramp 66 causes the whip 64 to pivot about its axis of rotation 65. The release arm 57 of the locking member 56 slides in the groove 67 of the whip 64 under the effect of the rotation of the whip about the whip axis 65. The pivoting part 55 of the release mechanism is fully cocked.

[0060] During the further movement of the mobile assembly 33 shown in FIG. 10, the lever 63 of the release arm 62 leaves the ramp 66 of the whip 64. Under the action of the return spring 69, the whip 64 falls back by pivoting about the whip axis 65 and stores energy during its fall so that it moves beyond its rest position. The release arm 57 of the locking member 56 comes into contact with the edge of the groove 67. The locking member 56 then pivots about its axis of rotation 58. This causes the locking member 56 to move into a so-called released position, in which the release arm 57 is moved so that its lever 59 no longer bears against the first tooth 70 of the transfer wheel 28, creating a backward angle for this transfer wheel. The return finger 60 is positioned between two teeth of the return toothing 29.

[0061] The transfer gear 26 can then rotate about its axis under the effect of the force transmitted from the barrel 15 via the gear train 16 and the transfer pinion 29. This position is shown in FIG. 11.

[0062] During this rotation, the energy supplied by the barrel 15 to the transfer gear 26 is transmitted to the paddle wheel 38 of the second energy source 34. For this purpose, a third tooth 72 of the transfer wheel 28 comes into contact with a paddle 73 of the paddle wheel 38 of the second energy source. The rotation of the transfer gear 26 rotates the paddle wheel 38 and loads the spiral spring 36 of the second energy source 34.

[0063] In principle, the transfer wheel 28 makes a rotation corresponding to one tooth. During this rotation, a second tooth 71 of the return toothing 29 pushes the return finger 60 of the locking member 56. This locking member pivots about its axis 58 to return to its rest position. At the same time, the release arm 57 of the locking member rests on the edge of the groove 67 and returns the whip 64 to its rest position.

[0064] At the end of this rotation corresponding to one tooth of the transfer gear 26, the locking member 56 returns to a locking position in which a fourth tooth 75 of the transfer wheel 28 bears against the lever 59 of the locking member 56 and the second tooth 71 of the return toothing 29 has pushed the return finger 60 so that the lever 59 is in the path of the fourth tooth 75 of the transfer wheel 28. The fourth tooth 75 presses on the lever 59 and causes the locking member 56 to rotate about the axis 58 so that it comes to rest against a stop 76 on the locking member. The return of the release arm 57 to the resting position, in the absence of any stress from the release mechanism 13, prevents the transfer gear 26 from pivoting further. This position is shown in FIG. 12.

[0065] The third tooth 72 of the transfer wheel 28 has pushed the paddle 73 so far that one of the paddles 74 locks onto the pawl 39.

[0066] When the transfer gear 26 rotates, the energy contained in the first energy source 14 is released and transmitted to the second energy source 34 via the gear train 16, the energy transfer gear 26 and the paddle wheel 38. At this point, the first kinematic chain containing the barrel 15 and the transfer gear 26 and the second kinematic chain containing the second energy source 34 and the escapement are kinematically connected.

[0067] The energy transferred from the first energy source 14 to the second energy source 34 is sufficient for the mobile assembly 33 to move sufficiently to bring it to the next location where energy is again transferred from the first energy source to the second energy source.

[0068] The release of the locking member 56 also involves the release of the gear train 16 and the displacement of the minute indicator 23 for a time corresponding to the time taken for the mobile assembly 33 to move.

[0069] The second energy source 34 can be recharged by alternating the escapement. In this case, the mobile assembly 33 remains stationary during recharging. It can also be recharged during more than one escapement cycle. In this case, the mobile assembly 33 moves during recharging.

[0070] When the transfer of energy between the first energy source and the second energy source is complete and the locking member 56 has returned to the position preventing rotation of the transfer gear 26, the two kinematic chains are separated again and no longer interact.

[0071] The mobile assembly 33 continues its journey along the rails while the counting assembly 10 remains stationary until the next time the locking member 56 is released.

[0072] The assembly comprising the whip 64, the locking member 56 and the transfer gear 26 can be considered as a recharging station in the sense that energy is recharged in the second energy source 34 when the mobile assembly 33 comes into contact with the whip.

[0073] By way of example, it is possible to dimension the parts so that the mobile assembly 33 completes one revolution of the rails in one minute and a single recharging station is provided. In this case, when the locking member 56 is released, the time indicator, for example the minute indicator 23, is moved through an angle corresponding to one minute.

[0074] Contrary to known watch movements, in the movement described here, the counting assembly 10 and the regulating assembly 11 do not always cooperate with each other. In fact, the regulating assembly 11 is autonomous and independent of the counting assembly 10 for the entire distance it travels, except when it cooperates with the whip 64. This independence means that the regulating assembly 11 can be moved along practically any path defined by the rails.

[0075] At a certain point along the path of the mobile assembly 33, the counting assembly 10 and the regulating assembly 11 form a single kinematic chain, as in a conventional movement, before separating again.

[0076] The invention has been described according to a specific embodiment. However, many variations are conceivable. In the illustrated embodiment, a single charging station is provided. However, it is possible to provide several stations along the route taken by the mobile assembly, for example three stations at equal or irregular intervals. In this case, the minute indicator is moved from a position corresponding to 20 seconds or the appropriate duration, each time the counting assembly and the dispensing assembly form the same kinematic chain.

[0077] In the embodiment described, the second energy source is supplied by the first energy source. It is possible to use a second independent energy source, which could be mechanical or even electrical.

[0078] The guides are represented by roller carriages. However, these carriages could take other forms.

[0079] It is also possible to provide a constraint mechanism to ensure that the teeth of the driving wheel always remain in contact on a flank located on the same side of the rack, thus compensating for the play between the teeth.

[0080] In principle, each rail forms a closed circuit so that the moving equipment always moves in the same direction. However, it is possible to provide a mechanism that allows the moving equipment to move in two opposite directions. In this case the rails can form an open circuit.

[0081] In the example described, the function of transferring energy by means of the transferring mobile and the function of moving the time indicator are linked and are performed when the mobile equipment is in a given position. However, these two functions could be performed independently. For example, the energy transfer function could be performed twice for each revolution of the moving assembly, while the time indicator movement function could be performed once per revolution or three times per revolution.