A timer module equipped with detachable wheels

Abstract

A timer module equipped with removable wheels includes: a plate and / or a plate bridge; a main shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, the main shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal axis; a main disk carrying the main shaft, the main disk extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft; the main shaft being mounted on the plate and / or plate bridge such that the main disk engages with the gear train of the timer module; the timer module includes removable wheels mounted on the main shaft, the removable wheels including a peripheral gear structure and first and second resilient arms forming a clamp configured to clamp the main shaft; the main shaft including a radial support surface, the first and second resilient arms being supported on the radial support surface for mounting the removable wheels on the main shaft; the timer module includes at least one overlapping member disposed in a lower section of the timer module, the arrangement and dimensionalization of the removable wheels in the timer module producing an overlap between the removable wheels and the overlapping member, such that mounting the overlapping member requires the absence of the removable wheels while the main shaft is mounted on the timer module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a timer module equipped with detachable wheels.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such timer module.

[0003] This invention relates to the field of watchmaking mechanisms, and more particularly to gear trains. Background Technology

[0004] Some watch movements contain complexities that require specific mounting. For example, in the case of a chronograph, a gear (such as a wheel or pinion) must be mounted on a shaft already installed on the movement.

[0005] In fact, in traditional timepieces, an additional wheel is usually arranged on the shaft of the second disc of the main movement module to take displacement motion and transmit the displacement motion to the timepiece module, thereby driving the timepiece module.

[0006] For other types of timers, detachable wheels are arranged on the central shaft of the drive disc, which connects the second counter of the timer to the minute counter of the timer.

[0007] Further timer module construction is possible. However, there is further complexity in assembling such detachable wheels onto the shaft.

[0008] However, assembling this wheel is not easy because the axle to which it is to be fastened must already be mounted on the movement. In fact, the axle is held in a bearing housing at each end, which is emmanchered in a plate or bridge. If a detachable wheel is present on the axle, the plate or bridge cannot be added subsequently. In other words, it is impossible to install the axle with the detachable wheel already fastened. The wheel must be assembled with the axle after it has been at least partially mounted on the plate.

[0009] For this purpose, a hub is typically used that passes through the center of the wheel, with the conical end of the axle pressed into the hub to support the wheel.

[0010] However, extrusion operations have several drawbacks.

[0011] On the one hand, there is a well-known risk of premature wear of certain components. In particular, shafts and / or removable wheels may be subjected to undesirable bending or deflection, which could hinder the proper operation of the movement.

[0012] On the other hand, the hub is usually relatively thick to withstand the pressure and support of the wheel, and the wheel needs to be sized during installation to be integrated into the movement. Furthermore, removing the additional wheel and other parts of the movement (the removal of which depends on the removal of the additional wheel) is difficult because the hub needs to be driven off the axle. These operations are time-consuming and require tools and specific skills. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies and to provide a timer module including a detachable wheel, which facilitates installation and removal.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention relates to a timer module for a watch movement, the timer module comprising: a plate and / or a plate bridge; a main shaft extending along a longitudinal axis, the main shaft being rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the main shaft carrying a main disk extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft, the main shaft being mounted on the plate and / or plate bridge such that the main disk engages with the gear train of the timer module.

[0015] A significant feature of this invention is that the timer module includes a removable wheel mounted on a spindle. The removable wheel includes a peripheral gear structure and a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm, which form a clamp configured to hold the spindle. The spindle includes a radial support surface, on which the first and second elastic arms are supported for mounting the removable wheel onto the spindle. The timer module includes at least one overlapping component disposed in the lower section of the timer module. The arrangement and dimensional arrangement of the removable wheel in the timer module results in an overlap between the removable wheel and the overlapping component, such that mounting the overlapping component requires the absence of the removable wheel while the spindle is mounted on the timer module.

[0016] Because the flexible arm forms a clamp, the detachable wheel can be easily mounted on and removed from the main shaft. Therefore, when the module is installed on a watch movement, it avoids the need for assembly, which could lead to defects in the components. Furthermore, the detachable wheel can be easily removed and reinstalled without the need for special tools to access the components requiring its removal.

[0017] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the overlap is between one-tenth and half the diameter of the detachable wheel.

[0018] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the end of the spindle includes a radial support surface for a clamp.

[0019] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, in the free state, the clamp is defined as a cylinder with a radius smaller than the radius of the cylinder defined to the radial support surface.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the radial support surface is an inverted conical shape.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, each of the two arms includes a central recess to form an opening for the end of the spindle, which is preferably substantially circular.

[0022] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the timer module includes: a secondary shaft and a drive pinion for the timer arranged on the secondary shaft; a tertiary shaft and a minute counter wheel arranged on the tertiary shaft.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the timer module includes a fourth-level axis and a second disk arranged on the fourth-level axis, the fourth-level axis being arranged around a portion of a second-level axis.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the main disc is the drive wheel of the minute counter, which meshes with the second disc of the timer arranged on the secondary shaft.

[0025] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the detachable wheel engages with the disc of the minute counter of the timer.

[0026] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the timer module includes a coupling flange that slides above a second disk about a secondary shaft between a rest position and an operating position, in which the timer is not driven; and in the operating position, the timer is driven by the second disk to drive the secondary shaft.

[0027] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, the spindle includes an axial stop support surface arranged to hold a removable wheel in a position along the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, one or more overlapping components are connecting flanges and / or hammers and / or rotating panels.

[0029] The present invention also relates to watch movements that include such timer modules. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Other specific features and advantages will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given only as rough guidelines and in no way as limiting guidelines, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 This is a top perspective view of a timer module including a detachable wheel and a spindle, wherein the wheel according to the invention is mounted in the spindle.

[0032] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom-view perspective of the timer module.

[0033] - Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the timer module.

[0034] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the timer module.

[0035] - Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the detachable wheel and the end of the spindle, and

[0036] - Figure 6 This is a top view of a watch movement including a timer module according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present invention relates to a timer module 1 for a watch movement. Figures 1 to 4 The timer module 1 shown includes a main shaft 3, a drive shaft, a secondary shaft 5 (the second shaft of the timer), a tertiary shaft 8 (the minute counter shaft of the timer), and a quaternary shaft 7 (the second shaft).

[0038] In this embodiment, the secondary axis 5 is arranged within the quaternary axis 7. Therefore, the secondary axis 5 and the quaternary axis 7 are coaxial. The quaternary axis 7 can rotate independently of the secondary axis 5. In the timer's operating mode, the secondary axis 5 and the quaternary axis 7 rotate simultaneously, with the quaternary axis 7 driving the secondary axis 5.

[0039] Principal axis 3 is positioned between secondary axis 5 and tertiary axis 8, offset relative to the plane passing through the three axes. Therefore, principal axis 3, secondary axis 5, and tertiary axis 8 are positioned at the vertices of the triangle, essentially at the same level.

[0040] The timer module 1 also includes a minute counter wheel 9 arranged on the third-level shaft 8, a drive pinion for the timer 13 arranged on the second-level shaft 5, and a second disc 6 arranged on the fourth-level shaft 7. The minute counter wheel 9 and the second disc 6 are positioned at the higher level of their respective shafts, while the drive pinion for the timer 13 is positioned at the lower level of the second-level shaft 5.

[0041] The timer module 1 also includes a connecting flange 15, which is configured to transmit motion from the second disc 6 to the drive pinion 13 of the timer.

[0042] The connecting flange 15 is arranged on the secondary shaft 5, above the second disc 6. The connecting flange 15 slides longitudinally around the secondary shaft 5 between a rest position and an operating position. In the rest position, the timer module 1 is not driven, and in the operating position, the timer module 1 is driven by the second disc 6.

[0043] In the operating position, the secondary shaft 5 is driven by the connecting flange 15 and the quaternary shaft 7. Therefore, the timer's drive pinion 13 is rotated by the second disc 6 via the connecting flange 15.

[0044] The timer module 1 also includes a main disk 4, which serves as the drive disk for the minute counter. It is positioned on the main shaft 3 at a lower level. The main disk 4 meshes with the timer's drive pinion 13. Therefore, in the operating position of the connecting flange 15, the timer's drive pinion 13 causes the main disk 4 and the main shaft 3 to rotate.

[0045] The timer module 1 also includes a hammer 17 and a rotating panel 11 supported by the hammer 17.

[0046] The timer module 1 includes a timer wheel heart-shaped component 14 arranged on the secondary shaft 5 and above the connecting flange 15, and a second heart-shaped component 12 of the minute counter below the timer minute counter wheel 9.

[0047] Furthermore, the timer module 1 includes a detachable wheel 2 disposed at the upper end of the main shaft 3. The detachable wheel 2 is a drive disc that meshes with the minute counter wheel 9 of the three-stage shaft 8. Therefore, when the main shaft 3 rotates, the detachable wheel 2 drives the minute counter wheel 9 and the three-stage wheel 8 to rotate.

[0048] In this embodiment, the detachable wheel 2 is a transmission wheel, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the wheel includes a peripheral gear structure 21, which is annular and includes gear teeth.

[0049] The detachable wheel 2 further includes at least a first radial elastic arm 22 and at least a second radial elastic arm 23. Preferably, the arms 22 and 23 are symmetrical about each other and substantially parallel. The arms 22 and 23 are arranged within the ring and each connects to two opposite points of the peripheral gear structure 21.

[0050] The spindle 3 includes an axial stop support surface 29, which is arranged to hold the removable wheel 2 on the spindle 3 as a stop support. The axial stop 29 allows for precise positioning of the removable wheel 2 along the longitudinal axis in the z-direction on the spindle 3, which is different from assembly—where it is more difficult to control the position of the wheel along that direction.

[0051] The first elastic arm 22 and the second elastic arm 23 together form a clamp 30, which is arranged to hold the radial support surface 28 included on the spindle 3, which is located near the axial stop support surface 7. This ensures friction between the detachable wheel 2 and the spindle 1.

[0052] The clamp 30 is configured to hold the end 25 of the spindle 3. For this purpose, the spindle 3 includes a radial support surface 28 at its end 25, on which a first elastic arm 22 and a second elastic arm 23 are supported. The elasticity of the arms 22 and 23 allows them to be separated to insert the end 25 of the spindle 2 between the arms 22 and 23, and then allows the arms 22 and 23 to clamp the radial support surface 28 through friction. Therefore, an additional wheel can be fitted onto the spindle.

[0053] The radial support surface 28 is preferably an inverted conical shape to hold the detachable wheel 2 on the end 25 against a stop arranged below the cone. The inverted cone has its base at the end of the end 25 and its apex facing the middle of the main shaft 3.

[0054] For the assembly of the detachable wheel 2 on the shaft 1, the elasticity of the arms 22, 23 of the detachable wheel 2 is used to enable correct positioning and preferably to achieve the engaging position.

[0055] The spindle 3 includes a guide ramp 27 arranged to push the first elastic arm 22 and the second elastic arm 23 radially rearward to guide the detachable wheel 2 onto the spindle 3. For example, the guide ramp 27 is a chamfered surface arranged at the end of the spindle 3.

[0056] Advantageously, in the free state, the clamp 30 is demarcated as a cylinder with a radius smaller than the radius of the cylinder demarcated to the radial support surface 28.

[0057] For this purpose, each of the two arms 22 and 23 includes a central recess 24 to form an opening for the end 25 of the spindle 3, which is preferably substantially circular.

[0058] The timer module 1 includes at least one overlapping component mounted in the lower section of the timer module 1. The arrangement and dimensions of the removable wheels 2 in the timer module 1 create an overlap of the removable wheels 2 above the overlapping component.

[0059] In the described embodiment, there are several overlapping components that require the absence of detachable wheels 2 so that they can be assembled into the timer module 1.

[0060] Here, the overlapping components are the connecting flange 15, the rotating panel 11, and the hammer 17. When the removable wheel 2 is mounted on the spindle 3, the removable wheel 2 overlaps with these overlapping components. In other words, the projection of the removable wheel 2, perpendicular to its extending plane and parallel to the spindle 3, lies on the overlapping components.

[0061] The radius of the connecting flange 15 is greater than the result of subtracting the radius of the detachable wheel 2 from the distance between the main shaft 3 and the secondary shaft 5, so that when the main shaft 3 and the secondary shaft 5 are assembled in the timer module 1, the outer part of the connecting flange 15 is arranged below the outer part of the detachable wheel 2.

[0062] A rotating panel 11 is positioned near the main shaft 3. A portion of the rotating panel 11 passes directly beneath the detachable wheel 2. A portion of the hammer 17 also passes directly beneath the detachable wheel 2.

[0063] In this case, the assembly of these overlapping components requires the absence of the detachable wheel 2 and the spindle 3 being mounted on the timer module 1. In fact, if the detachable wheel 2 is already mounted on the spindle 3, it is impossible to install these overlapping components in the timer module 1.

[0064] Thanks to the clamp 30, the removable wheel 2 can be easily detached from or assembled with the main shaft 3. This is particularly helpful for repairing or cleaning components of the timer module 1, which require the removal of the removable wheel 2.

[0065] Figure 6 A watch movement is shown, in which a timer module according to the invention is installed. On the top surface, a minute counter wheel 9, a second disc 6, and a detachable wheel 2 that engages with the minute counter wheel 9 are observed.

[0066] The figure clearly illustrates the need to remove the removable wheel 2 in order to assemble certain overlapping components, such as the connecting flange 15 or the rotating panel 11.

[0067] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and alternatives may be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A timer module (1) for a watch movement, the timer module (1) comprising: plate; A main shaft (3) extending along a longitudinal axis, the main shaft (3) being rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the main shaft (3) carrying a main disk (4), the main disk extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main shaft (3), the main shaft (3) being mounted on the plate such that the main disk (4) engages with the gear train of the timer module (1), characterized in that the timer module (1) includes a removable wheel (2) mounted on the main shaft (3), the removable wheel (2) including a peripheral gear structure and a first elastic arm (22) and a second elastic arm (23), the first elastic arm (22) and the second elastic arm (23) forming a clamp (30), the clamp (30) being configured to clamp the main shaft (3), the main shaft (3) including a radial support surface (25) at its end (25). 8), the first elastic arm (22) and the second elastic arm (23) are supported on the radial support surface so as to assemble the detachable wheel (2) on the main shaft (3), the timer module (1) includes at least one overlapping component disposed in the lower section of the timer module (1), the arrangement and size of the detachable wheel (2) in the timer module (1) produce an overlap between the detachable wheel (2) and the overlapping component, such that the assembly of the overlapping component requires the main shaft (3) to be present in the timer module (1) without the detachable wheel (2), wherein the timer module (1) further includes: a secondary shaft (5) and a timer drive pinion (13) disposed on the secondary shaft (5); a tertiary shaft (8) and a minute counter wheel (9) disposed on the tertiary shaft (8).

2. The timer module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overlap is between one-tenth and half the diameter of the detachable wheel (2).

3. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The end (25) of the spindle (3) includes a radial support surface (28) for the clamp (30).

4. The timer module according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the free state, the clamp (30) is defined as a cylinder with a radius smaller than the radius of the cylinder defined to the radial support surface (28).

5. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The radial support surface (28) is an inverted conical shape.

6. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first elastic arm (22) and the second elastic arm (23) each include a central notch to form an opening for the end (25) of the spindle (3).

7. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It includes a fourth-level shaft (7) and a second disk (6) arranged on the fourth-level shaft (7), the fourth-level shaft (7) being arranged around a portion of the second-level shaft (5).

8. The timer module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The main disk (4) is the drive wheel of the minute counter, which meshes with the second disk (6) of the timer arranged on the secondary shaft (5).

9. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The detachable wheel (2) engages with the minute counter wheel (9) of the timer.

10. The timer module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The timer module includes a connecting flange (15) that slides above the second disk (6) around the secondary shaft (5) between a rest position and an operating position, in which the timer is not driven; and in the operating position, the timer is driven by the second disk (6) to drive the secondary shaft (5).

11. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The main shaft (3) includes an axial stop support surface (29) arranged to hold the detachable wheel (2) in a position along the longitudinal axis of the main shaft (3).

12. The timer module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One or more of the overlapping components are a connecting flange (15) and / or a hammer (17) and / or a rotating panel (11).

13. The timer module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The orifice is basically circular.

14. A watch movement, comprising a plate and a driving device, characterized in that, The watch movement includes a timer module (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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