Winding device for timepiece movement of watch

Abstract

The invention relates to a winding device (10) for a timepiece movement of a watch (20), comprising an electronic module (13) configured to control a motor (14) kinematically connected to a drive for rotating a winding condition of the watch (20), characterized in that it comprises a support (11) for the watch (20), the support (11) being configured to support the watch (20), the electronic module (13) being configured to control the motor (14), the motor (14) being kinematically connected to the drive for rotating the winding condition of the watch (20). The support is formed by a body having a central element (110) and at least one side element (111) arranged at a distance from each other so as to form a recess (118) for receiving a strap (21) of a watch (20), the central element (110) and the side element (111) being adapted to exert opposite forces on the strap (21), in this way, it is ensured that it is held in the recess (118).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular to a winding device for winding a clock movement of a watch.

[0002] The winding device is designed to wind a mechanical watch movement. Background Art

[0003] When the user is not wearing the watch, a winding device for winding the watch movement can keep the movement running. To this end, during the winding, these winding devices act on the winding button or the oscillating weight, depending on the type of watch movement installed on the watch, in order to tighten the mainspring. In particular, either the winding button is driven rotatably by a grip member provided for this purpose, as described in document EP1220061, or the case is driven rotatably in order to pivot the oscillating weight, as described in document EP1489470.

[0004] All winding devices in the prior art require that the watch whose movement is to be wound be placed in a support provided for this purpose, thereby ensuring that the watch remains in place during the winding process. This operation is usually cumbersome for the user.

[0005] To do this, the user must remove a removable support, usually called a "cushion", from the bed in the winding mechanism, must then manipulate the watch so that its bracelet closes around the support, thereby putting it under tension, and must then replace the support enclosing the watch in its bed.

[0006] Another disadvantage of existing winding devices is that the support is not suitable for all bracelet lengths, which is particularly disadvantageous for bracelets with folding clasps. In particular, if the bracelet is too short, it cannot be closed around the support, while if it is too long, the watch cannot be tightened by the support and thus cannot be fixed in place. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to simplify the positioning of a watch in a winding mechanism.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to enable the support to be easily adapted to any watch, whatever the bracelet length, so that the bracelet can be tensioned.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a winding device for winding a timepiece movement of a watch, the winding device comprising an electronic module configured to control a motor kinematically connected to a drive intended to rotate a winding member of the watch. The winding device comprises a support for the watch, connected to the drive and formed by a body having a central element and at least one side element arranged at a distance from each other so as to form a recess for receiving a bracelet of the watch, the central element and the side elements being suitable for exerting opposing forces on the bracelet to ensure that the bracelet is retained in the recess.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the invention may also include one or more of the following features alone or in any combination that is technically possible.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the recess is defined by inner sides of the side elements having a concave cross-section and outer sides of the central element having a convex cross-section.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the central element is interposed between two side elements arranged relative to the central element so as to form two recesses, each intended to receive a bracelet of a watch bracelet. The central element and the side elements are suitable for applying friction to the bracelets so as to retain them in the recesses.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the central element has an end called "front end" and an end opposite said front end called "rear end", the front end of the central element being arranged between the two opposite ends of the side elements and intended to receive the watch case against it.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the rear end has a greater elastic deformation capability than the front end when under compression.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the winding device comprises a base on which the support is arranged, and the central element has a stop forming the rear end and configured to be removably attached to the base so as to occupy at least two discrete positions, in each of which the stop is arranged at a different distance from the front end.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the drive is formed by a movable part of the base, arranged in a support formed by a fixed part of the base having an internal volume housing the electronic module and the motor, the movable part of the base being connected to the motor so as to be driven in reciprocating rotational movement.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the drive is formed by a connection intended to rotate a winding knob of a watch in order to wind its timepiece movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example and not by way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] - Figure 1 Schematically showing a winding device for winding a watch movement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and a perspective view of a watch inserted into the winding device;

[0020] - Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A top view of a support of a winding device, the support comprising a central element having a rear end which, when compressed, has a greater elastic deformation capacity than the front end, the rear end being in a rest position;

[0021] - Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 2 a top view of the support shown, wherein the rear end is subjected to stresses exerted by the bracelet of a watch arranged in the support;

[0022] - Figure 4 It shows that Figure 1 A perspective view of the winding device is shown, wherein the support is arranged on a base comprising a plurality of holes for fastening a stopper of the central element;

[0023] - Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 A perspective view of the winding device in which the stopper is fastened to one of the holes in the base;

[0024] - Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 1 A front view of a winding device shown, wherein the base comprises a movable part arranged to rotate in a support of a fixed part of said base;

[0025] - Figure 7 A front view of a winding device according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention is schematically shown, wherein the winding device comprises a connection for rotating a winding knob of a watch.

[0026] It should be noted that for the sake of clarity, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The invention relates to a winding device 10 for winding a timepiece movement of a watch 20, Figures 1 to 6 A preferred exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0028] As shown, the winding device 10 comprises a support 11 for a watch 20, fastened to a base 12 and intended to hold the watch 20 whose timepiece movement is to be wound. The support 11 is formed by a body having a central element 110 and at least one side element 111 arranged at a distance from one another so as to form a recess 118 for receiving a bracelet 21 of the watch 20. Thus, the recess 118 extends from the base 12 constituting the back side of the recess 118 to an insertion opening through which the bracelet 21 is intended to engage in order to secure the watch 20 to the support 11.

[0029] More specifically, the central element 110 and the side elements 111 are adapted to exert opposing forces on the link 21 to ensure that it is clamped in the recess 118. These forces Figure 3 In other words, the chain belt 21 is held in the recess 118 and thus in the support member 11 by the friction force generated by the clamping force it receives.

[0030] More precisely, the recess 118 is defined by the inner side 112 of the side element 111 and the outer side 113 of the central element 110. Figure 2 and 3 As shown, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner side 112 of the side element 111 has a concave cross section, while the outer side 113 of the central element 110 has a convex cross section. This arrangement generates greater friction on the bracelet 21 engaged in the recess 118, thus helping to better keep the watch 20 in the proper position in the support 11.

[0031] The side elements 111 are arranged at a constant distance from the central element 110 so that the cross-section of the recess 118 is constant, so that the force to be borne by the link 21 is distributed thereon, or the side elements 111 are arranged to produce a local area in which the distance between the side elements 111 and the central element 110 is minimized, so as to locally produce a reduction in the cross-section of the recess 118, thereby causing stress concentration on the link 21.

[0032] Preferably, if Figures 1 to 7 As shown, central element 110 is interposed between two side elements 111 so as to hold two opposing bracelets 21 of watch 20 in place.

[0033] Figure 1 In particular, the direction in which bracelet 21 of watch 20 engages in recess 118 is shown by an arrow, bracelet 21 passing through an insertion opening for inserting bracelet 21 in order to secure watch 20 to support 11 .

[0034] The central element 110 preferably has an oval cross section and extends between two ends, one of which (referred to as the "rear end" 114) has a narrower shape than the other end (referred to as the "front end" 115). The front end 115 is used to support the case 22 of the watch 20, in particular the back cover of the case 22, such as Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 7 shown.

[0035] Advantageously, if Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the case 22 of the watch 20 is intended to rest in the space separating the two facing ends of the side element 111. This feature allows the user to observe the display member 23 of the watch 20 indicating a time value (eg the current time) at any time.

[0036] exist Figure 2 and 3 In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown, the rear end 114 has a greater elastic deformation capability than the front end 115 when compressed.

[0037] More specifically, the rear end 114 of the central element 110 has a relatively high elastic deformation capability, while the front end 115 is substantially non-deformable. Figure 2 The rear end 114 is schematically shown, and Figure 3 Rear end 114 is schematically shown in a position where it is subjected to the compressive stress of the bracelet of watch 20. Thanks to the features of the invention in this exemplary embodiment, mounting watch 20 on support 11 is very easy and central element 110 can be adapted to any size of bracelet of watch 20.

[0038] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown, in order to mount the watch 20 on the support 11, all that is required is to close the bracelet of the watch 20, then to press the rear end 114 of the central element 110 with the bracelet and to engage the bracelet 21 in the respective recesses 118 so as to bring the case 22 of the watch 20 against the front end 115 of the central element 110. Such an operation can advantageously be performed with only one hand. The watch 20 is thus held by the friction forces to which the bracelet 21 is subjected and by the elastic return forces exerted on the bracelet by the rear end 114 tending to return to its rest position.

[0039] Due to the recess 118 defined by the side element 111 and the central element 110, the bracelet of the watch 20 can also be kept in an open state, such as Figure 1 As shown, in this case, watch 20 will be held only by the friction to which bracelet 21 is subjected.

[0040] Or, in Figure 4 and 5In the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown, the central element 110 may include a stop 116 forming the rear end 114 and configured to be removably fastened to the base 12 so as to occupy at least two discrete positions. One of these discrete positions is further from the front end 115 than the other. Thus, the support 11, and in particular the central element 110, can be adapted to any size of the bracelet of the watch 20.

[0041] exist Figure 5 In one particular embodiment shown, the retaining member 116 is connected to a fixed part of the central element 110 including the front end 115 by an extendable tie 117, such as Figure 5 The extendable ties 117 are arranged on both sides of the central element 110 and are formed, for example, of elastically deformable material strips having a wavy shape.

[0042] The stopper 116 may be secured to the base 12 by any suitable removable securing scheme. Figure 4 As shown, the stopper 116 may be provided with a pin intended to engage in one of a plurality of holes extending in the base 12. In this case, the stopper 116 may occupy as many positions as the base 12 has holes. Figure 4 In the example shown, the base 12 has three holes arranged at different distances from the front end 115 of the central element 110, so that the stop 116 can occupy three separate positions.

[0043] Watch 20 is the same as above Figure 2 and 3 The exemplary embodiment of the invention shown is mounted on support 11 in the same manner as described. In other words, the bracelet is closed, then rests on stop 116, each link 21 then engaging in recess 118 until case 22 of watch 20 is pressed against front end 115 of central element 110.

[0044] and Figure 2 and 3 Similarly to the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown, the bracelet of watch 20 can be kept open, in which case watch 20 will be held only by the friction to which bracelet 21 is subjected.

[0045] The invention thus ensures, in all its exemplary embodiments, that watch 20 remains in position in support 11 during the operation of winding device 10 , whatever the type of bracelet it comprises and whatever its length.

[0046] Furthermore, when watch 20 is mounted in support 11 with its bracelet closed, the bracelet is intended to be tensioned by central element 110, since its outer circumference is approximately Figure 2 and 3In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown, the Figure 4 and 5 In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is discretely variable.Thus, thanks to these features, the invention further ensures that the watch remains in place during operation of winding device 10.

[0047] The base 12 defines an internal volume housing an electronic module 13 (for example an integrated circuit) configured to drive a motor 14 movably connected to a drive connected to the support 11 to rotate the winding element of the watch 20 in order to wind its timepiece movement.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the drive element of the winding device 10 can be formed by a movable part 120 of the base 12, such as Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the movable component 120 is used to rotate the oscillating weight of the watch 20 so as to wind the watch movement thereof.

[0049] More specifically, the movable part 120 of the base 12 can be arranged in a support having a shape complementary thereto, which is formed by the fixed part 121 of the base 12. The fixed part 121 has an internal volume, in which the electronic module 13 and the motor 14 are housed. The movable part 120 can be driven by any suitable motion transmission solution that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art. In this exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the watch 20 is mounted in the support 11, the movable part 120 of the base 12 is driven to rotate alternately around an axis parallel to the central axis of the case 22 of the watch 20 with an angular displacement of less than 180 degrees, preferably of approximately 90 degrees, as Figure 6 shown.

[0050] Alternatively, the drive member of the winding device 10 can be formed by a connecting member 122 (for example a bell-shaped member), such as Figure 7 As shown, the connecting piece 122 is intended to rotate the winding knob of the watch 20 in order to wind its watch movement. In this case, it is obvious that when the watch 20 is mounted in the support 11, it must be positioned so that the winding knob faces the base 12 so that it can cooperate with the bell.

[0051] More generally, it should be noted that the embodiments and examples considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples, whereby other alternatives are conceivable.

[0052] Specifically, the central element 110 can have a circular or oval cross-section, so that the front end 115 and the rear end 114 have substantially the same size. In general, the central element 110 can have a cross-section of any shape suitable for implementing the present invention, in particular for generating the force required to clamp one or more links 21 in the recess 118.

[0053] Finally, the invention is suitable for subjecting watch 20 mounted in support 11 to periodic excitation oscillations of precise frequency, for which purpose electronic module 13 comprises a rate measuring sensor, for example of the microphone type, arranged in base 12 and intended to come into contact with the winding knob of watch 20, such as Figure 6 Shown schematically.

Claims

1. A winding device (10) for a timepiece movement of a watch (20), the winding device comprising an electronic module (13) configured to control a motor (14) kinematically connected to a drive member for rotating a winding element of the watch (20), the winding device (10) comprising a support (11) for the watch (20), the support being formed by a body having a central element (110) and two side elements (111), the central element (110) being interposed between the two side elements (111), the two side elements (111) being arranged relative to the central element (110) so as to form two recesses (118), each recess being intended to receive a The bracelet (21) of the watch (20), the central element (110) and the side element (111) are suitable for applying opposite forces to the bracelet (21) to ensure that the bracelet (21) is retained in the recess (118), the central element (110) having an end called the front end (115) and an end called the rear end (114) opposite to the front end (115), the front end (115) being arranged between the two facing ends of the side element (111) and being used to receive the case (22) of the watch (20), the case resting on the front end (115), and when under pressure, the rear end (114) has a greater elastic deformation capacity than the front end (115).

2. The winding device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The recess (118) is defined by an inner side surface (112) of the side element (111) having a concave cross section and an outer side surface (113) of the central element (110), the inner side surface having a concave cross section and the outer side surface having a convex cross section.

3. The winding device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The drive member is formed by a movable part (120) of the base (12), the movable part being arranged in a bracket formed by a fixed part (121) of the base (12), the fixed part (121) having an internal volume for accommodating the electronic module (13) and the motor (14), the movable part (120) of the base (12) being connected to the motor (14) so ​​as to be driven to perform reciprocating rotational motion.

4. The winding device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The drive member is formed by a connecting member (122) which is used to rotate a winding knob of the watch (20) so as to wind the watch movement of the watch.

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