Timepiece movement comprising arrangement with internal stop for positioning winding stem and winding mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a mechanism for setting and winding the timepiece movement, the setting and winding mechanism comprising a winding stem having an axis of revolution, the winding stem having a first end cooperating with a winding button and a second end opposite the winding button, the winding stem is capable of rotational movement and translational movement along an axis of revolution between a first axial position of the winding stem, in which a timepiece movement is wound by rotation of the winding stem, and a second axial position of the winding stem, in which the timepiece movement is wound by rotation of the winding stem, in which the timepiece movement is wound by rotation of the winding stem. The invention relates to a setting and winding mechanism for a timepiece movement, comprising a first axial position and a second axial position, the function of the timepiece movement being set by the rotation of the winding stem, characterized in that the setting and winding mechanism comprises a positioning stop configured such that, in the first axial position, the positioning stop cooperates by contact with the second end of the winding stem to axially stop the winding stem.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a mechanism for setting and winding such a movement.

[0002] For example, the present invention may be applied to a watch including a mechanical movement.

[0003] More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism for setting and winding a timepiece movement, which mechanism can assume several positions in order to perform and set different functions of the timepiece movement. Background Art

[0004] Mechanical watches are usually set and wound with the aid of a winding button, which the user can operate by turning and pulling. This winding button is usually located at 3 o'clock on the circumference of the watch. The winding button is integral with the winding stem, which can be moved axially along its axis of rotation between a number of axial positions corresponding to each function to be operated by the watch movement, such as manually winding the movement, setting the time, setting the date, and setting other indicators that move above or below the watch dial.

[0005] Typically, the manual winding position of a movement corresponds to an axial position of the winding stem in which the winding stem is retracted furthest into the movement. This winding position corresponds to the neutral position of the winding stem, typically referred to as the T1 position.

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of an arrangement and a winding mechanism 1 for a timepiece movement according to the prior art is shown, with the winding stem 2 in the winding position.

[0007] In this winding position, winding pinion 3 is driven by sliding pinion 6 which rotates integrally with winding stem 2 when winding stem 2 rotates. Winding pinion 3 meshes with a winding crown wheel (not shown) forming a 90° gearing. This 90° gearing is particularly sensitive and the slightest deviation in the positioning of winding stem 2, and therefore the slightest deviation in the distance between winding pinion 3 and winding crown wheel, can have adverse effects on these components, such as premature wear of the teeth.

[0008] Therefore, a known technique to ensure that the teeth do not mesh against the root surfaces during winding is to add an external stop 4 to winding stem 2. This external stop 4 forms a collar that abuts against the outside of plate 5 at a bearing cone or bearing surface provided for this purpose.

[0009] However, in certain configurations, this solution involves machining a bearing cone on the outer lateral side of plate 5 in order to receive and house stop 4 of winding stem 2 in an abutting manner.

[0010] This solution also requires that the bearing plane of the collar / cone be checked and, if necessary, corrected according to the tolerance chain of the various parts to ensure that the bearing occurs at the correct distance from the center of the watch movement and thus ensures correct transmission between winding pinion 3 and winding button.

[0011] Lastly, this solution results in contact between winding stem 2 made of steel and plate 5 made of brass, causing the contact surface to deteriorate with each load, generating filings.

[0012] There is therefore a need for improved timepiece movements including setting and winding mechanisms that address at least one of these problems. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the above problems.

[0014] To this end, the present invention proposes a watch movement, which includes a mechanism for setting and winding the watch movement, the setting and winding mechanism including a winding stem with a rotation axis, the winding stem having a first end cooperating with a winding button and a second end opposite to the winding button, the winding stem being able to rotate and translate along the rotation axis between a first axial position T1 of the winding stem and a second axial position T2 of the winding stem, in the first axial position T1 of the winding stem, the watch movement is wound by rotating the winding stem, and in the second axial position T2 of the winding stem, the function of the watch movement is set by rotating the winding stem, and is characterized in that the setting and winding mechanism includes a positioning stop, which is configured to cooperate with the second end of the winding stem through contact so as to axially stop the winding stem at the first axial position T1.

[0015] In particular, this type of architecture does not require bearing surfaces to be formed on the outer lateral sides of the plate and is therefore easier to design and manufacture the timepiece movement.

[0016] According to the invention, by using a stopper inside the watch movement, it is easier to control the position of the stopper and the tolerance chain of the various parts. This type of architecture ensures the setting of the watch movement and the optimal gear transmission of the various parts of the winding mechanism, in particular between the winding pinion of the winding stem and the winding crown wheel.

[0017] Preferably, the positioning stop extends perpendicularly relative to the general plane formed by a pull-out jumper included in the setting and winding mechanism, or by a bridge or plate included in a timepiece movement.

[0018] Preferably, the positioning stop is integral with a bridge, a plate or a pull-out jumper.

[0019] Preferably, the positioning stopper is a pin, a stud or a screw.

[0020] Preferably, the positioning stop is an axis about which the moving parts of the timepiece movement pivot.

[0021] Preferably, the moving part is configured so that, when the winding stem is positioned in the second axial position T2 , it meshes with a sliding pinion carried by the winding stem.

[0022] Preferably, the moving part is an intermediate wheel for the minute wheel.

[0023] Preferably, the timepiece movement comprises a hand wheel train cooperating with an intermediate wheel for a minute hand wheel.

[0024] Preferably, the stop is made of a metal having a hardness equal to or greater than that of the winding stem. Preferably, the stop is made of steel, advantageously the same steel as that used for the winding stem. This avoids the problem of filings due to contact with the winding stem.

[0025] The invention also relates to a timepiece, for example a wristwatch, comprising a timepiece movement according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will be described in more detail below by way of non-limiting examples using the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] - Already described Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a setting and winding mechanism for a timepiece according to the prior art;

[0028] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of a first exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for setting and winding a timepiece movement according to the invention, the mechanism being in a first axial position T1 corresponding to a winding position of the timepiece movement;

[0029] - Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a setting and winding mechanism of a timepiece movement shown in , the mechanism being in a second axial position T2 corresponding to a first setting position of the timepiece movement;

[0030] - Figure 4 Shows Figure 2 A perspective view from below of a first exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for setting and winding a timepiece movement shown in , the mechanism being in a first axial position T1 corresponding to a winding position of the timepiece movement;

[0031] - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for setting and winding a timepiece movement according to the invention, the mechanism being in a first axial position T1 corresponding to a winding position of the timepiece movement;

[0032] - Figure 6 A timepiece comprising a timepiece movement equipped with an arrangement and winding mechanism according to the invention is schematically shown.

[0033] In all the figures, the same elements carry the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figures 2 to 4 A timepiece movement 100 comprising a setting and winding mechanism 10 according to the invention is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 A timepiece 200 is shown comprising a timepiece movement 100 equipped with an arrangement and a winding mechanism 10 according to the invention.

[0036] The timepiece movement 100 may be a mechanical movement, but may also be an electronic or electromechanical timepiece movement known in the prior art.

[0037] The entire arrangement and winding mechanism 10 are supported by a plate (not shown) of timepiece movement 100 , or by the plate via bridges or stationary elements fastened thereto by specific means.

[0038] Setting and winding mechanism 10 comprises a winding stem 12 with an axis of rotation X, which generally has at a first end a threaded portion 12 . 6 configured to receive a winding button 50 operable by a user outside case 201 of timepiece 200 .

[0039] The winding stem 12 comprises a winding pinion 13 and a sliding pinion 14 (also called a sliding gear), which is mounted to slide along the X-axis on a square segment 12.1 of the winding stem 12, and to which the sliding pinion 14 is rigidly connected via its square center hole so as to rotate together with the square segment 12.1.

[0040] The arrangement and winding mechanism 10 comprises a pull-out 15 pivotally mounted on the plate along a pull-out pivot axis d15. The pull-out 15 comprises a column 15.1 which is engaged and housed in an annular groove 12.2 in the winding stem 12. The pull-out 15 transmits the axial movement of the winding stem 12 along the axis X to the sliding pinion 14 via a lever 17 pivotally mounted on the plate about a lever pivot axis d17 and guided by the pivoting movement of the pull-out 15.

[0041] The sliding pinion 14 has a central annular groove 14 . 2 which is configured to receive and accommodate a portion 17 . 1 of the lever 17 so that the lever 17 exerts its movement on the sliding pinion 14 .

[0042] The elastic lever member 18 cooperates with the lever 17 to apply an elastic force to the lever 17 to reposition the sliding pinion 14 toward the winding pinion 13 .

[0043] In the watch movement 100, the winding stem 12 can rotate about its rotation axis X and can be axially displaced between different axial positions along the rotation axis X, and the different axial positions correspond to different functions of the watch movement 100 of the watch 200, such as manually winding the movement, setting the time, setting the date, and / or setting other indicators that move above or below the dial of the watch 200.

[0044] The winding mechanism 10 includes a pull-out jumper 19 (at Figure 4 The pull-out jumper is usually in the form of a plate with a general plane P1, having a stationary part 19.2 forming the body (configured to be integral with the plate) and a jumper spring 19.1 forming the moving part, which cooperates with a pull-out pin 15.2 carried by the pull-out 15.

[0045] Pull-out jumper 19 acts as a bridge for maintaining the setting and the various elements of winding mechanism 10 .

[0046] Jumper spring 19 . 1 has a profile with one or more notches in which pull-out pin 15 . 2 engages to index the position of pull-out 15 and thus of winding stem 12 in various axial positions, thereby defining stable setting positions for the various functions of watch movement 100 .

[0047] Figure 2 The arrangement and winding mechanism 10 are particularly shown in a winding position, called first axial position T1 , of timepiece movement 100 . In this first axial position T1 , winding stem 12 is retracted as far as possible into case 201 and into timepiece movement 100 .

[0048] In this first axial position T1, sliding pinion 14 meshes with winding pinion 13, and winding pinion 13 meshes with winding crown wheel 20, thereby forming a 90° gear transmission. Therefore, in this first axial position T1 of winding stem 12, the rotation of winding stem 12 causes the winding crown wheel 20 to rotate.

[0049] Typically, winding crown wheel 20 is connected to a ratchet wheel secured to a barrel arbour, such that rotation of winding stem 12 causes the mainspring to be wound. This first axial position T1 corresponds to the winding position of timepiece movement 100 or the winding position of the spring.

[0050] Figure 3 The setting and winding mechanism 10 is shown in a second axial position T2, which is a setting position of the timepiece movement, for example a time setting position. To reach this second axial position T2, the user pulls axially on the winding button 50 so as to move the winding stem 12 axially along the axis of rotation X towards the outside of the plate and case 201 of the timepiece 200.

[0051] By pulling on winding stem 12, pull-out piece 15 pivots and pushes away a lever (which is pivoted in the direction of timepiece movement 100) by sliding sliding pinion 14 along square section 12.1 of winding stem 12. When this second axial position T2 corresponds to the time setting position of timepiece movement 100, sliding pinion 14 is disengaged from winding pinion 13 and meshes with an intermediate wheel (not shown), which is connected, for example, to the minute wheel and the hour wheel tube. In this second axial position T2, pull-out piece pin 15.2 engages in a lower recess of jumper spring 19.1 than in the first axial position T1.

[0052] It goes without saying that, starting from second axial position T2, a third or even fourth axial position can be set by pulling winding stem 12 further towards the outside of plate or case 201, these positions corresponding to positions for setting the functions of the watch movement, in order to set other functions, such as the date and / or other complex functions of watch movement 100.

[0053] The number of axial setting positions or control positions of timepiece movement 100 is not limited and may range from a single position to any number of positions that a particular timepiece movement is capable of achieving.

[0054] When the winding stem 12 is pushed back toward the plate, the various components return to the positions described above. Figure 2 Various locations shown and described.

[0055] In order to ensure the correct positioning of the winding stem 12 when it is pushed back to the first axial position T1, the setting and winding mechanism 10 include a positioning stop 30, which is positioned inside the watch movement 100, opposite to the positioning stop located on the periphery of the watch movement 100 and the outside of the machine plate.

[0056] The positioning stopper 30 is used to prevent the winding stem 12 from moving when the winding stem 12 is pushed back into the timepiece movement 100 .

[0057] More specifically, the positioning stop 30 is positioned perpendicular to the movement axis of the winding stem 12 (the X-axis in this case) so that when the winding stem 12 enters the first axial position T1, the second end 12.3 of the winding stem 12 (which is opposite to the winding button 50 and forms the inner end of the winding stem 12) contacts the positioning stop 30.

[0058] Thus, by positioning the positioning stop 30 facing the inner end 12.3 of the winding stem 12 so that it abuts in the first axial position T1, the optimal meshing of the winding pinion 13 with the winding crown wheel 20 is ensured without contact with the root surface of the teeth, because the winding stem 12 is not in a further retracted axial position. The meshing is therefore optimal and the meshing wear is minimized.

[0059] The positioning stopper 30 is connected to the machine plate, bridge plate or Figure 4 The pull-out jumper 19 shown is integral, and the pull-out jumper 19 is integral with the plate serving as the bridge splint. Therefore, the positioning stop 30 is easy to locate, and its position relative to the center of the watch movement 100 is easy to control and reproduce.

[0060] Such a positioning stop therefore makes it possible to control the chain of dimensions between winding stem 12 , winding pinion 13 , positioning stop 30 , plate and pull-out jumper 19 , thereby ensuring optimal meshing of winding pinion 13 with winding crown wheel 20 in a first axial position T1 of winding stem 12 .

[0061] Positioning stop 30 extends perpendicularly relative to the general plane of the plate, bridge or pull-out jumper 19 , forming a stop for the movement of winding stem 12 .

[0062] The positioning stop 30 is, for example, a pin, a column, a screw, or a shaft about which the moving part pivots.

[0063] Figure 5 A second exemplary embodiment of an arrangement and a winding mechanism according to the invention is shown. Figure 5 Except for the features explained, this second exemplary embodiment is similar to the reference Figures 2 to 4The first exemplary embodiment described is the same.

[0064] exist Figure 5 In this second exemplary embodiment shown, intermediate wheel 40 for the minute wheel of timepiece movement 100 is positioned so that the axis about which intermediate wheel 40 for the minute wheel pivots constitutes a positioning stop 30 ′ for winding stem 12, as previously described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 mentioned.

[0065] In this configuration, it is advantageous to form a positioning stop 30' with the stationary axle of the intermediate wheel 40 of the minute wheel and to stop the axial displacement of the winding stem 12 when it returns to its first axial position T1. Preferably, said axle for the intermediate wheel 40 of the minute wheel is integrally mounted on a bridge or plate.

[0066] In a second axial position T2 of winding stem 12 , sliding pinion 14 meshes with an intermediate wheel 40 for the minute wheel, wherein this intermediate wheel 40 cooperates with the go-train of timepiece movement 100 .

[0067] More specifically, the intermediate wheel 40 for the minute wheel meshes with a first intermediate wheel 41 which rotates integrally with a second intermediate wheel 42 which meshes with a minute wheel 43 .

[0068] The minute wheel 43 rotates integrally with a minute pinion, which meshes with an hour wheel pipe 44 carrying the hour hand.

[0069] The invention is advantageously applicable to manually wound mechanical timepiece movements, but it is also applicable to quartz or other types of electronic watches, in particular electronic watches comprising analogue display members.

[0070] The material used for the various component parts is preferably metal.

[0071] Positioning stops 30 , 30 ′ are advantageously made of steel, or of a metal having the same hardness as winding stem 12 .

Claims

1. A watch movement (100), comprising a setting and winding mechanism (10) for setting and winding the watch movement (100), the setting and winding mechanism (10) comprising a winding stem (12) having a rotation axis (X), the winding stem (12) having a first end (12.6) cooperating with a winding button (50) and a second end (12.1) opposite to the winding button (50), the winding stem (12) being capable of rotating and moving along The rotation axis (X) translates between a first axial position (T1) of the winding stem (12) and a second axial position (T2) of the winding stem (12), wherein in the first axial position (T1), the winding stem (12) is used to wind the watch movement (100), and in the second axial position (T2), the function of the watch movement (100) is set by rotating the winding stem (12), characterized in that: The arrangement and the winding mechanism (10) comprise a positioning stop (30, 30'), which is configured such that, in the first axial position (T1), the positioning stop cooperates with the second end (12.1) of the winding stem (12) by contact to axially stop the winding stem (12).

2. The watch movement (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning stop (30, 30') extends perpendicularly relative to a general plane (P1) formed by a pull-out jumper (19) included in the setting and winding mechanism (10), or perpendicularly relative to a general plane formed by a bridge plate or a plate included in the timepiece movement (100).

3. The watch movement (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The positioning stop (30, 30') is integral with the bridge, the plate or the pull-out jumper (19).

4. A timepiece movement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The positioning stopper (30) is a pin, a column or a screw.

5. The watch movement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The positioning stop (30') is the axis around which the moving part (40) of the timepiece movement (100) pivots.

6. The watch movement (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving component (40) is configured such that when the winding stem (12) is positioned at the second axial position (T2), the moving component (40) meshes with the sliding pinion (14) carried by the winding stem (12).

7. The watch movement (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that: The moving part (40) is an intermediate wheel for the minute wheel.

8. The watch movement (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The timepiece movement (100) comprises a hand wheel train that cooperates with the intermediate wheel (40) for the minute wheel.

9. A timepiece movement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The positioning stoppers (30, 30') are made of steel.

10. A timepiece (200) comprising a timepiece movement (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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