Position setting and marking device for timepiece mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a position setting and marking device (100) for setting and marking the position of a first part (1) and a second part (10) of a timepiece mechanism, the first part (1) and the second part (10) being able to be assembled together in a single degree of freedom, a first screw (4) penetrates through a first notch (2) of the first component (1) to be matched with a first threaded hole (12) of the second component (10), a second screw (5) penetrates through a second notch (3) of the first component (1) to be matched with a second threaded hole (13) of the second component (10), a set range is limited by the first notch (2) and the second notch (3), and the second screw (5) is a conical head screw. And a second component (10) arranged to form an imprint on the edge of the second notch (3) under a predetermined fastening torque in order to permanently mark the relative position of the first component (1) and the second component (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a position setting and marking device for setting the position of a first component and a second component of a clock mechanism and fixing the position of the first component and the second component relative to each other, wherein the first component and the second component are assembled to each other with a single rotational or translational degree of freedom and are fixed to each other by a first screw passing through a first notch of the first component and cooperating with a first threaded hole of the second component.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising at least one such position-setting and marking device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such position-setting and marking device and / or one such timepiece mechanism.

[0004] The invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms for timepiece mechanisms. Background Art

[0005] Securing watch parts is a delicate operation, as clamping them into place can interfere with an already difficult setting.

[0006] Usually, the relative positions of the components of the watch subassembly are set manually in the optimal operating position and the set position obtained in this way is then locked by one or more flat-head screws (called "load screws") which abut against the flat surface of the component with the lower flat annular surface of their head. For example, it is common practice to set the component using an eccentric and then lock it using a screw.

[0007] Specifically, the positioning of rollers or various watch components (such as snails, cams, moon phase discs or other calendar or timekeeping elements, etc.) requires high indexing positioning accuracy, regardless of manufacturing clearances and assembly clearances.

[0008] However, when two parts are indexed relative to each other, the use of grub screws means that the indexing cannot be reproduced during subsequent disassembly / reassembly operations. The watchmaker must therefore locate the indexing position at each assembly, just as he did during the initial assembly. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for effectively holding two parts in position relative to each other and allowing, after subsequent disassembly, reassembly in a last set position, so as to facilitate the work of a watchmaker, in particular a watch repairer.

[0010] The present invention uses a non-flat head screw that can be printed with a mark on one of the parts to constitute a mark for the set position.

[0011] Specifically, the use of a conical head enables the edges of the slots to be easily marked during initial assembly without generating debris, and then the indexing positioning positions can be easily repositioned during subsequent reassembly.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a position setting and marking device for setting the positions of a first component and a second component included in a clock mechanism and fixing them relative to each other, the first component and the second component being arranged to be assembled with each other with a single rotational and / or translational degree of freedom, and being fixed to each other by the cooperation of a first screw passing through a first notch of the first component and a first threaded hole of the second component. The single rotational and translational degree of freedom is defined by a helical mechanical connection.

[0013] According to the present invention, the first component and the second component are further arranged to be fixed relative to each other by the cooperation of a second screw passing through a second notch of the first component and a second threaded hole of the second component, the first notch and the second notch defining a setting range according to the single degree of freedom. The first screw is a load-bearing screw, which is arranged to: generate a frictional force that allows the relative positioning between the first component and the second component to be set according to the single degree of freedom when subjected to a first tightening torque, and fix the first component and the second component in place relative to each other when subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque. The second screw is a screw with a non-flat head, and when the second screw is subjected to a third tightening torque, the non-flat head can imprint a mark on the edge of the second notch to permanently mark the imprinting position of the first component relative to the second component and reposition it after disassembly and during subsequent reassembly.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a clock including at least one such position setting and marking device and / or at least one such clock mechanism.

[0015] The present invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms for clock mechanisms. Description of the Drawings

[0016] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] - Figure 1A non - limiting application example of the present invention is shown in a schematic cross - section passing through the axis of rotation. In this example, a first component formed by a cylindrical tube including a flange is mounted to pivot around a second component formed by a shaft, and precise alignment is required. The position - setting and marking device according to the present invention enables the positions of the first component and the second component to be set and fixed relative to each other. The first component has two slots, namely, a first slot at the top of the figure and a second slot at the bottom of the figure. The second component has two threaded holes, namely, a first threaded hole at the top of the figure and a second threaded hole at the bottom of the figure. A first bearing screw is supported on a flat surface of the first component, passes through the first slot and is screwed into the first threaded hole. A second screw having a non - flat head, especially a conical head, is supported on another surface of the first component, passes through the second slot and is screwed into the second threaded hole. When performing this screwing, the second screw is arranged to imprint a mark on the edge of the second slot under the action of a predetermined tightening torque.

[0018] - Figure 2 A schematic side view of the first and second components is shown Figure 1 and shows the first bearing screw and the second screw with a non - flat head engaged in their respective slots and supported on one face of the first component.

[0019] - Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a timepiece, especially a wristwatch, which includes a timepiece mechanism that itself incorporates the position - setting and marking device according to the present invention. Detailed Description

[0020] The present invention relates to a position - setting and marking device 100 for setting the positions of two components of a timepiece mechanism 500 and fixing them relative to each other.

[0021] Specifically, in Figure 1 and 2 the embodiment of the present invention shown, the first component 1 is formed by a cylindrical tube including a flange and is mounted to be rotatable around a second component 10 formed by a shaft. The first component and the second component need to be precisely aligned with each other. For this purpose, the second component 10 includes, for example, a flat surface 11 forming an operating surface, as Figure 2 shown.

[0022] The first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of rotational and / or translational freedom and are fixed to each other at least by the cooperation of a first screw 4 with a first threaded hole 12 of the second component 10. The first threaded hole 12 is intended to be aligned with a first notch 2 of the first component 1, and the first screw 4 passes through the first notch 2.

[0023] According to the present invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are further arranged to be fixed to each other by the cooperation of the second screw 5 with the second threaded hole 13 of the second component 10. The second threaded hole 13 is intended to be aligned with the second notch 3 of the first component 1, and the second screw 5 passes through the second notch 3.

[0024] The first notch 2 and the second notch 3 define a setting range according to a single degree of freedom.

[0025] The first screw 4 is a flat head screw, such as a load-bearing screw, which is arranged to generate a frictional force that allows the relative positioning between the first component 1 and the second component 10 to be set (e.g., precisely set) according to a single degree of freedom when subjected to a first tightening torque. When subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque, the first screw 4 enables the first component 1 and the second component 10 to be fixed in place relative to each other.

[0026] The second screw 5 is a non-flat head screw, such as a tapered head screw, which is designed to deform the material of the first component 1 when the second screw 5 is subjected to a third tightening torque, thereby forming an imprint on the edge of the second notch 3. This imprint enables the imprinted position of the first component 1 relative to the second component 10 to be permanently marked, such that the imprinted position can be repositioned during subsequent reassembly after disassembly.

[0027] In Figure 1 In the example shown, during the first assembly, the first screw 4 is tightened such that its head bears against one face of the first component 1 under the first tightening torque to generate a frictional force that allows relative movement between the first component 1 and the second component 10. Then, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are moved relative to each other to achieve the desired indexing positioning position. Once the desired relative position is reached, the second screw 5 is tightened to form a mark on the edge of the second notch 3. Then the first screw 4 is tightened to the second tightening torque to lock the relative position. During subsequent reassembly, the mark produced by the head of the second screw 5 makes it easy to reposition the initial set position.

[0028] It should be noted that the second tightening torque is preferably greater than the third tightening torque. In this way, the first component 1 is not over-marked. By tightening the first screw 4 to the second tightening torque, the service life is ensured.

[0029] In Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled together with a single rotational degree of freedom about a rotational axis, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by kidney-shaped slots concentric with the rotational axis.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first member 1 and the second member 10 are arranged to be assembled together with a single translational degree of freedom, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by aligned or parallel straight grooves.

[0031] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first member 1 and the second member 10 are arranged to be assembled together in a screw connection manner (i.e., with a single translational and rotational degree of freedom), and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by helical grooves.

[0032] Advantageously, the material of the second screw 5 is harder than the material of the first member 1. Additionally, the first screw 4 and the second screw 5 can be configured to have different sizes to prevent any confusion during reassembly.

[0033] The edges of the first notch 2 and / or the second notch 3 may include scale markings that are visible at any position of the first screw 4 and / or the second screw 5, respectively.

[0034] The present invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism 500 that includes at least one such position setting and marking device 100.

[0035] According to yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a timepiece 1000 that includes such a timepiece mechanism, particularly a wristwatch.

[0036] In short, the present invention enables the marking of an initial setting that can be repositioned during subsequent reassembly.

Claims

1. A position setting and marking device (100) for setting a position and marking the position, the position setting and marking device (100) being capable of fixing a first component (1) and a second component (10) of a clock mechanism (500) relative to each other, the first component (1) and the second component (10) being arranged to be assembled with each other in a single degree of freedom in terms of rotation and / or translation, and being fixed to each other by a first screw (4) cooperating with a first threaded hole (12) of the second component (10), the first threaded hole (12) being arranged to be opposite to a first notch (2) of the first component (1), the position setting and marking device (100) being characterized in that the first component (1) and the second component (10) are arranged to be fixed to each other by a second screw (5) cooperating with a second threaded hole (13) of the second component (10), the second threaded hole (13) being arranged to be opposite to a first notch (2) of the first component (1), The threaded hole (13) is arranged to be opposite to the second notch (3) of the first component (1), the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) define a setting range according to the single degree of freedom, the first screw (4) is arranged to: generate a friction force allowing the relative positioning between the first component (1) and the second component (10) to be set according to the single degree of freedom when subjected to a first tightening torque, and fix the first component (1) and the second component (10) in position relative to each other when subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque, the second screw (5) is a screw with a non-flat head, and when the second screw (5) is subjected to a third tightening torque, the non-flat head can stamp a mark on the edge of the second notch (3), the mark representing the stamped position of the first component (1) relative to the second component (10).

2. The position setting and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second tightening torque is greater than the third tightening torque.

3. The position setting and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first component (1) and the second component (10) are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom of rotation around a rotation axis, and the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) are kidney-shaped grooves concentric with respect to the rotation axis.

4. The position setting and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first component (1) and the second component (10) are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single translational degree of freedom, and the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) are aligned or parallel straight grooves.

5. The position setting and marking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The material of the second screw (5) is harder than the material of the first component (1).

6. The position setting and marking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The second screw (5) comprises a conical head.

7. The position setting and marking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The edge of the first notch (2) and / or the second notch (3) comprises a scale mark which is visible at any position of the first screw (4) and / or the second screw (5) respectively.

8. The position setting and marking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The first screw (4) and the second screw (5) have different sizes.

9. A clock mechanism (500), characterized in that: The clockwork mechanism (500) comprises a position setting and marking device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A timepiece (1000), characterized in that: The timepiece (1000) comprises a timepiece mechanism (500) according to claim 9.

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