Timepiece movement comprising rigid moving element coupled to elastic element and method for coupling these two elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a rigid moving element coupled to an elastic element and a method for coupling the two elements. A method of coupling a rigid element with a spring when assembling or installing a timepiece device includes rigidly attaching a first end of the spring to a support and positioning the support and the rigid element in an initial relative position wherein a coupling member carried by a second end of the spring is located on a side of a stress ramp opposite a specific recess in the rigid element, the rigid element and the supporting piece can move relatively in the first direction from the position; further included is a coupling step in which relative movement between the support and the rigid element in the first direction causes the coupling member to abut against and follow the ramp configured to force the spring to move the coupling member toward the axis of rotation. The relative movement continues until the coupling member enters a particular recess while the spring is at least partially relaxed and ultimately assumes a functional coupling position. The invention also relates to a timepiece device configured to allow the coupling method to proceed.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece movement incorporating means comprising a rigid element and an elastic element coupled together.

[0002] In particular, the means is a mechanism for driving the jump of an indicator. The rigid element includes a driving finger for driving the jump indicator. The elastic element is a spring that includes a coil between its first end and its second end, the first end being fixed to a wheel platform so as to rotate therewith, and the second end carrying a coupling member that is at least partially inserted into a recess in the rigid element.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for coupling a rigid element to an elastic element, in particular for a drive mechanism for a jump indicator, when assembling a mechanical device or installing the latter in a timepiece movement. Background Art

[0004] Patent document EP 3828644 describes a mechanism for driving a semi-instantaneous jump indicator, which mechanism includes a drum-finger and a spring arranged in and coupled to the drum, the first end of the spring being fixed to a wheel platform so as to rotate therewith, the wheel platform driving the first end, and the second end carrying a coupling member that is movably and with a relatively large play partially inserted into a specific recess, namely a recess made for and only intended for the coupling member, and the recess is made in the drum-finger.

[0005] The mechanism disclosed in patent document EP 3828644 has various technical problems. First, according to the drawings, the coupling member of the spring is arranged in a shallow recess, and the member can easily come out of the shallow recess. More specifically, the two side surfaces of the recess are parallel in the radial direction passing through the middle of the recess, and the coupling member has two radial side surfaces. The angular width of the coupling member is intended to be significantly smaller than the angular width of the recess, in particular to allow the member to easily enter the recess. Thus, a relatively small impact can easily cause the coupling member to disengage from its recess. If this is the case, then whether the spring is loaded when the finger abuts against the teeth of the date ring or before the spring is loaded, due to the friction applied to the drum, the spring will subsequently usually exhibit a slight expansion, and the coupling member will a priori exit from one side of the radial driving side of the finger. In such a situation, the side wall of the drum exerts a radial force on the coupling member, such that the latter experiences frictional force on the side wall.

[0006] If the coupling element disengages from the recess when the spring bearing against the teeth of the date ring is loaded, it slides along the inner surface and no date jump will occur until at least the drive wheel has made one full rotation and the coupling element re-enters its recess (best-case scenario, but this will still result in the loss of the correct date display, which has missed the date jump), or the frictional force is sufficient to cause the spring to expand again, thereby further increasing the frictional force until its coil contacts the side wall and the date jump occurs at an indeterminate time. In the above situation, after the date jump, the spring will relax, thereby driving the drum, and the coupling member will probably experience some sudden angular displacement along the side wall. This condition will repeat for at least several days, during which the date increments at an indeterminate and variable time. In any case, once the coupling member leaves its recess, the date drive mechanism no longer functions, and for the mechanism shown in patent document EP 3828644, such an event is highly likely.

[0007] Second, the mechanism disclosed in patent document EP 3828644 has significant problems in terms of the assembly of this mechanism. As can be seen from the drawings, the cylindrical inner space of the drum finger is circular, and the recess is machined around the perimeter of this circular cylindrical inner space. Since during normal operation, the coupling member must be partially inserted into the peripheral recess and held therein, when the spring is not under force (i.e., relaxed / stationary / in its neutral position), the radial distance from the center of the rigid ring to which the first end of the spring is attached to the outer surface of the coupling member is greater than the radius of the circular cylindrical inner space. Such a spring configuration poses great problems when assembling a mechanism with small dimensions (the spring typically has a diameter of less than 4 mm). More specifically, if we consider a possible assembly method in which the spring is in a relaxed state, the drum finger and the spring must be arranged with a relatively precise relative angular positioning when they are brought onto the wheel platform, where the coupling member is substantially aligned with the recess of the drum finger and axially inserted into the recess.

[0008] Due to the very small size of the spring, the above-mentioned relative angular positioning is not obvious. In addition, when the drum finger is placed on the wheel platform to allow its assembly with the hub, the spring is not visible, and the hub has a shaft that is inserted through an elongated hole in the drum finger, a hole in the rigid ring, and a central hole in the wheel platform from the side of the drum finger (as shown in this document) Figure 5)。Specific technical means or delicate handling operations to be performed by a watchmaker must be provided to allow such relative angular positioning. In addition, as long as the shaft is not inserted into the hole in the rigid ring, the coupling member can be easily disengaged from the recess, so that the hole is no longer axially aligned with the elongated hole in the drum finger, which makes the assembly difficult because the coupling member must be reinserted into the recess. When leaving the recess, the coupling member is very likely to be angularly displaced relative to the recess, making its reinsertion random and uncertain.

[0009] If the coupling member is not aligned with the recess after the spring and the drum finger have been assembled to the wheel platform, the hole in the rigid ring cannot be aligned with the hole in the wheel platform without applying stress to the spring. However, once the spring has been inserted into and covered by the internal space of the drum finger, it is difficult to see how the spring might be stressed and remain stressed before the shaft is inserted into the hole in the rigid ring. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The technical background shows that there is a need in the field of watchmaking for a device formed by a rigid element and an elastic element coupled by means of a coupling member, the coupling member being carried by the elastic element and at least partially inserted into its specific recess in the rigid element, the device being configured to simplify its assembly or installation within a watch movement related to the coupling of the rigid element and the elastic element, and further shows a need for a method for coupling the rigid element and the elastic element during the assembly or installation of such a device, the method being easy to implement.

[0011] To achieve this object, the present invention relates to a clock movement, which comprises a device formed by a support, a movable rigid element and an elastic element coupled to the rigid element. The elastic element includes a first end and a second end. The first end is arranged to move with the support at least in a first direction. The second end bears a coupling member which is at least partially inserted into a specific recess made in the rigid element. The support, the rigid element and the elastic element are arranged in such a way that when the device is formed, they can be pre-installed or pre-assembled in the clock movement in an intermediate state, wherein: - The first end of the elastic element is arranged to move with the support in the first direction; - The rigid element and the support with the elastic element have an initial relative position among a range of possible relative positions, in which the elastic element is slack; and - The coupling member is located outside its specific recess. The rigid element includes a stressing ramp which is provided for the elastic element and is located near the specific recess. The stressing ramp is arranged such that at least when the device is assembled or installed in the clock movement from the intermediate state, the coupling member can move from the initial relative position by a guided relative movement in the first direction between the rigid element and the support against the stressing ramp, and then follow the stressing ramp when it approaches its specific recess while the relative movement continues, with at least one non-zero component in the first direction. The stressing ramp is arranged such that during the continuation of the relative movement, the coupling member is displaced relative to the support, and at least one non-zero component of the displacement is in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, and the elastic element is thus stressed. The coupling member is configured such that after following the stressing ramp as it approaches its specific recess, it can enter at least partially into the recess, and the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation and finally occupies a functional coupling position, in which it remains during any normal operation of the clock movement.

[0012] According to a particular alternative embodiment, the device is configured such that after the device is assembled or installed in the clock movement, once the coupling member is in the functional coupling position, the elastic element is substantially slack, i.e., not stressed.

[0013] According to a main embodiment, the first direction is an angular direction relative to a rotation axis, the angular direction defining a rotation about the axis, and the second direction is a radial direction relative to the rotation axis, the radial direction passing through the geometric center of the coupling member.

[0014] According to a general alternative embodiment, the range of the possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 20°.

[0015] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 45°, preferably over at least 60°.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the main embodiment, the device is a mechanism for driving a jump indicator, the elastic element is a spring, the spring includes coils between its first end and its second end, the support is a wheel platform, the wheel platform is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation and drives the first end of the spring, and the rigid element includes a drive finger, the drive finger being arranged to drive the jump indicator in a given driving direction.

[0017] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the stress ramp is arranged such that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess, the coupling member is displaced radially towards the axis of rotation, and the coils of the spring are thus stressed.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for coupling a rigid element to an elastic element when assembling or installing a device intended to form a movement, wherein the elastic element includes a first end and a second end, the first end being intended to be assembled with a support included in the device or the watch movement, the second end carrying a coupling member, the coupling member being intended to be assembled with the rigid element in order to couple the rigid element to the elastic element, the rigid element having a specific recess and a stress ramp for the coupling member, the stress ramp being intended to guide the elastic element while stressing the elastic element during the coupling method and being located near the specific recess. The coupling method comprises the following steps:

[0019] - Attaching the first end of the elastic element to the support such that it moves integrally with the support in a first direction;

[0020] - Positioning the support with the elastic element and the rigid element in an initial relative position from a range of possible relative positions, in which the elastic element is relaxed, in which the stress ramp is located between the coupling member and the specific recess of the rigid element, and in which the rigid element and the support are able to undergo a guided relative movement in the first direction from this initial relative position at least during the assembly or installation of the device; the elastic element with the coupling member and the rigid element are configured such that the stress ramp intersects a geometric line passing through the contact point between the coupling member and the stress ramp and parallel to the first direction;

[0021] And subsequently comprises the following coupling steps:

[0022] - Apply a guiding relative movement between the support and the rigid element along the first direction such that the coupling member abuts against the stress ramp. The coupling member then follows the stress ramp while the relative movement continues, having at least one non-zero component in the first direction. The stress ramp is configured to generate a displacement of the coupling member relative to the support during the continuation of the relative movement, the displacement having at least one non-zero component in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, while stressing the elastic element. The relative movement continues until the coupling member at least partially enters the specific recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction and finally occupies a functional coupling position, in which it remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement. The coupling member and its specific recess are configured to allow the coupling member to reach the functional coupling position after following the stress ramp during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the spring, the coupling member and the stress ramp are arranged such that during the coupling step, before the coupling member reaches the functional coupling position in its specific recess, during the relative movement, the coupling member slides on the end region of the stress ramp after following the stress ramp.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the stress ramp, the spring and the coupling member are arranged such that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches its specific recess, the coupling member rotates about itself, which facilitates or allows the coupling member to then enter its specific recess such that the coupling member can reach the functional coupling position.

[0025] According to another preferred embodiment, the first direction is an angular direction relative to the axis of rotation, the angular direction defining a rotation about the axis, and the second direction is a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation, the radial direction passing through the geometric center of the coupling member. Thus, when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches its specific recess, the coupling member is displaced radially.

[0026] In other embodiments of the timepiece movement according to the invention and other variants of the method according to the invention, a relative movement is intended to occur between the support and the rigid element until the coupling member comes into contact with the stress ramp, and this movement is not rotational. In other words, a first direction is provided, in a non-angular direction, in particular a linear direction. A more complex relative movement can optionally be achieved. It should be noted that after contact is formed between the coupling member and the stress ramp, during a second stage of the relative movement, the relative movement continues to allow the coupling member to climb the stress ramp, and this relative movement can be a more complex relative movement than the linear or rotational movement that occurred during the first stage of the relative movement, before the coupling member abutted against the stress ramp, in particular when the rigid element is displaced in reaction to the pressure exerted by the coupling member on the stress ramp.

[0027] In a general variant, in which the rigid element is formed by a plate or is rotatably mounted on a plate, the method comprises: an initial step before the coupling step, in which a hub comprising a shaft and a head, the wheel platform, the spring having a central rigid part at its first end, and the plate, or the corresponding plate with the rigid element mounted thereon, are placed and positioned such that the wheel platform, the spring and the plate or the corresponding rigid element are in a relative position angularly corresponding to one of the possible relative positions, in which the spring is located between the wheel platform and the plate, and the head is located on the side opposite the spring with respect to the plate; and such that the shaft, a first hole in the plate, a second hole in the wheel platform and a third hole defined by the central rigid part are aligned on the axis of rotation, the second hole having a smaller diameter than the first hole, and the head at least partially overlapping the plate; and a subsequent assembly step, the assembly step comprising the rigid attachment step, and in which the shaft is forced into the second hole in the wheel platform, so that the plate can rotate freely about the shaft, and in which the head finally ensures that the plate remains in the axial position. Description of the Drawings

[0028] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of the drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 is a top view of a device for a timepiece movement according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0030] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 the exploded perspective view of the device shown in

[0031] - Figures 3A to 3Eshows a first embodiment of a coupling method according to the invention, which is used to couple a rigid element and an elastic element during the assembly or installation of a mechanical device intended to form a watch movement, so as to obtain a device according to the first embodiment in this first embodiment;

[0032] - Figure 4A and 4B shows Figure 1 two specific moments of a preferred operating mode of the mechanical device shown in, which is incorporated into a watch movement, where it forms a drive device for a date ring;

[0033] - Figure 5 is a top view of a device for a watch movement according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0034] - Figure 6 is Figure 5 an exploded perspective view of the device shown in;

[0035] - Figures 7A to 7F shows a second embodiment of a coupling method according to the invention, which is used to couple a rigid element and an elastic element during the assembly or installation of a device according to the invention, which is intended to form a watch movement according to the second embodiment (it should be noted that the plate 11 is shown transparently);

[0036] - Figure 8A and 8B shows Figure 5 two specific moments of a preferred operating mode of the mechanical device shown in, which is incorporated into a watch movement, where it forms a drive device for a date ring;

[0037] - Figure 9 shows the device according to the second embodiment in a possible pre-installed state, which is caused by the installation of the device with excessive relative rotation between the lever and the support during the period. Detailed description of the specific implementation

[0038] Figures 1 to 4B is used to describe a first embodiment of a watch movement 2 according to the invention, which incorporates a device for driving a jump indicator, and a first embodiment of a method for coupling a rigid element and an elastic element during the assembly or installation of the device.

[0039] The device 6 forms a mechanism for driving the jump indicator 4, in particular by means of a semi-instantaneous jump. The device 6 includes a support formed by a wheel platform 8, a rigid element forming a drum finger 10 and arranged above the wheel platform, and an elastic element formed by a spring 16. The spring includes a first end 17, a coil 18, and a second end 19. The wheel platform 8 has a rotation axis 22. The drum finger 10 defines a drive finger 12 for driving the indicator 4, which in this case forms a date ring. The drum finger has a drive side 14 which is intended to come into contact with the teeth of the teeth 5 of the indicator in order to drive the indicator to jump. The drum finger is rotatable relative to the wheel platform 8 and is rotatably guided by a shaft 28 about the rotation axis 22, the shaft 28 having a hub 26 which passes through an elongated hole 34 in the drum finger. The first end 17 of the spring 16 is connected to a central rigid part 24 which is attached to the wheel platform 8 so as to rotate therewith. Preferably, the spring and the central part form the same part.

[0040] The drum finger 10 is formed by a plate 30 and an axial wall 32, the plate 30 extending above the spring 16 and having an elongated hole 34 machined therein, the axial wall 32 being arranged at the edge of the plate and sloping downwards towards the wheel platform 8, and in an alternative embodiment it can rest on the wheel platform 8. Thus, the drum finger defines an internal space 9 in which the spring is arranged. A part of the axial wall and a part of the plate superposed thereon together form the drive finger 12, which advantageously has a height extending at least from the lower side of the spring to the upper surface of the plate 30. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the wheel platform 8 and the central rigid part 24 are driven on the shaft 28 of the hub 26, which hub 26 also includes a head 27 which extends partially above the plate 30 in order to hold the drum finger 10 in the axial position.

[0041] The axial wall 32 has a recess 36 at the drive finger, the recess 36 having a lateral opening on one side of the spring 16, i.e. on one side of the rotation axis 22 of the device 6. The second end 19 of the spring extends through a member 20 for coupling to the rigid element 10 (i.e., in this case the drum finger), the coupling member 20 being configured to be able to enter at least partially into the recess 36 through the lateral opening, the recess 36 being a specific recess for the coupling member and allowing the spring to subsequently be able to exert a driving force couple on the rigid element 10. In the alternative embodiment described, the coupling member 20 is rigid.

[0042] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the recess 36 has a side surface 54 which is inclinedly oriented relative to the radial direction passing through the center of the side surface in the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform 8, in which direction the indicator is intended to be driven, and the coupling member 20 has a lateral side surface 52 facing the side surface, which lateral side surface 52 is also inclinedly oriented in the same direction as the side surface, and each time the spring 16 is loaded in order to drive the jump indicator using the mechanism 6, the lateral side surface abuts at least partially against the side surface. The coupling member 20 has a nose portion 42 which defines the lateral side surface 52, and the nose portion 42 is configured to fit into a complementary shape having substantially the same profile as the recess 36. This particular feature ensures that once the spring is tensioned during loading, the coupling member is precisely held in a given drive position within the recess, and the side surface exerts a reaction force on the nose portion 42 of the coupling member, which reaction force has a component pointing outwards and thus towards the bottom of the particular recess 36. Thus, although the spring 16 undergoes contraction, the nose portion 42 remains in the given drive position, and for this purpose, during spring loading, the radius at which the spring exerts a driving force on the drum finger 10 remains the same and is substantially at its maximum value. This feature results in the force couple transmitted being at its maximum value for a given spring driving force during loading.

[0043] According to a particular feature, the coupling member 20 has a heel portion which is intended to prevent the coupling member from rotating about itself in the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform (the rotation direction intended for driving the indicator) once it is inserted into its particular recess 36. The heel portion extends through a contact surface 46 which abuts against an angular stop 48 at the end of the loading of the spring 16 in order to subsequently cause the indicator to jump. Preferably, the angular stop 48 is located in the angular extension of the coil 18 of the spring between the first end 17 of the spring and the central rigid ring 24 and is defined by the same part forming the rigid ring and the spring.

[0044] Furthermore, in an advantageous alternative embodiment, in the case where the spring is in an angularly relaxed state, the recess has a minimum dimension on the side of its opening that is slightly smaller than the maximum dimension of the coupling member perpendicular to the radial direction, with respect to the central axis of the rigid ring that coincides with the rotation axis 22. More typically, the coupling member and its specific recess are arranged in such a way that the coupling member cannot come out of its specific recess without undergoing at least one translation with respect to the rigid part, i.e., without undergoing at least one rotation about itself (rotation about its geometric center about an axis parallel to the rotation axis 22). Thus, in order to enter the specific recess through the lateral opening, the coupling member must rotate slightly about its geometric center 21 about itself. This feature ensures that once the coupling member is properly inserted into the specific recess and is thus in a functional coupling position, the risk of its coming out of the specific recess is very small, although this is not impossible in the special case of a specific shock. An advantageous alternative embodiment of the coupling method according to the invention results in a coupling where the slight rotation of the coupling member is required by the alternative embodiment described herein.

[0045] Once the coupling member 20 is assembled to the drum finger 10, in the absence of any external stress and in particular without any shock, the coupling member generally always remains coupled to the drum finger 10, regardless of the state of the device 6, i.e., during the period when there is no interaction between the teeth 5 of the indicator 4 and the drive finger 12, in the non-angularly stressed state of the spring, when the spring is loaded before the indicator jumps, when the indicator jumps, and when the spring is slightly stressed during expansion, in particular when the wheel platform 8 rotates in a direction opposite to the intended direction for driving the indicator 4 in order to correct the time in the counterclockwise direction, in the state where the spring is working during contraction. In short, during the normal operation of the watch movement 2, the coupling member 20 remains coupled to the drum finger as expected, i.e., in place in the specific recess 36 and thus integrated with the drum finger. Generally speaking, it is arranged such that once the watch movement is assembled and completed, the coupling member occupies a functional coupling position and remains in this functional coupling position during any normal operation of the watch movement. It should be noted that during normal operation, no shock is expected to generate a strong acceleration, and the watch movement will generally experience strong accelerations.

[0046] A general implementation of a method for coupling a rigid element with an elastic element during the assembly or installation of a device intended to form a watch movement will be described below. Then, with reference to Figures 3A to 3E , a first implementation of the coupling method according to the invention will be described.

[0047] Generally speaking, a method for coupling a rigid element with an elastic element during the assembly or installation of devices intended to form a timepiece movement involves an elastic element, in particular a spring which may have various shapes, the spring including a first end and a second end, the first end being intended to be assembled with a support, in particular a wheel platform, included in the device or the timepiece movement, the second end carrying a coupling member which is intended to be assembled with the rigid element so as to couple the rigid element with the elastic element. The rigid element, in particular a lever or a drum finger which is arranged to be movable relative to the support and on which a restoring force is intended to be exerted, has a specific recess for the coupling member and a stress ramp which is located near the specific recess and is intended to guide the elastic element by instantaneously stressing the elastic element during the coupling method.

[0048] According to a general embodiment, the coupling method comprises the following steps:

[0049] - attaching the first end of the elastic element to the support such that it moves integrally with the support in a first direction;

[0050] - positioning the support with the elastic element and the rigid element in an initial relative position within a range of possible relative positions, in which the elastic element is slack, in which the stress ramp is located between the coupling member and the specific recess of the rigid element, and in which the rigid element and the support are able to undergo a guided relative movement in the first direction from this initial relative position, at least during the assembly or installation of the device; the elastic element with the coupling member and the rigid element are configured such that the stress ramp intersects a geometric direction which passes through the contact point between the coupling member and the stress ramp and is parallel to the first direction;

[0051] and subsequently comprises the following coupling steps:

[0052] - applying a guided relative movement between the support and the rigid element in the first direction such that the coupling member abuts against the stress ramp, the coupling member then follows the stress ramp while the relative movement continues, while having at least one non-zero component in the first direction, the stress ramp being configured to produce a displacement of the coupling member relative to the support during this continuation of the relative movement, which displacement has at least one non-zero component in a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction, while stressing the elastic element; the relative movement continues until the coupling member at least partially enters the specific recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction and finally occupies a functional coupling position, in which the coupling member remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement; the coupling member and the specific recess are configured to allow the coupling member to reach the functional coupling position after following the stress ramp during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element.

[0053] In a first embodiment of the method, the first direction is an angular direction D1 relative to the axis of rotation 22, which angular direction D1 defines a rotation about this axis, and the second direction is a radial direction D2 relative to the axis of rotation 22, which radial direction D2 passes through the geometric center 21 of the coupling member. Thus, when the coupling member follows the stress ramp 40 as it approaches its specific recess 36, the coupling member is displaced radially. The device is a mechanism 6 for driving the jump indicator 4, the elastic element is a spring 16, which spring 16 includes coils 18 between its first end 17 and its second end 19. The support is a wheel platform 8, which drives the first end of the spring 16 and defines the axis of rotation 22. The rigid element 10 includes a drive finger 12 for driving the jump indicator in a given drive direction.

[0054] In a first embodiment of this coupling method, which is a specific case of the general embodiment, reference Figures 3A to 3E The foregoing steps are described as follows:

[0055] - Attach the first end 17 of the spring 16 to the wheel platform 8 so as to rotate therewith;

[0056] - Position the wheel platform 8 and in particular the rigid element 10 forming the drum finger ( Figure 3A ) in an initial relative position IRP within the range of possible relative angular positions P1(θ) for which the spring 16 is slack, and for which such a range of relative angular positions exists with the spring and the rigid element arranged such that in the case of the spring being slack; in this initial relative position IRP, the stress ramp 40 is located between the coupling member 20 and the recess 36 of the rigid element 10; during the assembly or installation of the mechanism 6, the rigid element 10 and the wheel platform 8 are able to undergo a guided relative movement MR in an angular direction D1 centered on the axis of rotation 22 from the initial relative position IRP; the spring 16 and the rigid element 10 with the coupling member 20 are configured such that the stress ramp 40 intersects a geometric line L3 passing through the contact point CP of the coupling member and defining a circle;

[0057] And subsequently includes the following coupling steps:

[0058] - Apply a guided relative movement MR( Figures 3B to 3E ) between the wheel platform 8 and the rigid element in the angular direction D1 such that the coupling member 20 abuts against the stress ramp 40( Figure 3B ) and subsequently follows this stress ramp( Figure 3C), the coupling member then follows this stress ramp while continuing to move relatively in the angular direction D1. The stress ramp 40 is configured to generate a displacement of the coupling member relative to the wheel platform during the continuation of the relative movement, this displacement having at least one non-zero component in the radial direction D2 while stressing the spring 16; the relative movement continues until the coupling member at least partially enters its specific recess 36( Figure 3E ), while the spring undergoes at least partial relaxation, preferably complete relaxation, in the radial direction, and the coupling member finally occupies a functional coupling position in which it remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement; the coupling member 20 and the specific recess 36 are configured to allow the coupling member to reach this functional coupling position after following the stress ramp 40 during the relaxation of the elastic element.

[0059] It should be noted that during the relative movement MR, the spring 16 is forced to contract, which provides for coupling the spring 16 to the rigid element 10 by means of the coupling member 20 carried by the specific recess 36 defined by the rigid element and the second end 19 of the spring. The coupling member is preferably integrally formed as a single piece with the spring and thus forms the same part as the spring. Advantageously, the central rigid ring 24 is also attached to the first end 17 of the spring so as to form the same part as the spring. Thus, as shown in the figure, the spring, the coupling member and the central rigid ring are formed from the same part. In addition, the spring 16 and the rigid ring 24 are arranged such that there is a free space 38 when the spring is relaxed and the coupling member 20 can enter this free space 38 when the spring contracts. In the alternative embodiment shown, this is important for this coupling method and also for the operation of the mechanism 6 when driving the indicator 4, in particular the date ring.

[0060] As Figure 4A and 4B shown (where the elongated hole 34 of the plate 30 is shown in dashed lines), once the mechanism 6 has been assembled according to the above-described coupling method and the mechanism has been installed in the timepiece movement 2 according to the invention, the wheel platform 8 is intended to be driven in the rotational direction 56 by the time display mechanism. Thus, the rigid element 10 forming the drum finger with the drive finger 12 is rotatably driven by the wheel platform, and before midnight every day, the drive finger 12 abuts against ( Figure 4A ) the lateral side of the tooth 5a of the tooth portion 5 of the date ring. Then, during a first phase, the spring 16 is loaded by the contraction of its coil 18 until the contact surface 46 of the coupling member abuts against the angular stop 48( Figure 4B ). Then, the jump of the date ring is triggered rapidly after this event. In another alternative embodiment, the jump can be triggered before the contact surface 46 abuts against the angular stop 48, which thus forms a safety stop for the spring so that it cannot be damaged.

[0061] In a first embodiment of the method, when the jump indicator 4 is driven by the mechanism 6 in a given driving direction, the stress ramp 40 is arranged upstream of the recess 36 with respect to the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8.

[0062] The specific shape of the coupling member 20, the arrangement of the spring 16, and the configuration of the stress ramp 40 mean that during the coupling step, before the coupling member 20 at least partially enters the specific recess 36 and occupies the functional coupling position, the coupling member slides on the end region of the stress ramp after following the stress ramp during the guided relative movement MR.

[0063] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the stress ramp 40, the spring 16, and the coupling member 20 are arranged such that as the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess 36, the coupling member rotates about itself, i.e., it rotates about its geometric center 21, which promotes or in a preferred alternative embodiment allows the coupling member to then enter its specific recess, such that the coupling member can reach the functional coupling position. As mentioned above, this alternative embodiment is advantageous because it allows complementary shapes to be designed for the coupling member and the specific recess, such that in practice the coupling member no longer disengages from the specific recess in the event of an impact. Due to the stress ramp 40, the rotation of the coupling member about itself occurs during the assembly of the spring to the rigid element defining the specific recess by the relative rotational movement between the rigid element and the support (drum finger and wheel platform), and the stress ramp 40 stresses the spring 16 by the displacement of the coupling member 20 towards the axis of rotation 22, the main component of which displacement is radial, thus generating sufficient rotation of the member about itself to allow the orientation that enables it to be inserted into the specific recess 36. This is noteworthy.

[0064] As in Figure 3AAs can be seen, during the assembly or installation of the mechanism 6, the range of possible relative positions P1(θ) of the spring 16 in the internal space 9 of the drum finger 10 in a slack / stress-free state extends over approximately 75° in said intermediate state. This value corresponds to a preferred alternative embodiment, in which the range of possible relative positions extends over at least 60°. In a general alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 20°, while in an advantageous alternative embodiment, this range extends over at least 45°. The relatively wide range of possible relative positions P1(θ) in the intermediate state before the relative rotational movement for coupling is a very advantageous benefit of the present invention, since in this way the spring and the drum finger (rigid element) can be brought together without the need for precise initial positioning between them. Furthermore, in the intermediate state, the spring is slack / stress-free, such that its supply and initial positioning in the axial position are easy and do not require precise initial relative positioning, especially for initially placing the coupling member facing its specific recess, or for stressing the spring in this intermediate state. Then, during the provided guiding relative movement MR, the spring is stressed by the stress ramp, and subsequently the coupling member is inserted into its specific recess with the spring at least partially relaxed, such that the member remains in the specific recess without external stress. The end portion of the stress ramp defines the edge of the specific recess of the coupling member, the opposite edge of which is advantageously located at approximately the same radial distance from the axis of rotation 22.

[0065] In a particular alternative embodiment of the coupling method according to the invention, the rigid element 10 is formed by or mounted to be rotatable on a plate 30 (in the case related to the second embodiment to be described below). The coupling method includes, prior to the coupling step, an initial step in which the wheel platform 8, the spring 16 and the plate 30, in particular the drum finger 10 which is partly formed by the plate 30 in the alternative embodiment shown, are placed and positioned in the initial relative position, in which the spring lies between the wheel platform and the plate; and subsequently, it includes an assembly step which includes the rigid attachment step, and in which the hub 26 including the shaft 28 and the head 27 is brought to the side of the plate, and the shaft is inserted into a first hole 34 (elongated hole in the alternative embodiment shown) in the plate, inserted into the rigid ring 24 to which the first end 17 of the spring is attached, and finally inserted into a second hole in the wheel platform 8, the second hole being dimensioned such that the shaft 28 is forced into the second hole, while the first hole 34 is dimensioned such that the plate 30 and thus the drum finger 10 can rotate freely about the shaft and thus about the axis of rotation 22, and in which the head 27 finally at least partly overlaps the side of the plate opposite the spring in order to ensure that the plate is held in the axial position. According to an optional additional feature, the central rigid ring 24 has a third hole which is dimensioned such that the shaft is also forced into the third hole to rigidly attach the first end of the spring to the wheel platform. It should be noted that in another alternative embodiment, the rigid ring has an internal projection which is inserted into a corresponding cavity in the shaft of the hub. Thus, the rigid ring and the spring, more specifically its first end 17, are attached to the wheel platform 8 so as to rotate therewith, but are not attached to the wheel platform 8 via the shaft.

[0066] In an advantageous alternative embodiment of the coupling method according to the invention, the initial step of the above particular alternative embodiment is different in that the hub is first provided placed in the fitting, and subsequently, the drum finger is added by inserting the shaft of the hub into the elongated hole in the drum finger, then the spring with its rigid ring and coupling member is added, and the assembly is positioned such that the hole in the rigid ring is positioned to allow the end portion of the shaft with the smaller diameter to pass through the hole, so that the rigid ring is temporarily held above the internal space 9 of the drum finger. Then the wheel platform is added and positioned such that the end portion of the shaft is also inserted into or aligned with its central hole. Finally, the rigid ring and the wheel platform are forced onto the shaft, so that the drum finger can rotate freely. Thus, the device according to the invention is in the said intermediate state.

[0067] The present invention relates to an advantageous coupling method for coupling an elastic element to a rigid element of a device of a timepiece movement, which method has been described above, and to a timepiece movement which comprises such a device and which is arranged in such a way as to allow the coupling method according to the invention to be implemented.

[0068] Thus, according to the invention, a general embodiment of a timepiece movement according to the invention comprises a device formed by a support, a movable rigid element and an elastic element coupled to the rigid element, the elastic element comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being arranged to move with the support at least in a first direction, the second end carrying a coupling member which is at least partially inserted into a specific recess made in the rigid element. The support, the rigid element and the elastic element are arranged in such a way that when the device is formed, they can be pre-mounted or pre-assembled in the timepiece movement in an intermediate state, in which: - the first end of the elastic element is arranged to move with the support in the first direction; - the rigid element and the support with the elastic element have an initial relative position among a range of possible relative positions in which the elastic element is slack; and - the coupling member is outside its specific recess. The rigid element comprises a stress ramp which is provided for the elastic element and is located near the specific recess, the stress ramp being arranged such that at least when the device is assembled or installed in the timepiece movement from the said intermediate state, the coupling member can move from the said initial relative position by a guided relative movement in the first direction between the rigid element and the support against the stress ramp, and then follow the stress ramp as it approaches its specific recess while the relative movement continues, with at least one non-zero component in the first direction, the stress ramp being arranged such that during this continuation of the relative movement, the coupling member is displaced relative to the support, at least one non-zero component of this displacement being in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, and the elastic element is thus stressed. The coupling member is configured such that after following the stress ramp as it approaches its specific recess, it can enter at least partially into the recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation and finally occupies a functional coupling position in which it remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement.

[0069] According to a particular alternative embodiment, the spring 16, the coupling member 20 and the stress ramp 40 are arranged such that the coupling member can slide on the end region of the stress ramp as it moves towards its specific recess after following the stress ramp, while the relative movement continues before the coupling member reaches the functional coupling position in the said specific recess.

[0070] According to a main alternative embodiment, the first direction is an angular direction relative to the axis of rotation, which first direction defines a rotation about the axis, and the second direction is a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation, which second direction passes through the geometric center of the coupling member.

[0071] In a general alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 20°. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 45°, preferably over at least 60°.

[0072] According to the first embodiment and the second embodiment described below, the device is a mechanism 6 for driving the jump indicator 4, the elastic element is a spring 16, which spring 16 includes a coil 18 between its first end 17 and its second end 19, the support is a wheel platform 8, which wheel platform 8 drives the first end of the spring and defines the axis of rotation (axis of rotation 22), and the rigid element (drum finger or lever) includes a drive finger 12, which drive finger 12 is arranged to be able to periodically drive the jump indicator in a given drive direction 50.

[0073] According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the above-described watch movement, the stress ramp 40, the spring 16 and the coupling member 20 are arranged in such a way that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches a specific recess 36, the coupling member can rotate about itself, which prompts or allows the coupling member to subsequently enter into the specific recess, such that the coupling member can ultimately reach the functional coupling position.

[0074] According to the first embodiment, in the watch movement 2, the rigid element 10 is formed by a plate 30 and an axial wall 32, which plate 30 extends above the spring on the side opposite to the wheel platform 8, which axial wall 32 is arranged at the edge of the plate and slopes downward towards the wheel platform, and at least a part of the axial wall and a part of the plate superposed thereon together form the drive finger 12. The plate has an elongated hole and is rotatably guided relative to the wheel platform about the axis of rotation 22 by a shaft 28, which shaft 28 is attached to the wheel platform and passes through the elongated hole. The axial wall 32 defines a recess 36, which recess 36 has a lateral opening on the spring side (i.e., on one side of the axis of rotation 22), and the coupling member 20 is configured to be able to enter the specific recess 36 at least partially through the lateral opening, so as to ultimately reach the functional coupling position, which remains in the functional coupling position during any normal operation of the watch movement, and subsequently, allows the spring 16 to exert a driving force couple on the rigid element 10 and thus on the drive finger 12 in order to drive the jump indicator 4.

[0075] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the coupling member has a first shape in the general plane of the spring, and the recess has a second shape in this general plane, the size of the laterally open side not allowing the coupling member to leave the particular recess if it only undergoes at least one translation.

[0076] According to the shown advantageous alternative embodiment of the mechanism 6 of the timepiece movement according to the first embodiment, when the jump indicator 4 is driven by the mechanism 6 in a given driving direction 50, the stress ramp 40 is arranged upstream of the recess 36 with respect to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform 8, such that the relative movement in the angular direction D1 between the rigid element 10 and the wheel platform occurs for the wheel platform in its said rotation direction.

[0077] According to a preferred alternative embodiment, the mechanism 6 is arranged such that if the coupling member 20 happens to come out of the particular recess 36 in the case of an impact, or if the timepiece movement 2 is subject to a certain high acceleration, then when the jump indicator 4 is driven by the mechanism in the said given driving direction 56, the coupling member 20 can only occupy a pre-coupling position upstream of the particular recess 36 with respect to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform 8. The mechanism is arranged such that when the wheel platform 8 rotates by the timepiece movement in the said rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform, the coupling member can return to the said functional coupling position while the drive finger abuts against the teeth on the jump indicator. This preferred alternative embodiment is remarkable because in the case of a particular impact that would cause the coupling member 20 to leave the particular recess 36, the coupling member can only be located upstream of the particular recess, and in the shown alternative embodiment with an upstream stress ramp, it can also be located upstream of the ramp or optionally against the ramp. This state corresponds to the situation of automatic pre-coupling of the spring 16 and the rigid element 10 (drum finger), because during the normal operation of the timepiece movement, once the drive finger 12 abuts against the teeth 5a of the indicator 4, the rotation of the wheel platform 8 will produce a re-coupling process similar to the re-coupling process that occurs in the coupling method of the present invention. The coupling member 20 climbs up the stress ramp 40 again, slides on the end region of the ramp, and optionally undergoes a certain rotation about itself (if provided for the coupling method), and before the spring is fully loaded, i.e., before the next jump that the indicator is intended to make, it enters the particular recess again to finally occupy the expected coupling position. Therefore, the fact that the coupling member 20 comes out of its particular recess once the timepiece movement 2 is assembled has no negative impact on the drive of the indicator 4 by the mechanism, because the indicator does not miss any jumps and the re-coupling occurs automatically.

[0078] A second embodiment of the timepiece movement according to the present invention will now be described. The elements or references already described above will not be described in detail again.

[0079] The characteristics of the timepiece movement 62 according to the second embodiment lie first of all in the fact that the rigid element of the mechanism 60 is a lever 66 mounted on the plate 11 included in this mechanism. The plate 11 has a circular central hole 34A and is rotatably guided relative to the wheel platform 8 about a rotation axis 22, which serves as a first rotation axis, by means of a shaft 28 to which the wheel platform 8 is attached. The lever 66 is mounted on the plate 11 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis 72 remote from the first rotation axis 22, this second rotation axis being arranged at the first end of the lever. More specifically, the lever is formed by an arm 67 which includes at its first end a stud 74 which is inserted into a corresponding hole in the plate 11 so as to be able to pivot about the second rotation axis 72 and which includes on one side of its second end a drive finger 68 and an internal part which defines a specific recess 76 for coupling member 70 and which includes a front part 78 which defines a stress ramp 80 for spring 16A (these elements will be described in more detail below). The mechanism 60 also includes a stop 90 which is integral with the plate 11 and which limits the rotation of the lever 66 in a first rotation direction which corresponds to the radial movement of the drive finger away from the first rotation axis 22.

[0080] In the alternative embodiment shown, the plate 11 has a side surface in an area of which a stop 90 is defined, the drive finger 68 being arranged such that the rear upper part 92 of the finger is able to bear against the stop 90 in order to remain in a fixed angular position relative to the second rotation axis and thus in a fixed position relative to the first rotation axis, in particular when the indicator 4 is driven ( Figure 8B ), or in the context of the present invention, when the coupling member 70 follows at least one end section of said stress ramp 80 ( Figure 7D and 7E ), as will be explained below.

[0081] Generally speaking, the stress ramp 80 is arranged in such a way that when the coupling member 70 follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess 76, the coupling member exerts a couple of forces on the lever 66 in the first rotation direction and the coupling member 70 undergoes a radial displacement in the radial direction D2 towards the first rotation axis 22 at least on the end section of the stress ramp, while the lever bears against the stop 90 and the spring 16A is stressed. Again, the first end 17 of the spring 16A is connected to the central rigid ring 24A, while the second end 19 bears the coupling member 70. Between these two ends, the spring includes a coil 18A which has an internal projection 82 on one side of the second end, which internal projection 82 is intended to stop the contraction of the spring, i.e. its coil 18A, when the mechanism 60 is mounted in the timepiece movement 62 and is in operation, as Figure 8A and 8B shown in, which are similar to those relating to the first embodiment Figure 4Aand 4B This Figure 8A and Figure 8B correspondingly shows the mechanism 60 and the date ring 4 including the tooth portion 5 when the ring is driven to change to the next date at midnight, that is: - when the driving finger 68 contacts the tooth 5a of the ring and the spring 16A is substantially angularly relaxed (i.e., without angular force); - when the loading of the spring 16A ends, when the inner protrusion 82 of the spring abuts against the angular stopper 84, the latter being arranged between the first end and the rigid ring 24A after the first end of the spring 17.

[0082] The plate 11 and the lever 66 are arranged in such a way that the lever can rotate from the first position where the lever 66 abuts against the stopper 90 in the second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to reach the second position where the driving finger 68 retracts / withdraws on one side of the first rotation axis 22. The stress inclined surface 80 is constructed in such a way that when the spring 16A is relaxed / force-free and the lever is in the second position, during the relative movement MR between the lever and the wheel platform 8, the coupling member 70 can abut against the stress inclined surface 80 ( Figure 7B ), and then be able to follow the stress inclined surface when approaching a specific recess 76 ( Figures 7C to 7E ). In such a case, on the first section of the stress inclined surface, during the relative movement MR, the coupling member 70 exerts a force on the second end of the lever, which causes the lever to rotate in the first rotation direction ( Figure 7C ) until the lever abuts against the stopper 90 ( Figure 7D ).

[0083] Figure 7D Shows the contact point CP and the geometric line L3 involved in the coupling method, because according to the present invention, at least the spring 16A with the coupling member 70 and the lever 66 need to be constructed such that in the Figure 7D condition shown, where the lever contacts the stopper 90 and the spring 16A is relaxed, the stress inclined surface 80 intersects the geometric line L3, which passes through the contact point CP of the coupling member 70 and defines a circle around the central rotation axis 22. More specifically, in a general alternative embodiment of the coupling method for the device including the lever 66, the step of positioning the lever can be performed before the coupling step, and this positioning step includes making the lever contact the stopper 90, i.e., being in its first position, before the relative movement MR between the wheel platform 8 and the plate 11. It should be noted that in the alternative embodiment described here, the coupling member 70 undergoes a movement relative to the support in the second direction D2 towards the rotation axis 22, called relative movement, and only when the coupling member 70 continues to follow / climb the stress inclined surface on the second section after the first section on the side of the recess 76 after the lever 66 abuts against the stopper 90 ( Figure 7D ) Figure 7E) The spring 16A is only stressed when [condition]. Finally, the coupling member 70 enters its specific recess 76 through its lateral opening while the spring undergoes a rapid partial relaxation, and the relative movement terminates with a small bounce in a direction opposite to the direction of movement when the coupling member climbs the stress ramp, to allow the member to reach the intended coupling position ( Figure 7F ). In this functional coupling position, the spring may still be slightly radially stressed or radially relaxed. Since no moment is applied to the coupling member, the spring is fully relaxed in this case.

[0084] In this second embodiment, it can be seen that when the lever is initially not against the stop 90, the relative movement MR between the wheel platform 8 (support member) and the lever 66 (rigid element) can include three stages. This relative movement includes a first stage that ends when the coupling member 70 contacts the stress ramp 80, during which the relative movement occurs in the angular direction D1, i.e., it is a rotation about the axis 22, guided by the shaft 28 of the hub 26 (it should be noted that here the lever is not considered to rotate about its own axis 72). Then, as shown, the relative movement continues until the coupling member is inserted into the specific recess 76. Thus, in the second stage of the relative movement MR, the relative movement is more complex because the lever gradually rotates about its own axis 72 until it abuts the stop 90. In this second stage, the relative movement MR continues to have a component in the angular direction D1, i.e., the guided rotation about the central axis 22, which is necessary; however, a component for the lever 66 to rotate about its axis 72 also appears. This second stage will also be referred to as the "initial stage", which is indeed the initial stage related to the fact that the coupling member follows / climbs the stress ramp.

[0085] Then, once the lever has abutted against the stop 90, its rotation about the axis 72 ends and the third stage of relative movement begins, which third stage again becomes a rotation about the central axis. During this third stage, the spring is radially stressed and the coupling member 70 experiences a radial movement relative to the wheel platform, i.e., a radial movement towards the axis of rotation 22 of the wheel platform. It should be noted that the appearance of a radial stress on the spring due to the radial displacement of the coupling member does not preclude any angular stress associated with the angular displacement of the coupling member relative to the wheel platform. More precisely, it can be mentioned that the stress ramp is arranged such that during this continuation of the relative movement, the coupling member experiences a displacement relative to the support (wheel platform 8), at least one non-zero component of which is in a second direction (D2) not parallel to the first direction (D1), and the elastic element (spring 16) is thus stressed. In order to cover in a general and precise manner the possibly complex relative movements, as is the case here, it can be mentioned that the stress ramp is arranged such that at least during the assembly of the device or the installation of the device in a timepiece movement from the intermediate state defined above, the coupling member can move from said initial relative position (IRP) against the stress ramp by means of a guiding relative movement in the first direction (D1) between the rigid element and the support, and then follow the stress ramp as it approaches a specific recess while the relative movement continues, with at least one non-zero component in the first direction.

[0086] The coupling member 70 is configured to be able to enter at least partially into its specific recess 76 through the lateral opening of the recess. In particular, the recess has a side surface 54A which is inclined and oriented in the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8 with respect to the radial direction passing through the center of the side surface, the indicator 4 being intended to be driven in this direction, and the coupling member 70 has a lateral side surface 52A which is positioned facing the side surface 54A in the functional coupling position (see Figure 7B and 7F ), which lateral side surface 52A is also inclined and oriented in the same direction as the side surface and at least partially abuts against the side surface at least when the indicator is driven (see Figure 8B ). This specific feature ensures that once the spring 16A contracts, the coupling member is firmly held in the specific recess. In addition, the side surface 54A and the lateral side surface 52A are relatively long.

[0087] The recess 76 is generally triangular in shape and opens outwards gradually towards its lateral opening. The shape of the portion of the coupling member 70 inserted into a specific recess through the lateral opening substantially corresponds to the shape of the recess. This configuration advantageously allows the coupling member to be easily inserted into a specific recess, but will a priori allow the member to come out quite easily even if the recess is intended to be relatively deep in the event of an impact. However, the spring 16A is arranged such that when the spring is loaded, the coupling member 70 is at a short distance from the inner end 17 of the spring rigidly connected to the central portion 24A. In this situation, in the event of an impact, the coupling member 70 cannot be disengaged from the specific recess. In addition, when the drive finger does not interact with the teeth 5 of the indicator and the spring 16A is substantially relaxed, the coupling member 70 also cannot be laterally disengaged from its specific recess in the event of an impact. Therefore, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that the coupling member cannot be removed from the specific recess 76 when the spring is relaxed or stressed during the loading of the spring before the indicator jumps.

[0088] Once inserted into its specific recess 76, the coupling member 70 is advantageously retained in the specific recess by the radial force of the spring 16A applied to the coupling member in the outward direction. During a rapid date change or during a counterclockwise time correction past midnight, this radial force increases due to the fact that the drive finger 68 and the coupling member 70 are then retracted / withdrawn in the direction of the axis of rotation 22 by the clockwise rotation of the lever (the second rotation direction of the lever), such that even when the spring 16A expands slightly in such a situation, the coupling member will thus be normally retained in the specific recess. More specifically, assuming that the plate 11 rotates relative to the wheel platform 8, as is the case during the coupling method, i.e., in a direction opposite to the relative rotation direction of the plate when the date ring 4 is driven by the mechanism 60, the coupling member 70 could theoretically come out of the specific recess 76. However, when such a correction is made, unlike during the coupling method, the drive finger and the coupling member move back towards the central axis.

[0089] When the drive finger 68 is retracted by the lever 66 towards the rotation of the second direction towards the axis of rotation 22, during a rapid counterclockwise correction of the date or time, the coupling finger 68 moves closer to the central portion 24A such that after a certain initial rotation of the lever, it can no longer disengage from the specific recess 76. During the initial rotation, the spring 16A can undergo a certain angular stress, causing it to expand and theoretically allowing the coupling member to disengage from its specific recess in the event of an impact. However, if the coupling member is subjected to an acceleration substantially in the direction of the axis of rotation 22 of the wheel platform 8, the lever will be subjected to a certain couple of forces, which causes the lever to rotate about its axis of rotation 72, and the drive finger then follows the coupling member such that the latter remains at least partially within its specific recess. If this acceleration occurs substantially in the direction passing through the center of gravity of the lever and its axis of rotation 72, the coupling member 70 can undergo a movement such that it disengages from the specific recess 76. However, the internal projection 82 of the spring can be constructed in such a way as to prevent the coupling member from completely disengaging from its specific recess. In summary, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that the coupling member 70 remains in its specific recess 76 during normal operation, such that the coupling member is always integral with the drive finger during normal operation, and such that in most cases, it cannot disengage from its specific recess during an impact, preferably not at all.

[0090] The second embodiment further differs from the first embodiment in the fact that when the jump indicator 4 is driven by the mechanism 60 in a given driving direction 50, with respect to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform 8, the stress ramp 80 is arranged downstream of the recess 76 such that when the jump indicator 4 is driven, the relative movement MR between the lever 66 and the wheel platform with the spring 16 occurs in a direction opposite to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform. This second embodiment corresponds to a second embodiment of the coupling method according to the invention, in which, when the jump indicator is driven by the mechanism in a given driving direction 50, the relative movement MR between the lever 66 and the wheel platform 8 occurs in a direction opposite to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform, and in which the spring 16A expands during this coupling method. This second embodiment of the method is shown in the Figures 7A to 7F already described Figure 7AIn it, the spring 16A, the wheel platform 8, the lever 66, and the plate 11 on which the lever is mounted are in an initial relative position IRP, which initial relative position IRP is within the range of possible relative positions P2(θ) for this initial relative position IRP, and this range extends here over approximately 90°. In other alternative embodiments, this range extends only over approximately 20° or 30°. Thus, in a general alternative embodiment, this range extends over at least 20°. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions extends over at least 45°, preferably over at least 60°. It should be noted that in the example shown, the lever 66 is initially in its second position, thus retracting / withdrawing towards the axis of rotation 22. The assembly of the various elements with the hub 26 is carried out in a manner similar to that described for the first embodiment.

[0091] Advantageously, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that if during the installation of the mechanism, due to relative movement over too long a distance, the coupling member 70 ends up outside its specific recess 76 ( Figure 9 the situation shown in), then when the indicator 4 is driven, the coupling member can temporarily occupy a pre-coupling position upstream of its specific recess 76 relative to the direction of rotation 56 of the wheel platform 8. The mechanism 60 is arranged such that when the wheel platform 8 is driven along the said direction of rotation 56 while driving the driving finger 68 against the teeth 5a on the jump indicator 4, the coupling member can move from this pre-coupling position to a functional coupling position ( Figure 8A ). If the device 60 is inadvertently installed in the timepiece movement 62 in the state shown in Figure 9 , i.e., where the coupling member is in the pre-coupling position, then during the normal operation of the timepiece movement, once the driving finger 68 abuts against the teeth 5a of the indicator, the coupling member 70 follows the inner side surface 88 of the lever 66, and the coupling member automatically reaches its specific recess 76 and assumes the expected coupling position. Then the spring 16A can contract as expected to allow the indicator 4 to be driven by a jump. It goes without saying that in such a case, testing the operation of the mechanism 60 will require changing the position of the minute hand on its axis, which is the case where this hand has already been installed before this test, in order to cause the indicator to jump.

Claims

1. A timepiece movement (2, 62) comprising a device (6, 60) formed by a support (8), a movable rigid element (10, 66) and an elastic element (16, 16A) coupled to the rigid element, the elastic element comprising a first end (17) and a second end (19), the first end (17) being arranged to move with the support at least in a first direction (D1), the second end (19) carrying a coupling member (20, 70) at least partially inserted into a specific recess (36, 76) made in the rigid element; characterized in that The support, the rigid element and the elastic element are arranged in such a way that they can be pre-installed in the timepiece movement or pre-assembled in an intermediate state when the device is formed, wherein: - said first end of said elastic element is arranged to move along said first direction (D1) with said support, - said rigid element and said support with said elastic element have an initial relative position (IRP) from a range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in which said elastic element is relaxed, and - the coupling member is located outside the specific recess; The rigid element comprises a stress ramp (40, 80) provided for the elastic element and located near the specific recess, the stress ramp being arranged so that, at least when the device is assembled or installed in the timepiece movement from the intermediate state, the coupling member can come against the stress ramp from the initial relative position by a guided relative movement (MR) between the rigid element and the support along the first direction (D1), and then follow the stress ramp as it approaches its specific recess, while the relative movement continues with at least one non-zero component along the first direction, the The stress ramp is arranged so that, during the continuation of the relative movement, the coupling member is displaced relative to the support, at least one non-zero component of the displacement being located in a second direction (D2) not parallel to the first direction (D1), and the elastic element is thereby stressed; and the coupling member is constructed so that, after following the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess, the coupling member is able to at least partially enter the recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation and finally occupies a functional coupling position, in which the coupling member remains during any normal operation of the watch movement.

2. The watch movement according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring (16), the coupling member (20) and the stress ramp (40) are arranged so that the coupling member can slide on the end area of ​​the stress ramp after following the stress ramp as it moves towards its specific recess (36), while the relative movement continues before the coupling member reaches the functional coupling position in its specific recess.

3. The watch movement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The coupling member (20, 70) is rigid.

4. The watch movement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first direction (D1) is an angular direction relative to the rotation axis (22), which defines the rotation around the axis, and the second direction (D2) is a radial direction relative to the rotation axis (22), which passes through the geometric center (21) of the coupling member (20, 70).

5. The watch movement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending over at least 20°.

6. The watch movement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending over at least 60°.

7. The watch movement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The device is a mechanism (6, 60) for driving a jump indicator (4), the elastic element is a spring (16, 16A), the spring (16, 16A) includes a coil (18, 18A) between its first end and its second end, the support is a wheel platform (8), the wheel platform (8) is rotatably mounted around the rotation axis (22) and drives the first end (17) of the spring, and the rigid element (10, 66) includes a drive finger (12, 68), the drive finger (12, 68) is arranged to be able to periodically drive the jump indicator (4) along a given drive direction (50).

8. The watch movement according to claim 7, characterized in that: The stress ramp (40, 80) is arranged so that when the coupling member (20, 70) follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess (36, 76), the coupling member is radially displaced toward the rotation axis (22) and the coil (18, 18A) of the spring is thereby stressed.

9. The watch movement according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stress ramp (40), the spring (16) and the coupling member (20) are arranged in such a manner that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess (36), the coupling member can rotate about itself, which prompts or allows the coupling member to subsequently enter the specific recess (36) so that the coupling member can eventually reach the functional coupling position.

10. The watch movement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The rigid element is formed by a plate (30) extending above the spring (16) on the side opposite to the wheel platform (8), and an axial wall (32) arranged at the edge of the plate and inclined downwardly towards the wheel platform, at least a portion of the axial wall and a portion of the plate superimposed thereon jointly forming the drive finger (12), the plate having an elongated hole (34) and being rotatable relative to the wheel platform by means of a shaft (28) attached to the wheel platform and passing through the elongated hole. The table is rotatably guided about the rotation axis (22); and the axial wall defines the specific recess (36), which has a lateral opening on the spring side (16), and the coupling member (20) is configured to be able to enter the specific recess at least partially through the lateral opening to finally reach the functional coupling position and subsequently allow the spring to apply a driving force couple to the rigid element (10) and therefore to the driving finger (12) in order to drive the jump indicator (4).

11. The watch movement according to claim 10, characterized in that: The coupling member (20) has a first shape in the general plane of the spring and the specific recess (36) has a second shape in the general plane, the size of the lateral opening not allowing the coupling member to leave the specific recess if it undergoes only at least one translation.

12. A timepiece movement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: When the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (6) in the given driving direction (50), the stress ramp (40) is arranged upstream of the specific recess (36) relative to the rotation direction (56) of the wheel platform (8), so that the relative movement (MR) between the rigid element (10) and the wheel platform about the rotation axis (22) occurs for the wheel platform in its rotation direction.

13. A timepiece movement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that The rigid element is a lever (66) mounted on a plate (11) included in the mechanism (60), the plate being rotatably guided relative to the wheel platform (8) about the rotation axis (22) as a first rotation axis via an axle (28) to which the wheel platform is attached, the lever being mounted on the plate so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis (72) remote from the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis being arranged at a first end of the lever, and the lever forming the drive finger (68) on one side of its second end, the mechanism comprising a stopper (90) which is in contact with the wheel platform (8). The plate is integral and limits the rotation of the lever in a first rotational direction, the rotation corresponding to a radial movement of the drive finger (68) away from the first rotational axis (22), the stress ramp (80) being arranged in such a way that when the coupling member (70) follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess (76), the coupling member exerts a force couple on the lever in the first rotational direction and the coupling member undergoes a radial displacement towards the first rotational axis at least on an end section of the stress ramp while the lever abuts against the stop and the spring is stressed.

14. The watch movement according to claim 13, characterized in that: The plate (11) has a side surface, a region of which defines the stop (90), and the drive finger (68) is arranged so that when the coupling member (70) follows the at least one end section of the stress ramp (80), the rear upper part (92) of the drive finger can abut against the stop (90) in such a way that it is thereby maintained in a fixed angular position relative to the second rotation axis (72) and therefore in a fixed position relative to the first rotation axis (22).

15. The watch movement according to claim 13, characterized in that The plate (11) and the lever (66) are arranged in such a way that the lever can undergo a rotation from a first position in which the lever abuts the stopper (90) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction to reach a second position in which the drive finger (68) is retracted on one side of the first rotational axis (22); and the stress ramp (80) is constructed in such a way that during the relative movement between the lever and the wheel platform (8), when the spring (16A) is unstressed and the lever is in the second position, the coupling member (70) can abut against the stress ramp and then can follow the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess (76), while generating a rotation of the lever in an initial stage until it abuts against the stopper.

16. The watch movement according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (60) in the given driving direction (50), the stress ramp (80) is arranged downstream of the specific recess (76) relative to the rotation direction (56) of the wheel platform (8), so that for the wheel platform, the relative movement (MR) between the lever (66) and the wheel platform occurs in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the wheel platform.

17. The watch movement according to claim 16, characterized in that The mechanism (60) is arranged in such a way that if, during installation of the mechanism, the coupling member (70) ends up being outside the specific recess (76) due to a relative movement over an excessively long distance, the coupling member can temporarily occupy a pre-coupling position, which is upstream of the specific recess with respect to the rotational direction (56) of the wheel platform; and the mechanism is arranged in such a way that the coupling member (70) can be moved from the pre-coupling position to the functional coupling position when the wheel platform (8) is driven in the rotational direction while the drive finger (68) abuts against the tooth (5a) on the jump indicator (4).

18. The watch movement according to claim 16, characterized in that The mechanism (6, 60) is arranged so that the coupling member cannot be moved out of the specific recess (36, 76) when the spring (16, 16A) is relaxed or stressed during the loading of the spring before the indicator (4) jumps in the driving direction (50).

19. A timepiece movement according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that The mechanism (6) is arranged in such a way that, if the coupling member (20) happens to come out of the specific recess (36) in the event of an impact, or if the watch movement is subjected to a certain acceleration, the coupling member can only occupy a pre-coupling position upstream of the specific recess with respect to the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform when the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (6) in the given drive direction, and the mechanism is arranged so that, when the wheel platform (8) is rotated by the watch movement in the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform, the coupling member can return to the functional coupling position with the drive finger (12) abutting against the tooth (5a) on the jump indicator (4).

20. Method for coupling a rigid element (10, 66) to an elastic element (16, 16A) when assembling or installing a device (6, 60) intended to form a timepiece movement (2, 62), wherein: The elastic element comprises a first end (17) and a second end (19), the first end (17) being intended to be assembled with a support (8) included in the device or the timepiece movement, the second end (19) carrying a coupling member (20, 70) intended to be assembled with the rigid element in order to couple the rigid element to the elastic element, the rigid element having a specific recess (36, 76) for the coupling member and a stress slope (40, 80) intended to guide the elastic element while applying stress to the elastic element during a coupling method and situated near the specific recess; the coupling method comprising the following steps: - attaching the first end (17) of the elastic element to the support (8) so that it moves as a unit with the support (8) in a first direction (D1); - positioning the support with the elastic element and the rigid element in an initial relative position (IRP) from a range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)), in which the elastic element is relaxed, in which the stress ramp is located between the coupling member (20, 70) and the specific recess of the rigid element, and the rigid element and the support are capable of undergoing a relative movement (MR) along the first direction (D1) from the initial relative position at least during assembly or installation of the device; the elastic element with the coupling member and the rigid element are configured so that the stress ramp (40, 80) intersects a geometric line (L3) passing through a contact point (CP) between the coupling member and the stress ramp and parallel to the first direction; And then includes the following coupling steps: - applying a relative movement (MR) between the support (8) and the rigid element (10, 66) along the first direction (D1), so that the coupling member abuts against the stress ramp, the coupling member then following the stress ramp, while the relative movement continues with at least one non-zero component in the first direction, the stress ramp being configured to generate, during the continuation of the relative movement, a displacement of the coupling member relative to the support, the displacement having at least one non-zero component in a second direction (D2) not parallel to the first direction, while the elastic element (16, 16A) applies stress; the relative movement continues until the coupling member at least partially enters the specific recess (36, 76), while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction (D2) and finally occupies a functional coupling position, and the coupling member remains in the functional coupling position during any normal operation of the watch movement; the coupling member and the specific recess are configured to allow the coupling member (20, 70) to reach the functional coupling position after following the stress ramp during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element.

21. The coupling method according to claim 20, characterized in that: The spring (16), the coupling member (20) and the stress ramp (40) are arranged so that during the coupling step, before the coupling member reaches the functional coupling position in its specific recess (36), during the relative movement (MR), the coupling member slides on the end area of ​​the stress ramp after following the stress ramp.

22. The coupling method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that: The stress ramp (40), the spring (16) and the coupling member (20) are arranged in such a way that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp as it approaches the specific recess (36), the coupling member rotates about itself, which causes or allows the coupling member to subsequently enter the specific recess, so that the coupling member can reach the functional coupling position.

23. The coupling method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that: The first direction (D1) is an angular direction relative to the rotation axis (22), which defines the rotation around the axis, and the second direction (D2) is a radial direction relative to the rotation axis (22), which passes through the geometric center (21) of the coupling member, so that when the coupling member follows the stress ramp (40) as it approaches the specific recess (36), the coupling member is radially displaced.

24. The coupling method according to claim 22, characterized in that: The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending over at least 20°.

25. The coupling method according to claim 22, characterized in that: The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending over at least 45°.

26. The coupling method according to claim 22, characterized in that: The device is a mechanism (6, 60) for driving a jump indicator (4), the elastic element is a spring (16, 16A), the spring (16, 16A) includes a coil (18, 18A) between its first end (17) and its second end (19), the support is a wheel platform (8) driving the first end of the spring and rotatably mounted around the rotation axis (22), and the rigid element (10, 66) includes a drive finger (12, 68) for driving the jump indicator in a given drive direction (50).

27. The coupling method according to claim 26, characterized in that: When the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (6) in the given driving direction, the stress ramp (40) is arranged upstream of the specific recess (36) relative to the rotation direction (56) of the wheel platform (8).

28. The coupling method according to claim 26, characterized in that: When the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (60) in the given driving direction, the stress ramp (80) is arranged downstream of the specific recess (76) relative to the rotation direction (56) of the wheel platform (8).

29. The coupling method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein: The rigid element (10, 66) is formed by a plate (30) or is rotatably mounted on a plate (11); characterized in that the method comprises an initial step during the assembly of the device before the coupling step, in which the hub comprising the shaft (26) and the head (27), the wheel platform (8), the spring (16, 16A) provided with a central rigid portion (24, 24A) at its first end and the plate, or respectively the plate with the rigid element mounted on the plate, are placed and positioned so that the wheel platform, the spring and the plate or respectively the rigid element are in relative positions angularly corresponding to one of the possible relative positions. a position in which the spring is located between the wheel platform and the plate and the head is located on the side of the plate opposite to the spring; so that the shaft, the first hole in the plate, the second hole in the wheel platform and the third hole defined by the central rigid part are aligned on the rotation axis, the second hole having a smaller diameter than the first hole and the head at least partially superimposed on the plate; and a subsequent assembly step, which includes the rigid attachment step and in which the shaft is forcibly inserted into the second hole in the wheel platform, thereby allowing the plate to rotate freely around the shaft, wherein the head ultimately ensures that the plate remains in an axial position.

30. The coupling method according to claim 29, characterized in that: The third hole is dimensioned so that the shaft (28) is also forcibly inserted into the third hole during the assembly step in order to rigidly attach the first end (17) of the spring to the wheel platform (8).

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