Timepiece control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece control device (100) for a timepiece movement (200), comprising a frame (99), a lever (1) having an axis (A1), a first pinion (4) which can be rotationally actuated by the lever (1) and is adapted to be connected to at least one first mechanism (80, 70), in particular for correcting an indicator member, and a second pinion (6) which can be rotationally actuated by the lever (1) and is adapted to be connected to at least one second mechanism (80, 70), in particular for correcting an indicator member. And a second pinion (6) rotatably actuatable by the lever (1) and adapted to move axially relative to the lever (1) and relative to the frame (99), and adapted to be connected to a second mechanism (90), in particular a winding mechanism (90).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clock control device for a clock movement. The present invention also relates to a clock movement including such a clock control device. The present invention also relates to a clock including such a clock movement or such a clock control device. The present invention finally relates to a method of operating such a clock movement or such a clock or such a clock control device. Background Art

[0002] Patent application EP1152303 describes a mechanism actuated by a control lever, on which a single sliding pinion constrained to rotate with the control lever and a winding pinion mounted on the control lever in a freely rotatable manner are mounted. In a first axial position, the control lever actuates the winding mechanism by means of the rear teeth of the sliding pinion acting on the front teeth of the winding pinion. In its second axial position, the control lever also drives the date and day correction mechanism by means of the rear teeth of the sliding pinion acting on the front teeth of the winding pinion. In its third axial position, the control lever actuates the hour correction mechanism by means of the front teeth of the sliding pinion. This mechanism can eliminate the risk of inadvertently correcting the date or day of the week during the movement from the first axial position to the second axial position of the lever. However, it has the disadvantage that it cannot eliminate the risk of jamming during the movement from the first axial position to the second axial position of the lever if the winding chain is under tension.

[0003] Patent application CH432389 describes a mechanism actuated by a control lever, on which a single sliding pinion constrained to rotate with the control lever and a winding pinion also constrained to rotate with the control lever are mounted. Here, by using two different horizontal clutch devices, it is possible to realize a switching device for switching from the winding function of the indicator member to the correction function. In particular, the first clutch is dedicated to the winding function, and the second clutch is adapted to control the translation of the sliding pinion in order to enable or disable the movement chain for time setting. Each clutch includes a bistable lever, which is arranged in a plane parallel to the plane of the clock frame and is directly guided by the pull piece. The first position of one or the other of the two levers corresponds to the enabling position of the associated function, while the second position corresponds to the disabling position. Therefore, without installing an additional clutch device, it is not possible to add a third function for correcting a second indicator member (for example, an indicator member providing a time-derived indication).

[0004] Patent EP2724199B1 also describes a mechanism actuated by a control rod, on which a single sliding pinion constrained to rotate with the control rod and a winding pinion also constrained to rotate with said control rod are mounted. This mechanism has the following specific features: it includes a winding mechanism actuated by a vertical clutch, in particular by a vertical clutch perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry axis of the control rod, and the mechanism for correcting at least one indicator member is actuated by the sliding pinion.

[0005] As for application EP3339967A1, it specifically relates to protecting the specific kinematics of the sliding pinion, which can translate relative to the frame in two opposite directions for the same actuation direction of the control rod, so as to be able to correct at least two different indicator members. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a clock control device capable of improving the devices known from the prior art. In particular, the present invention proposes a clock control device that is simple and reliable and whose overall dimensions are limited within the thickness of the clock movement.

[0007] The clock control device according to the present invention is defined by claim 1.

[0008] Embodiments of the clock control device are defined by claims 2 to 14.

[0009] The clock movement according to the present invention is defined by claim 15.

[0010] The clock according to the present invention is defined by claim 16.

[0011] The operating method according to the present invention is defined by claim 17. Description of the Drawings

[0012] The drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a clock according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 1 is a view of an embodiment of a clock according to the present invention, observing the control device from above.

[0014] Figure 2 is a view of an embodiment of a clock according to the present invention, observing the control device from below.

[0015] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the control device along the longitudinal axis of the rod, with the control device in the first configuration.

[0016] Figure 4 is a view of the lower side of the control device in the first configuration.

[0017] Figure 5 It is a view from above of the control device in the second configuration.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a perspective view from below of the control device in the second configuration.

[0019] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the control device along the longitudinal axis of the rod, with the control device in the second configuration.

[0020] Figure 8 It is a view from above of the control device in the third configuration.

[0021] Figure 9 It is a perspective view from below of the control device in the third configuration.

[0022] Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of the control device along the longitudinal axis of the rod, with the control device in the third configuration. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0023] The following refers to Figures 1 to 10 A detailed description of an embodiment of the timepiece 300 is provided.

[0024] The timepiece 300 is, for example, a watch, especially a wristwatch. The timepiece 300 includes a timepiece movement 200, which is intended to be installed in a timepiece case in order to protect the timepiece movement 200 from the external environment.

[0025] The timepiece movement 200 is a mechanical movement, especially an automatic movement, or a hybrid movement or an electronic movement.

[0026] The timepiece movement 200 includes a timepiece control device 100, which is capable of:

[0027] - Selecting different timepiece functions, and

[0028] - Adjusting or correcting or acting on the timepiece functions.

[0029] The timepiece control device 100 includes:

[0030] - A frame 99, and

[0031] - A control lever 1.

[0032] The control lever 1 can move along its longitudinal axis A1 and relative to the frame 99 in the following ways:

[0033] - Rotationally, and

[0034] - Translationally.

[0035] The clock functions are preferably selected by a translational movement of the control lever along its longitudinal axis A1 and relative to the frame 99, and / or the adjustment of those clock functions or the correction of those clock functions or the action on those clock functions is achieved by a rotational movement of the control lever about its longitudinal axis A1 relative to the frame 99.

[0036] The clock control device 100 further comprises:

[0037] - a first pinion 4, the rotation of which can be actuated by the control lever 1 and which is adapted to be connected to at least one first mechanism 80, 70, in particular to at least one first mechanism 80, 70 for correcting the indicating member, and

[0038] - a second pinion 6, the rotation of which can be actuated by the control lever 1 and which is adapted to move axially relative to the control lever 1 and relative to the frame 99 and which is adapted to be connected to a second mechanism 90, in particular to a winding mechanism 90.

[0039] The first pinion 4 can be a sliding pinion actuated translationally by a first lever 5, the first lever 5 itself being actuated by a rack 3 driven by the translational movement of the control lever 1. The second pinion 6 is advantageously a sliding pinion actuated translationally by a second lever 8, the second lever 8 itself being actuated by the same rack 3 that actuates the first lever 5.

[0040] The clock control device is operated by a control lever 1 which is adapted to be set in three axial positions P1, P2, P3. These positions are defined by a spring 2 which acts on the positioning of the rack 3 pivoting about an axis A3 relative to the frame 99. In particular, the spring 2 comprises a beak portion 2a which cooperates with a pin 31 of the rack. The beak portion 2a is suitable for defining three notches. The rack 3 is connected to the control lever 1 by means of a stud 3a engaged in a groove 1a of the control lever 1.

[0041] Figure 1 and Figure 2 are respectively a top view and a bottom view of the clock control device 100 when the control lever 1 is in the position P1.

[0042] In the described embodiment, the clock control device 100 is adapted to wind the movement 200 and to correct a first indicating member and at least one second indicating member depending on the position of the lever. In particular:

[0043] - In the position P1, as Figures 1 to 4 shown, the control lever 1 is adapted to be kinematically connected to the winding mechanism 90 of the movement 200. In particular, a rotation of the control lever 1 in a given direction winds the barrel of the movement 200.

[0044] - In the position P2, asFigures 5 to 7 As shown, the control lever 1 is kinematically connected to a mechanism 80 for correcting a first indicator member (e.g., a calendar disc), in particular a date disc driven by a movement 200. Thus, rotation of the control lever 1 enables correction of the date disc, in particular incremental correction.

[0045] - In position P3, as Figures 8 to 10 shown, the control lever 1 is kinematically connected to a mechanism 70 for correcting a second indicator member (e.g., the hour and minute hands driven by the movement 200). Thus, rotation of the control lever 1 adjusts the hour and minute hands.

[0046] The control lever 1 performs these various correction or adjustment functions by means of a first sliding pinion 4 that is constrained to rotate with the control lever 1. Advantageously, the first pinion 4 is mounted on the control lever 1, in particular the first pinion 4 is directly mounted on the control lever. To this end, the pinion 4 includes an axial opening 40 having a non-circular geometry (non-circular cross-section), and the axial opening 40 is mounted on a portion 10 of the control lever having a complementary geometry (additional non-circular cross-section). In particular, here the opening 40 of the pinion 4 has a square shape adapted to mate with a square 10 formed on the control lever 1. The pinion 4 has multiple sets of teeth 4a, 4b that are respectively adapted to actuate the correction mechanisms 80 and 70 according to the position of a first lever 5 pivoting about an axis A5, and one end of the first lever 5 engages in a groove 4c in the pinion 4.

[0047] For the above function, it can be achieved by means of a second sliding pinion 6 that is constrained to rotate with the lever, and the second sliding pinion 6 is adapted to engage with a winding pinion 7 freely mounted on the control lever 1 according to the position of a second lever 8 pivoting about an axis A8, and one end of the second lever 8 engages in a groove 6b in the pinion 6. Advantageously, the second pinion 6 is mounted on the control lever 1, in particular the second pinion 6 is directly mounted on the control lever. Similar to the pinion 4, the pinion 6 advantageously has a non-circular axial opening 60 (non-circular cross-section), and the axial opening 60 is mounted on a portion 10 of the control lever 1 having a complementary cross-section (additional non-circular cross-section). In particular, here the opening 60 in the pinion 6 has a square shape that is adapted to mate with the square 10 formed on the control lever.

[0048] As can be seen more specifically in Figure 6 and Figure 9 here, the levers 5 and 8 are arranged in two different and parallel planes. In particular, the lever 5 takes the form of a planar member, and the lever 8 is staggeredly engaged with the groove 6b on the pinion 6 at its end. Thus, the ends of the levers 5 and 8 that respectively cooperate with the grooves 4c and 6b of the pinions 4 and 6 coaxially arranged with the lever are arranged in the same plane.

[0049] At position P1, due to the action of the return spring 8a which is integral with the lever 8 here, the return spring 8a biases the second lever 8 against the pawl 3, and the second lever 8 presses the Breguet teeth 6a of the sliding pinion 6 against the Breguet teeth 7a of the winding pinion 7. Accordingly, the control means may include a second element 8a for biasing the second lever 8. The biasing element 8a may in particular form part of the lever 8.

[0050] Thus, the rotation of the control lever 1 in the first direction winds the barrel wheel 96 via the winding mechanism 90 of the winding chain type. In particular, the winding chain includes:

[0051] - a winding crown 91 engaged with the winding pinion 7,

[0052] - a wheel 92,

[0053] - a pinion 93, and

[0054] - a ratchet wheel 95.

[0055] The wheel 92 and the pinion 93 are preferably pivotable on a conventional winding lever 94.

[0056] At position P1, the pawl 3 has no effect on the lever 8, and the lever 8 is positioned only by its return spring 8a which presses against the frame 99 of the timepiece movement. At this same position P1, due to the lever 5, the pinion 4 is outside the range of the wheels forming part of the correction mechanisms 80 and 70, and the lever 5 itself is positioned by the pawl 3, in particular by the side 3b of the pawl 3 which acts on the part 5b of the lever 5 against the action of the return spring 5a pressing against the frame 99. Accordingly, the control means may include a first element 5a for biasing the first lever 5 against the pawl 3. The return element 5a may in particular form part of the lever 5.

[0057] Pulling the control lever 1 outwards from position P1 (in the Figure 5 direction of the arrow F shown) causes the latter to move to position P2. During this manoeuvre, the stud 3c or any other shaped part protruding from the pawl 3 acts against the side 8c of the lever 8 until it reaches its top 8d, which causes the pinion 6 to move away from the winding pinion 7. During this same manoeuvre, the side 3b of the pawl 3 disengages from the part 5b of the lever 5 and is received in the recess 5c formed by the walls 51c and 52c (shown in bold in Figure 5 ). Accordingly, the lever 5 is biased in the direction of the arrow F by its spring 5a, and thus the engagement of the teeth 4a of the pinion 4 with the teeth 81a of the ring 81 for date correction is produced, as Figure 7 shown.

[0058] Thus, at position P2, the pinion 6 is outside the range of the winding pinion 7, so the rotation of the control lever 1 has no effect on the winding mechanism. At this same position, the teeth 4a of the pinion 4 engage with the teeth 81a of the ring 81, so the rotation of the control lever 1 corrects the date. For this purpose, the ring 81 is engaged with the corrector moving member 83 by means of the idler wheel 82. In particular, here the moving member 83 includes a corrector 83a, and the teeth 831a of the corrector 83a are adapted to act on the teeth 84a of the date disc 84 due to the rotation of the control lever 1. Here, due to the moving member 83 pivoting on the frame 99, this correction is achieved in two directions. Naturally, other correction modes can be fully imagined. For example, the corrector moving member can pivot on a lever or in an oval cutout formed particularly on the frame of the watch movement so as to be able to perform the correction only in one rotation direction of the control lever 1. Additionally or alternatively, the corrector moving member can effect the correction of other information, such as the day of the week information.

[0059] Pulling the control lever 1 outwards from the movement from position P2 (in the direction of the arrow F depicted in Figure 8 ) causes the latter to reach position P3. During this manoeuvre, the stud 3c acts against the side 8e of the lever 8, and the side 8e is shaped to hold the said lever 8 in the same axial position, thus keeping the pinion 6 outside the range of the winding pinion 7. During this same manoeuvre, the side 3b of the pull piece 3 disengages from the recess 5c and moves along the wall 52c until it reaches its top 5d, which causes the pinion 4 to translate towards the interior of the movement (in the direction of the arrow F' depicted in Figure 8 ) until its teeth 4b can effect their engagement with the time-setting idler wheel 71. This idler wheel 71 is engaged with the hour wheel 73 and the minute wheel (not shown) by means of an intermediate moving member 72. Thus, the rotation of the control lever 1 at position P3 causes the rotation of the hour hand 74 and the minute hand 75 respectively fastened to the hour wheel and the minute wheel.

[0060] Due to the above-described content, the first pinion 4 is advantageously adapted to be actuated translationally by the first lever 5, and the first lever 5 itself is actuated by the pull piece 3 driven by the translation of the control lever 1.

[0061] Due to the above-described content, the second pinion 6 is advantageously adapted to be actuated translationally by the second lever 8, and the second lever 8 itself is actuated by the pull piece 3 driven by the translation of the control lever 1.

[0062] The first pinion is not necessarily a sliding pinion. For example, it can have a single axial position (relative to the frame 99) regardless of the axial position of the control lever 1. Assuming this is the case, when the first pinion has a single axial position relative to the frame, various auxiliary levers can effect clutch engagement and clutch disengagement of various functions to correct or regulate the movement. Assuming this is the case or assuming it is a sliding pinion, the first pinion is permanently constrained to rotate with the lever. In addition, the first pinion 4 is directly rotationally driven by the control lever, that is to say, without an intermediate auxiliary component. In particular, the first pinion 4 can be connected to the control lever 1 by a sliding connection.

[0063] As another alternative, the first pinion can be fixed to or connected to the control lever 1 by arrangement. Assuming this is the case, the translational movement of the control lever can effect the engagement or disengagement of the teeth of the first pinion with the teeth of at least one first mechanism 80, 70 (in particular at least one first mechanism 80, 70 for correcting the indicator member), in particular the engagement or disengagement of the teeth of the first pinion with the teeth of the first mechanism and the engagement or disengagement of the teeth of the first pinion with the teeth of the second mechanism.

[0064] As another alternative, the pull piece 3 can for example take the form of an assembly of two parts which are adapted to be movable relative to each other, in particular to facilitate the insertion of the lever 1 into the movement or the removal of the lever 1 from the movement.

[0065] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the second pinion 6 is advantageously permanently constrained to rotate with the control lever. In addition, the second pinion 6 is directly rotationally driven by the control lever, that is to say, without an intermediate auxiliary component. In particular, the second pinion 6 can be connected to the control lever 1 by a sliding connection.

[0066] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the first shaped portion 3b of the pull piece 3 and the first lever 5 are preferably arranged in the same first plane PA, and the second shaped portion 3c of the pull piece 3 and the second lever 8 are preferably arranged in a second plane PB parallel to the first plane.

[0067] In the above description, the pinions 4 and 6 are coaxially arranged. Although this embodiment is particularly advantageous, embodiments in which these pinions are parallel can be envisaged, for example in the case of a mechanism with an offset control lever 1.

[0068] In this document, a "sliding pinion" means a pinion which is translatable relative to the lever and relative to the movement frame.

[0069] One way of operating the timepiece control device 100 and / or the timepiece movement 200 and / or the timepiece 300 described above is described in detail below.

[0070] The method includes:

[0071] - At a first position P1 of the control lever 1, enabling the second pinion 6 according to the axial position of the second pinion 6 along the axis A1 and disabling the first pinion 4 according to the axial position of the first pinion 4 along the axis A1, and

[0072] - At a second position P2 of the control lever 1, disabling the second pinion 6 according to the axial position of the second pinion 6 along the axis A1 and enabling the first pinion 4 for the first time according to the axial position of the first pinion 4 along the axis A1, and

[0073] - At a third position P3 of the control lever 1, disabling the second pinion 6 according to the axial position of the second pinion 6 along the axis A1 and enabling the first pinion 4 for the second time according to the axial position of the first pinion 4 along the axis A1.

[0074] "Enabling a pinion" means that the pinion is configured to transmit motion to a mechanism (especially a correction, regulation or winding mechanism) due to the rotation of the control lever 1.

[0075] "Disabling a pinion" means that the pinion is in a configuration where it does not transmit motion to a mechanism (especially a correction, regulation or winding mechanism) due to the rotation of the control lever 1.

[0076] The second position P2 and the third position P3 of the control lever are different. At the second position P2 and the third position P3 of the control lever 1, the axial positions of the first pinion 4 are different.

[0077] The difference of the above solution lies particularly in that winding can be achieved by using a single clutch in the plane of the movement, thanks to the second sliding pinion, which can advantageously replace the vertical clutch. The advantage of this design is to propose a compact mechanism that can be integrated into a particularly thin watch movement while maintaining the operating advantages of the watch control device, without jamming or untimely adjustment during the manipulation of the control lever, especially during the movement from one axial position to another of the various axial positions of the control lever.

[0078] Particularly, according to the solution described above, the sliding pinion is specifically used for the engagement of the winding mechanism, especially by means of a winding pinion mounted so as to rotate freely around the control lever. Thus, the engagement of the winding mechanism is achieved around the longitudinal axis of the control lever or an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control lever in the plane of the movement.

Claims

1. A timepiece control device (100) for a timepiece movement (200), comprising: - a frame (99), - a control lever (1) having an axis (A1), - a first pinion (4) which can be rotationally actuated by the control lever (1) and which is adapted to be connected to at least one first mechanism (80, 70), in particular at least one first mechanism (80, 70) for correcting an indicator member, and - a second pinion (6) which can be rotationally actuated by the control lever (1) and which is adapted to move axially relative to the control lever (1) and relative to the frame (99), and which is adapted to be connected to a second mechanism (90), in particular a winding mechanism (90).

2. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first pinion (4) is a pinion which is adapted to move axially relative to the control lever (1) and relative to the frame (99).

3. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the timepiece control device (100) comprises a first lever (5) and a pawl (3), and wherein the first pinion (4) is adapted to be translationally actuated by the first lever (5), which first lever (5) itself is actuated by the pawl (3) guided by the translational action of the control lever (1).

4. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 3, wherein the pawl (3) comprises a first shaped portion (3b) which is adapted to act on the first lever (5) by contact, in particular on the side face (5b) of the first lever (5).

5. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the device comprises a first element (5a) for biasing the first lever (5) against the pawl (3).

6. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the timepiece control device (100) comprises a second lever (8) and a pawl (3), and the second pinion (6) is adapted to be translationally actuated by the second lever (8), which second lever (8) itself is actuated by the pawl (3) guided by the translational action of the control lever (1).

7. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the pawl (3) comprises a second shaped portion (3c) which is adapted to act on the second lever (8) by contact, in particular on the side face of the second lever (8).

8. The timepiece control device (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the device comprises a second element (8a) for biasing the second lever (8) against the pawl (3).

9. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims and claims 3 and 6, wherein the first shaped portion (3b) of the pull lever (3) and the first lever (5) are arranged in the same first plane (PA), and the second shaped portion (3c) of the pull lever (3) and the second lever (8) are arranged in a second plane (PB) parallel to the first plane.

10. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pinion or the second pinion, in particular the first pinion (4), comprises a first tooth (4a) and a second tooth (4b), the first tooth (4a) being adapted to actuate a first correction mechanism (80), and the second tooth (4b) being adapted to actuate a second correction mechanism (70).

11. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second pinion (6) comprises teeth (6a) adapted to actuate a third mechanism (90), in particular a winding mechanism, by means of a winding pinion (7) mounted in a freely rotatable manner on the control lever (1).

12. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device enables the control lever (1) to have three stable positions relative to the frame (99): - a first position (P1) for winding, - a second position (P2) for correction, which is used to correct at least one indication, such as a calendar indication, in particular to correct the at least one indication bidirectionally according to the rotation direction of the control lever (1) or to correct two different indications according to the rotation direction of the control lever (1), and - a third position (P3) for time setting.

13. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pinion and / or the second pinion (6) are mounted on the control lever (1).

14. The timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first pinion (4) comprises a non-circular, in particular square, opening (40) that mates with a complementary shaped portion (10), in particular a complementary square shaped portion, of the control lever (1), and / or the second pinion (6) comprises a non-circular, in particular square, opening (60) that mates with the complementary shaped portion (10), in particular the square shaped portion, of the control lever (1).

15. A timepiece movement (200) comprising the timepiece control device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. A watch (300), in particular a wristwatch, comprising the timepiece control device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and / or the timepiece movement (200) according to claim 15.

17. A method of operating a clock control device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and / or a clock movement (200) according to claim 15 and / or a clock (300) according to claim 16, wherein the method comprises: - At a first position (P1) of the control lever (1), enabling the second pinion (6) according to the axial position of the second pinion along the axis (A1) and disabling the first pinion (4) according to the axial position of the first pinion along the axis (A1), and - At a second position (P2) of the control lever (1), disabling the second pinion (6) according to the axial position of the second pinion along the axis (A1) and enabling the first pinion (4) for the first time according to the axial position of the first pinion along the axis (A1), and - At a third position (P3) of the control lever (1), disabling the second pinion (6) according to the axial position of the second pinion along the axis (A1) and enabling the first pinion (4) for the second time according to the axial position of the first pinion along the axis (A1).

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