Adjuster assembly for timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjuster assembly for a timepiece, which is a toothed component (5), in particular an adjuster and in particular a fine adjustment adjuster or a component designed to engage with an adjuster or a fine adjustment adjuster, comprising: at least one toothed part (51); and a flexible structure (52) positioned under the root of the teeth of the at least one toothed portion (51).

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of patent application No. 201980019674.7, filed on March 15, 2019, entitled "Regulator assembly for a timepiece". TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a toothed member. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a toothed member. The present invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a system and / or such a toothed member. The present invention finally relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement and / or such a system and / or such a toothed member. BACKGROUND

[0003] Adjusting the frequency of a balance-spring mechanism in order to regulate the running of a movement requires a high degree of precision. This type of adjustment is sometimes provided by means of a gear system with the aim of reducing the movement of the regulating organ, with the aim of achieving this degree of precision. However, the use of gears introduces operating play between the teeth of the members that mesh with one another. This involves play between the teeth of the ring gear and play compensation when the regulating organ is moved in a first direction and then in a second direction. These imperfections are not acceptable in the case of adjusting a balance-spring mechanism. SUMMARY

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a toothed member with which it is possible to avoid this play. In particular, the present invention proposes a toothed member with which it is possible to ensure the precision of the driving of the toothed member, in particular of the regulating organ, without the play of the ring gear interfering with this driving.

[0005] A toothed member according to the invention, of the type of a regulating organ, in particular a micrometer regulating organ, or of the type of a component for meshing with a regulating organ or a micrometer regulating organ, comprises at least one toothed portion and a flexible structure positioned below the roots of the teeth of the at least one toothed portion.

[0006] Preferably, the flexible structure is a cut-out structure.

[0007] Preferably, the member has a pivot axis and the flexible structure extends around the pivot axis across an angular sector, in particular an angular sector of equal or substantially equal amplitude to the angular sector around the pivot axis over which the at least one toothed portion extends.

[0008] Preferably, the flexible structure has elastic blades, in particular a plurality of elastic blades, which are oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the root surfaces of the teeth.

[0009] Preferably, the blade has a leg at its end that connects it to the toothed portion or other blades or rigid portions of the member, particularly a leg that extends radially or substantially radially relative to the pivot axis.

[0010] Preferably, the legs connecting the first blade and the second blade connect the end of the first blade to the middle or substantially the middle of the second blade, or multiple legs connecting the first blade and the second blade connect the end of the first blade to the middle or substantially the middle of the second blade.

[0011] Preferably, the flexible structure has multiple rows of blades, particularly arranged in two, three, four, five, or six rows of blades parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the teeth.

[0012] Preferably, the flexible structure is capable of bending substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation of the member.

[0013] According to a system, particularly an adjuster assembly, the aforementioned component engages with a gear or pinion, the engagement causing the flexible structure to compress, particularly radially, relative to the pivot axis.

[0014] According to the present invention, a watch mechanism, particularly a watch movement, includes the above-described system and / or the above-described components.

[0015] According to the invention, a clock, particularly a wristwatch, includes the aforementioned clock mechanism or system or components. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, an embodiment of a clock according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of how a clock is implemented.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the details of the toothed components in the implementation of a clock.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing details of the adjuster assembly in the implementation of the clock.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing details of the adjuster used in the implementation of a clock. Detailed Implementation

[0021] References below Figures 1-4Description of an embodiment of watch 200. Watch 200 is, for example, a watch, particularly a wristwatch. The watch includes a watch mechanism 100, particularly a mechanical watch movement. The watch movement 100 is, for example, a manual-winding type or an automatic-winding type.

[0022] The watch movement 100 includes an oscillator of the type of spring 2 and balance wheel 1. For regulating operation, a first adjuster 10 for coarse adjustment, which is supported by an adjuster wedge 11 acting on the spring 2, moves about a pivot axis 53 relative to the plate 7 or balance wheel bridge attached to the plate 8.

[0023] The outer stud bracket 4 holds the outer stud 3 of the hairspring, which is attached to the outer end of the spring.

[0024] The first adjuster 10 is clamped onto the micro-adjustment second adjuster 5 and rotates together with the latter about axis 53. However, the frictional torque between the adjuster 10 and the micro-adjustment makes it possible to coarsely change the angular position between the two adjusters using a watchmaking tool.

[0025] In order to drive the first adjuster to rotate precisely about axis 53, the second adjuster includes a toothed portion 51 that meshes with a pinion 6 which is pivotally mounted on the movement frame, and in particular on the bridge 7 about axis 63.

[0026] Therefore, the rotation of the pinion 6 about axis 63 causes the second adjuster 5 to undergo angular displacement about its pivot axis 53. This changes the length of the effective portion of the spring and enables adjustment of operation.

[0027] To facilitate easier rotation of the pinion 6, a dedicated drive recess 9 that is easily accessible is provided on the pinion 6. This recess may be a slot 9 for receiving a screwdriver head.

[0028] Therefore, the watch mechanism 100 includes a system 300, particularly a system of the type of regulator assembly, which includes a hairspring stud 3, a hairspring stud support 4, a first regulator 10, a second regulator 5, and a pinion 6.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown in detail, in the illustrated embodiment, the toothed member is the second adjuster 5. As described above, the second adjuster 5 includes a toothed portion 51 for meshing with the teeth 61 of the pinion 6.

[0030] The second adjuster 5 also includes a flexible structure 52 disposed below the root of the teeth of the toothed portion 51.

[0031] "Flexible structure" should be understood as a structure that can deform under load and return to its original shape after the load is removed. In other words, a flexible structure is a structure that can elastically deform, especially a structure that can elastically deform in the radial direction relative to the pivot axis 53.

[0032] "Below the root of the tooth" should be understood as meaning that the dimension of the flexible structure 52 extending in the case where the toothed portion is circular or arc-shaped is smaller than or only smaller than the root dimension of the tooth in the toothed portion 51. In other words, the flexible structure 52 is preferably disposed close to the toothed portion 51. In this case, the separation between the root dimension of the tooth and the flexible structure is, for example, about 0.2 mm. This separation is determined, for example, based on one or more materials of the flexible structure and / or its thickness measured parallel to the pivot axis 53.

[0033] However, the flexible structure can be positioned anywhere between the toothed portion 51 and the pivot axis 53.

[0034] Preferably, the flexible structure 52 of the second adjuster 5 is hollow. This means that the flexible structure 52 may have one or more circular windows or holes (not shown). As an alternative to or in combination with these circular holes, the flexible structure 52 may have openings or gaps, for example, square, rectangular or other shapes.

[0035] Preferably, such as Figure 1 and 2 As shown and as described above, the second adjuster 5 is configured to pivot about a pivot axis 53. The flexible structure 52 thus extends, for example, about this pivot axis 53 across a flexible angular sector. The amplitude of this flexible angular sector is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the angular sector spanned by the toothed portion 51. Alternatively, the amplitude of the flexible angular sector may be smaller or larger than the angular sector of the toothed portion 51.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible structure 52 has at least one elastic blade 522. Preferably, the flexible structure 52 is equipped with a plurality of elastic blades 522. Figure 2 As shown, the blade 522 is oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the tooth, that is, parallel or substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface that passes through the root of the toothed portion 51.

[0037] At least two or more cuts 521 are formed on both sides of the blade 522 to form the blade. The thickness of these cuts 521, measured perpendicular to the root surface of the tooth, is preferably equal to or substantially equal to the thickness of the blade 522. More preferably, the cuts 521 are parallel to the blade 522. Alternatively, these cuts 521 are thicker or thinner than the blade 522 and / or not parallel to the blade.

[0038] "Root surface of a tooth" should be understood as the surface that includes and / or is tangential to the base of the tooth.

[0039] For example, the thickness of the root surface of blade 522, perpendicular to the tooth, is 0.06 mm.

[0040] For example, the length of blade 522 (measured parallel to the root surface of the tooth) is 1 mm.

[0041] The toothed member 5 has a leg 523 at the end of the blade that connects the blade to the toothed portion 51. The leg 523 also connects the blade 522 to other blades 522. Finally, the blade 523 connects the blade 522 to the rigid portion 54 of the second adjuster 5. Preferably, the leg 523 extends radially or substantially radially relative to the pivot axis 53 or perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the root surface of the tooth.

[0042] The length of blade 522 is also measured between two consecutive legs 523 located on the designated side of the blade.

[0043] More preferably, a leg 523 connecting the first and second blades 522 to each other connects one end of the first blade 522 to the middle or substantially the middle of the second blade 522.

[0044] More preferably, all the legs 523 that connect the first and second blades 522 to each other connect one end of the first blade 522 to the middle or substantially the middle of the second blade 522.

[0045] Alternatively, the support leg 523 connecting the first and second blades 522 to each other can connect one end of the first blade to a different location on the second blade, such as one-third or one-quarter of the length of the second blade.

[0046] Preferably, the flexible structure 52 has multiple rows of blades 522, for example, arranged as two, three, four, five, or six rows of blades 522 parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the teeth. In other words, these rows are along sectors of concentric or substantially concentric circles centered on or substantially on the pivot axis 53.

[0047] For example, the stiffness constant of the flexible structure 52 in the radial direction relative to the axis 53 is Kr = 65 N / mm, while it is Kr = 1000 N / mm in the tangential or orthogonal radial direction relative to the axis 53. The radial direction is therefore the direction passing through the axes 53-63, and the tangential direction is therefore the direction perpendicular to the line passing through the axes 53-63, wherein the point of force application is located at the contact point between the gear ring 51 and the gear ring of the pinion 6.

[0048] Preferably, the radial stiffness constant Kr is smaller, and in particular much smaller, than the tangential stiffness constant Kt. For example, the ratio of the radial stiffness constant Kr to the tangential stiffness constant Kt is less than 0.1. Therefore, the deformation of the flexible structure is primarily radial, i.e., oriented in the direction passing through the axis 53-63.

[0049] The axial distance between the pivot axis 53 of the second adjuster 5 and the rotation axis 63 of the pinion 6 is preset. This preset axial distance is smaller than the axial distance typically or traditionally used for gears with the same gear ring characteristics. In fact, this axial distance is traditionally equal to the sum of the original radii of components 5 and 6 plus, for example, a 4% clearance. This ensures the correct operation of gears with clearance in the gear ring.

[0050] Here, in Figures 1-4 In this embodiment, the calibration of the axial spacing depends on the manufacturing tolerances of the components and the stiffness of the elastic structure 52 of the second adjuster 5. In this way, once components 5 and 6 engage, the flexible structure 52 elastically deforms in a compressed form. This compression is applied between the pivot axis 53 and the rotation axis 63. This compression thus ensures persistent contact at multiple points between the teeth of the toothed portion 51 of the second adjuster 5 and the teeth 61 of the pinion 6. At least one contact point is always present between the two pairs of sides of the teeth of components 5 and 6, thus eliminating the gap between the gear ring of the second adjuster 5 and the gear ring of the pinion 6, and the gear rings are pressed into each other. The deformation-absorbing flexible structure 52 is essential for the engagement of components 5 and 6. The meshing movement of components 5 and 6 is therefore unimpeded and highly precise. Adjustments to the operation are therefore precise and reliable. In fact, even the slightest angular displacement of the pinion 6 is transmitted to the second adjuster 5.

[0051] In the described embodiment, only the second adjuster has a flexible structure. However, as an alternative to or supplement to having a flexible structure on the second adjuster, a flexible structure can also be provided on the pinion, particularly a flexible structure surrounding the hub of the pinion 6. This flexible structure thus connects the hub to the gear ring 61 located around the flexible structure.

[0052] In the described embodiment, the flexible structure is created by forming a window, particularly in the toothed member. However, a flexible structure can also be created alternatively or supplementarily by adding elements made of an elastically deformable material and providing appropriate stiffness between the toothed ring and the hub of the toothed member. The elastically deformable material can be a synthetic material, particularly an elastomer. The elastic structure is preferably made of steel or a nickel alloy.

[0053] In the described embodiment, the adjuster assembly includes a coarse-call first adjuster and a fine-call second adjuster. However, the invention can also be applied to adjuster assemblies comprising a single adjuster (equivalent to the two adjusters 5 and 10 in the illustrated embodiment, which are thus integrated into one unit).

[0054] In the described embodiment, the invention is applied to an adjuster assembly system. However, the invention can also be applied to any geared or racked watch system, particularly any geared or racked system used to form part of a gear in which the gear ring clearance must be limited or eliminated.

Claims

1. A toothed component (5) of the type of adjuster or of a component for engaging with an adjuster or fine-tuning adjuster, comprising: - At least one toothed portion (51); as well as - A flexible structure (52) positioned below the root of the tooth of the at least one toothed portion (51), The flexible structure (52) has multiple elastic blades (522) and legs (523). The multiple elastic blades include a first blade and a second blade (522), which are oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the tooth. The legs (523) connect the first blade and the second blade (522) to each other. The leg (523) connects the end of the first blade (522) to the middle or substantially the middle of the second blade (522).

2. The component (5) according to claim 1, wherein, The adjuster is a fine-tuning adjuster.

3. The component (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The flexible structure (52) is a hollow structure.

4. The component (5) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The component (5) has a pivot axis (53), and the flexible structure (52) extends across the corner sector around the pivot axis (53).

5. The component (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The flexible structure (52) has a leg (523) at the end of the blade (522) that connects the blade to the toothed portion (51).

6. The component (5) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The flexible structure (52) has a leg (523) at the end of the blade (522) that connects the blade to other blades (522) or the rigid part (54) of the member (5).

7. The component (5) according to claim 4 or according to claim 5 or 6 which is dependent on claim 4, wherein, The outrigger (523) extends radially or substantially radially relative to the pivot axis (53).

8. The component (5) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The flexible structure (52) has multiple rows of blades (522).

9. The component (5) according to claim 8, wherein, The multi-row blades (522) are two, three, four, five, or six rows of blades (522) arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the teeth.

10. The component (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The flexible structure (52) can be bent substantially radially relative to the axis of rotation (53) of the member.

11. A system (300) comprising a member (5) according to any of the preceding claims that engages with a gear (6) or pinion, the engagement causing the flexible structure (52) to compress.

12. A system (300) comprising a component (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the component engaging with a gear or pinion of the type of a component according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the engagement causing compression of the flexible structure (52).

13. The system (300) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The system (300) is an adjuster assembly (3, 4, 5, 6).

14. A watch mechanism (100), particularly a watch movement, comprising a system (300) according to any one of claims 11-13 and / or a component (5) according to any one of claims 1-10.

15. A clock comprising a clock mechanism (100) according to the preceding claims and / or a system (300) according to any one of claims 11-13 and / or a component (5) according to any one of claims 1-10.

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