Mechanism for timepiece movement comprising movable piece locking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism for a timepiece movement, comprising a movable part (20) and means (10) for locking the movable part (20), characterised in that said mechanism comprises a drive cam (11) intended to be rotated one full circle sequentially from a fixed initial position, the mechanism further comprises a lever (13) connected to the locking member (12) and cooperating with said drive cam (11), the lever (13) being configured to move between two end positions according to the position of the drive cam (11), said two end positions comprising a rest position and an active position, the control lever (13) has a rest position in which the control lever drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the movable part (20) is fixed and an active position in which the control lever drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the movable part (20) is released, the mechanism being configured to synchronize the movement of the movable part and the movement of the control lever (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horology, and more particularly to mechanisms in watch movements.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for a watch movement, comprising means for locking moving parts. Background Technology

[0003] In a watch movement, the position of moving parts (such as wheels, pinions, and other components designed to be driven) must be controlled.

[0004] To this end, known solutions have been used in the prior art, such as positioning springs, which are arranged to support the periphery of the moving part, particularly in a predefined space (e.g., between two consecutive teeth on the moving part), in order to control how it is held in a predetermined position.

[0005] However, this solution has the drawback of permanently consuming energy through friction generated by the positioning rod spring.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing solutions, all of which provide passive control of the position of moving parts. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a solution for actively managing the locking of moving parts in a watch movement.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a mechanism for a watch movement, the mechanism comprising a moving member and a means for locking the moving member. The mechanism includes a cam drive designed to be sequentially driven to rotate a full revolution from a fixed initial position. The mechanism also includes a control lever connected to a locking member and engaging the cam drive. The control lever is configured to move between two end positions depending on the position of the cam drive, one end position being a locked position in which the control lever drives the locking member into a position where the moving member is fixed, and one end position being an active position in which the control lever drives the locking member into a position where the moving member is released. The mechanism is configured such that the movement of the moving member and the movement of the control lever are synchronized.

[0009] The present invention features a feature that allows the movement of the moving parts to be actively locked. This active management of the fixation (in other words, the locking) of the moving parts enables a reduction in the energy consumption of the watch movement. In fact, when the moving part is released by the locking member, it can be driven without generating any friction with the locking member.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the invention may further include one or more of the following features, individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, the cam drive is configured to rotate both the movable element and the control lever so as to move the control lever to an active position when the movable element moves and to move the control lever to a locked position when the movable element does not move.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the locking member forms a lever, and the control lever includes a first connecting element that engages with a second connecting element disposed on the locking member, and by means of the first connecting element, the control lever is adapted to rotatably drive the locking member.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, the locking member includes a locking finger configured to engage with a notch in the movable member by form fitting when the locking member is in the fixed position.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the locking member includes a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis, the spindle being rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the spindle including a second connecting element at one of its ends and a locking finger at the other end.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the cam drive includes a cam track on which a contact shaft of a control lever moves when the cam drive rotates. The cam track is designed to extend circumferentially around the axis of rotation of the cam drive and to be axially oriented.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the mechanism includes a spring arranged to support a control lever and tend to force the control lever to support a cam drive.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the cam drive is rotatably movable along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of rotation of the movable member. The mechanism includes a drive rod arranged to support and abut against the cam drive and a drive wheel, the drive rod being designed to engage the drive wheel as the cam drive rotates, thereby pivoting it one step. The drive wheel is kinematically connected to the movable member such that pivoting the drive wheel causes the movable member to move one step.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the drive rod is arranged to support the radial profile of the cam drive. Attached Figure Description

[0019] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. Figure 1 A top perspective view of a portion of a mechanism according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A perspective view of another part of the structure from the bottom.

[0020] It should be noted that, for clarity, the accompanying drawings do not necessarily have to be drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A mechanism for a watch movement according to a preferred example of the invention is shown, comprising a movable element 20 and a locking device 10 for the movable element 20. Preferably, the movable element 20 is formed by a time value display, such as a roller in a roller display device, for example, as described in patent EP3627240 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). In particular, the movable element 20 may be formed by two flanges 22, between which a volet (French for volet, English for pane) for displaying a time indication (e.g., date) rotates. Figure 1 Only flange 22 is shown in the figure to make it easier to read. Figure 2 The blade is shown in the image.

[0022] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the movable element 20 thus rotates periodically in steps, as described in more detail below.

[0023] Alternatively, the movable part 20 can be formed from any wheel, pinion, or disc.

[0024] The mechanism according to the invention includes a cam drive 11, which is designed to act on a locking device 10 to fix the movable part 20 or allow it to move.

[0025] In particular, such as Figure 1 As shown, the locking device 10 includes a locking member 12 forming a lever and a control lever 13, which engage with each other. Specifically, the control lever 13 engages with a cam drive member 11 at one of its ends (referred to as the "drive end") and with the locking member 12 at its other end (referred to as the "driven end"). Depending on the position of the cam drive member 11, the locking member 12 can occupy a position in which the movable member 20 is fixed and a position in which the movable member 20 is released, as described in more detail below.

[0026] The drive end of the control lever 13 includes a contact shaft 130, which is arranged to support abutment against a cam track 110 on the cam drive 11, such that the control lever 13 moves between two end positions depending on the position of the cam drive 11, one end position being a locked position and the other end position being an active position. More specifically, as Figure 1As can be seen, the cam track 110 is configured such that when the cam drive 11 pivots one revolution, the control lever 13 is driven to the active position, and when the cam drive 11 is fixed, the control lever 13 is fixed in the locked position.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the cam drive 11 can rotate and move 20 along an axis that forms a non-zero angle (preferably a right angle) with the rotation axis of the movable member 20.

[0028] Preferably, the cam drive 11 is designed to be driven sequentially from a fixed initial position for a full revolution via a drive mechanism. Figure 1 In this initial position, the cam drive 11 occupies this position.

[0029] The drive mechanism is designed to periodically drive the cam drive 11 within the same cycle as the drive cycle of the movable element 20, for example, once a day if the movable element 20 is formed by a date display. The locking member 12 and the movable element 20 must move synchronously to avoid any damage to the mechanism. Therefore, the cam drive 11 is preferably configured to cause the movable element 20 (as described below and as...) to... Figure 2 (As shown) and the control lever 13 rotate together.

[0030] In summary, the mechanism is configured such that the movement of the movable element 20 and the movement of the control lever 13 are advantageously synchronized, such that when the movable element 20 moves, the locking member 12 releases the movable element 20, and when the movable element 20 does not move, the locking member 12 secures the movable element 20.

[0031] The drive mechanism for the cam drive 11 can consist of any mechanism known to those skilled in the art. For example, the drive mechanism for the cam drive 11 may include a mainspring barrel (not shown), on which a cam may be arranged. In a manner known per se, the mainspring barrel includes a mainspring spring to provide the energy required to rotate the cam drive 11. The mainspring spring is arranged to be wound by a coaxial drive wheel (not shown), which engages with a gear train (e.g., a 24-hour wheel) on a watch movement. In this exemplary embodiment, the drive mechanism includes an actuator for releasing energy from the mainspring spring to release the rotation of the cam and an adjuster for regulating the rotation. Such drive mechanisms are known to those skilled in the art and are described in detail in patent EP3540524, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Alternatively, the cam drive 11 can be rotated by any other date drive mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the cam track 110 extends annularly around the rotation axis of the cam drive 11 and is axially oriented. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact shaft 130 is in the form of a pin or slider extending along an axis parallel to the rotation axis of the control lever 13. In other embodiments, the contact shaft 130 may be formed by any other suitable technical solution.

[0033] When it is in the locked position, the control lever 13 drives the locking member 12 into the following position: Figure 1 The fixed position is shown, and when it occupies the active position, it drives the locking member 12 into the release position.

[0034] The control lever 13 is designed to rotate the locking member 12 via its driven end, and particularly via a first connecting element 131 that engages with a second connecting element 120, the second connecting element 120 being complementary to the first connecting element, and the locking member 12 being fitted with the second connecting element 120. Specifically, in Figure 1 In the example shown, the first connecting element 131 and the second connecting element 120 are formed by interlocking toothed sectors. However, in other examples, they may be formed by pins in notches, or by any other suitable technical solution.

[0035] The locking device 10 may also advantageously include a spring 14 arranged to support the control lever 13 so as to force the contact shaft 130 to support the cam drive 11, and in particular the cam track 110. This spring 14 also allows tension to be maintained throughout the mechanism and eliminates any mechanical slack, particularly between the first connecting element 131 and the second connecting element 120.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member 12 includes a spindle 121 extending along a longitudinal axis, the spindle 121 being rotatable 20 about the longitudinal axis. The spindle 121 includes a second connecting element 120 at one of its ends and a locking finger 122 at its other end, the locking finger 122 being configured to engage with a notch 21 in the movable member 20 by form-fitting when the locking member 12 is in the fixed position. When the locking member 12 is in the released position, the locking finger 122 is arranged to be moved away from the notch 21 in the movable member 20.

[0037] It should be noted that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the locking member 12 may not have a spindle 121, and the second connecting element 120 may be directly fastened to the locking finger 122.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the locking finger 122 includes teeth 123 that, when the locking member 12 is in the fixed position, are engaged in a notch 21, the teeth 123 extending substantially tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the spindle 121. Therefore, when the locking member 12 is in the released position, the teeth 123 are moved away from the notch 21 to allow rotation of the movable member 20.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, one of the flanges 22 includes a recess 21 on its outer periphery. Specifically, the flange 22 includes as many recesses 21 as the movable member 20 is designed to occupy different angular positions. Figure 1 In the example shown, flange 22 has a plurality of regularly spaced notches 21 such that the roller has no rotational movement in each of its different angular positions.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, to move the movable member 20, the mechanism may include a drive rod 23 and a drive wheel 24. The drive rod 23 is arranged to support a radial profile 111 of the cam drive member 11, and is designed to engage the drive wheel 24 when the cam drive member 11 rotates. As it rotates, the radial profile of the cam drive member 11 drives the drive rod 23 between two end gap positions, and the rod then engages the drive wheel 24 to pivot it one step. Since the drive wheel 24 is kinematically connected to the movable member 20, rotating the drive wheel 24 one step causes the movable member 20 to move one step.

[0041] exist Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the drive wheel 24 is coaxially fitted with a gear 25, which is a date wheel and meshes with a pinion 26 rotatably attached to a movable part 20 of the flange 22.

[0042] Clearly, the mechanism is sized such that the magnitude of a step movement of the movable member 20 corresponds to the distance between two consecutive notches 21 or a full circle of the movable member 20, such that at the end of the movement of the movable member 20, the notches 21 always face the locking member 12, particularly the teeth 23.

[0043] The drive rod 23 can be advantageously forced to support against the cam drive 11 by a special spring.

[0044] More generally, it should be noted that the embodiments and uses considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples, and therefore other variations are conceivable.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a timepiece movement, comprising a mobile (20) and means (10) for locking the mobile (20), characterized in that, The mechanism comprises a cam drive (11) designed to be rotationally driven in sequence one full turn from a fixed initial position, a control lever (13) connected to a locking member (12) and engaged with the cam drive (11), the control lever (13) being configured to move between two end positions depending on the position of the cam drive (11), one of which is a locking position in which the control lever (13) drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the mobile element (20) is fixed, and one of which is a mobile position in which the control lever (13) drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the mobile element (20) is released, the mechanism being configured so that the movement of the mobile element (20) and the movement of the control lever (13) are synchronized.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The cam drive (11) is configured to rotate both the mobile element (20) and the control lever (13) in order to move the control lever (13) into the mobile position when the mobile element (20) moves and into the locking position when the mobile element (20) does not move.

3. The mechanism of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The locking member (12) forms a rod, and wherein the control lever (13) comprises a first connecting element (131) engaged with a second connecting element (120) provided on the locking member (12), and by means of which the control lever (13) is adapted to rotationally drive the locking member (12).

4. The mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The locking member (12) comprises a locking finger (122) configured to engage by form fit with a recess (21) in the mobile element (20) when the locking member (12) is in a fixed position.

5. The mechanism of claims 3 and 4, wherein, The locking member (12) comprises a spindle (121) extending along a longitudinal axis, the spindle (121) being capable of rotational movement about the longitudinal axis, the spindle (121) comprising the second connecting element (120) at one of its ends and the locking finger (122) at its other end.

6. The mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The cam drive (11) comprises a cam track (110) on which a contact shaft (130) provided with the control lever (13) moves when the cam drive (11) rotates, the cam track (110) being designed to extend annularly around the rotation axis of the cam drive (11) and to be axially oriented.

7. The mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a spring (14) arranged to bear against the control lever (13) and tending to force the control lever (13) to bear against the cam drive (11).

8. The mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, Said cam drive (11) is movable in rotation along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of rotation of said mobile element (20), said mechanism comprising a drive rod (23) arranged to bear against said cam drive (11) and a transmission wheel (24) designed to be engaged by said drive rod (23) when said cam drive (11) rotates, thereby making it pivot by a step, said transmission wheel (24) being kinematically connected to said mobile element (20) in such a way that pivoting said transmission wheel (24) causes said mobile element (20) to move by a step.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein, Said drive rod (23) is arranged to bear against a radial profile (111) of said cam drive (11).

Images