MECHANISM FOR CORRECTING A MOTION FUNCTION OF A CLOCK

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanism for correcting a function of a movement of a timepiece and a corrector included in this mechanism.

[0002] The invention also relates to this movement equipped with such a mechanism and also to the timepiece comprising this movement. Background of the invention

[0003] In the current state of the art, it is often necessary to perform function corrections in watch movements, particularly display functions such as calendars (annual, perpetual, day / date, or other), or indicators for moon phase, tides, AM / PM displays, or others. Such function corrections are typically achieved using a correction mechanism, generally employing a winding stem. However, such function corrections are often impossible or too slow to perform using such a mechanism.

[0004] To overcome these drawbacks, other corrective mechanisms are also known and can be seen on the figure 1and which generally include a pusher mounted freely in the case of the timepiece and mechanically connected to a corrector 100, as well as a jumper 102 designed to hold a toothed wheel 101, also called a star wheel, in an indexed position. In this configuration, during a correction, the pusher, which can be moved within the case in two opposing directions T1, T2, is actuated to act directly or indirectly on the corrector 100, causing the latter to rotate around an axis of rotation A in a first direction V1 by compressing a corrector spring 104 fixed to the body of this corrector 100, or fixed elsewhere in the movement, over an angular stroke limited by two stops.During this rotation in the first direction V1, this corrector 100 is able to drive in a rotational movement the toothed wheel 101 which is indexed by the jumper 102 arranged in a first hollow of this wheel 101 defined between two teeth of the latter and this until the corrector 100 comes into contact with one of the two stops.

[0005] More specifically, such a corrector 100 is provided with a rigid free end 105 for transmitting motion, which is designed to contact a tooth of this gear 101 so as to cause a rotational movement of the latter. During this rotation, this end 105 has sufficient travel to position a slope of the head of the jumper 102 on a crest of a tooth of the gear 101, defining the first groove of a second groove of this gear 101. This positioning allows the jumper 102 to complete this correction function by, in turn, driving the gear 101 into the second groove, thus locking the gear 101 in a final indexed correction position as soon as the pusher is released.

[0006] However, such a corrector mechanism 100 often lacks robustness due to the unpredictable nature of achieving the expected correction. Indeed, it is common for the gear to not be configured in its final indexed position because, for example, the jumper 102 cannot overcome resisting torques on the gear, such as those caused by friction, or because the jumper 102 has a shallow slope designed to avoid undesirable dynamic effects. Under these conditions, as soon as the pusher is released, the corrector spring exerts a restoring force on the corrector 100 so that its end is no longer engaged with the gear tooth, thus causing the gear to rotate in a second direction V2 opposite to the first, which has the effect of reconfiguring the gear 101 in its initial indexed position.

[0007] EP 2 159 652 A1 discloses a corrector with a flexible end and an elastic element comprising an external contact area transmitting motion to a component of a watch movement. CH 708 741 A2 discloses a corrector with a flexible end, an elastic element capable of deforming in two opposite directions, a first external contact area transmitting motion, and a second internal contact area designed to abut against a bearing area of ​​a rigid part of the corrector. Summary of the invention

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to overcome, in whole or in part, the aforementioned disadvantages by proposing a correction mechanism comprising a corrector which can configure the toothed wheel in its final indexing position on its own.

[0009] For this purpose, the invention relates to a corrector according to claim 1.

[0010] The presence of such an elastic element at the flexible free end of the corrector contributes to increasing its travel, which is thus significantly greater than that of state-of-the-art correctors, particularly rigid ones. Under these conditions, the corrector is then able to move from its final stop position to its initial stop position without causing any movement of a timepiece component, such as a toothed wheel, which is then in its final indexing position and with which it can cooperate to participate in correcting one or more functions of the timepiece's movement.

[0011] In other embodiments: said elastic element is mechanically connected to a first part of the corrector only at its connecting end; the corrector includes a fixing end provided with a connecting area mechanically connected to a corrector spring of the correction mechanism, and the corrector includes a mounting area through which an axis of rotation passes, around which the corrector is able to move in first and second directions of movement.

[0012] The invention also relates to a mechanism for correcting a function of a movement for a timepiece, in particular a display function, comprising such a corrector and at least one timepiece, in particular a toothed wheel, said timepiece being capable of being animated by a movement by cooperating with a flexible end for transmitting a movement from the corrector.

[0013] Advantageously, this correction mechanism includes a jumper capable of holding the timepiece in an indexed position.

[0014] The invention also relates to a movement for a timepiece comprising at least one such correction mechanism.

[0015] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a movement. Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, which is indicative and in no way exhaustive, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a view of a mechanism for correcting a function of a timepiece from the prior art; the figure 2 is a view of a mechanism for correcting a function of a timepiece in a rest phase of that mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; the figure 3is a view of the correction mechanism of a function of a timepiece during an activation phase of this mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention; the Figures 4 and 5 are views of the correction mechanism of a function of a timepiece during its configuration from the activation phase to the rest phase of the mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention, and the figure 6 is a schematic representation of a timepiece comprising a movement equipped with such a correction mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0017] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking mechanisms, and more particularly to correction mechanisms 1 for one or more functions of a movement 201 of a timepiece 200 such as a watch. These mechanisms 1 can be controlled by the user of the timepiece 200 or be driven automatically by an automatic drive mechanism controlled by the movement 201 of the timepiece 200.

[0018] In the present embodiment of the invention, such functions may consist in particular of display functions such as a calendar (annual, perpetual, day / date, or other), or indicators for moon phase, tide, AM / PM display, or others. In this context, such correction mechanisms 1 are intended to correct and update display mechanisms that can then cooperate with at least one of these correction mechanisms 1 in the context of correcting a display function. Obviously, these corrected functions may correspond to other functions of the movement 201 that are different from display functions.

[0019] On the figures 2 to 5This correction mechanism 1 comprises, but is not limited to, a pusher, a corrector 2, a jumper 12, a horological component 11 such as a toothed wheel, a corrector spring (not shown), and a jumper spring 13. In this correction mechanism 1, the pusher, also called "push-corrector" is mounted movably within the case of the timepiece 200. This pusher is designed to be manually operated, for example by the user of the timepiece 200, at a visible activation zone (not shown) on the case, as many times as necessary to correct the display function. This pusher is connected either directly to the corrector 2 or indirectly via a kinematic chain of the correction mechanism 1 to generate a movement of the corrector 2 in a first direction of movement P1 (visible on the figure 2 ) around a rotation axis A1 when this pusher is actuated.

[0020] In this correction mechanism 1, the corrector 2 includes a mounting area 10 that helps to ensure its movable attachment to a plate of the timepiece 200. This mounting area 10 connects the first and second parts 14a, 14b so that the corrector 2 has a shape essentially similar to that of the letter "L". This mounting area 10 includes an opening that can be passed through by a screw, the threaded end of which is adapted to engage with a tapped hole in the plate. Thus, this corrector 2 is movable relative to the axis of rotation A1, which is perpendicular to this opening in the mounting area 10.This corrector 2 includes, in addition to this mounting area 10, a fixing end 8b included in the second part 14b of this corrector 2 and a flexible free end for transmitting a movement, here a rotational movement, located in the first part 14a of this corrector 2. In this configuration, it is understood that the mounting area 10 is included between these two ends 8a, 8b.

[0021] In this corrector 2, the flexible free end 8a of the motion transmission, hereinafter referred to as the flexible end of the motion transmission, includes an elastic element 3. This elastic element 3 corresponds to a flexible part, in particular the only flexible part of the corrector 2 that is specifically designed to transmit motion to the gear 11. This elastic element 3 comprises first and second contact zones 4a and 4b. The first contact zone 4a is defined on an external surface of said elastic element 3 and participates in the transmission of motion to the gear 11 of the correction mechanism 1. The second contact zone 4b is defined on an internal surface of said elastic element 3. This second contact zone 4b is designed to abut against a bearing zone 5 included in a rigid part 6 of the first part 14a of said corrector 2 when this elastic element 3 is constrained or deformed.A gap between the support zone 5 and the second contact zone 4b defines the stroke of this elastic element 3 during its compression or deformation. This elastic element 3 also includes a connecting end 7 that mechanically links it to the rigid part 6 of the first part 14a of the corrector 2. It should be noted that this connecting end 7 is the only mechanical link between the elastic element 3 and the first part 14a of the corrector 2.

[0022] The mounting end 8b of this corrector 2 includes a connecting area 9 mechanically linked to the corrector spring or simply supported by this spring. It is understood that such a connecting area 9 can be defined elsewhere in the corrector 2, for example in the first part 14a thereof. This connecting area 9 may include a threaded opening capable of engaging with a screw to contribute to this mechanical connection between the spring and the corrector 2. In this configuration, the corrector spring is a leaf spring, one end of which is fixed to the case of the timepiece 200, specifically to a plate on this case, and the other end of this spring is mechanically connected or simply supported by the connecting area 9 of the corrector 2.In a so-called rest phase of the correction mechanism 1, this spring maintains the corrector 2 in a position in which the flexible end of the corrector 2 is not engaged in teeth 17 of the toothed wheel 11. In another phase, so-called activation of the correction mechanism 1, this spring is then constrained under the action of a displacement of the corrector 2 around the axis of rotation A1 resulting from the actuation of the pusher by the user of the timepiece 200.

[0023] It should be noted that this correction mechanism 1 also includes two stops to limit the stroke of the corrector 2 during its movement around the axis of rotation A1. More precisely, it includes an initial stop on which the corrector 2 rests when the latter is in its initial stop position during the rest phase of mechanism 1, and a final stop when it is in its final stop position during the activation phase of mechanism 1. It should be noted that this stroke of the corrector 2 can also be referred to hereafter as the "displacement stroke," "correction stroke," or "maximum correction stroke."

[0024] In this correction mechanism 1, the jumper 12 is designed to lock the toothed wheel 11 outside of correction phases of one or more functions of the movement 201. This jumper 12 is also mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation A3 on the plate of this timepiece 200. Such a jumper 12 comprises a free end provided with first and second slopes 15a, 15b (visible on the figure 3forming an obtuse angle at a point P of this jumper 12. This free end is specifically designed to be positioned in a recess 16a, 16b defined between two consecutive teeth 17 of the gear 11, with the slopes 15a, 15b in contact with these teeth 17, in order to maintain this gear 11 in an indexed position. This jumper 12 also includes a mounting end provided with an opening 18 which can be traversed by a screw, one threaded end of which is adapted to engage with a tapped hole in the plate. Thus, this jumper 12 is free to move relative to the axis of rotation A3 perpendicular to this opening 18 defined in this mounting end of the jumper 12.

[0025] The jumper 12 is also provided with a support area 19 projecting from one of its two lateral faces and adapted to cooperate with the jumper spring 13. This support area 19 is located between the opening 18 defined in the fixed end and the free end of the jumper 12, being situated closer to this opening 18 than to the free end. The jumper spring 13 is a leaf spring, one end of which is fixed to the plate of the timepiece 200, and the other end of which is adapted to bear against the support area 19 of this jumper 12.In the rest phase of the correction mechanism 1, this spring 13 holds the jumper 12 in a position where the free end of the jumper 12 is engaged in the recess 16a, 16b defined between consecutive teeth 17 of the gear 11, thus locking the gear 11 outside of correction phases of one or more functions of the movement 201 and outside of the normal operating phases of the mechanism. During the activation phase of the correction mechanism 1, this spring 13 is then constrained by the movement of the jumper 12 around the axis of rotation A3 resulting from the movement of the corrector 2 following the actuation of the pusher.

[0026] Such a correction mechanism 1 is suitable for implementing a correction process for a function of the movement 201 of the timepiece 200.

[0027] Such a process includes a step of configuring the correction mechanism 1 in an activation phase during which the toothed wheel 11 is set to an indexed correction position. In this indexed correction position, the wheel is then able to update the display mechanism with which it cooperates and which participates in disseminating the corrected display function of the movement 201.

[0028] During this step, the pusher is actuated, moving from a rest position to an activation position, in order to act on the corrector 2 and thus cause its movement in the first direction S1 around the axis of rotation A1. During this movement of the corrector 2, the elastic element 3, constituting its flexible end, comes into contact with a tooth 17 of the gear 11 in order to transmit this movement to the gear, thereby driving it in a rotational motion around an axis of rotation A2. More precisely, with reference to the figure 3During this transmission of displacement, the elastic element 3, being in contact with this tooth 17, deforms in a first direction P1 until the gap between the support zone 5 and the second contact zone 4b is zero. In other words, the elastic element 3 deforms until this second contact zone 4b comes to rest against the support zone 5 of the rigid part 6 of the first part 14a of the corrector 2. It should be noted that in this mechanism 1, the torque applied by the elastic element 3 to the gear 11 is less than the holding torque applied to the gear 11 by the jumper 12.

[0029] Thus, as soon as this second contact zone 4b is in contact with the support zone 5, the corrector 2 then drives the toothed wheel 11 in a rotational movement around the axis of rotation A2 until the corrector 2 comes to rest on the final stop which defines its end of travel. During this rotational movement of the gear wheel 11, the jumper 12, which is in contact with the teeth 17 of this gear 11, also performs a rotational movement around the axis of rotation A3, generating a deformation of the jumper spring 13, until its point P is positioned on the other side of the top 20 of the tooth 17 of the gear wheel 11, delimiting the first hollow 16a where this jumper 12 was initially located from a second consecutive hollow 16b of the gear 11 in which this jumper 12 is then disposed and finalizes the corrected function, that is to say, locks this gear wheel 11 in a final indexed correction position.Preferably, the final stop position of the corrector 2 allows the tooth 17, located between the first and second grooves 16a and 16b, and in particular its tip 20, to be brought onto the second slope 15b of the jumper. Thus, in this mechanism 1, the stroke of the corrector 2 is specifically defined to ensure a displacement of the toothed wheel 11 in such a way as to cause the free end of the jumper 12 to move from the first groove 16a to the second groove 16b. At the end of this stroke of the corrector 2, particularly when its first contact zone 4a is no longer in contact with the tooth 17, the elastic element 3 relaxes to regain its initial shape.It is therefore understood in this context that when the corrector 2 moves from its initial stop position to its final stop position, it actuates the toothed wheel so that the top 20 of this tooth 17 moves first on all or part of the first slope 15a then on the point P of this jump 12 and finally on all or part of the second slope 15b.

[0030] This process then includes a step of configuring the correction mechanism 1 in a rest phase. When the corrector 2 is thus supported against the final stop, the pusher is then arranged in its rest position by being released by the user of the timepiece 200. In this context, the corrector 2 then returns to its initial position under the action of a restoring force exerted on it by the corrector spring, which is capable of causing it to move in the second direction S2 around the axis of rotation A1. This second direction S2 is opposite to the first direction S1. This movement of the corrector 2 has no effect on the indexed correction position of the toothed wheel 11.Indeed, when the corrector 2 returns to its initial position, the elastic element 3 makes contact at its first contact zone 4a with a tooth 17 of the gear 11 and deforms in a second direction P2 opposite to the first direction P1, without causing the gear 11 to move around the axis of rotation A2. It should be noted that in this mechanism 1, the torque applied by the elastic element 3 to the gear 11 is less than the holding torque applied to the gear 11 by the jumper 12. In this context, the... figure 5This illustrates the maximum deformation of this elastic element 3 when it is in contact with a vertex 20 of the tooth 17. It should be noted that during this deformation, the gap between the bearing area 5 and the second contact area 4b decreases but never becomes zero. In other words, the elastic element 3 deforms without the second contact area 4b coming into contact with the bearing area 5 of the rigid part 6 of the first part 14a of the corrector 2. Furthermore, it should be noted that this elastic element 3 is capable of deforming in the first and second directions of deformation P1, P2, which are substantially parallel to the first and second directions of displacement S1, S2 of the corrector 2.

[0031] It should be noted that the corrector 2 comes to rest on the initial stop which defines the end of the stroke of the corrector 2 when the latter is configured in its initial position.

[0032] Thus, the invention simplifies the correction of a function of a movement 201 in a timepiece 200, notably by increasing the maximum correction stroke compared to that of prior art correctors, while also improving its robustness, and without requiring the addition of an extra part such as a removable finger. Furthermore, such a mechanism 1 does not create any additional bulk in the case of the timepiece 200 and can be easily integrated into existing movements.

Claims

1. A corrector (2) designed to be fitted into a correction mechanism (1) of a function of a movement (201) for a timepiece (200), in particular a display function, said corrector (2) comprising a flexible transmission end (8a) on a movement (201) and a resilient organ (3) which can be deformed in first and second directions of deformation (P1, P2) that are opposite each other, said resilient organ (3) being designed to be deformed in first and second directions of deformation (P1, P2) that are substantially parallel or parallel to the first and second directions of movement (S1, S2) of the corrector (2), such a resilient organ comprising: - a first contact zone (4a) defined on an outer surface of said resilient organ (3) that is designed to transmit a movement (201) to a horology part (11) on the correction mechanism (1) when the corrector (2) is driven by a movement in a first direction of movement (S1); - a second contact zone (4b) defined on an inner surface of said resilient organ (3) that is designed to stop against a bearing zone (5) comprised in a rigid part (6) of said corrector (2) when this resilient organ (3) is stressed, characterised in that said corrector comprises a separation between the bearing zone (5) and the second contact zone (4b) defining the travel of this resilient organ (3) when it is compressed or distorted.

2. The corrector (2) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said resilient organ (3) is mechanically connected to a first part (14a) of the corrector (2) only at its connecting end (7).

3. The corrector (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has a fastening end (8b) provided with a connecting zone (9) mechanically connected to a corrector spring on the correction mechanism (1) or even bearing against this spring.

4. The corrector (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a fitting zone (10) traversed by an axis of rotation (A1) about which the corrector (2) is able to move in first and second directions of movement (S1, S2).

5. A correction mechanism (1) for a function of a movement (201) for a timepiece (200), in particular a display function, comprising a corrector (2) according to one of claims 1 and 4, and at least one horology part (11), in particular a gear wheel, in which said horology part (11) can be driven by a movement by engaging with a flexible transmission end (8a) on a movement of the corrector (2).

6. The correction mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a jumper (12) capable of holding the horology part (11) in an indexed position.

7. A movement (201) for a timepiece (200) comprising at least one correction mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim.

8. A timepiece (200) comprising a movement (201) according to the preceding claim.