REGULATOR PLAN FOR A CLOCK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a watch regulator. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a regulator. The invention further relates to a watch mechanism comprising such a system and / or such a regulator. Finally, the invention relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch mechanism and / or such a system and / or such a regulator.

[0002] Adjusting the frequency of a balance wheel and hairspring mechanism to regulate the rate of a movement requires precision. Such adjustment is sometimes achieved using a gear system designed to amplify the movement of the regulating lever to achieve this level of precision. However, the use of gears introduces play between the teeth of the meshing components. This results in backlash and adjustments when the lever is moved in one direction and then in the other. These imperfections are unacceptable when regulating the rate of a balance wheel and hairspring mechanism.

[0003] The aim of the invention is to provide a clockwork regulator that prevents such play. In particular, the invention proposes a toothed element that ensures precise drive of a clockwork regulator without any backlash disrupting this drive.

[0004] Patent application CH 22944 A discloses a watch rack comprising a toothed arc so as to form two thin arms which can, if necessary, act as springs to ensure full gearing of the teeth of the toothed arc with the organ driving these teeth and conforming to the prior art prior to the invention.

[0005] A watch racket according to the invention is defined by claim 1.

[0006] Different embodiments of the watch racket are defined by dependent claims 2 to 4.

[0007] A system according to the invention is defined by claim 5.

[0008] A clockwork mechanism according to the invention is defined by claim 6.

[0009] A timepiece according to the invention is defined by claim 7.

[0010] The attached figures represent, by way of example, an embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention. There figure 1 is a perspective view of a method of manufacturing a timepiece. figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a toothed component in the embodiment of the timepiece. figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of a racket demonstrating the method of manufacturing the timepiece. figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of a racket of the method of embodiment of the timepiece.

[0011] An embodiment of a 200-piece timepiece is described below with reference to figures 1 to 4The timepiece 200 is, for example, a watch, specifically a wristwatch. The timepiece includes a watch mechanism 100, in particular a mechanical watch movement. The watch movement 100 is, for example, of the manual-winding type or of the automatic-winding type.

[0012] The watch movement 100 includes a balance wheel oscillator 1 - spiral 2 type. To achieve the adjustment of the rate, a first coarse adjustment regulator 10, carrying a regulator key 11 acting on the spiral 2, is moved around a pivot axis 53 relative to a cock 7, or balance bridge, fixed on a plate 8.

[0013] A stud holder 4 holds a stud 3 to which the outer end of the spiral is fixed.

[0014] The first racket 10 is pinched onto a second fine adjustment racket 5, accompanying its rotational movements around the axis 53. The frictional torque between the racket 5 and the fine adjustment racket allows, however, for a rough modification of the angular position between the two rackets by means of a watchmaker's tool.

[0015] To allow precise rotation of the first racket around the axis 53, the second racket includes a toothed sector 51 meshing with a pinion 6 mounted in pivot connection on a frame of the movement, in particular mounted in pivot connection on the cock 7 around an axis 63.

[0016] Thus, a rotation of the pinion 6 around the axis 63 generates an angular displacement of the second racket 5 around its pivot axis 53. This modifies the length of the active part of the balance spring and allows the rate adjustment to be made.

[0017] To facilitate the rotation of the pinion 6, an ad hoc, easily accessible drive recess 9 is provided on the pinion 6. The recess can be a slot 9 intended to receive a screwdriver end.

[0018] Thus, the watch mechanism 100 includes a system 300, in particular a racket-type system comprising the stud 3, the stud holder 4, the first racket 10, the second racket 5 and the pinion 6.

[0019] As illustrated more precisely on the figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the toothed member is the second racket 5. As mentioned previously, the second racket 5 includes a toothed sector 51 intended to mesh with teeth 61 of the pinion 6.

[0020] The second racket 5 also includes a flexible structure 52 arranged under the feet of the teeth of this toothed sector 51.

[0021] By "flexible structure," we mean a structure capable of deforming when a stress is applied and returning to its original shape once the stress is removed. In other words, a flexible structure is an elastically deformable structure, in particular a structure elastically deformable along a radial direction with respect to the pivot axis 53.

[0022] By "under the teeth," it is meant that the flexible structure 52 extends to a diameter smaller than, or just slightly smaller than, the tooth root diameter of the toothed sector 51 in the case of a circular or arc-shaped toothed sector. In other words, the flexible structure 52 is preferably arranged close to the toothed sector 51. In such a case, the gap between the tooth root diameter and the flexible structure is, for example, on the order of 0.2 mm. This gap is determined, for example, based on the material(s) of the flexible structure and / or its thickness, measured parallel to the pivot axis 53.

[0023] However, the flexible structure can be arranged anywhere between the toothed sector 51 and the pivot axis 53.

[0024] Preferably, the flexible structure 52 of the second racket 5 is perforated. Thus, the flexible structure 52 may, for example, have one or more circular holes or openings (not shown). Alternatively to these circular holes, or in combination with them, the flexible structure 52 may have openings or ports which may, for example, be square, rectangular, or other shapes.

[0025] Preferably, as illustrated on the figures 1 and 2As explained previously, the second racket 5 is arranged to pivot around the pivot axis 53. The flexible structure 52 then extends, for example, over a flexible angular sector around this pivot axis 53. The flexible angular sector preferably has an amplitude equal to, or substantially equal to, that of the angular sector over which the toothed sector 51 extends. Alternatively, the flexible angular sector may have an amplitude less than or greater than the angular sector of the toothed sector 51.

[0026] According to the preferred embodiment, the flexible structure 52 has at least one elastic blade 522. Preferably, several elastic blades 522 are fitted to the flexible structure 52. The blades 522 are oriented parallel or substantially parallel to a tooth root surface, as illustrated in the figure 2that is to say parallel or substantially parallel to the cylindrical surface passing through the feet of the teeth of the toothed sector 51.

[0027] At least two, or even more, cutouts 521 are provided on either side of a blade 522 so as to generate that blade. These cutouts 521 preferably have a thickness, measured perpendicular to the root surface of the teeth, that is the same as, or substantially the same as, that of the blades 522. Even more preferably, the cutouts 521 are parallel to the blades 522. Alternatively, these cutouts 521 are thicker or thinner than the blades 522 and / or are not parallel to the blades.

[0028] By "tooth root surface", we mean a surface including and / or tangent to the tooth bottoms.

[0029] For example, the 522 blades have a thickness, measured perpendicular to the tooth root surface, of 0.06 mm.

[0030] For example, the 522 blades have a length (measured parallel to the base surface of the teeth) of 1 mm.

[0031] The toothed element 5 has, at the ends of the blades, legs 523 connecting the blades to the toothed sector 51. The legs 523 also connect blades 522 to other blades 522. Finally, the legs 523 connect blades 522 to a rigid part 54 of the second racket 5. Preferably, the legs 523 extend radially or substantially radially with respect to the pivot axis 53 or perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the foot surface of the teeth.

[0032] The length of the blades 522 is further measured between two consecutive legs 523 located on the same side of the blade.

[0033] Preferably, a leg 523, connecting a first and a second blade 522 together, connects one end of the first blade 522 to the middle or substantially to the middle of the second blade 522.

[0034] Preferably, all the legs 523, connecting a first and a second blade 522 together, connect one end of a first blade 522 to the middle or substantially to the middle of a second blade 522.

[0035] Alternatively, the legs 523 connecting a first and a second blade 522 together can connect one end of the first blade to the second blade at another point, such as at one-third or one-quarter of the length of the second blade.

[0036] Preferably, the flexible structure 52 has several rows of blades 522, for example two, three, four, five, or six rows of blades 522 arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the root surface of the teeth. In other words, these rows follow concentric, or substantially concentric, sectors of circles having centers located, or substantially located, on the pivot axis 53.

[0037] For example, the stiffness constant of the flexible structure 52 is Kr = 65 N / mm in the radial direction relative to the axis 53, while it is Kt = 1000 N / mm in the tangential or orthoradial direction relative to the axis 53. The radial direction is therefore a direction passing through the axes 53-63 and the tangential direction is therefore the direction perpendicular to a line passing through the axes 53-63 with a point of application of a force located at a point of contact between the teeth 51 and the teeth of the gearbox 6.

[0038] Preferably, the radial stiffness constant Kr is less than, and in particular significantly less 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. Thus, the deformation of the flexible structure is essentially radial, that is, oriented in a direction passing through the axes 53-63.

[0039] The center distance between the pivot axis 53 of the second rack 5 and the rotation axis 63 of the pinion 6 is predetermined. This predetermined center distance is less than the usual or typically used center distance for a gear with the same tooth characteristics. In fact, the center distance is usually equal to the sum of the pitch radii of components 5 and 6, plus a backlash, for example, 4%. This ensures proper gear operation with backlash.

[0040] Here, in the realization of the figures 1 to 4The center distance correction depends on the manufacturing tolerances of the components and the rigidity of the elastic structure 52 of the second rack 5. In this way, once the components 5 and 6 are meshed, the flexible structure 52 deforms elastically in compression. This compression is exerted between the pivot axis 53 and the rotation axis 63. Such compression consequently ensures permanent contact at several points between the teeth of the toothed sector 51 of the second rack 5 and the teeth 61 of the pinion 6. There is at least one continuous contact between two pairs of tooth flanks of the components 5 and 6; the backlash between the teeth of the second rack 5 and the teeth of the pinion 6 is thus eliminated, the teeth being forced into each other. The flexible structure 52 absorbs the deformation necessary for the meshing of the parts 5 and 6. The meshing movement of the parts 5 and 6 is therefore not hindered in any way and is extremely precise.The adjustment of the speed is then precise and reliable. Indeed, the slightest angular displacement of pinion 6 is transmitted to the second racket 5.

[0041] In the described embodiment, only the second racket is provided with a flexible structure. However, as an alternative to or in addition to the presence of a flexible structure on the second racket, it is possible to provide a flexible structure on the pinion, in particular a flexible structure surrounding the hub of the pinion 6. The flexible structure then connects this hub to the teeth 61 located around the flexible structure.

[0042] In the described embodiment, the flexible structure is created by shaping the gear, particularly by creating openings in the gear. However, the flexible structure can be created alternatively or complementaryly by inserting an element made of an elastically deformable material with suitable rigidity between the teeth and the hub of the gear. The elastically deformable material can be a synthetic material, in particular an elastomer. The flexible structure is preferably made of steel or a nickel alloy.

[0043] In the described embodiment, the racket comprises a first coarse adjustment racket and a second fine adjustment racket. However, the invention can also be applied to a racket comprising a single racket (equivalent to the two rackets 5 and 10 of the illustrated embodiment, which would have been joined together).

[0044] In the described embodiment, the invention is applied to a racket system. However, the invention can also be applied, without this application necessarily being covered by the appended claims, to any gear or rack, in particular any gear or rack of a clockwork system, intended to take part in a gearing where backlash must be limited or eliminated.

Claims

1. A timepiece index (5), in particular a fine-adjustment index, comprising: - a pivot axis (53), - at least one toothed sector (51), and - a flexible structure (52) arranged beneath the roots of the teeth of the at least one toothed sector (51), between the toothed sector (51) and the pivot axis (53), the flexible structure (52) having multiple elastic blades (522), the blades (522) being oriented parallel or essentially parallel to a root surface of the teeth, and characterized in that (i) the blades (522) have at their ends legs (523) which connect them to the toothed sector (51) or to other blades (522) or to a rigid part (54) of the index (5), in particular legs (523) extending radially or essentially radially with respect to the pivot axis (53) : - a leg (523) connecting a first and a second blade (522) to one another connects an end of a first blade (522) to the middle or essentially to the middle of a second blade (522), or - the legs (523) connecting a first and a second blade (522) to one another connect an end of a first blade (522) to the middle or essentially to the middle of a second blade (522), and / or (ii) the flexible structure (52) has multiple rows of blades (522), in particular two or three or four or five or six rows of blades (522) arranged parallel or essentially parallel to the root surface of the teeth.

2. The index (5) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the flexible structure (52) is an openwork structure.

3. The index (5) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible structure (52) extends over an angular sector about the pivot axis (53), in particular an angular sector of amplitude equal or essentially equal to that of an angular sector about the pivot axis (53) over which the at least one toothed sector (51) extends.

4. The index (5) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible structure (52) is flexible essentially radially with respect to the axis (53) of rotation of the index.

5. A system (300), in particular an index assembly (3, 4, 5, 6), comprising an index (5) as claimed in one of the preceding claims meshing with a toothed wheel (6) or a pinion, the meshing causing compression of the flexible structure (52), in particular radial compression with respect to the pivot axis (53).

6. A clockwork mechanism (100), in particular a clockwork movement, characterized in that it comprises a system (300) as claimed in the preceding claim and / or an index (5) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A timepiece (200), in particular a wristwatch, characterized in that it comprises a clockwork mechanism (100) as claimed in the preceding claim and / or a system (300) as claimed in claim 5 and / or an index (5) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4.