Regulating unit for a clock movement with a frame that is rotatably mounted by means of a ball bearing

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a regulating assembly, for a watch movement, comprising a cage, intended to be rotatably mounted on a frame element of the watch movement by means of a cage bearing, and carrying a balance wheel associated with a return spring and mounted on the cage so as to be able to exhibit oscillations with reference to the latter, an escapement comprising an escape wheel, arranged so as to be able to be locked and released periodically depending on the oscillations of the balance wheel, to transmit impulses to the latter, as well as an escape pinion, integral with the escape wheel and intended to be driven in rotation by a source of mechanical energy of the watch movement, a drive toothing intended to present a kinematic connection with the source of mechanical energy of the watch movement, in which the cage is integral with a first ring of the cage bearing arranged so as to be able to pivot with reference to a second ring of the cage bearing, this second ring being intended to be made integral with the frame element of the watch movement and carrying a fixed toothing arranged in engagement with the escape pinion, the first and second rings defining between them a raceway in which rollers or balls are housed. State of the art

[0002] Sets of this type are already known in the state of the art.

[0003] Thus, for example, patent EP1623282B1 and patent applications US2006 / 0181962A1 and EP2725433A1 describe flying tourbillons, i.e. assembled on a frame element of the watch movement by a single bearing, meeting the above characteristics.

[0004] More specifically, the above patent describes a tourbillon whose cage bearing has an internal ring secured to a bushing through which the balance shaft is arranged. The balance is secured to its shaft, near a first end of the latter, while the second end of the shaft carries the plate cooperating with the escapement. In addition to a better distribution of the masses on either side of a central cage bridge, this arrangement also makes it possible to use a balance shaft of considerable length.

[0005] Application US2006 / 0181962A1 describes a device similar to the previous one, in which one of the bearings of the balance shaft is intended to be fixed with reference to the frame of the corresponding watch movement.

[0006] As for the patent application EP2725433A1 cited above, it aims to construct a tourbillon of reduced thickness, without however harming the precision of the oscillations of the sprung balance. To this end, it provides in particular that the balance shaft is integral with the cage while the balance is pivotally mounted with reference to the balance shaft by means of a balance bearing, with balls or rollers.

[0007] In both cases, the constructions are very bulky, particularly in the centre, which drastically limits the possibilities of further reducing the total thickness of the corresponding regulating assembly, the latter being in any case determined by the length chosen for the balance shaft. In addition, the arrangement of different components, particularly on either side of the cage bearing, makes the assembly of these constructions relatively complex.

[0008] Thus, it may be desirable, in certain cases, to be able to have a regulating assembly whose construction is simplified and has a reduced thickness in reference to those known from the prior art. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] A main aim of the present invention is to propose a construction for a regulating assembly, intended to be assembled to a frame element of a watch movement by means of a cage bearing, therefore of the flywheel type, having a relatively simple assembly and a reduced overall thickness with reference to the constructions already known.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a regulating assembly of the type mentioned above, characterized by the fact that the rolling path has a radius greater than the radius of the fixed teeth.

[0011] Thanks to these characteristics, the thickness of the assembly can be reduced. Indeed, the radius of the fixed toothing determines the trajectory of the escape pinion. However, the construction preferably comprises two bearings for assembling the escape wheel on the cage, a first at the end of its shaft located on the side of the escape pinion and a second at the end of its shaft located on the side of the escape wheel. The trajectory of the bearing located on the side of the escape pinion must be free of any obstacle, as is apparent from the prior teachings mentioned above, in which the escape wheel describes a trajectory located towards the periphery of the corresponding regulating assembly.If, in these constructions, the escape pinion can be partially positioned at the same level as the cage bearing, following the direction of the thickness, the fact of positioning the race outside the trajectory of the escape pinion also makes it possible to free up a central space inside the cage bearing, thus offering greater flexibility of construction than in the case of prior constructions. Furthermore, the assembly of the cage to the frame of the watch movement is more robust and more stable than in prior constructions thanks to a better seat resulting directly from the characteristics of the invention. In addition, the construction of the regulating assembly according to the present invention makes it possible to offer better visibility of its components to the wearer of the corresponding timepiece, thus offering greater attractiveness to the latter.

[0012] It may be particularly advantageous to provide that the fixed teeth and the drive teeth are located on the same side of a mean plane in which the raceway is arranged.

[0013] Thanks to these additional features, it becomes possible to arrange all the components carried by the cage on the same side of the cage bearing, thus considerably simplifying assembly in reference to previous constructions.

[0014] Generally, it is preferable to provide that the fixed toothing is an internal toothing and that the drive toothing is an external toothing. Thus, the thickness of the construction can be reduced significantly, given that these two toothings can be located at very close levels along the thickness direction since they have opposite orientations.

[0015] Generally, it is advantageous to provide that the second ring is secured to at least two fixing members on the frame element, each of which is located at a distance from the central axis of the cage bearing greater than the radius of said fixed teeth.

[0016] This makes it easy to assemble the regulating assembly initially, including the cage bearing, before making it integral with the watch movement frame element, the fixing members remaining accessible. This feature also simplifies subsequent maintenance operations due to the easy access to the various components of the regulating assembly.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the fixed toothing is made in one piece with the second ring.

[0018] Generally speaking, it is advantageous to provide that the cage comprises a platform carrying a bearing for the escapement pinion and a bearing for the balance wheel, the platform being made in one piece with the first ring.

[0019] In this case, it is also possible to provide for the drive teeth to be made in one piece with the platform.

[0020] When the cage comprises a platform, it is also possible to provide for the cage to comprise a balance bridge, integral with the platform, carrying a bearing for the balance, as well as a stud holder and an index assembly arranged to cooperate with one end of the return spring.

[0021] In this case, it is further possible to provide that the cage includes an escapement bridge, interposed between the platform and the balance bridge, carrying a bearing for the escape wheel and a bearing for an anchor.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a mechanical energy source and a frame element carrying a regulating assembly according to the above characteristics, the drive teeth of which are arranged in kinematic connection with the mechanical energy source. The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch movement. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which: there Figure 1 represents a simplified perspective view of a part of a watch movement comprising a regulating assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2represents an exploded and simplified perspective view of the regulating assembly of the Figure 1 , and the Figure 3 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of the regulating assembly of the Figure 1 . Method(s) of carrying out the invention

[0024] There Figure 1 represents a simplified perspective view of a part of a watch movement incorporating a regulating assembly 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] More precisely, the regulating assembly 1 here comprises a tourbillon comprising a cage 2 intended to be pivotally mounted on a frame element (not visible) of the watch movement, for example a plate, by means of a cage bearing 4.

[0026] The cage 2 carries a balance 6 associated with a return spring 8, preferably a spiral spring, and rotatably mounted on the cage 2 so as to be able to exhibit oscillations with reference to the latter. The balance 6 illustrated is of the type with weights allowing its balancing and inertia to be adjusted, for non-limiting illustration purposes.

[0027] The cage 2 also carries an escapement arranged to cooperate with the balance 6 and comprising an anchor 10 as well as an escapement wheel comprising an escape wheel 12 and an escape pinion 14 secured to each other, in a conventional manner.

[0028] The escape pinion 14 is arranged in permanent mesh with a fixed toothing 16, as is typically the case in tourbillons.

[0029] Furthermore, the cage 2 carries a drive toothing 18 arranged in kinematic connection with a mechanical energy source 20 of the watch movement, here a barrel, by means of a finishing train 22. The latter also ensures the drive of current time display organs not shown, in particular by means of a cannon pinion 24.

[0030] It still stands out from the view of the Figure 1 that the cage bearing 4 comprises a base 25 from which extend extensions carrying fixing members 26 intended to allow the assembly of the base 25 on the frame element of the watch movement. In particular, each extension here comprises a hole through which is arranged a screw foot intended to be inserted into a suitable hole in the plate, before receiving a screw, by way of non-limiting illustration.

[0031] THE figures 2 And 3 represent views of the regulating assembly 1 of the Figure 1, respectively in exploded and simplified perspective and in simplified cross-section, allowing a better appreciation of certain construction details.

[0032] The cage 2 comprises a platform 30 whose center is partly hollowed out or skeletonized to retain only functional portions distributed over three height levels. Three radial portions 32, arranged at the highest level (in reference here to the frame of the watch movement), provide the connection between the periphery of the platform 30 and a central portion 34 arranged at an intermediate height level. Two of the radial portions 32 have a hole allowing the assembly of two cage pillars 36.

[0033] The central portion 34 carries a first bearing 38 to ensure the mounting of the balance 6 (via its shaft), as well as a bearing 39 for the anchor 10.

[0034] A recess 40 in the central portion 34 defines a housing for the escape pinion 14, at a third height level, and carries a bearing for the escape wheel, on the side of its escape pinion 14.

[0035] The central portion 34 further comprises two additional holes 42 to allow the assembly of an escapement bridge 44, or anchor bridge, on the platform 30 by means of two screws 46.

[0036] The escapement bridge 44 carries a bearing 48 for the anchor 10 and another bearing 50 for the escapement wheel, on the side of its escape wheel 12. The escapement bridge 44 has an opening 52 defining a passage for the balance shaft and its double plate (not visible) intended to cooperate with the anchor 10, in a conventional manner.

[0037] The escapement bridge 44 is surmounted by the sprung balance then by a balance bridge 54 carrying another bearing 56 to ensure the mounting of the balance 6 in the cage 2, by means of its shaft, with a conventional anti-shock system which will not be described in detail, just like the bearing 38. The balance bridge 54 is made integral with the two cage pillars 36 by means of screws 58.

[0038] The balance bridge 54 supports a stud holder 60 arranged to retain the external end of the spiral spring 8 and, advantageously, an index assembly 62 making it possible to adjust the rate of the watch movement by modifying the active length of the spiral spring 8, by means of an eccentric 64, in a known manner.

[0039] From the point of view of the mounting of the cage 2 on the frame and its drive, it is noted that the platform 30 is here advantageously made in one piece with the drive teeth 18, and also with a first ring 66 of the cage bearing 4. Of course, as an alternative, two of these components or the three components could be distinct from each other and be assembled.

[0040] Furthermore, the base 25 is integral with a second ring 68 of the cage bearing 4. Thus, when the first and second rings 66 and 68 are fitted into one another, they define between them a raceway in which balls 70 are positioned. The use of rollers could be provided as an alternative without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0041] Thanks to this construction, the platform 30, and therefore the entire cage 2, is capable of rotating freely with reference to the frame of the watch movement as a consequence of the rotational drive of the drive teeth 18 by the barrel 20.

[0042] The escape pinion 14 cooperates with the fixed toothing 16 to receive energy during the rotation of the cage 2 when the escape wheel 12 is released by the anchor 10, in a known manner, as is more particularly visible in the sectional view of the Figure 3 .

[0043] It will be noted that the fixed toothing 16 is here preferably made in a single piece with the second ring 68 of the cage bearing 4, which makes it possible to further simplify the assembly of the regulating assembly 1. Of course, it is possible to provide as an alternative that the fixed toothing 16 and the second ring 68 are made in the form of two separate pieces assembled to each other.

[0044] We can see more particularly on the sectional view of the Figure 3that the construction of the regulating assembly 1 according to the present invention advantageously makes it possible to free up a lot of space in the center, in particular thanks to the fact that the raceway of the cage bearing 4 has been offset outside the fixed toothing 16, that is to say outside the path traveled by the escape pinion 14. Thus, the bearing 38 of the balance 6 located on the side of the frame of the watch movement can be brought closer to the latter without being prevented by the presence of the cage bearing 4, as is the case in prior constructions. In addition, the fact that the cage bearing 4 has a large diameter gives it great stability. It also appears that if the shaft of the balance 6 is relatively short here, it is possible to lengthen it if necessary, given that the space internal to the cage bearing 4 is empty.These particular characteristics also make it possible to arrange the two teeth, fixed 16 and drive 18, at similar levels along the direction of the thickness, while the escape pinion 14 can be arranged substantially at the same level as the cage bearing 4, thus promoting a reduction in the overall thickness of the assembly.

[0045] Furthermore, the fact of having here the fixed 16 and drive 18 teeth positioned on the same side of a mean plane in which the raceway is arranged simplifies the construction of the kinematic connections associated with them, as does the fact that these two teeth are oriented in respective opposite directions, the fixed 16 tooth being an internal tooth while the drive 18 tooth is external. In addition to its simplification, the construction according to the present invention also offers increased visibility with reference to prior constructions, insofar as the sprung balance and the escapement can be positioned on the same side of the cage bearing 4.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that these characteristics also allow the implementation of a particularly advantageous positioning of the fixing members 26 of the cage bearing 4 to the frame, each of them being located at a distance from the central axis of the cage bearing 4 greater than the radius of the fixed toothing 16. The fixing members 26 are therefore located outside the cage 2, or even here outside the cage bearing 4, and are thus accessible at all times, whether during the assembly of the watch movement or during maintenance operations. This also allows the regulating assembly 1, including its cage bearing 4, to be fully assembled before fixing the whole to the frame of a watch movement. It will then suffice to further engage the drive toothing 18 with the finishing gear train 22.

[0047] Thanks to the characteristics which have just been described, it is possible to produce a regulating assembly which is particularly compact in the direction of its thickness and very easy to assemble and fix to the frame of a watch movement, without its running precision being affected.

[0048] Of course, the preceding description is intended to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics illustrated or described such as, for example, the type of balance, its diameter, the positioning of its shaft in the cage, the shape of the cage platform, or even the implementation of a racket assembly. Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the embodiment previously described according to their own needs, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Regulating assembly (1), for a watch movement, comprising a cage (2), intended to be mounted rotatably on a frame element of the watch movement by means of a cage bearing (4), and bearing - a balance (6) associated with a return spring (8) and mounted on the said cage (2) so as to be able to oscillate with reference to the latter, - an escapement comprising an escape wheel (12), arranged so that it can be periodically locked and released according to the oscillations of the balance (6), to transmit impulses to the latter, as well as an escape pinion (14), integral with said escape wheel (12) and intended to be driven in rotation by a mechanical energy source (20) of the clock movement, - a drive toothing (18) intended to present a kinematic connection with the mechanical energy source (20) of the clock movement, said cage (2) being integral with a first ring (66) of said cage bearing (4) arranged so as to be able to pivot in relation to a second ring (68) of said cage bearing (4), said second ring (68) being designed to be made integral with the frame element of the watch movement and bearing a fixed toothing (16) arranged to engage with said escape pinion (14), the said first and second rings (66, 68) defining between them a raceway in which rollers or balls (70) are housed, characterized in that said raceway has a radius greater than the radius of said fixed toothing (16).

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed toothing (16) and said drive toothing (18) are located on the same side of a median plane in which said raceway is arranged.

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said fixed toothing (16) is an internal toothing and in that said drive toothing (18) is an external toothing.

4. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second ring (68) is integral with at least two fixing members (26) to the frame element, each of which is located at a distance from the central axis of said cage bearing (4) greater than said radius of said fixed toothing (16).

5. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixed toothing (16) is made in one piece with said second ring (68).

6. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cage (2) includes a platform (30) bearing a bearing for said escape pinion (14) and a bearing (38) for said balance (6), said platform (30) being made in one piece with said first ring (66).

7. Assembly (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said drive toothing (18) is made in one piece with said platform (30).

8. Assembly (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said cage (2) comprises a balance bar (54), integral with said platform (30), supporting a bearing (56) for said balance (6), as well as a balance spring stud holder (60) and an index assembly (62) arranged to cooperate with one end of said return spring (8).

9. Assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that said cage (2) also comprises an escape bar (44), inserted between said platform (30) and said balance bar (54), bearing a bearing (50) for said escape wheel (12) and a bearing (48) for pallets (10).

10. A watch movement comprising a mechanical energy source (20) and a frame element carrying a regulating assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, of which the drive toothing (18) is arranged in kinematic connection with the mechanical energy source (20).

11. Timepiece comprising a watch movement according to claim 10.