MECHANICAL WRISTWATCH WITH A DEVICE FOR FUNCTIONAL REGULATION BY ESCAPEMENT

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical watch with a device for regulating its operation, notably by inhibition. The watch with the mechanical movement may preferably be a tourbillon watch, with the tourbillon mounted at the escapement. In this case, the tourbillon cage surrounds the escapement mechanism and preferably completes a full rotation every minute. Background of the invention

[0002] As a reminder in watchmaking, a tourbillon, also called a "rotating cage," is a horological complication added to the escapement mechanism, designed to improve the accuracy of mechanical watches by counteracting the perturbations in the resonator's isochronism caused by Earth's gravity. The fundamental characteristic that distinguishes a tourbillon from a carousel, for example, is the presence of a fixed gear train onto which the tourbillon cage meshes. Generally, the tourbillon cage is mounted to rotate between two fixed points.

[0003] Gravity is also taken into account to compensate for any perturbations to the resonator's isochronism. The escapement is coupled to the resonator. It interacts with it once or twice per oscillation period. The angle traversed by the resonator during the interaction is called the lift angle. The remainder of the resonator's path is called the additional angle or arc.

[0004] Adjustments to the operation or rate of a watch's mechanical movement—specifically, adjustments to the oscillator's precise frequency to ensure the displays rotate in sync with the time—are known. These adjustments generally involve modifying, for example, the inertia of the balance spring or altering the length of the balance spring itself, thus modifying the spring's return torque. These adjustment methods are only accessible to a watchmaker after disassembling the watch and require considerable expertise and dexterity, particularly when adjusting a tourbillon watch.

[0005] It is also known as a rate-setting method called "inhibition regulation" for regulating the operation of so-called "quartz" watch movements, which use a stepper motor controlled by electronics and regulated by a quartz crystal. This method is managed electronically and periodically suppresses motor pulses to adjust the rotation of the hands to the quartz crystal's frequency, which is pre-set with a high-frequency offset. The rate is adjusted by modifying the inhibition period stored in the electronics' memory.

[0006] French patent EP 2 615 506 B1 describes a timepiece with a display system and a rapid correction device. The correction means for this device include a toothed wheel attached to an internal planetary gear and driven in rotation by a correcting finger. The predetermined pitch of the correction device is determined by the number of teeth on the toothed wheel. For example, if the moon phase is 29.5 days per revolution, the toothed wheel will preferably have 7 teeth to correct the calendar by one day. The correction means also include a jumper to lock the toothed wheel when not in use. A leaf spring causes a rocker arm to pivot, with the correcting finger and jumper attached to the rocker arm. Thus, when not in use, the external teeth of the internal planetary gear act as a fixed gear for a satellite.The rapid correction device cannot be convincingly applied to a device linked to a watch tourbillon.

[0007] US patent application 2017 / 0060090 A1 describes a mechanical watch movement with an adjustable tourbillon. The mechanical movement comprises a mainplate, a rotating cage mounted on the mainplate and connected to a seconds pinion, a balance spring mounted on the rotating cage, and an escape wheel mounted on the rotating cage and connected in operation to the balance spring. The movement further includes a balance stop device capable of being brought into contact with the balance wheel, and an adjustment device controlled by an external device for any angular orientation of said rotating cage. No simplified integration of a drive element for a fixed seconds wheel is provided for moving said wheel by a certain angle. Summary of the invention

[0008] For the present invention, it is sought to produce a mechanical watch having a device for adjusting its operation by inhibition that is easy to make and allows for easy adjustment of the watch's rate, or even to allow, with the appropriate interface, adjustment of the rate by the user without opening the watch, mainly preferably in a mechanical tourbillon watch in order to overcome the disadvantages of prior art devices.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a mechanical watch equipped with a device for adjusting its operation, which includes the characteristics defined in independent claim 1.

[0010] Particular embodiments of the mechanical watch with its setting device are also described in dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0011] One advantage of the mechanical watch with the adjustment device according to the invention lies in the fact that it allows for the free movement of the seconds wheel, which is defined as the fixed seconds wheel used to correct the time displayed on the watch, particularly the seconds hand. In a tourbillon watch, the fixed seconds wheel is linked to the tourbillon cage, oscillator, and escapement mechanism. The fixed seconds wheel is mounted to rotate freely on a plate, for example, around a ball bearing.

[0012] Advantageously, the inhibition adjustment mechanism can be adjusted by changing its period for a constant correction, or the inhibition adjustment mechanism can be adjusted by changing its correction value for a correction with a constant period.

[0013] Advantageously, the inhibition mechanism can be defined to ensure negative inhibition (slowing the watch's running time) in a manner similar to the inhibitions of quartz movements, but it can also be defined to ensure positive inhibition (leading the watch).

[0014] Advantageously, the adjustment of the inhibition mechanism can be made by the watch user via a crown stem accessible from outside the watch case. Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The aims, advantages, and characteristics of the mechanical watch equipped with a device for regulating its operation by inhibition will become clearer in the following description, particularly with regard to the drawings on which: there figure 1 represents a top view of the mechanical movement of the watch with the device for adjusting its operation by inhibition according to the invention, and the figure 2represents a top-to-bottom cross-section of a portion of the mechanical motion of the figure 1 of the watch which includes the device for adjusting its operation by inhibition according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0016] In the following description, various organs or elements of the mechanical watch movement having a device for regulating its operation by inhibition, which are well known in this technical field, will only be described summarily.

[0017] First of all, it should be noted that a mechanical movement watch can be a tourbillon watch whose cage encloses an oscillator and an escapement mechanism as explained below, or a traditional mechanical movement without a tourbillon, which will be briefly explained later.

[0018] As will be described below with reference to Figures 1 And 2The present invention, in the case of a tourbillon watch, allows the fixed seconds wheel of the tourbillon to be freely rotated, notably by mounting it on a mechanical movement mounting plate via a frictionless guide. This frictionless guide can preferably be a ball bearing. Thus, it is possible to correct the time display by rotating the seconds wheel, as explained below, in a positive clockwise direction or also in a negative counterclockwise direction. Preferably, and for the sake of simplicity, the correction can be made by rotating the seconds wheel in a positive direction.

[0019] The watch includes a mechanism for adjusting its operation, which holds the seconds wheel in a fixed position during normal operation. This mechanism can adjust the wheel's position by a specific angle, corresponding to the time to be corrected, at fixed intervals. Of course, the reverse function is also possible: correcting by a fixed angle at predefined intervals.

[0020] THE Figures 1 And 2These figures represent a top view and a partial cross-section from top to bottom of the movement of a mechanical watch 1 equipped with a device for regulating its operation, notably by inhibition. Preferably, the present invention offers an alternative to regulating the rate or operation of a mechanical watch movement by means of a mechanical function similar to the inhibition regulation of a quartz watch. For a quartz watch, this could involve, for example, modifying the display of a defined value at a defined frequency. Furthermore, the present invention proposes accessing this adjustment without opening the watch case, allowing for direct adjustment by the watch user.

[0021] The watch 1 with a mechanical movement, equipped with a device for adjusting its operation, notably by inhibition, is represented more fully in the figure 1 On this figure 1of the mechanical watch 1, we observe part of the finishing gear train 10, 21, a barrel 25 connected by chains 24 to a fusee 23 to drive the finishing gear train. The fusee 23 has teeth on its periphery to mesh with a coaxial pinion 22 of a large center wheel 21, which drives in rotation, via teeth on its periphery, a toothed pinion 20 shown in the figure 2 in a coaxial position of the middle wheel 10. A large part of the components of the mechanical movement are mounted on a plate 50.

[0022] The finishing gear shown mainly by the large middle wheel 21 and by the middle wheel 10 includes in principle one or two other wheels not described or not shown to define the hours, minutes, and seconds of time indication in particular for driving hands not shown on at least one watch dial not shown for displaying the time.

[0023] In view of the Figures 1And 2 The finishing mechanism is arranged between a power source, the mainspring barrel 25, and an escapement mechanism, for example a Swiss lever escapement 13, having an escape wheel 11, alternately held and released by an oscillator 14, preferably a balance wheel with a hairspring, the energy for which to maintain its oscillation is supplied by said escape wheel. The escape wheel 11 is arranged to rotate in the same direction during each half-oscillation of the oscillator 14.

[0024] A tourbillon cage 15 of the mechanical watch 1 encloses an oscillator 14 and the escapement mechanism, which includes at least the escape wheel 11. The tourbillon cage 15 is driven in rotation by the center wheel 10 of the finishing gear train, which meshes with a seconds pinion 5 coaxial with the tourbillon cage and the fixed seconds wheel 2. The seconds pinion 5 passes freely through an opening in the mainplate 50, around which the ball bearing 6 is fixed, holding the fixed seconds wheel 2 on the mainplate 50. Thus, the rotation of the tourbillon cage 15 drives the escapement mechanism in rotation, via an escape pinion 12 coaxial with the escape wheel 11, bearing against the teeth on the periphery of the fixed seconds wheel 2.

[0025] To achieve this, the fixed seconds wheel 2 preferably has at least one first set of teeth 2a on its periphery that meshes with the escapement pinion 12 coaxial with said escape wheel 11. This annular peripheral toothing 2a of the fixed seconds wheel 2 can be arranged in elevation relative to the base of the fixed seconds wheel 2. This peripheral ring with teeth 2a is therefore on a cylindrical support extending from the base of the fixed seconds wheel 2. Another peripheral toothing 2b of the fixed seconds wheel 2 is preferably arranged in the base plane of the fixed seconds wheel 2. This second peripheral toothing 2b is used to rotate the fixed seconds wheel 2 in a positive direction, which is clockwise, or in a negative direction, which is counterclockwise.The watch function adjustment device 1 acts via this second toothing 2b as explained below to correct a certain duration or time, here which are seconds.

[0026] To show clearly on the figure 1 ball bearing 6 and the action of the watch function adjustment device by inhibition, a Snoopy dog ​​shaped opening was made through the movement at the level of the tourbillon 15 just above the base plane of the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2.

[0027] As indicated above, the fixed seconds wheel 2 is rotatably mounted on the plate 50 by means of a so-called frictionless guide, which in this case is a ball bearing 6. Thanks to this ball bearing 6 and the watch function adjustment device 1 described below, it is possible to rotate the fixed seconds wheel 2 for correction in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 And 2 The watch function adjustment device by inhibition allows adjustment to be made in a positive direction, i.e. in the direction of the hands of a clock 1, without limitation to the fact that the adjustment can also be made in a negative direction, i.e. in the opposite direction of the hands of a clock, but not shown, or also for a correction in both directions of rotation.

[0028] The device for adjusting the operation by inhibiting the watch 1 is now described according to an embodiment shown in Figures 1 And 2 for correction via the fixed inhibition second wheel 2 in a clockwise direction.

[0029] The device for adjusting the watch's function by inhibition includes at least one mechanism for actuating or holding the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2. Preferably, a first inhibition member 3 is used, capable of acting on the rotation of the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2 during a correction phase. The first inhibition member 3 may include a controller such as a spring blade, one toothed end 33 of which is intended to contact the second peripheral teeth 2b of the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2 to rotate it during a correction phase. This first inhibition member 3 is mounted on the mainplate 50 or on a centering bridge 51 between a controller bridge 30 and the mainplate 50 or the centering bridge 51. The first inhibition member 3 includes a rod 31 which normally has an upper end inserted into an oblong opening 32 in the controller bridge 30.The upper end of the rod 31 can be configured to follow the lateral walls of the oblong opening oriented towards the second inhibition station 2. By moving the rod 31 within the oblong opening 32 of the controller bridge 30, a movement in a straight line can be achieved. This end of the rod 31 can also be pushed by a probe located on a wheel of the finishing gear (not shown).

[0030] The watch's inhibition mechanism also includes a second inhibition member 4, which can be mounted directly on the mainplate 50. Just as the controller bridge 30 is screwed onto the mainplate or the intermediate bridge 51, the second inhibition member 4 can be screwed onto the mainplate 50. This second inhibition member 4 also includes a spring blade, a free end 44 of which, in the form of a tooth, is inserted between two teeth of the second peripheral toothing 2b of the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2. This second inhibition member 4 is defined as an inhibition jumper to hold the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2 in a fixed position, as determined by the correction, for example, of the first inhibition member 3, so that the tourbillon functions as a normal tourbillon.

[0031] By acting with the first inhibiting element 3 against the second peripheral toothing 2b of the fixed inhibiting seconds wheel 2, it is possible to make a correction by rotating the fixed seconds wheel, for example clockwise, by +6° corresponding to one second (corresponding to the change in the tourbillon reference). This correction can be made at fixed time intervals, for example, over a full day. In an inhibition phase or function, at a regular time interval, for example, once every 12 hours, the first inhibiting element 3, such as a controller, is driven by the finishing gear, specifically by a feeler located on the hour wheel. The controller moves back and forth and drives a certain number of teeth on the second peripheral toothing 2b of the fixed inhibiting seconds wheel 2.Of course, the number of teeth driven depends on the position of the inhibition eccentric, which is the second inhibition organ 4. An adjustment of the inhibition can still be made by manipulating this eccentric.

[0032] Other types of inhibitory organs can be imagined as long as they allow for a rapid correction of the time displayed by the mechanical watch.

[0033] It should be noted that the fixed inhibition seconds wheel 2 may in a variant include a single circular peripheral toothing 2a or 2b meshing on one side with the escapement pinion 12 coaxial with the escapement mobile 11 and on the other side with the inhibition organs 3, 4 of the watch function adjustment device 1.

[0034] According to another embodiment, a differential gear train can be provided, which makes it possible to achieve the equivalent of the solution described above for a gear train without a tourbillon for a traditional movement.

[0035] Based on the above description, numerous variations of the mechanical watch with a mechanism for regulating its operation by inhibition can be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. The mechanical movement can be a traditional mechanical movement with a fixed seconds wheel for inhibition.

Claims

1. A mechanical watch (1) comprising a device for regulating its function, in particular by inhibition, the mechanical movement comprising a finishing train (5, 10, 21) that is arranged between an energy source (25) and an escapement mobile (11) comprised in an escapement mechanism connected to an oscillator (14) designed to be set into oscillation in normal function by a drive generated by said energy source so as to always rotate said escapement mobile (11) in a single direction of rotation at each half-oscillation of the oscillator (14), said escapement mobile (11) meshing via an escapement pinion (12) with a fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) fitted on a plate (50) so as to be freely rotated in a positive clockwise direction or in a negative counterclockwise direction during a time correction, the device for regulating the watch function comprising at least a first inhibition organ (3), the watch being characterised in that the first inhibition organ (3) is fitted between a controller bar (30) and the plate (50) or a support bar (51), in that the device for regulating the watch function comprises the first inhibition organ (3) and a second inhibition organ (4), in that the first inhibition organ (3) enables the fixed seconds inhibition wheel to be rotated at a defined angle during a correction phase, whereas the second inhibition organ in contact with the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) is used solely to hold the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) in a precisely defined position and in that the first inhibition organ (3) comprises an arbor (31) with an upper end inserted in an oblong-shaped opening (32) of the controller bar (30) and configured to run along lateral walls of the oblong-shaped opening to perform a rectilinear movement such that the free end (33) of a leaf spring in the first inhibition organ (3) rotates the fixed seconds inhibition wheel by a certain number of teeth during a time correction phase.

2. The mechanical watch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) is fitted on the plate (50) of the mechanical movement around a so-called frictionless guide (6).f3. The mechanical watch (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that the frictionless guide for the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) is a ball bearing (6).

4. The mechanical watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the watch is a tourbillon watch in which the axis of a tourbillon cage (15) enclosing the escapement mechanism connected to the oscillator (14) is a seconds pinion (5) in the finishing train, said seconds pinion (5) being rotated by a middle wheel (10) in the finishing train to also drive the tourbillon cage (15).

5. The watch with a mechanical movement (1) according to claim 3, in which the watch is a tourbillon watch in which the axis of a tourbillon cage (15) enclosing the escapement mechanism connected to the oscillator (14) is a seconds pinion (5) in the finishing train, characterised in that the seconds pinion (5) runs freely through an opening in the plate (50) in which the ball bearing (6) of the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) is fastened.

6. The mechanical watch (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) comprises a first peripheral toothing (2a) meshing with the toothed escapement pinion (12) coaxial with said escapement mobile (11), said first toothing (2a) being elevated relative to the base plane of the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2), and in that the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) comprises a second peripheral toothing (2b) in the base plane of the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) to enable the tooth-shaped end (33) of the first inhibition organ (3) in contact with the second peripheral toothing (2b) to make a time correction by rotating the fixed seconds inhibition wheel, while a tooth-shaped end (44) of the second inhibition organ (4) in contact with the second peripheral toothing (2b) enables the fixed seconds inhibition wheel to be held in a determined position.

7. The mechanical watch (1) according to claim 1 or 6, characterised in that the second inhibition organ (4) is fastened to the plate (50) on the movement and comprises a leaf spring with a free end (44) that comes into contact with a peripheral toothing (2a, 2b) on the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) to hold it in a determined position, and in that the second inhibition organ is adapted when fastened to define a holding position for the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2).

8. The mechanical watch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the end of the arbor (31) in the first inhibition organ (3) is moved in a time-correcting direction of the fixed seconds inhibition wheel (2) by a feeler spindle placed on an hour wheel in the finishing train.