Clock movement comprising a mechanism for adjusting the position of displays

The watchmaker movement addresses the complexity and size issues of multiple function adjustments by using a ratchet mechanism with a mobile leading mechanism, allowing easy pivoting adjustments and reducing component count, thus simplifying and miniaturizing the movement.

EP4546056A1Active Publication Date: 2025-04-30ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE
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Patent Information

Application Number
EP2023205573
Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-24
Publication Date
2025-04-30
Estimated Expiration
2043-10-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing watchmaker movements with multiple functions face challenges in easily and quickly adjusting display positions, particularly beyond three distinct axial positions, which becomes tedious and complex, leading to increased dimensions due to additional training mechanisms.

Method used

A watchmaker movement with a mobile leading mechanism cinematically linked to first and second display mechanisms, featuring a ratchet mechanism with a clip wheel and display wheel, allowing the user to pivot the control organ to adjust display positions simply by rotating in different directions, minimizing the number of components and movement dimensions.

Benefits of technology

This solution enables easy and quick adjustment of multiple functions in a watchmaker movement, simplifying the mechanism and reducing its size by minimizing the number of components and optimizing kinematic connections.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork movement (10) comprising a driving element (11) kinematically linked to a first and a second display mechanism (200, 300) respectively intended to drive a first and a second display (20, 30) of a time value, a mechanism for adjusting the position of these displays (20, 30) comprising a sliding element (40) and a control member (50) adapted to assume an adjustment position in which it is engaged with the sliding element (40) and in which: - when it is actuated in a first direction of rotation, it drives the sliding element (40) into a first correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the first display mechanism (200) so as to modify the position of the first display (20), and - when it is actuated in a second direction of rotation,It drives the slider (40) into a second correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the second display mechanism (300) so as to modify the position of the second display (30), the first display mechanism (200) comprising a ratchet mechanism (210) equipped with a ratchet wheel (211) able to kinematically link the driving element (11) and a display wheel (21) carrying the first display (20) so as to transmit the rotation of the driving element (11) to the first display (20), said ratchet wheel (211) being movable in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation when the control member (50) is activated to modify the position of the first display (20), so as to interrupt the kinematic link between the first display mechanism (200) and the driving element (11).
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Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking and relates in particular to a watch movement comprising a mechanism for adjusting the position of displays. Technological background

[0002] The correction mechanisms of a function of a watch movement allow a user, by manipulating a control organ of the watch, to modify the position of one of its displays, for example the current time.

[0003] When the watch movement has several functions, for example a date, a second time zone, etc., their respective correction is generally carried out by the winding stem. In particular, it is known to position the winding stem in a particular axial position in order to select the function to be corrected, and to pivot said stem in order to correct the selected function.

[0004] Beyond a certain number of functions, it can be particularly tricky to position the winding stem axially. Indeed, it is understandable that beyond three distinct axial positions available, it becomes tedious to find the desired position.

[0005] Furthermore, when it has several functions, the correction mechanism is relatively complex to produce since, in each of its axial positions, the winding stem must be kinematically connected with specific components of the watch movement in order to be able to act on a given function. In addition, the addition of specific functions in a watch movement has the consequence of increasing the dimensions of the latter, since each function generally has its own drive mechanism. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve these drawbacks by proposing a watch movement equipped with several functions which can be easily and quickly corrected.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to simplify the movement in order to minimize its dimensions.

[0008] The invention relates to this end to a watch movement comprising a driving wheel set kinematically linked to a first and a second display mechanism respectively intended to drive a first and a second display of a time value, a mechanism for adjusting the position of these displays comprising a sliding gear and a control member adapted to take an adjustment position in which it is engaged with the sliding gear and in which: when it is urged in a first direction of rotation, it drives the slider into a first correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the first display mechanism so as to modify the position of the first display, and when it is urged in a second direction of rotation, it drives the slider into a second correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the second display mechanism so as to modify the position of the second display.

[0009] The first display mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism provided with a ratchet wheel capable of kinematically connecting the driving mobile and a display wheel carrying the first display so as to transmit the rotation of the driving mobile to the first display, said ratchet wheel being movable in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation when the control member is requested to modify the position of the first display, so as to interrupt the kinematic connection between the first display mechanism and the driving mobile.

[0010] Thus, the user can simply correct a function of the watch movement by rotating it in one direction or another.

[0011] Furthermore, thanks to the ratchet mechanism, the number of components in the watch movement is minimized.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the driving mobile comprises a driving wheel with which the ratchet wheel and the display wheel are inscribed in the same plane.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the ratchet mechanism comprises a return member secured to the ratchet wheel so as to force it towards a stop position in which it is meshed with the drive wheel and with the display wheel.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the return member is arranged in the same plane as the drive wheel, the ratchet wheel and the display wheel.

[0016] In particular embodiments, when it occupies the first position, the player is engaged with the first display mechanism and is disengaged from the second display mechanism, and when it occupies the second position, the player is engaged with the second display mechanism and is disengaged from the first display mechanism.

[0017] In particular embodiments, the player comprises, arranged coaxially: a drive wheel by which it is capable of being rotated by the control member, a first adjustment wheel kinematically connected to the first display mechanism when the control member is in the adjustment position and is biased in the first direction of rotation, and a second adjustment wheel kinematically connected to the second display mechanism when the control member is in the adjustment position and is biased in the second direction of rotation.

[0018] In particular embodiments, the display wheel is formed by a time zone wheel, the first display mechanism comprising a transmission wheel kinematically connecting the time zone wheel and the first adjustment wheel when the control member is in the adjustment position and is urged in the first direction of rotation. The modification of the position of the first display is therefore carried out continuously, when the control member is urged in the first direction of rotation.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the second wheel of the player is constituted by a cam comprising at least one corrector finger capable of cooperating with a toothing of the second display mechanism secured to the second display so as to drive said second display in a sequential rotation during the rotation of said player when it occupies the second correction position and the control member is urged in the second direction of rotation.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the driving mobile comprises a drive finger capable of cooperating with the teeth of the second display mechanism to drive the second display in a sequential rotation during the rotation of said driving mobile.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the ratchet mechanism comprises a guide structure adapted to guide the ratchet wheel in movement when the slider is urged in the first direction of rotation.

[0022] In particular embodiments, the guide structure is configured to guide the ratchet wheel in rotation along an axis passing through the center of the driving mobile or in translation along a rectilinear trajectory tangential to a circle concentric with the driving mobile, when the sliding gear is stressed in the first direction of rotation. Brief description of the figures

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: there figure 1represents a perspective view from above of a part of a watch movement comprising a mechanism for adjusting the position of displays of a time value, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; figure 2 represents a perspective view from below of the movement of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 represents a perspective view of the movement of the figure 1 , in which the position of a first display is modified; the figure 4 represents a perspective view of the movement of the figure 1 , in which the position of a second display is changed.

[0024] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0025] The invention relates to a watch movement 10 intended to be housed in a watch case, and configured to drive two displays 20 and 30 of time values ​​in addition to a display of the current time.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, among these two displays 20 and 30 of time values, a first is a display of the time of a time zone additional to that of the current time, and a second is a date display.

[0027] For reasons of clarity, the components of the watch movement known to those skilled in the art are not described in this text and do not appear in the figures.

[0028] THE Figures 1 and 2 represent the present invention during normal operation of the watch movement 10, that is to say, when displaying the current time, the time of an additional time zone and the date. In particular, the figure 1represents the watch movement 10 seen from above and the figure 2 represents the watch movement 10 seen from below.

[0029] The watch movement 10 comprises a driving wheel set 11 kinematically linked to a timer train in order to drive the first and second displays 20 and 30 of a time value. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the driving wheel set 11 is driven one revolution per day by an hour wheel of the timer train (not shown in the figures).

[0030] The watch movement 10 advantageously comprises a mechanism for adjusting the position of these displays 20 and 30, comprising a sliding gear 40 and a control member 50 designed to take an adjustment position in which it is engaged with the sliding gear 40 and is capable of driving both of the first and second displays 20 and 30 in movement, following a request from a user of the watch.

[0031] Preferably, the control member 50 is formed by a winding stem linked to a winding crown and the adjustment position is materialized by a predetermined axial position. The winding stem is configured to be kinematically linked with the sliding gear 40 by means of a return system known to those skilled in the art, when the control member 50 occupies the adjustment position. Such a return system is shown in the figures but is not described in detail in the text because it is well known to those skilled in the art.

[0032] As shown in the figures, the sliding gear 40 comprises a drive wheel 41 by which it is capable of being driven in rotation by the control member 50, via the transmission system.

[0033] The sliding gear 40 is engaged in a guide path freely in rotation and translation along a direction orthogonal to the direction in which it is free to pivot. Thus, the sliding gear 40 is able to occupy two extreme positions in said guide path. The guide path is not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity and is for example formed by a through groove made in a support structure of the watch movement 10, such as a bridge or a plate. The sliding gear 40 is driven into one or other of these extreme positions by the control member 50, when it occupies the adjustment position, depending on the direction of rotation in which the latter is urged. These extreme positions are called “correction positions” in the remainder of the text.

[0034] In particular, when it is positioned in the adjustment position by a user and it is urged in a first direction of rotation, the control member 50 is configured to drive the slider 40 into a first correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the first display mechanism 200 so as to modify the position of the first display 20.

[0035] As visible in the figures, the first display mechanism 200 comprises a ratchet mechanism 210 configured to allow the kinematic connection between the driving mobile 11 and said first display mechanism 200 when the control member 50 is not activated, and to interrupt this kinematic connection when the control member 50 is activated.

[0036] More specifically, the ratchet mechanism 210 is provided with a ratchet wheel 211 capable of kinematically linking the driving mobile 11 and a display wheel 21 carrying the first display 20 so as to transmit the rotation of the driving mobile 11 to the first display 20, as illustrated by the arrows on the figure 1 . Furthermore, the ratchet wheel 211 is movable in translation in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation or in rotation around the axis of the driving wheel set 11, when the control member 50 is urged in the first direction of rotation when it is in the adjustment position, so as to interrupt the kinematic connection between the first display mechanism 200 and the driving wheel set 11. This characteristic makes it possible to avoid damaging the watch movement 10 by transmitting forces to the finishing train and to the oscillator.

[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratchet mechanism 210 is provided with a ratchet wheel 211 meshing with a driving wheel 110 of the driving wheel set 11 and with the display wheel 21. The driving wheel 110, the ratchet wheel 211 and the display wheel 21 are inscribed in the same plane, as visible in the figures, so as to minimize the thickness of the watch movement 10, while making it possible to reduce the number of components of the watch movement.

[0038] Advantageously, the ratchet mechanism 210 may comprise a return member 212 secured to the ratchet wheel 211 so as to force it towards a stop position in which it is meshed with the driving wheel 110 and with the display wheel 21. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the return member 212 is configured to ensure the maintenance of the axial position of the ratchet wheel 211 and is arranged so as to apply a return force to an axis of the ratchet wheel 211. Alternatively, the return member 212 may be arranged to bear against the teeth of the ratchet wheel 211 to further minimize the thickness of the movement. The return member 212 is then in fact located in the same plane as the driving wheel 110, the ratchet wheel 211 and the display wheel 21.

[0039] In summary, the ratchet wheel 211 is adapted to transmit a movement from the driving wheel 110 to the display wheel 21 and to prohibit the transmission of the movement from the display wheel 21 to the driving wheel 110. The operation of the ratchet mechanism 210 is described in detail in the following text.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the display wheel 21 is formed by a time zone wheel. The first display mechanism 200 comprises a transmission wheel 22 kinematically connecting the display wheel 21 and the sliding gear 40 when the control member 50 is in the adjustment position and is biased in the first direction of rotation.

[0041] More precisely, as visible on the right detail view on the figure 3, the player 40 comprises a first adjustment wheel 42 kinematically connected to the transmission wheel 22 when the control member 50 is in the adjustment position and is urged in the first direction of rotation. The transmission wheel 22 then drives the display wheel 21 in rotation, which moves the time display by an additional time zone. The left-hand detail view on the figure 3 shows that, during this rotation, the display wheel 21 causes the ratchet wheel 211 to roll around the drive wheel 110 and to disengage from the display wheel 21. In particular, during the rotation of the display wheel 21, the teeth of the latter exert a torque on the teeth of the ratchet wheel 211 moving the ratchet wheel 211 so as to disengage said teeth from each other, that is to say that the teeth of the ratchet wheel 211 are no longer in contact with those of the display wheel 21.

[0042] If the ratchet mechanism 210 comprises a return member 212, the torque exerted on the teeth of the ratchet wheel 211 counteracts the return force exerted by the return member 212 on said ratchet wheel 211. The ratchet wheel 211 is therefore immediately brought back into contact with the display wheel 21, in the stop position, following the disengagement of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 211 and the display wheel 21.

[0043] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the ratchet wheel 211 therefore rolls, like a satellite, on the drive wheel 110 during the rotation of the display wheel 21 by moving in a back and forth movement.

[0044] Alternatively or in addition, the ratchet wheel 211 may be engaged in a guide path, in a manner analogous to the sliding gear 40, so as to guide the ratchet wheel 211 in movement when the sliding gear 40 is urged in the first direction of rotation. For example, the guide structure may be configured to guide the ratchet wheel 211 in rotation along an axis passing through the center of the driving mobile 11 or in translation along a rectilinear path tangential to a circle concentric with the driving mobile 11.

[0045] As illustrated on the figure 4 , when it occupies the adjustment position and is urged in a second direction of rotation, the control member 50 is configured to drive the slider 40 into a second correction position in which the latter is capable of modifying the position of the second display 30 by means of a second display mechanism 300.

[0046] It should be noted that, when it occupies the first position, the slider 40 is engaged with the display wheel 21, as previously described, and is disengaged from the second display mechanism 300, as shown in the figure 3 Conversely, when it occupies the second position, the slider 40 is engaged with the second display mechanism 300 and is detached from the display wheel 21, as shown in the figure 4 .

[0047] The player 40 comprises a second adjustment wheel 43 by which it is capable of being kinematically connected to the second display mechanism 300. This second adjustment wheel 43 is constituted by a cam comprising at least one corrector finger, for example three, as shown in the figures. The drive wheel 41 and the first and second adjustment wheels 42 and 43 are arranged coaxially.

[0048] In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and as seen in the detail view of the figure 4 , the second display mechanism 300 comprises a toothing 301 linked to the second display 30, constituted here by a date disc. The corrector finger is able to cooperate with the toothing 301 so as to drive the second display 30 in a sequential rotation during the rotation of said slider 40 thanks to the indexing made by a jumper spring 213 arranged under the return member 212, when the slider 40 is in the second correction position.

[0049] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the driving wheel 11 comprises a drive finger 111 capable of cooperating with the teeth 301 of the second display mechanism 300 to drive the second display 30 in a sequential rotation of one step, for each revolution made by said driving wheel 11, as visible on the figure 1 .

[0050] This training finger 111 may include a safety system, as seen in detail in the figure 2 , well known to those skilled in the art and allowing said drive finger 111 to retract so as not to transmit rotational movement to the driving wheel 11 when the second display 30 is driven by the sliding gear 40, so as not to disrupt the time zone display.

[0051] More generally, it should be noted that the methods of implementation and embodiment considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are consequently conceivable.

Claims

1. A clockwork movement (10) comprising a driving wheel (11) kinematically linked to a first and a second display mechanism (200, 300) respectively intended to drive a first and a second display (20, 30) of a time value, a mechanism for adjusting the position of these displays (20, 30) comprising a sliding gear (40) and a control member (50) adapted to take an adjustment position in which it is engaged with the sliding gear (40) and in which: - when it is urged in a first direction of rotation, it drives the sliding gear (40) into a first correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the first display mechanism (200) so as to modify the position of the first display (20), and - when it is urged in a second direction of rotation,it drives the slider (40) into a second correction position in which the latter is able to cooperate with the second display mechanism (300) so as to modify the position of the second display (30), the first display mechanism (200) comprising a ratchet mechanism (210) provided with a ratchet wheel (211) able to kinematically link the driving wheel (11) and a display wheel (21) carrying the first display (20) so as to transmit the rotation of the driving wheel (11) to the first display (20), said ratchet wheel (211) being movable in a plane orthogonal to its axis of rotation when the control member (50) is requested to modify the position of the first display (20), so as to interrupt the kinematic connection between the first display mechanism (200) and the driving wheel (11)., 2. Watch movement (10) according to claim 1, in which the driving wheel (11) comprises a driving wheel (110) with which the ratchet wheel (211) and the display wheel (21) are inscribed in the same plane.

3. Watch movement (10) according to claim 2, in which the ratchet mechanism (210) comprises a return member (212) integral with the ratchet wheel (211) so as to force it towards a stop position in which it is meshed with the driving wheel (110) and with the display wheel (21).

4. Watch movement (10) according to claim 3, wherein the return member (212) is arranged in the same plane as the driving wheel (110), the ratchet wheel (211) and the display wheel (21).

5. Watch movement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which, when it occupies the first position, the sliding gear (40) is engaged with the first display mechanism (200) and is detached from the second display mechanism (300), and when it occupies the second position, the sliding gear (40) is engaged with the second display mechanism (300) and is detached from the first display mechanism (200).

6. Watch movement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the sliding gear (40) comprises, arranged coaxially: - a drive wheel (41) by which it is capable of being driven in rotation by the control member (50), - a first adjustment wheel (42) kinematically connected to the first display mechanism (200) when the control member (50) is in the adjustment position and is urged in the first direction of rotation, and - a second adjustment wheel (43) kinematically connected to the second display mechanism (300) when the control member (50) is in the adjustment position and is urged in the second direction of rotation.

7. Watch movement (10) according to claim 6, wherein the display wheel (21) is formed by a time zone wheel, the first display mechanism (200) comprising a transmission wheel (22) kinematically connecting the time zone wheel and the first adjustment wheel (42) when the control member (50) is in the adjustment position and is biased in the first direction of rotation.

8. Watch movement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the second adjustment wheel (43) of the sliding gear (40) is constituted by a cam comprising at least one corrector finger capable of cooperating with a toothing (301) of the second display mechanism (300) secured to the second display (30) so as to drive said second display (30) in a sequential rotation during the rotation of said sliding gear (40) when it occupies the second correction position and the control member (50) is urged in the second direction of rotation.

9. Watch movement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the driving wheel (11) comprises a drive finger (111) capable of cooperating with the teeth (301) of the second display mechanism (300) to drive the second display (30) in a rotation during the rotation of said driving wheel (11).

10. A clockwork movement (10) according to claim 9, wherein the second display (30) is constituted by a date disc and is driven in a sequential rotation during the rotation of said driving wheel (11).

11. Watch movement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the ratchet mechanism (210) comprises a guide structure adapted to guide the ratchet wheel (211) in movement when the sliding gear (40) is urged in the first direction of rotation.

12. Watch movement (10) according to claim 11, in which the guide structure is configured to guide the ratchet wheel (211) in rotation along an axis passing through the center of the driving wheel (11) or in translation along a rectilinear trajectory tangential to a circle concentric with the driving wheel (11), when the sliding gear (40) is stressed in the first direction of rotation.

Citation Information

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