Mechanism for a striking timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (100) for a striking timepiece, comprising: - a first cannon pinion (1); - a second cannon pinion (2); - a geared connection (14, 15, 21) between the first cannon pinion (1) and the second cannon pinon (2); and - a device (16) for compensating clearance in the geared connection. The geared connection (14, 15, 21) between the first cannon pinion (1) and the second cannon pinon (2) comprises: - a first gear (15) attached to the first cannon pinion (1); - a second gear (14) mounted pivotably relative to the first cannon pinion; and - a third gear (21) attached to the second cannon pinion (2), wherein the first and second gears mesh with the third gear, and the clearance compensation device (16) in the geared connection is arranged so as to exert a return force from the first and second gears against: - the opposing faces of at least one tooth of the third gear (21); and / or - the adjacent faces of at least two consecutive teeth of the third gear (21).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Mechanism for a striking timepiece.

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a mechanism for a watch movement. The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a mechanism. The invention finally relates to a timepiece comprising such a mechanism and / or such a movement.

[0005] State of the prior art

[0006] A clockwork striking mechanism is highly complicated. It is complex due to the number and nature of the kinematics of its components.

[0007] Usually, in striking mechanisms, particularly in classic repeating striking mechanisms, a minute snail, that is to say a cam bearing notches for regulating the minute strike which cooperates with a feeler of a minute part, is directly fixed on a cannon-pinion which carries at its end a minute hand. Such an arrangement guarantees a mechanism without offset between the position of the minute hand opposite the minute scale of the dial and the number of minute strokes struck. The same is true for a quarter snail, that is to say a cam bearing notches for regulating the quarter-hour strike which cooperates with a feeler of a quarter part.

[0008] Such an architecture poses problems of mounting and adjusting the snails so that the chimes are perfectly synchronized with the positions of the hands. Presentation of the invention

[0009] The aim of the invention is to provide a mechanism which overcomes the drawbacks mentioned above and improves the mechanisms known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a simple mechanism which makes it easier to mount the cams of a striking mechanism and to synchronize the striking mechanism with the display of the timepiece.

[0010] Summary of the invention

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a mechanism is defined by claim 1.

[0012] According to the first aspect of the invention, different embodiments of the mechanism are defined by claims 2 to 6.

[0013] According to the first aspect of the invention, a watch movement is defined by claim 7.

[0014] According to the first aspect of the invention, an embodiment of the movement is defined by claim 8.

[0015] According to the first aspect of the invention, a timepiece is defined by claim 9.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention, objects are defined by the following propositions:

[0017] 1. Mechanism (100) for a striking clock movement (200), comprising:

[0018] - a first roadway (1), - a second roadway (2),

[0019] - a gear connection (14, 15, 21) between the first roadway (1) and the second roadway (2), and

[0020] - a device (16) for taking up the play in the gear connection. Mechanism (100) according to proposal 1, characterized in that the gear connection (14, 15, 21) between the first roadway (1) and the second roadway (2) comprises:

[0021] - a first wheel (15) fixed on the first roadway (1),

[0022] - a second wheel (14) mounted in pivot connection relative to the first roadway, and

[0023] - a third wheel (21) fixed on the second roadway (2), the first and second wheels meshing with the third wheel, and the device (16) for taking up the play in the gear connection being arranged so as to exert a return force on the first and second wheels against:

[0024] - the opposite flanks of at least one tooth of the third wheel (21), and / or

[0025] - the adjacent flanks of at least two consecutive teeth of the third wheel (21). Mechanism (100) according to proposition 2, characterized in that the play-compensating device (16) comprises an element (131) for adjusting the return force, the adjustment element (131) comprising, for example, a gripping notch (131) for rotating the second toothed wheel (14) relative to the first cannon (1). Mechanism (100) according to one of propositions 1 to 3, characterized in that the play-compensating device (16) comprises a spring (16), in particular a leaf spring (16), fixed: - on the one hand, in particular at one of its ends, to the first cannon (1), and

[0026] - on the other hand, in particular at the other of its ends, to the second wheel (14). Mechanism (100) according to proposals 2 and 4, characterized in that the spring (16) is fixed:

[0027] - at one of its ends via a pin (163) to the second wheel (14), and

[0028] - at the other of its ends via a ring (161) of the spring (16) on the first cannon pinion (1). Mechanism (100) according to one of the propositions 1 to 5, characterized in that the first cannon pinion (1) is intended to receive a first minute indicator, such as a minute hand (61). Mechanism (100) according to one of the propositions 1 to 6, characterized in that the second cannon pinion (2) is intended to receive at least one striking cam (22, 23, 24), in particular a minute snail (22) and / or a surprise (23) and / or a quarter snail (24). Watch movement (200) comprising:

[0029] - a mechanism (100) according to one of propositions 1 to 7, and

[0030] - a finishing gear train (99) driving one of the first and second cannon pins (1, 2). Watch movement (200) according to proposition 8, characterized in that the movement comprises a frame (90), in particular a plate (91), in that the first cannon pinion (1) is mounted on the frame on the dial side and in that the second cannon pinion (2) is mounted on the frame on the bridge side. 10. Timepiece (300), in particular a striking wristwatch (300), comprising:

[0031] - a mechanism (100) according to one of propositions 1 to 7, and / or

[0032] - a clock movement (200) according to one of propositions 8 and 9.

[0033] Presentation of figures

[0034] The objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention are set forth in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made without limitation in relation to the attached figures.

[0035] Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic sectional and perspective view of the embodiment of the timepiece.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the timepiece.

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the embodiment of the timepiece.

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] An embodiment of a timepiece 300 is described below in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The timepiece 300 is for example a watch, in particular a wristwatch and / or a striking timepiece. The timepiece 300 comprises a striking watch movement 200, intended to be mounted in a timepiece case or box in order to protect it from the external environment. The watch movement 200 may be a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement.

[0041] The 200 watch movement includes:

[0042] - a frame 90, in particular a blank or a plate 91,

[0043] - a first roadway mobile 19,

[0044] - a second road mobile 29,

[0045] - a finishing gear 99 driving one of the first and second cannon pinion gears.

[0046] The first cannon wheel 19 comprises a first cannon wheel 1. The first cannon wheel, in particular the first cannon wheel 1, is pivoted on the frame 90, in particular pivoted on a first axis 18 mounted, in particular driven, for example at its end 93, in the frame 90. The first axis 18 may be a center tube. The first cannon wheel 19 comprises different elements 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 mounted on the first cannon wheel 1. The first cannon wheel 19 is advantageously mounted on the dial side on the frame 90.

[0047] The second roadway mobile 29 comprises a second roadway 2. The second roadway mobile, in particular the second roadway 2, is pivoted on the frame 90, in particular pivoted on a second axis 28 mounted, in particular driven, for example at its end 92, in the frame 90. The second roadway mobile 29 may comprise different elements 21, 22, 23, 24, mounted on the second roadway 2. The second roadway mobile 29 is advantageously mounted on the bridge side on the frame 90.

[0048] In other words, the watch movement 200 comprises a mechanism 100 comprising: - the first cannon pinion 1 or the first cannon pinion wheel 19, and

[0049] - the second carriageway 2 or the second carriageway mobile 29.

[0050] The mechanism 100 also includes:

[0051] - a connection 14, 15, 21 by gearing, in particular by direct gearing (or without return), between the first roadway 1 and the second roadway 2, and

[0052] - a device 16 for taking up play in the gear connection.

[0053] As shown in the figures, the first roadway mobile 19 is advantageously mounted on the axis 18 driven into the frame 90 and defining a first axis A1 of rotation of the first roadway mobile 19 relative to the frame 90.

[0054] Preferably, the first roadway mobile 19 comprises:

[0055] - the first roadway 1,

[0056] - a first cannon pinion gear 11 frictionally mounted on cannon pinion 1 and arranged to mesh with the finishing gear train 99 (as shown in Figure 4 with the hour wheel 17 removed) or to form part of the finishing gear train 99,

[0057] - a cannon pinion 12 in one piece with the first cannon pinion 1 or fixed, in particular driven, on the first cannon pinion 1, this pinion 12 being arranged to mesh with a timer wheel 98 of a timer mobile (as shown in figure 4 with the hour wheel 17 removed),

[0058] - a second toothed wheel 14 mounted to rotate on the first cannon 1 around the axis A1, the second toothed wheel 14 comprising a toothing 141 and a plate 13, the toothing 141 being arranged to mesh with a toothed wheel 21 of the second cannon,

[0059] - a third toothed wheel 15 in one piece with the first roadway 1 or fixed, in particular driven, on the first roadway 1, this wheel 15 being arranged to mesh with the wheel 21 of the second roadway 2,

[0060] - an hour wheel 17 mounted to rotate on the first cannon pinion 1 around the axis A1, the hour wheel 17 being arranged to mesh with a minute wheel pinion 97 of the minute wheel set,

[0061] - a 62 hour hand fixed, in particular driven, on the hour wheel, and

[0062] - a minute hand 61 fixed, in particular driven, on the first cannon-pinion 1.

[0063] Preferably, the second roadway mobile 29 comprises:

[0064] - the second roadway 2,

[0065] - a fourth toothed wheel 21 in one piece with the second road surface 1 or fixed, in particular driven, on the second road surface 2, this wheel 21 being arranged to mesh with the wheels 14 and 15 mentioned previously.

[0066] Preferably, the gear connection 14, 15, 21 between the first roadway 1 and the second roadway 2 comprises:

[0067] - the third toothed wheel 15 fixed on the first roadway 1,

[0068] - the second toothed wheel 14 mounted in pivot connection relative to the first roadway 1, and

[0069] - a fourth toothed wheel 21 fixed on the second roadway 2.

[0070] The second and third toothed wheels 14, 15 mesh with the fourth wheel 21.

[0071] Preferably, the device 16 for taking up the play in the gear connection is arranged so as to exert a return force on the second and third wheels 14, 15 against:

[0072] - the opposite flanks of at least one tooth of the fourth wheel 21, and / or

[0073] - the adjacent flanks of at least two consecutive teeth of the fourth wheel 21. Advantageously, the play-compensating device 16 may comprise a spring 16, in particular a leaf spring 16, fixed:

[0074] - on the one hand, in particular at one of its ends, at the first carriageway 1, and

[0075] - on the other hand, in particular at the other of its ends, to the second wheel 14.

[0076] More specifically, the spring 16 can be fixed at a first of its ends via a pin 163 to the second wheel 14.

[0077] Additionally, the spring 16 can be fixed at a second of its ends to the first roadway, via a ring 161 driven onto the roadway.

[0078] The play-compensating device 16 comprises an element 131 for adjusting the return force. To do this, the plate 13 may have a notch 131 making it possible to rotate the second wheel 14 relative to the first road surface. This notch can be manipulated using a tool. The manipulation can be carried out in one direction or the other around the axis A1. Once the spring 16 has been deformed so as to obtain the desired return force intensity:

[0079] - the second toothed wheel 14 and the third toothed wheel 15, on the one hand, and

[0080] - the fourth toothed wheel 21, on the other hand, are put in place in a pre-stressed meshing situation. The second wheel is then in meshing contact with the fourth wheel and the third wheel is then in meshing contact with the fourth wheel. The teeth are then pre-stressed. It should be noted that the return force must be set to a value just necessary to avoid any play of the first and second cannon-pinions, one relative to the other, under normal conditions of use of the timepiece. Indeed, a high intensity of return force leads to energy losses and, consequently, a loss of energy autonomy of the timepiece.

[0081] In the embodiment described above, an angular return element of two sets of teeth relative to each other is used to produce a backlash-free gear. However, as a variant, other means of producing a backlash-free gear may be used. In particular, it is possible to use on the first gearway and / or on the second gearway teeth with flexible teeth, in particular teeth with teeth split in the direction of their height.

[0082] In the embodiment described above, the play compensation device 16, or prestressing device, is arranged on the first roadway. Alternatively, whatever the embodiment or variant, the play compensation device 16 can be arranged on the second roadway.

[0083] Whatever the embodiment or variant, the transmission ratio of the gear linking the first and second carriageways is advantageously 1.

[0084] Whatever the embodiment or variant, the second roadway may carry only one snail.

[0085] In the embodiment described above, the finishing gear drives the first cannon, which itself drives the second cannon. Alternatively, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the finishing gear can drive the second cannon, which itself drives the first cannon.

[0086] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to mount:

[0087] - time indication hands around a first axis A1, and - one or more striking cams around a second axis A2, the first and second axes being:

[0088] - distinct and / or distant from each other, and

[0089] - parallel (as in the embodiment shown) or non-parallel.

[0090] This solution provides great architectural flexibility to arrange the different means of the timepiece in different places of the watch movement.

[0091] Thanks to the invention, it is also possible to mount a first cannon pinion on one side of the watch movement and a second cannon pinion on the other side of the movement. This makes it easier to mount and adjust the watch movement.

[0092] The first and second carriageways are mounted so that they mesh directly with each other, i.e. without an intermediate gear. Thus, the chain of positioning dimensions of the first and second carriageways relative to each other is extremely reduced. Furthermore, any play that may exist between the first and second carriageways is compensated for by the solutions described. It follows that thanks to the solutions described, the first and second carriageways can be finely synchronized in rotation about their respective axes A1, A2.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Mechanism (100) for a striking clock movement (200), comprising: - a first roadway (1), - a second roadway (2), - a gear connection (14, 15, 21) between the first roadway (1) and the second roadway (2), and - a device (16) for taking up the play in the gear connection, the gear connection (14, 15, 21) between the first roadway (1) and the second roadway (2) comprising: - a first wheel (15) fixed on the first roadway (1), - a second wheel (14) mounted in pivot connection relative to the first roadway, and - a third wheel (21) fixed on the second roadway (2), the first and second wheels meshing with the third wheel, and the device (16) for taking up the play in the gear connection being arranged so as to exert a return force on the first and second wheels against: - the opposite flanks of at least one tooth of the third wheel (21), and / or - the adjacent flanks of at least two consecutive teeth of the third wheel (21).

2. Mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the play-compensating device (16) comprises an element (131) for adjusting the return force, the adjustment element (131) comprising, for example, a gripping notch (131) for rotating the second toothed wheel (14) relative to the first cannon pinion (1). Mechanism (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the play-compensating device (16) comprises a spring (16), in particular a leaf spring (16), fixed: - on the one hand, in particular at one of its ends, at the first carriageway (1), and - on the other hand, in particular at the other of its ends, to the second wheel (14). Mechanism (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the spring (16) is fixed: - at one of its ends via a pin (163) to the second wheel (14), and - at the other of its ends via a ring (161) of the spring (16) on the first cannon pinion (1). Mechanism (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first cannon pinion (1) is intended to receive a first minute indicator, such as a minute hand (61). Mechanism (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second cannon pinion (2) is intended to receive at least one striking cam (22, 23, 24), in particular a minute snail (22) and / or a surprise (23) and / or a quarter snail (24). Watch movement (200) comprising: - a mechanism (100) according to one of the preceding claims, and - a finishing gear (99) driving one of the first and second cannons (1, 2). Clock movement (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movement comprises a frame (90), in particular a plate (91), in that the first cannon pinion (1) is mounted on the frame on the dial side and in that the second cannon pinion (2) is mounted on the frame on the bridge side. Timepiece (300), in particular a striking wristwatch (300), comprising: - a mechanism (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, and / or - a clockwork movement (200) according to one of claims 7 and 8.

Images