Single-piece double-tooth wheel for a clock movement

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a single-piece mobile (20) comprising a first toothing (203) formed at the periphery of a first board (201) and a second toothing (204) formed at the periphery of a second board (202) integral with the first board (201), the first toothing (203) comprising a number of teeth which is an integer multiple of the number of teeth of the second toothing (204).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to watch movements, and more particularly to the drive trains of watch movements, for example the drive trains of watch complications making it possible to display additional information from a time train.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a single-piece mobile with double teeth making it possible to provide a dual function for a watch movement.

[0003] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a single-piece mobile with double teeth.

[0004] The invention also relates to a timepiece, for example a wristwatch, comprising a watch movement comprising such a single-piece mobile with double teeth. Technological background

[0005] In watchmaking, it is not uncommon to offer watch movements with complications, such as calendar mechanisms, moon phase mechanisms with drive gears associated with these complications and which are kinematically driven by the time gear of the watch movement.

[0006] Such drive trains have multiple mobiles providing the necessary gear ratios from the time train. Some complications also require the use of indexing jumpers which are associated with specific wheels of the drive train to ensure that the displays are held in a stable position and possibly compensate for gear play.

[0007] The multiplication of mobiles in the watch movement increases the size of the watch movement, which is always problematic because it is desirable to have a watch movement that is as compact as possible.

[0008] In addition, the multiplication of mobiles in a drive train implies an increase in gears and therefore gear play due to the increase in the chain of tolerances between the time train and the complication display, which can cause shaking or an uncertain display.

[0009] Finally, the multiplication of mobiles in a cog also increases the energy consumption of the watch movement.

[0010] To avoid these unwanted plays, it is known to use mobiles with so-called flexible teeth, in order to compensate for certain plays in the drive train. However, these solutions are complicated to manufacture and implement. In addition, they do not reduce the size of the watch movement.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for improvement of watch movements with complications. Summary of the invention

[0012] In this context, the invention relates to a single-piece mobile comprising a first toothing formed on the periphery of a first board, and a second toothing formed on the periphery of a second board made in one piece with the first board, characterized in that the first toothing comprises a number of teeth which is an integer multiple of the number of teeth of the second toothing.

[0013] Such a single-piece mobile thus provides a dual function by offering teeth on several levels.

[0014] Such a single-piece mobile guarantees perfect alignment between the two levels of teeth, which eliminates alignment problems when mounting several wheels on the same mobile axle.

[0015] Preferably, a first level of the monobloc mobile is configured to cooperate with a jumper and a second level of the monobloc mobile is configured to be kinematically connected to a drive wheel, for example a wheel kinematically connected to the time train. Thus, such a monobloc mobile makes it possible to reduce the number of mobiles in a train by combining several functions with a single monobloc mobile.

[0016] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the single-block mobile according to the invention may have one or more additional characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations: the first toothing is configured to mesh with a toothed drive wheel; the second toothing is configured to cooperate with a jumper to index said monobloc mobile in position, in steps; the number of teeth of the second toothing corresponds to the number of driving steps of said monobloc mobile to make a complete revolution; the teeth of the second toothing are aligned with the teeth of the first toothing; the teeth of the second toothing are continuous with certain teeth of the first toothing with an alternation corresponding to the ratio between the number of teeth of the first toothing and the number of teeth of the second toothing; the monobloc mobile is made of metal, metal alloy or ceramic material; the monobloc mobile is obtained by milling.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch movement comprising a monobloc mobile according to the invention. Such a monobloc mobile may belong, for example, to a drive train of a complication display.

[0018] Preferably, the watch movement comprises a time train for displaying time information and a secondary drive train for displaying additional information, said secondary drive train being meshed with the time train, the single-piece mobile belonging to the secondary drive train.

[0019] Preferably, the secondary drive train comprises a jumper cooperating with the second toothing of the monobloc mobile, the first toothing of the monobloc mobile cooperating with a toothed drive wheel belonging to the time train or secondary drive train.

[0020] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement according to the invention.

[0021] The timepiece is, for example, a wristwatch comprising a watch case configured to receive and house the watch movement according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0022] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below with reference to the following figures: there Figure 1 is a top view schematically illustrating a single-piece mobile with double teeth according to the invention in a drive train of a watch movement; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the double-toothed single-piece mobile illustrated in Figure 1 in a drive cog of a watch movement; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a timepiece incorporating a watch movement according to the invention; Figure 4 is a block diagram of the timepiece comprising a watch movement according to the invention.

[0023] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified. Detailed description of the invention

[0024] In reference to the Figures 3 and 4 , the present invention proposes a timepiece 200, such as a wristwatch, comprising a watch movement 100 according to the invention.

[0025] The 100 watch movement is mounted in a 10 case of the 200 timepiece.

[0026] In reference to the Figure 4 , the watch movement 100 includes a time train 400 intended for displaying time information.

[0027] The watch movement 100 also includes a secondary drive train 300 configured to allow the display of additional information, for example a date, information linked to a calendar, or more generally information linked to the solar cycle or information linked to the lunar cycle.

[0028] The secondary drive train 300 is kinematically linked to the time train 400. More particularly, the secondary drive train 300 is kinematically linked to a wheel of the time train 400. For example, the secondary drive train 300 can be kinematically linked and meshed with a wheel making one revolution in 12 hours or even with a wheel making one revolution in 24 hours.

[0029] In reference to the Figures 1 and 2 , the secondary drive train 300 comprises a single-piece mobile 20 with double teeth making it possible to perform a dual function while providing a compact solution.

[0030] The single-piece mobile 20 comprises a first toothing 203 formed on the periphery of a first board 201 and a second toothing 204 formed on the periphery of a second board 202 made in one piece with the first board 201.

[0031] The single-piece mobile 20 is secured to a shaft or axis so as to pivot along the axis of rotation A.

[0032] The first toothing 203 of the single-piece mobile 20 comprises a number of teeth which is an integer multiple of the number of teeth of the second toothing 204.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the first toothing 203 has 36 teeth and the second toothing 204 has 12 teeth. In this example, there is a ratio of 3 between the two toothings 203, 204 of the single-piece mobile 20. The ratio between the two toothings is to be adapted according to the needs and the number of steps necessary to make a complete revolution.

[0034] The number of teeth of the second toothing 204 corresponds to the number of drive steps of said single-piece mobile 20 to make a complete revolution.

[0035] The single-piece mobile 20 is actuated in rotation by a toothed drive wheel 40 configured to cooperate with the first toothing 203.

[0036] The toothed drive wheel 40 can belong to the secondary drive train or to the time train 400.

[0037] Preferably, the toothed drive wheel 40 is meshed with the first toothing 203 of the single-block mobile 20.

[0038] The second toothing 204 is configured to cooperate with a jumper 30 which the secondary drive train 300 comprises. The jumper 30 makes it possible to index the position of the single-piece mobile 20, in successive steps.

[0039] Conventionally, the jumper 30 cooperates with a spring (not shown) configured to bring the end of the jumper 30 into contact with two consecutive teeth of the second toothing 204.

[0040] The end of the jumper 30 comprises two inclined planes which bear between the two consecutive tooth tips of the second toothing 204 of the single-piece mobile 20.

[0041] The teeth of the second toothing 204 are aligned with the teeth of the first toothing 203.

[0042] The teeth of the second toothing 204 are continuous with certain teeth of the first toothing 203 with an alternation corresponding to the ratio between the number of teeth of the first toothing 203 and the number of teeth of the second toothing 203.

[0043] Thus the teeth of the second toothing 204 coincide with certain teeth of the first toothing 203 to form teeth extending over the two levels of the boards 201, 202.

[0044] The single-piece mobile 20 can be made of metal, metal alloy or ceramic material.

[0045] The single-piece mobile 20 is produced by milling. Preferably, the second toothing 204 forming the second level of the single-piece mobile 20 is produced by milling from the first toothing 203 already milled. This ensures perfect alignment between the two toothings 203, 204 of the single-piece mobile 20.

Claims

1. Single-piece mobile (20) comprising a first toothing (203) formed on the periphery of a first board (201) and a second toothing (204) formed on the periphery of a second board (202) made in one piece with the first board (201), characterized in that the first toothing (203) has a number of teeth which is an integer multiple of the number of teeth of the second toothing (204).

2. Single-block mobile (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first toothing (203) is configured to mesh with a toothed drive wheel (40).

3. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second toothing (204) is configured to cooperate with a jumper (30) to index said single-piece mobile (20) in position, in steps.

4. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe number of teeth of the second toothing (204) corresponds to the number of drive steps of said single-piece mobile (20) to make a complete revolution.

5. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth of the second toothing (204) are aligned with the teeth of the first toothing (203).

6. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the teeth of the second toothing (204) are continuous with certain teeth of the first toothing (203) with an alternation corresponding to the ratio between the number of teeth of the first toothing (203) and the number of teeth of the second toothing (204).

7. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single-piece mobile (20) is made of metal, metal alloy or ceramic material.

8. Single-block mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe single-piece mobile (20) is obtained by milling.

9. Watch movement (100) comprising a single-piece mobile (20) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Watch movement (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the watch movement (100) comprises a time train (400) for displaying time information and a secondary drive train (300) for displaying additional information, said secondary drive train (300) being meshed with the time train (400), the single-piece mobile (20) belonging to the secondary drive train (300).

11. Watch movement (100) according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in thatthe secondary drive train (300) comprises a jumper (30) cooperating with the second toothing (204) of the single-piece wheel set (20), the first toothing (203) of the single-piece wheel set (20) cooperating with a toothed drive wheel (40) belonging to the time train (400) or secondary drive train (300).

12. Timepiece (200) comprising a watch movement (100) according to one of claims 9 to 11.

13. Timepiece (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said timepiece (200) is a wristwatch comprising a watch case (10) configured to receive and house the watch movement (100) according to one of claims 9 to 11.

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