Position and position adjusting device for a timepiece mechanism

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a device (100) for adjusting the position and locating a first (1) and a second (10) watch components, which can be assembled together with a single degree of freedom, and can be immobilized by the cooperation of a first screw (4) with a first thread (12) of the second component (10) via a first notch (2) of the first component (1), and of a second screw (5) with a second thread (13) of the second component (10) via a second notch (3) of the first component (1), the first (2) and second (3) notches defining an adjustment range, the second screw (5) being a conical head screw, arranged to print an imprint on the edge of the second notch (3) under a predetermined tightening torque, to permanently mark the relative position of the first component (1) and the second component (10).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a position adjustment and marking device for adjusting the position and immobilizing relative to each other a first component and a second component that comprise a timepiece mechanism, said first component and said second component being arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation or translation, and to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a first screw with a first thread that comprises said second component through a first notch that comprises said first component.

[0002] The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism comprising at least one such position adjustment and marking device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such position adjustment and locating device, and / or such a timepiece mechanism.

[0004] The invention relates to the field of adjustment mechanisms for clockwork mechanisms. Technological background

[0005] Fixing watch components is a delicate operation, because tightening them in position can destroy an already difficult adjustment.

[0006] It is common practice to manually adjust the relative position of the components of a watch subassembly to the optimum operating position, then to lock the adjustment position thus obtained, by one or more flat-headed screws, called "span screws", held in contact by the lower flat annular surface of their head on a flat surface of a component. For example, it is common to perform an adjustment by eccentric, then such locking by screw.

[0007] In particular, the positioning of rollers, or of different watch components, such as snails, cams, moon discs, or other calendar or striking elements, or others, requires high indexing precision independently of the manufacturing clearances, and the assembly clearances.

[0008] However, when indexing two components relative to each other, using flat-head screws does not allow the indexing to be reproduced during successive disassembly / reassembly. The watchmaker is therefore obliged to search for the indexing position at each assembly, as during the initial assembly. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention proposes to provide means allowing effective maintenance in relative position of two components, and, after subsequent disassembly, allowing reassembly in the last adjustment position to facilitate the task of the watchmaker, in particular the watchmaker-repairer.

[0010] The invention uses a screw with a non-flat head, capable of printing an imprint on one of the components, constituting a marker in the adjustment position.

[0011] In particular, the use of a conical head makes it easy to mark the edge of a housing without creating chips during initial assembly, and then to find the indexing position during subsequent reassemblies.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a position adjustment and locating device for adjusting the position and immobilizing relative to each other a first component and a second component that comprise a timepiece mechanism, said first component and said second component being arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation and / or translation, and to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a first screw with a first tapping that comprises said second component through a first notch that comprises said first component. A single degree of freedom in rotation and translation is defined by a helical type mechanical connection.

[0013] According to the invention, said first component and said second component are further arranged to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a second screw with a second thread that said second component comprises, through a second notch that said first component comprises, said first notch and said second notch defining an adjustment range according to said single degree of freedom. And said first screw is a bearing screw, which is arranged to, subjected to a first tightening torque, create friction allowing adjustment of the relative positioning between said first component and said second component according to said single degree of freedom, and, subjected to a second tightening torque greater than said first tightening torque, immobilize in position said first component and said second component relative to each other.And said second screw is a non-flat head screw, arranged to print an imprint on the edge of said second notch when it is subjected to a third predetermined tightening torque, to permanently mark the position imposed on said first component and said second component relative to each other, and to find it after disassembly and during subsequent reassembly.

[0014] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such position adjustment and locating device, and / or such a timepiece mechanism.

[0015] The invention relates to the field of adjustment mechanisms for clockwork mechanisms. Brief description of the figures

[0016] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, where: there Figure 1illustrates, schematically and in section passing through an axis of rotation, a non-limiting example of application of the invention in which a first component consisting of a cylindrical tube comprising a flange, is pivotally mounted around a second component consisting of a shaft, and must be precisely oriented. The position adjustment and locating device according to the invention makes it possible to adjust the position and immobilize one relative to the other of this first and this second component. The first component comprises two grooves, respectively a first groove at the top of the figure, and a second groove at the bottom of the figure. The second component comprises two threads, respectively a first thread at the top of the figure, and a second thread at the bottom of the figure. A first screw bearing on a flat surface of the first component, passes through the first groove, and is screwed into the first thread.A second screw with a non-flat head, in particular a conical one, bears on another surface of the first component, passes through the second groove, and is screwed into the second thread, and, during this screwing, is arranged, under the action of a predetermined tightening torque, to print an imprint on the edges of the second groove; the . Figure 2 illustrates, schematically and in side view, the first and second components of the Figure 1 , and shows the first screw with a bearing surface and the second screw with a non-flat head engaged in their respective grooves and resting on a face of the first component; Figure 3 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a timepiece mechanism itself incorporating a position adjustment and locating device according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0017] The invention relates to a position adjustment and marking device 100 for adjusting the position and immobilizing relative to each other two components comprising a clockwork mechanism 500.

[0018] In particular, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures 1 and 2 , a first component 1 is formed by a cylindrical tube comprising a flange, and is mounted to rotate about a second component 10 formed by a shaft. The first and second components must be precisely oriented relative to each other. For this purpose, the second component 10 comprises, for example, a flat 11 forming an operating surface, as visible in the Figure 2 .

[0019] The first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation and / or in translation, and to be immobilized with respect to each other at least by the cooperation of a first screw 4 with a first thread 12 of the second component 10. The first thread 12 is intended to be aligned with a first notch 2 that the first component 1 comprises and through which the first screw 4 is engaged.

[0020] According to the invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are further arranged to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a second screw 5 with a second thread 13 of the second component 10. The second component 10 is intended to be aligned with a second notch 3 which the first component 1 comprises and through which the second screw 5 is engaged.

[0021] The first notch 2 and the second notch 3 define an adjustment range according to this single degree of freedom.

[0022] The first screw 4 is a flat-headed screw, for example, a screw with a bearing arranged to, subjected to a first tightening torque, create friction allowing adjustment, for example fine adjustment, of the relative positioning between the first component 1 and the second component 10 according to the single degree of freedom. When it is subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque, the first screw 4 makes it possible to immobilize the first component 1 and the second component 10 in position relative to each other.

[0023] The second screw 5 is a non-flat head screw, for example a conical head screw, intended to deform the material of the first component 1 to print an imprint on the edge of the second notch 3 when it is subjected to a third tightening torque. This imprint makes it possible to permanently mark the position imposed on the first component 1 relative to the second component 10, in order to be able to find this imposed position after disassembly, during subsequent reassembly.

[0024] In the example of the Figure 1, during a first assembly, the first screw 4 is tightened so that its head is arranged to bear against a face of the first component 1 according to a tightening according to the first torque in order to generate friction allowing a relative movement between the first and second components 1 and 10. Then, the first and second components 1 and 10 are moved relative to each other in order to reach a desired indexing position. Then, once the desired relative positioning has been reached, the second screw 5 is tightened so as to mark the edge of the second oblong 3. The first screw 4 is then tightened according to the second torque in order to lock the relative position. During subsequent reassemblies, the imprint generated by the head of the second screw 5 makes it easy to find the initial adjustment position.

[0025] It should be noted that the second tightening torque is preferably higher than the third tightening torque. This avoids excessive marking of the first component 1. In-service performance is ensured by tightening the first screw 4 to the second tightening torque.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in the Figure 2 , the first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation around an axis of rotation, the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 being formed by oblong grooves concentric with respect to said axis of rotation.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in translation, the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 then being formed by aligned or parallel straight grooves.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are arranged to be assembled with each other according to a helical connection, that is to say with a single degree of freedom in translation and in rotation, the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 then being formed by helical grooves.

[0029] Advantageously, the material of the second screw 5 is harder than the material of the first component 1. Furthermore, the first screw 4 and the second screw 5 can be configured so as to have different dimensions to prevent any confusion during reassembly.

[0030] The edge of the first notch 2 and / or the second notch 3 may include a graduated marking scale visible in any position of the first screw 4 or respectively of the second screw 5.

[0031] The invention also relates to a clockwork mechanism 500 comprising at least one such position adjustment and marking device 100.

[0032] According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a watch, comprising such a timepiece mechanism.

[0033] In short, the invention allows the identification of an initial setting which can be found in successive reassemblies.

Claims

1. Device for adjusting the position and marking (100) of said position capable of immobilizing a first component (1) and a second component (10) of a clockwork mechanism (500) relative to each other, said first and second components (1, 10) being arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation and / or translation, and to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a first screw (4) with a first tapping (12) of the second component (10) arranged opposite a first notch (2) of the first component (1), the device for adjusting the position and marking (100) being characterized in thatthe first and second components (1, 10) are arranged to be immobilized with each other by the cooperation of a second screw (5) with a second thread (13) of the second component (10) arranged opposite a second notch (3) of the first component (1), said first and second notches (2, 3) defining an adjustment range according to the single degree of freedom, and in that said first screw (4) is arranged to, when subjected to a first tightening torque, create friction allowing adjustment of the relative positioning between the first and second components (1, 10) according to the single degree of freedom, and, when subjected to a second tightening torque greater than said first tightening torque, immobilize said first and second components (1, 10) in position relative to each other, and again characterized in thatthe second screw (5) is a non-flat head screw so as to print an imprint on the edge of said second notch (3) when it is subjected to a third tightening torque, the imprint being representative of the imposed position of the first and second components (1, 10) relative to each other.

2. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second tightening torque is greater than the third tightening torque.

3. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first component (1) and said second component (10) are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in rotation around an axis of rotation, and in that said first notch (2) and said second notch (3) are oblong grooves concentric with respect to said axis of rotation.

4. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first component (1) and said second component (10) are arranged to be assembled with each other with a single degree of freedom in translation, and in that said first notch (2) and said second notch (3) are aligned or parallel straight grooves.

5. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the material of the second screw (5) is harder than the material of the first component (1).

6. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second screw (5) has a conical head.

7. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe edge of the first notch (2) and / or of the second notch (3) comprises a graduated marking scale visible in any position of said first screw (4) or respectively of said second screw (5).

8. Position adjustment and locating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first screw (4) and the second screw (5) are of different dimensions.

9. Clockwork mechanism (500) comprising a position adjustment and locating device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Timepiece (1000) comprising a timepiece mechanism (500) according to claim 9.

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