Column wheel for chronograph mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a chronograph mechanism (5) comprising a column wheel (1), a drive mechanism for rotating the column wheel (1) and a plurality of elements intended for being controlled by the column wheel (1), the column wheel (1) comprising a crown (2) with inner teeth (20) for rotating the column wheel (1) and a plurality of control surfaces (30) projecting on the upper (21) and / or lower surface of the crown (2) and oriented towards the inside (4) of the column wheel (1). The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece mechanism.

Description

[0001] Column wheel for chronograph mechanism

[0002] The present invention relates to a column wheel for a chronograph mechanism, as well as to a chronograph mechanism comprising such a column wheel.

[0003] Chronograph mechanisms require for their proper functioning the simultaneous and / or sequential and synchronized control of several elements of the mechanism, for example counters, reset mechanism, etc. In order to guarantee their synchronization, these elements are preferably controlled using a single control member, typically using a column wheel. The column wheel is actuated for example on demand using a push button accessible to a user. The command thus received is then retransmitted by the column wheel preferably to all the elements of the chronograph mechanism to be actuated in turn. The command corresponds for example to the start or stop of a timing operation, or to a reset of the counters.

[0004] To retransmit the command simultaneously to several elements, the column wheel generally comprises a wheel mounted to rotate about an axis and several columns integral in rotation with the wheel, generally located projecting from the plate of the wheel. The surfaces of the columns act as control surfaces. The column wheel is rotated, for example, by a predefined step each time the control member is activated. The elements to be controlled in the chronograph mechanism generally each comprise a feeler or a follower to cooperate with the control surfaces of the column wheel. A change in the position of the control surface opposite the feeler or the follower, or even the absence of a control surface, after the rotation of the column wheel generates an appropriate response from the corresponding element, which causes, for example, the starting of a time counter, the modification of a display, a reset of the mechanism, etc.The feelers or followers of the various elements controlled by the column wheel are generally distributed around the column wheel and each access the control surfaces according to a determined angular position.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a column wheel is that it is difficult to provide access to the columns, i.e. the control surfaces, for a large number of elements to be controlled, particularly in the often limited space of a timepiece. The number of elements that can be controlled by a single column wheel is therefore limited by the space available around the latter.

[0006] An aim of the present invention is to propose a chronograph mechanism whose column wheel allows a large number of elements of the mechanism to be controlled simultaneously.

[0007] This object and other advantages are achieved by a chronograph mechanism comprising a column wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the column wheel and a plurality of elements to be controlled by the column wheel, the column wheel being an annular column wheel comprising an internally toothed crown for rotating the annular column wheel and a plurality of control surfaces projecting from the upper and / or lower surface of the crown and facing the inside of the annular column wheel.

[0008] Since the toothing for driving the annular column wheel is located on the inner periphery of the crown, the drive mechanism of the annular column wheel can be at least partially arranged inside the annular column wheel. Since the control surfaces are oriented towards the inside of the annular column wheel, the elements of the chronograph mechanism intended to be controlled by the annular column wheel, and which must access these control surfaces, can also be at least partially arranged inside the annular column wheel. Such an arrangement of the toothing and the control surfaces allows greater flexibility in the number and arrangement of the elements controlled by the column wheel, in particular the feelers and / or followers of these elements.

[0009] The control surfaces of the plurality of control surfaces are preferably located on a plurality of columns projecting from the upper and / or lower surface of the annular crown.

[0010] According to certain embodiments of the invention, the internal toothing comprises saw-toothed teeth forming a ratchet. This typically makes it possible to drive the stepper drive member in a direction of rotation defined by the shape of the saw teeth.

[0011] Because the annular column wheel of the chronograph mechanism of the invention requires no drive or access to the control surfaces from its outer periphery, its diameter can be maximized to substantially match the outer diameter of the chronograph mechanism. In some embodiments, the annular column wheel follows the periphery of the chronograph mechanism, with at least a portion of the drive mechanism and at least a portion of each of the plurality of elements to be controlled by the annular column wheel being disposed within the annular column wheel. This arrangement of the annular column wheel in the chronograph mechanism allows the control surfaces to be distributed around the periphery of the chronograph mechanism. The control surfaces of the annular column wheel are thus readily accessible from a large number of positions in the chronograph mechanism of the invention.Since the diameter of the annular column wheel is at its maximum, the number of control surfaces, i.e. the number of columns, projecting from the upper and / or lower surface can also be relatively large, allowing simultaneous access to the control surfaces for a large number of elements. The annular column wheel is, for example, mounted so as to be able to rotate on a plate of the watch mechanism.

[0012] The annular column wheel is, for example, guided in rotation by at least one roller and / or at least one pin and / or at least one tenon arranged on the plate at the outer periphery of the annular column wheel.

[0013] The above-mentioned goal and other advantages are also achieved by a timepiece comprising such a chronograph mechanism.

[0014] The invention will be better understood by reading the description illustrated by the figures, where:

[0015] - figure 1 illustrates a column wheel according to a preferred form of the invention;

[0016] - Figure 2 illustrates the column wheel of Figure 1 integrated into a partially represented chronograph mechanism.

[0017] According to the invention, the column wheel is an annular column wheel 1 comprising a crown 2 with an upper surface 21, a lower surface 22, an outer periphery 23 and an inner periphery. The crown 2 comprises an internal toothing 20 on its inner periphery for driving it in rotation. The internal toothing 20 comprises, for example, saw-toothed teeth forming a ratchet. According to the illustrated embodiment, the annular column wheel 1 further comprises columns 3 projecting from the upper surface 21 of the crown 2. The columns 3 are preferably identical to each other and distributed regularly over the circumference of the crown 2, forming notches on the upper surface 21 of the crown 2.

[0018] An interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1 is delimited by the internal toothing 20 and the columns 3 of the column wheel 1. The interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1 is preferably empty to allow at least part of the chronograph mechanism for which the column wheel 1 is intended to be housed therein. According to the invention, the surfaces of the columns 3 oriented towards the interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1 constitute the control surfaces 30 of the column wheel 1 which are consequently accessible from the interior 4 of the column wheel 1. The interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1 makes it possible to at least partially house a drive mechanism intended to cooperate with the internal toothing 20 to rotate the column wheel 1, as well as the feelers and / or followers of the elements of the chronograph mechanism intended to be controlled by the column wheel 1.Preferably, the annular column wheel 1 is sized to follow the periphery of the chronograph mechanism for which it is intended in order to maximize the diameter of the interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1.

[0019] The annular column wheel 1 is preferably intended to be mounted so as to be able to rotate on a support of the chronograph mechanism, for example on a plate of the chronograph mechanism not shown in FIG. 1. The column wheel 1 is, for example, partially housed, for example by its lower surface 22, in an annular groove of the support in which it slides during its rotation. The lower surface 22 of the column wheel 1 is preferably smooth, so as to minimize the resistance to rotation of the column wheel 1 on the support. The profile of the lower surface 22 of the column wheel 1 is, for example, complementary to a profile of the support so as to guide the column wheel 1 in rotation on the support. Preferably, the outer circumference 23 of the crown 2 is also smooth.Optionally, guide elements are arranged on the support at the periphery of the annular column wheel 1 to guide the rotation of the column wheel 1 and / or hold it on the support. The guide elements comprise, for example, one or more pins and / or one or more rollers and / or one or more tenons. According to other embodiments, the guide elements are located inside the annular column wheel of the invention, for example between a plate on which the column wheel is arranged rotatably and the tip of the teeth of the internal toothing. This makes it possible to minimize or even completely eliminate the free space required around the column wheel and thus maximize the diameter of the latter.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a chronograph mechanism 5 comprising the annular column wheel 1 of the invention according to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

[0021] According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the column wheel 1 is placed on the plate 50 of the chronograph mechanism 5. The column wheel 1 is for example placed on the plate 50 with its lower surface against the plate 50. In order to minimize friction during its rotation, the column wheel 1 is for example placed on one or more stones, not visible in the figures, projecting from the surface of the plate 50 and distributed opposite the lower surface of the column wheel 1. According to the illustrated embodiment, the chronograph mechanism 5 comprises guide elements distributed on the plate 50 at the periphery of the annular column wheel 1 to guide it in rotation and to hold it on the plate 50. The guide elements comprise for example five rollers 6 preferably each mounted on an arm which brings them elastically against the outer periphery 23 of the column wheel 1.The five rollers 6 are preferably distributed regularly around the periphery of the column wheel 1. The number and nature of the guide elements may be different within the scope of the invention. They are preferably chosen according to the space available around the column wheel, the type of guidance and / or fixing desired, etc.

[0022] The chronograph mechanism 5 preferably comprises a drive mechanism for rotating the column wheel 1, for example on demand by means of a push button or any other activation element accessible to a user. According to the invention, the drive mechanism is configured to drive the annular column wheel 1 using the internal toothing 20. The drive mechanism thus drives the annular column wheel 1 from within the latter. The drive mechanism is preferably at least partially arranged within the annular column wheel 1. The drive mechanism comprises, for example, a beak 51 located within the annular column wheel 1 for rotating the column wheel 1 by one step in a given direction at each activation, the angular displacement during one step corresponding, for example, to the spacing between two adjacent teeth of the internal toothing 20.However, other training modes are possible within the scope of the invention.

[0023] Preferably, the chronograph mechanism 5 further comprises a jumper 52 for holding the column wheel 1 in a determined angular position after each rotation. Preferably, the jumper 52 cooperates with the teeth 20 of the column wheel 1 to hold the column wheel 1 in position.

[0024] According to the illustrated embodiment, the chronograph mechanism 5 further comprises limiting elements for limiting the axial displacement of the column wheel 1 relative to the plate 50. The limiting elements are for example screws 7 whose head comprises a truncated portion and which are turned by half a turn to limit the axial displacement of the column wheel 1 relative to the plate 50, or to release the column wheel 1 and detach it from the plate 50. According to the illustrated embodiment, the limiting elements also comprise a stop 70 screwed onto the plate 50 at the periphery of the column wheel 1 to limit the axial displacements of the column wheel 1 relative to the plate 50. The limiting elements are preferably distributed regularly on the plate 50 at the periphery of the column wheel 1. Other types and numbers of limiting elements are however conceivable within the scope of the invention.The choice and arrangement of the limiting elements depend, for example, on the space available around the column wheel 1, the surface of the column wheel 1 with which the limiting elements cooperate, etc. According to the invention, the control surfaces of the annular column wheel 1 are oriented towards the interior of the annular column wheel 1 and are therefore accessible from this interior. Each element of the chronograph mechanism 5 to be controlled by the column wheel 1 is thus preferably at least partially arranged inside the annular column wheel 1 and comprises, for example, a feeler and / or a follower for cooperating with the control surfaces from inside the column wheel 1 in order to trigger an operation corresponding to the command or information read by the feeler or the follower on the control surface.In the case of the column wheel illustrated by the figures, for example, the command or information perceived by an element controlled by the column wheel 1 can take two states: a first state corresponding to the presence of a column, and therefore of a command surface, opposite the corresponding feeler or follower, and a second state corresponding to the absence of a column, and therefore of a command surface, opposite the corresponding feeler or follower.

[0025] However, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention to configure the column wheel to transmit a command or information that can take more than two states, for example by arranging on the column wheel control surfaces at different distances from the center of the column wheel and / or empty spaces without a control surface, each distance or empty space corresponding to a different command or information read by the different feelers and / or followers and interpreted by the corresponding controlled elements. According to certain embodiments, at least two control surfaces at different radial distances are for example formed on each column.

[0026] According to the embodiment illustrated by figures 1 and 2, the column wheel is an annular column wheel 1 intended to be integrated into a three-time chronograph mechanism: the number of teeth of the internal toothing 20 of the column wheel 1 is three times the number of columns 3. According to other embodiments of the invention, the annular column wheel is intended to be integrated into a two-time chronograph mechanism and the number of teeth of the internal toothing of the annular column wheel is twice the number of columns.

[0027] According to the invention, and with reference to Figure 1, the crown 2 being configured to be driven from the interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1 and the control surfaces 30 being configured to be accessed from the interior 4 of the annular column wheel 1, the number of parts at the outer periphery of the column wheel 1 when it is integrated into a chronograph mechanism can be limited to only the possible guide elements for guiding it in rotation and / or holding it axially on its support, for example on the plate of the chronograph mechanism. The diameter of the annular column wheel 1 can thus be maximized to practically reach the diameter of the chronograph mechanism for which the column wheel 1 is intended. The annular column wheel 1 can thus be integrated into a chronograph mechanism so as to cover its entire periphery.The annular column wheel 1 is preferably mounted coaxially with the chronograph mechanism. The control surfaces 30 projecting from the upper surface of the crown 2 can thus be distributed over the entire periphery of the chronograph mechanism, thus facilitating their access by a large number of controlled elements of the chronograph mechanism.

[0028] Advantageously, when the chronograph mechanism of the invention is integrated into a timepiece, for example in a wristwatch, the annular column wheel 1 is located under the bezel of the watch or under the support of the case back glass.

[0029] In the foregoing description illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, the column wheel 1 is integrated into the chronograph mechanism 5 with the lower surface 22 of the crown 2 in contact with or facing a support of the chronograph mechanism 5, the control surfaces 30 projecting from the upper surface 21 of the crown 2 opposite the lower surface 22. However, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the control surfaces project from the lower surface of the column wheel, or from both the lower surface and the upper surface. The column wheel is then integrated into the chronograph mechanism with the distal end of the control surfaces projecting from the lower surface in contact with or facing the support of the chronograph mechanism, for example the plate.As the column wheel rotates, the distal end of the protruding control surfaces on the lower surface, typically the top of the columns, slides against the support.

Claims

Claims 1. Chronograph mechanism (5) comprising a column wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the column wheel (1) and a plurality of elements intended to be controlled by the column wheel (1), the column wheel being an annular column wheel (1) comprising: - a crown (2) with internal teeth (20) for driving the column wheel (1) in rotation; - a plurality of control surfaces (30) projecting from the upper (21) and / or lower surface of the crown (2) and oriented towards the interior (4) of the column wheel (1).

2. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to the preceding claim, the control surfaces (30) of the plurality of control surfaces (30) being located on a plurality of columns (3) projecting from the upper (21) and / or lower surface of the crown (2).

3. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to one of the preceding claims, the internal teeth (20) of the column wheel (1) comprising saw-toothed teeth forming a ratchet.

4. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular column wheel (1) follows the periphery of the chronograph mechanism (5), at least a part of the drive mechanism and at least a part of each element of the plurality of elements intended to be controlled by the annular column wheel (1) being arranged inside (4) the annular column wheel (1).

5. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to one of the preceding claims, the annular column wheel (1) being mounted to rotate on a plate (50) of the chronograph mechanism (5).

6. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to the preceding claim, in which the annular column wheel (1) is guided in rotation by at least one guide element (6) arranged on the plate (50) at the outer periphery of the annular column wheel (1).

7. Chronograph mechanism (5) according to one of the preceding claims comprising a jumper (52) cooperating with the internal toothing (20) to maintain the annular column wheel (1) in a determined radial position when the annular column wheel (1) is not rotated by the drive mechanism.

8. Timepiece comprising a chronograph mechanism (5) according to one of the preceding claims.

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