Timepiece mechanism comprising a jumping disc
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- DE LA MFG DHORLOGERIE AUDEMARS PIGUET & CIE
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing watch mechanisms with jumping disks face issues such as untimely jumps due to shocks and double jumps, with existing solutions either requiring significant energy consumption or complex constructions.
A watch mechanism featuring a blocking rocker that moves between a locking and release position to prevent rotation during the rest phase and allow rotation during the jumping phase, utilizing a single driving member to drive the jumping disk and block it effectively, thereby minimizing energy consumption and complexity.
The mechanism effectively prevents untimely jumps and double jumps while reducing energy consumption and simplifying the construction, ensuring accurate timekeeping and compact design.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024065255_12122024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CLOCK MECHANISM COMPRISING A JUMPING DISC
[0002] Technical field
[0003] The present invention relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising a jumping disc arranged to be able to jump by one step in a direction of rotation, a device for driving the jumping disc comprising a rotary drive member arranged to be, with the jumping disc, fixed during a rest phase, and to, during a jump phase, drive the jumping disc by one step in a jumping manner in said direction of rotation, and a device for blocking the jumping disc arranged to allow rotation of the jumping disc in said direction of rotation during the jump phase and to prevent rotation of the jumping disc at least in said direction of rotation during the rest phase.
[0004] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a timepiece mechanism.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] Such a mechanism is described for example in patent application CH 717 262. This mechanism is more specifically dedicated to a date disc coupled to a drive device comprising a control element mounted movably between a rest position not coupled with the date disc and an increment position coupled with the date disc. The control element is mounted on a pivoting frame so as to be able to switch between its two positions. The mechanism comprises a locking device making it possible to prevent any accidental incrementation such as during an impact. The locking device comprises a pin mounted on the pivoting frame and arranged to engage between two edge teeth provided on the outer periphery of the date disc when the pivoting frame is in the rest position.This locking device has the risk of not working if the pivoting frame is not in a correct rest position so that the pin will be incorrectly positioned. In addition, since the locking device is only active when the pivoting frame is in the rest position, there is a risk of a double jump if the pivoting frame does not return to its rest position in time. Furthermore, this requires the design of a specific date disc including edge teeth around its entire outer periphery.
[0007] Another possibility known to those skilled in the art for immobilizing a jumping disc is to provide, in a conventional manner, a jumper. Such a jumper is arranged to lift against a restoring force exerted by a spring associated with the jumper during the jumping phase in order to allow rotation of the disc to perform its jump. In order to prevent rotation in the direction of the jump in the event of an impact, for example, it is possible to increase the force of the jumper spring. However, this would have the disadvantage of requiring a significant force and therefore a large consumption of energy to lift the jumper during the jumping phase.
[0008] Another known solution for blocking a jumping disc during its rest phases is to use a rocker instead of a conventional jumper, this rocker evolving between a blocking position in which the jumping disc is blocked and a release position, in which the jumping disc is released to be able to perform its jump. Documents US 2002 / 080686, GB 1 035 295, FR 1 602 910 and GB 2 042 225 describe the use of such a rocker. However, these first three documents all suggest associating a spring with the rocker so that the latter can be kept pressed against the jumping disc. Therefore, the movement of the rocker between its blocking position and its release position requires a certain amount of energy to be able to counter the opposing force applied by such a spring on the rocker. As for document GB 2 042 225, it proposes a solution in which no spring is pressed against the rocker.However, in this document GB 2 042 225, a driving member is provided for moving the jumping disc but also a separate additional member, consisting of a Maltese cross, with which the rocker must cooperate to perform its locking and releasing functions. Such a mechanism comprising a driving member as well as an additional member has the disadvantages of being of complex construction and of representing a certain bulk.
[0009] The present invention aims to remedy at least in part these drawbacks by proposing a watch mechanism comprising a device for blocking a jumping disc making it possible to prevent an untimely jump under particular conditions, for example in the event of shock to the timepiece at rest, as well as to prevent a double jump of the jumping disc during a jumping phase, while minimizing energy consumption during the jumping phase.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism of simple and compact construction.
[0011] Disclosure of the invention
[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising a jumping disc arranged to be able to jump by one step in a direction of rotation, a device for driving the jumping disc comprising a rotary drive member arranged to be, with the jumping disc, fixed during a rest phase, and to, during a jump phase, drive the jumping disc by one step in a jumping manner in said direction of rotation, and a device for locking the jumping disc arranged to allow rotation of the jumping disc in said direction of rotation during the jump phase and to prevent rotation of the jumping disc at least in said direction of rotation during the rest phase.
[0013] According to the invention, said locking device comprises a locking lever positioned between the jumping disc and the drive member, and preferably mounted to rotate freely, said locking lever comprising a head and being arranged to be able to move between a high locking position in which said head is held by an outer peripheral edge of the drive member while being able to constitute a rotational stop in said direction of rotation for the jumping disc during the rest phase, and a low release position in which said head is engaged in a notch provided on said outer peripheral edge of the drive member in order to be released from the jumping disc, said notch being arranged to be at least partly positioned opposite the head of the locking lever at the start of the jumping phase so that the jumping disc is free to rotate,and to no longer be opposite said head of the locking lever after the jump phase, or preferably before the end of the jump phase, so that the locking lever returns to its high locking position. Thus, the jumping disc is free to rotate in one direction during the jump phase, and is locked in rotation in the same direction at least during the rest phase, preventing any untimely jump in said direction in the event of an impact, for example. In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the locking device is active before the end of the jump phase, once a jump has been made, so that a double jump of the jumping disc is impossible. Thus, the locking device according to the invention acts as both an anti-double jump and an anti-shock device.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the jumping disc is an hour disc and the driving member is driven via an hour wheel.
[0015] Brief description of the drawings
[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0017] - figures 1 to 7 represent a top view of a clockwork mechanism according to the invention in different positions on a cycle between two rest phases; and
[0018] - figure 8 is a top view of the clockwork mechanism according to the invention in the event of an impact likely to cause the jumping disc to rotate in one direction and the other.
[0019] Embodiments of the invention
[0020] The present invention relates to a jumping disc clockwork mechanism and will be described below with reference to a clockwork mechanism intended to be implemented more particularly in a jumping hour mechanism. With reference to Figure 1, this mechanism, shown in its position in the rest phase, comprises a jumping hour disc 1 shown partially in the figures and arranged to be able to jump one step in a direction of rotation during a jumping phase, i.e. here to jump one hour clockwise. More specifically, the jumping disc 1 has the shape of a ring with center A, empty in its center, defining an inner periphery 1a and on which the twelve hour digits from 1 to 12 are distributed in a regular and orderly manner. On its inner periphery 1a, at least as many notches 2 are provided as jumps to be made in one revolution.Preferably, as many notches 2 are provided as jumps to be made in one revolution, i.e. here 12 notches 2, one notch 2 corresponding to a time displayed on the jumping disc 1. The jumping disc 1 is mounted on a frame of the mechanism, free to rotate about center A. It is guided in rotation for example by rollers 4. Any other means of guidance can be used.
[0021] At the center of the jumping disc 1 is positioned a drive device 5 of the jumping disc 1 which comprises a drive pinion 6 meshing with an hour wheel 7 of the movement of the timepiece and a drive star 8 secured to said drive pinion 6. The drive star 8 comprises teeth 8a, here four in number, the role of which will be described below. The hour wheel 7 makes one revolution in 12 hours, or in 24 hours according to another variant, and slowly drives the drive pinion 6 and therefore the drive star 8 so that it rotates 45° per hour in the counterclockwise direction.
[0022] The drive device 5 also comprises a rotary drive member 10, free to rotate about center A. The drive member 10 is mounted on the frame of the mechanism at the same level as the jumping disc 1 and concentrically with said jumping disc 1. The drive member 10 is guided in rotation for example by rollers 12. Any other guide means can be used.
[0023] The driving member 10 has the general form of a ring defining an inner peripheral edge 10a and an outer peripheral edge 10b.
[0024] The driving member 10 is associated with an elastic return member 11, such as a return spring, said driving member 10 being arranged to be driven in rotation in the other direction of rotation, here the counterclockwise direction, by arming its return member 11 during an arming phase, independently of the jumping disc 1, and to, during the jumping phase, rotate in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, under the effect of its return member 11 and cooperate with the jumping disc 1 to drive said jumping disc 1 by one step in a jumping manner in said direction of rotation of the jump. For this purpose, for driving the drive member 10 in the counterclockwise direction for the winding phase, there is provided, on the inner peripheral edge 10a of the drive member 10, a lug 14 arranged to be able to be engaged with a tooth 8a of the drive star 8.Thus, a rotation of the drive star 8 in the other direction of rotation, here counterclockwise, causes, via contact between a tooth 8a and the lug 14, a rotation of the drive member 10 in said counterclockwise direction during which its elastic return member 11 is progressively armed. This phase corresponds to the arming phase.
[0025] The teeth 8a of the drive star 8 and the lug 14 are configured so that once the counterclockwise rotation necessary for winding the return member 11 has been performed, the tooth 8a continues to rotate counterclockwise while no longer being engaged with the lug 14. Thus, the drive member 10 is released for the jumping phase and its return member 11 releases all of its energy by instantly returning the drive member 10 in a clockwise rotation so that it returns to its position during the rest phase. The teeth 8a are also configured so as not to drive the drive member 10 during the rest phase, said drive member 10 being fixed during said rest phase. The jumping disc 1 is fixed during the rest and winding phases.
[0026] For the driving, by the driving member 10, of the jumping disc 1 by a step in a jumping manner in the direction of rotation of the jump during the jumping phase, the cooperation between the driving member 10 and the jumping disc 1 is preferably, but not necessarily, direct. For this purpose, a flexible finger 16 is provided on the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10, for example a finger mounted on a spring blade integral with the driving member 10.The flexible finger 16 is arranged to retract into contact with a notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 when the driving member 10 is driven in the other direction of rotation, here the counterclockwise direction, during the winding phase, and to drive, preferably by direct contact, the jumping disc 1 by one step in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, by pushing said notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 in said direction of rotation, here the clockwise direction, when the driving member 10 rotates in said clockwise direction during the jumping phase, returned to its rest position by its return member 11. Advantageously, the flexible finger 16 has at its rear end, in the clockwise direction, an inclined plane to facilitate its passage behind the notch 2' during the winding phase, and at its front end, a straight face configured to come opposite the notch 2' at the start of the jumping phase.During the jump phase, the sudden rotation of the drive member 10, released from the star 8 and returned by its return member 11, causes a sudden rotation of the jumping disc 1 pushed by the flexible finger 16, thus making a jump of the time.
[0027] In order to limit the rotation of the drive member 10, the latter is arranged to move between two stops, one of which corresponds to the position of the drive member 10 during the rest phase and the other corresponds to the position of the drive member 10 at the end of the winding phase. For this purpose, the drive member 10 has an oblong opening 18 in which a pin 20 integral with the frame circulates. The rear edge 18a in the clockwise direction of the opening 18 constitutes a stop for the pin 20 when the drive member 10 arrives in its position during the rest phase and the front edge 18b in the clockwise direction could constitute a stop for the pin 20 when the drive member 10 arrives in its position at the end of the winding phase. Preferably, the front stop 18b determines a clearance with the position of the drive member 10 at the end of the arming phase.Due to such play, the front stop 18b could only come into contact with the pin 20 in the event of impacts during the arming phase. Thus, the drive member 10 is limited in movement by at least one of the two stops 18a, 18b.
[0028] The clockwork mechanism also comprises a device for blocking the jumping disc 1 arranged to allow the rotation of the jumping disc 1 in the direction of rotation of the jump, i.e. clockwise, during the jump phase and to prevent rotation of the jumping disc 1 at least in said direction of rotation during the rest phase in order to prevent any untimely jump, such as a jump in the event of shocks or a double jump.
[0029] According to the present invention, said locking device comprises a locking lever 22 mounted between the jumping disc 1 and the driving member 10 on a single level in the example shown.The locking lever is mounted to rotate freely around the axis B and is arranged to be able to move freely between a locking position, called the high locking position, in which the locking lever 22, in particular its head 25, is held by the outer peripheral edge 10b of the drive member 10 while being able to constitute a rotation stop in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, for the jumping disc 1 during the rest phase, and a release position, called the low release position, in which the locking lever 22, in particular its head 25, is engaged in a notch 24 provided on said outer peripheral edge 10b of the drive member 10 so that said locking lever, in particular its head 25, is released from the jumping disc 1 at least at the start of the jump phase.For this purpose, said notch 24 is arranged so that, during rotation of the drive member 10 in the other direction of rotation, here the counterclockwise direction, it is at least partly positioned opposite the head 25 of the locking lever 22 at the start of the jump phase so that the jumping disc 1 is free to rotate, and so that, following rotation of the drive member 10 in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, it is no longer opposite the head 25 of the locking lever 22 after the jump phase, or preferably before the end of the jump phase and after the start of the jump phase, so that the locking lever 22 returns to its high locking position.This means that the notch 24 is not opposite the head 25 of the locking lever 22 during the rest phase before or after the jump phase, or preferably during the rest phase and after the start of the jump phase until the end of the jump phase, the notch 24 being opposite the head 25 at the start of the jump phase.
[0030] Preferably, the locking lever 22 is positioned between the inner periphery 1a of the jumping disc 1 and the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10, the arm of the locking lever 22 extending approximately concentrically to the jumping disc 1 and to the driving member 10.
[0031] At its free end, the locking lever 22 comprises a head 25 having a heel 26 arranged to be able to cooperate with one of the notches 2 of the jumping disc 1 when it is in its high locking position. The head 25 also comprises, opposite the heel 26, a beak 28 arranged to cooperate with the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10 when the locking lever 22 is in its high position and to cooperate with the notch 24 of the driving member 10 when the locking lever 22 is in its low release position.The notches 2 of the jumping disc 1, the heel 26 and the beak 28 of the locking lever are dimensioned so that, when the locking lever 22 is in its upper locking position, a notch 2 of the jumping disc 1 abuts against the heel 26 in the event of rotation of the jumping disc while the beak 28 is held in position by the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10, and so that, when the locking lever 22 is in its lower release position, the engagement of the beak 28 in the notch 24 allows the locking lever 22 to pivot sufficiently about its axis B so as to move its heel 26 away from the notches 2 of the jumping disc 1. In this position, said jumping disc 1, in particular each of its notches 2, can pass above the locking lever 22 and can rotate freely.
[0032] Preferably, the notch 24 is sized and positioned on the outer peripheral edge 10b of the drive member 10 so that the beak 28 of the head 25 of the locking lever 22 falls into the notch 24 during the arming phase, for example at the start of the arming phase, and arrives substantially at the front end of said notch 24 in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, at the end of the arming phase, so that the heel 26 of the head 25 of the locking lever 22 is at a distance of a notch 2 during the arming phase, and so that the beak 28 of the head 25 of the locking lever 22 is positioned substantially at the rear end of the notch 24 in said direction of rotation, here the clockwise direction, as soon as the notch 2 which was blocked by the locking lever 22 has passed.Thus, the locking lever 22 quickly leaves the notch 24 and returns to its high locking position during the jump phase in order to be able to lock the next notch 2 before the drive member 10 reaches its position corresponding to the rest phase.
[0033] This ensures, on the one hand, that the locking lever 22 is in its low position at the end of the arming phase, before the start of the jump phase, so as to ensure free rotation of the jumping disc 1 for the jump phase. On the other hand, this ensures that the locking lever 22 has returned to its high locking position once the relevant notch 2 has been passed in order to block the next notch 2 and prevent any double jump.
[0034] A pin 30 is provided on the frame near the head 25 of the locking lever 22. Said pin 30 may be intended to receive, at its free end, a member of a diameter making it possible to at least partially cover the head 25 of the locking lever 22 in order to prevent the locking lever 22 from lifting and to keep it in its working plane. Preferably, the pin 30 has, at its free end, the aforementioned diameter.
[0035] Advantageously, the locking device also comprises a jumper 32 arranged to allow the jumping disc 1 to rotate freely in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, during the jump phase and to lock said jumping disc 1 in the other direction of rotation, here the counterclockwise direction, during the rest phase.
[0036] For this purpose, said jumper 32 is mounted, pivoting in C, on the frame. It is associated with a return spring 34. The jumper 32 has at the front, in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, a front flank 36 which is cut to be substantially perpendicular to the notch 2” of the jumping disc 1 located at the front of the jumper 32 in said direction of rotation. In the event of an impact, the jumper 32 makes it possible to prevent rotation of the jumping disc 1 in the counterclockwise direction, the notch 2” being blocked by its front flank 36.
[0037] The jumper 32 also has a rising flank 38 and a falling flank 40 formed of inclined planes which allow the movement of the jumper 32 by the notches 2 of the jumping disc 1. In particular, the rising flank 38 allows, by means of the notch 2” of the jumping disc 1 which comes into contact with the jumper 32 at the start of the jumping phase, to move said jumper 32, against its return spring 34, by moving it away from the jumping disc 1, allowing the rotation of the jumping disc 1 in the clockwise direction. The falling flank 40 allows the rotation of the jumping disc 1 to be completed by using the elastic energy of the return spring of the jumper 34 when the latter returns to the rest position.More precisely, when the 2” notch of the jumping disc 1 which has moved the jumper 32 comes into contact with the descending flank 40 of the jumper 32, said descending flank 40, rising to the rest position under the effect of the return force of the jumper spring, pushes the jumping disc 1 by sliding its inclined plane with the 2” notch of the jumping disc 1. As a result, the descending flank 40 makes it possible to complete the clockwise rotation of the jumping disc 1 in order to reposition it in its rest position, the flank of the 2” notch then being in contact with the front flank 36. The jumper 32 is configured so that, in the position corresponding to the rest phase, its front flank 36 is in contact with a flank of a 2” notch, and so that the notch 2 which will follow, in the direction of rotation of the jump, here the clockwise direction, is substantially in contact with the rising flank 38.
[0038] The standard operation of the clockwork mechanism according to the invention is described in relation to figures 1 to 7.
[0039] During a rest phase illustrated by Figure 1, the drive member 10 and the jumping disc 1 are fixed. The pin 20 is in abutment against the rear edge 18a of the opening 18 of the drive member 10. The jumper 32 immobilizes the jumping disc 1 under normal conditions of use of the mechanism. The locking lever 22 is held in its high locking position by its beak 28 resting on the outer peripheral edge 10b of the drive member 10, its heel 26 preventing the notch 2 of the jumping disc 1 from passing above the locking lever 22. A tooth 8a of the drive star 8 driven by the hour wheel approaches the lug 14 of the drive member 10 to engage the winding phase, shown in Figure 2.
[0040] During the winding phase, the drive member 10 is driven, via its lug 14, by the tooth 8a of the drive star 8 in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the jump, i.e. here in the counterclockwise direction. This has the effect of winding its elastic return member 11. Its flexible finger 16 retracts upon contact with a notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 which remains fixed during the winding phase. Due to the counterclockwise rotation of the drive member 10, its notch 24 comes opposite the beak 28 of the locking lever 22. The latter then has the possibility of tilting towards the notch 24 in its lower release position, for example by gravity, so that its heel 26 moves away from the notch 2 of the jumping disc 1. The jumping disc 1 is no longer blocked by the locking lever 22.At the end of the winding phase, the beak 28 of the locking lever 22 is located opposite the notch 24, in the clockwise direction, and the pin 20 is, preferably, close to the front edge 18b of the opening 18 of the driving member 10 so as to leave a clearance between the pin and the front edge 18b of the opening 18 when the driving member 10 is completely wound. At the start of the jumping phase, with reference to FIG. 3, the tooth 8a of the star 8 continues its rotation in the counterclockwise direction so that it can no longer drive the lug 14 of the driving member 10. The latter is then released and turns in the clockwise direction, brought back by its elastic return member 11 so that its flexible finger 16 drives the notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 in the clockwise direction.If the locking lever 22 has already fallen into the notch 24 during the winding phase, the jumping disc 1 can rotate freely in the clockwise direction, moving the jumper 32 by its notch 2” resting on the rising flank 38. If the locking lever 22 has not yet fallen into the notch 24 by gravity, the notch 2 of the jumping disc 1 driven in the clockwise direction by the driving member 10 moves the locking lever 22 by its heel 26, the beak 28 of said locking lever 22 being opposite the notch 24 no longer being held by the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10. The notch 2 of the jumping disc 1, having caused the locking lever 22 to fall into the notch 24, can pass over said locking lever 22 which has sufficiently pivoted around its axis B to allow free rotation of the jumping disc 1 in a clockwise direction.
[0041] With reference to Figure 4, the jumping phase continues, the driving member 10 still rotating clockwise under the effect of its elastic return member 11. Its flexible finger 16 still drives the notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 so that the jumping disc 1 continues its rotation in the clockwise direction while continuing to move the jumper 32 against the return spring 34 tending to return it to its rest position. The driving member 10 having rotated clockwise, the beak 28 of the locking lever 22 arrives at the rear of the notch 24, in the clockwise direction, ready to exit said notch 24.
[0042] With reference to Figure 5, the jumping phase continues, the driving member 10 still rotating clockwise under the effect of its elastic return member 11. Its flexible finger 16 still drives the notch 2' of the jumping disc 1 so that the jumping disc 1 continues its rotation in the clockwise direction. The jumper 32 passes the jumping moment, the notch 2” of the jumping disc 1 engaging on the descending flank 40. The driving member 10 having rotated clockwise, the locking lever 22 has come out of the notch 24 and has returned to its high locking position, so that the next notch 2”' of the jumping disc 1 will be blocked by the heel 26 of the locking lever 22. Thus, a double jump is impossible.
[0043] With reference to Figure 6, the jumping phase ends, the rear edge 18a of the opening 18 of the driving member 10 preferably comes into abutment against the pin 20 so that the driving member 10 can no longer continue its rotation. The flexible finger 16 can no longer drive the notch 2' of the jumping disc 1. The descending flank 40 of the jumper 32, returned to its rest position by its spring 34, pushes the notch 2” of the jumping disc 1 so that the latter completes its rotation in the clockwise direction. The locking lever 22 is in its high locking position, preventing any double jump.
[0044] With reference to Figure 7, the jumping phase is completed and the mechanism has returned to its rest phase. The rear edge 18a of the opening 18 of the drive member 10 is preferably in abutment against the pin 20, the jumper 32 has repositioned the jumping disc 1, the notch 2” being in contact with its front flank 36. The locking lever 22 is in its high locking position, its beak 28 being held by the outer peripheral edge 10b of the drive member 10. The mechanism is ready for the next jump.
[0045] In the event of an impact, for example, with reference to Figure 8, an untimely rotation of the jumping disc 1 in the counterclockwise direction is not possible because the jumping disc 1 is blocked due to its notch 2” locked by the front flank 36 of the jumper 32. A rotation in the clockwise direction is also not possible, because the jumping disc 1 is locked by the heel 26 of the locking lever 22 itself locked in its high locking position by its beak 28 held by the outer peripheral edge 10b of the driving member 10.
[0046] Thus, the mechanism according to the invention makes it possible to have a device for blocking the jumping disc which prevents any untimely jump in the direction of rotation of the jump, whether it is a double jump or in the event of an impact. With the jumper, the mechanism according to the invention prevents any untimely jump in the opposite direction of rotation to that of the jump, or even in both directions of rotation if the force of the return spring 34 is oversized and thus contributes to preventing the notch 2 from rising along the rising flank 38. In addition, the mechanism according to the invention uses in a particularly advantageous manner a blocking lever without a return spring.This makes it possible in particular to overcome the problems linked to gravity and energy consumption during the jumping phase, the movement of the rocker between its blocking position and its release position being done without effort, that is to say without having to fight against an opposing force applied to the rocker, and to simplify the mechanism. The mechanism of the invention is also simplified and is of more compact construction thanks to the use of a single driving member 10 which is configured to be able to carry out on its own the three functions of driving the jumping disc 1, blocking the rocker 22 and releasing the latter.
[0047] Furthermore, advantageously in the case of a jumping hour disc, the energy source comes from the hour wheel. This has the advantage of having twelve times more torque than if it were engaged with a minute wheel, which is conventionally done in jumping hour mechanisms.
[0048] The invention is not limited to the example described. For example, the jumping disc and the driving member may not be concentric. Although this mechanism can advantageously be arranged on a single level to benefit from a minimum thickness, it is also possible to provide an arrangement of this mechanism on several levels, where typically at least two members among the jumping disc 1, the locking lever 22 and the driving member 10 are on the same level. For example, only the driving member and the jumping disc can be arranged on the same level, the locking device being able to be on another level. For example, the locking lever can cooperate with the driving member and the jumping disc by means of pins secured to the driving member, respectively to the jumping disc. This embodiment can be implemented if the mechanism cannot be produced on a single level for reasons of space, for example.
Claims
Claims 1. Clock mechanism comprising a jumping disc (1) arranged to be able to jump one step in a direction of rotation, a device for driving the jumping disc comprising a rotary drive member (10) arranged to be, with the jumping disc (1), fixed during a rest phase, and to, during a jump phase, drive the jumping disc (1) one step in a jumping manner in said direction of rotation, and a device for locking the jumping disc arranged to allow rotation of the jumping disc (1) in said direction of rotation during the jump phase and to prevent rotation of the jumping disc (1) at least in said direction of rotation during the rest phase, characterized in that said locking device comprises a locking lever (22) mounted between the jumping disc (1) and the drive member (10) and comprising a head (25),said locking lever (22) being arranged to be able to move between a high locking position in which said head (25) is held by an outer peripheral edge (10b) of the drive member (10) while being able to constitute a rotation stop in said direction of rotation for the jumping disc (1) during the rest phase, and a low release position in which said head (25) is engaged in a notch (24) provided on said outer peripheral edge (10b) of the drive member (10) in order to be released from the jumping disc (1), said notch (24) being arranged to be at least partly positioned opposite the head (25) of the locking lever (22) at the start of the jumping phase so that the jumping disc (1) is free to rotate, and to no longer be opposite said head (25) after the jumping phase, or preferably before the end of the jumping phase,so that the locking lever (22) returns to its high locking position., 2. Clock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the jumping disc (1) and the drive member (10) are concentric.
3. Clock mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two members among the jumping disc (1), the locking lever (22) and the driving member (10) are on the same level.
4. Clock mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking lever (22) is positioned between the inner periphery (1a) of the jumping disc (1) and the outer peripheral edge (10b) of the drive member (10).
5. Clockwork mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jumping disc (1) comprises on its inner periphery (1a) at least as many notches (2, 2', 2”, 2'”) as there are jumps to be made in one revolution and in that the head (25) of the locking lever (22) comprises a heel (26) arranged to be able to cooperate with one of the notches (2, 2'”) when the locking lever (22) is in its upper locking position.
6. Clockwork mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (25) of the locking lever (22) comprises a beak (28) arranged to cooperate with the outer peripheral edge (10b) of the drive member (10) when the locking lever (22) is in its upper locking position and to cooperate with the notch (24) of the drive member (10) when the locking lever (22) is in its lower release position.
7. Clockwork mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive member (10) is associated with an elastic return member (11), said drive member (10) being arranged to be driven in rotation in the other direction of rotation by winding its return member (11) during a winding phase, independently of the jumping disc (1) and to, during the jumping phase, rotate in said direction of rotation under the effect of its return member (11) by driving the jumping disc (1) one step in a jumping manner in said direction of rotation.
8. Clockwork mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that the notch (24) is sized and positioned on the outer peripheral edge (10b) of the drive member (10) so that the head (25) of the locking rocker (22) is positioned in the notch (24) substantially at a front end in said direction of rotation at the end of the arming phase and so that the head (25) of the locking rocker (22) is positioned substantially at a rear end of the notch (24) in said direction of rotation as soon as the notch (2) which was blocked has passed.
9. Clockwork mechanism according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the device for driving the jumping disc (1) comprises a drive star (8) comprising teeth (8a) arranged to be able to be engaged with a lug (14) of the drive member (10) to drive it in rotation in the other direction of rotation during the winding phase.
10. Clockwork mechanism according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the drive member (10) of the jumping disc (1) comprises a flexible finger (16) arranged to retract into contact with the jumping disc (1) when the drive member (10) is driven in the other direction of rotation during the winding phase and to drive the jumping disc (1) by one step in the direction of rotation when the drive member (10) turns in the direction of rotation during the jumping phase.
11. Clockwork mechanism according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the drive member (10) is limited in movement by at least one of two stops (18a, 18b), one of which corresponds to the position of the drive member (10) during the rest phase and the other corresponds to the position of the drive member (10) at the end of the winding phase or determines a clearance with the position of the drive member (10) at the end of the winding phase.
12. Clockwork mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device comprises a jumper (32) arranged to allow the jumping disc (1) to rotate freely in the direction of rotation during the jumping phase and to lock said jumping disc (1) in the other direction of rotation during the rest phase.
13. Clock mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the jumper (32) comprises a descending flank (40) configured to terminate the rotation of the jumping disc (1) by using the elastic energy of a return spring (34) of the jumper (32) when the latter returns to the rest position.
14. Clock mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jumping disc (1) is an hour disc and in that the drive member (10) is driven via an hour wheel (7).
15. Timepiece comprising a clockwork mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 14.