Drive device with vibration actuation, in particular for timepieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a vibration-driven drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) for a clockwork movement. The drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) comprises a rotating moving part (2, 12) with teeth (3, 33) enabling it to be set in motion, and at least two movable oscillators (4, 5) arranged to cooperate mechanically with the moving part (2, 12). Each movable oscillator (4, 5) is configured to oscillate at a different predetermined frequency when the drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) vibrates at said predetermined frequency. Each movable oscillator (4, 5) is provided with a tooth (21) capable of striking the teeth (3) of the moving part (2, 12) to drive it. the oscillator (4, 5) oscillates at its predefined frequency.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of point-actable drive devices, and more particularly to the field of vibratory-actuated drive devices, especially for watchmaking. Technological background

[0002] In gear mechanisms, it may be necessary to use a drive device that can be activated on demand. More specifically in watchmaking, there are mechanisms for adjusting a particular clockwork module, such as the time or date, or for regulating the movement's rate.

[0003] These mechanisms are activated at specific times and mechanically link moving parts and / or gears, or even other types of components.

[0004] To operate them, these mechanisms either require an actuation device accessible from outside the timepiece, such as a winding crown and a stem to set the time; or they require opening the case of the timepiece to reach the clock module, for example in the case of setting the rate.

[0005] Actuation from outside the case adds complexity to the movement, as components must be added to reach the actuating mechanism. Furthermore, the case must be watertight.

[0006] Furthermore, opening the case alters the pressure inside the case, and has negative repercussions on the operation of the regulating organ.

[0007] There are drive devices that can be operated from outside the housing, without opening the housing. For example, document DE1720495 presents a magnetic actuation, while document CH504030 presents a thermal actuation, and document EP3118693 presents a light-based actuation.

[0008] However, these drive devices do not allow for sufficient adjustment precision, particularly for modifying the gait.

[0009] Furthermore, these known drive devices can be inadvertently activated by the user or wearer of the timepiece, and thus risk disrupting its operation. Summary of the invention

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a drive device for precise adjustment, which can be operated from outside a housing.

[0011] For this purpose, the invention relates to a vibratory-actuated drive device, in particular for a clockwork movement, the drive device comprising a rotating movable part equipped with teeth enabling it to be set in motion.

[0012] The invention is remarkable in that the drive device comprises at least two mobile oscillators arranged to cooperate mechanically with the moving member, each mobile oscillator being configured to oscillate at a different predetermined frequency, when the drive device vibrates at said predetermined frequency, each mobile oscillator being provided with a tooth capable of striking the teeth of the moving member to drive it, when the oscillator oscillates at its predetermined frequency.

[0013] Thanks to this invention, we have a drive device that can drive a moving part through vibration. In fact, simply vibrating the drive device at predefined frequencies is enough to activate the oscillators and drive the moving part. This opens up new perspectives and configuration possibilities, particularly in watch movements.

[0014] Furthermore, such a device can be operated from outside a watch case, for example, in the case of a timepiece where adjustments are needed without opening the case. The drive mechanism can be activated by vibrating the entire timepiece while the case remains closed. Moreover, the risk of accidental activation is very low.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the drive device includes a third movable oscillator configured to oscillate at a predefined frequency different from the frequencies of the other two oscillators.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, each oscillator comprises an inertial body provided with the tooth and a flexible guide as a means of elastic return of said inertial body.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible guide comprises a flexible blade connecting the inertial body to a fixed support.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible guide comprises two uncrossed flexible blades connecting the inertial body to a fixed support.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible guide comprises two pairs of flexible blades, a first pair of flexible blades connecting an intermediate element to a fixed support, and a second pair of flexible blades connecting the inertial body to the intermediate element.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the flexible guide comprises two pairs of flexible blades, a first pair of flexible blades connecting an intermediate element to a fixed support, and a second pair of flexible blades connecting the inertial body to the intermediate element.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the teeth of each oscillator are arranged at one end of the body, and are oriented towards the teeth of the moving member.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the oscillators are arranged around the moving member, the teeth being arranged at the periphery of the moving member.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the moving member comprises a ring provided with internal teeth, the oscillators being arranged inside the ring.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the drive device operates by sequences of vibrations following said predefined frequencies, so that each oscillator drives the moving part in turn.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the moving part is mobile in rotation in two opposite directions of rotation.

[0026] The invention also relates to a clockwork movement, comprising such a drive device.

[0027] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a clockwork mechanism.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method of actuating a moving part of such a timepiece or clock movement, the method comprising a step of setting the timepiece or clock movement into vibration by a vibratory system configured to vibrate it sequentially at predetermined frequencies, the step consisting of applying a sequence of vibrations at the predetermined frequency of each oscillator in turn, to drive the moving part.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the oscillators are vibrated sequentially in a first order to rotate the moving part in a first direction, and the oscillators are vibrated in a second order different from the first to rotate the moving part in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0030] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the method includes a preliminary step of determining the angle of rotation and / or the direction of rotation of the moving part, and a step of determining the sequence of vibrations to be applied to the movement and / or the timepiece to achieve it. Brief description of the figures

[0031] The aims, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the reading of several embodiments given solely by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: there figure 1schematically represents a top view of a vibratory-actuated drive device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 schematically represents a top view of a vibratory-actuated drive device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the figure 3 schematically represents a top view of a vibratory-actuated drive device according to a third embodiment of the invention, the figure 4 schematically represents a top view of a vibratory-actuated drive device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the figure 5 schematically represents a top view of a vibratory-actuated drive device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, and the figure 6schematically represents the steps involved in carrying out oscillator actuation sequences to drive the moving part in one direction and in the other direction. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] THE Figures 1 has 5 They show different embodiments of a vibration-actuated drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, particularly for a clock movement. Such a vibration-actuated drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 can, for example, be used to drive a regulating mechanism of a clock movement, for example to regulate the rate of the clock movement, or in a display device for the date, day of the week or month, or even a moon phase.

[0033] On the figure 1The first embodiment of the drive device 1 comprises a rotating movable part 2 equipped with teeth 3 enabling it to be set in motion, preferably in a rotary manner. The movable part 2 includes an outer ring 11 connected to a rotating central shaft 14.

[0034] The moving part 2 is provided with internal teeth 3 inside the ring. The teeth 3 are discontinuous on the moving part 2. Thanks to the central shaft 14, the moving part 2 is for example connected to the gears of a clock movement, allowing the rate of the regulating part to be regulated, or to a display device for the date, the day of the week or the month, or even a phase of the moon.

[0035] According to the invention, the drive device 1 comprises three movable oscillators 4, 5, 6, arranged to cooperate mechanically with the movable member 2 in order to rotate it. The oscillators 4, 5, 6 are arranged inside the ring of the movable member 2, for example with an angle of 120° between two consecutive oscillators 4, 5, 6.

[0036] The drive device 1 includes a fixed support 15 on which the mobile oscillators 4, 5, 6 are mounted. The fixed support 15 is, for example, integral with the movement plate.

[0037] The fixed support 15 has an open ring shape, the opening 16 allowing the passage of an arm 17 connecting the outer ring 11 to the central shaft 14 of the moving part 2.

[0038] The oscillators 4, 5, 6 comprise an inertial body 7, 8, 9 and elastic restoring means for said inertial body 7, 8, 9. The elastic restoring means enable it to oscillate. Preferably, the elastic restoring means are flexible guides.

[0039] The inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 have an elongated pendulum shape comprising a main arm 19 and two weights 22, one at each end of the main arm 19. The main arm 19 here has a rounded shape.

[0040] The elastic return means comprise a flexible guide equipped with a flexible blade 18 elastically connecting the middle of one of the inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 to the fixed support 15. The flexible blades 18 are arranged radially between the inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 and the fixed support 15.

[0041] Each movable oscillator 4, 5, 6 has a tooth 21 adapted to cooperate with the teeth 3 of the movable member to actuate it. The inertial body 7, 8, 9 is provided with the tooth 21, arranged for example on a weight 22 at one end of the main arm 19, or the tooth 21 is formed as part of the main arm 19.

[0042] Each moving oscillator 4, 5, 6 is configured to oscillate at a different predefined frequency. The first oscillator 4 oscillates at a first predefined frequency, the second oscillator 5 oscillates at a second predefined frequency, and the third oscillator 6 oscillates at a third predefined frequency. The three frequencies are different from each other so that each oscillator 4, 5, 6 can be operated independently.

[0043] The frequencies are determined. f predefined values ​​for each oscillator 4, 5, 6 from the following equation: f = 1 2 π k J , Or kis the rigidity of the flexible guide and J is the inertia of the inertial body 7, 8, 9.

[0044] To obtain different frequencies, the inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 preferably have different inertias from each other, and / or the rigidity of the flexible guides is different between each oscillator.

[0045] For example, predefined frequencies of 300Hz, 330Hz and 360Hz are chosen for the three oscillators 4, 5, 6. Thus, when the drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 is vibrated at one of these frequencies, the oscillator corresponding to that frequency begins to oscillate strongly.

[0046] The oscillation of the oscillator 4, 5, 6 allows the tooth 21 of the inertial body 7, 8, 9 to cooperate with the teeth 3 of the moving organ 2 at each oscillation, so that the tooth 21 strikes the teeth 3 to rotate the moving organ 2.

[0047] Thus, when the drive device 1 vibrates at one of the predefined frequencies, the oscillator 4, 5, 6 whose corresponding natural frequency begins to oscillate thanks to the phenomenon of resonance by basic excitation, while the other oscillators 4, 5, 6 do not vibrate, or not enough for their tooth 21 to reach the teeth 3 of the moving member 2.

[0048] The arrangement of the teeth 21 of each oscillator 4, 5, 6 relative to the teeth 3 of the moving member 2 is chosen so that it is in a position that allows it to strike the teeth 3 of the moving member 2 to rotate it. Thus, when an oscillator is actuated, its tooth 21 engages the teeth 3 to pull on the teeth of the moving member 2, 12.

[0049] In particular, the distance between the teeth of oscillators 4, 5, and 6 is chosen to cooperate with the gear set 3, which has a predefined number and dimensions of teeth. When an oscillator 4, 5, or 6 is actuated, tooth 21 is offset from the center of the gap between two teeth of the gear set 3. When tooth 21 enters the gap, it presses against a flank of the gear set 3 of the moving member 2 in order to penetrate as deeply as possible into the gap. This forces the moving member 2 to rotate.

[0050] The drive device 1 is actuable by sequences of vibrations following the said predefined frequencies, so that each tooth 21 of the oscillators 4, 5, 6 drives the moving part 2 in turn.

[0051] Thus, each oscillator 4, 5, 6 rotates the moving part one notch, one after the other to actuate the moving part 2.

[0052] The training device 10 of the figure 2is similar to the first embodiment. The flexible guidance of the elastic return means connecting the inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 to the fixed support 15 comprises a pair of uncrossed blades 23 extending from each inertial body 7, 8, 9 to the fixed support 15. In addition, the main arms 29 are elbow-shaped. The operation of the drive device 10 is identical to that of the first embodiment.

[0053] In the third embodiment of the drive device 20 of the figure 3The three oscillators 4, 5, 6 are distributed around the moving member 12. The regulating member 12 includes an inner ring 31 rotatably mounted around the central shaft 14. The inner ring 31 includes teeth 13 extending around the inner ring 31. The flexible guidance of the elastic return means connecting the inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 to the fixed support 15 includes a pair of uncrossed blades 23 from each inertial body 7, 8, 9 to the fixed support 25. The operation of the drive device 20 is identical to those of the first and second embodiments.

[0054] There figure 4This shows a fourth embodiment of the drive device 30 comprising an outer ring 12 and oscillators 4, 5, 6 equipped with flexible guides having a double pivot with overlapping blades. A first pivot with two overlapping blades 24 connects the fixed support 15 to an intermediate element 27 by moving towards each other, and a second pivot with two overlapping blades 26 connects the intermediate element 27 to the inertial body 7, 8, 9 by moving away from each other. The outer ring 11 is directly connected to gearing means.

[0055] The fifth embodiment of drive device 40 of the figure 5 is similar to that of the fourth embodiment. The oscillators 4, 5, 6 are raised relative to the outer ring 11. The inertial bodies 7, 8, 9 are provided with a tooth 31 arranged below. The outer ring 11 is connected by two arms 17 to the central shaft 14.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, the teeth 3, 13 are continuous on the moving part and form a circle, particularly for a drive device in which the moving part rotates in only one direction. Thus, the moving part can rotate in the same direction indefinitely.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, a drive device has only two oscillators to rotate the moving part. Such an embodiment can rotate the regulating part in only one direction, whereas with three oscillators, the drive device can rotate the moving part in both opposite directions by choosing a different sequential order for activating the oscillators.

[0058] The invention also relates to a method of actuation of a vibratory-actuated drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, as described above, the drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 being arranged in a clockwork movement, preferably mounted in a clockwork part.

[0059] The process includes a step of vibrating the movement or timepiece by a vibratory system configured to vibrate the movement or timepiece at a predetermined frequency.

[0060] This step consists of applying a series of vibrations at each predetermined frequency in turn, to successively activate the oscillators of the drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40. The vibrations preferably have low amplitudes to avoid damaging the other components of the movement.

[0061] Each vibration is carried out during a time interval chosen so as to ensure that the tooth 21 of the oscillator 4, 5, 6 has reached the teeth 3, 13, of the moving member 2, 12. Preferably this time interval is the same for the oscillations of each oscillator 4, 5, 6. Alternatively, the time interval is different for the oscillations of each oscillator 4, 5, 6, in particular if the oscillations are very different between the oscillators 4, 5, 6.

[0062] Figure 7 is a schematic representation with a continuous toothed structure 33, where the teeth 21 of the oscillators are shown side by side for simplicity. It shows two sequences allowing the moving part to rotate in two opposite directions.

[0063] The order of vibration frequencies corresponds to a direction of rotation of the moving organ 2. Thus, on the left, when the first oscillator, then the third oscillator, and finally the second oscillator are vibrated one after the other, and by repeating this sequence, the moving organ 2 rotates in a first direction.

[0064] To make it rotate in the other direction, to the right in figure 7, the oscillators are vibrated one after the other in a different order, for example the third oscillator, then the first oscillator, and finally the second oscillator, and by repeating this sequence.

[0065] Preferably, the process includes a preliminary step of determining the angle of rotation and / or the direction of rotation of the moving part, and a step of determining the sequence of vibrations to be applied to the movement and / or the timepiece to achieve it.

[0066] In the case of a rate adjustment, the process includes a preliminary step of determining the rate of the movement, a measurement of the rate difference of the watch movement, then the direction of rotation and the angle of rotation of the moving part corresponding to the rate correction are determined, and the part or the watch movement is vibrated at the said predefined frequencies to achieve the desired correction.

[0067] Such a process is implemented by means of a vibratory actuation system, the vibratory system comprising a movable workpiece holder for the workpiece or the watch movement, workpiece holder retention means configured to be able to agitate the workpiece holder by vibrations at different frequencies, and control means of the retention means configured to activate the vibration of the workpiece holder at said predetermined frequencies.

[0068] Thus, it is sufficient to place the part or the watch movement on the part holder and to program the control means to vibrate sequentially the movement or the watch part successively at the said predetermined frequencies in order to drive the moving part 2, 12 of the drive device 1, 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0069] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments of the drive device described with reference to the figures, and variants could be considered without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Vibration-actuated drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) for a clockwork movement, the drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) comprising a rotating movable part (2, 12) provided with teeth (3, 33) enabling it to be set in motion, characterized in that it includes at least two mobile oscillators (4, 5) arranged to cooperate mechanically with the moving member (2, 12), each mobile oscillator (4, 5) being configured to oscillate at a different predefined frequency, when the drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) vibrates at said predefined frequency, each mobile oscillator (4, 5) being provided with a tooth (21) capable of striking the teeth (3) of the moving member (2, 12) to drive it, when the oscillator (4, 5) oscillates at its predefined frequency.

2. Drive device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in thatit includes a third mobile oscillator (6) configured to oscillate at a third predefined frequency different from the frequencies of the other two oscillators (4, 5).

3. Drive device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each oscillator (4, 5, 6) includes an inertial body (7, 8, 9) provided with the tooth (21) and a flexible guide as an elastic return means (11) of said inertial body (7, 8, 9).

4. Drive device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The flexible guide includes a flexible blade (18) connecting the inertial body (7, 8, 9) to a fixed support (15).

5. Drive device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The flexible guide comprises two uncrossed flexible blades (23) connecting the inertial body (7, 8, 9) to a fixed support (15, 25).

6. Drive device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in thatThe flexible guide comprises two pairs of flexible blades, a first pair of flexible blades (24) connecting an intermediate element (27) to a fixed support (7, 17), and a second pair of flexible blades (26) connecting the inertial body (7, 8, 9) to the intermediate element (27).

7. Drive device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the teeth (21) of each oscillator (4, 5, 6) are arranged at one end of the inertial body (7, 8, 9), and are oriented towards the teeth (3, 13) of the moving organ (2, 12).

8. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillators (4, 5, 6) are arranged around the moving part (12), the teeth (13) being arranged at the periphery of the moving part (2).

9. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe movable organ (2) comprises a ring (11) provided with internal teeth (3), the oscillators (7, 8, 9) being arranged inside the ring (11).

10. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It operates by sequences of vibrations following the said predefined frequencies, so that each oscillator (4, 5, 6) drives the moving organ (2, 12) in turn.

11. Drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the moving part (2, 12) is mobile in rotation in two opposite directions of rotation.

12. Clock movement comprising a drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement according to claim 12.

14. Method of actuating (50) a drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the drive device being arranged in a movement and / or a timepiece, the method (50) comprising a step of vibrating the movement and / or the timepiece by a vibratory system configured to vibrate sequentially the movement or the timepiece at predetermined frequencies, the step consisting of applying a sequence of vibrations to the timepiece at the predetermined frequency of each oscillator (4, 5, 6) in turn to drive the moving member (2, 12).

15. Method for actuating a drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) according to claim 14, characterized in thatthe oscillators are vibrated sequentially in a first order to rotate the moving part (2, 12) in a first direction, and the oscillators (4, 5, 6) are vibrated in a second order different from the first to rotate the moving part (4, 5, 6) in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

16. Method for actuating a drive device (1, 10, 20, 30, 40) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that It includes a preliminary step of determining the angle of rotation and / or the direction of rotation of the moving part (2, 12), and a step of determining the sequence of vibrations to be applied to the movement and / or the timepiece to achieve it.

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