MECHANICAL CLOCK PART WITH ELEVATED TOURBILLON

Abstract

A timepiece comprising a barrel (6) with axis X, a tourbillon (8), an hour indicator (2), and a minute indicator (4), the tourbillon (8) being engaged with the barrel (6), the tourbillon (8) comprising a cage rotating about an axis coaxial with the X-axis, an escapement pinion engaging a fixed seconds wheel, wherein said timepiece includes a drive shaft between the barrel and the tourbillon cage, said drive shaft extending along the X-axis of the barrel (6), the cage rotationally fixed to the drive shaft, such that the tourbillon (8) has a raised position relative to the hour and minute indicators (2, 4). The timepiece includes a support for the fixed seconds wheel such that the fixed seconds wheel is located near the tourbillon cage. Figure 5A

Description

Title of the invention: MECHANICAL CLOCK PART WITH ELEVATED TOURBILLON TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical timepiece equipped with a tourbillon, more particularly with a raised tourbillon allowing it to be particularly visible.

[0002] In watchmaking, a tourbillon is a horological complication, added to the escapement mechanism, intended to improve the accuracy of mechanical watches by counterbalancing the perturbations of the isochronism of the resonator due to terrestrial gravity.

[0003] The tourbillon comprises a cage suspended between two pivot points in which the escapement mechanism is mounted. The cage is integral with the seconds pinion and is driven by the center wheel. The force is transmitted from the escapement pinion, which meshes, like a satellite, with the fixed seconds wheel integral with the mainplate.

[0004] The vortex cage makes one rotation on itself in one minute.

[0005] Inside the cage, the operation of the escapement mechanism is conventional.

[0006] For many years, the tourbillon was off-center with respect to the axis of the barrel.

[0007] Document EP 0681227 describes a timepiece in which the tourbillon is positioned in the center of the piece to make it particularly visible. Indeed, the tourbillon is a complex mechanical object and visually very aesthetically pleasing to watch enthusiasts.

[0008] It is desirable to make the vortex even more visible. Description of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to offer a timepiece comprising a tourbillon, in which the tourbillon is arranged so as to be particularly visible to the user.

[0010] The stated purpose above is achieved by a timepiece comprising a barrel and a tourbillon, the tourbillon being engaged with the barrel through the finishing gear and being coaxial with it, in which the tourbillon is raised so as to be situated substantially above the rest of the mechanism and to be particularly visible and offer a remarkable visual impression.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous example, the fixed seconds wheel is axially raised by means of a support, the tourbillon is suspended above the wheel A fixed second hand and a transmission shaft forming part of a transmission chain between the barrel and the tourbillon partially provide the mechanical link between the barrel and the tourbillon.

[0012] Preferably, the transmission shaft is housed in the support and is connected to the tourbillon by passing through the fixed seconds crown.

[0013] The subject of this application is a timepiece comprising a barrel with axis X, a tourbillon, at least one hour indicator and one minute indicator, the tourbillon being engaged with the barrel, the tourbillon comprising a cage rotating about an axis parallel to or coaxial with the axis of the barrel, and an escapement pinion engaging a fixed seconds wheel. The timepiece comprises a drive shaft between the barrel and the tourbillon cage, said drive shaft extending along the axis of the barrel or parallel to it, the drive shaft having a first longitudinal end on the barrel side and a second longitudinal end on the cage side, the cage being positioned above the second longitudinal end of the drive shaft and being rotationally fixed to it, such that the tourbillon has a raised position relative to the hour and minute indicators.

[0014] In one embodiment, the timepiece includes a support for the fixed seconds wheel such that the fixed seconds wheel is located near the tourbillon cage.

[0015] The part advantageously comprising a ball bearing between an upper bridge and the support of the fixed second wheel.

[0016] Preferably, the fixed seconds wheel has an annular shape and the transmission shaft is housed in the support and is connected to the tourbillon cage by passing through the fixed seconds wheel.

[0017] The timepiece may include an escapement bridge interposed between the transmission shaft and the tourbillon cage, and the escapement bridge supports in rotation the escape pinion and an escape wheel, the escapement bridge being such that it overlaps the fixed seconds wheel so as to dispose the escape pinion outside the fixed seconds wheel having external teeth or inside the fixed seconds wheel having internal teeth.

[0018] In another embodiment, the escape pinion extends along the transmission shaft and the fixed second wheel is fixed on an upper bridge.

[0019] In one embodiment, the axis of rotation of the tourbillon is coaxial with the axis of the barrel.

[0020] The timepiece may include a first gear between the barrel and the transmission shaft, and a transmission pinion fixed in rotation to the transmission shaft and coaxial with it.

[0021] According to an additional feature, the timepiece comprises a second gear train between the barrel and the minute and hour indicators, and the minute indicator is carried by a crown disposed around the support of the fixed seconds wheel, said crown being rotationally fixed to a driving wheel fixed to a minute ball bearing, and the hour indicator is carried by a movable assembly cooperating with a fixed hour wheel, the movable assembly being fixed to an hour ball bearing. The timepiece may comprise a center pinion that meshes with a tooth of the barrel, the center pinion driving the tourbillon gear train, and a bearing of the second gear train being pressed onto the shaft of the center pinion.

[0022] In a preferred example, the timepiece includes a crystal at least partly domed so as to house the tourbillon in a raised position. Brief description of the drawings

[0023] This application will be better understood with the aid of the following description and the attached drawings, in which: [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a clockwork mechanism according to an example of its embodiment, [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the clockwork mechanism from another point of view, [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view of the clockwork mechanism of [Fig.1] along plane A from viewpoint VI, [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view of the clockwork mechanism of [Fig.1] along plane E from viewpoint V2, [Fig.5A] is a perspective view of an example of a timepiece that can incorporate the clockwork mechanism of [Fig.1], [Fig.5B] is a side view of the timepiece from [Fig.5A], [Fig.6] is a top view of the mechanism of [Fig.1], from which the tourbillon and hour hand have been removed, [Fig.7] is a partial perspective view of the mechanism of [Fig.1] in which the tourbillon has been removed, along with the hour indicator, showing the indicator drive mechanism, [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of the indicator drive mechanism of [Fig.6] along the BB cutting path, [Fig.9] is a cross-sectional view of a timepiece according to another embodiment, [Fig. 10] is a cross-sectional view of a timepiece according to another embodiment, [Fig.11] is a perspective view of a timepiece according to another example of its realization, [Fig. 12] is a perspective view of a timepiece according to another example of its embodiment, [Fig. 13] is a perspective view of a timepiece according to another example of its embodiment, [Fig. 14] is a perspective view of a timepiece according to another example of its realization. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS

[0024] Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view of an example of the mechanism of the timepiece in [Fig.1].

[0025] Figures 5A and 5B show a perspective view of a timepiece that can incorporate the mechanism of Figures 1 and 2.

[0026] The timepiece comprises a watch case B including a case middle C, a case back F, and a crystal G. Inside the case, the timepiece includes a dial CA formed by a flange, a watch movement M, an hour indicator or hour hand 2, and a minute indicator or minute hand 4. The watch movement M is a mechanical drive system for the hands. The timepiece may be self-winding or manually winding.

[0027] In this example, the glass G has a domed shape sufficiently curved to accommodate the raised vortex according to the invention. Any other shape of glass suitable for accommodating the raised vortex is conceivable, for example, a glass shaped like the bottom of a bottle.

[0028] The invention relates more particularly to the watch mechanism M. The watch mechanism M comprises a barrel 6 with axis X, a gear train driving the indicators 2, 4, and a tourbillon 8 with an anchor escapement located in the center of the component. The tourbillon according to the invention is a raised flying tourbillon.

[0029] The tourbillon 8 has a classic moving assembly, namely a balance wheel 10, a balance spring 12, an anchor (not visible) and an escape wheel 14. The arrangement of these components on the tourbillon 8 and their operation is classic and will not be described here in more detail.

[0030] The tourbillon 8 is mounted mobile in rotation around the X axis and is mounted coaxially with the barrel 6.

[0031] The tourbillon 8 is supported by a transmission shaft 16 extending along the X axis and this transmits the rotation of the barrel 6 to the tourbillon 8. The mechanical chain between the barrel 6 and the transmission shaft 16 will be described below.

[0032] The transmission shaft 16 has a length of several millimeters to raise the The tourbillon is of significant importance in relation to the rest of the mechanism. For example, the length of the transmission shaft is between 2.15 mm and 4.5 mm.

[0033] The transmission shaft 16 has a foot 17 at a lower longitudinal end and a platform 36 at an upper longitudinal end.

[0034] The transmission shaft 16 is mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis X by means of a ball bearing 19 having a central core 19a and an outer ring 19b. The transmission shaft 16 is oriented relative to the central core 19a by pins and its foot 17 is fixed to it by screws.

[0035] The tourbillon 8 comprises a cage 18 that rotates about the X-axis and serves as a support and housing for most of the tourbillon components. The cage 18 has a lower cage bridge 20 and an upper cage bridge 22 rigidly connected by axial arms 24. In the example shown, the lower cage bridge 20 and the upper cage bridge 22 have radial arms 26, 28 respectively connecting a hub to a crown. These openwork bridges 20, 22 make the tourbillon mechanism even more visible.

[0036] An exhaust bridge 34 is interposed between the transmission shaft 16 and the lower cage bridge 20. The exhaust bridge 34 is fixed to the platform 36 of the transmission shaft 16. The exhaust bridge 34 is oriented relative to the platform 36 by pins and is fixed to it by screws.

[0037] The escape wheel 14 is linked to an escape pinion 38. The escape wheel 14, the escape pinion 38 and the anchor are mounted for rotation between the escape bridge 34 and the lower cage bridge 20. The escape wheel 14 and the escape pinion 38 are mounted for rotation by means of a through shaft 40, one longitudinal end of which is housed in a stone 42 mounted in the lower cage bridge 20 and the other longitudinal end is housed in a stone 44 mounted in the escape bridge 34.

[0038] The balance wheel 10 and the balance spring are mounted for rotation between the escapement bridge 34 and the upper cage bridge 22. The balance wheel is mounted for rotation by means of a through axle 46 whose longitudinal ends are guided in rotation and held axially by shock-absorbing systems 48, 50, one mounted in the upper cage bridge 22 and the other in the escapement bridge 34. These shock-absorbing systems are well known to those skilled in the art in the field of watchmaking; they comprise jewels housed in cradles.

[0039] Alternatively, the transmission shaft 16 is machined directly into the exhaust bridge 34.

[0040] The mechanism also includes a fixed seconds wheel 52 in contact with the escape pinion 38.

[0041] According to the invention, the fixed seconds wheel 52 is fixed to the upper end of a The central piece 54 forms a support for the fixed seconds wheel, so that the fixed seconds wheel is located close to the escapement pinion. This arrangement has the advantage of retaining an escapement pinion of conventional length, and of maintaining an escapement and tourbillon mechanism of conventional dimensions with proven operating accuracy.

[0042] In the example shown, the support has a cylindrical shape of revolution. The support 54 extends along the X axis and comprises a base 56 fixed on an upper bridge 58, a support ring 62 at the upper end of the support and longitudinal arms 60 connecting the base 56 and the support ring 62.

[0043] This openwork embodiment of the support 54 makes the entire mechanism even more visible. However, it will be understood that a mechanism with a solid tube-shaped support does not fall outside the scope of this application.

[0044] In the example shown, one or more screws (not visible) are mounted through the upper bridge 58, the outer ring 19b and the base 56, and three screws 85 are mounted through a plate 82, the upper bridge 58 and the outer ring 19b.

[0045] The fixed seconds wheel 52 is fixed on the upper face of the support ring 62 and its axis is coaxial with the X axis.

[0046] In the example shown, the fixed seconds wheel 52 is mounted on the support ring 62 and oriented relative to it by pins and fixed to the support ring 62 by screws. Alternatively, the fixed seconds wheel is machined directly into the support ring.

[0047] The fixed second wheel support is hollow and the fixed second wheel 52 has an annular shape, so as to be crossed by the transmission shaft 16 and the exhaust bridge 34.

[0048] In the example shown, the platform 36 is located in the same plane as the support ring 62, and the escapement bridge 34 straddles the fixed seconds wheel 52 such that the escape pinion 38 is arranged radially outside the fixed seconds wheel 52 and meshes with it. Alternatively, the fixed seconds wheel has internal teeth and the escapement bridge is such that the escape pinion 38 is inside the fixed seconds wheel.

[0049] Alternatively, the platform is located lower or higher than the support ring and the exhaust bridge is adapted accordingly.

[0050] As explained, the transmission shaft 16 is part of a transmission chain between the barrel 6 and the tourbillon 8.

[0051] The transmission chain comprises a first gear RI and the transmission shaft 16. The foot of the transmission shaft 16 is rotationally fixed to a transmission pinion 64 with axis X. In the example shown, the transmission pinion 64 is driven by one end into the central core 19a of the ball bearing.

[0052] The ball bearing 19 is interposed between the base 56 and the upper bridge 58.

[0053] The first gear RI comprises a first mobile 70 including a wheel 72 engaging the transmission pinion 64, and a pinion 74 which engages a wheel 75 of a second mobile 76 which also includes a center pinion 78 engaging a tooth 80 of the barrel 6.

[0054] In the example shown, the first mobile 70 is mounted in rotation between the upper bridge 58 and the plate 82 and the second mobile 76 is mounted in rotation between the plate 82 and a barrel bridge P ([Fig. 1]).

[0055] In this example, the axis of the first moving part 70 is integral with the pinion 74, and is received at its ends in jewels housed in the upper bridge 58 and the plate 82. Similarly, the axis of the second moving part 76 is integral with the center pinion 78, and is received at its ends in jewels housed in the plate 82 and the barrel bridge P. Alternatively, separate axes are mounted in hollow pinions.

[0056] As can be seen in [Fig. 4], the upper bridge 58 is arranged to provide space for the first gear RL

[0057] The transmission of the rotational movement of the barrel 6 to the tourbillon 8 will now be described.

[0058] The barrel 6, fitted with teeth 80, rotates around its axis X; it then drives the pinion 78 and the wheel 75 of the second moving part 76. The wheel 75 of the second moving part, in turn, drives the pinion 74 of the first moving part 70, which drives the wheel 72, which meshes with the transmission pinion 64. This pinion, being rotationally fixed to the transmission shaft 16, drives the escapement bridge 34, to which the escape pinion 38 is fixed. The escape pinion 38 rotates around the axis X around the fixed seconds wheel 52 in the manner of a satellite. The escape pinion 38, meshing with the fixed seconds wheel 52, rotates around its axis 40, rotating the escape wheel 14, which performs its conventional role in the escapement system.

[0059] The tourbillon cage 18 being rotationally fixed to the escapement bridge 34, it rotates on itself.

[0060] The transmission ratios between the various wheels and pinions are chosen so that the tourbillon cage 18 completes a full rotation on its axis in one minute. It may be envisaged to fix a seconds indicator or seconds hand to the tourbillon cage.

[0061] In [Fig.9], we can see another example of an embodiment in which the support 54 is integrated into the upper bridge 58, the support 54 is then in one piece with the upper bridge 58.

[0062] Figure 10 shows another example of this embodiment, in which the pinion The exhaust 138 extends over the entire height of the transmission shaft 16, and engages a fixed second wheel 152 which is fixed to the upper bridge 58 and the outer ring 19b of the ball bearing 19. In the example shown, the fixed second wheel is fixed to the upper bridge 58 by means of screws (not visible).

[0063] The exhaust bridge 134 includes a cage 134.1 extending over the height of the transmission shaft 16 and housing the exhaust pinion 138.

[0064] The lower longitudinal end 138.1 of the escape pinion 138 is housed in a stone 144 which is mounted in a lower part of the cage 134.1. The upper longitudinal end 138.2 of the escape pinion 138 is housed in a stone 142 mounted in the lower cage bridge 20.

[0065] This design makes it possible to avoid having to use a support to raise the fixed second wheel and to lighten the structure.

[0066] The mechanism for driving the indicators or hands will now be described with the help of figures 6, 7 and 8. It includes a second gear R2 interposed between the barrel and the hour and minute indicators.

[0067] In this example, and in order to free up the central part of the timepiece, the minute indicator 4 is carried by a crown 84 which is itself supported via radial arms 86 by a minute drive wheel 108 integral with a minute ball bearing 88. Alternatively, the minute indicator has an arm directly fixed to the minute drive wheel, or even directly to the minute ball bearing 88. The arm of the minute indicator is either fixed to the crown or the bearing, or formed as a single unit with the crown or the bearing.

[0068] The hour indicator 2 is carried by a moving assembly 90 which moves on the inner contour of a fixed hour ring 92. The moving assembly 90 is fixed on an inner ring 89a of a ball bearing 89, designated hour ball bearing.

[0069] The second gear train R2 has a wheel 94 mounted on the center pinion 78, opposite the wheel 75. The wheel 94 meshes with a pinion 96 of a driving wheel for the timer train 97, which is mounted for rotation between the barrel bridge P and a bridge of the timer train (not shown). The time is set via the wheel 94 by a mechanism of a known type, which will not be described here.

[0070] The timer gear train 97 includes a wheel 98 which meshes with a first auxiliary pinion 100.

[0071] The needle drive mechanism also includes a second auxiliary pinion 102 which is rotationally fixed to the first auxiliary pinion 100. In the example shown, and without limitation, the first and second auxiliary pinions 100, 102 are fixed together by a tube 104 into which their axes are driven or screwed.

[0072] The second auxiliary pinion 102 meshes with a first tooth DI of a drive wheel 108 of the minute indicator. The first tooth DI is on the inner contour of the minute drive wheel 108. The minute drive wheel 108 is, for example, screwed onto the inner ring of the minute ball bearing 88.

[0073] The minute 108 drive wheel rotates at a speed of 1 revolution per hour.

[0074] The moving assembly 90 includes a timer moving part 110 comprising a wheel 112, which engages a second toothed section D2 of the minute wheel 108. In the example shown, the second toothed section D2 is integral with the inner ring of the minute ball bearing 88, to which the first toothed section DI is attached. Alternatively, the first toothed section DI and the second toothed section D2 are integral. In another alternative, the teeth DI and D2 are independently manufactured and mounted on the minute ball bearing 88. The minute wheel 110 also includes a pinion 114 that engages the wheel 116 of an additional minute wheel 118, whose pinion 120 engages the fixed hour wheel 92. The gear ratio obtained by the minute wheels 110 and 118 ensures that the rotating assembly carrying the hour indicator completes one revolution every 12 hours.

[0075] In this example, the hours and minutes are displayed using indicators. A timepiece in which the hours or minutes are displayed by numerals on a dial in a jumping or trailing manner does not fall outside the scope of this application.

[0076] In the example shown, the tourbillon is at the center of the timepiece coaxial with the barrel. In another embodiment, the raised tourbillon rotates around an axis parallel to the axis of the barrel.

[0077] In the example of Figures 5A and 5B, the ice G is domed. However, it will be understood that any other shape of ice suitable for housing the raised vortex is not outside the scope of this application.

[0078] In [Fig. 11], the ice G1 has a convex shape and comprises a metal structure 121 and transparent panels 122, for example made of glass. The shape and arrangement of the panels are advantageously chosen to visually highlight the vortex.

[0079] In [Fig. 12], the ice G2 has a truncated cone shape.

[0080] In [Fig. 13], the ice G3 has a cylindrical shape of revolution.

[0081] In [Fig. 14], the glass G4 comprises a flat annular portion 124 and a portion central domed 126 to house the raised tourbillon.

[0082] Thanks to the invention, a timepiece equipped with a tourbillon is produced in which the tourbillon is particularly highlighted and provides an original visual aspect.

Claims

Claims

1. Timepiece comprising a barrel (6) with an axis X, a tourbillon (8), at least one hour indicator (2) and one minute indicator (4), the tourbillon (8) being engaged with the barrel (6), the tourbillon (8) comprising a cage (18) rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of the barrel (6) or coaxial therewith, an escapement pinion (38) meshing with a fixed second wheel (52), in which said part comprises a transmission shaft (16) between the barrel (6) and the tourbillon cage (18), said transmission shaft (16) extending along the axis of the barrel (6) or parallel thereto, the transmission shaft (16) comprising a first longitudinal end on the side of the barrel (6) and a second longitudinal end on the side of the cage (18), the cage (18) being arranged above the second end longitudinal of the transmission shaft (16) and being integral in rotation with the latter,such that the tourbillon (8) has a raised position relative to the hour and minute indicators (2, 4).,

2. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the timepiece comprises a support (54) for the fixed second wheel (52) such that the fixed second wheel (52) is located close to the tourbillon cage (18).

3. Timepiece according to claim 2, comprising a ball bearing (19) between an upper bridge (58) and the support (54) of the fixed second wheel (52).

4. A timepiece according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the fixed second wheel (52) has an annular shape and the transmission shaft (16) is housed in the support (54) and is connected to the tourbillon cage (18) by passing through the fixed second wheel (52).

5. Timepiece according to one of claims 2 to 4, comprising an escapement bridge (34) interposed between the transmission shaft (16) and the tourbillon cage (18), and in which the escapement bridge (34) rotatably supports the escapement pinion and an escapement wheel, the escapement bridge (34) being such that it overlaps the fixed second wheel (52) so as to arrange the escapement pinion outside the fixed second wheel (52) having external teeth or inside the fixed second wheel having internal teeth.

6. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the pinion escapement extends along the drive shaft and the fixed second wheel is fixed on an upper bridge (58).

7. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the axis of rotation of the tourbillon (8) is coaxial with the axis of the barrel (6).

8. 8. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a first gear train (RI) between the barrel (6) and the transmission shaft (16), and a transmission pinion (64) integral in rotation with the transmission shaft (16) and coaxial therewith.

9. 9. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a second gear train (R2) between the barrel and the minute indicators (4) and the hour indicator (2), and in which the minute indicator (4) is carried by a crown arranged around the support (54) of the fixed second wheel (52), said crown (84) being integral in rotation with a drive wheel (108) integral with a minute ball bearing (88), and the hour indicator (2) being carried by a moving assembly (90) cooperating with a fixed hour wheel (92), the moving assembly being integral with an hour ball bearing (89).

10. Timepiece according to claim 9, comprising a center pinion (78) which meshes with a toothing of the barrel (6), in which the center pinion (78) drives the tourbillon gear train and in which a cannon pinion (94) of the second gear train (R2) is driven onto the shaft of the center pinion (78).

11. 11. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a crystal (G) at least partly domed so as to house the tourbillon in a raised position.

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