Timepiece driving device

Abstract

To provide a timepiece driving device capable of achieving the best time distribution of energy consumption over a rotation period of a driving gear.SOLUTION: Provided is a timepiece driving device 100 of an instant jump calendar system, including: an input movable part 13; a main cam 11 having a main cam profile 11a, 11b, 11c; an auxiliary cam 12 having an auxiliary cam profile 12a; a cam follower 21 capable of cooperating with the profile 11a, 11b, 11c and / or with the profile 12a; and an energy accumulator 22 elastically energizing the cam follower 21 toward the profile 11a, 11b, 11c of the main cam 11 and toward the profile 12a of the auxiliary cam 12, the main cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12 being arranged such that after the end of the drive of the main cam 11 by the energy accumulator 22 acting on the main cam 11 via the cam follower 21, the cam follower 21 instantly comes into contact or substantially into contact with the auxiliary cam profile.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a clock drive. The invention also relates to a clock calendar comprising said clock drive. The invention further relates to a clock movement comprising said kind of clock drive or said kind of clock calendar. The invention also relates to a clock comprising said kind of clock movement or said kind of clock drive or said kind of clock calendar. The invention also relates to a method for operating said kind of clock movement or said kind of clock or said kind of clock drive or said kind of clock calendar. [Background technology]

[0002] Instantaneous clock calendar systems are known from the prior art which employ a driven moving part provided with a cam cooperating with an energy storage device such as a cam lever associated with a spring.

[0003] A cam driven by the drive gear allows the cocking of the energy storage device during the cocking phase and allows the return of energy during the following phase, the instantaneous driving of the calendar. The cam is then in drive mode and rotates relative to the drive gear. The returned energy serves to drive the cam and the mechanism downstream of the cam.

[0004] In a compensation phase following the instantaneous drive phase, the cam is caught up with the drive gear and immobilised until it is again driven by the drive gear to cock the energy storage device.

[0005] The compensation phase may last between 4 and 11 hours, depending on the design of the calendar. During the compensation phase, the drive gear rotates without any load and consumes very little force compared to the cocking phase. This leads to variations in the amplitude of oscillations of the clock movement due to the difference in load on the drive gear between the compensation and cocking phases.

[0006] US Pat. No. 5,399,433 discloses a solution employing an instantaneous drive date movement including auxiliary energy storage means intended to compensate for gear backlash of the hour display train.

[0007] The instantaneous actuation moving part functions in a conventional manner; a cocking stage in which the calendar cam is driven by a drive gear to set the spring by means of a cam lever; - an instantaneous drive phase, during which the spring is unset and the cam goes into drive mode and advances against the drive gear; a compensation stage, in which the drive gear compensates for the advance of the immobilised calendar cam after the jump; and functions continuously.

[0008] The particularity of the disclosed solution lies in the fact that an auxiliary energy storage means is located between the calendar cam and the drive gear, which is set during the compensation phase and is intended to generate a resisting torque on the drive gear, so that the hour display train is also tensioned during the compensation phase, limiting the backlash of the gears of said train.

[0009] However, the cocking torque of the auxiliary energy storage means must be lower than the torque required to charge the cam lever spring, so the auxiliary energy storage means does not allow significant energy storage comparable to the energy storage achieved by cocking the cam lever spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2407833 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a timepiece drive which allows an improvement of the devices known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a timepiece drive which allows the best possible temporal distribution of energy consumption, in particular over the period of rotation of the drive gear. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The drive device according to the invention is defined in claim 1.

[0013] Embodiments of the drive device are defined in claims 2 to 9.

[0014] A clock calendar according to the invention is defined in claim 10.

[0015] A clock movement according to the invention is defined in claim 11.

[0016] The watch according to the invention is defined in claim 12.

[0017] A method of operation according to the invention is defined in claim 13.

[0018] Methods for implementing the operational method are defined in claims 14 and 15.

[0019] The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of example, two embodiments of the watch according to the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a first embodiment of a timepiece according to the present invention, showing the drive mechanism as viewed from the dial side. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a first embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention, showing the drive mechanism as seen from the movement side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a set of views of the drive mechanism, including an exploded view and two perspective views. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the operating sequence of the first embodiment of the drive device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 4 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 5 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 6 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 7 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 8 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 9 illustrating the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram of the operating sequence of a second embodiment of the drive device, corresponding to FIG. 10 illustrating the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A first embodiment of a watch 500 is described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0022] The watch 500 is for example a small timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, and includes a watch movement 400 that is intended to be mounted in a watch case to protect it from the external environment.

[0023] The watch movement 400 is a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement, or a hybrid movement or an electronic movement.

[0024] The clock movement 400 includes a clock calendar 300 .

[0025] Clock Calendar 300 is at least one display member 200, in particular a date display member, in particular a date display disc, and - a watch drive 100; wherein the at least one display member 200 and the driving device 100 are such that the driving device 100 is capable of driving the at least one display member 200. The driving is of the instantaneous driving or instantaneous jump type.

[0026] The calendar system 300 allows for the display, via at least one display member 200, of at least one calendar display, such as a day display, a date display, a month display, a year display, a leap year display, and a phase of the moon display.

[0027] At least one calendar display may be embodied by at least one display member 200, such as a hand or a disk.

[0028] The watch drive device 100 includes: an input movable part 13; a primary cam 11 having a primary cam profile 11a, 11b, 11c, which is connected to the input movable part (i) with angular backlash or (ii) via a one-way coupling; an auxiliary cam 12 connected to the input part, in particular fixed on it or fastened to it, and having an auxiliary cam profile 12a; a cam follower 21 adapted to cooperate with the profiles 11a, 11b, 11c and / or with the profile 12a, an energy accumulator 22 elastically biasing the cam follower 21 towards the profiles 11a, 11b, 11c of the primary cam 11 and towards the profile 12a of the auxiliary cam 12; Includes.

[0029] The timepiece drive 100, in particular the primary cam and the auxiliary cam, are arranged in such a way that after the end of the drive of the primary cam 11 by the energy accumulator 22 acting on the primary cam 11 via the cam follower 21, the cam follower 21 comes into contact or substantially comes into contact with the auxiliary cam profile. This makes it possible to set the energy accumulator immediately after the end of the drive of the primary cam 11, which is achieved by the energy accumulator 21 acting on the primary cam 11 via the cam follower 22.

[0030] The timepiece drive 100, in particular the primary and auxiliary cams, are advantageously arranged to set the energy accumulator 22 via the cam follower 21 over the entire or substantially entire period of rotation of the input mobile part 13, in particular over a 24-hour period, except for the drive phase in which the primary cam is in drive mode. This makes it possible to minimize and smooth out the mechanical forces required to set the energy accumulator. For this reason, the drive, in particular the profiles of the primary and auxiliary cams, are such that the mechanical forces provided to the energy accumulator 22 are constant or substantially constant over the time when the primary cam 11 is not in drive mode, or more particularly when the primary cam 11 is not driven by the energy accumulator 22 via the cam follower 21.

[0031] The input movable part 13 and the auxiliary cam 12 are part of the first movable part.

[0032] The main cam 11 is a part of the second movable part.

[0033] The first and second mobile parts are pivoted on the frame of the clock movement 400 .

[0034] The second mobile part comprises a drive element 14, kinematically connected to or fastened to the primary cam 11. The drive element 14 may be fixed on the primary cam 11. The drive element 14 is intended to directly and cyclically drive the display member 200.

[0035] The primary cam 11 is intended to cooperate with an energy storage device 20 in order to periodically store and periodically instantaneously return the energy required to drive the display member 200 .

[0036] The storage device 20 includes: - a cam follower, such as a cam lever 21, which pivots within the frame; an energy accumulator 22, such as a return spring means 22, making it possible to store the energy required for the instantaneous actuation of the display member 200; Furthermore, an elastic energy store 22 tends to bias the lever 21 against the main cam 11. The energy store 22 may comprise a spring 22, in particular a leaf spring.

[0037] The input moving part 13 comprises a drive gear 13 fixed to the auxiliary cam 12. The input moving part is continuously driven by the gear train of the clock movement 400. The input moving part is intended to drive the second drive part, or more specifically the main cam 11, via a decoupling device.

[0038] The decoupling device is in particular the fixing of the first and second mobile parts to each other during the phase of driving the second mobile part by the first mobile part or cocking of the energy storage device 20, and - decoupling or decoupling the first and second moving parts during the momentary actuation phase, This makes it possible.

[0039] The instantaneous driving stage is a stage in which the energy stored by the energy storage device 20 is returned and the display member 200 is instantly driven by the driving element 14 .

[0040] The decoupling device comprises a part 15, on one of the first or second movable parts, which is intended to cooperate with an angular joint 16a of the other of the first or second movable parts, so that the rotation of the input movable part 13 can drive the rotation of the cam 11, in particular during the cocking phase.

[0041] During the instantaneous actuation phase, the decoupling device provides a degree of rotational freedom of the second movable part relative to the first movable part, and more specifically of the main cam 11 relative to the input movable part 13.

[0042] Said degree of freedom may be achieved by shaping of the part 15, in particular adapted to move in a groove 16 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first and / or second mobile part. In the first embodiment illustrated in the figures, the groove 16 comprises an angular joint 16a. In particular, the groove 16 extends between two angular joints 16a, 16b. Alternatively, said degree of freedom may be achieved by a freewheel.

[0043] The input moving part 13 preferably rotates at a constant speed. For this reason, the decoupling device must enable the main cam 11 to instantly and substantially completely move the angular movement required for the drive phase. For this reason, during the drive phase, the part 15 is separated and moved in the groove 16 against the angular joint 16a.

[0044] At the end of the instantaneous drive phase, the drive element 14 and the primary cam 11 are fixed for the time necessary for the input movable part 13 to catch up with the latter in a compensation phase. More specifically, the angle of movement performed by the primary cam 11 during the instantaneous drive phase must be compensated so that the part 15 again comes into contact with the angular joint 16a and again drives the primary cam 11. For this reason, the compensation phase follows the drive phase and precedes the cocking phase.

[0045] A particular feature of the solution lies in the fact that immediately after the phase of instantaneous actuation of the display 200, the lever 21 comes into contact with the auxiliary cam 12 and is out of range of the primary cam 11, in order to initiate a first cocking of the energy storage device 20 immediately after the end of the instantaneous actuation phase. Said first cocking lasts at least throughout the entire compensation phase and until the cam lever 21 comes into contact with the primary cam 11 again.

[0046] The lever 21 is preferably in exclusive contact with the auxiliary cam 12 during the compensation phase.

[0047] The transition of the lever 21 from one stage to another, from the contact with the main cam 11 to the auxiliary cam 12, and vice versa, is made as continuous as possible so as to avoid sudden interruptions in the force consumption of the clock movement 400 and also to avoid significant disturbances and to prevent amplitude fluctuations.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the instantaneous drive 100 is designed to enable instantaneous driving of a calendar date system 300 including a date disc 200 indexed by a jumper.

[0049] The first and second movable parts are coaxial and revolve around the axis A1, so that the main cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12 revolve around the same axis A1.

[0050] The drive element 14 is a date finger 14, which is intended to cooperate with a tooth 201 of a date disc 200 during the instantaneous drive phase. Here, the date finger 14 is welded to a hub 17, which is driven and / or riveted to the main cam 11.

[0051] The hub 17 pivots on the frame about an axis A1.

[0052] The profile of the main cam 11 adapted to cooperate with the energy storage device 20 comprises, in succession, a cocking portion 11a, a return portion 11b and a stop portion 11c, the functionality of which will be explained in detail below.

[0053] The rotation period of the drive gear 13 is 24 hours in order to drive the calendar system 300 at least one step every day. In other words, during each rotation period of the drive gear 13, the instantaneous drive 100 respectively and consecutively: - Compensation stage, then - Cocking stage and after - Instantaneous drive stage, It will be as shown.

[0054] The auxiliary cam 12 is fixed to the drive gear 13 by driving and / or riveting. Alternatively, the drive gear 13 and the auxiliary cam 12 may be integral, i.e. in that case they form a monoblock assembly.

[0055] The drive gear 13 and the auxiliary cam 12 are assembled to pivot on a hub 17 about an axis A1. Alternatively, they may both pivot directly on the frame.

[0056] The auxiliary cam 12 includes a pre-cocking portion of a profile 12a adapted to cooperate with the energy storage device 20 during the compensation phase.

[0057] The decoupling device consists of a stud 15, assembled or integral with the primary cam 11, adapted to cooperate with an angular joint 16a at a first end of a groove 16 machined in a portion of the outer periphery of the auxiliary cam 12.

[0058] Alternatively, the groove 16 may be machined into the drive gear 13 .

[0059] The length of the groove 16 allows the stud 15 to move substantially all of the angular movement required for the drive phase. In other words, the angle of rotation through which the stud 15 can move in the groove 16 must at least correspond to the angle of rotation of the date finger 14 and the primary cam 11 during the drive phase.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the angular movement required for the actuation step, and more particularly the angular movement of the stud 15 , may be limited by a second angular joint 16 b at the second end of the groove 16 .

[0061] The cam lever 21 advantageously comprises a bearing, more particularly a stone or ruby ​​roller 23. The ruby ​​roller 23 is adapted to cooperate with the respective profiles of the primary cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12.

[0062] The roller 23 makes it possible to reduce the friction torque caused by the force with which the lever 21 weighs the primary cam 11 and / or the auxiliary cam 12. As a result, said roller 23 makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption and the amplitude losses of the oscillator of the clock movement 400.

[0063] One way of implementing the method for operating a clock or a clock movement or a clock calendar or a drive is described below.

[0064] <Cocking stage>

[0065] During the cocking phase, illustrated in Fig. 4, the roller 23 is located in the cocking portion 11a, which allows the cocking of the energy storage device 20 in such a manner as to store the energy required for the instantaneous actuation of the indicator member 200 for at least one step. During the cocking phase, the main cam 11 is driven by the input movable part 13 by means of the stud 15 which contacts the angular joint 16a of the groove 16.

[0066] The energy storage device 20, and more particularly the roller 23, is preferably out of range of the auxiliary cam 12 during this phase.

[0067] The cocking part 11a is preferably shaped to generate a constant or substantially constant balance force consumption and amplitude loss, in other words it makes it possible to obtain a constant or substantially constant cocking torque on the input moving part 13.

[0068] In other words, during the cocking phase, energy is stored in the spring 22 and the profile of the auxiliary cam 12 is not in contact with the follower 21, while the follower 21 follows the primary cam profile 11a. Therefore, it is the input gear that drives the primary cam, the follower 21 follows the profile 11a of said cam, and the spring 22 is gradually cocked. Thus, the energy is transmitted by the chain of the barrel, the gear train, the input gear 13, the primary cam 11, the follower 21 and the spring 22.

[0069] <Drive stage>

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, when the roller 23 reaches the apex of the primary cam 11 at the end of the cocking portion 11a of the profile of the primary cam 11 at the moment of transition into the return portion 11b of the profile of the primary cam 11, the roller 23 moves instantaneously up the primary cam 11 until it reaches the stop portion 11c of the profile of the primary cam 11.

[0071] During this actuation phase, illustrated in Figure 6, the energy stored in the energy accumulator 20 is returned by the date finger 14 for the instantaneous actuation of the display member 200. In other words, at midnight, the main cam 11 and the date finger 14 are in actuation mode, thanks to the return of the previously stored energy, relative to the input movable part 13. The stud 15 is then separated from the angular joint 16a and moves instantly, in the groove 16, the angular movement required for the actuation phase.

[0072] The auxiliary cam 12 is always outside the range of the energy storage device 20, more specifically the roller 23, during the drive phase.

[0073] At the end of the drive phase, the date finger 14 is advantageously stopped in a position of interference with the tooth 201 of the date disc 200 and maintained in that position, so as to constitute a blockage of the date disc and to prevent premature additional jumps due to the inertia of the date disc and due to the considerable energy returned during that phase.

[0074] For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7, the roller 23 is positioned at a stop portion 11c, which is formed to dissipate residual kinetic energy after the display member 200 is driven.

[0075] In a complementary or alternative embodiment, the second joint 16b may be used for partial or complete dissipation of the residual kinetic energy.

[0076] The display member 200 is also stopped momentarily. In other words, the momentary actuation phase also includes the stopping of the display member 200.

[0077] In other words, during the actuation phase, the primary cam 11 is actuated and the follower 21 suddenly moves along the profile 11b of the primary cam 11, causing its release from the gear 13 and a jump actuation of the indicator member 200. It can be seen that during this phase, the profile of the auxiliary cam 12 is not in contact with the follower 21. Thus, the energy is transferred in the chain of the spring 22, the follower 21, the primary cam 11 and the indicator member 200.

[0078] <Compensation stage>

[0079] As mentioned above, the primary cam 11 is separated from the input movable part 13 at the beginning of the momentary drive phase. Therefore, the angular joint 16a has to catch up with the stud 15 in order to drive the primary cam 11 again.

[0080] 8, during said compensation phase, a pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a of the auxiliary cam 12 advantageously comes into contact with the energy storage device 20 and more particularly with the roller 23. Said pre-cocking portion is shaped in such a way that it initiates the cocking of the energy storage device 20 until, after the instantaneous actuation phase, it again cooperates with the cocking portion 11a of the profile of the main cam 11 and initiates the cocking phase.

[0081] For the cocking portion 11a, the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a is preferably shaped to generate a constant cocking torque at the height of the input movable part 13 and thus a constant force consumption and a constant amplitude loss of the balance.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a is preferably formed to support the cocking portion 11a at the end of the compensation phase in such a way that the transition of the roller 23 from the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a to the cocking portion 11a is as continuous as possible, without sudden interruptions or significant disturbances, as far as the cocking torque observed at the height of the input moving part 13 and therefore as far as the portion where energy consumption takes place is concerned.

[0083] The return portion 11b of the profile of the primary cam 11 extends over a first angular portion which corresponds to the movement required for the second mobile part to drive the calendar system 300. The angular portion 11b is complementary to the sum of the angular portions of the cocking portion 11a and the stop portion 11c.

[0084] The pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a of the auxiliary cam 12 enables the first cocking of the energy storage device 20 to extend over a second angular portion at least equal or at least substantially equal to the first angular portion of the return portion 11b.

[0085] As a result, the cocking portion 11a of the profile of the primary cam 11 enabling the second cocking of the energy storage device 20 extends over a third angular portion complementary to the second angular portion. Alternatively, the third angular portion may be of zero or substantially zero length if the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a is adapted to enable the complete cocking of the energy storage device 20.

[0086] The sum of the second and third angular portions is advantageously equal to the angle travelled by the input movable part 13 over the entire or substantially the entire period of rotation.

[0087] In other words, during the compensation phase, the follower 21 leaves the primary cam profile 11 and follows the auxiliary cam profile 12, thereby pre-cocking the spring 22. This has the effect of smoothing the loading of the input moving part. During the compensation phase, the primary cam is not driven. The primary cam does not drive any other element.

[0088] Thus, one way of implementing the method of operating the clock 500 or the clock movement 400 or the clock calendar 300 or the clock driving the device 100 is to - the driving of the primary cam 11 by the action of the energy accumulator 22 on the primary cam via the cam follower 21, and then - storage of energy in the energy store 22 by the action of the auxiliary cam 12 on the energy store 22 via the cam follower 21, The method includes at least one repetition, and preferably multiple repetitions, of steps a.

[0089] The entire operating method or at least one iteration thereof may include the storage of energy in an energy accumulator 22 by the action of the primary cam 11 on the energy accumulator 22 via the cam follower 21 .

[0090] For this reason, the main cam 11 is in the drive mode over a first angular portion due to the action of the energy accumulator 22 via the cam follower 21; the auxiliary cam 12 supplies energy to the energy store 22 via a cam follower over a second angular portion at least equal or at least substantially equal to the first angular portion; The primary cam 11 supplies energy to the energy accumulator 22 via the cam follower over a third angular portion which i) complements the second angular portion and / or ii) has zero or substantially zero length.

[0091] The drive of the main cam 11 during the drive phase is preferably a momentary drive.

[0092] Of course, the solution is not limited to single-calendar date systems, but is particularly suitable for calendar systems that require more energy than, for example, annual or perpetual date calendars. Furthermore, the clock drive according to the invention may also be used in systems that display time information or information derived from time (and thus derived from an oscillator), in particular information that is separate from calendar information. The clock drive may in particular be used in systems that display time (with jump display) or the phases of the moon.

[0093] The first and second movable parts of the drive do not have to be coaxial, but may pivot about two preferably separate and parallel axes. They may be connected, for example, by gears. Thus, the main cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12 can pivot about separate axes, in particular about parallel axes.

[0094] For this reason, a second embodiment of a watch 500 will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 17 (similar to Figures 4 to 10 of the first embodiment).

[0095] The watch 500 is for example a watch, in particular a wristwatch. The watch 500 includes a watch movement 400 that is intended to be mounted in a watch case to protect it from the external environment.

[0096] The watch movement 400 is a mechanical movement, in particular an automatic movement, or a hybrid movement or an electronic movement.

[0097] The clock movement 400 includes a clock calendar 300 .

[0098] Clock Calendar 300 is at least one display member 200, in particular a date display member, in particular a date display disc, and - a watch drive 100; wherein the at least one display member 200 and the driving device 100 are such that the driving device 100 is capable of driving the at least one display member 200. The driving is of the instantaneous driving or instantaneous jump type.

[0099] The calendar system 300 allows for at least one calendar display, via at least one display member 200, such as a day display, a date display, a month display, a year display, a leap year display, and a phase of the moon display.

[0100] At least one calendar display may be embodied by at least one display member 200, such as a hand or a disk.

[0101] The watch drive device 100 includes: an input movable part 13; a primary cam 11 having a primary cam profile 11a, 11b, 11c, which is connected to the input movable part (i) with angular backlash or (ii) via a one-way coupling; an auxiliary cam 12 connected to the input part, in particular fixed on it or fastened to it, and having an auxiliary cam profile 12a; a cam follower 21 adapted to cooperate with the profiles 11a, 11b, 11c and / or with the profile 12a, an energy accumulator 22 elastically biasing the cam follower 21 towards the profiles 11a, 11b, 11c of the primary cam 11 and towards the profile 12a of the auxiliary cam 12; Includes.

[0102] The first and second gears of the drive are not rotated coaxially but around two separate, preferably parallel, axes, for example connected by gears, which allows the main cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12 to rotate around separate, in particular parallel, axes.

[0103] The auxiliary cam 12 rotates along an axis A2 parallel to the axis A1 and is attached to a gear 18 which is kinematically connected or kinematically attached to the drive gear 13 by a gear.

[0104] The stud 15 of the cutting device is cooperable with angular stops 16 a and 16 b located at the ends of a groove 16 machined on the drive gear 13 .

[0105] The auxiliary cam 12 has a profile 12a, which includes a pre-cocking portion, capable of cooperating with the energy storage device 20 during the compensation phase. Of course, the magnitude of the angular extent of the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a must take into account the transmission ratio between the main cam 11 and the auxiliary cam 12, more specifically between the drive gear 13 and the gear 18. For example, for a gear ratio of 2, the angular extent of the pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a must be twice as large as the angular portion corresponding to the movement required for the second movable part to drive the calendar system 300. In other words, according to the second illustrated embodiment, the pre-cocking portion of the auxiliary cam profile 12a, which allows a first cocking of the energy storage device 20, can extend along a second angular portion that is at least twice as large or at least substantially twice as large as the first angular portion of the return portion 11b.

[0106] The cam follower 21 includes a second portion, more specifically a second bearing, such as a second stone or ruby ​​roller 24 , capable of cooperating with the auxiliary cam profile 12 .

[0107] Regardless of the embodiment and variant, the decoupling device may be a one-way connection device, such as a freewheel, in which the portion 15 is, for example, part of a ratchet intended to cooperate with the angular joint 16a.

[0108] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the stud 15 may be on a first movable part, for example on the auxiliary cam 12 or the input movable part 13, and the groove 16 may therefore be on a second movable part, for example on the main cam 11.

[0109] In the embodiment described above, the roller 23 constitutes the only bearing element that allows (sequential) cooperation through contact with the primary cam 11 and with the auxiliary cam 12. However, regardless of the embodiment or variant, the cam follower a first element, related to the main cam 11, and a second element, related to the auxiliary cam 12; may include: To this end, the first bearing element may be intended to cooperate exclusively with the main cam 11 and the second bearing element may be intended to cooperate exclusively with the auxiliary cam 12 .

[0110] In the above description, the calendar system 300 is driven at least one step per period of rotation of the input moving part 13. However, regardless of the embodiment or modification, the instantaneous drive device may be applied to drive the calendar system per multiple or sub-multiple of the period of rotation of the input moving part 13. Of course, the shapes of the main and auxiliary cams can be appropriately designed.

[0111] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the auxiliary cam 12 allows at least a partial cocking of the energy accumulator 22. The auxiliary cam 12 may be used to perform a first cocking of the energy accumulator 22, and the primary cam 11 may be used to perform a second cocking of the energy accumulator 22, which complements the first cocking. Alternatively, the auxiliary cam 12 may be used to perform a complete cocking of the energy accumulator 22 by applying a pre-cocking portion of the profile 12a. In this assumption, the cocking portion 11a is irrelevant and the only function of the primary cam 11 is to cooperate with the follower 21 to transmit the energy returned by the energy accumulator thanks to the return portion 11b and, potentially, to dissipate the residual kinetic energy after the indicator member 200 has been driven by the stop portion 11c.

[0112] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the auxiliary cam 12 may actuate the energy storage device 20 via a part of the lever 21 other than that adapted to cooperate with the primary cam 11 .

[0113] Regardless of the embodiment or variant, the term "cam" has a broad meaning and encompasses any shape that cooperates with a cam follower. In particular, a pin that cooperates with a cam follower is a cam.

[0114] For example, the auxiliary cam 12 may take the form of a pin or part eccentric to the axis of rotation adapted to cooperate with a part of the lever 21. The shape of the profile of that part of the lever 21 including the pin is preferably designed to allow cocking at the input moving part 13 with a constant torque.

[0115] More generally, the primary and secondary cams may have simple shapes, such as pins, that cooperate with one or more suitable profiles on the lever 21 of the energy storage device.

[0116] The above-mentioned solution makes use of two calendar cams, in particular superimposed calendar cams, whose fluctuations allow a smooth and limited force consumption over 24 hours. More generally, the proposed solution advantageously allows the mechanical cocking forces to be smoothed over the period of rotation of the input mobile part 13, except for the instantaneous drive phase. As a result, contrary to the solutions known from the prior art, the consumed forces and the amplitude losses of the balance are constant.

[0117] Furthermore, if we assume that the energy required for the instantaneous actuation of the indicator member can be stored over a period of more revolutions than known solutions, it becomes possible to minimize the mechanical cocking force for the same total amount of stored energy. Increasing the cocking period from 13 to 24 hours makes it possible to reduce the cocking force by 46%. Increasing the cocking period from 20 to 24 hours makes it possible to reduce the cocking force by 17%.

[0118] The instantaneous drive device 100 advantageously allows direct driving of the indicator member 200 using a single and only one drive element 14. In fact, the solution does not require levers at the contact points of said member.

[0119] Said shape advantageously allows a bidirectional drive of the display member 200. Indeed, thanks to the decoupling device in the shape of the portion 15 cooperating with the groove 16, the above-described embodiment also allows the drive of the display member 200 by actuation of the input mobile part 13 in the opposite working direction, for example when setting the time of the clock movement 400.

[0120] In this specification, "instantaneous" preferably means a duration on the order of a fraction of a second or greater. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 11 Primary Cam 11a Primary Cam Profile 11b Primary Cam Profile 11c Primary Cam Profile 12 Auxiliary cam 12a Auxiliary Cam Profile 13 Input moving part 14 Driving Elements 15 Stud 20 Energy storage device 21 Cam follower 22 Energy Accumulator 100 Clock drive unit 200 Display material 201 teeth 300 Clock Calendar 400 Clock Movement

Claims

1. A timepiece drive (100) for a system (300) for displaying time information or information derived from time, in particular for an instantaneous jump calendar system, comprising: An input movable part (13); A primary cam (11) having a primary cam profile (11a, 11b, 11c), the primary cam (11) being connected to an input movable part (i) with angular backlash or (ii) via a one-way coupling; an auxiliary cam (12) connected to the input movable part, in particular fixed on the input movable part or fastened to the input movable part, and having an auxiliary cam profile (12a); a cam follower (21) adapted to cooperate with said primary cam profile (11a, 11b, 11c) and / or with said auxiliary cam profile (12a); an energy accumulator (22) for elastically biasing the cam follower towards the profiles (11a, 11b, 11c) of the primary cam (11) and towards the profile (12a) of the auxiliary cam (12); Including, said timepiece drive (100), in particular said main cam and said auxiliary cam are arranged in such a way that after the end of the drive of said main cam (11) by the action of said energy accumulator (22) on said main cam (11) via said cam follower (21), said cam follower (21) immediately comes into contact or substantially into contact with said auxiliary cam profile, A watch drive (100).

2. said timepiece drive (100), in particular said main cam and said auxiliary cam are adapted to set said energy accumulator (22) via said cam follower (21) substantially throughout the entire rotation period of said input mobile part (13), in particular over a period of 24 hours, except for a driving phase in which said main cam is in a driving mode, 2. A watch drive (100) according to claim 1.

3. The main cam (11) and the auxiliary cam (12) rotate about the same axis (A1). A watch drive (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the main cam (11) and the auxiliary cam (12) pivot about different axes, in particular about parallel axes; A watch drive (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The drive device is the main cam (11) is in a drive mode over a first angular portion due to the action of the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower (21); and the auxiliary cam (12) supplies energy to the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower over a second angular portion at least equal to or at least substantially equal to the first angular portion; and the primary cam (11) supplies energy to the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower (i) over a third angular portion that is complementary to the second angular portion and / or (ii) over a third angular portion that is zero or substantially zero, It is made to be like this. A watch drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

6. the drive, in particular the profile of the main cam and the auxiliary cam, is such that the mechanical force supplied to the energy accumulator (22) is constant or substantially constant over the time during which the main cam (11) is not driven by the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower (21), A watch drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The cam follower (21) includes a lever (21). A watch drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The energy accumulator (22) comprises a spring (22), in particular a leaf spring. A watch drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. said primary cam (11) is kinematically connected to a drive element (14) of the element (200) displaying time information, such as a pawl (14) cooperating with a tooth (201) of the element (200) displaying time information, in particular fixed to the drive element (14) of the element (200) displaying time information; A watch drive device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A watch calendar (300), in particular a single date calendar or an annual date calendar or a perpetual date calendar, comprising a timepiece drive (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, said calendar comprising an element (200) displaying time information, such as a disk with numbers, including teeth (201), Clock calendar (300).

11. A watch drive device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and / or A clock calendar (300) according to claim 10, Including, Clock movement (400).

12. A clock movement (400) according to claim 11, and / or A clock calendar (300) according to claim 10, and / or A watch drive device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Including, Watches (500), especially wristwatches.

13. A method for operating a timepiece (500) according to claim 12, or a timepiece movement (400) according to claim 11, or a timepiece calendar (300) according to claim 10, or a timepiece drive device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: Driving the primary cam (11) by the action of the energy accumulator (22) on the primary cam via the cam follower (21), and then Storing energy in the energy accumulator (22) by the action of the auxiliary cam (12) on the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower (21); The method includes at least one iteration of the steps of How it works.

14. storing energy in the energy accumulator (22) by the action of the main cam (11) on the energy accumulator (22) via the cam follower (21); The method of claim 13.

15. The drive of the main cam (11) is an instantaneous drive.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14.

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