Positioning and marking device for timepiece mechanism

Abstract

To provide means that effectively holds two components at predetermined positions relative to each other and allows reassembly.SOLUTION: There is provided a device (100) for setting the position and marking a first component (1) and a second component (10), which can be assembled together with a single degree of freedom and immobilised by the cooperation of a first screw (4) with first tapping (12) of the second component (10) via a first notch (2) of the first component (1), and of a second screw (5) with a second tapping (13) of the second component (10) via a second notch (3) of the first component (1), the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) defining a setting range, the second screw (5) being a cone-head screw, arranged to make an imprint on the edge of the second notch (3) under a predetermined tightening torque, in order to permanently mark the relative position of the first component (1) and of the second component (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning and marking device for setting and fixing the positions of a first part and a second part of a timepiece mechanism relative to each other, wherein the first part and the second part are assembled to each other with a single degree of freedom of rotation or translation, and the first screw and the first tapping of the second part cooperate through a first notch of the first part to be fixed to each other. The present invention relates to a positioning and marking device configured as such.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism including at least one such positioning and marking device.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a timepiece including at least one such positioning and marking device and / or one such timepiece mechanism.

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms of timepiece mechanisms.

Background Art

[0005] Fixing timepiece parts is a delicate operation because setting, which is already difficult, may be hindered when clamping at a predetermined position.

[0006] Normally, the relative positions of the parts of a timepiece subassembly are manually set to an optimal operating position, and then the set position thus obtained is locked by one or more flat head screws known as "bearing screws" in which the flat annular surfaces under their heads abut and are held against the flat surfaces of the parts. For example, it is a common method to set the parts using an eccentric and then lock the parts using screws.

[0007] In particular, the arrangement of various timepiece parts such as rollers, spiral cams, cams, moon disks, other calendar or striking elements requires a high indexing accuracy regardless of manufacturing clearances or assembly clearances.

[0008] However, when indexing two parts relative to each other, the use of flat head screws means that the indexing cannot be reproduced during successive disassembly / reassembly operations. Therefore, the watchmaker has to identify the indexing position for each assembly, just as in the initial assembly.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide means for effectively holding two parts in a predetermined position relative to each other and enabling reassembly at the last set position in order to facilitate the work of a watchmaker, particularly a watchmaker's repairman, after subsequent disassembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The present invention uses a screw having a non - flat head that can press a trace forming a mark of the set position onto one of the parts.

[0011] In particular, by using a conical head, it becomes easy to mark the edge of the bed during initial assembly without generating chips and to relocate the indexing position during subsequent reassembly.

[0012] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a positioning and marking device for setting the first part and the second part in a predetermined position and fixing them relative to each other, including a timepiece mechanism, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be assembled with each other having a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation, and the first screw and the first tapping of the second part cooperate through a first notch of the first part to be fixed to each other. The single degree of freedom of rotation and translation is defined by a helical mechanical connection.

[0013] According to the present invention, the first component and the second component are further configured such that a second screw and a second tapping of the second component cooperate through a second notch of the first component to be fixed relative to each other, and the first notch and the second notch define a set range according to the single degree of freedom. And the first screw generates friction that enables setting the relative arrangement of the first component and the second component according to the single degree of freedom when receiving a first tightening torque, and when receiving a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque, it is a bearing screw configured to fix the first component and the second component in a predetermined position relative to each other. And the second screw, when receiving a third predetermined tightening torque, presses a trace against the edge of the second notch, permanently marks the positions imposed on the first component and the second component relative to each other, and can reposition that position during disassembly and subsequent reassembly, and is a screw having a non-flat head.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a timepiece including at least one such position setting and marking device and / or one such timekeeping mechanism.

[0015] The present invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms for timekeeping mechanisms.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The present invention relates to a positioning and marking device (100) for setting the positions of two parts of a timepiece mechanism (500) and fixing the two parts relative to each other.

[0018] In particular, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first part 1 is formed by a cylindrical tube including a flange and is mounted so as to be rotatable around a second part 10 formed by a shaft. The first part and the second part need to be accurately aligned with each other. For this purpose, the second part 10 includes, for example, a flat surface 11 forming a control surface as shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] The first component 1 and the second component 10 are configured to be assembled with each other having a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation, and to be fixed to each other at least by the cooperation of the first screw 4 and the first tapping 12 of the second component 10. The first tapping 12 is intended to be aligned with the first notch 2 of the first component 1, and the first screw 4 engages through this notch 2.

[0020] According to the present invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are further configured to be fixed to each other by the cooperation of the second screw 5 and the second tapping 13 of the second component 10. The second component 10 is intended to be aligned with the second notch 3 of the first component 1, and the second screw 5 engages through this notch 3.

[0021] The first notch 2 and the second notch 3 define a setting range according to this single degree of freedom.

[0022] The first screw 4, when subjected to a first tightening torque, is a flat head screw, such as a bearing screw, configured to generate friction that allows for the setting of the relative arrangement of the first component 1 and the second component 10 according to a single degree of freedom, for example, a fine setting. When subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque, the first screw 4 enables the first component 1 and the second component 10 to be fixed in a predetermined position relative to each other.

[0023] The second screw 5, when subjected to a third tightening torque, is a screw having a non-flat head designed to deform the material of the first component 1 and leave an indentation on the edge of the second notch 3, such as a screw having a conical head. This indentation makes it possible to permanently mark the position imposed on the first component 1 with respect to the second component 10, and after disassembly, this imposed position can be identified again during subsequent reassembly.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 1, in the first assembly, in order to generate friction that allows relative movement between the first component 1 and the second component 10, the first screw 4 is tightened to the first torque so that its head abuts against the surface of the first component 1. Then, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are moved relative to each other to achieve the desired indexing position. After reaching the desired relative position, the second screw 5 is tightened to mark the edge of the second oval portion 3. Then, the first screw 4 is tightened to the second torque to lock the relative position. During subsequent reassembly, the initial setting position can be easily repositioned by the indentation generated by the head of the second screw 5.

[0025] Note that the second tightening torque is preferably greater than the third tightening torque. In this way, the first component 1 is not overly marked. By tightening the first screw 4 to the second tightening torque, the service life is ensured.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are configured to be assembled with each other having a single rotational degree of freedom about a rotation axis, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by concentric oval grooves with respect to the rotation axis.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are configured to be assembled with each other having a single translational degree of freedom, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by aligned or parallel linear grooves.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first component 1 and the second component 10 are configured to be assembled with each other having a helical connection, i.e., a single degree of freedom of translation and rotation, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by helical grooves.

[0029] Advantageously, the material of the second screw 5 is harder than the material of the first part 1. Also, the first screw 4 and the second screw 5 can be configured to have different dimensions to prevent confusion during reassembly.

[0030] The edges of the first notch 2 and / or the second notch 3 can include a marked scale that is visible at any position of the first screw 4 or the second screw 5.

[0031] The invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism 500 comprising at least one such positioning and marking device (100).

[0032] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a wristwatch, comprising such a timepiece mechanism.

[0033] Put simply, the invention makes it possible to mark the initial settings that can be repositioned by successive reassembly.

Claims

1. A device (100) for setting and marking a position, capable of fixing a first part (1) and a second part (10) of a clock mechanism (500) relative to each other, comprising: the first part and the second part (1, 10) are configured to be assembled to one another with a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation and to be fixed to one another by cooperation of a first screw (4) and a first tapping (12) of the second part (10) arranged opposite a first notch (12) of the first part (1); the first part and the second part (1, 10) are configured to be fixed to one another by cooperation of a second screw (5) and a second tapping (13) of the second part (10) arranged opposite a second notch (3) of the first part (1); the first notch and the second notch (2, 3) define a range of settings according to the single degree of freedom, the first screw (4) is configured, when subjected to a first tightening torque, to generate a friction that allows to set the relative arrangement of the first part and the second part (1, 10) according to the single degree of freedom, and when subjected to a second tightening torque that is greater than the first tightening torque, to fix the first part and the second part (1, 10) in a predetermined position relative to each other, The positioning and marking device (100) is further characterized in that the second screw (5) is a screw with a non-flat head capable of impressing an imprint on the edge of the second notch (3) when subjected to a third tightening torque, the imprint representing an imposed position of the first part and the second part (1, 10) relative to each other.

2. The positioning and marking device (100) of claim 1, wherein the second tightening torque is greater than the third tightening torque.

3. 3. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be assembled to each other with a single rotational degree of freedom about a rotation axis, and the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) are oval grooves concentric with respect to the rotation axis.

4. 3. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be assembled to one another with a single translational degree of freedom, and the first cut-out (2) and the second cut-out (3) are aligned or parallel linear grooves.

5. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the second screw (5) is harder than the material of the first part (1).

6. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second screw (5) comprises a conical head.

7. 2. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the first cutout (2) and / or the second cutout (3) comprises a graduated marking scale visible at any position of the first thread (4) or the second thread (5).

8. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first screw (4) and the second screw (5) are of different dimensions.

9. A clock mechanism (500) comprising a positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1.

10. A watch (1000) including a watch mechanism (500) according to claim 9.

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