Horological movement including rigid mobile element coupled to elastic element and method for coupling these two elements

Abstract

To provide a horological movement including a device that can simplify the coupling between a rigid element and an elastic element.SOLUTION: A method for coupling a rigid element 10 with a spring 16 includes the steps of: rigidly attaching a first end of the spring 16 to a support; and positioning the support and the rigid element 10 in an initial relative position. The method, in which a coupling member 20 carried by a second end of the spring 16 is located on one side of a stressing ramp 40 which is opposite a specific recess 36 in the rigid element 10 and for which the rigid element 10 and the support can undergo relative movement MR in a first direction D1 from the initial relative position, then includes a coupling step. Here, the relative movement in the first direction is applied between the support and the rigid element 10 so that the coupling member 20 comes to bear against the stressing ramp 40 and then follows the stressing ramp 40, which is configured to move the coupling member 20 towards a rotation axis 22 by stressing the spring 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece movement incorporating a device including rigid elements and elastic elements connected to each other.

[0002] Specifically, the device is a mechanism for jump-driving an indicator. The rigid element includes a driving finger for driving the jump indicator. The elastic element is a spring including a coil between its first end and second end, the first end being fixed to rotate together with a wheel platform, and the second end carrying a connecting member at least partially inserted into a recess of the rigid element.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a method of connecting a rigid element to an elastic element when assembling a mechanical device or when attaching the mechanical device to a timepiece movement, particularly a driving mechanism of a jump indicator.

Background Art

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism for driving a half-instant jump indicator including a drum finger and a spring disposed within and connected to the drum, the first end of the spring being fixed to rotate together with a wheel platform, the wheel platform driving this first end, and the second end carrying a connecting member partially, movably, and with substantial play inserted into a specific recess. This recess is a recess made in the drum finger, arranged for and intended only for this connecting member.

[0005] The mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 presents various technical problems. First, according to the drawings, the connecting member of the spring is arranged in a shallow recess where this member can easily slip out. Specifically, the two side surfaces of the recess are parallel in the radial direction passing through the middle of the recess, and the connecting member has two radial flanks. The angular width of the connecting member is intentionally made significantly smaller than the angular width of the recess, especially so that this member can easily enter the recess. That is, with a relatively small impact, the connecting member can easily come out of its recess. In this case, when the spring that abuts against the teeth of the date ring is subjected to a loading action by a finger, or at any time before this spring is subjected to the loading action, the spring typically shows a slight expansion due to the friction exerted on the drum, but the connecting member empirically slips out from the side of the finger radial driving flank. In such a situation, the side wall of the drum exerts a radial force on the connecting member, and the connecting member receives the frictional force with this side wall.

[0006] When the spring that abuts against the teeth of the date ring is loaded and the connecting element comes out of the recess, then the connecting element slides along the inner side surface, and no date jump occurs until at least the driving wheel rotates once and the connecting element enters the recess again (the best scenario, but still resulting in the loss of the correct date display that missed the date jump), or until the friction force increases sufficiently for the spring to expand again to the extent that its coil contacts the side wall and a date jump occurs at an uncertain time. In the above case, after the date jump, the spring loosens and drives the drum, and the connecting member will probably undergo a sudden angular displacement along the side wall. This situation will be repeated with an uncertain and variable number of date increments for at least several days. In any case, the date driving mechanism stops functioning as soon as the connecting member comes out of its recess. This event can very likely occur for the mechanism shown in Patent Document 1.

[0007] Second, the mechanism disclosed in Patent Document 1 presents a significant problem regarding the assembly of this mechanism. As can be seen from the drawings, the cylindrical internal space of the drum finger is circular, and a recess is machined around the periphery of this circular cylindrical internal space. Since the connecting member needs to be partially inserted into the peripheral recess and remain therein during normal operation, the radial distance of this spring from the center of the rigid ring to which the first end of the spring is attached to the outer lateral surface of the connecting member is larger than the radius of the circular cylindrical internal space when the spring is stress-relieved (i.e., relaxed / stationary / in the neutral position). Such a spring configuration poses a major problem when assembling a mechanism of small dimensions (the diameter of the spring is typically less than 4 mm). Specifically, considering one possible assembly method in which the spring is in a relaxed state, the drum finger and the spring are arranged such that when brought onto the wheel platform, they are axially inserted into this recess at a relatively accurate relative angular position where the connecting member is substantially aligned with the recess of the drum finger.

[0008] The relative angular position described above is not obvious because the spring is very small. Furthermore, this spring allows the drum finger to be placed on the wheel platform such that the drum finger becomes invisible (Figure 5 of Patent Document 1) for the assembly with a hub having a shaft inserted from the side surface of the drum finger through the oblong hole of the drum finger, the hole of the rigid ring, and the central hole of the wheel platform. To allow such a relative angular position, it is necessary to provide specific technical means or delicate handling operations performed by a watchmaker. Furthermore, as long as the shaft is not inserted into the hole of the rigid ring, the connecting member can easily slip out of the recess, so that this hole is no longer axially aligned with the oblong hole of the drum finger, making assembly difficult. This is because the connecting member has to be reinserted into the recess. When separated from the recess, the connecting member is likely to be angularly displaced with respect to the recess, so that reinsertion becomes random and uncertain.

[0009] If the connecting member is not aligned with the recess after the spring and the drum finger are mounted on the wheel platform, the hole of the rigid ring cannot be aligned with the hole of the wheel platform without applying stress to the spring. However, once the spring is inserted into and covered by the inner space of the drum finger before the shaft is inserted into the hole of the rigid ring, it is unlikely that the spring will be subjected to stress and remain stressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0010]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0011] The technical background shows the need in the field of watch manufacturing for a device formed by a rigid element and an elastic element, where the elastic element is connected by a connecting member carried by the elastic element and at least partially inserted into a specific hole of the rigid element, and this device is configured to simplify its assembly or mounting inside a watch movement with respect to the connection between the rigid element and the elastic element. The technical background further shows the need for an easily implementable method for connecting the rigid element to the elastic element during the assembly or mounting of such a device.

[0012] To achieve this objective, the present invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a device formed by a support, a movable rigid element, and an elastic element connected to the rigid element, the elastic element having a first end arranged to move with the support at least in a first direction and a second end carrying a connecting member at least partially inserted into a specific recess made in the rigid element. The support, the rigid element, and the elastic element are arranged so that they can be pre-mounted on the timepiece movement when the device is formed, or in an intermediate state such that the first end of the elastic element is arranged to move in the first direction with the support, the support having, together with the rigid element and the elastic element, an initial relative position in a range of possible relative positions in which the elastic element is relaxed and the connecting member is arranged outside its specific recess, and can be pre-assembled in the intermediate state. The rigid element includes a stress-applying ramp provided for the elastic element and arranged near the specific recess, the stress-applying ramp being arranged such that when assembling or mounting the device from the intermediate state into the interior of the timepiece movement, the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying ramp by a guiding relative movement (MR) in a first direction (D1) between the rigid element and the support from the initial relative position, and then follows the stress-applying ramp and approaches its specific recess while the relative movement is continued such that it has at least a non-zero component in the first direction, and the stress-applying ramp is arranged such that the connecting member is displaced relative to the support during the continuation of the relative movement. The at least one non-zero component is arranged to be located in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, and the elastic element is thus stressed. After following the stress-applying ramp and approaching its specific recess, the connecting member can at least partially penetrate into the recess while the elastic element is at least partially relaxed and ultimately occupies a functional connection position remaining during the normal operation of the timepiece movement.

[0013] According to a particular alternative embodiment, the device is configured such that once the connecting member is in the functional connection position, the elastic element is substantially relaxed, i.e., stress-relieved, after the device has been assembled or mounted inside the timepiece movement.

[0014] According to a main embodiment, the first direction is an angular direction with respect to the axis of rotation, which defines a rotation around this axis, and the second direction is a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation and passes through the geometric center of the connecting member.

[0015] According to a general alternative embodiment, the certain range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends at least 20°.

[0016] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the certain range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends at least 45°, preferably at least 60°.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the main embodiment, the device is a mechanism for driving a jump indicator, the elastic element is a spring including a coil between its first end and its second end, the support is a wheel platform rotatably mounted around the axis of rotation to drive the first end of the spring, and the rigid element includes a drive finger arranged to periodically drive the jump indicator in a given driving direction.

[0018] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the stress - applying ramp is arranged such that when the connecting member follows the stress - applying ramp and approaches its specific recess, the connecting member is displaced radially towards the axis of rotation, and thus the coil of the spring receives stress.

[0019] The present invention further relates to a method of connecting a rigid element to an elastic element when assembling or mounting a device intended to form a movement, the elastic element including a first end intended to be assembled to a support included in the device or a timepiece movement, and a second end carrying a connecting member intended to be assembled to the rigid element for connecting the rigid element to the elastic element, the rigid element having a specific recess for the connecting member and a stress - applying ramp located near the specific recess and intended to guide the elastic element while applying stress to the elastic element during the connecting method. The connecting method is ·attaching a first end of the elastic element to the support so as to move integrally in a first direction; ·positioning the support, together with the elastic element and the rigid element, at an initial relative position among a range of possible relative positions, wherein at the possible relative positions the elastic element is relaxed, and at the initial relative position the stress application ramp is located between the connecting member and the specific recess of the rigid element, from which position the rigid element and the support can perform a guiding relative movement in the first direction, at least during assembly or mounting of the device, and the elastic element, together with the connecting member and the rigid element, is configured such that the stress application ramp crosses a geometric direction parallel to the first direction through a contact point between the connecting member and the stress application ramp; Thereafter, ·a connecting step of applying the guiding relative movement in the first direction between the support and the rigid element such that the connecting member abuts against the stress application ramp, wherein the connecting member then follows the stress application ramp while a relative movement having at least one non-zero component in the first direction continues, and the stress application ramp is configured to generate a displacement of the connecting member relative to the support having at least one non-zero component in a second direction not parallel to the first direction while applying stress to the elastic element during the continuation of the relative movement, and the relative movement continues until the connecting member at least partially penetrates into the specific recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction and ultimately occupies a functional connection position where the connecting member remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement, and the connecting member and the specific recess are configured to allow the connecting member to reach this functional connection position after following the stress application ramp during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element;

[0020] According to a specific implementation example, the spring, the connecting member and the stress application ramp are arranged to slide in an end zone of the stress application ramp during the relative movement after the connecting member follows the stress application ramp and before the connecting member reaches its functional connection position in the specific recess (36) during the connecting step.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, the stress-applying ramp, the spring and the connecting member are arranged such that when the connecting member follows the stress-applying ramp and approaches its specific recess, the connecting member rotates about itself. Thereby, the subsequent penetration of the connecting member into its specific recess is promoted or allowed so that the connecting member can reach the functional connection position.

[0022] According to another advantageous implementation example, the first direction is an angular direction with respect to the axis of rotation, which defines a rotation about this axis of rotation, and the second direction is a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation and passes through the geometric center of the connecting member. Thereby, the connecting member is displaced radially following the stress-applying ramp as it approaches its specific recess.

[0023] In other embodiments of the timepiece movement according to the invention and in other embodiments of the method according to the invention, it is intended that a guiding relative movement is carried out between the support and the rigid element until the connecting member comes into contact with the stress-applying ramp. This movement is not a rotational movement. In other words, a first direction that is not an angular direction, specifically a linear direction, is provided. More complex guiding relative movements can also be optionally implemented. It should be noted that the continuation of the relative movement during the second stage of the relative movement to allow the connecting member to climb the stress-applying ramp following the contact between the connecting member and the stress-applying ramp plate can be a relative movement that is more complex than the linear movement or rotation carried out during the first stage of the relative movement before the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying ramp, especially when the rigid element is displaced in response to the pressure exerted on the stress-applying ramp by the connecting member.

[0024] In a general implementation example, a rigid element is formed by or rotatably mounted on a plate, and the method includes an initial step before the connecting step, in which a hub including a shaft and a head, a wheel platform, a spring provided with a central rigid portion at a first end, and a plate are respectively, with the plate together with the rigid element mounted on the plate, the wheel platform, the spring and the plate each serving as the rigid element, the spring being arranged between the wheel platform and the plate and the head being arranged on the side opposite to the spring with respect to the plate, brought and positioned in a relative position angularly corresponding to one possible relative position, the shaft, a first hole of the plate, a second hole of the wheel platform, and a third hole defined by the central rigid portion being aligned with the rotation axis, the second hole having a smaller diameter than the first hole, and the head being at least partially stacked on the plate; and then an assembling step including a rigid mounting step, in which the shaft is forcibly inserted into the second hole of the wheel platform, the plate is made to be rotatable freely around the shaft, and the head ultimately securely holds the plate in the axial position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be described in detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings given as non-limiting examples.

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 3C

Figure 3D

Figure 3E

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7A

Figure 7B

Figure 7C

Figure 7D

Figure 7E

Figure 7F

Figure 8A

Figure 8B

Figure 9

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4B are used not only to explain the first embodiment of the timepiece movement 2 according to the present invention incorporating a device for driving the jump indicator, but also to explain the first embodiment of a method for connecting a rigid element to an elastic element during the assembly or attachment of the device.

[0028] Device 6 forms a mechanism for driving jump indicator 4, particularly by means of a semi-instantaneous jump. This device 6 includes a support formed by wheel platform 8, a rigid element forming drum finger 10 and disposed above the wheel platform, and an elastic element formed by spring 16. This spring includes a first end 17, a coil 18, and a second end 19. Wheel platform 8 has a rotation axis 22. Drum finger 10 defines a drive finger 12 that drives indicator 4, which in this case forms a date ring. This drum finger has a drive flank 14 intended to contact the teeth of the teeth 5 of the indicator to drive the indicator to jump. The drum finger is rotatable relative to the wheel platform 8 and is rotatably guided around the rotation axis 22 by a shaft 28 having a hub 26 passing through an oval hole 34 in the drum finger. The first end 17 of spring 16 is connected to a rigid portion 24 attached so as to rotate together with the wheel platform 8. Preferably, the spring and the central portion form one and the same part.

[0029] Drum finger 10 is formed by a plate 30 and an axial wall 32 disposed at the edge of this plate. Plate 30 extends above spring 16 and an oval hole 34 is machined. Axial wall 32 is inclined towards wheel platform 8 and in one alternative embodiment, axial wall 32 can be placed on the platform. That is, the drum finger defines an internal space 9 in which the spring is disposed. A part of the axial wall and a part of the plate laminated thereon together form a drive finger, which advantageously has a height extending at least from the lower side of the spring to the upper surface of the plate. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, wheel platform 8 and central rigid portion 24 are driven at the shaft 28 of hub 26. Hub 26 further includes a head 27 that partially extends above plate 30 so as to hold drum finger 10 in a fixed axial position.

[0030] The axial wall 32 has a recess 36 in the drive finger. The recess 36 has a lateral opening on the side of the spring 16, i.e., on the side of the rotation axis 22 of the device 6. The second end 19 of the spring is extended by a member 20 that connects to the rigid element 10 (i.e., in this case the drum finger). This connecting member 20 is configured to be at least partially insertable into the recess 36 through the lateral opening. The recess 36 is a specific recess for the connecting member, and with the recess 36, the spring can then apply a driving couple to the rigid element 10. In the alternative embodiment described, the connecting member 20 is rigid.

[0031] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the recess 36 has a lateral surface 54 that is obliquely oriented in the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8. The indicator is intended to be driven in this rotational direction 56 relative to the radial direction passing through the center of the lateral surface. The connecting member 20 has a lateral flange 52 that faces the lateral surface, and this lateral flange 52 is also obliquely inclined in the same direction as the lateral surface and abuts at least partially against the lateral surface each time the spring 16 is loaded to drive the jump indicator using the mechanism 6. The connecting member 20 has a nose 42 that defines the lateral flange 52. This nose 42 is configured to fit into a complementary shape of the recess 36 having substantially the same outer shape. This specific feature ensures that while the spring is being pulled during the loading action, the connecting member is accurately held in a given driving position within the recess. The lateral surface exerts a reaction force on the nose 42 of the connecting member, which has an outward component and thus a component towards the bottom of the specific recess 36. That is, despite the contraction of the spring 16, the nose 42 remains in a given driving position. This driving position remains the same and is substantially maximum during the loading action of the spring, with the radius of application of the driving force of the spring to the drum finger remaining the same. This feature maximizes the couple transmitted for a given driving force of the spring during the loading action.

[0032] According to a particular feature, the connecting member 20 has a rear heel 52, which, once inserted into its particular recess 36, is intended to prevent the rotation of the connecting member about itself in the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform (the rotational direction intended to drive the indicator). This rear heel is extended by the contact surface 46 and abuts against the angular stop 48 when the loading action on the spring ends, and then jumps the indicator. Preferably, the angular stop 48 is arranged on the angular extension line of the coil 18 of the spring, between the first end 17 of the spring and the rigid ring 24, and is defined by one and the same part forming the rigid ring and the spring.

[0033] Furthermore, in an advantageous alternative embodiment, the recess has a minimum dimension on its opening side. This minimum dimension is slightly smaller than the maximum dimension of the connecting member perpendicular to the radial direction with respect to the central axis of the rigid ring that coincides with the rotation axis 22 in the state where the spring is in an angular relaxation state. Further typically, the connecting member and its particular recess are arranged such that the connecting member cannot exit from its particular recess without at least one translation with respect to the rigid part, that is, without at least one rotation about its own axis (rotation about its geometric center about an axis parallel to the rotation axis 22). To enter the particular recess through the side opening, the connecting member has to rotate slightly about itself, that is, about its geometric center 21. Due to this feature, once the connecting member is properly inserted into the particular recess and thus in a certain functional connection position, there is almost no risk of it slipping out of the recess. However, there is also not no possibility of slipping out in exceptional cases in a particular impact event. According to one advantageous alternative embodiment of the connection method according to the invention, the connection is brought about by the slight rotation of the connecting member required for the alternative embodiment described here.

[0034] Once the connecting member 20 is assembled to the drum finger 10, without external stress, especially without impact, this connecting member, regardless of the state of the device 6, i.e., even during the period when there is no interaction between the tooth portion 5 of the indicator 4 and the drive finger 12, and even when the spring is under non-angular stress, when the spring is loaded before the indicator jumps, when the indicator jumps, and even when the spring expands and is slightly stressed, especially when the wheel platform 8 is rotated in a direction opposite to the intended direction for driving the indicator 4 to correct the time in the counterclockwise direction, and even when the spring contracts and acts, it will normally always remain connected to the drum finger 10. In conclusion, during the normal operation of the timepiece movement 2, the connecting member 20 remains connected to the drum finger as intended, i.e., remains located in the specific recess 36, and thus remains integrated with the drum finger. Typically, once the timepiece movement is assembled and completed, the connecting member occupies a functional connection position, and it is assumed that this position will be maintained during the normal operation of the timepiece movement. It should be noted that during normal operation, there is no impact expected to generate strong acceleration, but the timepiece movement is typically exposed to strong acceleration.

[0035] One general implementation example of a method for connecting a rigid element to an elastic element during the assembly or mounting of a device intended to form a timepiece movement will be described below. Thereafter, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E, a first implementation example of the connecting method according to the present invention will be described.

[0036] Typically, during the assembly or mounting of a device intended to form a timepiece movement, the method of connecting a rigid element to an elastic element is related to the elastic element, particularly a spring that can have various shapes. This spring has a first end intended to be assembled to a support, particularly a wheel platform, included in the device or timepiece movement, and a second end carrying a connecting member intended to be assembled to the rigid element for connecting the rigid element to the elastic element. The rigid element, in particular, a lever or drum finger that is arranged to be relatively movable with respect to the support and is intended to exert a return force, has a specific recess for the connecting member and a stress-applying ramp arranged in proximity to the specific recess and intended to instantaneously stress and guide the elastic element during the connection method along a geometric direction parallel to the first direction through the contact point between the connecting member and the stress-applying ramp.

[0037] According to a general implementation example, the connection method comprises · attaching the first end of the elastic element to the support so as to move integrally in a first direction; · positioning the support, together with the elastic element and the rigid element, in an initial relative position among a range of possible relative positions, in which possible relative position the elastic element is relaxed, in which initial relative position the stress-applying ramp is located between the connecting member and the specific recess of the rigid element, from which position the rigid element and the support can perform a guiding relative movement in the first direction, at least during the assembly or mounting of the device, and the elastic element, together with the connecting member and the rigid element, is configured such that the stress-applying ramp crosses a geometric direction parallel to the first direction through the contact point between the connecting member and the stress-applying ramp; and then · A connecting step of applying a guiding relative movement in the first direction between the support and the rigid element so that the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying inclined path, wherein the connecting member then follows this stress-applying inclined path while a relative movement having at least one non-zero component in the first direction continues, and the stress-applying inclined path is configured to generate a displacement of the connecting member relative to the support having at least one non-zero component in a second direction not parallel to the first direction while applying stress to the elastic element during the continuation of this relative movement, and the relative movement continues until the connecting member at least partially penetrates into the specific recess, while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction and ultimately occupies a functional connection position where the connecting member remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement, and the connecting member and the specific recess are configured to allow the connecting member to reach this functional connection position after following the stress-applying inclined path during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element, including the connecting step.

[0038] In a first implementation example of such a method, the first direction is the angular direction D1 with respect to the rotation axis 22, which defines a rotation about this axis, and the second direction is the radial direction D2 with respect to the rotation axis 22, and this radial direction D2 passes through the geometric center 21 of the connecting member, and thus, this connecting member is displaced radially following the stress-applying inclined path 40 as it approaches its specific recess 36. The device is a mechanism 6 for driving the jump indicator 4, and the elastic element is a spring 16 including a coil 18 between its first end 17 and its second end 19. The support is a wheel platform 8 that drives the first end of the spring 16 to define the rotation axis 22. The rigid element 10 includes a driving finger 12 for driving the jump indicator in a given driving direction.

[0039] In a first implementation example of the connecting method, which is a special case of a general implementation example, the aforementioned steps are, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E, · attaching the first end 17 of the spring 16 to rotate together with the wheel platform 8; · Positioning the wheel platform 8 and, in particular, the rigid element 10 forming the drum fingers at an initial relative position IRP within a certain range of possible relative angular positions P1(θ) in which the spring 16 is relaxed (Figure 3A), the spring and the rigid element being arranged such that such a certain range of relative angular positions exists in the relaxed state of the spring, the stress application ramp 40 being installed between the connecting member 20 and the recess 36 of the rigid element 10 at the initial relative position IRP, the rigid element 10 and the wheel platform 8 being capable of guiding a relative movement MR in the angular direction D1 about the axis of rotation 22 from the initial relative position IRP during the assembly or mounting of the mechanism 6, the spring 16 being configured, together with the connecting member 20 and the rigid element 10, to cross a geometric line L3 that defines a circle through the contact point CP of the connecting member by the stress application ramp 40 as described Thereafter · A connecting step of applying a relative guiding movement MR in the angular direction D1 (from Figure 3B to Figure 3E) between the wheel platform 8 and the rigid element such that the connecting member 20 abuts against the stress application ramp 40 (Figure 3B), the connecting member 20 then following this stress application ramp (Figure 3C), the connecting member then following this stress application ramp while the relative movement in the angular direction D1 continues, the stress application ramp 40 being configured to generate a displacement of the connecting member relative to the wheel platform during the continuation of the relative movement, this displacement having at least one non-zero component in the radial direction D2 while applying stress to the spring 16, the relative movement continuing until the connecting member at least partially penetrates into its specific recess 36 (Figure 3E), the spring undergoing at least partial relaxation in the radial direction, preferably complete relaxation, and ultimately the connecting member occupying a functional connection position where it remains during the normal operation of the timepiece movement, the connecting member 20 and the specific recess 36 being configured to allow the connecting member to reach the functional connection position after following the stress application ramp 40 during the relaxation of the elastic element, including the connecting step.

[0040] It should be noted that the spring 16 is forced to contract during the relative movement MR which is carried out through a specific recess 36 defined by the rigid element in order to connect the spring 16 to the rigid element 10. The connecting member 20 is carried by the second end 19 of the spring. This connecting member is preferably formed so as to be integrated with the spring, and thus forms the same part as the spring. Advantageously, the central rigid ring 24 is also attached to the first end 17 of the spring so as to form the same part as the spring. That is, as shown in the figure, the spring, the connecting member and the central rigid ring are formed by the same integral part. Further, the spring 16 and the rigid ring 24 are arranged so as to have a free space 38 when the spring is relaxed. The connecting member 20 can enter the free space 38 when the spring contracts. This is important for the connecting method in the illustrated alternative embodiment and is also important for the operation of the mechanism 6 when driving the indicator 4, especially the date ring.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B (the oblong hole 34 of the plate 30 is shown by a dashed line), once the mechanism 6 is assembled according to the above-described connecting method, this mechanism is mounted on the timepiece movement 2 according to the present invention, and the wheel platform 8 is intended to be driven in the rotational direction 56 by the time display mechanism. That is, the rigid element 10 forming the drum finger including the drive finger 12 is rotationally driven by the wheel platform, and at midnight every day, the drive finger 12 abuts against the side flank of the tooth 5a of the tooth portion 5 of the date ring (FIG. 4A). Thereafter, during the first stage, the spring 16 is loaded by the contraction of its coil 18 until the contact surface 46 of the connecting member abuts against the angular stop 48 (FIG. 4B). Thereafter, immediately after this event, the jump of the date ring is activated. In other alternative embodiments, the jump may be activated before the contact surface 46 abuts against the angular stop 48. The angular stop 48 then forms a safety stop for the spring so that the spring does not break.

[0042] In a first implementation example of the method, when the jump indicator 4 is driven by the mechanism 6 in a given driving direction, the stress application ramp 40 is arranged upstream of the recess 36 with respect to the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8.

[0043] What the specific shape of the connecting member 20, the arrangement of the spring 16, and the configuration of the stress application ramp 40 mean is that during the connecting step, before the connecting member 20 at least partially enters a specific recess 36 and occupies a functional connection position during the guided relative movement MR, after following the stress application ramp, it slides across the end zone of the stress application ramp.

[0044] According to an advantageous alternative implementation example, the stress application ramp 40, the spring 16, and the connecting member 20 are arranged such that when the connecting member follows the stress application ramp and approaches a specific recess 36, the connecting member rotates about itself (i.e., rotates about its geometric center 21). Thereby, in a preferred alternative implementation example, the subsequent entry of the connecting member into its specific recess is promoted or allowed so that the connecting member can reach a functional connection position. As described above, this alternative implementation example is advantageous because the complementary shapes of the connecting member and the specific recess can be designed, and in practice, the connecting member will not come out of the specific recess in the event of an impact. The rotation of the connecting member about itself is caused by the relative rotational movement between the rigid element and the support (drum finger and wheel platform) during the assembly of the spring to the rigid element that defines the specific recess. This is due to the stress application ramp 40 that applies stress to the spring 16 by the displacement of the connecting member 20 towards the rotation axis 22, the displacement having a radial direction as the main component and generating a sufficient rotation that allows an orientation that enables the insertion of this member into the specific recess 36 about itself. This is worthy of note.

[0045] As can be seen in Fig. 3A, in said intermediate state, a certain range of possible relative positions P1(θ) of spring 16 in a relaxed / stress-relieved state disposed in the internal space 9 of drum finger 10 during the assembly or mounting of mechanism 6 extends approximately about 75°. This value corresponds to a preferred alternative embodiment in which the certain range of possible relative positions extends at least 60°. In a general alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends at least 20°, but in an advantageous alternative embodiment this range extends at least 45°. In the intermediate state prior to the relative rotational movement for connection, the relatively wide range of possible relative positions P1(θ) is a highly advantageous feature of the present invention. This is because it becomes possible to bring the spring and the drum finger (rigid element) together without requiring precise initial positioning therebetween. Further, in the intermediate state, since the spring is relaxed / stress-relieved, the supply and initial positioning of the spring in the axial position are facilitated, and in particular, neither the precise initial relative positioning for initially arranging the connecting member to face its specific recess nor the application of stress to the spring in said intermediate state is required. The spring is then stressed by a stress application ramp during a given guiding relative movement MR, and the connecting member is then inserted into its specific recess by at least partial relaxation of the spring. As a result, this member remains in its specific recess without external stress. The end of the stress application ramp defines the edge of the specific recess of the connecting member, and the opposite edge of this specific recess is preferably disposed at approximately the same radial distance from the axis of rotation 22.

[0046] In a particular alternative implementation of the connection method according to the present invention, the rigid element 10 is formed by the plate 30 or is rotatably mounted on the plate (when related to the second embodiment described later). The connection method includes, before the connection step, an initial step in which the wheel platform 8, the spring 16, and the plate 30, and in particular the drum finger 10 which is partially formed by this plate 30 in the illustrated alternative embodiment, are brought into and positioned at the initial relative position with the spring positioned between the wheel platform and the plate, and then an assembly step including the rigid attachment step, in which a hub 26 including a shaft 28 and a head 27 is brought to the side of the plate, the shaft is inserted into a first hole 34 (an oval hole in the illustrated alternative embodiment) of this plate, inserted into a rigid ring 24 to which the first end 17 of the spring is attached, and ultimately inserted into a second hole of the wheel platform 8. The second hole is dimensioned such that the shaft 28 is forcibly inserted into the second hole, while the first hole 34 is dimensioned such that the plate 30 and thus the drum finger 10 can freely rotate around the shaft and thus the rotation axis 22, and the head 27 is ultimately at least partially stacked on the plate on the opposite side of the spring so that the plate is securely held in a fixed axial position. According to an optional additional feature, the central rigid ring 24 has a third hole and the shaft is dimensioned to be forcibly inserted into the third hole so as to rigidly attach the first end of the spring to the wheel platform. It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, the rigid ring has internal protrusions that are inserted into corresponding cavities in the shaft of the hub. That is, the rigid ring and the spring, in particular its first end 17, are attached to rotate together with the wheel platform 8. However, they are not attached via the shaft.

[0047] In an advantageous alternative implementation of the connection method according to the invention, different from the initial step of the specific alternative implementation described above, first, a hub arranged within the joint is provided, after which the drum fingers are added by inserting the shaft of the hub into the oblong holes of the drum fingers, and then the spring is added together with its rigid ring and connecting member, this assembly being positioned such that the hole of the rigid ring allows the end of the smaller-diameter shaft to pass through, and thus the rigid ring being temporarily held above the internal space 9 of the drum fingers. The wheel platform is then added and positioned such that the end of the shaft is inserted or aligned with its central hole. Finally, the rigid ring and the wheel platform are forcedly driven on the shaft such that the drum fingers can rotate freely. The device according to the invention is thus in said intermediate state.

[0048] The present invention relates to an advantageous connection method for connecting an elastic element to a rigid element of a timepiece movement device, this method having been described above, and the present invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a device, the timepiece movement being arranged so as to allow implementation of the connection method according to the invention.

[0049] That is, according to the present invention, a general embodiment of the timepiece movement according to the present invention includes a device formed by a support, a movable rigid element, and an elastic element connected to the rigid element. The elastic element includes a first end arranged to move with the support at least in a first direction, and a second end carrying a connecting member at least partially inserted into a specific recess made in the rigid element. The support, the rigid element, and the elastic element are arranged so that they can be pre-mounted on the timepiece movement when the device is formed, or in an intermediate state as follows: the first end of the elastic element is arranged to move in the first direction with the support, the support has an initial relative position in a range of possible relative positions with the rigid element and the elastic element, in which the elastic element is relaxed, and the connecting member is arranged outside its specific recess, and they are arranged so that they can be pre-assembled in the intermediate state. The rigid element includes a stress-applying ramp provided for the elastic element and arranged near the specific recess. The stress-applying ramp is arranged such that at least when assembling or mounting the device into the timepiece movement from the intermediate state, the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying ramp by a guiding relative movement in the first direction between the rigid element and the support from the initial relative position, and then can follow the stress-applying ramp and approach its specific recess while the relative movement having at least one non-zero component in the first direction is continued. The stress-applying ramp is arranged such that the connecting member is displaced relative to the support during the continuation of the relative movement. The at least one non-zero component is arranged to be located in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, and the elastic element thus receives stress. After the connecting member follows the stress-applying ramp and approaches its specific recess, the connecting member can at least partially penetrate into the recess while the elastic element is at least partially relaxed and ultimately occupies a functional connection position remaining during the normal operation of the timepiece movement.

[0050] According to certain alternative embodiments, the spring 16, the connecting member 20, and the stress - applying ramp 40 are arranged such that as the connecting member moves towards its particular recess, after following the stress - applying ramp, the relative movement continues while the connecting member slides over an end - zone of the stress - applying ramp before the connecting member reaches the functional connection position in the particular recess.

[0051] According to a main alternative embodiment, the first direction is an angular direction with respect to the axis of rotation, which defines a rotation about this axis, and the second direction is a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation and passes through the geometric center of the connecting member.

[0052] In a general alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 20°. According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions in the intermediate state extends over at least 45°, preferably at least 60°.

[0053] According to the first and second embodiments described below, the device is a mechanism 6 for driving a jump indicator 4, the elastic element is a spring 16 that includes a coil 18 between its first end 17 and its second end 19, the support is a wheel platform 8 that drives the first end of the spring and defines the axis of rotation (axis of rotation 22), and the rigid element (drum finger or lever) includes a drive finger 12 arranged such that it can periodically drive the jump indicator in a given drive direction 50.

[0054] According to a preferred alternative embodiment of the timepiece movement described above, the stress - applying ramp 40, the spring 16, and the connecting member 20 are arranged such that as the connecting member follows the stress - applying ramp and approaches a particular recess 36, the connecting member rotates about itself. This promotes or allows the subsequent entry of the connecting member into the particular recess, so that the connecting member can ultimately reach the functional connection position.

[0055] According to the first embodiment, in the timepiece movement 2, the rigid element 10 is formed by a plate 30 that extends above the spring and an axial wall 32 that is disposed at the edge of the plate and is inclined toward the wheel platform on the side facing the wheel platform 8. At least a part of the axial wall and a part of the plate stacked thereon jointly form the drive finger 12. The plate has an oblong hole and is rotatably guided about the rotation axis 22 with respect to the wheel platform by a shaft 28 that is attached to the wheel platform and passes through the oblong hole. The axial wall 32 defines a recess 36. The recess 36 has a lateral opening on the spring side (i.e., the rotation axis 22 side). The connecting member 20 is configured to be at least partially insertable into a specific recess 36 through the lateral opening, and ultimately reaches the functional connection position where it remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement. Thereafter, the spring 16 is allowed to apply a driving couple to the rigid element 10 and thus the drive finger 12 to drive the jump indicator 4.

[0056] According to an advantageous alternative embodiment, the connecting member has a first shape in the general plane of the spring, the recess has a second shape in the general plane, and the dimensions of the lateral opening do not allow the connecting member to move away from a specific recess by only one translation.

[0057] According to the illustrated advantageous alternative embodiment of the mechanism 6 of the timepiece movement according to the first embodiment, the stress application ramp 40 is disposed upstream of the recess 36 with respect to the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8 when the jump indicator 4 is driven in a given driving direction 50 by the mechanism 6, and the relative movement in the angular direction D1 between the rigid element 10 and the wheel platform is performed in the rotational direction with respect to the wheel platform.

[0058] According to a preferred alternative embodiment, the mechanism 6 is arranged such that when the connecting member 20 comes out of a specific recess 36 in the event of an impact, or when the timepiece movement 2 is subjected to a predetermined high acceleration, the jump indicator 4 can only occupy a pre-connection position upstream of the specific recess 36 with respect to the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8 when being driven in the given driving direction 56 by the mechanism. The mechanism is arranged such that when the wheel platform 8 is rotated in the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform by the timepiece movement, the connecting member can return to the functional connection position while the drive finger is in contact with the teeth of the jump indicator. This preferred alternative embodiment is worthy of attention. This is because in a specific impact event that disengages the connecting member 20 from the specific recess 36, the connecting member can only be arranged upstream of the specific recess. The connecting member is also arranged upstream of or optionally in contact with the stress-applying ramp in the illustrated alternative embodiment with an upstream stress-applying ramp. This state corresponds to the situation of automatic pre-connection between the spring 16 and the rigid element 10 (drum finger). During the normal operation of the timepiece movement, as soon as the drive finger 12 comes into contact with the teeth 5a of the indicator 4 due to the rotation of the wheel platform 8, a reconnection process similar to that occurring in the connection method of the present invention occurs. The connecting member 20 climbs the stress-applying ramp 40 again, slides through the end zone of the ramp, and optionally (if provided for the connection method) makes a predetermined rotation about itself, enters the specific recess again, and ultimately occupies the intended connection position before the spring is fully loaded, i.e., before the next jump intended to be made by the indicator. That is, once the timepiece movement 2 is assembled, the fact that the connecting member 20 comes out of its specific recess does not adversely affect the driving of the indicator 4 by the mechanism. The indicator does not miss a jump, and automatic reconnection is performed.

[0059] Here, a second embodiment of the timepiece movement according to the present invention will be described. The elements and references already described above will not be elaborated again.

[0060] The timepiece movement 62 according to the second embodiment is first characterized in that the rigid element of the mechanism 60 is a lever 66 mounted on a plate 11 of the mechanism. The plate 11 having a circular central hole 34A is rotatably guided about a rotation axis 22, which is a first rotation axis, with respect to a wheel platform 8 by a shaft 28 to which the wheel platform is attached. The lever 66 is rotatably mounted on the plate 11 about a second rotation axis 72 remote from the first rotation axis 22, and the second rotation axis is disposed at a first end of the lever. Specifically, the lever is formed by an arm 67, which at its first end includes a stud 74 inserted into a corresponding hole in the plate 11 so as to be pivotable about the second rotation axis 72, and at the side of its second end includes a drive finger 68 and an inner portion defining a specific recess 76 for a connecting member 70. The inner portion includes a front portion 78 defining a stress application ramp 80 for a spring 16A (these elements will be described in detail below). The mechanism 60 further includes a stop 90 integrated into the plate 11. The stop 90 limits the rotation of the lever 66 in a first rotation direction corresponding to the radial movement of the drive finger away from the first rotation axis 22.

[0061] In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the plate 11 has a lateral surface, one zone of which defines the stop 90, and the drive finger 68 is held in a fixed angular position with respect to the second rotation axis, and thus in a fixed position with respect to the first rotation axis, such that the upper rear portion 92 of the finger can abut against the stop 90, particularly when the indicator 4 is driven (FIG. 8B), or in the context of the present invention, as will be explained below, when the connecting member 70 follows one of the at least one end of the stress application ramp 80 (FIGS. 7D and 7E).

[0062] Typically, when the stress-applying ramp 80 causes the connecting member 70 to approach a specific recess 76 following the stress-applying ramp, the connecting member exerts a couple in the first rotational direction on the lever 66, and while the connecting member 70 undergoes a displacement in the radial direction D2 towards the first rotation axis 22 at least in the end section of the stress-applying ramp, the lever abuts against the stop 90 and the spring 16A is arranged to receive stress. Again, the first end 17 of the spring 16A is connected to the central rigidity ring 24A, while the second end 19 supports the connecting member 70. The spring includes a coil 18A between these two ends. The coil 18A has an internal protrusion 82 on the side of the second end. The internal protrusion 82 is intended to stop the contraction of the spring, i.e., its coil 18A, when the mechanism 60 is mounted on the clock movement 62 and operating, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B which are similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B regarding the first embodiment. These FIGS. 8A and 8B show the mechanism 60 and the date ring 4 including the tooth portion 5, and respectively, when the ring is driven to change to the next date at midnight, i.e., - when the drive finger 68 contacts the tooth 5a of the ring, and when the spring 16A is substantially angle-relaxed (i.e., no angular stress is applied), - when the loading action on the spring 16A has ended, and when the internal protrusion 82 of the spring contacts the angular stop 84 arranged to follow the first end 17 of the spring between the first end and the rigidity ring 24A.

[0063] The plate 11 and the lever 66 are arranged such that the lever 66 can rotate from a first position facing the stop 90 in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction and reach a second position where the drive finger 68 retreats / pulls in toward the side of the first rotation axis 22. The stress-applying ramp 80 is configured such that when the spring 16A is in a relaxed / stress-relieved state and the lever is disposed at the second position, the connecting member 70 contacts the stress-applying ramp 80 (FIG. 7B) during the relative movement MR between the lever and the wheel platform 8, and then can follow the stress-applying ramp and approach a specific recess 76 (FIGS. 7C to 7E). In such a case, in the first section of the stress-applying ramp, during the relative movement MR, the connecting member 70 exerts a force on the second end of the lever to rotate the lever in the first rotation direction (FIG. 7C) until the lever contacts the stop 90 (FIG. 7D).

[0064] FIG. 7D shows the contact point CP and the geometric line L3 involved in the connection method. According to the present invention, in the situation shown in FIG. 7D where the lever contacts the stop 90 and the spring 16A is relaxed, the spring 16A, together with the connecting member 70 and the lever 66, is configured such that the stress-applying ramp 80 crosses the geometric line L3, passes through the contact point CP of the connecting member 70, and defines a circle around the rotation center axis 22. At least this is necessary. Specifically, in a general alternative embodiment of the connection method of the device including the lever 66, the step of positioning the lever can be performed before the connection step. This positioning step consists of bringing the lever into contact with the stop 90, i.e., placing it in its first position, before the relative movement MR between the wheel platform 8 and the plate 11. It should be noted that in the alternative embodiment described here, the connecting member 70 performs a relative movement with respect to the support, called relative movement, in a second direction D2 towards the rotation axis 22. The spring 16A is stressed only when the connecting member 70 follows / continues to climb the stress-applying ramp of the second section arranged to follow the first section on the recess 76 side (FIG. 7E) after the lever 66 abuts against the stop 90 (FIG. 7D). Finally, while the connecting member 70 enters a specific recess 76 through its side opening, the spring undergoes a rapid partial relaxation, and the relative movement ends with a small reaction in the direction opposite to the movement direction when the connecting member climbs the stress-applying ramp, allowing the member to reach the intended connection position (FIG. 7F). In this functional connection position, the spring may still be slightly stressed or relaxed radially. In a state where no moment of any force is applied to the connecting member, the spring is thus completely relaxed.

[0065] In this second embodiment, it can be seen that the relative movement MR between the wheel platform 8 (support) and the lever 66 (rigid element) can include three stages if the lever is not initially in contact with the stop 90. This relative movement includes a first stage that ends when the connecting member 70 contacts the stress-applying ramp 80. During this stage, the relative movement occurs in the angular direction D1. That is, it occurs by rotation about the axis 22 guided by the shaft 28 of the hub 26 (note here that it is considered that the lever does not rotate about its own axis 72). Thereafter, as shown, the relative movement continues until the connecting member is inserted into the specific recess 76. That is, in the second stage of the relative movement MR, this relative movement becomes more complex because the lever gradually rotates about its own axis 72 until it contacts the stop 90. In this second stage, the relative movement MR continues to have a component in the angular direction D1, that is, the required guiding rotation about the central axis 22, but a component also appears in the rotation of the lever 66 about its axis 72. This second stage is also referred to as the "initial stage". This can indeed be said to be the initial stage with respect to the fact that the connecting member follows / climbs the stress-applying ramp.

[0066] After that, once the lever abuts against the stop 90, its rotation about the axis 72 ends and the third stage of the relative movement, which again becomes a rotation about the central axis, begins. During this third stage, the spring is stressed radially, and the connecting member 70 performs a radial movement with respect to the wheel platform, i.e., towards the rotation axis 22 of the wheel platform. It should be noted that the appearance of the radial stress of the spring due to the radial displacement of the connecting member does not eliminate any angular stress related to the angular displacement of the connecting member with respect to the wheel platform. Exactly, the stress-applying ramp is arranged such that, during the continuation of the relative movement, the connecting member is displaced with respect to the support (wheel platform 8), and at least one of its non-zero components is in a second direction (D2) that is not parallel to the first direction (D1), and thus the elastic element (spring 16) may be said to be stressed. In a general and accurate manner, it can be said that, to cover the relative movement that can be as complex as in this case here, the stress-applying ramp is such that, at least during the assembly of the device or during the mounting of the device in the clock movement from the intermediate state defined above, the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying ramp by the guiding relative movement of the rigid element and the support from the initial relative position (IRP) in the first direction (D1), and then follows the stress-applying ramp and approaches a specific recess, while the relative movement is arranged to be continued by at least one non-zero component in the first direction.

[0067] The connecting member 70 is configured to be able to at least partially penetrate into its specific recess 76 through the side opening of the recess. In particular, the recess has a side surface 54A that is obliquely oriented in the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8, and in that direction, the indicator 4 is intended to be driven radially with respect to the center of the side surface. The connecting member 70 has a side flange 52A that is arranged to face the side surface 54A in the functional connection position (see FIGS. 7B and 7F). This side flange 52A is also obliquely inclined in the same direction as the side surface and at least partially abuts against this side surface when at least the indicator is driven (see FIG. 8B). This special feature ensures that the connecting member is firmly held in the specific recess as soon as the spring 16A contracts. Furthermore, the side surface 54A and the side flange 52A are relatively long.

[0068] The recess 76 is typically triangular in shape and gradually opens towards its side opening. The shape of the portion of the connecting member 70 inserted into the specific recess from the side opening substantially corresponds to the shape of the recess. With this configuration, advantageously, the connecting member can be easily inserted into the specific recess. However, a priori, although the recess is intended to be relatively deep, this member would come out extremely easily in the event of an impact. However, the spring 16A is arranged such that when the spring is loaded, the connecting member 70 is present at a short distance from the inner end 17 of the spring that is rigidly connected to the central portion 24A. In such a situation, the connecting member 70 will not come out of the specific recess even if an impact is applied. Furthermore, when the spring 16A is substantially relaxed and the drive finger does not interact with the teeth 5 of the indicator, the connecting member 70 cannot escape laterally from its specific recess in the event of an impact. That is, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that the connecting member cannot come out of the specific recess 76 even if the spring relaxes or is stressed when the spring is loaded before the indicator jumps.

[0069] Once inserted into the specific recess 76, the connecting member 70 is advantageously held in the specific recess by the radial force of the spring 16A applied in the outward direction with respect to the connecting member. This radial force is increased by the fact that, during a rapid date change or during a counterclockwise time correction passing midnight, the drive finger 68 and the connecting member 70 are retracted / pulled in the direction of the axis of rotation 22 via the clockwise rotation of the lever (second rotation direction of the lever). Thus, even when the spring 16A is somewhat expanded in such a situation, the connecting member is normally held in the specific recess in this way. Specifically, considering that the plate 11 rotates in a direction opposite to the relative rotation direction of the plate during the connection method with respect to the wheel platform 8, i.e., when the date ring 4 is driven by the mechanism 60, the connecting member 70 might theoretically come out of the specific recess 76. However, when such a correction is made, unlike during the connection method, the drive finger and the connecting member return towards the central axis.

[0070] During rapid counterclockwise correction of the date or time, when the drive finger 68 retracts due to rotation of the lever 66 in the second direction toward the axis of rotation 22, the connecting finger 68 moves closer to the central portion 24a so that it can no longer escape from the specific recess 76 after a predetermined initial rotation of the lever. During this initial rotation, the spring 16A is stretched under a predetermined angular stress and theoretically may allow the connecting member to escape from its specific recess in the event of an impact. However, when the connecting member is substantially accelerated in the direction of the axis of rotation 22 of the wheel platform 8, the lever is subjected to a predetermined couple. This couple causes rotation of this lever about its axis of rotation 72, and since the drive finger follows the connecting member, the connecting member remains at least partially within its specific recess. If acceleration occurs in a direction substantially passing through the center of gravity of the lever and its axis of rotation 72, the connecting member 70 may move out of the specific recess 76. However, the internal projection 82 of the spring can be configured to prevent the connecting member from completely escaping from its specific recess. In conclusion, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that the connecting member 70 remains in its specific recess 76 during normal operation, so that the connecting member is always integral with the drive finger during normal operation and in most cases cannot escape from the specific recess during impact, preferably not at all.

[0071] The second embodiment is further distinguished from the first embodiment in that when the jump indicator 4 is driven in a given driving direction 50 by the mechanism 60, the stress application ramp 80 is arranged downstream of the recess 76 with respect to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform 8. Thereby, when the jump indicator 4 is driven, the relative movement MR between the lever 66 and the wheel platform provided with the spring 16 is performed in a direction opposite to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform. This second embodiment corresponds to a second implementation example of the connection method according to the present invention. The relative movement MR between the lever 66 and the wheel platform 8 is performed in a direction opposite to the rotation direction 56 of the wheel platform when the jump indicator is driven in a given driving direction 50 by the mechanism, and the spring 16A is extended during the connection method. The second implementation example of the method is already shown in FIGS. 7A to 7F described above. In FIG. 7A, the spring 16A, the wheel platform 8 and the lever 66 are in an initial relative position IRP together with the plate 11 to which the lever is attached. The initial relative position IRP is within a range of possible relative positions P2(θ) that extends approximately 90° here with respect to the initial relative position IRP. In other alternative embodiments, the range extends only approximately 20° or 30°. That is, in a general alternative embodiment, the range extends at least 20°. In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the range of possible relative positions extends at least 45°, preferably at least 60°. It should be noted that in the illustrated example, the lever 66 is initially in its second position retracted / pulled in towards the axis of rotation 22. The assembly of the various elements with the hub 26 is performed in the same manner as described for the first embodiment.

[0072] Advantageously, the arrangement of mechanism 60 is such that during the mounting of the mechanism, if the connecting member 70 is ultimately positioned beyond its particular recess 76 due to relative movement over too great a distance (the situation shown in FIG. 9), the connecting member can instantaneously occupy a pre-connection position upstream of its particular recess 76 with respect to the rotational direction 56 of the wheel platform 8 when the indicator 4 is driven. When the wheel platform 8 is driven in the rotational direction 56 while the drive finger 68 is in contact with the teeth 5a of the jump indicator 4, the mechanism 60 is arranged such that the connecting member moves from the pre-connection position to the functional connection position (FIG. 8A). If the device 60 is inadvertently mounted on the clock movement 62 in the state shown in FIG. 9 (i.e., with the connecting member in the pre-connection position), as soon as the drive finger 68 contacts the teeth 5a of the indicator during the normal operation of the clock movement, the connecting member 70 follows the inner flank 88 of the lever 66 and the connecting member automatically reaches its particular recess 76 and assumes the intended connection position. The spring 16A can then be contracted so as to be intended to allow the jump drive of the indicator 4. Needless to say, in such a case, to test the operation of the mechanism 60, it is necessary to change the position of the minute hand on its axis so as to jump the indicator if the needle has already been mounted prior to the test.

Claims

1. A timepiece movement (2, 62) comprising a device (6, 60) formed by a support (8), movable rigid elements (10, 66), and elastic elements (16, 16A) connected to said rigid elements, wherein said elastic elements comprise a first end (17) arranged to move with said support in at least a first direction (D1), and a second end (19) carrying a connecting member (20, 70) that is at least partially inserted into specific recesses (36, 76) made in said rigid elements, characterized in that said support, said rigid elements and said elastic elements are arranged to be pre-mounted or pre-assembled in an intermediate state in said timepiece movement when said device is formed, - said first end of said elastic element is arranged to move in said first direction (D1) with said support, - said support, together with said rigid elements and said elastic elements, has an initial relative position (IRP) in which said elastic element is relaxed, among a range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)), and - said connecting member is arranged outside said specific recesses, said rigid element comprises a stress-applying ramp (40, 80) provided for said elastic element and arranged near said specific recess, said stress-applying ramp being arranged such that, at least when assembling or mounting said device from said intermediate state into the interior of said timepiece movement, the connecting member abuts against said stress-applying ramp by a guiding relative movement (MR) in a first direction (D1) between said rigid element and said support from said initial relative position, and then follows said stress-applying ramp and approaches said specific recess, while said relative movement can be continued such that it has at least a non-zero component in said first direction, said stress-applying ramp being arranged such that during said continuation of said relative movement, the connecting member is displaced relative to said support and at least one of its non-zero components is in a second direction (D2) not parallel to said first direction (D1), so that said elastic element is thus stressed, and said connecting member, after following said stress-applying ramp and approaching said specific recess, can at least partially penetrate into said recess, while said elastic element is at least partially relaxed and ultimately occupies a functional connection position remaining during the normal operation of said timepiece movement The timepiece movement (2, 62) as set forth in. **Claim 2** The spring (16), the connecting member (20), and the stress-applying ramp (40) are arranged such that, after the connecting member moves following the stress-applying ramp toward its specific recess (36), the connecting member can slide over an end zone of the stress-applying ramp, while the relative movement is continued until the connecting member reaches the functional connection position in its specific recess. The timepiece movement according to claim 1, characterized in that. **Claim 3** The timepiece movement according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member (20, 70) is rigid. **Claim 4** The first direction (D1) is an angular direction with respect to the rotation axis (22) and defines rotation around the axis, and the second direction (D2) is a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis (22) and passes through the geometric center (21) of the connecting member (20, 70). The timepiece movement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that. **Claim 5** The timepiece movement according to claim 4, characterized in that the range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state extends over an angular range of at least 20°. **Claim 6** The timepiece movement according to claim 4, characterized in that the range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state extends over an angular range of at least 60°. **Claim 7** The device is a mechanism (6, 60) for driving a jump indicator (4), the elastic element is a spring (16, 16A) including a coil (18, 18A) between its first end and its second end, the support is a wheel platform (8) rotatably mounted around the rotation axis (22) and driving the first end (17) of the spring, and the rigid element (10, 66) includes a driving finger (12, 68) arranged to be able to periodically drive the jump indicator (4) in a given driving direction (50). The timepiece movement according to claim 4, characterized in that. **Claim 8** The stress-applying inclined paths (40, 80) are arranged such that when the connecting members (20, 70) approach the specific recesses (36, 76) following the stress-applying inclined paths, the connecting members are displaced radially toward the rotation axis (22), and thus the coils (18, 18A) of the spring receive stress, the timepiece movement according to claim 7.

9. The stress-applying inclined path (40), the spring (16), and the connecting member (20) are arranged such that when the connecting member follows the stress-applying inclined path and approaches the specific recess (36), the connecting member rotates about itself, and subsequent entry of the connecting member into the specific recess (36) is facilitated or permitted such that the connecting member can ultimately reach the functional connection position, the timepiece movement according to claim 8.

10. The features are that the rigid element is formed by a plate (30) extending above the spring (16) on the side facing the wheel platform (8) and an axial wall (32) arranged at an edge of the plate and inclined toward the wheel platform, at least a part of the axial wall and a part of the plate stacked thereon jointly form the drive finger (12), the plate has an oblong hole (34), and the plate is mounted on the wheel platform rotatably about the rotation axis (22) relative to the wheel platform and guided by a shaft (28) passing through the oblong hole. that the axial wall defines the specific recess (36), the specific recess (36) has a lateral opening on the side of the spring (16), the connecting member (20) at least partially penetrates the specific recess through the lateral opening and ultimately reaches the functional connection position, and then is configured to allow a driving couple to be applied to the spring by the rigid element (10) and thus to the drive finger (12) to drive the jump indicator (4). in the timepiece movement according to claim 7.

11. The connecting member (20) has a first shape in the general plane of the spring, the specific recess (36) has a second shape in the general plane, and the dimensions of the lateral opening are such that the connecting member is not allowed to move away from the specific recess by only making at least one translation. The timepiece movement according to claim 10, characterized in that.

12. When the jump indicator (4) is driven by the mechanism (6) in the given driving direction (50), the stress-applying ramp (40) is arranged upstream of the specific recess (36) with respect to the rotational direction (56) of the wheel platform (8), and the relative movement (MR) about the rotation axis (22) between the rigid element (10) and the wheel platform is performed in the rotational direction with respect to the wheel platform. The timepiece movement according to claim 7, characterized in that.

13. The rigid element is a lever (66) mounted on a plate (11) included in the mechanism (60). The plate is rotatably guided about the rotation axis (22), which is a first rotation axis, by a shaft (28) to which the wheel platform is attached, with respect to the wheel platform (8). The lever is mounted on the plate rotatably about a second rotation axis away from the first rotation axis. The second rotation axis is arranged at the first end of the lever. The lever forms the drive finger (68) at its second end. The mechanism includes a stop (90) integrated with the plate. The stop (90) limits the rotation of the lever in a first rotational direction corresponding to the radial movement of the drive finger (68) away from the first rotation axis (22). When the connecting member (70) approaches the specific recess (76) along the stress-applying ramp (80), the connecting member exerts a couple on the lever in the first rotational direction. The connecting member undergoes a radial displacement towards the first rotation axis at least in the end section of the stress-applying ramp, while the lever abuts against the stop so that the spring is stressed. The timepiece movement according to claim 7, characterized in that it is arranged as such.

14. The plate (11) has a lateral surface, one zone of the lateral surface defining the stop (90), and the drive finger (68) is arranged such that when the connecting member (70) follows the at least one end section of the stress application ramp (80), the upper rear part (92) of the drive finger abuts against the stop (90), whereby it is held in a fixed angular position relative to the second rotation axis (72) and thus in a fixed position relative to the first rotation axis (22). The timepiece movement according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. The features are that the plate (11) and the lever (66) are arranged so that the lever can rotate in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction from a first position where the lever abuts against the stop (90) to reach a second position where the drive finger (68) retreats towards the side of the first rotation axis (22); the stress application ramp (80) is configured such that the connecting member (70) abuts against the stress application ramp during the relative movement between the lever and the wheel platform (8) when the spring (16A) is not under stress and the lever is in the second position, and then can follow the stress application ramp and approach the specific recess (76), while in an initial stage, it is configured to generate rotation of the lever until the lever abuts against the stop; The timepiece movement according to claim 13, wherein.

16. The stress application ramp (80) is arranged downstream of the specific recess (76) with respect to the rotation direction (56) of the wheel platform (8) when the jump indicator (4) is driven in the given drive direction (50) by the mechanism (60), and the relative movement (MR) between the lever (66) and the wheel platform is performed in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the wheel platform with respect to the wheel platform. The timepiece movement according to claim 13, characterized in that.

17. The features are that If, during the mounting of the mechanism (60), the arrangement of the mechanism is such that, due to relative movement over too great a distance, the connecting member (70) is ultimately positioned beyond the specific recess (76), the connecting member is adapted to instantaneously occupy a pre-connection position upstream of the specific recess with respect to the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform. When the wheel platform (8) is driven in the direction of rotation while the drive finger (68) is in contact with the tooth (5a) of the jump indicator (4), the mechanism is arranged such that the connecting member (70) can move from the pre-connection position to a functional connection position. A timepiece movement according to claim 16, as set forth in. **Claim 18** The timepiece movement according to claim 16, characterized in that the mechanism (6, 60) is arranged such that the connecting member cannot escape from the specific recess (36, 76) even if the spring (16, 16A) relaxes or is stressed when the indicator (4) acts on the spring before jumping in the drive direction (50). **Claim 19** The timepiece movement according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the event of an impact or when the timepiece movement is subjected to a predetermined acceleration, if the connecting member (20) escapes from the specific recess (36), the connecting member (20) is arranged to be able to occupy only a pre-connection position upstream of the specific recess with respect to the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform when the jump indicator (4) is driven in the given drive direction by the mechanism (6), and the mechanism is arranged such that the connecting member can return to the functional connection position while the drive finger (12) is in contact with the tooth (5a) of the jump indicator (4) when the wheel platform (8) is rotated by the timepiece movement in the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform. **Claim 20** A method of connecting a rigid element (10, 66) to an elastic element (16, 16A) when assembling or mounting a device (6, 60) intended to form a timepiece movement (2, 62). The elastic element includes a first end (17) intended to be assembled to a support (8) included in the device or the watch movement, and a connecting member (20, 70) intended to be assembled to the rigid element for connecting the rigid element to the elastic element. The rigid element has a specific recess (36, 76) for the connecting member and a stress-applying ramp (40, 80) located near the specific recess and intended to guide the elastic element while applying stress to the elastic element during the connecting method. The connecting method is as follows: - attaching the first end (17) of the elastic element to the support (8) so as to move integrally in a first direction (D1); - positioning the support together with the elastic element and the rigid element at an initial relative position (IRP) among a range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)), in which possible relative positions the elastic element is relaxed, and in which initial relative position the stress-applying ramp is located between the connecting member (20, 70) and the specific recess of the rigid element, from which position the rigid element and the support can perform a relative movement (MR) in the first direction (D1) at least during the assembly or mounting of the device, and the elastic element, together with the connecting member and the rigid element, is configured such that the stress-applying ramp (40, 80) crosses a geometric straight line (L3) parallel to the first direction through a contact point (CP) between the connecting member and the stress-applying ramp; which includes After that, - A connecting step of applying a relative movement (MR) in the first direction (D1) between the support (8) and the rigid elements (10, 66) such that the connecting member abuts against the stress-applying inclined path, wherein the connecting member then follows the stress-applying inclined path while the relative movement is continued such that it has at least one non-zero component in the first direction, and the stress-applying inclined path is configured to generate a displacement of the connecting member relative to the support that has at least one non-zero component in a second direction that is not parallel to the first direction while applying stress to the elastic element during the continuation of the relative movement, and the relative movement is continued until the connecting member at least partially penetrates into the specific recesses (36, 76), while the elastic element undergoes at least partial relaxation in the second direction (D2) and ultimately occupies a functional connection position where the connecting member remains during any normal operation of the timepiece movement, and the connecting member and the specific recesses are configured to allow the connecting member (20, 70) to reach the functional connection position after following the stress-applying inclined path during the at least partial relaxation of the elastic element. A method comprising the above.

21. The spring (16), the connecting member (20) and the stress-applying inclined path (40) are arranged to slide in an end zone of the stress-applying inclined path during the relative movement (MR) before the connecting member reaches the functional connection position in the specific recess (36) after following the stress-applying inclined path during the connecting step, as claimed in claim 20.

22. The stress-applying inclined path (40), the spring (16) and the connecting member (20) are arranged such that when the connecting member follows the stress-applying inclined path and approaches the specific recess (36), the connecting member rotates about itself, thereby facilitating or allowing the subsequent penetration of the connecting member into the specific recess such that the connecting member can reach the functional connection position, as claimed in claim 20.

23. The first direction (D1) is an angular direction with respect to the axis of rotation (22), defining rotation about said axis, the second direction (D2) being a radial direction passing through the geometric center (21) of the connecting member with respect to the axis of rotation (22), the connecting member thus being displaced radially following the stress-imparting ramp (40) when approaching the specific recess (36), the connecting method according to claim 20.

24. The device is a mechanism (6, 60) for driving a jump indicator (4), the elastic element being a spring (16, 16A) comprising coils (18, 18A) between its first end (17) and its second end (19), the support being a wheel platform (8) rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation (22) for driving the first end (17) of the spring, the rigid element (10, 66) comprising a drive finger (12, 68) for driving the jump indicator (4) in a given drive direction (50), the connecting method according to claim 23.

25. The stress-imparting ramp (40) is arranged upstream of the specific recess (36) with respect to the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform (8) when the jump indicator (4) is driven in the given drive direction by the mechanism (6), the connecting method according to claim 24.

26. The stress-imparting ramp (80) is arranged downstream of the specific recess (76) with respect to the direction of rotation (56) of the wheel platform (8) when the jump indicator (4) is driven in the given drive direction by the mechanism (60), the connecting method according to claim 24.

27. The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending at least 20°, the connecting method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

28. The range of possible relative positions (P1(θ), P2(θ)) in the intermediate state is an angular range extending at least 45°, the connecting method according to any one of claims 23 to 26.

29. The rigid element (10, 66) is formed by a plate (30) or rotatably mounted on a plate (11), Characterized in that the method is, An initial step during the assembly of the device before the connecting step, wherein a hub including a shaft (26) and a head (27), the wheel platform (8), a spring (16, 16A) having a central rigid portion (24, 24A) provided at a first end, and the plate are respectively, with the plate together with the rigid element mounted on the plate, the wheel platform, the spring, and the plate each as the rigid element, the spring being disposed between the wheel platform and the plate and the head being disposed on the side opposite to the spring with respect to the plate, being brought and positioned in a relative position angularly corresponding to one of the possible relative positions, the shaft, a first hole of the plate, a second hole of the wheel platform, and a third hole defined by the central rigid portion being aligned with the rotation axis, the second hole having a smaller diameter than the first hole, and the head being at least partially stacked on the plate; an initial step. A subsequent assembly step including the rigid attachment step, wherein the shaft is forcibly inserted into the second hole of the wheel platform, allowing the plate to rotate freely around the shaft, and the head ultimately securely holding the plate in the axial position; an assembly step. The connecting method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, which includes this. [

30. ] The connecting method according to claim 29, characterized in that the third hole is dimensioned such that the shaft (28) is also forcibly inserted into the third hole during the assembly step so as to rigidly attach the first end (17) of the spring to the wheel platform (8).

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