Hand-setting device for horological movement

Abstract

To eliminate any risk of damage to a horological movement when watch hands are set.SOLUTION: A hand-setting device 10 for a watch includes a winding stem 11. The winding stem 11 is configured to occupy a hand-setting position in which the winding stem 11 is engaged with a hand-setting gear train 20 kinematically connected to a time display 30 and a 24-hour wheel 31. The 24-hour wheel 31 is engaged with a barrel 40 including a main spring 40 for supplying energy for displaying a time value, the barrel 40 includes a click mechanism 41, and the click mechanism 41 is configured to permit rotation of the barrel 40 through more than one revolution when the winding stem 11 is rotated in a first direction, and to limit rotation of the barrel 40 to an angular amplitude corresponding to less than one revolution when the winding stem 11 is rotated in a second direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watch manufacturing, and more particularly to a hand setting device for a wristwatch.

Background Art

[0002] Wristwatch hand setting devices are incorporated into watch movements and are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0003] For example, a commonly used hand setting device includes one or more intermediate wheels that kinematically connect a winding stem intended to be operated by a user to a minute wheel connected to a time display.

[0004] When a watch movement includes one or more watch complications, the hand setting device can be designed to comply with a certain number of constraints.

[0005] The present invention fits into this context. More particularly, the present invention aims to eliminate the risk of damage to the watch movement when the wristwatch hands are set.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a hand setting device for a wristwatch, which device includes a winding stem configured to occupy a hand setting position meshing with a hand setting gear train kinematically connected to a time display and a 24-hour wheel. The 24-hour wheel engages with a barrel containing a mainspring for providing energy to display time values. The barrel includes a click mechanism, which is configured to allow rotation of the barrel exceeding one revolution with respect to the rotation of the winding stem when the winding stem rotates in a first direction, and to limit the rotation of the barrel to an angular amplitude corresponding to less than one revolution when the winding stem rotates in a second direction.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include one or more of the following features. These features need to be considered either alone or in any technically possible combination.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the hand setting gear train includes a friction wheel set configured to prevent the transmission of movement from the winding stem to the 24-hour wheel when the winding stem rotates in the second direction and the barrel is forced to a stop position by the click mechanism.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the hand setting gear train includes a transmission wheel set kinematically interposed between the friction wheel set and the time display.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the transmission wheel set is in meshing relation with the 24-hour wheel and the hour wheel.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the barrel is configured such that the mainspring is pre-tensioned when the winding stem rotates in the second direction and the click mechanism is blocking the rotation of the barrel.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the click mechanism includes a protrusion eccentrically disposed on the barrel and extending parallel to the rotation axis of the barrel, and a lever intended to cooperate with the protrusion, the lever oscillating when the winding stem rotates in the first direction and abutting against the lever when the winding stem rotates in the second direction.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the friction wheel set includes two wheels, each wheel being disposed at one end of a mandrel including a platform, one of the wheels, referred to as the "first wheel", having a pipe that applies a deformation force to an elastic member, the elastic member applying pressure to a flange, and the flange applying a clamping force to the other wheel, which is combined with the platform and referred to as the "second wheel".

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the elastic member is composed of a part that is flat in a stationary state and curved in a stressed state.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the elastic member is formed by a disk having a plurality of radial lobes at its periphery, and these lobes are intended to abut against the flange. As a result, the flange is rigidly attached to the elastic member, and they rotate together as a unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are in no way limiting.

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

[0019] Note that for clarity, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Figure 1 shows a hand setting device 10 for a wristwatch. This device is intended to be incorporated into the watch movement of the wristwatch. In the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in the figure and described in the text, the hand setting device 10 can set both the time and date of the wristwatch.

[0021] The hand setting device 10 includes a winding stem 11 that is operated by a user of the wristwatch to set the time and optionally the date. Specifically, the winding stem 11 is configured to occupy a hand setting position that meshes with a hand setting gear train 20 kinematically connected to the time display 30 and the 24 - hour wheel 31. The time display 30 is composed of an hour hand and a minute hand in the preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The 24 - hour wheel 31 meshes with a barrel 40 that includes a mainspring 40 intended to supply the energy required to display the time value, specifically the date. Specifically, the 24 - hour wheel 31 meshes with a ratchet 401 of the barrel 40. The barrel 40 may be the one described in Patent Document 1. The watch movement may include other barrels intended to supply the energy required to rotate the time display 30.

[0023] The barrel 40 includes a click mechanism 41. The click mechanism 41 is configured to allow the barrel 40 to rotate over an angular amplitude corresponding to a rotation exceeding one revolution when the winding stem 11 rotates in the first direction, and to limit the rotation of the barrel 40 to an angular amplitude corresponding to a rotation less than one revolution when the winding stem 11 rotates in the second direction.

[0024] Thanks to the features of the present invention, the user can set the hands by moving the time display 30 in both rotational directions while avoiding completely releasing the main spring 40. More specifically, setting the hands in the first direction has the effect of winding up the main spring 40. That is, the main spring 40 is released until the click mechanism 41 locks it so that the main spring 40 does not rotate. It should be noted that when the click mechanism 41 locks the mainspring 40 so that it does not rotate, the time display 30 also becomes immobile.

[0025] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the click mechanism 41 includes a protrusion 410 formed by, for example, a pin. The protrusion 410 is eccentrically arranged on the mainspring 40 and extends parallel to the rotation axis of the mainspring 40. That is, when the mainspring 40 rotates, the protrusion 410 is driven along a circular orbit around the rotation axis of the mainspring 40.

[0026] The click mechanism 41 further includes a lever 411. Since one end of the lever 411 is arranged in the path of the protrusion 410, the protrusion 410 cooperates with the lever 411 when the mainspring 40 rotates. More specifically, the protrusion 410 swings the lever 411 when the winding drum 11 rotates in the first direction and abuts against the lever 411 when the winding drum 11 rotates in the second direction. The latter case is shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] When the mainspring 40 is locked by the click mechanism 41 so that it does not rotate, that is, when the protrusion 410 is arranged in contact with the lever 411, the friction wheel set 50 advantageously enables the avoidance of damage to the timepiece movement, in particular to the components of the kinematic chain of the hand setting device 10. Specifically, such damage is likely to occur when the winding drum 11 is rotationally driven in the second direction while the mainspring 40 is locked so that it does not rotate.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the friction wheel set 50 is arranged in the needle setting gear train 20. The friction wheel set 50 is configured such that when the film roll 11 rotates in the second direction and the perfume box 40 is forced to a stop position by the click mechanism 41, the movement is not transmitted from the film roll 11 to the 24-hour wheel 31.

[0029] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the friction wheel set 50, which appears in cross-section in FIG. 2, includes a driven wheel 51 connected without freedom of movement to one end of a mandrel 52. The mandrel 52 includes a platform 53 at its other end. The driven wheel 51 has a pipe 510 extending towards the platform 53. The platform 53 preferably has an annular shoulder 530 in which the drive wheel 54 is received. The drive wheel 54 is mounted so as to rotate freely with respect to the platform 53. The drive wheel 54 is in meshing engagement with one of the plurality of intermediate wheels 21 as seen in FIG. 1.

[0030] The friction wheel set 50 further includes a flange 55 that is rotationally stationary with respect to the mandrel 52. The flange 55 includes an upper annular lip 550 that faces and abuts against the drive wheel 54, and a lower annular lip 551 that extends axially and faces the driven wheel 51. An elastic member 56 is interposed between the flange 55 and the driven wheel 51. The mandrel 52 extends through the elastic member 56, and stress is applied to the elastic member 56 by the lower annular lip 551 and the pipe 510.

[0031] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 56 is composed of a component that is flat in the stationary state and curved in the stressed state. The elastic member is formed, for example, by a disk having a plurality of radial lobes at its periphery, and the lobes are intended to abut against the lower annular lip 551. The fact that the elastic member 56 is formed by a flat component in the stationary state particularly facilitates manufacturing and ensures compliance with manufacturing tolerances. Advantageously, the mechanical stress is evenly distributed by these lobes. To facilitate the assembly of the friction wheel set 50, the pin 57 may be engaged with corresponding holes in the platform 53 and corresponding holes in the flange 55 to ensure that they rotate integrally.

[0032] The elastic member 56 is stressed so as to apply pressure to the lower annular lip 551 of the flange 55. As a result, the drive wheel 54 is clamped between the upper annular lip 550 of the flange 55 and the platform 53. That is, the drive wheel 54 transmits rotational motion to the driven wheel 51 up to a predetermined frictional torque, but when the frictional torque is exceeded, the upper annular lip 550 and the platform 53 slide so as to resist the drive wheel 54. Such frictional torque is brought about when the incense box 40 is locked so as not to rotate by the click mechanism 41 and when the roll paper 11 rotates in the second direction.

[0033] By applying stress to the elastic member 56, particularly to the disk having radial lobes, a controlled frictional torque is allowed, which facilitates the manufacture and assembly of the friction wheel set 50.

[0034] Furthermore, the interface between the platform 53 and the drive wheel 54 preferably has a sloped cross-section. The same applies to the interface of the lower annular lip 551 intended to receive the elastic member 56 in the abutting state. Such a specific arrangement of these surfaces allows for better control of the frictional torque.

[0035] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the needle setting gear train 20 includes a plurality of intermediate wheels 21 that allow the film roll 11 and the friction wheel set 50 to be kinematically connected to each other. The hand setting gear train 20 further includes a transmission wheel set 60 kinematically interposed between the friction wheel set 50 and the time display 30. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the transmission wheel set 60 is in meshing relationship with the driven wheel 51, for example, via an intermediate wheel.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the transmission wheel set 60 is in meshing relationship with the 24-hour wheel 31, the cannon pinion 32, and the hour wheel 33, and with the 24-hour pinion 61, the minute wheel 62, and the minute pinion 33, respectively, via these components.

[0037] The incense box 40 is configured such that when the film roll 11 is rotating in the second direction and the click mechanism 41 is preventing the rotation of the incense box 40, the main spring 40 is pre-loaded. Due to this feature, the main spring 40 is prevented from fully unwinding, and a predetermined amount of energy is stored in the incense box 40. In particular, this pre-loading makes it possible to control the angular position of the incense box 40.

[0038] Generally, it should be noted that the implementation examples and embodiments considered above are described as non-limiting examples, and thus other alternative examples are also possible.

[0039] Specifically, in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the driven wheel 51 and the driving wheel 54 may be reversed without changing the operation of the friction wheel set 50. In other words, the wheel referred to as the "driven wheel 51" in the text and shown in FIG. 2 may be on the driving side, and the wheel referred to as the "driving wheel 54" may be on the driven side.

Claims

1. A device (10) for setting the hands of a wristwatch, including a winding crown (11), wherein the winding crown (11) is configured to occupy a hand-setting position in which it engages a hand-setting gear train (20) kinematically connected to a time display (30) and a 24-hour wheel (31), the 24-hour wheel (31) engaging a barrel (40) including a mainspring (40) for supplying energy to display time values, the barrel (40) including a click mechanism (41), the click mechanism (41) being configured to allow rotation of the barrel (40) beyond one revolution when the winding crown (11) rotates in a first direction and to limit rotation of the barrel (40) to an angular amplitude corresponding to less than one revolution when the winding crown (11) rotates in a second direction.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hand-setting gear train (20) includes a friction wheel set (50), the friction wheel set (50) being configured such that when the winding crown (11) rotates in the second direction and the barrel (40) is forced to a stop position by the click mechanism (41), movement is not transmitted from the winding crown (11) to the 24-hour wheel (31).

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the hand-setting gear train (20) includes a transmission wheel set (60) kinematically interposed between the friction wheel set (50) and the time display (30).

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the transmission wheel set (60) is in meshing relationship with the 24-hour wheel (31) and an hour wheel (33).

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the barrel (40) is configured such that when the winding crown (11) rotates in the second direction and the click mechanism (41) prevents rotation of the barrel (40), the mainspring (40) is pre-loaded.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the click mechanism (41) includes a projection (410) eccentrically disposed on the barrel (40) and extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the barrel (40), and a lever (411) intended to cooperate with the projection (410), the lever (411) being configured to swing when the winding crown (11) rotates in the first direction and to abut against the lever (411) when the winding crown (11) is rotated in the second direction. Claim 7 The friction wheel set (50) includes two wheels (51, 54), each wheel being arranged at one end of a mandrel (52) including a platform (53), one of the wheels (51, 54) being referred to as the "first wheel" (51) having a pipe (510) applying a deformation force to an elastic member (56), the elastic member (56) applying pressure to a flange (55), the flange (55) applying a clamping force to the other wheel, which is combined with the platform (53) and referred to as the "second wheel" (54), of the device according to claim 2. Claim 8 The device according to claim 7, wherein the elastic member (56) is composed of a part that is flat in a stationary state and curved in a stressed state. Claim 9 The device according to claim 8, wherein the elastic member (56) is formed by a disc having a plurality of radial lobes at its periphery, these lobes being intended to abut against the flange (55) such that they rotate integrally when the flange is rigidly attached to the elastic member (56).

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