Drive device for clock mechanism

Abstract

A drive device (1) for a timepiece mechanism, comprising: a drive member (2) rotatably mounted around a rotating shaft (10) and configured to drive the timepiece mechanism, the drive member (2) having a plurality of support surfaces (21); a first transmission member (3) movable in a winding motion from a first position of the first transmission member (3) to a second position of the first transmission member (3) and a return motion from the second position of the first transmission member (3) to the first position of the first transmission member (3); and a second transmission member (4) movable in a winding motion from the first position of the second transmission member (4) to the second position of the second transmission member (4) and a return motion from the second position of the second transmission member (4) to the first position of the second transmission member (4). and a second transmission member (4) movable from a first position to a second position and a return movement of the second transmission member (4) to the first position, wherein each transmission member (3; 4) is configured to rotate and drive the drive member (2) by cooperating with a support surface (21) of the plurality of support surfaces (21) during the return movement from the second position to the first position, wherein the second transmission member (4) is configured not to hinder the rotation of the drive device (2) when the first transmission member (3) drives the drive member (2), and wherein the first transmission member (3) is configured not to hinder the rotation of the drive member (2) when the second transmission member (4) drives the drive member (2). A timepiece comprising a timepiece movement and such a drive device, wherein the first transmission member is configured to be moved by the timepiece movement from a first position of the first transmission member to a second position of the first transmission member by a winding action, and the second transmission member is configured to be moved by a manual control mechanism from a first position of the second transmission member to a second position of the second transmission member by a winding action.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive device for a timepiece mechanism, in particular a drive device that allows the activation of a timepiece mechanism, such as an animation, a display and / or a striking mechanism, upon passing or upon request. [Background technology]

[0002] Some timepieces include one or more complications that allow them to display additional information in addition to the time, e.g., other time-related information, and / or to create decorative and entertaining animations and / or to emit sounds, e.g., to indicate the time or for alarms. These complications, when incorporated into a timepiece, comprise a timekeeping mechanism that is arranged to activate at a specific moment, e.g., upon elapse of time or upon request via a control member that can be activated by a user. Typically, the animation or display moves cyclically, i.e., starting from an initial position, one or more animation or display members move through a specific series of positions before returning to the initial position. Similarly, striking movements typically emit a predetermined striking period, e.g., corresponding to time information, upon each activation.

[0003] The clock mechanism of such a complication is generally associated with a transmission member that transmits to the clock mechanism the power necessary to move one or more of the animation, display and / or striking members. If the clock mechanism is associated with the clock movement of the watch, the transmission member can, for example, be powered by a drive member of the clock movement or can be independent of the clock movement.

[0004] The possibility of activating a complication on demand and on passage generally requires a relatively complex drive device for the watch mechanism, sometimes requiring two separate drive members, the size and complexity of which can complicate their incorporation into a timepiece, particularly a wristwatch. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose a drive device for a timepiece mechanism which makes it possible to operate the timepiece mechanism on passage and on demand with a single drive member.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to propose a drive device for a clock mechanism that allows the clock mechanism to be operated on passage and on demand in a simple and compact way, with a minimum number of moving parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] These objects and other advantages are achieved by a drive device for a timepiece mechanism, the drive member being rotationally mounted around a rotating shaft and configured to drive the timepiece mechanism, the drive member comprising a plurality of support surfaces; a first transmission member movable in a winding motion from a first transmission member first position to a first transmission member second position and a return motion from the first transmission member second position to the first transmission member first position; a second transmission member movable in a winding motion from the second transmission member first position to the second transmission member second position and a return motion from the second transmission member second position to the first transmission member first position; and a second transmission member movable from the second position of the drive device to the first position of the drive device and a return movement of the second transmission member to the first position of the drive device, each transmission member being configured to rotationally drive the drive member by cooperating with a support surface of the plurality of support surfaces during the return movement from the second position to the first position, the second transmission member being configured not to inhibit rotation of the drive device when the first transmission member drives the drive member, and the first transmission member being configured not to inhibit rotation of the drive member when the second transmission member drives the drive member.

[0008] The clock mechanism can therefore be driven by a single drive member which can be moved by either the first transmission member or the second transmission member, and the movement of the drive member is not hindered by a non-operating transmission member.

[0009] Preferably, the first transmission member and the second transmission member are rotatably mounted about the rotating shaft and rotate in one rotational direction during the winding motion and in the opposite rotational direction during the return motion.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the first transmission member and the second transmission member each include a pressing member for cooperating with the support surface to urge the drive member to rotate, each pressing member being located at the distal end of a flexible arm, the proximal end of each of the flexible arms being rotatably mounted around the rotation shaft.

[0011] Thus, the first and second transmission members can each encourage rotation of the drive member by pressing the pressing member against the support surface of the drive member, and the non-operating transmission member allows rotation of the drive member in a ratchet manner.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the drive device further comprises a first spring for moving the first transmission member in a return movement from the first transmission member second position to the first transmission member first position, and a second spring for moving the second transmission member in a return movement from the second transmission member second position to the second transmission member first position, the first and second springs preferably being configured to wind during a winding movement of the respective transmission members from the first position to the second position, the winding movement being performed against a return force of the springs.

[0013] The drive member comprises, for example, teeth.

[0014] The bearing surfaces are preferably regularly arranged around the rotary shaft on the diameter of the drive member, thereby enabling a stepwise advancement of the drive member with each actuation by the transmission member, the angular pitch of the drive member corresponding for example to the angle between two adjacent bearing surfaces or a multiple thereof.

[0015] The support surface is preferably formed on the inner periphery of a ring of the drive member, which ring is preferably arranged protruding from the plate of the drive member, which represents the advantage that the transmission member can be arranged at least partly within this ring, which allows a compact design of the drive device according to the invention.

[0016] Optionally, the drive device comprises a deactivation mechanism, for example making it possible to decouple the first transmission member from the drive member. This allows deactivation of the first transmission member when setting the time of the clock movement, in particular if the first transmission member is controlled in its passage by the clock movement, in order to avoid damage to the drive device. This also alternatively or additionally allows, by suitable control, temporary deactivation of the timepiece mechanism driven by the drive device.

[0017] The above-mentioned objects and other advantages are also achieved by a timepiece comprising a timepiece movement and such a drive device, wherein the first transmission member is configured to be moved in a winding motion from its first position to its second position by the timepiece movement, and the second transmission member is configured to be moved in a winding motion from its first position to its second position by a manual control mechanism.

[0018] In such a timepiece, the disabling mechanism is preferably activated automatically when the timepiece movement is able to receive a time-setting action, for example when the winding stem is pulled.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the deactivation mechanism may be activated upon request by the user, for example using a user-accessible "on / off" button on the watch.

[0020] The timepiece is, for example, a wristwatch.

[0021] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, illustrated in the figures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a partial view of a drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the drive device partially shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a first transmission member. [Figure 4] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a first transmission member. [Figure 5] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a first transmission member. [Figure 6] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a first transmission member. [Figure 7] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a first transmission member. [Figure 8] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a second transmission member. [Figure 9] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a second transmission member. [Figure 10] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a second transmission member. [Figure 11] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the actuation of the drive device of FIG. 1 by a second transmission member. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows in detail the deactivation mechanism of the drive device of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The drive device 1 of the invention is a device that allows the activation of a clock mechanism (not shown), for example an animation, a display and / or a striking mechanism, for example upon passing or on request. Preferably, the drive device 1 is intended to drive, for example, an animation, a display device or a clock mechanism that operates cyclically with a striking cycle, the drive device 1 being configured to proceed step by step, each step preferably corresponding to a cycle of the clock mechanism to be driven.

[0024] With reference to the figures, the drive device 1 of the present invention comprises a drive member 2 mounted for rotational movement around a rotating shaft 10. The drive member 2 is configured to drive a timepiece mechanism driven by the drive device 1. According to exemplary embodiments, the drive member 2 is, for example, a toothed wheel, the teeth 29 of which are intended to mesh with a mating moving part of the timepiece mechanism (not shown, for example a toothed wheel). However, other configurations of the drive member are also possible within the scope of the present invention. According to some embodiments, the drive member is, for example, a cam or teeth which actuate a hammer lifting element for a striking mechanism.

[0025] According to the invention, the drive device 1 comprises two transmission members 3, 4 for moving a drive member 2 around a rotating shaft 10 so as to operate the clockwork mechanism driven by the drive device 1. According to the invention, each transmission member 3, 4 is configured to move only the drive member 2. Furthermore, each transmission member 3, 4 is configured to allow movement of the drive member 2 when the drive member 2 is caused to move by the other transmission member 4, 3. Each time the drive member 2 is moved by a transmission member 3, 4, the drive member 2 is preferably advanced by one predetermined step in one rotational direction, for example clockwise. This step is preferably determined so as to correspond to driving the clockwork mechanism through a complete cycle.

[0026] As will be explained in more detail below, each transmission member 3, 4 is configured to reciprocate between a first position (e.g., an inoperative position) and a second position (e.g., a wound position). During movement of the transmission members 3, 4 from the inoperative position to the wound position, the drive member 2 is not moved by the transmission members 3, 4. During movement of the transmission members 3, 4 back in the opposite direction from the wound position to the inoperative position, the drive member is moved and rotated around the rotatable shaft 10 in a particular direction, e.g., one step in the clockwise direction.

[0027] According to the illustrated embodiment, each transmission member 3, 4 comprises a pressing member 30, 40 configured to come into contact with the support surface 21 of the drive member 2 so as to urge the drive member 2 to rotate over at least a portion of one revolution, corresponding for example to a full cycle of a clockwork mechanism driven by the drive device 1. Each pressing member 30, 40 is, for example, arranged at the distal end of a flexible arm 31, 41, the proximal end of which is, for example, mounted to rotate around the rotating shaft 10, around which the drive member 2 also rotates. Each flexible arm 31, 41 is preferably configured to be flexible in the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft 10 so as to be able to slide on the surface of the drive member 2 when the drive member 2 is moved by the other flexible arm 41, 31, and to be rigid in the tangential direction relative to the rotating shaft 10 so as to be able to urge the drive member 2 to rotate by cooperation of the corresponding pressing member 30, 40 and the support surface 21. Thus, each transmission member 3, 4 functions as a pawl, allowing relative rotation of the drive member 2 with respect to the transmission member 3, 4 in a first rotational direction, and preventing rotation of the drive member 2 with respect to the transmission member 3, 4 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, as soon as the corresponding pressing member 30, 40 comes into contact with the support surface 21 of the drive member 2. Each flexible arm 31, 41 comprises, for example, a rigid base rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 10 and extending substantially radially from the rotating shaft 10, and an elongated portion extending from the end of the rigid base substantially as an arc of a circle relative to the rotating shaft 10 and flexible in the radial direction relative to the rotating shaft 10.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the drive member 2 preferably comprises a plurality of support surfaces 21 intended to cooperate with the pressure members 30, 40 to cause rotation of the drive member 2. The support surfaces 21 are formed, for example, by inner notches formed on a ring 20 of the drive member 2. The ring 20 is arranged, for example, projecting onto a plate of the toothed wheel 2. The ring 20 is, for example, formed in one piece with the drive member 2 or is fixed to the drive member 2, for example by welding. The notches are preferably uniformly distributed on the inner circumference of the ring 20. In the illustrated case, there are five notches, each spaced 72° apart.

[0029] Preferably, the transmission members 3, 4 are configured to operate independently of each other: the first of the two transmission members 3, 4, the transmission member 3, is intended to be operated by clockwork movement, for example by clockwork movement of a timepiece in which the drive device 1 is integrated with a clockwork mechanism driven by the drive device 1; the second of the two transmission members 3, 4, the transmission member 4, is intended to be operated by a control mechanism that can be activated at the request of the user of the timepiece, for example by means of a button or other suitable actuator arranged on the case of the timepiece.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2 , the first transmission member 3 includes, for example, a pinion 32 fixed to a flexible arm 31 of the first transmission member 3 and rotating in cooperation with the arm. The pinion 32 meshes with a first rack 39 intended to be driven by, for example, a watch movement. When the drive device 1 is incorporated into a watch, operation of the watch movement drives, for example, the first rack 39 with a winding action to rotate clockwise against the force of a first spring 38, e.g., a first leaf spring. The clockwise rotation of the first rack 39 rotates the first transmission member 3 counterclockwise. The first spring 38 exerts an elastic force on the first rack 39 that tends to return the first rack 39 counterclockwise to a first position of the first rack 39, typically an inoperative position, corresponding to the first position of the first transmission member 3. At a moment determined by the clock movement, the first rack 39, having reached a second position (typically the winding position) corresponding to the second position of the first transmission member 3, is released by the clock movement and returns counterclockwise to its inoperative position under the action of the first spring 38. In this way, the first transmission member 3 is driven clockwise through at least part of a revolution. As will be explained in more detail below, during this return movement of the first rack 39, the pressing member 30 of the first transmission member 3 abuts against the support surface 21 of the drive member 2, urging it to rotate preferably through a part of a revolution corresponding to one cycle of the timepiece mechanism driven by the drive device 1, for example an animation, display and / or striking cycle.

[0031] The second transmission member 4 includes, for example, a rack 42 fixed to a flexible arm 41 of the second transmission member 4 for cooperative rotation therewith. The rack 42 meshes with, for example, a second rack 49 intended to be driven by a control mechanism upon demand. When a user of a watch incorporating the drive device activates the control mechanism, for example by pressing a button on the watch, the second rack 49 is driven with a winding action to rotate clockwise against the force of a second spring 48, for example a second leaf spring. The clockwise rotation of the first rack 39 drives the first transmission member 3 to rotate counterclockwise. The first spring 38 exerts an elastic force on the second rack 49 that tends to return the second rack 49 counterclockwise to a first position (usually an inoperative position) of the second rack 49 corresponding to the first position of the second transmission member 4. For example, when the user releases the button and / or the button has moved a predetermined distance, the second rack 49, which has reached a second position corresponding to the second position of the second transmission member 4, typically a wound position, is released by the manual control mechanism and returns to its inactive position in a counterclockwise direction under the action of the second spring 48. In this way, the second transmission member 4 is driven clockwise through at least a portion of one revolution. As will be explained in more detail below, during this return movement of the second rack 49, the pressing member 40 of the second transmission member 4 abuts against the support surface 21 of the drive member 2, urging the drive member 2 to rotate through a portion of one revolution that preferably corresponds to a cycle of the timepiece mechanism driven by the drive device 1, such as an animation, display or striking cycle.

[0032] According to the illustrated embodiment, during each return movement of the first rack 39 or the second rack 49, the drive member 2 is driven by the corresponding transmission member 3, 4 to rotate through a certain fraction of a revolution, for example one-fifth of a revolution, i.e. 72 degrees. This fraction of a revolution preferably corresponds to one step of the drive member 2 corresponding to the angular pitch between two adjacent support surfaces 21 of the drive member 2, or to a multiple thereof.

[0033] 3 to 7 show the rotation of the drive member 2 during the winding operation of the first transmission member 3 and the return operation of the first transmission member 3. FIG.

[0034] 1 , the first and second transmission members 3, 4 are shown in a first position, typically an inoperative position. FIG. 3 shows the first transmission member 3 partially wound, typically between two movements, during the passage of the clockwork mechanism driven by the drive device 1. During the winding operation of the first transmission member 3, the second transmission member 4 and the drive member 2 are stationary, while the control mechanism of the second transmission member 4 is not activated by the user. As explained above, the first transmission member 3 is preferably driven counterclockwise by the clockwork movement of the timepiece in which the drive device 1 is incorporated. The rotational speed of the first transmission member 3 during the winding operation is determined by an appropriate configuration of the kinematic chain connecting the first transmission member 3 to the clockwork movement as a function of the periodicity with which the clockwork mechanism must operate, e.g., every 15 minutes, once an hour, once or twice a day, etc. During the winding operation, the pressing member 30 of the first transmission member 3 slides along the inner periphery of the ring 20 with a frictional force determined by the flexibility of its flexible arm 31 .

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the first transmission member 3 during winding, just before the pressing member 30 enters the next notch of the ring 20 under the influence of the elastic force of the flexible arm 31. FIG. 5 shows a second position of the first transmission member 3 at the end of the winding operation, typically the winding position. Preferably, the angular displacement of the first transmission member 3 during the winding operation is greater than the angular pitch between two notches of the drive member 2, as shown in FIG. 4, to ensure that the pressing member 30 passes past the next notch at the end of the winding operation. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, there are five notches, so the angular pitch between them is 72°. Therefore, the first transmission member 3 is rotated by an angle greater than 72°, preferably greater than 80°, for example 90°, during the winding operation.

[0036] At a time determined by the clock movement, the wound first transmission member 3 is released and, under the action of the first spring 38, attempts to return clockwise from the second position (typically the wound position) to the first position (typically the inoperative position shown in FIG. 1). During the return movement of the first transmission member 3, the pressing member 30 of the first transmission member 3 is inserted into the next notch of the ring 20 and presses against the corresponding support surface 21, as shown in FIG. 6, causing the drive member 2 to move clockwise, as illustrated in FIG. 7. During this rotational movement of the drive member 2 under the action of the first transmission member 3, the pressing member 40 of the second transmission member 4 slides on the inner surface of the ring 20 without impeding this rotation, with a force determined by the flexibility of the flexible arm 41 of the second transmission member 4 and the type and surface condition of the material used to manufacture the flexible arm 41 and the ring 20. At the end of the return movement of the first transmission member 3, the drive member 2 has rotated an angle corresponding to the angular pitch between the two support surfaces 21, for example one-fifth of a turn, and the first drive member 3 is again in the inoperative position it occupied in Figure 1.

[0037] 8 to 11 illustrate the actuation of the drive member 2 by the second transmission member 4, e.g., on demand between two passes by the first transmission member 3. FIG. 8 shows an example of a starting position in which the first transmission member 3 is partially wound and the second transmission member 4 is in a first position, typically an inoperative position. Initially, the second transmission member 4 is wound via a manual control mechanism, activated, for example, using a button on a watch accessible to the user. During the winding operation, the second transmission member 4 is driven counterclockwise, causing the pressing member 40 of the second transmission member 4 to slide against the inner circumference of the ring 20 until it passes the next notch. The angular displacement of the second transmission member 4 during the winding operation is preferably greater than the angular pitch between the two notches of the drive member 2, as shown in FIG. 9, to ensure that the pressing member 40 passes the next notch at the end of the winding operation. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the second transmission member 4 is rotated by an angle greater than 72°, preferably greater than 80°, for example, 90° during the winding operation. Once wound, in the second position (typically the winding position) shown in FIG. 9 , the second transmission member 4 is released and attempts to return clockwise from the second position (typically the winding position) to the first position (typically the inoperative position) under the effect of the second spring 48. During the return operation of the second transmission member 4, the pressing member 40 of the second transmission member 4 is inserted into the next notch of the ring 20 and pressed against the corresponding support surface 21, as shown in FIG. 10 , to move the drive member 2 clockwise, as shown in FIG. 11 . During this rotational movement of the drive member 2 under the action of the second transmission member 4, the pressure member 30 of the first transmission member 3 slides on the inner circumference of the ring 20 without impeding this rotation, with a force determined by the flexibility of the flexible arm 31 of the first transmission member 3 and the type and surface condition of the material used to manufacture the flexible arm 31 and the ring 20. At the end of the return movement of the second transmission member 4, the drive member 2 has rotated by an angle corresponding to the angular pitch between the two support surfaces 21, for example one-fifth of a turn, and the second drive member 4 is again in the inoperative position it occupied, for example in FIG.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the flexible arm 31 of the first transmission member 3 is preferably located in a different plane from the flexible arm 41 of the second transmission member 4, which allows each transmission member 3, 4 to move independently of each other without risk of collision.

[0039] Preferably, referring to FIG. 12 , the drive device 1 of the present invention further comprises a deactivation mechanism that allows the first transmission member 3 to be deactivated, for example, to allow the time of a watch incorporating the drive device 1 to be set, without risk of damaging the drive device or being triggered by the first transmission member 3. The deactivation mechanism is activated automatically, for example, via a crown stem (not shown), when setting the time of the watch. Alternatively or additionally, the deactivation mechanism can be activated on demand, for example, to allow the user of the watch to temporarily deactivate the time mechanism driven by the drive device 1 of the present invention, for example, during the passage of time. This allows, for example, the user to stop the corresponding animation, display, and / or striking of the watch for a certain period of time. Activation of the deactivation mechanism 5 on demand is realized, for example, using a button accessible to the user, such as an "on / off" button on the watch.

[0040] According to the illustrated embodiment, the deactivation mechanism comprises a deactivation arm 5 which acts against the return force on the flexible arm 31 of the first transmission member 3 and moves the pressure member 30 of the first transmission member 3 away from the ring 20 so as to be out of contact with the support surface 21. The deactivation arm 5 acts on the flexible arm 31 of the first transmission member 3, e.g. on the corresponding pressure member 30, e.g. via a pin 33 which is preferably arranged close to the distal end of the flexible arm 31.

[0041] According to the illustrated embodiment, the drive member 2 comprises five support surfaces 21 regularly arranged around the rotating shaft 10 on the diameter of the drive member 2. However, other embodiments are also possible within the scope of the invention. In particular, the number of support surfaces may vary and is determined, for example, by the angular pitch that the drive member must cover to drive the clockwork mechanism during each complete cycle in operation. The distribution of the support surfaces around the rotating shaft may also be irregular, for example, if the clockwork mechanism driven by the drive device is configured to operate in a series of cycles, some of which have different durations.

[0042] It is also possible to configure the drive device of the present invention so that upon each actuation of the drive member by the first transmission member and / or the second transmission member, the drive member rotates by one step which is a multiple of the angular pitch between two adjacent support surfaces.

[0043] According to the illustrated embodiment, the transmission member is configured to rotate the drive member in a clockwise direction during each step, and each actuator member 3, 4 is configured to rotate counterclockwise during a winding motion and clockwise during a return motion. It is of course within the scope of the present invention to configure the transmission member to rotate the drive member in a counterclockwise direction during each step, and each actuator member 3, 4 is thus configured to rotate clockwise during a winding motion and counterclockwise during a return motion, and the orientation of the support surface of the drive member is reversed with respect to the orientation of the support surface 21 of the drive member 2 shown.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the transmission member is configured to urge the drive member to rotate. However, other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, it is conceivable that the transmission member could be configured to pull on the drive member by means of a hook cooperating with a suitable bearing surface on the drive member.

[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmission member transfers to the drive member a power stored by a spring and previously stored during winding of the corresponding transmission member, for example by using a clock movement or by using a manual control mechanism, for moving the drive member. However, other power sources for moving the transmission member are also feasible. For example, the transmission member can be directly driven in a reciprocating motion, for example by a clock movement via a suitable disconnection system, a manual lever, etc.

[0046] The kinematic chain elements between the transmission members and the corresponding power sources can also differ from the rack and pinion implemented in the illustrated embodiment, for example, they can include other types of gears and / or other forms of transmission elements, such as pulleys or any other suitable components.

[0047] The drive device has been described above as having two transmission members acting on the same drive member and actuated by different means according to different criteria. Of course, within the scope of the present invention, the drive device may comprise three or more transmission members configured to act on and move the same drive member. According to some embodiments, for example, the drive device comprises, in addition to the first and second drive members described above, a third drive member, preferably configured to move the drive member according to yet another criterion. The third drive member is actuated by a dedicated mechanism, for example, in response to an external prompt, e.g., an environmental prompt such as a change in pressure, acceleration, etc.

Claims

1. A drive device (1) for a clock mechanism, comprising: a drive member (2) rotatably mounted around a rotating shaft (10) and configured to drive a timepiece mechanism, the drive member (2) comprising a plurality of support surfaces (21); a first transmission member (3) that is movable in a winding motion from a first position of the first transmission member (3) to a second position of the first transmission member (3) and in a returning motion from the second position of the first transmission member (3) to the first position of the first transmission member (3); a second transmission member (4) that is movable in a winding motion from a first position of the second transmission member (4) to a second position of the second transmission member (4) and in a returning motion from the second position of the second transmission member (4) to the first position of the second transmission member (4); Equipped with each of the transmission members (3, 4) is configured to rotate and drive the drive member (2) by cooperating with a support surface (21) of the plurality of support surfaces (21) during the return movement from the second position to the first position; The second transmission member (4) is configured not to prevent rotation of the drive device (2) when the first transmission member (3) drives the drive member (2), and the first transmission member (3) is configured not to prevent rotation of the drive member (2) when the second transmission member (4) drives the drive member (2). Drive device (1).

2. 2. The drive device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission member (3) and the second transmission member (4) are rotatably mounted around the rotating shaft (10) and rotate in one rotational direction during a winding operation and in the opposite rotational direction during a return operation.

3. 3. The drive device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the first transmission member (3) and the second transmission member (4) each comprise a pressing member (30, 40) that cooperates with a support surface (21) of the plurality of support surfaces (21) to promote rotation of the drive member (2), and each pressing member (30, 40) is located at a distal end of a flexible arm (30, 40), and the proximal end of each of the flexible arms (30, 40) is rotatably mounted around the rotation shaft (10).

4. The drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a first spring (38) that moves the first transmission member (3) in a return movement from the second position of the first transmission member to the first position of the first transmission member; and a second spring (48) that moves the second transmission member (4) in a return movement from the second position of the second transmission member to the first position of the second transmission member.

5. 5. The drive device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the first spring (38) and the second spring (48) are configured to be wound up during a winding movement of the respective transmission members (3, 4).

6. The drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive member (2) comprises teeth.

7. The drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support surfaces (21) of the plurality of support surfaces (21) are regularly arranged around the rotating shaft (10) on the diameter of the drive member (2).

8. 8. The drive device (1) according to claim 7, wherein a support surface (21) of the plurality of support surfaces is formed on the inner periphery of a ring (20) of the drive member (2), the ring (20) preferably being arranged to protrude from the plate of the drive member.

9. A drive device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a deactivation mechanism (5) making it possible to decouple the first transmission member (3) from the drive member (2).

10. A timepiece comprising a timepiece movement and a drive device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first transmission member (3) is moved by the timepiece movement from a first position of the first transmission member to a second position of the first transmission member with a winding action, and the second transmission member (4) is moved by a manual control mechanism from a first position of the second transmission member to a second position of the second transmission member with a winding action.

11. 11. Timepiece according to claim 10, wherein the deactivation mechanism (5) is activated automatically when the timepiece movement is able to undergo a time-setting operation.

12. 12. A watch according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the deactivation mechanism (5) is operable on demand by the user.

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