Kinematic connection mechanism for a timepiece movement

Abstract

To reduce energy consumption and to require only a compact volume for the moving amount of a movable component in a timepiece movement.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a kinematic connection mechanism (10) for a timepiece movement (60) configured to be arranged between an actuator (20) and a receptor (30) and comprising a driving rocker (11) configured to be rotated about an axis A1 by the actuator (20) and a driven rocker (12) rotatable about an axis A2 not parallel to the axis A1, the driven rocker (12) is kinematically connected to the drive rocker (11) by a rod assembly (13) arranged to rotate the driven rocker (12) when the drive rocker (11) is rotated, and the driven rocker (12) is arranged to cooperate with the receptor (30) when the drive rocker (11) is rotated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of timepieces, and in particular to timepiece movements.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a timepiece movement comprising a kinematic connection module interposed between a function control device and a time indication display device for displaying time indications. [Background technology]

[0003] Complicated timepieces (e.g., wristwatches, pocket watches) can be particularly complex in design.

[0004] In particular, the timepiece movements of these watches generally consist of parts, which may be numerous, that can be driven by complex kinematic mechanisms.

[0005] In this connection, it is necessary to ensure that the kinematic system of the moving parts is optimized, so that the energy consumption is as low as possible and the movement of these moving parts requires as compact a volume as possible within the timepiece movement. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention satisfies the above-mentioned needs and, to this end, relates to a kinematic connection mechanism for a timepiece movement adapted to be disposed between an actuator and a receptor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The kinematic connection mechanism includes a drive rocker configured to be rotated about axis A1 by the actuator, and a driven rocker rotatable about axis A2 that is not parallel to axis A1, the driven rocker being kinematically connected to the drive rocker by a rod assembly configured to rotate the driven rocker when the drive rocker is rotated, and the driven rocker is configured to interact with the receptor when the drive rocker is rotated.

[0008] In particular embodiments, the invention may further include one or more of the following features, selected separately or in any technically possible combination:

[0009] In certain embodiments, the rod assembly includes a connecting rod having a cap and a small end, the cap attaching the rod assembly to a driven arm of the driving rocker and the small end attaching the rod assembly to a drive arm of the driven rocker.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the small end of the connecting rod is attached to the drive arm of the driven rocker using a connecting link having a first end rotatably mounted about the drive arm of the driven rocker about axis A3 and a second end attached to the connecting rod to form a joint allowing rotation about axis A4 substantially perpendicular to axis A3.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the cap of the connecting rod has a slot formed longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod, and a guide element carried by the driven arm of the drive rocker engages the slot so that the guide element moves within the slot when the drive rocker is rotated.

[0012] The present invention further relates to a timepiece movement comprising said kinematic connection mechanism, said kinematic connection mechanism being kinematically interposed between a control member for controlling functions of said timepiece movement adapted to be actuated by a user and a time indicating display device for displaying time indications.

[0013] The kinematic connection mechanism is configured to act on the time indicating display device when the control member is acted on.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a kinematic connection mechanism according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 shows a block diagram of a timepiece movement according to the invention with the kinematic connection mechanism of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] For clarity, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0017] The invention shown in the preferred exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 relates to a kinematic connection mechanism 10 for a timepiece movement 60, adapted to be disposed between an actuator 20 and a receptor 30.

[0018] In one particular application of the present invention, the actuator 20 may be connected to a control member 40 adapted to be actuated by a user, such as a button or a crown, for controlling functions of a timepiece movement 60. The receptor 30 may also be connected to a time indication display device 50 for displaying time indications, such as a device for displaying the date, day of the week, month and / or moon phase.

[0019] As known to those skilled in the art, the concept of kinematic connection characterizes the ability to transmit motion, i.e., to move kinematically linked components. Thus, the kinematic connection mechanism 10 is capable of moving the receptor 30 when acted upon by the actuator 20. This aspect of the invention is described in detail below in preferred exemplary embodiments. The actuator 20 can be in the form of a lever, a rocker arm, an arbor, or any other suitable form.

[0020] As shown in the drawings, the kinematic connection mechanism 10 includes a drive rocker 11 configured to be rotated by an actuator 20 about an axis A1 between a locked position and an active position.

[0021] In particular, the drive rocker 11 may include a drive arm 110 to which an actuator 20 is configured to apply a force when acted upon by a user, thereby rotating the drive rocker 11. In the example shown in the drawings, the actuator 20 is in the form of a lever.

[0022] The kinematic connection mechanism 10 further includes a driven rocker 12 that is rotatable about an axis A2 that is not parallel to the axis A1. The driving rocker 11 is kinematically connected to the driven rocker 12 by a rod assembly 13 such that rotating the driving rocker 11 causes the driven rocker 12 to rotate.

[0023] The driven rocker 12 is configured to interface with the receptor 30 to move the receptor 30 when rotated.

[0024] Here, it can be seen that both the driving rocker 11 and the driven rocker 12 are adapted to move simultaneously between a locked position and an active position.

[0025] Advantageously, the driving rocker 11 and the driven rocker 12 are returned to the locked position by one or more return members, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0026] 1, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, rod assembly 13 includes a connecting rod 130 having a cap 131 and a small end 132, with cap 131 connecting rod 130 integral with driven arm 111 of driving rocker 11 and small end 132 connecting rod 130 integral with drive arm 120 of driven rocker 12. Connecting rod 130 is connected to driving rocker 11 and driven rocker 12 such that connecting rod 130 has a degree of rotational mobility relative to driven rocker 12.

[0027] To provide the mobility required in the preferred exemplary embodiment, the cap of the connecting rod 130 has a slot 133 formed longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod 130, in which slot 133 engages, with mechanical clearance, a guide element 112 carried by the driven arm 111 of the driving rocker 11. The guide element 112 can be a pin or a screw, as shown in FIG.

[0028] In turn, the small end 132 of the connecting rod 130 is attached to the drive arm 120 of the driven rocker 12 by a connecting link 140. The connecting link 140 has a first end attached to rotate about the drive arm 120 of the driven rocker 12 about axis A3, and a second end attached to the connecting rod 130 to form a rotatable joint about axis A4, which is substantially perpendicular to axis A3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, axis A3 coincides with the longitudinal axis along which the drive arm 120 of the driven rocker 12 extends.

[0029] Thus, when the driving rocker 11 is driven from its locked position to its active position, the guide element 112 describes a curved path about axis A1 and exerts a force on one of the ends of the slot 133, rotating the driven rocker 12 to its active position. During this rotation, the connecting rod 130 rotates about axis A4 relative to the connecting link 140 by an angle that depends on the angle of rotation of the driven rocker 12. In transmitting the motion of the connecting rod 130 to the driven rocker 12, the curved path of the guide element 112 also causes the connecting link 140 to rotate about axis A3 relative to the driven rocker 12.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, the driven rocker 12 has a driven arm 121 that is configured to interact with the receptor 30 when the driven rocker 12 reaches its active position. In particular, as shown in the drawings, the driven arm 121 can have a pawl 122 at one free end, by means of which the driven arm 121 rotates the receptor 30, here in the form of a gear, one step, and due to the pawl 122, the driven arm 121 does not act on the receptor 30 when the driven rocker 12 returns to the locked position.

[0031] In summary, in the timepiece movement 60 in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown schematically in FIG. 2, the kinematic connection mechanism 10 is kinematically arranged between the control member 40 that controls the functions of the timepiece movement 60 and the time indicating display device 50.

[0032] The kinematic connection mechanism 10 is configured to act on the time indicating display device 50 when the control member 40 is acted on, as shown by the arrow in FIG.

[0033] Advantageously, the present invention allows for the transmission of motion from actuator 20 to receptor 30 that are movable in separate planes.

[0034] The present invention can be used as a change mechanism for, for example, the date, the day of the week, the month and / or the phase of the moon.

[0035] The driven rocker 12 is considered to be driven by a drive member (not shown), such as a spiral cam drive, which is rotationally integral with a coaxial drive wheel engaged by the gear train of the timepiece movement, such as by a 24-hour wheel if the time indicating display device 50 is for the date. In this case, the cam drive is rotated sequentially, one revolution per day. With each of its rotational sequences, the cam drive moves the driven rocker 12 to its active position. When the driven rocker 12 is not acted upon by the cam drive to move, the elastic member causes it to return to its locked position.

[0036] Such a cam drive and its interaction with the driven rocker are described, for example, in Swiss patent applications CH 720214 and CH 720210. When the cam drive rotates the driven rocker 12 towards its active position, the connecting rod 130 rotates and the slot 133 moves relative to the guide element 112 without affecting the guide element 112. In this way, the driven arm 111 is not affected by the cam drive thanks to the slot 133 formed in the connecting rod 130.

[0037] Generally, the embodiments and applications considered above are described by way of example, and other variations are therefore also possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10 Kinematic Connection Mechanism 11 Drive Rocker 12 Driven rocker 13 Rod assembly 20 Actuators 30 Receptor 40 Control Members 50 Time Indication Display Device 60 Timekeeping Movements 111 driven arm 112 Guide Elements 120 drive arm 130 Connecting rod 131 Cap 132 Small end 133 Slot 140 Connecting Links

Claims

1. A kinematic connection mechanism (10) for a timepiece movement (60) configured to be disposed between an actuator (20) and a receptor (30), comprising: a drive rocker (11) configured to be rotated about axis A1 by said actuator (20); a driven rocker (12) rotatable about an axis A2 not parallel to the axis A1; the driven rocker (12) is kinematically connected to the driving rocker (11) by a rod assembly (13) configured to rotate the driven rocker (12) when the driving rocker (11) is rotated; The driven rocker (12) is configured to engage with the receptor (30) when the driving rocker (11) rotates. A kinematic connection mechanism (10) characterized in that:

2. The rod assembly (13) includes a connecting rod (130) having a cap (131) and a small end (132); The cap (131) attaches the rod assembly (13) to the driven arm (111) of the driving rocker (11); The small end (132) attaches the rod assembly (13) to the drive arm (120) of the driven rocker (12). The kinematic connection (10) according to claim 1 .

3. The small end (132) of the connecting rod (130) is attached to the drive arm (120) of the driven rocker (12) by means of a connecting link (140); The connecting link (140) has a first end rotatably mounted about axis A3 around the drive arm (120) of the driven rocker (12), and a second end attached to the connecting rod (130) to form a joint allowing rotation about axis A4 substantially perpendicular to axis A3.

3. The kinematic connection mechanism (10) according to claim 2.

4. The cap (131) of the connecting rod (130) has a slot (133) formed longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod (130); A guide element (112) carried by the driven arm (111) of the driving rocker (11) engages the slot (133) so that the guide element (112) moves within the slot (133) when the driving rocker (11) is rotated.

3. The kinematic connection mechanism (10) according to claim 2.

5. A timepiece movement (60) comprising a kinematic connection mechanism (10) according to claim 4, the kinematic connection mechanism (10) is kinematically interposed between a control member (40) for controlling functions of the timepiece movement (60) configured to be actuated by a user, and a time indicating display device (50) for displaying time indications; The kinematic connection mechanism (10) is configured to act on the time indicating display device (50) when the control member is acted on. A timepiece movement (60) characterized by:

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