A striking mechanism with a flexible translation guide.

Abstract

To provide a time-striking mechanism having a flexible translational guide. [Solution] The present invention relates to a striking mechanism (1) for a timekeeping instrument movement, the striking mechanism (1) comprises an oscillating element (11), a striking device (12) on the oscillating element (11) comprising a movable hammer (13) for striking the oscillating element (11), and a flexible guide (5), wherein the movable hammer (13) is suspended from the flexible guide (5), and the flexible guide (5) comprises at least two flexible vanes, preferably two pairs (15, 25) of flexible vanes (22, 23), wherein the vanes, or pairs (15, 25) of vanes (22, 23) are arranged laterally on both sides of the hammer (13), and the vanes (22, 23) extend within the plane of movement of the hammer (13) such that the movement of the hammer (13) is translational, preferably substantially straight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of complicated mechanisms of time measuring instruments, and more particularly, to the time striking mechanism within a watch.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a time striking mechanism having a flexible guide.

[0003] Such a time striking mechanism can be adapted to any type of time striking workpiece, such as a quarter repeater, a minutes repeater, a grand strike, a small strike or an alarm.

Background Art

[0004] The time striking mechanism of a watch generally includes a hammer that strikes a vibrating element such as a gong.

[0005] Specifically, the hammer is pushed towards the vibrating element by a spring and wound up by an operating mechanism such as a lift or other dedicated mechanism, and this winding up means being released from the gong.

[0006] The vibrating element generally extends in a curved direction inside the watch case, for example, around the central axis of the case. When the hammer strikes the vibrating element, the hammer generates a stress on the vibrating element, causing the vibrating element to vibrate, and as a result, generating the sound of the time striking workpiece. These stresses include a vertical component and a tangential component, and the tangential component is characterized by the friction of the hammer against the vibrating element.

[0007] Specifically, since the vibration of the vibrating element is essentially generated by the vertical component of the stress applied by the hammer, it is necessary to control and maximize this vertical component to control the effect of the impact of the hammer on the vibrating element and the sound generated by this impact.

[0008] A new striking mechanism has been designed that is equipped with a flexible guide, which comprises at least one flexible vane, and the hammer is suspended from at least one flexible vane. The hammer is movable so that it can strike the vibrating element as a result of the deformation of the flexible guide, which also acts as a return spring.

[0009] European Patent Nos. 4310604 and 4310605 describe examples of striking mechanisms equipped with flexible guides. In these documents, the hammer performs a rotational motion to strike the vibrating element.

[0010] However, when the hammer rotates, it does not strike the gong from a direction that is strictly perpendicular to its surface. This results in an inconsistent energy transfer to the gong, leading to a loss of sound intensity from the striking mechanism. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 4310604 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 4310605 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention improves upon the aforementioned shortcomings by proposing a striking mechanism for a timekeeping instrument movement, the striking mechanism comprising an oscillating element and a device for striking the oscillating element, the striking device comprising a movable hammer for striking the oscillating element, and a flexible guide, the hammer being suspended from the flexible guide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A notable feature of the present invention is that the flexible guide comprises at least two flexible vanes, preferably two pairs of flexible vanes, the vanes, or pairs of vanes, are arranged laterally on both sides of the hammer, and the vanes extend within the plane of movement of the hammer such that the movement of the hammer is translational, preferably substantially straight.

[0014] This configuration allows the hammer to move in a direction perpendicular to the point of contact with the vibrating element when it strikes it, thereby improving the impact of the hammer on the vibrating element.

[0015] In fact, the hammer moves linearly, preferably substantially straight, in translation to strike the vibrating element.

[0016] Furthermore, the hammer is securely held in place by a flexible guide.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the flexible vane is positioned perpendicular to the direction of hammer travel when the striking device is in the locked position of the striking device.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the same pair of flexible blades are substantially parallel.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the pair of blades are arranged symmetrically with respect to the direction of the hammer's movement.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the two pairs of vanes are substantially collinear when the striking device is in the locked position.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the flexible guide comprises two supports, each pair of which is connected to a different support.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, one of the supports is provided with at least one elliptical hole for positioning a hammer horizontally and laterally relative to the gong.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the time striking mechanism comprises means for winding up the time striking device, and the winding-up means is configured to release the hammer from the vibrating element and impart an impetus to strike the gong to the hammer.

[0024] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the winding-up means comprises a bloom stud disposed on the hammer and a rotatable lift for moving the hammer. According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the hammer and the flexible guide are integrally formed.

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a schematic top view of a time striking mechanism provided with a time striking device in a locked state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic bottom view of the time striking mechanism of FIG. 1.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a time striking mechanism 1 for a timepiece movement in a watch according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The time striking mechanism 1 comprises a vibrating element 11 and a time striking device 12 designed to strike the vibrating element 11 to generate sound.

[0029] The vibrating element 11 is fastened in this example to a structure on the timepiece movement, such as a rod, a plate, etc., by a body 3 having two holes 19 for screws or pins. The vibrating element 11 also comprises a gong 2 which makes a sound when struck, and the body 3 is fastened to the gong 2. In this example, the vibrating element 11 has a curved shape so that the vibrating element 11 can be easily incorporated into a round watch case.

[0030] Furthermore, the striking device 12 includes a hammer 13 positioned within the curved portion of the gong 2. The hammer 13 is preferably capable of translational movement in a substantially linear manner so that it can strike the gong 2. The hammer 13 moves along an axis substantially perpendicular to the point of contact between the hammer 13 and the gong 2, causing the vibrating element 11 to vibrate as effectively as possible.

[0031] In this embodiment, the hammer 13 is substantially square and includes a projection 21, which is configured to contact the gong 2 when the hammer 13 is propelled against the vibrating element 11. The hammer 13 also includes a pin 14 positioned on the body so that the hammer 13 can move.

[0032] The striking device 12 also includes a flexible guide 5, and the hammer 13 is suspended from the flexible guide 5.

[0033] Preferably, the hammer 13 moves within a plane corresponding to the plane formed by the gong 2.

[0034] Alternatively, Hammer 13 moves in a plane different from the plane formed by Gong 2.

[0035] The flexible guide 5 comprises several flexible vanes 22, 23. The flexible vanes 22, 23 are elastically deformable and are used in this invention to guide and drive the hammer 13.

[0036] According to the present invention, the flexible guide 5 comprises two pairs 15, 25 flexible blades positioned on both sides of the hammer 13. Each pair 15, 25 preferably comprises two blades 22, 23 that are substantially parallel to each other.

[0037] Alternatively, in a variant not shown, the flexible guide comprises two flexible vanes positioned on either side of the hammer. In this case, one flexible vane is positioned on either side of the hammer instead of the pair of flexible vanes shown.

[0038] Preferably, each blade 22, 23 is substantially straight when the striking device 12 is locked, i.e., in the equilibrium position.

[0039] Preferably, the flexible blades 22 and 23 extend within the plane of movement of the hammer 13. The blades 22 and 23 are positioned perpendicular to the direction of travel of the hammer 13.

[0040] The two pairs of flexible blades 15 and 25, 22 and 23, are arranged symmetrically with respect to the movable hammer 13.

[0041] Preferably, the two flexible vanes 22, 23 on each section 15, 25 are substantially collinear when the flexible guide 5 is in its locked position.

[0042] The flexible guide body 5 comprises two support members 4 and 6, and each pair of blades 15 and 25 connects one of the support members 4 and 6 to the hammer 13. The support members 4 and 6 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the direction of travel of the hammer 13.

[0043] One of the support members 4, 6 is provided with at least one elliptical hole 18 for accommodating a screw or pin, thereby allowing the hammer 13 to be positioned relative to the gong 2, in particular to set the direction of travel of the hammer 13.

[0044] Preferably, the two supports are provided with at least one elliptical hole 18, preferably two elliptical holes, for vertically laterally positioning the hammer 13.

[0045] The longitudinal axis of the elliptical hole is substantially parallel to the vanes 22 and 23 on the flexible guide 5 when the flexible guide 5 is in its locked position.

[0046] The striking device 12 also includes a winding means 20, which is configured to move the hammer 13 away from the vibrating element 11 and to impart to the hammer 13 the force to strike the gong 2 through the elastic action of the flexible vanes 22 and 23 on the flexible guide body 5.

[0047] The hoisting mechanism 20 includes a rotatable lift 8, which engages with a bloom stud 14 on the hammer 13 to push the hoisting mechanism 20 away from the vibrating element, and progressively deforms the pair of vanes 15, 25 until the pair of vanes 15, 25 reach the hoisted state.

[0048] The lift 8 comprises a body equipped with teeth 9, notches 7, and holes on its outer circumference, the holes allowing the lift 8 to rotate around the axis of rotation. The notches 7 contact the bloom stud 14 on the hammer 13.

[0049] The hoisting mechanism 20 also includes a rack 27 equipped with teeth 28, the teeth 28 engaging with teeth 9 on the lift 8 so as to make the lift 8 rotatable. Thus, the rack meshes with the teeth 9 so as to rotate the lift 8 around its axis of rotation.

[0050] As the lift 8 rotates around its axis of rotation, the notch 7 pushes against the bloom stud 14, separating the hammer 13 from the vibrating element 11.

[0051] In this way, the bloom stud 14 slides along the notch 7 until it is released from the notch 7. As the hammer 13 is thus released, the flexible guide 5 moves the hammer 13 back relative to the vibrating element 11 to generate sound.

[0052] The winding mechanism 20 is activated when a predetermined time value has elapsed from the current time, or when commanded by the user. The winding mechanism thus releases the hammer 13, which is then driven by the elastic return force of the vanes 22 and 23 to strike the vibrating element 11. In this case, the striking device 12 is in a collision state.

[0053] The hoisting mechanism 20 includes a return spring 24 for the lift 8, which is for returning the lift 8 to its initial position after the gong 2 has been struck by the hammer 13. In particular, it is for keeping the notch 7 in contact with the bloom stud 14 on the hammer 13 during this process.

[0054] Therefore, the lift 8 can push the hammer 13 back again for another strike. In this example, the return spring 24 is a vane that rests on a pin 26 located on one face of the lift 8.

[0055] Preferably, when the hammer 13 is in the locked position, a safety distance is configured between the hammer 13 and the vibrating element 11 to prevent accidental impacts.

[0056] Prioritizing this, the flexible guide 5 and the hammer 13 are manufactured as a single unit. Therefore, the striking device 12 is particularly easy to manufacture, and its manufacturing costs are minimized. Furthermore, the mechanism is not susceptible to force loss during impact due to machine sag, which might have been present if the striking device 12 had been designed by assembling various machined parts.

[0057] In particular, the striking device 12 can be made from an amorphous metal, for example by casting or heat forming, or from nickel or nickel-phosphorus, for example using the LIGA method.

[0058] Alternatively, the striking device 12, and more specifically the blades 22 and 23, may be fabricated from silicon, for example, by dry etching, more specifically by deep reactive ion etching, a manufacturing method known to those skilled in the art as abbreviated as DRIE. Alternatively, the blades 22 and 23 may be fabricated from steel and formed by laser machining, particularly using a femtosecond laser, or by electrical discharge machining.

[0059] In particular, the hammer 13 may comprise one or more weights made of a metallic material, such as tungsten, gold, or iron and steel, and the blades 22, 23 are fastened to the hammer 13 by drive-in, adhesive fastening, screws, or pins.

[0060] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and variations can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, auxiliary feathers can be added in addition to the pair of flexible feathers positioned on both sides of the hammer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Strike mechanism 2. Gong 4 Support 5 Flexible guide 6 Support 8-rotation movable lift 11. Vibration elements 12 o'clock striking device 11. Vibration elements 13. Movable Hammer 14 Bloom Stud 18 oval holes 20. Winding mechanism 22 Flexible feathers 23 Flexible feathers

Claims

1. A striking mechanism (1) for a timekeeping instrument movement, the striking mechanism (1) comprises a vibrating element (11), a striking device (12) on the vibrating element (11) comprising a movable hammer (13) for striking the vibrating element (11), and a flexible guide (5), the movable hammer (13) being suspended from the flexible guide (5), and the flexible guide (5) being at least A striking mechanism (1) comprising two flexible blades, preferably two pairs (15, 25) of flexible blades (22, 23), wherein the blades, or the pair (15, 25) of blades (22, 23), are arranged laterally on both sides of the hammer (13), and the blades (22, 23) extend within the plane of movement of the hammer (13) such that the movement of the hammer (13) is translational, preferably substantially straight.

2. The striking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flexible vanes (22, 23) are arranged perpendicular to the direction of travel of the hammer (13) when the striking device (12) is in the locked position of the striking device (12).

3. The strike mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the flexible vanes (22, 23) within the same pair (15, 25) are substantially parallel.

4. The striking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the pair of blades (22, 23) (15, 25) are arranged symmetrically with respect to the direction of travel of the hammer (13).

5. The striking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the vanes (22, 23) of the two pairs (15, 25) are substantially collinear when the striking device (12) is in the locked position.

6. The striking mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the flexible guide (5) comprises two supports (4, 6), and each pair (15, 25) is connected to a different support (4, 6).

7. The striking mechanism according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the support members (6) comprises at least one elliptical hole (18) which, in the locking position, is positioned substantially parallel to the vanes (22, 23) on the flexible guide member (5) to position the hammer (13) relative to the gong (2).

8. The striking mechanism according to claim 7, further comprising means (20) for winding up the striking device (12), wherein the winding means (20) is configured to separate the hammer (12) from the vibrating element (11) and to give the hammer (13) the force to strike the gong (2).

9. The striking mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the winding means (20) comprises a bloom stud (14) positioned on the hammer (13) and a rotatable lift (8) for moving the hammer (13).

10. The striking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the hammer (13) and the flexible guide (5) are integrally made from, for example, silicon.

11. A timekeeping instrument movement characterized by comprising the time striking mechanism (1) described in claim 1.

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