Impact-resistant balance plate for direct impact escapement mechanism

Abstract

To provide an impact-resistant balance plate for a direct impact escapement mechanism. [Solution] A balance plate (26) configured to engage with a direct shock escapement mechanism (1), wherein a first shock pallet stone (30) is attached to the balance plate (26) and is designed to engage with the escapement wheel (10) in the escapement mechanism (1) so as to deliver a direct shock to the balance plate (26) in the shock phase, the escapement wheel (10) causing the balance wheel (20) to actuate the balance (20), the first shock pallet stone (30) is positioned radially with respect to the axis of rotation (24) of the balance wheel (20), and the balance plate (26) has a rigid part (3) configured to be assembled to the balance wheel (20). The balance plate (26) includes a first elastic flexible portion (5) to which a shock pallet stone (30) is attached, and the first flexible portion (5) allows the shock pallet stone (30) to move along the axis of rotation (24) of the balance (20) in the event of an impact from the escapement wheel (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an impact-resistant pallet for engaging with a direct impact escapement mechanism. The present invention also relates to a direct impact escapement mechanism and a timepiece movement comprising such an escapement mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] In mechanical watches, various types of escapement mechanisms are used, the most common being the Swiss pallet escapement, which functions by the indirect impact generated by the teeth on the escapement wheel against the jewel on the pallet.

[0003] There are other escapement mechanisms that function by direct impact, such as detent escapements, natural escapements, coaxial escapements, or Robin escapements.

[0004] In these escapements, the pallet has at least one impact jewel that engages directly with the escapement wheel on the escapement mechanism.

[0005] The impact jewel receives an impact from the teeth on the escapement wheel to restart the pallet. This impact is generally directed tangentially to the escapement wheel.

[0006] However, since the pallet is close to the escapement wheel, the pallet is prone to movement, so there is a risk of collision between the jewel and the escapement wheel when an impact is applied to the holder.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to improve the above problems by providing a pallet for a direct impact escapement mechanism that can withstand impacts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a balance plate configured to engage with a direct shock escapement mechanism, wherein the balance plate is fitted with a shock pallet designed to engage with an escapement wheel in the escapement mechanism such that, in the shock phase, the escapement wheel directly shocks the balance plate so as to actuate the balance, the first shock pallet being positioned radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the balance, and the balance plate comprises a rigid portion configured to be assembled to the balance.

[0009] It is noteworthy that in the present invention, the balance plate comprises a first elastic flexible portion to which a strike pallet is attached, and the first flexible portion is configured to allow the strike pallet to move along the axis of rotation of the balance, preferably substantially radially, in the event of an impact by the escapement wheel.

[0010] Therefore, when an impact occurs between the escapement wheel and the impact stone on the plate, the first flexible part flexes to absorb the impact and prevent damage to elements in the movable space.

[0011] In fact, unlike the impact from the escapement wheel, which is substantially tangential, the collision between the plate and the escapement wheel is substantially radial. Therefore, such a flexible part allows the impact to be absorbed without directly affecting the function of the impact escapement mechanism.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the flexible portion comprises a translational table on which an impact pallet is suspended, the translational table comprising at least one flexible blade configured to prevent substantially tangential movement of the impact pallet relative to the axis of rotation of the balance, particularly when impact is applied by the escapement wheel.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the translational table comprises at least two flexible blades, each positioned on a different side of an impact stone, the flexible blade connecting the impact stone to a rigid part so that the impact stone can move by the deflection of the flexible blade.

[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the translational table comprises at least one pair of flexible blades positioned on one side of the impact stone, each flexible blade connecting the impact stone to a rigid part so that the impact stone can move by the deflection of the flexible blade.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the translational table comprises two pairs of flexible blades, each positioned on a different side of the impact stone, and each flexible blade connects the impact stone to a rigid part so that the impact stone can move by the deflection of the flexible blade.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the movement of the pallet stone is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation of the balance wheel.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the balance plate is provided with a second impact pallet stone extending within the plane of the balance plate.

[0018] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the balance plate includes a second flexible portion to which a second impact pallet stone is attached.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second flexible portion is fitted with a second translational table comprising at least one flexible blade configured to prevent substantially tangential movement of the impact pallet relative to the axis of rotation of the balance wheel, particularly when impact is applied by the escapement wheel.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second translational table comprises at least two flexible blades, each positioned on a different side of the second impact stone or on the same side of the second impact stone, wherein each flexible blade connects the second impact stone to a rigid part so that the second impact stone can move by the deflection of the flexible blade.

[0021] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the rigid part comprises arms arranged perpendicular to each other, and one or more impact stoppers are arranged between two arms of the rigid part.

[0022] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the rigid part comprises an enlarged arm to which a template pin is attached.

[0023] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the arms of the rigid part form a cross.

[0024] The present invention relates to a direct impact escapement mechanism comprising at least one rotatable escapement wheel, wherein the escapement mechanism comprises a template plate as described above, the template plate being rotatable along the rotation axis of the template, whereby, in the impact phase, the escapement wheel directly impacts the template plate to operate the template.

[0025] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the escapement mechanism is a natural escapement comprising a second escapement wheel and a pallet.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising a direct impact escapement mechanism as described above, for example a natural escapement mechanism.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of a template stopper for a natural escapement mechanism. This example is given only as a purely non-limiting illustration in relation to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a natural escapement with an impact-resistant template plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is another perspective view of the natural escapement of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a top view of the natural escapement of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a top view of an impact-resistant template plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the impact-resistant temper plate according to the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a top view of a second embodiment of the impact-resistant temper plate according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a top view of a third embodiment of the impact-resistant temper plate according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] The present invention relates to an impact-resistant balance plate 26 configured to engage with an escapement wheel in a direct impact escapement mechanism.

[0030] In the following description, the balance plate 26 is configured to function with a spontaneous escapement mechanism, the function of which is described in detail in European Patent No. 4105731.

[0031] In Figures 1 to 3, the natural escapement, referred to as overall by reference numeral 1, is arranged to be driven by a drive mobile (not shown) that meshes with a pinion 4 mounted in a fixed position on the shaft 6 of a first escapement wheel 10. This first escapement wheel 10 then meshes with a second drive tooth 14 on a second escapement wheel 16 that pivots around the shaft 18, via a first drive tooth 12.

[0032] The natural escapement 1 also includes a balance wheel 20 with a balance ring 22, and a balance plate 26 is attached to the shaft 24. This balance plate 26 holds the balance pin 28 and the first impact pallet stone 30 and the second impact pallet stone 32. The respective roles of these will be described later. The impact pallet stones are preferably rigid.

[0033] The natural escapement 1 also includes a pallet 34 that pivots around a pallet spindle 36. This pallet 34 comprises a pallet body 38 that holds a fork 40 formed by a first horn 42a and a second horn 42b and a dart 44. The dart 44 engages with the balance plate 26 to prevent accidental movement of the fork 40 outside of a period generally called the auxiliary arc, during which the balance plate 26 approaches its locked position, called the lift angle.

[0034] The pallet body 38 comprises, but is not limited to, a first arm 46a and a second arm 46b symmetrically positioned on either side of the fork 40. The first lever 48a and the second lever 48b pivot around their respective pivot axes 50 and 52 and are connected to the first arm 46a and the second arm 46b on the pallet body 38 via a pivot hinge 53. In this simplified embodiment, the first lever 48a is integrally constructed and has a shape that functions as a first stop pawl for temporarily locking the first escapement wheel 10 when the natural escapement 1 is in an operating cycle, and the second lever 48b has a shape that functions as a second stop pawl for temporarily locking the second escapement wheel 16 when the natural escapement 1 is in the same operating cycle.

[0035] The first lever 48a and the second lever 48b each have projections 54 and 56 that protrude into oval openings 58 and 60, respectively, provided on the first arm 46a and the second arm 46b on the pallet body 38. Naturally, the projections 54 and 56 may be provided on the first arm 46a and the second arm 46b, and the oval openings 58 and 60 may be provided within the first lever 48a and the second lever 48b. Therefore, when the projections 54 and 56 engage with the oval openings 58 and 60, the first lever 48a and the second lever 48b can pivot relative to the first arm 46a and the second arm 46b on the pallet body 38.

[0036] In Figures 4 and 5, the first embodiment of the temper plate 26 includes a rigid section 3. In this example, the rigid section 3 is cross-shaped and includes four arms 15 and 17 arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0037] The rigid section 3 has a central opening 19 so that it can be fitted onto the axis 24 of the balance wheel 20. The magnifying arm 15 is equipped with a balance pin 28. Each pallet jewel 30, 32 is positioned between two of the other three arms 17.

[0038] According to the present invention, the balance plate 26 includes a first elastic flexible portion 5 to which a first impact pallet stone 30 is attached.

[0039] Furthermore, the balance plate 26 includes a second elastic flexible portion 13 to which a second impact pallet jewel 32 is attached.

[0040] Each flexible section 5, 13 is positioned between two arms 17 on the rigid section 15 for the corresponding impact stones 30, 32.

[0041] Each flexible section 5, 13 has a translational table 7, 21 on which impact stones 30, 32 are suspended and which is equipped with flexible blades 9, 11.

[0042] The translational tables 7, 21 are equipped with at least one flexible blade 9 positioned on either side of the impact stones 30, 32. Each flexible blade 9 connects different arms 17 on the rigid section 15 to the impact stones 30, 32. Preferably, the flexible blade 9 is positioned substantially perpendicular to each impact stone 30, 32 when the flexible sections 5, 13 are in the locked position.

[0043] Preferably, each translational table 7, 21 comprises at least one pair of flexible blades 9, 11 positioned on each side of the pallet stone. The flexible blades 9, 11 are substantially parallel and positioned in the same plane, which is the plane of the balance plate 26.

[0044] The impact stones 30 and 32 are arranged radially and extend within the same plane as the planes of the translational tables 7 and 21. The impact stones 30 and 32 are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0045] Therefore, when the escapement wheels 10 and 16 collide with the impact pallets 30 and 32, the impact pallets 30 and 32 move radially along the axis of rotation 24 of the balance wheel 20 due to the deflection of the flexible blades 9 and 11 on the translational tables 7 and 21.

[0046] However, since the flexible blades 9 and 11 are positioned tangentially to the axis of rotation 24 of the balance wheel 20, these flexible parts 5 and 13 substantially prevent the tangential movement of the impact pallets 30 and 32 relative to the axis of rotation 24 of the balance wheel 20.

[0047] Therefore, the flexible parts 5 and 13 do not deform in this direction, or deform only slightly, and as a result, the direct impact applied to the strike pallets 30 and 32 by the first escapement wheel 10 or the second escapement wheel 16 is transmitted to the balance wheel 20 with minimal energy loss.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the balance plate 29 with two flexible sections 5 and 13 attached. Each of the two flexible sections 5 and 13 includes a translational table 39 to which a single flexible blade 41 is attached, from which each of the pallet stones 30 and 32 is suspended.

[0049] The rigid section 43 is cross-shaped and comprises a central opening 19, two lateral arms 37 one on each side of the central opening 19, an elliptical-fitted rear axial arm 45, and a front axial arm 49.

[0050] Each of the single flexible blades 41 connects the rake stones 30, 32 to the lateral arms 37 on different rigid sections 35. Each of the single flexible blades 41 has a free end 53 on the other side that is movable and connected at one end to one end of the lateral arm 37. The blades are oriented from the lateral arm 37 toward the forward axial arm 49.

[0051] The stud stones 30 and 32 are positioned in the center of a single flexible blade 41.

[0052] A lateral retainer 51 is attached to the forward axial arm 49 to block the free end 53 of the flexible blade 41 so as to prevent the flexible blade 41 from bending outward. However, the flexible blade can bend toward the central opening 19.

[0053] The flexible blade 41 can be flexed by moving its free end 53 closer to the central opening 19. Therefore, in the event of an impact, the pallets 30, 32 are pushed back toward the balance wheel's axis of rotation 24 by the flexing of a single flexible blade 41.

[0054] The third embodiment in Figure 7 shows a balance plate 25 comprising two pallet stones 30, 32 suspended by two flexible sections 5, 13. Each of the flexible sections 5, 13 comprises a translational table 39 with a pair of flexible blades 31 positioned on one side of the first impact pallet stone 30. The rigid section 33 comprises two lateral arms 47 extending on either side of the central opening 19 and a rear section 35 including an ellipse 28.

[0055] Each impact stone 30, 32 is held on only one side by a pair of two flexible blades 31. The flexible blades 31 connect one end of the impact stones 30, 32 to the free end of a lateral arm 47 located at the other end of a different rigid section 33, allowing the impact stones 30, 32 to move by the deflection of the flexible blades 31.

[0056] Therefore, in the event of a radial impact, the pallets 30 and 32 are pushed back toward the axis of rotation 24 of the balance wheel 20 by the deflection of the blade 31 of the pair of flexible blades.

[0057] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the plate embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and variations can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in one particular embodiment, the balance plate comprises a single impact pawl configured to engage with an escapement mechanism comprising a single escapement wheel. Such an escapement mechanism may be, for example, a detent escapement, a coaxial escapement, or a Robin escapement, and these escapement mechanisms require a single impact pawl on the plate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Direct impact escapement mechanism 5. First elastic flexible part 10 Escapement Wheel 20 Temp 24 rotation axes 25, 26, 29 Temp plate 30 First impact stone

Claims

1. A balance plate (25, 26, 29) configured to engage with a direct impact escapement mechanism (1), wherein a first impact pallet stone (30) is attached to the balance plate (25, 26, 29) and is designed to engage with the escapement wheel (10) in the escapement mechanism (1) so as to deliver a direct impact to the balance plate (25, 26, 29) in the impact phase, the first impact pallet stone (30) is positioned radially with respect to the axis of rotation (24) of the balance wheel (20), and the balance plate (2 5, 26, 29) A balance plate (25, 26, 29) comprising a rigid portion (3) configured to be assembled to the balance wheel (20), wherein the balance plate (25, 26, 29) comprises an elastic first flexible portion (5) to which the impact pallet stone (30) is attached, and the first flexible portion (5) is configured to allow the impact pallet stone (30) to move along the rotation axis (24) of the balance wheel (20) in the event of a collision with the escapement wheel (10), characterized in that the balance plate (25, 26, 29).

2. The balance wheel according to claim 1, wherein the first flexible portion (5) comprises translational tables (7, 39) on which the impact pallet stone (30) is suspended, and the translational table (7) comprises at least one flexible blade (9) configured to prevent substantially tangential movement of the impact pallet stone (30) relative to the rotation axis (24) of the balance wheel (20), in particular when impact is applied by the escapement wheel.

3. The balance plate according to claim 2, wherein the translational table (7, 39) comprises at least two flexible blades (9) each positioned on different sides of the impact rake (30), and each flexible blade (9) connects the impact rake (30) to the rigid part (3) so that the impact rake (30) can move due to the deflection of the flexible blade (9).

4. The balance plate according to claim 2, wherein the translational table (7, 39) comprises at least one pair of flexible blades (31) positioned on one side of the impact rake (30), and each flexible blade (31) connects the impact rake (30, 32) to the rigid part (3) so that the impact rake (30, 32) can move due to the deflection of the flexible blade (9).

5. The balance plate according to claim 2, wherein the translational table (7) comprises two pairs of flexible blades (9, 11) each positioned on different sides of the impact rake (30), and each flexible blade (31) connects the impact rake (30, 32) to the rigid part (3) so that the impact rake (30, 32) can move due to the deflection of the flexible blade (9).

6. The balance plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the pallet stone (30) is substantially radial with respect to the axis of rotation (24) of the balance wheel (20).

7. The balance plate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a second impact pallet stone (32) extending within the plane of the balance plate (25, 26, 29).

8. The balance plate according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises a second flexible portion (13) to which the second impact stone (32) is attached.

9. The balance wheel according to claim 8, characterized in that, particularly when an impact is applied by the escapement wheel, a second translational table (21, 39) is attached to the second flexible portion (13), the second flexible portion having at least one flexible blade (9) configured to prevent substantially tangential movement of the second impact pallet stone (32) relative to the rotation axis (24) of the balance wheel (20).

10. The balance plate according to claim 9, wherein the second translational table (21, 39) comprises at least two flexible blades (31) each positioned on different sides of the second impact stone (30) or on the same side of the second impact stone (30), and each flexible blade (9) connects the impact stone (30) to the rigid part (3) so that the impact stone (30) can move due to the deflection of the flexible blade (9).

11. The balance plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid part (3) comprises arms (15, 17) arranged perpendicular to each other, and one or more impact stones (30, 32) are arranged between the two arms (17) of the rigid part (3).

12. The balance plate according to claim 11, characterized in that the rigid part (3) comprises an expanding arm (15) to which a balance pin (28) is attached.

13. The temper plate according to claim 11, characterized in that the arms of the rigid part (3) form a cross shape.

14. A direct impact escapement mechanism (1) comprising at least one rotatable escapement wheel (10), comprising the balance plates (25, 26, 29) described in claim 1, wherein the balance plates (25, 26, 29) are rotatable along the axis of rotation (24) of the balance wheel (20), and thereby, in the impact phase, the escapement wheel (10) directly impacts the balance plates (25, 26, 29) to actuate the balance wheel (20).

15. The direct impact escapement mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that it is a natural escapement comprising a second escapement wheel (16) and a pallet (34).

16. A watch movement characterized by comprising the direct shock escapement mechanism (1) described in claim 14.

Images