Positioning and marking device for a clock mechanism

Abstract

To provide means that effectively holds two components at predetermined positions relative to each other and allows reassembly.SOLUTION: There is provided a device (100) for setting the position and marking a first component (1) and a second component (10), which can be assembled together with a single degree of freedom and immobilised by the cooperation of a first screw (4) with first tapping (12) of the second component (10) via a first notch (2) of the first component (1), and of a second screw (5) with a second tapping (13) of the second component (10) via a second notch (3) of the first component (1), the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) defining a setting range, the second screw (5) being a cone-head screw, arranged to make an imprint on the edge of the second notch (3) under a predetermined tightening torque, in order to permanently mark the relative position of the first component (1) and of the second component (10).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning and marking device for setting and fixing the position of a first part and a second part of a timepiece mechanism relative to one another, wherein the first part and the second part are configured to be assembled to one another with a single degree of freedom, either rotational or translational, and to be fixed to one another by cooperation of a first screw through a first notch in the first part and a first tapping in the second part.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising at least one such positioning and marking device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such positioning and marking device and / or one such timepiece mechanism.

[0004] The present invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms for timepiece mechanisms. [Background technology]

[0005] Fixing the watch parts is a delicate task as clamping them in place can disrupt the already difficult setting.

[0006] Typically, the relative positions of the components of a watch subassembly are manually set to their optimum operating positions, and then locked in the set positions thus obtained by one or more flat-head screws known as "bearing screws," which are held by the flat annular surfaces on the undersides of their heads against the flat surfaces of the components. For example, it is common practice to use an eccentric to set the components and then use a screw to lock them in place.

[0007] In particular, the positioning of various timepiece components such as rollers, spiral cams, cams, moon discs and other calendar or striking elements requires a high degree of indexing accuracy, regardless of manufacturing and assembly clearances.

[0008] However, when two parts are indexed relative to each other, the use of flat-head screws means that the indexing cannot be repeated during successive disassembly / reassembly operations, so the watchmaker must identify the index position for each assembly just as he did during the initial assembly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a means for effectively holding the two parts in a predetermined position relative to each other and allowing subsequent disassembly to allow reassembly in the last set position in order to facilitate the work of the watchmaker, and in particular the watchmaker's repairman. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The invention uses a screw with a non-flat head that can impress a mark into one of the parts that constitutes a setting position mark.

[0011] In particular, the use of a conical head facilitates marking the bed edge during initial assembly and relocating the index position during subsequent reassembly without creating shavings.

[0012] To this end, the present invention relates to a positioning and marking device for setting and fixing a first part and a second part in position relative to each other, the positioning and marking device including a clockwork mechanism, the first part and the second part being configured to be assembled to each other with a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation and to be fixed to each other by cooperation of a first screw through a first notch in the first part and a first tapping in the second part, the single degree of freedom of rotation and translation being determined by a helical mechanical connection.

[0013] According to the present invention, the first and second parts are further configured to be fixed relative to one another by cooperation of a second screw and a second tapping hole in the second part through a second notch in the first part, the first notch and the second notch defining a setting range according to the single degree of freedom. The first screw is a bearing screw configured to generate friction that enables setting of the relative position of the first and second parts according to the single degree of freedom when subjected to a first tightening torque, and to fix the first and second parts in a predetermined position relative to one another when subjected to a second tightening torque greater than the first tightening torque. The second screw is a screw with a non-flat head that presses a mark against the edge of the second notch when subjected to a third predetermined tightening torque, permanently marking the positions imposed on the first and second parts relative to one another and allowing the positions to be repositioned after disassembly and subsequent reassembly.

[0014] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such positioning and marking device and / or one such timepiece mechanism.

[0015] The present invention relates to the field of setting mechanisms for timepiece mechanisms. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1]A non-limiting example of the application of the present invention is shown in schematic form in a cross section through the axis of rotation, in which a first part consisting of a cylindrical tube with a flange is mounted to rotate around a second part consisting of a shaft and must be precisely aligned. The positioning and marking device according to the present invention allows the positions of this first part and this second part to be set and fixed relative to each other. The first part has two grooves, a first groove at the top of the figure and a second groove at the bottom of the figure. The second part has two tappings, a first tapping at the top of the figure and a second tapping at the bottom of the figure. A first bearing screw abuts against a flat surface of the first part, passes through the first groove, and is screwed into the first tapping. A second screw having a non-flat head, in particular a conical head, abuts against another surface of the first part, passes through the second groove and is screwed into the second tapping, and when this screwing occurs, is configured to press a mark against the edge of the second groove under the action of a predetermined tightening torque. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the first and second components of FIG. 1, illustrating a first bearing screw and a second screw having a non-flat head engaging in their respective grooves and abutting a face of the first component. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, including the timepiece mechanism itself incorporating a positioning and marking device according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to a positioning and marking device (100) for setting the position of two parts of a timepiece mechanism (500) and fixing the two parts relative to each other.

[0018] In particular, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, a first part 1 is formed by a cylindrical tube including a flange and is mounted so as to be rotatable around a second part 10 formed by a shaft. The first and second parts need to be precisely aligned with each other. For this purpose, the second part 10 includes, for example, a flat surface 11 forming a control surface, as shown in Figure 2.

[0019] The first part 1 and the second part 10 are configured to be assembled to one another with a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation and to be fixed to one another by cooperation of at least a first screw 4 and a first tapping 12 of the second part 10. The first tapping 12 is intended to be aligned with a first notch 2 of the first part 1, through which the first screw 4 engages.

[0020] According to the invention, the first part 1 and the second part 10 are further configured to be fixed to one another by cooperation of the second screw 5 and the second tapping 13 of the second part 10. The second part 10 is intended to be aligned with the second notch 3 of the first part 1, through which the second screw 5 engages.

[0021] The first notch 2 and the second notch 3 delimit the setting according to this single degree of freedom.

[0022] The first screw 4 is a flat head screw, e.g., a bearing screw, configured to generate friction that, when subjected to a first tightening torque, allows for setting, e.g., fine setting, of the relative positioning of the first part 1 and the second part 10 according to a single degree of freedom. When subjected to a second tightening torque that is greater than the first tightening torque, the first screw 4 allows the first part 1 and the second part 10 to be fixed in position relative to each other.

[0023] The second screw 5 is a screw with a non-flat head, for example a screw with a conical head, designed to deform the material of the first part 1 and leave an impression on the edge of the second cutout 3 when subjected to a third tightening torque. This impression makes it possible to permanently mark the first part 1 with the position it has imposed relative to the second part 10, and to identify this imposed position again after disassembly and during subsequent reassembly.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 1 , during initial assembly, the first screw 4 is tightened to a first torque so that its head abuts against the face of the first part 1 to generate friction that allows relative movement between the first part 1 and the second part 10. The first part 1 and the second part 10 are then moved relative to one another to achieve the desired index position. After the desired relative position is reached, the second screw 5 is tightened to mark the edge of the second oval portion 3. The first screw 4 is then tightened to a second torque to lock the relative position. During subsequent reassembly, the initial set position can be easily relocated due to the indentation created by the head of the second screw 5.

[0025] The second tightening torque is preferably greater than the third tightening torque, so that the first part 1 is not excessively marked. By tightening the first screw 4 to the second tightening torque, the service life of the first part 1 is ensured.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first part 1 and the second part 10 are configured to be assembled together with a single rotational degree of freedom about an axis of rotation, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by oval grooves concentric with said axis of rotation.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first part 1 and the second part 10 are configured to be assembled together with a single translational degree of freedom, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by aligned or parallel linear grooves.

[0028] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first part 1 and the second part 10 are configured to be assembled to one another with a helical connection, i.e. with a single degree of freedom of translation and rotation, and the first notch 2 and the second notch 3 are formed by a helical groove.

[0029] Advantageously, the material of the second screw 5 is harder than the material of the first part 1. Also, the first screw 4 and the second screw 5 can be configured to have different dimensions to prevent confusion during reassembly.

[0030] The edges of the first notch 2 and / or the second notch 3 may include a graduated marking scale that is visible at any position on the first thread 4 or the second thread 5 .

[0031] The invention also relates to a clock mechanism 500 including at least one such positioning and marking device (100).

[0032] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a wristwatch, including such a timepiece mechanism.

[0033] In short, the present invention allows for marking of an original configuration that can be repositioned with subsequent reassemblies.

Claims

1. A position setting and marking device (100) for setting and marking the position of a first part (1) and a second part (10) of a clock mechanism (500) relative to each other, comprising: the first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be assembled to one another with a single degree of freedom of rotation and / or translation and to be fixed to one another by cooperation of a first screw (4) and a first tapping (12) of the second part (10) arranged opposite a first notch (2) of the first part (1); The first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be fixed to each other by cooperation of a second screw (5) and a second tapping (13) of the second part (10) arranged opposite the second notch (3) of the first part (1); the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) define a range of settings according to the single degree of freedom; the first screw (4) is configured, when subjected to a first tightening torque, to generate friction that allows the relative arrangement of the first part (1) and the second part (10) to be set according to the single degree of freedom, and when subjected to a second tightening torque that is greater than the first tightening torque, to fix the first part (1) and the second part (10) in position relative to each other; The positioning and marking device (100) is further characterized in that the second screw (5) is a screw with a non-flat head that can leave an impression on the edge of the second notch (3) when subjected to a third tightening torque, the impression representing an imposed position of the first part (1) and the second part (10) relative to each other.

2. The positioning and marking device (100) of claim 1, wherein the second tightening torque is greater than the third tightening torque.

3. 3. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be assembled to each other with a single rotational degree of freedom about a rotation axis, and the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) are oval grooves concentric with the rotation axis.

4. 3. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first part (1) and the second part (10) are configured to be assembled to each other with a single translational degree of freedom, and the first notch (2) and the second notch (3) are aligned or parallel linear grooves.

5. 2. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material of the second screw (5) is harder than the material of the first part (1).

6. 2. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second screw (5) comprises a conical head.

7. 2. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the first notch (2) and / or the second notch (3) comprises a graduated marking scale that is visible at any position of the first screw (4) or the second screw (5).

8. 2. The positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first screw (4) and the second screw (5) are of different dimensions.

9. A clock mechanism (500) comprising a positioning and marking device (100) according to claim 1.

10. A timepiece (1000) comprising a timepiece mechanism (500) according to claim 9.

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