Wristwatch and energy storage device for wristwatch

Abstract

A wristwatch (1) comprising a body (2) in which an energy storage device (3) having a frame (4) is provided, the energy storage device (3) comprising a shaft (10) and one or more springs (11) providing a driving force for moving the shaft (10) relative to the frame (4), the energy storage device (3) comprising a drive unit (12) connecting the one or more springs (11) and the shaft (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch having a body, in particular a watch movement, provided with an energy storage device having a frame, the energy storage device comprising a shaft and one or more leaf springs providing a driving force for moving the shaft and / or the frame relative to each other, the energy storage device comprising a drive unit connecting the one or more springs and the shaft. The present invention also relates to a separate energy storage device adapted for attachment to the watch. [Background technology]

[0002] Mechanical watches are known to comprise a winding mechanism, an energy storage device for storing winding energy, and a gear train for transferring energy from the energy storage device to the escapement and oscillator mechanism that is ultimately used to move the hands of the watch.

[0003] US Patent Nos. 5,999,949 and 5,999,949 each show mechanisms employing a bendable spring to store and release energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] German Patent No. 145729 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 3483660 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the performance of the energy storage device of a mechanical watch according to the preamble, mainly to increase the amount of energy that can be stored without significantly increasing the size of the energy storage device. In other words, the aim is to improve the ratio of the amount of energy that can be stored per unit volume, i.e., to improve the energy density.

[0006] In furtherance of the objects of the present invention, a watch and an energy storage device for a watch are proposed having one or more of the features of the appended claims.

[0007] A common feature of the watch and energy storage device of the present invention is that one or more springs are equipped to store and release energy by tensioning the spring. Tensioning a spring means that a force applied to the spring creates a tensile or tensile stress, thereby placing the spring under tension. It has been discovered that storing and releasing energy by tensioning a spring, rather than by bending or buckling, allows for improved energy density, i.e., a greater amount of energy that can be stored and released in a specific volume. Therefore, the displacement required to store and release energy is smaller than the displacement required by bending or buckling a spring. Therefore, it is advantageous for a drive connected to an energy storage device comprising one or more springs to have a transmission ratio greater than 1:1, preferably at least 5:1, and even more preferably at least 10:1, thereby allowing the drive to achieve greater movement of the corresponding shaft relative to the frame as the spring or springs relax. Therefore, in all embodiments of the present invention, the transmission ratio must be greater than 1:1. The shaft rotates at least multiple times (typically about 7-10 times), and the drive in most embodiments can rotate up to 180 degrees, so the transmission ratio should be greater than 5:1, and preferably greater than 10:1.

[0008] Within the scope of the present invention, there are several options for implementing the watch of the present invention: in a first option, the frame does not rotate relative to the body of the watch, so that the shaft can rotate relative to the body of the watch; in another option, the shaft does not rotate relative to the body of the watch, so that the frame can rotate relative to the body of the watch.

[0009] As already mentioned, mechanical watches conventionally incorporate an oscillator, and in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy storage device is embodied as a barrel arranged to maintain the oscillation of the oscillator.

[0010] Advantageously, the barrel drives the oscillator via a gear train.

[0011] To store and release energy, it is necessary to tension the spring and optionally further bend and / or compress the spring.

[0012] A further notable feature is that in use the drive converts translational motion into rotational motion, more specifically the drive converts translational motion of the spring or springs into rotational motion of the shaft.

[0013] Yet another notable feature is that, in use, the drive converts deformation energy into energy embodied in rotational dynamic motion.

[0014] It has been found preferable that the drive comprises a rack and pinion drive, and this feature may form the backbone of many embodiments.

[0015] In one embodiment, a pinion is attached to the shaft and one or more springs are attached to the rack.

[0016] Preferably, the rack has a neutral position and displacement of the rack from the neutral position places tension on one or more springs.

[0017] Another preferred feature is that one or more springs connect the rack and the frame, thereby allowing the one or more springs to be tensioned when the rack moves in a first direction and the one or more springs to be relaxed when the rack moves in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the rack incorporates a body in the shape of a segment of a circle, the body having an outer surface with a partially circular profile that contacts the pinion on the output shaft.

[0019] Preferably, the rack incorporates two or more separate bodies, each in the form of a segment of a circle, each body being provided with an outer surface having a part-circular profile for contacting a pinion on the output shaft.

[0020] In a suitable arrangement, the rack body is positioned circumferentially around the pinion on the output shaft.

[0021] Advantageously, each body of the rack is fitted with at least one spring connected to the frame.

[0022] In another embodiment, the feature applies that for each body of the rack, at least one spring of the body is connected to a base part that is rotatably connected to the body of the rack.

[0023] For each body of the rack, there are preferably a plurality of springs connected to first and second mutually orthogonal base portions which are rotatably connected to the body of the rack.

[0024] In yet another embodiment, the rack is embodied as a body having an open-centered section with an inwardly connected contour that contacts the output shaft.

[0025] In particular, in this embodiment, the body connects to the frame with flexures and springs.

[0026] The invention will now be further described with reference to drawings of exemplary embodiments of a watch and an energy storage device according to the invention, which do not limit the scope of the appended claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wristwatch according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A-3D are schematic diagrams of different embodiments of an energy storage device for use in a wristwatch according to the invention; [Figure 3] 3A-3D are schematic diagrams of different embodiments of an energy storage device for use in a wristwatch according to the invention; [Figure 4] 3A-3D are schematic diagrams of different embodiments of an energy storage device for use in a wristwatch according to the invention;

[0028] Whenever the same reference numbers are used in the drawings, they refer to the same parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] 1 shows diagrammatically a mechanical watch 1 comprising a movement or body 2 provided with an energy storage device 3. The energy storage device has features for storing energy, which can be charged by the user via a winding core 5 reaching from the outside to the inside of the body 2 of the watch 1. Alternatively, these features can be fitted with an energy winding system such as an automatic winding module, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] The above features for storing energy are described in further detail below. However, for clarity, reference will be made to Figure 1, which first shows that energy storage device 3 drives a gear train 6 for transferring energy from energy storage device 3 to an escapement 7 and oscillator 8 that are ultimately used to move the hands (not shown) of watch 1. Energy storage device 3 is typically embodied as a barrel arranged to maintain oscillation of oscillator 8 via gear train 6.

[0031] Different embodiments of the energy storage device 3 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. What all these embodiments have in common is that the energy storage device 3 comprises a shaft 10 and one or more springs 11 that provide a driving force for moving the shaft 10 relative to the frame 4 of the energy storage device 3. Thus, the energy storage device 3 of the present invention comprises a drive unit 12 that connects the one or more springs 11 and the shaft 10.

[0032] Generally speaking, the energy storage device 3 can operate in several ways within the body 2 of the watch 1. In one possible operation, the frame 4 of the energy storage device 3 does not rotate relative to the body 2 of the watch 1, so that the shaft 10 can rotate relative to the body 2 of the watch 1. In another possible operation, the shaft 10 does not rotate relative to the body 2 of the watch 1, so that the frame 4 can rotate relative to the body 2 of the watch 1.

[0033] The two options described in the previous paragraph can be implemented together in the same energy storage device 3 and can be operational at different times or simultaneously. For example, one of the two options can be operational during operation of the winding mechanism, and the other of the two options can be operational when drive torque or drive energy is transmitted via the gear train 6 to the mechanisms of the escapement 7 and oscillator 8 of the timepiece 1.

[0034] Alternatively, the functions of frame 4 and shaft 10 can be reversed, with shaft 10 then acting as an input from the winding mechanism to store additional energy in energy storage device 3, and frame 4 acting as an output, keeping gear train 6 under tension to drive the hands and oscillator 8 of watch movement 2. Indeed, in a typical watch movement, the barrel or energy storage device 3 is unwound via frame 4 (e.g., via a gearing on the outside of the cylindrical part of the barrel), while energy storage device 3 can simultaneously be wound via shaft 10 (either via a manually operated winding core 5 or an automatic module).

[0035] Referring now to a first embodiment of an energy storage device 3 shown in FIG. 2, this embodiment comprises a drive 12 in the form of two rotors 13 rotatable relative to a fixed frame 4. A shaft 10 has a small radius and is coupled to the rotors 13 at a relatively large distance from the axis of rotation of the rotors 13. A tensile spring 11 is connected to the rotors 13 at a small distance from their center of rotation. The spring 11 is equipped to store and release energy by tensioning the spring 11, and optionally further compressing the spring 11. This combination provides a large amplification of motion, thereby enabling a small translational motion of the spring 11 to be converted into a large rotational motion of the shaft 10. Accordingly, the energy-storing spring 11 can be stretched by pulling only slightly, causing the rotors 13 to undergo a large rotational motion, thereby rotating the shaft 10 multiple times. Thus, the drive unit 12 incorporating the rotor 13 converts translational motion into rotational motion, and preferably has a transmission ratio higher than 1:1, allowing the drive unit 12 to induce greater motion of the corresponding shaft 10 relative to the frame 4 upon relaxation of one or more springs 11. Multiple mechanisms can be installed in parallel around a central drive shaft to balance the forces acting on the drive shafts. Multiple mechanisms can also be connected in series or parallel configurations, preferably around a central drive shaft, thereby allowing for greater energy storage capacity.

[0036] 2 essentially shows that the drive 12 comprises a rack and pinion drive, with the pinion mounted on the shaft 10 and the rack formed by the rotating body 13. According to the present invention, the rack formed by the rotating body 13 is fitted with one or more springs 11. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 is characterized in that the rack formed by the rotating body 13 has a neutral position, and as the rack is displaced away from the neutral position, the one or more springs 11 are tensioned. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the one or more springs 11 connect the rack formed by the rotating body 13 to the frame 4, thereby allowing the one or more springs 11 to be tensioned when the rack moves in a first direction and to be relaxed when the rack 12 moves in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0037] It is further apparent from the embodiment of FIG. 2 that the rack formed by the rotating bodies 13 has the shape of a segment of a circle, each body having an outer surface 13′ with a partially circular profile that contacts the pinion on the shaft 10. In fact, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the rack incorporates two separate bodies 13, each having the shape of a segment of a circle and each having an outer surface 13′ with a partially circular profile that contacts the pinion on the shaft 10. The number of bodies 13 actually applied is not required. There may be only one, or two or more. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is merely an example. Furthermore, the rack bodies 13 are positioned circumferentially around the pinion on the shaft 10, and each rack body 13 is equipped with at least one spring 11 that is connected to the frame 4 of the energy storage device 3. In this embodiment, as in the other rack-and-pinion embodiments disclosed herein, the connection between the rack and the pinion can be implemented by a gear with teeth that mesh with the rack and the pinion. Alternatively, the driving contact between the rack and pinion can be implemented by friction between the surfaces of the rack and pinion.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the energy storage device 3 of the present invention, in which each rotor 13 cooperates with two translating bases 14′, 14″. The translating bases 14′, 14″ are capable of linear translational movement in the y and x directions, respectively, relative to a fixed frame 4. The translational movement is made possible by flexible springs 11 connecting the translating bases 14′, 14″ to the frame 4. The springs 11 are equipped to store and release energy by tensioning, and optionally further bending, the springs 11. The rotors 13 are suspended by the translating bases 14′, 14″ and are not directly connected to the frame 4. There is a rotary joint at the connection between the translating bases 14', 14" and the rotor 13. This structure has one degree of freedom. When the translating base 14' translates in the y direction, the other translating base 14" translates in the x direction, and the rotor 13 rotates according to an angle determined by the degree of translation of the translating bases 14', 14". When the translating base 14' translates one complete movement in the y direction, this movement is converted into a 180° rotational movement of the rotor 13, thereby driving the shaft 10. Energy storage The spring 11 is tensioned as the rotor 13 rotates, and optionally further bent by translational deflection, causing multiple rotations of the shaft 10. Also, multiple mechanisms according to the embodiment of Figure 3 can be placed in parallel around the drive shaft to balance the forces acting on the drive shaft. As with the other embodiments, multiple mechanisms can be connected, preferably in series or parallel configurations around the drive shaft, thereby allowing for greater energy storage capacity.

[0039] 3 shows that the drive 12 in this embodiment also comprises a rack and pinion drive, with the pinion mounted on the shaft 10 and the rack formed by the rotating body 13. In accordance with the present invention, the rack formed by the rotating body 13 is fitted with one or more springs 11 via intervening translating bases 14', 14". It will be clear to those skilled in the art that the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3 is characterized in that the rack formed by the rotating body 13 has a neutral position, and as the rack is displaced away from the neutral position, the one or more springs 11 are tensioned. It shows that the one or more springs 11 connect the rack formed by the rotating body 13 to the frame 4 via the translating bases 14', 14", thereby tensioning the one or more springs 11 when the rack moves in a first direction and allowing the one or more springs 11 to relax when the rack 12 moves in a second direction opposite the first direction.

[0040] It is further evident from the embodiment of Figure 3 that the rack formed by the rotating bodies 13 is in the form of a segment of a circle, each body having an outer surface 13' with a part-circular profile that contacts the pinion on the shaft 10. Indeed, in the embodiment of Figure 3, the rack incorporates two separate bodies 13, each in the form of a segment of a circle, each provided with an outer surface 13' with a part-circular profile that contacts the pinion on the shaft 10. Furthermore, the bodies 13 of the rack are positioned circumferentially around the pinion on the shaft 10, and each body 13 of the rack is fitted with a plurality of springs 11 that are connected to the frame 4 of the energy storage device 3.

[0041] A feature that distinguishes the second embodiment of Figure 3 from that shown with reference to the embodiment of Figure 2 is that, for each body 13 of the rack, at least one spring 11 of the body 13 is connected to a translating base portion 14', 14" that is rotatably connected to the rotating body 13 of the rack. It is more clearly shown in Figure 3 that, for each body 13 of the rack, there are a plurality of springs 11 that are connected to first and second mutually orthogonal base portions 14', 14" that are rotatably connected to the body 13 of the rack.

[0042] Corresponding features described with reference to the embodiment of Figures 2 and 3 are also present in the third embodiment shown in Figure 4. The third embodiment of Figure 4 is distinguished from the other embodiments in that the rack is embodied as a body 13 having a centrally open section 13" provided with an inwardly facing continuous contoured surface 13'. Body 13 is connected to frame 4 by flexures 15 and springs 11.

[0043] The springs in various embodiments are preferably leaf springs, meaning that they comprise at least one blade or strip of material and have a generally rectangular cross section.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the wristwatch and energy storage device of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, which can be variously modified and combined without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the described exemplary embodiments should not be used to strictly interpret the scope of the appended claims. On the contrary, the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims to these exemplary embodiments, but are merely intended to explain the wording of the claims. Therefore, the protected scope of the present invention should be interpreted solely in accordance with the scope of the appended claims, and any ambiguities that may arise in the wording of the claims should be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A wristwatch (1) comprising a body (2) provided with an energy storage device (3) having a frame (4), The energy storage device (3) comprises a shaft (10) and one or more leaf springs (11) that provide a driving force for moving the shaft (10) and / or the frame (4) relative to each other; The energy storage device (3) comprises a drive (12) that connects the one or more springs (11) to the shaft (10), the one or more springs (11) being equipped to store and release energy by applying tension to the springs (11); A wristwatch (1) characterized in that the drive (12) comprises a rack and pinion drive, the rack being embodied as a body (13) having a centrally open section (13") provided with an inwardly facing continuous contoured surface (13'), and the body (13) is connected to the frame (4) by a flexure (15) and the spring (11).

2. 2. A wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (4) does not rotate relative to the body (2) of the wristwatch (1), so that the shaft (10) can rotate relative to the body (2) of the wristwatch (1).

3. The frame (4) is rotatable relative to the body (2) of the wristwatch (1), 2. A watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (10) does not undergo rotational movement relative to the body (2) of the watch (1).

4. 3. The watch according to claim 2, further comprising an oscillator (8), characterized in that the energy storage device (3) is embodied as a barrel arranged to maintain the oscillation of the oscillator (8).

5. 5. Wristwatch according to claim 4, characterized in that the barrel drives the oscillator (8) via a gear train (6).

6. 2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring or springs (11) are equipped to store and release energy by bending and / or compressing the springs (11) in addition to tensioning them.

7. 2. The watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (12) connected to the energy storage device (3) comprising the one or more springs (11) has a transmission ratio higher than 1:1, whereby relaxation of the one or more springs (11) allows the drive (12) to cause a greater movement of the corresponding shaft (10) relative to the frame (4).

8. 2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (12) is equipped to convert translational movements into rotational movements.

9. 2. Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive (12) is equipped to convert deformation energy into energy embodied in rotational movement.

10. A wristwatch as described in claim 1, characterized in that a pinion is attached to the shaft (10) and the one or more springs (11) are attached to the rack.

11. 2. A watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the rack has a neutral position, and that any displacement of the rack from its neutral position puts the spring or springs (11) into tension.

12. 2. The watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more springs (11) connect the rack and the frame (4), thereby allowing the one or more springs (11) to be tensioned when the rack moves in a first direction and to be relaxed when the rack moves in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

13. 13. A watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the rack incorporates a body (13) in the shape of a segment of a circle, said body having an outer surface (13') with a partly circular profile in contact with the pinion on the shaft (10).

14. 14. A watch according to claim 13, characterized in that the rack incorporates two or more separate bodies (13), each in the form of a segment of a circle, each body being provided with an outer surface (13') with a part-circular profile in contact with the pinion on the shaft (10).

15. 15. Wristwatch according to claim 14, characterized in that the body (13) of the rack is positioned circumferentially around the pinion on the shaft (10).

16. 15. Wristwatch according to claim 14, characterized in that each body (13) of the rack is fitted with at least one spring (11) connected to the frame (4).

17. 17. Wristwatch according to claim 16, characterized in that for each body (13) of the rack, at least one spring (11) of said body is connected to a base (14', 14") rotatably connected to said body (13) of the rack.

18. 17. Wristwatch according to claim 16, characterized in that for each body (13) of the rack there are a plurality of springs (11) connected to first and second mutually orthogonal base parts (14', 14") rotatably connected to said body (13) of the rack.

19. An energy storage device (3) having a frame (4) equipped for attachment to a wristwatch (1), The energy storage device (3) comprises a shaft (10) and one or more springs (11) that provide a driving force for moving the shaft (10) and / or the frame (4) relative to each other; The energy storage device (3) comprises a drive (12) connecting the one or more springs (11) and the shaft (10), the one or more springs (11) being equipped to store and release energy by tensioning the springs (11); 1. An energy storage device (3) characterized in that the drive (12) comprises a rack and pinion drive, the rack being embodied as a body (13) having a centrally open section (13") provided with an inwardly facing continuous contoured surface (13'), and the body (13) is connected to the frame (4) by a flexure (15) and the spring (11).

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