A carousel with two ball bearings, a watch movement including the carousel, and a watch including the watch movement.

Abstract

To provide a carousel that is smaller in thickness than carousels of the prior art.SOLUTION: The invention relates to a carousel 1 for a horological movement 10. The carousel includes: an inertial mass; a guide; a resilient return element for returning the inertial mass, configured to cause the inertial mass to oscillate in a plane; and an escapement mechanism cooperating with the inertial mass. The carousel includes a carriage intended to be rotatable. The inertial mass, the guide, the resilient return element and the escapement mechanism are arranged inside the carriage. The carousel includes a first ball bearing allowing the carriage to rotate when mounted in a horological movement, and a second ball bearing allowing the escapement mechanism to be actuated. The first ball bearing and the second ball bearing are arranged substantially in the same plane.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to the field of carousel for watch movement equipped with two ball bearings.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a watch movement including such a carousel, and a watch including such a movement.

Background Art

[0003] Today, most mechanical watches are equipped with regulating members including a spring-type balance and a Swiss lever escapement mechanism. The spring-type balance constitutes the time base of the watch. This is also referred to as a resonator.

[0004] The escapement has two main functions. · To maintain the reciprocating motion of the resonator, and · To count these reciprocating motions.

[0005] To constitute a mechanical resonator, an inertial mass, a guide, and an elastic return element are required. Conventionally, the hairspring acts as an elastic return element for an inertial mass constituted by, for example, a balance. This balance is guided and rotated by a pivot that rotates within a flat ruby bearing.

[0006] To reduce the undesirable influence of gravity on the movement of the regulating member, there are tourbillon-type or carousel-type complex mechanisms that rotate the regulating member around an axis. These complex mechanisms also have a unique aesthetic charm, making the watch particularly attractive.

[0007] In a tourbillon, the escapement mechanism and the carriage rotation mechanism are arranged in series. Generally speaking, the driving means of the movement actuates the rotation of the carriage, and the rotation of the carriage actuates the escapement mechanism. The escapement mechanism meshes with a fixed gear of the movement to be actuated.

[0008] A carousel operates differently because the rotation of the carriage and the operation of the escapement are driven in parallel by the same means. Therefore, unlike a tourbillon, even if the carriage is not rotating, the escapement will still operate, albeit at a different frequency.

[0009] Furthermore, to prevent the carriage from spinning freely when the mainspring barrel is unloaded, the carousel includes a retaining gear train that holds the carriage in place.

[0010] In the case of a carousel, the carriage is usually toothed, for example, having teeth on the outer circumference. These teeth mesh with a first gear train that is actuated by the barrel.

[0011] To allow the carriage to rotate, there are tourbillons or carousels in which ball bearings connect the carriage to the armature of a regulating member, so that the carriage can rotate relative to the armature.

[0012] The escapement mechanism typically includes an intermediate wheelset driven by a second gear train actuated by a barrel. The intermediate wheelset includes a pinion located beneath the carriage and a rotating spindle to which the pinion is mounted. Both ends of the spindle are held in bearings and are permitted to rotate and drive the intermediate wheelset.

[0013] However, such carousels are extremely thick, requiring a movement and a watch large enough to accommodate it. This characteristic prevents such carousels from being integrated into a given small movement or at least a thin movement, nor into a movement with a specific configuration. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0014] The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and provide a carousel with a smaller thickness compared to prior art carousels.

[0015] To this end, the present invention relates to a carousel for a watch movement. The carousel comprises an inertial mass, a guide, an elastic return element configured to return the inertial mass to a plane, and an escapement mechanism cooperating with the inertial mass, wherein the carousel comprises a carriage intended to be rotatably mounted, and the inertial mass, guide, elastic return element, and escapement mechanism are located inside the carriage, and the carousel comprises a first ball bearing that allows rotation of the carriage when mounted on a watch movement, and a second ball bearing that allows operation of the escapement mechanism.

[0016] This movement is characterized in that the first ball bearing and the second ball bearing are arranged substantially on the same plane.

[0017] As a result, the second ball bearing eliminates the need for bearings at both ends of the axle of the intermediate wheelset, making the carousel thinner and reducing the space it occupies. Furthermore, since the two ball bearings are on the same plane, the carousel becomes even thinner.

[0018] Thanks to the present invention, such a carousel can be adapted to a small, especially thin, movement.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first ball bearing and the second ball bearing are coaxial.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the second ball bearing is arranged concentrically inside the first ball bearing.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the carousel comprises a bearing support including a first ball bearing and a second ball bearing.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the bearing support is located below the carriage.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the carriage includes an upper armature and a lower armature, and the bearing support is arranged under the lower armature.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bearing support includes a first element, preferably an external element, which is intended to be integrally attached to the carriage.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bearing support includes a second element, preferably an intermediate element, which is intended to be integrally attached to the movement plate.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the bearing support includes a third element, preferably an internal element, which is intended to be integrally attached to the mandrel actuating the escapement mechanism.

[0027] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the first element and the second element are connected by a first ball bearing.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the third element and the second element are connected by a second ball bearing.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the first element, the second element and the third element are arranged in the same plane as the first ball bearing and the second ball bearing.

[0030] The invention further relates to a timepiece movement including a plate configured to support other parts of the movement, the timepiece movement including drive means provided with a gear train and such a carousel.

[0031] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the carousel is attached at a fixed angle to the plate.

[0032] The present invention further relates to a watch including such a watch movement. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] The object, advantages, and features of the present invention will become clear after reading several embodiments. These embodiments are given for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, subject to reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [Figure 1] A schematic side view of a part of the first embodiment of a watch movement including a carousel according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a portion of the watch movement. [Figure 3] This shows a perspective view of the bottom of one embodiment of the carousel according to the present invention. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram shows a perspective top view of one embodiment of the carousel according to the present invention. [Figure 5] A schematic top view of one embodiment of the carousel according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 6] A schematic top view of one embodiment of the carousel according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the carousel according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 8] A partial perspective top view of a second embodiment of a watch movement including a carousel according to the present invention is shown. [Figure 9] Figure 8 shows a perspective top view of a part of the watch movement. [Figure 10] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a part of the clock movement. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The present invention relates to a carousel 1 intended to be attached to a watch movement 10. A first embodiment of such a watch movement 10 is partially shown in Figures 1 and 2. Such a watch movement 10 typically includes a plate (not shown) extending substantially in a single plane, which is configured to support the components of the watch movement 10. In this embodiment, the carousel 1 is mounted flat on the plate.

[0036] Furthermore, the watch movement 10 includes a driving mechanism, which includes a mainspring barrel 13 and a gear train 12 that connects the mainspring barrel 13 to the carousel 1.

[0037] In this embodiment, the gear train 12 includes two gear wheels 33 and 34 and a gear wheel set 35 which combines a stacked wheel 36 and a gear pinion 37. The first wheel 33 is driven by the external teeth 38 of the barrel 13 and meshes with the gear pinion 37 of the gear wheel set 35. The wheel 36 of the gear set 35 meshes with a second wheel 34, referred to as the second drive wheel, and the second wheel 34 drives the carousel 1 via the first shaft pinion 18.

[0038] To control the rotation of carriage 2 and prevent it from rotating freely, carousel 1 includes a gear train 40 that holds carriage 2. The holding gear train 40 is positioned outside carriage 2 of carousel 1 and meshes with the second wheel 34 and carriage 2.

[0039] The retaining gear train 40 includes a second wheelset 39 with two parallel wheels, the two wheels being an upper wheel 41 and a lower wheel 42. The retaining gear train 40 also includes a third connecting wheelset 43, which combines stacked wheels 44 and a gear pinion 45.

[0040] The upper wheel 41 of the two-wheel wheelset 39 meshes with the outer teeth 46 of the carriage 2, while the lower wheel 42 of the two-wheel wheelset 39 meshes with the wheel 44 of the third connecting wheelset 42, and the pinion 45 of the third connecting wheelset 43 meshes with the second gear wheel 34.

[0041] The retaining gear train 40 prevents the carriage 2 from rotating faster than the desired speed. The retaining gear train 40 connects the rotation of the carriage 2 to the fourth wheel.

[0042] In Figures 3 to 7, the carousel 1 includes a carousel carriage 2. Inside the carousel carriage 2 are a mechanical resonator having an inertial mass 3, a guide, an elastic return element 4, and a Swiss lever escapement mechanism 5.

[0043] The carousel carriage 2 includes an upper armature 8 and a lower armature 9, which are assembled together by two screws 11 in this case. A mechanical resonator having an inertial mass 3, guides, and elastic return elements, as well as an escapement mechanism, are suspended between the upper armature 8 and the lower armature 9.

[0044] According to a non-limiting alternative embodiment, the lower armature 9 is in this case a large-diameter circular wheel with outer teeth 46. The upper armature 8 in this case includes four arms 14 extending from a central junction 13. These arms 14 extend from the central junction. Three support columns 32 are distributed at an angle around the outer circumference of the carousel carriage 2 so as to connect the circular wheel to each arm 14.

[0045] In Figures 3 to 7, the carousel 1 includes an intermediate bar 7 positioned between the upper armature 8 and the lower armature 9. The upper armature 8 is attached to the intermediate bar 7 by two first screws 11 located at the ends of the two arms 14 of the upper armature 8. The lower armature 9 is attached to the intermediate bar 7 by two second screws 15 located therein. The second screws 15 are located on the two opposite sides of the large diameter wheel of the upper armature 8.

[0046] The inertial mass 3 is an annular balance wheel positioned on a first axis rod 16 located at the center of the carousel carriage 2. The first axis rod 16 is substantially perpendicular to the second plane of the inertial mass.

[0047] The balance wheel is located in the upper part of the carousel carriage 2 and is visible from the outside. The inertial mass 3 and the first axle rod 16 are located between the intermediate bar and the upper armature 8.

[0048] The balance wheel is configured to perform rotational oscillating motion around a first radial spindle 16 within the carousel carriage 2 at a predetermined frequency. The first spindle 16 is held in place by bearings 47, 48 in the intermediate bar 7 and in the upper armature 8.

[0049] To actuate the mechanical resonator, a second shaft rod 17, substantially collinear with the first shaft rod 16, is positioned below the first shaft rod 16. Part of the second shaft rod 17 extends below the carousel carriage 2. The first shaft pinion 18 is integrated with the second shaft rod 17 at its center, coaxial with the balance wheel, and positioned below the carousel carriage 2.

[0050] The intermediate wheel 19 is integrated with the second shaft 17 located below the balance wheel in the carousel carriage 2. The intermediate wheel 19 meshes with the escapement pinion 21. The escapement pinion 21 is positioned on a third radial shaft 22 substantially parallel to the shafts 16, 17. The third radial shaft 22 is positioned in the carousel carriage 2. The third radial shaft 22 also holds the escape wheel 25, which is positioned above the escapement pinion 21. The third radial shaft 22 is held in the intermediate bar 7 and the lower armature 9 by bearings 49, 51.

[0051] The escape wheel 25 cooperates with a Swiss lever 26 positioned perpendicularly between the first shaft 16 and the outer circumference of the escape wheel 25. The lever 26 includes an elongated body with a fork at its first end, which is configured to cooperate with a pin on the first shaft 16 that is linked to the movement of the balance wheel. The second end of the lever 26 includes two pallets positioned to cooperate with the escape wheel 25. These pallets alternately block the rotation of the escape wheel 25, causing it to rotate in steps. The lever 26 is supported by a fourth radial shaft 27 positioned in the carousel carriage 2 between the first shaft 16 and the third radial shaft 22.

[0052] By rotating the first axle pinion 18, the movement of the escape wheel 25, lever 26, and balance wheel is actuated via the intermediate wheel 19 and escapement pinion 21. This causes the third radial mantle 22 to rotate. The rotation of the carriage 2 is also actuated when the first axle pinion 18 rotates, because the force applied to the first axle pinion 18 is divided between the rotation of the escapement mechanism and the rotation of the carriage 2 of the carousel 1.

[0053] The carousel carriage 2 is mounted so as to be able to rotate around the axis of rotation by a first ball bearing 31. Furthermore, the carousel 1 includes a second ball bearing 31 that actsuates the escapement mechanism 25.

[0054] According to the present invention, the first ball bearing 30 and the second ball bearing 31 are arranged at substantially the same height, i.e., on the same plane. This reduces the thickness of the carousel 1 compared to a conventional carousel.

[0055] Furthermore, the second bearing 31 is arranged concentrically inside the first ball bearing 30. Preferably, the first ball bearing 30 and the second ball bearing 31 are coaxial.

[0056] To this end, the carousel 1 includes a bearing support 20 positioned beneath the carousel carriage 2, the bearing support 20 comprising a first ball bearing 30 and a second ball bearing 31. The bearing support 20 is intended to be at least partially fastened to the watch movement 10 when the carousel 1 is mounted, for example, to a bar or directly to a plate.

[0057] The bearing support 20 preferably includes an external first element 23. The first element 23 is intended to be mounted integrally with the carriage 2. The first element 23 is assembled to the lower armature 9 of the carriage 2, in this case below the large diameter wheel, for example by one or more screws, or by fitting a stud into an orifice.

[0058] The bearing support 20 includes a second element 24, preferably an intermediate element. The second element 24 is intended to be integrally mounted with the plate of the movement 10. The second element 24 may be fastened to the bar of the plate by conventional fastening means.

[0059] The bearing support 20 preferably includes an internal third element 29. The third element 29 is intended to be integrally mounted with a second shaft 17 that actsuates the escapement mechanism 25. The second shaft 17 is fitted, preferably at its center, so as to pass through the third element 29. The second shaft 17 is held by the third element 29, with part of it in the carousel carriage 2 between the intermediate bar 7 and the lower armature 9, and part of it below the carousel carriage 2.

[0060] The three elements 23, 24, and 29 are, for example, substantially circular ring shapes.

[0061] The first element 23 and the second element 24 are movably connected to each other by the first ball bearing 30, and the third element 29 and the second element 24 are movably connected to each other by the second ball bearing 31.

[0062] Each ball bearing includes a movable ball positioned between the first element 23 and the second element 24 in the case of the first ball bearing 30, and between the third element 29 and the second element 24 in the case of the second ball bearing 31.

[0063] When the carousel 1 is attached to the movement 10, the first element 23 rotates with the carriage 2 and can move relative to the plate. The second element is fixed relative to the plate as it is assembled to the movement 10. The third element 29 rotates with the second axle 17 of the carousel and can move relative to the plate.

[0064] The first element 23, the second element 24, and the third element 29 are preferably arranged on the same plane as the first ball bearing 30 and the second ball bearing 31.

[0065] In other words, thanks to the second ball bearing 31 and bearing support 20, the second shaft 17 can rotate relative to the plate when the first shaft pinion 18 is driven by the second wheel 34. Furthermore, thanks to the first ball bearing 30 and bearing support 20, the carousel carriage 2 can rotate relative to the plate.

[0066] Figures 8 to 10 show a second embodiment of the watch movement 50 including such carousel 70. Here, the carousel 70 is mounted at a fixed angle to the plate 52.

[0067] In other words, unlike the first embodiment of the watch movement 10 in which the axis of rotation of the carousel 70 formed an angle substantially equal to 90° with respect to the plane of the plate, the angle here is less than 90°. The angle is, for example, between 20° and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°.

[0068] To this end, the watch movement includes a plate 52 with a mainspring barrel 13, a first inclined bar 61 supporting a carousel 70, a retaining gear train 40, and a gear train 62. The plane on which the first inclined bar 61 lies forms a non-0° angle with the plane on which the plate 52 lies, and this angle is substantially equal to the angle formed between the rotation axis of the carousel and the plate 52. The first inclined bar 61 is assembled to the plate 52 by conventional fastening means.

[0069] The second inclined bar 66 is positioned above the first inclined bar 61 and suspends the gear train 62 positioned between the two inclined bars 61 and 66.

[0070] The configuration of the carousel 70, the gear train 62, and the retaining gear train 40 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0071] In other words, according to the present invention, the carousel 70 includes a first ball bearing 30 and a second ball bearing 31 arranged substantially in the same plane. Since such a carousel 70 has a limited thickness, it is particularly suitable for inclined carousels in order to avoid excessive dimensions. This is because an inclined carousel 70 occupies more space in terms of height than a flat carousel.

[0072] In this second embodiment, the upper armature 28 of the carousel 70 is curved in such a way that it reduces the volume of the carousel 70. That is, the arms of the upper armature 28 are substantially curved toward the lower armature 9 from the central junction to the outer circumference of the carousel 70.

[0073] This configuration of the upper armature 28 also reduces the thickness of the watch movement 50, because the inclined carousel 70 also occupies a significant height due to the size of the diagonal carriage. As a result, the curved upper armature 28 reduces the height of the inclined carousel 70.

[0074] The inclined bar 61 is mounted on plate 52 such that it slopes downward from the outside of the clock movement toward the center of plate 52. In other words, the carousel 70 is inclined toward the inside of the clock movement 50.

[0075] The gear train 62 includes a third gear wheel 54, a third gear wheelset 53, and a fourth gear wheelset 55 which combines stacked wheels 56, 58 and gear pinions 57, 59.

[0076] The wheel 56 of the third gear wheelset 53 meshes with a third wheel 54, referred to as the second drive wheel, which drives the carousel 70 via the first shaft pinion 18.

[0077] The wheel 58 of the fourth wheelset 55 meshes with the pinion 37 of the third wheelset 53, while the pinion 59 of the fourth wheelset 55 meshes with an additional gear train 60 that connects the barrel 13 to the gear train 62.

[0078] The additional gear train 60 is mounted on the plate 52 and is inclined relative to the gear train 62.

[0079] The additional gear train 60 includes a fourth gear wheel 63, a fifth gear wheel 64, and a fifth gear wheel set 65 which combines a stacked wheel 66 and a gear pinion 67. The fourth wheel 63 is driven by the external teeth 38 of the barrel 13 and, in turn, meshes with the fifth gear 64.

[0080] The fifth wheel 64 meshes with the gear pinion 67 of the fifth gear wheelset 65.

[0081] Finally, the wheel 66 of the fifth gear wheelset 65 meshes with the pinion 59 of the fourth gear wheelset 55 of the gear train 62.

[0082] Thanks to the additional gear trains 60 and 62, the power of the mainspring barrel 13 is thus transmitted to the carousel 70.

[0083] Furthermore, the fifth gear wheelset 65 is at a constant angle to the fourth gear wheelset 55. This is because the fifth gear wheelset 65 is mounted on plate 52, while the fourth gear wheelset 55 is mounted between bars 61 and 66.

[0084] The teeth of the wheel of the fifth gear wheelset 65 and the teeth of the pinion of the fourth wheelset 55 are configured to cooperate with each other, for example, by orientation and cutting specific to the inclination between the fifth gear wheelset 65 and the fourth wheelset 55.

[0085] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the drawings, and alternative examples can be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A carousel (1.70) for a watch movement (10.50), The carousel (1, 70) includes an inertial mass (3), a guide for guiding the rotation of the inertial mass (3), an elastic return element (4) configured to cause the inertial mass (3) to vibrate in a plane and to return the inertial mass (3), and an escapement mechanism (5) cooperating with the inertial mass (3), the carousel (1, 70) includes a carriage (2) intended to be rotatable, the inertial mass (3), the guide, the elastic return element (4), and the escapement mechanism (5) being disposed inside the carriage (2), the carousel (1, 70) includes a first ball bearing (30) that allows the carriage (2) to rotate when mounted on the watch movement (10, 50), and a second ball bearing (31) that allows the escapement mechanism (5) to operate. A key feature is that the first ball bearing (30) and the second ball bearing (31) are arranged in substantially the same plane, The second ball bearing (31) is arranged concentrically inside the first ball bearing (30). The carousel (1, 70) is located there.

2. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first ball bearing (30) and the second ball bearing (31) are coaxial.

3. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a bearing support (20) comprising the first ball bearing (30) and the second ball bearing (31).

4. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing support (20) is positioned below the carriage (2).

5. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 3, characterized in that the carriage (2) includes an upper armature (8) and a lower armature (9), and the bearing support (20) is positioned below the lower armature (9).

6. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing support (20) includes a first element (23), the first element (23) is intended to be integrally mounted with the carriage (2).

7. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 6, characterized in that the bearing support (20) includes a second element (24) intended to be integrally attached with the plate of the watch movement (10).

8. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 7, characterized in that the bearing support (20) includes a third element (29) intended to be integrally attached with the spindle (17) that actsuates the escapement mechanism (5).

9. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first element (23) and the second element (24) are connected via the first ball bearing (30).

10. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 9, characterized in that the third element (29) and the second element (24) are connected via the second ball bearing (31).

11. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first element (23), the second element (24), and the third element (29) are arranged in the same plane as the first ball bearing (30) and the second ball bearing (31).

12. A clock movement (10, 50) including a plate (52), wherein the plate (52) is configured to support other components of the clock movement (10, 50), and the clock movement (10, 50) includes a drive means comprising a gear train (12, 62) and a carousel (1, 70) as described in claim 1.

13. The watch movement (10, 50) according to claim 12, characterized in that the carousel (70) is attached to the plate (52) at a certain angle.

14. A clock comprising the clock movement (10, 50) described in claim 12.

15. The carousel (1, 70) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first element (23) is an external element, the second element (24) is an intermediate element, and the third element (29) is an internal element.

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