Mechanism for a timepiece movement comprising a device for locking a mobile

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism for a timepiece movement comprising a mobile (20) and a device (10) for locking the mobile (20), characterised in that the mechanism comprises an animation cam (11) intended to be rotated sequentially by a complete revolution from a fixed initial position, the mechanism further comprising a control lever (13) that is connected to a locking member (12) and cooperates with the animation cam (11), the control lever (13) being configured so as to move, according to the position of the animation cam (11), between two end positions, including a rest position in which it drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the mobile (20) is immobilised, and an active position in which it drives the locking member (12) into a position in which the mobile (20) is released, the mechanism being configured such that the movement of the mobile and that of the control lever (13) are synchronised.

Description

MECHANISM OF A CLOCKWORK MOVEMENT COMPRISING A DEVICE FOR LOCKING A MOBILE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and in particular to mechanisms in a watch movement.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a mechanism of a watch movement comprising a device for blocking a mobile. Technological background

[0003] In the watch movement of a watch, the position of the moving parts, such as wheels, pinions and other components intended to be driven into motion, must be controlled.

[0004] For this purpose, well-known solutions from the state of the art are implemented, such as a jumper arranged to bear against the periphery of a mobile, in particular in a predefined space, for example between two successive teeth of the mobile, in order to control its maintenance in a predetermined position.

[0005] However, this solution has the disadvantage of permanently consuming energy through the friction that the jumper generates.

[0006] The invention proposes to solve the drawbacks of the solutions of the state of the art, which all offer passive control of the position of a mobile. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention solves the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a solution allowing active management of the blocking of a mobile in a watch movement.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a mechanism of a watch movement comprising a wheel set and a device for blocking the wheel set. The mechanism comprises an animation cam intended to be driven in rotation through one complete revolution, sequentially, from a fixed initial position. The mechanism further comprises a control lever connected to a blocking member and cooperating with said animation cam. The control lever is configured so as to move, depending on the position of the animation cam, between two extreme positions, including a rest position in which it drives the blocking member into a position for immobilizing the wheel set, and including an active position in which it drives the blocking member into a position for releasing the wheel set, the mechanism being configured so that the movement of the wheel set and that of the control lever are synchronized.

[0009] Thanks to the features of the invention, the mobility of the mobile is actively blocked. This active management of the immobilization of the mobile, that is to say its blocking, allows a reduction in the energy consumption of the watch movement. Indeed, when the mobile is released by the blocking member, it can be driven without any generation of friction with the blocking member.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the animation cam is configured to rotate both the mobile and the control rocker, so as to move the control rocker into the active position when the mobile is being moved and so as to move the control rocker into the rest position when the mobile is not being moved.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the locking member forms a lever, and the control rocker comprises a first element connecting element cooperating with a second connecting element with which the locking member is provided, and by which it is adapted to drive said locking member in rotation.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the locking member comprises a locking finger configured to cooperate by shape complementarity with a notch of the mobile when the locking member is in the immobilization position.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the locking member comprises a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis around which it is movable in rotation, the shaft comprising the second connecting element at one of its ends and comprising the locking finger at its other end.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the animation cam comprises a cam path on which, during rotation of the animation cam, a feeler with which the control rocker is provided moves, the cam path being designed so as to extend in a circular manner around the axis of rotation of the animation cam and to be oriented axially.

[0016] In particular embodiments, the mechanism comprises a spring arranged to bear against the control rocker and tending to force said control rocker to bear against the animation cam.

[0017] In particular embodiments, the animation cam is rotatable along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of rotation of the mobile. The mechanism comprises a drive rocker arranged to bear against the animation cam, and a transmission wheel with which the drive rocker is intended to cooperate during the rotation of the animation cam so as to pivot it by one step. The transmission wheel is kinematically connected to the mobile so that pivoting by one step of said transmission wheel causes the mobile to move by one step.

[0018] In particular embodiments, the drive rocker is arranged to bear against a radial profile of the animation cam. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description with reference to Figure 1 representing a perspective view from above of a part of a mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and to Figure 2 representing a perspective view from below of another part of the mechanism of Figure 1.

[0020] Note that the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for reasons of clarity. Detailed description of the invention

[0021] Figure 1 shows a mechanism of a watch movement, comprising a wheel set 20 and a device 10 for blocking the wheel set 20, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The wheel set 20 is preferably formed by a display of a time value, such as a roller of a roller display device, for example as described in patent EP3627240, the content of which is incorporated by reference. In particular, the wheel set 20 may be formed by two flanges 22 between which flaps displaying time indications, for example dates, are rotated. Only the flanges 22 are shown in Figure 1 to simplify the reading of said figure, the flaps being shown in Figure 2.

[0022] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mobile 20 is therefore driven in rotation periodically, in steps, as described below in more detail.

[0023] Alternatively, the mobile 20 may be formed by any wheel, pinion or disc.

[0024] The mechanism according to the invention comprises an animation cam 11 adapted to act on the blocking device 10 in order to immobilize the mobile 20 or to authorize its movement.

[0025] In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the locking device 10 comprises a locking member 12 forming a lever and a control rocker 13 cooperating with each other. In particular, the control rocker 13 cooperates, with one of its ends called the “driving end”, with the animation cam 11, and with its other end called the “driven end”, with the locking member 12. Depending on the position of the animation cam 11, the locking member 12 is able to occupy a position for immobilizing the mobile 20 and a position for releasing the mobile 20, as described in the rest of the text in more detail.

[0026] The driving end of the control rocker 13 comprises a feeler 130 arranged to bear against a cam path 110 of the animation cam 11, so that the control rocker 13 moves, depending on the position of the animation cam 11, between two extreme positions including a rest position and an active position. More precisely, as visible in FIG. 1, the cam path 110 is configured so that, when the animation cam 11 pivots one turn, the control rocker 13 is driven into the active position, and when the animation cam 11 is fixed, the control rocker 13 is immobilized in the rest position.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the animation cam 11 is movable 20 in rotation along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of rotation of the movable 20, preferably a right angle.

[0028] Preferably, the animation cam 11 is intended to be driven through a complete revolution, sequentially, from a fixed initial position, by a drive mechanism. The animation cam 11 occupies such an initial position in FIG. 1.

[0029] The drive mechanism is intended to drive the animation cam 11 periodically according to a period identical to the drive period of the mobile 20, for example once a day if the mobile 20 is formed by a date display. Indeed, the blocking member 12 and the mobile 20 must be moved in a synchronized manner, so as to avoid any damage to the mechanism. Thus, the animation cam 11 is preferably configured to drive in rotation both the mobile 20, as described below and as shown in FIG. 2, and the control lever 13.

[0030] In summary, the mechanism is configured so that the movement of the mobile 20 and that of the control rocker 13 are advantageously synchronized so that the blocking member 12 releases the mobile 20 when the latter is driven in movement and so that the blocking member 12 immobilizes the mobile 20 when the latter is not driven in movement.

[0031] The drive mechanism of the animation cam 11 may consist of any mechanism known to those skilled in the art. For example, the drive mechanism of the animation cam 11 may comprise a barrel (not shown in the figures), on a body of which the cam may be arranged. In a manner known per se, the barrel comprises a barrel spring intended to provide the energy necessary for the rotation of the animation cam 11. The barrel spring is arranged to be wound by a coaxial drive wheel (not visible in the figures) meshed by a train of the watch movement, for example by a twenty-four-hour wheel. The drive mechanism comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, an actuator capable of releasing the energy of the barrel spring in order to trigger the rotation of the cam and a regulator capable of regulating this rotation.Such a drive mechanism is known to those skilled in the art and is described in detail in patent EP3540524, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

[0032] Alternatively, the animation cam 11 may be driven in rotation by any other date drive mechanism known to those skilled in the art.

[0033] Preferably, the cam path 110 extends in a circular manner around the axis of rotation of the animation cam 11 and is oriented axially. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the feeler 130 is in the form of a pin or a roller extending along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the control rocker 13. In other examples, the feeler 130 may be formed by any other appropriate technical solution.

[0034] When in the rest position, the control rocker 13 drives the locking member 12 into the immobilization position as shown in FIG. 1, and when it occupies the active position, it drives the locking member 12 into the release position.

[0035] The control rocker 13 is adapted to drive the locking member 12 in rotation by means of its driven end, and in particular by means of a first connecting element 131 cooperating with a second connecting element 120, complementary to the first, with which the locking member 12 is provided. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the first and second connecting elements 131 and 120 are formed by toothed sectors in meshing relationship with each other. However, in other examples, they could be formed by a pin housed in a notch, or by any other suitable technical solution.

[0036] The locking device 10 may, in addition, advantageously comprise a spring 14 arranged to bear against the control rocker 13 so as to force the feeler 130 to bear against the animation cam 11, in particular against the cam path 110. Such a spring 14 also makes it possible to maintain the entire mechanism under tension and to eliminate any mechanical play, in particular between the first and second connecting elements 131 and 120.

[0037] The locking member 12 comprises, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a shaft 121 extending along a longitudinal axis around which it is rotatable. The shaft 121 comprises the second connecting element 120 at one of its ends and comprises, at its other end, a locking finger 122 configured to cooperate by form-fitting with a notch 21 of the mobile 20, when the locking member 12 is in the immobilization position. The locking finger 122 is arranged to be disengaged at a distance from the notch 21 of the mobile 20, when the locking member 12 is in the release position.

[0038] It should be noted that the locking member 12 may, in other embodiments of the invention, not include a shaft 121, the second connecting element 120 then being directly fixed to the locking finger 122.

[0039] In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the locking finger 122 comprises a tooth 123 intended to be housed in the notch 21 when the locking member 12 is in the immobilization position, said tooth 123 extending substantially tangentially relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 121. Thus, the tooth 123 is intended to be disengaged at a distance from the notch 21 when the locking member 12 is in the release position, so as to allow rotation of the mobile 20.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, one of the flanges 22 has on its external periphery the notch 21. In particular, said flange 22 has as many notches 21 as there are different angular positions that the mobile 20 is intended to occupy. In the example shown in Figure 1, the flange 22 has a plurality of notches 21 distributed regularly, so as to be able to eliminate any rotational mobility of the roller in each of its different angular positions.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2 in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in order to drive the mobile 20 in movement, the mechanism may comprise a drive rocker 23 arranged in support against a radial profile 111 of the animation cam 11, and a transmission wheel 24 with which said rocker is intended to cooperate during the rotation of the animation cam 11. When it makes a turn, the animation cam 11 drives, by means of its radial profile, the drive rocker 23 between two extreme travel positions, the latter then cooperating with the transmission wheel 24 so as to pivot it by one step. The transmission wheel 24 being kinematically connected to the mobile 20, its rotation by one step causes the movement of said mobile 20 by one step.

[0042] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the transmission wheel 24 is mounted coaxially with a toothed wheel 25, here a date wheel, in meshing relationship with a pinion 26 of the mobile 20, integral in rotation with the flanges 22.

[0043] It is obvious that the mechanism is dimensioned so that the amplitude of the displacement of one step of the mobile 20 corresponds to the distance between two successive notches 21 or to a complete revolution of the mobile 20 so that at the end of the displacement of the mobile 20, a notch 21 is always arranged opposite the blocking member 12, and in particular the tooth 23.

[0044] The drive rocker 23 can advantageously be forced to bear against the animation cam 11 by a dedicated spring.

[0045] More generally, it should be noted that the methods of implementation and embodiment considered above have been described as non-limiting examples, and that other variants are consequently conceivable.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Mechanism of a clockwork movement comprising a mobile (20) and a locking device (10) for the mobile (20), characterized in that said mechanism comprises an animation cam (11) intended to be driven in rotation by one complete turn, sequentially, from a fixed initial position, the mechanism further comprising a control lever (13) connected to a locking member (12) and cooperating with said animation cam (11), the control lever (13) being configured so as to evolve, depending on the position of the animation cam (11), between two extreme positions including a rest position in which it drives the locking member (12) into a position for immobilizing the mobile (20), and including an active position in which it drives the locking member (12) into a position for releasing the mobile (20), the mechanism being configured so that the movement of the mobile (20) and that of the control lever (13) are synchronized.

2. Mechanism according to claim 1, in which the animation cam (11) is configured to rotate both the mobile (20) and the control rocker (13), so as to move the control rocker (13) into the active position when the mobile (20) is driven in movement and so as to move the control rocker (13) into the rest position when the mobile (20) is not driven in movement.

3. Mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, in which the locking member (12) forms a lever, and in which the control rocker (13) comprises a first connecting element (131) cooperating with a second connecting element (120) with which the locking member (12) is provided, and by which it is adapted to drive said locking member (12) in rotation.

4. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the member locking member (12) comprises a locking finger (122) configured to cooperate by shape complementarity with a notch (21) of the mobile (20) when the locking member (12) is in the immobilization position.

5. Mechanism according to claims 3 and 4, in which the locking member (12) comprises a shaft (121) extending along a longitudinal axis around which it is movable in rotation, the shaft (121) comprising the second connecting element (120) at one of its ends and comprising the locking finger (122) at its other end.

6. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the animation cam (11) comprises a cam path (110) on which, during rotation of the animation cam (11), a feeler (130) with which the control rocker (13) is provided moves, the cam path (110) being designed so as to extend in a circular manner around the axis of rotation of the animation cam (11) and to be oriented axially.

7. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a spring (14) arranged to bear against the control rocker (13) and tending to force said control rocker (13) to bear against the animation cam (11).

8. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the animation cam (11) is movable in rotation along an axis forming a non-zero angle with the axis of rotation of the mobile (20), said mechanism comprising a drive rocker (23) arranged to bear against the animation cam (11), and a transmission wheel (24) with which the drive rocker (23) is intended to cooperate during the rotation of the animation cam (11) so as to pivot it by one step, the transmission wheel (24) being kinematically connected to the mobile (20) so that the pivoting of said transmission wheel (24) causes the mobile (20) to move by one step.

9. Mechanism according to claim 8, in which the rocker drive (23) is arranged to bear against a radial profile (111) of the animation cam (11).

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