Assembly for enabling movement of a tourbillon cage within the watch case

Abstract

Assembly for enabling movement of a tourbillon cage within the watch case, comprising a tourbillon cage having on a lower part a pinion mounted, where on an output wheel (13) of the tourbillon (2), arranged on the main shaft (3) of the tourbillon (2), a connecting tongue (18) for operating the time indicator (21) is fixed from below and a pinion (26) of the tourbillon (2) is in engagement with a stationary wheel (14) arranged around the circumference of the watch case (22).

Description

[0001] Assembly for enabling movement of a tourbillon cage within the watch case

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to an assembly for enabling the movement of a cage with a tourbillon within a new trajectory in a watch case

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Tourbillon 2 is a mechanism that eliminates the effect of gravity on inertia, which is called dever escapement." Thus, the basic element of the tourbillon 2 is inertia, which will be discussed later in connection with the description of Fig. 2. The tourbillon 2 continuously rotates the inertia, thereby averaging out the effect of gravity on it. The consequence of this is precise operation of the timekeeping device. Nowadays, the tourbillon is no longer incorporated into watches for accuracy, as watches without a tourbillon can also be sufficiently accurate, but customers are demanding new visual effects all the time, mainly for the sake of prestige by more luxurious watches, where each new line should include the latest technological possibilities.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to present a watch with a new dynamic placement of the tourbillon within the case to increase the utility and aesthetic value of such a watch.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] The above shortcomings are eliminated by assembly for enabling movement of a tourbillon cage within the watch case which is characterised by the fact that on an output wheel of the tourbillon, arranged on the main shaft of the tourbillon, a connecting tonque for operating the time indicator is fixed from below and a pinion of the tourbillon is in engagement with a stationary wheel arranged around the circumference of the watch case.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment is the connecting tonque provided with an arm with the time indicator.

[0010] In an another embodiment is the connecting tonque provided with a gear ring, wherein two driven spacer discs with circumferential grooves are rotatably arranged on the gear ring, wherein in these grooves, the driven spacer discs are in engagement with the inner circumference of the driven ring which is carried by them, wherein it is also supported by the driven disc of the time indicator. Brief description of drawings

[0011] The invention will now be illustrated by means of drawings, in which Fig, 1 is a schematic view of a wristwatch with a tourbillon 2 according to the state of the art, Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the tourbillon arrangement in a first embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of the tourbillon in the assembled state of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective bottom view of the tourbillon in the assembled state with a lower holder, Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the arrangement of the tourbillon in the second embodiment, Fig. 6 is a perspective top view of the tourbillon of Fig. 5 in the assembled state, Fig. 7 is a perspective top view of a detail of the tourbillon of Fig. 5 with the top of the cage uncovered. Fig. 8 is a perspective bottom view of the tourbillon of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a perspective bottom view of the tourbillon with the bottom holder, and FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a tourbillon watch arranged according to the invention.

[0012] Description of embodiments

[0013] In order to enable a proper understanding, it is useful first to describe an important part of the watch according to the invention, namely the tourbillon 2. It is in itself a well- known, but nevertheless rather complex mechanism.

[0014] The location of the tourbillon is illustrated schematically on the watch 22 according to the state of the art in Fig. 1. The watch 22 has a foil under the glass and a transparent opening 38 at the bottom of the case, wherein the tourbillon 2 is disposed in this portion and orbits the stationary wheel and thus an opening 38. In this case, the cage 9 of the tourbillon 2 is provided with a time indicator 21. The time indicator 21 may be, for example, an hour indicator a minute indicator. The movement that can be seen and is very spectacular is the oscilation of the tourbillon 2 and its rotation about the axis of the watch case. An escape wheel 10, which orbits the circumference of the tourbilion, is also clearly visible here.

[0015] In Fig. 2, tourbillon 2 in the disassembled state is shown in the dashed area. The main part of the tourbillon 2 is the cage 9, which carries all important elements. The cage 9 comprises a lower part 27 having a central disc 35 and three arms around its circumference provided with openings in which the posts of an upper part 30 of the cage 9 are fixed. The lower part 27 of the cage 9 is provided with a holder 36 for an axle 11 of the escape wheel 10, and a holder 23 for an output pinion 12 of an output wheel 13 is fixed from the bottom, A central disc 35 of the lower part 27 of the cage 9 is fixedly connected with a lower disc 34 of the cage 9, which is provided with a pinion 26 of the tourbillon 2 at the bottom. In both parts of the cage 9 central openings are provided. After the cage 9 has been assembled, there is in the opening of the upper part 30 of the cage with its upper end a main shaft 3 arranged, which is arranged with its lower end in the opening of the central disc 35 of the lower part 27 of the cage 9.

[0016] Below the upper part 30 of the cage 9 is on a sleeve 32 of the main shaft 3 a coiled spring 29 arranged, the free end of it is fixed in the upper part 30 of the cage 9 and thus gives the cage 9 its energy. Below the coil spring 29, a balance wheel 19 with balance screws 20 is provided on a shouider 31 of the main shaft 3. The balance wheel 19 is used for balancing and controlling the period of oscillation. The main shaft 3 is provided on its shoulder 31 with a finger recess 24 for a finger 37 of an anchor 6, which is in alternate engagement with the arms of an end fork of the anchor 6. In front of the fork on the lower side of the anchor 6, a lower finger 5 is fixed, which engages a lower recess 4 on a lower shoulder 33 of the main shaft 3 and returns the deflected anchor 6 to its original position.

[0017] The axle 8 of the anchor 6 is mounted on the lower part 27 of the cage 9, and at the same level with it the axle 11 of the escape wheel 10 is also mounted. On the lower part 27, on both sides of the anchor 6 stops 7 are arranged which are in alternate contact with the sides of the anchor 6.

[0018] In the anchor 6 two diamond pallets 16 are arranged, which are in alternate engagement with the teeth of the escape wheel 10 when the anchor 6 is swinging. The regular stepping rotation of the tourbillon 2 is generally transmitted to the stationary wheel 14 via the pinion 26, and thus the tourbillon 2 as a whole orbits the circumference of the opening 38. This known part of the mechanism has continuation in the arrangement according to the invention in the basic embodiment, wherein said pinion 26 engages with the stationary wheel 14 which is arranged around the circumference of the watch case. Fixedly connected to the output wheel 13 is a connecting tonque 18, an integral part of which is the arm 40 with the time indicator 21. The speed of movement of the time indicator 21 is determined by the mutual gearing of the pinion 26 of the tourbillon 2 and of the stationary wheel 14, that is, by the ratio of their number of teeth.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of an assembly 1 of an assembled tourbillon 2 into the cage 9 and of the stationary wheel 14 and of the tonque 18 co-acting with an output wheel 13, on which the time indicator 21 is arranged. This arrangement allows the tourbillon 2 to move around the circumference of the watch case where the stationary wheel 14 is housed. It is illustrated how the various parts of the assembly are connected, in particular the assembled cage 9 in which all the components of the tourbillon 2 are stored can be seen. The rotation of the cage 9 due to the action of the tourbillon 2 is transmitted via a pinion 26, not shown here, which is arranged at the iower part 27 of the cage 9 to the stationary wheel 14, so that the tourbilion 2 orbits around this stationary wheel 14. However, above the stationary wheel 14 the output wheel 13 of the tourbillon 2 is also arranged and is engaged with an output pinion 12 arranged on the axle 11 of the escape wheel 10. The lower part of the axle 11 together with the output pinion 12 is arranged in a holder 23, and the output wheel 13 is arranged on the main shaft 3 outside the cage 9. To the output wheel 13 the connecting tongue 18 is rigidly connected, an integral part of which is an arm 40 with the time indicator 21. The coiled spring 29, the balance wheel 19 and the escape wheel 10 arranged inside the cage 9 can also be clearly seen.

[0020] The stationary wheel 14 is arranged around the circumference of the watch case and thus the tourbillon 2 is circulated around it via the pinion 26. The tourbillon 2 thus orbits the watch case and within this assembly, in addition, due to the output wheel 13 the tourbillon 2 rotates on its axis. The pinion 26 must be geared with the stationary wheel 14 so that the whole assembly circulates around the watch case, respectively a large watch face in the required time, for example within one hour.

[0021] Fig. 4 is a perspective view from below of the assembly 1 of the assembled tourbillon 2 into the cage 9 and of the stationary wheel 14 and of tongue 18 co-acting with the output wheel 13 on which the time indicator 21 is arranged. It can be seen here, in a bottom view, how the pinion 26 on the main shaft 3 is arranged in a lower holder 41 integrated with the connecting tongue 18.

[0022] The mechanism is driven by a springwheel, not shown for simplicity, located concentrically on the inner circumference of the stationary wheel 14. This enables in cotrast to the springwheel known from the state of the art larger capacity of the springwheel and the possibility of easily skeletonizing the watch, it is covering it with a transparent cover.

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of the assembly 1 for enabling the movement of the cage 9 of the tourbillon 2 within the watch case in the disassembled state. The tourbillon 2 is shown in the dashed area, wherein for individual elements of the tourbillon 2 applies the description as mentioned by the basic embodiment from Fig. 2. Fixedly coupled to the output wheel 13 is a coupling tonque 18, an integral part of which is a gear ring 15. On this gear ring 15 there are driven spacer discs 17 rotatably arranged. The driven spacer discs 17 are in engagement on their circumference with the inner circumference of the driven ring 28. The latter is carried by the driven spacer discs 17 and supported by the driven disc 25 of the time indicator 21. The oscillation of the anchor 6 and its alternating contact with the adjacent teeth of the escape wheel 10 is very fast so the resuiting movement of the tourbillon 2 is smooth.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the assembly 1 comprising an assembled tourbillon 2 in the cage 9 and a stationary wheel 14 and tonque 18 co-acting with the output wheel 13, which is provided with a driven ring 28. This preferred embodiment not only allows the tourbillon 2 to move around the circumference of the watch case, but in addition allows the tourbiilon 2 to rotate around its axis independently of the movement around the circumference of the watch case. It is illustrated how the various parts of the assembly are connected, in particular the assembled cage 9 is shown in which substantially all components of the tourbillon 2 are housed. The rotation of the cage 9 due to the action of the tourbiilon 2 is transmitted via the pinion 26, not shown here, which is arranged at the lower part 27 of the cage 9 to a stationary wheel 14, so that the tourbillon 2 orbits around this stationary wheel 14. However, above the wheel 14 an output wheel 13 of the tourbillon 2 is, in addition, arranged and is engaged with an output pinion 12 arranged on the axle 11 of the escape wheel 10. The lower part of the axle 11 together with the output pinion 12 is arranged in a holder 23, and the output wheel 13 is arranged on the main shaft 3 outside the cage 9.

[0025] Fixedly connected to the output wheel 13 is a connecting tonque 18 which is integrally connected to the gear ring 15. On this ring 15, two driven spacer discs 17 with a groove 39 are rotatably arranged. In this groove 39, the discs 17 are in contact on their circumference with the inner circumference of the driven ring 28 which is carried by them. The driven ring 28 is engaged by its inner circumference with the driven disc 25, on which the second indicator 21 may be arranged. The driven disc 25 is arranged on an unshown axis associated with the watch body 22. The coiled spring 29, the balance wheel 19 and the escape wheel 10 arranged within the cage 9 are also clearly visible.

[0026] The stationary wheel 14 is arranged around the circumference of the watch case 22, and arround it thus assembly of the tourbiilon 2 and the assembly of gear rings 15 and 28 orbit via the pinion 26. This assembly therefore orbits around the watch case and in addition within this assembly the tourbiilon rotates due to the output wheel 13. The pinion 26 must be geared with the stationary wheel 14 so that the entire assembly will orbit around the watch case 22 in the desired time, for example within one hour.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a perspective top view of a detail of the tourbiilon 2 with the upper part 30 of the cage 9 exposed, including the coiled spring 29 arranged on the main shaft 3, the anchor 6 arranged on the axle 8, and the escape wheel 10 arranged on the axle 11. Fig . 8 is a perspective view from below of the tourbillon 2 and assembly of gear rings 15 and 28, so that the pinion 26 of the tourbillon 2 engaging with the stationary gear 14 and also the output pinion 12 engaging with the output gear 13 can be clearly seen. On the gear ring 15, which is integral with the coupling tonque 18, driven spacer rings 17 with grooves 39 are arranged which are in contact with the driven ring 28 which drives the time indicator 21 via the driven disc 25.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a perspective view from below of the tourbillon 2 and assembly of gear rings 15 and 28, again clearly showing the pinion 26 of the tourbillon 2 engaging with the stationary wheel 14. It can be seen here in the bottom view how the pinion 26 is arranged on the main shaft 3 in the lower holder 41 integrated with the coupling tonque 18.

[0029] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a watch 22 according to the invention in four exemplary different phases of movement of the tourbillon 2 around the circumference of the watch case 22.

[0030] List of reference signs:

[0031] 1 assembly

[0032] 2 tourbillon 3 main shaft:

[0033] 4 lower recess

[0034] 5 lower finger

[0035] 6 anchor

[0036] 7 stop

[0037] 8 axle

[0038] 9 cage

[0039] 10 escape wheel

[0040] 11 escape wheel axle

[0041] 12 output pinion

[0042] 13 output wheel

[0043] 14 stationary wheel

[0044] 15 gear ring

[0045] 16 diamond pallet

[0046] 17 driven spacer disc

[0047] 18 connecting tongue

[0048] 19 balance wheel

[0049] 20 balance screw

[0050] 21 time indicator

[0051] 22 watch

[0052] 23 holder

[0053] 24 finger recess

[0054] 25 driven disc

[0055] 26 pinion

[0056] 27 lower part of the cage

[0057] 28 driven ring

[0058] 29 coiled spring

[0059] 30 upper part of the cage

[0060] 31 main shaft shoulder

[0061] 32 shaft sleeve

[0062] 33 tower shoulder

[0063] 34 tower disc

[0064] 35 central disc

[0065] 36 holder for the axle 37 finger of the anchor

[0066] 38 opening

[0067] 39 groove

[0068] 40 arm

[0069] 41 tower holder

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 19 June 2025 (19.06.2025)Claims1 . Assembly for enabling movement of a tourbillon cage within the watch case, comprising a tourbillon cage having on a lower part a pinion mounted, characterized in that on an output wheel (13) of the tourbillon (2), arranged on the main shaft (3) of the tourbillon (2), a connecting tongue (18) for operating the time indicator (21) is fixed from below and a pinion (26) of the tourbillon (2) is in engagement with a stationary wheel (14) arranged around the circumference of the watch case (22), wherein a springwheel is arranged on the inner circumference of the stationary wheel (14), which is connected concentrically with the cage (9) carrying the tou billon (2).

2. Assembly according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting tongue (18) is provided with an arm (40) with the time indicator (21).

3. The assembly according to claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting tongue (18) is provided with a gear ring (15), wherein two driven spacer discs (17) with circumferential grooves (39) are rotatably arranged on the gear ring (15), wherein in these grooves 39, the driven spacer discs 17 are in engagement with the inner circumference of the driven ring 28 which is carried by them, wherein it is also supported by the driven disc (25) of the time indicator (21).AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)CN 202306152 U introduces mechanical watch with a tourbillon. The watch comprises an escape wheel mounted on a geared axle, which engages with the tourbillon’s seconds wheel which is on the shaft. The seconds wheel is the tourbillon’s output wheel, connected at one end to a rotating carrier fixed to the axle of the stationary central (sun) wheel. The rotational speed of the rotating carrier is one hour per revolution, which is speed of the minute hand. The central wheel is mounted on the central shaft and engages with a planetary geared axle, which is rigidly connected to a planetary wheel. The upper end of the planetary geared axle is attached to the rotating carrier. The planetary wheel further engages with an intermediate wheel, which interacts with a geared axle housing the above mentioned seconds wheel. The rotating carrier is also fixedly connected to the first central geared axle via screws, and first central geared axle is engaging with the bridge wheel of the winding mechanism. The bridge wheel is fixedly connected to a bridge geared axle, which engages with the hour wheel, and the hour wheel is firmly connected to the hour dial. The rotational speed of the hour dial is 12 hours per revolution, which is 1 / 12 the speed of the rotating carrier.It is obvious that it concerns standard transmission from the springwheel to the escapement. The disadvantage lies in the complexity of the construction, where the springwheel is small, with limited energy storage capacity, and is located on the outer side of the gear train, reducing the possibility of skeletonization — covering with a transparent cover. The complexity arises from the energy being transferred from the springwheel to a gear train consisting of multiple wheels and then to the tourbillon, i.e., indirectly.STATEMENT UNDER ARTICLE 19 (1)

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