Timepiece movement with fine-adjustment mechanism, setting device, and timepiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece movement (1) having an oscillating system (3) which is or can be arranged within a housing (2) and is intended for controlling or regulating the speed at which the timepiece movement (1) runs, comprising a main body (4), which constitutes the oscillating weight of the oscillating system (3) and is rotatably connected to a structure of the timepiece movement, also comprising a hairspring (5), and further comprising a fine-adjustment mechanism (6), which is rotatably coupled to the structure of the timepiece movement and is intended for setting the frequency of the oscillating system (3) in order for the timekeeping accuracy of the timepiece movement (1) to be finely adjusted, wherein the fine-adjustment mechanism (6) has a regulator (7) with a drive assembly (8); the drive assembly (8) is designed to act on the stiffness of the hairspring (5); and the drive assembly (8) is set up so that the energy required for operating the drive assembly (8) is obtained from outside the housing (2). The invention also relates to a setting device and to a timepiece (50).

Description

[0001] Clockwork mechanism with fine adjustment mechanism, setting device, clock

[0002] The invention relates to a clockwork mechanism, in particular for a mechanical wristwatch or a mechanical pocket watch, with an oscillation system / a mechanical oscillator to be arranged or arranged within a case for controlling or regulating the speed of the clockwork's operation, i.e., when acting on a clock drive when moving hands, comprising a base body rotatably connected to a structure of the clockwork, preferably annular, and representing the oscillating mass of the oscillation system, and a balance spring, further comprising a fine adjustment mechanism rotatably / movably coupled to the structure of the clockwork for adjusting the frequency of the oscillation system in order to achieve a fine adjustment of the clockwork's accuracy, wherein the fine adjustment mechanism has a regulator / a regulator unit with a drive unit, the drive unit being designed to act on the spring stiffness of the balance spring.

[0003] Mechanical watch movements generally face the challenge that precise operation and functioning require adjustments to the oscillating system. Fine-tuning of the timekeeping accuracy is performed or considered at various points during the watch's manufacturing process. The final, very fine adjustment of the movement, in particular, demands a high level of expertise and highly skilled watchmakers, as even minute changes in the micrometer range to the components of the oscillating system can significantly impact the watch's accuracy. This problem is exacerbated by increasingly tighter tolerances for timekeeping, made possible by ever more precise manufacturing methods. However, even after completion, once the watches have been worn, they remain susceptible to inaccuracies in their timekeeping.

[0004] Accelerations acting on the watch, which during dynamic movements generate forces on the individual parts of the movement and lead to friction, can affect the watch's accuracy for the duration of this force. A watch's accuracy can also change because the torque of a mainspring in the mechanical movement decreases over time. The further break-in of the movement's mechanics can also alter the accuracy over time. The wearer's habits also influence the accuracy. These factors, especially those related to wear, make it difficult to adjust the accuracy after the fact.

[0005] According to the prior art from CH 711 303 A1, a correction device for a mechanical clockwork is known, comprising: a bidirectional stepper motor that interacts with a correction mechanism of the clockwork; wherein the motor is controllable by a correction signal to act on the correction mechanism in order to correct a display element and / or a regulating element of the clockwork depending on the signal correction; wherein the correction device includes a remote control device outside the clockwork and a computer carrier containing code sections of an application program that enables the generation of the correction signal. A disadvantage of this design is that the (stepper) motor results in a particularly bulky clock design and a very large clock case.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a clockwork mechanism which eliminates or at least partially alleviates the aforementioned disadvantages and provides a clockwork mechanism in a space-saving form.

[0007] This is achieved in a clockwork mechanism of this type by ensuring that the drive unit is prepared to receive the energy / drive energy required for its operation from outside the case. In other words, the drive unit is designed to be powered by external energy. The advantage is that external energy allows for flexible use of the fine-adjustment mechanism. Above all, the clockwork mechanism can be designed more flexibly, as it eliminates the need for an integrated energy source. Consequently, the overall size is reduced because an internal power supply is no longer required. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and are explained in more detail below.

[0008] It is advantageous if the drive unit is designed to receive electrical energy or vibrations from outside the case to act on the balance spring. In other words, the drive unit can be operated by an external power supply or excited by vibration.

[0009] The electrical energy can be supplied externally, preferably by means of an external power unit, for example, a rechargeable battery or a battery. Alternatively, the electrical energy can be supplied via an electrical cable connection. Vibrations can be introduced into the fine-adjustment mechanism, which provide the energy to drive the fine-adjustment mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the drive unit can incorporate a piezoelectric crystal; in particular, the drive unit can be designed as a piezoelectric motor or a stick-slip motor. The stick-slip motor can be a piezoelectric motor in the form of an inertial motor, which is based on the stick-slip effect. The stick-slip effect describes the principle of the static friction effect or a (self-excited) frictional oscillation. The piezoelectric motor has the advantage of being very compact, thus requiring little installation space in the housing.

[0011] It is advantageous for the regulator to have an electric motor as its drive unit, which is coupled via a gear component to a regulator bracket of the fine-adjustment mechanism in order to displace a regulator relative to the balance spring such that the effective length of the balance spring changes. This displacement allows the effective length of the balance spring to be shortened or lengthened, which directly influences the frequency of the oscillating system. Shortening the effective length increases the frequency of the balance spring, while lengthening it decreases it. Preferably, the regulator can rotate in two directions: a first direction and a second direction. These directions of rotation can be opposite to each other in the circumferential direction of the oscillating system.The gearbox component allows the torque supplied by the electric motor to be transmitted.

[0012] As an alternative to adjusting the effective length of the balance spring, the fine-adjustment mechanism can be used to change the (mass) moment of inertia of the oscillating mass. This can be achieved, for example, by adjusting radially adjustable screws located within the mass.

[0013] It is advantageous if the fine adjustment mechanism is self-locking. This allows the regulator to be held in its position without any external energy input.

[0014] It is advantageous if the drive unit introduces a translational and / or rotational movement into the transmission component. This allows for a flexible design of the transmission component.

[0015] It is advantageous for the transmission component to be designed as a slide and / or a spindle. The slide can, for example, be moved purely translationally. The spindle can perform both translational and rotational movement. In other words, the spindle can perform a helical movement. Preferably, the spindle can be designed such that it has a head section prepared and configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the drive unit. In a combination of slide and spindle, this combination of both components allows a slide to be arranged that is movable / slidable on the spindle, so that the spindle rotates relative to the slide, or vice versa.

[0016] Furthermore, the gearing component can be coupled to a rotary lever which, when moved, causes a forced displacement of the regulator on the surface of the balance spring. The rotary lever can preferably be in (direct) contact with the slide. A movement transmitted by the gearing component can be transferred to the regulator via the rotary lever, causing the regulator to shift around the axis of rotation (circumferential / rotational direction) of the oscillating system. The regulator can also incorporate a spring element designed to directly couple the drive unit to the gearing component. This spring element can be a hair spring. The advantage of this spring element is that it is a space-saving and durable component that is less susceptible to wear.

[0017] It is advantageous if the fine adjustment mechanism has a return spring arranged on the retainer. The return spring can be integrally formed with the retainer or attached separately to it. Preferably, the return spring is designed in the form of a fork-shaped body, with one end attached to the retainer and the other end free. An advantage of the return spring is that it supports a return movement in one of the directions of motion of the rotary lever.

[0018] It is advantageous if means are available to determine a deviation from an external reference clock or reference time and to supply drive energy depending on the deviation. Preferably, the means can be designed to determine the deviation within a predefined period and to supply drive energy (only) for this period in order to compensate for the deviation that occurred during this time.

[0019] Preferably, the means comprise an adjustment device / external device designed and configured to determine the previously described deviation and / or to supply drive energy. Preferably, the adjustment device is configured to engage / dock / contact at least one (first) contact / contact point of the clockwork. More preferably, the housing has an opening to expose the clockwork contact. Preferably, the adjustment device has a (first) mating contact coupled to the contact.

[0020] Preferably, a second contact can be provided on the clockwork, and the setting device can have a second mating contact. Preferably, the second mating contact can be arranged circumferentially offset by 180° relative to the first mating contact. The second mating contact can also be designed to securely hold the clock on the setting device.

[0021] It is advantageous if the drive energy is transferred to the contacts via the two opposing contacts, so that the first contact and first opposing contact form a positive pole and the second contact and second opposing contact form a negative pole. Preferably, the first contact and first opposing contact are connected to each other in such a way that they are insulated from the housing.

[0022] The setting device preferably includes software to determine the previously described time periods and / or to control the necessary drive energy. Alternatively, the control can also be handled by a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This allows for flexible design.

[0023] It is advantageous if the configuration device has an input interface for interaction with a user, where the interface is prepared and designed to receive user input. In other words, the configuration device has controls intended for interaction. These controls can be physical buttons, touch-sensitive buttons, and / or a touch-sensitive display.

[0024] The setting device itself can be a smartphone or a tablet. Preferably, the setting device has a camera that is equipped to take a picture of the clock display. The image can then be evaluated and compared with a reference time. Preferably, the reference time can be determined via a radio signal, GPS, or the internet.

[0025] The invention also relates to a clock, with a previously described clockwork mechanism and a clock glass attached to the case.

[0026] It is advantageous for the watch to have a strap or chain for wearing and / or fastening the watch. The invention also relates to an adjustment device / system for fine-tuning the accuracy of a watch movement, comprising a previously described watch movement and the adjustment device, which can be connected to or is connected to the watch movement.

[0027] In other words, the invention relates to an adjustment device for fine-tuning the accuracy of a previously described clock, comprising a preferably previously described adjustment device which can be connected to or is connected to the clock.

[0028] The invention also relates to a method for adjusting the accuracy of a clock, preferably with a previously described clockwork, wherein in a first step the clock is coupled with a preferably previously described adjusting device, and in a second step the accuracy is adjusted.

[0029] It is advantageous if, for adjusting the accuracy of the timekeeping, the time displayed on the watch is compared with an (external) reference time at at least two points in time, and then software outputs a defined value for adjusting the setting of the mechanical oscillation system, which is transmitted to the movement via the externally operated fine-adjustment mechanism. Preferably, the reference time is determined by means of a radio signal, GPS, or the internet.

[0030] The present disclosure is not limited to the clockwork, the setting system, and the clock. The applicant reserves the right to make independent claims to the setting device.

[0031] Several advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing with figures.

[0032] They show:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a clockwork mechanism according to the invention in a first embodiment,

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the clockwork mechanism according to the invention in a second embodiment, Fig. 3 shows the clockwork mechanism according to Fig. 2 in a first adjusting position,

[0035] Fig. 4 shows the clockwork mechanism according to Fig. 2 in a second adjustment position,

[0036] Fig. 5 shows the clockwork according to the invention in a housing with an adjustment device.

[0037] The figures are purely schematic and serve solely to illustrate the invention. Identical elements are identified by the same reference numerals. Features of the individual embodiments are interchangeable and can be used alternatively or cumulatively.

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a clockwork mechanism 1 according to the invention with an oscillation system 3 arranged within a housing 2 (see Fig. 5) for regulating the speed of the clockwork mechanism 1, comprising a base body 4 rotatably connected to a structure of the clockwork mechanism 1 and providing the oscillating mass of the oscillation system, and a balance spring 5, further comprising a fine adjustment mechanism 6 rotatably coupled to the structure of the clockwork mechanism 1 for adjusting the frequency of the oscillation system 3 in order to achieve a fine adjustment of the rate accuracy of the clockwork mechanism 1, wherein the fine adjustment mechanism 6 has a regulator 7 with a drive unit 8, wherein the drive unit 8 is designed to act on the spring stiffness of the balance spring 5.

[0039] It should be emphasized that the drive unit 8 is prepared to obtain the energy required to operate the drive unit 8 from outside the housing 2.

[0040] The basic structure of the clockwork 1 is explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figures 1 and 2 to 4 show two different embodiments of the clockwork 1, in which the regulator 7 is designed differently.

[0041] For better clarity, a circumferential direction 9 and a radial direction 10 are defined according to the vibration system 3. The circumferential direction 9 describes a direction of rotation about an axis of rotation 11, while the radial direction 10 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation 11 of the vibration system 3. The base body 4 of the oscillating mass is ring-shaped in this case.

[0042] The base body 4 has a total of four spokes 12, which connect an inner ring (hidden in the illustration) to an outer ring 13. The base body 4 is rotatably connected to the structure of the clockwork, for example, a bridge or a plate. The spokes 12 are evenly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction 9 and thus have an arrangement in 90° increments.

[0043] The balance spring 5 is connected at one end to the base body 4, while at the other end it is connected to one of the structural parts of the movement. These structural parts are not shown in Figures 1-4. The drive unit 8 is rigidly connected to the structure of the movement 1. The balance spring 5 is designed as a spiral spring, forming several layers of the balance spring 5 in the radial direction 10. In other words, the balance spring is wound around the axis of rotation 11.

[0044] The fine adjustment mechanism 6 comprises a regulator system 16, which includes a regulator 17 and a regulator bracket 18. The regulator 17 is positioned on a radially outer region of the balance spring 5 and is attached to the regulator bracket 18 via a forked bridge 19, which extends outwards in the radial direction 10. The regulator bracket 18 is non-rotatably connected to one of the structural parts of the movement 1, whereby rotation of the regulator bracket 18 displaces the regulator 17 and thus adjusts the movement 1.

[0045] The return support 18 further comprises a rotary lever 20, which is designed to displace / move the return 17 in small increments in the circumferential direction 9 by means of a translational, axial movement acting on the rotary lever 20. The rotary lever 20 has two radial arms 21, 22, which extend radially outwards from the return support 18, i.e., from the axis of rotation 11.

[0046] The regulator 7 comprises, in addition to the drive unit 8, a gear component 23, which is designed to transmit the translational, axial movement to the rotary lever 20. In the present embodiment, the gear component 23 is designed as a slide 25 that is displaceable / movable along its longitudinal axis 24. The slide 25 is pin-shaped, with an inwardly extending notch 28 formed on an outer surface 27 of a first section 26. An end section of the rotary lever 20 is positioned in this notch 28.

[0047] A spring element 31 is arranged on a second section 30 of the slide 25, wherein the second section 30 has a lower height than the first section 26, and bears against a partial area of ​​the second section 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

[0048] The spring element 31 has two spring arms 32, 33, with each spring arm 32, 33 being positioned on one side of the second section 30 of the slide 25. The spring arms 32, 33 are coupled to the drive unit 8, so that when the drive unit 8 is activated, the spring arms 32, 33 cause the slide 25 to move along its longitudinal axis 24.

[0049] In the present embodiment, the drive unit 8 is designed in the form of a vibration motor.

[0050] External energy, which sets the vibration motor in motion, causes the slide 25 to move along its longitudinal axis 24 in a first (axial) direction of movement 34 or a second (axial) direction of movement 35. If the slide 25 moves in the first direction of movement 34, the regulator 17, together with the regulator bracket 18, rotates circumferentially 9 in a first direction of rotation 36, thus lengthening the effective length of the balance spring 5. If the slide 25 moves in the second direction of movement 35, the regulator 17, together with the regulator bracket 18, rotates circumferentially 9 in a second direction of rotation 37, and the effective length of the balance spring 5 shortens. The fine adjustment mechanism 8 is designed to be self-locking, so that when no energy is applied, no movement occurs and the regulator 17 remains in its position.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows the clockwork mechanism 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. Compared to Fig. 1, the regulator 7 has a gear component 23 designed differently. Instead of a gear component 23 that is merely a single slide 24 and that only moves translationally along its longitudinal axis 24, the gear component 23 is designed as a spindle 38 in combination with a slide 24. The spindle 38 has a head section 39, the head section 39 being arranged axially between the two arms 32, 33. Each arm 32, 33 rests against one side of the head section 39.

[0052] The spindle 38 has a toothed section 40, which is formed in the direction of the longitudinal axis on a section of the spindle 38. The toothed section 40 is defined by an external tooth.

[0053] The slide 24 is arranged on the toothed area 40, which is designed as a ring-shaped body with internal teeth (hidden here), so that the slide 24 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 24 in both directions of movement 34, 35.

[0054] The rotary lever 20 is designed as a radially extending arm. The rotary lever 20 is positioned on a reference scale 41, so that the magnitude or value of the movement of the slide 24 and the rotary lever 20 can be determined.

[0055] A return spring 42 is also attached to the regulator bracket 18. The return spring 42 is fork-shaped and oriented radially inwards, such that an initial section 43 is attached to the regulator bracket 18 and an end section 44 of the return spring 42 is free. Furthermore, a pin 45 is arranged on the balance spring 5, against which the return spring 42 can be supported and tensioned. The pin 45 itself is fixedly connected to the structure of the movement 1.

[0056] When energy is supplied to the drive unit 8, in this case the vibration motor, the spring element 31 causes the spindle 38 to rotate via the head section 39, thereby displacing the slide 25 along its longitudinal axis 24. This causes the slide 25 to move in the first direction of movement 34 or the second direction of movement 35 along the toothed section 40. Figures 3 and 4 show a minimum and maximum position of the slide 24 on the toothed section 40, respectively, according to the clockwork 1 of the second embodiment. In the minimum position shown in Figure 3, the restoring spring 42 is relaxed, while in Figure 4 it is tensioned. In the minimum position, the effective length of the balance spring 5 is shortened, while in the maximum position, the effective length of the balance spring 5 is lengthened.

[0057] In Fig. 4 the clockwork 5 is arranged in the housing 2 (forming a clock 50) and shown in engagement with an adjusting device 46.

[0058] The clockwork 1 has a total of two contacts 48, 49, with an opening 47 formed in the housing 2 so that the setting device 46 can be connected to the first contact 48. The two contacts 48, 49 are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction 9.

[0059] The setting device 46 is designed in a clamp-like / clamp-like shape, so that the clock 50 can be held in a free area. In the present embodiment, the setting device 46 has two holding sections 51, 52 to hold the clock 50. The holding sections 51, 52 have two mating contacts 53, 54, ergo one mating contact 53, 54 per holding section 51, 52, which on the one hand hold the clock 50 in its position and on the other hand are each electrically connected to a contact 48, 49. For this purpose, a channel 55 is formed in the housing 2 from the opening 47 to the first contact 48, wherein a conductor 56, insulated from the housing 2, is arranged in the channel 55 and connects the first mating contact 53 to the first contact 48. The channel 55 extends through the housing 2 to a section limited in the circumferential direction 9. The second contact 49 is electrically connected to the second counterpart contact 54 via the housing 2.

[0060] The adjusting device 46 has a handpiece 57 with two actuating buttons 58, 59. The drive unit 8 can be controlled using the actuating buttons 58, 59, thereby enabling adjustment of the fine adjustment mechanism 6. (List of reference symbols)

[0061] clockwork

[0062] Housing

[0063] Vibration system

[0064] basic body

[0065] balance spring

[0066] fine adjustment mechanism

[0067] Regulator

[0068] drive unit

[0069] Circumferential direction

[0070] radial direction

[0071] axis of rotation

[0072] spokes

[0073] outer ring

[0074] Return system

[0075] Rücker

[0076] Back bracket

[0077] web

[0078] Rotary lever first arm second arm

[0079] Gearbox component

[0080] Longitudinal axis

[0081] Slider first section

[0082] Outside

[0083] notch, second section

[0084] Spring element, first spring arm, second spring arm, first direction of movement, second direction of movement - I4, first direction of rotation, second direction of rotation, spindle, head section, gear area, reference scale, return spring, starting piece, end piece, pin, adjusting device, opening, first contact, second contact, clock, first holding section, second holding section, first reverse contact, second reverse contact, channel, insulated conductor, handpiece, first actuation button, second actuation button

Claims

Patent claims 1. Clockwork (1) with an oscillation system (3) to be arranged or arranged within a housing (2) for controlling or regulating the speed of the clockwork (1), comprising a base body (4) rotatably connected to a structure of the clockwork and constituting the oscillating mass of the oscillation system (3), and a balance spring (5), further comprising a fine adjustment mechanism (6) rotatably coupled to the structure of the clockwork (4) for adjusting the frequency of the oscillation system (3) in order to achieve fine adjustment of the rate accuracy of the clockwork (1), wherein the fine adjustment mechanism (6) has a regulator (7) with a drive unit (8), wherein the drive unit (8) is designed to act on the spring stiffness of the balance spring (5), characterized in that the drive unit (8) is prepared to obtain the energy required to operate the drive unit (8) from outside the housing (2).

2. Clockwork (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the drive unit (8) is prepared to receive electrical energy or vibrations from outside the housing (2) to act on the balance spring (5).

3. Clockwork (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the drive unit (8) has a piezoelectric crystal.

4. Clockwork (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the regulator (7) has an electric motor as a drive unit (8) which is coupled via a gear component (23) to a regulator bracket (18) of the fine adjustment mechanism (6) in order to displace a regulator (17) relative to the balance spring (5) in such a way that the effective length of the balance spring (5) changes.

5. Clockwork (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the gear component (23) is designed as a slide (25) and / or spindle (38).

6. Clockwork (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the gear component (23) is coupled to a rotary lever (20) which, when moved a forced displacement of the regulator (17) on the surface of the balance spring (5) is caused.

7. Clockwork (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that means are provided to determine a deviation to an external reference clockwork and to effect a supply of drive energy depending on the deviation.

8. Clockwork (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the means are prepared to determine the deviation in a predefined period and to effect the supply of drive energy for this period in order to compensate for the deviation that has occurred in this period.

9. Clock (50) with a clockwork (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a clock glass attached to the case (2).

10. Adjustment device for fine-tuning the accuracy of a clock (50) according to claim 9, comprising an adjustment device (46) which can be connected to or is connected to the clock (50).

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