CH709204B1 - Control device for a clock mechanism and clock mechanism comprising such a device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control device (1) for a watch movement comprising a rack (12) intended to present a kinematic connection with a mobile (62) of a first mechanism of the watch movement and, associated with a guiding member ( 10) intended to be secured to a frame member of the watch movement and arranged to provide a rectilinear guidance of the rack (12) between first and second extreme positions. The control device comprises an elastic return member (32, 34) whose first end is intended to be stationary with reference to the frame of the watch movement and whose second end is slaved to the movements of the rack (12), the body elastic member (32, 34) being arranged to exert a force on the rack (12) tending to push it towards one of the first and second positions.

Description

Description TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a watch movement comprising a rack, intended to present a kinematic link with a mobile of a first mechanism of the watch movement and, associated with a guiding member intended to be secured. a frame member of the watch movement and arranged to provide a rectilinear guidance of the rack between first and second extreme positions.

Such a control device finds multiple applications in the field of watchmaking, one of which is to contribute to the implementation of a retrograde type display.

The present invention also relates to a watch mechanism and a watch movement incorporating such a control device and a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

STATE OF THE ART [0004] Numerous watch movements making it possible to produce a retrograde type display are known in the state of the art.

By way of example, patent CH 143 441, issued from an application filed in 1929, describes such a watch movement comprising an indicator needle carried by a mobile comprising a toothed sector. The latter is driven by a drive wheel whose teeth have an interruption. The toothed sector is also secured to one end of a spiral spring whose other end is secured to the turntable of the watch movement. During a progressive display phase, the drive wheel normally drives the toothed sector while loading the spring in a spiral until it presents its toothless portion. At this time, the sector is free to turn on itself and has a retrograde movement under the effect of the action of return of the spiral spring.

Many variants of construction are still presented today being based on the same general principle, that is to say the typical combination of a toothed sector in a circular portion with a spiral spring. Indeed, the retrograde displays involve display members having a circular displacement, appreciated for their spectacular side, and the required constructions are in principle easy to achieve. However, these retrograde display mechanisms generally occupy a relatively large area in the corresponding clock movements, the size becoming critical when the range traversed by the display member becomes large.

In a completely different field of watchmaking, the use of racks is also known, in applications requiring the implementation of bidirectional or even symmetrical movements. More specifically, constructions have been presented in which a rack has a displacement related to the state of charge of the mainspring. Some applications concern the display of the power reserve of the cylinder rectilinear way, through the use of a rack for converting a rotational movement into a rectilinear motion.

By way of example, patent application EP 2,503,403 A1 describes another particular application of a rack whose displacements are a function of the state of charge of a mainspring. The rack implemented in this document allows in particular to lock a control member for charging the mainspring when the latter is sufficiently loaded. For this purpose, the movements of the rack, progressive, are controlled by a mobile power reserve count of the type used in the display mechanisms of the power reserve. The output wheel of the counting mobile driving the rack has a bidirectional rotation movement, converted into a rectilinear motion by the rack.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0009] A main object of the present invention is to broaden the scope of possible applications in the watchmaking field for rack and pinion, by proposing a new control device construction using a rack. Another object of the present invention is to propose a new retrograde display mechanism construction having a reduced bulk with reference to the known retrograde display mechanisms.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a control device for a watch movement of the type mentioned above, characterized in that it comprises an elastic return member whose first end is intended to be stationary for reference. at the frame of the watch movement and a second end of which is slaved to the movements of the rack, the elastic member being arranged to exert a force on the rack tending to push it towards one of the first and second positions.

With these features, the control device can in particular allow the implementation of a reduced-size retrograde display mechanism with reference to the known mechanisms.

Indeed, such a mechanism can be achieved, whose rack has a kinematic connection with a retrograde display gear, the latter comprising a drive wheel intended to be driven by a counting movement of the watch movement during a progressive display phase, and free to rotate on itself during a retrograde phase, so that it can rotate retrograde under the effect of the action of the elastic return member on the rack.

This construction goes against the principles used for a long time to achieve retrograde displays, since it consists in momentarily transforming a circular motion into a rectilinear motion, to make it circular again afterwards. This approach does not seem natural, a priori, however, reduces the overall size of the mechanism according to the invention with reference to known mechanisms.

Advantageously, it can be provided that the rack carries an actuating finger capable of cooperating with a second mechanism of the watch movement.

In addition, it may be even more advantageous to provide in this case that the actuating finger is retractable by being mounted on the rack so as to be pivotable between an active position and an inactive position and, being associated with a spring secured to the rack and arranged to exert a force on the actuating finger tending to position it in the active position, bearing against an abutment surface integral with the rack.

Thus, such a control device can be used not only for the realization of a retrograde display as explained above, but also to actuate an additional or complementary mechanism, in the retrograde phase, through the actuating finger.

An example of possible application is the implementation of a retrograde display of the date, with display of months. In this case, the counting wheel has a rotational movement associated with the date, the driving wheel being driven one step per day during the progressive display phase and released a day after the last day of a month. was displayed, before starting to display the next month's date in the next progressive display phase, the second watchmaking mechanism of the month being driven one step at each retrograde phase by the actuating finger.

In general, it is preferable to provide that the control device comprises a frame intended to be assembled to a frame member of the watch movement, the frame having a face, defining a support for the rack and, in which a rectilinear slot is formed to define the guide member, the rack carrying at least one male guide member arranged in the rectilinear slot.

In this case, the frame may advantageously define a housing for the elastic return member, while the latter may comprise a coil spring engaged on a shaft carried by the frame. In addition, the first end of the coil spring can then be secured to the shaft while its second end is secured to a first coupling member cooperating with a second coupling member secured to the rack to slave the second end of the helical spring to the movements of the rack.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide that the frame comprises a cover having a wall arranged to partially cover its face defining a support for the rack and cooperate with the latter to maintain it against this face.

According to a preferred embodiment, the frame may also include a pin carrying a toothed gear arranged in engagement with the rack and adapted to be arranged in engagement with the mobile of the first mechanism of the watch movement.

According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention also relates to a watch mechanism and a watch movement incorporating such a control device and a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings given as non-exemplary examples. in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded and simplified perspective view of a controller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; fig. 2 shows a simplified perspective view of the control device of FIG. 1 when assembled; fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the control device of FIG. 1 when assembled, and FIG. 4 shows a simplified perspective view similar to the view of FIG. 2, when the control device according to the present invention is implemented in the context of a particular application.

Embodiment (s) of the invention [0024] FIG. 1 shows an exploded and simplified perspective view of a control device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a simplified perspective view of the control device 1 when assembled and FIG. 3 shows it in a longitudinal sectional view. These three figures will make it possible to present the general structure of the control device 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The control device 1 has an elongated frame here comprising a base 2 and a cover 4 intended to be secured to one another by means of screws 6.

The base 2 has an upper face 8, wherein a longitudinal slot 10 is formed and defining a support for a rack 12. The latter carries two guiding fingers 14 housed in the slot, these elements cooperating with each other to ensure a good rectilinear guidance of the rack 12.

Of course, the skilled person may implement any other type of male guide member to cooperate with the slot 10, to ensure a rectilinear guidance of the rack 12, without departing from the scope of this invention.

The longitudinal section of FIG. 3 is made at the plane passing through the axes of the guide fingers 14.

The cover 4 has a cross section at right angles and, in particular, a wall 16 partially covering the upper face 8 of the base to cooperate with the rack 12 and ensure its maintenance against the upper face.

The cover 4 also has a lateral opening 18, defining an access to the teeth of the rack 12 and from which extends a support 20 carrying a pin 22. The latter defines a pivot bearing for a mobile device here having the form of a floor return 24, intended to be arranged in engagement with the toothing of the rack 12 and assembled on the post 22 by means of a span screw 26.

It will be noted that four ruby rollers 30 are disposed in the wall 16 of the cover 8 to limit the friction of the rack against the wall 16 during its movements.

The frame defines a housing for an elastic return member of the rack 12, when the latter moves from a first extreme position to a second extreme position, along the upper face 8.

More specifically, the resilient return member comprises a helical spring 32 engaged on a shaft 34, the latter being fixed to the base 2 of the frame by two screws 36 passing through its ends.

A first end of the coil spring 32 is secured to a first ring 38 screwed onto a thread (not visible) that has the shaft 34 over a limited length. This end of the coil spring 32 is therefore fixed with reference to the shaft 34.

The second end of the coil spring 32 is secured to a second ring 40 free to slide along a smooth portion of the shaft 34.

The second ring 40 has an annular groove 42, around its periphery, in which is engaged a coupling finger 44 carried by the rack 12. Thus, when the rack 12 moves from right to left on the view of fig. 1, its coupling finger 44 exerts a traction force on the second ring 40 causing a stretching of the coil spring 32.

It is thus understood that when the rack 12 is released, while it is in a position other than the rightmost one in the view of FIG. 1, the coil spring 32 exerts on it a restoring force tending to return it to its rightmost position.

Therefore, it is possible to achieve a retrograde display mechanism with the control device 1 by implementing a kinematic connection between the stepped gear 24 and a drive wheel (not visible) of a cog display, the drive mobile further ensuring the driving of a retrograde display mobile. As long as the drive wheel is itself driven, so that the stepped gear 24 rotates counterclockwise in the view of FIG. 1, the display mobile operates in a standard progressive display mode. At the same time, the rack 12 moves from right to left in the view of FIG. 1 because of its meshing with the stepped gear 24. Once the drive wheel is released (usually periodically, but triggering on demand is possible without departing from the scope of the present invention), the coil spring 32 can perform its reminder function of the rack 12 and return it quickly to the right in the view of FIG. 1. This action results in a retrograde phase of the display unit which is then driven from the stepped gear 24 and no longer from its drive wheel. This cycle can then start again indefinitely.

It will be noted that several construction variants make it possible to release the drive wheel and the present invention is not limited to the selected solution which has no direct link with it. It will be possible, for example, to use a gear with interrupted teeth as in the patent of the prior art mentioned above, or even a rocker release mechanism, which would ensure that the drive wheel can only turn in one direction, in a first position of the rocker, and leave it free to turn in any direction, in a second position.

It is apparent from the figures that it is possible to add an additional actuating device to the rack 12.

Indeed, an actuating finger 46 may advantageously be carried by the rack 12. In addition, optionally preferred, the actuating finger 46 may be arranged on the rack 12 so as to be retractable.

Indeed, it is apparent from the figures that the actuating finger 46 is assembled here to the rack 12 by means of a support 48 carrying the actuating finger 46 so that the latter has an axis of pivoting parallel to the middle plane of the rack 12.

The actuating finger 46 carries, at one of its ends, a spout 50 for actuating a clock mechanism.

Moreover, the actuating finger 46 carries a through shaft 52 near its other end. On one side of the actuating finger 46, the shaft 52 defines a stop in relation to the rack 12 itself, limiting the rotation of the actuating finger 46 in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of FIG. 1. On the other side of the actuating finger 46, the shaft 52 defines a stop cooperating with the free end 54 of a straight spring 56 whose base 58 is secured to the rack 12 by means of a screw 60.

The right spring 56 thus exerts a force on the shaft 52 tending to maintain the latter in support against the rack 12. The actuating finger 46 remains free to rotate in the direction of rotation anti-clockwise, in the view of fig. 1, if its actuating nose 50 is sufficiently stressed, in this sense, to overcome the force of the right spring 56.

FIG. 4 illustrates a particular application of the control device 1 which has just been described, by way of nonlimiting illustration.

In the context of this particular application, the control device 1 allows to control a retrograde display mechanism of the date.

For this purpose, the stepped gear 24 is engaged with a mobile 62 of the display gear of the date. More specifically, the mobile 62 may for example be directly integral with a retrograde date display mobile of the date, without limitation.

Thus, the mobile 62 is driven regularly at a rate of one step per day, in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of FIG. 4, to make a progressive display of the value of the date, until the last day of a given month. At the same time, the stepped gear 24 pivots in the anti-clockwise direction and causes a progressive movement of the rack 12 from the left to the right of the frame in the view of FIG. 4, exerting a pull on the coil spring 32.

At the time of the change of months, instead of being driven by a new step, the mobile 62 is released and becomes free to turn in any direction.

The coil spring 32 is then free to contract to resume its rest position and, in doing so, quickly returns the rack 12 in its initial position during a retrograde phase, on the left of the frame in the view of fig. 4.

The return of the rack 12 causes a rotation of the stepped return 24 in the clockwise direction, which itself causes a rotation of the mobile 62 in the counterclockwise direction, and therefore a simultaneous retrograde movement of the body date display (not shown).

A second clock mechanism has also been partially shown in FIG. 4, without limitation, being a star of the months 64 to twelve teeth.

During the progressive display phase, the rack 12 moves to the right in the view of FIG. 4.

Shortly before the end of a given month, the actuating finger 46 arrives opposite a tooth 66 of the star of the month 64. The rack 12 continuing its movement in the same direction until the end of the month, the actuating finger 46 is retracted to be able to cross this tooth 66.

Once the end of the month, when the retrograde movement is engaged, the actuating nose 50 cooperates with the tooth 66 of the moving month 64 to drive the latter in rotation by one step in the clockwise direction in the view of fig. 4, before starting indefinitely the same cycle.

With this construction, a display member months can be driven in a simple manner at the end of the month while the date display member performs its retrograde movement.

Of course, this construction is compatible with any type of calendar display, whether simple, annual, perpetual or secular.

The control device according to the present invention allows, with its original construction, to control a retrograde display in a simple manner and having a limited footprint.

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, in particular the forms illustrated and described for its various components.

Claims (14)

Indeed, the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt the content of the present disclosure to his own needs and implement a timepiece according to the invention without necessarily implement all the features. of the embodiment just described. Furthermore, it will be noted that the control of a retrograde display is not the only possible application for the control device according to the present invention. Indeed, this device can, alternatively, perform a function of "all or nothing", that is to say operate a clock mechanism only if the rack is moved with sufficient amplitude. Thus, it is for example possible to connect the rack to a winding train of a ringer barrel, in a repetitive type of movement, such that the rack moves according to the winding rate of the ringer barrel and , activates the repetition mechanism by resuming its initial position, only when it has traveled a sufficient distance to ensure a sufficient charge of the ringer barrel. In this case, the sufficient charge of the striking barrel would coincide with the crossing of a triggering member of the bell by the actuating finger carried by the rack. It is also conceivable to provide applications based on a reverse operation of that which has been described for the control device, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it can be provided that the rack is moved by pulling its actuating finger. In this case, it can be provided in particular that the transmission between the two stages of the stepped gear is only in one direction of rotation. During the progressive phase, the gear engaged with the stepped gear is not driven. When the rack reaches the end of the race, the actuating finger retracts to escape the mechanism that led to it and release the rack. The rapid return of the rack then results in a rapid rotation of the gear meshing with the stepped gear. The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulties to develop other applications of the control device which has just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention. claims 1. A control device (1) for a watch movement comprising a rack (12) intended to have a kinematic connection with a mobile (62) of a first mechanism of the watch movement and, associated with a guide member (10) for to be secured to a frame member of the watch movement and arranged to provide a rectilinear guidance of said rack (12) between first and second extreme positions, characterized in that it comprises an elastic return member (32,34) whose first end is intended to be stationary with reference to the frame of the watch movement and whose second end is slaved to the movements of said rack (12), said elastic member (32, 34) being arranged to exert a force on said rack ( 12) tending to push it towards one of said first and second positions. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said rack (12) carries an actuating finger (46) capable of cooperating with a second mechanism (64) of the watch movement. 3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said actuating finger (46) is retractable by being mounted on said rack (12) so as to be pivotable between an active position and an inactive position and, in being associated with a spring (56) integral with said rack (12) and arranged to exert a force on said actuating finger (46) tending to position it in said active position, bearing against an abutment surface secured to said rack (12). 4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a frame (2, 4) intended to be assembled to a frame member of the watch movement, said frame having a face (8), defining a support for said rack (12) and in which a straight slot (10) is provided to define said guide member, said rack (12) carrying at least one male guide member (14) arranged in said straight slot ( 10). 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said frame (2, 4) defines a housing for said elastic return member (32, 34), and in that said elastic return member (32, 34 ) comprises a helical spring (32) engaged on a shaft (34) carried by said frame (2, 4). 6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first end of said coil spring (32) is integral with said shaft (34) while its second end is secured to a first coupling member (40, 42). ) cooperating with a second coupling member (44) integral with said rack (12) to slave said second end of the coil spring (32) to the movements of said rack (12). 7. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said frame (2, 4) comprises a cover (4) having a wall (16) arranged to partially cover said face (8) defining a supporting said rack (12) and cooperate with the latter to hold it against said face (8). 8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said frame (2, 4) comprises a pin (22) carrying a toothed mobile (24) arranged in engagement with said rack (12) and intended to be arranged in taken with the mobile (62) of the first mechanism of the watch movement. 9. Retrograde display clock mechanism for a watch movement comprising a control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said rack (12) has a kinematic connection with a retrograde display gear, the latter comprising a driving wheel intended to be driven by a counting mobile watch movement during a progressive display phase, and free to rotate on itself during a retrograde phase, so that it can rotate retrograde under the effect of the action of said elastic return member (32, 34) on said rack (12). 10. Clock mechanism according to claim 9, said rack (12) carrying an actuating finger (46) capable of cooperating with a second mechanism (64) of the watch movement, characterized in that said actuating finger (46) actuates the second mechanism (64) in said retrograde phase. 11. Watchmaking mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that said counting mobile has a rotational movement associated with the calendar, said drive wheel (62) being driven one step per day during said phase of progressive display and released one day after the last day of a month has been displayed, before starting to display the next month's date in the next progressive display phase, and that the second watch mechanism is a display mechanism of the next month driven by one step at each retrograde phase by said actuating finger (46). Clock movement comprising a control device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 13. Watch movement comprising a watch mechanism according to one of claims 9 to 11. 14. Timepiece comprising a watch movement according to claim 12 or 13.