CH711099A2 - Device for winding watches. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for winding watches, comprising a support (2) for receiving a watch in the winding position, a power source (3) supplying a motor (4) arranged to generate a mechanical movement of reassembly. This device (1) comprises control means, comprising measuring means with sensor means (20) for vibratory and / or acoustic and / or magnetic measurement of the oscillator of a watch in the winding position, and analyzing signals transmitted by said measuring means and comparing them with parameterizable setpoints for regulating the operation of said motor (4) by switching on said motor (4) when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is lower than a minimum value, and stopping said motor (4) when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is greater than a maximum value.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a winding device for watches, including mechanical or electronic source of mechanical energy, comprising at least one support for receiving a watch in a winding position, at least one energy source arranged to supply power to at least one motor arranged to either drive the winding crown of a manually wound watch, or to drive at least one oscillating weight of a self-winding watch, or to stir at least one watch self-winding.

The invention also relates to a watch assembly comprising such a device, and at least one mechanical watch arranged to be fixed on at least one such support.

The invention also relates to the use of such a device for reassembling a watch.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly the reassembly of mechanical watches or electronic watches source of mechanical energy, including but not limited to automatic watches.

Background of the invention

The user of a mechanical watch or electronic mechanical energy source, whether manual winding or self-winding, which is not worn permanently is required, when he wants to use it , to perform the tasks of updating the displays, which can be tedious for the dates, or difficult or impossible for complications such as moon phases or other leap years in a perpetual calendar.

There are known winding cabinets, or individual devices, which simulate the movements of a user by rotating the watch, generally around several axes, to give the oscillating weight pulses needed to perform the reassembly , or to train the crown of a manual winding watch when this crown is suitable. These cabinets or devices are often bulky, expensive, and their movement can disturb the user. In particular, such devices are not well suited in a commercial environment, where a watch must be statically exposed to the customer, with correct display of time-related information, while being ready for a demonstration.

These pumping mechanisms, which are more or less complicated, tend to over-stress the mechanics of the watch. Indeed, these systems, even when they allow to program a number of laps to perform to perform the reassembly, take into account a safety factor, and raise the barrel more than necessary, resulting in an overvoltage in the mainspring, which is dissipated by the slippery flange. As a result, all the mechanics are subjected to stronger constraints than necessary. The induced effects are abnormal wear, and pollution by wear debris, which also alters the lubrication of the watch, and can make service operations for cleaning and lubrication more frequent, which represents a significant cost for the user.

In addition, excessive winding unnecessarily solicits energy sources, whose capacity is sometimes limited, particularly in the case of winding batteries or solar cells or the like.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide the user with simple, inexpensive and space-saving means to reassemble a mechanical or electronic mechanical power source watch, and maintain it permanently in reserve potential. maximum walking even if it is not worn, while leaving the mechanical parts of the movement, and being energy efficient.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for winding watches, including mechanical or electronic source of mechanical energy, comprising at least one support for receiving a watch in a winding position, at least one energy source arranged to supply energy to at least one engine arranged to either drive the winding crown of a manual winding watch, or to drive at least one oscillating weight of a self-winding watch, or to stir at least one self-winding watch, characterized in that said device comprises control means comprising measuring means integrating sensor means for vibratory and / or acoustic and / or magnetic measurement of the oscillator of at least one watch placed in said reassembling position, said control means being arranged to analyze signals transmitted by said vibratory or acoustic measuring means e or / and magnetic and compare them to parameterizable setpoints, to regulate the operation of at least one said motor by engaging said motor when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is less than or equal to a first minimum value, and stopping said motor when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is greater than or equal to a second maximum value.

The invention also relates to a watch assembly comprising such a device, and at least one mechanical watch or electronic mechanical energy source arranged to be fixed on at least one said support.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <tb> Fig. 1 <SEP> represents, schematically and in perspective, a device for winding watches, in particular mechanical or electronic mechanical energy source, according to the invention, with a single support pivotally mounted on a motor and ready for reception a mechanical watch, which comprises a chip incorporating recommended operating parameters; <tb> fig. 2 <SEP> represents, schematically, partially in front view at the level of the user interfaces, and partially in section at the supports, another watch winding device according to the invention, comprising two motors each driving an arranged support to receive a watch for its reassembly; <tb> fig. 3 <SEP> shows schematically and in perspective, yet another device for winding watches according to the invention, comprising two motors each driving a shaft support arranged to receive a plurality of watches for reassembly, in a simplified version of manual user interface with, for each medium, two global parameter selectors applicable to the plurality of watches it carries; <tb> fig. 4 <SEP> shows, schematically and in front view, another simplified version of a manual user interface for the device of FIG. 3, with, for each watch location, two parameter selectors applicable to the watch worn by that slot; <tb> fig. 5 <SEP> represents, schematically and in perspective, another device for winding watches according to the invention, comprising two motors for driving the same support around different axes to describe a complex movement in the 'space; <tb> fig. 6 <SEP> is a logic diagram showing the interactions between the constituent circuits of the winding device according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention proposes to develop a winding sparing the mechanical parts of the movement of the watch, and economic energy.

Here is meant by "watch" any watch capable of being recharged in energy by a movement which is printed to him: mechanical watch with automatic winding, or electronic watch with mechanical energy, of the "Autoquartz" or "Automeca" type, or similar. The device of the invention back the watch to the level just needed.

It is also called "winding" the energy reload of such a watch.

For a usual mechanical watch, the optimum is to maintain the winding of the mainspring at a level that allows to obtain an amplitude of the oscillator, constituted by a sprung-balance assembly in most cases, around 250 °. This value corresponds to a reasonable tension in the mechanics, and to a march of the watch which is the most accurate according to the positions.

The invention implements simple means of servo, for the reassembly of a mechanical watch, applicable to the case of winding a manual winding watch by the crown or any other component provided for this purpose, as well as in the case of the reassembly of a self-winding watch, which is made, or by riddling of the entire watch, or by an action without contact with the oscillating mass, as described in particular in the EP 2 application 650 734 A1 by the same applicant.

The figures are for didactic purposes, and only propose the case of self-winding watches by the application of a movement according to a single degree of freedom in rotation, only FIG. 5 showing a gyroscopic type assembly with two combined motors. "Motor" hereinafter means motor means arranged to move a support in at least one degree of freedom, whether it is a single motor means for a single degree of freedom, or a combination of motor means for several degrees of freedom. The case of winding by the crown is not illustrated by the figures, the skilled person having no particular difficulty in transposing the teachings of the invention.

More particularly, the invention relates to a device 1 for winding watches, including mechanical or electronic mechanical energy source, comprising at least a support 2 for receiving a watch in a winding position, at least a power source 3 arranged to supply energy to at least one motor 4.

This engine 4 is arranged to either drive the winding crown of a manual winding watch, or drive at least one oscillating weight of a self-winding watch, or stir at least one winding watch automatic.

According to the invention, the device 1 comprises control means 100 which comprise measuring means 10 incorporating sensor means 20 for vibratory and / or acoustic and / or magnetic measurement of the oscillator of at least one watch placed in the winding position. These control means 100 are arranged to analyze signals transmitted by the vibratory measurement means and / or acoustic and / or magnetic 10, and compare them to parameterizable setpoints, to regulate the operation of at least one such motor 4 , by switching on this motor 4 when the amplitude of operation of the oscillator is less than or equal to a first minimum value, and stopping this motor 4 when the amplitude of operation of the oscillator is greater than or equal to a second value Max. It is the same for the electromagnetic field of a generator driven by the mechanical energy available.

The magnetic measuring means are well suited to the winding of watches whose operation is poorly audible, particularly in the case of non-contact escapement mechanisms, or with attenuated contact, with motion transmission by influence, magnetic or / and electrostatic, or comprising wheels and / or anchors or generally mobiles equipped with flexible blades at their interfaces with antagonistic components.

Other means of measurement are not excluded, optical for example, but are more difficult to miniaturize, and often more sensitive to the stresses to which a watch is subjected, since normal acceleration to wear, to shocks. In addition, visibility on the areas to be measured is required, which can impose constraints on the materials of certain parts.

Note in this regard that the invention is usable for any type of oscillator, and in particular, in the case of a mechanical escapement oscillator, both for a Swiss lever escapement, as for a coaxial escapement, or other. In the case where the notion of alternation is different, as for a detent escapement, a suitable parameterization is to be made, without departing from the scope of the invention.

By "parametric set values" is meant here that these values depend on the watch model, and may be, as appropriate, or previously introduced during the configuration of the winding device and stored, or read directly on the watch by a suitable reading device. These parameterizable setpoints can, again, be modified and forced by the user, when the device 1 is equipped with a user interface 110 with input-output allowing the modification of these parameterizable values.

The control means 100 comprise for example calculation means 150, such as a microprocessor or the like, for processing the information from the sensors, the measuring means 10, a user interface 110 detailed below, of the energy source or sources 3 (FIG. 2 illustrates, at the level of the control means 100, the inputs 102A and 102B for the communication of the energy level of the energy sources 3), and to give the appropriate commands to the engine 4 or engines 4 when there are several.

The device 1 can be dedicated to the reassembly of a single watch, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

It can also be assigned to the reassembly of several watches simultaneously, and will be called hereinafter "multiple winding", as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating two different variants.

Also, in a particular embodiment of such a multiple winding, which comprises one or more motors 4, each motor 4 is assigned to the reassembly of a particular group consisting of one or more supports 2, each adapted to receive a single shows. Each support 2 comprises dedicated sensor means 20. And the control means 100 are arranged to control each motor 4 as a function of the signals received from the sensor means 20 associated with the different supports 2 of the particular group.

FIG. 2 shows a variant comprising two motors 4A and 4B each driving a support 2A, 2B, arranged to receive a watch 200A, 200B for its reassembly. These motors 4A, 4B are powered by the energy source or sources 3. Each support 2A, 2B carries a sensor 20A, 20B, in particular a microphone in an advantageous application, the signal of which is transmitted to the measuring means 10.

FIG. 3 shows schematically and in perspective, another variant comprising two motors 4A, 4B, each driving a shaft support 2A, 2B, which is arranged to receive a plurality of watches for reassembly: in three positions corresponding to 20AX sensors, 20AY, 20AZ for the support 2A, and also on three positions corresponding to sensors 20BX, 20BY, 20BZ for the support 2B.

In a particular embodiment of multiple winding, the control means 100 are arranged to differentially control each of the motors 4, as shown in FIG. 2 by outputs 101A and 101B to respectively control the motors 4A and 4B.

In another particular embodiment of multiple winding, the control means 100 are arranged to control the engine 4 assigned to said particular group by engaging as soon as the amplitude of any of said oscillators watches carried by the supports 2 of the particular group is less than or equal to a first minimum value.

In a particular variant, the control means 100 are arranged to control the engine 4 assigned to such a particular group, stopping it as soon as the amplitude of operation of all the oscillators of the watches carried by the supports 2 of the particular group is greater than or equal to a second maximum value.

In another particular variant, the control means 100 are arranged to drive the engine 4 assigned to such a particular group, stopping as soon as the amplitude of any of the oscillators watches worn by the supports 2 of the particular group is greater than or equal to a second maximum value.

Other driving algorithms are naturally possible.

FIG. 5 illustrates a setting of first minimum value and second maximum value for single support 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a setting of the first minimum value and the second maximum value for each of the supports 2A and 2B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a single setting of first minimum value and second maximum value for each of the supports 2A and 2B.

FIG. 4 illustrates a differentiated setting of the first minimum value and the second maximum value for each of the watch receiving positions that comprise the supports 2A and 2B.

In the case where a motor 4 is constituted, as in FIG. 5, of several combined motor means, the control algorithm can be arranged to activate only one, or only part, of these motor means, especially if the energy level of the energy sources 3 is low .

In all variants, the control means 100 advantageously comprise a user interface 110, which is arranged to allow the user to choose or / and modify the first minimum value and / or the second maximum value for at least a particular support 2, depending on the watch that receives this support.

The figures illustrate, without limitation, different inputs of the user interface 110: a socket 111 for connection to a network or a computer or electronic device, an antenna 112 for receiving data by wireless transmission, selectors 113 or 114. These selectors 113, 114, are analogically shown for the convenience of the figures, they may of course consist of a screen-keyboard assembly or the like. In this analog version, a first selector 113A determines the first minimum amplitude value, and a second selector 114A determines the second maximum value.

In particular, this user interface 110 is arranged to allow the user to choose or / and modify the first minimum value and / or the second maximum value for each said particular support 2.

In particular, this user interface 110 is arranged to collect data specific to the first minimum value and / or the second maximum value for a given type of watch, including but not limited to computer link or wireless communication.

In a particular variant, the user interface 110 comprises reading means 120, which are arranged at the level of at least one support 2, and which are arranged to search and read the parameters of the first minimum value and / or second maximum value stored in a watch at a communication interface that includes the watch, for example an RFID chip or the like. More particularly, each support 2 is equipped with such reading means 120.

[0047] And, advantageously, the control means 100 are then arranged to adjust, for such a given support 2 comprising said reading means 120, the parameters of the first minimum value and / or the second maximum value read by the reading means. 120.

In an advantageous embodiment, at least one support 2 comprises detection means 130 for the presence or absence of a watch, for example of optical or capacitive or galvanic type, which are arranged to communicate with the control means 100. the presence or absence of watch information in order to annihilate the effect of a signal corresponding to zero amplitude in the absence of a watch on the support 2. More particularly, all the supports 2 are thus equipped. This detection allows the standby of the corresponding equipment. Fig. 2 illustrates, at the level of the control means 100, entries 103A and 103B for the communication of the presence or absence of a watch parameter.

For watches of the usual type, the angular difference between the first minimum value and / or the second maximum amplitude value is advantageously chosen less than or equal to 20 °.

More particularly, the first minimum amplitude value is 240 ° and the second maximum amplitude value is 260 °.

For commercial use, the control means 100 advantageously comprise, at the level of the calculation means 150, timing means 140, which determine the time periods at which a watch can be reassembled, and those where it must remain. stationary, more particularly in an indexing position. For this purpose, the user interface 110 advantageously includes timer inputs 115 enabling the user to easily determine these time slots. The calculation means 150 then immobilize the motor (s) 4 in an indexing position that corresponds to a predefined indexing position of the watch or watches.

The invention also relates to a watch assembly 1000 comprising such a device 1, and at least a watch 200, mechanical or electronic source of mechanical energy, which is arranged to be fixed on at least one such support 2. Advantageously the watch 200 comprises a communication interface which is arranged to communicate the first minimum value or / and the second maximum value specific to the watch 200.

The sensor means 20 may in particular be of the microphone type.

The principle of an acoustic measurement works well, is reliable, and can retrieve information duration between the tick and the tac, to calculate the amplitude of the pendulum.

It is understood that the measurement depends on the type of movement of the watch. The winding device can be paired with a particular watch, and preconfigured at the factory.

The adjustment by the user as presented above allows the latter to select on the device a configuration among standard configurations proposed by selectors at the device for setting thresholds d 'amplitude. The user can also use a mobile application, allowing him to choose the product-watch, and send by wireless communication, or computer, or other, the corresponding configuration. The watch itself may include a chip with its parameters, or its packaging include a graphic code or a chip, readable by a suitable reader.

The invention also relates to the use of such a device 1 for reassembly of at least one electronic watch comprising a generator with mechanical energy source; its control means 100 then comprise measuring means 10 which incorporate sensor means 20 adapted for measuring the field produced by this generator to control the regulation of the energy recharge.

The invention also relates to the use of such a device 1 for reassembly of at least one watch comprising a magnetic exhaust mechanism; its control means 100 then comprise measuring means 10 integrating sensor means 20 for measuring the magnetic field to control the regulation of the energy recharge.

Claims (20)

1. Device (1) for winding watches, especially mechanical or electronic mechanical energy source, comprising at least one support (2) for receiving a watch in a winding position, at least one energy source (3) arranged to supply power to at least one motor (4) arranged to either drive the winding crown of a manually wound watch or to drive at least one oscillating weight of a self-winding watch, or well stir at least one self-winding watch, characterized in that said device (1) comprises control means (100) which comprise measuring means (10) incorporating sensor means (20) for the vibratory measurement and / or acoustic or / and magnetic oscillator of at least one watch placed in said winding position, said control means (100) being arranged to analyze signals transmitted by said vibratory measurement means and / or acoustic and / or magnetic (10) and compare them with parameterizable setpoints for regulating the operation of at least one said motor (4) by switching on said motor (4) when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is less than or equal to at a first minimum value, and stopping said motor (4) when the operating amplitude of said oscillator is greater than or equal to a second maximum value. 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each said engine (4) is assigned to the reassembly of a particular group consisting of one or more said supports (2) each adapted to receive a single watch, in that each said support (2) comprises said dedicated sensor means (20), and in that said control means (100) are arranged to drive each said engine (4) according to the signals received from said associated sensor means (20) to said carriers (2) of said particular group. 3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said control means (100) are arranged to differentially control each of said engines (4). 4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said control means (100) are arranged to control said motor (4) assigned to said particular group by engaging it as soon as the amplitude of operation of any of said watch oscillators carried by said carriers (2) of said particular group is less than or equal to a first minimum value. 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said control means (100) are arranged to control said engine (4) assigned to said particular group by stopping as soon as the amplitude of all said watch oscillators carried by said supports (2) of said particular group is greater than or equal to a second maximum value. 6. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said control means (100) are arranged to control said engine (4) assigned to said particular group by stopping as soon as the amplitude of the running of the any of the watch oscillators carried by said carriers (2) of said particular group is greater than or equal to a second maximum value. 7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said control means (100) comprise a user interface (110) arranged to allow the user to choose or / and modify said first minimum value and / or said second maximum value for at least one said particular support (2). 8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said user interface (110) is arranged to allow the user to choose or / and modify said first minimum value and / or said second maximum value for each said support (2). 9. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said user interface (110) is arranged to collect data specific to said first minimum value and / or said second maximum value for a given type of watch, by computer link or wireless communication. 10. Device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said user interface (110) comprises reading means (120) arranged at at least one said support (2) and arranged to search and read said parameters. of first minimum value and / or second maximum value stored in a watch at a communication interface that includes said watch. 11. Device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said control means (100) are arranged to adjust, for a said medium (2) given comprising said reading means (120), said first value parameters minimum or / and second maximum value read by said reading means (120). 12. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one said support (2) comprises means (130) for detecting the presence or absence of a watch, arranged for communicating to said control means (100) the presence or absence of watch information in order to annihilate the effect of a signal corresponding to zero amplitude in the absence of a watch on said support (2). 13. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the angular difference between said first minimum value and / or said second maximum amplitude value is less than or equal to 20 °. 14. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said first minimum amplitude value is 240 ° and said second maximum amplitude value is 260 °. 15. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said control means (100) comprise timing means (140), which determine the time ranges at which a watch can be reassembled, and those where it must remain motionless in an indexing position. 16. Device (1) according to claims 7 and 15, characterized in that said user interface (110) comprises timing inputs (115) arranged to allow the determination of said time slots by the user to easily determine these time slots. 17. watch assembly (1000) comprising a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, and at least one mechanical watch (200) arranged to be fixed on at least one said support (2). 18. watch assembly (1000) according to claim 17, characterized in that said watch (200) comprises a communication interface (210) arranged to communicate said first minimum value and / or said second maximum value specific to said watch (200) . 19. Use of a said device (1) according to claims 1 to 16 for the reassembly of at least one electronic watch having a generator with a source of mechanical energy, characterized in that said control means (100) comprise measuring means (10) integrating sensor means (20) for measuring the field produced by said generator to control the regulation of the energy recharge. 20. Use of a said device (1) according to claims 1 to 16 for the reassembly of at least one watch comprising a magnetic exhaust mechanism, characterized in that said control means (100) comprise measuring means (10) integrating sensor means (20) for measuring the magnetic field to control the regulation of the energy recharge.