CH713588B1 - Musical mechanism for watch movement. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a musical mechanism, for a watch movement (1), comprising a support (6) intended to be assembled to a frame (2) of the watch movement (1) and defining a mean plane, the support (6) bearing at at least one rotary member (12) associated with a keyboard (14) for playing a musical melody in response to a rotation of the rotary member (12), the latter having an inclination with reference to the mean plane.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a musical mechanism, for a watch movement, comprising a support intended to be assembled to a frame of the watch movement and defining a mean plane, the support carrying at least one rotary member associated with a keyboard for playing a melody musical in response to a rotation of the rotary organ.

[0002] Typically, in a timepiece of conventional form which comprises a watch movement fitted with such a musical mechanism, the mean plane is substantially parallel to the upper face of the plate of the watch movement.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a musical mechanism as well as a timepiece provided with such a watch movement.

State of the art

[0004] Such timepieces are already known in different levels of the range. Just like the music boxes that served as a source of inspiration to create them, these pieces exert at least two degrees of fascination for an observer, not only because of the melody they produce but also because of the animation. mechanics offered by the musical mechanism.

[0005] Thus, for example, the Manufacture Claret has developed a movement of this type fitted to the high-end piece presented under the name “Orchestra” (see http://www.christopheclaret.com/fr/christopheclaret-art -pieces-orchestra-p21 .php). The Swiss brand Boegli (http://www.boegliwatch.ch/fr/) presents a whole collection of musical watches with musical mechanisms meeting the aforementioned characteristics, in a price range significantly lower than the first piece mentioned. however.

[0006] The integration of such musical mechanisms in a watch presents numerous constraints. First of all, of course, these mechanisms originally implemented in music boxes must be miniaturized in order to be able to be housed in a box of reduced dimensions which must also house conventional watch mechanisms making it possible to indicate at least the current time. . Another important constraint in the use of such timepieces is the transmission of the sound produced by the musical mechanism so that the latter is perceived with sufficient clarity and intensity by a user.

[0007] It should be noted that the Ulysse Nardin manufacture presented a timepiece with a musical mechanism in 2013 under the name of “Stranger” (see http://www.ablogtowatch.com/ulysse-nardin-stranger-watch-hands -2 /), the latter having an alternative construction making it possible to reduce the thickness of the musical mechanism, with reference to the previous pieces, by replacing the conventional rotating roller with a disc.

[0008] Thus, it can be seen that timepieces of this type exhibit few new developments, the development axes implemented essentially aiming to limit the size of the musical mechanism and / or to improve its acoustic qualities.

Disclosure of the invention

A main aim of the present invention is to provide a musical mechanism of alternative construction to known constructions making it possible to improve its acoustic qualities.

[0010] To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a musical mechanism of the type mentioned above, characterized in that its rotating member has an inclination with reference to the mean plane.

More particularly, in the case where the rotary member has the shape of a roller, the latter has an inclined angle of rotation with reference to the mean plane of the support, with an angle preferably between 5 and 85 degrees.

[0012] Thanks to these characteristics, the dimensions of the rotary member can be enlarged for a space given in projection in the mid-plane, which makes it possible in particular to increase the number of notes which can be played by the musical mechanism according to the 'invention.

According to a preferred variant, the keyboard has a plurality of blades arranged to cooperate with pins carried by the rotary member, the blades being inclined with reference to the mean plane.

[0014] Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to free up space at the level of the support to house other components therein. In addition, the keyboard is typically made integral with the support by a base, the latter therefore also exhibiting an inclination with reference to the support, significantly modifying the direction of emission of the sound waves generated with reference to the musical mechanisms of the prior art.

In addition, the fact that the whole of the sound production mechanism is driven in rotation, therefore in particular its sound production member, makes it possible to vary the direction of emission of the sound waves and therefore to tend to standardize their propagation. towards the outside of the case of the corresponding timepiece.

Preferably, the musical mechanism comprises at least one additional rotary member, also having the shape of a roller provided with pins arranged to cooperate with the blades of an additional keyboard, the additional rotating member also having an inclination with reference to the average plane.

[0017] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a musical mechanism meeting the above characteristics, the latter therefore having a modular construction.

[0018] Advantageously, the support of the musical mechanism is assembled to the frame in such a way that it can present a rotational movement with reference to the latter.

Such a characteristic combined with the preceding characteristics makes it possible to ensure propagation of sound waves in a large number of directions, improving the quality of listening for a user.

[0020] The invention also relates, as an alternative, to a watch movement comprising an integrated musical mechanism corresponding to the characteristics of the invention, that is to say comprising a frame defining a mean plane and directly carrying a musical mechanism comprising at the at least one rotary member associated with a keyboard for playing a musical melody in response to a rotation of the rotary member, the rotary member having an inclination with reference to the mean plane.

[0021] Other characteristics and preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of dependent claims.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a timepiece provided with a watch movement meeting the characteristics which have just been stated.

Brief description of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which :

- Figure 1 shows a simplified front view of a watch movement according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] - Figure 2 shows a simplified front view of part of the watch movement of Figure 1 in a first configuration;

[0026] FIG. 3 represents a simplified front view of part of the watch movement of FIG. 1 in a second configuration;

- Figure 4 shows a simplified front view of part of the watch movement of Figure 1 in a third configuration;

[0028] FIG. 5 represents a simplified front view of part of the watch movement of FIG. 1 in a fourth configuration;

- Figure 6 shows a simplified front view of a construction detail of the watch movement of Figure 1 in the first configuration;

- Figure 7 shows a simplified front view of the construction detail of Figure 6 in the second configuration;

- Figure 8 shows a simplified side view of another construction detail of the watch movement of Figure 1;

- Figure 9 shows a simplified side view of another construction detail of the watch movement of Figure 1, and

- Figure 10 shows a simplified side view of another construction detail of the watch movement of Figure 1.

Mode (s) for carrying out the invention

[0034] Figure 1 shows a simplified front view of a watch movement 1 comprising a musical mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The watch movement 1 is illustrated by way of non-limiting illustration. In particular, this horological movement 1 includes certain additional horological mechanisms which are not necessarily linked to the implementation of the present invention. Also, for the sake of conciseness and clarity, only the elements contributing to the implementation of the invention and / or allowing a better understanding of its construction and operation will be described in detail.

The watch movement 1 comprises a frame 2 intended to allow the assembly of the movement in a watch case (shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, with the reference numeral 4). The frame 2 carries a rotating plate 6, the latter being connected to the frame 2 by any suitable known means allowing relative rotational movement between them, such as for example a ball bearing (not illustrated), the axis of rotation of the rotating plate being here coincident with the central axis of the watch movement 1, without limitation.

The watch movement 1 comprises a watch mechanism 8, known to those skilled in the art, intended to support a display dial of the current time by maintaining it in a constant angular orientation with reference to the case of the part clockwork, independently of the angular orientation of the rotating plate 6. In addition, the horological mechanism 8 is typically arranged to control the positions of the display hands by taking into account the angular orientation of the rotating plate 6. Since this watch mechanism 8 has no direct link with the implementation of the invention and being of known construction, it will not be further described here.

Furthermore, the horological movement 1 comprises other horological mechanisms linked to the measurement of time and to the display of the current time which will not be described in detail either, in particular a time base comprising a tourbillon tri-axial 10.

Coming more directly to the invention now, the turntable 6 carries a musical mechanism whose components are distributed in different locations of the turntable 6.

[0039] In a non-limiting manner, the musical mechanism here comprises two rotary members 12 each of which has the shape of a roller associated with a keyboard 14. Conventionally, each roller 12 carries pins 16 (partially shown) intended to cooperate with blades 18 of the corresponding keyboard 14 to emit sounds and produce a musical melody when the roller 12 is driven to rotate on itself.

The rotational drive of the rollers 12 is produced from a source of mechanical energy, here a barrel 20 accommodating a barrel spring in a conventional manner, as is best seen in FIG. 2.

The drive of the rollers 12 from the barrel 20 is however carried out indirectly. Indeed, the toothed drum of the barrel 20 is kinematically connected to a toothed mobile 22 for driving the turntable 6, in particular via a locking mobile 24 and a speed regulator 26 (FIG. 1). with conventional variable inertia. As will be seen later, the locking mobile 24 may have a locked state in which it locks the drum of the barrel 20, and therefore the musical mechanism, and an unlocked state in which it leaves the drum of the barrel 20 free to rotate. In the latter case, the toothed mobile 22 is rotated and rolls on a fixed toothing 28 carried by the frame 2, causing a rotational movement of the turntable 6 with reference to the frame 2, preferably at constant speed under l effect of the action of the speed regulator 26.

The rotation of the turntable 6 is then used to drive the rollers 12 in rotation by means of another fixed toothing 30 carried by the frame 2. Each roller 12 is secured to a toothed pinion 32 (figure 1) arranged in engagement with an axial gear 34, itself arranged in engagement with the fixed teeth 30. Consequently, when the turntable 6 rotates, the gear 34 rolls on the fixed teeth 30 and drives the pinion 32 in rotation, and therefore the corresponding roller 12.

The musical mechanism illustrated and described here is of the type on demand, in a nonlimiting manner, that is to say that it is activated in response to a predefined action of a user. As an alternative or in addition, it could also be triggered by the watch movement itself, for example when the hours pass.

A box 4 of a timepiece has been shown schematically in Figure 2, the latter housing a pusher 38 intended to be actuated by a user to engage the musical mechanism.

Note in Figure 2 that the turntable 6 carries three different rockers 40, 42 and 44 each of which has an actuation portion arranged projecting from the periphery of the turntable 6 to be able to cooperate with the pusher 38.

These three rockers 40, 42 and 44 are arranged such that action on any of them has the effect of actuating one and the same mechanism, namely a locking rocker 46.

The locking lever 46 is rotatably mounted on the turntable 6 and has a first beak 48 intended to be positioned or not in the passage of a finger 50 carried by the locking mobile 24, to lock the latter or the leave free to turn.

The locking lever 46 has a second spout 52 arranged to cooperate with the lever 40 and rotate the locking lever 46 in the direction of anti-clockwise rotation in the view of Figure 2, in response to a pressure on the rocker 40, that is to say to make it pass from a locking position to an unlocking position.

The locking lever 46 has a third beak 54 arranged to cooperate with a return 56 rotatably mounted on the turntable 6, the return 56 itself being arranged to pivot in the direction of clockwise rotation in Figure 2 in response to a pressure on the lever 42. It further emerges from Figure 2 that a rotation of the return 56 in the clockwise direction causes a rotation of the locking lever 46 in the anti-clockwise direction of rotation, that is to say an unlocking of the mechanism musical.

The latch 44 is for its part arranged on the turntable 6 such that pressure on it causes its rotation in the direction of anti-clockwise rotation in Figure 2, which causes a rotation of the latch 42 , and as a consequence of reference 56, clockwise.

FIG. 2 illustrates the watch movement 1 in a first configuration in which the musical mechanism has a locked state, the latch 40 being located opposite the pusher 38.

It should be noted that various springs are provided, but not shown, to tend to maintain the levers 40, 42 and 44 in their rest position as illustrated in Figure 2.

Pressing the pusher 38 unlocks the musical mechanism, which causes a rotation of the turntable 6 in the direction of clockwise rotation in the view of the figures, as emerges from the view of Figure 3 illustrating the watch movement 1 in a second configuration.

When, in the present case, the turntable 6 has made a rotation of 120 ° from the initial state of Figure 2, as shown in Figure 4, the locking lever 46 returns to its locking position, as this will be explained later. The rocker 42 is then located opposite the pusher 38 and the rotating plate 6 stops its rotation. A new pressure on the push-button 38 causes a new unlocking by means of the lever 42 which acts on the return 56 which itself acts on the locking lever 46 to turn the latter in the anti-clockwise direction of rotation and place it substantially in the position visible in FIG. 4.

The rotating plate 6 then resumes its rotation for 120 °, that is to say until the latch 44 is located opposite the pusher 38, as illustrated in Figure 5.

Pressing again on the pusher 38 from this configuration causes a new rotation of the rotating plate 6 to replace the watch movement 1 in the configuration of FIG. 2.

It appears from Figures 2 to 5 that the locking lever 46 has an additional arm 58 carrying a finger 60 projecting from the side of the turntable 6.

Figures 6 and 7 provide a better understanding of how the musical mechanism can be controlled to perform a rotation of 120 ° each time pushbutton 38 is pressed.

The frame 2 carries a ring 62, near its periphery, in which are formed three internal notches 64, distributed in such a way that two adjacent notches are located at 120 ° from each other.

The configuration of the watch movement 1 in Figure 6 corresponds to that illustrated in Figure 2, the finger 60 carried by the locking lever 46 having been shown in a first notch 64.

As a result of pressure on the pusher 38, the locking lever 46 pivots and releases the turntable 6 which begins to rotate to lead to the configuration of Figure 3 which is reproduced in Figure 7.

We see in Figure 7 that the ring 62 plays the role of a cam: the finger 60 is no longer located opposite one of the notches 64, the locking lever 46 is retained in its position unlocking as illustrated in Figure 3 and the rotation of the turntable 6 continues to the configuration illustrated in Figure 4. In this configuration, the finger 60 having traveled 120 ° is located opposite the notch 64 following and the locking lever 46 can resume its locking position under the effect of the action of its return spring (conventional, not illustrated). The locking mobile 24 is then immobilized again, as is the turntable 6, and the music produced by the action of the pins 16 on the blades 18 ceases.

It is understood from the above description that the watch movement 1 with a musical mechanism according to the present invention confers dynamism, both visual and sound, more important to the corresponding timepiece than the parts of the prior art mentioned above due to the rotational movement of the turntable 6.

Certain additional construction details have been illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 thanks to which the acoustic properties of the timepiece according to the present invention are optimized.

The rollers 12 are assembled to the turntable 6 being inclined, that is to say that their axis of rotation is not parallel to the mean plane of the turntable 6. Thanks to such an arrangement, the The length of the rollers 12 can be increased, which makes it possible to increase the number of blades 18 of the associated keyboard 14 and therefore the number of notes which can be programmed.

Each keyboard 14 is made integral with the turntable 6 by its base 70. The blades 18 are located in a plane containing the axis of rotation of the roller 12 corresponding so that the blades 18 are radial to the cylindrical casing of the associated roller 12. This radial direction is ensured by the use of an inclined spacer 72 interposed between the base 70 of each keyboard 14 and the turntable 6.

Each keyboard 14 thus has a double inclination with reference to the mean plane of the turntable 6 which makes it possible to substantially increase the length of the blades 18 and which, combined with the rotation of the turntable 6 during the engagement musical mechanism, further promotes better distribution of sound waves produced in the space of the case of the corresponding timepiece and beyond.

Finally, to ensure good transmission of these sound waves to the case of the timepiece and thus improve the perception thereof from outside the case, at least three metal pins 74 are driven into the turntable 6 and arranged in permanent abutment against a metal ring integral with the frame 2. These pins 74 improve the mechanical strength between the turntable 6 and the frame 2 as well as the transmission of sounds generated essentially from the region of the base 70 of each keyboard 14.

Figures 9 and 10 show more clearly certain construction details relating to the method of assembly of the rollers 12 on the turntable 6.

Each roller 12 is pivoted between a first arm 80 fixed to the turntable 6 in its peripheral region and a second arm 82 extending from a central spacer 84 assembled to the turntable 6 at its center.

Eccentrics can be used in several places to simplify the operations of adjusting the positions of the rollers, in particular with reference to keyboards.

A watch movement and a corresponding timepiece are therefore obtained by the implementation of the present invention, the properties of which, both visual and sound, are novel and exceptional.

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 characteristics which have just been described, such as, for example, the location of the energy source on the rotating turntable or the number of rotary organ - keyboard assemblies as has been illustrated and described, the fact that the musical mechanism is actuated on demand, since 'it could be actuated directly by the movement, either periodically or in response to a predefined event.

[0074] In addition, the use of rollers as rotating members is illustrative and not limiting. Those skilled in the art could implement the present teaching in relation to rotary members of different shapes, in particular conical, frustoconical or even having the shape of discs without difficulty and without departing from the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, the two sets are arranged to operate in a synchronized manner in the preferred embodiment which has been described without limitation, but the person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the present teaching according to his own needs, without no difficulty and, therefore, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, it can in particular provide for example that the two sets operate alternately.

In general, we note that the musical mechanism which has been described with reference to the figures is of the modular type, that is to say that it is carried by a plate 6 which, in alternative embodiments could do not include the other watch mechanisms illustrated here. This plate could also not entirely cover the frame of the watch movement without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the musical mechanism according to the invention could also be of the integrated type without departing from the scope of the invention, that is to say that it would be arranged directly on a frame element of a conventional watch movement, for example on his turntable.

Furthermore, the angle of 120 ° is indicative and can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention, the number of actuating latches not necessarily being equal to three. A single rocker is of course possible, as well as two, four, five, six, even ten, etc ...

Provision can also be made for the musical mechanism to cease to operate on demand rather than after having traversed a predefined angle, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. Musical mechanism, for a watch movement (1), comprising a support (6) intended to be assembled to a frame (2) of the watch movement (1) and defining a mean plane, said support (6) carrying at least one organ rotary (12) associated with a keyboard (14) for playing a musical melody in response to a rotation of said rotary member (12), characterized in that said rotary member (12) has an inclination with reference to said mean plane. 2. Musical mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotary member (12) is a roller and in that it has an axis of rotation inclined with reference to said mean plane, with an angle preferably between 5 and 85 degrees . 3. Musical mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that said keyboard (14) has a plurality of blades (18) arranged to cooperate with pins (16) carried by said rotary member (12) and, in that said blades (18) are inclined with reference to said mean plane. 4. Musical mechanism according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one additional rotary member (12), also having the shape of a roller, provided with pins (16) arranged to cooperate with the blades ( 18) of an additional keyboard (14), and in that said additional rotary member (12) also has an inclination with reference to said mean plane. 5. Musical mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that said rotary members (12) are arranged on said support (6) such that their axes of rotation define a plane substantially perpendicular to said mean plane. 6. Musical mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, on the one hand, said rotary members (12) and, on the other hand, said keyboards (14) are arranged relative to each other on said support (6) having an axial symmetry of axis passing substantially through the center of said support (6) and perpendicular to said mean plane. 7. Watch movement (1) comprising a frame (2) carrying a musical mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6. 8. Watch movement (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said support (6) of said musical mechanism is assembled to said frame (2) in such a way that it can present a rotational movement with reference to the latter. 9. Watch movement (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said support (6) carries a source of mechanical energy (20) arranged to ensure the drive in rotation of said one or more rotary members (12). 10. Watch movement (1) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said source of mechanical energy (20) is also arranged to ensure the rotational drive of said support (6) with reference to said frame (2). 11. Watch movement (1) comprising a frame (2) defining a mean plane and carrying a musical mechanism comprising at least one rotary member (12) associated with a keyboard (14) for playing a musical melody in response to a rotation of said organ rotary (12), characterized in that said rotary member (12) has an inclination with reference to said mean plane. 12. Watch movement (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said rotary member (12) is a roller and in that it has an axis of rotation inclined with reference to said mean plane, with an angle preferably between 5 and 85 degrees. 13. Watch movement (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said keyboard (14) has a plurality of blades (18) arranged to cooperate with pins (16) carried by said rotary member (12) and, in this that said blades (18) are inclined with reference to said mean plane. 14. Watch movement (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said musical mechanism comprises at least one additional rotary member (12), also having the shape of a roller, provided with pins (16) arranged to cooperate. with the blades (18) of an additional keyboard (14), and in that said additional rotary member (12) also has an inclination with reference to said mean plane. 15. Timepiece comprising a watch movement (1) according to one of claims 7 to 14.