CH719447A1 - Device for driving a display member of a timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

Drive device (10) for at least one display member of a timepiece, comprising: • a crown (11), • a satellite carrier (12), movable in rotation around an axis (A1) of satellite carrier, • at least one satellite (13, 14, 15), mounted on the satellite carrier (12), movable in rotation around a satellite axis and engaged with the crown (11) for be driven in rotation during relative movement between the crown (11) and the satellite carrier (12), • at least one main display member (16), for example a minute hand, movable in rotation around 'an axis (A2) of a display member and driven (directly or indirectly) in rotation by the satellite (13, 14, 15), characterized in that the main display member (16) is mounted or carried directly on the satellite carrier (12) and in that the axis (A2) of the display member is inclined relative to the axis (A1) of the satellite carrier.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a device for driving a display member of a timepiece, and in particular a device for driving a display member for a watch, such as a wristwatch.

State of the art

[0002] In the prior art of watches with display by hands, it is known from document EP2177959B1 to be able to mount a hand on a satellite secured to a satellite carrier, with the respective axes of rotation of the satellite carrier and the satellite inclined relative to each other. The display member formed by this needle has a complex movement which is not planar. However, the disclosed display device is complex to implement.

Presentation of the invention

[0003] An aim of the present invention is to respond to the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above and in particular, first of all, to propose a device for driving a display member which makes it possible to have a complex movement of a display member (i.e. whose movement is not contained in a plane), and/or by limiting the complexity of implementation and/or by limiting the risk interference.

[0004] For this, a first aspect of the invention concerns a device for driving at least one display member of a timepiece, comprising: • a preferably toothed crown, • a satellite carrier, movable in rotation around a satellite carrier axis, • at least one satellite, mounted on the satellite carrier, movable in rotation around a satellite axis and engaged with the crown to be driven in rotation during a relative movement between the crown and the satellite carrier, • at least one main display member, for example a minute hand, movable in rotation around an axis of the display member and driven (directly or indirectly) in rotation by the satellite, characterized in that the main display member is mounted or carried directly on the satellite carrier and in that the display member axis is inclined relative to the carrier axis satellite.

[0005] According to the implementation above, the main display member is mounted or carried directly by the satellite carrier. In other words, the display member is not mounted or carried by the satellite, so that the complexity of the display device is reduced. In fact, the satellite carrier has a larger dimension than that of the satellite, which offers more space or freedom for mounting the main display member on the satellite carrier. On the other hand, the satellite/satellite carrier assembly is part of the finishing gear, which makes it possible to provide a certain modularity which simplifies manufacturing. However, due to the inclination between the display axis and the satellite carrier axis, the movement of the main display is complex, that is to say it is not contained in a plane and provides a distinctive visual effect for the user.

[0006] It can be noted that the main display member is driven directly or indirectly in rotation by the satellite, that is to say that there may be one or more intermediate satellites between the crown and the member main display.

[0007] It can be noted that the main display member is mounted or carried on the satellite carrier and that the axis of the display member is inclined relative to the axis of the satellite carrier. In other words, the display member axis is static or fixed relative to the satellite carrier. The display member axis may be materialized or formed by a bore, and/or by a bearing, and/or by a shaft of the main display member and/or the satellite carrier. The planet carrier axis can be materialized or formed by a bore, and/or by a bearing, and/or by a shaft of the planet carrier.

[0008] It can be noted that the axis of the display member is inclined relative to the axis of the satellite carrier. In the case where the two axes are contained in the same plane, we can define an angle between these two axes carried by intersecting lines. In the case where the two axes are not contained in the same plane, we cannot define an angle between these two axes carried by straight lines which can be described as left straight lines (non-parallel and non-intersecting). In any case, the axis of the display member is not parallel to the axis of the satellite carrier.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the drive device may comprise a secondary display member, such as an hour hand, movable in rotation, mounted on the satellite carrier and coaxial with said at least one member. main display, the drive device possibly comprising an intermediate gear engaged on the one hand with the main display member and with the secondary display member. Providing the main display member mounted or carried on the satellite carrier makes it possible to take advantage of the free space on the satellite carrier to mount a secondary display member. In addition, providing the main display member and the secondary display member coaxial (free to rotate around the same axis) makes it possible to limit the risks of interference.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the intermediate gear train can have a reduction ratio of 1/12 or 1/24.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the drive device may comprise a spacer, mounted to rotate freely around the axis of the display member, and the secondary display member may be pushed onto the spacer. .

[0012] According to one embodiment, the drive device may comprise a tracking display member, movable in rotation, mounted on the satellite carrier and coaxial with said at least one display member, and the member The main display and the follower display member can be angularly offset in a plane normal to the axis of the display member, and can exhibit a synchronous rotational movement.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the main display member and the follower display member may each have an elongated shape with a terminal end opposite the axis of the display member, the device for drive which may include a bridging element connecting the terminal end of the main display member to the terminal end of the follower display member.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the main display member and the follower display member can each be driven onto the same shaft.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the satellite carrier may comprise an inclined shaft, the drive device may comprise a barrel mounted to rotate freely on the inclined shaft, and the main display member may be driven onto the Canon.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the spacer can be mounted to rotate freely on the barrel.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the satellite carrier axis and the display member axis can be arranged in the same plane, and an inclination between the satellite carrier axis and the axis d The display member can be included in a range going from 2° to 30°, preferably between 2° and 15°, and even more preferably from 4° to 8°. According to one embodiment, the drive device may comprise left-hand gears, and in particular the drive device may comprise a bevel gear (that is to say with at least one bevel gear), which makes it possible to easily and efficiently transmit movement by gears whose axes are not parallel.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the main display member may be a minute hand, which may preferably have a length greater than 12 mm, and very preferably greater than 15 mm.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the drive device may comprise: – at least one first satellite mounted to move in rotation on the satellite carrier around a first satellite axis and engaged with the crown to be driven in rotation during relative movement between the crown and the satellite carrier – at least one second satellite mounted to move in rotation on the satellite carrier around a second satellite axis and engaged with the first satellite to transmit the rotational movement of the first satellite to the main display.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said at least one satellite may comprise: – an input wheel with a pitch entry diameter, – an output wheel with a pitch output diameter, different from the pitch input diameter .

[0021] A second aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece comprising: – a drive device according to the first aspect of the invention, – a dial, – a peripheral surface in relief, such as a peripheral spacer or a dial flange, extending along a periphery of the dial, – an upper glass, and at least one peripheral end of the main display member is located between the upper glass and the peripheral surface in relief, and a height or thickness of the raised peripheral surface varies, so as to guarantee a constant space between the peripheral end of the main display member and the raised peripheral surface during movement of the display member main.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the timepiece may comprise: – a drive device according to the first aspect of the invention with the secondary display member, – a dial, – a raised peripheral surface , such as a peripheral spacer or a dial flange, extending along a periphery of the dial, – an upper glass, at least one peripheral end of the main display member is located between the upper glass and the raised peripheral surface, and the secondary display member has a diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the raised peripheral surface.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a height or thickness of the peripheral surface in relief can vary along or around the perimeter of the peripheral surface, so as to guarantee a constant space between the peripheral end of the member main display and the peripheral surface in relief during movement of the main display member.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the drive device and/or the timepiece may comprise a time-setting mechanism. In particular, the time setting mechanism may comprise a friction connection arranged between a gear train and the satellite carrier. According to one embodiment, the time setting system can act directly on the satellite carrier.

Description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: [fig. 1] represents a front view of a simplified timepiece comprising a device for driving display members of the simplified timepiece; [fig. 2] represents a perspective view of the simplified timepiece of Figure 1; [fig. 3] represents a detailed view of the display member drive device of the simplified timepiece of Figure 1; [fig. 4] represents a section of the display member drive device of Figure 3.

Detailed description of embodiment(s)

[0026] Figure 1 shows a front view of a simplified timepiece comprising a device for driving display members. The timepiece can be a watch whose representation is simplified because it only includes the elements useful for understanding. In particular, certain structural elements are omitted, such as the box, the bracelet, the glass, the energy source, the cog connecting the energy source to the display organ drive device, etc.

[0027] Figure 1 therefore represents a simplified timepiece comprising: – a dial 21 and a peripheral crown forming a peripheral surface 22, – a main display member 16 (a minute hand), – a display member secondary display 17 (an hour hand), – a drive device 10 arranged to receive a driving force as input from an energy source of the timepiece and transmit it as an output to the main display member 16 and the secondary display member 17.

[0028] In Figure 1, it can be noted that the drive device 10 comprises in particular: – a crown 11, toothed on its inner face, – a planet carrier 12, arranged in the center of the crown 11, – a first satellite 13, mounted on the satellite carrier 12, toothed and engaged with the crown 11, - a second satellite 14 (arranged in Figure 1 under the secondary display member 17, but better visible in Figure 2), mounted on the carrier satellite 12, toothed and engaged with the first satellite 13, – a third satellite 15 mounted on the satellite carrier 12, toothed and engaged with the main display member 16 and with the secondary display member 17 as will be described in the explanations relating to Figure 4.

[0029] Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the simplified timepiece of Figure 1. It can be noted that the peripheral crown forming a peripheral surface 22 has a variable height along its periphery, so that the altitude of the peripheral surface 22 varies over 360° of the peripheral crown. It can be noted that the main display member 16, in the form of a needle here, is located above the peripheral surface 22, that is to say between a glass which would close the space above the dial 21 and the peripheral surface 22. The secondary display member 17 is for its part housed in the interior space of the peripheral crown.

[0030] Figure 3 represents a detail of Figure 1, where the following points can be noted: - only the first satellite 13 is engaged with the crown 11, - the first satellite 13, the second satellite 14 and the third satellite 15 each comprise two toothed wheels, and in the example shown, the toothed wheels of each satellite have a specific pitch diameter different from that of the other toothed wheel.

[0031] Figure 4 represents a sectional view of the drive device along line IV-IV of Figure 3. It can be noted that the satellite carrier 12 itself supports: – the first satellite 13, – the second satellite 14, - the third satellite 15, - a barrel 19, on which the main display member 16 is driven, and which supports a spacer 18 on which the secondary display member 17 is driven.

The first satellite 13, the second satellite 14, the third satellite 15 and the barrel 19 are each mounted freely in rotation on support shafts recessed or formed on the satellite carrier 12. The trees in question can be shafts or axes attached and driven onto a plate forming a body of the planet carrier 12. It is also possible to envisage that the planet carrier 12 and the support shafts are formed in one piece, by electrodeposition or sintering for example.

[0033] It can be noted that the barrel 19, like the spacer 18, each have a toothed lower flange respectively forming a barrel wheel 191 and a spacer wheel 181, which can be attached or formed in one piece with respectively the barrel 19 and the spacer 18. Thus, on the one hand the barrel 19 is engaged with the second satellite 14, and on the other hand the barrel 19 and the spacer 18 are each engaged with the third satellite 15 and these three toothed elements thus form an intermediate cog.

[0034] Figure 4 does not represent it, but the satellite carrier 12 is mounted to rotate freely on a shaft or a bearing connected to a frame of the timepiece, so as to be able to pivot on itself around 'an A1 satellite carrier axis. The barrel 19 and therefore the spacer 18 are free to rotate around an axis A2 of the display member, inclined at an angle α relative to the axis A1 of the satellite carrier. In the example shown, the support shaft of the third planet carrier 15 is also inclined by the angle α relative to the axis A1 of the planet carrier, while the support shafts of the first planet carrier 13 and the second planet carrier 14 are parallel to the axis A1 of the planet carrier. The crown 11 is static relative to the frame of the timepiece.

[0035] During operation of the timepiece, the satellite carrier 12 is rotated around the axis A1 of the satellite carrier, which causes the first satellite 13 to rotate on itself. The latter drives rotating on itself the second satellite 14 which meshes with the toothed flange of the barrel 19. On the one hand, the main display member 16 is driven in rotation around the axis A2 of the display member display, and on the other hand the toothed flange of the barrel 19 rotates on itself the third satellite 15, which meshes with the toothed flange of the spacer 18 which causes the rotation of the secondary display member 17.

[0036] Due to the inclination of the axis A2 of the display member relative to the axis A1 of the satellite carrier, and the rotational movement on itself of the satellite carrier 12, the trajectory of the axis A2 of the display member is a cone whose apex is the intersection of the axis A2 of the display member with the axis A1 of the satellite carrier. Consequently, the main display member 16 presents a movement which is not contained in a plane.

[0037] In the example shown, in particular clearly visible in Figure 2, the tip of the needle forming the main display member 16 follows the peripheral surface 22 at a constant distance. During operation, the tip of the The needle can thus give the impression of going up and down. With reduction ratios planned to have one turn of satellite 12 for one turn of main display member 16 in the opposite direction (because there are two satellites between the crown 11 and the main display member 16), the needle tip has a trajectory with two top dead centers and two bottom dead centers during a 360° revolution (one hour). According to the example shown, the two top dead centers are located at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and the two bottom dead centers are located at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock.

[0038] Concerning the secondary display member 17, it also oscillates, but its speed of rotation around the axis A2 of the display member being 1/12<th> of that of the main display member 16, the secondary display member 17 only travels one twelfth of a revolution for each complete revolution of the main display member 16.

Industrial application

[0039] A drive device according to the present invention, and its manufacture, are capable of industrial application.

[0040] It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the different embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

In particular, it can be noted that the peripheral crown forming the peripheral surface 22 can be a part attached to the dial 21, or an element of the latter, or even a part of the bezel, such as a flange. The peripheral ring has a circular cylindrical shape (its lateral surfaces are formed by parallel generators which follow a base circle), but any other shape can be provided. The crown 12 can remain visible, but a covering part can be provided to hide it in whole or in part, just like the rest of the drive device 10.

[0042] It can also be noted that the driving force is transmitted by toothed elements; friction elements could also be provided.

[0043] In the example shown, the support shaft of the third planet carrier 15 is inclined by the angle α relative to the axis A1 of the planet carrier, while the support shafts of the first planet carrier 13 and of the second planet carrier 14 are parallel to the axis A1 of the planet carrier, but one could provide all the support shafts of the satellites inclined at the angle α relative to the axis A1 of the planet carrier, or even all the satellite support shafts parallel to the planet carrier axis A1.

According to the example shown, the two top dead centers are located at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and the two bottom dead centers are located at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock, but these particular points can be placed at other angles or particular or any points .

According to the example shown, the axis A1 of the satellite carrier and the axis A2 of the display member have an intersection point located substantially in the center of the satellite carrier. However, the axis A2 of the display member could be offset. It can also be provided that the axis A1 of the satellite carrier and the axis A2 of the display member are not intersecting and not parallel. A satellite could be added or removed between the crown 11 and the main display member 16 to obtain an identical direction of rotation.

The example described relates to a device for driving time display hands, but it is possible to use the drive device according to the invention for an astral display. We can consider proposing a drive device according to the invention for a moon phase display device with at least one inclined mobile (representing the moon and/or a cover to symbolize the earth or the earth's shadow on the moon) and a rotation cycle based on the lunar calendar of approximately 29.53 days. We can also envisage a device for displaying the terrestrial seasons, with an inclined mobile representing the earth and a rotation cycle based on the terrestrial calendar of approximately 365 days. Generally speaking, the display member can have a function of sending information (time, lunar phase, terrestrial season), but can just as easily have a decorative function.

Claims (16)

1. Drive device (10) for at least one display member of a timepiece, comprising: • a crown (11) preferably toothed, • a satellite carrier (12), mobile in rotation around an axis (A1) of the satellite carrier, • at least one satellite (13, 14, 15), mounted on the satellite carrier (12), mobile in rotation around a satellite axis and engaged with the crown (11) to be rotated during a relative movement between the crown (11) and the planet carrier (12), • at least one main display member (16), for example a minute hand, movable in rotation around an axis (A2) of the display member and driven (directly or indirectly) in rotation by the satellite ( 13, 14, 15), characterized in that the main display member (16) is mounted or carried directly on the satellite carrier (12) and in that the axis (A2) of the display member is inclined relative to the axle (A1) of satellite carrier. 2. Drive device (10) according to claim 1, comprising a secondary display member (17), such as an hour hand, movable in rotation, mounted on the satellite carrier (12) and coaxial with said at least one main display member (16), the drive device (10) comprising an intermediate gear engaged on the one hand with the main display member (16) and with the secondary display member ( 17). 3. Drive device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate gear train has a reduction ratio of 1/12 or 1/24. 4. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 3, comprising a spacer (18), mounted freely in rotation around the axis (A2) of the display member, in which the member secondary display (17) is driven onto the spacer (18). 5. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a tracking display member, movable in rotation, mounted on the satellite carrier (12) and coaxial with said at least one display member. display, in which the main display member (16) and the follower display member are angularly offset in a plane normal to the axis (A2) of the display member, and exhibit a synchronous rotational movement . 6. Drive device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the main display member (16) and the follower display member each have an elongated shape with a terminal end opposite the axis (A2 ) of a display member, the drive device (10) comprising a bridging element connecting the terminal end of the main display member (16) to the terminal end of the follower display member . 7. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the main display member (16) and the follower display member are each driven on the same shaft. 8. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the planet carrier (12) comprises an inclined shaft, the drive device (10) comprising a barrel (19) mounted free in rotation on the inclined shaft, in which the main display member (16) is driven onto the barrel (19). 9. Drive device (10) according to claim 8, in its dependence on claim 4, in which the spacer (18) is mounted to rotate freely on the barrel (19). 10. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the axis (A1) of the satellite carrier and the axis (A2) of the display member are arranged in the same plane , and in which an inclination between the axis (A1) of the satellite carrier and the axis (A2) of the display member is included in a range ranging from 2° to 30°, preferably from 2° to 15° °, and even more preferably from 4° to 8°. 11. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the main display member (16) is a minute hand, which preferably has a length greater than 12 mm, and very preferably greater than 15 mm. 12. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: – at least one first satellite (13) mounted to move in rotation on the satellite carrier (12) around a first satellite axis and engaged with the crown (11) to be rotated during a relative movement between the crown (11) and the satellite carrier (12) – at least one second satellite (14) mounted to move in rotation on the satellite carrier (12) around a second satellite axis and engaged with the first satellite (13) to transmit the rotational movement of the first satellite (13) to the main display member (16). 13. Drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said at least one satellite (13, 14, 15) comprises: – an input wheel with a pitch input diameter, – an output wheel with a pitch output diameter, different from the pitch input diameter. 14. Timepiece comprising: – a drive device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13, – a dial (21), – a peripheral surface (22) in relief, such as a peripheral spacer or a dial flange, extending along a periphery of the dial (21), – a superior glass, in which at least one peripheral end of the main display member (16) is located between the upper glass and the peripheral surface (22) in relief, and in which a height or thickness of the peripheral surface (22) in relief varies, so as to guarantee a constant space between the peripheral end of the main display member (16) and the peripheral surface (22) in relief during the movement of the main display member (16). 15. Timepiece comprising: – a drive device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 4, – a dial (21), – a peripheral surface (22) in relief, such as a peripheral spacer or a dial flange, extending along a periphery of the dial (21), – a superior glass, in which at least one peripheral end of the main display member (16) is located between the upper glass and the peripheral surface (22) in relief, and in which the secondary display member (17) has a diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the peripheral surface (22) in relief. 16. Timepiece according to claim 15, in which a height or thickness of the peripheral surface (22) in relief varies, so as to guarantee a constant space between the peripheral end of the main display member ( 16) and the peripheral surface (22) in relief during the movement of the main display member (16).