CN116125776A

CN116125776A - Indexing device for timepiece mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN116125776A
Application number: CN202211411169.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·查特兰; S·福隆尼尔; T·苏莱特
Original assignee: SOPROD SA
Current assignee: SOPROD SA
Priority date: 2021-11-12
Filing date: 2022-11-11
Publication date: 2023-05-16
Also published as: CH719140A1; EP4180882A1; JP2023072671A

Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork indexing device (1) comprising a first mover (10) designed to provide a first indication, a second mover (20) designed to provide a second indication, an indexing member (30) provided with an indexing ratchet (31), and a coupling member (40) cooperating with the indexing member (30) for coupling the first mover (10) with the second mover (20). The coupling member (40) is provided with a positioning rod element (41), the positioning rod element (41) comprising an indexing portion (43) cooperating with the indexing ratchet (31) and a first resilient arm (42), the first resilient arm (42) exerting a pushing force on the indexing portion (43) against the indexing ratchet (31). The coupling member (40) is further provided with a contour element (47). The positioning lever element (41) has a second elastic arm (44), which second elastic arm (44) is designed to cooperate with the profile element (47) to exert a secondary thrust on the indexing portion (43) against the indexing ratchet (31).

Description

Indexing device for timepiece mechanism

Technical Field

The invention relates to an indexing device for a timepiece mechanism. The invention also relates to a timepiece including at least one such indexing device, and to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, including at least one such timepiece and/or at least one such indexing element. In particular, the present invention relates to an indexing device for a display mechanism such as a second time zone display (display).

Background

It is known to use a coupling/indexing mechanism in a timepiece to effect the driving and the relative adjustment of two movable members with respect to each other, and it is known to do so for example for a second time zone.

In a timepiece display mechanism such as a time zone display, hour/time zone positioning lever wheels (jumpers) include several plates/pinions that are linked together by star/cams constrained by spring elements (pawls). Such a system occupies a considerable amount of space.

The spring elements in these systems are often pushed to a maximum limit, which prevents a considerable deflection value from being reached, which is however required to ensure winding and operation. Furthermore, dimensional changes during production result in considerable force variations in these springs and the forces are not reproducible.

Document EP3772673 describes a clockwork indexing element coaxially cooperating with a component comprising an indexing ratchet (indexing relief) defining an indexing position, which cooperates with a positioning rod spring. In order to ensure a more accurate indexing, the indexing element has a resilient arm designed to exert a radial thrust on the positioning rod spring.

Document WO2020144989 describes a time difference correction mechanism comprising a star wheel linked to the hands of an hour hand. The indexing rod is disposed in the indexing gear. The indexing lever includes a detent lever latch that mates with the teeth of the star wheel.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to an indexing device comprising a first mobile element rotating about an indexing axis and designed to provide a first indication. The second movable member rotates about the indexing axis and is configured to provide a second indication. The indexing member is provided with an indexing ratchet defining a plurality of indexing positions and provided with peaks and valleys, the indexing member being rigidly connected to the second mover. A coupling member rigidly connected to the first mover cooperates with the indexing member to couple the first mover to the second mover. The coupling member is provided with at least one positioning rod element comprising a first resilient arm ending in an indexing portion arranged to cooperate with the indexing ratchet to provide relative indexing between the indexing member and the second mover. The first resilient arm is designed to exert a substantially radial thrust on the indexing portion relative to the indexing axis against the indexing ratchet. The coupling member comprises at least one profile element. The positioning lever element has a second resilient arm extending from the indexing portion and designed to cooperate with the profile element to exert a substantially radial auxiliary thrust on the indexing portion relative to the indexing axis against the indexing ratchet.

The indexing means helps to limit the stress applied to the resilient element (e.g. the first resilient arm). The indexing means also helps to mitigate the effects of dimensional changes during production, which result in force variations in the resilient element. The thrust is thus more reproducible and ensures a more precise and controlled indexing between the first and second mobile members. The indexing device according to the invention is more reliable than known indexing devices while providing a greater and sufficient thrust in a smaller space.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of an indexing device comprising a coupling member and an indexing member according to one embodiment,

figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the indexing means,

figure 3 is a top view of the indexing device,

FIG. 4 is a top view of the coupling member and indexing member in a first position according to one embodiment, an

Fig. 5 is a top view of the coupling member and the indexing member in a second position according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view and fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a clockwork indexing device 1 according to one embodiment. The indexing device 1 comprises a first mobile 10 concentric with and rotating about an indexing axis a. The first mover 10 is designed to provide a first indication. The first mover 10 has a first set of teeth 11. Thus, the first mover 10 may be pivoted in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction via the first set of teeth by a mechanism (not shown) to display a first indication, such as a first time indication.

The indexing device 1 comprises a second mobile 20 concentric with and rotating about the indexing axis a. The second mover 20 is designed to provide a second indication. The second mover 20 has a second set of teeth 21, which second set of teeth 21 is designed to be pivoted in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction by a mechanism (not shown) to display a second indication, such as a second time indication. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the second mobile 20 may be a time wheel 22 rigidly connected to the second set of teeth 21 and designed to carry an indicator (not shown), for example a pointer. It should be noted that the first mobile element 10 may be a time wheel (not shown), or the first mobile element 10 may transmit information to another indicator mobile element, which is a time wheel.

The first and

second movers

10, 20 can be driven to rotate together under normal operating conditions, while one of the

movers

10, 20 can be driven stepwise relative to the other as desired.

The indexing device 1 further comprises an indexing member 30. The index member 30 is concentric with the first mover 20 and rigidly connected to the first mover 20 and rotates with the first mover 20. The coupling member 40 is rigidly connected to the first mover 10 and is designed to cooperate with the indexing member 30 to couple the first mover 10 to the second mover 20.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the indexing device 1, wherein the second mover 20 is not shown, so as to fully expose the indexing member 30 and the coupling member 40. The index member 30 is provided with an index ratchet 31, the index ratchet 31 defining a plurality of index positions and having peaks 310 and valleys 311. In the example shown in fig. 3, the indexing ratchet 31 has twelve teeth 310 such that the second mover 20 is driven in rotation by the second set of teeth 21, the indexing member 30 forming a step-wise sliding coupling and driving the second mover 20 by hopping relative to the first mover 10. In a variant, the indexing ratchet 31 may also have 24 teeth.

The term "indexing ratchet" refers to any section having a profile that enables indexing. Such as grooves, toothed sectors, stars, cams enabling angular positioning/indexing, etc.

According to one embodiment, the coupling member 40 is provided with a peripheral element 45 rigidly connected to the first mobile 10. For example, the first mover 10 may have one or more notches 12 to secure the two elements. Other fastening means are also possible. The coupling member 40 comprises two profile elements 47, each extending towards the indexing axis a. In the example illustrated, the peripheral element 45 is substantially concentric with the indexing axis a and has two profile elements 47. Two positioning rod elements 41 extend from the peripheral element 45. Each positioning rod member 41 has a first resilient arm 42 terminating in an indexing section 43. The indexing portion 43 is arranged to cooperate with the indexing ratchet 31 to provide relative indexing between the indexing member 30 and the second movable member 20. The first resilient arm 42 exerts a substantially radial thrust on the indexing ratchet 31 with respect to the indexing axis a. In the illustrated example, each of the profile elements 47 is a protrusion. However, the profile element may have any other shape that provides support for the second resilient arm 44, such as a recess (hole).

In the example shown in fig. 3, the two positioning rod elements 41 are arranged such that the indexing sections 43 mate with substantially diametrically opposed portions of the indexing ratchet 31. The two profile elements 47 are also substantially diametrically opposite on the peripheral element 45. However, other distributions of the positioning rod elements 41 and the contour elements 47 on the peripheral element 45 are also possible.

The positioning rod member 41 also has a second resilient arm 44 extending from the indexing section 43. The second resilient arm 44 is designed to cooperate with the profile element 47 to exert a substantially radial auxiliary thrust on the indexing ratchet 31 with respect to the indexing axis a. As the indexing portion 43 moves from the valley 311 to the peak 310 of the tooth, the secondary thrust provided by the second resilient arm 44 (and the thrust provided by the first resilient arm 42) increases.

Fig. 4 and 5 are top views of the coupling member 40 and the index member 30. Other components of the indexing device 1 are not shown. Fig. 4 shows the coupling member 40 when the indexing portion 43 is in the valley 311 of the indexing ratchet 31. In this position of the coupling member 40 relative to the indexing member 30, the second resilient arm 44 is not in contact with the profile element 47, and only the first resilient arm 42 exerts a pushing force on the indexing portion 43. When the indexing section 43 approaches the peak 310 of the tooth, the second resilient arm 44 comes into contact with the profile element 47 and exerts a secondary thrust on the indexing section 43, as a complement to the thrust exerted by the first resilient arm 42.

The coupling member 40 may be designed such that the space 48 separates the second resilient arm 44 from the profile element 47 when the blade (blade) 41 is idle (i.e. when the coupling member 40 is not engaged with the indexing member 30). When the indexing portion 43 is in one of the valleys 311 of the indexing ratchet 31, the first and

second arms

42, 44 have been pre-stressed and the space 48 has been reduced (but not zero). According to one embodiment, the space 48 is greater than the thickness of the material forming the coupling member 40. In such a configuration, the second resilient arm 44 is in contact with the profile element 47 when the indexing portion 43 is at a predetermined distance from the peak 310 of the tooth. Then, the second resilient arm 44 applies the auxiliary pushing force before the indexing portion 43 approaches the peak 310 of the tooth, i.e. once the indexing portion 43 has traveled a certain distance between the valley 311 and the peak 310 of the tooth.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the second resilient arm 44 is arranged to always be in contact with the profile element 47 when the indexing portion 43 is being engaged with the indexing ratchet 31. In this configuration, when the indexing portion 43 moves from the valley 311 to the peak 310 of the tooth, the secondary thrust exerted by the second resilient arm 44 is added to the thrust exerted by the first arm 42.

The second elastic arm 44 may be a curved shape inverted with respect to the curved shape (curved) of the first elastic arm 42, as shown in fig. 3 to 5. However, the second resilient arm 44 may also have a curvature similar to that of the first resilient arm 42 or any other suitable shape.

Other configurations of the coupling member 40 are also possible. For example, the coupling member 40 may comprise a single locating lever element 41 or more than two locating lever elements 41, and a single profile element 47 or more than two profile elements 47.

The coupling member 40 may be manufactured using a machining process such as chemical or plasma etching, laser assisted machining, machining (including stamping), pressurized water machining, photolithographic processes, and the like. The coupling member 40 may be made of a metal, a metal alloy, a metalloid, or a material based on one of these materials. The coupling member 40 may also be made of an at least partially amorphous metal or alloy. The amorphous metal alloy may be metallic glass.

The indexing device 1 may be used for a display mechanism such as a second time zone display. In this case, the coupling member 40 is designed to drive the second mover 20 through a jump of one entire hour. Also in this case, the first indication may be a time indication, in particular an hour, and the second indication is an auxiliary time function. More specifically, the indexing device 1 may be designed such that the second indication is a GMT time display function. In this case, the abbreviation GMT refers to the standard time at greenwich meridian.

More generally, the indexing device 1 can be used in any indexing system in the movement of a timepiece mechanism. The indexing device 1 may also be used in a clutch system.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one such indexing device, and to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one such timepiece and/or at least one such indexing element.

Reference numerals used in the drawings

1. Indexing device

10. First moving member

11. First set of teeth

12. Recess (es)

20. Second moving member

21. Second set of teeth

22. Time wheel

30. Indexing member

31. Indexing ratchet

310. Peak portion

311. Valley portion

40. Coupling member

41. Positioning rod element

42. First arm

43. Indexing part

44. Second arm

45. Peripheral element

47. Contour element

48. Space of

An a indexing axis.

Claims

1. Timepiece mechanism indexing device (1), comprising:

a first mobile (10) rotating about an indexing axis (A) and designed to provide a first indication,

a second mobile (20) rotating about an indexing axis (A) and designed to provide a second indication,

an indexing member (30) provided with an indexing ratchet (31), the indexing ratchet (31) defining a plurality of indexing positions and being provided with peaks (310) and valleys (311), the indexing member (30) being rigidly connected to the second mover (20),

a coupling member (40) rigidly connected to the first mover (10) and cooperating with the indexing member (30) to couple the first mover (10) to the second mover (20),

the coupling member (40) is provided with at least one positioning rod element (41), the at least one positioning rod element (41) comprising a first resilient arm (42) ending in an indexing portion (43), the indexing portion (43) being arranged to cooperate with the indexing ratchet (31) to provide relative indexing between the indexing member (30) and the second movable member (20), the first resilient arm (42) being designed to exert a substantially radial thrust on the indexing portion (43) with respect to the indexing axis (A) against the indexing ratchet (31),

it is characterized in that

The coupling member (40) comprises a peripheral element (45) substantially concentric with the indexing axis (A) and at least one profile element (47) extending towards the indexing axis (A), and

the positioning lever element (41) has a second elastic arm (44), which second elastic arm (44) extends from the indexing portion (43) and is designed to cooperate with the profile element (47) to exert on the indexing portion (43) a substantially radial auxiliary thrust with respect to the indexing axis (a) which increases when the indexing portion (43) moves from a valley (311) to a peak (310) against the indexing ratchet (31).

2. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the contour element (47) extends radially towards the graduation axis (A).

3. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the second resilient arm (44) is arranged to always be in contact with the profile element (47) when the indexing portion (43) is being engaged with the indexing ratchet (31).

4. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the second resilient arm (44) is arranged not to contact the profile element (47) when the indexing portion (43) is in one of the valleys (311) of the indexing ratchet (31) and to bear against the profile element (47) for exerting the auxiliary thrust only when the indexing portion (43) has travelled a non-zero distance between the valleys (311) and the peaks (310) of the indexing ratchet (31).

5. The indexing device according to claim 4,

wherein a space (48) separates the second resilient arm (44) from the profile element (47) when the indexing portion (43) is in one of the valleys (311) of the indexing ratchet (31).

6. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the coupling member (40) has a plurality of positioning rod elements (41).

7. The indexing device according to claim 6,

wherein the coupling member (40) has two positioning rod elements (41), the two positioning rod elements (41) being arranged such that the indexing portion (43) cooperates with a substantially diametrically opposite portion of the indexing ratchet (31).

8. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the indexing ratchet (31) comprises toothed sectors with 12 or 24 teeth (310).

9. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the first (10) and/or second (20) displacement members are designed to carry indicator displacement members to display the first and/or second indication, respectively.

10. The indexing device according to claim 9,

wherein the first indication is a time indication, in particular an hour or minute.

11. The indexing device according to claim 10,

wherein the second indication is an auxiliary time function.

12. The indexing device according to claim 11,

wherein the auxiliary time function is a time zone function.

13. The indexing device according to claim 1,

wherein the auxiliary time function is a GMT display function.

14. A timepiece mechanism comprising at least one indexing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.