EP2075652A1 - Driving and transmission element for an escapement, plate and escapement equipped with it, and timepiece comprising them - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit (10) has a roller (60) chased on a staff balance (2), where the unit rotatably drives a pallet assembly (84) when the unit turns with the roller, and transmits a pulse of the pallet assembly to the roller. An elastic locking unit e.g. dented elastic ring (20), is acted in a locking plane and arranged in a service state, so that the plane is perpendicular to the staff balance. An interaction unit e.g. pin (40), extends from the locking unit, and is interacted with the pallet assembly to drive the pallet assembly.

Description

The present invention relates to watch movements and more particularly to escapements. It aims in particular a drive and transmission member for, on the one hand, driving the escape anchor when it rotates with the driven plate on the balance shaft and, secondly, transmit to the plateau a pulse from the anchor. It also aims a tray comprising such a drive and transmission member. It also aims an exhaust with such a drive member and transmission and / or such a tray. Finally, it relates to a timepiece comprising such a drive and transmission member and / or such a plate and / or such an exhaust.

Conventionally, an anchor escapement comprises a plate, single or double, driven on the axis of the balance. A plateau pin is driven on the underside of the board. In the presence of a double plateau, it is hunted on the underside of the large plateau. The plateau peg is a piece, generally ruby or garnet, having an ellipse or half-moon or triangular shape, and which cooperates, in use, with the fork of the anchor.

During the operation of a conventional escapement, the balance shaft rotates in one direction and drives the plate in rotation. The plateau pin, driven on the plate, rotates with it and cooperates with one of the horns of the fork to drive the anchor in a rotational movement about the axis of the anchor. During the rotation of the anchor, one of its lifts releases a tooth of the escape wheel which starts to rotate. Upon release, this same tooth imparts an impulse to the anchor, through the same lift. The fork of the anchor, which is still in contact with the plateau pin, communicates its impulse to said plateau pin. This transmits the impulse to the plate which in turn transmits it to the balance shaft on which it is driven. The same functions occur in reverse when rotating the balance shaft in the opposite direction.

The plateau pin plays two roles: on the one hand it rotates with the plate and drives the anchor in rotation to release the escape wheel, and on the other hand it transmits an impulse from the anchor to the plate. It therefore has a rotational drive function and a power transmission function.

In recent years, many pieces of watch movements are made of silicon-based material, having a very good coefficient of friction without the need for lubrication. The escape wheel and the anchor are part of the parts made of silicon-based material. In order to have a complete kinematic chain made of silicon-based material and having everywhere the same coefficient of friction, it is desired that the member that drives the anchor is also made of silicon-based material.

But it is not possible to make a conventional plateau pin of silicon-based material. Indeed, such materials are brittle, that is to say that they do not have a plastic field, and therefore do not allow to hunt in a metal tray ankle which would be made of silicon-based material.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drive and transmission member for an escapement, which can fulfill the function of rotating the anchor and the energy transmission function of the anchor to the plate and to the balance shaft, during operation of the exhaust, and which can be made of a silicon-based material or other brittle material.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a drive and transmission member for an escapement of a timepiece, said escapement comprising an escape wheel, an anchor and at least one a plate driven on a balance shaft, said drive and transmission member being intended firstly to rotate said anchor when it rotates with said plate and secondly to transmit a pulse of said anchor to said plate . Said drive and transmission member comprises an elastic clamping means adapted to act in a clamping plane and intended to be arranged, in use, such that said clamping plane is substantially perpendicular to said balance shaft, and comprises a means of interaction extending from said clamping means and for interacting with said anchor to drive it.

Particular embodiments of the drive and transmission member are defined in the appended claims 2 to 10. According to one of them, the elastic clamping means is a split ring and the interaction means is a lug extending radially from said ring.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a plate for an anchor escapement, said plate comprising a central hole intended to be traversed by a balance shaft to rigidly fix said plate to said balance shaft. Said plate comprises a drive and transmission member according to the first aspect of the invention and holding means for maintaining the angular position of said drive member and transmission.

According to a particular embodiment, said plate further comprises a flange extending around said central hole.

Particular embodiments of the holding means are defined in the appended claims 11 to 15.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an anchor escapement, of the type comprising an escape wheel, an anchor and at least one plate, which comprises a drive and transmission member according to the first aspect and / or a tray according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a drive and transmission member according to the first aspect and / or a plate according to the second aspect and / or an anchor escapement according to the third aspect.

• les figures 1 et 2 représentent, en vue en perspective, respectivement un premier mode de réalisation et un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'organe d'entraînement et de transmission selon le premier aspect de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 représente, en vue en perspective, un premier mode de réalisation d'un plateau d'un échappement sur lequel est installé un organe d'entraînement et de transmission selon le premier mode de réalisation, et montre une première forme d'exécution des moyens de maintien ;
• la figure 4 représente, en vue en perspective, un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un plateau d'un échappement sur lequel est installé un organe d'entraînement et de transmission selon le deuxième mode de réalisation et montre une deuxième forme d'exécution des moyens de maintien ;
• les figure 5 et 6 illustrent, en vue frontale, deux positions du fonctionnement d'un échappement, qui montrent la coopération de l'ancre de l'échappement avec le plateau et l'organe d'entraînement et de transmission de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 7 représente schématiquement une montre dotée d'un échappement comportant le plateau et l'organe d'entraînement et de transmission de la figure 3.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of particular embodiments, provided by way of illustration and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 represent, in perspective view, respectively a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the drive and transmission member according to the first aspect of the invention;
• the figure 3 represents, in perspective view, a first embodiment of a plate of an exhaust on which is installed a drive and transmission member according to the first embodiment, and shows a first embodiment of the means of maintenance;
• the figure 4 represents, in perspective view, a second embodiment of a plate of an exhaust on which is installed a drive and transmission member according to the second embodiment and shows a second embodiment of the holding means ;
• the figure 5 and 6 illustrate, in front view, two positions of the operation of an exhaust, which show the cooperation of the anchor of the exhaust with the plate and the drive and transmission member of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 7 schematically shows a watch with an escapement comprising the plate and the drive and transmission member of the figure 3 .

Referring first to the figure 1 , there is shown a first embodiment of a drive and transmission member 10 having an elastic clamping means and an interaction means. The elastic clamping means is in the form of a ring 20 having an axis 100, an inner face 22 and an outer face 32, and open by a slot 30. A lug 40 extends radially from said outer face 32, diametrically opposite to the slot 30. In the illustrated example, the slot 30 is axial. She could be oblique. The presence of the slot 30 imparts elasticity to the ring 20. The lug 40 and the slot 30 define a first direction 11 of the drive and transmission member 10, which forms with the axis 100 of the ring 20 a plane of symmetry for the drive member and transmission 10. The plane of the ring 20, perpendicular to the axis 100, defines an elastic clamping plane. The inner face 22 of the ring 20 has two portions 26 adjacent the slot 30 and a portion 28 diametrically opposed to the slot 30. It also comprises two recessed portions 24 which are each located between one of the adjacent portions 26 and the opposite portion 28. The two recessed portions 24 are spaced from the axis 100 of a radius which is slightly greater than the common radius of the other three portions 26, 26, 28.

The lug 40 has a shape that tapers from its end in connection with the outer surface 32 of the ring 20 towards its free end. In the illustrated example, the lug 40 has a substantially triangular profile, its free end having an end face 46 substantially flat and perpendicular to the first direction 11. The lug 40 has two lateral faces 44 connecting the face of end 46 to the outer face 32 of the ring 20. The junction between each of the side faces 44 and the end face 46 consists of an edge 48 which is preferably slightly rounded.

On the figure 2 there is shown a second embodiment of a drive and transmission member 50, which differs from the first embodiment of the drive and transmission member 10 in that the lug 40 is provided with a through hole 54 extending in a second direction 12 which intersects the clamping plane of the ring 20. Preferably, the second direction 12 is parallel to the axis 100 of the ring 20. Preferably, the through hole 54 is disposed near the free end of the lug 40.

The lug 40 of the drive and transmission member 50 according to the second embodiment may have narrow lateral faces 42, similarly to the lug 40 of the drive and transmission member 10 according to the first embodiment. This gives the same general shape to the drive and transmission members 10, 50 according to the two embodiments. It is thus possible to implement common manufacturing steps for the two embodiments of the drive and transmission member 10, 50, by providing an additional manufacturing step to make the through hole 54 for the body drive and transmission 50 according to the second embodiment.

In a common way to the two embodiments that have just been described, the drive and transmission member 10, 50 is made of a material that does not have a plastic field, for example a silicon-based material. On the examples illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , the ring 20 and the lug 40 that it carries are made in one piece.

The figure 3 illustrates a plate 60 according to a first embodiment equipped with a drive and transmission member 10 according to the first embodiment. In known manner, the plate 60 has a central hole 62 by means of which it is driven, in use, on a balance shaft 2, in order to achieve a rigid attachment of said plate 60 on said rocker shaft 2. The ring 20 of the drive and transmission member 10 is installed on the plate 60 around the balance shaft 2. In the figure, the balance shaft 2 is shown in broken lines to prevent part of the ring 20 is hidden. The ring 20 is held in place by the presence of the slot 30 which allows it to ensure, in use, a resilient clamping on the balance shaft 2, which avoids a possible sliding of the ring 20 in the axial direction 100. Because the inner face 22 of the ring 20 has two recessed portions 24, the contact between the inner face 22 and the balance shaft 2 is only on the three portions which are not not recessed, that is to say on the two portions 26 adjacent the slot 30 and the portion 28 diametrically opposite the slot 30. Such arrangement in three contact zones improves the elastic clamping of the ring 20 on the balance shaft.

The figure 4 illustrates a plate 70 according to a second embodiment equipped with a drive and transmission member 50 according to the second embodiment. Similarly to the plate 60 according to the first embodiment, the plate 70 has a central hole 72 by means of which it is driven, in use, on the balance shaft (not shown). The plate 70 further comprises an annular rim 74 which extends around the central hole 72 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate 70. The presence of the rim 74 makes it possible to increase the contact area between the plate 70 and the balance shaft. The flange 74 also has a support function for the drive and transmission member 50. Indeed, the ring 20 of the drive and transmission member 50 is installed on the plate 70 around the flange 74. It is held in place thanks to the presence of the slot 30 which allows it to provide an elastic clamping, which avoids a possible sliding of the ring 20 in the axial direction 100. Again, the contact between the inner face 22 of the ring 20 and the flange 74 is only on the three portions 26, 26, 28 which are not recessed. Such an arrangement in three contact zones improves the elastic clamping of the ring 20 on the flange 74.

The angular holding of the drive and transmission member 10, 50 is achieved by holding means 4, 4, 6 of the plate 60, 70.

A first embodiment of the holding means is illustrated on the figure 3 , in relation with a plate 60 according to the first embodiment and a drive and transmission member according to the first embodiment 10. Said holding means consist of two studs 4, 4 fixed on the face of the plate 60 which receives the drive and transmission member 10. The pads 4, 4 are arranged on the face of the plate 60 so that the lug 40 is immobilized between them when, in use, the ring 20 is in position around the axis of pendulum 2. The lateral faces 42 of the lug 40 are tightened in the zone of contact with the two pads 4, 4, so that said pads 4, 4 do not interfere with the cooperation of the free end of the lug 40 with the anchor during operation of the exhaust which will be described later in reference to Figures 5 and 6 . This first embodiment of the holding means is also compatible with a plate 70 according to the second embodiment, although such a variant is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplification. In this case, the ring 20 is, in use, immobilized against the rim 74 of the plate 70 by the studs 4, 4.

A second embodiment of the holding means, particularly adapted to the drive and transmission member 50 according to the second embodiment, is illustrated in FIG. figure 4 , in relation to a plate 70 according to the second embodiment. Said holding means consist of a single stud 6 fixed on the face of the plate 70 which receives the drive and transmission member 50. The stud 6 is disposed on the face of the plate 70 so that the pin 40 is immobilized by insertion of this stud 6 into the through hole 54 when, in use, the ring 20 is in position around the rim 74 of the plate 70. The diameter of the stud 6 is adjusted to the diameter of the through hole 54 so that the stud 6 does not exert stress in the lug 40 of the drive and transmission member 50. This second embodiment of the holding means is also compatible with a plate 60 according to the first embodiment, although such a variant is not shown in the figures for the sake of simplification. In this case, the ring 20 is, in use, immobilized directly against the balance shaft 2 by the stud 6.

In common with the two embodiments of the plate 60, 70 which have just been described, the plate 60, 70 is preferably made of metal, for example steel or nickel. Preferably, the plate 60, 70 and the pads 4, 4, 6 are made in one piece. More preferably, the pads 4, 4, 6 are obtained by galvanic growth by means of a process known as the LIGA process.

The Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two configurations of an exhaust according to the third aspect of the invention during its operation. They show an anchor escapement 80 comprising, in known manner, an escape wheel 82 with teeth 822 and an anchor 84 rotatable about an anchor axis 806. The oscillation movement of the anchor 84 around the anchor axis 806 is limited by two stops 802, 804. The anchor 84 comprises, in known manner, a stinger which is not shown to simplify the figure and a fork 840 carried by a rod 842 The fork 840 of the anchor 84 has two horns 844, 846 and the other end of the anchor 84 has two lifts 848.

The exhaust 80 further comprises a plate 60 according to the first embodiment, driven on a balance shaft 2 and provided with a drive and transmission member 10 according to the first aspect of the invention, which comprises a ring 20 and a lug 40 immobilized on the plate 60 by two studs 4, 4 as described with reference to the figure 3 .

The Figures 5 and 6 are taken in section along the contact plane between the plate 60 and the drive member and transmission 10. Thus, the plate 60 is shown in broken lines, which simplifies the figures.

On the figure 5 the balance shaft 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 200. The plate 60, driven on the balance shaft 2, rotates in the same direction. The drive and transmission member 10, immobilized on the plate 60 by means of the studs 4, 4, rotates with it, until it meets the one 844 of the horns 844, 846 of the fork 840 and causes it to rotate, thereby rotating the anchor 84 about the anchor axis 806. During the rotation of the anchor 84, one of the lifts 848 releases the tooth 822, which leaves turn the escape wheel 82. During its release, the tooth 822 transmits a pulse from the escape wheel 82 to the anchor 84, which transmits it, via the drive member and 10, the plate 60 and the balance shaft 2 on which is driven said plate 60.

On the figure 6 , the balance shaft 2 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 300, the lug 40 cooperates with the other horn 846 of the fork 840. There is a movement comparable to that which has just been described with reference to the figure 5 .

In both cases, the cooperation between the lug 40 and the respective horns 844, 846 of the fork 840 is formed by the ridges 48 of the lug 40. When they are slightly rounded, the contact between the ridges 48 and horns 844, 846 is improved.

During the operation of the exhaust 80, the lug 40 of the drive and transmission member 10 advantageously fulfills the conventional functions of the plateau pin of a conventional exhaust.

The figure 7 schematically illustrates a timepiece 90, typically a watch, with an exhaust 80 such as that just described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 , comprising an escape wheel 82, an anchor 84, a plate 60 and a drive and transmission member 10.

Although this is not represented at Figures 5, 6 and 7 , the exhaust 80 and the timepiece 90 according to the invention could comprise a plate 60 according to the first embodiment and provided with a drive and transmission member 50 according to the second embodiment, or a plate 70 according to the second embodiment and provided with a drive and transmission member 10 according to the first embodiment, or a plate 70 according to the second embodiment and provided with a drive member and transmission 50 according to the second embodiment.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been illustrated in the figures and covers alternative embodiments within the scope of those skilled in the art. For example, the end face 46 of the lug 40 of the drive and transmission member could be concave or convex instead of being flat. For example, the resilient clamping means could have a shape different from that of a split ring, and the clamping could be performed on two points instead of three points.

Claims (19)

Driving and transmitting member (10, 50) for an escapement (80) of a timepiece (90),
said escapement (80) comprising an escape wheel (82), an anchor (84) and at least one plate (60, 70) driven on a balance shaft (2), said drive and transmission member (10) , 50) being intended on the one hand to rotate said anchor (84) as it rotates with said plate (60, 70) and on the other hand to transmit a pulse of said anchor (84) to said plate (60, 70). 70)
characterized in that it comprises an elastic clamping means (20) adapted to act in a clamping plane and intended to be arranged, in use, such that said clamping plane is substantially perpendicular to said balance shaft (2) and in that it comprises an interaction means (40) extending from said clamping means (20) and for interacting with said anchor (84) to drive it. A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to claim 1, wherein said clamping means (20) is in the form of a resilient ring (20). A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to claim 2, wherein said ring (20) is open by a slot (30). A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to claim 3, wherein said slot (30) and said interaction means (40) are diametrically opposed with respect to the axis (100) of said ring (20) . A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said ring (20) has an inner face (22) which has two recessed portions (24). A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to claim 5 and claim 4, wherein each recessed portion (24) is positioned between said slot (30) and said interaction means (40). A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said interaction means (40) has a shape which flares away from said clamping means (20). ). A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said interaction means (40) has a through-hole (54) extending in a direction (12) which cuts said clamping plane. Drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it consists of a one-piece piece made of a material having no plastic field. A drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to claim 9, wherein said material is a silicon-based material. A platen (60, 70) for an anchor escapement (80), said platen (60, 70) having a central hole (62, 72) to be traversed by a rocker shaft (2) to rigidly fix said platen (60 , 70) to said balance shaft (2),
characterized in that it comprises a drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and holding means (4, 4, 6) for maintaining the angular position of said body member. drive and transmission (10, 50). A tray (60, 70) according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a flange (74) extending around said central hole (72). The tray (60) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said holding means consist of two pads (4, 4) attached to the tray (60) such that the interaction means (40) of said drive member and of transmission (10, 50) is immobilized between said pads (4, 4). The tray (70) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said holding means is a single pad (6) attached to the tray (70) such that the interaction means (40) of said drive member and transmission (50) is immobilized in that said stud (6) is inserted into a through-hole (54) of said interaction means (40). Tray (60, 70) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein each pad (4, 4, 6) is integrally formed with said plate (60, 70). Anchor escapement (80), of the type comprising an escape wheel (82), an anchor (84) and at least one plate (60, 70) rigidly fixed on a rocker shaft (2), characterized in that it comprises a drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or a plate (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 15. An anchor escapement (80) according to claim 16 and having a tray (60) according to any one of claims 11 to 15 except 12, wherein said resilient clamping means (20) exerts resilient clamping on said balance shaft ( 2). An anchor escapement (80) according to claim 16 and having a tray (70) according to claim 12 or any one of claims 13 to 15 when dependent on claim 12, wherein said resilient clamping means (20) ) exerts an elastic clamping on the flange (74) of said plate (70). Timepiece (90), characterized in that it comprises a drive and transmission member (10, 50) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and / or a plate (60, 70) according to any of claims 11 to 15 and / or an anchor escapement (80) according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

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