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EP4495706A1 - Timepiece or animation mechanism - Google Patents

Timepiece or animation mechanism Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4495706A1
EP4495706A1 EP24189315.5A EP24189315A EP4495706A1 EP 4495706 A1 EP4495706 A1 EP 4495706A1 EP 24189315 A EP24189315 A EP 24189315A EP 4495706 A1 EP4495706 A1 EP 4495706A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
extreme position
mainspring
control member
mechanism according
gear train
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP24189315.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Martin CRETEGNY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Richemont International SA
Original Assignee
Richemont International SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Richemont International SA filed Critical Richemont International SA
Publication of EP4495706A1 publication Critical patent/EP4495706A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B13/00—Gearwork
    • G04B13/001—Gearwork with the choice of adjustable or varying transmission ratio
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B1/00—Driving mechanisms
    • G04B1/10—Driving mechanisms with mainspring
    • G04B1/105—Driving mechanisms with mainspring having a form other than a helix
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B1/00—Driving mechanisms
    • G04B1/10—Driving mechanisms with mainspring
    • G04B1/12—Driving mechanisms with mainspring with several mainsprings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B21/00—Indicating the time by acoustic means
    • G04B21/02—Regular striking mechanisms giving the full hour, half hour or quarter hour
    • G04B21/12—Reiterating watches or clocks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G04B47/04—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached ornaments or amusement apparatus
    • G04B47/044—Movable decorations and parts thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a clockwork or animation mechanism, more particularly a clockwork or animation mechanism whose mainspring comprises a portion, typically an end portion, which is movable by a user in one direction to wind the mainspring and which, as soon as it is released, is moved in the opposite direction by the relaxation of the mainspring, this movement in the opposite direction driving a gear train of the mechanism.
  • the mechanism may be for example an automaton mechanism or a minute repeater mechanism.
  • the present invention aims to provide a solution which allows the gear train of a clockwork or animation mechanism to receive a constant or more constant driving force.
  • the present invention relates to a clockwork or animation mechanism comprising a mainspring, a gear train and a control member meshing with an input member of the gear train, the mainspring comprising a portion which can be moved by a user from a first extreme position to a second extreme position to wind the mainspring and which, as soon as it is released, returns to the first extreme position under the effect of the relaxation of the mainspring, this return of said portion to the first extreme position moving the control member from a third extreme position to a fourth extreme position, this movement of the control member from the third to the fourth extreme position extreme position driving the input member and therefore the gear train, the control member being arranged to move from the fourth to the third extreme position when said portion of the mainspring is moved by the user from the first to the second extreme position, the control member forming with the input member a non-circular gear.
  • the variation in the force delivered by the mainspring can be compensated at least partially so that the gear train ultimately receives a substantially constant force. It is also possible to use the non-circular gear to smooth out one or more force peaks generated by the mechanism.
  • the gear ratio between the control member and the input member, when the control member moves from the third to the fourth extreme position varies in the same direction as the force of the mainspring.
  • this gear ratio, from the third extreme position to the fourth extreme position of the control member varies by at least 15%, preferably by at least 20%, preferably by at least 25%.
  • Said portion of the mainspring is for example an end portion.
  • the mainspring is preferably an unwound blade, curved or straight.
  • the mainspring and the control member are in contact. Such an arrangement simplifies the construction of the mechanism.
  • said portion of the motor spring can be moved by the user from the first extreme position to the second extreme position by means of the control member.
  • the input member is part of a one-way clutch mobile of the gear train which decouples the input member from the rest of the gear train when the control member moves from the fourth extreme position to the third extreme position.
  • the control organ is for example a rake.
  • the input organ is for example a non-circular pinion or wheel.
  • the mechanism is an automaton mechanism or a striking mechanism.
  • the present invention further provides a timepiece, such as a watch or a clock, comprising a mechanism as defined above.
  • the mechanism 10 partially illustrated in the figure 1 is an animation mechanism, that is to say a mechanism for purely decorative and entertaining purposes, and preferably an automaton mechanism.
  • the mechanism 10 could nevertheless be a clockwork mechanism, for example a complication of the chime type such as a minute repeater.
  • the mechanism 10 comprises a mainspring 11 consisting of a simple curved, unwound blade, working in flexion. Compared to the spiral springs of the barrels, such a mainspring makes it possible to simplify and optimize the size. On the other hand, the force it produces as a function of its degree of winding varies more than that of a spiral spring.
  • the motor spring 11 is fixed by its base 12 to the frame of the mechanism 10 and ends with a free end portion 13 forming a step.
  • the free end portion 13 bears against the handle 14 of a control rack 15 which is pivoted about an axis 15a and whose toothed sector 16 meshes with a pinion 17 with sectoral teeth.
  • the pinion 17 is part of a one-way clutch mobile 18 further comprising a wheel 19 coaxial with the pinion 17 and a transmission member 20 integral in rotation with the pinion 17 (cf. Figures 2 and 3 ).
  • a ring 21 projecting from the board of the wheel 19 has on its inner surface notches 22 regularly distributed around the axis 18a of the mobile 18.
  • the transmission member 20 comprises a base 23 mounted on the axis 18a of the mobile 18 and from which extends a bent arm composed of a rigid radial portion 24 and an elastic circumferential portion 25 connected to the base 23 by the rigid radial portion 24.
  • the shape of the free end 26 of the elastic circumferential portion 25 is adapted to that of the notches 22. The free end 26 can thus engage in the notches 22 (cf.
  • the transmission member 20 could comprise a second arm symmetrical to the arm 24, 25 with respect to the axis 18a of the one-way clutch mobile 18 and also cooperating with the notches 22.
  • the pinion 17 is the input member of a gear train 27 formed by the pinion 17, the wheel 19, a mobile 28 meshing with the wheel 19 and other mobiles not shown, this gear train 27 being arranged to actuate decorative elements of the animation.
  • a second gear train 29 may be provided, to connect the wheel 19 of the one-way clutch mobile 18 to a regulating member 30 making it possible to regulate the speed of the gear train 27.
  • the control rake 15 comprises, in addition to the handle 14 and the toothed sector 16, a heel 31 on which a manual actuating member (not shown) of the pusher or other type can act directly or indirectly.
  • the manual actuator see arrow on the figure 3
  • the latter pivots the control rack 15 in the direction corresponding to the clockwise direction in the figures, which rotates the pinion 17 and the transmission member 20 in the counterclockwise direction without driving the wheel 19 and therefore without driving the rest of the gear train 27, and which moves the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow, thus arming the mainspring 11.
  • the user can, by means of the manual actuating member, move the control rack 15 from an extreme position illustrated in figure 2 to another extreme position illustrated in the figure 3 , these two extreme positions being defined by stops (not shown). Simultaneously, the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 is moved between two extreme positions, the first of these positions ( figure 2 ) corresponding to a disarmed state of the mainspring 11, the second of these positions ( figure 3 ) corresponding to an armed state of the mainspring 11.
  • the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 together form a non-circular gear.
  • the toothing of the control rack 15 is not on a circle centered on the axis of rotation 15a of the control rack 15 and the toothing of the pinion 17 is not on a circle centered on the axis of rotation 18a of the pinion 17.
  • the gear ratio between the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 varies in the same direction as the force of the mainspring 11, i.e. it decreases when the mainspring 11 relaxes. In this way, the gear train 27 is driven with a constant torque, at least more constant than if the gear formed by the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 were circular.
  • the gear ratio between the drive rake 15 and the pinion 17, from the relative extreme position illustrated in figure 3 to that illustrated in the figure 2 varies (decreases) by at least 15%, preferably by at least 20%, preferably by at least 25%.
  • this variation of the gear ratio can be adapted to the variation of force of the mainspring 11, whether it is lower or higher.
  • the gear ratio between the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 varies in a non-monotonic manner, for example to take into account, as an alternative or in addition to the variation in force of the mainspring 11, a torque peak required by the animation at a certain moment.
  • the manual actuating member could act on the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 other than via the control rack 15, for example by cooperating with an extension that this end portion 13 would include, and a return spring could keep the handle 14 of the control rack 15 in contact with this end portion 13.
  • the mainspring 11 could have a shape other than that shown and be armed by a force applied at a point distant from its ends.
  • the invention could also be applied to a mechanism not including a one-way clutch and in which, like the control rack 15, the gear train 27 would move back and forth.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

Le mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation selon l'invention comprend un ressort moteur (11), un rouage (27) et un organe de commande (15) engrenant avec un organe d'entrée (17) du rouage (27). Le ressort moteur (11) comprend une portion (13) qui est déplaçable par un utilisateur d'une première position extrême à une deuxième position extrême pour armer le ressort moteur (11) et qui, dès qu'elle est libérée, revient à la première position extrême sous l'effet de la détente du ressort moteur (11). Ce retour de ladite portion (13) à la première position extrême déplace l'organe de commande (15) d'une troisième position extrême à une quatrième position extrême. Ce déplacement de l'organe de commande (15) de la troisième à la quatrième position extrême entraîne l'organe d'entrée (17) et donc le rouage (27). L'organe de commande (15) est agencé pour se déplacer de la quatrième à la troisième position extrême lorsque ladite portion (13) du ressort moteur (11) est déplacée par l'utilisateur de la première à la deuxième position extrême. L'organe de commande (15) forme avec l'organe d'entrée (17) un engrenage non circulaire.The clockwork or animation mechanism according to the invention comprises a mainspring (11), a gear train (27) and a control member (15) meshing with an input member (17) of the gear train (27). The mainspring (11) comprises a portion (13) which can be moved by a user from a first extreme position to a second extreme position to wind the mainspring (11) and which, as soon as it is released, returns to the first extreme position under the effect of the relaxation of the mainspring (11). This return of said portion (13) to the first extreme position moves the control member (15) from a third extreme position to a fourth extreme position. This movement of the control member (15) from the third to the fourth extreme position drives the input member (17) and therefore the gear train (27). The control member (15) is arranged to move from the fourth to the third extreme position when said portion (13) of the mainspring (11) is moved by the user from the first to the second extreme position. The control member (15) forms with the input member (17) a non-circular gear.

Description

La présente invention concerne un mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation, plus particulièrement un mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation dont le ressort moteur comprend une portion, typiquement une portion d'extrémité, qui est déplaçable par un utilisateur dans un sens pour armer le ressort moteur et qui, dès qu'elle est libérée, est déplacée dans le sens opposé par la détente du ressort moteur, ce déplacement dans le sens opposé entraînant un rouage du mécanisme. Le mécanisme peut être par exemple un mécanisme d'automate ou un mécanisme de répétition à minutes.The present invention relates to a clockwork or animation mechanism, more particularly a clockwork or animation mechanism whose mainspring comprises a portion, typically an end portion, which is movable by a user in one direction to wind the mainspring and which, as soon as it is released, is moved in the opposite direction by the relaxation of the mainspring, this movement in the opposite direction driving a gear train of the mechanism. The mechanism may be for example an automaton mechanism or a minute repeater mechanism.

Dans un tel mécanisme, la force délivrée par le ressort moteur pendant sa détente n'est pas constante, et varie même rapidement d'une force maximale à une force minimale. Cette variation de force se transmet dans le rouage. Elle doit donc être anticipée lors de la conception du mécanisme par un dimensionnement adapté des différents composants qui peut être difficile à trouver, surtout lorsque le ressort moteur est sous la forme d'une simple lame, dont la force est moins stable que celle d'un ressort en spirale classique.In such a mechanism, the force delivered by the mainspring during its relaxation is not constant, and even varies rapidly from a maximum force to a minimum force. This variation in force is transmitted into the gear train. It must therefore be anticipated when designing the mechanism by appropriately dimensioning the various components, which can be difficult to find, especially when the mainspring is in the form of a simple blade, the force of which is less stable than that of a conventional spiral spring.

La présente invention vise à proposer une solution qui permette au rouage d'un mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation de recevoir une force d'entraînement constante ou plus constante.The present invention aims to provide a solution which allows the gear train of a clockwork or animation mechanism to receive a constant or more constant driving force.

A cette fin, la présente invention a pour objet un mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation comprenant un ressort moteur, un rouage et un organe de commande engrenant avec un organe d'entrée du rouage, le ressort moteur comprenant une portion qui est déplaçable par un utilisateur d'une première position extrême à une deuxième position extrême pour armer le ressort moteur et qui, dès qu'elle est libérée, revient à la première position extrême sous l'effet de la détente du ressort moteur, ce retour de ladite portion à la première position extrême déplaçant l'organe de commande d'une troisième position extrême à une quatrième position extrême, ce déplacement de l'organe de commande de la troisième à la quatrième position extrême entraînant l'organe d'entrée et donc le rouage, l'organe de commande étant agencé pour se déplacer de la quatrième à la troisième position extrême lorsque ladite portion du ressort moteur est déplacée par l'utilisateur de la première à la deuxième position extrême, l'organe de commande formant avec l'organe d'entrée un engrenage non circulaire.To this end, the present invention relates to a clockwork or animation mechanism comprising a mainspring, a gear train and a control member meshing with an input member of the gear train, the mainspring comprising a portion which can be moved by a user from a first extreme position to a second extreme position to wind the mainspring and which, as soon as it is released, returns to the first extreme position under the effect of the relaxation of the mainspring, this return of said portion to the first extreme position moving the control member from a third extreme position to a fourth extreme position, this movement of the control member from the third to the fourth extreme position extreme position driving the input member and therefore the gear train, the control member being arranged to move from the fourth to the third extreme position when said portion of the mainspring is moved by the user from the first to the second extreme position, the control member forming with the input member a non-circular gear.

Grâce à l'engrenage non circulaire, la variation de la force délivrée par le ressort moteur peut être compensée au moins partiellement pour que le rouage reçoive au final une force sensiblement constante. Il est aussi possible d'utiliser l'engrenage non circulaire pour lisser un ou des pics de force que génère le mécanisme.Thanks to the non-circular gear, the variation in the force delivered by the mainspring can be compensated at least partially so that the gear train ultimately receives a substantially constant force. It is also possible to use the non-circular gear to smooth out one or more force peaks generated by the mechanism.

Typiquement, le rapport d'engrenage entre l'organe de commande et l'organe d'entrée, lorsque l'organe de commande se déplace de la troisième à la quatrième position extrême, varie dans le même sens que la force du ressort moteur. Avantageusement, ce rapport d'engrenage, de la troisième position extrême à la quatrième position extrême de l'organe de commande, varie d'au moins 15%, de préférence d'au moins 20%, de préférence d'au moins 25%.Typically, the gear ratio between the control member and the input member, when the control member moves from the third to the fourth extreme position, varies in the same direction as the force of the mainspring. Advantageously, this gear ratio, from the third extreme position to the fourth extreme position of the control member, varies by at least 15%, preferably by at least 20%, preferably by at least 25%.

Ladite portion du ressort moteur est par exemple une portion d'extrémité.Said portion of the mainspring is for example an end portion.

Afin d'optimiser l'encombrement, le ressort moteur est de préférence une lame non enroulée, courbe ou droite.To optimize space requirements, the mainspring is preferably an unwound blade, curved or straight.

De préférence, le ressort moteur et l'organe de commande sont en contact. Un tel agencement simplifie en effet la construction du mécanisme.Preferably, the mainspring and the control member are in contact. Such an arrangement simplifies the construction of the mechanism.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse, ladite portion du ressort moteur est déplaçable par l'utilisateur de la première position extrême à la deuxième position extrême par l'intermédiaire de l'organe de commande.According to another advantageous characteristic, said portion of the motor spring can be moved by the user from the first extreme position to the second extreme position by means of the control member.

Dans un exemple typique de réalisation, l'organe d'entrée fait partie d'un mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel du rouage qui découple l'organe d'entrée du reste du rouage lorsque l'organe de commande se déplace de la quatrième position extrême à la troisième position extrême.In a typical embodiment, the input member is part of a one-way clutch mobile of the gear train which decouples the input member from the rest of the gear train when the control member moves from the fourth extreme position to the third extreme position.

L'organe de commande est par exemple un râteau.The control organ is for example a rake.

L'organe d'entrée est par exemple un pignon ou roue non circulaire.The input organ is for example a non-circular pinion or wheel.

Selon des applications particulières de l'invention, le mécanisme est un mécanisme d'automate ou un mécanisme de sonnerie.According to particular applications of the invention, the mechanism is an automaton mechanism or a striking mechanism.

La présente invention propose en outre une pièce d'horlogerie, telle qu'une montre ou une pendulette, comprenant un mécanisme tel que défini ci-dessus.The present invention further provides a timepiece, such as a watch or a clock, comprising a mechanism as defined above.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une partie d'un mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation selon un mode de réalisation particulier l'invention ;
  • les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues planes montrant les interactions entre un ressort moteur, un râteau de commande et un mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel du mécanisme illustré à la figure 1.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • there figure 1 is a perspective view of a part of a clockwork or animation mechanism according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
  • THE Figures 2 and 3 are plan views showing the interactions between a mainspring, a control rack and a one-way clutch mobile of the mechanism illustrated in figure 1 .

Le mécanisme 10 illustré partiellement à la figure 1 est un mécanisme d'animation, c'est-à-dire un mécanisme à but purement décoratif et divertissant, et de préférence un mécanisme d'automate. Le mécanisme 10 pourrait néanmoins être un mécanisme d'horlogerie, par exemple une complication du type sonnerie telle qu'une répétition à minutes.The mechanism 10 partially illustrated in the figure 1 is an animation mechanism, that is to say a mechanism for purely decorative and entertaining purposes, and preferably an automaton mechanism. The mechanism 10 could nevertheless be a clockwork mechanism, for example a complication of the chime type such as a minute repeater.

Le mécanisme 10 comprend un ressort moteur 11 constitué d'une simple lame courbe, non enroulée, travaillant en flexion. Par rapport aux ressorts en spirale des barillets, un tel ressort moteur permet de simplifier et d'optimiser l'encombrement. En revanche, la force qu'il produit en fonction de son degré d'armage varie plus que celle d'un ressort en spirale.The mechanism 10 comprises a mainspring 11 consisting of a simple curved, unwound blade, working in flexion. Compared to the spiral springs of the barrels, such a mainspring makes it possible to simplify and optimize the size. On the other hand, the force it produces as a function of its degree of winding varies more than that of a spiral spring.

Le ressort moteur 11 est fixé par sa base 12 au bâti du mécanisme 10 et se termine par une portion d'extrémité libre 13 formant un décrochement. La portion d'extrémité libre 13 est en appui contre le manche 14 d'un râteau de commande 15 qui est pivoté autour d'un axe 15a et dont le secteur denté 16 engrène avec un pignon 17 à denture sectorielle.The motor spring 11 is fixed by its base 12 to the frame of the mechanism 10 and ends with a free end portion 13 forming a step. The free end portion 13 bears against the handle 14 of a control rack 15 which is pivoted about an axis 15a and whose toothed sector 16 meshes with a pinion 17 with sectoral teeth.

Le pignon 17 fait partie d'un mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel 18 comprenant en outre une roue 19 coaxiale avec le pignon 17 et un organe de transmission 20 solidaire en rotation du pignon 17 (cf. figures 2 et 3). Un anneau 21 faisant saillie sur la planche de la roue 19 présente sur sa surface intérieure des encoches 22 régulièrement réparties autour de l'axe 18a du mobile 18. L'organe de transmission 20 comprend une base 23 montée sur l'axe 18a du mobile 18 et de laquelle s'étend un bras coudé composé d'une portion radiale rigide 24 et d'une portion circonférentielle élastique 25 reliée à la base 23 par la portion radiale rigide 24. La forme de l'extrémité libre 26 de la portion circonférentielle élastique 25 est adaptée à celle des encoches 22. L'extrémité libre 26 peut ainsi s'engager dans les encoches 22 (cf. figure 2) pour permettre à l'organe de transmission 20 de pousser la roue 19 à la manière d'un cliquet lorsque le pignon 17 et l'organe de transmission 20 tournent dans le sens correspondant au sens horaire des figures. Lorsque le pignon 17 et l'organe de transmission 20 tournent dans l'autre sens, l'extrémité libre 26 sort de l'encoche 22 où elle se trouve en faisant fléchir la portion circonférentielle élastique 25 et glisse sur la surface intérieure de l'anneau 21 sans entraîner la roue 19. L'organe de transmission 20 pourrait comprendre un deuxième bras symétrique du bras 24, 25 par rapport à l'axe 18a du mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel 18 et coopérant lui aussi avec les encoches 22.The pinion 17 is part of a one-way clutch mobile 18 further comprising a wheel 19 coaxial with the pinion 17 and a transmission member 20 integral in rotation with the pinion 17 (cf. Figures 2 and 3 ). A ring 21 projecting from the board of the wheel 19 has on its inner surface notches 22 regularly distributed around the axis 18a of the mobile 18. The transmission member 20 comprises a base 23 mounted on the axis 18a of the mobile 18 and from which extends a bent arm composed of a rigid radial portion 24 and an elastic circumferential portion 25 connected to the base 23 by the rigid radial portion 24. The shape of the free end 26 of the elastic circumferential portion 25 is adapted to that of the notches 22. The free end 26 can thus engage in the notches 22 (cf. figure 2 ) to allow the transmission member 20 to push the wheel 19 in the manner of a ratchet when the pinion 17 and the transmission member 20 rotate in the direction corresponding to the clockwise direction of the figures. When the pinion 17 and the transmission member 20 rotate in the other direction, the free end 26 comes out of the notch 22 where it is located by bending the elastic circumferential portion 25 and slides on the inner surface of the ring 21 without driving the wheel 19. The transmission member 20 could comprise a second arm symmetrical to the arm 24, 25 with respect to the axis 18a of the one-way clutch mobile 18 and also cooperating with the notches 22.

Le pignon 17 est l'organe d'entrée d'un rouage 27 formé du pignon 17, de la roue 19, d'un mobile 28 engrenant avec la roue 19 et d'autres mobiles non représentés, ce rouage 27 étant agencé pour actionner des éléments décoratifs de l'animation. Un deuxième rouage 29 peut être prévu, pour relier la roue 19 du mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel 18 à un organe régulateur 30 permettant de réguler la vitesse du rouage 27.The pinion 17 is the input member of a gear train 27 formed by the pinion 17, the wheel 19, a mobile 28 meshing with the wheel 19 and other mobiles not shown, this gear train 27 being arranged to actuate decorative elements of the animation. A second gear train 29 may be provided, to connect the wheel 19 of the one-way clutch mobile 18 to a regulating member 30 making it possible to regulate the speed of the gear train 27.

Le râteau de commande 15 comprend, en plus du manche 14 et du secteur denté 16, un talon 31 sur lequel peut agir directement ou indirectement un organe d'actionnement manuel (non représenté) du type poussoir ou autre. Lorsque l'utilisateur actionne l'organe d'actionnement manuel (voir la flèche sur la figure 3), ce dernier fait pivoter le râteau de commande 15 dans le sens correspondant au sens horaire sur les figures, ce qui fait tourner le pignon 17 et l'organe de transmission 20 dans le sens antihoraire sans entraîner la roue 19 donc sans entraîner le reste du rouage 27, et ce qui déplace la portion d'extrémité 13 du ressort moteur 11 dans le sens indiqué par la flèche, armant ainsi le ressort moteur 11. Plus concrètement, l'utilisateur peut, par l'intermédiaire de l'organe d'actionnement manuel, déplacer le râteau de commande 15 d'une position extrême illustrée à la figure 2 à une autre position extrême illustrée à la figure 3, ces deux positions extrêmes étant définies par des butées (non représentées). Simultanément, la portion d'extrémité 13 du ressort moteur 11 est déplacée entre deux positions extrêmes, la première de ces positions (figure 2) correspondant à un état désarmé du ressort moteur 11, la deuxième de ces positions (figure 3) correspondant à un état armé du ressort moteur 11.The control rake 15 comprises, in addition to the handle 14 and the toothed sector 16, a heel 31 on which a manual actuating member (not shown) of the pusher or other type can act directly or indirectly. When the user operates the manual actuator (see arrow on the figure 3 ), the latter pivots the control rack 15 in the direction corresponding to the clockwise direction in the figures, which rotates the pinion 17 and the transmission member 20 in the counterclockwise direction without driving the wheel 19 and therefore without driving the rest of the gear train 27, and which moves the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow, thus arming the mainspring 11. More specifically, the user can, by means of the manual actuating member, move the control rack 15 from an extreme position illustrated in figure 2 to another extreme position illustrated in the figure 3 , these two extreme positions being defined by stops (not shown). Simultaneously, the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 is moved between two extreme positions, the first of these positions ( figure 2 ) corresponding to a disarmed state of the mainspring 11, the second of these positions ( figure 3 ) corresponding to an armed state of the mainspring 11.

Lorsque le râteau de commande 15 et la portion d'extrémité 13 du ressort moteur 11 sont dans leur position extrême de la figure 3, l'extrémité libre 26 du bras 24, 25 est non seulement sortie de l'encoche 22 où elle se trouvait mais s'est également déplacée au-delà de l'encoche adjacente dans le sens antihoraire. Dès que l'utilisateur relâche l'organe d'actionnement manuel, le ressort moteur 11 se détend en repoussant le râteau de commande 15 par sa portion d'extrémité 13, lequel râteau de commande 15 fait pivoter le pignon 17 et l'organe de transmission 20 dans le sens horaire. Pendant ce déplacement, l'extrémité libre 26 du bras 24, 25 s'engage dans ladite encoche adjacente et pousse la roue 19 dans le sens horaire, entraînant ainsi par le rouage 27 les éléments décoratifs de l'animation, l'animation s'arrêtant lorsque le râteau de commande 15 atteint sa position extrême illustrée à la figure 2.When the control rake 15 and the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 are in their extreme position of the figure 3 , the free end 26 of the arm 24, 25 has not only come out of the notch 22 where it was located but has also moved beyond the adjacent notch in the counterclockwise direction. As soon as the user releases the manual actuating member, the motor spring 11 relaxes by pushing the control rack 15 by its end portion 13, which control rack 15 pivots the pinion 17 and the transmission member 20 in the clockwise direction. During this movement, the free end 26 of the arm 24, 25 engages in said adjacent notch and pushes the wheel 19 in the clockwise direction, thus driving the decorative elements of the animation by the gear train 27, the animation stopping when the control rack 15 reaches its extreme position illustrated in figure 2 .

Conformément à l'invention, le râteau de commande 15 et le pignon 17 forment ensemble un engrenage non circulaire. En d'autres termes, la denture du râteau de commande 15 n'est pas sur un cercle centré sur l'axe de rotation 15a du râteau de commande 15 et la denture du pignon 17 n'est pas sur un cercle centré sur l'axe de rotation 18a du pignon 17. Cela conduit à un rapport d'engrenage variable entre les deux positions relatives extrêmes du râteau de commande 15 et du pignon 17. Typiquement, le rapport d'engrenage entre le râteau de commande 15 et le pignon 17 varie dans le même sens que la force du ressort moteur 11, c'est-à-dire qu'il diminue lorsque le ressort moteur 11 se détend. De la sorte, le rouage 27 est entraîné avec un couple constant, à tout le moins plus constant que si l'engrenage formé par le râteau de commande 15 et le pignon 17 était circulaire.According to the invention, the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 together form a non-circular gear. In other words, the toothing of the control rack 15 is not on a circle centered on the axis of rotation 15a of the control rack 15 and the toothing of the pinion 17 is not on a circle centered on the axis of rotation 18a of the pinion 17. This leads to a variable gear ratio between the two extreme relative positions of the control rack 15 and the pinion 17. Typically, the gear ratio between the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 varies in the same direction as the force of the mainspring 11, i.e. it decreases when the mainspring 11 relaxes. In this way, the gear train 27 is driven with a constant torque, at least more constant than if the gear formed by the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 were circular.

Dans des exemples de réalisation typiques, le rapport d'engrenage entre le râteau de commande 15 et le pignon 17, de la position extrême relative illustrée à la figure 3 à celle illustrée à la figure 2, varie (diminue) d'au moins 15%, de préférence d'au moins 20%, de préférence d'au moins 25%. Naturellement, cette variation du rapport d'engrenage peut être adaptée à la variation de force du ressort moteur 11, qu'elle soit plus faible ou plus élevée.In typical embodiments, the gear ratio between the drive rake 15 and the pinion 17, from the relative extreme position illustrated in figure 3 to that illustrated in the figure 2 , varies (decreases) by at least 15%, preferably by at least 20%, preferably by at least 25%. Naturally, this variation of the gear ratio can be adapted to the variation of force of the mainspring 11, whether it is lower or higher.

Dans d'autres exemples de réalisation, le rapport d'engrenage entre le râteau de commande 15 et le pignon 17 varie d'une manière non monotone, par exemple pour tenir compte, en alternative ou en complément à la variation de force du ressort moteur 11, d'un pic de couple que nécessite l'animation à un certain moment.In other exemplary embodiments, the gear ratio between the control rack 15 and the pinion 17 varies in a non-monotonic manner, for example to take into account, as an alternative or in addition to the variation in force of the mainspring 11, a torque peak required by the animation at a certain moment.

L'homme du métier comprendra que des modifications pourraient être apportées à l'invention décrite ci-dessus sans sortir du cadre de l'invention revendiquée. En particulier, l'organe d'actionnement manuel pourrait agir sur la portion d'extrémité 13 du ressort moteur 11 autrement que par l'intermédiaire du râteau de commande 15, par exemple en coopérant avec une extension que comporterait cette portion d'extrémité 13, et un ressort de rappel pourrait maintenir le manche 14 du râteau de commande 15 en contact avec cette portion d'extrémité 13. Par ailleurs, le ressort moteur 11 pourrait avoir une autre forme que celle représentée et être armé par une force appliquée en un point distant de ses extrémités. On pourrait aussi appliquer l'invention à un mécanisme ne comprenant pas d'embrayage unidirectionnel et dans lequel, comme le râteau de commande 15, le rouage 27 effectuerait des va-et vient.Those skilled in the art will understand that modifications could be made to the invention described above without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. In particular, the manual actuating member could act on the end portion 13 of the mainspring 11 other than via the control rack 15, for example by cooperating with an extension that this end portion 13 would include, and a return spring could keep the handle 14 of the control rack 15 in contact with this end portion 13. Furthermore, the mainspring 11 could have a shape other than that shown and be armed by a force applied at a point distant from its ends. The invention could also be applied to a mechanism not including a one-way clutch and in which, like the control rack 15, the gear train 27 would move back and forth.

Claims (12)

Mécanisme d'horlogerie ou d'animation comprenant un ressort moteur (11), un rouage (27) et un organe de commande (15) engrenant avec un organe d'entrée (17) du rouage (27), le ressort moteur (11) comprenant une portion (13) qui est déplaçable par un utilisateur d'une première position extrême à une deuxième position extrême pour armer le ressort moteur (11) et qui, dès qu'elle est libérée, revient à la première position extrême sous l'effet de la détente du ressort moteur (11), ce retour de ladite portion (13) à la première position extrême déplaçant l'organe de commande (15) d'une troisième position extrême à une quatrième position extrême, ce déplacement de l'organe de commande (15) de la troisième à la quatrième position extrême entraînant l'organe d'entrée (17) et donc le rouage (27), l'organe de commande (15) étant agencé pour se déplacer de la quatrième à la troisième position extrême lorsque ladite portion (13) du ressort moteur (11) est déplacée par l'utilisateur de la première à la deuxième position extrême, l'organe de commande (15) formant avec l'organe d'entrée (17) un engrenage non circulaire.Clockwork or animation mechanism comprising a mainspring (11), a gear train (27) and a control member (15) meshing with an input member (17) of the gear train (27), the mainspring (11) comprising a portion (13) which can be moved by a user from a first extreme position to a second extreme position to wind the mainspring (11) and which, as soon as it is released, returns to the first extreme position under the effect of the relaxation of the mainspring (11), this return of said portion (13) to the first extreme position moving the control member (15) from a third extreme position to a fourth extreme position, this movement of the control member (15) from the third to the fourth extreme position driving the input member (17) and therefore the gear train (27), the control member (15) being arranged to move from the fourth to the third extreme position when said portion (13) of the mainspring (11) is moved by the user from the first to the second extreme position, the control member (15) forming with the input member (17) a non-circular gear. Mécanisme selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le rapport d'engrenage entre l'organe de commande (15) et l'organe d'entrée (17), lorsque l'organe de commande (15) se déplace de la troisième à la quatrième position extrême, varie dans le même sens que la force du ressort moteur (11).A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the gear ratio between the control member (15) and the input member (17), when the control member (15) moves from the third to the fourth extreme position, varies in the same direction as the force of the mainspring (11). Mécanisme selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le rapport d'engrenage entre l'organe de commande (15) et l'organe d'entrée (17), de la troisième position extrême à la quatrième position extrême de l'organe de commande (15), varie d'au moins 15%, de préférence d'au moins 20%, de préférence d'au moins 25%.Mechanism according to claim 2, in which the gear ratio between the control member (15) and the input member (17), from the third extreme position to the fourth extreme position of the control member (15), varies by at least 15%, preferably by at least 20%, preferably by at least 25%. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ladite portion (13) du ressort moteur (11) est une portion d'extrémité.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which said portion (13) of the motor spring (11) is an end portion. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le ressort moteur (11) est une lame non enroulée.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the mainspring (11) is an unwound blade. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le ressort moteur (11) et l'organe de commande (15) sont en contact.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the motor spring (11) and the control member (15) are in contact. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel ladite portion (13) du ressort moteur (11) est déplaçable par l'utilisateur de la première position extrême à la deuxième position extrême par l'intermédiaire de l'organe de commande (15).Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which said portion (13) of the motor spring (11) is movable by the user from the first extreme position to the second extreme position by means of the control member (15). Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel l'organe d'entrée (17) fait partie d'un mobile d'embrayage unidirectionnel (18) du rouage (27) qui découple l'organe d'entrée (17) du reste du rouage (27) lorsque l'organe de commande (15) se déplace de la quatrième position extrême à la troisième position extrême.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the input member (17) is part of a one-way clutch mobile (18) of the gear train (27) which decouples the input member (17) from the rest of the gear train (27) when the control member (15) moves from the fourth extreme position to the third extreme position. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel l'organe de commande (15) est un râteau.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the control member (15) is a rake. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel l'organe d'entrée (17) est un pignon ou roue non circulaire.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the input member (17) is a non-circular pinion or wheel. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, consistant en un mécanisme d'automate ou un mécanisme de sonnerie.Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 10, consisting of an automaton mechanism or a striking mechanism. Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 11.Timepiece comprising a mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 11.
EP24189315.5A 2023-07-21 2024-07-18 Timepiece or animation mechanism Pending EP4495706A1 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH000786/2023A CH720968A1 (en) 2023-07-21 2023-07-21 Clockwork or animation mechanism

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4020625A (en) * 1976-01-02 1977-05-03 The Singer Company Expanded scale timer
FR2384291A1 (en) * 1977-03-17 1978-10-13 Diehl TIMER MECHANISM
WO2023223193A1 (en) * 2022-05-16 2023-11-23 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Chronograph watch
WO2024095067A1 (en) * 2022-11-04 2024-05-10 Van Cleef & Arpels Drive device for a clockwork mechanism

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4020625A (en) * 1976-01-02 1977-05-03 The Singer Company Expanded scale timer
FR2384291A1 (en) * 1977-03-17 1978-10-13 Diehl TIMER MECHANISM
WO2023223193A1 (en) * 2022-05-16 2023-11-23 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Chronograph watch
WO2024095067A1 (en) * 2022-11-04 2024-05-10 Van Cleef & Arpels Drive device for a clockwork mechanism

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