EP1959317A1 - Switching transmission mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism has a commutation wheel (4.7) rotatably assembled on a periphery of a driving wheel (4.6), and an intermediate driving wheel (4.9) assembled around a change gear (4.1) and with the commutation wheel. The intermediate driving wheel is fixed at a control wheel (4.10) to be turned in a controlled manner by a controlling mechanism of the transmission system, and the driving wheel is axially placed between two cores (4.1.1, 4.3.1). An independent claim is also included for a clock movement comprising a display mechanism.

Description

The present invention relates to a switchable transmission mechanism intended to be integrated in a watch movement and comprising a transmission pinion rotated by a first mobile of said movement so as to represent a first piece of information to be displayed, as well as a watch movement and a watch with such a mechanism.

In watchmaking, particularly in the context of mechanical wristwatches, there are numerous applications for which it would be desirable to indicate several data using a minimum number of indication means. For example, for a chronograph, it is known to use a first set of hands to indicate the running time and a second set of hands to indicate the timed time, these hands being at the top of a main dial respectively a normally smaller auxiliary dial. This may disturb the reading of the dials. Thus, in some watches, the second set of needles is formed by catching hands arranged below the first set of needles in order to be able to hide them during normal operation of the watch, when the hands of the timed time do not are not used. A corresponding watch nevertheless requires a complicated mechanism for managing the two sets of needles. Problems of the same kind also arise with regard to the display of other information, for example the calendar, the power reserve, etc. The present invention then seeks to propose a simple and effective solution for displaying several data at the same time. with the aid of a minimum number of indicating means, in particular needles,

The switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention is distinguished for this purpose by the features listed in claim 1 and / or the dependent claims, in particular by the fact that it comprises an element carrying a first rattrapante core, this element being mounted idly on the transmission pinion of the mechanism and being rotated by said first - or by a second mobile of said movement so as to represent a second piece of information to be displayed, a second split-second core being fixed on said transmission pinion, a transmission wheel being mounted idle about said transmission gear and carrying a first - respectively a second hammer preloaded by a first - respectively a second biasing spring against said first - respectively second core, a wheel switching device being rotatably mounted on the periphery of the transmission wheel and carrying a first - respectively a second cam acting on said first - respectively second hammer so as to alternately remove the contact between the first hammer and the first core respectively the second hammer and the second core in order to switch the position of said transmission wheel according to the first - respectively the second information to be displayed, an intermediate control wheel being mounted idle about said transmission pinion and being in engagement with said switching wheel, said wheel of intermediate control being attached to a control wheel which can be rotated in a controlled manner via a control mechanism of the transmission mechanism.

Thanks to these measurements, it is possible to display with a single needle respectively a single set of needles at least two different information, respectively the display means can be switched between at least two states corresponding to this information to the using the mechanism according to the present invention. The user is not disturbed in reading the information displayed by other indication elements. In addition, the mechanism provided is simple and effective. In addition, the change in the display can be done at any time according to the desire of the user.

Other advantages emerge from the features expressed in the dependent claims and from the following description describing the invention in more detail.

The accompanying drawings represent, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

The figure 1 shows a perspective view of a chronograph movement having a switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention, the dial and other elements being removed to allow the view of certain parts of the movement described in more detail below.

The figure 2 is a top view of the chronograph shown in the figure 1 while at the same time illustrating the control mechanism cooperating with the integrated switching mechanism in a switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention.

The figure 3 is a cross-section along the line II indicated in the figure 2 .

The figure 4 represents an enlargement of this section, seen in perspective, showing in particular the mechanism for transmitting the mobile of the seconds.

The figure 5 is a view from above of said transmission mechanism of the mobile seconds.

The figure 6 shows a perspective view of the transmission mechanism of the hours mobile isolated from the other components of the chronograph movement.

The figure 7 represents a top view on the mechanism of the figure 6 .

The figure 8 is a cross section of said mechanism along the line II-II in the figure 7 .

The figure 9 is a top view showing in greater detail some parts of the switching mechanism integrated in a transmission mechanism according to the present invention.

The figure 10 shows a top view of the chronograph, with some bridges, wheels and other elements removed to illustrate the chronograph control mechanism.

The figure 11 is a top view of a detail of the figure 2 showing more precisely the mechanism for indicating the mode of operation of the transmission mechanism.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate schematically and by way of example an embodiment of the invention.

With reference to the figure 1 showing a chronograph movement it should first be noted that this embodiment serves mainly to illustrate in detail the principle of a switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention. This mechanism is however not limited to the case of its application in a chronograph and can perfectly be used in the context of other horological applications such as the indication of the date, the indication of time in another time zone, the indication of the power reserve, indication of the diving depth for a diving watch, etc., as will be explained in more detail in the following description.

In the figures 1 and 2 , the dial and other elements of the upper part of the chronograph are not shown to allow the view of certain parts within the movement which will be described in more detail below. The figure 3 shows the entire chronograph cut transversely along the line I-1 indicated in the figure 2 .

The chronograph represented Figures 1 to 3 respectively a watch having a transmission mechanism according to the The present invention is equipped with a driving member 1 and a regulating member 2. The driving member 1 may consist of a barrel spring and the regulating member 2 in a rocker cooperating with a corresponding escapement as is known in FIG. the context of mechanical watches, particularly complicated watches, and illustrated in part in the accompanying figures. It is nevertheless entirely possible to use, for example, an electronic energy source and a quartz respectively an electronic-mechanical combination in place of these organs. Because these members 1, 2 do not form part of the invention, they will not be described here in more detail.

Indeed, it suffices here to specify that the force from the drive member 1 is transmitted to a display train 3, the wheel 3 comprising a single set of indicating means, preferably a single set of needles. In the present case, this force is first transmitted, as is apparent from the figure 3 , at a pinion of average 3.1. An average wheel 3.2 attached to said pinion 3.1 then transmits this force to a switchable transmission mechanism 4 according to the present invention, in particular to the transmission mechanism of the seconds 4a, meshing with a transmission pinion seconds 4.1a. This pinion 4.1a carries a base wheel seconds 4.2a located in connection with the exhaust respectively generally with the regulating member 2 to determine the frequency of rotation of this mobile. In addition, said second transmission pinion 4.1a still carries a second transmission wheel 4.6a meshing with a second indication wheel 3.3a. This wheel 3.3a is rotatably mounted around a fixed tenon 3.5, which is preferably in the center of the watch movement and is attached to the seconds tube 3.4a carrying a seconds hand not shown in the figures. Moreover, and as Figures 1 to 3 , a 3.4b minute tube and a 3.4c hours tube are mounted, in the case shown in the figures, coaxially and rotatively around the seconds tube 3.4a, the tubes 3.4b, 3.4c each carrying a wheel for indicating the minutes 3.3b respectively a indication wheel hours 3.3c and a minute hand respectively one hour hand. Of course, any other positioning of the Murant display is possible, for example an eccentric configuration.

To complete the description of the display train 3 shown in Figures 1 to 3 it should also be noted that, in order to drive the indication wheels of minutes 3.3b and - hours 3.3c respectively the corresponding rotating needles, the chronograph comprises, next to the transmission mechanism of the seconds 4a, another mechanism for transmission of the minutes 4b and a transmission mechanism of the hours 4c. These mechanisms 4b, 4c are, like the transmission mechanism of the seconds 4a, arranged laterally around the display mobile, as illustrated for example by the figures 1 and 2 , so that their transmission wheel minutes 4.6b respectively - hours 4.6c can mesh with said indication wheels minutes 3.3b respectively - hours 3.3c of the mobile display, similar to the gear described ci above the seconds transmission wheel 4.6a with the seconds indicating wheel 3.3a. With respect to driving the minute transmission mechanism 4b and the hour transmission mechanism 4c, including the respective transmission gears of the minutes 4.1b and 4.1c hours, it should be noted that this can be achieved by any medium known to those skilled in the art and is part of the conventional watchmaking art.

Indeed, the three transmission mechanisms 4a, 4b, 4c that includes the chronograph illustrated at Figures 1 to 4 have a nearly identical structure, and the fact that this device comprises a transmission mechanism 4 according to the present invention to three units depends solely on the application in question. There could also be only for example a second transmission mechanism and a minute transmission mechanism. For some other applications, one such mechanism could be sufficient, as will become clearer in the following description. As a result, the detailed structure of such a transmission mechanism 4 will be explained in the following by way of example to using the transmission mechanism of hours 4c illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 . In the following, the suffixes a, b, e as well as the precisions in the nomenclature if it is the motive of the seconds, minutes or hours will not be because of the aforementioned reasons normally more used, at least regarding the transmission mechanism.

In this context, it remains to be specified that the set of single indication means mentioned in the introduction is formed in the application present by the three hands of seconds, minutes and hours carried respectively by the tubes of the seconds 3.4. a, minutes 3.4b and 3.4c hours of the mobile display. As will become clearer in the following, this game could also consist for example only in a single needle or other type of indication means, such as a display disc.

To now describe in detail the structure of a transmission mechanism 4 according to the present invention, reference is made in particular to the series of Figures 6 to 9 . As has already been mentioned above, such a mechanism 4 comprises firstly a transmission gear 4.1 constituting the axis of rotation of the mechanism and carrying said base wheel 4.2 which in the example of the transmission mechanism of the seconds cooperates with the exhaust. The transmission pinion 4.1 is then normally driven in one way or another by the driving member 1 and the regulating member 2 of the watch movement so as to transmit to the display gear 3 the information concerning a unit of the current time, for example seconds, minutes or hours, except in the case of particular applications which will be mentioned later in the text.

Above the base wheel 4.1 is mounted, in the case of the application illustrated in the figures of a chronograph, a clutch means comprising, on the one hand, a clutch disc 4.3 mounted crazy around the pinion of transmission 4.1. On the other hand, a stop ring 4.5 integral around the pinion 4.1 which compresses, in the axial direction of the pinion 4.1, a friction spring 4.4 placed between the ring 4.5 and said clutch plate 4.3. Because this 4.3 disc can not not be moved axially, it then normally follows the rotation of the transmission pinion 4.1 because of the friction clutch made by the friction spring 4.4. On the other hand, as is clear from the figure 5 , the clutch disc 4.3 can also be locked against any rotation, for example by means of a clamp surrounding and co-operating, if it is closed, with an outer groove that includes the outer periphery of the disc 4.3 . In this case, the pinion 4.1 continues its rotation while the disc 4.3 is stopped. The control mechanism for said clamp will be described elsewhere in the following.

It should also be noted that the clutch disk 4.3 has on its upper side a reset core 4.3.2 and a first split core 4.3.1 serving in this application as the heart of timed time and lying on the lower side of said transmission wheel 4.6 mentioned above. These two cores are for example fixed to the disc 4.3 with the aid of a pin, so that the cores are rotated with the clutch disc 4.3. In addition, a second split core 4.1.1 serving in this application as the heart of the current time is on the upper side of the transmission wheel 4.6. This second split core 4.1.1 is fixed to the transmission sprocket 4.1 and therefore always follows its rotation, unlike the first split core 4.3.1 which can be disengaged using the clamp mentioned above.

In addition, above said clutch means and between the first - 4.3.1 and second split core 4.1.1 is mounted a transmission unit including in particular said transmission wheel 4.6 which is, in the application of a chronograph as shown in the figures, engaged with one of the indication wheels 3.3. This transmission wheel 4.6 is also madly mounted around the transmission sprocket 4.1 and carries, on its lower or upper sides respectively, a first hammer 4.6.1 respectively a second hammer 4.6.2 mounted pivotally on the transmission wheel 4.6 and serving of probes on said first - 4.3.1 respectively second hearts 4.1.9. This configuration is illustrated at the cut of the figure 8 and at the figure 9 using a view from above of the transmission wheel 4.6 with the second split core 4.1.1 and the second hammer 4.6.2 which is prestressed against the core 4.1.1 via a second spring prestress 4.6.4 fixed to the transmission wheel 4.6. The first hammer 4.6.1 is prestressed analogically by a first biasing spring 4.6.3 against the first spacer core 4.3.1,

Also, a switching mechanism is mounted on the transmission wheel 4.6 to ensure that only one hammer at a time is in contact with one of the cores 4.3.1, 4.1.1. This switching mechanism comprises a switching wheel 4.7 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation on the periphery of the transmission wheel 4.6, this axis being parallel to the transmission pinion 4.1. The switching wheel 4.7 comprises a first cam 4.7.1 and a second cam 4.7.2 located on the lower or upper side respectively of the transmission wheel 4.6, in the same plane as the first hammer 4.6.1 respectively the second hammer 4.6 .2 mentioned above. The two cams 4.7.1, 4.7.2 may have, apart from other alternative forms, substantially the shape of a straight bar, this being, fixed to. its center to the axis of the switching wheel 4.7, and form a right angle between them, so that at a given position of the switching wheel 4.7 only one end of one of the cams 4.7.1, 4.7 .2 is resting against one of the hammers 4.6.1, 4.6.2, for example the first cam 4.7.1 against the first hammer 4.6.1. The cam 4.7.1 then separates, against the influence of the prestressing spring 4.6.3, the first hammer 4.6.1 of the first split core 4.3.1, the heart of the time timed in the application in question, while the second cam 4.7.2 does not interact with the second hammer 4.6.2 which then remains under the effect of its pre-stressing spring 4.6.2 in contact with the second split core 4.1.1, the latter serving in this case like the heart of the current time. This configuration is illustrated in figure 9 . A rotation 90 ° of the switching wheel 4.7 causes, on the one hand, that the first cam 4.7.1 no longer bears against the first hammer 4.6.1, the latter being thereby prestressed by its biasing spring 4.6. 3 against the first split-second core 4.3.1, as well as, on the other hand, that one end of the second cam 4.7.2 bears against the second hammer 4.6.2 thus removing its contact with the second split-core 4.6. 2. Another rotation of 90 ° reproduces the constellation of before, this time the other end of the first cam 4.7.1 pressing against the first hammer 4.6.1, and so on.

In order to be able to control this switching wheel 4.7 with its two cams 4.7.1, 4.7.2 fixed at a right angle, the switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention further comprises an intermediate control wheel 4.9 fixed on a control post 4.8 which is mounted idly around the transmission pinion 4.1, on the upper side of the transmission wheel 4.6. The intermediate control wheel 4.9 is engaged with the switching wheel 4.7 and can cause it to rotate. In addition, a control wheel 4.10 is fixed on the control post 4.8 and allows, via a control mechanism described later in the description, that the double wheel formed of the control wheel 4.10 and the intermediate control wheel 4.9 fixed on the control pin 4.8 can drive the switching wheel 4.7 to switch the position of the latter relative to the transmission wheel 4.6, thus switching the hammers 4.3.1, 4.6.2 against their core 4.3.1, 4.1.1 corresponding This relative position of the switching wheel 4.7 can also be protected against unintentional rotation for example by means of an elastic locking element or any other suitable means, for example d a jumper fixed on a bridge and resting against the control wheel 4.10 or even a jumper fixed on the transmission wheel and bearing against the switching wheel 4.7

The above description of the structure of the transmission mechanism makes it easy to understand how it works. Indeed, the pinion of transmission is always driven, in the application shown in the figures, by the watch movement, its rotation being transmitted by the transmission wheel 4.6 to the indication wheel 3.3 if the second hammer 4.6.2 is in contact with the second core 4.1 .1, the heart of the current time, while there is no contact between the first hammer 4.6.1 and the first core 4.3.1. Thus, the current time is displayed by the single set of needles. If the position of the switching wheel 4.7 is changed by a rotation of 90 °, the contact between the second hammer 4.6.2 and the second core 4.1.1 is removed, while the first hammer 4.6.1 taps, under the action of the prestressing spring 4.6.3, on the first split-second core 4.3.1, the heart of the timed time. The transmission wheel then rotates until the hammer 4.6.1 found its stable position on the core 4.3.1, which corresponds to the time measured. The single set of hands then displays the timed time because this same operation is performed simultaneously on the three mobiles of the seconds 4a, minutes 4b and hours 4c. By modifying the position of the control wheel 4.10 respectively of the switching wheel 4.7, the user can then at any time choose which information will be indicated on the dial by the single set of needles.

It should be added here that the specific application of a transmission mechanism 4 according to the present invention in a chronograph involves several consequences. On the one hand, such a chronograph comprises three such mechanisms in order to be able to display the seconds, minutes and hours of the timed time, these three mechanisms being, as already mentioned above, placed laterally around the mobile display, allowing thus easily the gearing of each transmission wheel 4a, 4b, 4c in the corresponding indication wheel 3.3a, 3.3b, 3.3c. On the other hand, with regard to the arrangement of each mechanism itself, its part comprising the first catch-up core, the clutch means, has a structure specifically adapted to this application. Indeed, because the timed time is a Unlike the current time, but just offset from it, it is not necessary for the clutch means representing the timed time to have a separate drive. It can then be coupled as described above using a friction clutch gear transmission representing the current time. And, finally, the clutch means comprises, apart from the first heart of the second timer 4.3.1 for the indication of the timed time, another heart, the resetting heart 4.3.2. This is placed in such a way on the clutch plate 4.3 that a corresponding reset hammer 4.3.3 fixed for example on the chronograph frame can, once it is released, tap on the periphery of said core 4.3.2 to drive the clutch disc 4.3 in rotation until the corresponding needle is returned to the 12 o'clock position. It is clear in this context that in all the aforementioned actions involving a rotation of the clutch disk 4.3, said clamp surrounding this disk is spaced simultaneously to release it, which will be described later in the context of the mechanism of chronograph control.

Disregarding the specific application of a chronograph illustrated in the figures, it is also clear that, in general, the switching of the transmission mechanism according to the present invention is carried out, by means of the switching wheel 4.7 and the two corresponding cams 4.7.1, 4.7.2, using two cores 4.3.1, 4.1.1 fixed on elements each representing a quantity to display and two hammers 4.6.1, 4.6.2 corresponding fixed on the 4.6 transmission wheel including a heart palp whose corresponding information should be displayed. It is then possible to display almost any information normally available in a watch using a mechanism according to the present invention by connecting an element carrying a heart corresponding to the mobile representing the desired information. For example, if it is either the date or the current time that should be displayed, the clutch disc 4.3 can be replaced by a date wheel madly mounted around the transmission pinion 4.1 and driven in a known manner by a mobile of calendar. The only heart fixed on this date wheel, a resetting heart is obviously not necessary for this application, then would represent the date and the transmission wheel 4.6 will return, if his corresponding hammer was switched to palpate this heart, the indication wheel corresponding to a position adapted that the needle attached thereto indicates the date. It is then clear to those skilled in the art that this principle can be applied for a large number of other applications in order to display either one or the other information by a single needle or a single set of information. needles to see other means of indication such as display disks. For example, the indication of time in another time zone, sidereal time, moon phase or even dive depth is still to be given as an example. In the latter case, the element respectively the wheel bearing the heart corresponding to this information should be driven for example by the depth detector as is also known to those skilled in the art of watchmaking. Different combinations of this information are imaginable that do not necessarily imply the indication of the current time by the single set of needles see by the single needle, for example the indication of either the date or the depth of diving as a function of the position of the switching wheel. 4.7 relating to the transmission wheel 4.6. It is obvious that the dial of the watch will be arranged correspondingly.

Finally, it remains to mention that it is also possible to mount more than two splitters hearts near the transmission wheel 4.6, it is then equipped with another hammer with a corresponding pretension spring and the wheel switching 4.7 of another cam, the three cams being then separated by 120 ° instead of 180 ° in the case of two cams. The whole works according to the same principle described above, but has an additional work plan with respect to the two planes of the two hammers respectively heart-splitters mentioned above. In this case, the extra split-second heart will be attached to another crazy mounted element around the transmission pinion, this element being connected to the mobile representing the additional information to be displayed.

To turn again to the specific application illustrated in the figures, the chronograph control mechanism will be described in more detail in the following with particular reference to the figure 10 as well as figure 5 .

The watch in which the chronograph illustrated in the figures should be integrated preferably has two pushers 6, 7 and a crown with a third integrated push rod 8. These elements are mounted in the watch case in a conventional manner and do not not appear in the figures, however figure 10 shows the elements on which these pushers act.

First, a first start-stop pushbutton 6 of the chronograph acts on a start-stop corrector 6.1 which can be moved axially towards the center of the movement by being guided by four pins placed laterally around it. If this corrector 6.1 is moved inwards, it pivots a first lever 6.2 pivotally mounted around a pin not shown, the outwardly directed end of the chronograph of the first lever 6.2 being engaged in a triangular notch of the corrector 6.1. At the same time, the first lever 6.2 carries a pin with which is engaged a second lever 6.3 prestressed by a corresponding biasing spring 6.4 so as to push the first lever 6.2 and thus the start-stop corrector 6.1 respectively all the start button -stop 6 outward after manual operation. Such a first actuation causes, through the inwardly directed end of the chronograph of the first lever 6.2, a clockwise rotation of a shuttle 6.5 around its center of rotation 6.5.1. since this end of the first lever 6.2 cooperates with a first plane located in a lateral notch 6.5.2 of the shuttle 6.5. The shuttle 6.5 is then indexed in this non-illustrated position by means of a shuttle jumper spring 6.6 cooperating with one of two positioning notches formed on the shuttle 6.5; the other positioning notch indexes the shuttle in cooperation with said spring jumper shuttle 6.6 in its initial position illustrated at figure 10 . The clockwise rotation of the shuttle 6.5 causes a lever referred to in the octopus suite 6.7 and pivotally mounted about the axis of the chronograph display movable so as to turn it counterclockwise. Indeed, this octopus 6.7 has an inclined plane 6.7.1 on which acts a pin 6.5.3 mounted on the shuttle 6.5, the octopus being preloaded by a spring arm 6.7.2 of the octopus against this pin 6.5.3. In the initial position shown at figure 10 the stop position of the chronograph, the octopus 6.7 is then pushed against the pin 6.5.3 of the shuttle 6.5, a rotation in the clockwise direction of the shuttle thus resulting by the action of its pin 6.5.3 on the inclined plane 6.7.1 of the octopus 6.7 in a counter-clockwise rotation of the octopus 6.7, which then takes its second stable position, the starting position of the chronograph. The name of these positions is due to the fact that the octopus 6.7 still has three arms 6.7.3, 6.7.4, 6.7.5 each of which is engaged with a pin 6.8.2 placed on a clamp 6.8 already mentioned above. above, each of the three clamps 6.8a, 6.8b, 6.8c for blocking, in its tight state, or to release, in its separated state, the corresponding clutch disk 4.3 of the transmission mechanism of the seconds 4a, - minutes 4b and 4c hours. As shown in more detail figure 5 each clamp 6.8 can indeed slide forward and back by being guided by two pins fixed to the chronograph frame and passing through a guide housing in a central arm 6.8.1 of the clamp 6.8. In the stop position of the chronograph described above, each gripper 6.8 is thus in its forward position with respect to the corresponding clutch disc 4.3, the front ends 6.8.3 of the gripper 6.8 surrounding this disc 4.3 being tight to the outside. using its 6.8.4 spring rear ends that cooperate with 6.8.5 pins also placed on the chronograph frame. In said chronograph start position, the octopus is in a counter-clockwise position, its arms 6.7.3, 6.7.4, 6.7.5 then positioning each clamp 6.8 in its rear position with respect to the disc. Clutch 4.3 corresponding, the clamps being spaced in this case. The friction clutch of the clutch disc 4.3 can then drive this disc and the chronograph starts counting the timed time. Finally, a second action on the first pusher 6 simply causes, through an action of said end facing inward of the chronograph of the first lever 6.2 on a second plane located in the lateral notch 6.5.2 of the shuttle 6.5, a counter-clockwise rotation of the shuttle 6.5 around its center of rotation 6.5.1 respectively a rotation of the octopus 6.7 in the clockwise direction, due to the action of its spring arm 6.7.2 in that Sens. Each clamp 6.8 is then returned to its forward position and the clutch discs are again blocked, which stops the chronograph in its measurement of time timed.

A second reset pushbutton 7 of the chronograph acts on a reset corrector 7.1 which can be moved axially towards the center of the movement. At its end facing the inside of the chronograph it has an inclined plane which cooperates with a corresponding inclined plane of a fifth arm 6.7.6 of the octopus 6.7 so as to turn it in the anti-clockwise direction. By pushing the second pusher 7, clutch disks 4.3 are then released as described above, but this c is this action is initiated by the second pusher 7. As soon as the pusher 7 is released, the octopus returns to its original position. initial position and the 4.3 disks are blocked again. At its end facing the outside of the chronograph, said reset equalizer 7.1 carries a pin 7.1.1 engaged in an opening formed in one end of a correction lever 7.2 which is pivotally mounted around a screw fixed on a chronograph bridge. The other end of this correction lever 7.2 carries a pin 7.2.1 which is normally, that is to say as long as the second pusher 7 is not actuated manually, engaged in a locking notch 7.3.1 in a reset ring 7.3 so as to block the latter center any rotation in the counterclockwise direction, in which sense it is prestressed by means of a prestressing spring 7.4 pressing on a corresponding pin placed on this ring 7.3. Once the second reset pushbutton 7 is actuated, the reset ring is released by the disengagement of said pin 7.2.1 from the locking notch 7.3.1 and rotates around a pinch. given anti-clockwise angle, driven by its prestressing spring 7.4. This reset ring 7.3 further comprises, on its inner circumference, three control notches 7.3.2 each located in front of a reset hammer 7.5. Each reset hammer 7.5a, 7.5b, 7.5c is pivotally mounted on a chronograph bridge and is in the same work plane as the reset core 4.3.2a, 4.3.2b, 4.3. 2c corresponding mentioned above in the description. Similarly, each hammer 7.5 is prestressed against the corresponding resetting core 4.3.2 by means of a prestressing spring 7.6 pressing a corresponding pin fixed on each hammer. However, the hammers 7.5 can not come into contact with the corresponding reset core 4.3.2 as long as the reset ring 7.3 is in its initial position, that is to say if the second pushbutton is not pushed, because an eccentric 7.5.1 mounted on each hammer 7.5 is in contact with the lower circumference of the ring 7.3 and prevents their actuation. As soon as the reset ring 7.3 has turned in the counter-clockwise direction following the actuation of the second pusher 7, the eccentrics 7.5.1 are released because they are located opposite said control notches 7.3.2 on the ring 7.3 and the hammers tap on the outer periphery of the corresponding reset heart 4.3.2, rotating them to their position-stable, which corresponds to the position of 12h needles. This reset action is possible because the clutch disks 4.3 carrying the reset cores 4.3.2 were released simultaneously as described above. In order to be able to adjust the moment of the triggering of each hammer, the eccentrics 7.5.1 can be rotated correspondingly. It is still noteworthy that the reset ring 7.3 also has a return notch 7.3.3 on its inner circumference, in which a return lever 7.7 can engage to return the ring to its initial position, once the second pushbutton 7 has been pushed. As is apparent from the figure 10 , the return lever 7.7 is mounted on the shuttle 6.5 and comes into contact with said return notch 7.3.3 of the ring 7.3, in the case where the latter is in the rotated position after actuation of the second reset pushbutton 7, if the first start-stop pushbutton of the chronograph is pushed into its start function as described above, said shuttle 6.5 is then driven in the clockwise direction, with the result that the return lever brings the reset ring back to zero in its initial position, against the prestressing spring 7.4. The two pushers 6, 7 can then control the known functions of a chronograph.

Finally, it remains to describe the control mechanism of the transmission mechanism and its mechanism of indication of the operating mode, which will be done in the following with reference to figures 2 respectively 11.

The control mechanism for switching the state of the transmission mechanism cooperates with the switching mechanism integrated in a switchable transmission mechanism according to the present invention, in particular with the switching wheel 4.7 and the control wheel 4.10 mentioned above. . A watch equipped with such a mechanism normally comprises a non-illustrated crown coupled to a winding stem to perform conventional functions such as winding and setting the time of the indication means. In addition, a third switching pusher 8 is preferably arranged coaxially with said winding stem; obviously, it could be placed elsewhere. This third pusher 8 is connected to a switching element 8.1 which can move axially and which in turn makes it possible to pivot, via a pin passing through these two parts, a switching lever 8.2 carrying on its working end an actuating pin 8.2.1. This pin 8.2.1 can engage, when the third pusher 8 is manually operated, on an inclined plane formed in an operating notch 8.3.1 on the outer circumference of a first control ring 8.3, so as to this ring rotates around an angle corresponding to the length of said inclined plane in the counter-clockwise direction. The first ring 8.3 also comprises an arm 8.3.2 with a substantially Z-shaped spring 8.3.3 which bears on a pin 8.4.2 fastened to an arm 8.4.1 of a second control ring 8.4 placed, preferably, below the first control ring 8.3, as illustrated for example in FIG. figure 2 . A manual actuation of the third pusher 8 then causes, through the rotation of the first control ring 8.3, also the rotation in the counter-clockwise direction of the second control ring 8.4, the latter being limited in its rotation by a limiting eccentric 8.5 fixed. on a bridge of the chronograph and on which taps a front plane of said arm 8.4.1 of the second ring 8.4. In addition, this second ring further comprises three ratchets 8.4.3a, 8.4.3b, 8.4.3c each placed in front of a transmission mobile 4a, 4b, 4c with which it cooperates. Indeed, each pawl 8.4.3 is located in the same work plane as the control wheel 4.10 of the corresponding transmission wheel and is prestressed against this wheel 4.10 by a control preloading spring 8.3.4 forming for example an integral part of the first control ring 8.3. Each pawl 8.4.3, however, does not press on the corresponding wheel 4.10 as long as the third pusher 8 is not actuated because the first control ring 8.3 still has three retaining springs 8.3.5 which are normally engaged each in a notch at the end located, seen in the anti-clockwise direction, behind each pawl 8.4.3 so as to prevent the pawl from pressing the wheel 4.10. A manual actuation of the third pusher 8 then causes, as described above, the rotation of the first-8.3 and the second control ring 8.4 in the counter-clockwise direction, the movement of the second ring 8.4 being limited, if the manual force on the third pusher is sufficient, by said limiter eccentric 8.5, while the rotation of the first ring 8.3 continues until the spring 8.3.3 on its arm 8.3.2 is completely compressed by the support against the pin 8.4.2 attached to the 8.4.1 arm of the second control ring 8.4. Due to this counterclockwise relative rotation of the first ring 8.3 relative to the second ring 8.4, the retaining springs 8.3.5 release the pawls 8.4.3 so that they support, under the effect of their control preloading springs 8.3.4, on the corresponding wheel 4.10. This effect occurs only if the manual force on the third pusher 8 is sufficient to compress said spring 8.3.3 on the first ring 8.3 so as to cause a relative rotation between the two rings 8.3, 8.4, which performs a function of " all or nothing ", the action does not occur if the user does not press the button correctly. Once the pawls 8.4.3 are in abutment against the corresponding wheel 4.10 and the rings moved completely counter-clockwise, a return spring 8.6 pressing clockwise on a return pin 8.4.4 placed on the second 8.4 disc returns, as soon as the manual force on the pusher 8 is removed, the two discs in their initial position. At the same time, each pawl 8.4.3, which is at this moment in engagement with the corresponding control wheel 4.10, drives this wheel in rotation and thus makes it possible, by means of the intermediate control wheel 4.9, to turn the wheel of switching 4.7 corresponding to a 90 ° angle in order to switch the position of the cams 4.7.1, 4.7.2. This control mechanism thus makes it possible to perform the switching in the transmission mechanism according to the present invention. It should be added that each pawl 8.4.3 also comprises an eccentric 8.3.4.1 with a corresponding pin which enters a recess arranged in the bridge. for example, below the two rings 8.3, 8.4. This recess has a shape adapted to guide, at the end of the return movement stroke of the two rings 8.3, 8.4, the ratchets 8.3.4 in their initial position in which they are again taken by the springs of retained 8.3.5, that is to say that their contact with the control wheel 4.10 is again removed.

It is obvious that the arrangement described above of such a control mechanism for a transmission mechanism according to the present invention is specifically adapted for application in a chronograph as illustrated in the figures. In the case of other applications as mentioned above, it will not always be necessary to have three ratchets or even rings, they may possibly be replaced by a lever or other suitable element if just act on one ratchet. Indeed, this control mechanism can be used in all applications in which it is necessary to perform a controlled rotation of at least one wheel around a predetermined angle, this rotation being preferably carried out only if the force of The drive, which can be of manual or automatic origin, exceeds a given value so as to have a feature called "all or nothing". The concrete arrangement of the elements carrying the parts realizing, on the one hand, the rotation, ie the ratchets and the corresponding parts, as well as, on the other hand, the "all or nothing" functionality , that is to say mainly the spring between the carrier elements, then depends firstly on the application in question. Other such modifications in a control mechanism suitable for the present invention are quite within the skill of a person skilled in the art and need not be discussed in detail here.

Turning now to the figure 11 , it is visible in more detail that the device also comprises a mechanism for indicating the operating mode of the transmission mechanism. Indeed, the first control ring 8.3 further comprises a needle spring 8.3.6 located in a longitudinal recess on the ring 8.3, this recess having an open side oriented towards the inside of the ring. On each side of the opening of the recess, a lateral flank is formed on the ring 8.3, each lateral flank being preferably slightly rounded, the curvature being so as to form a lateral recess to allow laterally pivoting the needle spring 8.3.6 and guiding its movement. Preferably, the longitudinal recess formed in the control ring 8.3 further comprises, at its front portion located towards the opening, a shape adapted to limit, through its inner walls, the lateral movement of the needle spring. 8.3.6, which can lead to arrange this lateral recess substantially shaped keyhole. The needle spring 8.3.6 comprises a first part forming an elastic arm and housed in this recess, one end of this first part being fixed to the bottom of the closed side of the longitudinal recess on the ring 8.3 and its longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of this recess. This elastic arm respectively all the needle spring 8.3.6 may preferably be formed integrally with said ring 8.3. In addition, the needle spring 8.3.6 has a second part forming a switch-needle which is formed of a piece respectively fixed on the other end of said elastic arm. On the one hand, this second part comprises, at the height of the lateral flanks on said longitudinal recess, two substantially triangular lateral wings each having a rear portion of a shape corresponding to the shape of said lateral flanks, for example rounded, thus allowing the 8.3.6 spring-spring to perform a lateral movement, which is possible thanks to its elastic arm mentioned above, and to be guided by said lateral flanks on the ring 8.3. On the other hand, the second part of the needle spring 8.3.6 comprises on its free end a tip which is preferably rounded and which cooperates with one or the other inclined plane situated on a substantially triangular arm 8.7 .1 which is fixed coaxially to the axis of rotation on an indicating lever 8.7 pivotally mounted on a chronograph bridge. On the one hand, the triangular arm 8.7.1 is oriented so that its tip is substantially on the longitudinal axis of the needle spring 8.3.6. On the other hand, it is oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the indication lever 8.7 so that it forms, on each side of the triangular arm 8.7.1, a plane perpendicular to the inclined plane corresponding and on which the needle spring 8.3.6 can rest if it makes a forward movement towards its longitudinal axis, slightly laterally deflected by one of said inclined planes. On the other end, this lever 8.7 comprises a first toothed sector 8.7.2 which is engaged with a second toothed sector 8.9 which for its part is rotatably mounted on a chronograph bridge and carries a needle or other means of indication. indicating on the dial of the corresponding watch the mode of operation in which the transmission mechanism is currently working, that is to say indicating which of the splitters hearts 4.3.1, 4.1.1 is palpated by the hammers 4.6.1, 4.6.2 arranged on the transmission wheel 4.6 and therefore what information is currently displayed by the single set of indicating means.

The operation of this indication mechanism is easily understood in view of its structure described above. Indeed, if the indication lever 8.7 and the second toothed sector 8.9 respectively the needle attached to this element are in a first stable position corresponding to the display of the first information by the single set of indicating means, the indication lever 8.7 is secured against any involuntary movement by an indication jumper 8.8 having two notches in one of which between a pin fixed on the lever 8.7. By actuating the third pusher 8, the first control ring 8.3 rotates and the needle spring 8.3.6 is pushed forward towards said triangular arm 8.7.1, its tip coming into contact with the first inclined plane of the triangular arm 8.7.1. of the indication lever 8.7, so that this inclined plane deviates the axial movement forward of the needle spring 8.3.6 laterally on one side of the triangular arm 8.7.1. Thus, the needle spring 8.3.6 pushes the indication lever 8.7, if the manual force on the pusher 8 is sufficient, in a second stable position corresponding to the display of the second information by the unique set of means of an indication that at the end of each inclined plane of the triangular arm 8.7.1 is one of said planes perpendicular to the corresponding inclined plane on which the needle spring 8.3.6 is supported at the end of the its forward movement caused by the movement of the ring 8.3 carrying the needle spring. The indication lever 8.7 then drives the second toothed sector 8.9 with its needle or other means of indicating the operating mode of the transmission mechanism in its rotation. The indication lever 8.7 respectively said indication means is again secured in the second position by the jumper indicator 8.8, the pin attached to the lever 8.7 now being in the other of the two notches on the jumper 8.8. Since the indicating lever 8.7 is then pivoted in this position relative to the first position, a new actuation of the third pusher 8 produces the same effect, apart from the difference that the needle spring 8.3.6 is guided in this way. case by the second inclined plane of the triangular arm 8.7.1 of the indication lever 8.7 and brings the latter consequently in its first position, et cetera. In fact, in a given position of the two stable positions of the indication lever 8.7, the tip of its triangular arm 8.7.1 is slightly offset laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the needle spring 8.3.6, in its position. resting, so as to guide the tip on the free end of the latter on the inclined plane of the triangular arm 8.7.1 which allows to push the indication lever 8.7 in the other stable position. The indication mechanism then indicates at any time the mode of operation in which the transmission mechanism is currently working respectively which information is currently displayed by the single set of indication means.

In this context, it is obvious that this device can be used also for other applications apart from that mentioned above, the indication of the operating mode of the transmission mechanism. Indeed, this is generally a bistable switch that can be used for any application that requires to have two stable positions. In the case of other applications, it will not always be necessary to have a needle on the second sector 8.9 or even two sectors, the free end of the lever 8.7 can indeed be used to cooperate with any other element can be switched directly or indirectly between two states. Similarly, the ring 8.3 could possibly be replaced for example by a lever, an arm, a rack or any other suitable element for axially moving the needle spring arranged in this case on this element which on its part can be driven by example by a pusher, a rocker or any other control means known to those skilled in the context of watchmaking. The concrete arrangement of the main elements of such a switching means, in particular of the element with the needle spring 8.3.6 and the lever 8.7 with its triangular arm 8.7.1, can also be modified, for example by rounding the tip of the triangular arm 8.7.1 instead of that of the needle spring 8.3.6. Other such modifications in a control means adapted for the present invention are also within the scope of the know-how of a person skilled in the art and will therefore not be detailed here.

In view of the above description of the device according to the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand the advantages of this device, in particular that it is possible to display with a single needle respectively a single set of needles at least two different information, the respectively the needles being able to be switched between at least two states corresponding to this information by means of the transmission mechanism according to the present invention. The user is thus not disturbed in reading the information displayed by other indication elements. In addition, it is indicated by means of indications of the operating mode of the mechanism which information is displayed on the dial of the watch. Moreover, the planned mechanism is simple and effective, and can in particular be transposed to a number of applications in the field of horology, as discussed in more detail above. Also, the switching of the operating mode of the transmission mechanism respectively the change in the corresponding display on the dial of the watch can be performed at any time according to the desire of the user, the device thus enjoying a great flexibility of 'use.

Claims (21)

Switchable transmission mechanism (4) intended to be integrated in a watch movement and comprising a transmission pinion (4.1) rotated by a first moving part of said movement so as to represent a first piece of information to be displayed, characterized in that a element (4.3) carrying a first catch-up core (4.3.1) is mounted loosely on said transmission gear (4.1) and is rotated by said first - or by a second mobile of said movement so as to represent a second information to displaying, a second split core (4.1.1) being fixed on said transmission pinion (4.1), a transmission wheel (4.6) being mounted idle around said transmission gear (4.1) and carrying a first (4.6.1 ) respectively a second hammer (4.6.2) preloaded by a first - (4.6.3) respectively a second prestressing spring (4.6.4) against said first - (4.3.1) respectively second core (4.1.1), a switching wheel (4.7) being rotatably mounted on the periphery of the transmission wheel (4.6) and carrying a first (4.7.1) respectively a second cam (4.7.2) acting on said first - (4.6.1) respectively second hammer (4.6.2) so as to alternatively remove the contact between the first hammer (4.6.1) and the first core (4.3.1) respectively the second hammer (4.6.2) and the second core (4.1.1) for switching the position of said transmission wheel (4.6) according to the first - respectively the second information to be displayed, an intermediate control wheel (4.9) being mounted idle about said transmission pinion ( 4.1) and being engaged with said switching wheel (4.7), said intermediate control wheel (4.9) being fixed to a control wheel (4.10) which can be turned in a controlled manner by means of a control mechanism (8) of the transmission mechanism (4). Mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said transmission wheel (4.6) is placed axially between the first core (4.3.1) and the second core (4.1.1) and in that the first hammer (4.6. 1) respectively the second hammer (4.6.2) are arranged on the lower side respectively the upper side of the transmission wheel (4.6). Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the first core (4.3.1) and the second core (4.1.1) are placed axially on the same side of said transmission wheel (4.6) and in that the first hammer (4.6.1) respectively the second hammer (4.6.2) are arranged on this side of the transmission wheel (4.6). Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (4.3) carrying a first spacer core (4.3.1) consists of a clutch disc mounted loosely on said transmission pinion (4.1) to the using a friction clutch and driven by said first mobile of the watch movement so that the first heart (4.3.1) represents the time measured, the second heart (4.1.1) mounted on the transmission gear (4.1 ) representing the current time, said clutch disk still carrying a resetting heart (4.3.2) allowing the resetting of the timed time by means of a reset hammer (4.3.3) adapted tap on the periphery of said reset heart (4.3.2). Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said element (4.3) carrying a first spacer core (4.3.1) consists of a wheel mounted idle on said transmission pinion (4.1) and driven by said second mobile of the watch movement so that the first heart (4.3.1) represents the second information to be displayed corresponding to said second mobile movement, the second core (4.1.1) mounted on the transmission gear (4.1) representing the first display information corresponding to said first mobile watch movement. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching wheel (4.7) comprises two cams (4.7.1, 4.7.2) at right angles to each other and each having two ends acting alternately on said hammers (4.6.1, 4.6.2), the switching wheel (4.7) being rotatable in 90 ° steps through said control wheel (4.10). Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control mechanism (8) of the transmission mechanism (4) comprises a pawl (8.4.3) adapted to temporarily mesh with said control wheel (4.10) in order to rotate it so that the switching wheel (4.7) is turned at an angle of 90 °. Mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said control mechanism (8) of the transmission mechanism (4) comprises two control elements (8.3, 8.4) superimposed on one another, the second element (8.4) carrying at least said pawl (8.4.3), the first member (8.3) carrying at least two springs (8.3.4, 8.3.5) forcing each pawl (8.4.3) against said control wheel (4.10) respectively preventing the contact between each pawl (8.4.3) and the corresponding control wheel (4.10), the action of these springs (8.3.4, 8.3.5) being determined by the relative position between the two elements (8.3, 8.4). Watch movement, in particular a chronograph movement, characterized in that it comprises at least one transmission mechanism according to one of the preceding claims. Watch movement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a display gear (3) with a display unit having a second indication wheel (3.3a), - minutes (3.3b) and - hours (3.3c), and in that it comprises three transmission mechanisms according to claim 3 arranged laterally around the display mobile and whose transmission wheel (4.6a, 4.6b, 4.6c) is located in engagement with the corresponding indication wheel (3.3a, 3.3b, 3.3c). Movement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each clutch disc (4.3) of a transmission mechanism (4) can be locked against any rotation by means of a chronograph control mechanism comprising a clamp ( 6.8) for each clutch disc (4.3) for clamping or releasing said clutch disc (4.3). Watch, in particular a chronograph, characterized in that it comprises a watch movement according to one of Claims 9 to 11. Clock control mechanism (8) intended to be integrated in a watch movement and adapted to control the rotation of at least one control wheel (4.10) which can be rotated in a controlled manner, characterized in that said control mechanism (8 ) comprises two moving control elements (8.3, 8.4) superimposed on one another, the second element (8.4) carrying at least one pawl (8.4.3) adapted to cooperate with one of said control wheels (4.10) to rotate it by a predetermined angle, the first member (8.3) carrying at least one spring of prestressing (8.3.4) constraining each pawl (8.4.3) against said control wheel (4.10) and at least one retaining spring (8.3.5) adapted to allow or eliminate the contact between each pawl (8.4. 3) and the corresponding control wheel (4.10), the action of these springs (8.3.4, 8.3.5) being determined by the relative position between the two control elements (8.3, 8.4). Mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each retaining spring (8.3.5) is engaged, in the rest position of the two control elements (8.3, 8.4), in a notch formed on the pawl (8.4.3). correspondingly to prevent contact between this pawl (8.4.3) and the corresponding control wheel (4.10) while the pawl (8.4.3) is prestressed in the direction of the control wheel (4.10) by the said prestressing spring (8.3.4), in that the first control element (8.3) comprises a control spring (8.3.3) resting on a pin (8.4.2) fixed on the second control element (8.4). so that a movement of the first control element (8.3) due to manual or automatic actuation of the mechanism causes a movement in the same direction of the second control element (8.4), the latter being limited in its movement by a limiting element (8.5) on the lacquer said second element (8.4) moves if the movement reaches a predetermined value, so that each retaining spring (8.3.5) disengages, if the movement of the first control element (8.3) exceeds said predetermined value, of said notch on the pawl (8.4.3) corresponding to the relative movement between the two control elements (8.3, 8.4), allowing each pawl (8.4.3) to temporarily come into contact with said control wheel (4.10) so as to be able to drive it in rotation, and in that a return spring (8.6) pre-binding the second control element (8.4) in the direction to against said movement reduces, as soon as the manual or automatic actuation is removed, the two elements (8.3, 8.4) in their initial position, causing the rotation of the control wheel (4.10) around said predetermined angle. Mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each pawl (8.4.3) comprises an eccentric (8.3.4.1) with a pin which is engaged in a recess arranged in a bridge of said watch movement, this recess having a shape adapted to at the end of the return movement stroke of the two control elements (8.3, 8.4), guiding each pawl (8.3.4) to its initial position in which it is again caught by the retaining spring ( 8.3.5) without contact with the corresponding control wheel (4.10). Mechanism according to one of Claims 14 to 15, characterized in that the control spring (8.3.3), the pretensioning spring (8.3.4) and / or the operating spring (8.3.5) are part of integral of the first control element (8,3). Mechanism according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said control spring (8.3.3) is substantially Z-shaped and is formed on an arm (8.3.2) of the first control element (8.3) . Mechanism according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the first and second control elements (8.3) are formed by superposed levers carrying out a translation or pivoting movement and carrying a ratchet (8.4.3) controlling a corresponding control wheel (4.10) located on one side of said levers. Mechanism according to one of Claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the first and second control elements (8.3, 8.4) are formed by superposed rings rotating in rotation and carrying at least one pawl (8.4.3). controlling at least one corresponding control wheel (4.10) located within the circumference of these rings. Mechanism according to one of Claims 13 to 19, characterized in that the first control element (8.3) is actuable by a push-button (8) connected to a switching element (8.1) which can move axially and which at its turn rotates, via a pin passing through these two parts, a switching lever (8.2) carrying on its free end an actuating pin (8.2.1), this pin (8.2.1) being engageable, when said pusher (8) is actuated, on an inclined plane formed in an actuation notch (8.3.1) on said first control element (8.3), so that this element makes a movement of a predetermined value corresponding to the length of said inclined plane. Mechanism according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said movement of a predetermined value is a rotation around a predetermined angle or a translation along a predetermined distance.

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