EP2210149A1

EP2210149A1 - Timepiece having an automatic winding mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP2210149A1
Application number: EP08843982A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frédéric Jouvenot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2008-10-24
Publication date: 2010-07-28
Also published as: WO2009056498A1; CH704738B1; US8147128B2; CH699276B1; US20100278018A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a timepiece having: a basic movement comprising at least one barrel (12) and a set of hands (14) for displaying the time now, said set of hands being situated at a first level, a mechanism for a supplementary function connected to at least one hand (18a) for displaying the supplementary function, said hand being situated at a second level and on a different axis from said set of hands (14), and an automatic winding mechanism for said barrel (12), comprising an oscillating mass (24) consisting of a carrier (24a) and a heavy sector (24b) situated at the periphery of the carrier. According to the invention, the carrier (24a) pivots in a plane situated between said first and second levels.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to the field of mechanical horology. It relates, more particularly, to a timepiece comprising:

a basic movement comprising at least one barrel and a set of needles for displaying the current time, said set of needles being disposed at a first level; a mechanism of an additional function associated with at least one needle for displaying the additional function, said needle being arranged at a second level and on a different axis of said set of needles, and

an automatic winding mechanism of said barrel, comprising an oscillating mass composed of a support and a heavy sector disposed at the periphery of the support. The present invention finds a particularly interesting application when the additional function mechanism is a chronograph. STATE OF THE ART [0003] The watches equipped with chronograph mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art. In particular, reference can be made to Reymondin et al., The Federation of Technical Schools, 1998, ISBN 2-940025-10-X, pages 225 to 252, for details on these mechanisms. Also known automatic winding mechanisms of a barrel equipping a watch movement, using the movement of an oscillating mass to actuate a ratchet up the barrel. The above-mentioned book provides information on these devices on pages 169 to 188.

Some watches are made from calibres designed, from the outset, to include both a chronograph mechanism and an automatic winding mechanism. However, since the oscillating mass is traditionally arranged on the bottom side, it at least partially hides the fineness of the chronograph mechanism, while increasing the thickness of the chronograph mechanism. movement. In addition, the presence of a bottom side of an oscillating mass prevents the addition of an additional complication, such as a split or single split system, for example, which must take place, precisely, the bottom side. In addition, most watches with a beautifully crafted chronograph, are manual winding. Their advantage is to put forward, side and therefore visible to the user if the watch is provided with a transparent background, the complexity of the chronograph mechanism. However, users of such watches must make sure to go back on a daily basis if they want it to stay on time. [0007] A first solution to this problem would be to add a conventional automatic winding mechanism to a chronograph mechanism. However, such a modification would spoil the aesthetics of the complication by hiding at least part of it. One could think to have the automatic winding system on the side of the dial, as proposed in document CH 666 380. However, this is made impossible by the fact that there is simply no room to access the barrel ratchet. In addition, the presence of non-concentric dial-side chronograph counters at the main needle set also greatly complicates such a construction. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages. More specifically, it relates to a timepiece as stated in the first paragraph of this application, wherein the support of the oscillating mass is pivotally mounted in a plane between the first and second levels.

In a preferred embodiment, the additional function mechanism is a chronograph. The timepiece can still have one or the other of the following characteristics: the oscillating mass is pivotally mounted at the center of the movement; the oscillating mass is arranged so as to leave the needle visible for displaying the timed time when it is in the position of reading, the reading position may advantageously correspond to the rest position of the oscillating mass;

it comprises a needle for displaying the second of the current time, the latter and the hand for displaying the timed time, each pivoting along an axis disposed in the center of a counter, these counters being aligned with respect to the center of the movement;

the edge of the oscillating mass has two circular notches, centered on the axes of pivoting of the hands for displaying the second of the current time and the timed time, when the mass is in its reading position;

the oscillating mass has a cutout to reveal additional information when the oscillating mass is in the reading position;

the automatic winding mechanism is arranged in an additional module;

- The barrel being provided with a shaft and a ratchet integral with the shaft for its reassembly, one of the ends of the shaft is located in the thickness of the module, and a second ratchet is mounted integral in rotation on the end, this second ratchet being kinematically connected with the automatic winding mechanism;

- The shaft is rotatably mounted in an additional bridge disposed at a lower level relative to the plane of the support; and

the heavy sector is disposed at or below the second level. Brief description of the drawings

Other features of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are respectively simplified views from above and in section of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and - Figures 3 and 4 are respectively simplified views from above and in section of a second embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment (s) of the Invention [0012] In this document, the terms "lower" and "higher" should be understood by reference to Fig. 2. Thus, an element located at a lower level than a other means that it is located more on the bottom side of the movement. Conversely, a higher level in reference to another is a level located more on the side of the dial. According to a preferred embodiment serving as an example for the present description, the invention takes the form of a module arranged on a not shown basic movement, with the exception of a few elements useful for understanding the invention. 'invention. These elements are essentially:

an upper plate 10 delimiting the upper face of the base movement, that is to say the one disposed on the dial side,

a barrel 12 supplying energy to the movement and any complications equipping the movement,

needles 14 for displaying the hour and the minute of the current time, arranged at a first level, in this example, at the center of the movement.

More specifically, the first level is defined by the lowest needle relative to the movement, that is to say in general the hour hand. Note that the term needle must not be interpreted in a limiting manner and be reduced to a shape, but must be understood more as an index disposed on the dial, with reference to a watch crystal, in contrast to a disc, usually arranged under the dial. The skilled person may recognize some elements of the timer train for driving the hands 14. It can also see a first counter 16 for the display of the second of the current time, in the form of a small second at 9 o'clock. These elements are not essential, they will not be described in more detail. The movement also includes a conventional chronograph mechanism, the elements of which are not apparent in the figures. Only a needle 17 has been shown for displaying in the center the second of a timed time and a second counter 18 arranged at 3H and serving, in the usual way, to display the minutes of the timed time. The needle 17 is located at a higher level than the needles 14. The counters are usually arranged on the axis 9H-3H of a watch in which the module is mounted.

Each counter comprises in its center a needle 16a and 18a, respectively, driven from the base movement. Needles 16a and 18a are generally located in the same plane and define a second level. If necessary, the second level is defined by the highest needle relative to the movement.

As explained above, the object of the present invention is to have an automatic winding mechanism, compatible with the chronograph mechanism equipping the movement. Advantageously, the elements that will now be described and which are part of the automatic winding mechanism, take place in the additional module, which allows to add it to an existing base movement, not specifically designed to receive it.

This module comprises a frame consisting of a lower plate 20 and an upper plate 22. The frame is intended to take place on the plate 10 of the base movement, to be made integral. The plates 20 and 22 have openings adapted for the passage of the needles 14, 17, 16a and 18a of the base movement. The upper plate 22 can even be largely cut and be present only where it houses pivoting means for the elements of the automatic winding mechanism. It can be seen in Figure 2 that the upper plate 22 is cut at the counters 16 and 18.

According to the invention, an oscillating mass 24 is pivotally mounted on the dial side, in the center of the movement. More particularly, the oscillating mass 24 is composed of a support 24a, preferably taking the form of a plank that can be perforated, and a heavy sector 24b disposed at the periphery of the support. The support 24a is positioned in a plane between the first and second levels above. The heavy sector 24b is located, relative to the center of the movement, at a distance greater than the counters 16 and 18 and can, therefore, be at a different level of the support 24a, possibly, as shown in Figure 2, be located partially at the second level mentioned above. Thus, the mass 24 can oscillate freely, its support moving under the needles 14 and on the needles 16a and 18a. Advantageously, the pivoting of the oscillating mass 24 is achieved by means of a ball bearing 26. More specifically, the bearing 26 comprises an outer ring 26a fixed to the upper plate 22 of the module, and an inner ring. 26b, balls 26c being interposed between the two rings. The outer ring 26a is fitted in the upper plate 22 and has, at its outer diameter, a range

26d to be supported on the plate 22. This range allows precise positioning of the bearing.

The inner ring 26b is traversed by a tube 28 which is integral therewith and which receives the oscillating mass 24, fixedly. Inside the tube 28 pass the guns of the needles 14 and 17. It may be noted that the tube 28 has, at its base, the side of the movement, a larger diameter portion, which may have an annular shoulder 28a constituting a seat for the bearing 26, which is thus perfectly positioned. With the bearing 26d and the shoulder 28a, the oscillating mass 24 can be arranged with great precision in the chosen plane.

At its base, the tube 28 receives a pinion 30 which is integral with it and which is therefore driven by the oscillations of the mass 24. This pinion 30 is engaged with a conventional type of automatic winding gear comprising, for example, example two inverters 32 and gear reduction 34, these elements pivoting between the plates 20 and 22 of the module. Any type of automatic winding mechanism known to those skilled in the art can be used for the present invention.

The barrel 12 comprises a shaft 12a on which is mounted a ratchet, for manual winding of the barrel. In the state of the art, this ratchet is also actuated by the automatic winding mechanisms when the movement is equipped. However, the complexity of the chronograph mechanisms makes it impossible to bring the energy supplied by the oscillating mass 24 to the ratchet of the barrel, located in the movement of based. To overcome this drawback, the barrel shaft 12a is modified, so that it passes through the plate 10 of the base movement and the plate 20 of the module, so that its end is located in the thickness of the module.

To allow the pivoting of the shaft 12a, pivoting means, such as a stone 36 for example, are arranged in an additional bridge

37, integral with the module. One could also provide pivoting means disposed in the lower plate 20 of the module, but such an embodiment is less easy at the shaft.

An additional ratchet 38 located in the thickness of the module is fixed at the end of the shaft 12a. This ratchet 38 meshes with the last mobile 34 of the automatic winding mechanism, to allow the winding of the barrel. It should be noted that the manual winding system arranged in the basic movement remains perfectly functional. As known to those skilled in the art, the automatic winding mechanism comprises a disengaging system disconnecting the kinematic chain of the automatic winding mechanism when the cylinder is raised manually.

The mechanism according to the invention may have additional advantages. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the elements of the automatic winding mechanism, in this case an inverter 32, can be superimposed on the surface scanned by the needles 16a and 18a of the counters, which allows an optimization of the space occupied by this mechanism.

The provision of the heavy sector 24b beyond the surfaces occupied by the counters 16 and 18 and therefore outside the stroke of the needles 16a and 18a, allows to greatly limit the thickness of the module. Depending on the case, it is even conceivable that the heavy sector is located at least partially in the thickness of the base movement.

In addition, the oscillating mass 24 is cut or shaped so that when the timepiece is in read position, that is to say when it is naturally arranged for the user look at the counters 16a and 18a, these are visible by a user to allow the reading of the timed time. In general, the reading position corresponds to the so-called rest position of the oscillating mass 24, that is to say the position in which its center of gravity and its center of rotation are aligned vertically along an axis 12H-6H. Typically, for a wristwatch, the reading position corresponds to the position of the watch when the wearer brings his wrist in front of him, the back of the hand being close to the sagittal plane of the wearer and oriented toward his eyes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the edge of the oscillating mass 24 has two circular notches 24c, having for center the pivot axes of the needles 16a and 18a, when the mass 24 is in its rest position. Such a cut that takes the forms of the counters improves the readability of the information, attracting the eye that will immediately focus on the counters 16 and 18, which promotes a quick reading.

Note that it is possible to do without dial to gain thickness and make visible the movement of the oscillating mass 24 and the automatic winding mechanism.

The above description has been given by way of non-limiting example of the invention. Different variants can be devised by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention. The principle of the arrangement of the automatic winding mechanism, particularly of the oscillating mass 24, as well as its shape, can quite well be incorporated in a basic movement, as soon as it is conceived. The oscillating mass 24 can be cut to reveal, in its rest position, additional information, such as a date at 5H or 6H, or a time counter, often arranged at 6H.

The support 24a of the oscillating mass 24 could be made of a transparent material so that the counters are always visible. For other aesthetic effects, one skilled in the art could provide to have several oscillating masses, each pivotally mounted around the axis of the meter hands and kinematically linked to the additional ratchet.

Especially in this case, but also with a single oscillating mass in the center, the display of the counters can be retrograde. Thus, even with an oscillating weight of generally semicircular shape and having no particular cut, the counters remain visible when the mass (es) is (are) in the rest position.

Note also that the oscillating weight could be pivotally mounted at any point of the movement. Finally, the proposed mechanism is also perfectly compatible with catch-up-type complications, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. A gun of a split-second needle 40 can very easily pass into the center of the room, inside the needle barrel 17, to be mounted on a split wheel, not shown. This variant has the advantage of making the catch-up mechanism visible on the bottom side, whereas in automatic chronographs it is always mounted on the dial side and is therefore generally not visible from the outside. Thus is obtained a winding mechanism that can be adapted to a movement comprising a chronograph mechanism, leaving completely visible, bottom side, the finesse and complexity of the chronograph mechanism. The aesthetics of the oscillating mass visible on the dial side, without hindering neither the operation nor the reading of the counters, is also particularly interesting. It will be noted that, in a simplified variant, it is conceivable to have a winding mechanism according to the teaching of the invention, in a movement equipped with a chronograph module. Naturally, the chronograph mechanism is not visible from the bottom, but the piece thus equipped retains an original aesthetic because of the positioning of the oscillating mass.

The invention is not limited to a timepiece provided with a chronograph. The skilled person will be able to deduce directly from the technical teaching given above, the possibility of making a timepiece equipped with one or more additional functions, for example displayed in place of the counters 16 and 18. On could, thus, consider having, in a first counter, a date indicator and in another, a power reserve indicator, the second of the current time can, in such a case, be displayed by a needle mounted in the center, like the needle 17. It is also possible to add an additional function in addition to a chronograph, the function being displayed in a third counter. Additional functions can in particular, be a GMT, a moon phase, an alarm time or any other indication that may be displayed over the dial.

Claims

claims

1. Timepiece comprising:

a basic movement comprising at least one barrel (12) and a set of needles (14) for displaying the current time, said set of needles being arranged at a first level, a mechanism of an additional function, associated with at least one needle (18a) for displaying the additional function, said needle being arranged at a second level and on a different axis of said set of needles (14), and - a mechanism for automatically winding said barrel ( 12), comprising an oscillating mass (24) composed of a support (24a) and a heavy sector (24b) disposed at the periphery of the support, characterized in that said support (24a) is pivotally mounted in a plane located between said first and second levels.

2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the oscillating mass (24) is pivotally mounted at the center of the movement.

3. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the oscillating mass (24) is arranged to leave visible said needle (18a) for displaying the additional function when it is in reading position.

4. Timepiece according to claim 3, characterized in that the center of gravity of the oscillating mass (24) is aligned on an axis 6H-12H when said part is in its reading position.

5. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mechanism of the additional function is a chronograph.

6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a needle (16a) for displaying the second of the current time, the latter and said needle (18a) for displaying the time timed each pivoting about an axis disposed in the center of a counter (16, 18), said counters being aligned with respect to the center of the movement.

7. Timepiece according to one of claims 3 and 4 and according to claim 6, characterized in that the edge of the oscillating mass (24) has two circular notches (24c), centered on the pivot axes of the needles (16a) for displaying the second of the current time and (18a) for displaying the timed time, when said piece is in its reading position.

8. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillating mass (24) has a cutout to reveal additional information when said oscillating weight is in the reading position.

9. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic winding mechanism is disposed in an additional module.

10. Timepiece according to claim 9, wherein the barrel (12) is provided with a shaft (12a) and a ratchet integral with the shaft for its reassembly, characterized in that one end of the shaft (12a) is located in the thickness of the module, and in that a second ratchet (38) is rotatably mounted on said end, said second ratchet (38) being kinematically connected with the winding mechanism automatic.

11. Timepiece according to claim 10, characterized in that said shaft (12a) is rotatably mounted in an additional bridge (37) disposed at a lower level relative to said plane of the support.

12. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said heavy sector (24b) is disposed at a level equal to or less than the second level.

13. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chronograph mechanism comprises an additional needle (17) provided with a first barrel and mounted coaxially with the needles (14) for the display of the current time, characterized in that the basic movement further comprises a catch-up mechanism provided with a catch-up needle (40) also arranged coaxially with the needles (14) for displaying the current time, said catch-up needle (40) being provided with a second barrel positioned inside the first barrel of said additional needle (17).