EP2515186B1 - Räderwerk für Uhr - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a clockwork comprising a frame (0), a barrel (1), an exhaust pinion (5) and a finishing train and a timepiece.

The document FR 1 457 818 describes a simplification of the gear used in an automatic watch. According to this document, the oscillating mass controls a differential device actuating, on the one hand, directly the work train and, on the other hand, the mainspring. The differential device comprises a differential planetary gear having a first internal sun gear connected to the oscillating weight, a second external sun gear connected to the gear train, a satellite gate connected to the mainspring, and three satellites. Since this differential device is inserted after the mainspring and before the last mobile of the finishing train, it participates both in the reduction of the winding train and in the multiplication of the gear train. Notwithstanding this simplification, the workings of this watch and in particular its finishing gear always incorporate a large number of mobiles.

The document CH 279358 discloses a finishing gear for a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement comprising a frame, a barrel and an escape pinion connected by said work train, this finishing train having a multiplier epicyclic gear comprising a first sun gear, a second sun gear kinematically connected to the exhaust pinion, at least one satellite meshing each with the first sun gear and the second sun gear, and a satellite door kinematically connected to the barrel and carrying the satellites.

The document GB 1190098 discloses a finishing gear for a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement comprising a frame, a barrel and an exhaust pinion connected by said finishing train, this finishing train having a planetary gear train comprising a first planet, a second sun gear kinematically connected to the exhaust pinion, at least one satellite meshing with the first sun gear and the second sun gear, and a satellite carrier kinematically connected to the barrel and carrying the satellite.

The object of the present invention is primarily to increase the efficiency of the multiplier gear train by transmitting the driving force of the barrel to the exhaust. Another object of the invention is to reduce the number of wheels of the finishing gear of a mechanical watch movement and incidentally to allow to consider new aesthetic perspectives for a mechanical watch movement. Finally, a further object of the invention is to eliminate the wheels of the timer which also increases the efficiency and reduce the number of mobile and thus reduce the size of the wheels in a mechanical clockwork.

The present invention therefore relates to a watch movement according to claim 1 and to a timepiece according to claim 11.

In a particular embodiment of the movement the wheel of the second sun gear is connected to the exhaust pinion by a single intermediate mobile.

Preferably, the multiplication ratios of the work train are such that the planet carrier of the planetary gear train performs one revolution per hour.

Finally, in a particular embodiment, the barrel of movement comprises a second toothing in direct contact with a wheel hours performing a turn in twelve hours.

• La figure 1 est une représentation schématique du barillet, du pignon d'échappement d'un mouvement mécanique d'horlogerie et du rouage de finition selon l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective du train épicycloïdal du rouage de finissage du mouvement.
• La figure 3 est une coupe passant par l'axe du train épicycloïdal du rouage de finissage du mouvement.

The accompanying drawing illustrates schematically and by way of example a particular embodiment of the movement according to the invention.

• The figure 1 is a schematic representation of the barrel, the exhaust pinion of a clockwork mechanical movement and the work train according to the invention.
• The figure 2 is a perspective view of the epicyclic train of the gear train finishing movement.
• The figure 3 is a section passing through the axis of the epicyclic train of the gear train finishing the movement.

The present invention relates to a mechanical clockwork comprising a frame, a barrel, an exhaust pinion and a finishing gear. By finishing gear hears the gear train connecting the gear wheel of the movement to the exhaust pinion of said watch movement.

The particularity of the finishing gear train according to the invention lies in the fact that it comprises an epicyclic gear train, which makes it possible to achieve a large multiplication ratio with the aid of a few mobile units.

This planetary gear train comprises a satellite gate having a wheel in direct contact with a toothing of the watch movement cylinder. This satellite carrier comprises at least one satellite comprising a pinion engaged with a first sun gear whose rotational speed is constant (preferably zero) during normal movement and a wheel engaged with a pinion of a second sun gear whose the wheel is directly or indirectly connected to the escape gear of the movement.

A peculiarity of this work-train lies in the fact that the numbers of teeth of the various mobiles that it comprises are determined as a function of the frequency of the regulating organ, for example a spiral balance, of the movement for the satellite gate to one turn per hour. As a result, this satellite door can directly carry the minute hand of the timepiece.

This then makes it possible, by providing a second toothing on the barrel meshing with a wheel hours, to remove the traditional timer of the watch movement.

It is therefore clear that such a movement has a reduced number of mobiles which allows to significantly increase its performance and reduce congestion.

Referring to the appended drawing, it can be seen that the mechanical clockwork movement comprises a barrel 1 pivoted on the platen of the movement, the drum of which comprises a first toothing 2 and a second toothing 3. The movement also comprises a regulating member, not shown, cooperating with a mobile exhaust having an escape wheel 4 integral with an exhaust pinion 5 pivoted on the plate or a bridge of the movement.

The finishing gear of the clockwork movement which will now be described constitutes the kinematic connection between the escape pinion 5 and the first toothing 2 of the barrel 1.

This finishing train includes in the illustrated example an epicyclic gear train and an intermediate mobile.

In the illustrated example, the epicyclic gear comprises a first sun gear 6 formed of a ring gear with internal teeth which is fixed during the normal movement of the movement. It also comprises a second sun gear 7 pivoted on a fixed part of the movement concentrically to the first sun gear 6 and having a second sun gear 7.1 and a sun gear 7.2 second sun gear 7 acting as a sun gear in the epicyclic gear train.

This epicyclic gear train also comprises a satellite gate 8 having a satellite gate wheel 8.1 in direct contact with the first toothing 2 of the barrel 1, and at least one eccentric axis 8.2, parallel to the axis of rotation of the satellite gate wheel 8.1 around which is rotated a satellite 9 having a satellite gear 9.1 in engagement with the first sun gear 6 and a satellite wheel 9.2 meshing with the external toothing of the pinion 7.2 of the second sun gear 7. The satellite gate 8 pivots concentrically and freely by relative to the sun gear 7 and to the axis 12 by means of a ball bearing, the inner ring 8.3 is integral with the satellite door 8 and the outer ring 8.4 is integral with the frame 0 of the movement. In the example shown, the satellite gate 8 has two eccentric axes 8.2 each serving as a pivot to a satellite 9.

In the example illustrated, the finishing gear train also comprises an intermediate wheel 10, pivoted on a fixed part of the movement along an axis parallel to the axis of the epicyclic gear train, comprising a gear 10.1 engaged with the wheel 7.1 of the second sun gear 7 and a wheel 10.2 engaged with the exhaust pinion 5 of the clockwork movement.

Advantageously, this finishing gear is constructed so that the satellite carrier 8 performs a complete turn in one hour so that it can carry the minute hand of a time display of the timepiece equipped with such a finishing gear.

• première denture 2 du barillet 1, 123 dents
• roue 8.2 de porte satellite 8, 41 dents
• roue 9.2 de satellite 9, 88 dents
• pignon 9.1 de satellite 9, 22 dents
• couronne 6 de premier planétaire, 132 dents
• pignon 7.2 de second planétaire 7, 22 dents
• roue 7.1 de second planétaire 7, 88 dents
• pignon 10.1 de mobile intermédiaire 10, 20 dents
• roue 10.2 de mobile intermédiaire 10, 112 dents
• pignon d'échappement 5, 21 dents
• roue d'échappement 4, 20 dents

In the illustrated example and to obtain a rotation of one turn per hour of the satellite gate 8 the number of teeth of the various mobile wheels of the finishing train are, for a regulating organ of a frequency of 4 Hz, as indicated below as a non-limitative example:

• first toothing 2 of the barrel 1, 123 teeth
• 8.2 door wheel 8, 41 teeth
• 9.2 satellite 9 wheel, 88 teeth
• 9.1 gear 9 satellite, 22 teeth
• crown 6 of first sun gear, 132 teeth
• 7.2 pinion of second sun gear 7, 22 teeth
• 7.1 second wheel 7, 88 teeth
• pinion 10.1 of intermediate mobile 10, 20 teeth
• 10.2 intermediate wheel 10, 112 teeth
• exhaust pinion 5, 21 teeth
• escape wheel 4, 20 teeth

Such a work train has only few moving because of the high multiplication ratio of the epicyclic gear which reduces its size and its energy consumption.

In the illustrated example, the finishing gear wheel further comprises a wheel 11 hours whose axis 12 extends concentrically through the axis of the second sun gear 7 and carries a hour hand of the hourly display of the coin d watchmaker equipped with this work train. This hour wheel 11 meshes directly with the second toothing 3 of the barrel 1. In this example, the bearing of the satellite door 8 is first mounted to the frame and subsequently the shaft of the sun gear 7 and after the axis 12 are mounted on the bridge side so that they pivot down in their respective bridges (fixed to the plate) and at the top in the satellite door 8. Other mounting variants are of course possible.

In the case of the particular example indicated above, the number of teeth of the second toothing 3 is 30 teeth and that of the hour wheel 11 of 120 teeth so that said hour wheel 11 performs one revolution in twelve hours.

In a variant, the finishing gear train may not comprise an intermediate wheel 10, the wheel 7.1 of the second sun gear 7 then meshing directly with the escape pinion 5. The number of teeth of the moving wheels of the epicyclic gear train would then be determined so that the satellite door 8 always makes one turn per hour. More generally, also depending on the torque available to the barrel and to provide exhaust, it would also be possible for the gear to understand two or more additional mobile. It should be noted that the finishing train described above does not include a timer train which further reduces its size and increases the efficiency of said work train. To update the time display the sun gear 6, which in the illustrated example is fixed during normal movement, can be rotated by the user through 'an update mechanism.

The time setting mechanism comprises a kinematic connection connecting the winding stem of the movement, when it is in the pulled-out position, to the first sun gear 6 rotatably mounted on the frame 0 of the movement. Thus a rotation of this winding stem in the setting position on time drives the satellite door 8 and thus the hour hand it carries. When the satellite gate 8 is turned during the time setting, the axis of the barrel 1 is rotated in one direction or the other. This barrel axis being connected to the hour hand, this allows the setting of the hours hand.

To avoid the unwinding and reloading of the mainspring during the time setting, it is possible in a variant to provide a disengagement system between the mobile which meshes with firstly the satellite door 8 and the mobile hours 11 and secondly the mainspring.

In one variant, the speed of rotation of the satellite gate 8 is one revolution every two hours and the indication of the minutes comprises an index half-circle cooperating with a double needle, which always makes it possible to eliminate the clockwork.

In another variant of the work train, the multiplication ratio between the second toothing 3 of the cylinder 1 and the hour wheel 11 may be such that the hour wheel 11 performed a complete revolution in twenty-four hours.

As described above, the first sun gear 6 is fixed during normal movement. In variants, the epycycloidal train can be configured so that the first sun gear rotates at a constant speed during the normal movement, but generally zero speed is preferred for simplicity of realization. In any case, it is essential that the first sun gear is not controlled by an external influence such as the movements of an oscillating weight.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the configuration of a first constant (and preferably fixed) external planetary gear 6 and a second internal sun gear 7 connected to the exhaust have been chosen for its ease of design and its gain. in space, other variants of the epicyclic gear are also possible. For example, two internal planetary or two external planetary can be used. One can have an epicyclic train with two internal planetary, without external sun gear, or with two external sun gear, without internal sun gear. In addition, it would be possible to put a first planetary constant speed (preferably fixed) internally and a second sun gear connected to the exhaust externally.

Claims (13)

1. Timepiece movement having a frame (0), a barrel (1), an escapement pinion (5) and a going train, this going train having a stepping-up epicyclic train having a first planet gear (6) having constant speed of rotation during the normal operation of the movement, a second planet gear (7) connected kinematically to the escapement pinion (5), at least one satellite gear (9) each meshing with the first planet gear (6) and the second planet gear (7), and a satellite carrier (8) connected kinematically to the barrel (1) and carrying the satellite gear(s) (9), characterised in that the satellite carrier (8) is arranged to effect one full turn per hour.
2. Movement as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first planet gear (6) has a crown having internal toothing meshing with each satellite gear (9) and in that the second planet gear (7) has a pinion (7.2) with external toothing meshing with each satellite gear (9).
3. Movement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the satellite carrier (8) has a satellite carrier wheel (8.1) meshing directly with first toothing (2) of the barrel (1).
4. Movement as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that each satellite gear (9) has a satellite pinion (9.1) in engagement with the first planet gear (6) and a satellite wheel (9.2) in engagement with a pinion (7.2) of the second planet gear (7), this second planet gear (7) having a second planet gear wheel (7.1) kinematically connected to the escapement pinion (5) of the movement.
5. Movement as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the satellite carrier (8) carries two satellite gears (9).
6. Movement as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterised in that it also has at least one intermediate mobile (10) between the wheel (7.1) of the second planet gear (7) and the escapement pinion (5) of the movement.
7. Movement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also has an hour wheel (11) carried by an axle passing coaxially through the epicyclic train, this hour wheel being in direct engagement with second toothing (3) of the barrel (1) of the movement and effecting one full turn in twelve hours or twenty four hours.
8. Movement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first planet gear (6) has a speed of zero and is thus fixed with respect to the frame (0) of the movement during normal operation of the movement.
9. Movement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first planet gear (6) is rotationally mounted on the frame (0) of the movement and that it is kinematically connected to a winding stem which the said movement comprises when this winding stem is in the time-setting position.
10. Movement as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims characterised in that the satellite carrier carries a minute hand.
11. Timepiece comprising a mechanical movement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
12. Timepiece as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that it has a time display having a minute hand carried by the satellite carrier (8) of the epicyclic train of the going train.
13. Timepiece as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the time display has an hour hand driven by an hour wheel (11) meshing directly with a second toothing (3) of the barrel (1) of the movement.

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