EP3287855B1 - Adjustment crown for a timepiece - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a crown for a timepiece.

PRIOR ART

The crowns are commonly used in the field of watchmaking to perform various functions, such as winding the watch barrel, setting the time or date ... Among the crowns, we find in particular the crowns screwed which can take different axial positions in the divided position, each axial position making it possible to carry out an adjustment mode and in the screwed-in position ensures a reinforced sealing of the timepiece.

• un tube destiné à être fixé dans une boite de montre par vissage ou chassage. Le tube comporte un filetage agencé dans la partie faisant saillie à l'extérieur de la boîte de montre;
• un capot comportant un couvercle et une jupe axiale;
• un canon central solidaire du capot. Le canon central comporte un filetage destiné à être vissé sur le filetage du tube;
• un piston logé à l'intérieur du canon central. Le piston est apte à être en prise avec une tige de commande. Le canon central est agencé pour coulisser sur le piston;
• un ressort compressé axialement entre le capot et le piston.

A screwed crown generally comprises:

• a tube intended to be fixed in a watch case by screwing or driving. The tube comprises a thread arranged in the portion projecting outside the watch case;
• a cover having a cover and an axial skirt;
• a central cannon secured to the hood. The central barrel has a thread intended to be screwed onto the thread of the tube;
• a piston housed inside the central barrel. The piston is adapted to be engaged with a control rod. The central barrel is arranged to slide on the piston;
• a spring compressed axially between the cover and the piston.

• une première position axiale, appelée "position vissée", dans laquelle le filetage du canon central est vissé dans le filetage du tube. La première position est utilisée lorsque l'utilisateur n'a pas besoin d'agir sur la couronne;
• une deuxième position axiale, appelée "position dévissée non tirée", dans laquelle le filetage du canon central n'est plus engagé dans le filetage du tube. Cette position est généralement utilisée lorsque l'utilisateur veut remonter le barillet à l'aide de la couronne de réglage. L'utilisateur dévisse alors le capot, ce qui, sous l'action du ressort met en prise le piston et la tige de commande;
• une troisième position axiale, appelée "position dévissée et tirée" dans laquelle le filetage du canon central n'est pas engagé dans le filetage du tube et dans laquelle en outre le capot est tiré par rapport à la position dévissée non tirée, ce qui permet de mettre la tige de commande dans une deuxième position active. La deuxième position active peut par exemple permettre d'effectuer un réglage, comme la mise à l'heure de la montre.

The hood can generally be placed in three axial positions:

• a first axial position, called "screwed position", in which the thread of the central barrel is screwed into the thread of the tube. The first position is used when the user does not need to act on the crown;
• a second axial position, called "unthreaded unscrewed position", wherein the thread of the central barrel is no longer engaged in the thread of the tube. This position is generally used when the user wants to raise the barrel using the adjusting ring. The user then unscrews the hood, which, under the action of the spring engages the piston and the control rod;
• a third axial position, called "unscrewed and pulled position" in which the threading of the central barrel is not engaged in the thread of the tube and in which the hood is further drawn relative to the undrawn unthreaded position, which allows to put the control rod in a second active position. The second active position can for example make it possible to carry out a setting, such as setting the time of the watch.

To seal the crown, a seal is disposed between the axial skirt of the cover and the tube. This seal is held axially between a spacer integral with the axial skirt of the cover and a ring. In the screwed position, the gasket is supercharged by a bulge of the tube so that the sealing properties are the best possible when the crown is in the screwed position.

However, when the crown is in the unscrewed and pulled position, the seal is no longer over-compressed, so that if the user immerses the watch in the water under these conditions of use there is a risk that a certain amount of water can infiltrate between the pump and the tube and in particular when the crown is biased by a radial force relative to the crown. In addition, when the crown is in the unscrewed position, guiding the cover by the guide tube is less effective. Such a device is for example disclosed in the patent EP2718770 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art by providing a ring having improved sealing, especially when in the unscrewed and pulled position.

The invention also aims at providing a ring having improved guidance.

• un tube;
• un capot comportant un couvercle et une jupe axiale;
• un joint d'étanchéité disposé entre le tube de vissage ou chassage et la jupe axiale du capot;
• un canon fixé au capot, le canon et le capot formant un ensemble apte à être placé dans différentes positions axiales par rapport au tube de vissage ou chassage;
• une bague de guidage solidaire d'une extrémité du tube de vissage ou chassage, la bague de guidage comportant une surface d'appui agencée pour venir exercer une pression axiale sur le joint d'étanchéité dans une des positions axiales de l'ensemble canon et capot.

To do this, is proposed according to a first aspect of the invention, a setting ring for a timepiece comprising:

• a tube;
• a cover having a cover and an axial skirt;
• a seal disposed between the screwing or driving tube and the axial skirt of the cover;
• a barrel fixed to the hood, the barrel and the cover forming an assembly capable of being placed in different axial positions with respect to the screwing or driving tube;
• a guide ring secured to one end of the screwing or driving tube, the guide ring having a bearing surface arranged to exert an axial pressure on the seal in one of the axial positions of the barrel assembly and cover.

The adjusting ring may also have one or more of the following features taken independently or in any technically possible combination.

Advantageously, the ring further comprises a holding ring integral with the cover, the seal being compressed between the guide ring and the retaining ring in at least one axial position.

• une première position axiale dans laquelle le couvercle du capot est situé à une première distance de la bague de guidage. La bague de guidage est de préférence en appui contre une surface intérieure du couvercle dans cette première position axiale.
• une deuxième position axiale dans laquelle le couvercle du capot est situé à une deuxième distance de la bague de guidage, la deuxième distance étant supérieure à la première distance. La surface d'appui exerce de préférence une pression sur le joint d'étanchéité dans cette deuxième position axiale.

Advantageously, the bonnet-gun assembly can be placed in at least two axial positions with respect to the screwing or driving tube:

• a first axial position in which the hood cover is located at a first distance from the guide ring. The guide ring is preferably in abutment against an inner surface of the cover in this first axial position.
• a second axial position in which the hood cover is located at a second distance from the guide ring, the second distance being greater than the first distance. The bearing surface preferably exerts a pressure on the seal in this second axial position.

Advantageously, the bearing surface is oblique so that the compression of the seal by the guide ring is optimal.

Advantageously, the bearing surface is disposed in the continuity of an outer surface of the screwing or driving tube, the bearing surface and the outer surface of the screwing or driving tube forming an obtuse angle, which allows the surface of support not to damage the seal when it compresses it.

Advantageously, the ring further comprises a spacer disposed inside the axial skirt of the cover, the guide ring having a lateral surface arranged to slide against the spacer, which allows the guide ring to improve the guidance. hood.

Advantageously, the lateral surface of the guide ring has a coefficient of friction with the spacer less than or equal to 0.2

• la bague de guidage peut être réalisée dans un matériau thermoplastique ou composite, chargé ou non;
• la bague de guidage peut être réalisée en céramique;
• la bague de guidage peut être réalisée en métal.

According to different embodiments:

• the guide ring may be made of a thermoplastic or composite material, loaded or not;
• the guide ring can be made of ceramic;
• the guide ring can be made of metal.

Advantageously, the guide ring is set on the end of the screwing or driving tube.

Advantageously, the guide ring has a transverse surface arranged to abut against a transverse shoulder of the central barrel when the cap is screwed onto the screwing or driving tube.

Advantageously, the screwing or driving tube comprises a guide duct adapted to bear against a guide surface of the barrel over a residual length of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm and preferably between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, when the ring is in the unscrewed and pulled position. Thus, the length of contact between the barrel and the screw or drive tube is never less than this residual length, which avoids the movement between these two parts.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a crown according to the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 représente une vue en demi-coupe d'une couronne selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention en position vissée;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en demi-coupe de la couronne de la figure 1 en position dévissée non tirée;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en demi-coupe de la couronne de la figure 1 en position dévissée et tirée;
• la figure 4 représente une vue en demi-coupe d'une couronne selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention dans une première position;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en demi-coupe de la couronne de la figure 4 dans une deuxième position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• the figure 1 is a half-sectional view of a crown according to one embodiment of the invention in the screwed position;
• the figure 2 represents a half-sectional view of the crown of the figure 1 in unscrewed unscrewed position;
• the figure 3 represents a half-sectional view of the crown of the figure 1 in the unscrewed and pulled position;
• the figure 4 represents a half-sectional view of a crown according to another embodiment of the invention in a first position;
• the figure 5 represents a half-sectional view of the crown of the figure 4 in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A crown according to a first embodiment will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 .

The ring comprises a tube 1 intended to be fixed on a watch case (not shown) by screwing or driving in the middle of the watch case. In the example shown, the tube 1 is screwed on the middle part. The tube 1 has a symmetry of revolution with respect to a reference axis 2. The tube 1 comprises a thread 3. In this embodiment, the thread 3 is disposed on an inner wall 4 of the tube 1.

The crown also comprises a cover 5. The cover 5 comprises a cover 6 and an axial skirt 7. The axial skirt has a symmetry of revolution about the reference axis 2. The cover 6 and the axial skirt 7 define a cavity. The ring also comprises a barrel 8 inserted in the cavity of the cap 5. The barrel 8 is preferably integral with the cap 5. The barrel 8 has a thread 9 arranged to be screwed into the thread 3 of the tube 1. In this embodiment , the thread 9 of the barrel 8 is positioned on an outer wall 10 of the barrel 8.

• une position dite "vissée", représentée sur la figure 1, dans laquelle le filetage 9 du canon 8 est vissé dans le filetage 3 du tube 1;
• une position dite "dévissée non tirée", représentée sur la figure 2, dans laquelle le filetage 9 du canon 8 n'est pas vissé dans le filetage 3 du tube 1, le capot 5 occupant une première position axiale par rapport au tube 1. Dans cette première position axiale, le couvercle 6 du capot 5 est séparé par une première distance du tube 1;
• une position dite "dévissée et tirée", représentée sur la figure 3, dans laquelle le filetage 9 du canon 8 n'est pas vissé dans le filetage 3 du tube 1, le capot 5 étant en outre tiré par rapport au tube 1, de façon à occuper une deuxième position axiale par rapport au tube 1. Dans cette deuxième position axiale, le couvercle 6 du capot 5 est séparé par une deuxième distance du tube 1, la deuxième distance étant supérieure à la première distance.

The crown can be placed in different positions:

• a position called "screwed", represented on the figure 1 , in which the thread 9 of the barrel 8 is screwed into the thread 3 of the tube 1;
• a position called "unthreaded undrawn", represented on the figure 2 , in which the thread 9 of the barrel 8 is not screwed into the thread 3 of the tube 1, the cover 5 occupying a first axial position relative to the tube 1. In this first axial position, the cover 6 of the cover 5 is separated by a first distance from the tube 1;
• a position called "unscrewed and pulled", represented on the figure 3 , in which the thread 9 of the barrel 8 is not screwed into the thread 3 of the tube 1, the cap 5 being further pulled relative to the tube 1, so as to occupy a second axial position with respect to the tube 1. this second axial position, the cover 6 of the cover 5 is separated by a second distance from the tube 1, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

In this embodiment, the ring also comprises a piston 11 housed in a central opening of the barrel 8. The ring also comprises a spring 12 disposed in a cavity defined by the hood-barrel assembly on the one hand and by the piston 'somewhere else. The spring 12 is compressed axially between the cover 6 of the cover 5 and a shoulder 13 of the piston 11 and it allows in particular to move the cover 5 away from the shoulder 13 of the piston 11. The piston 11 kinematically connects the cover 5 to a rod control (not shown) of the watch movement housed in the watch case. This control rod allows the wearer to perform different commands depending on the axial position of the cover 5 relative to the tube 1. Thus, the control rod can allow the watch to be reassembled when the cover 5 is in the unscrewed position. pulled, while it makes certain corrections, such as the time, when the cover 5 is in the unscrewed and pulled position.

The ring also comprises a seal 14 interposed between the axial skirt 7 of the cover 5 and the tube 1 so as to ensure the sealing of the ring. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 , this seal 14 is an O-ring. The seal 14 is held in this example axially between a spacer 15 positioned against an inner wall of the axial skirt 7 of the cover 5 and a retaining ring 16. According to a variant, the spacer 15 and / or the sealing ring 16 can come from material with the axial skirt 7.

When the crown is in the screwed position, as shown on the figure 1 , the seal 14 is supercharged by a bulge 17 of the tube 1, so that the sealing properties of the crown are the best possible when the ring is in the screwed position.

The ring further comprises a guide ring 18 integral with the end of the tube 1 disposed opposite the lid 6 of the cover 5. The ring 18 is preferably encased on the end of the tube 1. The guide ring 18 can also be glued or fixed in any other way on the tube 1.

The guide ring 18 comprises a bearing surface 19 able to exert pressure on the seal 14 when the crown is in the unscrewed position and pulled as shown in FIG. figure 3 . In the unscrewed and pulled position, the seal 14 is compressed between the retaining ring 16 on the one hand and the spacer 15 and the guide ring 18 on the other hand. To do this, the bearing surface 19 is preferably oblique with respect to the reference axis 2. In other words, the guide ring is bevelled.

The bearing surface 19 is positioned in the continuity of an outer surface 22 of the tube 1, with which the bearing surface 19 forms an obtuse angle so as not to damage the seal 14 when it compresses it. The guide ring 18 thus makes it possible to increase the tightness of the crown in the unscrewed and pulled position.

In addition, the guide ring has a lateral surface 20 arranged to slide against the spacer 15, which allows the guide ring 18 to improve the guiding of the cover 5. Indeed, the cover 5 is thus guided by the lateral surface 20 of the guide ring 18 when it passes from one axial position to the other, which limits its angular deflection.

To do this, the lateral surface 20 of the guide ring preferably has a coefficient of friction with the spacer less than or equal to 0.2

• lorsque l'entretoise est en matière métallique, par exemple en acier inoxydable, en or, ou en titane, la bague de guidage peut être également choisie dans le même ensemble.
• lorsque l'entretoise est en matière métallique par exemple en acier inoxydable, en or, en titane, la bague de guidage peut être aussi en matière thermoplastique ou en composite, chargé ou non, comme par exemple polyétheréthercétone , polyamide, polyoxyméthylène , plastique renforcé de fibre de carbone, etc. dont la structure a été modifiée par traitement par exemple par rayon gamma, recuite etc. ou non modifiée.
• lorsque l'entretoise en matière métallique par exemple en acier inoxydable, en or, en titane, la bague de guidage peut être en céramique comme par exemple en ZrO2, Al2O3, Si3N4, TiC ou en un mélange de ces dernières.
• Lorsque l'entretoise est en matière thermoplastique ou en composite, chargé ou non, comme par exemple polyétheréthercétone, polyamide, polyoxyméthylène plastique renforcé de fibre de carbone, etc. dont la structure a été modifiée par traitement par exemple par rayon gamma, recuite etc. ou non modifiée, la bague de guidage peut être en céramique comme par exemple en ZrO2, Al2O3, Si3N4, TiC ou en un mélange de ces dernières.

To do this, according to various embodiments, for example:

• when the spacer is made of metal material, for example stainless steel, gold, or titanium, the guide ring can be also chosen in the same set.
• when the spacer is made of metal material, for example stainless steel, gold, titanium, the guide ring may also be made of thermoplastic material or composite, whether or not loaded, such as polyetheretherketone, polyamide, polyoxymethylene, plastic reinforced with carbon fiber, etc. whose structure has been modified by treatment, for example by gamma radiation, annealing, etc. or not modified.
• when the spacer of metal material for example stainless steel, gold, titanium, the guide ring may be ceramic such as ZrO2, Al2O3, Si3N4, TiC or a mixture thereof.
• When the spacer is made of thermoplastic or composite, loaded or not, such as polyetheretherketone, polyamide, polyoxymethylene plastic reinforced with carbon fiber, etc. whose structure has been modified by treatment, for example by gamma radiation, annealing, etc. or unmodified, the guide ring may be ceramic such as ZrO2, Al2O3, Si3N4, TiC or a mixture thereof.

Note that the couples of materials mentioned for the spacer and the ring can of course be reversed.

The guide ring 18 may also comprise a transverse surface 21 adapted to bear against the lid 6 of the cover 5 when the ring is in the screwed position, as shown in FIG. figure 1 .

Furthermore, still in order to improve the guiding of the cover 5, the tube 1 preferably comprises a guide duct 24 adapted to bear against a guide surface 23 of the barrel 8 over a residual length L of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm. mm and preferably between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, when the crown is in the unscrewed and pulled position ( figure 3 ). Thus, the length of contact between the tube 1 and the barrel 8 is never less than this residual length L so as to optimize the guide of the barrel 8 in the tube 1.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the figures and variants could be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, Figures 4 and 5 represent another embodiment, in which the cover 5 can only take two different axial positions with respect to the tube 1: a basic position represented on the figure 4 and a drawn position represented on the figure 5 . In the basic position, the guide ring 18 bears against the lid 6 of the cover 5 and the cover is not screwed onto the tube 1. In the drawn position, the bearing surface 19 of the guide ring 18 exerts a pressure on the seal 14. The seal 14 is then compressed between the bearing surface 19, the spacer 15 and the retaining ring 16.

Furthermore, the invention could also be implemented in the case where the ring does not have a spacer against the inner wall of the axial skirt of the cover. In this case, the lateral surface of the guide ring would be shaped so as to slide directly against the inner wall of the axial skirt with minimal friction.

One could also imagine that the guide ring and the screwing or driving tube form a piece in one piece.

Finally, it should be noted that the invention relates both to crowns of the type screwed onto the tube 1 as shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 than non-screwed crowns on tube 1 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 .

Claims (11)

1. Setting crown for timepieces including:

   - a tube (1);

   - a cap (5) including a cover (6) and an axial skirt (7);

   - a sealing gasket (14) disposed between the tube (1) and the axial skirt (7) of the cap (5);

   a pipe (8) fixed to the cap (5), the pipe (8) and the cap (5) forming an assembly able to be placed in different axial positions relative to the tube (1);
   characterized in that the crown further includes a guide ring (18) integral with one end of the tube (1), the guide ring (18) comprising a bearing surface (19) arranged to exert an axial pressure on the sealing gasket (14) in one of the axial positions of the pipe/cap assembly.
2. Crown according to the preceding claim, wherein the bearing surface (19) is oblique.
3. Crown according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bearing surface (19) is disposed in the continuity of an outer surface (22) of the tube (1), the bearing surface (19) and the outer surface (22) of the tube (1) forming an obtuse angle.
4. Crown according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a spacer (15) disposed inside the axial skirt (7) of the cap (5), the guide ring (18) including a lateral surface (20) arranged to slide against the spacer (15).
5. Crown according to the preceding claim, wherein the coefficient of friction between the lateral surface (20) of the guide ring (18) and the spacer is less than or equal to 0.2
6. Crown according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide ring (18) is made of a thermoplastic material.
7. Crown according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide ring (18) is made of ceramic.
8. Crown according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide ring (18) is made of metal.
9. Crown according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the guide ring (18) is pressed onto the end of the tube (1).
10. Crown according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tube (1) includes a guide conduit (24) arranged to move into abutment against a guide surface (23) of the pipe (8) over a residual length (L) comprised between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, and preferably between 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm, when the crown is in the pulled-out position.
11. Timepiece including a crown according to any of the preceding claims.

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