CH720565A2 - Clock mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork mechanism (1) for driving a part (40) and comprising: a monolithic lever (10) with a rigid body (13) and at least one flexible blade (14, 15), having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame (90), a first interaction portion (11) and a second interaction portion (12), the two interaction portions being connected by the rigid body (13), a first actuator (50), a second actuator (30), in which when the first actuator (50) interacts with the first interaction portion (11), the rigid body (13) rotates about a virtual axis (X) so as to drive the part (40) with a first winding torque relative to the external virtual axis (X), and when the second actuator (30) interacts with the second interaction portion (12), the rigid body (13) rotates substantially about said axis (X) so as to to drive the part (40) with a second couple.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clockwork mechanism for driving a part. The present invention also relates to a clockwork movement and/or timepiece, comprising the clockwork mechanism according to the invention.

State of the art

[0002] Clockwork mechanisms for driving, for example, but not necessarily, with an instantaneous jump, a part, for example a display organ or a display wheel, carrying an indication, for example a large date, a GMT indication, month indications, etc., are widely known.

[0003] It is in particular possible to drive a display wheel automatically, i.e. without user intervention, for example via a wheel of a basic movement, and also to correct the display carried by this wheel via an actuating device such as a button or a push button, carried for example by a winding stem. To do this, the known solutions comprise several components and/or have a certain thickness.

[0004] Document CH717495 describes several configurations for monobloc devices with flexible blades for transmitting motion between an actuator and a receiver. These devices use the properties of certain known mechanisms (the Hoeckens mechanism, the Roberts mechanism, the Klann mechanism, etc.) for controlling certain watch functions, for example display functions.

[0005] The solutions of the state of the art comprise several components and/or have a certain thickness, the latter aspect making them little or not compatible with use in a thin timepiece.

Brief summary of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a clock mechanism free from the limitations of known clock mechanisms.

[0007] Another object of the invention is to propose a clock mechanism which has fewer components compared to known clock mechanisms.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to propose a clock mechanism which has a reduced thickness compared to known clock mechanisms.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to propose an alternative clock mechanism to known clock mechanisms.

[0010] According to the invention, these aims are achieved in particular by means of the clock mechanism according to claim 1.

[0011] A first subject of the invention is a timepiece mechanism for driving a part, comprising: - a monolithic lever comprising: - a rigid body, - at least one flexible blade, having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame, - a first interaction portion and a second interaction portion, the two interaction portions being connected by the rigid body, - a first actuator, arranged to interact with the first interaction portion to drive the part, - a second actuator, arranged to interact with the second interaction portion to drive the part, in which - when the first actuator interacts with the first interaction portion, the rigid body rotates about a virtual axis external to the timepiece mechanism so as to drive the part with a first winding torque relative to the external virtual axis, and - when the second actuator interacts with the second interaction portion, the rigid body rotates substantially about said axis so as to drive the part with a second torque.

[0012] Preferably, the interaction between the first actuator and the first interaction portion prevents the part from being driven and/or

[0013] the interaction between the second interaction portion and the second actuator prevents the part from being driven. The part may be a coding wheel, for example connected to a large-date display member, and the first actuator may be a drive wheel and/or the second actuator may be a wheel correcting the display of the display member. Optionally, the monolithic rocker comprises a hook allowing the part to be driven.

[0014] The mechanism may comprise two flexible blades. The axis may be placed in correspondence with the intersection of the main directions of the two flexible blades.

[0015] The first interaction portion and/or the second interaction portion may be protuberances of the rigid body. The second interaction portion being defined by two substantially straight sides, one of these sides belonging to a straight line which passes substantially through the axis.

[0016] The rigid body may be a first rigid body, the monolithic lever comprising a second rigid body, the flexible blade(s) being connected to the frame via the second rigid body. The monolithic lever, moreover, may comprise The second rigid body may have a portion having a shape capable of receiving a portion of the lever, for example a bent portion of the monolithic lever, in order to protect the watch mechanism in the event of impacts. The monolithic lever may also comprise a jumper having one end connected to the rigid body.

[0017] Preferably, at least one of the first arming torque and the second arming torque is between 0.5 N mm and 15 N mm.

[0018] A second object of the invention is by a clockwork mechanism for driving a wheel with jumps, for example instantaneous jumps, the clockwork mechanism comprising: a hook arranged to drive the wheel with jumps, for example instantaneous jumps, a jumper for locking the position of the wheel after an instantaneous jump, the wheel, in which

[0019] the wheel comprises 'N' teeth defining 'N' spaces between one tooth and the next, wherein 'N - 1' spaces are first spaces which have the same width and one space is a second space which has a width which is twice the width of the 'N - 1' spaces plus the width of a tooth, the hook is a double hook, and the jumper is a double jumper.

[0020] The secondary claims introduce important and advantageous, but not essential, features, such as for example the fact that the double hook and the double jumper belong to a monolithic lever, that the double hook comprises a first hook and a second hook and that the wheel is driven: by the first hook and/or by the second hook, when the first hook is received in a first space and the second hook is received in a first space adjacent to that which receives the first hook, only by the first hook, when both the first hook and the second hook are received in the second space, only by the second hook, when the first hook is received in the second space, and the second hook is received in a space directly adjacent to the second space.

[0021] Optionally, when the first hook is received in a first space and the second hook is received in a first space adjacent to that which receives the first hook, the wheel is driven: initially only by the first hook and, in a second time, only by the second hook.

[0022] The double jumper optionally comprises a first jumper having a shape and dimensions adapted to be received by one of the first spaces in order to block the driving of the wheel, as well as a second jumper having a shape and dimensions substantially equal to those of the first jumper.

[0023] Preferably, the position of the wheel is locked: by both the first jumper and the second jumper, when both the first jumper and the second jumper are in the second space, by one between the first jumper and the second jumper, when at least one between the first jumper and the second jumper is in a first space directly adjacent to the second space and the other jumper is in the second space, by the other between the first jumper and the second jumper, when at least one between the first jumper and the second jumper is in the other first space directly adjacent to the second space, by both the first jumper and the second jumper, in the other cases.

[0024] The double hook and/or the double jumper are connected to a fixed frame by a flexible blade.

[0025] The wheel may be a coding wheel and the timepiece mechanism may include a display wheel connected to a display member. The wheel may also include a notch in correspondence with the second space, arranged to allow the mounting of the display wheel in the timepiece mechanism, and the lever may also include a jumper for locking the position of the display wheel.

[0026] The coding wheel may be a first coding wheel, and the display member a first display member, while the timepiece mechanism comprises a second coding wheel, coaxial with the first coding wheel and carrying a second display member.

[0027] Optionally, the lever may include: a rigid body, at least one flexible blade, having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame, a first interaction portion, the watch mechanism also comprising: a first actuator, arranged to interact with the first interaction portion to actuate both the double hook and the double jumper, a second interaction portion connected to the first second interaction portion by the rigid body, the watch mechanism also comprising: a second actuator, arranged to interact with the second interaction portion to actuate both the double hook and the double jumper.

[0028] A third object of the invention is an anti-double jump timepiece mechanism of an instantaneous jump display wheel, comprising: the display wheel, comprising display teeth, an encoder wheel, comprising encoder teeth, and arranged to advance the display wheel with instantaneous jumps, wherein at least one encoder tooth has a profile comprising a slope, wherein the display wheel has an outer diameter arranged so that at least one tooth of the display wheel contacts said slope after an instantaneous jump, and wherein said slope is arranged such that the angle between the normal to the slope in correspondence of the contact point and the radius of the encoder wheel in correspondence of the contact point is in the range between 5° and 25°, so as to prevent a double jump of the display wheel.

[0029] Alternatively, the same arrangement may be used to provide an anti-shock mechanism that prevents the indication of a display wheel from being altered by a collision, whether it is an instantaneous jump wheel or a progressive advance wheel. Preferably, but not necessarily, the angle is in the range between 5° and 25°, for example between 10° and 22°, or the display teeth comprise a rounded tip arranged to contact said slope. Optionally, the angle varies within the specified range as the rounded tip moves along said slope. The mechanism may comprise a jumper for locking the position of the encoder wheel after an instantaneous jump and comprising a slope of the jumper, wherein when a display tooth contacts said slope of the encoder wheel, another tooth of the encoder wheel contacts the slope of the jumper, so as to prevent a double jump of the display wheel. The encoder wheel may have 'N' encoder teeth defining 'N' spaces between one tooth and the next, wherein 'N - 1' spaces are first spaces that have the same width and one space is a second space that has a width that is twice the width of the first 'N -1' spaces plus the width of a tooth. The jumper is optionally a double jumper and the mechanism may include a hook or a double hook arranged to drive the encoder wheel with an instantaneous jump. The double hook and/or the double jumper preferably belong to a monolithic lever which, in turn, may also include a jumper for locking the position of the display wheel.

[0030] The coding wheel may be a first coding wheel, and the display member a first display member, while the timepiece mechanism comprises a second coding wheel, coaxial with the first coding wheel and carrying a second display member, the second coding wheel being arranged to advance the second display wheel with instantaneous jumps, if required. The second display wheel may be associated with a jumper with a substantially flat profile in a main plane of the timepiece mechanism. The alignment of the second display wheel with the first display wheel may be ensured by an eccentric cooperating with at least one flexible blade.

[0031] All the variants of the watch mechanism detailed above can be included in a watch movement or in a dress watch. The three objects of the invention can be realized independently, or in combination in a single mechanism comprising any combination of compatible characteristics of one or the other.

[0032] These solutions have in particular the advantage over the prior art of having fewer components and/or having a reduced thickness compared to known watch mechanisms.

Brief description of the figures

[0033] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description illustrated by the appended figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a watch movement comprising the watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a wheel, in particular a coding wheel, of the watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3A illustrates a top view of a watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3B illustrates a side view of the watch mechanism of Figure 3A. Figure 3C illustrates a bottom view of the watch mechanism of Figure 3A. Figure 4 illustrates a top view of a watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention, in a first position. Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the watch mechanism of Figure 4 in a second position. Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the watch mechanism of Figure 4 in a third position. Figure 7 illustrates a top view of the watch mechanism of Figure 4 in a fourth position. Figure 8 illustrates a top view of a portion of the watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention, in a first position. Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the portion of the watch mechanism of Figure 8 in a second position. Figure 10 illustrates a top view of the portion of the watch mechanism of Figure 8 in a third position. Figure 11 illustrates a top view of the watch mechanism of Figure 4 in a fifth position. Figure 12 illustrates a top view of the watch mechanism of Figure 4 in a sixth position. Figure 13 illustrates a top view of a portion of the watch mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention.

Example(s) of embodiment(s) of the invention

[0034] In the following description provided by way of example, reference will be made, for simplicity, to a timepiece mechanism which allows an instantaneous jump display of a large date. It should however be understood that the invention is not limited to such an application, but also includes other applications, for example and in a non-limiting manner a GMT application or an application which allows an indication of the months.

[0035] The invention is also not limited to a jump display, for example an instantaneous jump display.

[0036] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a watch movement comprising the watch mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the watch mechanism 1 makes it possible to drive a part, which in the illustrated example is a coding wheel 40 connected to a display member, for example a large-date display member, such as a display wheel (not visible in the figures).

[0037] In Figure 1, the clock movement is only partially illustrated and will not be described in detail here. It allows in a known manner at least the display of a current time. The clock movement is preferably completely mechanical, but it can also be an electromechanical movement.

[0038] The clockwork mechanism 1 comprises a monolithic lever 10. In this context, the adjective “monolithic” indicates that the lever 10 is made in a monolithic manner.

[0039] As understood herein, “monolithic” means a watch component composed of elements which, by the nature or shape of their assembly, are integral with each other to the point that any deformation of one element causes a deformation of the other elements. A monolithic component can advantageously be formed in a single piece of material, optionally treated to have an external layer of a different nature from the rest of the material (for example an oxidized layer).

[0040] In one embodiment, the rocker 10 is made of steel or silicon. In another embodiment, it is made of glass, sapphire or alumina, of diamond, in particular synthetic diamond (in particular synthetic diamond obtained by a chemical vapor deposition process), of titanium, of titanium alloy (in particular an alloy of the Gum metal (R) family) or an alloy of the elinvar family, in particular Elinvar (R), Nivarox (R), Thermelast (R), NI-Span-C (R) and Precision C (R), of shape memory alloy, in particular Nitinol, of plastic or of Nickel alloy (for example NiP, Ligaflex etc.).

[0041] In one embodiment, the flip-flop 10 is produced by photolithography from a wafer, for example a silicon wafer, by laser cutting, by LIGA (for “Rôntgenlithographie, Galvanoformung und Abformung”), etc.

[0042] This monolithic rocker 10 comprises a rigid body 13 and at least one flexible blade, two in the illustrated example (references 14 and 15 in FIG. 1).

[0043] In this context, the expression “rigid body” designates a body which is not intended to be deformed during the operation of the clock mechanism 1 according to the invention, and whose rigidity is greater than that of the flexible blades.

[0044] In the context of the present application, the expression “flexible blade” designates a blade or a beam, arranged to deform elastically in a main plane of the watch mechanism 1 according to the invention, for example according to a bending movement.

[0045] Each of the flexible blades 14, 15 has a first end connected to the rigid body 13 and a second end connected to a fixed frame 90, for example via a second rigid body 17 of the rocker 10. In particular, in the example of FIG. 1, the rigid body 17 is connected to the fixed frame 90 of the movement via fixing means, for example and in a non-limiting manner screws.

[0046] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second rigid body 17 is housed in correspondence with the periphery of the watch movement. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second rigid body 17 has a shape comprising an arc of a circle.

[0047] The rocker 10 also comprises a first interaction portion 11 and a second interaction portion 12, the two interaction portions 11, 12 being connected by the rigid body 13.

[0048] The clockwork mechanism 1 comprises a first actuator 50, arranged to interact (directly or indirectly, namely via one or more intermediate elements) with the first interaction portion 11.

[0049] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first actuator is the drive wheel 50 arranged to rotate during operation of the watch movement, and which interacts in the illustrated embodiment with the first interaction portion 11 via the finger 20 which is secured to the drive wheel 50.

[0050] In other embodiments, the first actuator 50 is not necessarily a wheel, but may be a disk, a ring, etc. or any other movable rigid element.

[0051] In other embodiments, the first actuator 50 directly interacts (i.e., comes into direct contact) with the first interaction portion 11.

[0052] In the example of FIG. 1, the interaction between the first actuator 50 and the first interaction portion 11 makes it possible to drive, for example via a hook 16, the coding wheel 40, which in turn makes it possible to drive a display wheel (or star) not illustrated, which carries a U disk or ring for displaying the units.

[0053] The clockwork mechanism 1 also comprises a second actuator 30, arranged to interact (directly or indirectly) with the second interaction portion 12. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second actuator is the corrector wheel 30 of the display of the disk or ring U for displaying the units. Although in the example of FIG. 1 the corrector wheel 30 has six teeth, a single tooth would be sufficient to interact with the second interaction portion 12.

[0054] This corrector wheel 30 in FIG. 1 is connected in a known manner to a winding stem T, so that the wearer of the timepiece comprising the watch mechanism 1 can manually correct the display (of the large date in the embodiment of FIG. 1) via the stem T. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the second actuator 30 interacts directly with the second interaction portion 12.

[0055] In one embodiment, the rod T which corrects the time. In this mode, during a first notch of the rod T, it is also possible to correct the date by advancing the time to midnight. In this case, the second actuator is not the corrector wheel 30, but the rod T and/or at least one component of the mechanism which connects the rod T to a display disc or ring. However, this procedure takes more time compared to the correction via the corrector wheel 30.

[0056] In other embodiments, the second actuator 30 is not necessarily a wheel, but may be a disk, a ring, etc. or any other movable rigid element.

[0057] In other embodiments, the second actuator 30 interacts indirectly with the second interaction portion 12.

[0058] When the first actuator 50 interacts with the first interaction portion 11, the rigid body 13 rotates (under the action of the deformation of the flexible blades 14, 15) around a virtual axis X external to the watch mechanism 1, so as to drive the coding wheel 40 with a first winding torque relative to the external virtual axis X. The virtual axis X which is external to the watch mechanism 1 makes it possible to have a desired ratio between a movement of an input of the watch mechanism 1 (namely, a movement of the first actuator 50 and/or the second actuator 30) and a movement of the output of the watch mechanism 1 (namely a movement of the beak(s) of the (double) hook 16, which allows the wheel 40 to be driven).

[0059] When the second actuator 30 interacts with the second interaction portion 12, the rigid body 13 rotates (under the action of the deformation of the flexible blades 14, 15) substantially around this axis X so as to drive the coding wheel 40 with a second winding torque.

[0060] The expression "the rigid body rotates substantially around this X axis" indicates that small tolerances can be accepted, for example tolerances of the order of magnitude of a few millimeters (for example less than or equal to 5 mm) around this X axis.

[0061] Advantageously, the difference between the first arming torque and the second first arming torque is ± 50% of the greater of the first and second arming torques.

[0062] In one embodiment, at least one of the first and second arming torques is between 0.5 N mm and 15 N mm, for example between 5 N mm and 15 N mm.

[0063] The clockwork mechanism 1 thus makes it possible to drive a part (the coding wheel 40 in the example of FIG. 1) via two different inputs, namely via a first actuator 50 or via a second actuator 30.

[0064] In the example of Figure 1, one input (the first actuator 50) is connected to the operation of the movement comprising the watch mechanism 1 according to the invention, and the other (the second actuator 30) is connected to a manual action of the user, for example via the winding stem T.

[0065] These two inputs are not in opposition, but they make it possible to obtain substantially the same kinematic result at the output, namely the driving of the coding wheel 40.

[0066] In one embodiment, the rotation of the rigid body 13 caused by the interaction between the first actuator 50 and the first interaction portion 11 prevents the wheel 40 from being driven by an interaction between the second interaction portion 12 and the second actuator 30.

[0067] In other words, when the first actuator 50 actuates the rotation of the rigid body 13 in order to drive the coding wheel 40, even if a user actuates the winding stem T to rotate the second actuator 30, the second actuator 30 cannot actuate the second interaction portion 12, even if it comes into contact with it.

[0068] In one embodiment, the rotation of the rigid body 13 caused by the interaction between the second actuator 30 and the second interaction portion 12 prevents the wheel 40 from being driven by an interaction between the first interaction portion 11 and the first actuator 50.

[0069] In other words, when the second actuator 30 actuates the rotation of the rigid body 13 in order to drive the coding wheel 40, the first actuator 50 (which rotates permanently during operation of the watch movement) cannot actuate the first interaction portion 11, even if it comes into contact with it.

[0070] In one embodiment, the rocker 10 includes a drive finger or hook 16, connected to the rigid body 13. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the hook body 16 is connected via a flexible blade 160 and an angled portion 19 to the rigid body 13. In other embodiments, the hook body is connected via a flexible blade 160 only to the rigid body 13.

[0071] In one embodiment, the flexible blade 160 allows the double hook 16 to pass over a tooth of the wheel 40 without rotating it, to pass behind this tooth and arm itself. In one embodiment, the flexible blade 160 has sufficient flexibility for the double hook 16 to pass over a tooth of the wheel 40, but also sufficient rigidity to help prevent a double jump by holding the wheel 40 if it wants to go further than its equilibrium position.

[0072] In one embodiment, the rigid body 17 comprises a portion 170 having a shape capable of receiving a portion of the lever, for example the bent portion 19 of the lever 10, in order to limit its travel and therefore its excessive winding. Excessive winding could plasticize the lever 10 in the event of impacts. This embodiment therefore makes it possible to protect the watch mechanism 1 in the event of impacts.

[0073] In one embodiment, the mechanism 1 also comprises means for limiting the travel of the hook 16 and/or the jumper 18, for example and in a non-limiting manner a side of the plate.

[0074] In one embodiment, the axis X around which the rigid body 13 rotates is substantially (i.e. with small tolerances, for example tolerances less than or equal to 5 mm) in correspondence with the intersection of the main axes A, B of the two flexible blades 14, 15, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0075] In one embodiment, the first interaction portion 11 and/or the second interaction portion 12 are protrusions of the rigid body 13, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0076] In one embodiment, the second interaction portion 12 is defined by two substantially straight sides 121, 122, which form an angle γ. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, one of these sides (the side 121 in FIG. 1) belongs to a straight line G which passes substantially (i.e. with small tolerances, for example tolerances less than or equal to 5 mm) through the X axis. This makes it possible to minimize a deformation of the lever 10 when it is armed via the corrector wheel 30. In other words, this allows the force rotating the lever about the virtual X axis to be normal to the radius passing through the X axis: this minimizes any deformation that does not contribute to the rotation about the X axis, or - in other words - maximizes the lever arm to arm the lever in the desired deformation direction.

[0077] In one embodiment, the angle γ is less than or equal to 90°, in order to allow a jump of the corrective wheel 30.

[0078] In one embodiment, the correcting wheel 30 is blocked by known means (such as for example a ratchet reverser) in the direction of rotation of the arming of the lever 10 (the clockwise direction of rotation in FIG. 1) and it is free in the other direction of rotation (the counterclockwise direction of rotation in FIG. 1).

[0079] In one embodiment, the rocker 10 comprises a rigid connection portion 140, 150 for each flexible blade 14, 15, each flexible blade 14, 15 being connected to the frame 90 via this rigid connection portion 140 respectively 150 and via an additional flexible blade 14' respectively 15'. These two rigid portions 140 and 150 make it possible to have flexible zones of reduced length, and therefore to have better defined kinematics.

[0080] When the clockwork mechanism 1 is used to drive a wheel, for example the coding wheel 40, with an instantaneous jump, it comprises a hook 16 arranged to drive the wheel 40 with an instantaneous jump and a jumper 18 to ensure the position of the wheel 40 after a (instantaneous) jump.

[0081] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the jumper 18 has a free end cooperating with the coding wheel 40, as will be seen later, and the other end connected to the frame 90, for example via a flexible blade 180 (and via the rigid body 17 also in the example of FIG. 1).

[0082] In the case of Figure 1, the coding wheel 40 interacts in a known manner with a display wheel (or star) not illustrated carrying a disk or ring U with the digits of the units of a date, namely the digits 0 to 9. In one embodiment, the display wheel comprises ten regularly spaced teeth.

[0083] The coding wheel 40 may be coaxial with another coding wheel 70, for example a tens coding wheel, visible for example in FIG. 3B.

[0084] The coding wheel 70 interacts in a known manner with another display wheel (or star) 80, visible in FIG. 13 and partially in FIG. 1, which is coaxial with the display wheel carrying a disk or ring U (not illustrated), and which carries a disk or ring D. In the example of FIG. 1, the disk or ring D carries the tens digits of a date, namely the digits 0 to 3. In one embodiment, a digit can be repeated several times to limit the angle to be traveled between two digits (the digit "2" in the example of FIG. 1). In one embodiment, this display wheel 80 comprises five regularly spaced teeth, corresponding to the five tens digits.

[0085] Advantageously and as best seen in FIG. 2, the coding wheel 40 comprises N teeth 41 defining N spaces (or bottom) 42 between a tooth and the consecutive tooth.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, N is equal to 30, as illustrated in Figure 2.

[0087] Advantageously, N - 1 spaces 42 are first spaces which have the same width L2 and one (single) space 43 is a second space which has a width L3. This width L3 is twice the width of the N - 1 spaces L2 plus the width L1 of a tooth: L3 = 2 · L2 + L1

[0088] In other words, it is as if the coding wheel 40 had been obtained by starting from a wheel having N + 1 regularly spaced teeth 41 and removing one tooth 41.

[0089] This missing tooth, or in other words this space 43, makes it possible to manage with a single wheel the passage between the number "31" and "01" at the end of a month, because it makes it possible to keep the number "1" of the units during this passage.

[0090] The double hook 16 and the double jumper 18 make it possible to rotate this “incomplete” wheel 40 thirty-one times per revolution, which makes it possible to reduce the total thickness of the mechanism. In fact, the mechanism therefore comprises a board for synchronizing the tens (that of the coding wheel 70) and a board for synchronizing the tens units (that of the coding wheel 40), without needing an additional board to advance the assembly. In the mechanism 1, the double hook 16 and the double jumper 18 belong to the plane of the coding wheel 40.

[0091] Each tooth 41 comprises a protuberance 410 defined by a first side 411 and a second side 412, as visible in FIG. 2 and as will be seen later.

[0092] In one embodiment, the encoder wheel 40 comprises a notch 44 in correspondence with the space 43, arranged to allow the mounting of at least one display wheel 80 through this encoder wheel 40. In one embodiment, the encoder wheel 40 also comprises a hole 45, visible in FIG. 2, in order to index the encoder wheel 40 with the encoder wheel 70.

[0093] Advantageously, the hook 16 of the watch mechanism 1 is a double hook and the jumper 18 is a double jumper. This makes it possible to interact with the coding wheel 40 of the watch mechanism 1, and in particular to cooperate with both the first N - 1 spaces 42 which have the same width L2 and the (only) second space 43 which has a width L3.

[0094] In this context, the term "double hook" indicates a watch component that comprises a first hook (or "beak" or "point") 161 and a second hook 162, visible for example in Figure 3A or in Figures 8 to 10. The first hook 161 and the second hook 162 are separated by a notch or indentation 163, so that in the main plane of the double hook 16, one has a lower position relative to the other, e.g. in the view of Figure 3A, one hook is located below the other. In one embodiment, the notch 163 and the wheel 40 are arranged such that, upon interaction of the hook 16 with the spaces 42 of the wheel 40, the first hook 161 is received in a space 42 and the second hook 162 is received in an adjacent space 42, without jumping into the space that receives the first hook 161. In one embodiment, the length of each hook 161, 162 in the direction of the main axis of the double hook 16 is also different, and in particular the first hook 161 is longer than the second hook 162. In one embodiment, the first hook 161 has a shape different from the shape of the second hook 162. As will be seen, this double hook 16 makes it possible to interact with the teeth of the coding wheel 40 of the watch mechanism 1.

[0095] In this context, the term "double jumper" indicates a watch component that comprises a first jumper 181 and a second jumper 182, the two jumpers being in series, as seen for example in FIG. 3A. In particular, each jumper is arranged to be received by one of the first N - 1 spaces 42 that have the same width L2 and the set of the two jumpers 181, 182 is arranged to be received by the second space 43 having the width L3.

[0096] In one embodiment, the double hook 16 and the double jumper 18 belong to the monolithic lever 10.

[0097] In one embodiment, the first jumper 181 has a shape and dimensions adapted to be received by one of the N - 1 spaces 42 in order to block the driving of the coding wheel 40.

[0098] In one embodiment, the second jumper 182 has a shape and dimensions substantially equal to those of the first jumper 181.

[0099] Figures 4 to 7 illustrate different positions of the coding wheel 40, in particular to illustrate an embodiment of the operation of the double jumper 18.

[0100] When at least one of the first jumper 181 and the second jumper 182 are received in a first space 42' directly adjacent to the second space 43 (the first jumper 181 in FIG. 4) and the other (the second jumper 182 in FIG. 4) is received in (a portion of) the second space 43, the position of the encoder wheel 40 is locked by the jumper that is received in the space 42', namely by the first jumper 181 in the embodiment of FIG. 4.

[0101] From the position of Figure 4, the coding wheel 40 advances under the action of the double hook 16 by one jump and is blocked in the position of Figure 5, in which both the first jumper 181 and the second jumper 182 are received in the space 43 (having the width L3), as visible in Figure 5.

[0102] In Figure 5, the position of the coding wheel 40 is blocked by both the first jumper 181 and the second jumper 182.

[0103] From the position of FIG. 5, the encoder wheel 40 advances under the action of the double hook 16 by one jump and is locked in the position of FIG. 6, in which at least one of the first jumper and the second jumper 181, 182 (the second jumper 182 in FIG. 6) is received in the other space 42" directly adjacent to the second space 43 and the other jumper (the first jumper 181 in FIG. 6) is received in (a portion of) the second space 43.

[0104] In Figure 6, the position of the coding wheel 40 is blocked by the jumper which is received in the space 42" (the second jumper 182 in Figure 6).

[0105] From the position of Figure 6, the encoder wheel 40 advances under the action of the double hook 16 by one jump and is locked in the position of Figure 7, in which at least one between the first jumper and the second jumper 181, 182 (the first jumper 181 in Figure 7) is received in the space 42" directly adjacent to the second space 43 and the other (the second jumper 182 in Figure 7) is received in a first space 42.

[0106] In Figure 7, the position of the coding wheel 40 is locked by both the first jumper 181 and the second jumper 182.

[0107] In the case where both the first jumper and the second jumper 181, 182 are received in a first space 42 not directly adjacent to the second space 43, the position of the coding wheel 40 is blocked by both the first jumper 181 and the second jumper 182.

[0108] To summarize, in order of advancement of the wheel 40: – the wheel 40 is held by the first jumper 181 and by the second jumper 182 (figure 3A), then – the wheel 40 is held only by the jumper 181 (figure 4), then – the wheel 40 is held only by the two jumpers 181, 182, in particular by one of the sides of the first jumper 181 and the other side of the second jumper 182 (figure 5), then – the wheel 40 is held only by the jumper 182 (figure 6), then, – the wheel 40 is held by the first jumper 181 and by the second jumper 182 (figure 3A), – etc.

[0109] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate different positions of the coding wheel 40, in particular to illustrate an embodiment of the operation of the double hook 16.

[0110] In FIG. 8, only the first hook 161 comes into contact with the coding wheel 40, in particular with the second side 412 of a tooth, the second hook 162 not being in contact with the coding wheel 40. As will be seen later, the second side 412 has a certain slope P (visible in FIG. 2).

[0111] The first hook 161 rises along this slope in the direction illustrated by the arrow F in FIG. 9, until the second hook 162 comes into contact with one of the teeth directly adjacent to the one which cooperates with the first hook 161, in particular with its protuberance 410, as visible in FIG. 9. In this case, both the first hook 161 and the second hook 162 can drive the coding wheel 40.

[0112] When there is no longer any contact between the first hook 161 and the tooth that it was driving, as visible in FIG. 10, the coding wheel 40 is still in contact with the second hook 162, which therefore ensures the driving of the coding wheel 40.

[0113] Thus, the drive of the coding wheel 40 is provided initially by the first hook 161 only (FIG. 8) and subsequently by the second hook 162 only (FIG. 10). A drive by both the first hook 161 and the second hook 162 is also possible (FIG. 9).

[0114] In general, the drive of the coding wheel 40 is provided by at least one of the two hooks 161, 162.

[0115] When the first hook 161 is received in the second space 43, and the second hook 162 is received in the other (reference 42') of the two spaces directly adjacent to the space 43, as visible in FIG. 11, the drive of the coding wheel 40 is ensured only by the second hook 162.

[0116] When both the first hook 161 and the second hook 162 are received in the second space 43, as visible in FIG. 12, the drive of the coding wheel 40 is ensured only by the first hook 161.

[0117] To summarize, in one embodiment: – the encoder wheel 40 is driven by at least one of the two hooks 161, 162 (for example according to the chronology illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10), when the first hook 161 is received in a first space 42 and the second hook 162 is received in a first space 42 adjacent to the one receiving the first hook, as visible for example in FIGS. 8 to 10, – then the encoder wheel 40 is driven only by the hook 161, when both the first hook 161 and the second hook 162 are received in the second space 43, as visible in FIG. 12, – then the encoder wheel 40 is driven only by the hook 162 (when the first hook 161 is received in the second space 43, and the second hook 162 is received in the space 42' directly adjacent to the space 42') at space 43, as visible in Figure 11, – then we return to the first step, namely, the coding wheel 40 is driven by the two hooks 161 and 162 according to their own chronology, – etc.

[0118] In one embodiment, the rocker 10 also comprises a jumper 130, visible for example in FIG. 12, to block the position of the display wheel, which carries the U disk or unit display ring. In one embodiment, this jumper 130 is connected to the fixed frame via a flexible blade 131 (and in the example of FIG. 12, also via the second rigid body 17).

[0119] The encoder wheel 40, best seen in FIG. 2, comprises teeth 41 which are arranged to advance the display wheel by instantaneous jumping. These teeth 41 have a profile comprising a slope P. The display wheel (not shown) has an external diameter, namely the diameter of the circle passing through the top of the teeth of the display wheel, which is arranged so that at least one tooth of the display wheel contacts this slope P after an instantaneous jumping.

[0120] Advantageously, the slope P is arranged so that the angle α between the normal N to the slope P in correspondence with the point of contact C between the slope P and a tooth of the display wheel (not illustrated in FIG. 2) and the radius R of the coding wheel 40 in correspondence with the point of contact C is in the range between 5° and 25°, so as to prevent a double jump of the display wheel. This angle α in fact allows a small lever arm for the double jump. This small angle α, minus the friction angle (which in general is between 6° and 11°), leaves almost more lever arm to achieve a double jump.

[0121] In one embodiment, this angle α is in the range between 10° and 22°.

[0122] In one embodiment, the teeth of the display wheel (not shown in FIG. 2) include a rounded tip arranged to contact the slope P.

[0123] In one embodiment, the angle α varies in the range between 5° and 25°, when the rounded tip of the teeth of the display wheel moves along the slope P.

[0124] In one embodiment, when a tooth of the display wheel comes into contact with a slope P, the jumper 18 cooperates with the coding wheel 40 in correspondence with a slope P' of the jumper 18, visible for example in FIGS. 2 and 4, so as to further prevent a double jump of the display wheel.

[0125] In one embodiment, the angle β visible in FIG. 2, formed by the slope P' and a radius R' of the coding wheel 40 in correspondence with the contact point (or zone), is between 30° and 50°, for example between 40° and 50°. This angle β gives a large lever arm to the jumper 18.

[0126] The combination of angle α with angle β further prevents a double jump of the display wheel.

[0127] As discussed, in one embodiment, the mechanism comprises a second encoder wheel 70, coaxial with the first encoder wheel 40, visible for example in FIG. 3A. The encoder wheel 70 interacts in a known manner with another display wheel (or star) 80, visible in FIG. 13 and partially visible in FIG. 1, coaxial with the display wheel and carrying a disk or ring D.

[0128] In one embodiment, the watch mechanism 1 comprises a jumper 81 for the second display wheel 80, this jumper 81 comprising a substantially flat profile 810 in a main plane of the mechanism, as visible in FIG. 13.

[0129] Since the jumper 81 for the second display wheel 80 comprises a substantially flat profile 810, when a tooth of the display wheel 80 contacts the profile 810 and moves along this profile 810, another tooth of the display wheel 80 hits against a tooth 71 of the tens encoder wheel 70 (visible in FIG. 3A), which allows the encoder wheel 70 to return to its original position. In other words, the tip of the tooth of the display wheel 80 will encounter a slope based on the same principle as the slope P of the units on the encoder wheel 40, which will give it little lever arm to make a double jump. The slope will then return the tens disk to the correct position.

[0130] In the embodiment of Figure 13, the jumper 81 for the second display wheel 80 is connected via a flexible blade 82 to a component 200 comprising a rigid main body 203 and two substantially parallel arms, each arm comprising a rigid body 201, 201' and at least one (two in the example of Figure 13) flexible blades 202, 202'. The component 200 also comprises a protuberance 204 which interacts with an eccentric E.

[0131] When moving the eccentric E, for example in the direction of the arrow F1 in Figure 13, the deformations of the flexible blades allow a (counter-intuitive) rotation of the display wheel 80 in the direction of the arrow F2 in Figure 13. This rotation allows the second display wheel 80 to be aligned with the first display wheel.

[0132] In one embodiment, the jumper 81 and the structure 200 form a monolithic part, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

Reference numbers used in the figures

[0133] 1 Clockwork mechanism 10 Monolithic rocker 11 First interaction portion 12 Second interaction portion 13 First rigid body 14 Flexible blade 14' Additional flexible blade 15 Flexible blade 15' Additional flexible blade 16 Double hook 17 Second rigid body 18 Double jumper 19 Bent portion 20 Finger 30 Second actuator (correcting wheel) 40 Coding wheel (of the units) 41 Tooth 42 Space with width L242' Space with width L2directly adjacent to space 43 42" Space with width L2directly adjacent to space 43 43 Space with width L345 Hole of the coding wheel 40 50 First actuator (drive wheel) 70 Coding wheel (of the tens) 80 Display wheel (or star) 81 Jumper 82 Flexible blade 90 Frame 121 Side of the interaction portion 12 122 Side of the interaction portion 12 130 Jumper 131 Flexible blade 140 Rigid connection portion of the flexible blade 14 150 Rigid connection portion of the flexible blade 15 160 Flexible blade 161 First hook 162 Second hook 163 Notch or notch 170 Portion of the second rigid body 17 180 Flexible blade 181 First jumper 182 Second jumper 200 Structure 201 Rigid body 201' Rigid body 202 Flexible blade 202' Flexible blade 203 Rigid main body 204 Protuberance 410 Protuberance 411 First side of the tooth 412 Second side of the tooth α Angle β Angle γ Angle A Principal axis of the flexible blade 14 B Principal axis of the flexible blade 15 C Contact point D Tens display disc or ring E Eccentric F Arrow F1Arrow F2Arrow G Straight line including side 122 L1Tooth width 41 L2Gap width 42 L3Gap width 43 N Normal to slope P at contact point C P Slope of a tooth of wheel 40 P' Slope of jumper R, R' Radius of coding wheel T Winding stem U Units display disc or ring X External virtual axis

Claims (15)

1. A clockwork mechanism (1) for driving a part (40), comprising: – a monolithic lever (10) comprising: – a rigid body (13), – at least one flexible blade (14; 15), having a first end connected to the rigid body and a second end connected to a fixed frame (90), – a first interaction portion (11) and a second interaction portion (12), the two interaction portions being connected by the rigid body (13), – a first actuator (50), arranged to interact with the first interaction portion (11) to drive the part (40), – a second actuator (30), arranged to interact with the second interaction portion (12) to drive the part (40), wherein – when the first actuator (50) interacts with the first interaction portion (11), the rigid body (13) rotates about a virtual axis (X) external to the clockwork mechanism (1) so as to drive the part (40) with a first arming torque relative to the external virtual axis (X), and – when the second actuator (30) interacts with the second interaction portion (12), the rigid body (13) rotates substantially around said axis (X) so as to drive the part (40) with a second torque. 2. Clock mechanism (1) according to claim 1, the interaction between the first actuator (50) and the first interaction portion (11) preventing the driving of the part (40) and/or the interaction between the second interaction portion (12) and the second actuator (30) preventing the driving of the part (40). 3. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, the part (40) being a coding wheel, for example connected to a large date display member. 4. Clock mechanism (1) according to claim 3, the first actuator (50) being a drive wheel and/or the second actuator (30) being a wheel correcting the display of the display member. 5. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, the monolithic lever (10) comprising a hook (16) allowing the part (40) to be driven. 6. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising two flexible blades (14; 15). 7. Clock mechanism (1) according to claim 6, said axis (X) being substantially in correspondence with the intersection of the main directions (A; B) of the two flexible blades (14; 15). 8. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the first interaction portion (11) and/or the second interaction portion (12) being protuberances of the rigid body (13). 9. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the second interaction portion (12) being defined by two substantially straight sides (121, 122), one of these sides belonging to a straight line (G) which passes substantially through said axis (X). 10. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the rigid body (13) being a first rigid body, the monolithic lever (10) comprising a second rigid body (17), the flexible blade(s) (14; 15) being connected to the frame (90) via the second rigid body (17). 11. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, the monolithic lever (10) comprising a rigid connection portion (140; 150) for each flexible blade (14; 15), each flexible blade being connected to the frame (90) via this rigid connection portion (140; 150) and an additional flexible blade (14'; 15'). 12. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 10 to 11, the second rigid body (17) comprises a portion 170 having a shape capable of receiving a portion of the monolithic lever (10), for example a bent portion (19) of the monolithic lever (10), in order to protect the clock mechanism (1) in the event of impacts. 13. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, the monolithic lever (10) also comprising a jumper (18) having one end connected to the rigid body (13). 14. Clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, at least one of the first winding torque and the second winding torque being between 0.5 N mm and 15 N mm. 15. Clock movement and/or timepiece, comprising the clock mechanism (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14.