CH722103A2 - A clockwork movement comprising a mechanical oscillator and an oscillator stop device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a clockwork movement (200) comprising: a mechanical oscillator (120) comprising a balance wheel (121) coupled to an elastic element (130); a control rod (10) movable between a first axial position (T1) and a second axial position, a stopping device (150) of the mechanical oscillator (120) cooperating with the control rod (10); characterized in that the stopping device (150) comprises an elastic element (151) having a first fixed part (151.1) attached to a plate or bridge of the watch movement (200) and a second flexible part (151.2) of which at least a portion is elastically deformable, said second flexible part (151.2) being arranged to come directly to rest on the circumference of a rim (122) of the balance wheel (121) in the second axial position of the control rod (10) and to remain at a distance from the balance wheel (121) in the first axial position (T1) of the control rod (10); and in that the end (10.2) of the control rod (10) opposite the crown (50) modifies the elastic deformation state of the second flexible part (151.2) between the first axial position (T1) and the second axial position of the control rod (10).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to the regulating systems of watch movements.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a stopping device for stopping a mechanical oscillator equipping a clockwork movement regulator system, in particular during a time-setting operation.

Technological background

[0003] Classically, a regulating system includes in particular a mechanical oscillator comprising a balance wheel and an elastic element.

[0004] In a high-end timepiece, the regulator system may also include a device for stopping the mechanical oscillator.

[0005] Such an oscillator stop device, also called a "balance stop," is used to stop the oscillation of the balance wheel, for example, when setting the time on the timepiece using the control stem, thus freezing the position of the seconds hand. Such a stop device allows the watch movement to be restarted at a precise moment.

[0006] Mechanical oscillator stopping devices, typically for balance wheels, traditionally used include a stop lever controlled by the position of the timepiece's control rod or by pressing a pusher. Conventionally, one end of the lever bears against the outer peripheral wall of the balance wheel rim or against the balance wheel axis.

[0007] The stop lever is often activated via the sliding pinion mounted on the winding stem when it is moved to the time-setting position T2. The stop lever can also be coupled to the stem to retrieve this information.

[0008] This stop lever is a rigid part which rests on the rim of the balance wheel and depending on the manufacturing and assembly tolerances, too much force could be applied to the balance wheel which could cause premature wear of the balance wheel shaft and pivots.

[0009] Consequently, there is a need to improve the stopping devices of mechanical oscillators of watch movements.

Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a clockwork mechanism comprising:

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a mechanical oscillator, oscillating around an axis of oscillation, comprising a pendulum coupled to an elastic element;

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a control rod, operable by the user, movable in translation along an axis of revolution of the control rod between a first axial position and a second axial position, the control rod having a first end cooperating with a ring and a second end opposite to the ring;

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a mechanical oscillator stop device cooperating with the control rod and configured to lock the balance wheel in position at the user's request;

characterized in that the stopping device comprises an elastic element having a first fixed part attached to a plate or bridge of the watch movement and a second flexible part of which at least a portion is elastically deformable, said second flexible part being arranged to come directly to rest on the circumference of a rim of the balance wheel in the second axial position of the control rod and to remain at a distance from the balance wheel in the first axial position of the control rod; and in that the second end of the control rod modifies the state of elastic deformation of the second flexible part between the first axial position and the second axial position of the control rod.

[0011] Preferably, the control rod is a winding rod that rotates about the axis of revolution, the first axial position T1 being a winding position for the watch movement and the second axial position T2 being a time-setting position for the watch movement.

[0012] Preferably, the second end of the control rod is configured to come into contact with the second flexible part, so that the second flexible part is directly deformed by the second end of the control rod.

[0013] Preferably, the stop device comprises a stop lever interposed between the control rod and the elastic element, the stop lever cooperating directly with the second flexible part and the second end of the control rod being configured to come into contact with the stop lever.

[0014] Preferably, the elastic element is a leaf spring.

Brief description of the figures

[0015] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description below, which refers to the following figures:

[0016] –

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first example of the realization of a clockwork movement regulator system comprising a mechanical oscillator and a device for stopping the mechanical oscillator according to the invention; Figure 1 particularly illustrates the stopping device in the non-activated position;

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Figure 2 schematically illustrates the regulator system of Figure 1 when the stop device is in the activated position and the mechanical oscillator is at rest;

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Figure 3 schematically illustrates a second example of the embodiment of a clockwork movement regulator system comprising a mechanical oscillator and a mechanical oscillator stop device according to the invention; Figure 3 particularly illustrates the stop device in the non-activated position;

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Figure 4 schematically illustrates the regulator system of Figure 3 when the stop device is in the activated position and the mechanical oscillator is at rest.

[0017] In all figures, common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified.

Detailed description of the invention

[0018] Figures 1 to 2 schematically illustrate different states of a first example of an embodiment of a regulating system 100 of a clock movement 200 according to the invention comprising a stopping device 150 to stop the mechanical oscillator 120 of the regulating system 100.

[0019] Figure 1 particularly illustrates the regulator system 100 in operation when the stop device 150 is in a non-activated position (rest position). In this position, the mechanical oscillator 120 oscillates freely.

[0020] Figure 2 particularly illustrates the regulator system 100 at the moment of activation of the stop device 150, when the latter is in an activated position and the mechanical oscillator 120 is at rest.

[0021] The regulator system 100 of the clock movement 200 conventionally comprises a mechanical oscillator 120 oscillating around an oscillation axis A1, an anchor 110 and an escape wheel 140.

[0022] The mechanical oscillator 120 comprises a balance wheel 121 equipped with a rim 122, generally circular in shape, attached to a central part by balance arms. The central part is integral with a balance shaft, extending along the axis of oscillation A1.

[0023] In a conventional manner, the balance wheel 121 is coupled to an elastic element, for example a balance spring 130. The coupling of the balance spring 130 to the balance wheel 121 is carried out in a conventional manner.

[0024] Each oscillation of said mechanical oscillator 120 is defined by the succession of two alternations characterized by the rotation of the balance wheel 121 in a first direction of rotation and then in a second opposite direction of rotation.

[0025] The regulator system 100 according to the invention includes a stop device 150 allowing the oscillation of the mechanical oscillator 120, and more particularly of the balance wheel 121, to be blocked at the user's request.

[0026] The stop device 150 comprises an elastic element 151, for example a spring blade, having a first fixed part 151.1 forming a first end of the elastic element 151. This first fixed part 151.1 is integral with a plate or a bridge of the watch movement 200. This first fixed part 151.1 is, for example, made integral with the plate or the bridge by screwing.

[0027] The elastic element 151 has a second flexible part 151.2 extending to a second free end 151.3 of the elastic element 151 opposite the first end 151.1.

[0028] This second flexible part 151.2 comprises at least one elastically deformable portion.

[0029] The second flexible part 151.2 is shaped to cooperate with the rim 122 of the balance wheel 121. More particularly, the second flexible part 151.2 is configured to come into contact with the rim 122 of the balance wheel 121 and to generate a friction force blocking the oscillation of the balance wheel 121 when the stop device 150 is activated by the user.

[0030] The second flexible part 151.2 is configured to come into contact with the serge 122 of the rocker 121 at a portion close to the second end of the elastic element 151.

[0031] The second flexible part 151.2 is configured to come into contact with the outer peripheral perimeter of the rim 122 of the rocker 121.

[0032] Preferably, the elastically deformable portion of the second flexible part 151.2 is located near the first fixed part 151.1 forming the first end of the elastic element 151.

[0033] The second flexible part 151.2 of the elastic element 151 has two positions and two different deformation states depending on the axial position of a control rod 10 of the watch movement 200.

[0034] The control rod 10 is for example a winding rod of the watch movement 200, operable by the user.

[0035] The control rod 10 is mobile in rotation and translation about an axis of revolution X of the control rod 10.

[0036] The control rod 10 is mobile in translation between a first axial position T1 shown in figures 1 and 3 and a second axial position T2 shown in figures 2 and 4.

[0037] The first axial position T1 of the control rod 10 is typically a winding position for the watch movement 200 and the second axial position T2 is a time-setting position for the watch movement 200. Thus, the second axial time-setting position T2 of the control rod 10 allows the stop device 150 to be actuated to stop the oscillation of the balance wheel 121 and allow for precise time setting of the watch movement 200.

[0038] The control rod 10 has a first end 10.1 cooperating with a crown 50 that can be manipulated by the user and a second end 10.2 opposite the crown 50 which cooperates with the clockwork movement, as well as with the stop device 150 according to the invention.

[0039] The second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 cooperates directly or indirectly with the elastic element 151 of the stop device 150 so as to modify the elastic deformation state of the second flexible part 151.2 as well as the relative position of the second flexible part 151.2 with respect to the rim 122 of the rocker 121 as a function of the axial position T1, T2 of the control rod 10.

[0040] In the first axial position T1 of the control rod 10, the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 cooperates with the elastic element 151 so that the second flexible part 151.2 is kept away from the balance wheel 121, the second end 10.2 causing an elastic deformation of the second flexible part 15.2 moving it away from the balance wheel 121.

[0041] In the second axial position T2 of the control rod 10, the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 does not cooperate with the elastic element 151 so that the second flexible part 151.2 is no longer constrained by the control rod 10, it is therefore free to come to rest on the circumference of the rim 122 of the balance wheel 121 by elastic return of the second flexible part 151.2 which was pre-constrained by the end 10.2 of the control rod 10 in the axial position T1 of winding.

[0042] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 2, the stop device 150 also includes a rigid stop lever 156 that is rotatable about its axis of revolution A2. The stop lever 156 is an intermediate piece interposed between the elastic element 150 and the control rod 10, such that the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 is not in direct contact with the elastic element 151. In this embodiment, the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 acts directly on the stop lever 156, which constrains the second flexible part 151.2 when the control rod 10 is in its axial position T1.

[0043] A positioning stop 157 can be provided to limit the rotation of the stop lever 156 during the elastic return of the elastic element 151 when the control rod 10 passes into position T2.

[0044] In a second embodiment illustrated in figures 3 to 4, the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 is in direct contact with the second flexible part 151.2 of the elastic element 151, so as to pre-stress the second flexible part 151.2 in the axial position T1 of the control rod 10 as described previously.

[0045] In the axial position T2 for time setting, the axial displacement of the second end 10.2 of the control rod 10 releases the second flexible part 151.2 of the elastic element 151 which is free to come into contact with the rim 122 of the balance wheel 121 by elastic return.

[0046] It will be noted in general that the elastic element 151 is always in a constrained state, different from its free state, when the second flexible part 151.2 of the elastic element 151 is in contact with the balance wheel 121, in particular to ensure contact with the balance wheel 121 and to guarantee a sufficient friction force to ensure the stopping of the balance wheel 121.

[0047] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a clock movement 200 according to the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A clockwork movement (200) comprising: – a mechanical oscillator (120), oscillating about an axis of oscillation (A1), comprising a balance wheel (121) coupled to an elastic element (130); – a control rod (10), actuable by the user, movable in translation about an axis of revolution (X) of the control rod (10) between a first axial position (T1) and a second axial position (T2), the control rod (10) having a first end (10.1) cooperating with a crown (50) and a second end (10.2) opposite the crown (50); – a stop device (150) for the mechanical oscillator (120) cooperating with the control rod (10) and configured to lock the balance wheel (121) in position at the user's request; characterized in that the stopping device (150) comprises an elastic element (151) having a first fixed part (151.1) attached to a plate or bridge of the watch movement (200) and a second flexible part (151.2) of which at least a portion is elastically deformable, said second flexible part (151.2) being arranged to come directly to rest on the circumference of a rim (122) of the balance wheel (121) in the second axial position (T2) of the control rod (10) and to remain at a distance from the balance wheel (121) in the first axial position (T1) of the control rod (10); and in that the second end (10.2) of the control rod (10) modifies the elastic deformation state of the second flexible part (151.2) between the first axial position (T1) and the second axial position (T2) of the control rod (10). 2. Watch movement (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control rod (10) is a winding rod movable in rotation about the axis of revolution (X), the first axial position (T1) being a winding position of the watch movement (200) and the second axial position (T2) being a time-setting position of the watch movement (200). 3. Clock movement (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (10.2) of the control rod (10) is configured to come into contact with the second flexible part (151.2), so that the second flexible part (151.2) is directly deformed by the second end (10.2) of the control rod (10). 4. Clock movement (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the stop device (150) comprises a stop lever (156) interposed between the control rod (10) and the elastic element (151), the stop lever (156) cooperating directly with the second flexible part (151.2) and the second end (10.2) of the control rod (10) being configured to come into contact with the stop lever (156). 5. Clock movement (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic element (151) is a leaf spring.