EP0681228B1 - Means for coupling a mechanical energy source with an electric generator in a time piece - Google Patents

Means for coupling a mechanical energy source with an electric generator in a time piece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0681228B1
EP0681228B1 EP95106408A EP95106408A EP0681228B1 EP 0681228 B1 EP0681228 B1 EP 0681228B1 EP 95106408 A EP95106408 A EP 95106408A EP 95106408 A EP95106408 A EP 95106408A EP 0681228 B1 EP0681228 B1 EP 0681228B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
turns
spring
tube
generator
cylindrical element
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EP95106408A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0681228A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Luc Béguin
Pierre Haefeli
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
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Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for coupling between a mechanical energy source and a generator of electrical energy in a room timepiece comprising a shaft driven by said mechanical power source and a cylindrical element mounted fixedly and coaxially on this tree.
  • Such a coupling device is known from the articles HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL, vol. 132, no. 4, October 1989 UPTON GB, pages 124-125, XP 000054948 AG RANDALL 'Technical Report - The Jean d'Eve Samara', UHREN, JUWELEN, SCHMUCK, no.
  • the latter comprises an AC generator, a rechargeable battery and a charging system interposed between the generator and the battery, the generator comprising a multipolar rotor carrying permanent magnets and a stator provided with windings delivering the AC current.
  • An eccentric mass drives the rotor.
  • the rotor, stator and ground are mounted coaxially.
  • the coupling between the mass, source of mechanical energy, and the rotor of the electric power generator is carried out, at least in one embodiment described, by a spiral spring, one of the ends of which is attached to a cylindrical element making part of the pivot shaft of the eccentric mass, the other end of which is attached to a cage carrying the generator rotor.
  • the rotor In the idle state, the rotor is magnetically retained by the stator, which constitutes a certain positioning torque.
  • the mass When the mass begins to rotate, it tends or winds the spiral spring around the cylindrical element until the energy accumulated by the spring exceeds the positioning energy of the rotor relative to the stator. From this moment, the rotor is released and rotated at high speed until the kinetic energy stored by the spring is used up, the generator then producing a high electromotive force to charge the battery.
  • the present invention is characterized in that said element cylindrical is surmounted by a tube mounted to turn freely around said tree and arranged to train said generator, a helical spring being adjusted to greasy friction on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first and last turns respectively, a space being provided between said tube and element cylindrical and the central turns of said spring.
  • the coupling device 1 fits between a mechanical energy source 2 and a generator of electrical energy 3 as seen on the figure 1.
  • the energy source mechanical 2 is an oscillating eccentric mass of the type of that fitted to mechanical winding watches automatic.
  • the generator electrical energy 3 consists of a rotor magnetized 33 carried by a shaft 27. By turning, the rotor produces variations in magnetic flux on a winding 34 disposed in a casing 40 for flow return.
  • the housing is fixed in a plate 32 of the watch.
  • the stream AC AC collected across the coil 34 is intended to charge an accumulator of the type gold cap by example, and this via a conventional rectifier. In turn the accumulator will power a quartz oscillator, a frequency divider and stepper motor like this is well known for electronic watches.
  • the oscillating mass is animated by a movement bidirectional to make it unidirectional for reassemble a barrel spring.
  • this mass oscillating pivots in the center of the movement and coaxially to the switch and is supported by a ball bearing, part 41 is shown in FIG. 1.
  • a wheel 30 whose teeth are engaged with a first ratchet wheel 13.
  • the wheel 30 also meshes on a second ratchet wheel 14 as sketched dashed line in Figure 2.
  • the first ratchet wheel 13 (see Figures 1 and 2) cooperates with a first disc trainer 50 chased on a tree 4 driving the coupling device 1 according to the invention.
  • the second ratchet wheel 14 (see dotted representation of the Figure 2) cooperates with a second driving disc 51 in taken directly from the first disk 50.
  • a second driving disc 51 in taken directly from the first disk 50.
  • shaft 4 always rotate in the same direction, whatever the direction of rotation of mass 2.
  • the generator 3 is driven by a large diameter wheel 15.
  • This wheel is integral with tube 6.
  • the teeth 26 of this wheel 15 are engaged with a pinion 25 carried by the shaft 27 of generator 3.
  • the shaft 4 of the coupling device pivots between the stage 32 of the movement and a bridge 31 carried by this movement.
  • the operation of the coupling is as follows:
  • shaft 4 When shaft 4 turns (unidirectionally as mentioned above), it drives the first turns 8 of spring 7, tight with greasy friction around the cylindrical element 5 and wound in a direction which has tendency to further tighten this friction, to turn with him.
  • the last turns 9 of the spring 7 coiled with greasy friction on this tube tighten still around him, which has the consequence of straining the spring 7 in its central turns 11 which contract and decrease in diameter to thus accumulate energy developed by the mechanical energy source from the oscillating mass.
  • the couple stored by the spring 7 exceeds the positioning torque of the generator 3, the latter starts to rotate at high speed, driven as it is by the wheel 15 secured to the tube 6.
  • the generator will run until it runs out potential energy stored in spring 7, then will continue its race for a few more laps because, upon exhaustion, the spring 7 tends to slip the location of the first and last turns 8 and 9, which allows generator 3 to further release energy kinetics acquired by its rotor 33.
  • This device shows that not only it is shock free (spring 7 is not fixed anywhere) thereby imparting to it a long service life, but yet he is able to restore the energy that has been conferred almost entirely, since yields around 98% could be measured. It’s actually a very advantageous device allowing on the one hand the engagement and disengagement between an energy source mechanical and an electric power generator and on the other hand the almost complete restitution of energy stored by the mechanical energy source.
  • the proposed device also makes it possible to transform the relatively slow speed of the energy source mechanical (around 240 rpm) at a very high speed fast (around 15,000 rpm) which is favorable the overall performance of the generator.
  • the high speed multiplication generated by the ratio between the number of teeth of the pinion 25 of the shaft of the generator and the number of teeth 26 of the big wheel uniting with the device of the invention contributes significantly at this high speed.
  • the generator is still driven at the same speed, since it is only released when its positioning torque is less than the torque mechanical stored by the spring. This has the advantage to ensure a constant output, the generator restoring always the same amount of energy.
  • the helical spring has central turns 11 whose diameter is larger large than the diameter of the first and last turns 8 and 9, these first and last turns presenting a substantially equal diameter. Therefore the diameter outside 16 of the tube 6 and the outside diameter 18 of the cylindrical element 5 are also substantially the same. This this way we simplify the way of achieving the spring 7.
  • the tube 6 is stepped according to at least two different diameters, the first 16 receiving the last turns 9 of the spring 7 and the second 17, smaller penetrating at least partially inside the cylindrical element 5 shaped into a shape cup, the outside diameter 18 of said cup receiving the first turns 8 of the spring 7.
  • a spring 7 of constant diameter from top to bottom since a space 10 would always be provided between the lower part 45 of the tube 6 and the central turns 11 of the spring 7.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

Description

La présente invention est relative à un dispositif de couplage entre une source d'énergie mécanique et une génératrice d'énergie électrique dans une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un arbre entraíné par ladite source d'énergie mécanique et un élément cylindrique monté fixement et coaxialement sur cet arbre.The present invention relates to a device for coupling between a mechanical energy source and a generator of electrical energy in a room timepiece comprising a shaft driven by said mechanical power source and a cylindrical element mounted fixedly and coaxially on this tree.

Un tel dispositif de couplage est connu des articles HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL, vol. 132, no. 4, Octobre 1989 UPTON GB, pages 124-125, XP 000054948 A.G. RANDALL 'Technical Report - The Jean d'Eve Samara', UHREN, JUWELEN, SCHMUCK, no. 5, 1988, pages 65-66, Bielefeld, DE;"Jetzt aus der Schweiz: Quartz-Automatik mit "Generotor-System"" et de la demande EP-A-0 334 088 qui décrivent une montre comprenant une masse rotative oscillante productrice de l'énergie nécessaire à la marche du mouvement, pivotée au centre de celui-ci, qui, pour obtenir un montage de la masse rotative oscillante de celle-ci, qui soit à la fois peu encombrante et robuste, et qui, de surcroít, permette une liaison aisée entre la masse et le rouage conduisant à l'organe qu'elle doit entraíner, prévoit que l'organe de liaison entre la partie périphérique de ladite masse et son centre de rotation passe au-dessus du cadran de la montre.
Un tel dispositif est d'autre part aussi connu du brevet US-A-4 644 246 pour alimenter en courant notamment une pièce d'horlogerie. Cette dernière comporte une génératrice AC, une batterie rechargeable et un système de charge interposé entre la génératrice et la batterie, la génératrice comportant un rotor multipolaire portant des aimants permanents et un stator pourvu d'enroulements délivrant le courant AC. Une masse excentrique entraíne le rotor. Le rotor, le stator et la masse sont montés coaxialement. Le couplage entre la masse, source d'énergie mécanique, et le rotor de la génératrice d'énergie électrique est réalisé, au moins dans un mode d'exécution décrit, par un ressort spiral dont une des extrémités est attachée à un élément cylindrique faisant partie de l'arbre de pivotement de la masse excentrique et dont l'autre des extrémités est attachée à une cage portant le rotor de la génératrice. A l'état de repos, le rotor est retenu magnétiquement par le stator, ce qui constitue un certain couple de positionnement. Quand la masse commence à tourner, elle tend ou enroule le ressort spiral autour de l'élément cylindrique jusqu'à ce que l'énergie accumulée par le ressort dépasse l'énergie de positionnement du rotor par rapport au stator. A partir de ce moment, le rotor est libéré et pivoté à vitesse rapide jusqu'à épuisement de l'énergie cinétique emmagasiné par le ressort, la génératrice produisant alors une force électromotrice élevée pour charger la batterie.Such a coupling device is known from the articles HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL, vol. 132, no. 4, October 1989 UPTON GB, pages 124-125, XP 000054948 AG RANDALL 'Technical Report - The Jean d'Eve Samara', UHREN, JUWELEN, SCHMUCK, no. 5, 1988, pages 65-66, Bielefeld, DE; "Jetzt aus der Schweiz: Quartz-Automatik mit" Generotor-System "" and application EP-A-0 334 088 which describe a watch comprising a rotating oscillating mass producing of the energy necessary for the movement to move, pivoted in the center of it, which, in order to obtain an assembly of the oscillating rotary mass thereof, which is both compact and robust, and which, moreover , allows an easy connection between the mass and the gear train leading to the member which it must drive, provides that the connecting member between the peripheral part of said mass and its center of rotation passes over the watch face .
Such a device is also known from patent US-A-4,644,246 for supplying current, in particular a timepiece. The latter comprises an AC generator, a rechargeable battery and a charging system interposed between the generator and the battery, the generator comprising a multipolar rotor carrying permanent magnets and a stator provided with windings delivering the AC current. An eccentric mass drives the rotor. The rotor, stator and ground are mounted coaxially. The coupling between the mass, source of mechanical energy, and the rotor of the electric power generator is carried out, at least in one embodiment described, by a spiral spring, one of the ends of which is attached to a cylindrical element making part of the pivot shaft of the eccentric mass, the other end of which is attached to a cage carrying the generator rotor. In the idle state, the rotor is magnetically retained by the stator, which constitutes a certain positioning torque. When the mass begins to rotate, it tends or winds the spiral spring around the cylindrical element until the energy accumulated by the spring exceeds the positioning energy of the rotor relative to the stator. From this moment, the rotor is released and rotated at high speed until the kinetic energy stored by the spring is used up, the generator then producing a high electromotive force to charge the battery.

Pour astucieuse qu'elle soit, la solution proposée ci-dessus présente cependant plusieurs inconvénients. D'abord le système est soumis incessamment à des chocs répétés. Le ressort spiral, soudé d'une part à l'élément cylindrique et d'autre part à la cage supportant le rotor de la génératrice, est sollicité tant au début de l'armage de ressort (démarrage brusque de la masse excentrique), qu'à la fin du déroulement du même ressort (arrêt brusque du rotor quand le ressort s'est complètement déroulé). Ces phénomènes fatiguent fortement les attaches intérieure et extérieure du ressort spiral pour les amener rapidement à se casser. D'autre part, on a constaté qu'une fois l'énergie emmagasiné par le ressort a été entièrement restituée au rotor, c'est-à-dire lorsque le ressort est entièrement déroulé, le rotor s'arrête brusquement de tourner, alors qu'il pourrait continuer de tourner sur sa lancée et restituer ainsi sa propre énergie cinétique.As clever as it is, the proposed solution above, however, has several drawbacks. First, the system is constantly subjected to shocks repeated. The spiral spring, welded on the one hand to the element cylindrical and on the other hand to the cage supporting the rotor of the generator, is requested both at the start of the arming spring (sudden start of the eccentric mass), that at the end of the course of the same spring (sudden stop rotor when the spring has fully unwound). These phenomena strongly strain the inner attachments and outside of the spiral spring to quickly bring them to break. On the other hand, it was found that once the energy stored by the spring has been fully returned to the rotor, i.e. when the spring is fully unwound, the rotor suddenly stops turn, when it could continue to turn on its launched and thus restore its own kinetic energy.

Pour pallier les inconvénients cités, la présente invention est caractérisée en ce que ledit élément cylindrique est surmonté par un tube monté pour tourner librement autour dudit arbre et arrangé pour entraíner ladite génératrice, un ressort hélicoïdal étant ajusté à frottement gras sur l'élément cylindrique et sur le tube par ses premières et dernières spires respectivement, un espace étant ménagé entre lesdits tube et élément cylindrique et les spires centrales dudit ressort.To overcome the disadvantages mentioned, the present invention is characterized in that said element cylindrical is surmounted by a tube mounted to turn freely around said tree and arranged to train said generator, a helical spring being adjusted to greasy friction on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first and last turns respectively, a space being provided between said tube and element cylindrical and the central turns of said spring.

L'invention sera comprise maintenant à la lecture de la description suivante donnée à titre d'exemple et illustrée par le dessin dans lequel :

  • la figure 1 est une coupe partielle dans un mécanisme utilisant le dispositif de couplage selon l'invention, et
  • la figure 2 est une coupe du dispositif de couplage proprement dit et selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention.
The invention will now be understood on reading the following description given by way of example and illustrated by the drawing in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a partial section in a mechanism using the coupling device according to the invention, and
  • Figure 2 is a section of the coupling device itself and according to an embodiment of the invention.

Le dispositif de couplage 1 selon l'invention s'inscrit entre une source d'énergie mécanique 2 et une génératrice d'énergie électrique 3 comme on le voit sur la figure 1. Dans l'exemple choisi, la source d'énergie mécanique 2 est une masse excentrique oscillante du type de celle équipant les montres mécaniques à remontage automatique. Bien sûr que l'invention n'est pas limitée à cette masse particulière, mais pourrait être étendue à d'autres sources d'énergie mécanique. La génératrice d'énergie électrique 3 se compose quant à elle d'un rotor aimanté 33 porté par un arbre 27. En tournant, le rotor produit des variations de flux magnétique sur un bobinage 34 disposé dans un carter 40 de retour de flux. Le carter est fixé dans une platine 32 de la montre. Le courant alternatif AC recueilli aux bornes de la bobine 34 est destiné à charger un accumulateur du type gold cap par exemple, et cela via un redresseur classique. A son tour l'accumulateur va alimenter un oscillateur à quartz, un diviseur de fréquence et un moteur pas à pas comme cela est bien connu des montres électroniques.The coupling device 1 according to the invention fits between a mechanical energy source 2 and a generator of electrical energy 3 as seen on the figure 1. In the example chosen, the energy source mechanical 2 is an oscillating eccentric mass of the type of that fitted to mechanical winding watches automatic. Of course, the invention is not limited to this particular mass, but could be extended to other sources of mechanical energy. The generator electrical energy 3 consists of a rotor magnetized 33 carried by a shaft 27. By turning, the rotor produces variations in magnetic flux on a winding 34 disposed in a casing 40 for flow return. The housing is fixed in a plate 32 of the watch. The stream AC AC collected across the coil 34 is intended to charge an accumulator of the type gold cap by example, and this via a conventional rectifier. In turn the accumulator will power a quartz oscillator, a frequency divider and stepper motor like this is well known for electronic watches.

Dans les pièces d'horlogerie à remontage automatique la masse oscillante est animée d'un mouvement bidirectionnel qu'il s'agit de rendre unidirectionnel pour remonter un ressort de barillet. Généralement cette masse oscillante pivote au centre du mouvement et coaxialement à l'aiguillage et est supportée par un palier à billes dont une partie 41 est représentée en figure 1. A cette masse est liée une roue 30 dont les dents sont en prise avec une première roue à cliquets 13. La roue 30 engrène également sur une seconde roue à cliquets 14 comme cela est esquissé en pointillés sur la figure 2. La première roue à cliquet 13 (voir figures 1 et 2) coopère avec un premier disque entraíneur 50 chassé sur un arbre 4 entraínant le dispositif de couplage 1 selon l'invention. La seconde roue à cliquets 14 (voir représentation en pointillé de la figure 2) coopère avec un second disque entraíneur 51 en prise directe sur le premier disque 50. Dans ce système, quand la masse entraínant la roue 30 tourne dans un sens, c'est la première roue à cliquet 13 qui entraíne le premier disque 50 dans un sens horaire, alors que si cette masse tourne dans l'autre sens, c'est la seconde roue à cliquet 14 qui entraíne le second disque 51 dans un sens antihoraire, ce second disque 51 faisant tourner à son tour le premier disque 50 dans un sens horaire. Ainsi l'arbre 4 tourne-t-il toujours dans le même sens quelque soit le sens de rotation de la masse 2. Ce système est bien connu de l'état de la technique et le lecteur qui voudrait en savoir plus lira avec profit l'ouvrage de B. Humbert intitulé : "La montre suisse à remontage automatique" Edition Scriptar, Lausanne 1955, pages 198 à 202.In self-winding timepieces the oscillating mass is animated by a movement bidirectional to make it unidirectional for reassemble a barrel spring. Generally this mass oscillating pivots in the center of the movement and coaxially to the switch and is supported by a ball bearing, part 41 is shown in FIG. 1. At this mass is linked a wheel 30 whose teeth are engaged with a first ratchet wheel 13. The wheel 30 also meshes on a second ratchet wheel 14 as sketched dashed line in Figure 2. The first ratchet wheel 13 (see Figures 1 and 2) cooperates with a first disc trainer 50 chased on a tree 4 driving the coupling device 1 according to the invention. The second ratchet wheel 14 (see dotted representation of the Figure 2) cooperates with a second driving disc 51 in taken directly from the first disk 50. In this system, when the mass driving the wheel 30 turns in one direction, it is the first ratchet wheel 13 which drives the first disc 50 clockwise, whereas if this mass turns the other way, it's the second wheel to pawl 14 which drives the second disc 51 in one direction counterclockwise, this second disc 51 rotating at its turn the first disc 50 clockwise. So does shaft 4 always rotate in the same direction, whatever the direction of rotation of mass 2. This system is well known from the state of the art and the reader who would like to know more will read profitably the work of B. Humbert entitled: "The Swiss winding watch automatic "Edition Scriptar, Lausanne 1955, pages 198 to 202.

Si l'on revient maintenant à l'invention proprement dite, illustrée à plus grande échelle en figure 2, on aperçoit que sur l'arbre 4 entraíné comme on l'a vu plus haut, est monté fixement et coaxialement, par chassage par exemple, un élément cylindrique 5. L'élément cylindrique 5 est surmonté d'un tube 6 arrangé pour tourner librement autour de l'arbre 4. La liberté du tube 6 est assurée par deux pierres 23 et 24 chassées dans le tube et dont le trou central est ajusté librement sur l'arbre 4 qui est arrangé pour entraíner la génératrice 3 (figure 1). Comme le montre bien la figure 2, un ressort hélicoïdal 7 est ajusté à frottement gras sur l'élément cylindrique 5 et sur le tube 6 par ses premières 8 et dernières 9 spires respectivement. La figure 2 montre encore qu'un espace 10 est ménagé entre les tube et élément cylindrique et les spires centrales 11 que présente le ressort 7.If we now return to the invention properly said, illustrated on a larger scale in Figure 2, we notices that on the tree 4 driven as we saw more high, is fixedly and coaxially mounted, by driving example, a cylindrical element 5. The cylindrical element 5 is surmounted by a tube 6 arranged to rotate freely around the shaft 4. The freedom of the tube 6 is ensured by two stones 23 and 24 driven into the tube and the central hole is freely adjusted on the shaft 4 which is arranged to drive the generator 3 (Figure 1). As as shown in FIG. 2, a helical spring 7 is adjusted with greasy friction on the cylindrical element 5 and on tube 6 by its first 8 and last 9 turns respectively. Figure 2 also shows that a space 10 is formed between the tube and cylindrical element and the central turns 11 presented by the spring 7.

Dans l'exemple illustré en figure 2 la génératrice 3 est entraínée par une roue 15 de grand diamètre. Cette roue est solidaire du tube 6. Les dents 26 de cette roue 15 sont en prise avec un pignon 25 porté par l'arbre 27 de la génératrice 3. On voit sur la même figure que l'arbre 4 du dispositif de couplage pivote entre la platine 32 du mouvement et un pont 31 porté par ce mouvement. En fait, le fonctionnement du dispositif de couplage est le suivant :In the example illustrated in Figure 2 the generator 3 is driven by a large diameter wheel 15. This wheel is integral with tube 6. The teeth 26 of this wheel 15 are engaged with a pinion 25 carried by the shaft 27 of generator 3. We see in the same figure that the shaft 4 of the coupling device pivots between the stage 32 of the movement and a bridge 31 carried by this movement. In fact, the operation of the coupling is as follows:

Lorsque l'arbre 4 tourne (unidirectionnellement comme mentionné ci-dessus), il entraíne les premières spires 8 du ressort 7, serrées à frottement gras autour de l'élément cylindrique 5 et enroulées dans un sens qui a tendance à resserrer encore davantage ce frottement, à tourner avec lui. Comme le tube 6 est retenu de tourner par le couple de positionnement magnétique de la génératrice 3, les dernières spires 9 du ressort 7 enroulées à frottement gras sur ce tube se resserrent encore autour de lui, ce qui a pour conséquence de tendre le ressort 7 en ses spires centrales 11 qui se contractent et diminuent de diamètre pour accumuler ainsi l'énergie développée par la source d'énergie mécanique issue de la masse oscillante. Dès que le couple emmagasiné par le ressort 7 dépasse le couple de positionnement de la génératrice 3, cette dernière se met à tourner à grande vitesse, entraínée qu'elle est par la roue 15 solidaire du tube 6. La génératrice va tourner jusqu'à épuiser l'énergie potentielle emmagasinée dans le ressort 7, puis va continuer sa course pendant quelques tours encore car, dès cet épuisement, le ressort 7 a tendance à patiner à l'endroit des premières et dernières spires 8 et 9, ce qui permet à la génératrice 3 de libérer encore l'énergie cinétique acquise par son rotor 33.When shaft 4 turns (unidirectionally as mentioned above), it drives the first turns 8 of spring 7, tight with greasy friction around the cylindrical element 5 and wound in a direction which has tendency to further tighten this friction, to turn with him. As tube 6 is restrained from turning by the magnetic positioning torque of the generator 3, the last turns 9 of the spring 7 coiled with greasy friction on this tube tighten still around him, which has the consequence of straining the spring 7 in its central turns 11 which contract and decrease in diameter to thus accumulate energy developed by the mechanical energy source from the oscillating mass. As soon as the couple stored by the spring 7 exceeds the positioning torque of the generator 3, the latter starts to rotate at high speed, driven as it is by the wheel 15 secured to the tube 6. The generator will run until it runs out potential energy stored in spring 7, then will continue its race for a few more laps because, upon exhaustion, the spring 7 tends to slip the location of the first and last turns 8 and 9, which allows generator 3 to further release energy kinetics acquired by its rotor 33.

Ce dispositif fait apparaítre que non seulement il est exempt de chocs (le ressort 7 n'est fixé à nulle part) lui impartissant de ce fait une longue durée de vie, mais encore qu'il est capable de restituer l'énergie qui lui a été conférée presque intégralement, puisque des rendements de l'ordre de 98% ont pu être mesurés. Il s'agit en fait d'un dispositif très avantageux permettant d'une part l'embrayage et le débrayage entre une source d'énergie mécanique et une génératrice d'énergie électrique et d'autre part la restitution quasi intégrale de l'énergie emmagasinée par la source d'énergie mécanique. This device shows that not only it is shock free (spring 7 is not fixed anywhere) thereby imparting to it a long service life, but yet he is able to restore the energy that has been conferred almost entirely, since yields around 98% could be measured. It’s actually a very advantageous device allowing on the one hand the engagement and disengagement between an energy source mechanical and an electric power generator and on the other hand the almost complete restitution of energy stored by the mechanical energy source.

Le dispositif proposé permet également de transformer la vitesse relativement lente de la source d'énergie mécanique (environ 240 tours/minute) en une vitesse très rapide (environ 15'000 tours/minute) ce qui est favorable au rendement global de la génératrice. A noter que la forte multiplication de vitesse engendrée par le rapport entre le nombre de dents du pignon 25 de l'arbre de la génératrice et le nombre de dents 26 de la grande roue faisant bloc avec le dispositif de l'invention, contribue de façon importante à cette vitesse élevée. A noter également que la génératrice est toujours entraínée à la même vitesse, puisqu'elle n'est libérée qu'au moment où son couple de positionnement est inférieur au couple mécanique emmagasiné par le ressort. Ceci a l'avantage d'assurer un rendement constant, la génératrice restituant toujours la même quantité d'énergie.The proposed device also makes it possible to transform the relatively slow speed of the energy source mechanical (around 240 rpm) at a very high speed fast (around 15,000 rpm) which is favorable the overall performance of the generator. Note that the high speed multiplication generated by the ratio between the number of teeth of the pinion 25 of the shaft of the generator and the number of teeth 26 of the big wheel uniting with the device of the invention, contributes significantly at this high speed. To note also that the generator is still driven at the same speed, since it is only released when its positioning torque is less than the torque mechanical stored by the spring. This has the advantage to ensure a constant output, the generator restoring always the same amount of energy.

Comme on le voit de la figure 2, qui illustre un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le ressort hélicoïdal présente des spires centrales 11 dont le diamètre est plus grand que le diamètre des premières et dernières spires 8 et 9, ces premières et dernières spires présentant un diamètre sensiblement égal. De ce fait le diamètre extérieur 16 du tube 6 et le diamètre extérieur 18 de l'élément cylindrique 5 sont également sensiblement les mêmes. Ce cette façon on simplifie la façon de réaliser le ressort 7.As seen in Figure 2, which illustrates a mode embodiment of the invention, the helical spring has central turns 11 whose diameter is larger large than the diameter of the first and last turns 8 and 9, these first and last turns presenting a substantially equal diameter. Therefore the diameter outside 16 of the tube 6 and the outside diameter 18 of the cylindrical element 5 are also substantially the same. This this way we simplify the way of achieving the spring 7.

Toujours sur la figure 2, on aperçoit que le tube 6 est étagé selon au moins deux diamètres différents, le premier 16 recevant les dernières spires 9 du ressort 7 et le second 17, plus petit pénétrant au moins partiellement à l'intérieur de l'élément cylindrique 5 façonné en forme de coupelle, le diamètre extérieur 18 de ladite coupelle recevant les premières spires 8 du ressort 7. Dans cette disposition à étages, on pourrait imaginer un ressort 7 de diamètre constant du haut en bas puisqu'un espace 10 serait toujours ménagé entre la partie inférieure 45 du tube 6 et les spires centrales 11 du ressort 7.Still in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the tube 6 is stepped according to at least two different diameters, the first 16 receiving the last turns 9 of the spring 7 and the second 17, smaller penetrating at least partially inside the cylindrical element 5 shaped into a shape cup, the outside diameter 18 of said cup receiving the first turns 8 of the spring 7. In this layered arrangement, one could imagine a spring 7 of constant diameter from top to bottom since a space 10 would always be provided between the lower part 45 of the tube 6 and the central turns 11 of the spring 7.

Claims (5)

  1. Coupling device (1) between a source of mechanical energy (2) and a generator of electrical energy (3) in a timepiece comprising an arbor (4) driven by said source of mechanical energy and a cylindrical element (5) fixedly and coaxially mounted on said arbor, characterized in that the said cylindrical element (5) is surmounted by a tube (6) mounted for free rotation about said arbor (4) and arranged to drive said generator, a helical spring (7) being mounted with a friction-tight fit on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first turns (8) and last turns (9) respectively, a space (10) being provided between said tube and cylindrical element and the central turns (11) of said spring.
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the helical spring (7) has central turns (11) having a diameter greater than the diameter of said first turns (8) and last turns (9), said first and last turns having a substantially equal diameter.
  3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the source of mechanical energy is an oscillating mass (2) driving the arbor (4) in a unidirectional direction by means of a system (12) including ratchet wheels (13, 14).
  4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical energy generator (3) is driven by a wheel (15) of large diameter solid with said tube (6).
  5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (6) is stepped with at least two different diameters, the first (16) receiving the last turns (9) of the spring (7) and the second (17), of smaller size, penetrating at least partially into the cylindrical element (5) which is shaped like a cup, the outer diameter (18) of said cup receiving the first turns (8) of said spring (7).
EP95106408A 1994-05-04 1995-04-28 Means for coupling a mechanical energy source with an electric generator in a time piece Expired - Lifetime EP0681228B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH01398/94A CH686474B5 (en) 1994-05-04 1994-05-04 Coupling device between a source of mechanical energy and an electric generator in a timepiece.
CH1398/94 1994-05-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0681228A1 EP0681228A1 (en) 1995-11-08
EP0681228B1 true EP0681228B1 (en) 1998-07-08

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95106408A Expired - Lifetime EP0681228B1 (en) 1994-05-04 1995-04-28 Means for coupling a mechanical energy source with an electric generator in a time piece

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US5532982A (en)
EP (1) EP0681228B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3607359B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100321491B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1088859C (en)
CH (1) CH686474B5 (en)
DE (1) DE69503313T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1012445A1 (en)
TW (1) TW285724B (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903071A (en) * 1995-09-13 1999-05-11 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Small electric apparatus equipped with generator
EP0905587B1 (en) * 1997-09-26 2002-11-13 Seiko Epson Corporation Electronically controlled mechanical timepiece
US6288519B1 (en) * 1998-12-22 2001-09-11 Ericsson Inc. Charging and vibrating method using movable magnets for a product using rechargeable batteries
DE69940344D1 (en) * 1999-09-17 2009-03-12 Eta Sa Mft Horlogere Suisse Shockproof device for a generator powered by a flywheel
EP1213626B1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2009-07-22 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Impact resistant transmission means for driving a generator by an oscilating mass, in particular in a watch
NL1017551C2 (en) * 2001-03-09 2002-09-10 Kinetron Bv Electrical supply voltage system for converting kinetic energy into electrical energy for miniature devices.
DE102011106785B4 (en) 2011-07-06 2015-07-23 JuB-Creative Product GmbH Kinetic transducer
WO2023105270A1 (en) * 2021-12-09 2023-06-15 Mb & F Sa Chronograph watch movements and use thereof in timepieces

Citations (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334088A1 (en) * 1988-03-21 1989-09-27 Le Phare-Jean D'eve S.A. Watch

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NL8402113A (en) * 1984-07-03 1986-02-03 Kinetron Bv SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL SUPPLY OF PORTABLE MINIATURE ENERGY CONSUMERS.
JP2525163B2 (en) * 1986-11-19 1996-08-14 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Electronic clock with power generator
KR950001429Y1 (en) * 1988-01-25 1995-03-06 세이꼬 엡슨 가부시끼가이샤 Electronic wrist watch equipped with power generator
CH680252B5 (en) * 1990-08-21 1993-01-29 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag
NL9001976A (en) * 1990-09-07 1992-04-01 Kinetron Bv GENERATOR.
DE59107118D1 (en) * 1990-10-22 1996-02-01 Gigandet Charles Sa Wrist watch

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0334088A1 (en) * 1988-03-21 1989-09-27 Le Phare-Jean D'eve S.A. Watch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69503313T2 (en) 1999-03-11
DE69503313D1 (en) 1998-08-13
CH686474GA3 (en) 1996-04-15
EP0681228A1 (en) 1995-11-08
CH686474B5 (en) 1996-10-15
JPH08152487A (en) 1996-06-11
JP3607359B2 (en) 2005-01-05
US5532982A (en) 1996-07-02
CN1113018A (en) 1995-12-06
CN1088859C (en) 2002-08-07
KR950033740A (en) 1995-12-26
HK1012445A1 (en) 1999-07-30
TW285724B (en) 1996-09-11
KR100321491B1 (en) 2002-07-02

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