Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
  • G04B17/28—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of imbalance of the weights, e.g. tourbillon
  • G04B17/285—Tourbillons or carrousels

Definitions

• the present invention relates to mechanical timepieces. It relates more particularly to a timepiece comprising a frame, at least one mobile of a finishing train and at least one tourbillon mechanism comprising a support, such as a tourbillon cage, carrying a balance and at least one element. an exhaust.
• a vortex mechanism is a device for averaging the gait of the positions of the balance of a timepiece.
• a vortex mechanism includes the traditional vortex comprising a tourbillon cage as well as the carousel.
• a vortex mechanism comprises, for this purpose, a support, (for example a cage in the case of the traditional tourbillon) pivotally mounted on the frame, generally an assembly formed of a bridge and a plate and, mounted pivoting on this support, a balance spring and an exhaust comprising in particular an escape wheel with a wheel and a pinion.
• the support comprises a gear connected kinematically to the work train of the timepiece, in general to the average wheel.
• the torque applied by the average wheel on the gear slightly rotates the support, the pendulum pulse being given by the exhaust whose mobile rotates by meshing of its pinion with the gear wheel.
• the wheels and gears are, in general, arranged and numbered so that the vortex performs one revolution per minute.
• the position of the neutral point of the balance is therefore one revolution per minute, which average the deviations in the vertical positions.
• the difference between horizontal and vertical positions remains.
• a triaxial vortex described in the application EP 1 574 916 comprising a cage containing the balance and the escapement in rotation along an axis, the cage being mounted in a second cage so as to rotate around another axis, the second cage being rotatably mounted in a third cage rotating about a fixed axis relative to the timepiece, the three axes being perpendicular to one another.
• the triaxial vortex is driven by a driving wheel mounted on the turntable of the timepiece, which drives a pinion integral with the third cage, and rotates said cage about its axis thereby rotating a pinion meshing with a fixed crown on the turntable of the timepiece, which causes the cage to rotate about its axis, the second cage rotating the first cage around its axis via a crown and the second pinion secured to the third cage, and thus transmit the energy from the drive wheel to the assembly formed by the exhaust pinion, the escape wheel and the balance placed in the first cage.
• Such a mechanism has the disadvantage of being bulky and unattractive due to the presence of several toothed crowns appearing on the dial side.
• a differential correction device described in application EP 2 031 465 is also known.
• This device comprises several supports mounted pivoting about respective axes of articulation, which makes it possible to neutralize the movements of a gear train. transmission around two or more axes.
• the purpose of this mechanism is to maintain the attitude of the support carrying the regulating system in a constant position whatever the position of the frame. System isochronism defects are suppressed as the oscillating system has only one position.
• Such a mechanism does not have the same aims as a tourbillon mechanism which further reduces the differences in the path between the horizontal and vertical positions of a timepiece comprising such a tourbillon mechanism
• An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome these disadvantages, by providing a timepiece comprising a vortex mechanism to further reduce the differences in operation between the horizontal and vertical positions.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece comprising a tourbillon mechanism having a small footprint and an improved aesthetic appearance.
• a timepiece comprising a frame, at least one mobile of a finishing train and at least one tourbillon mechanism comprising a support carrying a pendulum and at least one element of an escapement.
• the vortex mechanism further comprises:
• an outer ring mounted to rotate on the frame about a first axis
• At least one inner ring mounted inside the outer ring and movable in rotation with respect to the outer ring about a second axis, preferably perpendicular to the first axis, the support being pivotally mounted in the inner ring and said support being secured to a shaft around which is mounted free to rotate the inner ring along a third axis,
• a first pinion integral with the support shaft arranged to cooperate with said first toothed member so as to rotate said support
• the drive means of the inner ring may comprise a drive member integral with a shaft of the mobile of the work train.
• the first toothed member may be fixed integrally to the frame. We then have a vortex mechanism. When the first toothed member is not fixed integrally to the frame, it is then a carousel mechanism as described in patent CH 7965.
• the drive element cooperates with the support shaft so as to impose a rotational movement around the first toothed member.
• the inner ring comprises a tube which is secured to it, in which the support shaft can rotate freely, the driving element cooperating with said tube so as to impose on the inner ring a movement rotation around the first toothed member.
• the support shaft forms with the first toothed member a non-zero angle.
• said angle may be non-zero.
• the vortex mechanism may further comprise a second toothed member integral with the inner ring and arranged to cooperate with a second gear kinematically connected to the exhaust.
• the support may be arranged so that its axis of rotation is perpendicular or not perpendicular to the second axis of rotation of the inner ring relative to the outer ring.
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the tourbillon mechanism of the invention, the outer ring being respectively in each of its maximum positions with respect to its axis of rotation,
• FIGS. 3 and 4 represent perspective views of the vortex mechanism of the invention, the inner ring being respectively in each of its maximum positions with respect to its axis of rotation,
• FIG. 5 represents a perspective view of the tourbillon mechanism of the invention, the outer ring and the inner ring being in intermediate positions,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the tourbillon mechanism of the invention.
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a detail of another embodiment of the tourbillon mechanism of the invention.
• FIG. 1 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a vortex mechanism 1 according to the invention mounted on a frame 2 of a timepiece.
• the frame is a set of a bridge and a plate, but it is obvious that the frame can include any support element of the timepiece organs.
• Mobile 4 On the frame 2 is pivotally mounted a mobile 4 of a work train, such as the wheel of average.
• Mobile 4 comprises a shaft 6 on which is mounted a drive element 8, bent and terminated by a lug 10, whose role will be described below.
• On the frame 2 is also integral with a first fixed wheel 12, around the shaft 6 of the mobile 4.
• the tourbillon mechanism comprises a vortex cage 14 carrying a rocker 16, a spiral 18 and an exhaust, comprising conventionally an escape wheel 20 and an exhaust pinion 22 pivotally mounted in a support member 23 secured
• the other elements of the tourbillon cage 14, such as the anchor, are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described here in more detail. It is obvious that the invention also applies to a carousel mechanism, the vortex cage being then replaced by a support carrying the balance and the exhaust, and the wheel 12 is not fixed, as described in patent CH 7965.
• the anchor and the escape wheel are embedded on the vortex cage 14. It is also possible that only the anchor is on board the cage, the escape wheel being then fixed mounting, as described in EP 2 132 604.
• the vortex mechanism further comprises:
• an outer ring 24 mounted to rotate on the frame about a first axis A1, by means of two pivots 24a, 24b,
• An inner ring 26 mounted inside the outer ring 24 and rotatable relative to the outer ring 24 about a second axis A2 perpendicular to the first axis A1, by means of two pivots 26a, 26b.
• the term "ring” designates an element that surrounds another element, but which does not necessarily have an annular shape.
• the outer ring 24 has an annular shape while the inner ring 26 has a rectangular shape, comprising an upper portion 26 'and a lower portion 26 ", connected by two lateral pillars 27. It is well It is obvious that the rings used in the invention may have any other suitable shape.
• the frame 2 has a recess whose shape is suitable for pivoting the vortex mechanism.
• the tourbillon cage 14 comprises, integral with said vortex cage 14, an upper shaft 28 with a pivot 28a and a lower shaft.
• the pivot 28a and the pivoting 30b are respectively engaged in bearings 32, 34 of the inner ring 26, so that the tourbillon cage 14 is pivotally mounted in said inner ring 26.
• the dimensions of the inner ring 26 are chosen so that that the vortex cage 14 can be housed there and rotate freely.
• a second wheel 36 is mounted integral with the inner ring 26, coaxially with the shaft of the vortex cage 14.
• the exhaust pinion 22 is arranged so that it meshes with the second wheel 36, integral with the inner ring 26.
• the lower shaft 30 is mounted through the lower portion 26 "of the inner ring 26, so that said inner ring 26 is rotatably mounted about the lower shaft 30 along a third axis of rotation A3. More particularly, the lower portion 26 "of the inner ring 26 comprises an annular base disposed concentrically around the lower shaft 30 and carrying the second wheel 36, as shown in FIG.
• the lower shaft 30 has at its free end a first gear 38 having a conical toothing and arranged so that it meshes with the first fixed wheel 12, integral with the frame.
• the fixed wheel 12 is a toothed member having an external toothing. It is obvious that the fixed wheel can be replaced by a ring having an internal toothing.
• the lower shaft 30 has at its free end a pivot 30a engaged in a bearing 10a provided on the lug 10 of the drive member 8.
• the drive member 8 secured to the shaft 6 mobile 4 constitutes the drive means of the lower shaft 30 in which said lower shaft 30 is guided by forming a ball-type connection.
• These drive means of the lower shaft 30 constitute indirectly the driving means of the inner ring 26, as will be seen below.
• the inner ring 26 cooperates directly with the drive member 8.
• the inner ring 26 comprises a tube 40, integral with its lower portion 26 " , coaxial with the lower shaft 30 of the vortex cage 14.
• the tube 40 is disposed around said lower shaft 30 so that it can rotate freely in the tube 40.
• the lower shaft 30 has a first gear 38 meshing with the fixed wheel 12.
• it is the tube 40 of the inner ring 26 which cooperates directly with the lug 10 of the driving element 8.
• the element of drive 8 secured to the shaft 6 of the mobile 4 constitutes the means driving the inner ring 26 in which the tube 40 is guided forming a ball-type connection.
• the drive of the inner ring 26 can also be done by its upper part, the driving element, the mobile of the work train, the shaft of the tourbillon cage and the tube. of the inner ring being provided on the side of its upper part 26 '.
• the inner ring 26 is arranged so that the lower shaft 30 of the vortex cage 14 forms with the first fixed wheel 12 a non-zero angle, preferably between 5 ° and 85 °.
• the axis A4 of the first fixed wheel 12 is perpendicular to the frame 2.
• the axis A4 coincides with the axis of rotation of the mobile 4.
• the axis of rotation of the mobile of the work train can be non-perpendicular to the frame, the vortex mechanism is then arranged accordingly.
• the vortex cage 14 is arranged so that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the second axis of rotation A2 of the inner ring 26 relative to the outer ring 24.
• the third axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring 26 around the lower shaft 30 of the vortex cage 14 is preferably perpendicular to the second axis of rotation A2 of the inner ring 26 with respect to the outer ring 24, this means that the axis of rotation of the vortex cage 14 coincides with the third axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring 26 around the lower shaft 30.
• the balance shaft is disposed coaxially with the axis of rotation A3. It is obvious that in other embodiments not shown, the balance shaft may be parallel to the axis of rotation A3 or inclined so that it is not coincident with the axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring around the lower shaft of the tourbillon cage.
• the anchor and the mobile escape will be arranged accordingly.
• the vortex cage and the upper and lower portions of the inner ring can then be arranged appropriately, as described for example in EP 1 419 419.
• the mobile 4 of the work train is driven in a rotational manner so as to subject the inner ring 26 to a motor torque by meshing with the first pinion 38.
• its shaft 6 is also able to pivot and drive with it the rotation of the drive element 8.
• the lower shaft 30 guided in the lug 10 of the element of drive 8 is then likely to move in rotation about the axis A4.
• it is the tube 40 guided in the lug 10 of the driving element 8 which can then move in rotation about the axis A4, causing the rotational movement of the lower shaft 30 around the A4 axis.
• the first pinion 38 secured to the lower shaft 30 is capable of meshing with the first fixed wheel 12 so that the inner shaft 30 is able to pivot also about the axis A3 to drive the cage of tourbillon 14 in rotation.
• the engine torque can cause a displacement of the lower shaft 30 and therefore of the inner ring 26 if the first pinion 38 meshes with the first fixed wheel 12 and therefore that if the tourbillon cage 14 rotates around of the A3 axis.
• the exhaust pinion 22 is engaged with the toothing of the second wheel 36, this means that this movement is possible only when the exhaust gives a driving pulse to the balance.
• the inner ring 26 is directly driven by the driving member 8. Due to this movement composed, the pivots 26a, 26b of the inner ring 26 perform an alternating rotational movement perpendicular to the axis A1 of the outer ring 24. The inner ring 26 tilts around its pivots 26a, 26b while being driven by the outer ring 24 and by the lower shaft 30 or directly by the driving element 8.
• the lower shaft 30 is rotated about the axis A3 by its pinion 38 meshing with the first fixed wheel 12.
• the rotation of the lower shaft 30 causes the rotation of the tourbillon cage 14 and thus the exhaust pinion 22.
• Figures 1 and 2 show views in which the outer ring 24 occupies respectively a maximum position relative to its axis of rotation A1.
• Figures 3 and 4 show the vortex mechanism in which the inner ring 26 occupies respectively its maximum position relative to its axis of rotation A2, and Figure 5 shows the vortex mechanism in which the outer ring 24 and the inner ring 26 occupy positions intermediate to those shown in the other figures.
• the displacement of the axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring 26 relative to the axis A4 generates at least one envelope in the form of a truncated cone.
• the compound movement obtained by the vortex mechanism according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the passage time of the balance wheel in the unfavorable positions. Moreover, the use of the two rings reduces the inertia compared to a traditional tourbillon cage.
• the vortex mechanism according to the invention is such that it comprises at least 4 pivot points instead of 2 in a conventional vortex, of so that the impact resistance of the vortex mechanism according to the invention is increased.
• the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described.
• the shape of the rings may vary. It is also possible to provide other inner rings arranged relative to each other so that none is floating. It is also possible to provide a flying cage according to which the pivoting in the inner ring takes place only on the side of the cage which is rotated.

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• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Transmission Devices (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-07-07 CH CH01145/11A patent/CH705244B1/fr unknown
• 2012
  • 2012-07-05 US US14/123,988 patent/US8956041B2/en active Active
  • 2012-07-05 CN CN201280031352.2A patent/CN103620510B/zh active Active
  • 2012-07-05 EP EP12733475.3A patent/EP2729849B1/de active Active
  • 2012-07-05 WO PCT/EP2012/063139 patent/WO2013004782A1/fr active Application Filing
• 2014
  • 2014-06-13 HK HK14105607.8A patent/HK1192332A1/xx unknown

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