EP3242168B1 - Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel - Google Patents

Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3242168B1
EP3242168B1 EP16168244.8A EP16168244A EP3242168B1 EP 3242168 B1 EP3242168 B1 EP 3242168B1 EP 16168244 A EP16168244 A EP 16168244A EP 3242168 B1 EP3242168 B1 EP 3242168B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
toothing
resilient element
timepiece movement
motor
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EP16168244.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3242168A1 (en
Inventor
Pascal Lagorgette
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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Application filed by ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse filed Critical ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority to EP16168244.8A priority Critical patent/EP3242168B1/en
Priority to JP2017085877A priority patent/JP6334027B2/en
Priority to CN201710305310.8A priority patent/CN107346101B/en
Priority to US15/585,555 priority patent/US10061271B2/en
Publication of EP3242168A1 publication Critical patent/EP3242168A1/en
Priority to HK18104613.9A priority patent/HK1245427A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor
    • G04C3/143—Means to reduce power consumption by reducing pulse width or amplitude and related problems, e.g. detection of unwanted or missing step
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G04D7/04—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus for gearwork
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch movement of the electromechanical type comprising a stepper motor arranged to be able to drive a gear train, formed at least of a first wheel and a pinion or a second wheel meshing with the first wheel, this watch movement further comprising a device for determining the angular position of the first wheel.
  • a first device without additional external sensor is disclosed in the document CH 640 098 , which provides for arranging a ferromagnetic element on the wheel plate close to the toothing and a fixed magnet at the periphery of this wheel.
  • the ferromagnetic element attracts it in the direction of rotation and thus the energy required to effect a motor pitch decreases.
  • the magnet exerts a force in the opposite direction to the rotation, which causes an increase in the energy required to perform a step.
  • a circuit for detecting the energy of the electrical pulse supplied by the motor at each step makes it possible to determine for which step the ferromagnetic element was substantially facing the magnet. This system has various disadvantages.
  • the magnetic force on the wheel may have an axial component that generates a torque on the wheel shaft and increases the friction in the bearings.
  • the arrangement of the magnet at the periphery of the wheel requires a certain space to clear in the movement, which is not always easy.
  • the magnet acts on the ferromagnetic element over a relatively large angular distance corresponding to several motor steps. The detection of the position of the reference axis of the wheel, defined by the ferromagnetic element, therefore requires analyzing the behavior of the motor on several steps. It is proposed here for this purpose to analyze the current curve for each pulse and to determine the evolution of some specific parameters of this curve that are dependent on the torque provided to perform the corresponding step.
  • a second device without additional external sensor is disclosed in the document US 6,414,908 .
  • This document teaches arranging a "hard point" generating a localized high load for the stepper motor on one or more steps during the driving of the wheel. The detection of this charge is carried out in a given example by measuring the duration of the pulses of the motor. Specifically, it is intended here to provide normal pulses with a first energy to perform step-by-step advance of the gear train. A sensing device is used to determine whether the rotor has made a step after a normal pulse has been supplied. If this is not the case, it is intended in this embodiment to provide a first catch-up pulse with a second energy higher than the first energy.
  • the drive train is ensured by the normal pulses and the first catching pulses.
  • the resistive torque generated by the arrangement of the hard point requires a second catch-up pulse with a third energy higher than the second energy.
  • a non-rotation detection after having provided a first catch-up pulse is caused by the hard point, which thus makes it possible to determine the position of a reference axis of a wheel by the sole determination of the steps having necessitated a second catch-up pulse.
  • the various pulses are distinguished by their respective respective durations.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an electromechanical watch movement with a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel which is relatively simple to produce and which makes it possible to accurately detect the passage of a reference half-axis of this wheel. wheel by a given reference angle.
  • Another purpose is to provide such a detection device that operates without requiring complex processing of an electrical signal in connection with the power supply of the stepper motor provided for driving the wheel.
  • Another object is to provide a detection device of the aforementioned type which is relatively compact.
  • the electromechanical watch movement comprises a wheel driven in rotation by a stepper motor and a device for detecting the angular position of this wheel which is capable of detecting an additional resistive torque occurring momentary when training the wheel step by step.
  • said additional resistive torque is generated by an elastic element integral with the wheel and arranged so as to extend, in projection in a general plane of the wheel in which is located its toothing, in a given hollow between two adjacent teeth of this toothing.
  • the watch movement is arranged so that the wheel meshes with a movable component having a toothing which is situated at least partially at the level of the elastic element, so that this toothing comes to press against the elastic element when one of its teeth penetrate into said given hollow.
  • the elastic element is configured so that it penetrates, in projection in the general plane of the wheel, to a lesser extent in one and / or the other of the two recesses adjacent to the recess. given above or, preferably, not to enter these two adjacent hollows.
  • the additional resistive torque can be limited to the passage of a tooth of the movable component in a single hollow of the tooth of the wheel. It is thus very localized and can be detected in some cases on a single step of the engine. This simplifies the processing of the torque-dependent electrical signal provided by the stepper motor associated with the wheel and makes it possible to accurately determine a reference angular position of a reference half-axis of the wheel which passes through the center. of the given hollow of the teeth of the wheel and corresponds to a reference pitch of the motor.
  • the elastic element is a wire spring of small dimensions and fixed on the wheel plate.
  • a wire spring is very compact and its attachment can be easily achieved by various fastening means, in particular by welding, taking care to precisely arrange a portion of its free end in superposition of the above mentioned hollow.
  • an embodiment of an electromechanical watchmaking movement 2 comprising a stepping motor 4, a gear train 6 coupled to the motor and driving an analogue display 8 will be described below.
  • the movement includes still another power supply circuit 10 of the motor, a control logic circuit 12 which supplies in particular to the power supply circuit the signals for the formation of the pulses applied to the motor, a clock circuit 14 defining a time base, in particular for the logic circuit 12 and a central processing unit 18 which manages the various functions of the watch movement.
  • the watch movement also comprises a detection circuit 16 of the load defined by the gear train and the analog display, respectively of the engine torque supplied at each step to drive this load.
  • This detection circuit is part of a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel according to the invention. It is connected to the supply circuit (link A) and / or directly to the stepper motor (link B) and / or to the control logic circuit (in particular via the central processing unit).
  • the detection circuit 16 may be arranged in various ways known to those skilled in the art, in particular as in the previously mentioned prior art. In a case where it is planned to be able to provide three different pulses with three different energies respectively, the detection of the load then consists in determining which of these three different pulses is necessary to perform a certain step. In another case where real-time charge-based pulse management is provided, charge detection can be done in a variety of ways by analyzing one or more of the three physical parameters involved in the energy of a electrical pulse, namely the time, the applied voltage and the current supplied. The detection of the load can be related to a value of these parameters, for example the duration of the pulse, the peak current, the selected voltage if necessary.
  • detection means that analyze an induced voltage / induced current in a motor coil after providing an electrical pulse (using a switch between the supply circuit and the detection circuit). Such an induced signal makes it possible in particular to determine whether the step has been carried out, but an analysis of this signal can also give information on the resistive torque applied to the motor.
  • the gear train 6 comprises a wheel 22, having a toothing 23 and driven in rotation by the motor, and a pinion 24 having a toothing 25 and meshing with this wheel.
  • This pinion forms a non-limiting manner a movable component meshing with the toothing 23 of the wheel 22.
  • An additional localized resistive torque is produced by an elastic element 26 integral with the wheel 22.
  • This elastic element is formed by a wire spring which is arranged on the wheel plate and one end 29 of which is fixed to this plate.
  • the wire spring has at a free end a bent portion 30 which is superimposed on a given recess 32 of the toothing 23 between two adjacent teeth 34 and 35 of this toothing.
  • the bent portion 30 is folded so as not to be superimposed on the two recesses 36 and 37 which are adjacent to the recess 32.
  • the wire spring is fixed to its two ends, the bent portion being located approximately in the middle of the length of this spring wire.
  • the bent portion advantageously protrudes from the main curvature of the wire spring, so as to be superimposed on the toothing 23 in a very localized manner.
  • the elastic element does not necessarily have such a bent part.
  • only the end of the free end of the spring is superimposed on the toothing of the wheel.
  • the toothing 25 of the pinion 24 is located at least partially at the wire spring, as shown in the section of FIG. Figure 3 , so that this toothing is pressed against the elastic element, namely here against the bent portion of the spring wire, when it enters the given recess 32.
  • the elastic element is arranged to extend, in projection in a general plane 40 of the wheel 22 in which is located its toothing 23, in a given hollow, this elastic element being elastically deformable in a radial direction of the wheel substantially to the bottom of the given hollow (that is to say at least sufficiently to allow penetration of the hollow by the toothing of the pinion, without risk of blocking the meshing of this pinion with the wheel).
  • the elastic element is configured to penetrate, in projection in said general plane, in one and / or the other of the two hollows adjacent to the hollow given to a lesser extent than in this given hollow.
  • the elastic element is made and fixed to the wheel so as not to penetrate, in projection in said general plane, in the two adjacent hollows.
  • the device for detecting the angular position of the wheel 22 thus makes it possible to determine the passage of a reference half-axis 42 of this wheel by a reference direction 44, corresponding to a reference angle ⁇ REF , defined by this wheel and the mobile component.
  • the half-axis 42 is defined by the middle of the hollow 32, respectively by the portion of the curved portion 30 of the wire spring which is superimposed on this selected hollow.
  • the reference angle ⁇ REF corresponds, in the case of a mobile component forming a wheel or a pinion, to the angular position of a straight line 44 passing through the center of the wheel 22 and the center of this mobile component.
  • the detection device thus comprises a 'hard point' located at a single hollow of the toothing of a wheel and comprises for its detection an electronic circuit capable of detecting an additional resistive torque occurring momentarily. during the step-by-step driving of the wheel 22 and the pinion 24 by the motor 4.
  • the Figure 5A corresponds to a particular situation for a toothing 23 with sixty teeth and a wheel performing sixty steps per revolution.
  • the additional resistive torque due to the wire spring intervenes for a single pitch of the motor, so that the angular position of the wheel is determined upon detection, for a pitch N, of a peak 50A in the torque supplied by the engine.
  • the additional resistive torque is felt on two consecutive steps. This is particularly the case if a rest position of the engine corresponds to a situation where the curved portion 30 is pressed by a tooth of the toothing 25. In this case, it is therefore necessary to define which of the two consecutive steps is the one which defines the angular position of reference.
  • the Figure 5B corresponds to a variant where the toothing 23 also has sixty teeth but the wheel makes a turn every thirty paces.
  • the peak 50B of increase of the resistive torque occurs for a shorter duration than the duration of a standard pulse. Since it is generally not practical to know a reference position with a precision greater than that defined by a motor pitch, it will be noted that the curved portion 30 of the wire spring could, in another variant, extend over two recesses. consecutive, particularly if advantageously the meshing relationship of the two teeth is precisely controlled so that the two consecutive recesses are penetrated during the same step. However, preferably, it will retain an alternative embodiment with the wire spring superimposed on a single recess. Thus, the relative position of the teeth during periods of rest of the engine is less critical.
  • the motor and the gear train will preferably be mounted so that the passage of the given recess 32 occurs during a single step performed by the motor.
  • the Figure 5C corresponds to a variant where the toothing 23 has thirty teeth and the wheel performs sixty paces per revolution.
  • the additional resistive torque is felt on several consecutive steps, the torque peak 50C extending at least two steps and generally three steps.
  • An analysis of the supply signal generating the electrical pulses concerned by the several consecutive steps may generally make it possible to define a step for which the resistive torque passes through a maximum and thus to determine a pitch corresponding to the reference position of the wheel 22.
  • the additional resistive torque acts on several consecutive steps of the motor, it is possible to define in several ways what is the reference pitch.
  • this is the first step having a resistive torque above a predetermined threshold or the last step of a series of steps all having a resistive torque above this threshold. It will be understood that it is still possible to choose a step situated in the middle of such a series of steps or the step that follows such a series, that is to say the first step corresponding to a torque lower than a given threshold after a series of steps for which the resistive torque was above this threshold.
  • the detection device according to the invention is compact. It has the advantage, at the constructive level, of embedding the entire detection device (with the exception of the electronic part which is incorporated in the electronic circuit of the watch movement) on the wheel concerned. Indeed, only an elastic element integral with the wheel in question is required. It can easily be fixed on this wheel so as to cover only one hollow.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Control Of Stepping Motors (AREA)

Description

Domaine de l'inventionField of the invention

La présente invention concerne un mouvement horloger du type électromécanique comprenant un moteur pas-à-pas agencé pour pouvoir entrainer un train d'engrenages, formé au moins d'une première roue et d'un pignon ou d'une deuxième roue engrenant avec la première roue, ce mouvement horloger comprenant en outre un dispositif de détermination de la position angulaire de la première roue.The present invention relates to a watch movement of the electromechanical type comprising a stepper motor arranged to be able to drive a gear train, formed at least of a first wheel and a pinion or a second wheel meshing with the first wheel, this watch movement further comprising a device for determining the angular position of the first wheel.

Arrière-plan de l'inventionBackground of the invention

Plusieurs dispositifs de détection de la position angulaire d'une roue entrainée par un moteur horloger ont été proposés. Plusieurs documents concernent l'agencement de dispositifs optiques comprenant une source de lumière et un capteur de lumière, le mouvement horloger étant agencé de manière à varier de manière contrôlée la réception de lumière par le capteur en fonction de la position angulaire de la roue considérée. D'autres documents proposent l'agencement de capteurs capacitifs ou de capteurs inductifs. Certains documents proposent d'agencer des éléments aimantés et au moins un capteur de Hall. Tous ces dispositifs sont relativement onéreux et complexe. De plus, ils engendrent souvent un encombrement relativement important et/ou demandent des usinages particuliers de parties du mouvement horloger, notamment du plateau de la roue considérée.Several devices for detecting the angular position of a wheel driven by a clockwork motor have been proposed. Several documents relate to the arrangement of optical devices comprising a light source and a light sensor, the watch movement being arranged to vary in a controlled manner the reception of light by the sensor according to the angular position of the wheel considered. Other documents propose the arrangement of capacitive sensors or inductive sensors. Some documents propose to arrange magnetic elements and at least one Hall sensor. All of these devices are relatively expensive and complex. In addition, they often generate a relatively large footprint and / or require particular machining parts of the watch movement, including the wheel tray considered.

Afin de diminuer le coût, la complexité et l'encombrement du dispositif de détection de la position angulaire d'une roue, il y a été proposé d'introduire un 'point dur' dans un engrenage du train d'engrenages comprenant la roue considérée, un tel 'point dur' consistant en l'ajout d'une charge, respectivement d'un couple résistif supplémentaire pour le moteur entrainant le train d'engrenages de manière localisée à une plage angulaire restreinte de la roue. La détection de ce couple résistif supplémentaire par des moyens de détection appropriés, notamment par une détermination du couple nécessaire pour effectuer un pas moteur, permet de détecter le passage d'un axe de référence de la roue considérée par un certain angle de référence relativement à l'axe de rotation de cette roue.In order to reduce the cost, the complexity and the size of the device for detecting the angular position of a wheel, it has been proposed to introduce a 'hard point' in a gear of the gear train comprising the wheel considered. , such a 'hard point' consisting of adding a load, respectively an additional resistive torque for the motor driving the gear train in a localized manner to a restricted angular range of the wheel. The detection of this additional resistive torque by appropriate detection means, in particular by a determination of the torque necessary to perform a motor pitch, makes it possible to detect the passage of a reference axis of the wheel considered by a certain reference angle relative to the axis of rotation of this wheel.

Un premier dispositif sans capteur externe supplémentaire est divulgué dans le document CH 640 098 , lequel prévoit d'agencer un élément ferromagnétique sur le plateau de la roue à proximité de la denture et un aimant fixe à la périphérie de cette roue. Lors de la rotation de la roue, lorsque l'élément ferromagnétique approche de l'aimant, ce dernier l'attire dans le sens de rotation et ainsi l'énergie nécessaire pour effectuer un pas moteur diminue. Par contre, une fois la position angulaire de l'aimant dépassée, l'aimant exerce une force dans le sens contraire à la rotation, ce qui engendre une augmentation de l'énergie nécessaire pour effectuer un pas. Un circuit de détection de l'énergie de l'impulsion électrique fournie par le moteur à chaque pas permet de déterminer pour quel pas l'élément ferromagnétique se trouvait sensiblement en regard de l'aimant. Ce système présente divers inconvénients. Premièrement, il utilise un aimant, ce qui peut impacter d'autres éléments du mouvement horloger. De plus, la force magnétique sur la roue peut avoir une composante axiale qui engendre un couple sur l'arbre de la roue et augmente les frottements dans les paliers. Ensuite, l'agencement de l'aimant à la périphérie de la roue demande un certain espace à dégager dans le mouvement, ce qui n'est pas toujours aisé. Finalement, l'aimant agit sur l'élément ferromagnétique sur une relativement grande distance angulaire correspondant à plusieurs pas moteur. La détection de la position de l'axe de référence de la roue, défini par l'élément ferromagnétique, demande donc d'analyser le comportement du moteur sur plusieurs pas. Il est proposé ici à cet effet d'analyser la courbe de courant pour chaque impulsion et de déterminer l'évolution de certains paramètres spécifiques de cette courbe qui sont dépendants du couple fourni pour effectuer le pas correspondant.A first device without additional external sensor is disclosed in the document CH 640 098 , which provides for arranging a ferromagnetic element on the wheel plate close to the toothing and a fixed magnet at the periphery of this wheel. During the rotation of the wheel, when the ferromagnetic element approaches the magnet, the latter attracts it in the direction of rotation and thus the energy required to effect a motor pitch decreases. By cons, once the angular position of the magnet exceeded, the magnet exerts a force in the opposite direction to the rotation, which causes an increase in the energy required to perform a step. A circuit for detecting the energy of the electrical pulse supplied by the motor at each step makes it possible to determine for which step the ferromagnetic element was substantially facing the magnet. This system has various disadvantages. First, it uses a magnet, which can impact other elements of the watch movement. In addition, the magnetic force on the wheel may have an axial component that generates a torque on the wheel shaft and increases the friction in the bearings. Then, the arrangement of the magnet at the periphery of the wheel requires a certain space to clear in the movement, which is not always easy. Finally, the magnet acts on the ferromagnetic element over a relatively large angular distance corresponding to several motor steps. The detection of the position of the reference axis of the wheel, defined by the ferromagnetic element, therefore requires analyzing the behavior of the motor on several steps. It is proposed here for this purpose to analyze the current curve for each pulse and to determine the evolution of some specific parameters of this curve that are dependent on the torque provided to perform the corresponding step.

Un deuxième dispositif sans capteur externe supplémentaire est divulgué dans le document US 6,414,908 . Ce document enseigne d'agencer un 'point dur' engendrant de manière localisée une forte charge pour le moteur pas-à-pas sur un ou plusieurs pas lors de l'entrainement de la roue. La détection de cette charge est effectuée dans un exemple donné par la mesure de la durée des impulsions du moteur. Plus précisément, il est prévu ici de fournir des impulsions normales avec une première énergie pour effectuer une avance pas-à-pas du train d'engrenages. Un dispositif de détection permet de déterminer si le rotor a bien effectuer un pas après avoir qu'une impulsion normale ait été fournie. Si ce n'est pas le cas, il est prévu dans ce mode de réalisation de fournir une première impulsion de rattrapage avec une deuxième énergie supérieure à la première énergie. En fonctionnement usuel, sans l'agencement d'un point dur, l'entrainement du train d'engrenages est assuré par les impulsions normales et les premières impulsions de rattrapage. Par contre, le couple résistif engendré par l'agencement du point dur nécessite une deuxième impulsion de rattrapage avec une troisième énergie supérieure à la deuxième énergie. Ainsi, une détection de non rotation après avoir fourni une première impulsion de rattrapage est causée par le point dur, ce qui permet ainsi de déterminer la position d'un axe de référence d'une roue par la seule détermination des pas ayant nécessités une deuxième impulsion de rattrapage. A titre d'exemple, pour une puissance électrique sensiblement constante fournie au moteur, les diverses impulsions se distinguent par leurs différentes durées respectives.A second device without additional external sensor is disclosed in the document US 6,414,908 . This document teaches arranging a "hard point" generating a localized high load for the stepper motor on one or more steps during the driving of the wheel. The detection of this charge is carried out in a given example by measuring the duration of the pulses of the motor. Specifically, it is intended here to provide normal pulses with a first energy to perform step-by-step advance of the gear train. A sensing device is used to determine whether the rotor has made a step after a normal pulse has been supplied. If this is not the case, it is intended in this embodiment to provide a first catch-up pulse with a second energy higher than the first energy. In usual operation, without the arrangement of a hard point, the drive train is ensured by the normal pulses and the first catching pulses. On the other hand, the resistive torque generated by the arrangement of the hard point requires a second catch-up pulse with a third energy higher than the second energy. Thus, a non-rotation detection after having provided a first catch-up pulse is caused by the hard point, which thus makes it possible to determine the position of a reference axis of a wheel by the sole determination of the steps having necessitated a second catch-up pulse. By way of example, for a substantially constant electric power supplied to the motor, the various pulses are distinguished by their respective respective durations.

Le document US 6,414,908 décrit en détails la détection du passage d'une aiguille par la position '12 heures' sur la base de l'enregistrement des pas ayant nécessités l'application d'une deuxième impulsion de rattrapage, mais il ne donne quasi aucun enseignement quant à la réalisation pratique d'un point dur. Pour engendrer un couple résistif supplémentaire, seuls deux exemples sont courtement indiqués. La première variante propose de modifier localement le profil de la denture. Pour la deuxième variante, il est seulement indiqué que le couple résistif supplémentaire est engendré par une came. Cette deuxième variante est vague et l'homme du métier ne reçoit ici quasi aucun enseignement pratique. Concernant la première variante, elle n'est pas dépourvue d'intérêt, mais aucun exemple concret n'est donné. On notera toutefois que l'implémentation de cette première variante pose certains problèmes techniques. Premièrement, réaliser une roue avec une denture non uniforme complique sa fabrication. Ensuite, étant donné les tolérances de fabrication, il n'est pas aisé de garantir un point dur avec un couple résistif dont la valeur se trouve dans une certaine plage donnée. Finalement, un certain jeu d'engrenage est généralement nécessaire pour garantir un engrènement correct. Le fait de créer un point dur en variant localement le profil de la denture peut facilement avoir pour conséquence de bloquer la rotation du moteur et donc l'entrainement du train d'engrenages associé à ce moteur.The document US 6,414,908 describes in detail the detection of the passage of a needle by the position '12 hours' on the basis of the recording of the steps which necessitated the application of a second catch-up pulse, but it gives almost no teaching as to the practical realization from a hard point. To generate an additional resistive torque, only two examples are briefly indicated. The first variant proposes to modify the profile of the toothing locally. For the second variant, it is only indicated that the additional resistive torque is generated by a cam. This second variant is vague and the person skilled in the art here receives almost no practical teaching. Regarding the first variant, it is not devoid of interest, but no concrete example is given. It should be noted, however, that the implementation of this first variant poses certain technical problems. First, making a wheel with non-uniform toothing complicates its manufacture. Then, given the manufacturing tolerances, it is not easy to guarantee a hard point with a resistive torque whose value is within a certain given range. Finally, some gearing is usually necessary to ensure proper meshing. Creating a hard point by locally varying the profile of the toothing can easily have the consequence of blocking the rotation of the motor and thus the drive of the gear train associated with this engine.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

Un but de la présente invention est de fournir un mouvement horloger électromécanique avec un dispositif de détection de la position angulaire d'une roue qui soit relativement simple à réaliser et qui permette de détecter précisément le passage d'un demi-axe de référence de cette roue par un angle de référence donné.An object of the present invention is to provide an electromechanical watch movement with a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel which is relatively simple to produce and which makes it possible to accurately detect the passage of a reference half-axis of this wheel. wheel by a given reference angle.

Un autre but est de fournir un tel dispositif de détection qui fonctionne sans nécessiter un traitement complexe d'un signal électrique en lien avec l'alimentation électrique du moteur pas-à-pas prévu pour entrainer la roue.Another purpose is to provide such a detection device that operates without requiring complex processing of an electrical signal in connection with the power supply of the stepper motor provided for driving the wheel.

Un autre but est de fournir un dispositif de détection du type susmentionné qui soit relativement peu encombrant.Another object is to provide a detection device of the aforementioned type which is relatively compact.

A cet effet, le mouvement horloger électromécanique selon l'invention comprend une roue entrainée en rotation par un moteur pas-à-pas et un dispositif de détection de la position angulaire de cette roue qui est capable de détecter un couple résistif supplémentaire intervenant de manière momentanée lors de l'entrainement pas-à-pas de la roue. Il est caractérisé par le fait que ledit couple résistif supplémentaire est engendré par un élément élastique solidaire de la roue et agencé de manière à s'étendre, en projection dans un plan général de cette roue dans lequel est situé sa denture, dans un creux donné entre deux dents adjacentes de cette denture. Ensuite, le mouvement horloger est agencé de manière que la roue engrène avec un composant mobile présentant une denture qui est située au moins partiellement au niveau de l'élément élastique, de sorte que cette denture vienne presser contre l'élément élastique lorsqu'une de ses dents pénètre dans ledit creux donné.For this purpose, the electromechanical watch movement according to the invention comprises a wheel driven in rotation by a stepper motor and a device for detecting the angular position of this wheel which is capable of detecting an additional resistive torque occurring momentary when training the wheel step by step. It is characterized in that said additional resistive torque is generated by an elastic element integral with the wheel and arranged so as to extend, in projection in a general plane of the wheel in which is located its toothing, in a given hollow between two adjacent teeth of this toothing. Then, the watch movement is arranged so that the wheel meshes with a movable component having a toothing which is situated at least partially at the level of the elastic element, so that this toothing comes to press against the elastic element when one of its teeth penetrate into said given hollow.

Dans un mode de réalisation avantageux, l'élément élastique est configuré de manière qu'il pénètre, en projection dans le plan général de la roue, dans une moindre mesure dans l'un et/ou l'autre des deux creux adjacents au creux donné susmentionné ou, de préférence, à ne pas pénétrer dans ces deux creux adjacents.In an advantageous embodiment, the elastic element is configured so that it penetrates, in projection in the general plane of the wheel, to a lesser extent in one and / or the other of the two recesses adjacent to the recess. given above or, preferably, not to enter these two adjacent hollows.

Grâce aux caractéristiques du dispositif de détection de l'invention, le couple résistif supplémentaire peut être limité au passage d'une dent du composant mobile dans un seul creux donné de la denture de la roue. Il est ainsi très localisé et peut être détecté dans certains cas sur un seul pas du moteur. Ceci simplifie le traitement du signal électrique dépendant du couple fourni par le moteur pas-à-pas associé à la roue et permet de déterminer avec précision une position angulaire de référence d'un demi-axe de référence de la roue qui passe par le centre du creux donné de la denture de la roue et correspond à un pas de référence du moteur.Thanks to the characteristics of the detection device of the invention, the additional resistive torque can be limited to the passage of a tooth of the movable component in a single hollow of the tooth of the wheel. It is thus very localized and can be detected in some cases on a single step of the engine. This simplifies the processing of the torque-dependent electrical signal provided by the stepper motor associated with the wheel and makes it possible to accurately determine a reference angular position of a reference half-axis of the wheel which passes through the center. of the given hollow of the teeth of the wheel and corresponds to a reference pitch of the motor.

Selon une variante avantageuse, l'élément élastique est un ressort-fil de petites dimensions et fixé sur le plateau de la roue. Un tel ressort-fil est très peu encombrant et sa fixation peut être réalisée aisément par divers moyens de fixation, notamment par un soudage, en veillant à agencer précisément une partie de son extrémité libre en superposition du creux donné susmentionné.According to an advantageous variant, the elastic element is a wire spring of small dimensions and fixed on the wheel plate. Such a wire spring is very compact and its attachment can be easily achieved by various fastening means, in particular by welding, taking care to precisely arrange a portion of its free end in superposition of the above mentioned hollow.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

L'invention sera décrite ci-après à l'aide de dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs, dans lesquels :

  • La Figure 1 est un schéma-bloc du mouvement électromécanique selon l'invention;
  • La Figure 2A est une vue de dessus d'une roue et d'un pignon d'un train d'engrenages du mouvement de la Figure 1, la roue étant munie d'un ressort qui appartient au dispositif de détection de la position angulaire de cette roue, la Figure 2B étant une vue similaire à celle de la Figure 2A mais avec une position angulaire particulière de la roue pour laquelle un couple résistif supplémentaire est engendré par le ressort;
  • La Figure 3 est un agrandissement partiel de la Figure 2A;
  • La Figure 4 est une coupe transversale partielle selon la ligne IV-IV de la Figure 2B;
  • Les Figures 5A à 5C montrent schématiquement des courbes de couple fourni par le moteur pas-à-pas pour trois variantes différentes.
The invention will be described hereinafter with the aid of annexed drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:
  • The Figure 1 is a block diagram of the electromechanical movement according to the invention;
  • The Figure 2A is a top view of a wheel and pinion of a gear train the movement of the Figure 1 , the wheel being provided with a spring which belongs to the device for detecting the angular position of this wheel, the Figure 2B being a view similar to that of the Figure 2A but with a particular angular position of the wheel for which an additional resistive torque is generated by the spring;
  • The Figure 3 is a partial enlargement of the Figure 2A ;
  • The Figure 4 is a partial cross-section along line IV-IV of the Figure 2B ;
  • The Figures 5A to 5C schematically show torque curves provided by the stepper motor for three different variants.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

En se référant aux figures, on décrira ci-après un mode de réalisation d'un mouvement horloger électromécanique 2 comprenant un moteur pas-à-pas 4, un train d'engrenages 6 couplé au moteur et entrainant un affichage analogique 8. De manière classique, le mouvement comprend encore un circuit d'alimentation 10 du moteur, un circuit logique de commande 12 qui fournit notamment au circuit d'alimentation les signaux pour la formation des impulsions appliquées au moteur, un circuit d'horloge 14 définissant une base de temps en particulier pour le circuit logique 12 et une unité de traitement centrale 18 qui gère les diverses fonctions du mouvement horloger. Finalement, le mouvement horloger comprend aussi un circuit de détection 16 de la charge définie par le train d'engrenages et l'affichage analogique, respectivement du couple moteur fourni à chaque pas pour entrainer cette charge. Ce circuit de détection fait partie d'un dispositif de détection de la position angulaire d'une roue selon l'invention. Il est relié au circuit d'alimentation (liaison A) et/ou directement au moteur pas-à-pas (liaison B) et/ou encore au circuit logique de commande (en particulier via l'unité de traitement centrale).Referring to the figures, an embodiment of an electromechanical watchmaking movement 2 comprising a stepping motor 4, a gear train 6 coupled to the motor and driving an analogue display 8 will be described below. classic, the movement includes still another power supply circuit 10 of the motor, a control logic circuit 12 which supplies in particular to the power supply circuit the signals for the formation of the pulses applied to the motor, a clock circuit 14 defining a time base, in particular for the logic circuit 12 and a central processing unit 18 which manages the various functions of the watch movement. Finally, the watch movement also comprises a detection circuit 16 of the load defined by the gear train and the analog display, respectively of the engine torque supplied at each step to drive this load. This detection circuit is part of a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel according to the invention. It is connected to the supply circuit (link A) and / or directly to the stepper motor (link B) and / or to the control logic circuit (in particular via the central processing unit).

Le circuit de détection 16 peut être agencé de diverses manières connues de l'homme du métier, en particulier comme dans l'art antérieur mentionné précédemment. Dans un cas où il est prévu de pouvoir fournir trois impulsions différentes avec respectivement trois énergies différentes, la détection de la charge consiste alors à déterminer laquelle de ces trois impulsions différentes est nécessaire pour effectuer un certain pas. Dans un autre cas où une gestion en temps réel des impulsions en fonction de la charge est prévu, la détection de la charge peut se faire de diverses manières en analysant un ou plusieurs paramètres parmi les trois paramètres physiques intervenant dans l'énergie d'une impulsion électrique, à savoir le temps, la tension appliquée et le courant fourni. La détection de la charge peut être liée à une valeur de ces paramètres, par exemple la durée de l'impulsion, le courant de crête, la tension sélectionnée le cas échéant. Dans des modes de détection plus sophistiquées, on peut utiliser plusieurs de ces valeurs ou des informations dérivées de ces paramètres. Finalement, l'homme du métier connaît également des moyens de détection qui analysent une tension induite / un courant induit dans une bobine du moteur après avoir fourni une impulsion électrique (en utilisant un commutateur entre le circuit d'alimentation et le circuit de détection). Un tel signal induit permet notamment de déterminer si le pas a bien été effectué, mais une analyse de ce signal peut aussi donner une information sur le couple résistif appliqué au moteur.The detection circuit 16 may be arranged in various ways known to those skilled in the art, in particular as in the previously mentioned prior art. In a case where it is planned to be able to provide three different pulses with three different energies respectively, the detection of the load then consists in determining which of these three different pulses is necessary to perform a certain step. In another case where real-time charge-based pulse management is provided, charge detection can be done in a variety of ways by analyzing one or more of the three physical parameters involved in the energy of a electrical pulse, namely the time, the applied voltage and the current supplied. The detection of the load can be related to a value of these parameters, for example the duration of the pulse, the peak current, the selected voltage if necessary. In more sophisticated detection modes, more than one of these values or information derived from these parameters can be used. Finally, those skilled in the art also know detection means that analyze an induced voltage / induced current in a motor coil after providing an electrical pulse (using a switch between the supply circuit and the detection circuit). Such an induced signal makes it possible in particular to determine whether the step has been carried out, but an analysis of this signal can also give information on the resistive torque applied to the motor.

Le train d'engrenages 6 comprend une roue 22, présentant une denture 23 et entrainée en rotation par le moteur, et un pignon 24 présentant une denture 25 et engrenant avec cette roue. Ce pignon forme de manière non limitative un composant mobile engrenant avec la denture 23 de la roue 22. Un couple résistif localisé supplémentaire est réalisé par un élément élastique 26 solidaire de la roue 22. Cet élément élastique est formé par un ressort-fil qui est agencé sur le plateau de la roue et dont une extrémité 29 est fixée à ce plateau. Le ressort-fil présente à une extrémité libre une partie coudée 30 qui est superposée à un creux donné 32 de la denture 23 entre deux dents adjacentes 34 et 35 de cette denture. On remarquera que dans la variante avantageuse représentée aux figures, la partie coudée 30 est pliée de manière à ne pas être superposée aux deux creux 36 et 37 qui sont adjacents au creux 32. Dans une autre variante, le ressort-fil est fixé à ses deux extrémités, la partie coudée étant située environ au milieu de la longueur de ce ressort-fil. La partie coudée fait avantageusement saillie de la courbure principale du ressort-fil, de manière à être superposée à la denture 23 de manière très localisée. Toutefois, cette variante avantageuse n'est pas limitative, l'élément élastique ne présentant pas nécessairement une telle partie coudée. Ainsi, par exemple, dans une variante, seul le bout de l'extrémité libre du ressort est superposé à la denture de la roue. Finalement, la denture 25 du pignon 24 est située au moins partiellement au niveau du ressort-fil, comme montré dans la coupe de la Figure 3, de sorte que cette denture vient presser contre l'élément élastique, à savoir ici contre la partie coudée du ressort-fil, lorsqu'elle pénètre dans le creux donné 32.The gear train 6 comprises a wheel 22, having a toothing 23 and driven in rotation by the motor, and a pinion 24 having a toothing 25 and meshing with this wheel. This pinion forms a non-limiting manner a movable component meshing with the toothing 23 of the wheel 22. An additional localized resistive torque is produced by an elastic element 26 integral with the wheel 22. This elastic element is formed by a wire spring which is arranged on the wheel plate and one end 29 of which is fixed to this plate. The wire spring has at a free end a bent portion 30 which is superimposed on a given recess 32 of the toothing 23 between two adjacent teeth 34 and 35 of this toothing. Note that in the advantageous embodiment shown in the figures, the bent portion 30 is folded so as not to be superimposed on the two recesses 36 and 37 which are adjacent to the recess 32. In another variant, the wire spring is fixed to its two ends, the bent portion being located approximately in the middle of the length of this spring wire. The bent portion advantageously protrudes from the main curvature of the wire spring, so as to be superimposed on the toothing 23 in a very localized manner. However, this advantageous variant is not limiting, the elastic element does not necessarily have such a bent part. Thus, for example, in a variant, only the end of the free end of the spring is superimposed on the toothing of the wheel. Finally, the toothing 25 of the pinion 24 is located at least partially at the wire spring, as shown in the section of FIG. Figure 3 , so that this toothing is pressed against the elastic element, namely here against the bent portion of the spring wire, when it enters the given recess 32.

De manière plus générale, il est prévu que l'élément élastique soit agencé de manière à s'étendre, en projection dans un plan général 40 de la roue 22 dans lequel est située sa denture 23, dans un creux donné, cet élément élastique étant élastiquement déformable selon une direction radiale de la roue sensiblement jusqu'au fond du creux donné (c'est-à-dire au moins suffisamment pour permettre une pénétration de ce creux par la denture du pignon, sans risque de bloquer l'engrènement de ce pignon avec la roue). De manière avantageuse, l'élément élastique est configuré de sorte à pénétrer, en projection dans ledit plan général, dans l'un et/ou l'autre des deux creux adjacents au creux donné dans une moindre mesure que dans ce creux donné. De préférence, comme dans la variante exposée précédemment, il est prévu que l'élément élastique soit réalisé et fixé à la roue de manière à ne pas pénétrer, en projection dans ledit plan général, dans les deux creux adjacents.More generally, it is provided that the elastic element is arranged to extend, in projection in a general plane 40 of the wheel 22 in which is located its toothing 23, in a given hollow, this elastic element being elastically deformable in a radial direction of the wheel substantially to the bottom of the given hollow (that is to say at least sufficiently to allow penetration of the hollow by the toothing of the pinion, without risk of blocking the meshing of this pinion with the wheel). Advantageously, the elastic element is configured to penetrate, in projection in said general plane, in one and / or the other of the two hollows adjacent to the hollow given to a lesser extent than in this given hollow. Preferably, as in the variant described above, it is provided that the elastic element is made and fixed to the wheel so as not to penetrate, in projection in said general plane, in the two adjacent hollows.

Le dispositif de détection de la position angulaire de la roue 22 permet ainsi de déterminer le passage d'un demi-axe de référence 42 de cette roue par une direction de référence 44, correspondant à un angle de référence αREF, défini par cette roue et le composant mobile. Le demi-axe 42 est défini par le milieu du creux 32, respectivement par la portion de la partie courbée 30 du ressort-fil qui est superposée à ce creux sélectionné. L'angle de référence αREF correspond, dans le cas d'un composant mobile formant une roue ou un pignon, à la position angulaire d'une droite 44 passant par le centre de la roue 22 et le centre de ce composant mobile. Le dispositif de détection selon l'invention comporte ainsi un 'point dur' localisé au niveau d'un seul creux de la denture d'une roue et il comprend pour sa détection un circuit électronique capable de détecter un couple résistif supplémentaire intervenant de manière momentanée lors de l'entrainement pas-à-pas de la roue 22 et du pignon 24 par le moteur 4.The device for detecting the angular position of the wheel 22 thus makes it possible to determine the passage of a reference half-axis 42 of this wheel by a reference direction 44, corresponding to a reference angle α REF , defined by this wheel and the mobile component. The half-axis 42 is defined by the middle of the hollow 32, respectively by the portion of the curved portion 30 of the wire spring which is superimposed on this selected hollow. The reference angle α REF corresponds, in the case of a mobile component forming a wheel or a pinion, to the angular position of a straight line 44 passing through the center of the wheel 22 and the center of this mobile component. The detection device according to the invention thus comprises a 'hard point' located at a single hollow of the toothing of a wheel and comprises for its detection an electronic circuit capable of detecting an additional resistive torque occurring momentarily. during the step-by-step driving of the wheel 22 and the pinion 24 by the motor 4.

Aux Figures 5A, 5B et 5C sont représentées respectivement trois courbes 48A, 48B et 48C indiquant le couple fourni par le moteur lors d'un entrainement pas-à-pas du train d'engrenages 6 avec le passage d'une dent du pignon 24 dans le creux 32 de la denture de la roue 22 et donc par le point dur engendré par le ressort-fil 28 qui est superposé seulement à ce creux donné. Ces trois courbes sont une représentation schématique du couple résistif que doit vaincre le moteur lors d'une succession d'impulsions représentées appondues, alors qu'en fonctionnement normal les impulsions sont séparées par des périodes de repos du moteur pas-à-pas.To the Figures 5A, 5B and 5C three curves 48A, 48B and 48C are respectively shown indicating the torque supplied by the motor during a step-by-step driving of the gear train 6 with the passage of a tooth of the pinion 24 in the recess 32 of the toothing of the wheel 22 and therefore by the hard point generated by the thread spring 28 which is only superimposed to this given hollow. These three curves are a schematic representation of the resistive torque to be overcome by the motor during a succession of pulses shown bumped, while in normal operation the pulses are separated by periods of rest of the stepper motor.

La Figure 5A correspond à une situation particulière pour une denture 23 avec soixante dents et une roue effectuant soixante pas par tour. Dans ce cas-ci, le couple résistif supplémentaire dû au ressort-fil intervient pour un seul pas du moteur, de sorte que la position angulaire de la roue est déterminée dès la détection, pour un pas N, d'un pic 50A dans le couple fourni par le moteur. On remarquera toutefois qu'il est aussi possible, selon la position relative des dentures qui engrènent lors des périodes de repos du moteur, que le couple résistif supplémentaire soit ressenti sur deux pas consécutifs. C'est notamment le cas si une position de repos du moteur correspond à une situation où la partie courbée 30 est pressée par une dent de la denture 25. Dans ce cas, il est donc nécessaire de définir lequel des deux pas consécutifs est celui qui définit la position angulaire de référence.The Figure 5A corresponds to a particular situation for a toothing 23 with sixty teeth and a wheel performing sixty steps per revolution. In this case, the additional resistive torque due to the wire spring intervenes for a single pitch of the motor, so that the angular position of the wheel is determined upon detection, for a pitch N, of a peak 50A in the torque supplied by the engine. It will be noted, however, that it is also possible, depending on the relative position of the teeth that mesh during periods of rest of the engine, that the additional resistive torque is felt on two consecutive steps. This is particularly the case if a rest position of the engine corresponds to a situation where the curved portion 30 is pressed by a tooth of the toothing 25. In this case, it is therefore necessary to define which of the two consecutive steps is the one which defines the angular position of reference.

La Figure 5B correspond à une variante où la denture 23 présente aussi soixante dents mais la roue effectue un tour chaque trente pas. Le pic 50B d'augmentation du couple résistif intervient sur une durée moindre que la durée d'une impulsion standard. Comme il est généralement sans intérêt pratique de connaître une position de référence avec une précision supérieure à celle définie par un pas du moteur, on remarquera que la partie courbée 30 du ressort-fil pourrait, dans une autre variante, s'étendre sur deux creux consécutifs, en particulier si de manière avantageuse la relation d'engrènement des deux dentures est contrôlée précisément pour que les deux creux consécutifs soient pénétrés lors d'un même pas. Cependant, de préférence, on conservera une variante de réalisation avec le ressort-fil superposé à un seul creux. Ainsi, la position relative des dentures lors des périodes de repos du moteur est moins critique. On montera de préférence le moteur et le train d'engrenages de sorte que le passage du creux donné 32 intervienne au cours d'un seul pas effectué par le moteur.The Figure 5B corresponds to a variant where the toothing 23 also has sixty teeth but the wheel makes a turn every thirty paces. The peak 50B of increase of the resistive torque occurs for a shorter duration than the duration of a standard pulse. Since it is generally not practical to know a reference position with a precision greater than that defined by a motor pitch, it will be noted that the curved portion 30 of the wire spring could, in another variant, extend over two recesses. consecutive, particularly if advantageously the meshing relationship of the two teeth is precisely controlled so that the two consecutive recesses are penetrated during the same step. However, preferably, it will retain an alternative embodiment with the wire spring superimposed on a single recess. Thus, the relative position of the teeth during periods of rest of the engine is less critical. The motor and the gear train will preferably be mounted so that the passage of the given recess 32 occurs during a single step performed by the motor.

La Figure 5C correspond à une variante où la denture 23 présente trente dents et la roue effectue soixante pas par tour. Dans ce cas, le couple résistif supplémentaire est ressenti sur plusieurs pas consécutifs, le pic de couple 50C s'étendant au moins sur deux pas et généralement sur trois pas. Une analyse du signal d'alimentation engendrant les impulsions électriques concernées par les plusieurs pas consécutifs peut permettre généralement de définir un pas pour lequel le couple résistif passe par un maximum et ainsi de déterminer un pas correspondant à la position de référence de la roue 22. Cependant, dans le cas où le couple résistif supplémentaire agit sur plusieurs pas consécutifs du moteur, on peut définir de plusieurs manières quel est le pas de référence. On peut par exemple prévoir que ce soit le premier pas présentant un couple résistif au-dessus d'un seuil prédéterminé ou le dernier pas d'une série de pas présentant tous un couple résistif au-dessus de ce seuil. On comprend qu'on peut encore choisir un pas situé au milieu d'une telle série de pas ou le pas qui suit une telle série, c'est-à-dire le premier pas correspondant à un couple inférieur à un seuil donné après une série de pas pour lesquels le couple résistif était au-dessus de ce seuil.The Figure 5C corresponds to a variant where the toothing 23 has thirty teeth and the wheel performs sixty paces per revolution. In this case, the additional resistive torque is felt on several consecutive steps, the torque peak 50C extending at least two steps and generally three steps. An analysis of the supply signal generating the electrical pulses concerned by the several consecutive steps may generally make it possible to define a step for which the resistive torque passes through a maximum and thus to determine a pitch corresponding to the reference position of the wheel 22. However, in the case where the additional resistive torque acts on several consecutive steps of the motor, it is possible to define in several ways what is the reference pitch. It can for example be provided that this is the first step having a resistive torque above a predetermined threshold or the last step of a series of steps all having a resistive torque above this threshold. It will be understood that it is still possible to choose a step situated in the middle of such a series of steps or the step that follows such a series, that is to say the first step corresponding to a torque lower than a given threshold after a series of steps for which the resistive torque was above this threshold.

Le dispositif de détection selon l'invention est peu encombrant. Il présente l'avantage, au niveau constructif, d'embarquer l'entier du dispositif de détection (à l'exception de la partie électronique qui est incorporée au circuit électronique du mouvement horloger) sur la roue concernée. En effet, seul un élément élastique solidaire de la roue en question est requis. Il peut facilement être fixé sur cette roue de manière à ne couvrir qu'un seul creux.The detection device according to the invention is compact. It has the advantage, at the constructive level, of embedding the entire detection device (with the exception of the electronic part which is incorporated in the electronic circuit of the watch movement) on the wheel concerned. Indeed, only an elastic element integral with the wheel in question is required. It can easily be fixed on this wheel so as to cover only one hollow.

Claims (6)

  1. Electromechanical timepiece movement comprising a stepping motor (4), a wheel (22) driven in rotation by said motor, a movable component (24) meshing with said wheel and a device for detecting the angular position of the wheel, said detection device making it possible to determine the passage of a reference half-axis (42) of said wheel through a reference angle (αREF) defined by said wheel and the movable component and comprising for such purpose an electronic circuit (16) capable of detecting an additional resistive torque that occurs momentarily when the wheel and movable component are driven in a stepping motion by the motor; characterized in that said additional resistive torque is generated by a resilient element (28) integral with the wheel and arranged to extend, in projection into a general plane (40) of said wheel in which said toothing (32) thereof is located, at least inside one given hollow (32) between two adjacent teeth (34, 35) of said toothing, said resilient element being elastically deformable in a radial direction of the wheel substantially as far as the bottom of said given hollow; and in that said movable component (25) has a toothing which is at least partially situated at the level of said resilient element, such that said toothing moves and presses against the resilient element when said toothing penetrates said given hollow.
  2. Electromechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1, characterized in that said resilient element is configured to penetrate, in projection in said general plane, inside one and/or the other of the two hollows (35, 37) adjacent to said given hollow to a lesser extent than inside said given hollow, or preferably, not to penetrate inside said two adjacent hollows.
  3. Electromechanical timepiece movement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the resilient element is arranged on a plate of said wheel, which contains said wheel toothing on the periphery thereof, said resilient element having a portion superposed on said given hollow of said toothing.
  4. Electromechanical timepiece movement according to claim 3, characterized in that the resilient element is formed by a wire spring (28) attached to the wheel at at least one (29) of the two ends thereof.
  5. Electromechanical timepiece movement according to claim 4, characterized in that the wire spring has a bent portion (30) protruding from the main curvature thereof, said bent portion being superposed on said given hollow of said toothing of said wheel.
  6. Electromechanical timepiece movement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movable component is a pinion or another wheel forming with said wheel a gear train of the timepiece movement.
EP16168244.8A 2016-05-04 2016-05-04 Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel Active EP3242168B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16168244.8A EP3242168B1 (en) 2016-05-04 2016-05-04 Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel
JP2017085877A JP6334027B2 (en) 2016-05-04 2017-04-25 An electromechanical timer movement having a device for detecting the angular position of a car.
CN201710305310.8A CN107346101B (en) 2016-05-04 2017-05-03 Electromechanical timepiece movement including a device for detecting the angular position of a gear
US15/585,555 US10061271B2 (en) 2016-05-04 2017-05-03 Electromechanical timepiece movement comprising a device for detection of the angular position of a wheel
HK18104613.9A HK1245427A1 (en) 2016-05-04 2018-04-09 Electromechanical timepiece movement comprising a device for detection of the angular position of a wheel

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16168244.8A EP3242168B1 (en) 2016-05-04 2016-05-04 Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3242168A1 EP3242168A1 (en) 2017-11-08
EP3242168B1 true EP3242168B1 (en) 2018-11-21

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EP16168244.8A Active EP3242168B1 (en) 2016-05-04 2016-05-04 Electromechanical clock movement comprising a device for detecting the angular position of a wheel

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US (1) US10061271B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3242168B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6334027B2 (en)
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HK (1) HK1245427A1 (en)

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JP7012551B2 (en) * 2018-02-09 2022-02-14 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Watch movements and watches
JP7220584B2 (en) * 2019-02-15 2023-02-10 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Watch movements and watches
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EP3242168A1 (en) 2017-11-08
JP2017201307A (en) 2017-11-09
CN107346101A (en) 2017-11-14
US10061271B2 (en) 2018-08-28
JP6334027B2 (en) 2018-05-30
HK1245427A1 (en) 2018-08-24
US20170322519A1 (en) 2017-11-09
CN107346101B (en) 2020-07-10

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