EP4279997A1 - Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement - Google Patents

Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4279997A1
EP4279997A1 EP22174402.2A EP22174402A EP4279997A1 EP 4279997 A1 EP4279997 A1 EP 4279997A1 EP 22174402 A EP22174402 A EP 22174402A EP 4279997 A1 EP4279997 A1 EP 4279997A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crown
unlocked position
guide tube
sleeve
control member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22174402.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hervé Bouclier
Philip Barat
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Original Assignee
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patek Philippe SA Geneve filed Critical Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority to EP22174402.2A priority Critical patent/EP4279997A1/en
Publication of EP4279997A1 publication Critical patent/EP4279997A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • G04B27/00—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means
    • G04B27/002—The setting apparatus being crown shaped

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a control member of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube of longitudinal axis A, a crown and a system for assembling the crown to the guide tube arranged to allow the crown to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube and at least one unlocked position in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube to be able to activate said function, said crown comprising a head, an axial skirt, a sleeve secured to the head and movably mounted in the guide tube, a piston intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring arranged to be compressed between the head and the piston when the crown is in the locked position.
  • the present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such control member.
  • Such a control member is traditionally used in the field of watchmaking to constitute for example a time setting crown, the piston being intended to be kinematically connected to the time setting rod of the movement.
  • the crown protrudes from the middle to be able to be grasped by a user in order to be able, for example, to set the time by rotating the crown and to be able to be pulled axially into at least one other position to select other functions, such as a correction, the function being carried out by a rotation of the crown.
  • the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a control member making it possible to have a crown which protrudes from the middle, secured in a locked position and which can be unlocked without risk of involuntarily activating a mechanism of the movement to which the crown is linked kinematically, and in particular without the risk of disrupting such a mechanism.
  • the invention relates to a control member for at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube with longitudinal axis A, a crown and a crown assembly system to the guide tube arranged to allow the crown to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube and at least one unlocked position in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube to be able to operate said function , said crown comprising a head, an axial skirt, a sleeve secured to the head and movably mounted in the guide tube, a piston intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring arranged to be compressed between the head and the piston when the crown is in the locked position.
  • said assembly system comprises locking means arranged to allow the crown to be held in its locked position and to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by a given axial rotational movement to the crown and guide means arranged to give the crown at least one axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve and the piston during said axial translation of the crown.
  • the invention makes it possible to unlock and lock the crown on its guide tube by a voluntary rotational movement of the crown, as for a screw crown, but avoiding any untimely rotation of the control rod secured to the piston, the sleeve and the piston being sufficiently distant from each other to be disengaged with certainty when the user turns the crown to lock or unlock it.
  • the system for assembling the crown to the guide tube is bayonet and the coupling device of the sleeve and the pinion is arranged to engage the sleeve and the pinion just before the crown reaches its position unlocked and to disengage the sleeve and pinion just after the crown has left its unlocked position.
  • the present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one control member as described above.
  • the present invention relates to a control member 1 of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube 2 of longitudinal axis A mounted integrally in a middle part 4 of a watch case intended to receive said watch movement, a crown 6, and a system for assembling the crown 6 to the guide tube 2 arranged to allow the crown 6 to be movable between a position locked, shown on the figure 1 , in which it is integral with the guide tube 2 and at least one unlocked position, shown on the Figure 5 , in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube 2 to be able to operate said function.
  • This may be the time setting function to which other functions may also be added such as setting the date or other corrections, the function being selected by moving the crown 6 axially until a certain distance from the movement. The selected function can then be modified by rotating the crown 6.
  • the control member 1 is mounted on the middle part 4 so that the crown 6 protrudes from the middle part 4, including when the crown 6 is in the locked position.
  • the guide tube 2 is intended to be fixed by screwing or driving into the middle part 4. It has a symmetry of revolution with respect to a longitudinal axis A constituting the axis of translation and rotation of the crown 6.
  • the crown 6 comprises, in a conventional manner, a head 8, an axial skirt 10 forming the cylindrical side walls of the crown 6, a sleeve 12 secured to the head 8 and movably mounted in the guide tube 2, and a piston 14 intended to be kinematically connected to the movement by a control rod 16, such as a time setting rod, the assembly having a symmetry of revolution around the axis A.
  • the piston 14 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 12.
  • the piston 14 is arranged to be able to be linked kinematically to the sleeve 12, and therefore to the head 8, when the crown 6 is in its unlocked position, by means of a coupling device which will be described in more detail below .
  • a spring 18 is also provided, such as a coil spring, disposed inside the sleeve 12, and arranged to be compressed between the head 8 and a shoulder 19 of the piston 14 when the crown 6 is in the locked position, of so as to exert a restoring force tending to move the head 8 away from the middle part 4 when the crown 6 is no longer in the locked position.
  • a groove 20 is arranged on a circumference of the interior wall of the guide tube 2.
  • a seal ring 22 is arranged there in such a way that it is in contact with the sleeve 12 sliding in the guide tube 2.
  • the assembly system comprises locking means arranged to allow the crown 6 to be held in its locked position, as shown in the figure 1 , and to be able to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by an axial rotational movement given to the crown 6.
  • the assembly system also comprises means for guiding in axial translation arranged to guide the crown 6 so as to that it can move at least in an axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, as shown in the Figure 5 , the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 only during said axial translation of the crown 6.
  • the system for assembling the crown 6 to the guide tube 2 is bayonet.
  • the skirt 10 of the crown 6 has at least one prominent member 24 projecting towards the guide tube 2.
  • the number of prominent members 24 is at least two, advantageously equal to 3 or 4, the prominent members 24 being distributed uniformly on the peripheral axial wall of the skirt 10.
  • the prominent member 24 is a pin projecting from the interior peripheral wall of the skirt 10 in the direction of the guide tube 2.
  • the skirt 10 advantageously comprises a first inner ring 26 mounted integrally around the inner peripheral axial wall 10a of the skirt 10, so as to fit it.
  • the prominent member 24 projects from the inner peripheral face of said first ring 26, towards the guide tube 2.
  • the guide tube 2 has on its outer peripheral circular wall 2a, facing the skirt 10, at least one groove 28 in which the prominent member 24 can engage when the crown 6 is between its locked position and a second intermediate unlocked position, the crown 6 being free to be moved in rotation and in axial translation relative to the guide tube 2 between its second intermediate position and its unlocked position, it that is to say just after leaving its second intermediate position or just before returning to its second intermediate position.
  • the first and second intermediate unlocked positions are positions through which the crown 6 passes instantly between its locked and unlocked positions.
  • the guide tube 2 may include, in its upper part, a central notched opening 29 allowing the tube 2 to be screwed in using a suitable tool.
  • the guide tube 2 comprises a second outer ring 30 arranged integrally around the outer peripheral circular wall 2a of the guide tube 2, so as to fit it.
  • the second ring 30 has said groove 28 on its peripheral wall.
  • the second ring 30 can be produced for example by laser cutting and can be mounted integrally on the guide tube 2 by brazing, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 .
  • the second ring 30 can be integral with the guide tube 2 to form a single part.
  • the groove 28 comprises at least a first portion 28a having an elongated curved shape extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. At least one edge 32 of the first portion 28a following a circumference of the second ring 30 and located on the side of the head 8 of the crown 6 can cooperate with the prominent member 24 to form the locking means when the crown 6 moves between its locked position and its first intermediate unlocked position during an axial rotation movement given voluntarily to the crown 6 by a user.
  • the edge 32 of the first portion 28a of the groove 28 prevents any movement in axial translation of the protruding member 24 towards the outside of the guide tube 2.
  • the length of the first portion 28a can correspond for example to a rotation of an angle of 45° of the prominent member 24 in the counterclockwise direction.
  • the groove 28 comprises a second portion 28b communicating with the first portion 28a, extending substantially along the longitudinal axis A and opening out at the end of the guide tube 2 in the direction of the head 8 of the crown 6 to constitute the entry of the prominent member 24 into the groove 28 and the exit of the prominent member 24 from said groove 28.
  • the second portion 28b is configured so that the prominent member 24 moves in said second portion 28b substantially in axial translation during when the crown 6 moves between its first intermediate unlocked position and its second intermediate unlocked position, said second portion 28b constituting said guide means.
  • the second portion 28b of the groove 28 prevents any movement in axial rotation of the prominent member 24 and therefore of the crown 6 during its movements between its first intermediate unlocked position and its second intermediate unlocked position.
  • the groove 28 comprises a third portion 28c communicating with the first portion 28a, and opposite the second portion 28b, said third portion 28c constituting a safety device to guarantee the maintenance of the crown 6 in its locked position .
  • Said third portion 28c may have the shape of a notch arranged to secure the locked position of the crown, the prominent member 24 being blocked in the notch in axial rotation and allowed to move in axial translation by pressure on the crown 6 to exit of the notch and be able to enter the first portion 28a.
  • groove 28 could be provided directly on the guide tube 2.
  • the dimensions of the groove 28 are adapted to the dimensions of the protruding member 24, and in particular of the pin. It is obvious that the pin can be replaced by a larger, prominent member, for example forming an ear. In this case, the dimensions and shape of the groove 28, and in particular the width and shape of the second portion 28b, are adapted accordingly, to allow circulation in rotation and in axial translation of the prominent member 24 in groove 28.
  • the sleeve 12 which slides on the piston 14, has a first internal toothing 34, and the piston 14 has a second external toothing 36, said first and second teeth 34, 36 forming the coupling device.
  • the teeth 34, 36 advantageously allow indexing of the coupling device, ensuring precise positioning of the sleeve 12 relative to the piston 14 when they couple to cooperate when the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position.
  • the teeth 34 and 36 are positioned respectively on the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 so that the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 cannot cooperate when the crown 2 moves in axial rotation between its locked position and its first intermediate unlocked position, and that the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 can engage and disengage only when the crown 2 moves in axial translation, preferably between its second intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position.
  • the coupling device of the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 is arranged to engage the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 just before the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position and to disengage the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 just after the crown 6 has left its unlocked position.
  • the first toothing 34 is arranged at the free end 12a of the sleeve 12 and the second toothing 36 is arranged around the piston 14 under the shoulder 19 so as to mesh with the first toothing 34 when the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position.
  • the free end 12a of the sleeve abuts against the shoulder 19 of the piston 14 so as to be able to drive said piston 14 and therefore the control rod 16 when the crown 6 is pulled axially into another axial position further from the middle part 4 to activate another function.
  • the operation of the control member 1 according to the invention is as follows: When the crown 6 is held secure in its locked position on the guide tube 2, as shown in the figure 1 , the pins 24 are housed in their respective notches 28c of the grooves 28 so that the crown 6 is blocked in axial rotation and in axial translation in the event of traction of the head 8. Any untimely operation of the crown 6 is therefore impossible.
  • the skirt 10 of the crown 6 is close to the middle part 4, the head 8 protruding from said middle part 4.
  • a clearance is however provided to be able to press on the head 8 in the direction of the middle part 4 in order to release the pins 24 from the notches 28c of the groove 28.
  • the control rod 16 pushes the piston 14, the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 being disengaged.
  • the crown 6 is unlocked in axial rotation, each pin 24 being able to circulate in axial rotation in the first portion 28a of the corresponding groove 28.
  • the user then turns the crown 6 by 45° counterclockwise so that each pin 24 reaches the second portion 28b of the corresponding groove 28, the crown 6 then reaching its first intermediate unlocked position.
  • the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 are positioned relative to each other so that the first and second teeth 34, 36 are sufficiently distant from each other preventing any clutching during this axial rotation movement. . There is therefore no risk of driving the control rod 16, and therefore no risk of disrupting a mechanism, when unlocking the crown 6 by rotation.
  • the crown 6 continues its movement in axial translation, the head 8 moving away from the middle part 4, without rotation, until reaching its unlocked position, shown on the Figure 5 , in which the free end 12a of the sleeve 12 abuts against the shoulder 19 of the piston 14, the first and second teeth 34, 36 of the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 being able to mesh to engage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14.
  • the crown 6 is now free to be moved in rotation to activate a first function.
  • the crown 6 is also free to be pulled in axial translation and rotated to select and operate a second function.
  • crown 6 takes place in the same way in reverse.
  • the user presses on the head 8 to push the crown 6, and therefore the pins 24, towards the guide tube 2, from its unlocked position to its second intermediate unlocked position.
  • the sleeve 12 moves away from the piston 14 so that they disengage immediately.
  • the control rod 16 and therefore of disrupting a function
  • the crown 6 is then turned to lock it.
  • the user can slightly turn the crown 6 to rotate the entrance to the second portion 28b of the grooves 28, as shown in the figure. Figure 4 , and pass the crown 6 through its second intermediate unlocked position.
  • control member according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to engage and disengage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 only during movements in axial translation of the crown, which makes it possible to avoid driving the control rod, and therefore to accidentally activate a function of the watch, when rotating the crown 6 for its locking and unlocking.
  • control member according to the invention makes it possible to avoid a rod with three axial positions, which simplifies the construction of the movement. It also allows you to have a direct action on the movement.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un organe de commande (1) d'au moins une fonction d'un mouvement horloger, ledit organe de commande (1) comprenant un tube de guidage (2) d'axe longitudinal A, une couronne (6) et un système d'assemblage de la couronne (6) au tube de guidage (2) agencé pour permettre à la couronne (6) d'être mobile entre une position verrouillée dans laquelle elle est solidaire du tube de guidage (2) et au moins une position déverrouillée dans laquelle la couronne (6) est libre par rapport au tube de guidage (2) pour pouvoir actionner ladite fonction. La couronne (6) comprend une tête (8), une jupe (10) axiale, un manchon (12) solidaire de la tête (8) et monté mobile dans le tube de guidage (2), un piston (14) destiné à être relié cinématiquement au mouvement et agencé pour pouvoir être lié cinématiquement au manchon (12) lorsque la couronne est en position déverrouillée au moyen d'un dispositif de couplage, et un ressort (18) agencé pour être comprimé entre la tête (8) et le piston (14) lorsque la couronne (6) est en position verrouillée. Le système d'assemblage comprend des moyens de verrouillage agencés pour permettre à la couronne (6) d'être maintenue dans sa position verrouillée et pour être déplacée entre sa position verrouillée et une première position déverrouillée intermédiaire par un mouvement de rotation axiale donné à la couronne (6), et des moyens de guidage agencés pour donner à la couronne (6) au moins un mouvement de translation axiale au cours de son déplacement entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée, le dispositif de couplage étant agencé pour embrayer et débrayer le manchon (12) et le piston (14) lors de ladite translation axiale de la couronne (6).La présente invention concerne également une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins un tel organe de commande (1).The present invention relates to a control member (1) of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member (1) comprising a guide tube (2) of longitudinal axis A, a crown (6) and a system for assembling the crown (6) to the guide tube (2) arranged to allow the crown (6) to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube (2) and at least an unlocked position in which the crown (6) is free relative to the guide tube (2) to be able to activate said function. The crown (6) comprises a head (8), an axial skirt (10), a sleeve (12) secured to the head (8) and movably mounted in the guide tube (2), a piston (14) intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve (12) when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring (18) arranged to be compressed between the head (8) and the piston (14) when the crown (6) is in the locked position. The assembly system comprises locking means arranged to allow the crown (6) to be held in its locked position and to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by an axial rotational movement given to the crown (6), and guide means arranged to give the crown (6) at least one axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve (12) and the piston (14) during said axial translation of the crown (6). The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such control member (1).

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne un organe de commande d'au moins une fonction d'un mouvement horloger, ledit organe de commande comprenant un tube de guidage d'axe longitudinal A, une couronne et un système d'assemblage de la couronne au tube de guidage agencé pour permettre à la couronne d'être mobile entre une position verrouillée dans laquelle elle est solidaire du tube de guidage et au moins une position déverrouillée dans laquelle la couronne est libre par rapport au tube de guidage pour pouvoir actionner ladite fonction, ladite couronne comprenant une tête, une jupe axiale, un manchon solidaire de la tête et monté mobile dans le tube de guidage, un piston destiné à être relié cinématiquement au mouvement et agencé pour pouvoir être lié cinématiquement au manchon lorsque la couronne est en position déverrouillée au moyen d'un dispositif de couplage, et un ressort agencé pour être comprimé entre la tête et le piston lorsque la couronne est en position verrouillée.The present invention relates to a control member of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube of longitudinal axis A, a crown and a system for assembling the crown to the guide tube arranged to allow the crown to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube and at least one unlocked position in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube to be able to activate said function, said crown comprising a head, an axial skirt, a sleeve secured to the head and movably mounted in the guide tube, a piston intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring arranged to be compressed between the head and the piston when the crown is in the locked position.

La présente invention concerne également une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins un tel organe de commande.The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such control member.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Un tel organe de commande est traditionnellement utilisé dans le domaine de l'horlogerie pour constituer par exemple une couronne de mise à l'heure, le piston étant destiné à être relié cinématiquement à la tige de mise à l'heure du mouvement. La couronne dépasse de la carrure pour pouvoir être saisie par un utilisateur afin de pouvoir par exemple mettre la montre à l'heure par une rotation de la couronne et pour pouvoir être tirée axialement dans au moins une autre position pour sélectionner d'autres fonctions, telles qu'une correction, la fonction étant réalisée par une rotation de la couronne.Such a control member is traditionally used in the field of watchmaking to constitute for example a time setting crown, the piston being intended to be kinematically connected to the time setting rod of the movement. The crown protrudes from the middle to be able to be grasped by a user in order to be able, for example, to set the time by rotating the crown and to be able to be pulled axially into at least one other position to select other functions, such as a correction, the function being carried out by a rotation of the crown.

Afin de pouvoir sécuriser la couronne et éviter tout actionnement ou déplacement intempestif qui dérèglerait la montre, il est possible de prévoir pour la couronne, une position axiale supplémentaire, enfoncée dans la carrure, dont la couronne est extraite lorsque l'utilisateur exerce volontairement une pression sur la couronne, sans donner de mouvement de rotation à la couronne, donc sans risque d'actionner un quelconque mécanisme du mouvement par rotation de la couronne, et donc de la tige de commande. Toutefois, cela nécessite d'augmenter les positions axiales de la couronne, et donc de la tige de commande, ce qui complexifie la construction du mouvement horloger.In order to be able to secure the crown and avoid any untimely actuation or movement which would disrupt the watch, it is possible to provide for the crown, an additional axial position, sunk into the middle, from which the crown is extracted when the user voluntarily exerts pressure on the crown, without giving any rotational movement to the crown, therefore without risk of activating any mechanism of the movement by rotation of the crown, and therefore of the control rod. However, this requires increasing the axial positions of the crown, and therefore of the control rod, which complicates the construction of the watch movement.

Il est aussi possible d'utiliser une couronne à vis qui dépasse de la carrure, en prévoyant un pas de vis sur le tube de guidage et un filetage à l'intérieur de la jupe. La couronne est verrouillée sur le tube de guidage en la vissant sur le tube. Toutefois, une fois la couronne dévissée pour la déverrouiller, il y a un risque à effectuer une rotation supplémentaire de la couronne et donc de la tige de commande solidaire du piston qui actionnerait de manière intempestive le mécanisme du mouvement auquel la couronne est liée cinématiquement.It is also possible to use a screw crown which protrudes from the middle, by providing a screw thread on the guide tube and a thread inside the skirt. The crown is locked onto the guide tube by screwing it onto the tube. However, once the crown is unscrewed to unlock it, there is a risk of performing an additional rotation of the crown and therefore of the control rod attached to the piston which would inadvertently activate the mechanism of the movement to which the crown is kinematically linked.

La présente invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant un organe de commande permettant d'avoir une couronne qui dépasse de la carrure, sécurisée dans une position verrouillée et qui peut être déverrouillée sans risque d'actionner involontairement un mécanisme du mouvement auquel la couronne est liée cinématiquement, et notamment sans risque de dérégler un tel mécanisme.The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a control member making it possible to have a crown which protrudes from the middle, secured in a locked position and which can be unlocked without risk of involuntarily activating a mechanism of the movement to which the crown is linked kinematically, and in particular without the risk of disrupting such a mechanism.

Divulgation de l'inventionDisclosure of the invention

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un organe de commande d'au moins une fonction d'un mouvement horloger, ledit organe de commande comprenant un tube de guidage d'axe longitudinal A, une couronne et un système d'assemblage de la couronne au tube de guidage agencé pour permettre à la couronne d'être mobile entre une position verrouillée dans laquelle elle est solidaire du tube de guidage et au moins une position déverrouillée dans laquelle la couronne est libre par rapport au tube de guidage pour pouvoir actionner ladite fonction, ladite couronne comprenant une tête, une jupe axiale, un manchon solidaire de la tête et monté mobile dans le tube de guidage, un piston destiné à être relié cinématiquement au mouvement et agencé pour pouvoir être lié cinématiquement au manchon lorsque la couronne est en position déverrouillée au moyen d'un dispositif de couplage, et un ressort agencé pour être comprimé entre la tête et le piston lorsque la couronne est en position verrouillée.To this end, the invention relates to a control member for at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube with longitudinal axis A, a crown and a crown assembly system to the guide tube arranged to allow the crown to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube and at least one unlocked position in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube to be able to operate said function , said crown comprising a head, an axial skirt, a sleeve secured to the head and movably mounted in the guide tube, a piston intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring arranged to be compressed between the head and the piston when the crown is in the locked position.

Selon l'invention, ledit système d'assemblage comprend des moyens de verrouillage agencés pour permettre à la couronne d'être maintenue dans sa position verrouillée et pour être déplacée entre sa position verrouillée et une première position déverrouillée intermédiaire par un mouvement de rotation axiale donné à la couronne et des moyens de guidage agencés pour donner à la couronne au moins un mouvement de translation axiale au cours de son déplacement entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée, le dispositif de couplage étant agencé pour embrayer et débrayer le manchon et le piston lors de ladite translation axiale de la couronne.According to the invention, said assembly system comprises locking means arranged to allow the crown to be held in its locked position and to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by a given axial rotational movement to the crown and guide means arranged to give the crown at least one axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve and the piston during said axial translation of the crown.

Ainsi, l'invention permet de déverrouiller et de verrouiller la couronne sur son tube de guidage par un mouvement volontaire de rotation de la couronne, comme pour une couronne à vis, mais en évitant toute rotation intempestive de la tige de commande solidaire du piston, le manchon et le piston étant suffisamment éloignés l'un de l'autre pour être débrayés de manière certaine au moment où l'utilisateur tourne la couronne pour la verrouiller ou la déverrouiller.Thus, the invention makes it possible to unlock and lock the crown on its guide tube by a voluntary rotational movement of the crown, as for a screw crown, but avoiding any untimely rotation of the control rod secured to the piston, the sleeve and the piston being sufficiently distant from each other to be disengaged with certainty when the user turns the crown to lock or unlock it.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulièrement préféré, le système d'assemblage de la couronne au tube de guidage est à baïonnette et le dispositif de couplage du manchon et du pignon est agencé pour embrayer le manchon et le pignon juste avant que la couronne atteigne sa position déverrouillée et pour débrayer le manchon et le pignon juste après que la couronne a quitté sa position déverrouillée.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the system for assembling the crown to the guide tube is bayonet and the coupling device of the sleeve and the pinion is arranged to engage the sleeve and the pinion just before the crown reaches its position unlocked and to disengage the sleeve and pinion just after the crown has left its unlocked position.

Ainsi, il n'y a aucun risque de dérégler le mouvement lors des mouvements de rotation de la couronne nécessaires à son verrouillage et à son déverrouillage.Thus, there is no risk of disrupting the movement during the rotational movements of the crown necessary for its locking and unlocking.

La présente invention concerne également une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins un organe de commande tel que décrit ci-dessus.The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one control member as described above.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée suivante de plusieurs modes de réalisation de l'invention, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un organe de commande selon une première variante de l'invention, monté sur une carrure d'une pièce d'horlogerie, la couronne étant en position verrouillée ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue isométrique de l'organe de commande selon l'invention, la couronne étant en position déverrouillée ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de l'organe de commande selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue isométrique en coupe de l'organe de commande selon l'invention, la couronne étant en fin de guidage, entre sa deuxième position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée ;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en coupe d'un organe de commande selon une deuxième variante de l'invention, monté sur une carrure d'une pièce d'horlogerie, la couronne étant en position déverrouillée ;
  • la figure 6 est une vue isométrique en coupe de la couronne ;
  • la figure 7 est une vue isométrique du tube de guidage ;
  • la figure 8 est une vue isométrique partielle du piston ; et
  • la figure 9 est une vue isométrique partielle du manchon.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • there figure 1 is a sectional view of a control member according to a first variant of the invention, mounted on a middle part of a timepiece, the crown being in the locked position;
  • there figure 2 is an isometric view of the control member according to the invention, the crown being in the unlocked position;
  • there Figure 3 is a top view of the control member according to the invention;
  • there Figure 4 is an isometric sectional view of the control member according to the invention, the crown being at the end of the guide, between its second intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position;
  • there Figure 5 is a sectional view of a control member according to a second variant of the invention, mounted on a middle part of a timepiece, the crown being in the unlocked position;
  • there Figure 6 is an isometric cross-sectional view of the crown;
  • there Figure 7 is an isometric view of the guide tube;
  • there figure 8 is a partial isometric view of the piston; And
  • there Figure 9 is a partial isometric view of the sleeve.

Modes de réalisation de l'inventionModes of carrying out the invention

En référence aux figures 1 à 5, la présente invention concerne un organe de commande 1 d'au moins une fonction d'un mouvement horloger, ledit organe de commande comprenant un tube de guidage 2 d'axe longitudinal A monté solidaire dans une carrure 4 d'une boîte de montre destinée à recevoir ledit mouvement horloger, une couronne 6, et un système d'assemblage de la couronne 6 au tube de guidage 2 agencé pour permettre à la couronne 6 d'être mobile entre une position verrouillée, représentée sur la figure 1, dans laquelle elle est solidaire du tube de guidage 2 et au moins une position déverrouillée, représentée sur la figure 5, dans laquelle la couronne est libre par rapport au tube de guidage 2 pour pouvoir actionner ladite fonction. Il peut s'agir de la fonction de mise à l'heure à laquelle peuvent également s'ajouter d'autres fonctions comme la mise à la date ou d'autres corrections, la fonction étant sélectionnée en déplaçant la couronne 6 axialement jusqu'à une certaine distance du mouvement. La fonction sélectionnée peut ensuite être modifiée en entraînant en rotation la couronne 6. L'organe de commande 1 est monté sur la carrure 4 de sorte que la couronne 6 dépasse de la carrure 4, y compris lorsque la couronne 6 est en position verrouillée.With reference to figures 1 to 5 , the present invention relates to a control member 1 of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member comprising a guide tube 2 of longitudinal axis A mounted integrally in a middle part 4 of a watch case intended to receive said watch movement, a crown 6, and a system for assembling the crown 6 to the guide tube 2 arranged to allow the crown 6 to be movable between a position locked, shown on the figure 1 , in which it is integral with the guide tube 2 and at least one unlocked position, shown on the Figure 5 , in which the crown is free relative to the guide tube 2 to be able to operate said function. This may be the time setting function to which other functions may also be added such as setting the date or other corrections, the function being selected by moving the crown 6 axially until a certain distance from the movement. The selected function can then be modified by rotating the crown 6. The control member 1 is mounted on the middle part 4 so that the crown 6 protrudes from the middle part 4, including when the crown 6 is in the locked position.

Le tube de guidage 2 est destiné à être fixé par vissage ou chassage dans la carrure 4. Il présente une symétrie de révolution par rapport à un axe longitudinal A constituant l'axe de translation et de rotation de la couronne 6.The guide tube 2 is intended to be fixed by screwing or driving into the middle part 4. It has a symmetry of revolution with respect to a longitudinal axis A constituting the axis of translation and rotation of the crown 6.

En référence également à la figure 6, la couronne 6 comprend, de manière classique, une tête 8, une jupe axiale 10 formant les parois latérales cylindriques de la couronne 6, un manchon 12 solidaire de la tête 8 et monté mobile dans le tube de guidage 2, et un piston 14 destiné à être relié cinématiquement au mouvement par une tige de commande 16, telle qu'une tige de mise à l'heure, l'ensemble présentant une symétrie de révolution autour de l'axe A. Le piston 14 est monté coulissant dans le manchon 12. Le piston 14 est agencé pour pouvoir être lié cinématiquement au manchon 12, et donc à la tête 8, lorsque la couronne 6 est dans sa position déverrouillée, au moyen d'un dispositif de couplage qui sera décrit plus en détails ci-après. Il est également prévu un ressort 18, tel qu'un ressort boudin, disposé à l'intérieur du manchon 12, et agencé pour être comprimé entre la tête 8 et un épaulement 19 du piston 14 lorsque la couronne 6 est en position verrouillée, de manière à exercer une force de rappel tendant à éloigner la tête 8 de la carrure 4 lorsque la couronne 6 n'est plus en position verrouillée.Also with reference to the Figure 6 , the crown 6 comprises, in a conventional manner, a head 8, an axial skirt 10 forming the cylindrical side walls of the crown 6, a sleeve 12 secured to the head 8 and movably mounted in the guide tube 2, and a piston 14 intended to be kinematically connected to the movement by a control rod 16, such as a time setting rod, the assembly having a symmetry of revolution around the axis A. The piston 14 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 12. The piston 14 is arranged to be able to be linked kinematically to the sleeve 12, and therefore to the head 8, when the crown 6 is in its unlocked position, by means of a coupling device which will be described in more detail below . A spring 18 is also provided, such as a coil spring, disposed inside the sleeve 12, and arranged to be compressed between the head 8 and a shoulder 19 of the piston 14 when the crown 6 is in the locked position, of so as to exert a restoring force tending to move the head 8 away from the middle part 4 when the crown 6 is no longer in the locked position.

Afin de garantir l'étanchéité du mouvement horloger, une gorge 20 est agencée sur une circonférence de la paroi intérieure du tube de guidage 2. Un joint torique 22 y est disposé de telle sorte qu'il est au contact du manchon 12 coulissant dans le tube de guidage 2.In order to guarantee the watertightness of the watch movement, a groove 20 is arranged on a circumference of the interior wall of the guide tube 2. A seal ring 22 is arranged there in such a way that it is in contact with the sleeve 12 sliding in the guide tube 2.

Conformément à l'invention, le système d'assemblage comprend des moyens de verrouillage agencés pour permettre à la couronne 6 d'être maintenue dans sa position verrouillée, comme représentée sur la figure 1, et pour pouvoir être déplacée entre sa position verrouillée et une première position déverrouillée intermédiaire par un mouvement de rotation axiale donné à la couronne 6. Le système d'assemblage comprend également des moyens de guidage en translation axiale agencés pour guider la couronne 6 de sorte qu'elle peut se déplacer au moins selon un mouvement de translation axiale au cours de son déplacement entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée, comme représentée sur la figure 5, le dispositif de couplage étant agencé pour embrayer et débrayer le manchon 12 et le piston 14 uniquement lors de ladite translation axiale de la couronne 6.In accordance with the invention, the assembly system comprises locking means arranged to allow the crown 6 to be held in its locked position, as shown in the figure 1 , and to be able to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by an axial rotational movement given to the crown 6. The assembly system also comprises means for guiding in axial translation arranged to guide the crown 6 so as to that it can move at least in an axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, as shown in the Figure 5 , the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 only during said axial translation of the crown 6.

D'une manière particulièrement avantageuse, le système d'assemblage de la couronne 6 au tube de guidage 2 est à baïonnette.In a particularly advantageous manner, the system for assembling the crown 6 to the guide tube 2 is bayonet.

A cet effet, la jupe 10 de la couronne 6 présente au moins un organe proéminent 24 faisant saillie en direction du tube de guidage 2. De préférence, le nombre d'organes proéminent 24 est d'au moins deux, avantageusement égal à 3 ou 4, les organes proéminents 24 étant répartis uniformément sur la paroi axiale périphérique de la jupe 10. De préférence, l'organe proéminent 24 est une goupille faisant saillie de la paroi périphérique intérieure de la jupe 10 en direction du tube de guidage 2.For this purpose, the skirt 10 of the crown 6 has at least one prominent member 24 projecting towards the guide tube 2. Preferably, the number of prominent members 24 is at least two, advantageously equal to 3 or 4, the prominent members 24 being distributed uniformly on the peripheral axial wall of the skirt 10. Preferably, the prominent member 24 is a pin projecting from the interior peripheral wall of the skirt 10 in the direction of the guide tube 2.

En référence plus particulièrement aux figures 2 et 6, la jupe 10 comprend avantageusement une première bague intérieure 26 montée solidaire autour de la paroi axiale périphérique intérieure 10a de la jupe 10, de manière à l'épouser. L'organe proéminent 24 fait saillie de la face périphérique intérieure de ladite première bague 26, en direction du tube de guidage 2.With particular reference to figure 2 And 6 , the skirt 10 advantageously comprises a first inner ring 26 mounted integrally around the inner peripheral axial wall 10a of the skirt 10, so as to fit it. The prominent member 24 projects from the inner peripheral face of said first ring 26, towards the guide tube 2.

En référence plus particulièrement aux figures 2 et 7, le tube de guidage 2 présente sur sa paroi circulaire périphérique extérieure 2a, en regard de la jupe 10, au moins une rainure 28 dans laquelle l'organe proéminent 24 peut s'engager lorsque la couronne 6 est entre sa position verrouillée et une seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire, la couronne 6 étant libre d'être déplacée en rotation et en translation axiales par rapport au tube de guidage 2 entre sa seconde position intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée, c'est-à-dire juste après avoir quitté sa seconde position intermédiaire ou juste avant de retrouver sa seconde position intermédiaire. Les première et seconde positions déverrouillées intermédiaires sont des positions par lesquelles passe la couronne 6 de manière instantanée entre ses positions verrouillée et déverrouillée. Il y a autant de rainures 28 que d'organes proéminents 24.With particular reference to figure 2 And 7 , the guide tube 2 has on its outer peripheral circular wall 2a, facing the skirt 10, at least one groove 28 in which the prominent member 24 can engage when the crown 6 is between its locked position and a second intermediate unlocked position, the crown 6 being free to be moved in rotation and in axial translation relative to the guide tube 2 between its second intermediate position and its unlocked position, it that is to say just after leaving its second intermediate position or just before returning to its second intermediate position. The first and second intermediate unlocked positions are positions through which the crown 6 passes instantly between its locked and unlocked positions. There are as many grooves 28 as there are prominent organs 24.

Dans le cas où le tube de guidage 2 est monté vissé sur la carrure 4, il peut comprendre, dans sa partie supérieure, une ouverture centrale 29 crantée permettant le vissage du tube 2 au moyen d'un outil approprié.In the case where the guide tube 2 is screwed onto the middle part 4, it may include, in its upper part, a central notched opening 29 allowing the tube 2 to be screwed in using a suitable tool.

D'une manière avantageuse, le tube de guidage 2 comprend une deuxième bague extérieure 30 agencée solidairement autour de la paroi circulaire périphérique extérieure 2a du tube de guidage 2, de manière à l'épouser. La deuxième bague 30 présente sur sa paroi périphérique ladite rainure 28. Selon une première variante, la deuxième bague 30 peut être réalisée par exemple par découpe laser et peut être montée solidaire sur le tube de guidage 2 par brasage, comme représenté sur la figure 5.Advantageously, the guide tube 2 comprises a second outer ring 30 arranged integrally around the outer peripheral circular wall 2a of the guide tube 2, so as to fit it. The second ring 30 has said groove 28 on its peripheral wall. According to a first variant, the second ring 30 can be produced for example by laser cutting and can be mounted integrally on the guide tube 2 by brazing, as shown in the figure. Figure 5 .

Selon une autre variante représentée sur les figures 1 et 4, la deuxième bague 30 peut être monobloc avec le tube de guidage 2 pour former une seule et même pièce.According to another variant represented on the figures 1 And 4 , the second ring 30 can be integral with the guide tube 2 to form a single part.

La rainure 28 comprend au moins une première portion 28a présentant une forme courbe allongée en s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal A. Au moins un bord 32 de la première portion 28a suivant une circonférence de la deuxième bague 30 et situé du côté de la tête 8 de la couronne 6 peut coopérer avec l'organe proéminent 24 pour former les moyens de verrouillage lorsque la couronne 6 se déplace entre sa position verrouillée et sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire lors d'un mouvement de rotation axiale donné volontairement à la couronne 6 par un utilisateur. Le bord 32 de la première portion 28a de la rainure 28 empêche tout déplacement en translation axiale de l'organe proéminent 24 vers l'extérieur du tube de guidage 2. La longueur de la première portion 28a peut correspondre par exemple à une rotation d'un angle de 45° de l'organe proéminent 24 dans le sens anti-horaire.The groove 28 comprises at least a first portion 28a having an elongated curved shape extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. At least one edge 32 of the first portion 28a following a circumference of the second ring 30 and located on the side of the head 8 of the crown 6 can cooperate with the prominent member 24 to form the locking means when the crown 6 moves between its locked position and its first intermediate unlocked position during an axial rotation movement given voluntarily to the crown 6 by a user. The edge 32 of the first portion 28a of the groove 28 prevents any movement in axial translation of the protruding member 24 towards the outside of the guide tube 2. The length of the first portion 28a can correspond for example to a rotation of an angle of 45° of the prominent member 24 in the counterclockwise direction.

La rainure 28 comprend une deuxième portion 28b communiquant avec la première portion 28a, s'étendant sensiblement selon l'axe longitudinal A et débouchant à l'extrémité du tube de guidage 2 en direction de la tête 8 de la couronne 6 pour constituer l'entrée de l'organe proéminent 24 dans la rainure 28 et la sortie de l'organe proéminent 24 de ladite rainure 28. La deuxième portion 28b est configurée de sorte que l'organe proéminent 24 se déplace dans ladite deuxième portion 28b sensiblement en translation axiale au cours lorsque la couronne 6 se déplace entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire, ladite deuxième portion 28b constituant lesdits moyens de guidage. La deuxième portion 28b de la rainure 28 empêche tout déplacement en rotation axiale de l'organe proéminent 24 et donc de la couronne 6 lors de ses déplacements entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire. Une fois l'organe proéminent 24 sorti de la rainure 28, la couronne 6 sous l'effet du ressort poursuit sa course selon une translation axiale, sans rotation, jusqu'à atteindre sa position déverrouillée dans laquelle elle est libre d'être déplacée en rotation et en translation axiales pour actionner les différentes fonctions.The groove 28 comprises a second portion 28b communicating with the first portion 28a, extending substantially along the longitudinal axis A and opening out at the end of the guide tube 2 in the direction of the head 8 of the crown 6 to constitute the entry of the prominent member 24 into the groove 28 and the exit of the prominent member 24 from said groove 28. The second portion 28b is configured so that the prominent member 24 moves in said second portion 28b substantially in axial translation during when the crown 6 moves between its first intermediate unlocked position and its second intermediate unlocked position, said second portion 28b constituting said guide means. The second portion 28b of the groove 28 prevents any movement in axial rotation of the prominent member 24 and therefore of the crown 6 during its movements between its first intermediate unlocked position and its second intermediate unlocked position. Once the prominent member 24 has emerged from the groove 28, the crown 6, under the effect of the spring, continues its stroke in an axial translation, without rotation, until it reaches its unlocked position in which it is free to be moved in axial rotation and translation to operate the different functions.

De préférence, la rainure 28 comprend une troisième portion 28c communiquant avec la première portion 28a, et à l'opposé de la deuxième portion 28b, ladite troisième portion 28c constituant un dispositif de sécurité pour garantir le maintien de la couronne 6 dans sa position verrouillée. Ladite troisième portion 28c peut présenter une forme d'encoche agencée pour sécuriser la position verrouillée de la couronne, l'organe proéminent 24 étant bloqué dans l'encoche en rotation axiale et autorisé en déplacement en translation axiale par pression sur la couronne 6 pour sortir de l'encoche et pouvoir entrer dans la première portion 28a.Preferably, the groove 28 comprises a third portion 28c communicating with the first portion 28a, and opposite the second portion 28b, said third portion 28c constituting a safety device to guarantee the maintenance of the crown 6 in its locked position . Said third portion 28c may have the shape of a notch arranged to secure the locked position of the crown, the prominent member 24 being blocked in the notch in axial rotation and allowed to move in axial translation by pressure on the crown 6 to exit of the notch and be able to enter the first portion 28a.

Il est bien évident que la rainure 28 pourrait être prévue directement sur le tube de guidage 2.It is obvious that the groove 28 could be provided directly on the guide tube 2.

Les dimensions de la rainure 28 sont adaptées aux dimensions de l'organe proéminent 24, et notamment de la goupille. Il est bien évident que la goupille peut être remplacée par un organe proéminent plus large par exemple formant une oreille. Dans ce cas, les dimensions et la forme de la rainure 28, et en particulier la largeur et la forme de la deuxième portion 28b, sont adaptées en conséquence, pour permettre la circulation en rotation et en translation axiales de l'organe proéminent 24 dans la rainure 28.The dimensions of the groove 28 are adapted to the dimensions of the protruding member 24, and in particular of the pin. It is obvious that the pin can be replaced by a larger, prominent member, for example forming an ear. In this case, the dimensions and shape of the groove 28, and in particular the width and shape of the second portion 28b, are adapted accordingly, to allow circulation in rotation and in axial translation of the prominent member 24 in groove 28.

En référence aux figures 8 et 9, d'une manière avantageuse, le manchon 12, qui coulisse sur le piston 14, comporte une première denture 34 intérieure, et le piston 14 comporte une deuxième denture 36 extérieure, lesdites première et deuxième dentures 34, 36 formant le dispositif de couplage.With reference to figures 8 and 9 , advantageously, the sleeve 12, which slides on the piston 14, has a first internal toothing 34, and the piston 14 has a second external toothing 36, said first and second teeth 34, 36 forming the coupling device.

Les dentures 34, 36 permettent avantageusement un indexage du dispositif de couplage, assurant un positionnement précis du manchon 12 par rapport au piston 14 lorsqu'ils s'accouplent pour coopérer lorsque la couronne 6 atteint sa position déverrouillée.The teeth 34, 36 advantageously allow indexing of the coupling device, ensuring precise positioning of the sleeve 12 relative to the piston 14 when they couple to cooperate when the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position.

Les dentures 34 et 36 sont positionnées respectivement sur le manchon 12 et le piston 14 de sorte que le manchon 12 et le piston 14 ne puissent pas coopérer lorsque la couronne 2 se déplace en rotation axiale entre sa position verrouillée et sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire, et que le manchon 12 et le piston 14 puissent embrayer et débrayer uniquement lorsque la couronne 2 se déplace en translation axiale, de préférence entre sa seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée.The teeth 34 and 36 are positioned respectively on the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 so that the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 cannot cooperate when the crown 2 moves in axial rotation between its locked position and its first intermediate unlocked position, and that the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 can engage and disengage only when the crown 2 moves in axial translation, preferably between its second intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position.

De préférence, le dispositif de couplage du manchon 12 et du pignon 14 est agencé pour embrayer le manchon 12 et le pignon 14 juste avant que la couronne 6 atteigne sa position déverrouillée et pour débrayer le manchon 12 et le pignon 14 juste après que la couronne 6 a quitté sa position déverrouillée.Preferably, the coupling device of the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 is arranged to engage the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 just before the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position and to disengage the sleeve 12 and the pinion 14 just after the crown 6 has left its unlocked position.

A cet effet, la première denture 34 est disposée à l'extrémité libre 12a du manchon 12 et la deuxième denture 36 est disposée autour du piston 14 sous l'épaulement 19 de manière à engrener avec la première denture 34 lorsque la couronne 6 atteint sa position déverrouillée. Dans cette position déverrouillée, l'extrémité libre 12a du manchon vient en butée contre l'épaulement 19 du piston 14 de manière à pouvoir entrainer ledit piston 14 et donc la tige de commande 16 lorsque la couronne 6 est tirée axialement dans une autre position axiale plus éloignée de la carrure 4 pour actionner une autre fonction.For this purpose, the first toothing 34 is arranged at the free end 12a of the sleeve 12 and the second toothing 36 is arranged around the piston 14 under the shoulder 19 so as to mesh with the first toothing 34 when the crown 6 reaches its unlocked position. In this unlocked position, the free end 12a of the sleeve abuts against the shoulder 19 of the piston 14 so as to be able to drive said piston 14 and therefore the control rod 16 when the crown 6 is pulled axially into another axial position further from the middle part 4 to activate another function.

Le fonctionnement de l'organe de commande 1 selon l'invention est le suivant :
Lorsque la couronne 6 est maintenue sécurisée dans sa position verrouillée sur le tube de guidage 2, comme représenté sur la figure 1, les goupilles 24 sont logées dans leurs encoches respectives 28c des rainures 28 de sorte que la couronne 6 est bloquée en rotation axiale et en translation axiale en cas de traction de la tête 8. Toute manœuvre intempestive de la couronne 6 est donc impossible. La jupe 10 de la couronne 6 est à proximité de la carrure 4, la tête 8 dépassant de ladite carrure 4. Un jeu est toutefois prévu pour pouvoir presser sur la tête 8 en direction de la carrure 4 afin de dégager les goupilles 24 des encoches 28c de la rainure 28. La tige de commande 16 pousse le piston 14, le manchon 12 et le piston 14 étant débrayés.The operation of the control member 1 according to the invention is as follows:
When the crown 6 is held secure in its locked position on the guide tube 2, as shown in the figure 1 , the pins 24 are housed in their respective notches 28c of the grooves 28 so that the crown 6 is blocked in axial rotation and in axial translation in the event of traction of the head 8. Any untimely operation of the crown 6 is therefore impossible. The skirt 10 of the crown 6 is close to the middle part 4, the head 8 protruding from said middle part 4. A clearance is however provided to be able to press on the head 8 in the direction of the middle part 4 in order to release the pins 24 from the notches 28c of the groove 28. The control rod 16 pushes the piston 14, the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 being disengaged.

Une fois les goupilles 24 dégagées des encoches 28c, la couronne 6 est déverrouillée en rotation axiale, chaque goupille 24 pouvant circuler en rotation axiale dans la première portion 28a de la rainure 28 correspondante. L'utilisateur tourne alors la couronne 6 de 45° dans le sens anti-horaire de sorte que chaque goupille 24 atteint la deuxième portion 28b de la rainure 28 correspondante, la couronne 6 atteignant alors sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire. Le manchon 12 et le piston 14 sont positionnés l'un par rapport à l'autre de sorte que les première et deuxième denture 34, 36 sont suffisamment éloignées l'une de l'autre empêchant tout embrayage au cours de ce mouvement de rotation axiale. Il n'y a donc pas de risque d'entrainer la tige de commande 16, donc pas de risque de dérégler un mécanisme, lors du déverrouillage par rotation de la couronne 6.Once the pins 24 have been released from the notches 28c, the crown 6 is unlocked in axial rotation, each pin 24 being able to circulate in axial rotation in the first portion 28a of the corresponding groove 28. The user then turns the crown 6 by 45° counterclockwise so that each pin 24 reaches the second portion 28b of the corresponding groove 28, the crown 6 then reaching its first intermediate unlocked position. The sleeve 12 and the piston 14 are positioned relative to each other so that the first and second teeth 34, 36 are sufficiently distant from each other preventing any clutching during this axial rotation movement. . There is therefore no risk of driving the control rod 16, and therefore no risk of disrupting a mechanism, when unlocking the crown 6 by rotation.

Les goupilles 24 arrivant dans la deuxième portion 28b n'étant plus retenues par le bord 32 des rainures 28, la couronne 6 s'éjecte, sous l'effet du ressort 18, la tête 8 s'éloignant de la carrure 4. L'éjection de la couronne 6 entre ses première et seconde positions déverrouillées intermédiaires se fait selon un mouvement de translation axiale grâce au guidage de chaque goupille 24 par la deuxième portion 28b de la rainure 28 correspondante. Chaque goupille 24 se déplace, guidée en translation axiale dans la deuxième portion 28b entre les première et seconde positions déverrouillées intermédiaires, jusqu'à sortir de sa rainure 28, en fin de guidage, comme représenté sur la figure 4. Lors de ce déplacement en translation axiale de la couronne 6 et donc du manchon 12 entre les première et seconde positions déverrouillées intermédiaires, la première denture 34 s'est rapprochée de la deuxième denture 36, mais pas suffisamment pour embrayer le manchon et le pignon.The pins 24 arriving in the second portion 28b no longer being retained by the edge 32 of the grooves 28, the crown 6 is ejected, under the effect of the spring 18, the head 8 moving away from the middle part 4. ejection of the crown 6 between its first and second intermediate unlocked positions is done according to an axial translation movement thanks to the guiding of each pin 24 by the second portion 28b of the corresponding groove 28. Each pin 24 moves, guided in axial translation in the second portion 28b between the first and second intermediate unlocked positions, until it leaves its groove 28, at the end of the guide, as shown in the Figure 4 . During this translational movement axial of the crown 6 and therefore of the sleeve 12 between the first and second intermediate unlocked positions, the first toothing 34 has come closer to the second toothing 36, but not sufficiently to engage the sleeve and the pinion.

Puis, toujours éjectée par l'effet du ressort 18, la couronne 6 poursuit son déplacement en translation axiale, la tête 8 s'éloignant de la carrure 4, sans rotation, jusqu'à atteindre sa position déverrouillée, représentée sur la figure 5, dans laquelle l'extrémité libre 12a du manchon 12 vient en butée contre l'épaulement 19 du piston 14, les première et deuxième dentures 34, 36 du manchon 12 et du piston 14 pouvant engrener pour embrayer le manchon 12 et le piston 14.Then, still ejected by the effect of the spring 18, the crown 6 continues its movement in axial translation, the head 8 moving away from the middle part 4, without rotation, until reaching its unlocked position, shown on the Figure 5 , in which the free end 12a of the sleeve 12 abuts against the shoulder 19 of the piston 14, the first and second teeth 34, 36 of the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 being able to mesh to engage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14.

Les goupilles 24 étant suffisamment éloignées du tube de guidage 2, la couronne 6 est désormais libre d'être déplacée en rotation pour actionner une première fonction. La couronne 6 est également libre d'être tirée en translation axiale et tournée pour sélectionner et actionner une deuxième fonction.The pins 24 being sufficiently distant from the guide tube 2, the crown 6 is now free to be moved in rotation to activate a first function. The crown 6 is also free to be pulled in axial translation and rotated to select and operate a second function.

Le verrouillage de la couronne 6 se déroule de la même façon en sens inverse. Pour cela, l'utilisateur presse sur la tête 8 pour repousser la couronne 6, et donc les goupilles 24, en direction du tube de guidage 2, de sa position déverrouillée à sa deuxième position déverrouillée intermédiaire. Dès que la couronne 6 quitte sa position déverrouillée, le manchon 12 s'éloigne du piston 14 de sorte qu'ils débrayent immédiatement. Ainsi, il n'y a aucun risque d'entrainer la tige de commande 16, et donc de dérégler une fonction, lorsque la couronne 6 est ensuite tournée pour son verrouillage. En pressant sur la tête, l'utilisateur peut tourner légèrement la couronne 6 pour venir chercher en rotation l'entrée de la deuxième portion 28b des rainures 28, comme représenté sur la figure 4, et faire passer la couronne 6 par sa deuxième position déverrouillée intermédiaire. Du fait de la pression que l'utilisateur continue à appliquer sur la tête, les goupilles 24 coulissent, guidées en translation axiale dans les deuxièmes portions 28b des rainures, jusqu'à ce que la couronne 6 regagne sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire. Puis l'utilisateur tourne la couronne 6 de 45° dans le sens horaire, chaque goupille 24 suivant la première portion 28a de la rainure correspondante 28 jusqu'à atteindre la position verrouillée de la figure 1. La couronne 6 est de nouveau maintenue de manière sécurisée en position verrouillée sur le tube de guidage 2, chaque goupille 24 étant bloquée dans l'encoche de la troisième portion 28c de chaque rainure 28.The locking of crown 6 takes place in the same way in reverse. To do this, the user presses on the head 8 to push the crown 6, and therefore the pins 24, towards the guide tube 2, from its unlocked position to its second intermediate unlocked position. As soon as the crown 6 leaves its unlocked position, the sleeve 12 moves away from the piston 14 so that they disengage immediately. Thus, there is no risk of driving the control rod 16, and therefore of disrupting a function, when the crown 6 is then turned to lock it. By pressing on the head, the user can slightly turn the crown 6 to rotate the entrance to the second portion 28b of the grooves 28, as shown in the figure. Figure 4 , and pass the crown 6 through its second intermediate unlocked position. Due to the pressure that the user continues to apply on the head, the pins 24 slide, guided in axial translation in the second portions 28b of the grooves, until the crown 6 returns to its first intermediate unlocked position. Then the user turns the crown 6 by 45° clockwise, each pin 24 following the first portion 28a of the corresponding groove 28 until reaching the locked position of the figure 1 . Crown 6 is again held securely in the locked position on the guide tube 2, each pin 24 being blocked in the notch of the third portion 28c of each groove 28.

L'organe de commande selon l'invention permet avantageusement d'embrayer et de débrayer le manchon 12 et le piston 14 uniquement lors de déplacements en translation axiale de la couronne, ce qui permet d'éviter d'entrainer la tige de commande, et donc d'actionner malencontreusement une fonction de la montre, lors d'une rotation de la couronne 6 pour son verrouillage et son déverrouillage.The control member according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to engage and disengage the sleeve 12 and the piston 14 only during movements in axial translation of the crown, which makes it possible to avoid driving the control rod, and therefore to accidentally activate a function of the watch, when rotating the crown 6 for its locking and unlocking.

De plus, l'organe de commande selon l'invention permet d'éviter une tige à trois positions axiales, ce qui simplifie la construction du mouvement. Il permet également d'avoir une action directe sur le mouvement.In addition, the control member according to the invention makes it possible to avoid a rod with three axial positions, which simplifies the construction of the movement. It also allows you to have a direct action on the movement.

Claims (10)

Organe de commande (1) d'au moins une fonction d'un mouvement horloger, ledit organe de commande (1) comprenant un tube de guidage (2) d'axe longitudinal A, une couronne (6) et un système d'assemblage de la couronne (6) au tube de guidage (2) agencé pour permettre à la couronne (6) d'être mobile entre une position verrouillée dans laquelle elle est solidaire du tube de guidage (2) et au moins une position déverrouillée dans laquelle la couronne (6) est libre par rapport au tube de guidage (2) pour pouvoir actionner ladite fonction, ladite couronne (6) comprenant une tête (8), une jupe (10) axiale, un manchon (12) solidaire de la tête (8) et monté mobile dans le tube de guidage (2), un piston (14) destiné à être relié cinématiquement au mouvement et agencé pour pouvoir être lié cinématiquement au manchon (12) lorsque la couronne est en position déverrouillée au moyen d'un dispositif de couplage, et un ressort (18) agencé pour être comprimé entre la tête (8) et le piston (14) lorsque la couronne (6) est en position verrouillée, caractérisé en ce que ledit système d'assemblage comprend des moyens de verrouillage agencés pour permettre à la couronne (6) d'être maintenue dans sa position verrouillée et pour être déplacée entre sa position verrouillée et une première position déverrouillée intermédiaire par un mouvement de rotation axiale donné à la couronne (6) et des moyens de guidage agencés pour donner à la couronne (6) au moins un mouvement de translation axiale au cours de son déplacement entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa position déverrouillée, le dispositif de couplage étant agencé pour embrayer et débrayer le manchon (12) et le piston (14) lors de ladite translation axiale de la couronne (6).Control member (1) of at least one function of a watch movement, said control member (1) comprising a guide tube (2) of longitudinal axis A, a crown (6) and an assembly system of the crown (6) to the guide tube (2) arranged to allow the crown (6) to be movable between a locked position in which it is secured to the guide tube (2) and at least one unlocked position in which the crown (6) is free relative to the guide tube (2) to be able to operate said function, said crown (6) comprising a head (8), an axial skirt (10), a sleeve (12) secured to the head (8) and movably mounted in the guide tube (2), a piston (14) intended to be kinematically connected to the movement and arranged to be able to be kinematically linked to the sleeve (12) when the crown is in the unlocked position by means of a coupling device, and a spring (18) arranged to be compressed between the head (8) and the piston (14) when the crown (6) is in the locked position, characterized in that said assembly system comprises means locking device arranged to allow the crown (6) to be held in its locked position and to be moved between its locked position and a first intermediate unlocked position by an axial rotational movement given to the crown (6) and means for guidance arranged to give the crown (6) at least one axial translation movement during its movement between its first intermediate unlocked position and its unlocked position, the coupling device being arranged to engage and disengage the sleeve (12) and the piston (14) during said axial translation of the crown (6). Organe de commande selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le système d'assemblage de la couronne (6) au tube de guidage (2) est à baïonnette, la jupe (10) présentant au moins un organe proéminent (24) faisant saillie en direction du tube de guidage (2), ledit tube de guidage (2) présentant sur sa paroi en regard de la jupe (10) au moins une rainure (28) dans laquelle l'organe proéminent (24) peut s'engager lorsque la couronne (6) est entre sa position verrouillée et une seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire, ladite rainure (28) comprenant au moins une première portion (28a) s'étendant sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe longitudinal et dont au moins un bord (32) situé du côté de la tête (8) de la couronne (6) peut coopérer avec l'organe proéminent (24) pour former les moyens de verrouillage lorsque la couronne (6) est entre sa position déverrouillée et sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire, et une deuxième portion (28b) communiquant avec la première portion (28a), s'étendant sensiblement selon l'axe longitudinal et débouchant à l'extrémité du tube de guidage (2) en direction de la tête (8) et dans laquelle l'organe proéminent (24) peut se déplacer sensiblement en translation axiale lorsque la couronne (6) est entre sa première position déverrouillée intermédiaire et sa seconde position déverrouillée intermédiaire, constituant lesdits moyens de guidage.Control member according to claim 1, characterized in that the system for assembling the crown (6) to the guide tube (2) is bayonet, the skirt (10) having at least one prominent member (24) projecting towards the guide tube (2), said guide tube (2) having on its wall facing the skirt (10) at least one groove (28) in which the protruding member (24) can engage when the crown (6) is between its locked position and a second unlocked position intermediate, said groove (28) comprising at least a first portion (28a) extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and of which at least one edge (32) located on the side of the head (8) of the crown (6) can cooperate with the prominent member (24) to form the locking means when the crown (6) is between its unlocked position and its first intermediate unlocked position, and a second portion (28b) communicating with the first portion (28a), extending substantially along the longitudinal axis and opening out at the end of the guide tube (2) in the direction of the head (8) and in which the prominent member (24) can move substantially in axial translation when the crown (6) is between its first intermediate unlocked position and its second intermediate unlocked position, constituting said guide means. Organe de commande selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que la rainure (28) comprend une troisième portion (28c) communiquant avec la première portion (28a), ladite troisième portion (28c) étant en forme d'encoche agencée pour sécuriser la position verrouillée de la couronne (6), l'organe proéminent (24) étant bloqué en rotation axiale et autorisé en déplacement en translation axiale par pression sur la couronne (6) pour pouvoir entrer dans la première portion (28a).Control member according to claim 2, characterized in that the groove (28) comprises a third portion (28c) communicating with the first portion (28a), said third portion (28c) being in the form of a notch arranged to secure the position locked of the crown (6), the prominent member (24) being blocked in axial rotation and allowed to move in axial translation by pressure on the crown (6) to be able to enter the first portion (28a). Organe de commande selon les revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que la jupe (10) comprend une première bague (26) intérieure, de la face intérieure de laquelle l'organe proéminent (24) fait saillie.Control member according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the skirt (10) comprises a first inner ring (26), from the inner face of which the prominent member (24) projects. Organe de commande selon les revendications 2 à 4, caractérisé en ce que le tube de guidage (2) comprend une deuxième bague (30) extérieure qui présente sur sa paroi périphérique, ladite rainure (28).Control member according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the guide tube (2) comprises a second outer ring (30) which has said groove (28) on its peripheral wall. Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications 2 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'organe proéminent (24) est une goupille.Control member according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the prominent member (24) is a pin. Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif de couplage du manchon (12) et du pignon (14) est agencé pour embrayer le manchon (12) et le pignon (14) juste avant que la couronne (6) atteigne sa position déverrouillée et pour débrayer le manchon (12) et le pignon (14) juste après que la couronne (6) a quitté sa position déverrouillée.Control member according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for coupling the sleeve (12) and the pinion (14) is arranged to engage the sleeve (12) and the pinion (14) just before the crown (6) reaches its unlocked position and to disengage the sleeve (12) and the pinion (14) just after the crown (6) has left its unlocked position. Organe de commande selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que, le manchon (12), coulissant sur le piston (14), comporte une première denture (34) intérieure, et en ce que le piston (14) comporte une deuxième denture (36) extérieure, lesdites première et deuxième dentures (34, 36) formant le dispositif de couplage.Control member according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (12), sliding on the piston (14), has a first internal toothing (34), and in that the piston (14) has a second external toothing (36), said first and second teeth (34, 36) forming the coupling device. Organe de commande selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que la première denture (34) est disposée à l'extrémité libre (12a) du manchon (12), la deuxième denture (36) étant disposée autour du piston (14) de manière à engrener avec la première denture (34) lorsque la couronne (6) atteint sa position déverrouillée.Control member according to claim 8, characterized in that the first toothing (34) is arranged at the free end (12a) of the sleeve (12), the second toothing (36) being arranged around the piston (14) so to mesh with the first toothing (34) when the crown (6) reaches its unlocked position. Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant au moins un organe de commande (1) selon l'une des revendications 1 à 9.Timepiece comprising at least one control member (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9.
EP22174402.2A 2022-05-19 2022-05-19 Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement Pending EP4279997A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22174402.2A EP4279997A1 (en) 2022-05-19 2022-05-19 Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22174402.2A EP4279997A1 (en) 2022-05-19 2022-05-19 Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4279997A1 true EP4279997A1 (en) 2023-11-22

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EP22174402.2A Pending EP4279997A1 (en) 2022-05-19 2022-05-19 Member for controlling at least one function of a timepiece movement

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EP (1) EP4279997A1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007132779A (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-05-31 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Winding crown structure for timepiece
EP2827202A2 (en) * 2013-07-17 2015-01-21 Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Control device for a timepiece
EP2975468A2 (en) * 2014-07-15 2016-01-20 Patek Philippe SA Genève Push button

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007132779A (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-05-31 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Winding crown structure for timepiece
EP2827202A2 (en) * 2013-07-17 2015-01-21 Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Control device for a timepiece
EP2975468A2 (en) * 2014-07-15 2016-01-20 Patek Philippe SA Genève Push button

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