HUE026883T2 - Timepiece - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Tfie: preset invention pistes to mechanical timepieces. It relates; more parLcyls# to ft timepiece comprising a frame, at least one wheel of a going: train and at least one tourbilon mechanism comprising a support, such as a cage, supporting a balance and at least one element of an escapement.

STATE OF THE ART A tourbillon mechanism is a device intended to avssap-.fle #f the posions of the balance of a timepiece. In the present Invention, such a tourbillon composes the traditional fourbit comprising a tourbillon cage as well as the carousel. To that end, a toutoltien mechanism includes a support Jor example; a gaga in the case of the traditional tourbillon) pivotably mounted on the frame, in general an assembly formed by a bar and a plate and, pivotably mounted on :toe support, a spring balance and an escapement comprising in hartley lar an escapement wheel provided with a disc and a pinion. The support, Indudes a gear kinematically connected to the going train ofthe timepiece, in general to the centre wheel. A cogwheel, fixedly mounted on the fmroe, meshes with the escapement pinion. As a result, each time the balance is in position to receive a driving impulse torn the escapement the torque applied by the centre wheel on the gear causes the support to rotate slightly, the Impulse at the balance being provided by the escapement, the wheel of which turns by meshing of its pinion: with the toothed disc. The dises and: pinions are generally arranged and numbered such that the tourbillon' performs one revolution per minute, Th» when the timepiece Is positioned vertically, toe position of the dead pomt of the balance therefore performs one revolution par minute, which averages the running deviations In the verSoal positions. However, the Jag between the horizontal and vertical positions remains.

Different solutions have been preposed to mitigate this disadvantage.

Atriaxiai tourbillon is known, for example, anddescrihed in application EP 1,574,918. It comprises a cage eontotoiog toe balance and the escapement rotating about; an axis, iw cage being mounted in a second mg® go as to bo able to rotate about another axis, the second cage being in turn rotatably mounted in a third cage rotating around a stationary axis relative to the timepiece, the three axes being perpendicufarte one another, The tri-axial tourbillon ts driven by a driving wheel mounted on the plate of the tlmopieee, which drives a pinion secured to the third cage* and causes the cage to rotate about is axis, fhesgbir causing: a: pinion to rotate which meshes with a crown fixed to the plate of the timepiece; which rotates the cage around Its axle; the second cage setting the first cage in rotation about its axis by means of a crown and the fourth-wheel: pinion secured to the third cage, and thus to transmit the energy coming: from the drivingwheelto the assembly formed by the escapement pinion:, the escapement wheeland the balance placed: In the first cage. A mechanism of this kind has the drawback of being::bulky and: not very aesthetically pleasing: due to the presence of several toothed crowns appearing on the dial: side,

Also '.known: is a differential correction device described In application EP 2,031,40S, This device comprises several supports mounted to be pivotabierespective articulation axes, which makes it possible to neutralize the movements of a transmission train about two or more axes. The atm of this mechanism is to keep the seat of the support bearing the adlusing spiom in a constant position irrespective of the position of She frame, The isochronlsm faults of the system are eliminated, given that the oscillating system has only one position. Such a mechanism does not have the same aims as a tourbiilon mechanism, which makes It possible to further reduce the running différences between the horizontal and vertical positions of a timepiece comprising a tourbillon: mechanism of this kind.

One aim of the present invention is therefore to mitigate these disadvantages by proposing a timepiece comprising a tourbillon mechanism which makes it possible to further reduce the running differences between die horizontal and vertical positions.

Another asm of the present invention is to propose a Imaps®® comprising a muiblion mechanism having: a reduced bulk and improved aesthetic appearance,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To this end, and in accordance with the present invention, a timepiece is proposed comprising a frame, at least one wheel of a going train, and at least one tourbillon mechanism comprising a support bearing a balance and at least one element of an escapement.

According to the invention, the tourbillon mechanism: further comprises: ah outer fing mounted on the frame to be rotatable about a first axis, at least one inner ring mounted inside the outer fling and rotatable relative to me outer ring about a second axis, preferably perpendicular to the first axis, the support being: pivotably mounted in the Inner ring and said supporibeing secured to an arbor around which the inner ring is mounted to rotate freely according to a third axis, a first toothed organ, mounted on the frame, a first pinion secured to the arbor of the support arranged to cooperate with said first toothed organ so as to rotate said support, and means for driving the inner ring cooperaing with me wheel of the going train and arranged to move the Inner ring arid tbamfbre the: ait ring as well, giving the support a composite movement.

This composite movement of the support makes it possible to fudher reduce the running differences between die horizontéi and vertical positions, as described in patent BP 1,419,419.

Advantageously, the means for driving the inner ring may comprise a driving element secured to an arbor of die disc of the going train.

The first tooled organ may be securely fixed to the frame. This then creates a murbion mechanism, VWien the first toothed organ Is not securely fixed to the frame, si Is then a carousel mechanism as described in patent CH 7965.

According to a first alternative, the driving element cooperates with the arbor of the support so as to cause it to rotate about the first toothed organ.

According to a second alternative, the loner ring comprises a tube that is secured thereto, wherein the arbor of the support can rotate freely, the driving element cooperating with said tube so as to cause the inner ring to rotate about the first toothed organ.

Preferably, the arbor of the support forms a non-zero angle with the first toothed organ, Nonetheless,: in other alternative embodiments, said angle may be a eon-aero angle.

Advantageously, the tourbillon mechanism may further comprise a second toothed organ secured to the inner hag and arranged to cooperate with a second pinion felnematioally connected to the escapement

According to different possible embodiments, the support may be positioned such that its axis of rotation is or is not perpendicuiar to the second axis of rotation of the Inner ring raiafive to the outer ring

amEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Invention wifi be better understood from a study of the following description of different embodiments, provided by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which;

Figures 1 and 2 show perspeobve views of tie iourbflion mechanismaccording to the Invention, the öuterrmg belrti:reapeetfely;ln each of Is; maximal posions relative to its axis of rotation.,

Figures S and 4 show perspective views of the tourbiiion mechanism according to the Invention, the inner ring being,respectively,in each of Its maximal positions relative to its axis of rotation.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the tourbillon mechanism of the invention, the outer ring soi the inner ring being in iofennadiato posíúons,

Figure 6 is 8 cross-sectional view of the tourbillon mechanism according to the invention, and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a detail of another alternative embodiment of the tourbillon mechanism according to the Invention.

BBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and:#,, these show an alternative embodiment of a tourb-Uon mechanism 1 according to the invention mounted on a frame 2 of a fimapiece:, Generally, the frame Is an assembly formed by a bar and a plate, but of course the frame may comprise any support element tor the components of the timepiece A wheel 4 of a going train, such as fee centre wheeijs pivotably mounted on the frame 2. The wheel 4 comprises an arbor 6 on which a driving element 8 Is securely mounted, bent and ending with a bracket 10, the role of which will be described hereafien

Also mounted securely on the frame 2 is a first stationery disc 12. arranged around the arbor 6 of the wheel 4.

The tourbllion mechanism comprises a tourbillon cage 14 bearing a balance 16, a balance-spring 11 and an escapement, traditionally comprising an escapement disc 20 and an escapement pinion 22 pivotably mounted in a support organ 23 secured to the tourbillon cége 14. The other elements of the tourbillon cage 14, such as the pallet, are Known by those skilled in the art and will not be described in more detail here. Of course, the invention also applies to a carousel mechanism, the tourbillon cage than being replaced by a support bearing the balance and the escapement, and the disc 12 not being: stationary, as described in patent CH 7965.

Furthermore, In the alternative embodiment shown;, the pallet and the escapement disc ere loaded on the toutfciiion cage 14 It is also possible tor only the pellet to be loaded on the cage, the escapement disc then being fesdty mounted, as described in patent ÉP 2,132,604. ACddfbihg to the invention, the tourfeion mechanism further comprises: - an outer nng 24 rotatably mounted on the frame about a first axis Ai, by means of two pivots 24a, 24b, - an inner ring 28 mounted inside the outer ring 24 and rotatable relative to the outer ring 24 about a second axis A2 perpendicular to the first axis AI, by means Of two pivots 26a. 26b. in the present description., the term Ting* denotes an element that surrounds another element,, hut does not necessarily have an annular shape, ? hue, In tie embodiment shown, the outer ring 24 has an annular shape, while the inner ring 26 has a rectangular shape, comprising an upper part 26' and a lower pari 26", connected by two side pillars 27. Of course, die rings used In the invention may assume any other appropriate shape.

The frame 2 has a recess, the shape of which IS Suitable for allowing pivoting of the tourbillon mechanism;.

Fufthermom,: the tourbilten cage 14 composes, secured to said tourbillon cage 14, an upper arbor 28 provided with a pivot 28a and a lower arbor 36 provided with a swivel 36b, The pivot 28a and the swivel 30P are respectively engaged in bearings 32, 34 of the Inner ring 28, such that the tourbillon cage 14 is pivotably mounted in seid: Inner ring 28. The dimensions of the inner ring 26 are chosen such that the tourbillon cage 14 can be housed therein and rotate freely therein.

Furthehnore, a second wheel 38 is securely mounted on the Inner ring 28, coaxially with the arbor of the tourbillon sage 14:.

Thá: escapement pinion 22 Is positioned such that it meshes with the second wheel 36, secured to the inner ring 26.

The lower arbor 30 is mounted to pass through the lower part 26'" of the inner ring 26, such that said inner ring 26 is mounted to rotate freely about the lower arbor 30 along a third axis of rotation A3, fere particularly, the lower part 26" of the inner ring 26 comprises an annular base positioned ccmeentncaliy about the lower arbor 30 and bearing the second wheel 66, as: shown in Figure 6.

The lower arbor 30 includes, at its free end, a first pinion 38 having a conical toothing and positioned such that it meshes with Été first stationary disc 12, secured to the frame. In the embodiment shown, the stationary disc 12 is a toothed organ haying an outer toothing, it is clear that the stationary disc may be replaced by a crown having an inner toothing.

The lower arbor 30 has. at Its free end, a pivot 30a engaged in a bearing 10a provided on the bracket 10 of the driving element 8. Thus, the driving element 8 secured to the arbor 6 of the wheel 4 constitutes the means for driving the lower arbor 30 in which said lower arbor 30 is guided while forming a connection of the bail joint type. These means for driving the lower arbor 30 Indirectly constitute the drive means for the inner ring 26, as wi be seen hereafter.

In another alternative embodiment shown in Figuire T, the Inner ring 26 cooperates directly with the driving element 8. To that end, the Inner ring 26 includes a tube 40, scoured to its lower part 26", coaxial with the iower arbor 30 of the tourbillon cage 14. The tube 40 is positioned around said lower arbor 30 such that the later can mfate freely in the tube 40 As in the first alternative, the lower arbor 30 includes a first pinion 33 meshing with the stationary disc 12:, In this alternative, if is the tube 48 of the inner ring: 26 that cooperates directly with the bracket 10 of the driving element 8. Thus, the driving element 8 secured to the arbor 8 of the wheel 4 constitutes the means for driving the Inner ring 26 in which the tube 40 is guided while forming a connection of the ball joint type.

Df course, iinner nng: 26 npy also b« driven hylts upper part, the driving element, the wheel of the going; train, the arbor of the tourbillon; cage end the iahe :#f £*« inner ring being provided on; the side of its upper part 26'

The inner hng 26 is positioned such that the lower arbor 30 of the tourbillon cage 14 forms a m&%mo angle with the first stationary disc 12, preferably between 5 ' and SS*.

In the variantshown, the -%m M of the first stationary dise 12 is perpendicular to the frame 2, The axis A4 is combined with the axis of rotation of the wheel 4.

Of course, the axis of rotation of ire wheel of the going traih may not be perpendicular to the frame., the tourbillon mechanism then being positioned accordingly.

In the variant shown; the tourbillon cage 14 is positioned such that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the second axis of rotation A2 of the inner ring 26 relative to the outer ring 24.

The third axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring 26 around the lower arbor 30 of the tourbillon cage 14 Is preferably perpendicular to the second axis of rotation: A2 of the inner ring 26 relative to the outer grig 24, which means that the axis of rotation of the tourbillon cage 14 coincides with the third axis of rotation JS of the inner ring 26 around the lower arbor 30. in the variant shown, the balance axis is positioned coaxially with the axis of rotation A3. Of course, in other alternative embodiments that are not shown, the balance axis may be parallel to die axis of rotation A3 or inclined such diet it does not: coincide with; the axis of rotation A3 of tie loner ring around the lower arbor of the tourbillon cage. The pallet and; the escapement wheel will be positioned accordingly.

The tourbillon cage and the upper and lower parts Of the inner ring ban: then be arrsn^ed suitably, as described for example in patent E:P 1419,419,

When the movement is in operation, the wheel 4 of the going train is an-maled by a rotational movement so as to apply a motor targua ta the inner ring M by meshing: with the ir# pinion 38. In fáét, when the wheel 4 is mfaing, its arbor 8 is also able to pivot and rotate the driving element 8 with I, Aooordíng tö the first alternative, the lower arbor 30 guroed in the bracket 10 of the driving element 8 is then able: to rotate about the axis A4, According to the second alternative, it is the tube 40 guided in the bracket 10 of the driving element 8 which is then able to rotate around the aids A4, driving the rotational movement of the lower arbor 38 around the axis A4- Outing this movement, the first pinion 38 secured to the lower arbor 30 Is able to mesh with the first stationary disc 12 such that the inner arbor 30 Is also able to pivot around the axis A3 to rotate the tourbillon: cage 14.

However, the motor torque can only produce a movement of the lower arbor 30 and hence of the: Inner ring 28 if the first pinion 8i meshes with the first stationary disc 12, and; therefore if the tourbillon cage 14 rotates around the axis A3, Since the escapement pi nion 22 is engaged with the toothing of the second: wheel; 88, that means that this movement: is only possible when the escapement imparts a driving impulse to the balance, to the first alternative, when the lower arbor 8Q moves, being; mounted at an inclined angle and passing through the lower part 28" of the inner ring 28, said Inner ring 28 is: also forced to move while mmainlng: inolinad, consequently driving the outer Png 24, and thus imparting: a composite Äyement to the tourbillon cage 14. In the second altematlve,: tie Inner ring 26 is directly driven by the driving element: 8, Due to this composite movement, the pivots 28a, 26b of the inner ring 26 perform an alternating rotational movement perpendicular to the axis A4 b! the outer ring 24, The inner ring: 26 tilts about its pivots 280:, 86b while being driven by the outer ring 24 and by the lower arbor 30 or directly by the driving element 8,

At the same time, the lower arbor 38 is rotated around the axis A3 by its pinion: 38 meshing with the first stationary disc 12. The rotation of the lower arbor 38 dri ves the rotation of the tourbillon cage 14 and therefore of the escapement pinion 22. The letter meshes with the second: wheel 36 to: drive the rotation of the escapement disc 20, the latter cooperating with a pallet to maintain the movement of the balance 16,

Figures 1 and 2 show views in which the outer ring 24 respectively occupies a maximal position relative to its axis of rotation Λ1,

Other positions of the tourbillon: mechanism are shown in Figures 3 to S, the same: elements being shown with the same references,

Figures 3 and 4 show the tourbillon mechanism in which the inner ring 28 respectively occupies its maximal position relative to its axis of rotation A 2S and Figure 5 shows the tourbillon mechanism in which the outer ring: 24 and the inner ring 28 occupy intermediate positions relative to those shown in the other Figures. in the alternative embodiment shown, the movement of the axis of rotation A3 of the inner ring 28 relative to the axis A4 generates at least one frustoconical envelope.

The composite movement obtained by the tourbilion meohantsm according to the invention makes it possible to decrease the time spent by the balance in •unfavourable positions, Furitermore, using two rings makes 1 possible to decrease the Inertia,oompamd with a traditional tourbillon cage.

Additionally, me bsurbion melanism aocordmg te the invention Is such that it comprises at least 4 pivot points instead of 2 in a trad-lional tourbillon, such that the: Impact mststance of the fourtÉIeh: mechanism according to the invention is Increased.

Of course, the present invention, defined solely by the appended claims, is not limited to trie embodiment described. In: particular, trie shape of the Pngs may vary.. It is: also possible to provide other inner rings arranged relative to one another such that none of them ara heating., it is- also possible to provide a fly cage in wNch the pivoting in the inner ring only occurs on the sice of the cage that is rotated.

Claims (8)

$M$mfäzsr szmmMMï mêmmmoK$ M $ mfm in the world 1, Óraszerkezet, amely magiben foglal egy tartókeretet (2), egy kerékrendszer legalább egy hajtókerekét (4) és legalább egy tourbillon szerkezetet, amely mágiában foglal: - egy támaszt (14), amely egy billegőt (16) és legalább egy gátelemet hordoz,. ~ egy külső gyűrűt (24), amely őgy van szerelve a tartókereten (2¾ begy e|y első mértani tengely (Al) körei el tud fordulni, < legalább egy belső győrit (26), amely a külsői gyűri (24) belsőiében úgy van szereke, hogy egy második mértani tengely (A2) körül a külső gyűrűhöz (24) képest el tód fordulni, a támasz (14) forgathatoan van szerelve a belső győriben (26¾ és a támasz (14) hozzá van erősive egy tengelyhez 0Ú% amely korul a belső gylrő (26) úgy vasszereivé, hogy szabadon tud forogni egy harmadik mértani tengely (A3) mentén., * egy első fogazott alkatrészt (12)., amely a tartókereten (2) van szerelve, a belső: gyűrűt (26) hajtő eszközökkel amelyek együttmikidnek a kerékrendszer hajtÓkemkével (4), és amelyek ügy vannak kialakítva, hogy a belső győrit pő) és következésképpen a külső gyűrűt (24) kimozdítsák, ezzel összetett mozgást adva a: támasznak (14)., ás azzal jellemezve, bogy a tourbillon szerkezet magában foglal továbbá: - egy első fogaskereket (38), amely hozzá van erősítve a támasz (14) tengelyéhez (30), és ügy van Maíakiva, hogy oly módon működik együtt az első fogazott alkatrésszel (12), hogy forgatva hajtfa a támaszt (14),1, a clock structure comprising in itself a support frame (2), at least one drive wheel (4) of a wheel system, and at least one tourbillon structure, comprising magically: - a support (14) carrying a swivel (16) and at least one barrier; . ~ an outer ring (24) mounted on the support frame (the circles of the first geometric axis (Al) of 2µ of the first axis can rotate, <at least one inner victory (26), which is inside the outer collar (24) means to rotate about the second ring (A2) relative to the outer ring (24), the support (14) is rotatably mounted in the inner victory (26¾ and the support (14) is reinforced with one axle 0µ% which is a rake the inner cylinder (26) is ironized so that it can freely rotate along a third geometric axis (A3). * a first toothed component (12) mounted on the support frame (2), the inner: ring (26) drive by means of means which co-operate with the drive system of the wheel system (4) and which are configured to displace the inner ring () and consequently the outer ring (24), thereby providing a complex motion to the support (14), and characterized in that tourbillon structure core further comprising: - a first gear (38) attached to the shaft (30) of the support (14), and the case is Maíakiva that it cooperates with the first toothed part (12) in such a way that the rotor is supported by a rotary shaft (12); 14); 2, M 1- Igénypont szerinti orisgerkezei, aggal jellemezve, hogy # belső gyűrű (26) bejtőeszközes magukban foglalnak egy hajtóelemet (8), amely hozzá van erősítve a kerékrendszer riajtőkergkériek (4) tengelyéhez (6),Oris guides according to claim 2, characterized in that the # inner ring (26) includes a driving element (8) attached to the axis of the alarm system (4) of the wheel system (6), 3, A 2, Igénypont szerinti Őraszerkezet, azzal jellemezve, hogy a hajtóelem (8) együttműködik a támasz (14) tengelyével (3ö) oly módon, hogy rá m első fogazott alkatrész (12) körüli forgó: mozgást kényszeri,3, A 2, Guard structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive element (8) cooperates with the axis (3ö) of the support (14) so that it rotates about a first toothed component (12): compulsion, 4, A 2. Igénypont szerinti őfaszerkezet, azzal jellemezve, hogy a belső gyűrű (26) magában foglal égy őhozzá erősíted: csövet (40), amelyben; a támasz (14) tengelye (30) szabadon el tud fordulni, és azzal, hogy a hajtöelem (6) együttműködik a csővel (4Θ) oly módon, hogy a belső gyűrűre (26) az első fogazott alkatrész (12) körüli forgó mozgást kényszerít,A tree structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner ring (26) includes a tube (40) in which; the shaft (30) of the support (14) can rotate freely and the batten member (6) cooperates with the tube (4Θ) by forcing the rotating movement around the first toothed part (12) on the inner ring (26). . 5, Az előző igénypontok bármelyike szerinti őraszerkezet, azzal jellemezve, hogy a támasz (14) tengelye (30) as elei fogazott alkatrésszel (12) egy nullától eitert szöget Repeats.Guard structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (30) of the support (14) with a pre-serrated part (12) has a null angle of zero. Az előző igénypontok bármelyike szerinti őraszerkezet, azzal jellemezve,, hogy a tourbillon szerkezet magi bee foglal tóvá bbá egy mlsoOfk ágazott aiKatriszt: (36), amely hozzá van erősítve a belső gyűrűhöz (26)., és úgy van kialakítva, hogy egyűttrmíködjon egy... a gátszerkezettel kineme tikosén összekapcsolt második fogaskerékkel (22),A guard structure according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tourbillon structure is a core actuator (36) which is attached to the inner ring (26) and is configured to co-operate with one. .. with the barrier structure, I gently roll the second gear (22), 7, Az előző Igénypontok bármelyike szerinti óraszerkezet, azzal jellemezve, hogy a támasz (14) oly módon van elhelyezve, hogy forgástengelye merőleges a második mértani tengelyre (A2):, amely a belső gyűrű (26) külső gyűrűhöz (1-4); viszonyított: forgásinak tengelye.A clock structure according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the support (14) is positioned such that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the second geometric axis (A2): which is the outer ring (1-4) of the inner ring (26); relative: axis of rotation. 8, Az x~6< igénypontok bármelyike szermts óraszerkezet, azzal jellemezve, hogy a támase {14} oly módon van elhelyezve, bogy forgástengelye nem: merőleges a második mértani tengelyre (A2>, amely a belső gyűrű (26) külső gyűrűhöz (24) viszonyított fergásáoák tengelye, (A meghatalmazott}The clock structure of any one of claims x to 6, characterized in that the abutment {14} is positioned so that its axis of rotation is not: perpendicular to the second geometric axis (A2>, which is the outer ring (26) for the outer ring (24)). ) the axis of the spermatozoa relative to (A)