WO2016001740A2

WO2016001740A2 - Clockwork mechanisms for double accumulation and power transmission dedicated mono-conrolled movement

Info

Publication number: WO2016001740A2
Application number: PCT/IB2015/001108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominique Renaud; Gregory DOURDE; Lucien Vouillamoz; Johann Rohner
Original assignee: Preciflex Sa
Priority date: 2014-07-03
Filing date: 2015-07-03
Publication date: 2016-01-07
Also published as: WO2016001740A3

Abstract

A time-keeping device having a mechanical watch mechanism and method for use in a time keeping device that includes and utilizes a variety of novel features and method steps. The mechanical watch movement includes a first energy reserve, a second energy reserve, and a single regulatory body. The first energy reserve includes one or more mainsprings. The second energy reserve includes one or a plurality of barrel springs. In a variant, the plurality of barrel springs coupled to discharge simultaneously.

Description

CLOCKWORK MECHANISMS FOR DOUBLE ACCUMULATION AND POWER TRANSMISSION DEDICATED MONO-CONROLLED MOVEMENT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a time-keeping device having a traditional mechanical watch mechanism. The invention generally relates to time-keeping device mechanisms, and methods used therein and thereby, and is used by way of example in mechanical fluidic time-keeping wrist watches and methods used therewith. In particular, the invention relates to a mechanism for regulating two gear trains with a single regulating device. A drawback of the known devices are that the regulation of one gear train typically has an influence on the other gear train. What is needed therefore, is a mechanism that prevents this undesirable interaction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention solves this problem in the prior art in that the regulation of the invention is achieved directly on the pallet. Therefore, the goal sought with this invention is to minimize the influence of the regulation of the second gear train on the regulation of the first gear train by using the escapement pallet of the first gear train as a platform for a device that allows this regulation to be done on this same pallet. Thus, with a single regulating device, via a mechanical clockwork device installed on the escapement pallets of a first gear train, a second gear train may be regulated. The second gear train is driven by an energy source that is either shared with or separate from that of the first train. Many mechanisms for regulating two gear trains with a single regulating device are known. However, none of them achieves this regulation directly on the pallet. The goal sought with this invention is to minimize the influence of the regulation of the second gear train on the regulation of the first gear train by using the escapement pallet of the first gear train as a platform for a device that allows this regulation to be done.

In one aspect, the invention provides a time-keeping device having a traditional mechanical watch mechanism and method for use in a time keeping device that includes and utilizes a variety of novel features. The mechanical watch movement includes a first energy reserve, a second energy reserve, and a single regulatory body. The first energy reserve includes one or more mainsprings. The second energy reserve includes one or a plurality of barrel springs.

In a variant, the plurality of barrel springs is coupled to discharge simultaneously.

In a variant, the present invention comprises: a first clock mechanism which we call the primary movement. Energy storage is provided by a barrel which is used for supplying the regulating member via a gear train transmission that is independent. A second dedicated clockwork gear train enables the storage of energy using one or more barrels, connected in parallel, via a further transmission wheel which is independent, and dedicated to the power modular or additional mechanisms with known complications. Examples of the various mechanisms of this type utilizing the invention are as follows: Chronograph, perpetual calendars, ringtones, astronomical indication, mechanical fluid systems (HYT commercially available time keeping systems www.hytwatches.com), etc. Note that each of the workings of mono-controlled transmission is likely to receive a single hand display, each with a function to set the time for two time zones. A single regulatory body is needed using the invention. The flywheel (balance) controls both clockworks, with an energy exhaust system providing bi-distribution functionality of the anchor type with power function for energy balance (pulse). The other distribution, reserved for a dedicated cog, only regulates the power delivered and thus causes only very little disruption to the regulator body. However, the barrels of the dedicated movement provide a dedicated power reserve which may be greater than the primary movement, because the barrel may guide (in the case of two barrels) the double distributions of the dedicated gear train.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments and drawings described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following text with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a simplified, schematic top view of the mechanism of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the escapement mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 4A Bottom view of Fig 3

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the escapement mechanism of the invention, in a initial, rest position.

Fig. 4C is a top view of the escapement mechanism at the end of the disengagement phase. FIG. 4D is a top view of the escapement mechanism during the impulsion phase.

FIG. 4E is a top view of the escapement mechanism at the end of a phase of impulse.

FIG. 4F is a top view of the escapement during the drop phase.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a mechanism of a variant of the system of the invention. FIG. 6 is a variant of the mechanism and system of the invention.

FIG. 7 A is a close up view of stage of function of the invention.

FIG 7B is a further close up view of another stage of function of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of still another variant of the system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of yet another variant of the invention.

FIG. 10A is a schematic top view of an additional variant of the invention.

FIG. 1 OB is a close up schematic view of the variant of FIG. 10A, the working escapement.

FIG. IOC is a sectional view of the variant of the invention shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms "first", "second", and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like "front", "back", "top" and "bottom", and the like in the Description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides for an improved time-piece that solves the problems associated with mechanical fluid time-pieces, e.g. wrist watches, and includes one or more of a plurality indicators on the time piece/wristwatch itself.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , an overall view of a system 10 of the present invention is provided. In a traditional mechanical movement, there is a decrease in the reserve as well as accuracy degradation (change in amplitude of the balance) when there are additional mechanisms engaged (complications like chronographs, calendars perpetual or otherwise). For this reason, watchmakers limit power to operation dedicated to complications a few percent of the deliverable power by the barrel. The system 10 includes a primary movement gear train 12, a dedicated gear train 14, a winding crown 16 which winds the respective barrels 20, 22, 24, and uniquely, a single regulating organ called a pallet 26.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in which a more specific embodiment is shown, the movement of the invention 10 includes the primary gear train 12' and a second gear train 14' . In a conventional manner, the energy source, the barrel 24' for the first movement actuates a gear train 12' made up of gears 30, 32, 34, 36; by way of a pallet 40 makes it possible to keep up the osci llation of a balance 42. The second gear train 14' here is also made up of an energy source 20' , which actuates the gears 44, 46, 50 lack '51 ' between 50 and 52, there is an indicator but no number in accordance with the regulation dictated by the jump-regulating wheel 52 that is in contact with the pallet 40.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the balance 42 is a classical balance, including a hair spring 54 (not shown) with a collet 56, a balance shaft 60, and a double plate 62 provided with an ellipse 64. The escapement 66 includes an escapement wheel 68 and an escapement pinion 70. The pallet 40 is equipped with a pallet arbor 72, a dart 74, primary pallet jewels 76, 80, two additional pallet- jewels 82, 84, and a security system 86. The two additional pallet-jewels 82, 84 are fashioned in such a way as to provide a circumferential surface 90 which is concentric with the axis of rotation of the pallet 40 and on which the fingers 92 come to be supported ; these fingers themselves have the same surface area. Hence this interface presents only very little resistance to the disengagement of the pallet 40 as long as the friction between the surface 90 and the interfacing surface of the fingers 92 are minimized. The pallet 40 also includes a fork 94 with horns 96 at the end. The jump- regulating disk 52 is made up of a pinion 100 and arms 102 that each end in a finger 92.

The mode of operation of the invention will now be described in more detail. The energy arriving from the first gear train at the escapement disk 36, made up of an escapement pinion 70 and an escapement wheel 68, is released when the driven ellipse 64 on the double plate 62, which in turn is driven by the shaft 60 of the balance 42, comes into contact with the fork 94 of the pallet 40. The disengagement of the entry jewel 80 or exit jewel 76 then takes place, to allow the transmission of energy from the first gear train 12', when the impulse occurs, to the ellipse 64, in order to maintain the oscillation of the balance 42.

Furthermore, in the disengagement phase of the entry 80 or exit jewels 76, a finger 92 of an arm 102 of the jump-regulating disk 52, which was previously in contact with an additional pallet-jewel 82, 84 of the pallet 40, is released. During the impulse phase, the jump-regulating disk 52 executes a free rotation, thus not interfering with this impulse phase and hence allowing the rotation of the secondary gear train 14'. It is only during the drop phase that the next finger 92 comes into contact with the other additional pallet-jewel 82, 84, respectively of the pallet 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, in the state of repose, the escapement wheel 68 is in contact with the plane of repose of a jewel, in this case 76, and the surface of a finger 92 of the arm 102 of the jump-regulating disk 52 is in contact with the surface of an additional pallet-jewel 82 of the pallet 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4B, when the disengagement phase occurs, the escapement wheel 68 moves slightly backward when the finger 92 slides on the additional pallet-jewel 82. Once the disengagement phase is finished, the finger 92 is released, and the jump-regulating disk 52 begins its rotation (Fig 4C).

Referring now to FIG. 4D, showing the beginning of the impulse phase, during the rotation of the jumping-regulating disk 52, the impulse phase occurs, and the escapement wheel 68 moves over the impulse plane of the jewel 76 and transmits the energy from the first gear train to it. The jump-regulating disk 52 continues its rotation, without interacting with the pallet 40. Referring now to FIG. 4E, showing the end of the impulse phase, when the drop phase occurs, the escapement wheel 68 rejoins the plane of repose of the jewel 80, and the finger 92' of the arm 102' of the jump-regulating disk 52 rejoins the additional pallet-jewel 84. Once again, the system is in the state of rest and is ready for the next oscillation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment 120 of the invention is shown. In this embodiment 120, teeth 122, 122' of the escapement wheel 124, 124' in a conventional manner, provides the impulse to the pallet 40', in particular jewels 126, 130, while being controlled by the oscillator (primary movement 12). Phase pulse and energy to drive the primary movement 12 is illustrated. The tooth 122' of the escapement wheel 124', thrusts clockwise and by mainspring and acts on the jewel 130. The pallet 40' moves in a counterclockwise direction, driven by the ellipse 64. The phase takes place almost without energy consumption for the dedicated train 22. The jewels 134, released by the force applied to the anchor 40' by the tooth 122', are allowed to move the tooth 122 of the escape wheel 124, driven clockwise by male/female spring barrels 20', 22', one or a plurality 20, 22 thereof. The tooth 122' of the escapement wheel 124 comes to rest on the jewels 126, 130.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the rest (control) phase for both movements (primary 12 and dedicated 22) is shown. The tooth 122 is positioned against the jewel 130 (the hatched portion of the tooth cut). The tooth 130' is placed on the pallet 126.

Referring now to FIGs. 7 A and 7B, the end rest phase (before fall) for both wheels (dedicated 22 and primary 12 movement) is shown. For the dedicated wheel 22, the jewels 132, which are driven by the pallet 40, will leave the jewel 132 and drop directly (no pulse), e.g. in the hatched portion 136 of the cut jewel 134. For the primary movement 12, the tooth 130' is provides an impulse to the pallet 40'. To support a very wide circulation, a chamfer 140 may be provided on the jewels 132 for the purpose of limiting the angle of pulling, and facilitate release.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a further variant 150 of the invention is shown in which the escapement wheel 152 and its teeth 154 provides the primary motion, in a conventional way (Swiss escapement), the pulse to the jewels 1256, 160 and pallet 40', while being regulated by the oscillator. The escapement wheel 162 and gear teeth 164 are controlled by the vanes 166, 170 and pallet 40" has very little influence on the oscillations of the balance. The energy of the dedicated barrel 22 can be consumed or not consumed, with minimal disruption to the settings and running of the primary movement 12. This is the object of this variant of the invention. The shape of the pallet 40" is modified and the addition of a security system (at the fall of the wheel 162) ensures the synchronization of the drop on either side of the pallet 40" (the pulse period must be maintained).

Referring now to FIG. 9, the principle of operation is the same as shown in FIG. 6, except the shape of the jewels 170 is triangular and the jewels are located near the pivot center 172 of the pallet 40b. The release of the resting surface is facilitated by the longer lever arm to the forks 176 as compared the lever arm to the jewels 170, 172.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, this mode optimized implementation works only one part of the pallet 40c with twin jewels 82', 84'. It also provides the impulse to a jumping regulation drive train 180 of the type "seconde foudrante" display. Referring now to FIG. 10B, in the dotted lines, one can see the jewels 82' and 84' in the other phase of rest. Finger arm 190 is shown after resting between jewel 82' and 84' (the pallet 40c is in the pulse). Meanwhile, the arm 190 rotates and in turn rests on the other jewel 84', and after that moves in turn, between the two jewels 82' and 84' , and so on. The safety pin 192 moves to close the space 194 between the jewels 82' and 84' (because at the end of the primary winding of the barrel movement, the anchor may remain between the two positions and arm 190, 192 without this pin 192 continuous spinning could desynchronize the two wheels). So thanks to the pin 192, this risk is avoided. In the section A-A one sees the tip of the arm 190 with its finger 1 82 comes to rest on the jewel 82' at 90°. The following angles are given by way of example. The angle 200 of 2 °, corresponds to the angle of rest. Angles 202 of 8° 30 corresponds to the value of the angle of the primary pulse movement, which was moved in the direction of dedicated gear. Thus, the period of the falling arm 109 and element 1 82 does not interfere with the movement of the primary jewels to the pendulum via the pallet 40c. The angle of 0° 30 is the safe passage and operation (lost path).

Referring now to FIG. IOC, the cross section A-A is shown in more detail. In summary, this embodiment has the following features:

(1) . Being juxtaposed, the jewels 82' and 84', on the same circular path 210, allows the arm(s) 190 of the regulating wheel 124' to jump back to the same position each alternation.

(2) . There is no influence on impulse, primary side movement.

(3) . Safety is provided with pin 192 during the pulse Anchor.

(4) . High torque of the dedicated gear train 22 on the jewels 82' and 84' of the pallet 40c, decreased with the addition of the jumping regulating wheel (less friction at rest). (5). There is also possibility in which a needle 216 on the axis 220 of the jump regulation wheel 124' is used to display fractions of seconds.

In an advantage, the invention allows the energy in the dedicated movement 20 is fully available for additional mechanisms and that this provision does not affect the operation of the primary movement, that is to say, neither its timekeeping or its running time, e.g. the load to the outlet of the primary barrel movement.

The invention permits the addition of complications, which on a standard movement would take too much force and would generate inaccurate results in time keeping as well as the watch stopping before the end of its normal operation life between winds.

In another advantage, the invention enables the designer to design more and differing complications.

In another advantage, the operation life of complications is extended between windings. New horizons in construction and watch functions are therefore provided. The invention differs from so-called constant force mechanisms. With constant force mechanisms, the size of the regulating organ grows with the need for strength. The energy losses due to the regulating organ grow with the need for force, which is not the case with the instant invention. It allows a wound rotor or by the integration of a vortex, if desired (not described in this filing).

As will be appreciated by skilled artisans, the present invention may be embodied as a system, a device, or a method. Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale and/or distribution of any goods, services or information having similar functionality described herein. The specification and figures should be considered in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all modifications described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the invention claimed. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims (as they currently exist or as later amended or added, and their legal equivalents) rather than by merely the examples described above. Steps recited in any method or process claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in any claim. Further, the elements and/or components recited in apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwise functionally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present invention. Consequently, the invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions mentioned herein are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or variations thereof, are intended to refer to a non-exclusive listing of elements, such that any apparatus, process, method, article, or composition of the invention that comprises a list of elements, that does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements described in the instant specification. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the use of the term "consisting" or "consisting of or "consisting essentially of is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the enumerated elements named thereafter, unless otherwise indicated. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above- described elements, materials or structures used in the practice of the present invention may be varied or adapted by the skilled artisan to other designs without departing from the general principles of the invention. The patents and articles mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference herein, unless otherwise noted, to the extent that the same are not inconsistent with this disclosure.

Other characteristics and modes of execution of the invention are described in the appended claims. Further, the invention should be considered as comprising all possible combinations of every feature described in the instant specification, appended claims, and/or drawing figures which may be considered new, inventive and industrially applicable.

Copyright may be owned by the Applicant(s) or their assignee and, with respect to express Licensees to third parties of the rights defined in one or more claims herein, no implied license is granted herein to use the invention as defined in the remaining claims. Further, vis-a-vis the public or third parties, no express or implied license is granted to prepare derivative works based on this patent specification.

Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments of the invention described here. Although certain illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described here, a wide range of changes, modifications, and substitutions is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather exemplify one or another preferred embodiment thereof. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be construed broadly and understood as being illustrative only, the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the claims which ultimately issue in this application.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A time keeping device having a primary movement system having at least a primary energy source, primary gear train and primary escapement wheel, and a secondary movement system having at least a secondary energy source and secondary gear train, the secondary system further including a secondary escapement wheel, wherein a single regulating device is disposed between the primary and secondary escapement wheel, wherein the regulating device comprises essentially at least one pallet having a plurality of pallet-jewels disposed thereon, the pallet-jewels being of a form and being disposed on the pallet in an orientation so as to interact with an element of each respective escapement wheel so as to regulate both systems.

2. The time keeping device of claim 1, wherein a further energy source and gear train is coupled to the secondary gear train.

3. The time keeping device of any of the above claims, wherein the energy source is a barrel.

4. The time keeping device of any of the above claims, wherein the pallet includes a security element formed as a barrier to prevent the arm of the jump-regulating disk from passing between the at least two pallet-jewels.

5. The time keeping device of the above claims, wherein the barrier is cylindrical, elliptical or polygonal.

6. The time keeping device of claim 1, wherein the secondary escapement wheel is a jump-regulating disk including at least one arm, the end of the arm including a finger, the finger contacting a jewel of the pallet so as to regulate the secondary gear train.

7. The time keeping device of any of the above claims, wherein the pallets are formed of hard materials having a minimal coefficient of friction compared to the material comprising the jump-regulating disk.

8. The time keeping device of claim 7, wherein the materials are steel on ruby.

9. The time keeping device of claim 1, wherein the at least one security system is a cylindrical, elliptical or polygonal element that prevents the arm of the jump- regulating disk from passing between the at least two pallet-jewels.

10. The time keeping device of any of the above claims wherein the energy source comprises a spring.

1 1. The time keeping device of any of the above claims being a wrist watch.

12. The time keeping device of any of the above claims being a pocket watch.

13. The time keeping device of any of the above claims being a clock, such as a wall clock.

14. The time keeping device of any of the above claims being a device which indicates time using a fluid indicator.

15. The time keeping device of any of the above claims being a device which indicates time using an hour hand, a minute hand and optionally, a second hand and/or a split second indicator.