EP1293849A1 - Time-setting mechanism for a watch - Google Patents

Abstract

A rewinding or correcting rod (1) has a toothed pinion (3) at the inward end and is gripped by the arms of a clip (2) which may engage with one of two grooves in the rod separated by a ridge. In the upper position the toothed pinion on the rod engages with the teeth (4) of a rewinding/correction pinion (6) mounted on a sprung plate which drives a minute wheel (7) and an hour wheel (11). An Independent claim is also included for: A watch which uses the correcting mechanism

Description

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking, more particularly the mechanisms allowing the time setting of a watch comprising a winding or time-setting rod having a position of rest and a driving position of a time setting reference connected kinematically to a gear train of a time display.

Any user of a watch wishing to reset it to the time pulls on a winding crown secured to a so-called winding stem, in the case of a mechanical watch, and so-called time-setting in the case of a watch electronic. By turning the crown, after having pulled it out, it activates a mechanism that will allow it to set the time.

• Un pignon coulant (dont la mise en position est assurée par un mécanisme composé par une tirette et une bascule qui assurent également le crantage)
• Un renvoi (éventuellement deux)
• Un pignon de minuterie
• Une roue de minuterie
• Une chaussée
• Une roue des heures.

This time-setting mechanism traditionally consists of the following elements:

• A sliding pinion (whose positioning is ensured by a mechanism composed by a pull tab and a rocker which also ensures the notching)
• One referral (possibly two)
• A timer pinion
• A timer wheel
• A pavement
• An hour wheel.

The sliding pinion is fixed to the rod by a square. By pulling on the crown, the sliding pinion is placed in the engagement position with the return (setting the hour) and by turning said crown, the rod drives through the pinion flowing and returning, a gear train for setting the time. Such concept is illustrated in US patent 4,727,523. The principle of updating the above time is applicable to watches of all types. However, in known mechanisms the notching of the rod in its rest positions and work is ensured by the rocker and the pull tab, which is complicated and expensive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical time setting also for all types of watches.

This goal is achieved by a mechanism for setting the time of a movement of watch according to claim 1 which performs this function by removing the zipper, rocker and sliding pinion. These three components of the traditional time setting are replaced by a single reference, called time setting reference, and by a rod secured at its end to a wheel toothed which in the working position of the rod meshes with the teeth vertical of a time setting reference and in the rod rest position does not mesh with said toothing while, in one embodiment preferred, the rod is notched in its rest and working positions by the arm of a clip forming an integral part of a support plate.

It is important that the new solution respects the same stacking height cogs on the central axis as well as the distance between the time setting axis and the top plate. This can be achieved in particular by arranging the train gears on a gear train with attachment points to the plate pass through the support plate.

Preferably the time setting reference is carried by a deformable part elastically, from the support plate. In this way when the teeth of the stem wheel and toothing of the time setting gear are in situation unfavorable (tooth on tooth), the system allows the time setting back. It will then be pushed back into the teeth of the rod return by a flexible blade which allows a correct meshing, while leaving a flaw sufficient to return and thus limiting friction.

Advantageously, the spring of the support plate carries the setting return to the hour which meshes with a train of setting gears held from the side bridge by a gear train bridge and on the dial side by a plate.

Furthermore, the notching is provided by a clip, secured to a stirrup, which keeps the stem in its rest position (crown pressed in) or in its working position (crown pulled out). Indeed, the arms of the clip being engaged in a machined clearance on the rod and having two grooves, they fix the rod in its rest or work position as seen previously.

• La figure 1 représente, à titre d'exemple, la partie d'une montre électronique faisant l'objet de la présente invention, à savoir un mécanisme de mise à l'heure avec sa tige de mise à l'heure dans sa position enfoncée.
• La figure 2 représente, à titre d'exemple, la même partie de la montre vue par l'autre côté.
• La figure 3 représente en perspective, à l'échelle élargie, le clip de positionnement fixant la tige de mise à l'heure dans sa position enfoncée.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents, by way of example, the part of an electronic watch which is the subject of the present invention, namely a time-setting mechanism with its time-setting rod in its depressed position .
• FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, the same part of the watch seen from the other side.
• Figure 3 shows in perspective, on an enlarged scale, the positioning clip fixing the time-setting rod in its depressed position.

The device is extremely simple in its design and in its implementation. It consists of a circuit cover (9), a time-setting rod (1), a toothed wheel (3) integral with the end of the rod (1), with a return to the hour (6) with a vertical toothing (4) and a pinion (5), a wheel timer (7), an hour wheel (11), a road (12). The reference (6), the wheel (7), the wheel (11) and the roadway (12) compose a gear train of time setting (6, 7, 11, 12).

The time setting rod (1) carries the toothed wheel (3) which meshes with the vertical toothing (4) of the time setting reference (6) in its working position (crown pulled out - not shown) but does not mesh with said reference (6) in its rest position (crown pressed in - as shown). On the rod (1) we have machined a cam surface (15) called clearance and diagrammatically as an example in Figure 3. The clearance (15) is composed of two grooves (30 and 31 - Fig 3) separated by an annular part.

On the circuit cover (9) we have machined three cutouts, one is called spring (17), another is called clip (2) and the last is called contact (8). Covers circuit (9) consists of two distinct zones: the part of one side of the axis (20 - Fig 2) comprises a stirrup (21) and a flexible blade (17) which carries the return of time setting (6), while the part opposite the stirrup (21) is called blade (16). The circuit cover (9) is crossed by the points of attachment to the plate (not shown) of a gear bridge (18) on which are placed the wheel timer (7) and the carriageway (12) of a time-setting gear train (6, 7, 11, 12). This circuit cover (9) is a multifunctional element which ensures the connection of the positive pole on the electronic module by the contact (8), the stability of the working and rest positions of the rod (1) with the clip (2), meshing avoiding deterioration of the gear (6) in situations unfavorable of meshing this using the spring (17 - Fig 2), the extraction of the rod (1) for fitting this by pressing on the stirrup (21), closing the movement for protection purposes, holding the battery (not shown) at using a flange (not shown).

It should also be noted that the holding of the entire gear train of time setting (6, 7, 11, 12), side visible in Fig. 1, is provided by the plate and by the gear train (18).

The contact (8) is integral with the external parts of the stirrup (21) while the clip (2) is integral with the stirrup (21) itself. The clip (2) releases the rod (1) from all constraint when it is in its work or rest position and this in order to limit said stresses on the fixing points of the circuit cover (9) and reduce wear when setting the time. The circuit cover (9) remains always in the same position. The contact (8) being fixed, the circuit module power supply is always supplied. By pulling on the crown, the two arms of the clip (2) pass over the clearance (15) in moving apart so that the rod (1) passes from one position to another and is held in either position. When the clip (2) is such that shown in Fig 3, in the groove (31) of the clearance (15), namely in its rest position (crown pressed in), the wheel (3) of the rod (1) does not mesh with the vertical toothing (4) of the time setting reference (6). The train time setting gears (6, 7, 11, 12) is not, in this case, driven in rotation by the rod (1). The time setting function cannot be executed. When the clip (2) is in the groove (30), visible in Fig 3, of the clearance (15), namely in its working position (crown pulled out), the wheel (3) of the rod (1) meshes with the vertical toothing (4) of the setting return the hour (6). The time setting gear train (6, 7, 11, 12) is then rotated by the rod (1). The time setting function can be executed.

The time setting reference (6), integral with the rod (1), is the element which ensures the function of the sliding pinion when setting the time. It is made of plastic injected.

The notching is provided by the rod (1) and the clip (2) which is integral with the stirrup (21). Indeed, the clip (2) is engaged in one or other of the grooves (30 or 31) the clearance (15) of the rod (1), namely the working position (crown pulled out) or rest (crown pressed in). Benefiting from the elasticity of the whole the bracket (21), the arms of the clip (2) move apart to let the rod (1) pass position to another. Said arms of the clip (2) also have a section enlarged which allows the fitting of the rod (1) and this by leaning on the stirrup (21).

It should also be noted that after being cut, the arms of the clip (2) as well that the contact (8) are obtained by folding if it is a support plate (metallic), or are obtained directly by injection if it is a cover circuit (plastic).

According to a variant, an angular displacement of the stirrup (21) would be caused by the rod (1), pulling on the crown, when moving the clip (2) in its release (15). When the clip (2) is in the groove (31), namely in its rest position (crown pressed in), the contact (14) is thus closed thus relying on the positive pole of the circuit (not visible). The gear train time setting (6, 7, 11, 12) is driven in this case by the means mechanical or electrical of the watch while the time setting function cannot be executed. When the clip (2) is in the groove (30), know in its working position (crown pulled out), the contact (14) is pushed back and thus opens the circuit. Therefore the driving force of the drive means mechanical or electrical of the watch is interrupted. The cogs are freed from all mechanical constraints, thus facilitating the function of time.

The operating principle of this variant is very simple. By pulling on the crown (not visible), the rod (1) is brought into its working position. Wheel toothed (3) fixed to the end of the rod (1) meshes with the vertical toothing (4) of the time setting reference (6) which drives the setting gear train the hour (6, 7, 11, 12). In order to facilitate the time setting function, the set of time setting gears (6, 7, 11, 12) of all constraints mechanical or electrical. For this, we open the supply circuit of the shows by elastically deforming the stirrup (21), or any other part of the support plate (9), thanks to the displacement of the rod (1) which repels the contact (8) located on the deformed part.

It follows from the description that the invention provides a simple movement and inexpensive where the time setting and notching functions are performed by simple means, this without the sliding pinion, rocker and zipper.

Of course, many variants are possible within the framework of this invention, for example with regard to the notching means which can be associated with the plate or another part of the watch.

Claims (9)

Watch movement comprising a time-setting mechanism which comprises a winding or time-setting rod (1) having a rest position and a position for driving a time-setting reference ( 6) kinematically connected to a gear train (6, 7, 11, 12) of a time display, characterized in that the rod (1) is integral at its end with a toothed wheel (3 ) which in the working position of the rod (1) meshes with the vertical toothing (4) of the time setting reference (6) and in the rest position of the rod (1) does not mesh with said toothing (4), and that the rod (1) is held notched in its rest and working positions by notching means, in particular an elastic clip (2). Watch movement according to claim 1 characterized in that the time setting reference (6) is carried by an elastically deformable part (17) of said support plate (9). Watch movement according to claim 2 characterized in that said support plate (9) comprises a stirrup (21) provided with said clip (2) and comprises in its central part an elastic blade (17) carrying the setting return to the hour (6). Watch movement according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said support plate (9) is made of molded plastic constituting a circuit cover for an electronic watch. Watch movement according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said support plate (9) is a metal plate whose clip (2) is formed by folding. Watch movement according to claim 5 characterized in that said support plate (9) further comprises a contact (8) formed by folding one end. Watch movement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gear train (6, 7, 11, 12) is carried by said gear train (18) covered by said support plate (9). Watch movement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clip (2) has two arms which have an enlarged section allowing the stem (1) to be fitted together by pressing on the stirrup (21 ). Watch comprising a movement according to one of claims preceding.

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