Watch transmission device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10222745-B2
Application number	US-201715456924-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 13, 2017
Priority date	Mar 16, 2016
Publication date	Mar 5, 2019
Grant date	Mar 5, 2019

Abstract

Transmission device ( 100 ), for example for a watch mechanism ( 110 ), in particular for a winding train ( 100, 201 ) of a watch movement ( 120 ),
including an input element ( 6 ) intended to be driven only in a first direction, an output element, a first mechanical connection arranged such that the displacement of the input element in a first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a second direction, and a second mechanical connection ( 9′, 9 ) arranged such that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a third direction, the third direction being opposite the second direction.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A winding mechanism for a watch movement, comprising a barrel and a winding train, the winding train comprising a transmission device, the mechanism comprising a source of energy, the transmission device, comprising:
an input element intended to be driven only in a first direction,
an output element,
a first mechanical connection arranged so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a second direction, and
a second mechanical connection arranged so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a third direction, the third direction being opposite the second direction.

2. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of (i) the input element is a ratchet, (ii) the output element is a plate, and (iii) the input element is designed to be integral in rotation with a barrel arbor.

3. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of (i) the first mechanical connection is arranged so that the first mechanical connection permits the free displacement of the input element relative to the output element when the intensity of a mechanical torque exerted by the input element on the output element exceeds a given threshold, and (ii) the first mechanical connection comprises one or a plurality of arms, and one or a plurality of protrusions, the arms and the protrusions interacting by positive engagement.

4. The winding mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein:
the one or more arms are flexible, and
at least one of (i) the one or more arms and (ii) the one or more protrusions have one or a plurality of slopes, and
the one or more slopes are arranged so that the one or more flexible arms flex when the intensity of the mechanical torque exerted by the input element on the output element exceeds a given threshold.

5. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second mechanical connection is arranged so that the second mechanical connection permits the free displacement of the output element relative to the input element when the input element has performed a displacement of determined amplitude relative to a frame.

6. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the second mechanical connection comprises:
a frame comprising a first toothing,
a wheel comprising a second toothing intended to engage with the first toothing,
an Oldham coupling mechanically connecting the wheel and the output element,
a cam profile, and
a finger.

7. The The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of (i) the device comprises a return spring in the position of rest of the wheel, the position of rest being a position in which the first and second toothings are not engaged, and (ii) the first direction and the second direction are coincident.

8. A watch movement comprising a winding mechanism according to claim 1 .

9. A timepiece comprising a winding mechanism according to claim 1 .

10. A method of operation of a transmission winding mechanism according to claim 1 , comprising at least one iteration of the following:
interaction of the input and output elements via the first mechanical connection, so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in the second direction,
first disengagement of the input and output elements,
interaction of the input and output elements via the second mechanical connection, so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in the third direction, the third direction being opposite the second direction,
second disengagement of the input and output elements.

11. A method of operation according to claim 10 , wherein the first disengagement is realized when the intensity of a mechanical torque exerted by the input element on the output element exceeds a given threshold.

12. The method of operation according to claim 10 , wherein the second disengagement is realized when the input element has executed a displacement of determined amplitude relative to a frame in the course of the interaction of the input and output elements via the second mechanical connection.

13. The method of operation according to claim 10 , wherein the first and the second mechanical connections are activated in a mutually exclusive fashion.

14. A method of modification of a timepiece or method of repair of a timepiece, comprising removing a barrel ratchet and fitting a transmission device according to claim 1 in place of the removed barrel ratchet.

15. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the input element is a ratchet pivoted about a first axis.

16. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the output element is a plate, pivoted about a first axis.

17. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the input element is designed to be integral in rotation with a barrel arbor.

18. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first mechanical connection is arranged so that the first mechanical connection permits the free displacement of the input element relative to the output element when the intensity of a mechanical torque exerted by the input element on the output element exceeds a given threshold.

19. The winding mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first mechanical connection comprises one or a plurality of arms formed on the output element, and one or a plurality of protrusions formed on the input element, the arms and the protrusions interacting by positive engagement.

20. A transmission device for a winding train of a watch movement, comprising:
an input element intended to be driven only in a first direction,
an output element,
a first mechanical connection arranged so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a second direction, and
a second mechanical connection arranged so that the displacement of the input element in the first direction causes the displacement of the output element in a third direction, the third direction being opposite the second direction,
wherein the second mechanical connection comprises:
a frame comprising a first toothing,
a wheel comprising a second toothing intended to engage with the first toothing,
an Oldham coupling mechanically connecting the wheel and the output element,
a cam profile, and
a finger.

Assignees

• Rolex Sa

Inventors

• Calame Florian
• Catheline Adrien
• Perseguers Sébastien

Classifications

• G04B5/24 Primary

  Protecting means preventing overwinding (arranged in, or attached to, the barrel G04B1/20; in connection with keys or the like G04B3/06; in connection with parts of the cases G04B3/10 {; support of the moving weight G04B5/18; protection means G04B9/02; electrical driving means for mechanical clockworks G04C1/10}) · CPC title

• G04B13/023 Primary

  allowing rotational slipping when a threshold torque is exceeded · CPC title

• F16D3/04

  specially adapted to allow radial displacement, e.g. Oldham couplings · CPC title

• G04B1/20 Primary

  Protecting arrangements against rupture or overwinding of the mainspring located in the barrel or attached to the barrel (in connection with keys or the like G04B3/06, G04B3/10; in connection with automatic winding devices G04B5/24 {; protecting arrangements in which the spring and the spring cylinder are connected by friction G04B1/185; protecting arrangements G04B9/02; calibers with arrangements affording protection of the clockwork against damage as a consequence of a rupture of the mainspring G04B33/16; electric winding arrangements with protection against overwinding of mechanical clockworks G04C1/10; driving mechanisms for gramophones G11B19/22, G11B19/28}) · CPC title

• F16D43/2028

  with at least one part moving radially between engagement and disengagement (F16D43/208 takes precedence) · CPC title