Chronograph mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016246261-A1
Application number	US-201615044451-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 16, 2016
Priority date	Feb 23, 2015
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A chronograph mechanism including an energy accumulator, a regulating system, a chronograph counter train comprising including a minute-counter having a minute wheel set and at least one minute indicator member, and a seconds-counter having a seconds wheel set and a seconds indicator member, a chronograph zero-reset mechanism including a minute zero-reset mechanism. The minute zero-reset mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the minute wheel set, the minute indicator member being permanently integral with the minute wheel set, and the chronograph counter train includes an uncoupling device between the minute-counter and the seconds-counter, arranged to kinematically connect the minute wheel set and the seconds wheel set during the counting and to uncouple the seconds wheel set from the minute wheel set when the chronograph mechanism is reset to zero.

First claim

1 . A chronograph mechanism comprising an energy accumulator, a regulating system, a chronograph counter train comprising a minute-counter having a minute wheel set and at least one minute indicator member, and a seconds-counter having a seconds wheel set and a seconds indicator member, a chronograph zero-reset mechanism comprising a minute zero-reset mechanism, wherein the minute zero-reset mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the minute wheel set, the minute indicator member being permanently integral with the minute wheel set, and wherein the chronograph counter train comprises an uncoupling device between the minute-counter and the seconds-counter, arranged to kinematically connect the minute wheel set and the seconds wheel set during the counting and to uncouple the seconds wheel set from the minute wheel set when the chronograph mechanism is reset to zero.

2 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the uncoupling device comprises a unidirectional mechanism having a drive direction of rotation for driving the seconds-counter via the minutes-counter during the counting and a free direction of rotation when the chronograph mechanism is reset to zero.

3 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the uncoupling device comprises a drive wheel set arranged to be driven by the minute-counter and a planetary wheel holder, which is arranged to drive the seconds-counter and on which at least one planetary wheel, cooperating with the drive wheel set, is mounted for free rotation, said planetary wheel being arranged to allow the planetary wheel holder to be driven by the drive wheel set during the counting and to let the planetary wheel holder rotate freely when the minutes are reset to zero.

4 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the drive wheel set comprises a drive pinion arranged to cooperate with the minute-counter and a drive wheel arranged to cooperate with the planetary wheel.

5 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the planetary wheel holder is arranged to carry n planetary wheels, where n is an integer number greater than or equal to 1 , said planetary wheel holder being disposed substantially coaxially to the drive wheel arbor and being movably mounted to rotate about said arbor.

6 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein the planetary wheel has an asymmetrical tooth profile arranged to lock with the drive wheel set during the counting and to rotate freely when the minutes are reset to zero.

7 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the minute wheel set comprises a first toothed sector arranged to cooperate with the energy accumulator and a second toothed sector arranged to cooperate with the uncoupling device, and wherein the first and second toothed sectors are integral in rotation.

8 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the first and second toothed sectors are integral with an arbor carrying a first minute indicator member on the side of the first toothed sector, and wherein the second toothed sector carries a second minute indicator member.

9 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the minute zero-reset mechanism comprises a rack arranged to cooperate with the first toothed sector of the minute-counter and mounted to pivot in one direction of rotation to reset the minute-counter to zero.

10 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein the rack is further arranged to wind the energy accumulator when the minute-counter is reset to zero.

11 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the energy accumulator is a strip-spring.

12 . The chronograph mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein the rack of the minute zero-reset mechanism is also mounted to pivot in an opposite direction of rotation to drive the chronograph counter train, and wherein the strip-spring is arranged to actuate said rack.

13 . A timepiece including a chronograph mechanism according to claim 1 .

Assignees

• Montres Breguet Sa

Inventors

• Zaugg Alain
• Rombach Stefan
• Lechot Dominique
• Rochat Jean-Philippe

Classifications

• G04F7/0804 Primary

  with reset mechanisms · CPC title

• G04F7/0895

  with a separate barrel for the chronograph functions (barrel in a separable module G04F7/0885) · CPC title

• G04F7/08

  Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph · CPC title

• G04F7/0828

  acting in the plane of the movement · CPC title