HK1220012B - Tourbillon mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a tourbillon mechanism (1) for a timepiece including: a tourbillon frame (3) housing a regulator member (11) including a balance (15), a hairspring (13) and an escapement mounted such as to pivot on said frame (3), said frame (3) being arranged such as to rotate about an axis of rotation and including a first pivot (7); a stationary wheel (17) intended for being mounted secured to a case element of said timepiece and arranged such as to mesh with an escapement pinion (18) which said escapement comprises; a frame-driving mobile (21) which is coaxial with said frame (3) and includes a toothed wheel (22) and a hub (23), the frame-driving mobile (21) including a second pivot (25); in which said frame (3) is intended for being pivoted on frame elements of the timepiece between said first pivot (7) and said second pivot (25). According to the invention, said frame (3) and said hub (23) of the frame-driving mobile (21) are rotatably secured together by means of a first non-circular part located on said hub (23) and suitable for interacting with a second complementary non-circular part located on the frame (3).

Description

Tourbillon mechanism

Technical Field

The invention concerns the field of timepieces. The invention particularly relates to a tourbillon mechanism.

Background

Document CH 33816 discloses a tourbillon mechanism in which the tourbillon frame rotates between a first pivot on the bridge side and a second pivot on the jaw side, the jaw being included in the transmission moving part of the frame. The frame is connected to a plate that is coupled to the drive moving member of the frame by a plurality of screws. However, such a connection is bulky and necessarily requires a relatively large diameter to enable the watchmaker to reach the screws when assembling the tourbillon. Furthermore, because of this construction, since the fixed wheel must be mounted on the bridge before the frame and the driving mobile can be placed in the movement, the diameter of the driving mobile of the frame must be smaller than the internal diameter of the burr (seg) of the fixed wheel.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tourbillon mechanism for a timepiece in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome at least to some extent.

Disclosure of Invention

More precisely, the invention relates to a tourbillon mechanism for a timepiece, comprising a tourbillon frame which houses an adjustment member comprising a pendulum, a spiral spring and an escapement mounted in rotation on the frame. The tourbillon frame is configured to rotate about a rotational axis and includes a first pivot. The tourbillon mechanism further comprises a fixed wheel for coupling mounting with the frame element of said timepiece-part and arranged to mesh with the escapement gear of said escapement mechanism. The tourbillon mechanism further comprises a frame transmission moving member coaxial with said frame and preferably set up to make one revolution per minute. The frame transmission movable piece is rotationally connected with the tourbillon frame and comprises a gear, a hub and a second pivot. The tourbillon frame is adapted to rotate on a frame element of the timepiece between the first pivot and the second pivot.

According to the invention, the tourbillon frame and said hub of the frame drive moving part are rotationally coupled by a first non-circular element located on said hub and suitable for being integrated with a complementary second non-circular element located on the frame. Thus, the screws that connect the frame to the frame work piece are no longer required and used, which thereby enables the fixed wheels to be installed after the frame work piece has been rotated in the movement. It is also possible to use a frame-driven moving part having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the burrs of the fixed wheel, the diameter of the frame-driven moving part being for example the same as the second wheel of the finishing member.

Preferably, the non-circular shape comprises at least one of the following elements:

-a pin;

-a recess;

-a male pin;

-a trench;

-a polygonal component.

In an embodiment, the tourbillon mechanism comprises a support member adapted to support the hub when the tourbillon mechanism is mounted. Advantageously, the support member comprises a ring surrounding the hub and a ring of ruby type preferably located between the ring and the hub. This simplifies the assembly of the tourbillon mechanism, since the frame drive moving part is made in place when mounted.

Preferably, the support member is coupled with the fixed wheel and is intended to be mounted on a frame element of the timepiece. Thus, the fixed wheel and the support member can be mounted in the movement in only one step.

The invention also relates to a timepiece movement including a tourbillon mechanism as defined above. Preferably, the first pivot rotates on a bridge that the timepiece movement has, and wherein the second pivot rotates on a bridge that the timepiece movement has.

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method of assembling a timepiece movement comprising a tourbillon mechanism as defined above and comprising said support member. The method comprises the following steps:

-assembling the tourbillon frame comprising the adjustment member therein, the adjustment member comprising the wheel pendulum, the spiral spring and the escapement, the wheel pendulum, the spiral spring and the escapement being mounted for rotation on the frame;

-rotating the frame transmission moving part in a plate of the timepiece movement;

-coupling the support member to the frame element, thereby supporting the hub of the frame transfer traveller;

-coupling said fixed wheels to a plate;

-placing the tourbillon frame on the hub while engaging the first non-circular part with the second non-circular part;

-placing a bridge over the frame, the first pivot rotating in the bridge, the bridge then being coupled with the frame element.

Preferably, the fixed wheel is mounted on the support member before the support member is not coupled to the cleat.

Thus, a frame driven moving part having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the fixed wheel can be used in a tourbillon mechanism, also as described above, due to the mounting of the fixed wheel after the mounting of the frame driven moving part.

Drawings

Further details of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tourbillon mechanism according to the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the tourbillon mechanism according to the invention, along a section through the pin and along the plate side.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a section of a tourbillon mechanism 1 according to the invention, which shows the general structure of the tourbillon mechanism 1. The tourbillon mechanism 1 generally comprises a frame 3, the frame 3 being formed by two bridges 5, 6 connected by a column 9. As is generally known, the frame 3 houses a setting member 11, the setting member 11 comprising a spiral spring 13, a pendulum 15 and an escapement (not shown). The details of the adjustment member 11 are not part of the invention and will not be described in detail. The frame 3 is rotated above it (see fig. 1) in a frame element (not shown), such as a bridge, by means of a first pivot 7.

Tourbillon mechanism 1 further comprises a fixed wheel 17, fixed wheel 17 being fixed to a frame element (not shown) of the timepiece movement, such as a bridge, by a support member 19. As is known, the escapement mechanism comprises an escape wheel 18 meshing with the teeth of the fixed wheel 17.

The frame 3 is driven in rotation by a frame transmission movable member 21, the frame 3 being preferably set to one revolution per minute, but other rotational speeds are also conceivable. The frame-driven mobile 21 comprises a toothed wheel 22 which meshes with a seconds wheel (not shown) which may or may not be located in the centre of the timepiece movement and has the same number of teeth as toothed wheel 22. In the case where said seconds wheel is located in the centre of the movement and directly engages with the frame transmission mobile 21, the seconds are advantageously displayed directly at the centre by using the tourbillon mechanism 1 of the invention. Further, this arrangement makes it possible to prevent the shake of the center second hand. The frame-drive mobile 21 should be used as the only seconds wheel in the finishing mechanism of the timepiece movement.

The frame transfer shoe 21 further comprises a hub 23, which hub 23 is rotatable on its lower end side (with reference to the drawing) on a frame element (not shown), such as a clamping plate, by means of a second pivot 25, which also serves as a second pivot for the frame 3.

When the tourbillon is mounted, the support member 19 serves to support the hub 23 of the frame transmission mobile 21 by means of a support ring 27 formed by a ring of ruby type, as will be explained more clearly hereinafter. It should be noted that the support member supports the second mobile element 21, in particular in position during installation, and is active only after the tourbillon has been installed.

The hub 23 of the frame work hinge 21 has, at its upper end (i.e. at the end opposite the second pivot 25), a first non-circular shape 37, the first non-circular shape 37 being rotationally coupled with a corresponding second non-circular shape 39, which the lower bridge 6 of the frame 3 comprises at the hub 31 of the frame. In theory, the non-circular shape may be any shape that allows the frame 3 to be clamped by shape rather than being driven by the hub 23 of the second movable member 21 by being embedded or screwed, for example square, grooved, with a flat cylinder, etc. Furthermore, it is immaterial whether the frame-driving movable part 21 has an external or internal helical shape.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, the first non-circular shape 37 is formed by two pins 29 embedded in the upper end of the hub 23 of the frame work runner 21 and extending protruding from the hub 23. Which is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the hub, on the side of a generally cylindrical portion 35 provided at the upper end of said hub 23. The hub 31 of the lower bridge 6 of the frame 3 has a second non-circular shape that encompasses an opening complementary to the first non-circular shape and suitable for receiving the upper end of the hub 23 of the frame drive active 21, including the pin 29. Thereby, the frame 3 is rotationally coupled to the second movable member 21 and can be driven by the second movable member. It should be noted that the number of pins 29 can be chosen according to the wishes of the watchmaker.

The steps of installing the tourbillon mechanism are as follows.

The frame 3 of the tourbillon comprising the adjustment member 11 is assembled together with the frame transmission movable member 21 and its toothed wheel 22. Further, the fixed sheave 17 is coupled with a support member 19 including a support ring 27.

The frame-driving mobile 21 and its toothed wheel 22 rotate on a frame element of the timepiece movement, such as a bridge. The fixed wheel 17-support member 19-support ring 27 assembly is then assembled around the hub 23 of the frame drive moving member 21 and coupled to the frame element, such as by screws 33. Such that the frame drive mover 21 is supported in position by the support ring 27.

The frame 3 is then placed on the upper end of the hub 23 of the frame transfer shoe 21, the first and second non-circular shapes being integral with each other.

Finally, the upper bridge is placed around the first pivot 7 of the frame 3 and is coupled to the frame element of the timepiece movement.

Claims (10)

1. Tourbillon mechanism (1) for a timepiece, comprising:

-a tourbillon frame (3) housing an adjustment member (11) comprising a pendulum (15), a spiral spring (13) and an escapement, said pendulum, spiral spring and escapement being mounted for rotation on said tourbillon frame (3), said tourbillon frame (3) being arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation and comprising a first pivot (7);

-a fixed wheel (17) for coupling mounting with a frame element of the timepiece and arranged to mesh with an escape gear (18) carrying the escapement mechanism;

-a frame-driven mobile (21) coaxial to the tourbillon frame (3), comprising a gear (22) and a hub (23), and a second pivot (25);

wherein the tourbillon frame (3) is intended to rotate on a frame element of the timepiece between the first pivot (7) and the second pivot (25),

characterized in that said tourbillon frame (3) and said hub (23) of said frame transmission mobile (21) are rotationally coupled by a first non-circular component, which is located on said hub (23) and is adapted to be integrated with a complementary second non-circular component located on said tourbillon frame (3).

2. Tourbillon mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said first and second non-circular part comprise at least one of the following elements:

-a pin (29);

-a recess;

-a male pin;

-a trench;

-a polygonal component.

3. Tourbillon mechanism (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tourbillon mechanism (1) comprises a support member (19), said support member (19) being suitable for supporting the hub (23) of the frame-driven movable part (21) when the tourbillon mechanism (1) is mounted.

4. Tourbillon mechanism (1) according to claim 3, wherein the support member (19) comprises a ring encircling the hub (23) of the frame transmission movable member (21).

5. Tourbillon mechanism (1) according to claim 3, wherein the support member (19) is coupled with the fixed wheel (17), the support member (19) being intended to be mounted on a frame element of the timepiece.

6. Tourbillon mechanism (1) according to claim 4, wherein the support member (19) comprises a ring (27) of ruby type located between the ring and the hub (23).

7. Timepiece movement comprising a tourbillon mechanism (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A timepiece movement according to the preceding claim, wherein the first pivot (7) rotates on a bridge that the timepiece movement has, and wherein the second pivot (25) rotates on a bridge that the timepiece movement has.

9. Method of assembling a timepiece movement including a tourbillon mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, comprising the steps of:

-assembling the tourbillon frame (3) comprising therein the adjustment member (11), the adjustment member (11) comprising the pendulum (15), the spiral spring (13) and the escapement, the pendulum, the spiral spring and the escapement being mounted so as to rotate on the tourbillon frame (3);

-rotating said frame transmission movable member (21) in a frame element of said timepiece movement;

-coupling the support member (19) to the frame element, thereby supporting the hub (23) of the frame work (21);

-coupling the fixed wheel (17) to the frame element;

-placing the tourbillon frame (3) on the hub (23) of the frame transmission active (21) while engaging the first non-circular part with the second non-circular part;

-placing a bridge over the hub (23), in which bridge the first pivot (7) rotates, whereafter the bridge is coupled with a frame element.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said fixed wheel (17) is mounted on said supporting member (19) before said supporting member (19) is coupled to a plate provided with said timepiece movement, said fixed wheel (17) and said supporting member (19) being thus coupled simultaneously to said frame element.