THREE-DIMENSIONAL KARUSSEL- OR TOURBILLON-TYPE REGULATING MEMBER PROVIDED WITH A PERIPHERAL BALL BEARING

A three-dimensional karussel- or tourbillon-type regulating member for a horological movement, the regulating member including a drive device provided with a barrel and a gear train, the regulating member including an inertial mass, elastic return device for the inertial mass, an escapement mechanism, an inner carriage capable of moving in rotation about a first axis of rotation, and an outer carriage capable of moving in rotation about a second axis of rotation, the inner carriage being housed inside the outer carriage, the inner carriage carrying the inertial mass, the elastic return device for the inertial mass and the escapement mechanism, and including a first ball bearing arranged to enable the outer carriage to rotate in the horological movement, with the first ball bearing being arranged at the periphery of the outer carriage.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of three-dimensional tourbillon- or karussel-type regulating members for a horological movement.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Most mechanical watches today are equipped with regulating members comprising a sprung balance and a Swiss lever escapement mechanism. The sprung balance constitutes the time base of the watch. It is also referred to as a resonator.

The escapement has two main functions:to maintain the two-and-fro motions of the resonator;to count these to-and-fro motions.

An inertial mass, a guide and an elastic return element are required in order to constitute a mechanical resonator. Conventionally, a balance spring acts as an elastic return element for the inertial mass constituted, for example, by a balance. This balance is guided in rotation by pivots which rotate inside plain ruby bearings.

In order to reduce the undesirable effects of gravity on the motion of the regulating member, complications of the tourbillon or karussel type have been developed, so as to cause the regulating member assembly to rotate about an axis of rotation. The regulating member is arranged in a rotating carriage, which rotates continuously around the axis of rotation. These complications also have a particular aesthetic appeal, which makes the timepiece singularly attractive.

In a tourbillon, the escapement mechanism and the carriage rotation mechanism are arranged in series. Generally speaking, the means for driving the movement actuate the rotation of the carriage, and the rotation of the carriage in turn causes the escapement mechanism to be actuated. The escapement mechanism meshes with a fixed wheel of the movement in order to be actuated.

A karussel works differently, as the actuation of the carriage rotation and the actuation of the escapement mechanism are produced in parallel by the drive means. The two motions are independent of one another. Thus, unlike the tourbillon, the rotation of the carriage can occur even if the escapement mechanism is blocked.

To prevent the carriage from idling when unloading the barrel, the karussel comprises a retaining gear train, which blocks the carriage if the escapement mechanism is blocked.

In order to further improve the precision of the regulating member in relation to gravity, three-dimensional tourbillons have been developed. Such tourbillons include at least two carriages rotating about at least two axes of rotation, preferably perpendicular to one another.

Typically, the rotation of the one or more carriages is actuated via gear trains in connection with the means for driving the movement, which, for example, mesh with an axial staff located beneath the carriage. Regulating members provided with a peripheral carriage toothing also exist, the toothing allowing the rotation of the carriage to be actuated by the driving means.

The axial staff is typically mounted in bearings in order to rotate. However, in some examples, the axial staff of the carriage is mounted on a ball bearing, in particular for some karussels.

The current configurations of this type of regulating members are thus relatively limited, and there are few alternatives to these examples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, and aims to provide a horological movement comprising a three-dimensional regulating member that has a new configuration.

To this end, the invention relates to a three-dimensional karussel- or tourbillon-type regulating member for a horological movement, the regulating member comprising drive means provided with a barrel and a gear train, said regulating member including an inertial mass, elastic return means for the inertial mass, an escapement mechanism, an inner carriage capable of moving in rotation about a first axis of rotation, and an outer carriage capable of moving in rotation about a second axis of rotation, the inner carriage being housed inside the outer carriage, the inner carriage carrying the inertial mass, the elastic return means for the inertial mass and the escapement mechanism.

The regulating member is noteworthy in that it comprises a first ball bearing arranged to enable the outer carriage to rotate in the horological movement, with the first ball bearing being arranged at the periphery of the outer carriage.

Thus, by having a ball bearing at the periphery of the carriage, there is no longer a need to position it on the staff beneath the carriage, and the staff can be omitted or only used to actuate the escapement mechanism.

Thanks to the invention, new configurations can be obtained for the three-dimensional regulating member, such as a three-dimensional karussel, or for example, to improve compactness, in particular by reducing the height of the regulating member.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the regulating member is a three-dimensional karussel, the drive means being configured to actuate the rotational motion of the outer carriage in parallel with the rotational motion of the inner carriage, a first part of the torque provided by the drive means being transmitted to the outer carriage, and a second part of the torque being transmitted to the inner carriage.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the drive means are further configured to actuate the escapement mechanism in parallel with the rotational motion of the outer carriage and in parallel with the rotational motion of the inner carriage, with a third part of the torque provided by the drive means being transmitted to the escapement mechanism.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the drive means comprise a seconds driving crown arranged around the second axis of rotation of the outer carriage, preferably around the outer carriage, the seconds driving crown being configured to transmit, in parallel, to the outer and inner carriages, the first and second part of the torque provided by the drive means.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the rotation of the seconds driving crown also causes the escapement mechanism to be actuated in parallel with the rotations of the outer carriage and of the inner carriage.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the regulating member comprises a carriage driving wheel set carried by the outer carriage or the inner carriage, the carriage driving wheel set being free to rotate relative to the outer and inner carriages, the rotation of the carriage driving wheel set actuating the escapement mechanism and the rotational motion of the inner carriage in parallel.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the seconds driving crown meshes with the carriage driving wheel set.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the escapement mechanism includes an escape wheel, an escape pinion and an intermediate wheel meshing with the escape pinion, the carriage driving wheel set meshing with the intermediate wheel of the escapement mechanism.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the regulating member comprises first gear trains for retaining the inner carriage, the first retaining gear trains being arranged within the inner carriage so as to mesh with the intermediate wheel of the escapement mechanism and a wheel integral with the outer carriage, in order to prevent the inner carriage from rotating at an excessive speed.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the regulating member comprises second gear trains for retaining the outer carriage, the second retaining gear trains being arranged outside the outer carriage so as to mesh with the seconds driving crown and with the outer carriage, in order to prevent the outer carriage from rotating at an excessive speed.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the seconds driving crown comprises two toothings, a first toothing meshing with the carriage driving wheel set, and a second toothing meshing with the second retaining gear trains.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the regulating member comprises a second ball bearing arranged to enable the seconds driving crown to rotate.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the outer carriage comprises an annular upper part and an annular lower part rigidly connected to one another, the annular upper part supporting the inner carriage by at least one bearing, preferably two bearings, the lower part being provided with an outer toothing.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the inner carriage comprises an upper support and a lower support, with the inertial mass, the elastic return means for the inertial mass and the escapement mechanism being suspended between the upper support and the lower support.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the rotational speed of the inner carriage is greater than the rotational speed of the outer carriage.

According to one specific embodiment of the invention, the first axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation.

The invention further relates to a horological movement including such a regulating member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a three-dimensional karussel- or tourbillon-type regulating member and a horological movement10comprising such a regulating member.

In the description below, the regulating member is a three-dimensional karussel1.

The horological movement10comprises a plate (not shown in the figures), which preferably extends substantially in one plane, the plate being configured to support parts of the movement10.

The movement10, shown in part inFIGS.1and2, further includes drive means15comprising a barrel7and a gear train13for actuating the motion of the hands (not shown) and for transmitting the driving force provided by the spring of the barrel7to the three-dimensional karussel1.

The three-dimensional karussel1is a regulating member provided with an inertial mass6, a guide and an elastic return element4of the inertial mass6configured to make it oscillate substantially in a plane. The three-dimensional karussel further comprises an escapement mechanism5that cooperates with the inertial mass6. The elastic return element4is, for example, a balance spring and the inertial mass6is an annular balance associated with the balance spring in order to perform an oscillatory motion. The escapement mechanism5is, for example, a conventional escapement mechanism comprising an escape wheel25, a pallet-lever26and an intermediate wheel19. The escape wheel25cooperates with the pallet-lever26to rotate intermittently at a predefined frequency. The pallet-lever26is capable of moving thanks to the motion of the balance wheel and the impulses of the escape wheel25.

In the description below, the drive means15refer to the parts for supplying and transmitting the energy required by the three-dimensional karussel1to operate.

The invention does not specifically relate to the intrinsic features and operation of a simple karussel, which are known to a person skilled in the art.

FIGS.1to8in particular show a three-dimensional karussel1. The three-dimensional karussel1includes an inner carriage2, inside which are arranged the mechanical resonator with the inertial mass6, the guide and the elastic return element4, as well as a Swiss lever26escapement mechanism5.

The inner carriage2comprises an upper support8and a lower support9, which are assembled to an intermediate structure57by screws11inserted into posts12, of which there are two for the upper support8, and three for the lower support9. The mechanical resonator provided with the inertial mass6, the guide and the elastic return element4are suspended between the upper support8and the intermediate structure57, whereas the escapement mechanism5is suspended between the intermediate structure57and the lower support9.

The lower support9comprises a frame14with a plurality of segments23connected to one another to form joints supporting bearings and the posts12supporting the mechanism elements inside the inner carriage2.

The inertial mass6is arranged on a first staff disposed inside the inner carriage2. The first staff is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the inertial mass6.

The balance is disposed in the upper part of the inner carriage2so that it is visible from the outside. The balance is configured to perform a rotary oscillatory motion about the first staff within the inner carriage2at a predetermined frequency.

To actuate the mechanical resonator, a second staff17, substantially parallel with the first staff, is disposed inside the inner carriage. An intermediate wheel19is integral with the second staff17. The intermediate wheel19meshes with an escape pinion21arranged on a third staff22, which is substantially parallel to the first and second staffs17. The third staff22is arranged inside the inner carriage2. The third staff22also holds the escape wheel25, which is disposed above the escape pinion21. The escape wheel25cooperates with a Swiss lever26disposed perpendicularly to the periphery of the escape wheel25. The pallet-lever26comprises an elongate body provided with a fork at a first end, the fork being configured to cooperate with a pin of the first staff, which cooperates with the movement of the balance. The second end of the pallet-lever26includes two pallets arranged to cooperate with the escape wheel25, alternately blocking the rotation thereof, so as to cause it to rotate in steps. The pallet-lever26is carried by a fourth staff27arranged inside the inner carriage2.

The inner carriage2is mounted such that it rotates about a first axis of rotation D1inside the outer carriage3. The inner carriage2comprises two pivots42,43each cooperating with a bearing39,41of the outer carriage3, the pivots42,43being arranged along the axis of rotation D1of the inner carriage. Each bearing39,41comprises a hole for inserting the pivot42,43. The two pivots42,43can rotate inside each bearing39,41. Thus, the first axis of rotation D1of the inner carriage2passes through the outer carriage3.

The outer carriage3comprises an annular upper part24and an annular lower part28rigidly connected to one another by posts31. The upper part24carries the inner carriage2by means of the bearings39,41arranged facing one another. The lower part28is provided with a peripheral outer toothing32for actuating the rotation of the outer carriage3.

According to the invention, the three-dimensional karussel1comprises a first ball bearing33arranged to enable the outer carriage3to rotate. The first ball bearing33is, for example, pressed into the plate or into a plate bar (not shown in the figures). The first ball bearing33is arranged laterally around the lower part28. The first ball bearing33comprises a ring that is fixed relative to the plate, which holds the balls against the lower part28.

Thus, as the first ball bearing33is arranged at the periphery of the outer carriage3, new configurations of the regulating member are possible. In particular, in this embodiment, a three-dimensional karussel1is obtained thanks to the disposition of this first ball bearing33.

The outer carriage3is capable of moving in rotation about a second axis of rotation D2. The inner carriage2and outer carriage3are actuated by the drive means15of the horological movement.

The rotation of the outer carriage3is produced in parallel with the rotation of the inner carriage2by the drive means15. Moreover, the drive means15are configured to actuate the escapement mechanism5in parallel with the rotational motion of the outer carriage3and in parallel with the rotational motion of the inner carriage2.

In order to actuate the carriages2,3and the escapement mechanism5, the three-dimensional karussel1includes a carriage driving wheel set30arranged and centred around the first axis of rotation D1. The carriage driving wheel set30comprises a carriage driving pinion34and a carriage driving wheel35. The carriage driving wheel set30is carried by the inner carriage2. The carriage driving wheel set30is arranged around the pivot42of the inner carriage2internally close to the first bearing39, between the inner carriage2and the outer carriage3. The carriage driving pinion34is disposed towards the outside of the outer carriage3, and the carriage driving wheel35is arranged towards the inside of the outer carriage3. The carriage driving wheel set30is mounted such that it can rotate freely relative to the inner carriage2and to the outer carriage3. In other words, the carriage driving wheel35and the carriage driving pinion34are not integral with the outer carriage3and the inner carriage2. They can rotate freely, with the carriage driving pinion34and the carriage driving wheel35being integral with one another, in particular to rotate as one.

The carriage driving wheel35meshes with the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5. Thus, the escape wheel25, the pallet-lever26and the movement of the balance are actuated, via the intermediate wheel19and the escape pinion21, which rotate the third staff22. In order to actuate the escapement mechanism5, the carriage driving pinion34is meshed.

For this purpose, the three-dimensional karussel1comprises a seconds driving crown20arranged such that it can rotate about itself around the second axis of rotation D2of the outer carriage3, preferably around the outer carriage3. The seconds driving crown20has a ring shape with a first upper toothing36and a second peripheral toothing37. The first upper toothing36includes teeth that face upwards on the entire ring. The second peripheral toothing37includes teeth that face outwards around the entire ring.

When the seconds driving crown20rotates, the upper toothing36drives the carriage driving pinion34, which is disposed outside the outer carriage3. Thus, the seconds driving crown20drives the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5via the carriage driving wheel35of the carriage driving wheel set30.

Alternatively, according to an alternative embodiment not shown, the seconds driving crown is arranged inside the outer carriage, preferably between the two carriages.

The three-dimensional karussel1comprises a second ball bearing38arranged to enable the seconds driving crown20to rotate. The second ball bearing38is arranged beneath the seconds driving crown along the entire ring. The second ball bearing is, for example, pressed into the plate or into a plate bar (not shown in the figures).

In this embodiment, the first ball bearing33and the second ball bearing38are superimposed, with the second ball bearing38arranged above the first ball bearing33. The first ball bearing33comprising a first peripheral ring55, and the second ball bearing38comprising a second peripheral ring56, the second peripheral ring56being assembled with the first peripheral ring55.

The seconds driving crown20is driven by the drive means15via gear trains of the gear system13. Thus, by rotation of the seconds driving crown20, the escapement mechanism5and the rotation of the inner carriage2and of the outer carriage3are actuated thanks to a torque provided by the drive means15. The seconds driving crown20transmits the torque to the inner carriage2and outer carriage3and to the escapement mechanism5.

A first part of the torque is transmitted to the outer carriage3in order to cause it to rotate about the second axis of rotation D2, a second part of the torque is transmitted to the inner carriage2in order to cause it to rotate about the first axis of rotation D1, and a third part of the torque is transmitted to the escapement mechanism5in order to actuate the escape wheel25.

The first part of the torque is applied to the pivot42of the carriage driving wheel set30and causes the outer carriage3to rotate about the second axis of rotation D2.

The second part of the torque is applied to the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5via the carriage driving wheel set30and causes the inner carriage2to rotate.

Thus, the drive means15are configured to actuate the rotational motion of the outer carriage3in parallel with the rotational motion of the inner carriage2. However, the rotation of the outer carriage3is not inextricably linked to the rotation of the inner carriage2. Thus, if the rotation of the inner carriage2is blocked, the outer carriage3can continue to rotate.

The third part of the torque is applied to the escape wheel25via the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5and the carriage driving wheel set30. The intermediate wheel19thus pivots about itself and drives the escapement mechanism5.

Thus, the drive means15are further configured to actuate the escapement mechanism5in parallel with the rotational motion of the outer carriage3and in parallel with the rotational motion of the inner carriage2. More specifically, the intermediate wheel19distributes the torque to the escape wheel25on the one hand, and to a wheel45of first retaining gear trains40described hereinbelow, which restrain the rotation of the inner carriage2. However, the rotation of the inner carriage2is not inextricably linked to the rotation of the escape wheel25. Thus, if the escape wheel25is blocked, the inner carriage2can continue to rotate.

However, when the escape wheel25is blocked by the pallet-lever26, the second and third parts of the torque are only transmitted to the inner carriage2. More specifically, when the intermediate wheel19is blocked, the third part of the torque exerted on the escape wheel25is transferred at least partly to the inner carriage2. In this case, such a configuration would cause the inner carriage2to rotate until the barrel7becomes completely recessed.

In order to control the rotational speed of the inner carriage2, and to prevent it from rotating freely, the three-dimensional karussel1comprises first gear trains40for retaining the inner carriage2, the first retaining gear trains40being arranged inside the inner carriage2so as to mesh with the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5and a wheel integral with the outer carriage44. The wheel integral with the outer carriage44is capable of moving with the outer carriage3. The wheel integral with the outer carriage44is mounted on the second bearing41of the outer carriage3, so as to be centred and perpendicular to the first axis of rotation D1.

The wheel integral with the outer carriage44is used to restrain the rotation of the inner carriage2, and not to allow the inner carriage2to rotate as it would in a tourbillon.

The first retaining gear trains40comprise two wheel sets meshing with one another, a first wheel set45meshing with the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism, and the second wheel set46meshing with the wheel integral with the outer carriage44. The two wheel sets45,46are each mounted on a different staff53,54, mounted within the inner carriage2, between the intermediate structure57and the lower support9.

The first retaining gear trains40prevent the inner carriage2from rotating freely. More specifically, the first retaining gear trains40are blocked by the intermediate wheel19of the escapement mechanism5, which is retained by the escape wheel25blocked by the pallet-lever26. However, they are configured to rotate at a predefined speed corresponding to the second part of the torque, when the escape wheel25is released from the pallet-lever26. In such a case, the second wheel set46of the first retaining gear trains40rotates about the wheel integral with the outer carriage44, and allows the inner carriage2to rotate about the first axis D1.

When the escapement mechanism5is blocked by the pallet-lever26, and the inner carriage2cannot rotate because of the first retaining gear trains40, the entire torque is applied to the pivot42of the carriage driving wheel set30. In this case, such a configuration would cause the outer carriage3to rotate until the barrel7becomes completely recessed.

To control the rotation of the outer carriage3and prevent it from rotating freely, the three-dimensional karussel1comprises second gear trains50for retaining the outer carriage3. The second retaining gear trains50are arranged outside the outer carriage3so as to mesh with the seconds driving crown20and with the outer carriage3.

The second retaining gear trains50comprise a first gear wheel47meshing with the second peripheral toothing of the seconds driving crown20, and a second gear wheel48meshing with the outer peripheral toothing of the lower part of the outer carriage3. The first gear wheel47and the second gear wheel48are connected by a connecting wheel set49provided with a pinion51and with a third gear wheel52. The third gear wheel52meshes with the first gear wheel47and the pinion51meshes with the second gear wheel48. The second retaining gear trains50prevent the outer carriage3from rotating faster than desired. The second retaining gear trains50connect the rotation of the outer carriage3with the seconds driving crown20.

When the full torque is applied to the rotation of the outer carriage3, the second retaining gear trains block the rotation of the outer carriage3.

Thus, when the escape wheel25is alternately blocked by the pallet-lever26, not only is the rotation of the inner carriage2momentarily blocked, but so is the rotation of the outer carriage3.

When the first retaining gear trains40and the intermediate wheel19are blocked, the carriage driving wheel set30can no longer pivot about itself. Moreover, the second retaining gear trains50block the rotation of the outer carriage3as they prevent the seconds driving crown20from rotating.

One advantage of the three-dimensional karussel1according to the invention is that different rotational speeds can be easily selected and adjusted for the inner carriage2and outer carriage3.

The rotational speed of the inner carriage2and outer carriage3depends on the size and number of teeth of the seconds driving crown20, the carriage driving wheel set30and the first and second retaining gear trains40,50.

The rotational speed of the inner carriage2is determined by the first retaining gear trains40and by the rotational speed of the seconds driving wheel20. The rotational speed of the outer carriage3is determined by the second retaining gear trains50and by the speed of the seconds driving wheel20. It in particular depends on the number of teeth of the first retaining gear train40and second retaining gear train50for each carriage2,3respectively.

In one specific example, the outer carriage3makes, for example, one revolution per minute, and the inner carriage2makes, for example, one and a half revolutions per minute, whereas the seconds driving crown20also makes one and a half revolutions per minute.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the regulating member, in this case a three-dimensional karussel, described with reference to the figures and that alternatives can be considered without leaving the scope of the invention. For example, a three-dimensional tourbillon can include such a peripheral ball bearing on the outer carriage in order to rotate it about a single axis of rotation of the regulating member.