US-12619200-B2 - Animation mechanism for a timepiece

US12619200B2US 12619200 B2US12619200 B2US 12619200B2US-12619200-B2

Abstract

An animation mechanism for a timepiece, includes a support system bearing a first decorative object intended to be animated by a rotation about a first axis of rotation and about a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source. The support system includes a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in the first frame about the second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to the first axis of rotation, the inner frame bearing a second decorative object. The inner frame is arranged to be driven by an eccentric driving element secured in rotation to a drive wheel arranged to be driven directly or indirectly by the drive source.

Inventors

Stephen Forsey
Florian CORNEILLE

Assignees

GREUBEL FORSEY S.A.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20211206
Priority Date: 20201207

Claims (15)

1 . An animation mechanism for a timepiece, the animation mechanism comprising: a support system bearing a first decorative object configured to be rotated about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, said support system comprising a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first frame about said second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation, said inner frame bearing a second decorative object distinct from the inner frame, and wherein said inner frame is configured to be driven by one of a crank and a lever secured in rotation to a drive wheel configured to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source, and wherein said first decorative object is borne by a shaft mounted to pivot in said inner frame about a third axis of rotation, said shaft being secured in rotation to a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial to said drive wheel, said toothing being fixed or configured to be rotated.
2 . The mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said second decorative object is configured to rise up and lower down with respect to a plane of said inner frame.
3 . The mechanism according to claim 1 , further comprising a cover which surrounds a part of said second decorative object.
4 . The mechanism according to claim 3 , wherein said cover is configured to pivot about said second decorative object.
5 . The mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein said first decorative object is borne by a supplementary frame mounted to pivot about the third axis of rotation defined by the shaft, said supplementary frame being configured to be driven in rotation by an intermediate transmission borne by the inner frame and configured to be driven by a toothed organ secured in rotation to said shaft, and wherein said pivoting cover is secured in rotation to a wheel configured to be driven in rotation by a toothed organ secured in rotation to said shaft.
6 . The mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein said pivoting cover is secured in rotation to a wheel configured to be driven in rotation by a toothed organ secured in rotation to said shaft.
7 . A timepiece comprising: the mechanism according to claim 1 .
8 . An animation mechanism for a timepiece, the animation mechanism comprising: a support system bearing a first decorative object configured to be rotated about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, said support system comprising a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first frame about said second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation, said inner frame bearing a second decorative object distinct from the inner frame, and wherein said inner frame is configured to be driven by one of a crank and a lever secured in rotation to a drive wheel configured to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source, and wherein said first decorative object is borne by a supplementary frame mounted to pivot about a third axis of rotation defined by a shaft mounted to pivot in said inner frame, said shaft being secured in rotation to a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial to said drive wheel, said toothing being fixed or configured to be rotated, said supplementary frame being configured to be driven in rotation by an intermediate transmission borne by the inner frame and configured to be driven by a toothed organ secured in rotation to said shaft.
9 . An animation mechanism for a timepiece, the animation mechanism comprising: a support system bearing a first decorative object configured to be rotated about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, said support system comprising a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first frame about said second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation, said inner frame bearing a second decorative object distinct from the inner frame, and wherein said inner frame is configured to be driven by one of a crank and a lever secured in rotation to a drive wheel configured to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source, and wherein said second decorative object is configured to perform an orbital movement about said first decorative object.
10 . The mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein said first decorative object is borne by a shaft mounted to pivot in said inner frame about a third axis of rotation, said shaft being secured in rotation to a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial to said drive wheel, said toothing being fixed or configured to be rotated, and wherein said second decorative object is borne by a rotating plate configured to pivot about said third axis of rotation.
11 . The mechanism according to claim 10 , wherein said rotating plate is configured to be driven in rotation by a wheel pivotingly mounted on said rotating plate and meshing with a toothed organ secured in rotation with the shaft, and a supplementary fixed wheel secured in rotation to the inner frame.
12 . The mechanism according to claim 9 , wherein said first decorative object is borne by a supplementary frame mounted to pivot about a third axis of rotation defined by a shaft mounted to pivot in said inner frame, said shaft being secured in rotation to a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial to said drive wheel, said toothing being fixed or configured to be rotated, said supplementary frame being configured to be driven in rotation by an intermediate transmission borne by the inner frame and configured to be driven by a toothed organ secured in rotation to said shaft, and wherein said second decorative object is borne by a rotating plate configured to pivot about said third axis of rotation.
13 . The mechanism according to claim 12 , wherein said rotating plate is configured to be driven in rotation by a wheel pivotingly mounted on said rotating plate and meshing with a toothed organ secured in rotation with the shaft, and a supplementary fixed wheel secured in rotation to the inner frame.
14 . An animation mechanism for a timepiece, the animation mechanism comprising: a support system bearing a first decorative object configured to be rotated about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, said support system comprising a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first frame about said second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation, said inner frame bearing a second decorative object distinct from the inner frame, and wherein said inner frame is configured to be driven by one of a crank and a lever secured in rotation to a drive wheel configured to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source, and wherein said second decorative object is configured to perform a rotation about its own axis.
15 . An animation mechanism for a timepiece, the animation mechanism comprising: a support: system bearing a first decorative object configured to be rotated about a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, said support system comprising a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first said second axis of rotation is which frame about substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation, said inner frame bearing a second decorative object distinct from the inner frame, and wherein said inner frame is configured to be driven by one of a crank and a lever secured in rotation to a drive wheel configured to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source, and wherein said first decorative object is a first jewel or a first astral representation, and said second decorative object is a second jewel or a second astral representation.

Description

This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2021/084321 filed Dec. 6, 2021 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to CH 01550/20 filed Dec. 7, 2020, EP 20212286.7 filed Dec. 7, 2020, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of horology. It relates, more particularly, to an animation mechanism which comprises at least two decorative objects, the latter notably being able to be astral representations. STATE OF THE ART The document FR2988866 describes an animation mechanism for a precious or semi-precious stone, in which a drive spring is arranged to animate the stone with a rotational movement about a single axis of rotation by a flexible belt. The stone is mounted on a shaft by four claws or jaws, which hold it in place. However, the movement of the stone is monotonic and allows only one of its faces to be seen, which always presents the same angle to the wearer and consequently limits its visibility. The document CH708473 discloses an astral animation mechanism, which comprises a pivoting disc representing the Earth as well as a disc of larger diameter provided with an off-centre circular aperture defining a representation of the Moon. When the mechanism is running, the representation of the Earth rotates and that of the Moon orbits about the Earth. A supplementary disc underlying that of the Moon further makes it possible to display the phases of the Moon. This mechanism is indeed interesting but is limited to a flat display. The “GMT” piece commercialised by Greubel Forsey presents a three-dimensional representation of the northern hemisphere of the Earth, which rotates before a 24-hour scale. The visibility of this convex representation is relatively limited, notably when wanting to see places close to the equator, and where no representation of the Moon is present. The document CH707163 describes various variations of mechanisms, in which a three-dimensional representation of the Moon is shown, which orbits about an axis, on which there can be a representation of the Earth. However, the visibility of the representation of the Moon is limited and possibilities for other variant displays are also relatively limited. The document WO2006/050743 describes a winding mechanism for an automatic watch. Even while considering that a timepiece can be a “decorative object”, this document discloses no second decorative object within the meaning of the invention. The document WO2013/004782 discloses a “cardan” tourbillon, in which the sprung balance is borne by an inner ring mounted to pivot inside an outer ring. Once again, and even while considering that the sprung balance can be a “decorative object”, no second decorative object within the meaning of the invention is disclosed therein. The aim of the invention is consequently to propose an animation mechanism in which the abovementioned defects are at least partially overcome. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION More specifically, the invention relates to an animation mechanism as defined by claim 1. This mechanism comprises a support system bearing a first decorative object intended to be animated with a rotation about a first axis of rotation and about a second axis of rotation under the effect of a drive source, this being directly or indirectly. The drive source can be mechanical or electric, and can be dedicated to the mechanism or can be that which supplies the drive force for a timepiece. Said support system comprises a first frame mounted to pivot on a cage element about said first axis of rotation, and an inner frame mounted to pivot in said first frame about said second axis of rotation which is substantially orthogonal with respect to said first axis of rotation (that is to say that the inner frame is pivoted on the first frame, thus defining a cardan system), said inner frame directly or indirectly bearing a second decorative object. Said inner frame (and thus the first decorative object) is arranged to be driven by an eccentric driving element secured in rotation to a drive wheel arranged to be driven directly or indirectly by said drive source. By these means, an original animation is obtained, the reciprocating movement about the abovementioned two axes thus obtained allowing a good visualisation of the two decorative objects. This animation can represent a large number of possibilities, notably in the case where the decorative objects are astral representations, which will become clear from the detailed description. Advantageously, said first decorative object is borne by a shaft mounted to pivot in said inner frame about a third axis of rotation, said shaft being secured in rotation to a pinion meshing with a toothing which is coaxial to said drive wheel, and which can be fixed or arranged to be animated with a rotation. The first decorative object can thus pivot about its own axis of rotation. In another variant, said