• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
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    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating electricity, in particular for mechanical wristwatches, comprising a mechanical energy source (2) means for at least one piezoelectric element (5), a multiplicative gearing (2)and a manual control mechanism (1) for, upon request, charging said energy source (2) as well as discharging it by driving said multiplicative gear (3) to provide at least a portion of the energy of said a power source (2) to said activation means to at least one piezoelectric element (5) to generate electric current.The device is characterized by the fact that it is said to be multiplied (3) by the energy source (3) (1) has been actuated, respectively the energy source (2) has been loaded to a predefined level. The present invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a mechanical wrist watch, comprising such a device.
    公开号:CH710521B1
    申请号:CH01678/15
    申请日:2015-11-18
    公开日:2019-10-15
    发明作者:Eeckhoutte Alain；Stalder Nicolas；Solignac Dominique；Käuper Peter；Yamahata Christophe；Lazar Bogdan
    申请人:Van Cleef & Arpels SA；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Description Fields of the Invention The present invention relates to an electricity generation device for timepieces, in particular for mechanical wristwatches, comprising a source of mechanical energy capable of being charged and discharged, at at least one piezoelectric element capable of being actuated, and an activation means making it possible to actuate said at least one piezoelectric element. The electricity generation device according to the present invention is used in particular for temporarily illuminating mechanical watches, temporarily producing sound effects, or even other similar applications.
    State of the Prior Art [0002] Devices for generating electricity have in the past been used in the field of watchmaking for several applications whose complexity varies considerably. By way of example, document JP 2002/144,797 discloses a pendulum clock equipped with piezoelectric elements making it possible to illuminate, simply by means of a mobile sphere pressing under the effect of gravitation as a function of the position of the pendulum during its oscillation alternately on one or the other of the piezoelectric elements, two lamps electrically connected to these piezoelectric elements. Other much more ambitious efforts aim to replace the battery of electronic watches by an assembly comprising an electricity generator actuated in most cases by an oscillating mass similar to that used in mechanical movements with automatic winding, a rectifier transforming the alternating current generated in direct current, and an accumulator charged with the aid of the current thus generated, the accumulator being intended to supply an electronic movement known per se. US Patent 4,091,302 discloses a fairly old example of such a device which has now been known for several decades. At the level of more recent developments, the document WO 2012/164 545 gives a general overview of the state of the art as regards the types of piezoelectric elements currently available and specifically adapted for use in the field of horology, in particular in the context of generators intended to replace the battery of an electronic watch. The document EP 2 343 747 discloses an electrical energy generating device for a portable appliance, in particular for watches, and is in principle in the same context as the documents US 4 091 302 and WO 2012/164 545. Indeed, the device according to document EP 2 343 747 uses a barrel spring usually connected to a pendulum whose oscillations are maintained by a pendulum spring, the pendulum carrying piezoelectric elements allowing, in embodiments of the device intended for electronic watches, to supply electrical energy to an accumulator. A simpler embodiment of the device provides for using the electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric elements directly, that is to say on demand and following the actuation of a control member making it possible to charge said spring with barrel. However, this has the disadvantage that the discharge of the barrel spring and therefore the amount of electrical energy produced is not controlled. This is only provided in the embodiments of the device intended for electronic watches, by equipping them with a corresponding electrical circuit. In general, the device according to document EP 2 343 747 uses the same components as a mechanical clockwork movement and therefore has a large bulk. Therefore, it is not particularly suitable for use in watches equipped with a mechanical movement, as this would imply a need for almost doubled space. In addition, the power supplied by this device seems, according to the indications given in document EP 2 343 747, to be relatively low, so that the relation between congestion and power supplied seems too low even for an integration of this device in an electronic watch.
    In sum, despite the considerable advances described in some of the documents cited above, it should be noted that the known devices are only suitable for a limited number of applications and, in particular, aim for the vast majority replacement of the battery of an electronic watch and therefore consist of an assembly comprising an oscillating mass, a generator which is often based on piezoelectric elements, a rectifier, and an accumulator. Furthermore, to obtain optimal performance in this regard, efforts have been concentrated on improving one or more parts of such a device, in particular the characteristics of the piezoelectric element. Thus, most of the known devices are of rather complex design, bulky due to the need for several parts, fragile in terms of operation, and grafted with a high production cost.
    Objectives of the invention The object of the present invention is to remedy at least in part the drawbacks of known devices and, in particular, to allow the production of an electricity generation device for timepieces capable of be used for other types of applications in the watchmaking field. Another object of the present invention is the production of such an electricity generation device which is of robust construction as well as simple and space-saving, which is reliable during its use, and which has a moderate production cost. in comparison with the devices of the prior art. Yet another object is the production of a device for generating electricity without the need for an assembly comprising several complex parts.
    Solution according to the invention To this end, the present invention provides a device of the aforementioned type which is distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 1. In particular, a device according to the present invention comprises a multi-train
    CH 710 521 B1 plicative linking said energy source to said activation means and a manual control mechanism allowing, on request, to charge said energy source as well as to discharge it by driving said multiplying train in order to provide at least one part of the energy from said energy source to said activation means so as to actuate said at least one piezoelectric element to generate an electric current, said multiplication train comprising a trigger means capable of ensuring that the drive of said multiplication train by the power source is only performed when the manual control mechanism has been actuated, respectively the power source has been charged to a predefined level.
    By these measures, the user has the possibility at any time of generating an electrical current in a simple manner and on request which can be used for several types of application in watches, in particular in mechanical watches. In particular, it can be used to temporarily illuminate the watch face, temporarily produce a sound effect, or even for other similar applications. In addition, the device is simplified because it does not comprise complex parts such as a rectifier or an accumulator, or even parts such as an oscillating mass which are not necessary, respectively not useful in the types of applications targeted by the present invention.
    Specific and particularly favorable embodiments of the device which are defined in more detail in the dependent claims are equipped with a multiplication train having a total gear ratio between its input and its output capable of controlling the speed of discharging said energy source as well as defining a desired actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element, and / or of an activation means, of a manual control mechanism, respectively of a piezoelectric element arranged in a particular way. A device is thus obtained which is optimally adapted to the intended application.
    Other features, as well as the corresponding advantages, will emerge from the dependent claims, as well as from the description setting out the invention below in more detail.
    Brief description of the drawings [0009] The accompanying drawings show schematically and by way of example an embodiment of the invention.
    Fig. 1a shows a schematic perspective view from above of the electricity generation device according to the present invention and FIG. 1b shows a top plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1a.
    Fig. 2a shows a schematic perspective view from below of the device for generating electricity according to the present invention and FIG. 2b shows a plan view from below of the device illustrated in FIG. 2a.
    Fig. 3a shows a schematic perspective view from above of the activation means and of the piezoelectric elements of the electricity generation device illustrated in FIGS. 1a as well as 2a and fig. 3b shows a plan view from below of the parts of the device illustrated in FIG. 3a.
    Detailed description of the invention The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example several embodiments of the invention.
    The present invention relates to a device for generating electricity for timepieces, in particular for mechanical wristwatches. The device can however be used, indifferently, also in electronic timepieces. The following description therefore refers to a mechanical timepiece without limiting the scope of the corresponding explanations, which in any case extend to any type of timepiece. As illustrated schematically and by way of example in the perspective view from above of FIG. 1a as well as in the top plan view of FIG. 1 b, the electricity generation device according to the present invention generally comprises a source of mechanical energy 2 capable of being charged and discharged, at least one piezoelectric element 5 capable of being actuated, and a means of activation 4 enabling said at least one piezoelectric element to be actuated 5. The device also comprises a multiplication train 3 linking said energy source 2 to said activation means 4 and a manual control mechanism 1. The latter allows the user of the corresponding timepiece, on request, to charge said energy source 2 as well as to discharge it by driving said multiplying train 3 in order to supply at least part of the energy stored in said energy source 2 to said activation means 4, so as to actuate said at least one piezoelectric element 5 to generate an electric current. Electric current is supplied via electrical connectors 6 to an electrical consumer, such as LEDs used to illuminate the dial of the timepiece. The electric consumer is not shown in the figures because it is not directly the object of the present invention.
    The manual control mechanism 1 is preferably made by a control lever 1.1 adapted to be actuated for example by a push button of the corresponding timepiece and allowing, on request by user support of the timepiece on said push button, to charge said energy source 2 as well as to discharge it by driving said multiplying train 3 when the user stops pressing the push button. To this end, the control lever 1.1 is articulated at one end on a fixed bridge 1.2 of the timepiece. The other end of the
    CH 710 521 B1 control lever 1.1 is free and allows acting on the energy source 2. The control lever 1.1 is prestressed by a spring not shown in the figures in its rest position in which it does not load the energy source 2.
    As regards this energy source 2, it can be produced by a flat spring 2.1 having at least one elastic arm, preferably and as illustrated in the figures by a flat spring having two elastic arms 2.2,2.3 . Other means for storing mechanical energy, such as a coil spring or any other equivalent means, can also be used as an energy source 2.
    As mentioned above, the device comprises a multiplying cog 3 linking said energy source 2 to said activation means 4, this cog also participating in the cooperation between the manual control mechanism 1 and the source d energy 2. In fact, according to the preferred embodiment of the device which is illustrated in the figures, the multiplication train 3 comprises a trigger means 3.1 capable of ensuring that the drive of said multiplication train 3 by the energy source 2 during its unloading is carried out only if the manual control mechanism 1 has been actuated completely, respectively if the energy source 2 has been loaded to a predefined level. Preferably, such a triggering means 3.1 can be produced by a triggering barrel 3.1.1 having notches 3.1.1.1 situated on its inner periphery as well as by an actuating disc 3.1.2 placed coaxially as well as freely rotatable by report to said trigger barrel 3.1.1. The actuating disc 3.1.2 has at least one pin, in the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures of two pins 3.1.2.1,3.1.2.2, cooperating with the energy source 2 as well as d 'a hook spring 3.1.2.3 cooperating with the notches 3.1.1.1 of the trigger barrel 3.1.1. As visible in particular in FIGS. 1a and 2a, the free end of the control lever 1.1 is, in its rest position, bearing against the first of the pins 3.1.2.1,3.1.2.2, these pins 3.1.2.1,3.1. 2.2 being in turn each in abutment against an elastic arm 2.2, 2.3 of the flat spring 2.1 serving as a mechanical energy source 2. These elements are preferably but not necessarily placed on one side of the trigger barrel 3.1.1, while the hook spring 3.1.2.3 substantially in the shape of an L, the free end of which has a trigger tooth which can slide. in the notches 3.1.1.1 of the trigger barrel 3.1.1 is rigidly mounted on the axis of rotation of the actuating disc 3.1.2 and located on the other side of the trigger barrel 3.1.1. The notches 3.1.1.1 on the inner periphery of the trigger barrel 3.1.1 are separated from each other by an equidistant angular distance. In the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures, the trigger barrel 3.1.1 has five notches 3.1.1.1 separated by an angle of 72 °. The trigger barrel 3.1.1 also has a toothing located on its outer periphery.
    The multiplication train 3 still has multiplication gears and multiplication wheels, the number of which varies and can be adapted according to the arrangement of the other parts of the device. In the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures, the toothing located on the outer periphery of the trigger barrel 3.1.1 meshes with a first multiplying pinion 3.2.1 fixed to a first multiplying wheel 3.2.2 which in turn meshes with a second multiplying gear 3.3.1 fixed to a second multiplying wheel 3.3.2. The latter meshes with a third multiplying gear 3.4.1 fixed to a third multiplying wheel 3.4.2 which in turn meshes with a fourth multiplying gear 3.5.1 fixed to a fourth multiplying wheel 3.5.2 which drives a fifth multiplicative wheel 3.6 carrying the activation means 4. These components of the multiplication train 3, respectively their teeth, can in particular be arranged according to an exemplary embodiment as shown in Table A below.
    Component Number of teeth Module Center distance (mm) Angle traveled Rotation (rev / actuation) Speed (rev / sec) trigger barrel 80 0.1 4.6 72 ' '0.2 ί 0.0133333333 1. multiplicative pinion 12 480 " 1.3333333333 0.0888888889 - 1. multiplicative wheel 72 0 09 3.78 2. multiplicative pinion 122880 ' 8 i 0.5333333333 2. multiplicative wheel 64 0.09 3.423. multiplicative pinion 12 15.360 42.6666666667 Ι 2.8444444444 i 3. multiplier wheel 56 0.09 3.06 4. multiplicative pinion 12 71,680 ' 199.1111111111 ; 13.2740740741 4. multiplicative wheel 48 0.09 4.32 5. multiplier wheel 48 71-.680 ° ............... 199.1111111111 1 13.2740740741 i 1 Total gear ratio 995.5555555556
    Table A If the multiplying train 3 can be arranged in different ways, it is important that it has a total gear ratio between its input, produced in the example shown above by the teeth located on the outer periphery of the trigger barrel 3.1.1, and its output, produced in the example shown above by the outer toothing of the fifth multiplying wheel 3.6, capable of controlling the rate of discharge of the energy source 2. In addition, the total gear ratio of the multiplying train 3 is chosen so as to be able to define, as a function of the arrangement of the activation means 4, an actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 suitable for generate an electric current which can be used to optimally supply the electric consumer connected in a given application to said at least one piezoelectric element 5. In particular, the rapp the total gear of the multiplying gear 3 is normally chosen so as to be situated in a range going from 100 to 10 000, preferably in a range going from 500 to 2000. In the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures , the total gear ratio of the multiplying train 3 is of the order of 1000, as shown in table A above, the reasons for this choice becoming clearer in the following description.
    CH 710 521 B1 The electricity generation device also includes an activation means 4 which can, advantageously, be fixed on the fifth multiplicative wheel 3.6. Preferably, this activation means 4 is produced by a sinusoidal cam wheel having on its periphery a succession of sinusoidal portions. Alternatively, the activation means 4 can be produced by a sawtooth wheel, or even another wheel with adequate teeth. The number of successive sinusoidal portions, respectively of teeth, is chosen as a function of the total gear ratio of the multiplying train 3, of the type of piezoelectric element 5 used, as well as of the type of electrical consumer connected to said at least one piezoelectric element 5. In the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures, the sinusoidal cam wheel has ten successive sinusoidal portions. Generally, the sinusoidal cam wheel, respectively an equivalent tooth wheel, has a number of successive sinusoidal portions, respectively of teeth, chosen in a range going from 4 to 100, preferably in a range going from 6 to 30. This allows, in combination with the total gear ratio of the multiplying train 3, easy adjustment of the rotation frequency of this wheel, respectively by generalizing the actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 by the activation means 4. This actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 is chosen, depending on the type of connected electrical consumer, in a range from 100 Hz to 300 Hz. Preferably, the actuation frequency is in a range from 120 Hz to 180 Hz.
    Said at least one piezoelectric element 5 used in an electricity generation device according to the present invention can be chosen from a large number of piezoelectric elements known in the prior art, in addition to those described in the cited documents in the introduction. Preferably, the piezoelectric element 5 used in the device is capable of being actuated in bending, but it is also possible to use a piezoelectric element actuable by striking or other types of piezoelectric element. It is also possible to use piezoceramics of the PZT-5A and PZT-5H type, the use of piezoceramics PZT-5A being preferred because of their less pronounced sensitivity to temperature variations. According to the illustrated embodiment, the device according to the present invention uses at least two piezoelectric elements 5 which can be actuated in bending and in the form of blades, the two piezoelectric blades 5.1, 5.2 being arranged parallel to each other, as illustrated in the figures. One end of the two parallel piezoelectric blades 5.1, 5.2 is rigidly mounted, via a fixing stud 5.3, on a bridge not illustrated in the figures of the corresponding timepiece and the other end is free as well as adapted to cooperate with said activation means 4. The free end of the two piezoelectric blades 5.1, 5.2 preferably comprises a specific actuation portion 5.4 equipped with a stone and / or a rotary element capable of reducing the friction between said activation means 4 and said at least one piezoelectric element 5. As visible in particular in FIGS. 2a, 3a, and 3b, the actuating portion 5.4 can advantageously be produced by a cam feeler intended to cooperate with the sinusoidal cam wheel mentioned above and having an axis mounted freely in rotation, this axis carrying a stone ring on the part of its length touching the periphery of the sinusoidal cam wheel.
    The actuation of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 makes it possible to supply electricity to an electrical consumer connected to the piezoelectric elements 5 by means of connectors 6 which are preferably made of gold. Said electrical consumer can consist of one or more LEDs making it possible to temporarily illuminate part of the corresponding timepiece, preferably the dial of a mechanical wristwatch, as an element making it possible to temporarily produce sound effects, or even any electrical charge allowing other similar applications useful in the field of watchmaking. In the preferred embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures, the electrical consumer connected to the electrical connectors 6 consists of two LEDs mounted head to tail, the electrical power of the LEDs being chosen so as to correspond to the optimal electrical power of the piezoelectric elements 5 which is in this specific case of the order of 25 pW. Depending on the electrical consumer required for a given application, the electrical power supplied by the piezoelectric elements 5 can be adapted by further modifying the number, size, and / or type of the piezoelectric elements used.
    In view of the description of the structure of an electricity generation device according to the present invention appearing above, the skilled person easily understands its operation. Indeed, as visible in particular in FIG. 2a, pressure by the user of the corresponding timepiece on a push button provided for this purpose causes the control lever 1.1 to pivot, the free end of which bears on the first pin 3.1.2.1 mounted on the disc d 3.1.2. The latter then performs a rotation whose maximum angle is defined by the maximum travel of said push button, respectively of the control lever 1.1. In the embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures, the actuating disc 3.1.2 performs, as mentioned in table A above, a rotation of one fifth of a turn anti-clockwise, visible in the views of fig. 1a, 1b, therefore at an angle of 72 °, on each actuation of the push button and provided that the user pushes the push button until the end of its travel, that is to say until maximum pivoting of the control lever 1.1.
    When rotated counterclockwise (top view according to Figs 1a and 1b), the actuating disc 3.1.2, on the one hand, loads the mechanical energy source 2 due to that the pins 3.1.2.1, 3.1.2.2 drive the elastic arms 2.2, 2.3 of the flat spring 2 and thus put them under tension, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 2a and 2b, and, on the other hand, also drives the hook spring 3.1.2.3 in rotation, as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Since the trigger barrel 3.1.1 remains stationary during this phase of operation of the device due to the inertia of the multiplying train 3, the free end of the hook spring 3.1.2.3 is elastically deformed and the trigger tooth located on this free end of the hook spring 3.1.2.3 comes out of the notch 3.1.1.1 of the barrel
    CH 710 521 B1 trigger 3.1.1 in which it is in the rest position of the device and slides along the inside periphery of the trigger barrel 3.1.1. If the user pushes the push-button until the end of its stroke, that is to say up to the maximum pivoting of the control lever 1.1, said trigger tooth located on the free end of the hook spring 3.1.2.3 enters at the end of the actuation of the push button in the next notch 3.1.1.1 of the trigger barrel 3.1.1, otherwise it returns under the action of the elastic arms 2.2, 2.3 of the flat spring 2 in the '3.1.1.1 notch in which it was placed before actuation of the push button, sliding along the inner periphery of the trigger barrel 3.1.1.
    Indeed, once the user no longer presses the push button, respectively no longer rotates the control lever 1.1, the mechanical energy source 2 is discharged and the elastic arms 2.2, 2.3 of the flat spring 2 return, via pins 3.1.2.1, 3.1.2.2, the actuating disc 3.1.2 to its initial position, by driving it in clockwise rotation, as illustrated in the views of fig. 1a, 1b. If the user had not pushed the push button until the end of his stroke, this has no consequences and the device returns to its rest position. In the case of normal operation of the device, therefore if the user pushes the push-button until the end of its stroke, the flat spring 2 produces, by means of pins 3.1.2.1, 3.1.2.2, a 72 ° clockwise rotation of the actuating disc 3.1.2, returning it to its initial position. Since the trigger tooth located on the free end of the hook spring 3.1.2.3 is in this case in the next notch 3.1.1.1 of the trigger barrel 3.1.1, the flat spring 2 produced by the intermediate of the actuating disc 3.1.2, respectively of its hook spring 3.1.2.3, also a rotation of a fifth of a turn clockwise, therefore by an angle of 72 °, of the trigger barrel 3.1.1 . The latter drives the other gears and wheels of the multiplication train 3, so that the activation means 4 is actuated.
    In the embodiment of the device illustrated in the figures and having as activating means 4 a sinusoidal cam wheel, the sinusoidal cam wheel 4 then rotates at each actuation of the corresponding push button by the user of the timepiece at a speed of the order of 13.2 revolutions / second, due to the total gear ratio of the multiplying train 3 and according to the other characteristics shown in detail in table A above. The operating frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 is then in this specific embodiment of the order of 132 Hz, given that the sinusoidal cam wheel 4 has in this embodiment 10 successive sinusoidal portions cooperating each with the actuating portion 5.4 of said at least one piezoelectric element 5. During the rotation of the sinusoidal cam wheel 4, each successive sinusoidal portion in fact produces a bending of said at least one piezoelectric element 5 and thus generates, as a result that said at least one piezoelectric element 5 oscillates under the action of the sinusoidal cam wheel 4 at the actuation frequency, an electric current which is supplied via the electrical connectors 6 to the chosen electric consumer. In the case of the above example of two LEDs, this allows for example to illuminate the dial of a mechanical watch for a predefined period of time, which is in the embodiment illustrated in the figures due to the inertia multiplicative train 3 of the order of 15 s. Since the actuation frequency is in a range from 100 Hz to 300 Hz, preferably from 120 Hz to 180 Hz, the user perceives the illumination as a constant light, despite the fact that the device provides a alternating current to the LEDs, so a rectifier is not necessary.
    In view of this technical instruction, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the actuation frequency can be adapted by modifying for example the number of notches on the trigger barrel 3.1.1, the total ratio the gear of the multiplying train 3, and / or the number of cams on the sinusoidal cam wheel, or even other parameters of the device. In fact, it is preferable that the excitation of the piezoelectric elements is carried out at their resonant frequency, since this makes it possible to obtain maximum efficiency in terms of electrical power. Depending on the piezoelectric elements 5 as well as the electrical consumer used, the parameters mentioned above can then be adapted to their optimal values. In the case of the use of two PZT-5A blades and two LEDs described above by way of example, the resonance frequency is around 150-170 Hz. For a cam wheel having 10 successive sinusoidal portions , it is then necessary to provide a total gear ratio of the multiplying train of the order of 1000. Furthermore, other embodiments of a device according to the claims not illustrated in the figures may include still others modifications, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is possible that the cam wheel, respectively the actuating means, does not act directly on said at least one piezoelectric element, but using an intermediate means such as a mounted lever arm pivotally between the cam wheel and said at least one piezoelectric element. This allows for example to adjust in a simple way the amplitude of the oscillations of said at least one piezoelectric element by modifying the position of the pivot axis of said lever arm, one end of which is actuated by the cam wheel and the other of which end flexually activates said at least one piezoelectric element. Indeed, the amplitude of the piezoceramic oscillations also makes it possible to play on the electric power supplied, therefore to adapt the configuration as well as the electric power generated by the device to the supply necessary for the electric consumer used, such as LEDs . It is clear to the person skilled in the art having the technical instruction according to the present description that it is not possible to list and describe in detail here all the alternative embodiments of a device according to the claims which are not not illustrated in the figures, and that each part of the device can be replaced by equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention.
    CH 710 521 B1 [0026] Finally, it should be noted that the present invention also relates to any timepiece comprising an electricity generation device as described above. It can in particular be a mechanical or electronic wristwatch. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous to arrange the electricity generation device according to the present invention as a separate module which can be mounted on a basic movement. This thus makes it possible to use such a device in an existing timepiece without requiring major modifications to the timepiece in which the device is intended to be integrated.
    In view of the above explanations relating to the structure and operation of the device according to the present invention, it is obvious that such a device provides numerous advantages and makes it possible to achieve the aims and objects set out in the introduction. In particular, a device according to the present invention offers the possibility of using an electricity generation device within the framework of several types of application in the field of watchmaking. The user of a timepiece equipped with such a device has in particular at any time the possibility of generating, on request, an electric current which can be used for any type of application in watches, in particular in mechanical watches, for example to temporarily illuminate the watch face. The electricity generation device is of simple and robust construction, compact, reliable in use, and has a moderate production cost compared to the devices of the prior art. The reasons for this further lie in the fact that a device according to the present invention does not require many complex parts which are present in devices of the prior art, such as a rectifier or an accumulator, or even a mass. oscillating. Furthermore, it should also be mentioned that the device according to the present invention can be declined in several variants and therefore has a flexible construction principle, as well as it can be integrated into numerous timepieces without requiring significant modification. .
    权利要求:
    Claims (14)
    [1]
    claims
    1. Device for generating electricity for timepieces, in particular for mechanical wristwatches, comprising a source of mechanical energy (2) capable of being charged and discharged, at least one piezoelectric element (5) capable of being actuated , an activation means (4) making it possible to actuate the at least one piezoelectric element (5), a multiplication train (3) connecting said energy source (2) to said activation means (4), and a mechanism manual control (1) allowing, on request, to load said energy source (2) as well as to discharge it by driving said multiplying train (3) in order to supply at least part of the energy from said source of energy (2) to said activation means (4) so as to actuate said at least one piezoelectric element (5) to generate an electric current, characterized in that said multiplying train (3) comprises a triggering means (3.1) apt ensuring that the drive of said multiplying train (3) by the energy source (2) is only carried out when the manual control mechanism (1) has been actuated, respectively the energy source (2) has been loaded to a predefined level.
    [2]
    2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the trigger means (3.1) comprises a trigger barrel (3.1.1) having notches (3.1.1.1) on its inner periphery as well as a disc actuation (3.1.2) placed coaxially with respect to said trigger barrel (3.1.1) and having at least one pin (3.1.2.1) cooperating with the energy source (2) and a hook spring ( 3.1.2.3) cooperating with the notches (3.1.1.1) of the trigger barrel (3.1.1).
    [3]
    3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the multiplying train (3) has a total gear ratio between its input and its output capable of controlling the rate of discharge of said energy source (2) as well as defining, as a function of the arrangement of the activation means (4), an actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element (5) capable of generating an electric current.
    [4]
    4. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the total gear ratio of the multiplying train (3) is chosen in a range from 100 to 10,000, preferably in a range from 500 to 2000.
    [5]
    5. Device according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the actuation frequency of said at least one piezoelectric element (5) is chosen in a range from 100 Hz to 300 Hz, preferably in a range ranging from 120 Hz to 180 Hz.
    [6]
    6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation means (4) is chosen from the group consisting of a sinusoidal cam wheel and a sawtooth wheel.
    [7]
    7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the activation means (4) is produced by a sinusoidal cam wheel having a number of successive sinusoidal portions chosen from a range from 4 to 100, preferably within a range from 6 to 30.
    [8]
    8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the manual control mechanism (1) is a control lever allowing, on request by support from a user of the timepiece, to load said source energy (2) as well as discharging it by driving said multiplying train (3).
    CH 710 521 B1
    [9]
    9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical energy source (2) is produced by a flat spring (2.1) having at least one elastic arm, preferably by a flat spring having two arms elastic (2.2, 2.3).
    [10]
    10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one piezoelectric element (5) is capable of being actuated in bending.
    [11]
    11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one piezoelectric element (5) comprises at least two piezoelectric blades (5.1, 5.2) arranged parallel to each other, one of which end is rigidly mounted and the other end of which is free and able to cooperate with said activation means (4).
    [12]
    12. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of said at least two piezoelectric blades (5.1,5.2) comprises an actuating portion (5.4) equipped with a stone (5.4.1) and / or a rotary element (5.4.2) capable of reducing the friction between said activation means (4) and said at least one piezoelectric element (5).
    [13]
    13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electric consumer supplied with electricity by said at least one piezoelectric element (5) and chosen from the group consisting of LEDs making it possible to illuminate a part of the corresponding timepiece, preferably the dial of a mechanical wristwatch, and an element producing sound effects.
    [14]
    14. Timepiece, in particular mechanical wristwatch, characterized in that it comprises an electricity generation device according to one of the preceding claims.
    CH 710 521 B1
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CH710521A2|2016-06-30|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    CH714682A1|2018-02-27|2019-08-30|Concepto Holding Sa|Movable mechanism of a protuberant decorative figure.|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    CH19892014|2014-12-19|
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