IP Library › Granted Patent US 12710724
Granted Patent B2
US 12710724 · App. 18/518,432 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Transmission mechanism for an automatic winding chain

Inventor: Pierre Villaret (Villy-le-Pelloux, FR)
Assignee: ROLEX SA
G04B5/10G04B7/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12710724
App. No.
18/518,432
Filed
Nov 22, 2023
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2831
USPC
368/207
Abstract

The transmission mechanism ( 110 ) for an automatic winding chain for a timepiece ( 400 ) includes a series assembly of a first freewheel ( 40 ) functioning by wedging, a reverser ( 50 ) including at least one unidirectional coupling functioning by obstacle or at least one second freewheel ( 51 a, 51 b ) functioning by obstacle, and a winding mobile mass ( 60 ).

Claims (41)

1 . A transmission mechanism for an automatic winding mechanism for a timepiece including a series assembly of:

a first freewheel functioning by wedging,

a reverser including at least one unidirectional coupling functioning by obstacle or at least one second freewheel functioning by obstacle, and

a winding mobile mass,

wherein a first reduction ratio between an output of the reverser and an input of the first freewheel is less than 8.

2 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the reverser and the first freewheel are mechanically connected directly to one another.

3 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the reverser and the first freewheel are mechanically connected directly to one another by direct meshing of an output of the reverser with an input of the first freewheel.

4 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein at least one second freewheel is a freewheel with at least one pawl.

5 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one pawl is made of ceramic.

6 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first freewheel includes at least one blocking element functioning by wedging.

7 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one blocking element functioning by wedging includes roller elements or sliding elements.

8 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one blocking element functioning by wedging includes roller elements which are balls or rollers or runners having a shape adapted for rolling.

9 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one blocking element functioning by wedging includes sliding elements which are runners having a shape adapted for sliding, or cams.

10 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the reverser includes two second freewheels so that an output of the reverser turns in a same given direction whatever a direction of an input of the reverser.

11 . An automatic winding chain or automatic winding module including the transmission mechanism according to claim 1 .

12 . The automatic winding chain or automatic winding module according to claim 11 , including

a first reduction chain extending from the winding mobile mass to the first freewheel having a second reduction ratio less than 6, and/or

a second reduction chain extending from the first freewheel to a ratchet of the barrel having a third reduction ratio greater than 20.

13 . The automatic winding chain or automatic winding module according to claim 11 , wherein an input of the reverser and the winding mobile mass are mechanically connected directly to one another.

14 . A timepiece movement including the automatic winding chain or automatic winding module according to claim 11 .

15 . The timepiece movement according to claim 14 , further including a manual winding chain.

16 . The timepiece movement according to claim 14 , wherein the automatic winding chain or automatic winding module is adapted to be disengaged during manual winding by manipulating an actuator member which is a stem.

17 . A timepiece including a transmission mechanism according to claim 1 .

18 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the first reduction ratio between:

the output of the reverser, and

the input of the first freewheel is less than 6.

19 . The transmission mechanism according to claim 18 , wherein the first reduction ratio between:

the output of the reverser, and

the input of the first freewheel is less than 5.

20 . An automatic winding chain or automatic winding module for a timepiece including a transmission mechanism including a series assembly of:

a first freewheel functioning by wedging,

a reverser including at least one unidirectional coupling functioning by obstacle or at least one second freewheel functioning by obstacle, and

a winding mobile mass,

wherein a first reduction chain extending from the winding mobile mass to the first freewheel has a second reduction ratio of less than 6.

21 . The automatic winding chain or automatic winding module according to claim 20 ,

wherein a second reduction chain extending from the first freewheel to a ratchet of the barrel has a third reduction ratio greater than 20.

22 . An automatic winding chain or automatic winding module for a timepiece including a transmission mechanism including a series assembly of:

a first freewheel functioning by wedging,

a reverser including at least one unidirectional coupling functioning by obstacle or at least one second freewheel functioning by obstacle, and

a winding mobile mass,

wherein a second reduction chain extending from the first freewheel to a ratchet of the barrel has a third reduction ratio greater than 20.