CH703821A2 - Sector mechanism for displaying of time quantity on Paul picot technograph type watch, has partial display part including covering mechanisms that are synchronous with each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism (1) has partial display parts (2A, 2B) including continuous covering mechanisms covering a total range of variation of physical quantity and arranged to move movable indicators (4A, 4B) based on the total range. The display part comprises masking units arranged to make visible of the indicator facing towards scales (5A, 5B) representing partial ranges (3A, 3B) and to reduce or cancel visibility of the indicator. The covering mechanisms of the display part are synchronous with each other. An independent claim is also included for a timepiece comprising a movement part arranged to drive a set of covering mechanisms.

Description

The invention relates to a multiple sector display mechanism and decoupling the display of a physical quantity on a timepiece, on a plurality of separate partial displays each arranged to represent the evolution of said physical quantity over a given partial range beyond and below predetermined limit values, so that the total range of variation of said physical quantity is covered by all of said partial ranges, each said partial display including an indicator moving relative to a scale representing said partial range of said partial display.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such mechanism.

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of scientific instruments, and more particularly the field of watchmaking.

The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to distribute, on a scientific instrument or a timepiece, the display of the same physical quantity given on a plurality of displays, each of these displays having to represent the evolution of this physical quantity over a given range beyond and below predetermined limit values.

Depending on the type of main display of the timepiece, and the complications that it comprises, it may be necessary, or simply advantageous, to release, for this main display and / or some of these complications, one or more particular zones of the dial of the timepiece, and in particular the central part of the dial.

It is then useful to be able to report in less congested areas the display of certain quantities.

Background of the invention

It is known to use displays retrograde type, to use dial sectors of substantially triangular shape. However, the retrograde display discounces some users, who prefer a continuous type display.

[0008] A patent FR 647 409 in the name of Lancel scrolls, on a circular sector graduated, the time display by one of three mobile cross-shaped pivoted by a Y-bracket always pivoting in the same meaning, all hidden by a disc except for a single branch of the cross, presented in an annular space facing the graduated circular sector.

[0009] Similarly, a patent EP 0 950 932 in the name of Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta describes a mobile in continuous rotation carrying two double needles opposite and pivoting, hidden except for an annular sector, facing a sector circular graduated on an amplitude of 180 °.

Continuous mechanisms with several arms are known, possibly conjugated with an identical mechanism rotating in the opposite direction facing the same dial, as in patent CH 699 117 in the name of Agenhor:

[0011] The "Paul Picot Technograf" watches are still known, comprising two half-moon half-dials on either side of a central dial, each of which has a different function and includes an internal scale and an external scale. against which is positioned a short or long end respectively of the same double needle:

The general principle of these known mechanisms is to combine a mask and one or more special needles so as to give the appearance of a discontinuity.

In short, if we encounter mechanisms with special arrangements of needles, or, more generally display fingers, facing a single graduated dial or concentric graduated dials, their display is retrograde type, their operation is sometimes complex, and their size does not fit well constraints of use of available space mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide a solution of continuous type display, the problem of distributing, on a timepiece, the display of the same physical quantity given on a plurality of displays, each of these displays having to represent the evolution of this physical quantity over a given range beyond and below predetermined limit values.

This physical quantity may be a quantity related to time, but also another physical quantity, for example barometric, hygrometric, or other.

To this end, the invention relates to a multiple sector display and decoupling mechanism of the display of a physical quantity on a scientific instrument or a timepiece, on a plurality of separate partial displays arranged each to represent revolution of said physical quantity over a given partial range beyond and below predetermined limit values, so that the total range of variation of said physical quantity is covered by all of said partial ranges, each said partial display comprising a mobile indicator with respect to a scale representing said partial range specific to said partial display, characterized in that each said partial display comprises a continuous mechanism covering said total range of variation of said physical quantity and is arranged to move said indicator mobile on said total range, and in that each said display it comprises occultation means arranged to leave visible said mobile indicator that facing said scale representing said partial range of its own, and to reduce or cancel the visibility of said mobile indicator against the other partial ranges that his , and further characterized in that said continuous mechanisms of said partial displays are all synchronous with each other.

According to a feature of the invention, said occulting means comprise at least one mask arranged to reveal only said partial range which is specific to it, and to hide the other partial ranges that his, as well as to hide his own mobile indicator when the latter is in front of or facing another partial range than his own.

According to a characteristic of the invention, each said continuous mechanism has a cyclic movement.

More particularly, according to another characteristic of the invention, each said continuous mechanism has a periodic movement.

According to a specific characteristic of a preferred embodiment, said physical quantity is a magnitude of time.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: <tb> - fig. 1 <sep> shows, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in a first embodiment; <tb> - fig. 2 <sep> represents the timepiece of FIG. 1, shown without its main switch and after removal of a mask that includes the mechanism according to the invention; <tb> - fig. 3 <sep> shows, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in a second embodiment; <tb> - fig. 4 <sep> shows, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in a third embodiment; <tb> - fig. 5 <sep> represents, schematically, partially and in section, the timepiece of FIG. 1; <tb> - fig. 6 <sep> shows, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in another embodiment; <tb> - fig. 7 <sep> shows, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in another embodiment based on the visual appearance of the indicator and the dial; <tb> - fig. 8 <sep> represents, schematically and in front view, a timepiece comprising a mechanism according to the invention, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, in a presentation similar to the part of FIG. 7; <tb> - figs. 9 and 10 <sep> show, schematically and in front view, a partial display according to the embodiment variant of FIG. 7, with another type of decoration, fig. 9representing the display of the physical quantity in a partial range, and FIG. 10representing the passage in a zone corresponding to another partial range than the partial display concerned; <tb> - figs. 11 to 13 <sep> illustrate alternative arrangements of timepieces made with a multiple sector display according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to the field of scientific instruments, and more particularly the field of watchmaking.

The decoupling of the display of a physical quantity on several partial displays allows not only to take advantage of the available volume in a scientific instrument or a timepiece, but also to offer the user a information relating to a particular field, and allows a different visualization, as to the display scale, or the color of an indicator, for one or more specific ranges.

For example, a radioactivity counter may display, in a first low range and in a first small window, the level of radioactivity measured to a certain first threshold. Beyond this first threshold, the display is made, for example with a different colored needle and in a second window of larger size than the first, for a second range corresponding to an area requiring reinforced precaution, up to a second threshold. Beyond this second threshold, a third danger zone is highlighted by a third window of still larger size, and with a needle of another color.

The invention will here be more particularly described for a preferred embodiment for a timepiece, but it is understood from the previous example that it can be implemented for the visualization of any type of physical size, in connection with means for measuring, and / or counting, and / or for generating a physical quantity, on a device which will be called hereinafter scientific instrument.

The invention relates to a mechanism 1 for multiple sectoral display and decoupling the display of a physical quantity on a scientific instrument or a timepiece 100, on a plurality of partial displays 2.

These partial displays 2 are distinct, and each arranged to represent the evolution of this physical quantity over a given partial range 3, which is specific to it, beyond and below predetermined limit values, so that that the total range of variation of this physical quantity is covered by the set of partial areas 3. Each such partial display 2 comprises a mobile indicator 4 with respect to a scale 5, in particular a graduated scale, representing this partial range 3 specific to the partial display 2 considered.

According to the invention, each such partial display 2 comprises a continuous mechanism 11 covering the total range of variation of this physical quantity, and which is arranged to move its mobile indicator 4 on the total range. In addition, each partial display 2 comprises concealment means arranged to leave visible its mobile indicator 4 facing this scale 5 representing the partial range 3 which is specific to it, and still arranged to reduce or cancel the visibility of this indicator 4 mobile against other partial beaches than his own.

In a particular embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, each partial display 2 includes a mask 6 arranged to reveal only the partial range 3 which is specific to it, and to hide the other partial areas that his as well as to hide its own mobile indicator 4 when the latter is in front of or facing another partial range than his own.

In a simplified embodiment, the concealment means reside in the shape and / or the decor of the mobile indicators 4, typically needles, and / or in the decoration of a main dial 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates the case of needles 4A and 4B which have the same decoration as a decorated part 15 that comprises the main dial 10, this decorated part being delimited by borders 16A and 16B decor corresponding to the partial displays 2A and 2B.

It is possible to play only on the colors as in the case of FIG. 7.

It is also possible to play on the texture of the decor, both movable indicators 4 and a colored portion 15 of the bottom, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, where the decor is of random texture, which makes it very difficult to locate the needle 4 relative to the decorated part 15 of the dial. This random texture provides a camouflage effect, and it is almost impossible to visualize the needle 4 in front of the scenery.

According to the invention, the continuous mechanisms 11 of these partial displays 2 of the mechanism 1 are all synchronous with each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the mechanism 1 is designed for a timepiece 100.

Preferably, each continuous mechanism 11 of each partial display 2 has a cyclic movement, and more particularly, has a periodic movement.

In the preferred application described here, the physical quantity, to the display of which is dedicated the mechanism 1, is a time size.

Each continuous mechanism 11 is arranged to be coupled synchronously to a movement 12 that includes this scientific instrument or timepiece 100.

As shown in the figures, the invention decouples the display of at least one physical quantity, the seconds in FIGS. 1 to 3, or the hours in fig. 4, on a plurality of scales 5, in particular graduated, each located on a dial 13, which covers a partial range of the possible total amplitude of this physical quantity.

A movable indicator 4 is constituted in the case of the figures by a needle, it can still be made in the form of a display finger, a wicket disk, or other.

The complete display is visible by sector, and the user has the impression that the same needle jumps from one dial to another.

The movements of the continuous mechanisms 11 of the partial displays 2, which cause these mobile indicators 4 are all synchronous with each other, and these partial displays 2 constitute continuous displays.

Each of the partial displays comprises a mask 6, comprising a first edge 7 corresponding to the predetermined lower limit of the partial range 3 that makes visible the partial display 2 concerned, and a second edge 8 corresponding to the predetermined upper limit of the same beach.

In the example of the figures, all the masks 6 are joined and constitute a single mask, but this is only a particular embodiment.

In a particular version of the invention, not shown in the figures, the amplitude of each mask 6 is adjustable by the user, for example by a wheel located at the periphery of the window, and comprising a locking means / release. This configuration allows the user to format each of the partial ranges 3 of the partial displays 2 of the mechanism 1. In this version, a particular embodiment links the masks 6 to each other, for example by a gear, so that an action adjustment of a first edge 7, respectively second edge 8, of a mask 6 of a given partial display 2 causes the adjustment of a second edge 8, respectively of a first edge 7, of another partial display 2 which corresponds to the previous or next range in the scale of the values of the physical quantity which is displayed.

Other means of concealment that masks can be used without departing from the invention. The important thing is that all these means of occultation or masks 6 are arranged to hide, at each moment, all these mobile indicators 4 with the exception of one, that the user sees on the corresponding partial display 2. It will be understood that, at any moment, in the example of the figures, only one of the hands of one of the partial displays is visible, the other or the others depending on the number of partial displays 2, which is 2 for the fig. 1 and 2, of 4 for fig. 3, of 3 for fig. 4, being hidden.

The mask 6 is still usable to support a window 14 for the display of other information, for example the date.

Figs. 1 to 3 illustrate a sector display of seconds, which are displayed in areas of the timepiece 100 where the user expects to see them. Figs. 1 and 2 show the case of a display by half-disks, Fig.2 shows that the partial displays 2A and 2B are identical, absolutely synchronous, and each comprise a needle 4A, 4B, of the same angular position. The mask 6 of FIG. 1 mask the needle 4A at the instant shown, only the needle 4B of the display 2B is visible. When the mechanism 11B of the partial display 2B will cause the needle 4B beyond its position at twelve o'clock, the needle 4B will no longer be visible because passing under the second edge 8B and hidden by the mask 6. At this time Specifically, the needle 4A of the partial display 2A will become visible to the right of the first edge 7A of the partial display 2A, where it will remain visible until it disappears at its six o'clock position. under the second edge 8A, the other needle 4B of the partial display 2B then becoming visible after crossing the first edge 7B, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a decoupling on four quadrants constituting the partial displays 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, the operation is similar to that described for FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will be understood that the invention makes it possible to carry out differentiated displays for ranges of unequal amplitude, for example in the case of FIG. 4, which provides a sectoral display of the 24-hour time, differentiating a morning time display over an amplitude range of 6 hours on the partial display 2A, of the afternoon over a range of 6 hours on the 2B partial display, and the night on a 12-hour range on the 2C partial display, with different viewing scales. It is thus possible to offer the user, at low cost, a model of a timepiece with a particular type of display according to his profession or his activities.

It is also seen, in this same example of FIG. 4, that the physical quantity to which one is interested, here the hour, can be represented differently, for example over 12 hours on a main switch 9 of the timepiece 100 which is movable relative to a dial 10, and 24 hours on the mechanism 1 and its partial displays 2A, 2B, 2C, which offers the user a display AM / PM and day / night, in addition to the usual display to which it is used to it

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary drive of the mobile indicators 4A and 4B, by continuous mechanisms 11A and 11B, which can each be reduced to a single pinion meshing with a wheel of the movement 12 of the timepiece 100. This example is the less expensive, but other drives, belt, chain, or other, are also usable without departing from the invention.

[0054] A particular application concerns sports applications, with dials of differentiated size to distinguish, for example, the last moments before the start of an event like a regatta, which have a particular importance for the user, previous moments which concern a regulatory waiting phase. The invention can also be paired with a countdown timer. The mechanism 1 allows easy reversal of the direction of rotation of the moving indicators, and the sectoral display can be realized, partially or completely, in the reverse direction.

In short, the invention makes it possible to realize at a low cost a multiple sectoral display. The division of the display of a physical quantity into several zones makes it possible to use the available space even more efficiently, by using on each zone a restricted space available to display very legibly information which should be confined to a very small display. size, if its display was not fragmented.

The judicious provision of a plurality of displays for different ranges of the same information may, again, to have these displays in areas of the dial where the user expects to see them. For example, the division into four quadrants, carried out at the four corners of a square or rectangular box, makes it possible to show the user, in each of these corners, the time slot, for example, that he is accustomed to seeing. in the center corner of the center of the dial.

The distribution of the information is made on several displays, but of which, at each moment, only one of these displays visualizes the information, which still allows to create an animation of the dial of the timepiece by a periodic jump of displaying the information from one display to another.

This arrangement allows a sequencing of the display that has a clean rhythm, and thus provides new information to the user, relative to the transition from one domain to another of the physical quantity concerned.

This animation of the display may allow effects of mysterious type, for example when displaying a needle that seems to disappear from one of the displays, while an identical needle, which seems to be the same, seems appear on another of the displays, corresponding to the next range of display of the physical quantity concerned.

The advantages of the invention are numerous: simplicity of the mechanism; and reduced cost, small footprint; ease of reading information, and innovative aspect.

Claims (8)

1. Mechanism (1) for multiple sector display and decoupling of the display of a physical quantity on a scientific instrument or a timepiece (100), on a plurality of separate partial displays (2) arranged each to represent the evolution of said physical quantity over a given partial range (3) beyond and below predetermined limit values, so that the total range of variation of said physical quantity is covered by all of said partial ranges (3), each said partial display (2) comprising an indicator (4) movable with respect to a scale (5) representing said partial range (3) specific to said partial display (2), characterized in that each said display portion (2) comprises a continuous mechanism (11) covering said total range of variation of said physical quantity and is arranged to move said said moving indicator (4) on said total range, and in that each said partial display (2) has occultation means arranged to leave visible said indicator (4) mobile only face said scale (5) representing said partial range (3) which is specific to it, and to reduce or cancel the visibility its said indicator (4) movable against the other partial ranges that his, and further characterized in that said continuous mechanisms (11) of said partial displays (2) are all synchronous with each other. 2. Mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said occulting means comprise at least one mask (6) arranged to reveal only said partial range (3) which is specific to it, and to hide the others partial beaches as his, as well as to hide his said mobile indicator (4) clean when the latter is in front of or facing another partial range than his own. 3. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said scale 5 is graduated. 4. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said continuous mechanism has a cyclic movement. 5. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said continuous mechanism has a periodic movement. 6. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said physical quantity is a time value. 7. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said continuous mechanism (11) is arranged to be coupled synchronously to a movement (12) that includes said scientific instrument or timepiece (100). 8. Timepiece (100) comprising at least one mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a movement arranged to synchronously drive all of said continuous mechanisms of said partial displays ( 2).