CH709001B1 - Optimized multifunction display device. - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the invention is a multifunction display device (1) for a watch comprising a rotary assembly (2) having time indicators (3) of dates and function indicators (4), said rotary assembly being driven in rotation. by unidirectional means, this display device being characterized in that the function indicators (4) appear at least twice so that the rotating support presents the thirty-one time indicators (3) of the dates and at least twice the function indicators (4).

Description

The invention relates to a multifunction display device on a watch.

PRIOR ART

[0002] A watch displays the hours, minutes and seconds using the hands on a fixed dial bearing time marks. It can also display the dates of the month as well as the months and / or the days of the week by means of a disc also carrying time indicators scrolling behind a window.

To adjust the date, we activate a setting button, typically a crown, which actuates the rotation of the disc and the marks are scrolled until the desired one is reached. As a rule, rotation is only possible in one direction. The means are therefore mono-directional but there are two-way systems which are of course more complicated.

[0004] According to the same diagram, the disc can carry the time marks but also marks corresponding to functions such as chronograph CHRONO or alarm ALARM ON, ALARM OFF etc.

These function indicators are inserted behind the dates. The disc therefore carries thirty-one time indicators and the number of functional indicators fitted to the watch. The size of these indicators is often defined so that all of these indicators cover 360 ° in order to be readable. For reasons of readability, the number of positions for the dates and for the functions is approximately 40 so as to have a sufficiently large character size.

When we want to choose a function, we actuate a command which allows the disk to rotate and to present the function behind the window to then validate said function.

As for the dates, the control means are often mono-directional and therefore if, during the rotation, we miss the function, it is necessary to make the disc almost one revolution. This operation takes between 30 to 60 seconds to make a 360 ° rotation.

[0008] If as a general rule, the choice of the date does not occur often, the choice of the function is more common and this delay of 30 to 60 seconds of waiting if we miss the position or if we want to scan the functions available before selection quickly turn out to be tedious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a multifunction display device which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, that is to say by providing a multifunction display device offering rapid use in the event of incorrect handling.

To this end, the invention relates to a multifunction display device for a watch comprising a rotating assembly having time indicators, dates and function indicators, said rotating assembly being rotated by unidirectional means, this display device being characterized in that the function indicators appear at least twice, so that the rotary support presents the thirty-one time indicators of the dates and at least twice the function indicators.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the rotary assembly comprises a rotary support, the time indicators and the function indicators being arranged on its periphery.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the rotary assembly comprises a first rotary support comprising the time indicators, said first rotary support which has a light which can coincide with an aperture of a watch face and a second support on in which the function indicators are listed several times, control means of the watch are formed for, in an operating mode of searching for a function, to rotate the support of the time indicators in order to bring the light in front of the window to make the second rotating support visible under the light.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the rotary assembly comprises a first rotary support on which the function indicators are listed several times, said first rotary support which has a light which can coincide with a window of a dial of the watch and a second support comprising the time indicators, the light of the first rotary support coinciding with the aperture of the dial in a normal operating mode in which the current time is displayed, so that control means of the watch are provided for in a function search operating mode, rotating the first rotary support in order to bring the function indicators opposite the window of the dial.

In a fourth advantageous embodiment, the function indicators are divided into at least two groups arranged one behind the other.

In a fifth advantageous embodiment, the time indicators are split into two groups and between each group of time indicators is inserted a group of function indicators.

In another advantageous embodiment, at least one function indicator is interposed between two time indicators.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a watch comprising a clockwork movement and control means for acting on said clockwork movement, said clockwork movement comprising the multifunction display device according to one of the preceding claims.

In an advantageous embodiment, said clockwork movement is electronic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the multifunction display device according to the present invention will emerge more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of non-limiting example and illustrated. by the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a display device according to the state of the art; FIG. 2 represents a first embodiment of the display device according to the invention; FIG. 3 represents a first variant of the first embodiment of the display device according to the invention, FIG. 4 represents a second variant of the first embodiment of the display device according to the invention; FIG. 5 represents a third variant of the first embodiment of the display device according to the invention; FIG. 6 represents a second embodiment of the display device according to the invention. FIG. 7 represents a variant of the second embodiment of the display device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings of Figures 1 to 7, we see a device 1 for displaying the dates of the month, that is to say the numbers ranging from one to thirty-one. Such a device is used in a timepiece movement behind a dial 5 (visible in FIG. 6). These dates are time indicators 3. They are inscribed on the periphery of a rotary assembly 2 and are positioned chronologically behind a window 6 of a dial (visible in FIG. 6). This rotary assembly 2 is driven by a unidirectional motor element having the advantage of being simple to produce.

This clockwork movement is preferably an electronic movement comprising a control circuit (not shown), in which the rotary assembly 2 is driven by an independent motor of the stepping or piezoelectric type. The use of such motors is advantageous because they can have a high speed of rotation.

In addition to these time indicators, the rotary support has indicators 4 of functions such as for example CHRONO, ALARM ON, ALARM OFF etc.

The watch operates as follows. With the date display active, when you want the CHRONO function, you start by activating a setting control which allows you to turn the rotary assembly 2 and bring the function, for example CHRONO in front of the window, you then activate a command and the CHRONO function is validated.

Figure 1 shows the state of the art which consists in showing the thirty-one time indicators, one behind the other then the function indicators A, B, C. When the motor means moving the rotary support is mono directional, if the CHRONO position is inadvertently exceeded, it is necessary to turn the support again.

To avoid this loss of time, the function indicators 4 appear at least twice so that the rotary assembly has the thirty-one date indicators 3 and at least twice the X function indicators, X being the number of functions available. In a non-limiting example, the number of positions for the dates and for the functions is forty so as to have a sufficiently large character size. Thus, as there are thirty-one positions for the dates, it is possible to have three functions indicated as double. If only two functions are considered, they can be indicated three or even four times or more. However, the maximum or minimum number of positions is not fixed, it depends on the size of the disks.

In a first embodiment, the rotary assembly 2 comprises a rotary support 2a in the form of a disc. This disc can be solid or annular.

In one embodiment of this first embodiment visible in Figure 2, the function indicators 4 are divided into two groups 10,11 each arranged one behind the other. We therefore find successively the dates (1 to 31), the first group 10 of functions (A, B, C) and then the second group 11 of functions (A, B, C). Thus, if we miss the function B of the first group 10, we can recover on the function B of the second group 11.

This configuration advantageously makes it possible to make up for it if we get lost or to be able to take note of all the available functions before making a choice.

According to a first variant of the first embodiment, visible in Figure 3, the temporal indicators 3 are split into two groups 20.30 and between each group of temporal indicators 3 is inserted a group 10.11 of indicators 4 of functions. For example, one can read on the rotary support 2a a first group 20 of time indicators 1 to 16 then a group 10 of function indicators ABC then a group 30 of time indicators 17 to 31 and again a group 11 d 'ABC function indicators.

This first variant embodiment makes it possible to reduce the time between the two groups of function indicators 10,11 since only a half-turn of the disc is necessary to switch from one function group to another. In addition, with the use of an electric motor to rotate the disc serving as the rotating support 2a, it is possible to have a faster rotation to switch from group 10 of function indicators ABC to group 11 of. ABC function indicators and thus reduce waiting time.

According to a second variant of the first embodiment in FIG. 4, the function indicators 4 are grouped by function (two by two in the example) and are positioned after the time indicators 3. Here, we have therefore formed a group 40 with twice the function A, a group 50 with twice the function B and a group 60 with twice the function C. Thus, when we arrive too quickly on the first function A , we find the second function A in the next position. The user does not need to scan all the functions to be able to select a previously missed function.

According to a third variant of the first embodiment, at least one function indicator 4 is interposed between two time indicators 3. It is possible to have a time indicator 3 interposed between two function indicators 4 or two time indicators 3 interposed between two function indicators 4.

For example, we constitute the following sequence date 10 followed by function A followed by date 11 followed by function A followed by date 12 followed by function B followed by date 13 followed by function B.

To go from one function indicator 4 to another, it is necessary to go through a time indicator 3. With a motor driving the rotary support 2a capable of rotating at high speed, it is conceivable that the electronic movement is programmed to that the passage from one function indicator 4 to another takes place at a speed allowing the time indicator 3 interposed between these two function indicators 4 to be invisible by the user. It will then be understood that the step of rotation of the disc carried out to place the time indicator 3 in front of the window is carried out at a high speed so that the user does not perceive it.

Another possibility is to place the same function twice or only once between two dates.

In a second embodiment which appears in Figure 6, the rotary assembly 2 comprises several rotary supports 2a in the form of a disc. This disc can be solid or annular. Each rotary support 2a is driven unidirectionally by a motor.

The dates or time indicators 3 are inscribed on a first rotary support 2b which has a light or opening 6a which can coincide with the window 6 of the dial 5 and the function indicators 4 are listed several times on a second rotary support 2c. The first rotary support 2b and the second rotary support 2c are superimposed and arranged coaxially. They can rotate independently.

Control means are formed for when the search passage for a function, the support 2b of the time indicators 3 is rotated so as to bring the light 6a in front of the window 6. Once the light 6a in front of the window 6, the second rotary support 2c becomes visible to the user. The latter can then act on the control means to scroll the second rotary support 2c under the light 6a and select the desired function.

In a variant of the second embodiment visible in Figure 7, the discs are reversed. The function indicators 4 are inscribed several times on the first rotary support 2b which has a light or opening 6a which can coincide with the aperture 6 of the dial 5 and the time indicators 3 are listed on a second rotary support 2c.

Normally, the light of the first rotary support 2b is located opposite the window of the dial so as to see the time indications on the second support.

When a function must be selected and after acting on the appropriate control means, the first rotary support 2b is rotated so as to place a function indication in front of the window of the dial. This first rotary support 2b will be arranged so that its first step during its rotation allows the first function to be visible.

When the function is selected, the display device returns to a normal mode in which the current time is displayed, the first rotary support 2b moves so that its light 6a is placed opposite the window 6 of the dial 5 .

The distribution of functions on this rotary support can be of the type A, B, C, A, B, C the groups of functions following each other or A, A, B, B, C, C, the function indicators being grouped by function. In addition, as the second rotary support is exclusively dedicated to functions, it is possible to have a larger number of functions or more readable indicators.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

However, a mechanical movement can be used in which the rotary assembly 2 is driven by an assembly comprising an energy source, cogs and a balance-escapement system also giving the current time.

Furthermore, the rotary assembly 2 can be driven by a bidirectional motor element, the advantage of the present invention being that there is no need for the user to change his action.

Claims (9)

1. Multifunction display device (1) for a watch comprising a rotating assembly (2) having time indicators (3), dates and function indicators (4), said rotating assembly being rotated by directional means, this display device being characterized in that the function indicators (4) appear at least twice so that the rotary assembly presents the time indicators (3) of the dates and at least twice the function indicators (4) . 2. Display device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rotary assembly comprises a rotary support, the time indicators (3) and the function indicators (4) being arranged on its periphery. 3. Display device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rotary assembly comprises a first rotary support (2b) comprising the time indicators (3), said first rotary support which has a light (6a) which can coincide with a window. (6) of a dial (5) of the watch and a second support (2c) on which the function indicators (4) are listed several times, so that control means of the watch are formed for in a mode search operation for a function, rotating the support of the time indicators in order to bring the light in front of the window to make the second rotating support visible under the light. 4. Display device according to claim 1 characterized in that the rotating assembly comprises a first rotating support (2b) on which the function indicators (4) are listed several times, said first rotating support which has a light (6a). ) which can coincide with an aperture (6) of a dial (5) of the watch and a second support (2c) comprising the time indicators (3), the light (6a) of the first rotary support coinciding with the aperture (6) of the dial (5) in a normal operating mode in which the current time is displayed, so that control means of the watch are provided for, in an operating mode of searching for a function, to rotate the first rotating support in order to bring the function indicators opposite the window (6) of the dial (5). 5. Display device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the function indicators (4) are divided into two groups (10,11) arranged one behind the other. 6. Display device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the time indicators (3) are split into two groups (20, 30) and between each group of time indicators (3) is inserted a group (10, 11) function indicators (4). 7. Display device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that at least one function indicator is interposed between two time indicators. 8. Watch comprising a clockwork movement and control means for acting on said clockwork movement, said clockwork movement comprising the display device (1) multifunction according to one of claims 1 to 7. 9. Watch according to claim 8, characterized in that said clockwork movement is electronic.