CH714555A2 - Watch movement comprising a control member arranged to operate simultaneously several mechanisms. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch movement (4), for a timepiece comprising a first display unit of a first size, a second display unit (96) of a second size, a first display member correction arranged to act on the first display unit in response to a suitable action on a first control member, and a second correction member (80) arranged to act on the second display unit (96) in response to a action adapted on a second control member of the timepiece, each of the first and second correction members (80) being able to be actuated independently of the other correction member, and the clock movement (4) comprising a member extended control unit (100) arranged to simultaneously actuate the first and second correction members (80) in response to an adapted action on a third control member (10). The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch movement (4).

Description

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a watch movement, for a timepiece, comprising a first display unit of a first size, a second display unit of a second size, a first display member rapid correction arranged to act on the first mobile display in response to a suitable action of a user on a first external control member of the timepiece, and a second fast correction member arranged to act on the second mobile display in response to an action adapted by the user on a second external control member of the timepiece.

The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such a watch movement.

State of the art [0003] Watchmaking movements of this type are already known from the state of the art. Thus, for example, patent EP 0 606 576 B1 describes a clockwork movement making it possible to carry out a Muslim calendar display and comprising in particular, for this purpose, a display mobile of the date (wheel 20 in FIG. a mobile display days of the week (wheel 30 in Fig 1). A large flip-flop (8) is arranged to be rotated by a suitable driving mechanism, once every 24 hours, to actuate the two display mobiles and move them one step each substantially substantially simultaneously. A corrector is arranged on the periphery of the watch movement in such a way that it can be actuated, in response to a suitable action of a user on a corresponding external control member, to rotate the large scale and actuate the two mobile units. display. This document mentions the possibility of implementing an additional specific corrector to act on the mobile display days of the week. However, even in this case, a correction of the value of the date alone is not possible since it involves the large flip-flop which necessarily acts on the mobile display days of the week. Thus, such a construction is specific to the quantities displayed here. In addition, it should be noted that the construction proposed in this document can be difficult to implement according to the architecture of the watch movement concerned and it requires that the two display mobiles on which the correction mechanism acts are located in the vicinity. one of the other.

The patent application WO 2006/106 088 A1 describes another construction approach for acting simultaneously on two correction members located at a distance from each other on the watch movement. For this purpose, this application has the implementation of a relatively bulky annular control member not worn by the watch movement itself, but housed in a cavity adapted to the corresponding watch case, so as to be able to move in rectilinear translation. Thus, the underlying principle of this invention is to be able to arrange external control members on a watch case regardless of the implementation of the mechanisms with which they are intended to cooperate on the watch movement, so without having to modify the construction of the watch movement. In an alternative embodiment, this invention makes it possible to carry out simultaneous rapid correction of two remote display mobiles, in particular a display mobile of the phases of the Moon and a date display mobile. However, here again, a correction of the date can not be done without simultaneous correction of the display of the phases of the Moon while the latter can be corrected independently of the date. In addition, this construction is complex and cumbersome which makes it unsuitable for some timepieces, for example when a thin and / or discrete box is provided, and it is not necessarily desirable to move part of the complexity of realization from the watch movement to the box of the corresponding timepiece.

Disclosure of the invention [0005] A main object of the present invention is therefore to propose an alternative to this type of correction mechanism by proposing a construction of a watch movement comprising at least first and second display mobiles and integrating directly correction mechanisms allowing a user to make necessary corrections on one and / or the other mobile display at a time with flexibility, ease of use and speed.

For this purpose, the present invention relates more particularly to a watch movement, of the type mentioned above, characterized in that each of the first and second fast correction members is able to be actuated independently of the other correction member fast, and in that it further comprises an extended control member comprising first and second actuating surfaces arranged to actuate respectively the first and second rapid correction members in response to a user adapted action on a third external control member of the timepiece.

Thanks to these features, the watch movement according to the invention offers different options to the user of the corresponding timepiece to proceed with a correction of the displayed data, depending on the nature of the correction to be made, in particular in him. offering the choice between correcting each size individually or correcting both quantities simultaneously. In addition, the flexibility of use offered by the watch movement according to the invention is obtained in return for only a few minor modifications to make to a standard watch movement.

Preferably, the watch movement comprising first and second drive mechanisms respectively associated with the first and second display mobiles, it can be provided that the first and second fast correction members are distinct from the first and second control mechanisms. 'training.

[0009] Such an approach makes it possible to produce rapid correction members of simple construction and prevents the risk of damage that could be caused to components of the drive mechanisms, as may sometimes happen with certain watch movements of the state of the art. the technique, for example during a date correction operation.

In general, one can advantageously provide that each of the fast correction members has a first contact region intended to cooperate with the corresponding external control member of the timepiece and a second contact region intended to cooperate. with the extended controller.

In this case, it may more particularly be provided that each of the rapid correction members has a substantially cylindrical portion, of axis substantially perpendicular to a mean plane of the watch movement and carrying the first and second contact regions.

The first and second contact regions are then advantageously arranged relative to each other, on the cylindrical portion, such that they have between them an angle of between 10 and 170 degrees, preferably between 20 and 160 degrees, referring to the axis of the cylindrical portion.

In general, it is preferably provided that at least one of the fast correction members is arranged on a frame member of the watch movement so as to be pivotable. Even more preferably, it can be provided that the two rapid correction members are arranged on a frame member of the watch movement so as to be pivotable.

In general, the extended control member may advantageously have a generally ring-shaped portion and be arranged in a peripheral region of the watch movement.

In this case, the watch movement advantageously comprises a guiding mechanism intended to ensure a displacement of the control member extended in translation, preferably substantially rectilinear, in a predefined plane in response to the action of the user on the third external control member of the timepiece.

According to an alternative embodiment, when the first and second display mobiles are arranged on either side of the watch movement, it is preferably provided that the cylindrical portion of one of the fast correction members has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the watch movement.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mobile display is intended to allow the display of the date, while the second mobile display is intended to allow the display of related information including the movement of the Moon around the Earth and its illumination by the Sun.

The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a box housing a watch movement meeting the above characteristics and comprising a first external control member arranged to act on the first fast correction member, a second member of external control arranged to be able to act on the second fast correction member and a third external control member arranged to be able to act on the extended control member.

According to a preferred embodiment, when the first and second external control members are arranged on the box having between them an angle A with reference to the center of the box, it is preferably provided that the third external control member is arranged in an angular range of extent A / 2 and substantially centered on the bisector of angle A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings given as non-limiting examples. in which: FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first face of a timepiece according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; fig. 2 represents a view from above of the second face of the timepiece of FIG. 1; fig. 3 represents a top view of the watch movement of the timepiece of FIG. 1, shown with its visible bridge side, and FIG. 4 is a partial view from above of the watch movement of FIG. 3, shown with its visible dial side.

Embodiment (s) of the invention [0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a timepiece 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in plan view, respectively, from a first face and from a second face.

The timepiece 1 is illustrated by way of nonlimiting illustration and will not be described fully in detail in that many of its features are not important for the implementation of the present invention.

The timepiece 1 comprises a box 2 containing a watch movement 4 according to the present invention, visible by its dial side in FIG. 1 and its bridges side in FIG. 2, according to the convention of use in identifying both sides of a watch movement.

The box 2 comprises horns 6 for fixing a bracelet not shown, and a winding crown 8 and setting time, positioned at three o'clock, and a correction pusher 10, positioned at noon whose function will be presented later.

Furthermore, the box 2 comprises four external control members 11, 12, 13 and 14, commonly called correctors, the outer surface of each is located substantially flush with the surface of the box 2. The function of these external control members will also be presented later, in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.

The construction of the watch movement 4 will not be exposed in all its details since much of the movement has no connection with the present invention.

The watch movement 4 comprises a source of mechanical energy (not visible) arranged to maintain the oscillations of a mechanical oscillator defining a time base for the operation of the watch movement 4, the time base here presenting the form of a flying tourbillon 16 positioned at six o'clock, illustratively non-limiting. The watch movement 4 is arranged in such a way that it can ensure the driving of various display members, via suitable driving mobiles, in particular, on the dial side: a display needle 18 of the power reserve of the source of mechanical energy, positioned at three o'clock, of a curved ring 20 and positioned at noon to indicate the current time over twenty-four hours, in relation to a fixed reference point 22 and with a cap spherical 24 carrying a representation of the Earth seen from the North Pole, a display mechanism 26 representative of the movement of the Moon around the Earth and its illumination by the Sun, arranged around the ring 20, a retrograde display pointer 28 of the current minute, positioned at nine o'clock, and a date display mechanism positioned between seven and eight o'clock.

[0029] It also appears from FIG. 2 that the watch movement 4 is also arranged to display, on the bridge side, the date, by reading a value carried by a date disc 32 and located at noon, ie here the 31, one hour, in a window 34, which may be the current time or the time in another time zone, the number of the year in the four-year cycle of the leap years, in an adjacent window 36, the day of the week in an additional wicket 38, and of the month, in another additional wicket 40.

Comparing the views of FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the date disc 32 is also the display member making it possible to display the date on the dial side of the watch movement 4.

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 that the watch movement 4 illustrated in a non-limiting manner is perpetual calendar type. However, those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in implementing the present invention with watch movements having different functions, for example a secular calendar, an annual calendar or even a simple calendar associated with a display of the phases or the like. information related to the Moon and / or days of the week.

FIG. 3 represents a top view of the watch movement 4, bridge side, while FIG. 4 represents a partial top view of the watch movement 4, dial side.

It appears from FIG. 3, that many mechanisms related to the display of the perpetual calendar data are arranged on the bridge side. In particular, the watch movement 4 comprises a mobile display of the date 42, retrograde here without limitation, driven by a drive wheel 44, each turn, making a turn on itself in 24 hours, the latter at the same time leading to a display mobile of the days of the week 46. Moreover, the watch movement 4 includes in particular a display mobile of the months 48 whose training mode will not be described in detail here.

The watch movement 4 comprises a first fast correction member 50 arranged to act on the display mobile of the date 42 and increment the date value in response to a pressure of the user on the external control member 11 For this purpose, the first rapid correction member 50 is rotatably mounted on a frame member of the watch movement 4, here directly the plate 52, by means of a screw 54, and has a substantially cylindrical portion 56 of axis substantially perpendicular to a mean plane of the watch movement and carrying a first contact region oriented towards the external control member 11. The first rapid correction member 50 here carries a retractable actuating nose 58 of conventional construction.

The watch movement 4 comprises a second fast correction member 60 arranged to act on the display mobile of the days of the week 46 and change the name of the day of the week displayed in response to pressure from the user on the external control member 12. For this purpose, the second fast correction member 60 is rotatably mounted on the plate 52, by means of a screw 64, and has a substantially cylindrical portion 66 of axis substantially perpendicular to the plane means of the watch movement and, bearing a contact region oriented in the direction of the external control member 12.

Note that the first fast correction member 50 comprises an arm 68 arranged to actuate the second fast correction member 60 when it is itself actuated. Thus, any correction made to the calendar results in a correction of the day of the week displayed. However, the day of the week displayed can be corrected independently by acting on the external control member 12.

The watch movement 4 comprises a third fast correction member 70 arranged to act on the mobile display month 48 and change the name of the month displayed in response to a pressure of the user on the external control member 13. For this purpose, the third fast correction member 70 is rotatably mounted on the plate 52, by means of a screw 74, and has a substantially cylindrical portion 76, of axis substantially perpendicular to the mean plane of the watch movement and, carrying a contact region oriented towards the external control member 13.

The display mechanism 26 of information related to the movement of the Moon around the Earth and its illumination by the Sun, located on the dial side as is apparent from FIG. 4, is also associated with a fourth fast correction member 80 arranged to act on it and modify the display of this information in response to a pressure of the user on the external control member 14. For this purpose, the fourth rapid correction member 80 is rotatably mounted on a frame member of the watch movement 4, here also the plate 52, by means of a pin 84, and has a substantially cylindrical portion 86, of axis substantially perpendicular to the mean plane of the movement watchmaker and, carrying a first contact region oriented in the direction of the external control member 14.

It is understood that the adjustment operation of all quantities displayed by a perpetual calendar mechanism can be tedious given their high number. Also, it is desirable to simplify it as much as possible. In principle, the perpetual calendar mechanism requires the implementation of such an adjustment operation only if it stops (except for a correction of the Gregorian calendar to be performed manually once a century, three centuries out of four), for example if the user has not worn the corresponding timepiece if it is self-winding or if it has not reassembled if it is manual winding.

In this case, it is desirable to be able to simplify the adjustment of the different sizes rather than having to adjust them one by one.

Thus, the date and the days of the week evolving in perfect synchronism and being displayed with respective display mobiles 42 and 46 arranged in the vicinity of one another, it is possible, and even advantageous, to systematically correct the day of the week displayed as soon as the date is corrected. For this reason, the first rapid correction member 50, associated with the date, carries the arm 68 intended to act on the second fast correction member 60, associated with the days of the week, as has been explained above.

With regard to the mechanism for displaying information relating to the movement of the Moon 26, arranged around the ring 20, it will now be briefly described, it being understood that its construction and its mode of operation are not described. not limiting to define the scope of the present invention.

The display mechanism 26 comprises a circular path 90 (FIG.1) in which a representation of the sphere-shaped moon 92 moves, one half of which is clear and the other half is dark. A ring 94 (Fig. 1) of the Moon phases is arranged around the path 90 to indicate which phase is the Moon at each instant, depending on the position of the sphere 92 along the circular path 90. The flying tourbillon 16 here symbolizes the Sun, also the sphere 92 is driven in such a way that its light half is always oriented downwards in the view of FIG. 1.

For essentially simplification of the construction and ease of use, the sphere 92 is driven by a drive mechanism adapted such that it moves along the circular path 90 by jumps, due to one jump every 24 hours. More specifically, a display mobile 96 is driven one step every 24 hours to drive in turn a ring (visible in the bottom of the path 90 in FIG 1) carrying the sphere 92, via a return 98, such that the ring carrying the sphere 92 moves by a step corresponding to 1 / 29.53125th of a turn. Thus, sphere 92 will have performed slightly more than one complete turn every thirty jumps to respect the lunar cycle.

Since the operating period of the display mechanism 26 is the same as that of the display mobile of the date 42 (and that of the display mobile days of the week 46), it is advantageous to be able to correct the corresponding displays simultaneously when the timepiece 1 has, for example, been stopped for several days in a row because its source of mechanical energy has not been recharged.

For this purpose, the watch movement 4 comprises an extended control member 100 arranged on the plate 52, dial side.

The control member 100 has a generally symmetrical shape ring portion, extending about 150 degrees here without limitation, with two recesses 102 for clearing locations on the plate 52, to accommodate two screw 104 defining stops for the control member 100. An elastic return member 106 is also arranged on the plate 52 so as to act on the control member 100 and tend to push it towards the outside of the watch movement 4, in abutment against the screws 104.

The extended control member 100 is arranged on the watch movement 4 so that the correction pusher 10, positioned at noon, is located opposite its central region. Thus, a pressure of a user on the correction pusher 10 causes a rectilinear translation of the extended control member 100 toward the center of the watch movement 4, opposing the action of the elastic return member 106. The extended control member 100 carries in particular two tenons 108 cooperating with two straight slots 110 formed in a bridge (shown in transparency in FIG 4) of the display mechanism 26 to ensure rectilinear guidance and in a plane of the control member 100 when actuated.

The extended control member 100 carries a first actuating surface 112 positioned against the cylindrical portion 56 of the first fast correction member 50 of the date, and a second actuating surface 114 positioned against the cylindrical portion 86 the fourth fast correction member 80 of the display relating to the movement of the moon. Note that the cylindrical portion 56 of the first rapid correction member 50 has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the watch movement 4, which allows this cylindrical portion to have a second contact region located on the dial side to be able to cooperate with the extended control member 100, while its first contact region intended to cooperate with the external control member 11 is located on the bridge side. For each of the cylindrical portions 56 and 86, it is found that the first contact region (intended to cooperate with the external control member 14 for the portion 86) is oriented substantially in a radial direction, while the second contact region for to cooperate with the extended control member 100 is oriented substantially in a tangential direction.

Note that the first and second contact regions of a given fast correction member have between them an angle of the order of 90 degrees here, with reference to the axis of the corresponding cylindrical portion. In general, it can be expected that they have an angle between them of the order of 10 to 170 degrees, preferably of the order of 20 to 160 degrees.

The first fast correction member 50 is arranged in such a way that an action on the external control member 11 and an action on the extended control member 100 produce an equivalent effect on it in both cases. rotating.

Similarly, the fourth fast correction member 80 is arranged in such a way that an action on the external canceled member 14 and an action on the extended control member 100 produce an equivalent effect on it in both of them. case by rotating it.

Thus, each pressure on the correction button 10 causes substantially simultaneous rotation of the fast correction members 50 and 80 and thus a rotation of a pitch of the date disk 32 and a step of the ring bearing the sphere 92 for displaying indications relating to the movement of the moon. As mentioned above, the first fast correction member 50 acts on the second fast correction member 60, associated with the days of the week, each time it is itself actuated that it is by action on the body of the external control 11 or by the correction push-button 10, via the extended control member 100.

Thus, with each pressure of the user on the correction pusher 10, the value of the date displayed is incremented, the day of the week is advanced by one day, and the ring bearing the sphere 92, representing the position of the Moon in reference to the Earth and the Sun, is rotated by one step.

Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, it is understood that a timepiece meeting the characteristics of the present invention makes it possible to simultaneously correct the values of different quantities displayed by a single action on a suitable external control member. . Moreover, such a timepiece allows the user to have full flexibility to adjust the display since it also allows to intervene individually on each of these quantities that can be corrected jointly .

Of course, the relevance of the invention is optimal when the two display mobiles that can be corrected simultaneously with the extended control member are intended to display the magnitude value having a single period of variation, like the day of the week and the date, or even close periods like the calendar and the lunar cycle, which have a duration of the order of thirty days, but which can be periodically actuated by the watch movement with one and the same period as described here by way of nonlimiting illustration. Those skilled in the art may, however, adapt the present teaching according to their own needs, in particular to enable simultaneous rapid correction of the values of two quantities intended to be updated by a watch movement with different periods. Thus, the extended control member may, for example, enable the value of a first displayed quantity to be updated while bringing the value of another quantity closer to the target target, a specific external control member then being actuated to finish updating the value of this other displayed quantity.

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of nonlimiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular features which have just been described, as for example the number or the nature of the magnitudes displayed by the timepiece just described, the shape of the extended control member, or the fact that a correction of the date necessarily entails that of the day of the week.

Note that in the preferred embodiment, described and illustrated by way of nonlimiting illustration, the first and second contact regions of the cylindrical portions of rapid correction members that can be actuated simultaneously are located one and same side of a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the fast correction member and its cylindrical portion, for the two quantities concerned, the date and the information relating to the movement of the moon. Thus, an action on the specific external control member and an action on the joint correction control member rotates each of the two fast correction members concerned in the same direction of rotation. However, it could be expected that the contact regions of at least one of the fast correction members are located on either side of the plane mentioned above. Thus, it would be possible, for example, to correct the date simultaneously with the moon phase by incrementing it, while a pressure on the external control member specific for the correction of the date would allow to decrement the value.

In general, the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt the present teaching according to his own needs and achieve a watch movement to both quickly and jointly correct the values of at least two displayed quantities and correct them individually.

Claims (13)

claims 1. Watch movement (4), for a timepiece (1), comprising a first display mobile (42) of a first size, a second display mobile (96) of a second size, a first fast correction member (50) arranged to act on said first display unit (42) in response to a user-adapted action on a first external control member (11) of the timepiece (1), and a second fast correction member (80) arranged to act on said second display movable (96) in response to an action adapted by the user on a second external control member (14) of the timepiece ( 1), characterized in that each of said first and second quick-correcting members (50, 80) is operable independently of the other fast-correcting member, and further comprising an extended control member (100) comprising first and second act surfaces ionisation (112, 114) arranged to respectively actuate said first and second fast correction members (50, 80) in response to an action adapted by the user on a third external control member (10) of the timepiece ( 1). Clockwork movement (4) according to claim 1, comprising first and second drive mechanisms respectively associated with said first and second display mobiles (42, 92), characterized in that said first and second fast correction members ( 50, 80) are distinct from said first and second drive mechanisms. Clockwork movement (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each of said fast correction members (50, 80) has a first contact region for cooperating with the external control member (11, 14). corresponding timepiece (1) and a second contact region for cooperating with said extended control member (100). 4. watch movement (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said fast correction members (50, 80) has a substantially cylindrical portion (56, 86), of axis substantially perpendicular to a mean plane of the watch movement (4) and, carrying said first and second contact regions. 5. watch movement (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that said first and second contact regions are arranged relative to each other, on said cylindrical portion (56, 86), so that they have between them an angle of between 10 and 170 degrees with respect to said axis, preferably between 20 and 160 degrees. 6. watch movement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said fast correction members (50, 80) is arranged on a frame member (52) of the watch movement (4) so that it can be rotated. Watchmaking movement (4) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each of said fast correction members (50, 80) is arranged on a frame member (52) of the watch movement (4) so to be able to rotate. 8. watch movement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said extended control member (100) has a generally ring-shaped portion and is arranged in a peripheral region of the watch movement (4). Clock movement (4) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a guiding mechanism (108, 110) intended to ensure a displacement of said extended control member (100) substantially in translation, preferably substantially rectilinear, in a predefined plan in response to the action of the user on the third external control member (10) of the timepiece (1). 10. watch movement (4) according to one of claims 4 to 9, said first and second display mobiles (42, 96) being arranged on either side of the watch movement (4), characterized in that said cylindrical portion (56) of one of said fast correction members (50) has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the watch movement (4). 11. watch movement (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first display mobile (42) is intended to allow the display of the date, and in that said second mobile display (96 ) is intended to allow the display of information related to the movement of the Moon around the Earth and its illumination by the Sun. 12. Timepiece (1) comprising a box (2) housing a watch movement (4) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a first external control member (11) arranged for able to act on said first fast correction member (50), a second external control member (14) arranged to be able to act on said second fast correction member (80) and a third external control member (10) arranged to be able to act on said extended control member (100). 13. Timepiece (1) according to claim 12, said first and second external control members (11, 14) being arranged on said box (2) having between them an angle A with reference to the center of said box ( 2), characterized in that said third external control member (10) is arranged in an angular range of extent A / 2 and substantially centered on the bisector of said angle A.