CH715536B1 - Timepiece and its function selector mechanism. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a case defining an internal housing (21) laterally bounded by a middle part (2) and inside which a watch movement is arranged. The watch movement comprises a primary watch function, for example counting and displaying the current time, and at least one secondary watch function, for example counting and displaying a time or a periodic event. It also comprises a device (5) for selecting one or the other of said horological functions comprising a bolt (51) movable in translation in a through opening (52) arranged on an external face of the middle part (2). The bolt (51) is kinematically connected to a cam (55) mounted to move in rotation in an orifice (23) passing through the caseband, said cam (55) being integral with an actuating member (552) configured to cooperate during movements of the bolt with a selection member arranged on the movement, and said cam (55) bearing on its periphery a seal (56) forming an interface between said cam and a wall of said orifice (23) in which it is mounted in the middle.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a timepiece comprising a mechanism for selecting a function of a timepiece movement.

State of the art

We know from the state of the art various configurations of function selector mechanisms in a timepiece, the best known being conventionally a crown and multi-position winding stem.

[0003] Selection mechanisms by rotating bezel or latch translated tangentially to the surface of the caseband of a timepiece have also been proposed, as for example in documents CH 333585 A, CH 709413 A2 or even FR 2775798. However, these solutions require a complex internal structuring of the middle part, as well as the implementation of return springs and multiple cams in order to actuate internal control pushers, which makes them not only delicate and expensive to produce, but also delicate to seal in a conventional manner to guarantee the tightness of the case and the protection of the movement against humidity over time. Indeed, the combinations of movements in rotation and in translation on different levels internal to the caseband do not allow the use of conventional circular or O-ring seals, as used on a multi-position winding stem or external radial pushers. in the watch box.

The object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece provided with a function selector mechanism of the translated latch type which has good sealing and is simple to produce and reliable in its operation and more precise than the mechanisms known from the prior art.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention achieves its object by proposing a timepiece, comprising a case defining an internal housing laterally bounded by a middle part and inside which is arranged a watch movement, said watch movement extending along a plane median P and comprising a primary clock function, for example counting and displaying the current time and at least one secondary clock function, for example counting and displaying a time or a periodic event.

[0006] This timepiece is characterized in that it comprises a device for selecting one or the other of said horological functions comprising a sliding bolt movable in translation in a through opening arranged on an external face of the middle part, said bolt being kinematically connected to a cam mounted to move in rotation about an axis parallel to the median plane P of the movement in an orifice passing through the caseband, said cam being integral with an actuating member configured to cooperate with a selection member arranged on the movement during movement of the bolt, and said cam bearing on its periphery a seal forming an interface between said cam and a wall of said orifice in which it is mounted in the caseband.

[0007]According to one embodiment, said bolt is kinematically connected to the cam by an arm or a connecting rod integral with the bolt and comprising a means of mechanical connection to said cam fixed to the latter in an eccentric position.

According to one embodiment, the transmission arm is removably fixed to said bolt and to said cam.

[0009]According to one embodiment, said cam is a disc housed in a circular orifice in the middle part, the actuating member being formed of a stud or a pin arranged eccentrically on a face of the disc facing towards the movement.

[0010]According to one embodiment, the transmission arm is fixed to a face of said cam opposite to that bearing the actuating member.

[0011]According to one embodiment, the eccentric positions for fixing the transmission arm to the cam and the selection member are symmetrical with respect to the axis of rotation of the cam.

[0012]According to one embodiment, said cam has a peripheral groove in which the seal is housed.

[0013]According to one embodiment, the bolt is mounted movable in translation in a linear slide formed in a stretcher attached to an outer face of the middle part and covering the cam and the transmission arm.

[0014]According to one embodiment, the bolt is mounted movable in translation in a linear slide formed in the middle part, the cam being arranged in an orifice pierced in a stretcher attached to an internal face of the middle part or of a circle of casing housed between the middle and the movement. In this configuration, the transmission arm is then preferably housed between the middle part and the stretcher or the casing ring.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows in perspective a timepiece according to the invention with a function selection bolt arranged on a side face of the caseband in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 represents a partial exploded view of the function selection mechanism of the timepiece according to the invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B show the selection bolt of the timepiece selection mechanism according to the invention in two operating positions; FIGS. 3C and 3D represent the face of the bolt-side selection cam of the timepiece selection mechanism according to the invention in the two operating positions of the bolt of FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively; FIGS. 3E and 3F show the face of the movement-side selection cam of the timepiece selection mechanism according to the invention in the two operating positions of the bolt of FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively; FIGS. 4A and 4B show the selection cam of the timepiece selection mechanism according to the invention in perspective and in longitudinal section; FIG. 5 shows in perspective the lateral field of the timepiece movement of the timepiece according to the invention with its function selection fork intended to cooperate with the selection cam of the function selection mechanism; FIGS. 6A and 6B represent views from below in median section of the timepiece of FIG. 1, in the two positions of use of the function selection mechanism corresponding to FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively.

Embodiment of the invention

The present invention provides a timepiece 1 such as a wristwatch, shown schematically in Figure 1 without bracelet strands for clarity. The timepiece 1 according to the invention comprises in a conventional manner per se a box formed of at least one middle part 2 of circular shape, defining an internal central housing 21 intended to receive a watch movement 7, not shown in the figures. 1 and 2 but visible in Figures 5 and 6A, 6B, the outer contour of which matches the internal shape of the middle part 2 or of a casing circle, not shown.

[0017] The watch movement 7 can be mechanical or quartz and has at least two distinct selectable functions, for adjustment or activation purposes, independently of one another by a user via of a selection device 5, represented in FIG. 2. The movement 7 is adapted to carry out at least the two functions, in particular by mechanisms distinct from the movement 7 although kinematically connected to one another, each mechanism leading in practice to a display distinct from the watch, such as for example the display of the current time on the one hand and of a date or a moon phase on the other. The movement 7 and its functions are adjustable by means of a crown 4 attached to the middle part 2, or more particularly in the example presented on a stretcher 6 screwed onto the latter, and secured to one end of a winding stem 41 extending through an orifice 61 pierced in stretcher 6 and a corresponding orifice 22 in middle 2 and inside movement 7. Winding stem 41 in kinematic connection with a gear train winding of a driving source of the movement 7 at least, in a manner well known per se in the field of watchmaking.

[0018] The timepiece 1 typically comprises a device 5 for selecting one or the other of the functions of the movement 7, in particular for the purpose of adjusting these two functions by means of the crown and winding stem 4, 41. As shown in Figure 2, this function selection device 5 is in the form of a movable lock in translation on and between the stretcher 6 and the middle part 2 and acting on a control cam 55 s' extending at least partially through a circular orifice 23 in the middle part 2 in order to cooperate with a fork 71 for controlling the functions of the movement 7 (FIGS. 5 and 6), forming the selection member.

Such a selection device 5 is original and advantageous for the user of the timepiece. In fact, it makes it possible to retain a simple winding mechanism 4, 41 with one or two adjustment positions (one winding position, one function adjustment position) easily identifiable and usable by the user, whose watertightness is easily carried out at the level of the stretcher 6 and the middle part 2 by conventional O-rings. The selection of the functions of the movement 7 to be adjusted is further facilitated by the principle of the lock translated on the periphery of the case of the timepiece, the adjustment positions being easily reachable and identifiable on the travel of the lock in translation according to terms explained below.

According to the invention the selection device 5 firstly comprises a bolt 51, movably mounted in a slide 53 bladed on an outer wall of the stretcher 6 and pierced with an oblong orifice 52, forming the through opening, in which extends a tube-nut 512 projecting on an internal face, that is to say oriented towards the middle part 2, of the bolt 51. On an external face, opposite to the internal face, the bolt 51 comprises a button actuation 511, which can take any suitable shape and finish, in particular of the relief and/or surface roughness type, to a digital interaction of a user to move the bolt in longitudinal translation in the slide 53.

The bolt 51 is fixed in the slide 53 on the stretcher 6 by means of a counter-lock plate 54 forming an arm or connecting rod for transmitting movement to the control cam 55 arranged to move in rotation in the orifice 23. The counter-lock plate 54 is secured to the bolt 51 by a screw 57 inserted into a hole drilled in said plate and in which is aligned or inserted the tube-nut 512 of the bolt 51, as is more particularly apparent from the figures 6A, 6B.

The counter-lock plate 54 acts as a transmission arm for the translational movement of the bolt 51 in the slide 53 towards the cam 55. It also comprises a means of mechanical connection to said cam 55 constituted in the example shown by a notch or stirrup 540 dug on a longitudinal edge of the counter-lock plate 54.

As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the cam 55 has a generally cylindrical shape with axis AA', defined by two outer 553 and inner 554 circular flanges forming the faces of said cam 55, separated from each other by a groove 555 intended to receive an O-ring seal 56 (fig. 2). The outer flange 553 of the cam 55 carries a stud or stud 551 off-center on one edge of said flange 553 which is inserted in use in the stirrup 540 of the counter-lock plate 54. On the internal flange 554 the cam 55 comprises an actuating member 552 of the fork 71 for selecting the movement 7, said actuating member 552 also being formed of a stud, pin or equivalent projecting in a direction parallel to the axis AA' of the cam 55 in an eccentric position on the surface of the inner flange 554.

[0024] Preferably, the stud 551 and the actuating member 552 of the cam 55 are arranged on their flange in substantially symmetrical eccentric positions with respect to the axis AA' of the cam 55, thus offering an arm maximum actuation lever at the level of the actuation member 552 on the selection fork 71 even in the event of translation and rotation of small amplitudes of the bolt 51 and the cam 55 respectively.

Thus, as shown in Figures 3A to 3F and 6A, 6B, when the bolt 51 is moved in translation, this movement is transmitted by the transmission arm / counter-lock plate 54 to the cam 55 via the stud 551 , inducing a rotation of the cam 55 in its orifice 23 on the middle part 2 and a thrust of the actuating member 552 inserted in the fork 71. The fork 71 then pivots or slides, thus activating a selection of one of the functions to be adjusted of the movement 7, for example without limitation by acting on a pull tab or rocker in kinematic connection with the winding stem 41.

With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, the bolt 51 is movable between two positions for selecting a first function of the movement, indicated H (fig. 3A, 6A) and a second function of the movement, indicated L (fig. 3B, 6B). As emerges from FIGS. 3C to 3F, each position of the bolt 51 corresponds to a distinct corresponding angular position of the stud 551 (FIG. 3C, 3D) and of the actuating member 552 (FIG. 3E, 3F) of the cam 55, the displacement between these angular positions, although of limited amplitude of the order of 30° to 70° maximum, preferably of the order of 40° to 60° maximum, ensuring the driving of the fork 71 selection as shown in Figures 6A, 6B.

Advantageously, thanks to the selection device 5 of the invention, it is possible to ensure a very good sealing of the box at the level of the cam 55 by the use of a simple O-ring 56, wedged in the groove 555 between the flanges 553, 554 of the cam 55, and compressed in the orifice 23 of the caseband. This seal 56 is an appropriate solution and the low amplitude of rotation of the cam 55 in function does not mechanically constrain it negatively. Optimal watertightness is thus ensured, similar to that obtained at the level of the winding crown in common timepieces. Thus, the major defect of lock-type selection devices as known from the prior art is compensated for, the humidity being able at most to bead between the bolt and the case middle but not being able to penetrate towards the movement 7 despite the movements of bolt 51 and cam 55.

The plate against lock 54 also ensures within the framework of the invention the correct positioning of the bolt 51 in its two selection positions.

[0029] To this end, the counter-lock plate 54 also comprises a tube 541 for housing a ball pawl 542, formed of a cylindrical sleeve 543 inserted into the tube 541 in which are housed a spring 544 and a ball 545 encircled by the free end of the sleeve and forming a slight projection penetrating in each position of selection of the bolt in a recess 58a, 58b formed on an internal face of the stretcher 6, for example substantially facing one end of the slide 53. Thus, the user can easily detect by touch the correct position of selection of the bolt 51 in use, the fall of the ball of the pawl in a recess providing a mechanical return perceptible to the finger and a locking force of the bolt 51 in position, which the user must then overcome to move the bolt to the other selection position.

[0030] Thus is proposed a timepiece equipped with a device for selecting a movement function of the lock type, providing great simplicity and safety of operation, capable of adapting to any shape of watch case, in particular not round and guaranteeing the tightness thereof.

Claims (10)

1. Timepiece (1), comprising a box defining an internal housing (21) laterally bounded by a middle part (2) and inside which is arranged a watch movement (7), said watch movement extending along a median plane (P) and comprising a primary horological function, for example counting and displaying the current time, and at least one secondary horological function, for example counting and displaying a time or an event periodical, characterized in that it comprises a device (5) for selecting one or the other of said horological functions comprising a bolt (51) movable in translation in a through opening (52) arranged on an external face of the caseband (2), said bolt (51) being kinematically connected to a cam (55) mounted to move in rotation about an axis parallel to the median plane (P) of the movement in an orifice (23) passing through the caseband, said cam ( 55) being integral with an actuating member (552) configured to cooperate with a selection member (71) arranged on the movement during movement of the bolt, and said cam (55) bearing on its periphery a seal (56) forming an interface between said cam and a wall of said orifice ( 23) in which it is mounted in the middle. 2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said bolt (51) is kinematically connected to the cam (55) by an arm or a transmission rod (54) integral with the bolt and comprising a connecting means mechanism to said cam fixed to the latter in an eccentric position. 3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission arm (54) is removably fixed to said bolt (51) and to said cam (55). 4. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said cam (55) is a disc housed in the circular orifice (23) in the caseband (2), the actuating member (552) being formed by a stud or a pin arranged eccentrically on a face (554) of the disc facing the movement (7). 5. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmission arm (54) is fixed on a face (553) of said cam (55) opposite to that carrying the actuating member (552), by means of a stud (551) disposed off-center on said face (553) of said cam (55) opposite to that carrying the actuating member (552). 6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that the stud (551) and the actuating member (552) are arranged on their respective face of the cam (55) symmetrically with respect to the axis of cam rotation. 7. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said cam (55) has a peripheral groove (555) in which is housed the seal (56). 8. Timepiece according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the bolt (51) is mounted movable in translation in a linear slide (53) formed in a stretcher attached to an outer face of the middle part ( 2) and covering the cam (55) and the transmission arm (54). 9. Timepiece according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the bolt is mounted movable in translation in a linear slide formed in the middle part, the cam being arranged in an orifice drilled in a stretcher attached to a inner face of the caseband or of a casing circle housed between the caseband and the movement. 10. Timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmission arm (54) is housed between the caseband (2) and the stretcher or the casing ring.