CH716556A2 - Moon age display mechanism timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timepiece (1) comprising a timepiece movement comprising a frame carrying a mechanism for displaying the age of the Moon comprising a first rotating display member (6), in the general shape of a disc of axis (X1), bearing at least one representation of the Moon arranged along an axis (X2) distinct from the axis (X1), the watch movement being arranged to drive the first display member (6) in such a way that it performs a complete rotation on itself in one lunar period, a second display member (8) bearing the representation of the Moon and arranged on the first display member (6) so as to rotate relative to this last. The watch movement is arranged to drive the second display member (8) in rotation on itself with reference to the frame according to a predefined period, preferably less than or equal to five minutes.

Description

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a watch movement comprising a frame carrying a Moon Tagus display mechanism comprising

a first rotary display member, in the general shape of an X1 axis disc, carrying at least one representation of the Moon arranged along an X2 axis distinct from Tax X1, the watch movement being arranged to drive the first display member of such a way that it performs a complete rotation on itself with reference to the frame in a lunar period, a second display member bearing the representation of the Moon and arranged with reference to the first display member so as to rotate with respect to to the latter.

State of the art

[0002] Many timepieces comprising a mechanism for displaying the Tagus of the Moon are already known in which the mechanism comprises a disc generally bearing one or two representations of the Moon and driven in rotation by the watch movement to turn in a lunar period. The representation of the Moon is generally produced by printing, tracing, engraving, or even by depositing luminescent material or gold in certain cases.

[0003] Patent EP2009517B1 describes a timepiece comprising a Moon Stage display mechanism that is more complex than conventional mechanisms. Indeed, this mechanism comprises, in addition to the conventional components, a fixed pinion coaxial with the disc carrying the representations of the Moon, typically two in number and diametrically opposed. Each representation of the Moon is rotatably mounted on the disc by being integral with a toothed pinion identical to a transmission with which it is engaged, in terms of diameter and number of teeth, the transmission being moreover arranged in permanent engagement with the fixed central gear. Each reference is also identical to the fixed central pinion, so that each representation of the Moon maintains a constant angular Orientation with respect to the frame of the watch movement, that is to say with respect to the case of the timepiece. corresponding, when the disc is driven in rotation. This construction is particularly interesting in the case of a personalized Moon as illustrated in this document, that is to say in particular when a mouth and eyes are illustrated on the representation of the Moon. Indeed, thanks to the proposed construction, the Moon always presents a "face" Oriented in the right direction to the wearer of the corresponding timepiece.

Disclosure of Invention

[0004] A main object of the present invention is to propose a timepiece comprising a mechanism for displaying the age of the Moon of alternative construction to that of the timepieces which have just been mentioned, thus presenting a different and original display mode.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates more particularly to a timepiece meeting the characteristics set out above and characterized by the fact that the watch movement is arranged to drive the second display member in rotation on itself by reference to the frame of the watch movement, following a predefined period, preferably less than or equal to five minutes.

[0006] Thanks to these characteristics, the drive of the display member carrying the representation of the Moon can be put to good use to allow the wearer of the timepiece to see at a quick glance the representation of the Moon that the timepiece is still operational, even to display information.

[0007] Indeed, advantageously, the watch movement can be arranged to drive the second display member in rotation according to a period substantially equal to one minute, in such a way that the second display member can play the role of indicator of the current second.

[0008]According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provision may be made for the first display member to be integral with a set of teeth arranged in engagement with a first drive wheel of the watch movement.

[0009] Furthermore, provision may be made for the second display member to be secured to a mobile toothed agency engaged with a second mobile drive of the watch movement.

[0010]According to a preferred embodiment, provision may be made for the timepiece to include a third member for displaying additional information, of general annular shape and arranged according to fax X1 being located outside the first display organ.

[0011] It is then advantageously possible for the third display member to be secured to a toothing arranged in engagement with a third wheel set for driving the watch movement.

[0012] In this case, according to a preferred embodiment variant, it is possible to provide that the first and third drive wheels have a kinematic connection between them.

[0013] In general, provision can be made for the third display member to be intended to display the date.

[0014] Furthermore, it is generally possible to predict

that the timepiece advantageously comprises fourth and fifth display members rotating in reference to the frame of the watch movement, to display the current hours and minutes, each of the fourth and fifth display members bearing at least one indication intended to allow the display of the corresponding quantity and having a generally annular shape, and

that the fourth display member delimits a first internal surface in which is arranged a first dial secured to the frame and comprising a substantially circular opening defining a housing for the fifth display member, the latter defining a second internal surface in which is arranged a second dial integral with the frame, the second dial comprising a substantially circular opening in which the first, second and third display bodies are arranged.

[0015] In general, it is also possible to provide that the watch movement comprises a base watch caliber surmounted by an additional module carrying the mechanism for displaying the age of the Moon, the base watch caliber comprising a ring or date disc driven to perform one revolution in thirty-one days and presenting a kinematic connection with the third driving wheel.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which :

- Figure 1 shows a general and simplified front view of a timepiece according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a partial and simplified front view of the watch movement of the timepiece of lafigure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a simplified sectional view of part of the timepiece of Figure 1, along the line B-B of Figure 2, and

- Figures 4a and 4b represent the same simplified perspective view of part of the watch movement of Figure 2, a component having been masked when passing from the view of Figure 4a to that of Figure 4b.

Embodiment(s) of the Invention

Figure 1 shows a general and simplified front view of a timepiece 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The timepiece 1 comprises a box 2 housing a watch movement (not visible in Figure 1, numerical reference 4 in Figure 2) intended to drive in rotation a plurality of display members in accordance with the explanations which will follow.

More specifically, the timepiece 1 according to the present invention is of the type comprising a Moon Tagus display mechanism.

This mechanism comprises a first display member 6, having the general shape of a disc with axis X1, here carrying two diametrically opposed representations of the Moon, a representation 8 of the full Moon, centered along an axis X2 , and a representation 10 of the new Moon.

As will emerge from the following, the first display member 6 is driven by the watch movement 4 in such a way that it performs a complete rotation on itself in a lunar period. Those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the exact value of the period of revolution of the first display member 6 according to their own needs, without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as retaining for example the typical value of 29.5 days .

[0022] In accordance with the present invention, at least one representation of the Moon can be used to create a novel visual effect, or even to display information such as current seconds.

[0023] In the present preferred embodiment, the representation of the full moon 8 directly constitutes a second display member driven by the watch movement 4 to make a complete turn on itself with reference to the watch movement 4 substantially in one minute.

[0024] Of course, it is possible to provide as an alternative that the second display member carries a representation of the Moon without necessarily being confused with eile. For example, the second display member can be a disk to which a representation of the Moon is assembled, this can for example have the shape of a gold-engraved disk so as to globally reproduce the visible face of the Moon. In general, the representation of the Moon can be produced by any known method without departing from the scope of the invention, in particular by printing, by tracing, by engraving, or even by depositing luminescent material or gold.

[0025] In addition, the present preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the display mechanism comprises a third display member 12, of generally annular shape and located outside the second display member 6, by being adjacent to its periphery. The third display member 12 is intended here to ensure the display of the date,

in a non-restrictive way of illustration. Any other type of information could be displayed by the third display member 12 as an alternative, whether it is hourly, such as for example a 24-hour type display, or not, such as for example the value of the power reserve of the watch movement 4.

[0026] By way of non-limiting illustration, the timepiece 1 further comprises a fourth display member 14 for the hours, arranged at the periphery of the display zone which can advantageously be delimited by the holte, for example by a bezel from box 2, in a non-limiting manner. The fourth display member 14 has a general annular shape and bears numbers ranging from 1 to 12 to display the current hours in cooperation with a first index 16 which is stationary with reference to the box 2 of the timepiece 1.

The fourth display member 14 delimits a first internal surface, in the form of a disc, in which is arranged a first dial 18 secured to a frame element of the watch movement 4.

The first dial 18 has a substantially circular opening defining a housing for a fifth minute display member 20, the latter also having a generally annular shape and bearing numbers ranging from 0 to 55 to display the current minutes in Cooperation with a second index 22 stationary in reference to the case of the timepiece 1.

The first and second indexes 16 and 22 are here both carried by the first dial 18 in a non-limiting illustrative manner. Different alternatives can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. By way of example, at least one of the indexes could be carried directly by a component of the case such as the middle part, or possibly even the crystal. Alternatively, the timepiece 1 could also comprise an additional dial arranged outside the hours display member 14, this additional dial thus being able to carry the first index 16 for reading the hours.

The fifth display member 20 delimits a second internal surface, in the form of a disc, in which is arranged a second dial 24 integral with the frame of the watch movement 4.

The second dial 24 has a substantially circular opening defining a housing for the third date display member 12, therefore also for the first and second display members 6, 8.

[0032] A third stationary index 26 with reference to the case of the timepiece 1 is arranged on the second dial 24, in a non-limiting illustrative manner, to cooperate with the first and third display members 6 and 12 in the frame of the Tagus Moon and calendar display.

[0033] The case of the timepiece 1 is advantageously provided with a crown 28 intended in particular to make corrections to the display, in a conventional manner.

[0034] The operation of the timepiece movement 4 of the timepiece 1 will now be presented on the basis of FIGS. 2 and 3 representing respectively a partial and simplified front view of the timepiece movement 4 and a simplified section view of part of timepiece 1, along section line B-B of figure 2.

It will be noted that according to the present preferred embodiment, in a non-limiting illustrative manner, the watch movement 4 comprises a basic watch caliber (not visible in the figures) surmounted by an additional display module 30 carrying said mechanism Moon Tagus display mechanism as well as the current time display mechanism.

Thus, the dials 18 and 24 can for example be made integral with a plate 32 of the display module 30 by any suitable known means. Hs can for example include feet engaged in suitable holes of the plate 32.

[0037] Figures 2 and 3 make it possible to better demonstrate an example of non-limiting construction of the watch movement 4 according to the present invention. A person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in choosing a basic caliber that meets his own needs, which may be mechanical, with manual or automatic winding without departing from the scope of the invention, or even possibly electromechanical.

[0038] Two central shafts (not visible) of the basic watch caliber make it possible to drive several of the display organs of the timepiece, more precisely display organs 8, 14 and 20 intended for display information about the current time.

The first of these shafts is driven to complete one revolution on itself in one minute and carries a toothed wheel 36 arranged in permanent engagement with a toothing provided on a wheel 38 of a mobile drive of the second member of display, i.e. disc 8 bearing the representation of the full moon. For this purpose, the mobile drive comprises an additional wheel 40, fixed in rotation to wheel 38, arranged in permanent engagement with a satellite mobile 42 carrying the second display member 8 on its shaft.

[0040] As mentioned previously, in a preferred manner, a gear ratio can be provided here such that the second display member 8 completes one revolution on itself with reference to the plate 32 substantially in one minute, to fill the role of a current seconds display device.

Of course; those skilled in the art can implement any other gear ratio meeting their own needs without departing from the scope of the invention, it being understood that a period of rotation of the second display member 8 less than or equal to five minutes is preferred, to allow the wearer of the timepiece to see with a quick glance at the representation of the Moon that the watch movement 4 is working well.

[0042] Furthermore, the second shaft of the basic watch caliber here replaces the conventional carriageway and carries a toothed wheel (not visible) arranged in engagement with a mobile comprising in particular a wheel 46 with thick teeth.

The wheel 46 cooperates, on the one hand, with the teeth, internal here, of a crown 48 integral with the display member of the current minutes 20 and, on the other hand, with the wheel 50 of an additional intermediate mobile. This additional mobile further comprises a pinion (not visible) arranged in permanent engagement with the wheel 54 of a mobile drive whose pinion 56 is in engagement with the internal teeth of a crown 58 integral with the organ of display of current hours 14.

The speed of rotation of the second shaft and the gear ratios involved are such that the fourth current hours display member 14 completes a complete revolution in twelve hours and the fifth current minutes display member 20 performs a complete revolution in one hour.

[0045] Washers 60 are screwed into the plate 32 of the display module 30 to ensure the axial retention of the display organs for the current hours and minutes 14 and 20 on the display module 30, by action on the crowns 48 and 58.

[0046] Furthermore, if the third display member 12 can be driven to display various magnitudes, time or not, it appears to be particularly advantageous to train it to display the date insofar as suitable drive pulses can be obtained from a single mobile to drive both the first display member 6 and the third display member 12.

[0047] Indeed, in the case of the present preferred embodiment, it is possible to ensure the driving of these two display members 6 and 12 from a date ring 62 that comprises the watch caliber of base (visible only in figure 3). A toothed crown 64, thicker than the ring 62 is made integral with the latter in order to be able to cooperate with a seven-pointed star 66 of a mobile drive 68 of the Moon Tagus display mechanism and to rotate this last one step per day.

[0048] The mobile drive 68 comprises a wheel 70 arranged in engagement with an additional mobile drive 72, one wheel 74 of which is arranged in permanent engagement with a ring gear 76 secured to a frame 78 of the display mechanism of Tagus of the Moon.

Thus, the frame 78, integral with the first display member 6, is driven by one step per day, the gear ratio between the mobile drive 68 and the crown 76 being as large as the frame 78 performs a full revolution with reference to the plate 32 in a lunar period, preferably and substantially 29.5 days.

[0050] It will be noted that the frame 78 carries a bridge 80 (partially visible only in FIG. 3), secured to the frame by two screws 82, in which in particular is pivoted the mobile satellite 42 carrying the second display member 8 on his tree.

[0051] Moreover, the representation 10 of the new Moon is illustrated here as a piece attached to the disc 6, which could possibly be carried by another mobile satellite similar to the mobile satellite 42 to be driven in a manner similar to the representation 8 of the full moon. Alternatively, the representation 10 could simply be produced directly on the disk 6 by painting, decal or any other suitable known technique, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0052] The mobile drive 68 carries an additional wheel 84 arranged directly in engagement with a toothed crown 86 integral with the third display member 12, so as to cause the latter to advance one step per day and with a ratio of 'gears such that it performs a complete revolution on itself with reference to the plate 32 in thirty-one days.

[0053] Thanks to this construction, an original display of several pieces of information, linked together or not, is obtained, in which the second display member 8 can either simply give rise to an animation indicating the proper functioning of the timepiece 1 , or ensure the display of a quantity such as the current seconds.

Note, in the view of Figure 2, the implementation of two of the dial 88 and 90, tune to retain the disc 6 and the other to retain the ring 12 without presenting any element retaining element visible to an observer of the timepiece 1. Such retaining elements are already known and will not be described in more detail, it being understood that they generally have portions inserted in suitable grooves provided in the components whose they provide restraint. A person skilled in the art may implement any known and suitable alternative solution, possibly visible to the observer, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

If suitable actuation of the correction crown 28 makes it possible to act on the date ring 62 of the basic watch caliber, in a conventional manner, and therefore to rotate the drive wheel set 68 to simultaneously correct the indications of the date by the third display member 12 and of the age of the Moon by the first display member 6, it may sometimes be desirable to correct one of these pieces of information independently of the other.

[0056] Thus, the timepiece is preferably provided with a specific correction mechanism here at the Moon Tagus display. A corrector 92 is arranged at the periphery of the display module 30, in a position corresponding substantially to 10 o'clock.

Claims (10)

FIGS. 4a and 4b show similar perspective and simplified views of part of the display module 30 making it possible to clarify the operation of the specific correction mechanism of the Moon Tagus display. The corrector 92 comprises a first double arm 94 intended to rotate a correction wheel 96 of the mobile drive 68 in the clockwise direction of rotation in the view of FIGS. 4a and 4b, with a retractable portion capable of returning to Rest position without acting on the correction wheel 96. The corrector 92 comprises a second arm 98 for locking the star 66 of the driving wheel set 68, the arm 98 acting on a locking lever 100 to cause it to pivot slightly in the clockwise direction of rotation in the view of the figures 4a and 4b. Indeed, it is apparent from a comparison of Figures 4a and 4b that the correction wheel 96 carries an indexing pawl 102 arranged to cooperate with the branches of the star 66 and make it integral with the latter in rotation , up to a maximum torque value beyond which the correction wheel 96 and the star wheel 66 can rotate independently of each other. [0061] Thus, precisely in the context of a correction operation of the Tage de la Lune display without date correction, the second arm 98 of the corrector 92 acts on the locking rocker 100 so that it maintains the angular position of the star 66 when the first arm 94 acts on the correction wheel 96 to rotate it. The force thus applied to the correction wheel 96 makes it possible to overcome the force exerted by the indexing pawl 102 on the branches of the star 66, and therefore to cause the correction wheel 96 to turn only to correct the display of Moon stage without modifying the value displayed for the date. The corrector 92 includes a third arm 104 playing the role of elastic return member, in a conventional manner. [0063] Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, it is possible to produce a timepiece 1 having an original display, allowing its manufacturer to differentiate its products from those of competitors, in particular by implementing a display of Moon stage remaining sober despite the simultaneous display of one or two additional pieces of information in the immediate vicinity of the Moon stage display. [0064] The construction presented by way of preferred non-limiting example is advantageously simple to produce and compact. It will thus be noted that a single set of gears judiciously makes it possible to drive the two organs for displaying the current hours and minutes, thanks to the considerable thickness of the wheel 46. Furthermore, it will also be noted that the particular arrangement of the Display Organs in accordance with the characteristics of the invention makes it possible to arrange the visible surfaces of the three Organs in the same average reading plane as is apparent from the view in section of FIG. 3, or even those of the five Display Organs in the preferred embodiment, conferring a good level of perceived quality on the timepiece 1. The foregoing description sets out to describe a particular embodiment by way of non-limiting illustration and, the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as, for example, the nature of the quantities displayed by the second and third Display Units, or even the implementation of the third Display Unit itself. In particular, as mentioned above, the third display member could allow the display of various magnitudes, hourly or not, such as a twenty-four-hour cycle, an equation of time or even a power reserve value, by way of illustration not limiting. Furthermore, the second display member could have a different shape without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the representation of the full moon could be fixed on the first display member and include a central hole to allow the passage of a shaft carrying an indicator needle. Corresponding graduations could thus be arranged between the representation of the full moon and the third display member. [0068] Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the content of the present disclosure to their own needs and implementing a timepiece with a Moon Tagus display mechanism that only partially meets the characteristics which have just been described, without however departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Claims 1. Timepiece (1) comprising a watch movement (4) comprising a frame (32) carrying a Moon Tagus display mechanism comprising a first rotary display member (6), in the general shape of an axis X1 disk, carrying at least one representation of the Moon arranged along an axis X2 distinct from said axis X1, said watch movement (4) being arranged to drive said first display member (6) in such a way that it performs a complete rotation on itself in reference to said frame (32) in a lunar period, a second display member (8) carrying said representation of the Moon and arranged on said first display member (6) in such a way as to rotate with respect to the latter, characterized in that said watch movement (4) is arranged to drive said second display member (8) in rotation on itself with reference to said frame (32) according to a predefined period, preferably less than or equal to five minutes. 2. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said timepiece movement (4) is arranged to drive said second display member (8) in rotation for a period substantially equal to one minute. 3. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first display member (6) is integral with a toothing (76) arranged in engagement with a first drive wheel (72 ) of said watch movement (4). 4. Timepiece (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said second display member (8) is integral with a toothed mobile (42) arranged in engagement with a second mobile drive (38, 40) of said watch movement (4). 5. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third display member (12) of additional information, of general annular shape and arranged along said axis X1 in being located outside said first display member (6). 6. Timepiece (1) according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said third display member (12) is secured to a toothing (86) arranged in engagement with a third mobile drive (68 ) of said watch movement (4). 7. Timepiece (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said first and third mobile drive (72, 68) have a kinematic connection between them. 8. Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said third display member (6) is intended to display the date. 9. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises fourth and fifth display members (14, 20) rotating with reference to said frame (32) of said horological movement (4), to display the current hours and minutes, each of said fourth and fifth members display (14, 20) bearing at least one indication intended to allow the display of the corresponding quantity and having a generally annular shape, and in that said fourth display member (14) delimits a first internal surface in which is arranged a first dial (18) integral with said frame (32) and comprising a substantially circular opening defining a housing for said fifth display member ( 20), the latter defining a second internal surface in which is arranged a second dial (24) integral with said frame (32), said second dial (24) comprising a substantially circular opening in which are arranged said first, second and third display (6, 8, 12). 10. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said watch movement (4) comprises a basic watch caliber surmounted by an additional module (30) carrying said Tage display mechanism de la Lune, said basic watch caliber comprising a date ring or disc (62) driven to complete one revolution in thirty-one days and having a kinematic connection with said third driving wheel set (68).