CH720240A2 - Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle for a timepiece driven by a 31-position mobile. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) for a timepiece capable of being driven by a driving mobile (55) of a clockwork movement, said driving mobile (55) having 31 stable positions and being operated step by step of one step per day, said mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) comprising: a member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110); an annual cycle cog (120) animated at each jump of the mobile trainer; a correction member (160) comprising a correction star (162) actuated by a correction control (164), and a correction wheel (166) secured to the correction star; characterized in that the annual cycle gear train (120) is configured to have a reduction ratio between the driving mobile (55) at 31 positions and the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110), and in that the annual cycle gear train (120) comprises a differential (150) comprising: a first input wheel (154) adapted to be driven by the driving mobile (55) at 31 positions; a second input wheel (152) driven by the correction wheel (166) of the correction member (160); an output wheel (156) driving the indicator member of the periods of an annual cycle (110); the differential (50) being configured so that the correcting member (160) drives the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110) with a pitch different from the driving pitch of the driving mobile (55).

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to mechanisms for displaying the periods of an annual cycle, for example the seasons, of a timepiece, driven in a jumping manner by a driving mobile with 31 stable positions.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising such a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle.

[0003] The invention also relates to a timepiece, for example a wristwatch, comprising a watch movement comprising such a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle.

Technology background

[0004] The mechanisms for displaying an annual cycle, and in particular the periods of this annual cycle, make it possible to display information relating to a given period during an annual solar cycle. The mechanisms for displaying the periods of an annual cycle are generally mechanisms with a jumping drive allowing an indicator to correspond to a graduation or division of a dial. An annual cycle can be divided into a certain number of periods corresponding to the graduations or divisions of the dial. However, these mechanisms for displaying the periods of an annual cycle of the jumping type are not very precise because they do not make it possible to indicate to the user whether it is the beginning or the end of the displayed period of the annual cycle.

[0005] For example, when such a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle makes it possible to indicate the months, or for example the seasons, the hand indicates the current period (months or seasons) without however giving more precise information on the remaining duration of the current period. Consequently, the jump training of these displays causes a “display error” compared to the actual state of the current period.

[0006] To remedy this drawback, document EP 0397028 has proposed a mechanism for displaying an annual cycle driven by a mobile drive having a wheel with 31 teeth directly engaged with a date wheel. With a suitable gear ratio, the annual cycle display completes one revolution for 372 steps of the mobile trainer. In other words, the display of the periods of an annual cycle completes one revolution for every twelve complete revolutions of the driving mobile, the driving mobile, in engagement with the date, completes one complete revolution per month.

[0007] Thus with such a display mechanism, it was possible to improve the display precision of such a jumping drive by driving the annual cycle display once per day instead of once per period.

[0008] However, such a mechanism for displaying an annual cycle driven by a date takes a long time to adjust because it involves having to make a maximum of 372 date corrections manually, which is considered an unergonomic adjustment and gives the user a feeling of an unprestigious timepiece.

[0009] Consequently, there is a need to improve this type of mechanism for displaying the periods of a jumping annual cycle driven by a date to respond to at least one of the problems mentioned above.

Summary of the invention

[0010] In this context, the invention proposes a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle driven by jumps by a driving mobile of a clockwork movement, the driving mobile having 31 stable positions and being actuated step by step. not every day, for example a date wheel, having an improved display resolution and easily adjustable by the user.

[0011] To this end, the subject of the invention is a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle for a timepiece capable of being driven, in a jumping manner, by a mobile driving a clockwork movement , said mobile trainer having 31 stable positions and being actuated step by step one step per day, said mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle comprising: – a member indicating the periods of an annual cycle; – an annual cycle cog animated with each jump of the mobile trainer; – a correction member comprising a correction star actuated by a correction command, and a correction wheel secured to the correction star; characterized in that the annual cycle gear train is configured to have a reduction ratio between the driving mobile at 31 positions and the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle, and in that the annual cycle gear train comprises a differential comprising: – a first input wheel capable of being driven by the driving mobile at 31 positions; – a second input wheel driven by the correction wheel of the correction member; – an output wheel driving the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle; the differential being configured so that each correction of the corrective member drives the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle with a step different from the step d training of the mobile trainer.

[0012] According to the invention, the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle can be a mechanism for displaying months, weeks, constellations, signs of the zodiac, an equation of time, a working equation of time, Christian festivities, equinoxes and solstices, climatic seasons, the inclination of the earth in relation to the sun, Chinese seasons or even solar periods.

Preferably, the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle is a mechanism for displaying solar periods.

Preferably, the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle is a mechanism for displaying the Chinese seasons.

[0015] Thus, such a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle can easily be implemented in clock movements comprising either a date, or a wheel, or star, with 31 positions driven once per day.

[0016] In addition to the characteristics mentioned in the previous paragraph, the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or in all technically possible combinations: – the reduction gear ratio of the annual cycle train resulting between the 31-position driving mobile and the indicator member of the periods of an annual cycle is 12; so that the body indicating the periods of an annual cycle makes a complete revolution after twelve complete revolutions of the driving mobile; – the differential is configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1:6 between the first input wheel and the output wheel; – the body indicating the periods of an annual cycle comprises an annual cycle wheel carrying a needle or a disc for displaying the periods of an annual cycle; – the annual cycle wheel is configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1:2 between the differential output wheel and the annual cycle wheel; – the correction star is a five-pointed star; – the first input wheel of the differential is a star having 31 stable positions; – the mechanism is a mechanism for displaying Chinese seasons.

[0017] The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising a time train, a driving mobile, driven by the time train, having 31 stable positions and operated step by step each day, and a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention.

[0018] Preferably, the watch movement comprises a date mechanism driven by the time train, the driving mobile being a date indicator or a date star which the date mechanism comprises.

Preferably, the date indicator is a crown-shaped date disc having internal teeth configured to drive the first input wheel of the differential.

[0020] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention, or comprising a clock movement according to the invention.

[0021] Advantageously, the timepiece is a wristwatch.

Brief description of the figures

[0022] The aims, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below with reference to the following figures: – Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention; – Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle illustrated in Figure 1; – Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle illustrated in Figure 1; – Figure 4 represents a sectional view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention, along the section line A-A illustrated in Figure 2; – Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example of a timepiece comprising a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention.

[0023] In all the figures, the common elements bear the same reference numbers unless otherwise specified.

Detailed description of the invention

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 illustrated in Figure 1, and Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of a cycle annual shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 4 represents a sectional view of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle according to the invention, along the section line A-A illustrated in Figure 2.

The mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 according to the invention allows for example the display of months, seasons or more particularly Chinese seasons.

The mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 according to the invention is intended to be integrated into a clock movement 1 (partially shown in Figures 1 to 4) and housed in a timepiece 200, for example in a case 210 of a wristwatch shown schematically in Figure 5.

[0029] Conventionally, the watch movement 1 comprises a time train 10, partially shown, having in particular a timer mobile (not shown) driving an hour wheel 11, the entire time train 10 being configured so that the wheel 11 hours makes a complete revolution in 12 hours.

The hour wheel 11 conventionally carries an hour indicator, for example an hour hand 2 driven onto the shaft 12 of the hour wheel 11.

The watch movement 1 according to the invention comprises a date mechanism 50 linked to the time train 10, or at least one mobile drive driven by the time train, having 31 stable positions and operated step by step each day.

The date mechanism 50 conventionally comprises an intermediate date wheel 51 meshed with the hour wheel 11, the intermediate date wheel 51 itself meshing with a 24-hour wheel 52 carrying a finger 53, or cooperating with a wheel carrying a finger, so as to animate a date indicator 55 by one step per day.

The finger 53 is for example a flexible finger as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0034] Such a flexible finger 53 makes it possible in particular to avoid situations of blocking or breakage of components when the user sets the time of the watch in the counterclockwise direction. The flexible finger 53 allows it to be disengaged when it is driven in the opposite direction to its normal drive and when it comes against the teeth of the date indicator 55.

The date indicator 55 can be corrected in a conventional manner by a conventional correction mechanism linked to one of the positions of a winding stem (not shown).

[0036] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the date indicator 55 is for example a crown bearing the date indications on its upper face and having internal teeth comprising 31 teeth.

Between each step, the date indicator 55 is held in position by a date jumper 56 and a date jumper spring 57.

Obviously, according to an alternative embodiment, the date indicator can also be a hand driven on a star of 31 teeth linked to the time train 10.

The mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 further comprises a member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110.

The member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 comprises an annual cycle wheel 112 having a shaft capable of receiving for example a needle 3 forming an indicator of the periods of an annual cycle visible to the user.

[0041] According to an alternative embodiment, the annual cycle wheel 112 can receive a disc presenting on its upper face indications, indexes, or graduations in accordance with the periods of the annual cycle to be displayed.

[0042] Depending on the type of display desired, the disc can be visible in full by the user, or in part through an opening of suitable shape and provided in a dial of the timepiece 200.

The member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 is driven by an annual cycle cog 120 driven by a mobile drive having 31 stable positions and actuated step by step each day.

[0044] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the driving mobile having 31 stable positions, and actuated step by step each day, is the date indicator 55 of the date mechanism 50.

[0045] Thus, in our exemplary embodiment, the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 is driven by an annual cycle gear train 120 engaged with the date indicator 55.

According to a variant embodiment, the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 is driven by an annual cycle gear train 120 itself driven by a date star, or wheel, having 31 stable positions.

However, in a variant embodiment in which the watch movement does not include a date indicator visible to the user, the driving mobile having 31 stable positions, and operated step by step each day, can simply be a 31-tooth star linked to time train 10, without a date indicator necessarily being associated with this 31-tooth star.

In the example shown, at each step of the date indicator 55 it meshes with an intermediate pinion 121 having teeth adapted to cooperate with the internal teeth of the crown of the date indicator 55.

The intermediate pinion 121 is integral with a gear 122 which meshes with a 31-position star 154.

The 31-position star 154 is held in a stable position by an annual cycle jumper 124 cooperating with its annual cycle jumper spring 125.

[0051] Conventionally, the 31-position star has 31 teeth.

[0052] In a variant embodiment, the 31-position star 154 can also include a multiple of 31 teeth while keeping 31 stable positions. In this case the 31-position star is driven with each jump, or step per day of the date indicator 55, by a number of teeth corresponding to the multiple. Such a construction advantageously makes it possible to reduce the bulk of the module and to reduce the clearances in the gear train between the date indicator 55 and the differential.

The 31-position star 154 forms the first input wheel of a differential 150 with two inputs and one output. Thus, the 31-position driving mobile, here the date indicator 55, drives the first input wheel 154 of the differential 150 formed by the 31-position star.

[0054] The use of a differential 150 in the annual cycle gear 120 makes it possible to easily implement a mechanism correcting the periods of an annual cycle comprising a corrective member 160 for correcting the indicator member of the periods of a cycle annual 110, independently of the correction and training of the date, via the use of a correction star 162.

[0055] The use of a differential 150 in the annual cycle train 120 also makes it possible to promote a reducing relationship between the date indicator 55, having 31 stable positions, and the member indicating the periods of a cycle annual 110 presenting here twelve times more positions, or 372 stable positions. Thus, the display resolution of a member indicating the periods of an annual cycle driven by a jump by a date 50 mechanism is improved, by making jumps of 0.9677° each day instead of a jump of 15 ° every month.

The differential 150 includes a second input wheel 152 driven by the correcting member 160, possibly via a return if necessary.

The second input wheel 152 is a crown which has external teeth cooperating with the correcting member 160, and internal teeth cooperating with at least one, and preferably two satellite pinions 157 capable of rotating on themselves. and rolling on said internal teeth.

The differential 150 also comprises a planet carrier 156 carrying the planet gears 157, and comprising external teeth cooperating with the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110, and more particularly with the annual cycle wheel 112, thus forming the output wheel of the differential 150.

The differential 150 is configured to have a reducing ratio between each input and the output respectively.

[0060] Thus, for example, the differential 150 is configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1:6 between the first input wheel 154 and the output wheel 156.

[0061] The annual cycle wheel 112 is also configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1:2 between the output wheel 156 of the differential 150 and the annual cycle wheel 112.

[0062] Thus, the gear ratio of the annual cycle train 120 resulting between the date indicator 55 (forming the driving mobile with 31 positions) and the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 is a reducing ratio .

[0063] Preferably, the gear ratio of the annual cycle train 120 resulting between the date indicator 55 (forming the driving mobile with 31 positions) and the period indicator member of an annual cycle 110 is 12, that is to say that the body indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110 will make a complete revolution after 12 months and therefore 372 jumps of the date indicator 55 (i.e. 12x31 jumps).

The correction member 160 comprises a correction star 162 with 5 branches actuated by a correction control 164 cooperating with its correction control return spring 165.

The corrector member 160 is held in a stable position by a corrector jumper 172 acting on the correction star 162 and cooperating with its corrector return spring 174.

The correcting member 160 also includes a correction wheel 166 secured to the correction star 162 arranged to mesh with the second input wheel 152 of the differential 150, with if necessary one or more return pinions.

[0067] The operation of the mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 according to the invention is as follows: in normal operating mode of the timepiece 200, the movement of one step per day of the mobile 31-position drive (the date indicator 55 in our example embodiment) drives the 31-position star 154 (first input of the differential 150) via the intermediate pinion 121 and the return 122. The correction mechanism is not actuated, the second input 152 of the differential 150 remains stationary and the satellite gears 157 roll on the internal teeth of the second input 152 and rotate on themselves, in turn driving the output wheel 156. The output wheel 156 drives the annual cycle wheel 112.

[0068] The dimensions of the different wheels and the different gears, as well as the number of teeth of these wheels and these gears are adapted to respect the ratios defined previously, and so that the annual cycle wheel 112 makes one revolution in one year , and more particularly a complete revolution after 372 increments of the date indicator 55 (i.e. 12 revolutions).

[0069] If it is necessary to correct the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 110, the user activates the correction command 164 which drives the correction star 162 and therefore the second input 152 of the differential 150, via the correction wheel 166.

[0070] The crown of the second input 152 rotates said satellite gears 157 which in turn rotate the output wheel 156 of the differential 150, and therefore the annual cycle wheel 112 so that the latter performs a rotation corresponding to a rapid correction of the period to be displayed, independently of the date indicator 55 and the time train 10.

[0071] With the 5-pointed correction star 162 described above, each correction via the correction command 164 causes the correction wheel 166 to rotate through an angle of 72°. The second input wheel 152 has a ratio of 1 with the correction wheel 166, it therefore rotates through an angle of 72° with each correction, which implies a rotation of 60° of the output wheel 156 of the differential 150 and a rotation of 30° of the annual cycle wheel 112 (thanks to the 1:2 ratio described previously) and therefore of the indicator of the periods of an annual cycle, which is equivalent to a correction of one month , or 31 steps from date indicator 55.

[0072] Thus, there are two ways of correcting the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle 160: either by correcting the date indicator 55 by one of the positions of the winding stem, or quickly via the mechanism corrector by correcting the months, without modifying the date, by the correction command 164 accessible from the outside of the housing 210.

[0073] The invention also relates to a clock movement 1 comprising a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle 100 according to the invention.

[0074] The invention also relates to a timepiece 200, such as a wristwatch, comprising a timepiece movement 1 according to the invention housed in a case 210.

[0075] The mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle has numerous advantages.

First, as this is indexed to the date mechanism, if the date mechanism is kept up to date, for example by making the relevant corrections during short months, the display of the periods of an annual cycle n It will never be late and will always be indexed to the date.

[0077] Thus, such a mechanism is particularly precise in comparison with the mechanisms for displaying the periods of an annual cycle which are not linked to a date or to a star of 31 stable positions of a clock movement.

Claims (13)

1. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) for a timepiece (200) capable of being driven in a jumping manner by a driving mobile (55) of a clockwork movement (1), said mobile trainer (55) having 31 stable positions and being operated step by step one step per day, said mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) comprising: – a body indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110); – an annual cycle cog (120) animated at each jump of the mobile trainer; – a correction member (160) comprising a correction star (162) actuated by a correction control (164), and a correction wheel (166) secured to the correction star; characterized in that the annual cycle gear train (120) is configured to have a reduction ratio between the driving mobile (55) with 31 positions and the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110), and in that the annual cycle gear train (120) comprises a differential (150) comprising: – a first input wheel (154) capable of being driven by the driving mobile (55) at 31 positions; – a second input wheel (152) driven by the correction wheel (166) of the correction member (160); – an output wheel (156) driving the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110); the differential (50) being configured so that each correction of the correcting member (160) drives the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110) with a pitch different from the driving pitch of the driving mobile (55). 2. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reduction gear ratio of the annual cycle gear train (120) resulting between the driving mobile (55) at 31 positions and the body indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110) is 12, so that the body indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110) makes a complete revolution after twelve complete revolutions of the driving mobile (55) . 3. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the differential (150) is configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1: 6 between the first input wheel (154) and the output wheel (156). 4. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member indicating the periods of an annual cycle (110) comprises an annual cycle wheel (112 ) carrying a needle or disc for displaying the periods of an annual cycle. 5. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annual cycle wheel (112) is configured to have a reduction gear ratio of 1: 2 between the wheel output (156) of the differential (150) and the annual cycle wheel (112). 6. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the correction star (162) is a five-pointed star. 7. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first input wheel (154) of the differential (150) is a star having 31 stable positions. 8. Mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism is a mechanism for displaying the Chinese seasons. 9. Clockwork movement (1) characterized in that it comprises a time train (10), a driving mobile (55), driven by the time train (10), having 31 stable positions and operated step by step each day , and a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8. 10. Clock movement (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that it comprises a date mechanism (50) driven by the time train (10), the driving mobile (55) being a date indicator or a star of date that the date mechanism (50) comprises. 11. Clock movement (1) according to claim 10 characterized in that the date indicator is a date disc in the shape of a crown having internal teeth configured to drive the first input wheel (154) of the differential ( 150). 12. Timepiece (200) comprising a mechanism for displaying the periods of an annual cycle (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 or comprising a clockwork movement (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11. 13. Timepiece (200) according to the preceding claim characterized in that said timepiece (200) is a wristwatch.