EP0166680A1 - Time piece with a quartz movement and an electrically controlled sound generator - Google Patents

Time piece with a quartz movement and an electrically controlled sound generator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0166680A1
EP0166680A1 EP85810009A EP85810009A EP0166680A1 EP 0166680 A1 EP0166680 A1 EP 0166680A1 EP 85810009 A EP85810009 A EP 85810009A EP 85810009 A EP85810009 A EP 85810009A EP 0166680 A1 EP0166680 A1 EP 0166680A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
switch
disc
watch
sound generator
contact
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EP85810009A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0166680B1 (en
Inventor
Paolo Spadini
Willy Meier
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Individual
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Individual
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C21/00—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means
    • G04C21/16—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means producing the signals at adjustable fixed times
    • G04C21/20—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means producing the signals at adjustable fixed times by closing a contact to ring an electromechanical alarm

Definitions

  • the manufacturers of quartz watches have endeavored to reduce their consumption, in order to prolong the life of the batteries as much as possible.
  • the driving torque of the second hand is of the order of three micro-newtonmeters.
  • a switch between a member moving with the hour hand and another joined member the indicator of the time when the sound generator comes into action.
  • Some specific switches for this purpose are known.
  • one of the poles of the switch moves concentrically with the axis of the watch hands. It is located at the end of a radial elastic arm, which presses it axially against the flat face of a conductive disc which carries the other pole of the switch. This flat face is insulated except along a radial segment constituting the said pole of the switch and on which the end of the elastic arm arrives at the time when the sound generator must come into action.
  • this arm In order to balance the force that the pressure of the end of the arm against the conductive disc generates on its anchor point, this arm is provided with a tail which also presses against this disc, but which is a little shorter than the arm, so as not to touch the pole carried by the disc.
  • a switch is also known in which the pole moving concentrically with the hands of the watch is carried by an arm in an arc of a circle, which presses this pole radially against the cylindrical edge of a flange of insulating material, the latter being mounted on a conductive tube carrying a nose flush with the periphery of the collar in order to constitute the other pole of the switch (CH-B-495'006).
  • the invention aims firstly to enable a timepiece with quartz watch movement and electrically controlled sound generator to be fitted with a switch as safe as compatible with the power available in watches of this kind, who are manufactured currently.
  • the contact which brings the sound generator into action closes by axial pressure.
  • the helical shape is easy to give to the arm carrying one of the poles of the switch.
  • a simple folding of a thin and relatively wide blade, initially planar, operated in the vicinity of its anchor point, is sufficient for this. Maintaining continuous friction, when precisely trying to reduce the load on the current source, seems paradoxical.
  • this arm makes it possible to adjust the intensity of the pressure that its end exerts against the flat circular crown, so as to guarantee good contact when the switch is closed, without risking producing a braking torque compromising the running of the watch, since a relatively large axial displacement of the end of this arm only causes a slight variation in this pressure, since this arm works in bending in the direction of its thickness. The manufacturing tolerances therefore have practically no influence on the operating conditions of the watch.
  • the helical shape of this arm also has the advantage that the point of friction between its end and the flat circular ring is relatively close to the axis of rotation of the contact poles of the switch.
  • the lever arm of the friction force, which generates the braking torque is therefore relatively short. However, this does not affect the precision of the setting of the time at which the sound generator should come into operation. Experience has shown, in fact, that this time can be easily adjusted to the nearest two minutes, which is entirely satisfactory.
  • the special embodiments defined by claim 2 have the advantage of allowing simple manufacture of the element carrying the other pole of the switch.
  • a sparing or a mask, when the insulating layer is formed on the disc, makes it possible, in fact, to leave this disc bare at the location of the conductive island.
  • the disc is itself conductive, it ensures the connection of the pole that it carries to the sound generator circuit, which avoids laborious welds and bulky wires.
  • the special embodiments defined by claim 5 are particularly suitable for wristwatches.
  • the switch according to the invention can be mounted without requiring any modification of this movement. It suffices, in fact, to weld the metal ring to the barrel wheel, to separately manufacture the disc and the indicator needle which it carries, then to add them to the said movement.
  • any existing standard movement can even be used.
  • the disc carrying one of the poles of the switch replaces in this case at least the central part of the usual dial plate, this switch does not cause any additional thickness of the watch.
  • the insulating anodic oxidation formed on the back of the disc can be extended at the same time to the obverse, where it gives a standard appearance to the visible face of the timepiece.
  • the module shown in FIG. 1 comprises a standard quartz watch movement 1, that is to say a movement for a conventional watch, without additional device.
  • This movement can be round or shaped. It is fixed in a frame 2 of injected synthetic material, which has a housing 3 of shape corresponding to that of the movement 1.
  • the outer edge 4 of the frame 2 is circular cylindrical.
  • the module shown comprises a disc 5, perpendicular to the axis of the hands (not shown) of the watch and which is rotatably mounted around this axis .
  • These needles are carried by the barrels, 6, of an hour wheel, and 7, of a minute wheel of the movement 1.
  • the disc 5 can be rotated by means of a toothing 8 which it has at its periphery and which is engaged with a transmission wheel 9, itself mounted on a control rod 10.
  • the wheel 9 is housed in a slot 11 which crosses the frame 2 and whose length is slightly greater than the diameter of the wheel 9, so that it can rotate freely while being held in a substantially fixed axial position.
  • the rod 10 As for the rod 10, it is rotatably mounted in a radial bore 12 of the frame 5. It is axially movable between two positions. In one of these, a square section portion of the rod 10 is located inside an opening in the shape of the wheel 9 so as to drive the latter in rotation with it, while in its other axial position, the rod 10 is disengaged from the wheel 9. The rod 10 thus makes it possible to adjust the angular position of the disc 5 at will.
  • This disc 5 is made of aluminum. Its faces are subjected to anodic oxidation. The obverse of the disc 5 can thus be entirely colored and have the same appearance as certain conventional dial plates. As this oxidation forms an electrically insulating layer on the surface of the disc, savings are provided on the reverse of this disc to take advantage of the conductivity of aluminum.
  • One of them has the shape of a circular crown (not shown) and it extends in the area of the disc 5 which passes over a spring 13 when the disc 5 rotates around its axis. The spring 13 acts as a brush; it brings to the disc 5 the current from one of the poles of the battery actuating the movement 1.
  • Another saving provided in a place described below on the reverse of the disc 5, forms a conductive island (not shown), which constitutes one of the contact poles of a switch.
  • a first ring 14, fixed to the frame 2 brings the current to the brush spring and a second ring 15, also fixed to the frame 2, carries the hourly graduation and retains the disc 5 axially in place. If the obverse of the latter is not electrically insulated and if the ring 15 is conductive, an insulating lining (not shown) is inserted between these two parts.
  • An index (not shown) is transferred or applied to the obverse of the disc 5. It acts as a pointer indicating the time at which the sound generator is triggered.
  • the module shown also comprises a tube 16, for sealing the passage of the rod 10.
  • This tube passes through the wall of a housing (not shown), in which the module is intended to be housed and a conventional waterproof crown (not shown) is fixed to the end of the rod 10.
  • the second contact pole of the switch mentioned above is located on the part shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
  • This part results from a metal ring a few hundredths of a millimeter thick, in which a peripheral cutout 17 has been made so as to form an arm 18.
  • a folding 19 is formed at the root of this arm, so that the latter extends out of the plane of the body 20 along a helical surface.
  • the end of the arm 18 is rounded and folded in a direction opposite to the body 20 so as to form a spout 21, which constitutes the movable pole of said switch.
  • the body 20 of the part of FIGS. 3 and 4 is fixed on the hour wheel 22, fitted with the barrel 6, as shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in this figure, the spout 21 presses against the back of the disc 5. When the module is assembled, the difference between the spout 21 and the body 20 is approximately one third of that in the rest state of the arm 18.
  • the material of the part of FIGS. 3 and 4 is chosen so that this deformation of the arm 18 is perfectly elastic. It follows that the arm 18 presses its beak 21 with a determined force against the disc 5.
  • the contact pole of the switch 5, 18, carried by the disc 5 is stationary.
  • the end of the arm 18 therefore moves over an area in the form of a circular crown of the disc 5.
  • this spout 21 When the wheel 22 has brought the spout 21 into the angular position which corresponds to the time indicated by the index appearing on the obverse of the disc 5, this spout is located on the island on the reverse of the disc 5 where the metal of the latter was left bare by sparing, during the anodic oxidation of this face of the disc 5.
  • the contact between the spout 21 and this island closes a circuit between one of the poles of the battery actuating the movement 1, which is connected to the mass of this movement, and the other pole of this battery, which is connected to the disc 5 by the ring 14 and the brush spring 13, both isolated from the mass of the movement 1 by the frame 2.
  • any known sound generator can be associated with the closed circuit by the switch 5, 18.
  • a sound generator such as the current pulse, which occurs when the spout 21 comes into contact with the conductive island of the disc 5, is sufficient to bring the sound generator into action.
  • the sound itself is produced by a piezoelectric plate which can be fixed to the bottom of the case containing the module described or to a membrane located in this case or to the glass of the watch, for example.
  • This sound can be produced by a vibration at a determined frequency, continuous or interrupted periodically; it can also constitute a melody or emit a sentence such as the reminder of an appointment, one hour starting point, that of drug absorption, etc. All of these types of sound generators are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the sound generator control circuit includes yet another switch (not shown), which the rod 10 opens, when it is brought into one of its two axial positions.
  • the user can thus interrupt the sound generator activated by the switch 5, 18 at his discretion.
  • An automatic interruption can also be provided after a few minutes of operation.
  • the energy absorbed by the sound generator does not significantly shorten its lifespan.
  • the disc 5 could also be made of a different metal, for example that usually used for dials. While the obverse of this disc would then be treated like the bottom of conventional dials, the reverse should be isolated by coating it for example with a layer of lacquer. The contact area of the brush spring 13 and the island cooperating with the spout 21 should then be spared. Metallic applications could also be deposited by vaporisa tion under vacuum over the insulating lacquer layer. These applications should, however, connect the island cooperating with the spout 21 to the area swept by the spring 13. In such an embodiment, it could however be necessary that the barrels of the hour and minute wheels be longer than usual, due to the thickness of the disc 5.
  • the disc carrying the island constituting one of the poles of the switch described replaces the dial. It could also be mounted under a conventional dial. A tube passing through the central opening of the dial would then be added to it and a needle would be engaged on this tube. In this case, the barrels 6 and 7 should be longer than in the example shown in the drawing.
  • the contact poles of the switch 5, 18 rotate coaxially with the hands of the watch; it suffices to provide them on a pair of coaxial rotary mobiles, one of which would rotate with the hour wheel and the other would be secured to the member indicating the time of entry into action of the sound generator.
  • the spout 21 constitutes the contact pole of the switch, which is movable with the hands of the watch; it could just as easily constitute its fixed, but adjustable, contact pole. It would then be the disc carrying the other contact pole of this switch which would be driven with the hands of the watch.
  • Fig 1 the use of the module shown in Fig 1 is not limited to wristwatches. It could just as easily enter, for example, the case of a miniature alarm clock or a pocket receiver to switch it on at a specific time.
  • the braking torque exerted on the wheel 22 by the friction of the spout 21 against the disc 5, although constant, is low enough not to risk stopping the watch.
  • This is due, on the one hand, to the flexibility of the arm 18, which works on bending in a direction parallel to the short sides of its section, and, on the other hand, to the fact that the contact point of the spout 21 is close to its axis of rotation, which reduces the lever arm of the force of friction of the spout 21 against the disc 5.
  • the spout 21 passes over the roughness that it can meet the along its path on disc 5, such as for example one or other of the edges of the island, in hollow or in relief, forming a contact pole on this disc, without increasing the braking torque exerted on the mobile which carries it, contrary to what happens in the case where this contact pole is carried by a radial arm, that the said roughness of the disc 5 would stress not only in a direction parallel to the short sides of the section of such an arm, but also in a direction parallel to the long sides of this section, suddenly and appreciably increasing the braking torque on the mobile that would carry it.
  • the configuration of the spout 21 also has the advantage of eliminating by scraping the oxidation which could form, for example, on the contact island of the disc 5.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

The operation at the desired time of the sound generator associated with the timepiece having a quartz watch movement is initiated by the closure of a switch. One contact pole of that switch is formed at the end of a helicoidal spring arm made integral with a plane thin washer fixed to the hour wheel of the watch movement. The other contact pole of the switch is formed on a disk coaxially rotatable around the movement axis and has the shape of a radial segment. That disc can manually be set in any angular position around the watch axis. The spring arm permanently presses its end against the disk. During the normal movement run, the spring arm end moves along an insulated area of the disk unit it comes in contact with the radial segment of the disk and closes the switch, thereby initiating the sound generator.

Description

Les fabricants de montres à quartz se sont efforcés d'en réduire la consommation, afin de prolonger autant que possible la durée de vie des piles. Ainsi, dans les mouvements fabriqués actuellement, le couple d'entraînement de l'aiguille des secondes est de l'ordre de trois micro- newtonmètres.The manufacturers of quartz watches have endeavored to reduce their consumption, in order to prolong the life of the batteries as much as possible. Thus, in the movements currently produced, the driving torque of the second hand is of the order of three micro-newtonmeters.

Pour équiper, par ailleurs, une montre d'un générateur de son destiné à entrer en action à une heure réglable, il faut lui adjoindre dans tous les cas un interrupteur entre un organe se déplaçant avec l'aiguille des heures et un autre organe solidarisé à l'indicateur de l'heure d'entrée en action du générateur de son. Quelques interrupteurs propres à cette fin sont connus. Dans celui qui est utilisé le plus fré- quemment, l'un des pôles de l'interrupteur se déplace concentriquement à l'axe des aiguilles de la montre. Il est situé à l'extrémité d'un bras élastique radial, qui le presse axialement contre la face plane d'un disque conducteur qui porte l'autre pôle de l'interrupteur. Cette face plane est isolée sauf le long d'un segment radial constituant le dit pôle de l'interrupteur et sur lequel l'extrémité du bras élastique arrive à l'heure à laquelle le générateur de son doit entrer en action.To equip, moreover, a watch with a sound generator intended to come into action at an adjustable time, it is necessary to add to it in all cases a switch between a member moving with the hour hand and another joined member the indicator of the time when the sound generator comes into action. Some specific switches for this purpose are known. In the one that is used most frequently, one of the poles of the switch moves concentrically with the axis of the watch hands. It is located at the end of a radial elastic arm, which presses it axially against the flat face of a conductive disc which carries the other pole of the switch. This flat face is insulated except along a radial segment constituting the said pole of the switch and on which the end of the elastic arm arrives at the time when the sound generator must come into action.

Afin d'équilibrer l'effort que la pression de l'extrémité du bras contre le disque conducteur engendre sur son point d'ancrage, ce bras est pourvu d'une queue qui appuie aussi contre ce disque, mais qui est un peu plus courte que le bras, afin de ne pas toucher le pôle porté par le disque.In order to balance the force that the pressure of the end of the arm against the conductive disc generates on its anchor point, this arm is provided with a tail which also presses against this disc, but which is a little shorter than the arm, so as not to touch the pole carried by the disc.

Un tel bras équilibré ne peut toutefois pas être monté dans l'un des mouvements de montre à quartz fabriqués actuellement, car le couple de frottement qu'il engendre est supérieur à celui qui assure l'entraînement des aiguilles; il arrêterait donc la montre.However, such a balanced arm cannot be mounted in one of the quartz watch movements currently produced, since the friction torque it generates is greater than that which drives the hands; so he would stop the watch.

On connaît toutefois aussi un interrupteur dans lequel le pôle se déplaçant concentriquement aux aiguilles de la montre est porté par un bras en arc de cercle, qui presse ce pôle radialement contre la tranche cylindrique d'une collerette en matière isolante, cette dernière étant montée sur un tube conducteur portant un nez affleurant la périphérie de la collerette afin de constituer l'autre pôle de l'interrupteur (CH-B-495'006) .However, a switch is also known in which the pole moving concentrically with the hands of the watch is carried by an arm in an arc of a circle, which presses this pole radially against the cylindrical edge of a flange of insulating material, the latter being mounted on a conductive tube carrying a nose flush with the periphery of the collar in order to constitute the other pole of the switch (CH-B-495'006).

Bien que dans ce cas le point de frottement du pôle porté par le bras contre la dite collerette, unique, soit plus rapproché de l'axe de rotation, de sorte que le bras de levier de cette force de frottement engendrant le couple de freinage soit plus court que dans le cas d'un bras radial, ce couple est encore trop important pour les mouvements de montres à quartz fabriqués actuellement, car ce bras en arc de cercle est très rigide. Il est, en effet, obtenu par découpage d'une feuille mince et travaille ainsi à la flexion dans un plan parallèle au grand côté de sa section. Un déplacement radial minime de l'extrémité libre de ce bras à partir de sa position de repos produit donc une force de rappel importante. Vu les tolérances de fabrication, il n'est pas possible de fabriquer un tel interrupteur en série de façon à garantir une pression suffisante lors de la fermeture de l'interrupteur et en même temps à tout moment un couple de frottement nettement inférieur à celui qui assure l'entraînement des aiguilles.Although in this case the point of friction of the pole carried by the arm against the said collar, single, is closer to the axis of rotation, so that the lever arm of this friction force generating the braking torque is shorter than in the case of a radial arm, this torque is still too great for the movements of quartz watches currently manufactured, because this arm in an arc of a circle is very rigid. It is, in fact, obtained by cutting a thin sheet and thus works on bending in a plane parallel to the long side of its section. A minimal radial displacement of the free end of this arm from its rest position therefore produces a significant restoring force. Given the manufacturing tolerances, it is not possible to manufacture such a switch in series so as to guarantee sufficient pressure when the switch is closed and at the same time at any time a friction torque significantly lower than that which drives the needles.

Il serait possible d'assouplir ce bras en arc de cercle en le conformant à l'instar des spiraux d'horlogerie, c'est-à-dire en le disposant de façon que le long côté de sa section rectangulaire soit parallèle à l'axe de rotation des aiguilles. Le montage d'un tel bras renchérirait cependant le coût de l'interrupteur dans une mesure excessive.It would be possible to soften this arm in an arc by conforming it like clockwork hairsprings, that is to say by arranging it so that the long side of its rectangular section is parallel to the axis of rotation of the needles. The mounting of such an arm would however increase the cost of the switch to an excessive extent.

L'invention vise en premier lieu à permettre d'équiper une pièce d'horlogerie avec mouvement de montre à quartz et générateur de son à commande électrique d'un interrupteur aussi sûr que compatible avec la puissance à disposition dans les montres de ce genre, qui sont fabriquées actuellement.The invention aims firstly to enable a timepiece with quartz watch movement and electrically controlled sound generator to be fitted with a switch as safe as compatible with the power available in watches of this kind, who are manufactured currently.

Dans l'interrupteur qui équipe la pièce d'horlogerie définie par la revendication 1, le contact qui fait entrer le générateur de son en action se ferme par pression axiale. La forme hélicoïdale est facile à donner au bras portant l'un des pôles de l'interrupteur. Un simple pliage d'une lame mince et relativement large, initialement plane, opéré au voisinage de son point d'ancrage, suffit pour cela. Maintenir un frottement continu, lorsqu'on cherche précisément à réduire la charge de la source de courant, paraît paradoxal. Pourtant, en raison de sa forme, ce bras permet de régler l'intensité de la pression que son extrémité exerce contre la couronne circulaire plane, de façon à garantir un bon contact lors de la fermeture de l'interrupteur, sans risquer de produire un couple de freinage compromettant la marche de la montre, car un déplacement axial relativement important de l'extrémité de ce bras n'entraîne qu'une faible variation de cette pression, puisque ce bras travaille à la flexion dans le sens de son épaisseur. Les tolérances de fabrication n'ont donc pratiquement pas d'influence sur les conditions de fonctionnement de la montre. La forme hélicoïdale de ce bras a aussi l'avantage que le point de frottement entre son extrémité et la couronne circulaire plane est relativement proche de l'axe de rotation des pôles de contact de l'interrupteur. Le bras de levier de la force de frottement, qui engendre le couple de freinage est donc relativement court. Cela n'affecte cependant pas la précision du réglage de l'heure à laquelle le générateur de son doit entrer en action. L'expérience a montré, en effet, que cette heure pouvait être réglée aisément à deux minutes près, ce qui est tout à fait satisfaisant.In the switch which equips the timepiece defined by claim 1, the contact which brings the sound generator into action closes by axial pressure. The helical shape is easy to give to the arm carrying one of the poles of the switch. A simple folding of a thin and relatively wide blade, initially planar, operated in the vicinity of its anchor point, is sufficient for this. Maintaining continuous friction, when precisely trying to reduce the load on the current source, seems paradoxical. However, due to its shape, this arm makes it possible to adjust the intensity of the pressure that its end exerts against the flat circular crown, so as to guarantee good contact when the switch is closed, without risking producing a braking torque compromising the running of the watch, since a relatively large axial displacement of the end of this arm only causes a slight variation in this pressure, since this arm works in bending in the direction of its thickness. The manufacturing tolerances therefore have practically no influence on the operating conditions of the watch. The helical shape of this arm also has the advantage that the point of friction between its end and the flat circular ring is relatively close to the axis of rotation of the contact poles of the switch. The lever arm of the friction force, which generates the braking torque is therefore relatively short. However, this does not affect the precision of the setting of the time at which the sound generator should come into operation. Experience has shown, in fact, that this time can be easily adjusted to the nearest two minutes, which is entirely satisfactory.

Les formes spéciales d'exécution définies par la revendication 2 ont l'avantage de permettre une fabrication simple de l'élément portant l'autre pôle de l'interrupteur. Une épargne ou un masque, lorsque la couche isolante est formée sur le disque, permet, en effet, de laisser ce disque à nu à l'endroit de l'îlot conducteur. Comme le disque est lui-même conducteur, il assure la connexion du pôle qu'il porte au circuit du générateur de son, ce qui évite des soudures laborieuses et des fils encombrants.The special embodiments defined by claim 2 have the advantage of allowing simple manufacture of the element carrying the other pole of the switch. A sparing or a mask, when the insulating layer is formed on the disc, makes it possible, in fact, to leave this disc bare at the location of the conductive island. As the disc is itself conductive, it ensures the connection of the pole that it carries to the sound generator circuit, which avoids laborious welds and bulky wires.

Celles définies par la revendication 3 ont l'avantage de faciliter l'intégration du disque au circuit du générateur de son. Le frottement du balai ne charge pas le mouvement de la montre, puisque c'est le bras élastique hélicoïdal qui tourne avec les aiguilles de la montre; il n'agit que sur les organes de réglage de l'heure à laquelle le générateur de son doit entrer en action, c'est-à-dire là où son influence n'est nullement sensible.Those defined by claim 3 have the advantage of facilitating the integration of the disc into the sound generator circuit. The friction of the broom does not load the movement of the watch, since it is the arm helical elastic which turns with the hands of the watch; it acts only on the organs for adjusting the time at which the sound generator must come into action, that is to say where its influence is in no way sensitive.

Quant à celles définies par la revendication 4, elles permettent de fabriquer le bras élastique hélicoïdal et son support simplement par découpage et pliage.As for those defined by claim 4, they make it possible to manufacture the helical elastic arm and its support simply by cutting and folding.

Les formes spéciales d'exécution définies par la revendication 5 conviennent en particulier aux montres-bracelets. En utilisant un mouvement dont les tubes portant les aiguilles sont longs, l'interrupteur selon l'invention peut être monté sans nécessiter une modification quelconque de ce mouvement. Il suffit, en effet, de souder l'anneau métallique à la roue à canon, de fabriquer séparément le disque et l'aiguille indicatrice qu'il porte, puis de les ajouter au dit mouvement.The special embodiments defined by claim 5 are particularly suitable for wristwatches. By using a movement whose tubes carrying the needles are long, the switch according to the invention can be mounted without requiring any modification of this movement. It suffices, in fact, to weld the metal ring to the barrel wheel, to separately manufacture the disc and the indicator needle which it carries, then to add them to the said movement.

Pour réaliser celles définies par la revendication 6, n'importe quel mouvement standard existant peut même être utilisé. Comme le disque portant l'un des pôles de l'interrupteur se substitue dans ce cas au moins à la partie centrale de la plaque usuelle de cadran, cet interrupteur n'entraîne aucun surcroît d'épaisseur de la montre.To achieve those defined by claim 6, any existing standard movement can even be used. As the disc carrying one of the poles of the switch replaces in this case at least the central part of the usual dial plate, this switch does not cause any additional thickness of the watch.

Celles, enfin, qui sont définies par la revendication 7, permettent une simplification sensible. L'oxydation anodique isolante formée au revers du disque peut être étendue du même coup à l'avers, où elle confère un aspect standard à la face visible de la pièce d'horlogerie.Those, finally, which are defined by claim 7, allow a significant simplification. The insulating anodic oxidation formed on the back of the disc can be extended at the same time to the obverse, where it gives a standard appearance to the visible face of the timepiece.

Une forme d'exécution de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention est représentée schématiquement et à simple titre d'exemple non limitatif au dessin, dans lequel:

  • la Fig. 1 est une coupe diamétrale d'un module comprenant un mouvement de montre à quartz et un générateur de son, ce module étant prêt à être monté dans le boîtier de différentes pièces d'horlogerie;
  • la Fig. 2 est une vue à plus grande échelle de quelques éléments de la Fig. 1;
  • la Fig. 3 est une vue en plan d'un élément de la Fig. 2, et
  • la Fig. 4 est une coupe diamétrale de l'élément de la Fig. 3.
An embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention is shown diagrammatically and simply by way of non-limiting example in the drawing, in which:
  • Fig. 1 is a diametrical section of a module comprising a quartz watch movement and a sound generator, this module being ready to be mounted in the case of different timepieces;
  • Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of some elements of FIG. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of an element of FIG. 2, and
  • Fig. 4 is a diametrical section of the element of FIG. 3.

Le module représenté à la Fig. 1 comprend un mouvement de montre à quartz standard l, c'est-à-dire un mouvement pour montre conventionnelle, sans dispositif additionnel. Ce mouvement peut être rond ou de forme. Il est fixé dans un cadre 2 en matière synthétique injectée, qui présente un logement 3 de forme correspondant à celle du mouvement 1. La tranche extérieure 4 du cadre 2 est cylindrique circulaire.The module shown in FIG. 1 comprises a standard quartz watch movement 1, that is to say a movement for a conventional watch, without additional device. This movement can be round or shaped. It is fixed in a frame 2 of injected synthetic material, which has a housing 3 of shape corresponding to that of the movement 1. The outer edge 4 of the frame 2 is circular cylindrical.

En lieu et place d'une plaque de cadran fixée au mouvement 1 ou au cadre 2, le module représenté comprend un disque 5, perpendiculaire à l'axe des aiguilles (non représentées) de la montre et qui est monté rotativement autour de cet axe. Ces aiguilles sont portées par les canons, 6, d'une roue des heures, et 7, d'une roue des minutes du mouvement 1. Le disque 5 peut être mû rotativement grâce à une denture 8 qu'il présente à sa périphérie et qui est en prise avec une roue de transmission 9, elle-même montée sur une tige de commande 10. La roue 9 est logée dans une fente 11 qui traverse le cadre 2 et dont la longueur est légèrement supérieure au diamètre de la roue 9, de façon que celle-ci puisse tourner librement tout en étant tenue dans une position axiale pratiquement fixe. Quant à la tige 10, elle est montée rotativement dans une forure radiale 12 du cadre 5. Elle est mobile axialement entre deux positions. Dans l'une de celles-ci, une portion de section carrée de la tige 10 se trouve à l'intérieur d'une ouverture de forme de la roue 9 de façon à entraîner cette dernière en rotation avec elle, tandis que dans son autre position axiale, la tige 10 est débrayée de la roue 9. La tige 10 permet ainsi de régler la position angulaire du disque 5 à volonté.In place of a dial plate fixed to movement 1 or to frame 2, the module shown comprises a disc 5, perpendicular to the axis of the hands (not shown) of the watch and which is rotatably mounted around this axis . These needles are carried by the barrels, 6, of an hour wheel, and 7, of a minute wheel of the movement 1. The disc 5 can be rotated by means of a toothing 8 which it has at its periphery and which is engaged with a transmission wheel 9, itself mounted on a control rod 10. The wheel 9 is housed in a slot 11 which crosses the frame 2 and whose length is slightly greater than the diameter of the wheel 9, so that it can rotate freely while being held in a substantially fixed axial position. As for the rod 10, it is rotatably mounted in a radial bore 12 of the frame 5. It is axially movable between two positions. In one of these, a square section portion of the rod 10 is located inside an opening in the shape of the wheel 9 so as to drive the latter in rotation with it, while in its other axial position, the rod 10 is disengaged from the wheel 9. The rod 10 thus makes it possible to adjust the angular position of the disc 5 at will.

Le mécanisme d'entraînement en rotation du disque 5 fait l'objet de la demande de brevet suisse N° ....... (déposée le même jour que la présente demande, au nom du même requérant et intitulée comme celle-ci)The drive mechanism for rotating the disc 5 is the subject of Swiss patent application N ° ....... (filed on the same day as this application, in the name of the same applicant and entitled like this )

Ce disque 5 est fait en aluminium. Ses faces sont soumises à une oxydation anodique. L'avers du disque 5 peut ainsi être coloré entièrement et avoir la même apparence que certaines plaques de cadrans conventionnels. Comme cette oxydation forme une couche isolante électriquement à la surface du disque, des épargnes sont prévues au revers de ce disque pour profiter de la conductibilité de l'aluminium. L'une d'elles a la forme d'une couronne circulaire (non représentée) et elle s'étend dans la zone du disque 5 qui passe sur un ressort 13 quand le disque 5 tourne autour de son axe. Le ressort 13 fait office de balai; il amène au disque 5 le courant de l'un des pôles de la pile actionnant le mouvement 1. Une autre épargne, prévue en un endroit décrit ci-après du revers du disque 5, forme un îlot conducteur (non représenté), qui constitue l'un des pôles de contact d'un interrupteur. Un premier anneau 14, fixé au cadre 2, amène le courant au ressort-balai et un second anneau 15, également fixé au cadre 2, porte la graduation horaire et retient le disque 5 axialement en place. Si l'avers de ce dernier n'est pas isolé électriquement et si l'anneau 15 est conducteur, une garniture isolante (non représentée) est insérée entre ces deux pièces. Un index (non représenté) est décalqué ou appliqué à l'avers du disque 5. Il tient lieu d'aiguille indicatrice de l'heure de déclenchement du générateur de son.This disc 5 is made of aluminum. Its faces are subjected to anodic oxidation. The obverse of the disc 5 can thus be entirely colored and have the same appearance as certain conventional dial plates. As this oxidation forms an electrically insulating layer on the surface of the disc, savings are provided on the reverse of this disc to take advantage of the conductivity of aluminum. One of them has the shape of a circular crown (not shown) and it extends in the area of the disc 5 which passes over a spring 13 when the disc 5 rotates around its axis. The spring 13 acts as a brush; it brings to the disc 5 the current from one of the poles of the battery actuating the movement 1. Another saving, provided in a place described below on the reverse of the disc 5, forms a conductive island (not shown), which constitutes one of the contact poles of a switch. A first ring 14, fixed to the frame 2, brings the current to the brush spring and a second ring 15, also fixed to the frame 2, carries the hourly graduation and retains the disc 5 axially in place. If the obverse of the latter is not electrically insulated and if the ring 15 is conductive, an insulating lining (not shown) is inserted between these two parts. An index (not shown) is transferred or applied to the obverse of the disc 5. It acts as a pointer indicating the time at which the sound generator is triggered.

Le module représenté comprend encore un tube 16, pour assurer l'étanchéité du passage de la tige 10. Ce tube traverse la paroi d'un boîtier (non représenté), dans lequel le module est destiné à être logé et une couronne étanche usuelle (non représentée) est fixée à l'extrémité de la tige 10.The module shown also comprises a tube 16, for sealing the passage of the rod 10. This tube passes through the wall of a housing (not shown), in which the module is intended to be housed and a conventional waterproof crown ( not shown) is fixed to the end of the rod 10.

Le second pôle de contact de l'interrupteur mentionné ci-dessus se trouve sur la pièce représentée aux Fig. 3 et 4. Cette pièce résulte d'un anneau métallique de quelques centièmes de millimètres d'épaisseur, dans lequel une découpure périphérique 17 a été pratiquée de façon à former un bras 18. Un pliage 19 est formé à la racine de ce bras, de sorte que ce dernier s'étend hors du plan du corps 20 selon une surface hélicoïdale. L'extrémité du bras 18 est arrondie et repliée dans un sens opposé au corps 20 de façon à former un bec 21, qui constitue le pôle mobile du dit interrupteur.The second contact pole of the switch mentioned above is located on the part shown in Figs. 3 and 4. This part results from a metal ring a few hundredths of a millimeter thick, in which a peripheral cutout 17 has been made so as to form an arm 18. A folding 19 is formed at the root of this arm, so that the latter extends out of the plane of the body 20 along a helical surface. The end of the arm 18 is rounded and folded in a direction opposite to the body 20 so as to form a spout 21, which constitutes the movable pole of said switch.

Le corps 20 de la pièce des Fig. 3 et 4 est fixé sur la roue des heures 22, munie du canon 6, comme le montre la Fig. 2. Comme on le voit dans cette figure, le bec 21 appuie contre le revers du disque 5. Lorsque le module est assemblé, l'écart entre le bec 21 et le corps 20 est environ le tiers de celui à l'état de repos du bras 18. Le matériel de la pièce des Fig. 3 et 4 est choisi de façon que cette déformation du bras 18 soit parfaitement élastique. Il s'ensuit que le bras 18 presse son bec 21 avec une force déterminée contre le disque 5. Même si la distance entre ce dernier et la roue 22 n'est pas rigousement la même en chaque point du chemin que la roue 22 fait parcourir au bec 21 sur le disque 5, à cause des tolérances de fabrication, la faible variation de la déformation du bras 18 qui en résulte ne produit que des variations négligeables de la force d'appui du bec 21 contre le disque 5, vu la souplesse de ce bras dans une direction parallèle à l'axe de la montre. La force d'appui du bec 21 contre le disque 5 est donc pratiquement constante.The body 20 of the part of FIGS. 3 and 4 is fixed on the hour wheel 22, fitted with the barrel 6, as shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in this figure, the spout 21 presses against the back of the disc 5. When the module is assembled, the difference between the spout 21 and the body 20 is approximately one third of that in the rest state of the arm 18. The material of the part of FIGS. 3 and 4 is chosen so that this deformation of the arm 18 is perfectly elastic. It follows that the arm 18 presses its beak 21 with a determined force against the disc 5. Even if the distance between the latter and the wheel 22 is not strictly the same at each point of the path that the wheel 22 makes beak 21 travel on the disc 5, because of the manufacturing tolerances, the small variation in the deformation of the arm 18 which results therefrom produces only negligible variations in the force of support of the spout 21 against the disc 5, given the flexibility of this arm in a direction parallel to the axis of the watch. The bearing force of the spout 21 against the disc 5 is therefore practically constant.

Hormis les périodes de réglage de l'heure d'entrée en action du générateur de son, le pôle de contact de l'interrupteur 5, 18, porté par le disque 5, est immobile. Pendant la marche de la montre, l'extrémité du bras 18 se déplace donc sur une zone en forme de couronne circulaire du disque 5. Or, c'est précisément dans cette zone que se trouve l'îlot conducteur constituant le pôle immobile de l'interrupteur 5, 18.Except for the periods for adjusting the time of entry of the sound generator into action, the contact pole of the switch 5, 18, carried by the disc 5, is stationary. During the running of the watch, the end of the arm 18 therefore moves over an area in the form of a circular crown of the disc 5. However, it is precisely in this area that the conductive island constituting the stationary pole of the 'switch 5, 18.

Lorsque la roue 22 a amené le bec 21 dans la position angulaire qui correspond à l'heure indiquée par l'index figurant à l'avers du disque 5, ce bec se trouve sur l'îlot du revers du disque 5 où le métal de ce dernier est resté à nu par épargne, lors de l'oxydation anodique de cette face du disque 5. Le contact entre le bec 21 et cet îlot ferme un circuit entre l'un des pôles de la batterie actionnant le mouvement 1, qui est connecté à la masse de ce mouvement, et l'autre pôle de cette batterie, qui est connecté au disque 5 par l'anneau 14 et le ressort-balai 13, tous deux isolés de la masse du mouvement 1 par le cadre 2.When the wheel 22 has brought the spout 21 into the angular position which corresponds to the time indicated by the index appearing on the obverse of the disc 5, this spout is located on the island on the reverse of the disc 5 where the metal of the latter was left bare by sparing, during the anodic oxidation of this face of the disc 5. The contact between the spout 21 and this island closes a circuit between one of the poles of the battery actuating the movement 1, which is connected to the mass of this movement, and the other pole of this battery, which is connected to the disc 5 by the ring 14 and the brush spring 13, both isolated from the mass of the movement 1 by the frame 2.

N'importe quel générateur de son connu peut être associé au circuit fermé par l'interrupteur 5, 18. Pour éviter des durées de fonctionnement, qui pourraient varier de façon importante d'une pièce à l'autre d'une même série de fabrication, on utilisera avantageusement un générateur de son tel que l'impulsion de courant, qui se produit lorsque le bec 21 entre en contact avec l'îlot conducteur du disque 5, suffise à faire entrer le générateur de son en action. De préférence, le son lui-même est produit par une plaquette piézo-électrique qui peut être fixée au fond du boîtier contenant le module décrit ou à une membrane située dans ce boîtier ou encore au verre de la montre, par exemple. Ce son peut être produit par une vibration à une fréquence déterminée, continue ou interrompue périodiquement; il peut aussi constituer une mélodie ou émettre une phrase telle que le rappel d'un rendez-vous, d'une heure de départ, de celle d'absorption d'un médicament, etc. Tous ces types de générateurs de son sont bien connus des hommes de métier.Any known sound generator can be associated with the closed circuit by the switch 5, 18. To avoid operating times, which could vary significantly from one part to another in the same production series , it is advantageous to use a sound generator such as the current pulse, which occurs when the spout 21 comes into contact with the conductive island of the disc 5, is sufficient to bring the sound generator into action. Preferably, the sound itself is produced by a piezoelectric plate which can be fixed to the bottom of the case containing the module described or to a membrane located in this case or to the glass of the watch, for example. This sound can be produced by a vibration at a determined frequency, continuous or interrupted periodically; it can also constitute a melody or emit a sentence such as the reminder of an appointment, one hour starting point, that of drug absorption, etc. All of these types of sound generators are well known to those skilled in the art.

Hormis l'interrupteur 5, 18 et la source de courant, qui est celle du mouvement 1, tous les organes qui commandent la plaquette piézo-électrique sont étrangers au mouvement 1. Les éléments de circuit du générateur de son, bien connus des hommes de métier, sont montés dans des logements du cadre 2. Le générateur de son peut donc être fabriqué pour soi sur le cadre 2. N'importe quel mouvement de montre à quartz peut en être équipé sans devoir modifier les cotes d'aucune de ses pièces, en le logeant simplement dans le cadre 2 et en fixant le corps 20 à la roue 22. Ce corps et son bras 18 prennent place dans l'espace que le disque 5, plus mince que les cadrans usuels, laisse libre au-dessus de la roue 22, qui est noyée dans le mouvement 1.Apart from the switch 5, 18 and the current source, which is that of movement 1, all the organs which control the piezoelectric plate are foreign to movement 1. The circuit elements of the sound generator, well known to those skilled in the art loom, are mounted in housings in frame 2. The sound generator can therefore be made for oneself on frame 2. Any quartz watch movement can be fitted without having to change the dimensions of any of its parts , by simply housing it in frame 2 and fixing the body 20 to the wheel 22. This body and its arm 18 take place in the space that the disc 5, thinner than the usual dials, leaves free above the wheel 22, which is embedded in movement 1.

Le circuit de commande du générateur de son comprend encore un autre interrupteur (non représenté), que la tige 10 ouvre, lorsqu'elle est amenée dans l'une de ses deux positions axiales. L'utilisateur peut ainsi interrompre à son gré le générateur de son mis en action par l'interrupteur 5, 18. Une interruption automatique après quelques minutes de fonctionnement peut aussi être prévue. En laissant par ailleurs la tige 10 en position d'ouverture de l'interrupteur qu'elle commande, l'utilisateur peut aussi empêcher le générateur de son d'entrer en action lorsque l'interrupteur 5, 18 se ferme.The sound generator control circuit includes yet another switch (not shown), which the rod 10 opens, when it is brought into one of its two axial positions. The user can thus interrupt the sound generator activated by the switch 5, 18 at his discretion. An automatic interruption can also be provided after a few minutes of operation. By also leaving the rod 10 in the open position of the switch which it controls, the user can also prevent the sound generator from coming into action when the switch 5, 18 closes.

Les générateurs de son actuellement à disposition consomment si peu d'énergie qu'il n'est pas nécessaire de les alimenter à l'aide d'une source de courant indépendante; celle du mouvement 1 suffit. L'énergie absorbée par le générateur de son n'en réduit pas notablement la durée de vie.The sound generators currently available consume so little energy that it is not necessary to supply them with an independent current source; that of movement 1 is sufficient. The energy absorbed by the sound generator does not significantly shorten its lifespan.

Pour donner à la face visible de la montre un autre aspect que celui de l'aluminium oxydé anodiquement, le disque 5 pourrait aussi être fait en un métal différent, par exemple celui utilisé habituellement pour les cadrans. Tandis que l'avers de ce disque serait alors traité comme le fond des cadrans conventionnels, le revers devrait être isolé en l'enduisant par exemple d'une couche de laque. La zone de contact du ressort-balai 13 et l'îlot coopérant avec le bec 21 devrait alors être épargnés. Des applications métalliques pourraient aussi être déposées par vaporisation sous vide par dessus la couche de laque isolante. Ces applications devraient toutefois relier l'îlot coopérant avec le bec 21 à la zone balayée par le ressort 13. Dans une telle exécution, il pourrait cependant être nécessaire que les canons des roues des heures et des minutes soient plus longs que d'habitude, en raison de l'épaisseur du disque 5.To give the visible face of the watch another aspect than that of anodically oxidized aluminum, the disc 5 could also be made of a different metal, for example that usually used for dials. While the obverse of this disc would then be treated like the bottom of conventional dials, the reverse should be isolated by coating it for example with a layer of lacquer. The contact area of the brush spring 13 and the island cooperating with the spout 21 should then be spared. Metallic applications could also be deposited by vaporisa tion under vacuum over the insulating lacquer layer. These applications should, however, connect the island cooperating with the spout 21 to the area swept by the spring 13. In such an embodiment, it could however be necessary that the barrels of the hour and minute wheels be longer than usual, due to the thickness of the disc 5.

Il n'est pas indispensable que le disque portant l'îlot constituant l'un des pôles de l'interrupteur décrit se substitue au cadran. Il pourrait aussi être monté sous un cadran conventionnel. Un tube traversant l'ouverture centrale du cadran lui serait alors adjoint et une aiguille serait engagée sur ce tube. Dans ce cas, les canons 6 et 7 devraient être plus longs que dans l'exemple représenté au dessin.It is not essential that the disc carrying the island constituting one of the poles of the switch described replaces the dial. It could also be mounted under a conventional dial. A tube passing through the central opening of the dial would then be added to it and a needle would be engaged on this tube. In this case, the barrels 6 and 7 should be longer than in the example shown in the drawing.

Il n'est pas non plus indispensable que les pôles de contact de l'interrupteur 5, 18 tournent coaxialement aux aiguilles de la montre; il suffit de les prévoir sur une paire de mobiles rotatifs coaxiaux, dont l'un tournerait avec la roue des heures et l'autre serait solidarisé à l'organe indiquant l'heure d'entrée en action du générateur de son. Il n'est pas davantage indispensable que le bec 21 constitue le pôle de contact de l'interrupteur, qui est mobile avec les aiguilles de la montre; il pourrait tout aussi bien en constituer le pôle de contact fixe, mais réglable. Ce serait alors le disque portant l'autre pôle de contact de cet interrupteur qui serait entraîné avec les aiguilles de la montre.It is also not essential that the contact poles of the switch 5, 18 rotate coaxially with the hands of the watch; it suffices to provide them on a pair of coaxial rotary mobiles, one of which would rotate with the hour wheel and the other would be secured to the member indicating the time of entry into action of the sound generator. It is no more essential that the spout 21 constitutes the contact pole of the switch, which is movable with the hands of the watch; it could just as easily constitute its fixed, but adjustable, contact pole. It would then be the disc carrying the other contact pole of this switch which would be driven with the hands of the watch.

Enfin, l'utilisation du module représenté à la Fig 1 n'est pas limitée aux montres-bracelets. Il pourrait tout aussi bien entrer par exemple dans le boîtier d'un réveil miniature ou dans un appareil récepteur de poche pour l'enclencher à une heure déterminée.Finally, the use of the module shown in Fig 1 is not limited to wristwatches. It could just as easily enter, for example, the case of a miniature alarm clock or a pocket receiver to switch it on at a specific time.

Dans tous ces cas, le couple de freinage exercé sur la roue 22 par le frottement du bec 21 contre le disque 5, bien que constant, est assez faible pour ne pas risquer d'arrêter la montre. Cela est dû, d'une part, à la souplesse du bras 18, qui travaille à la flexion dans une direction parallèle aux petits côtés de sa section, et, d'autre part, au fait que le point de contact du bec 21 est rapproché de son axe de rotation, ce qui réduit le bras de levier de la force de frottement du bec 21 contre le disque 5. Vu la forme en hélice du bras 18, son bec 21 passe par dessus les aspérités qu'il peut rencontrer le long de son chemin sur le disque 5, comme par exemple l'un ou l'autre des bords de l'îlot, en creux ou en relief, formant pôle de contact sur ce disque, sans accroître le couple de freinage exercé sur le mobile qui le porte, contrairement à ce qui se passe dans le cas où ce pôle de contact est porté par un bras radial, que les dites aspérités du disque 5 solliciteraient non seulement dans une direction parallèle aux petits côtés de la section d'un tel bras, mais aussi dans une direction parallèle aux longs côtés de cette section, en augmentant brusquement et de façon sensible le couple de freinage sur le mobile qui le porterait. La configuration du bec 21 a aussi l'avantage d'éliminer par grattage les oxydations qui pourraient se former par exemple sur l'îlot de contact du disque 5.In all these cases, the braking torque exerted on the wheel 22 by the friction of the spout 21 against the disc 5, although constant, is low enough not to risk stopping the watch. This is due, on the one hand, to the flexibility of the arm 18, which works on bending in a direction parallel to the short sides of its section, and, on the other hand, to the fact that the contact point of the spout 21 is close to its axis of rotation, which reduces the lever arm of the force of friction of the spout 21 against the disc 5. Given the helical shape of the arm 18, its spout 21 passes over the roughness that it can meet the along its path on disc 5, such as for example one or other of the edges of the island, in hollow or in relief, forming a contact pole on this disc, without increasing the braking torque exerted on the mobile which carries it, contrary to what happens in the case where this contact pole is carried by a radial arm, that the said roughness of the disc 5 would stress not only in a direction parallel to the short sides of the section of such an arm, but also in a direction parallel to the long sides of this section, suddenly and appreciably increasing the braking torque on the mobile that would carry it. The configuration of the spout 21 also has the advantage of eliminating by scraping the oxidation which could form, for example, on the contact island of the disc 5.

Claims (7)

1. Pièce d'horlogerie avec mouvement de montre à quartz et générateur de son à commande électrique, dans laquelle le circuit électrique actionnant le générateur de son à une heure réglable à volonté se ferme par un interrupteur dont l'un des pôles de contact, mobile, est entraîné en rotation en même temps que l'aiguille des heures de la montre, et dont l'autre pôle de contact, immobile, mais réglable rotativement et coaxialement au pôle de contact mobile, est solidarisé à l'organe indiquant l'heure d'entrée en action du générateur de son,
caractérisée - en ce que l'un des deux pôles de contact de l'interrupteur (5, 18) est constitué par un îlot conducteur aménagé dans une couronne circulaire plane, qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe de rotation des pôles de contact de l'interrupteur, qui est centrée sur le dit axe de rotation et qui, hormis le dit îlot, est isolante, - et en ce que l'autre pôle de contact (21) de l'interrupteur se trouve à l'extrémité d'un bras élastique hélicoïdal (18) qui le presse axialement, en permanence et avec une force au moins approximativement constante contre la dite couronne. 1. Timepiece with quartz watch movement and electrically controlled sound generator, in which the electrical circuit actuating the sound generator at an adjustable time at will is closed by a switch, one of the contact poles of which, mobile, is rotated at the same time as the hour hand of the watch, and the other contact pole, stationary, but adjustable rotatably and coaxially with the mobile contact pole, is secured to the body indicating the sound generator start time,
characterized - in that one of the two contact poles of the switch (5, 18) is constituted by a conductive island arranged in a flat circular ring, which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the contact poles of the switch, which is centered on the said axis of rotation and which, apart from the said island, is insulating, - And in that the other contact pole (21) of the switch is located at the end of a helical elastic arm (18) which presses it axially, permanently and with an at least approximately constant force against the so-called crown. 2. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée
en ce que la dite couronne circulaire plane s'étend sur l'une des faces d'un disque (5) en matière conductrice, qui est à nu à l'endroit du dit îlot conducteur, la partie isolante de la dite couronne étant constituée par une couche formée sur la dite face du disque.2. Timepiece according to claim 1,
characterized
in that said planar circular crown extends over one of the faces of a disc (5) of conductive material, which is exposed at the location of said conductive island, the insulating part of said crown being constituted by a layer formed on said face of the disc. 3. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée - en ce que le dit îlot constitue le pôle immobile, mais réglable, de l'interrupteur (5, 18), - en ce qu'il est en forme de segment radial - et en ce que ce segment rejoint une zone également à nu du disque qui est aussi en forme de couronne circulaire, cette zone étant en contact permanent avec un balai fixe (13) qui la met sous tension. 3. Timepiece according to claim 1,
characterized - in that the said island constitutes the immobile, but adjustable pole, of the switch (5, 18), - in that it is in the form of a radial segment - And in that this segment joins a zone also bare of the disc which is also in the form of a circular crown, this zone being in permanent contact with a fixed brush (13) which puts it under tension. 4. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée
en ce que le dit bras élastique hélicoïdal (18) résulte d'une découpure périphérique (17) d'un anneau métallique.4. Timepiece according to claim 1,
characterized
in that said helical elastic arm (18) results from a peripheral cutout (17) of a metal ring. 5. Pièce d'horlogerie selon les revendications 2 et 4 ou 3 et 4, dans laquelle les deux pôles de l'interrupteur sont solidaires d'organes rotatifs coaxialement aux aiguilles de la montre,
caractérisée - en ce que le dit disque est monté sous le cadran de la montre, au voisinage immédiat de celui-ci, et porte une aiguille indicatrice au-dessus du cadran, - et en ce que le dit anneau métallique est fixé sur la roue à canon des heures (22) de la montre. 5. Timepiece according to claims 2 and 4 or 3 and 4, in which the two poles of the switch are secured to rotary members coaxially with the hands of the watch,
characterized - in that the said disc is mounted under the dial of the watch, in the immediate vicinity thereof, and carries an indicator needle above the dial, - And in that the said metallic ring is fixed on the hour-barrel wheel (22) of the watch. 6. Pièce d'horlogerie selon les revendications 2 et 4 ou 3 et 4,
caractérisée - en ce que le dit disque (5) fait partie de la face visible de la montre et en recouvre le mouvement à l'instar d'une plaque de cadran, - et en ce qu'il porte à l'avers un index faisant office d'aiguille indicatrice de l'heure d'enclenchement du générateur de son. 6. Timepiece according to claims 2 and 4 or 3 and 4,
characterized - in that the said disc (5) is part of the visible face of the watch and covers the movement thereof like a dial plate, - And in that it carries on the obverse an index acting as a pointer indicating the start time of the sound generator. 7. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 6,
caractérisée - en ce que le dit disque (5) est fait en aluminium - et en ce que la dite isolation de sa surface résulte d'une oxydation anodique. 7. Timepiece according to claim 6,
characterized - in that the said disc (5) is made of aluminum - And in that said insulation of its surface results from anodic oxidation.
EP85810009A 1984-01-14 1985-01-14 Time piece with a quartz movement and an electrically controlled sound generator Expired EP0166680B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH162/84 1984-01-14
CH16284A CH662465GA3 (en) 1984-01-14 1984-01-14

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0166680A1 true EP0166680A1 (en) 1986-01-02
EP0166680B1 EP0166680B1 (en) 1988-12-14

Family

ID=4180670

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85810009A Expired EP0166680B1 (en) 1984-01-14 1985-01-14 Time piece with a quartz movement and an electrically controlled sound generator

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4629332A (en)
EP (1) EP0166680B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS60152980A (en)
CH (1) CH662465GA3 (en)
DE (1) DE3566845D1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH8431A (en) * 1894-05-29 1894-10-31 Alfred Vohland Device for opening and closing skylight windows
CH9720A (en) * 1894-12-04 1895-07-31 Fennessy Frank Richard Heating burner
CH13687A (en) * 1897-01-25 1897-07-31 Placet Paul Emile Refractory building blocks
CH541827A (en) * 1969-04-29 1973-05-30 Timex Corp Alarm clock, in particular small alarm clock
CH537032A (en) * 1966-02-17 1973-06-29 Spadini Paolo Wristwatch-alarm clock
DE2451563A1 (en) * 1973-10-29 1975-06-19 Copal Co Ltd MULTI-PURPOSE TIMER
FR2484101A1 (en) * 1980-06-04 1981-12-11 Suisse Horlogerie Synchroniser for quartz watch with analogue display - has one conductive wheel which periodically operates synchronisation circuit

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1048987A (en) * 1911-12-18 1912-12-31 Robert Mauthe Electrically-operated alarm-clock.
US1459876A (en) * 1920-09-18 1923-06-26 George Rawak Alarm-controlling mechanism for clocks
US3611702A (en) * 1969-05-08 1971-10-12 Paolo Spadini Electric alarm timepiece

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH8431A (en) * 1894-05-29 1894-10-31 Alfred Vohland Device for opening and closing skylight windows
CH9720A (en) * 1894-12-04 1895-07-31 Fennessy Frank Richard Heating burner
CH13687A (en) * 1897-01-25 1897-07-31 Placet Paul Emile Refractory building blocks
CH537032A (en) * 1966-02-17 1973-06-29 Spadini Paolo Wristwatch-alarm clock
CH541827A (en) * 1969-04-29 1973-05-30 Timex Corp Alarm clock, in particular small alarm clock
DE2451563A1 (en) * 1973-10-29 1975-06-19 Copal Co Ltd MULTI-PURPOSE TIMER
FR2484101A1 (en) * 1980-06-04 1981-12-11 Suisse Horlogerie Synchroniser for quartz watch with analogue display - has one conductive wheel which periodically operates synchronisation circuit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0166680B1 (en) 1988-12-14
DE3566845D1 (en) 1989-01-19
CH662465GA3 (en) 1987-10-15
JPS60152980A (en) 1985-08-12
US4629332A (en) 1986-12-16

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