EP0202495B1 - Timer - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP0202495B1
EP0202495B1 EP86105618A EP86105618A EP0202495B1 EP 0202495 B1 EP0202495 B1 EP 0202495B1 EP 86105618 A EP86105618 A EP 86105618A EP 86105618 A EP86105618 A EP 86105618A EP 0202495 B1 EP0202495 B1 EP 0202495B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time
setting member
disc
counter
counting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP86105618A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0202495A1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Müller
Alexandre Cassani
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Original Assignee
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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Publication of EP0202495A1 publication Critical patent/EP0202495A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • G04C3/007—Electromechanical contact-making and breaking devices acting as pulse generators for setting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
    • G04F1/005—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers using electronic timing, e.g. counting means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F3/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals with driving mechanisms, e.g. dosimeters with clockwork
    • G04F3/06—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals with driving mechanisms, e.g. dosimeters with clockwork with electric driving mechanisms
    • G04F3/08—Additional arrangements in connection with ordinary electric clocks for this purpose

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to clock mechanisms, also called timers, allowing the production of a warning signal after expiration of a time interval adjustable in advance.
  • Electromechanical timers are currently used in many applications, including kitchen timers integrated or not in cooking appliances, portable devices that remind the wearer of a given time (expiration time). a parking meter, for example) and other similar applications.
  • All of these timers generally include a time base establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured, the adjustment member of which is provided with a graduation calibrated in units of time, a generator device. an alarm signal and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for, upon expiration thereof, controlling the triggering of said generator device.
  • the means for counting the number of reference periods are arranged as follows.
  • the time base is a quartz resonator which, via a dividing chain, can control a watchmaking stepper motor.
  • This motor is coupled to the adjustment member which is presented as a rotary disc and has a graduation calibrated in minutes, for example, and cooperating with a fixed reference.
  • This disc is integral with a cam associated with an inverter and provided with a notch which corresponds to the zero position of the disc, the inverter being closed in one direction for any position other than the zero position of the disc.
  • This inverter is electrically connected in the motor circuit so that as soon as the disc leaves the zero position, it is started to bring the disc back.
  • the generator device is actuated by the reverser in its other position when the notch of the disc is in front of it.
  • timer The disadvantage of this type of timer is that its accuracy is poor, because the angular position of the adjusting member which determines the duration of the interval to be measured is not clearly linked to the time value that this position is sensible represent. This is especially troublesome for short durations, it being understood that the maximum value of the scale is generally sixty minutes. If, for example, it is desired under these conditions to set a duration of the order of a minute, the angular deviation of the adjustment member is only a few degrees, which results in a delicate adjustment. In addition, such timers do not allow to set long durations, of the order of a few hours, for example.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a timer free from these drawbacks.
  • an electromechanical timer comprising a time base, establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured comprising an adjustment device provided with a graduation calibrated in time units, a position transducer of the regulating member capable of generating a pulse signal whose number of pulses is representative of the position of the regulating member and therefore of the time interval to be measured, a signal generating device alarm and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for upon expiration thereof controlling the triggering of an alarm signal generating device, characterized in that the means for counting comprise an up-down counter having an increment input connected to the position transducer in order to be loaded with a number of pulses representative d '' a time interval to be measured, a decrementing input connected to the time base and an output connected to said signal alarm generating device, the latter being triggered when the number of pulses produced by the time base corresponds to l 'time interval to be measured.
  • each step of the adjustment member always corresponds to a predetermined number of reference periods.
  • the ability to accurately measure small time intervals therefore depends only on the calibration of the adjustment device, each step of the adjustment member being able to correspond to any duration chosen by construction.
  • the invention also relates to an electromechanical timer comprising a time base establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured comprising an adjustment member provided with a graduation calibrated in time units, a position transducer of the regulating member capable of generating a pulse signal whose number of pulses is representative of the position of the regulating member and therefore of the time interval to be measured, a device for generating alarm signal and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for upon expiration thereof controlling the triggering of the alarm signal generating device, characterized in that the means for counting comprises a first counter for memorizing the number of pulses of said pulse signal as well as a scale transformation matrix capable, for each that pulse generated by the transducer, to produce a time value, in that said matrix is connected to one of the inputs of a comparator which, by its other input is connected to a second counter connected to the time base for memorizing reference periods thereof and in that said comparator is connected from so as to be able to trigger the alarm signal generating device when
  • each step can correspond to a different number (low or high) of reference periods.
  • the timer is integrated into a timepiece of the wristwatch type, without however being linked to the mechanism or circuits which in this part ensure the indication of the official time, only the time base being able to be common to the two devices.
  • the electromechanical clockwork mechanism of which several embodiments will be described above can be used independently for the realization of a timer function or else be incorporated in a timepiece intended to allow the execution of this function. and indicate the official time. It is this second variant which is chosen in all of the examples described, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this sole use of the clock mechanism, the latter being capable of being produced independently, whether under shaped like a piece worn on the wrist or a table piece, for example.
  • FIG. 1 shows an overview of a first embodiment of the invention in which it is a wristwatch in which the following clockwork mechanism the invention has been incorporated.
  • a position transducer 1 which is essentially composed of two sub-assemblies, namely an adjustment member or indicator disc 2 and a switch 3, and which is associated with an adjustment assembly 4.
  • the indicator disc 2 replaces the date disc and that the adjustment set 4 is that which is usually used in a watch for adjusting the date.
  • the disc 2 is not driven by means of the clockwork, but remains independent so that the timer function of the assembly can be performed independently of the indication. of the official time.
  • the switch 3 is connected to a printed circuit 5 provided with an integrated circuit 6, the latter comprising not only the usual circuits necessary for the realization of the official time function, but also those which are required for the realization of the timer function, part of the integrated circuit 6 which will be described in detail in the description which follows.
  • the adjustment assembly 4 is designed exactly in the same way as an assembly, known per se, allowing the adjustment of the date disc, it is not necessary to give a detailed description here. It suffices to point out that the disc 2 is driven by an adjusting train 7 when the rod 8 of the watch is in its intermediate position, represented moreover in FIG. 1. Consequently, the rod 8 being in the position shown, it is possible to bring the disc into any one of 31 positions, this number being chosen as a function of the positions which are usual in a timepiece provided with a date indicator. However, it should be understood that this number is not limiting and depends in particular on the length and the distribution of the scale of the disc 2.
  • the disc 2 is therefore formed by an annular ring carrying on one of its faces indications which represent durations in minutes ranging from five minutes to five minutes.
  • the scale of disk 2 is here linear.
  • the inner periphery of the disc 2 is provided with a toothing composed of the teeth 9, on the one hand, and of a single notch 10, on the other hand, the numbers indicated on the disc appearing successively behind a window 11 provided in the rod area 8 and allowing the user to read the time for which the timer is set.
  • the teeth 9 and the notch 10 cooperate with the switch 3.
  • the latter comprises a plate 12 fixed to the mechanism of the watch at 13 and provided with a contact arm 14 which also constitutes a jumper for positioning the disc 2.
  • This contact arm is electrically the movable contact of the switch 3 which also includes two fixed contacts 15 and 16 on which the free end of the contact arm 14 can be applied selectively, it being understood that this arm also has an intermediate position in which it is not supported on any of the contacts 15 or 16. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the electrical contact is established between the arm 14 and the contact 15 when the elbow-shaped bearing portion 14a of the arm 14 is is housed in the notch 10 of the disc 2.
  • FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention according to which, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is provided an indicator disc 2A not comprising a linear scale graduated in minutes and going from five minutes in five minutes, but a non-linear scale, i.e. starting with a fine division in a first zone 2A-1 graduated in one, three and five minutes, a second zone 2A-2 graduated in five minutes in five minutes , and a third zone 2A-3 graduated from quarter hour to quarter hour, up to a total of five hours.
  • an indicator disc 2A not comprising a linear scale graduated in minutes and going from five minutes in five minutes, but a non-linear scale, i.e. starting with a fine division in a first zone 2A-1 graduated in one, three and five minutes, a second zone 2A-2 graduated in five minutes in five minutes , and a third zone 2A-3 graduated from quarter hour to quarter hour, up to a total of five hours.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show the rest position of the timer, that is to say that the portion 14a of the contact arm 14 is supported in the notch 10, whereby the number 0 appears under the window 11. We admit for the moment that the electronic circuits of the timer are then off.
  • FIG. 3 represents the situation in which the disk 2A has been displaced by a half-step from the zero position by rotation of the rod 8.
  • the portion 14a of the contact arm 14 is therefore removed from the notch 10 for lean on the top of the first tooth 9 of the internal toothing of the disc.
  • the disc 2A After passing from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4, the disc 2A again takes half a step, so that the portion 14a comes to be embedded between the first and the second tooth 9 of the disc 2.
  • the end of the arm 14 is not supported either on the contact 15 or on the contact 16, which constitutes for the electronic circuit significant information usable as such.
  • each pulse thus generated corresponds to a period of the same duration (five minutes), while in the variant of FIG. 2 certain pulses correspond to a short duration, while others correspond at a longer duration.
  • FIG. 5 represents a very simplified electrical diagram of a circuit which can be used in the watch shown in FIG. 1, that is to say that in which the disc 2 has a linear graduation.
  • This circuit which is that shown at 6 in FIG. 1, comprises a part 6A specifically intended for indicating the official time and a part 6B which performs the timer function in cooperation with the disk 2 and the switch 3 as well as the rod 8.
  • the part 6A comprises a quartz oscillator 17 supplying a signal whose frequency is approximately 32 kHz.
  • This oscillator is connected to a divider 18, one of the outputs 19 of which is connected to part 6B of the circuit, the signal appearing at this output being constituted by a train of pulses whose pulses are spaced five minutes apart (0.003 Hz) , at least in the example described here.
  • the divider is connected to a shaping circuit 20, itself connected to a stepping motor 21 driving the hands 22 of the watch, by means of a gear train.
  • the switch 3 is connected to an accumulator circuit 23 which, in this example, is a simple up-down counter, upcounting input 24 being connected to the switch contact 16, the down-counting input 25 at the output 19 of the divider and the output from zero 26 to a warning device 27 providing an audible signal, or another similar signal, when the up-down counter 23 reaches position 0.
  • This counter also includes a reset input 28 to which the contact 15 is connected.
  • the warning device 27 is provided with a timing arrangement to ensure the production of an alarm signal for a certain time only after the up-down counter 23 has reached its position 0.
  • the operation of the circuit of FIG. 5 is as follows.
  • the user wishes to use the timer to set a time interval to be measured, he need only place the rod 8 in the second position shown in Figure 1 and drive the disc until the corresponding number at the desired duration in minutes appears behind the window 11.
  • the switch 3 has first left position 0 (fig. 1) to then control the up-down counter 23 at the rate of the passage of the teeth 9 in front of the portion 14a of the contact arm 14.
  • the up-down counter has therefore recorded a certain number of pulses corresponding to as many five-minute periods which make up the period of time to be measured.
  • the time base formed by the oscillator 17 and the divider 18 causes the contents of the up-down counter 23 to be counted down at the rate of one pulse every five minutes, the period to be measured being ended when the up-down counter 23 reaches 0. It is at this instant that the alarm 27 acts to warn the user that the lapse of time has elapsed. In this case, the reference period used is therefore five minutes, this period being obtained at a particular output 19 of the divider 18.
  • the timer is completely independent of the official time indication which continues to be displayed completely separately, although the same time base is used in both cases.
  • Such a variant therefore expressly falls within the scope of the invention.
  • the disc 2 can advantageously replace the date disc without significantly changing the design of the timepiece itself.
  • the precision of the measurement of the time lapse ultimately depends on that of the time base which can be very good, that is to say that of conventional quartz watches. Indeed, the positioning of the disc 2 being ensured by steps thanks to the jumper and translated into a train of pulses, any pulse newly acquired by the up-down counter 23 will give rise to the establishment of a period of exactly five counted minutes by the time base 17, 18. The precision is therefore in no way dependent on the exact positioning of the disc 2 and the user does not have to worry about it.
  • the adjustment disc does not have well-defined positions so that, especially for short time intervals, it is difficult to adjust it precisely to a position corresponding to the desired interval.
  • the adjustment of the position of the switch 3 relative to the disc 2 is not critical since the signal is obtained by means of the jumper formed by the contact arm 14.
  • FIG. 6 a description will be given of a circuit which can be used with a timer of the type represented in FIG. 2, that is to say in which the graduation carried on the disc is not linear.
  • the obvious advantage of such a scale is that the user can set very short and very long periods of time using the same adjustment system, the invention providing the particularity that, whatever the period chosen, the precision always remains linked to that of the time base which, as already indicated, can be very good.
  • a device for accumulating pulses which are generated when the disc 2A is rotated by means of the rod 8.
  • This accumulator device here comprises a counter 29 whose counting input is connected to contact 16 and whose output represents on several bits the number contained in the counter.
  • This output is connected in parallel to the address inputs of a permanent memory 30 which constitutes a scale transformation matrix. Consequently, the position of the counter 29 constitutes the address of this matrix which, in each of its bytes, stores a number corresponding to the duration of the time intervals to be measured. This number can be expressed, for example, in minutes or in any other desired time unit. In this case, this unit is the minute.
  • each address of the memory 30 corresponds to a certain number of minutes, so that depending on the content of each of the bytes of the memory, it is possible to obtain a sort of scale transformation "with respect to the successive steps that makes the disc 2A when it is driven in rotation using the rod 8. Therefore, the transformation factor "can be arbitrary for each step of the disc 2A, because each number accumulated in the counter 29 can correspond depending on the previous programming of the memory any number of minutes to count down by the timer. This arrangement therefore provides great flexibility in producing the timer, the only limitation of the design being the number of steps that the disk 2A can take and the capacity of the counter 29 and of the memory 30.
  • the number of positions of this disc is advantageously 31, which allows the use of a disc whose construction is perfectly identical to that of 'a classic date disc apart, of course, from the inscriptions on it.
  • the data output from memory 30 is applied in the form of an eight-bit word, for example, to one of the inputs of a comparator 31, the other input, also of eight bits, is connected to a counter. 32 intended to receive counting pulses on its counting input from a divider circuit 33. The output of the latter provides a pulse every minute, for example. The corresponding pulses pass through an AND gate 34 for authorizing the passage of these pulses which are actually supplied by the time base of the timer.
  • the output of the comparator 31 is connected to an AND gate 35 for authorizing the passage of the signals controlling the alarm generator 27.
  • This AND gate is also connected to an oscillator 36 which is intended to supply a train of pulses to the device 27 , this train of pulses can give rise to an audible alarm signal of any kind, as is well known in the art.
  • the contact 16 in addition to being connected to the counting input of the counter 29, is also connected to the reset input of the divider 33, so that after the emission of each pulse by the switch 3, the counting down of the time period to be measured can start at the start of a minute.
  • the divider 19 providing a signal with a frequency of 0.5 Hz
  • the divider 33 divides this signal by 30, so that its output provides a pulse every sixty seconds.
  • Contact 16 is also connected to a first input of an OR gate 37, the other input of which is connected to the output of comparator 31 and the output of which is connected to the reset input of counter 32. The latter is therefore reset to zero either when the switch 3 emits a pulse, or when the comparator finds an equality between the content of the counter 32 and the data output of the memory 30.
  • the contact 15 is connected to the reset input of the counter 29 and also via an inverter 38 to a second input of the AND gate 34. In other words, when the disc is brought back to position 0, counter 29 is reset to zero and the pulses from the time base can no longer reach the counting input of counter 32.
  • the activation of the generator 27 of the alarm signal is subject to certain conditions.
  • the output of the comparator 31 which initializes the production of the warning signal is connected to a timer 39 with a duration of ten seconds for example which, via an inverter 40, is connected to one of the AND gate 35 inputs.
  • the latter is therefore only on during the setting time of the timer 38, so that the signal from the oscillator 36 can only be transmitted to the generator 27 during this time.
  • the timer advantageously includes a shock detector 41 incorporated in the case of the timepiece and providing a signal when the user applies a shock thereto.
  • the output of this detector is connected to the recovery input of a flip-flop 42 whose output is connected to a fourth input of the AND gate 35 and whose trigger input is connected to the output of the inverter 40.
  • This shock detector 41 is of the type to be activated by an activation input, which is achieved in the example described i through an OR gate 43, a first input of which is connected by via a timer 44 fixed at a few seconds at the output of the comparator 31, the other input of the OR gate 43 being connected to the 1 Hz output of the divider 18.
  • the detector 41 is activated periodically or for an instant after comparison by the comparator 31 of equality on its two inputs.
  • the example of FIG. 6 also includes a subtractor 45, a first input of which is connected to the output of the counter 32 and the other input of which is connected to the data output of the memory 30, so that this subtractor can establish at its output a number which is the difference between the number of minutes already counted down and the number of minutes to be counted down in full.
  • the output of the subtractor 45 can thus be connected to a decoder 46 connected to a device 47 for displaying the time which remains to be counted down.
  • This display device could be constituted by a liquid crystal display or any other similar system.
  • the example of FIG. 6 also comprises a second disc 48 arranged concentrically inside the disc 2A and bearing on its visible face below a part of the window 11 three indications corresponding respectively to the "stop", "1 x" and "repeat” function.
  • this disc 48 is coupled to a three-position switch 49 corresponding respectively to the indications carried on the disc 48.
  • the movable contact 50 of this switch is connected to ground, while one 51 of the fixed contacts is connected to a inverter 52 and a fourth input of door 34.
  • this same signal resets this divider 30 to zero via the inverter 52, the counter 32 also being reset through this inverter and the OR gate 37.
  • the other fixed contact 53 of the switch 49 is connected to a first input of an AND gate 54 whose other input is connected to the output of the comparator 31.
  • the output of this same door is connected to the reset input d a flip-flop 55 whose trigger input is connected to contact 16 of switch 3.
  • the user To measure a period of time, the user first puts the rod 8 in the second drawn position (that is to say the one in which, in a conventional watch, it makes it possible to adjust the dates and the days). Turning the rod in one direction, the user moves the disc 48 to the "1 x" position, then turning the rod in the other direction, selects the duration of the lapse of time by observing the numbers scrolling behind the window 11. From that the spring 14 leaves the notch 10 (fig. 1 to 3), the reverser 3 leaves the contact 15 and, passing in front of the teeth 9, pushes its arm against the fixed contact 16, which results in the emission a number of pulses corresponding to the number of steps taken by the disc 2A. This number is recorded in the counter 29.
  • the addresses of the memory 30 are successively scanned until, when the disk 2A stops, the address is reached at which the corresponding time value is found at the time chosen.
  • the AND gate 34 lets the pulses of the time base (reference periods) pass, which are thus applied to the counter 32. This begins so count at the rate of one step per minute.
  • the comparator signals the equality and provides a signal at its output which opens the AND gate 35.
  • the sound generator 27 is then activated as already described above.
  • the disc 2 has the dual role of allowing the user to adjust the period of time to be measured and to indicate, during the measurement of this period of time, the period that remains to be counted.
  • a drive mode of the disc 2 which, moreover, has the same shape as that of the variant of Figure 1.
  • a stepper motor which, by means of a transmission mobile 57 drives a wheel 58 provided with a tooth 59 cooperating with the teeth 9 of the disc 2.
  • the stepping motor 56 can be supplied with a frequency of 32 Hz, for example.
  • the disc 2A can be provided with an identical mechanism.
  • FIG. 8 shows an example of an electronic circuit which can be used in the latter case.
  • the elements already described in connection with FIG. 6 are represented in this figure with the same reference numerals.
  • the circuit which is connected to the contact 16 of the switch 3 and to the memory 30 is here an up-down counter 60 which counts the pulses coming from the switch 3 and which counts down the output pulses of the comparator 31.
  • the latter is connected as previously to the data output from memory 30 and at the output of counter 32, the latter counting the pulses coming from the divider 33 at the rate of one pulse per minute.
  • memory 30 is not the same as that of memory 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
  • the content of memory 30 corresponds here a value which is the difference between two durations displayed on disk 2A.
  • the comparator 31 finds an equality between the content of the counter 32 and of the data output of the memory 30, it applies an output signal to an AND gate 61 whose other input is connected to an output at 32 Hz of the divider 18.
  • the output of this AND gate 61 is connected to a control 62 of the motor 56. Consequently, in the event of a tie, the motor 56 is activated by 32 pulses to bring the disc 2 or 2A one step back.
  • the gear ratios between the rotor of the motor, the mobile 57 and the wheel 58 are chosen so that the 32 pulses are enough to make the wheel 58 rotate.
  • the latter in its rest position, is placed in such a way that the tooth 59 is in the position 59A shown in dotted lines (that is to say in which this tooth escapes the teeth of the disc 2 or 2A).
  • the tooth 59 is not opposed to the adjustment of the disc by means of the rod 8 which is coupled to it by the mechanism (not shown) of conventional adjustment.
  • the tooth 59 strikes a tooth of the disc to make it move back a step (fleeting position shown in Fig. 7).
  • the switch 3 despite the fact that the contact 16 again records a passage in front of a tooth 9, remains inoperative to increase the content of the counter 60, since the output of the comparator 31 inhibits the input of counting of the latter through an inverter 63 and an AND gate 64.
  • the comparator 31 finds equality, the counter 32 is reset to zero.
  • the latter is brought back one step, supplies a new value and the counter 32 resumes counting the pulses of the divider 33.
  • the up-down counter 60 also includes an output "0" which is activated when its content reaches zero. This output is connected to an AND gate 65 which controls the alarm device 27. This gate is also connected to the oscillator 36, to the shock detector 41 and to the time delay 39 (limitation of the alarm time), the detector of shocks being associated with its own timer 44.
  • the zero signal from the up-down counter 60 is also transmitted to an AND gate 66 via an inverter 67, to block any new counting by the counter 32.
  • the disc 2A returns the switch 3 to the position in which the contact 15 is activated. This can reset the up-down counter 60 to zero in the event that the user wishes to prematurely end the operation of the timer.
  • Figures 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the mechanism associated with the disc 4B. It is designed so that it can occupy a multiple of three positions (here nine) corresponding each time to the above-mentioned functions. As for a classic day disc, these positions are fixed by a jumper 68 and a star 69 which is here with nine branches and with which engages a mobile 70. The latter is part of the adjustment mechanism (see fig. 1 and 2) and is movable in rotation and also in translation by means of a bean-shaped guide 71.
  • the rod 8 (not shown here) can drive the star 69 when it is rotated in one direction and drive the disc 2 or 2A when it is rotated in the opposite direction, the mobile 70 then moving from one end of the guide 71 to the other.
  • the star 69 which is naturally integral with the disc 2 or 2A is fixed on the latter by means of a peripheral cam 72 at three levels with which the contact spring 73 of the switch 49 cooperates. It is understood that thus , each of the positions of the disc 48 corresponds to one of the three possible positions of this switch 49.
  • the disks 2, 2A and 48 can be placed directly under the dial 74 of a watch provided with the timer and indicating the official time using its hands 75 and 76.
  • timer according to the invention can be used independently without an official time indication device being necessarily associated therewith.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Predetermined Time Intervals (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
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  • Valve Device For Special Equipments (AREA)

Abstract

A timer advantageously in the form of a wristwatch and is combined with the time indicating function of the watch. The timer comprises a setting device enabling an accumulator to be loaded through the medium of a position transducer. The movement of the setting device being a stepwise one, each of its shifts enables a pulse to be generating which corresponds to a number of reference periods supplied by a time base. The accumulator is counted down by the time base and, when the accumulator is empty, a warning signal generating device is triggered.

Description

La présente invention est relative aux mécanismes d'horlogerie, appelés aussi minuteries, permettant de provoquer la production d'un signal d'avertissement après expiration d'un intervalle de temps régable à l'avance.The present invention relates to clock mechanisms, also called timers, allowing the production of a warning signal after expiration of a time interval adjustable in advance.

Des minuteries électromécaniques sont utilisées à l'heure actuelle dans de nombreuses applications parmi lesquelles on peut citer les minuteries de cuisine intégrées ou non dans les appareils de cuisson, les appareils portatifs permettant de rappeler au porteur une heure donnée (l'heure d'expiration d'un parc-mètre, par exemple) et autres applications analogues.Electromechanical timers are currently used in many applications, including kitchen timers integrated or not in cooking appliances, portable devices that remind the wearer of a given time (expiration time). a parking meter, for example) and other similar applications.

Toutes ces minuteries comportent en général une base de temps établissant une période de référence constante, un dispositif de réglage de l'intervalle de temps à mesurer dont l'organe de réglage est pourvu d'une graduation étalonnée en unités de temps, un dispositif générateur d'un signal d'alarme et des moyens pour compter le nombre de périodes de référence compris dans ledit intervalle pour, à l'expiration de celui-ci, commander le déclenchement dudit dispositif générateur.All of these timers generally include a time base establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured, the adjustment member of which is provided with a graduation calibrated in units of time, a generator device. an alarm signal and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for, upon expiration thereof, controlling the triggering of said generator device.

Dans une réalisation connue de ce genre, les moyens pour compter le nombre de périodes de référence sont agencés de la façon suivante. La base de temps est un résonateur à quartz qui, par l'intermédiaire d'une chaîne de division, peut commander un moteur pas à pas de type horloger. Ce moteur est couplé à l'organe de réglage qui se présente comme un disque rotatif et comporte une graduation étalonnée en minutes, par exemple, et coopérant avec un repère fixe. Ce disque est solidaire d'une came associée à un inverseur et pourvue d'une encoche qui correspond à la position zéro du disque, l'inverseur étant fermé dans un sens pour toute position autre que la position zéro du disque. Cet inverseur est électriquement connecté dans le circuit du moteur de telle sorte que dès que le disque quitte la position zéro, il soit mis en marche pour ramener le disque en arrière. En outre, le dispositif générateur est actionné par l'inverseur dans son autre position lorsque l'encoche du disque se trouve devant lui.In a known embodiment of this kind, the means for counting the number of reference periods are arranged as follows. The time base is a quartz resonator which, via a dividing chain, can control a watchmaking stepper motor. This motor is coupled to the adjustment member which is presented as a rotary disc and has a graduation calibrated in minutes, for example, and cooperating with a fixed reference. This disc is integral with a cam associated with an inverter and provided with a notch which corresponds to the zero position of the disc, the inverter being closed in one direction for any position other than the zero position of the disc. This inverter is electrically connected in the motor circuit so that as soon as the disc leaves the zero position, it is started to bring the disc back. In addition, the generator device is actuated by the reverser in its other position when the notch of the disc is in front of it.

L'inconvénient de ce type de minuterie est que sa précision est médiocre, car la position angulaire de l'organe de réglage qui détermine la durée de l'intervalle à mesurer n'est pas clairement liée à la valeur temporelle que cette position est sensée représenter. Ceci est surtout gênant pour des durées courtes, étant entendu que la valeur maximale de l'échelle est en général de soixante minutes. Si, par exemple, on souhaite dans ces conditions, fixer une durée de l'ordre de la minute, l'écart angulaire de l'organe de réglage n'est que de quelques degrés, ce dont il résulte un réglage délicat. En outre, de telles minuteries ne permettent pas de fixer des durées longues, de l'ordre de quelques heures, par exemple.The disadvantage of this type of timer is that its accuracy is poor, because the angular position of the adjusting member which determines the duration of the interval to be measured is not clearly linked to the time value that this position is sensible represent. This is especially troublesome for short durations, it being understood that the maximum value of the scale is generally sixty minutes. If, for example, it is desired under these conditions to set a duration of the order of a minute, the angular deviation of the adjustment member is only a few degrees, which results in a delicate adjustment. In addition, such timers do not allow to set long durations, of the order of a few hours, for example.

L'invention a pour but de fournir une minuterie dépouvue de ces inconvénients.The object of the invention is to provide a timer free from these drawbacks.

Elle a donc pour objet une minuterie électromécanique comportant une base de temps, établissant une période de référence constante, un dispositif de réglage de l'intervalle de temps à mesurer comprenant un organe de réglage pourvu d'une graduation étalonnée en unité de temps, un transducteur de position de l'organe de réglage capable d'engendrer un signal impulsionnel dont le nombre d'impulsions est représentatif de la position de l'organe de réglage et par conséquent de l'intervalle de temps à mesurer, un dispositif générateur de signal d'alarme et des moyens pour compter le nombre de périodes de référence compris dans ledit intervalle pour à l'expiration de celui-ci commander le déclenchement d'un dispositif générateur de signal d'alarme, caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour compter comprennent un compteur décompteur ayant une entrée d'incrémentation reliée au transducteur de position afin d'être chargée avec un nombre d'impulsions représentatif d'un intervalle de temps à mesurer, une entrée de décrémentation reliée à la base de temps et une sortie reliée audit dispositif générateur d'alarme de signal, ce dernier étant déclenché quand le nombre d'impulsions produit par la base de temps correspond à l'intervalle de temps à mesurer.It therefore relates to an electromechanical timer comprising a time base, establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured comprising an adjustment device provided with a graduation calibrated in time units, a position transducer of the regulating member capable of generating a pulse signal whose number of pulses is representative of the position of the regulating member and therefore of the time interval to be measured, a signal generating device alarm and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for upon expiration thereof controlling the triggering of an alarm signal generating device, characterized in that the means for counting comprise an up-down counter having an increment input connected to the position transducer in order to be loaded with a number of pulses representative d '' a time interval to be measured, a decrementing input connected to the time base and an output connected to said signal alarm generating device, the latter being triggered when the number of pulses produced by the time base corresponds to l 'time interval to be measured.

Il résulte de ces caractéristiques que le processus de réglage est de nature essentiellement discontinu, ce qui veut dire qu'à chaque pas de l'organe de réglage correspond toujours un nombre prédéterminé de périodes de référence. L'aptitude à mesurer avec précision de faibles intervalles de temps ne dépend ainsi que de l'étalonnage du dispositif de réglage, chaque pas de l'organe de réglage pouvant correspondre à une durée quelconque choisie par construction.It follows from these characteristics that the adjustment process is essentially discontinuous in nature, which means that each step of the adjustment member always corresponds to a predetermined number of reference periods. The ability to accurately measure small time intervals therefore depends only on the calibration of the adjustment device, each step of the adjustment member being able to correspond to any duration chosen by construction.

L'invention a également pour objet une minuterie électromécanique comportant une base de temps établissant une période de référence constante, un dispositif de réglage de l'intervalle de temps à mesurer comprenant un organe de réglage pourvu d'une graduation étalonnée en unité de temps, un transducteur de position de l'organe de réglage capable d'engendrer un signal impulsionnel dont le nombre d'impulsions est représentatif de la position de l'organe de réglage et par conséquent de l'intervalle de temps à mesurer, un dispositif générateur de signal d'alarme et des moyens pour compter le nombre de périodes de référence compris dans ledit intervalle pour à l'expiration de celui-ci commander le déclenchement du dispositif générateur de signal d'alarme, caractérisée en ce que les moyens pour compter comprennent un premier compteur pour mémoriser le nombre d'impulsions dudit signal impulsionnel ainsi qu'une matrice de transformation d'échelle capable, pour chaque impulsion engendrée par le transducteur, de produire une valeur temporelle, en ce que ladite matrice est connectée à l'une des entrées d'un comparateur qui, par son autre entrée est reliée à un second compteur connecté à la base de temps pour mémoriser des périodes de référence de celle-ci et en ce que ledit comparateur est connecté de manière à pouvoir déclencher le dispositif générateur de signal d'alarme lorsqu'il constate l'égalité des valeurs appliquées à ses deux entrées, ledit organe de réglage présentant une échelle non linéaire.The invention also relates to an electromechanical timer comprising a time base establishing a constant reference period, a device for adjusting the time interval to be measured comprising an adjustment member provided with a graduation calibrated in time units, a position transducer of the regulating member capable of generating a pulse signal whose number of pulses is representative of the position of the regulating member and therefore of the time interval to be measured, a device for generating alarm signal and means for counting the number of reference periods included in said interval for upon expiration thereof controlling the triggering of the alarm signal generating device, characterized in that the means for counting comprises a first counter for memorizing the number of pulses of said pulse signal as well as a scale transformation matrix capable, for each that pulse generated by the transducer, to produce a time value, in that said matrix is connected to one of the inputs of a comparator which, by its other input is connected to a second counter connected to the time base for memorizing reference periods thereof and in that said comparator is connected from so as to be able to trigger the alarm signal generating device when it finds the equality of the values applied to its two inputs, said adjustment member having a non-linear scale.

Dès lors, l'invention permet d'envisager une minuterie dans laquelle chaque pas peut correspondre à un nombre différent (faible ou élevé) de périodes de référence.Consequently, the invention makes it possible to envisage a timer in which each step can correspond to a different number (low or high) of reference periods.

Suivant une caractéristique particulièrement avantageuse de l'invention, la minuterie est intégrée à une pièce d'horlogerie du type montre-bracelet, sans pour autant être liée au mécanisme ou circuits qui dans cette pièce assurent l'indication de l'heure officielle, seule la base de temps pouvant être commune aux deux dispositifs. Dans cette application, il est avantageux de réaliser l'organe de réglage de la minuterie sous la forme d'un disque de quantièmes pouvant être actionné par la tige de la montre, ce qui conduit à un ensemble particulièrement séduisant.According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the timer is integrated into a timepiece of the wristwatch type, without however being linked to the mechanism or circuits which in this part ensure the indication of the official time, only the time base being able to be common to the two devices. In this application, it is advantageous to produce the timer adjustment member in the form of a date disc which can be actuated by the watch stem, which leads to a particularly attractive assembly.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre de plusieurs de modes de réalisation, donnés uniquement à titre d'exemple, cette description étant faite en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels:

  • - la figure 1 est une représentation schématique, par une vue en plan avec arrachement partiel d'un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • - la figure 2 est une vue analogue d'un second mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • - les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues schématiques d'un disque gradué et d'un transducteur destiné à fournir un signal de position;
  • - la figure 5 est un schéma très simplifié du mode de réalisation de la figure 1 ;
  • - la figure 6 est un schéma simplifié, plus détaillé que celui de la figure 5, du mode de réalisation représenté à la figure 2;
  • - la figure 7 représente une vue partielle d'un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • - la figure 8 en est un schéma électrique simplifié;
  • - les figures 9 et 10 montrent schématiquement comment le mécanisme d'horlogerie suivant l'invention peut être pourvu d'un dispositif de commande de marche-arrêt;
  • - la figure 11 est une vue analogue à celle des figures 1 et 2 d'une montre incorporant une minuterie conforme à l'invention.
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows of several embodiments, given solely by way of example, this description being made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • - Figure 1 is a schematic representation, in a plan view with partial cutaway of a first embodiment of the invention;
  • - Figure 2 is a similar view of a second embodiment of the invention;
  • - Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of a graduated disc and a transducer for providing a position signal;
  • - Figure 5 is a very simplified diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1;
  • - Figure 6 is a simplified diagram, more detailed than that of Figure 5, of the embodiment shown in Figure 2;
  • - Figure 7 shows a partial view of a third embodiment of the invention;
  • - Figure 8 is a simplified electrical diagram;
  • - Figures 9 and 10 schematically show how the clockwork mechanism according to the invention can be provided with an on-off control device;
  • - Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figures 1 and 2 of a watch incorporating a timer according to the invention.

Le mécanisme d'horlogerie électromécanique dont on va décrire ci-dessus plusieurs exemples de réalisation peut être utilisé de façon indépendante pour la réalisation d'une fonction minuterie ou bien être incorporé dans une pièce d'horlogerie destinée à permettre l'exécution de cette fonction et à indiquer l'heure officielle. C'est cette deuxième variante qui est choisie dans tous les exemples décrits, mais on comprendra que l'invention ne se limite pas à cette seule utilisation du mécanisme d'horlogerie, celui-ci pouvant être réalisé de façon indépendante, que cela soit sous forme d'une pièce portée au poignet ou d'une pièce de table, par exemple.The electromechanical clockwork mechanism of which several embodiments will be described above can be used independently for the realization of a timer function or else be incorporated in a timepiece intended to allow the execution of this function. and indicate the official time. It is this second variant which is chosen in all of the examples described, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to this sole use of the clock mechanism, the latter being capable of being produced independently, whether under shaped like a piece worn on the wrist or a table piece, for example.

Ceci posé, on va maintenant se référer à la figure 1 qui montre une vue d'ensemble d'un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel il s'agit d'une montre-bracelet dans laquelle le mécanisme d'horlogerie suivant l'invention a été incorporé.Having said this, we will now refer to FIG. 1 which shows an overview of a first embodiment of the invention in which it is a wristwatch in which the following clockwork mechanism the invention has been incorporated.

On aperçoit donc, sur la figure 1, l'essentiel des parties mécaniques du mécanisme, à savoir un transducteur de position 1 qui est essentiellement composé de deux sous-ensembles, à savoir un organe de réglage ou disque indicateur 2 et un commutateur 3, et qui est associé à un ensemble de réglage 4. Dans le cadre de l'application à une montre, il est avantageux, selon une caractéristique particulière de la l'invention, que le disque indicateur 2 remplace le disque de quantièmes et que l'ensemble de réglage 4 soit celui qui est habituellement utilisé dans une montre pour le réglage des quantièmes. Toutefois, à la différence d'un mécanisme indicateur de quantièmes, le disque 2 n'est pas entraîné au moyen du rouage de la montre, mais en reste indépendant pour que la fonction minuterie de l'ensemble puisse être réalisée indépendamment de l'indication de l'heure officielle.We therefore see, in FIG. 1, most of the mechanical parts of the mechanism, namely a position transducer 1 which is essentially composed of two sub-assemblies, namely an adjustment member or indicator disc 2 and a switch 3, and which is associated with an adjustment assembly 4. In the context of the application to a watch, it is advantageous, according to a particular characteristic of the invention, that the indicator disc 2 replaces the date disc and that the adjustment set 4 is that which is usually used in a watch for adjusting the date. However, unlike a date indicating mechanism, the disc 2 is not driven by means of the clockwork, but remains independent so that the timer function of the assembly can be performed independently of the indication. of the official time.

Le commutateur 3 est relié à un circuit imprimé 5 pourvu d'un circuit intégré 6, ce dernier comprenant non seulement les circuits habituels nécessaires pour la réalisation de la fonction heure officielle, mais encore ceux qui sont requis pour la réalisation de la fonction minuterie, partie du circuit intégré 6 qui sera décrite en détail dans la description qui va suivre.The switch 3 is connected to a printed circuit 5 provided with an integrated circuit 6, the latter comprising not only the usual circuits necessary for the realization of the official time function, but also those which are required for the realization of the timer function, part of the integrated circuit 6 which will be described in detail in the description which follows.

Comme l'ensemble de réglage 4 est conçu exactement de la même façon qu'un ensemble, connu en soi, permettant le réglage du disque de quantièmes, il n'est pas nécessaire d'en donner ici une description détaillée. Il suffit de signaler que le disque 2 est entraîné par un rouage de réglage 7 lorsque la tige 8 de la montre se trouve dans sa position intermédiaire, représentée d'ailleurs à la figure 1. Par conséquent, la tige 8 se trouvant dans la position représentée, il est possible d'amener le disque dans l'une quelconque de 31 positions, ce nombre étant choisi en fonction des positions qui sont habituelles dans une pièce d'horlogerie pourvue d'un indicateur de quantièmes. Toutefois, l'on doit comprendre que ce nombre n'est pas limitatif et dépend notamment de la longueur et de la répartition de l'échelle du disque 2.As the adjustment assembly 4 is designed exactly in the same way as an assembly, known per se, allowing the adjustment of the date disc, it is not necessary to give a detailed description here. It suffices to point out that the disc 2 is driven by an adjusting train 7 when the rod 8 of the watch is in its intermediate position, represented moreover in FIG. 1. Consequently, the rod 8 being in the position shown, it is possible to bring the disc into any one of 31 positions, this number being chosen as a function of the positions which are usual in a timepiece provided with a date indicator. However, it should be understood that this number is not limiting and depends in particular on the length and the distribution of the scale of the disc 2.

Le disque 2 est donc formé par une bague annulaire portant sur l'une de ses faces des indications qui représentent des durées en minutes s'échelonnant de cinq minutes en cinq minutes. En d'autres termes, l'échelle du disque 2 est ici linéaire.The disc 2 is therefore formed by an annular ring carrying on one of its faces indications which represent durations in minutes ranging from five minutes to five minutes. In other words, the scale of disk 2 is here linear.

La périphérie intérieure du disque 2 est pourvue d'une denture composée des dents 9, d'une part, et d'une seule encoche 10, d'autre part, les nombres indiqués sur le disque apparaissant successivement derrière un guichet 11 prévu dans la zone de la tige 8 et permettant à l'utilisateur de lire la durée sur laquelle la minuterie est réglée.The inner periphery of the disc 2 is provided with a toothing composed of the teeth 9, on the one hand, and of a single notch 10, on the other hand, the numbers indicated on the disc appearing successively behind a window 11 provided in the rod area 8 and allowing the user to read the time for which the timer is set.

Les dents 9 et l'encoche 10 coopèrent avec le commutateur 3. Celui-ci comporte une plaquette 12 fixée sur le mécanisme de la montre en 13 et pourvue d'un bras de contact 14 qui constitue également un sautoir de positionnement du disque 2. Ce bras de contact est électriquement le contact mobile du commutateur 3 qui comporte par ailleurs deux contacts fixes 15 et 16 sur lesquels l'extrémité libre du bras de contact 14 peut venir s'appliquer sélectivement, étant entendu que ce bras a également une position intermédiaire dans laquelle il n'est appuyé sur aucun des contacts 15 ou 16. On voit sur la figure 1 que le contact électrique est établi entre le bras 14 et le contact 15 lorsque le portion d'appui en forme de coude 14a du bras 14 se trouve logée dans l'encoche 10 du disque 2.The teeth 9 and the notch 10 cooperate with the switch 3. The latter comprises a plate 12 fixed to the mechanism of the watch at 13 and provided with a contact arm 14 which also constitutes a jumper for positioning the disc 2. This contact arm is electrically the movable contact of the switch 3 which also includes two fixed contacts 15 and 16 on which the free end of the contact arm 14 can be applied selectively, it being understood that this arm also has an intermediate position in which it is not supported on any of the contacts 15 or 16. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the electrical contact is established between the arm 14 and the contact 15 when the elbow-shaped bearing portion 14a of the arm 14 is is housed in the notch 10 of the disc 2.

La figure 2 montre un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention selon lequel, à la différence du mode de réalisation de la figure 1, il est prévu un disque indicateur 2A ne comportant pas une échelle linéaire graduée en minutes et allant de cinq minutes en cinq minutes, mais une échelle non linéaire, c'est-à-dire commençant par une division fine dans une première zone 2A-1 graduée en une, trois et cinq minutes, une deuxième zone 2A-2 graduée de cinq minutes en cinq minutes, et une troisième zone 2A-3 graduée de quart d'heure en quart d'heure, jusqu'à un total de cinq heures.FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention according to which, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is provided an indicator disc 2A not comprising a linear scale graduated in minutes and going from five minutes in five minutes, but a non-linear scale, i.e. starting with a fine division in a first zone 2A-1 graduated in one, three and five minutes, a second zone 2A-2 graduated in five minutes in five minutes , and a third zone 2A-3 graduated from quarter hour to quarter hour, up to a total of five hours.

Bien entendu les pièces représentées aux figures 1 et 2 comportent un mécanisme d'horlogerie électromécanique classique pour l'entraînement d'aiguilles marquant l'heure officielle, éléments qui sont classiques et qui ne nécessitent donc aucune description détaillée ici.Of course the parts shown in Figures 1 and 2 include a conventional electromechanical clockwork mechanism for driving hands marking the official time, elements which are conventional and which therefore do not require any detailed description here.

Il est à noter que les figures 1 et 2 montrent la position de repos de la minuterie, c'est-à-dire que la portion 14a du bras de contact 14 se trouve appuyée dans l'encoche 10, moyennant quoi le chiffre 0 apparaît sous le guichet 11. On admet pour l'instant que les circuits électroniques de la minuterie sont alors hors circuit.It should be noted that Figures 1 and 2 show the rest position of the timer, that is to say that the portion 14a of the contact arm 14 is supported in the notch 10, whereby the number 0 appears under the window 11. We admit for the moment that the electronic circuits of the timer are then off.

La figure 3 représente la situation dans laquelle le disque 2A a été déplacé d'un demi-pas à partir de la position zéro par rotation de la tige 8. La portion 14a du bras de contact 14 est donc sortie de l'encoche 10 pour s'appuyer sur le sommet de la première dent 9 de la denture intérieure du disque. Ceci entraîne le déplacement de l'extrémité du bras 14 qui vient ainsi s'appuyer contre le contact 16 du commutateur 3 pour donner naissance à une impulsion électrique prise en compte dans le circuit électronique selon un processus qui sera décrit ci-après. Après passage de la position de la figure 3 à celle de la figure 4, le disque 2A effectué de nouveau un demi-pas, de sorte que la portion 14a vient s'encastrer entre la première et la deuxième dent 9 du disque 2. On voit que dans ces conditions l'extrémité du bras 14 ne se trouve appuyée ni sur le contact 15, ni sur le contact 16, ce qui constitue pour le circuit électronique une information significative exploitable en tant que telle.FIG. 3 represents the situation in which the disk 2A has been displaced by a half-step from the zero position by rotation of the rod 8. The portion 14a of the contact arm 14 is therefore removed from the notch 10 for lean on the top of the first tooth 9 of the internal toothing of the disc. This results in the displacement of the end of the arm 14 which thus comes to bear against the contact 16 of the switch 3 to give rise to an electric pulse taken into account in the electronic circuit according to a process which will be described below. After passing from the position of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4, the disc 2A again takes half a step, so that the portion 14a comes to be embedded between the first and the second tooth 9 of the disc 2. On sees that under these conditions the end of the arm 14 is not supported either on the contact 15 or on the contact 16, which constitutes for the electronic circuit significant information usable as such.

On comprend donc qu'en faisant tourner la tige 8 dans la position indiquée à la figure 1, l'extrémité du bras de contact 14 vient périodiquement s'appuyer sur le contact 16 pour engendrer un train d'impulsions, le nombre d'impulsions étant représentatif de la position ou du déplacement du disque 2A ou encore de la durée choisie par l'utilisateur.It is therefore understood that by rotating the rod 8 in the position indicated in FIG. 1, the end of the contact arm 14 periodically comes to bear on the contact 16 to generate a train of pulses, the number of pulses being representative of the position or of the displacement of the disk 2A or also of the duration chosen by the user.

On remarquera que dans la variante de la figure 1, chaque impulsion ainsi engendrée correspond à une période de même durée (cinq minutes), alors que dans la variante de la figure 2 certaines impulsions correspondent à une durée faible, tandis que d'autres correspondent à une durée plus importante.It will be noted that in the variant of FIG. 1, each pulse thus generated corresponds to a period of the same duration (five minutes), while in the variant of FIG. 2 certain pulses correspond to a short duration, while others correspond at a longer duration.

La figure 5 représente un schéma électrique très simplifié d'un circuit qui peut être utilisé dans la montre représentée à la figure 1, c'est-à-dire celle dans laquelle le disque 2 présente une graduation linéaire. Ce circuit, qui est celui représenté en 6 sur la figure 1, comporte une partie 6A spécifiquement destinée à l'indication de l'heure officielle et une partie 6B qui assure la fonction minuterie en coopération avec le disque 2 et le commutateur 3 ainsi que la tige 8.FIG. 5 represents a very simplified electrical diagram of a circuit which can be used in the watch shown in FIG. 1, that is to say that in which the disc 2 has a linear graduation. This circuit, which is that shown at 6 in FIG. 1, comprises a part 6A specifically intended for indicating the official time and a part 6B which performs the timer function in cooperation with the disk 2 and the switch 3 as well as the rod 8.

De façon classique, la partie 6A comporte un oscillateur à quartz 17 fournissant un signal dont la fréquence est d'environ 32 kHz. Cet oscillateur est connecté à un diviseur 18 dont l'une des sorties 19 est reliée à la partie 6B du circuit, le signal apparaissant à cette sortie étant constitué par un train d'impulsions dont les impulsions sont espacées de cinq minutes (0,003 Hz), tout au moins dans l'exemple décrit ici. De façon classique, le diviseur est relié à un circuit de mise en forme 20, lui-même relié à un moteur pas à pas 21 entraînant les aiguilles 22 de la montre, par l'intermédiaire d'un rouage.Conventionally, the part 6A comprises a quartz oscillator 17 supplying a signal whose frequency is approximately 32 kHz. This oscillator is connected to a divider 18, one of the outputs 19 of which is connected to part 6B of the circuit, the signal appearing at this output being constituted by a train of pulses whose pulses are spaced five minutes apart (0.003 Hz) , at least in the example described here. Conventionally, the divider is connected to a shaping circuit 20, itself connected to a stepping motor 21 driving the hands 22 of the watch, by means of a gear train.

Le commutateur 3 est raccordé à un circuit accumulateur 23 qui, dans cet exemple, est un simple compteur-décompteur, rentrée de comptage 24 étant reliée au contact 16 du commutateur, l'entrée de décomptage 25 à la sortie 19 du diviseur et la sortie de zéro 26 à un dispositif avertisseur 27 fournissant un signal audible, ou un autre signal analogue, lorsque le compteur-décompteur 23 parvient à la position 0. Ce compteur comporte également une entrée de remise à zéro 28 à laquelle est raccordé le contact 15. Le dispositif d'avertissement 27 est pourvu d'un montage de temporisation pour assurer la production d'un signal d'alarme pendant un certain temps seulement après que le compteur-décompteur 23 a atteint sa position 0.The switch 3 is connected to an accumulator circuit 23 which, in this example, is a simple up-down counter, upcounting input 24 being connected to the switch contact 16, the down-counting input 25 at the output 19 of the divider and the output from zero 26 to a warning device 27 providing an audible signal, or another similar signal, when the up-down counter 23 reaches position 0. This counter also includes a reset input 28 to which the contact 15 is connected. The warning device 27 is provided with a timing arrangement to ensure the production of an alarm signal for a certain time only after the up-down counter 23 has reached its position 0.

Le fonctionnement du circuit de la figure 5 est le suivant. Lorsque l'utilisateur désire employer la minuterie pour fixer un intervalle de temps à mesurer, il lui suffit de placer la tige 8 dans la seconde position représentée à la figure 1 et d'en- trainer le disque jusqu'à ce que le chiffre correspondant à la durée souhaitée en minutes apparaisse derrière le guichet 11. Le commutateur 3 a d'abord quitté la position 0 (fig. 1) pour ensuite commander le compteur-décompteur 23 au rythme du passage des dents 9 devant la portion 14a du bras de contact 14. Le compteur-décompteur a donc enregistré un certain nombre d'impulsions correspondant à autant de périodes de cinq minutes qui composent le laps de temps à mesurer. Une fois ce laps de temps réglé, la base de temps formée par l'oscillateur 17 et le diviseur 18 provoque le décomptage du contenu du compteur-décompteur 23 à raison d'une impulsion toutes les cinq minutes, la période à mesurer étant terminée lorsque le compteur-décompteur 23 parvient à 0. C'est à cet instant que l'alarme 27 agit pour prévenir l'utilisateur que le laps de temps s'est écoulé. Dans ce cas, la période de référence utilisée est donc de cinq minutes, cette période étant obtenue à une sortie 19 particulière du diviseur 18.The operation of the circuit of FIG. 5 is as follows. When the user wishes to use the timer to set a time interval to be measured, he need only place the rod 8 in the second position shown in Figure 1 and drive the disc until the corresponding number at the desired duration in minutes appears behind the window 11. The switch 3 has first left position 0 (fig. 1) to then control the up-down counter 23 at the rate of the passage of the teeth 9 in front of the portion 14a of the contact arm 14. The up-down counter has therefore recorded a certain number of pulses corresponding to as many five-minute periods which make up the period of time to be measured. Once this period of time has been set, the time base formed by the oscillator 17 and the divider 18 causes the contents of the up-down counter 23 to be counted down at the rate of one pulse every five minutes, the period to be measured being ended when the up-down counter 23 reaches 0. It is at this instant that the alarm 27 acts to warn the user that the lapse of time has elapsed. In this case, the reference period used is therefore five minutes, this period being obtained at a particular output 19 of the divider 18.

On constate donc que la minuterie est totalement indépendante de l'indication de l'heure officielle qui continue à être affichée de façon totalement séparée, bien que la même base de temps soit utilisée dans les deux cas. Ceci signifie cependant que l'on peut facilement imaginer une minuterie dépourvue de toute indication de l'heure officielle, que cela soit sous forme d'une pièce devant être portée au poignet ou d'une pièce d'une autre nature, car il suffit simplement d'omettre les éléments 20, 21 et 22 de la figure 5. Une telle variante entre donc expressément dans le cadre de l'invention.It can therefore be seen that the timer is completely independent of the official time indication which continues to be displayed completely separately, although the same time base is used in both cases. This however means that one can easily imagine a timer devoid of any indication of the official time, whether in the form of a piece to be worn on the wrist or a piece of another kind, because it is enough simply to omit the elements 20, 21 and 22 of FIG. 5. Such a variant therefore expressly falls within the scope of the invention.

Dans le cadre d'une montre-bracelet, le disque 2 peut avantageusement remplacer le disque de quantièmes sans changer de façon importante la conception de la pièce d'horlogerie elle-même. On notera encore que la précision de la mesure du laps de temps dépend en définitive de celle de la base de temps qui peut être très bonne, c'est-à-dire celle des montres à quartz classiques. En effet, le positionnement du disque 2 étant assuré par pas grâce au sautoir et traduit en un train d'impulsions, toute impulsion nouvellement acquise par le compteur-décompteur 23 donnera lieu à l'établissement d'une période d'exactement cinq minutes décomptées par la base de temps 17, 18. La précision n'est donc nullement tributaire du positionnement exact du disque 2 et l'utilisateur n'a pas à s'en soucier. Dans les minuteries classiques, au contraire, le disque de réglage n'a pas de positions bien définies de sorte que, surtout pour de faibles intervalles de temps, il est difficile de le régler avec précision sur une position correspondant à l'intervalle souhaité. Enfin, le réglage de la position du commutateur 3 par rapport au disque 2 n'est pas critique car le signal est obtenu moyennant le sautoir que forme le bras de contact 14.In the context of a wristwatch, the disc 2 can advantageously replace the date disc without significantly changing the design of the timepiece itself. It will also be noted that the precision of the measurement of the time lapse ultimately depends on that of the time base which can be very good, that is to say that of conventional quartz watches. Indeed, the positioning of the disc 2 being ensured by steps thanks to the jumper and translated into a train of pulses, any pulse newly acquired by the up-down counter 23 will give rise to the establishment of a period of exactly five counted minutes by the time base 17, 18. The precision is therefore in no way dependent on the exact positioning of the disc 2 and the user does not have to worry about it. In conventional timers, on the contrary, the adjustment disc does not have well-defined positions so that, especially for short time intervals, it is difficult to adjust it precisely to a position corresponding to the desired interval. Finally, the adjustment of the position of the switch 3 relative to the disc 2 is not critical since the signal is obtained by means of the jumper formed by the contact arm 14.

En se reportant maintenant à la figure 6, on va décrire rexemple d'un circuit pouvant être utilisé avec une minuterie du type représenté à la figure 2, c'est-à-dire dans lequel la graduation portée sur le disque n'est pas linéaire. L'avantage évident d'une telle échelle est que l'utilisateur peut fixer des laps de temps de très courte durée et de très longue durée en utilisant le même système de réglage, l'invention procurant la particularité que, quellé que soit la période choisie, la précision reste toujours liée à celle de la base de temps qui, comme déjà indiqué, peut être très bonne.Referring now to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a circuit which can be used with a timer of the type represented in FIG. 2, that is to say in which the graduation carried on the disc is not linear. The obvious advantage of such a scale is that the user can set very short and very long periods of time using the same adjustment system, the invention providing the particularity that, whatever the period chosen, the precision always remains linked to that of the time base which, as already indicated, can be very good.

On retrouve sur la figure 6 les éléments déjà décrits en liaison avec les précédentes figures, c'est-à-dire la chaîne d'indication de l'heure officielle avec la base de temps 17, le diviseur 18, le disque 2A, le commutateur 3 avec ses éléments 14 à 16 ainsi que la tige 8 permettant de positionner le disque 2A. On remarquera qu'ici également la minuterie peut être utilisée de façon indépendante ou être associée à un dispositif d'indication de l'heure officielle comme dans le cas décrit ci-dessus.We find in Figure 6 the elements already described in connection with the previous figures, that is to say the chain of indication of the official time with the time base 17, the divider 18, the disc 2A, the switch 3 with its elements 14 to 16 as well as the rod 8 making it possible to position the disk 2A. It will be noted that here also the timer can be used independently or be associated with a device for indicating the official time as in the case described above.

Dans le circuit de la figure 6, il est prévu également un dispositif accumulateur des impulsions qui sont engendrées lorsque le disque 2A est entraîné en rotation au moyen de la tige 8. Ce dispositif accumulateur comprend ici un compteur 29 dont l'entrée de comptage est raccordée au contact 16 et dont la sortie représente sur plusieurs bits le nombre que contient le compteur. Cette sortie est raccordée en parallèle aux entrées d'adresse d'une mémoire permanente 30 qui constitue une matrice de transformation d'échelle. Par conséquent, la position du compteur 29 constitue l'adresse de cette matrice qui, dans chacune de ses octets, emmagasine un nombre correspondant à la durée des intervalles de temps à mesurer. Ce nombre peut être exprimé, par exemple, en minutes ou en toute autre unité de temps souhaitée. Dans le cas présent, cette unité est la minute. Ainsi, à chaque adresse de la mémoire 30 correspond un certain nombre de minutes, si bien qu'en fonction du contenu de chacun des octets de la mémoire, on peut obtenir en quelque sorte une transformation d'échelle" par rapport aux pas successifs que fait le disque 2A lorsqu'il est entraîné en rotation à l'aide de la tige 8. De ce fait, le facteur de transformation" peut être quelconque pour chaque pas du disque 2A, car à chaque nombre accumulé dans le compteur 29 peut correspondre suivant la programmation préalable de la mémoire un nombre quelconque de minutes à décompter par la minuterie. Cet agencement fournit donc une grande souplesse de réalisation de la minuterie, la seule limitation de la conception étant le nombre de pas que peut effectuer le disque 2A et la capacité du compteur 29 et de la mémoire 30. Dans le cas représenté, qui est celui où la minuterie est incorporée dans une montre-bracelet et où le disque 2A remplace le disque de quantièmes, le nombre de positions de ce disque est avantageusement de 31, ce qui permet d'utiliser un disque dont la construction est parfaitement identique à celle d'un disque de quantièmes classique en dehors, bien entendu, des inscriptions qui y sont portées.In the circuit of FIG. 6, there is also provided a device for accumulating pulses which are generated when the disc 2A is rotated by means of the rod 8. This accumulator device here comprises a counter 29 whose counting input is connected to contact 16 and whose output represents on several bits the number contained in the counter. This output is connected in parallel to the address inputs of a permanent memory 30 which constitutes a scale transformation matrix. Consequently, the position of the counter 29 constitutes the address of this matrix which, in each of its bytes, stores a number corresponding to the duration of the time intervals to be measured. This number can be expressed, for example, in minutes or in any other desired time unit. In this case, this unit is the minute. Thus, each address of the memory 30 corresponds to a certain number of minutes, so that depending on the content of each of the bytes of the memory, it is possible to obtain a sort of scale transformation "with respect to the successive steps that makes the disc 2A when it is driven in rotation using the rod 8. Therefore, the transformation factor "can be arbitrary for each step of the disc 2A, because each number accumulated in the counter 29 can correspond depending on the previous programming of the memory any number of minutes to count down by the timer. This arrangement therefore provides great flexibility in producing the timer, the only limitation of the design being the number of steps that the disk 2A can take and the capacity of the counter 29 and of the memory 30. In the case shown, which is that where the timer is incorporated into a wristwatch and where the 2A disc replaces the date disc, the number of positions of this disc is advantageously 31, which allows the use of a disc whose construction is perfectly identical to that of 'a classic date disc apart, of course, from the inscriptions on it.

La sortie de données de la mémoire 30 est appliquée sous la forme d'un mot à huit bits par exemple, à l'une des entrées d'un comparateur 31 dont l'autre entrée, également à huit bits, est reliée à un compteur 32 destiné à recevoir des impulsions de comptage sur son entrée de comptage à partir d'un circuit diviseur 33. La sortie de ce dernier fournit une impulsion toutes les minutes, par exemple. Les impulsions correspondantes passent par une porte ET 34 d'autorisation de passage de ces impulsions qui sont fournies en réalité par la base de temps de la minuterie.The data output from memory 30 is applied in the form of an eight-bit word, for example, to one of the inputs of a comparator 31, the other input, also of eight bits, is connected to a counter. 32 intended to receive counting pulses on its counting input from a divider circuit 33. The output of the latter provides a pulse every minute, for example. The corresponding pulses pass through an AND gate 34 for authorizing the passage of these pulses which are actually supplied by the time base of the timer.

La sortie du comparateur 31 est raccordée à une porte ET 35 d'autorisation de passage des signaux commandant le générateur d'alarme 27. Cette porte ET est reliée également à un oscillateur 36 qui est destiné à fournir un train d'impulsions au dispositif 27, ce train d'impulsions pouvant donner naissance à un signal d'alarme audible de toute nature, comme cela est bien connu dans la technique.The output of the comparator 31 is connected to an AND gate 35 for authorizing the passage of the signals controlling the alarm generator 27. This AND gate is also connected to an oscillator 36 which is intended to supply a train of pulses to the device 27 , this train of pulses can give rise to an audible alarm signal of any kind, as is well known in the art.

Le contact 16, outre d'être connecté à l'entrée de comptage du compteur 29, est également relié à l'entrée de remise à zéro du diviseur 33, afin qu'après l'émission de chaque impulsion par le commutateur 3, le décomptage de la période de temps à mesurer puisse commencer au début d'une minute. En effet, on remarquera que le diviseur 19 fournissant un signal d'une fréquence de 0,5 Hz, le diviseur 33 divise ce signal par 30, de sorte que sa sortie fournit une impulsion toutes les soixante secondes.The contact 16, in addition to being connected to the counting input of the counter 29, is also connected to the reset input of the divider 33, so that after the emission of each pulse by the switch 3, the counting down of the time period to be measured can start at the start of a minute. Indeed, it will be noted that the divider 19 providing a signal with a frequency of 0.5 Hz, the divider 33 divides this signal by 30, so that its output provides a pulse every sixty seconds.

Le contact 16 est également relié à une première entrée d'une porte OU 37 dont l'autre entrée est reliée à la sortie du comparateur 31 et dont la sortie est connectée à l'entrée de remise à zéro du compteur 32. Ce dernier est donc remis à zéro soit lorsque le commutateur 3 émet une impulsion, soit lorsque le comparateur constate une égalité entre le contenu du compteur 32 et la sortie de données de la mémoire 30.Contact 16 is also connected to a first input of an OR gate 37, the other input of which is connected to the output of comparator 31 and the output of which is connected to the reset input of counter 32. The latter is therefore reset to zero either when the switch 3 emits a pulse, or when the comparator finds an equality between the content of the counter 32 and the data output of the memory 30.

Le contact 15 est relié à l'entrée de remise à zéro du compteur 29 et également par l'intermédiaire d'un inverseur 38 à une seconde entrée de la porte ET 34. En d'autres termes, lorsque le disque se trouve ramené à la position 0, le compteur 29 est remis à zéro et les impulsions de la base de temps ne peuvent plus parvenir sur l'entrée de comptage du compteur 32.The contact 15 is connected to the reset input of the counter 29 and also via an inverter 38 to a second input of the AND gate 34. In other words, when the disc is brought back to position 0, counter 29 is reset to zero and the pulses from the time base can no longer reach the counting input of counter 32.

L'activation du générateur 27 du signal d'alarme est soumise à certaines conditions. Ainsi, la sortie du comparateur 31 qui initialise la production du signal d'avertissement est reliée à un temporisateur 39 d'une durée de dix secondes par exemple qui, par l'intermédiaire d'un inverseur 40, est relié à l'une des entrées de la porte ET 35. Ce dernier n'est donc passant que pendant la durée d'établissement du temporisateur 38, de sorte que le signal provenant de l'oscillateur 36 ne peut être transmis au générateur 27 que pendant cette durée.The activation of the generator 27 of the alarm signal is subject to certain conditions. Thus, the output of the comparator 31 which initializes the production of the warning signal is connected to a timer 39 with a duration of ten seconds for example which, via an inverter 40, is connected to one of the AND gate 35 inputs. The latter is therefore only on during the setting time of the timer 38, so that the signal from the oscillator 36 can only be transmitted to the generator 27 during this time.

Dans le mode de réalisation représenté à la figure 6, la minuterie comporte avantageusement un détecteur de chocs 41 incorporé dans le botier de la pièce d'horlogerie et fournissant un signal lorsque l'utilisateur applique un choc à celle-ci. La sortie de ce détecteur est reliée à l'entrée de rétablissement d'un flip-flop 42 dont la sortie est reliée à une quatrième entrée de la porte ET 35 et dont l'entrée de déclenchement est reliée à la sortie de l'inverseur 40. Ce détecteur de chocs 41 est du type devant être activé par une entrée d'activation, ce qui est réalisé dans l'exemple dé- crit par l'intermédiaire d'une porte OU 43 dont une première entrée est reliée par l'intermédiaire d'un temporisateur 44 fixé à quelques secondes à la sortie du comparateur 31, l'autre entrée de la porte OU 43 étant reliée à la sortie de 1 Hz du diviseur 18. Ainsi le détecteur 41 est activé périodiquement ou un instant après constatation par le comparateur 31 d'une égalité sur ses deux entrées. Ainsi, il est possible, pour l'utilisateur, d'arrêter la production du signal d'alarme, même à l'intérieur de la période de temps fixée par le temporisateur 39.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the timer advantageously includes a shock detector 41 incorporated in the case of the timepiece and providing a signal when the user applies a shock thereto. The output of this detector is connected to the recovery input of a flip-flop 42 whose output is connected to a fourth input of the AND gate 35 and whose trigger input is connected to the output of the inverter 40. This shock detector 41 is of the type to be activated by an activation input, which is achieved in the example described i through an OR gate 43, a first input of which is connected by via a timer 44 fixed at a few seconds at the output of the comparator 31, the other input of the OR gate 43 being connected to the 1 Hz output of the divider 18. Thus the detector 41 is activated periodically or for an instant after comparison by the comparator 31 of equality on its two inputs. Thus, it is possible for the user to stop the production of the alarm signal, even within the time period fixed by the timer 39.

L'exemple de la figure 6 comporte également un soustracteur 45 dont une première entrée est reliée à la sortie du compteur 32 et dont l'autre entrée est raccordée à la sortie de données de la mémoire 30, si bien que ce soustracteur peut établir à sa sortie un nombre qui est la différence entre le nombre de minutes déjà décompté et le nombre de minutes devant être décompté en totalité. La sortie du soustracteur 45 peut ainsi être raccordée à un décodeur 46 relié à un dispositif d'affichage 47 du temps qui reste encore à décompter. Ce dispositif d'affichage pourrait être constitué par un affichage à cristaux liquides ou tout autre système analogue.The example of FIG. 6 also includes a subtractor 45, a first input of which is connected to the output of the counter 32 and the other input of which is connected to the data output of the memory 30, so that this subtractor can establish at its output a number which is the difference between the number of minutes already counted down and the number of minutes to be counted down in full. The output of the subtractor 45 can thus be connected to a decoder 46 connected to a device 47 for displaying the time which remains to be counted down. This display device could be constituted by a liquid crystal display or any other similar system.

A la façon du montage d'un disque de jours, dont la construction mécanique sera décrite en détail ultérieurement, l'exemple de la figure 6 comporte encore une second disque 48 disposé concentriquement à l'intérieur du disque 2A et portant sur sa face visible en dessous d'une partie du guichet 11 trois indications correspondant respectivement à la fonction "arrêt", "1 x" et "répétition". Mécaniquement, ce disque 48 est couplé à un commutateur 49 à trois position correspondant respectivement aux indications portées sur le disque 48. Le contact mobile 50 de ce commutateur est raccordé à la masse, tandis que l'un 51 des contacts fixes est relié à un inverseur 52 et une quatrième entrée de la porte 34. De la sorte, lorsque le commutateur 49 se trouve dans la position correspondante, les impulsions de base de temps provenant du diviseur 33 ne peuvent plus atteindre le compteur 32. Par ailleurs, ce même signal remet ce diviseur 30 à zéro par l'intermédiaire de l'inverseur 52, le compteur 32 étant également remis à zéro à travers cet inverseur et la porte OU 37.In the manner of mounting a day disc, the mechanical construction of which will be described in detail later, the example of FIG. 6 also comprises a second disc 48 arranged concentrically inside the disc 2A and bearing on its visible face below a part of the window 11 three indications corresponding respectively to the "stop", "1 x" and "repeat" function. Mechanically, this disc 48 is coupled to a three-position switch 49 corresponding respectively to the indications carried on the disc 48. The movable contact 50 of this switch is connected to ground, while one 51 of the fixed contacts is connected to a inverter 52 and a fourth input of door 34. In this way, when the switch 49 is in the corresponding position, the time base pulses from the divider 33 can no longer reach the counter 32. Furthermore, this same signal resets this divider 30 to zero via the inverter 52, the counter 32 also being reset through this inverter and the OR gate 37.

L'autre contact fixe 53 du commutateur 49 est relié à une première entrée d'une porte ET 54 dont l'autre entrée est reliée à la sortie du comparateur 31. La sortie de cette même porte est reliée à l'entrée de rétablissement d'un flip-flop 55 dont l'entrée de déclenchement est reliée au contact 16 du commutateur 3.The other fixed contact 53 of the switch 49 is connected to a first input of an AND gate 54 whose other input is connected to the output of the comparator 31. The output of this same door is connected to the reset input d a flip-flop 55 whose trigger input is connected to contact 16 of switch 3.

Le fonctionnement de ce circuit est le suivant. Lorsque les disques 2A et 48 sont placés sur leurs positions "zéro", respectivement "off", les inverseurs 3 et 49 se trouvent respectivement appuyés sur leurs contact 15 et 52. Tous les circuits et notamment les compteurs 29 et 32 sont alors remis à zéro.The operation of this circuit is as follows. When the disks 2A and 48 are placed in their "zero", respectively "off" positions, the reversers 3 and 49 are respectively supported on their contacts 15 and 52. All the circuits and in particular the counters 29 and 32 are then reset to zero.

Pour mesurer un laps de temps, l'utilisateur met d'abord la tige 8 dans la deuxième position tirée (c'est-à-dire celle dans laquelle, dans une montre classique, elle permet de régler les quantièmes et les jours). Tournant la tige dans un sens, l'utilisateur déplace le disque 48 vers la position "1 x", puis tournant la tige dans l'autre sens, sélectionne la durée du laps de temps en observant les chiffres défilant derrière le guichet 11. Dès que le ressort 14 quitte l'encoche 10 (fig. 1 à 3), l'inverseur 3 quitte le contact 15 et, en passant devant les dents 9, pousse son bras contre le contact fixe 16, ce dont il résulte l'émission d'un nombre d'impulsions correspondant au nombre de pas effectué par le disque 2A. Ce nombre est enregistré dans le compteur 29. En même temps, les adresses de la mémoire 30 sont successivement parcourues jusqu'à ce que, lorsque le disque 2A s'arrête, l'adresse soit atteinte à laquelle se trouve enregistrée la valeur temporelle correspondant au laps de temps choisi. Dès que le disque 2A est arrêté et que le commutateur 3 se retrouve immobilisé dans sa position neutre, la porte ET 34 laisse passer les impulsions de la base de temps (périodes de référence) qui sont ainsi appliquées au compteur 32. Celui-ci commence donc à compter au rythme d'un pas par minute. Lorsqu'il y a égalité entre le contenu de ce compteur et le nombre fourni par la mémoire 30, le comparateur signale l'égalité et fournit un signal à sa sortie qui ouvre la porte ET 35. Le générateur sonore 27 est alors activé comme déjà décrit ci-dessus. Dès que le comparateur constate l'égalité, le comptage de la base de temps est inhibé à travers la porte ET 54 et le flip-flop 55 qui ferme la porte ET 34. L'utilisateur peut arrêter à volonté le générateur sonore 27 à l'aide du détecteur de chocs 41. En effet, ce détecteur peut faire basculer le flip-flop 42 et fermer ainsi la porte ET 35. On remarquera également que cette porte ne reste ouverte que pendant un temps prédéterminé fixé par la temporisation 39 qui, à travers l'inverseur 40, est reliée à l'une des entrées de cette porte.To measure a period of time, the user first puts the rod 8 in the second drawn position (that is to say the one in which, in a conventional watch, it makes it possible to adjust the dates and the days). Turning the rod in one direction, the user moves the disc 48 to the "1 x" position, then turning the rod in the other direction, selects the duration of the lapse of time by observing the numbers scrolling behind the window 11. From that the spring 14 leaves the notch 10 (fig. 1 to 3), the reverser 3 leaves the contact 15 and, passing in front of the teeth 9, pushes its arm against the fixed contact 16, which results in the emission a number of pulses corresponding to the number of steps taken by the disc 2A. This number is recorded in the counter 29. At the same time, the addresses of the memory 30 are successively scanned until, when the disk 2A stops, the address is reached at which the corresponding time value is found at the time chosen. As soon as the disc 2A is stopped and the switch 3 is immobilized in its neutral position, the AND gate 34 lets the pulses of the time base (reference periods) pass, which are thus applied to the counter 32. This begins so count at the rate of one step per minute. When there is equality between the content of this counter and the number supplied by the memory 30, the comparator signals the equality and provides a signal at its output which opens the AND gate 35. The sound generator 27 is then activated as already described above. As soon as the comparator finds equality, the counting of the time base is inhibited through the AND gate 54 and the flip-flop 55 which closes the AND gate 34. The user can stop the sound generator 27 at will at will. using the shock detector 41. In fact, this detector can cause the flip-flop 42 to topple and thus close the AND gate 35. It will also be noted that this door remains open only for a predetermined time fixed by the time delay 39 which, through the inverter 40, is connected to one of the inputs of this door.

Si, au départ, l'utilisateur a placé le commutateur 49 dans la position "répétition", la porte ET 54 est fermée et le signal d'égalité du comparateur ne peut pas parvenir au flip-flop 55. De ce fait, un nouveau décomptage du laps de temps peut se produire.If, at the outset, the user has placed the switch 49 in the "repeat" position, the AND gate 54 is closed and the equality signal from the comparator cannot reach the flip-flop 55. As a result, a new time lapse counting can occur.

On a décrit jusqu'à présent deux modes de réalisation dans lesquels le disque 2 ou 2A n'est déplaçable que pour le réglage du laps de temps à mesurer, si bien que ce disque ne peut pas lui-même témoigner du temps qui reste encore à décompter.Two embodiments have so far been described in which the disk 2 or 2A is movable only for the adjustment of the period of time to be measured, so that this disk cannot itself bear witness to the time which still remains to count down.

Au contraire, dans le mode de réalisation qu'on va décrire maintenant, le disque 2 a le double rôle de permettre à l'utilisateur de régler le laps de temps à mesurer et d'indiquer, pendant la mesure de ce laps de temps, la période qui reste encore à décompter. Sur la figure 7, on a représenté un mode d'entraînement du disque 2 qui, par ailleurs, présente la même forme que celle de la variante de la figure 1. Toutefois, dans ce cas, il est prévu en outre un moteur pas à pas 56 qui, par l'intermédiaire d'un mobile de transmission 57 entraîne une roue 58 pourvue d'une dent 59 coopérant avec les dents 9 du disque 2. Le moteur pas à pas 56 peut être alimenté avec une fréquence de 32 Hz, par exemple. Bien entendu, le disque 2A peut être pourvu d'un mécanisme identique.On the contrary, in the embodiment which will now be described, the disc 2 has the dual role of allowing the user to adjust the period of time to be measured and to indicate, during the measurement of this period of time, the period that remains to be counted. In Figure 7, there is shown a drive mode of the disc 2 which, moreover, has the same shape as that of the variant of Figure 1. However, in this case, there is further provided a stepper motor. step 56 which, by means of a transmission mobile 57 drives a wheel 58 provided with a tooth 59 cooperating with the teeth 9 of the disc 2. The stepping motor 56 can be supplied with a frequency of 32 Hz, for example. Of course, the disc 2A can be provided with an identical mechanism.

La figure 8 montre un exemple d'un circuit électronique pouvant être utilisé dans ce dernier cas. Les éléments déjà décrits à propos de la figure 6 sont représentés sur cette figure avec les mêmes références numériques. Le circuit qui est raccordé au contact 16 du commutateur 3 et à la mémoire 30 est ici un compteur-décompteur 60 qui compte les impulsions provenant du commutateur 3 et qui décomptent les impulsions de sortie du comparateur 31. Ce dernier est raccordé comme précédemment à la sortie de données de la mémoire 30 et à la sortie du compteur 32, ce dernier comptant les impulsions provenant du diviseur 33 à raison d'une impulsion par minute.FIG. 8 shows an example of an electronic circuit which can be used in the latter case. The elements already described in connection with FIG. 6 are represented in this figure with the same reference numerals. The circuit which is connected to the contact 16 of the switch 3 and to the memory 30 is here an up-down counter 60 which counts the pulses coming from the switch 3 and which counts down the output pulses of the comparator 31. The latter is connected as previously to the data output from memory 30 and at the output of counter 32, the latter counting the pulses coming from the divider 33 at the rate of one pulse per minute.

Cependant, le contenu de la mémoire 30 n'est pas le même que celui de la mémoire 30 du mode de réalisation de la figure 6. En effet, à chaque adresse de la mémoire 30 correspond ici une valeur qui est la différence entre deux durées successives affichées sur le disque 2A.However, the content of memory 30 is not the same as that of memory 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 6. In fact, for each address of memory 30 corresponds here a value which is the difference between two durations displayed on disk 2A.

Ainsi, lorsque le comparateur 31 constate une égalité entre le contenu du compteur 32 et de la sortie de données de la mémoire 30, il applique un signal de sortie à une porte ET 61 dont l'autre entrée est reliée à une sortie à 32 Hz du diviseur 18. La sortie de cette porte ET 61 est raccordée à une commande 62 du moteur 56. Par conséquent, en cas d'égalité, le moteur 56 est activé par 32 impulsions pour ramener le disque 2 ou 2A un pas en arrière.Thus, when the comparator 31 finds an equality between the content of the counter 32 and of the data output of the memory 30, it applies an output signal to an AND gate 61 whose other input is connected to an output at 32 Hz of the divider 18. The output of this AND gate 61 is connected to a control 62 of the motor 56. Consequently, in the event of a tie, the motor 56 is activated by 32 pulses to bring the disc 2 or 2A one step back.

Les rapports d'engrenage entre le rotor du moteur, le mobile 57 et la roue 58 sont choisis de telle façon que les 32 impulsions suffisent pour faire faire un tour à la roue 58. Celle-ci , dans sa position de repos, est placée de telle manière que la dent 59 se trouve dans la position 59A représentée en pointillés (c'est-à-dire dans laquelle cette dent échappe à la denture du disque 2 ou 2A). Ainsi, la dent 59 ne s'oppose pas au réglage du disque par l'intermédiaire de la tige 8 qui y est couplée par le mécanisme non représenté de réglage classique. Cependant, dès que le moteur 56 est activé, la dent 59 vient heurter une dent du disque pour le faire reculer d'un pas (position fugitive représentée sur la Fig. 7).The gear ratios between the rotor of the motor, the mobile 57 and the wheel 58 are chosen so that the 32 pulses are enough to make the wheel 58 rotate. The latter, in its rest position, is placed in such a way that the tooth 59 is in the position 59A shown in dotted lines (that is to say in which this tooth escapes the teeth of the disc 2 or 2A). Thus, the tooth 59 is not opposed to the adjustment of the disc by means of the rod 8 which is coupled to it by the mechanism (not shown) of conventional adjustment. However, as soon as the motor 56 is activated, the tooth 59 strikes a tooth of the disc to make it move back a step (fleeting position shown in Fig. 7).

Pendant ce mouvement de rebours du disque, le commutateur 3, malgré le fait que le contact 16 enregistre de nouveau un passage devant une dent 9, reste inopérant pour accroître le contenu du compteur 60, puisque la sortie du comparateur 31 inhibe l'entrée de comptage de celui-ci à travers un inverseur 63 et une porte ET 64. Lorsque le comparateur 31 constate l'égalité, le compteur 32 est remis à zéro.During this reverse movement of the disc, the switch 3, despite the fact that the contact 16 again records a passage in front of a tooth 9, remains inoperative to increase the content of the counter 60, since the output of the comparator 31 inhibits the input of counting of the latter through an inverter 63 and an AND gate 64. When the comparator 31 finds equality, the counter 32 is reset to zero.

Ainsi, à la fin de la mesure d'un intervalle de temps correspondant à une graduation du disque, celui-ci est ramené un pas en arrière, la mémoire fournit une nouvelle valeur et le compteur 32 recommence à compter les impulsions du diviseur 33.Thus, at the end of the measurement of a time interval corresponding to a graduation of the disc, the latter is brought back one step, supplies a new value and the counter 32 resumes counting the pulses of the divider 33.

Le compteur-décompteur 60 comprend également une sortie "0" qui est activée lorsque son contenu parvient à zéro. Cette sortie est reliée à une porte ET 65 qui commande le dispositif d'alarme 27. Cette porte est également connectée à l'oscillateur 36, au détecteur de chocs 41 et à la temporisation 39 (limitation du temps d'alarme), le détecteur de chocs étant associé à son propre temporisateur 44.The up-down counter 60 also includes an output "0" which is activated when its content reaches zero. This output is connected to an AND gate 65 which controls the alarm device 27. This gate is also connected to the oscillator 36, to the shock detector 41 and to the time delay 39 (limitation of the alarm time), the detector of shocks being associated with its own timer 44.

Le signal de zéro du compteur-décompteur 60 est transmis également à une porte ET 66 par l'intermédiaire d'un inverseur 67, pour bloquer tout nouveau comptage par le compteur 32.The zero signal from the up-down counter 60 is also transmitted to an AND gate 66 via an inverter 67, to block any new counting by the counter 32.

Par ailleurs, en revenant à zéro, le disque 2A remet le commutateur 3 dans la position dans laquelle le contact 15 est activé. Ceci peut remettre à zéro le compteur-décompteur 60 au cas où l'utilisateur désire mettre prématurément fin au fonctionnement de la minuterie.Furthermore, on returning to zero, the disc 2A returns the switch 3 to the position in which the contact 15 is activated. This can reset the up-down counter 60 to zero in the event that the user wishes to prematurely end the operation of the timer.

Dans la variante de la figure 8, on peut évidemment prévoir également le disque 48 pour la réalisation des fonctions "arrêt", "1 x" et "répétition" en utilisant des éléments de circuit identiques à ceux apparaissant sur la figure 6.In the variant of FIG. 8, it is obviously also possible to provide the disk 48 for carrying out the functions "stop", "1 x" and "repeat" using circuit elements identical to those appearing in FIG. 6.

Les figures 9 et 10 représentent un mode d'exécution du mécanisme associé au disque 4B. Celui-ci est conçu de manière à pouvoir occuper un multiple de trois positions (ici neuf) correspondant chaque fois aux fonctions susindiquées. Comme pour un disque de jours classique, ces positions sont fixées par un sautoir 68 et une étoile 69 qui est ici à neuf branches et avec laquelle engrène un mobile 70. Ce dernier fait partie du mécanisme de réglage (voir fig. 1 et 2) et est mobile en rotation et également en translation grâce à un guide 71 en forme de haricot. De cette manière, de façon bien connue, la tige 8 (non représentée ici) peut entraîner l'étoile 69 lorsqu'on la tourne dans un sens et entraîner le disque 2 ou 2A lorsqu'on la tourne en sens inverse, le mobile 70 se déplaçant alors d'une extrémité du guide 71 à l'autre. L'étoile 69 qui est naturellement solidaire du disque 2 ou 2A se trouve fixée sur celui-ci par l'intermédiaire d'une came périphérique 72 à trois niveaux avec laquelle coopère le ressort de contact 73 du commutateur 49. On comprend qu'ainsi, chacune des positions du disque 48 correspond à l'une des trois positions possibles de ce commutateur 49.Figures 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the mechanism associated with the disc 4B. It is designed so that it can occupy a multiple of three positions (here nine) corresponding each time to the above-mentioned functions. As for a classic day disc, these positions are fixed by a jumper 68 and a star 69 which is here with nine branches and with which engages a mobile 70. The latter is part of the adjustment mechanism (see fig. 1 and 2) and is movable in rotation and also in translation by means of a bean-shaped guide 71. In this way, as is well known, the rod 8 (not shown here) can drive the star 69 when it is rotated in one direction and drive the disc 2 or 2A when it is rotated in the opposite direction, the mobile 70 then moving from one end of the guide 71 to the other. The star 69 which is naturally integral with the disc 2 or 2A is fixed on the latter by means of a peripheral cam 72 at three levels with which the contact spring 73 of the switch 49 cooperates. It is understood that thus , each of the positions of the disc 48 corresponds to one of the three possible positions of this switch 49.

Comme on le voit sur les figures 9 et 11, les disques 2, 2A et 48 peuvent se trouver placés directement sous le cadran 74 d'une montre pourvue de la minuterie et indiquant l'heure officielle à l'aide de ses aiguilles 75 et 76.As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 11, the disks 2, 2A and 48 can be placed directly under the dial 74 of a watch provided with the timer and indicating the official time using its hands 75 and 76.

Toutefois, la minuterie suivant l'invention peut étre utilisée indépendamment sans qu'un dispositif d'indication de l'heure officiel y soit nécessairement associé.However, the timer according to the invention can be used independently without an official time indication device being necessarily associated therewith.

On notera enfin que le mode de réalisation de la figure 8 peut être appliqué dans le cas où le disque comporte une graduation linéaire. Il est alors inutile d'utiliser la mémoire 30, le comparateur 31 ou le compteur 32. En revanche, une connexion directe 77 (fig. 8) doit alors relier le diviseur 33 au circuit de commande 62 du moteur 56.Finally, note that the embodiment of Figure 8 can be applied in the case where the disc has a linear graduation. It is then unnecessary to use the memory 30, the comparator 31 or the counter 32. On the other hand, a direct connection 77 (FIG. 8) must then connect the divider 33 to the control circuit 62 of the motor 56.

Claims (17)

1. Electromechanical timer comprising a time base (17, 18) establishing a constant reference period, a device (4) for setting the interval of time to be measured, including a setting member (2) provided with a scale calibrated in units of time, a position transducer (1) for the setting member which is capable of generating a pulsed signal, the number of pulses of which represents the position of the setting member and, consequently, the interval of time to be measured, a device (27) for generating an alarm signal, and means (23) for counting the number of reference periods contained in said interval and, on timing-out, triggering said alarm signal generating device, characterized in that the means for counting comprises an up-down counter (23) having an up input (24) connected to the position transducer (1) to be loaded with a number of pulses representative of an interval of time to be measured, a down input (25) connected to the time base (17, 18) and an output (26) connected to said alarm signal generating device (27), the latter being triggered when the number of pulses generated by the time base corresponds to the interval of time to be measured.
2. Timer according to claim 1, characterized in that all the pulses of said pulsed signal correspond to an equal number of reference periods of said time base (17, 18), said scale of the setting member being linear.
3. Timer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said setting member (2) is coupled to a motor (56) for restoring said member step by step to its initial position during the counting of the number of reference periods comprised in the said interval of time to be measured.
4. Timer according to claim 3, characterized in that said motor (56) is connected to said time base to be actuated each time that one or more reference periods has or have elapsed in order to bring the setting member back one step, and said up-down counter (23) comprises a zero position output which is connected to said alarm signal generating device (27, 36) in order to trigger it when the zero position of said counter is reached.
5. Timer according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said transducer (1) comprises a switch (3) which is connected to said up input (24) of said counter (23) for incrementing the contents thereof each time that it is actuated, in that said setting member comprises a series of teeth (9) having one tooth per division of its scale, and in that said switch cooperates with said teeth to be actuated on the passage of each tooth.
6. Timer according to claim 5, characterized in that said switch (3) is a change-over switch with a first fixed contact (16) connected to said up input (24) of said counter (23) and a second fixed contact (15) connected to the reset input (28) of this circuit which is closed when said setting member (2) is in its zero position.
7. Timer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said setting member is in the form of an annular disc (2).
8. Timepiece comprising standard time indicator means having:
- a time base (17) for generating regularly spaced time pulses establishing a constant reference period;
- a divider circuit (18) connected to said time base for generating a first pulse train and a second pulse train;
- control circuit means (20) connected to said divider circuit for receiving said first pulse train;
- motor means (21) connected to said circuit means;
- a dial (74);
- hands (22) cooperating with said dial for displaying standard time, said hands being coupled to said motor means (21) for being driven thereby in dependency from said first pulse train and a stem (8), characterized in that it further comprises an electromechanical timer according any one of claims 1 to 7 the counter being incremented in relationship with the second pulse train and in that the setting member (2) is fitted after the fashion of a date disc in order that it can be actuated by the stem (8) of the timepiece.
9. Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a second setting member for control of its starting and stopping, and in that said second setting member comprises a second disc (48) fitted after the fashion of a day disc of said timepiece, and in that this second disc is associated with a switch (49) actuated by a cam (72) fast with said disc and connected so as to start or stop the circuits of the timer.
10. Electromechanical timer comprising a time base (17, 18) establishing a constant reference period, a device (4) for setting the interval of time to be measured, including a setting member (2A) provided with a scale calibrated in units of time, a position transducer (1) for the setting member which is capable of generating a pulsed signal, the number of pulses of which represents the position of the setting member (2A) and, consequently, the interval of time to be measured, a device (27) for generating an alarm signal, and means for counting the number of reference periods contained in said interval and, on timing-out, triggering said alarm signal generating device (27), characterized in that the means for counting comprises a first counter (29, 60) for storing the number of pulses of said pulsed signal, a scale conversion matrix (30) capable of producing a time value for each pulse generated by said transducer (1), in that said matrix (30) is connected to one of the inputs of a comparator (31) which is connected at its other input to a second counter (32) connected to said time base for storing reference periods of the latter, and in that said comparator (31) is connected so as to trigger the alarm signal generator device when it establishes equality of the values applicable at its two inputs, said setting member (2A) having a nonlinear scale.
11. Timer according to claim 10, characterized in that said setting member (2A) is coupled to a motor (56) for restoring said member step by step to its initial position during the counting of the number of reference periods comprised in the said interval of time to be measured.
12. Timer according to claim 11, characterized in that said setting member (2A) is coupled to a motor (56) for restoring said member step by step to its initial position during the counting of the number of reference periods comprises in said interval of time, in that said first counter (60) is an up-down counter (60), the output of said comparator (31) being connected, on the one hand, to the down counting input of said first counter and, on the other hand, to said motor to cause the counting down of said first counter by one unit and the backward movement of the setting member by one step in the case of equality of the signals applied at the inputs of the comparator, in that said first counter (6) also has a zero position output which is connected to said device generating an alarm signal when said first counter reaches the zero position, and in that said matrix (30) comprises, for each position of said first counter, a different time value which is a fraction of the interval of time to be measured corresponding respectively to the steps of said setting member (2A).
13. Timer according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that said transducer (1) comprises a switch which is connected to said counting means (29, 30, 32, 60) for incrementing the contents thereof each time that it is actuated, in that said setting member comprises a series of teeth (9) having one tooth per division of its scale and in that said switch cooperates with said teeth to be actuated on the passage of each tooth.
14. Timer according to claim 13, characterized in that said switch is a change-over switch with a first fixed contact (16) connected to said counting means (29, 30, 32, 60) and a second fixed contact (15) connected to the reset input of this circuit which is closed when said setting member (2A) is in its zero position.
15. Timer according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that said setting member is in the form of an annular disc (2A).
16. Timepiece comprising standard time indicator means having:
- a time base (17) for generating regularly spaced time pulses establishing a constant reference period;
- a divider circuit (18) connected to said time base for generating a first pulse train and a second pulse train;
- control circuit means (20) connected to said divider circuit for receiving said first pulse train;
- motor means (21) connected to said circuit means;
- a dial (74);
- hands (22) cooperating with said dial for displaying standard time, said hands being coupled to said motor means for being driven thereby in dependency from said first pulse train and a stem (8), characterized in that it further comprises an electro-mechanical timer according any one of claims 10 to 15 and in that the setting member (2A) is fitted after the fashion of a date disc in order that it can be actuated by the stem (8) of the timepiece.
17. Timepiece according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a second setting member for control if its starting and stopping, and in that said second setting member comprises a second disc (48) fitted after the fashion of a day disc of said timepiece, and in that this second disc is associated with a switch (49) actuated by a cam (72) fast with said disc and connected so as to start or stop the circuits of the timer.
EP86105618A 1985-04-30 1986-04-23 Timer Expired - Lifetime EP0202495B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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CH1827/85 1985-04-30
CH182785A CH659759GA3 (en) 1985-04-30 1985-04-30

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JP (1) JPS61253489A (en)
CH (1) CH659759GA3 (en)
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WO1989012904A1 (en) * 1988-06-14 1989-12-28 Rudolf Schadow Gmbh Mechanical pulse generator
US7027362B2 (en) * 2003-12-11 2006-04-11 Timex Group B.V. Multifunctional rotating ring in a timepiece

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US4687341A (en) 1987-08-18
DE3668999D1 (en) 1990-03-15
JPS61253489A (en) 1986-11-11
CH659759GA3 (en) 1987-02-27
SG131992G (en) 1993-03-12
EP0202495A1 (en) 1986-11-26

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