EP0389411A1 - Hybrid display time piece comprising one or several LCD elements - Google Patents

Hybrid display time piece comprising one or several LCD elements Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0389411A1
EP0389411A1 EP90810140A EP90810140A EP0389411A1 EP 0389411 A1 EP0389411 A1 EP 0389411A1 EP 90810140 A EP90810140 A EP 90810140A EP 90810140 A EP90810140 A EP 90810140A EP 0389411 A1 EP0389411 A1 EP 0389411A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crystal display
liquid crystal
dial
plate
display
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Granted
Application number
EP90810140A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0389411B1 (en
Inventor
Gabriel Mossuz
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Fabrique dEbauches de Sonceboz SA
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Fabrique dEbauches de Sonceboz SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0082—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/06—Dials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings
    • G04G17/02—Component assemblies
    • G04G17/04—Mounting of electronic components
    • G04G17/045—Mounting of the display

Definitions

  • Timepieces with hybrid display comprising an analog display of the hours and one or more liquid crystal displays, allowing, among other things, the display of calendar functions, moon phases, are well known and we find many different designs on the market.
  • the embodiment described in application CH-B-626 496 comprises a liquid crystal display cell visible through the dial, inside the surface delimited by the hour circle, the front plate of the liquid crystal display cell, the top glass and the polarizer, form the dial.
  • US-A-4,257,115 also mentions a watch, to which calculator functions have been added, provided with a liquid crystal display cell arranged inside the surface limited by the hour circle ; as before, the upper glass and the upper polarizer of the cell are part of the dial.
  • Japanese applications JP-A-59 211 885 and JP-A-58 111 781 each describe a rectangular watch fitted with a liquid crystal display cell arranged outside an analog dial of square shape.
  • the top glass and the cell polarizer are part of the dial.
  • Application CH-A-6,974 also describes a watch provided with liquid crystal display cells arranged inside the surface limited by the hour circle, the upper glass and the polarizer forming part of the dial.
  • Another object of the invention is to allow modular manufacturing, various semi-products being assembled on demand. Finally, the display plane of the liquid crystal cells being very close to the reading plane of the movement with analog display, the simultaneous reading of the two displays will be facilitated.
  • a liquid crystal display cell 1 comprising successively, for one embodiment of said cell, a lower polarizer 10 ′, a lower glass 11 ′, liquid crystal 12, different electrodes 13 and 13 ′, oriented layers 14 and 14 ′, connections 15, upper glass 11 and an upper polarizer 10.
  • a sealed border 16 ensures the spacing between the electrodes of external connection 17, responsible for transmitting the control signals to the electrodes 13 and 13 ′.
  • the control signals of the various liquid crystal display cells originating, in the case where the analog display movement is an electronic movement, from a circuit 4 consisting of an extension of the printed circuit of said movement, comprising the support 40 as well as the tracks 41 connected to the external connections 17 of the liquid crystal display cells 1, by conne flexible "ZEBRA" type connectors 42.
  • the signal control circuit 4 is specific to the liquid crystal display elements.
  • the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 and forming a dial of the clockwork movement with analog display consists of the upper glass 11 as well as the upper polarizer 10 necessary the operation of said liquid crystal display cells.
  • the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 shown in a single copy, and forming the dial of the clockwork movement with analog display 3 is constituted only from the upper polarizer 10, the upper glass 11 being common only to the said liquid crystal display cells and being hollowed out so as to come to surround the part 30 of the clockwork movement with analog display.
  • the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 and forming a dial of the movement with analog display 3 consists only of the upper polarizer 10, the upper glass 11 being specific to each liquid crystal display cell, shown here in a single copy.
  • the polarizer will be chosen to be more resistant, respectively thicker than a conventional type polarizer, in order to ensure sufficient mechanical rigidity for the dial.
  • the upper glass plate 11 common to the various liquid crystal display cells in the first embodiment according to the invention, can be made of a material other than glass, according to the method of manufacturing said cells.
  • FIG. 4 shows another embodiment according to the state of the art in which the clockwork movement with analog display 3 and a liquid crystal display cell 1, large and covering, are superimposed roughly the surface of the common plate 2 acting as a dial, except for a central hole intended to allow the moving points 31 to pass.
  • FIG. 5 represents a plan view according to any one of the embodiments according to the invention, with an analog display by hands 32 on a dial 33 and indications by liquid crystal display of the calendar according to a round display 34, of the day of the week according to a crown segment display 35 and of the name of the month according to a vertical right display 36.
  • timepieces with hybrid display whose movement with analog display can be a mechanical or electronic watch of small dimensions, and whose aesthetic effect is obtained by placing said analog display in the center of the dial. and by placing around one or more liquid crystal display elements which can be of any shape, or even be of shapes different from each other; depending on the effect aesthetic sought, the dial is not necessarily circular in shape.
  • Another advantage of an arrangement as proposed is that, the upper polarizer being common to the two types of display, an appreciable reduction in thickness of the assembly is obtained, the movement with analog display being somehow encrusted. among the lower layers of the liquid crystal display element (s).
  • Another advantage of the invention is to be able to constitute sets of finished products according to different variants, on request, from the stock of semi-finished products.
  • the upper polarizer 10 is considered as a first semi-manufactured product, which can be made according to multiple variants of decoration or shape.
  • the part of the plate 2 located under the hands 32 is intended to receive a time marking 33 corresponding to the analog display, this marking being able to be done in any manner known in the art and compatible with the materials used. for the manufacture of plate 2.
  • This plate may also have no marking, the time being read by appreciation of the relative position of the hands 32.
  • a second semi-finished product consists of liquid crystal display cells arranged in different variants on their upper glass plate 11, common to the different cells, or according to the other embodiment of the invention, each having its own upper glass plate 11.
  • a third semi-finished product is made up of the clockwork movement with analog display 3, which can also be chosen between different types. It can therefore be seen that, by combining, during assembly, a certain number of variants of the semi-finished products mentioned, it is possible to obtain finished products, on request, according to a relatively high number of variants.
  • the other components of the watch are designed and assembled using known techniques.
  • An additional advantage of an arrangement as presented here stems from the fact that the display plane of the liquid crystal cells is very close to the reading plane of the movement with analog display, thereby facilitating the simultaneous reading of the two displays.

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

Abstract

A hybrid-display timepiece comprising one or more liquid-crystal display elements (34,35,36) is more harmonious when the said liquid- crystal display elements are arranged around an analog display (32,33) situated at the centre of the dial. For this purpose, it is judicious to have only a single plate (2) common to the various liquid-crystal display elements and forming a dial for the analog display timepiece movement. This plate further constitutes the upper polariser of the liquid-crystal display elements, this bringing a saving in total thickness of the movement and permitting modular manufacture to order. <IMAGE>

Description

Les pièces d'horlogerie à affichage hybride, comprenant un affichage analogique des heures et un ou plusieurs affichages à cristaux liquides, permettant entre autres, l'affichage de fonctions de calendrier, de phases de la lune, sont bien connues et on en trouve de nombreuses exécutions différentes sur le marché.Timepieces with hybrid display, comprising an analog display of the hours and one or more liquid crystal displays, allowing, among other things, the display of calendar functions, moon phases, are well known and we find many different designs on the market.

En particulier, l'exécution décrite dans la demande CH-B- 626 496 comprend une cellule d'affichage à cristaux liquides visible à travers le cadran, à l'intérieur de la surface délimitée par le tour d'heu­res, la plaque antérieure de la cellule d'affichage à cristaux liquides, soit le verre supérieur et le pola­riseur, forment le cadran.In particular, the embodiment described in application CH-B-626 496 comprises a liquid crystal display cell visible through the dial, inside the surface delimited by the hour circle, the front plate of the liquid crystal display cell, the top glass and the polarizer, form the dial.

Le brevet US-A-4 257 115 mentionne aussi une montre, à laquelle des fonctions de calculatrice ont été rajoutées, munie d'une cellule d'affichage à cris­taux liquides disposée à l'intérieur de la surface li­mitée par le tour d'heures; comme précédemment, le ver­re supérieur et le polariseur supérieur de la cellule font partie du cadran.US-A-4,257,115 also mentions a watch, to which calculator functions have been added, provided with a liquid crystal display cell arranged inside the surface limited by the hour circle ; as before, the upper glass and the upper polarizer of the cell are part of the dial.

Les demandes japonaises JP-A-59 211 885 et JP-A-58 111 781 décrivent chacune une montre rectangu­laire munie d'une cellule d'affichage à cristaux liqui­des disposée à l'extérieur d'un cadran analogique de forme carrée. Ici aussi, le verre supérieur et le pola­riseur de la cellule font partie du cadran.Japanese applications JP-A-59 211 885 and JP-A-58 111 781 each describe a rectangular watch fitted with a liquid crystal display cell arranged outside an analog dial of square shape. Here too, the top glass and the cell polarizer are part of the dial.

La demande CH-A- 6 974 décrit elle aussi une montre munie de cellules d'affichage à cristaux liqui­des disposées à l'intérieur de la surface limitée par le tour d'heures, le verre supérieur et le polariseur faisant partie du cadran.Application CH-A-6,974 also describes a watch provided with liquid crystal display cells arranged inside the surface limited by the hour circle, the upper glass and the polarizer forming part of the dial.

Au vu du nombre de documents faisant partie de l'état de la technique, on constate que de nombreux essais ont été faits pour associer une ou plusieurs cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides à un mouvement d'horlogerie, en utilisant le verre supérieur et le po­lariseur desdites cellules d'affichage à cristaux li­quides comme cadran du mouvement d'horlogerie à affi­chage analogique. Toutefois, aucune des formes d'exécu­tion décrites ci-dessus ne permet d'atteindre les buts que se propose l'invention, soit d'obtenir une disposi­tion harmonieuse, particulièrement pour des pièces d'horlogerie de petites dimensions, en disposant l'af­fichage analogique au centre du cadran et les diffé­rents éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides à la pé­riphérie du cadran; de plus en n'ayant, selon l'inven­tion, que le polariseur supérieur comme élément commun aux cellules d'affichage et au cadran, on obtient un gain d'épaisseur de la montre terminée correspondant à l'épaisseur du verre, ce qui ne peut être obtenu avec les formes d'exécution selon l'état de la technique. Un autre but de l'invention est de permettre une fabrica­tion modulaire, différents semi-produits étant assem­blés à la demande. Finalement, le plan d'affichage des cellules à cristaux liquides étant très proches du plan de lecture du mouvement à affichage analogique, la lec­ture simultanée des deux affichages en sera facilitée.In view of the number of documents which form part of the state of the art, it can be seen that numerous attempts have been made to associate one or more liquid crystal display cells with a timepiece movement, using the upper glass and the polarizer of said liquid crystal display cells as the dial of the clockwork movement with analog display. However, none of the embodiments described above achieves the aims of the invention, that is to obtain a harmonious arrangement, particularly for timepieces of small dimensions, by arranging the display. analog at the center of the dial and the various liquid crystal display elements at the periphery of the dial; moreover, having, according to the invention, only the upper polarizer as element common to the display cells and to the dial, a gain in thickness of the finished watch is obtained corresponding to the thickness of the glass, which does not can be obtained with the embodiments according to the state of the art. Another object of the invention is to allow modular manufacturing, various semi-products being assembled on demand. Finally, the display plane of the liquid crystal cells being very close to the reading plane of the movement with analog display, the simultaneous reading of the two displays will be facilitated.

Ces différents buts sont obtenus par l'exé­cution d'une pièce d'horlogerie à affichage hybride, conformément aux parties caractérisantes des revendica­tions 1 et 2 relatant chacune une forme d'exécution possible de l'invention.These various aims are obtained by the execution of a timepiece with hybrid display, in accordance with the characterizing parts of claims 1 and 2 each relating to a possible embodiment of the invention.

Les caractéristiques et avantages de la pré­sente invention apparaissent dans la description et le dessin annexé, dont:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe par­ tielle d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'état de la technique,
  • la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe par­tielle d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon une première for­me d'exécution de l'invention,
  • la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe par­tielle d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon une deuxième for­me d'exécution de l'invention,
  • la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe par­tielle d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'état de la technique,
  • la figure 5 représente une vue en plan cor­respondant à toutes les formes d'exécution. Les divers composants, communs aux diverses formes d'exécution, sont toujours indiqués par le même chiffre repère dans toutes les figures.
The characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear in the description and the attached drawing, including:
  • Figure 1 shows a sectional view through part of a timepiece according to the state of the art,
  • FIG. 2 represents a partial section view of a timepiece according to a first embodiment of the invention,
  • FIG. 3 represents a view in partial section of a timepiece according to a second embodiment of the invention,
  • FIG. 4 represents a partial section view of a timepiece according to the state of the art,
  • Figure 5 shows a plan view corresponding to all embodiments. The various components, common to the various embodiments, are always indicated by the same reference numeral in all the figures.

Sur la forme d'exécution selon l'art anté­rieur représentée à la figure 1, on a représenté une cellule d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1, comprenant successivement, pour une forme d'exécution de ladite cellule, un polariseur inférieur 10′, un verre infé­rieur 11′, le cristal liquide 12, différentes électro­des 13 et 13′, des couches orientées 14 et 14′, des connexions 15, un verre supérieur 11 et un polariseur supérieur 10. Une bordure étanche 16 assure l'espace­ment entre les électrodes de connexion extérieures 17, chargées de transmettre les signaux de commande aux électrodes 13 et 13′. Les signaux de commande des dif­férentes cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides, en provenance, dans le cas où le mouvement à affichage analogique est un mouvement électronique, d'un circuit 4 constitué d'une extension du circuit imprimé dudit mouvement, comprenant le support 40 ainsi que les pis­tes 41 reliées aux connexions extérieures 17 des cellu­les d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1, par des conne­ xions souples de type "ZEBRA" 42. Dans le cas où le mouvement d'horlogerie est un mouvement mécanique, il est évident que le circuit de commande des signaux 4 est propre aux éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides.On the embodiment according to the prior art represented in FIG. 1, there is shown a liquid crystal display cell 1, comprising successively, for one embodiment of said cell, a lower polarizer 10 ′, a lower glass 11 ′, liquid crystal 12, different electrodes 13 and 13 ′, oriented layers 14 and 14 ′, connections 15, upper glass 11 and an upper polarizer 10. A sealed border 16 ensures the spacing between the electrodes of external connection 17, responsible for transmitting the control signals to the electrodes 13 and 13 ′. The control signals of the various liquid crystal display cells, originating, in the case where the analog display movement is an electronic movement, from a circuit 4 consisting of an extension of the printed circuit of said movement, comprising the support 40 as well as the tracks 41 connected to the external connections 17 of the liquid crystal display cells 1, by conne flexible "ZEBRA" type connectors 42. In the case where the clockwork movement is a mechanical movement, it is obvious that the signal control circuit 4 is specific to the liquid crystal display elements.

Selon cette forme d'exécution correspondant à l'art antérieur, la plaque 2 commune aux cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1 et formant cadran du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique est cons­tituée du verre supérieur 11 ainsi que du polariseur supérieur 10 nécessaires au fonctionnement desdites cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides. Un trou a été percé au centre de ladite plaque afin de permettre le passage des mobiles d'aiguillages 31 des aiguilles 32 du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique 3.According to this embodiment corresponding to the prior art, the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 and forming a dial of the clockwork movement with analog display consists of the upper glass 11 as well as the upper polarizer 10 necessary the operation of said liquid crystal display cells. A hole was drilled in the center of said plate in order to allow the passage of the moving pointers 31 of the hands 32 of the clockwork movement with analog display 3.

Selon la première forme d'exécution de l'in­vention représentée à la figure 2 , la plaque 2 commune aux cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1 repré­sentées en un seul exemplaire, et formant cadran du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique 3 est constituée uniquement du polariseur supérieur 10, le verre supérieur 11 n'étant commun qu'aux dites cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides et étant évidé de manière à venir entourer la partie 30 du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique.According to the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 shown in a single copy, and forming the dial of the clockwork movement with analog display 3 is constituted only from the upper polarizer 10, the upper glass 11 being common only to the said liquid crystal display cells and being hollowed out so as to come to surround the part 30 of the clockwork movement with analog display.

Selon la deuxième forme d'exécution de l'in­vention représentée à la figure 3, la plaque 2 commune aux cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1 et for­mant cadran du mouvement à affichage analogique 3 est constituée uniquement du polariseur supérieur 10, le verre supérieur 11 étant particulier à chaque cellule d'affichage à cristaux liquides, représentée ici en un seul exemplaire.According to the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the plate 2 common to the liquid crystal display cells 1 and forming a dial of the movement with analog display 3 consists only of the upper polarizer 10, the upper glass 11 being specific to each liquid crystal display cell, shown here in a single copy.

Dans ces deux formes d'exécution selon l'in­ vention où seul le polariseur constitue l'ensemble du cadran, ledit polariseur sera choisi plus résistant, respectivement plus épais qu'un polariseur de type ha­bituel, afin d'assurer une rigidité mécanique suffisan­te au cadran. De même, la plaque de verre supérieure 11, commune aux différentes cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides dans la première forme d'exécution selon l'invention, peut être faite d'un autre matériau que du verre, selon le mode de fabrication desdites cellules.In these two embodiments according to the in vention where only the polarizer constitutes the entire dial, said polarizer will be chosen to be more resistant, respectively thicker than a conventional type polarizer, in order to ensure sufficient mechanical rigidity for the dial. Similarly, the upper glass plate 11, common to the various liquid crystal display cells in the first embodiment according to the invention, can be made of a material other than glass, according to the method of manufacturing said cells.

La figure 4 montre une autre forme d'exécu­tion selon l'état de la technique où l'on a superposi­tion du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique 3 et d'une cellule d'affichage à cristaux liquides 1, de grande dimension et couvrant à peu près la surface de la plaque commune 2 faisant office de cadran, sauf un trou central destiné à laisser passer les mobiles d'ai­guillages 31.FIG. 4 shows another embodiment according to the state of the art in which the clockwork movement with analog display 3 and a liquid crystal display cell 1, large and covering, are superimposed roughly the surface of the common plate 2 acting as a dial, except for a central hole intended to allow the moving points 31 to pass.

La figure 5 représente une vue en plan selon l'une quelconque des formes d'exécution selon l'inven­tion, avec un affichage analogique par aiguilles 32 sur un cadran 33 et indications par affichage à cristaux liquides du quantième selon un affichage rond 34, du jour de la semaine selon un affichage en segment de couronne 35 et du nom du mois selon un affichage droit vertical 36.FIG. 5 represents a plan view according to any one of the embodiments according to the invention, with an analog display by hands 32 on a dial 33 and indications by liquid crystal display of the calendar according to a round display 34, of the day of the week according to a crown segment display 35 and of the name of the month according to a vertical right display 36.

Ainsi, il est possible de proposer des piè­ces d'horlogerie à affichage hybrides, dont le mouve­ment à affichage analogique peut être une montre méca­nique ou électronique de petites dimensions, et dont l'effet esthétique est obtenu en plaçant ledit afficha­ge analogique au centre du cadran et en disposant au­tour un ou plusieurs éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides pouvant être de forme quelconque, voir être de formes différentes les uns des autres; selon l'effet esthétique recherché, le cadran n'est pas nécessaire­ment de forme circulaire. Un autre avantage d'un agen­cement tel que proposé est que, le polariseur supérieur étant commun aux deux types d'affichage, on obtient une diminution d'épaisseur appréciable de l'ensemble, le mouvement à affichage analogique venant en quelque sor­te s'incruster parmi les couches inférieures du ou des éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides. Un autre avantage de l'invention est de pouvoir constituer des ensembles de produits finis selon différentes varian­tes, à la demande , à partir du stock de semi-produits. Dans les formes d'exécution selon l'invention, le pola­riseur supérieur 10 est considéré comme un premier se­mi-produit de fabrication, pouvant être fait selon de multiples variantes de décor ou de forme. En particu­lier, la partie de la plaque 2 située sous les aiguil­les 32 est destinée à recevoir un marquage horaire 33 correspondant à l'affichage analogique, ce marquage pouvant être fait de n'importe quelle manière connue de la technique et compatible avec les matériaux utilisés pour la fabrication de la plaque 2. Cette plaque peut aussi ne comporter aucun marquage, l'heure étant lue par appréciation de la position relative des aiguilles 32. Un deuxième semi-produit est constitué des cellules d'affichage à cristaux liquides disposées selon diffé­rentes variantes sur leur plaque de verre supérieure 11, commune aux différentes cellules, ou selon l'autre forme d'exécution de l'invention, chacune ayant sa pro­pre plaque de verre supérieure 11. Un troisième se­mi-produit est constitué du mouvement d'horlogerie à affichage analogique 3, pouvant lui aussi être choisi entre différents types. On constate donc, qu'en combi­nant, lors de l'assemblage, un certain nombre de va­riantes des semi-produits mentionnés, il est possible d'obtenir des produits finis, à la demande, selon un nombre relativement élevé de variantes. Les autres élé­ments constitutifs de la montre sont conçus et assem­blés selon les techniques connues.Thus, it is possible to propose timepieces with hybrid display, whose movement with analog display can be a mechanical or electronic watch of small dimensions, and whose aesthetic effect is obtained by placing said analog display in the center of the dial. and by placing around one or more liquid crystal display elements which can be of any shape, or even be of shapes different from each other; depending on the effect aesthetic sought, the dial is not necessarily circular in shape. Another advantage of an arrangement as proposed is that, the upper polarizer being common to the two types of display, an appreciable reduction in thickness of the assembly is obtained, the movement with analog display being somehow encrusted. among the lower layers of the liquid crystal display element (s). Another advantage of the invention is to be able to constitute sets of finished products according to different variants, on request, from the stock of semi-finished products. In the embodiments according to the invention, the upper polarizer 10 is considered as a first semi-manufactured product, which can be made according to multiple variants of decoration or shape. In particular, the part of the plate 2 located under the hands 32 is intended to receive a time marking 33 corresponding to the analog display, this marking being able to be done in any manner known in the art and compatible with the materials used. for the manufacture of plate 2. This plate may also have no marking, the time being read by appreciation of the relative position of the hands 32. A second semi-finished product consists of liquid crystal display cells arranged in different variants on their upper glass plate 11, common to the different cells, or according to the other embodiment of the invention, each having its own upper glass plate 11. A third semi-finished product is made up of the clockwork movement with analog display 3, which can also be chosen between different types. It can therefore be seen that, by combining, during assembly, a certain number of variants of the semi-finished products mentioned, it is possible to obtain finished products, on request, according to a relatively high number of variants. The other components of the watch are designed and assembled using known techniques.

Un avantage supplémentaire d'un agencement tel que présenté ici provient de ce que le plan d'affi­chage des cellules à cristaux liquides est très proche du plan de lecture du mouvement à affichage analogique, facilitant ainsi la lecture simultanée des deux affichages.An additional advantage of an arrangement as presented here stems from the fact that the display plane of the liquid crystal cells is very close to the reading plane of the movement with analog display, thereby facilitating the simultaneous reading of the two displays.

Claims (8)

1-Pièce d'horlogerie à affichage hybride, comprenant un affichage analogique et un ou plusieurs éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides, le cadran étant constitué d'une seule plaque, l'affichage analo­gique étant situé au centre de ladite plaque, le ou les éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides étant disposés à la périphérie de l'affichage analogique et visibles à travers la plaque, caractérisé en ce que le verre supé­rieur (11) et le polariseur supérieur (10) des éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides (1) sont communs pour tous lesdits éléments, ledit polariseur supérieur (10) constituant la plaque (2) formant cadran.1-Timepiece with hybrid display, comprising an analog display and one or more liquid crystal display elements, the dial consisting of a single plate, the analog display being located in the center of said plate, the or the liquid crystal display elements being arranged on the periphery of the analog display and visible through the plate, characterized in that the upper glass (11) and the upper polarizer (10) of the liquid crystal display elements (1) are common for all of said elements, said upper polarizer (10) constituting the plate (2) forming a dial. 2-Pièce d'horlogerie à affichage hybride, comprenant un affichage analogique et un ou plusieurs éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides, le cadran étant constitué d'une seule plaque, l'affichage analo­gique étant situé au centre de ladite plaque, le ou les éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides étant disposés à la périphérie de l'affichage analogique et visibles à travers la plaque, caractérisé en ce que le polariseur supérieur (10) des éléments d'affichage à cristaux li­quides (1) est commun pour tous lesdits éléments et constitue la plaque (2) formant cadran.2-Timepiece with hybrid display, comprising an analog display and one or more liquid crystal display elements, the dial being made up of a single plate, the analog display being located in the center of said plate, the or the liquid crystal display elements being arranged on the periphery of the analog display and visible through the plate, characterized in that the upper polarizer (10) of the liquid crystal display elements (1) is common to all said elements and constitutes the plate (2) forming a dial. 3-Pièce d'horlogerie selon l'une des reven­dications 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que les éléments d'affichage à cristaux liquides (34,35,36) peuvent être de formes différentes les uns des autres.3-timepiece according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid crystal display elements (34,35,36) may be of different shapes from each other. 4-Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que cette pièce d'horlogerie est une montre.4-timepiece according to claim 3, characterized in that this timepiece is a watch. 5-Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le mouvement à affichage ana­logique (3) est un mouvement mécanique.5-timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the analog display movement (3) is a mechanical movement. 6-Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que le mouvement à affichage ana­logique (3) est un mouvement électronique.6-timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the analog display movement (3) is an electronic movement. 7-Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que la plaque (2) formant cadran n'est pas nécessairement de forme circulaire.7-timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the plate (2) forming a dial is not necessarily circular in shape. 8-Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1 caractérisée en ce que la plaque de verre supérieure (11) commune aux différentes cellules à affichage à cristaux liquides peut être faite d'un autre matériau selon le mode de fabrication desdites cellules.8-timepiece according to claim 1 characterized in that the upper glass plate (11) common to the various cells with liquid crystal display can be made of another material according to the method of manufacturing said cells.
EP19900810140 1989-03-23 1990-02-26 Hybrid display time piece comprising one or several lcd elements Expired - Lifetime EP0389411B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1104/89 1989-03-23
CH110489 1989-03-23

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EP0389411A1 true EP0389411A1 (en) 1990-09-26
EP0389411B1 EP0389411B1 (en) 1993-04-07

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013110657A1 (en) 2012-01-23 2013-08-01 SPADINI, Daniel Timepiece comprising an analog display and a digital display

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH697470A4 (en) * 1970-05-11 1972-08-31
GB2042773A (en) * 1979-01-17 1980-09-24 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Composite display type electronic timepiece
US4257115A (en) * 1977-02-12 1981-03-17 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Switch structure for electronic timepiece
GB2194081A (en) * 1986-08-08 1988-02-24 Max Speed Ind Limited Watchcase for analog-digital timepiece

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH697470A4 (en) * 1970-05-11 1972-08-31
US4257115A (en) * 1977-02-12 1981-03-17 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Switch structure for electronic timepiece
GB2042773A (en) * 1979-01-17 1980-09-24 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Composite display type electronic timepiece
GB2194081A (en) * 1986-08-08 1988-02-24 Max Speed Ind Limited Watchcase for analog-digital timepiece

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Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 7, no. 220 (P-226)(1365) 30 septembre 1983, & JP-A-58 111781 (CITIZEN TOKEI K.K.) 02 juillet 1983, *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 9, no. 83 (P-348)(1806) 12 avril 1985, & JP-A-59 211885 (CITIZEN TOKEI K.K.) 30 novembre 1984, *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013110657A1 (en) 2012-01-23 2013-08-01 SPADINI, Daniel Timepiece comprising an analog display and a digital display

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EP0389411B1 (en) 1993-04-07
DE69001271D1 (en) 1993-05-13
DE69001271T2 (en) 1993-10-21

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