EP1211579B1 - Electronic chronograph watch with analog display - Google Patents

Electronic chronograph watch with analog display Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1211579B1
EP1211579B1 EP00204242A EP00204242A EP1211579B1 EP 1211579 B1 EP1211579 B1 EP 1211579B1 EP 00204242 A EP00204242 A EP 00204242A EP 00204242 A EP00204242 A EP 00204242A EP 1211579 B1 EP1211579 B1 EP 1211579B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chronograph
hands
rest position
watch
push
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
EP00204242A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1211579A1 (en
Inventor
Baptist Wyssbrod
Roger Marquis
Stéphane Claude
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Original Assignee
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse filed Critical ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority to EP00204242A priority Critical patent/EP1211579B1/en
Priority to AT00204242T priority patent/ATE428960T1/en
Priority to DE60042025T priority patent/DE60042025D1/en
Publication of EP1211579A1 publication Critical patent/EP1211579A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1211579B1 publication Critical patent/EP1211579B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor
    • G04C3/146—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor incorporating two or more stepping motors or rotors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic chronograph watch of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.
  • the patent CH 685 467 tries to remedy these disadvantages by proposing a multifunctional electronic watch, including a chronograph function, with analog display in which the structure has been simplified to the extreme.
  • the watch described in this document comprises only two needles that can be used both for the indication of the current time and the display of timed times according to the mode of operation chosen by the user. All functions or modes of the watch are accessible by the manipulation of two control pushbuttons, including the function of adjusting the rest position of the hands when they are in the display mode corresponding to the chronograph.
  • This structure is advantageous in view of the reduced number of parts it requires, however it complicates the use of the watch, since only two buttons allow access to all functions.
  • the control of the many functions therefore gives rise to multiple combinations of short, long or simultaneous pressure on the control buttons. Therefore, for lack of an excellent memory, the user of such a watch must have recourse to a user manual as soon as he wants to use a function different from the standard time setting.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electronic chronograph watch with an analogue display which makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks mentioned above, in particular by virtue of a simple construction, of small thickness and inexpensive at manufacture, which also makes it possible to simplify the use.
  • the invention relates to a watch of the type indicated above characterized in that the means for accessing the adjustment mode are arranged to be actuated independently of the position of the stem-crown.
  • the watch comprises at least three chronograph hands capable of displaying timed times on separate small dials, these chronograph hands being preferably controlled by separate motors.
  • means are provided so that simultaneous pressing of the two pushbuttons causes the transition to the adjustment mode of the rest position of the chronograph hands. These means may optionally also be designed so that this transition to adjustment mode is confirmed by a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees at accelerated speed of the three needles.
  • these two push buttons are sufficient to perform all the desired operations, using means such that a first button is associated with the selection function of the chronograph hand whose position is to be adjusted, and the second of them is associated the function of adjusting the position of the selected chronograph hand, by rotating at an accelerated speed. It is furthermore possible to facilitate the use of such a watch by providing that the newly selected needle rotates 360 degrees at an accelerated speed. Thus the user selects without difficulty the chronograph hand which he wants to adjust the position.
  • the chronograph watch 1 comprises a dial 2 for indicating the current time with two indicator hands hours 3 and minutes 4.
  • This dial 2 further comprises three small dials 5, 6 and 7, associated with three small needles 8, 9 and 10 for displaying timed times. These small dials are located near the periphery of the dial 2, respectively at two hours, six hours and ten hours. They display the timed tenths of seconds, the timed seconds, and the timed minutes, respectively.
  • the watch further comprises a crown rod 11 and two push buttons 12, 13.
  • the crown rod 11 allows, by a well-known time-setting device using a slippery road, to adjust the position of the 3 and 4 indicator hands of the current time.
  • the two pushbuttons 12 and 13 are of the type described in the document EP1162521, published on December 12, 2001 . They allow the user of the watch to access all the functions of the chronograph, by conventional electronic means not described, including a microcontroller 37, and controlling three stepper motors each driving one of the small needles 8, 9 and 10. From the current operation, the button 12 performs the functions of starting, stopping and restarting the chronograph.
  • the button 13 performs the functions of resetting the timed time or measuring the intermediate times in this mode.
  • the figure 2 represents a very simplified diagram of the electrical circuit of the chronograph watch that has just been described, this diagram representing only the elements and functions necessary for the understanding of the invention.
  • a quartz oscillator vibrating for example at 32768 Hz and of which only the resonator 14 is represented on the figure 2 provides the time base of the watch to a frequency divider 15. This generates on a line 16 clock pulses for controlling the electronic functions of the watch.
  • the divider 15 also provides tenths of second pulses on a line 17 and pulses of seconds on a line 18. These lines are connected to a timing management unit 19.
  • a line 20 transmits pulses at 0.05 Hertz, for example, to a power unit 21. This power unit is mechanically coupled to a gear train (not shown) to permanently drive the needles 3 and 4 for indication of the current time.
  • the drive unit 22 drives the needle 8 of the tenths of a second, the unit 23, the second hand 9 and the unit 24, the minute hand 10.
  • the driving units 22 to 24 are associated with respective counters 25 to 27 whose states reflect at each moment, the angular positions of the hands to which they correspond.
  • Each counter is set to zero upon initialization of the associated hand at sixty minutes and counts each driving pulse transmitted by the timing management unit 19.
  • the counter 25 can count to ten (tenths of a second), and the counters 26 and 27 to sixty.
  • An input management unit 28 provides the shaping and distribution of the control signals respectively provided by switches 29 and 30 respectively associated with the push-buttons 12 and 13. An order made by these devices 29 and 30 returns, in a known manner to itself, to apply to the management unit 28 the potential of one of the terminals (here Vdd) of a power source (not shown) such as a battery incorporated in the watch 1.
  • the input management unit 28 Depending on the actions on the push-buttons 12 and 13, the input management unit 28 generates a timing start / stop control signal or a change of operating mode signal on a line 31, and a reset signal to zero on a line 32, the lines 31 and 32 being connected to the timing management unit 19.
  • control pulses for the counters 25 to 27 can also be directly positioned by the input management unit 28 through a control line 36.
  • the watch rotates the needles 3 and 4 by the drive unit 21 controlled by the pulses at 0.05 Hertz transiting on the line 20.
  • the timing management unit 19 applies the appropriate control signals to the lines 34 and 35 so that via counters 26 and 27 and motor units 23 and 24 respectively, the hands 9 and 10 respectively display the seconds and minutes timed.
  • an internal counter of the management unit 19 receives pulses of tenths of a second but does not send them immediately to the counter 25.
  • the drive unit 22 remains inactive and the needle 8 still.
  • the hands 9 and 10 stop, while the motor unit 22 is activated by the timing management unit 19, via the internal counter and the counter 25, for the needle 8 to advance towards the angular position corresponding to the number of tenths of a second counted at the stop timing.
  • the pusher 13 When for reset, the pusher 13 is actuated, the needles 8 to 10 are returned to their rest position.
  • Simultaneous pressing of the push-buttons 12 and 13 activates the adjustment mode of the chronograph's small dials, that is to say the mode of adjustment of the rest position of the hands 8, 9 and 10.
  • the adjustment mode of the chronograph dials can be activated only when the chronograph is stopped and in the rest position, the counters 25 to 27 being zero.
  • the transition to this mode is confirmed by the generation of control pulses, by the input management unit 28, for the counters 25 to 27, through the line 31 and the timekeeping function management unit 19.
  • These control pulses will cause the activation of the motor units respectively 22 to 24, causing a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees respectively of the needles 8 to 10, at accelerated speed.
  • the buttons 12 and 13 then perform different functions.
  • a first pressing of the button 13 makes it possible to select the needle 8, which is confirmed by the production of control signals by the input management unit 28 leading via line 31 and the management unit timing functions 19, activation of the driving unit 22 and rotation of a complete revolution at an accelerated speed of said needle.
  • Each subsequent pressing of the button 13 has the effect of selecting the next hand, by activating the corresponding motor unit via the input management unit 28, the line 31 and the management unit of the timing functions 19, in deactivating at the same time the motor unit corresponding to the previously selected needle.
  • the pulses thus generated cause rotation of a complete revolution of the newly selected needle at accelerated speed.
  • the button 12 has the function of controlling the motor driving the selected needle.
  • each pressure on the pusher 12 causes the production of a pulse by the input management unit 28, sent to the counter corresponding to the selected needle via the control line 36 thus operating the corresponding motor unit.
  • each short pressure on the button 12 causes the rotation of a step of the corresponding needle, while a long pressure causes the production of a pulse train and therefore its rotation at accelerated speed .
  • a new simultaneous pressing of the buttons 12 and 13 deactivates this mode and the counters 25 to 27, thus making the watch in current use mode with, preferably, a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees of the needles 8 to 10, at accelerated speed.
  • the method of adjusting the rest position of the needles 8, 9 and 10 exclusively uses the functions of the pushbuttons 12 and 13 as described above.
  • a structure makes it possible to dispense with any electrical contact at the level of the crown rod 11. This provides both a saving of space in the case, thus representing an important advantage for the manufacture of watches of reduced size. , and a saving in relation to the number of parts used, which represents an important advantage for the manufacture of watches produced in large number of copies.
  • the watch is first in current use mode 38, that is, it simply indicates the current time by means of hands 3, 4 and dial 2.
  • the hands Chronograph 8 to 10 are stationary, in their rest position.
  • at least one of these needles 8 to 10 has its rest position which is not at the zero position of the corresponding small dial, so that adjustment of its rest position is necessary. This can happen, as we saw earlier, when the battery is put in place during manufacture or replaced later. This is why it is useful to provide means for the user to make this adjustment itself, and especially for a disassembly of the watch is not essential. So we understand that this system is convenient for any type of electronic chronograph watch with additional dials is even more for watches that no longer disassemble a once their construction completed. We can see on the figure 3 in 39, 40 and 41 that if the user does not press any button, the watch naturally remains in current use mode.
  • the chronograph is engaged and two options are then presented.
  • the chronograph continues to turn, which is represented by reference 42a.
  • the two pushbuttons 12 and 13 fulfill the conventional functions, not shown, namely that a new pressure on the button 12 stops the chronograph and the measured time is displayed, while pressing the button 13 displays a measured split time.
  • the chronograph continues to operate until the button 12 is pressed again.
  • the chronograph is stopped, pressing the button 13 has the effect of returning the three needles 8, 9 and 10 to their rest position at an accelerated speed, which brings the watch back into its current mode of use. If, after the first pressing of the button 12, the user presses the button 13 in the time window ⁇ t 1 , at 43, the adjustment mode of the small dials 45 is activated, which is confirmed by a rapid rotation of 360 degrees. of the three needles 8, 9 and 10. In this case and according to a preferred embodiment, the chronograph is reset before activating the adjustment mode.
  • the adjustment mode 45 is activated provided that he presses the button 12 in the time window ⁇ t 1 , which is represented in FIG. 44, otherwise nothing happens, 40, and the watch remains in its current mode of use 38.
  • the diagram of the figure 4 describes in detail the sequence of manipulations to be performed to adjust the rest position of the needles 8, 9 and 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • the first step 45 of the figure 4 therefore corresponds to the last stage of the figure 3 .
  • a prolonged inactivity of the user for a time greater than ⁇ t 2 results in the spontaneous deactivation of the adjustment mode of the small dials and the return of the watch to its current mode of use. Note also that this deactivation can occur at any stage of the adjustment sequence, and is reported to the user by a rapid rotation of a complete turn of the three needles 8, 9 and 10.
  • the user must press the button 13 in the time interval ⁇ t 2 , which is represented at 46, to select the small dial 5 and the needle 8, at 48, which is confirmed by the rapid rotation of a complete turn of said needle. It can then be adjusted, by manipulating the button 12, which is shown schematically at 49 and 50.
  • the needle 8 is controlled by the button 12, via a motor, so that short pressure causes a rotation of the needle 8 of a unit of the small dial 5, while a long pressure causes a continuous rotation of the needle at an accelerated speed.
  • the adjustment of the needle 8 is made, it is at 51, where the user can either press the button 13 before the expiration of a time ⁇ t 2 to select another needle, or wait for the spontaneous deactivation of the setting mode if there is no other setting to make.
  • the next small dial is turned clockwise. The small dial selected is highlighted each time by the rapid rotation of a complete revolution of the corresponding needle, this being shown diagrammatically in the diagram by references 51 to 54.
  • the adjustment of the rest position is made for each needle is at 55, and the user can either wait for the time ⁇ t 2 , or press the buttons 12 and 13 in a time interval less than ⁇ t 1 to deactivate the adjustment mode of the small dials in 47, and return to the current use mode 38.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)

Abstract

Chronograph watch has a crown shaft (11) to control the hour and minute hands (3, 4). In addition there are two push buttons (12, 13) for use in controlling the chronograph functions. The two buttons are associated with means for switching to a mode for controlling the position of the hands (8-10) of the chronograph. The means for changing the adjustment mode are operated independently of the crown shaft. An Independent claim is made for a method for controlling the position of the chronograph hands.

Description

La présente invention concerne une montre-chronographe électronique du type indiqué en préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to an electronic chronograph watch of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.

Un problème bien connu pour ce type de montre réside dans le fait que les aiguilles supplémentaires, qui remplissent les fonctions du chronographe sont susceptibles de se décaler de la position zéro qu'elles doivent normalement indiquer lorsqu'elles sont au repos. Cette situation survient en général lors de la fabrication, avant que la pile soit mise en place ou, par la suite, lorsque la pile doit être remplacée ou simplement déposée.A well-known problem for this type of watch lies in the fact that the additional needles which fulfill the functions of the chronograph are likely to shift from the zero position which they normally have to indicate when they are at rest. This situation generally occurs during manufacture, before the battery is put in place or, subsequently, when the battery must be replaced or simply deposited.

Des solutions ont été proposées dans l'art antérieur pour remédier à ce problème, comme dans le brevet EP 0 493 613 qui décrit une montre électronique multifonctions, ayant notamment une fonction chronographe, à affichage analogique. Dans une variante, cette montre comporte trois aiguilles d'affichage respectivement des heures, des minutes et des secondes de l'heure courante. Le réglage de la position de repos de ces aiguilles s'effectue par une utilisation combinée d'une tige-couronne à plusieurs positions axiales et de boutons-poussoirs. La tige-couronne, qui comprend des contacts sur sa tige, fonctionne comme un interrupteur qui ouvre ou ferme des circuits grâce aux contacts lorsque la couronne est tirée dans ses différentes positions axiales. Dans la position axiale extrême, un des contacts établit une connexion électrique entre deux parties d'un circuit servant à effectuer la correction de la position des aiguilles. La montre se trouve alors dans le mode de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles, et des pressions sur un premier bouton-poussoir permettent de régler la position d'une première de ces aiguilles, tandis que le réglage de la position des deux autres aiguilles s'effectue à l'aide de deux autres boutons-poussoirs.Solutions have been proposed in the prior art to remedy this problem, as in the patent EP 0 493 613 which describes a multifunctional electronic watch, including a chronograph function, with analog display. In a variant, this watch has three display hands respectively hours, minutes and seconds of the current time. The adjustment of the rest position of these needles is achieved by a combined use of a rod-crown with several axial positions and push buttons. The stem-crown, which includes contacts on its stem, operates as a switch that opens or closes circuits through the contacts when the ring is pulled in its different axial positions. In the extreme axial position, one of the contacts establishes an electrical connection between two parts of a circuit for effecting the correction of the position of the hands. The watch is then in the adjustment mode of the idle position of the hands, and the pressures on a first push button to adjust the position of a first of these hands, while adjusting the position of the other two with two other pushbuttons.

Cette solution présente cependant certains inconvénients. En particulier, il est nécessaire d'équiper la montre d'autant de boutons-poussoirs qu'il y a d'aiguilles à régler.This solution, however, has certain disadvantages. In particular, it is necessary to equip the watch with as many push buttons as there are needles to adjust.

Le brevet CH 685 467 tente de remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant une montre électronique multifonctions, ayant notamment une fonction chronographe, à affichage analogique dans laquelle la structure a été simplifiée à l'extrême. La montre décrite dans ce document ne comprend que deux aiguilles qui peuvent servir à la fois à l'indication de l'heure courante et à l'affichage de temps chronométrés selon le mode de fonctionnement choisi par l'utilisateur. Toutes les fonctions ou modes de la montre sont accessibles par la manipulation de deux boutons-poussoirs de commande, y compris la fonction de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles lorsque celles-ci sont dans le mode d'affichage correspondant au chronographe. Cette structure est avantageuse compte tenu du nombre de pièces réduit qu'elle nécessite, toutefois elle complique l'utilisation de la montre, dans la mesure où seulement deux boutons permettent d'accéder à l'ensemble des fonctions. La commande des nombreuses fonctions donne donc lieu à de multiples combinaisons de pressions courtes, longues ou simultanées sur les boutons de commande. Par conséquent, faute d'une excellente mémoire, l'utilisateur d'une telle montre doit avoir recours à un mode d'emploi dès qu'il veut faire appel à une fonction différente de la remise à l'heure classique.The patent CH 685 467 tries to remedy these disadvantages by proposing a multifunctional electronic watch, including a chronograph function, with analog display in which the structure has been simplified to the extreme. The watch described in this document comprises only two needles that can be used both for the indication of the current time and the display of timed times according to the mode of operation chosen by the user. All functions or modes of the watch are accessible by the manipulation of two control pushbuttons, including the function of adjusting the rest position of the hands when they are in the display mode corresponding to the chronograph. This structure is advantageous in view of the reduced number of parts it requires, however it complicates the use of the watch, since only two buttons allow access to all functions. The control of the many functions therefore gives rise to multiple combinations of short, long or simultaneous pressure on the control buttons. Therefore, for lack of an excellent memory, the user of such a watch must have recourse to a user manual as soon as he wants to use a function different from the standard time setting.

La présente invention a donc pour but de fournir une montre-chronographe électronique à affichage analogique permettant d'éviter les inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus, notamment grâce à une construction simple, de faible épaisseur et peu coûteuse à la fabrication, qui permet également d'en simplifier l'utilisation.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an electronic chronograph watch with an analogue display which makes it possible to avoid the drawbacks mentioned above, in particular by virtue of a simple construction, of small thickness and inexpensive at manufacture, which also makes it possible to simplify the use.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une montre du type indiqué plus haut caractérisée par le fait que les moyens pour accéder au mode de réglage sont agencés pour être mis en action indépendamment de la position de la tige-couronne.To this end, the invention relates to a watch of the type indicated above characterized in that the means for accessing the adjustment mode are arranged to be actuated independently of the position of the stem-crown.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, la montre comporte au moins trois aiguilles de chronographe susceptibles d'afficher des temps chronométrés sur des petits cadrans distincts, ces aiguilles de chronographe étant de préférence commandées par des moteurs distincts.In a particular embodiment, the watch comprises at least three chronograph hands capable of displaying timed times on separate small dials, these chronograph hands being preferably controlled by separate motors.

Dans un mode préféré, des moyens sont prévus pour qu'une pression simultanée des deux boutons-poussoirs provoque le passage en mode de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles de chronographe. Ces moyens peuvent éventuellement être également conçus pour que ce passage en mode de réglage soit confirmé par une rotation simultanée de 360 degrés à vitesse accélérée des trois aiguilles.In a preferred mode, means are provided so that simultaneous pressing of the two pushbuttons causes the transition to the adjustment mode of the rest position of the chronograph hands. These means may optionally also be designed so that this transition to adjustment mode is confirmed by a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees at accelerated speed of the three needles.

On peut également prévoir que ces deux boutons-poussoirs sont suffisants pour effectuer toutes les opérations souhaitées, en utilisant des moyens tels qu'à un premier des boutons est associée la fonction de sélection de l'aiguille de chronographe dont la position est à régler, et au deuxième d'entre eux est associée la fonction de réglage de la position de l'aiguille de chronographe sélectionnée, par rotation à vitesse accélérée. On peut en outre faciliter l'utilisation d'une telle montre, en prévoyant que l'aiguille venant d'être sélectionnée effectue une rotation de 360 degrés à vitesse accélérée. Ainsi l'utilisateur sélectionne sans aucune difficulté l'aiguille de chronographe dont il veut régler la position.It is also possible that these two push buttons are sufficient to perform all the desired operations, using means such that a first button is associated with the selection function of the chronograph hand whose position is to be adjusted, and the second of them is associated the function of adjusting the position of the selected chronograph hand, by rotating at an accelerated speed. It is furthermore possible to facilitate the use of such a watch by providing that the newly selected needle rotates 360 degrees at an accelerated speed. Thus the user selects without difficulty the chronograph hand which he wants to adjust the position.

L'invention concerne également un procédé de réglage comme défini dans la revendication 8. Dans ce procédé, le réglage de la position des aiguilles de chronographe peut se résumer en les étapes consistant à :

  • exercer indépendamment de la position de la tige-couronne, une pression simultanément sur les deux boutons-poussoirs pour activer le mode de réglage de la position de repos desdites aiguilles de chronographe
  • exercer au moins une pression sur un premier bouton-poussoir pour sélectionner l'aiguille de chronographe à régler
  • exercer des pressions discrètes ou une pression continue sur le deuxième bouton-poussoir pour faire tourner l'aiguille choisie respectivement pas à pas ou à vitesse accélérée jusqu'à obtenir le réglage souhaité
  • recommencer à partir de la deuxième étape pour régler la position de repos des autres aiguilles de chronographe si nécessaire
  • attendre quelques secondes ou presser simultanément sur les deux boutons-poussoirs pour désactiver le mode de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles de chronographe.
The invention also relates to a control method as defined in claim 8. In this method, the adjustment of the position of the chronograph hands can be summarized in the steps of:
  • independently of the position of the crown rod, simultaneously pressing the two pushbuttons to activate the adjustment mode of the rest position of said chronograph hands;
  • press at least one pushbutton to select the chronograph hand to be adjusted
  • exert discrete pressure or continuous pressure on the second push button to rotate the selected needle respectively stepwise or at an accelerated speed until the desired adjustment is obtained
  • start again from the second step to adjust the rest position of the other chronograph hands if necessary
  • wait a few seconds or simultaneously press both pushbuttons to deactivate the chronograph hand position adjustment mode.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description suivante d'un exemple d'exécution faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de face d'un mode de réalisation préféré d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 est un schéma simplifié du circuit électrique de la montre selon l'invention,
  • la figure 3 est un diagramme présentant la démarche à suivre pour activer le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans, c'est-à-dire de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles de chronographe, selon un mode de réalisation préféré, et
  • la figure 4 est un diagramme présentant la démarche à suivre, une fois le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans activé, pour régler la position de repos des aiguilles de chronographe, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of an exemplary embodiment made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 is a simplified diagram of the electric circuit of the watch according to the invention,
  • the figure 3 is a diagram showing the procedure to be followed to activate the mode of adjustment of the small dials, that is to say of adjustment of the rest position of the chronograph hands, according to a preferred embodiment, and
  • the figure 4 is a diagram showing the procedure to follow, once the mode of adjustment of the small dials activated, to adjust the rest position of the chronograph hands, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

La montre-chronographe 1, selon un mode de réalisation préféré comporte un cadran 2 servant à l'indication de l'heure courante grâce à deux aiguilles indicatrices des heures 3 et des minutes 4. Ce cadran 2 comporte en outre trois petits cadrans 5, 6 et 7, associés à trois petites aiguilles 8, 9 et 10 servant à afficher des temps chronométrés. Ces petits cadrans se situent proche de la périphérie du cadran 2, respectivement à deux heures, six heures et dix heures. Ils affichent respectivement les dixièmes de seconde chronométrés, les secondes chronométrées, et les minutes chronométrées.The chronograph watch 1, according to a preferred embodiment comprises a dial 2 for indicating the current time with two indicator hands hours 3 and minutes 4. This dial 2 further comprises three small dials 5, 6 and 7, associated with three small needles 8, 9 and 10 for displaying timed times. These small dials are located near the periphery of the dial 2, respectively at two hours, six hours and ten hours. They display the timed tenths of seconds, the timed seconds, and the timed minutes, respectively.

La montre comporte en outre une tige-couronne 11 et deux boutons-poussoirs 12, 13. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, la tige-couronne 11 permet, par un dispositif de mise à l'heure bien connu utilisant une chaussée glissante, de régler la position des aiguilles 3 et 4 indicatrices de l'heure courante. Les deux boutons-poussoirs 12 et 13 sont du type décrit dans le document EP1162521, publié le 12 décembre 2001 . Ils permettent à l'utilisateur de la montre d'accéder à la totalité des fonctions du chronographe, par des moyens électroniques classiques non décrits, comprenant notamment un microcontrôleur 37, et commandant trois moteurs pas à pas entraînant chacun une des petites aiguilles 8, 9 et 10. A partir du fonctionnement courant, le bouton 12 remplit les fonctions de démarrage, arrêt et redémarrage du chronographe. Le bouton 13 remplit les fonctions de remise à zéro du temps chronométré ou de mesure des temps intermédiaires dans ce mode.The watch further comprises a crown rod 11 and two push buttons 12, 13. In a preferred embodiment, the crown rod 11 allows, by a well-known time-setting device using a slippery road, to adjust the position of the 3 and 4 indicator hands of the current time. The two pushbuttons 12 and 13 are of the type described in the document EP1162521, published on December 12, 2001 . They allow the user of the watch to access all the functions of the chronograph, by conventional electronic means not described, including a microcontroller 37, and controlling three stepper motors each driving one of the small needles 8, 9 and 10. From the current operation, the button 12 performs the functions of starting, stopping and restarting the chronograph. The button 13 performs the functions of resetting the timed time or measuring the intermediate times in this mode.

La figure 2 représente un schéma très simplifié du circuit électrique de la montre-chronographe que l'on vient de décrire, ce schéma ne représentant que les éléments et fonctions nécessaires à la compréhension de l'invention.The figure 2 represents a very simplified diagram of the electrical circuit of the chronograph watch that has just been described, this diagram representing only the elements and functions necessary for the understanding of the invention.

Un oscillateur à quartz vibrant par exemple à 32768 Hz et dont seul le résonateur 14 est représenté sur la figure 2 fournit la base de temps de la montre à un diviseur de fréquence 15. Celui-ci engendre sur une ligne 16 des impulsions d'horloge destinées à piloter les fonctions électroniques de la montre. Le diviseur 15 fournit également des impulsions de dixièmes de seconde sur une ligne 17 et des impulsions de secondes sur une ligne 18. Ces lignes sont connectées à une unité 19 de gestion des fonctions de chronométrage. Une ligne 20 transmet des impulsions à 0,05 Hertz, par exemple, à une unité motrice 21. Cette unité motrice est couplée mécaniquement à un rouage (non représenté) pour entraîner en permanence les aiguilles 3 et 4 pour l'indication de l'heure courante.A quartz oscillator vibrating for example at 32768 Hz and of which only the resonator 14 is represented on the figure 2 provides the time base of the watch to a frequency divider 15. This generates on a line 16 clock pulses for controlling the electronic functions of the watch. The divider 15 also provides tenths of second pulses on a line 17 and pulses of seconds on a line 18. These lines are connected to a timing management unit 19. A line 20 transmits pulses at 0.05 Hertz, for example, to a power unit 21. This power unit is mechanically coupled to a gear train (not shown) to permanently drive the needles 3 and 4 for indication of the current time.

Il est à noter que, pour illustrer les différents rôles des aiguilles de la montre, on a représenté, à droite de la figure 2, plusieurs répliques du cadran 2 avec dessinées dans chacune d'elles, la ou les aiguilles qui sont entraînées par une unité motrice indépendante. Celles-ci sont respectivement indiquées par les références 21 à 24, chaque unité comprenant, comme connu en soi, un circuit d'attaque indiqué par "a" et un moteur pas à pas indiqué par "b".It should be noted that, to illustrate the different roles of the needles of the watch, it is shown to the right of the figure 2 , several replicas of the dial 2 with drawn in each of them, the needle or needles which are driven by an independent motor unit. These are respectively indicated by the references 21 at 24, each unit comprising, as known per se, a driver indicated by "a" and a stepping motor indicated by "b".

Ainsi, outre l'unité motrice 21 qui entraîne les aiguilles 3 et 4 par l'intermédiaire du rouage, l'unité motrice 22 entraîne l'aiguille 8 des dixièmes de seconde, l'unité 23, l'aiguille 9 des secondes et l'unité 24, l'aiguille 10 des minutes.Thus, in addition to the drive unit 21 which drives the needles 3 and 4 via the gear train, the drive unit 22 drives the needle 8 of the tenths of a second, the unit 23, the second hand 9 and the unit 24, the minute hand 10.

Les unités motrices 22 à 24 sont associées à des compteurs respectifs 25 à 27 dont les états reflètent à chaque instant, les positions angulaires des aiguilles auxquelles ils correspondent. Chaque compteur est mis à zéro à l'initialisation de l'aiguille associée à soixante minutes et il compte chaque impulsion motrice transmise par l'unité 19 de gestion de chronométrage. Ainsi le compteur 25 peut compter jusqu'à dix (dixièmes de seconde), et les compteurs 26 et 27 jusqu'à soixante.The driving units 22 to 24 are associated with respective counters 25 to 27 whose states reflect at each moment, the angular positions of the hands to which they correspond. Each counter is set to zero upon initialization of the associated hand at sixty minutes and counts each driving pulse transmitted by the timing management unit 19. Thus the counter 25 can count to ten (tenths of a second), and the counters 26 and 27 to sixty.

Une unité 28 de gestion des entrées assure la mise en forme et la répartition des signaux de commande fournis respectivement par des interrupteurs 29 et 30 associés respectivement aux poussoirs 12 et 13. Une commande effectuée par ces organes 29 et 30 revient, de façon connue en soi, à appliquer à l'unité de gestion 28 le potentiel de l'une des bornes (ici Vdd) d'une source d'alimentation (non représentée) telle qu'une pile incorporée dans la montre 1.An input management unit 28 provides the shaping and distribution of the control signals respectively provided by switches 29 and 30 respectively associated with the push-buttons 12 and 13. An order made by these devices 29 and 30 returns, in a known manner to itself, to apply to the management unit 28 the potential of one of the terminals (here Vdd) of a power source (not shown) such as a battery incorporated in the watch 1.

En fonction des actions sur les poussoirs 12 et 13, l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées élabore un signal de commande de démarrage/arrêt de chronométrage ou un signal de changement du mode de fonctionnement sur une ligne 31, et un signal de remise à zéro sur une ligne 32, les lignes 31 et 32 étant connectées à l'unité 19 de gestion du chronométrage.Depending on the actions on the push-buttons 12 and 13, the input management unit 28 generates a timing start / stop control signal or a change of operating mode signal on a line 31, and a reset signal to zero on a line 32, the lines 31 and 32 being connected to the timing management unit 19.

Cette dernière produit respectivement sur des lignes 33 à 35 des impulsions de commande destinées aux compteurs 25 à 27. Ceux-ci peuvent également directement être positionnés par l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées à travers une ligne de commande 36.The latter produces, on lines 33 to 35, control pulses for the counters 25 to 27. These can also be directly positioned by the input management unit 28 through a control line 36.

Toutes les fonctions accomplies par la montre que l'on vient de décrire seront de préférence exécutées par un microcontrôleur que l'homme de métier saura programmer en conséquence à l'aide de la description qui vient d'être faite et de celle qui va maintenant suivre à propos du fonctionnement de la montre. Ce microcontrôleur est désigné globalement par la référence 37 sur la figure 2.All the functions performed by the watch that has just been described will preferably be executed by a microcontroller that the skilled person will be able to program accordingly with the help of the description that has just been made and that which will now follow about the operation of the watch. This microcontroller is designated globally by the reference 37 on the figure 2 .

Pendant la marche en heure courante, la montre fait tourner les aiguilles 3 et 4 par l'unité motrice 21 commandée par les impulsions à 0,05 Hertz transitant sur la ligne 20.During walking in current time, the watch rotates the needles 3 and 4 by the drive unit 21 controlled by the pulses at 0.05 Hertz transiting on the line 20.

Lorsque la montre est mise en fonction de chronométrage par une pression sur le poussoir 12, l'unité 19 de gestion du chronométrage applique les signaux de commande appropriés aux lignes 34 et 35 de sorte que par l'intermédiaire respectivement des compteurs 26 et 27 et des unités motrices 23 et 24, les aiguilles 9 et 10 affichent respectivement les secondes et les minutes chronométrées.When the watch is put into timing function by pressing the pusher 12, the timing management unit 19 applies the appropriate control signals to the lines 34 and 35 so that via counters 26 and 27 and motor units 23 and 24 respectively, the hands 9 and 10 respectively display the seconds and minutes timed.

Pendant ce temps, un compteur interne de l'unité de gestion 19 non représenté reçoit des impulsions de dixièmes de seconde mais ne les envoie pas immédiatement au compteur 25. L'unité motrice 22 reste donc inactive et l'aiguille 8 immobile.Meanwhile, an internal counter of the management unit 19 not shown receives pulses of tenths of a second but does not send them immediately to the counter 25. The drive unit 22 remains inactive and the needle 8 still.

Une nouvelle pression sur le poussoir 12 arrête le chronométrage. Les aiguilles 9 et 10 s'arrêtent, tandis que l'unité motrice 22 est activée par l'unité 19 de gestion de chronométrage, via le compteur interne et le compteur 25, pour que l'aiguille 8 avance vers la position angulaire correspondant au nombre de dixièmes de seconde compté au moment de l'arrêt du chronométrage.Pressing the pusher 12 again stops the timing. The hands 9 and 10 stop, while the motor unit 22 is activated by the timing management unit 19, via the internal counter and the counter 25, for the needle 8 to advance towards the angular position corresponding to the number of tenths of a second counted at the stop timing.

Lorsque pour la remise à zéro, le poussoir 13 est actionné, les aiguilles 8 à 10 se replacent à leur position de repos.When for reset, the pusher 13 is actuated, the needles 8 to 10 are returned to their rest position.

Une pression simultanée sur les boutons-poussoirs 12 et 13 active le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans du chronographe, c'est-à-dire le mode de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles 8, 9 et 10. Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le mode d'ajustement des cadrans de chronographe ne peut être activé que lorsque le chronographe est arrêté et en position de repos, les compteurs 25 à 27 étant à zéro. Le passage dans ce mode est confirmé par la production d'impulsions de commande, par l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées, destinées aux compteurs 25 à 27, à travers la ligne 31 et l'unité de gestion des fonctions du chronométrage 19. Ces impulsions de commande vont entraîner l'activation des unités motrices respectivement 22 à 24, provoquant une rotation simultanée de 360 degrés respectivement des aiguilles 8 à 10, à vitesse accélérée. Les boutons 12 et 13 remplissent alors des fonctions différentes. En effet, une première pression sur le bouton 13 permet de sélectionner l'aiguille 8, ce qui est confirmé par la production de signaux de commande par l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées entraînant, via la ligne 31 et l'unité de gestion des fonctions du chronométrage 19, l'activation de l'unité motrice 22 et la rotation d'un tour complet à vitesse accélérée de ladite aiguille. Chaque pression ultérieure sur le bouton 13 a pour effet de sélectionner l'aiguille suivante, en activant l'unité motrice correspondante via l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées, la ligne 31 et l'unité de gestion des fonctions de chronométrage 19, en désactivant dans le même temps l'unité motrice correspondant à l'aiguille précédemment sélectionnée. Les impulsions ainsi générées entraînent la rotation d'un tour complet de l'aiguille nouvellement sélectionnée à vitesse accélérée. Le bouton 12 a pour fonction de commander le moteur entraînant l'aiguille sélectionnée. En effet, chaque pression sur le poussoir 12 provoque la production d'une impulsion par l'unité 28 de gestion des entrées, envoyée au compteur correspondant à l'aiguille sélectionnée via la ligne de commande 36 faisant ainsi fonctionner l'unité motrice correspondante. De préférence et de manière connue, chaque pression courte sur le bouton 12 entraîne la rotation d'un pas de l'aiguille correspondante, tandis qu'une pression longue entraîne la production d'un train d'impulsions et donc sa rotation à vitesse accélérée. Lorsque la montre se trouve en mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans, une nouvelle pression simultanée sur les boutons 12 et 13 désactive ce mode et les compteurs 25 à 27, faisant ainsi passer la montre en mode d'utilisation courante avec, de préférence, une rotation simultanée de 360 degrés des aiguilles 8 à 10, à vitesse accélérée.Simultaneous pressing of the push-buttons 12 and 13 activates the adjustment mode of the chronograph's small dials, that is to say the mode of adjustment of the rest position of the hands 8, 9 and 10. In a mode preferred embodiment, the adjustment mode of the chronograph dials can be activated only when the chronograph is stopped and in the rest position, the counters 25 to 27 being zero. The transition to this mode is confirmed by the generation of control pulses, by the input management unit 28, for the counters 25 to 27, through the line 31 and the timekeeping function management unit 19. These control pulses will cause the activation of the motor units respectively 22 to 24, causing a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees respectively of the needles 8 to 10, at accelerated speed. The buttons 12 and 13 then perform different functions. In fact, a first pressing of the button 13 makes it possible to select the needle 8, which is confirmed by the production of control signals by the input management unit 28 leading via line 31 and the management unit timing functions 19, activation of the driving unit 22 and rotation of a complete revolution at an accelerated speed of said needle. Each subsequent pressing of the button 13 has the effect of selecting the next hand, by activating the corresponding motor unit via the input management unit 28, the line 31 and the management unit of the timing functions 19, in deactivating at the same time the motor unit corresponding to the previously selected needle. The pulses thus generated cause rotation of a complete revolution of the newly selected needle at accelerated speed. The button 12 has the function of controlling the motor driving the selected needle. Indeed, each pressure on the pusher 12 causes the production of a pulse by the input management unit 28, sent to the counter corresponding to the selected needle via the control line 36 thus operating the corresponding motor unit. Preferably and in a known manner, each short pressure on the button 12 causes the rotation of a step of the corresponding needle, while a long pressure causes the production of a pulse train and therefore its rotation at accelerated speed . When the watch is in the adjustment mode of the small dials, a new simultaneous pressing of the buttons 12 and 13 deactivates this mode and the counters 25 to 27, thus making the watch in current use mode with, preferably, a simultaneous rotation of 360 degrees of the needles 8 to 10, at accelerated speed.

Ainsi, le procédé de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles 8, 9 et 10 fait exclusivement appel aux fonctions des boutons-poussoirs 12 et 13 telles que décrites ci-dessus. De ce fait, une telle structure permet de se passer de tout contact électrique au niveau de la tige-couronne 11. Ceci procure à la fois un gain de place dans le boîtier, représentant ainsi un avantage important pour la fabrication de montres de taille réduite, et une économie par rapport au nombre de pièces utilisées, ce qui représente un avantage important pour la fabrication de montres produites à grand nombre d'exemplaires.Thus, the method of adjusting the rest position of the needles 8, 9 and 10 exclusively uses the functions of the pushbuttons 12 and 13 as described above. As a result, such a structure makes it possible to dispense with any electrical contact at the level of the crown rod 11. This provides both a saving of space in the case, thus representing an important advantage for the manufacture of watches of reduced size. , and a saving in relation to the number of parts used, which represents an important advantage for the manufacture of watches produced in large number of copies.

Le déroulement type d'une séquence de réglage de la position de repos des ces aiguilles est schématisé par les diagrammes des figures 3 et 4, où les notations suivantes sont utilisées :

  • P12 signifie que l'utilisateur exerce une pression courte sur le bouton 12;
  • P13 signifie que l'utilisateur exerce une pression courte sur le bouton 13;
  • PP12 signifie que l'utilisateur exerce une pression longue sur le bouton 12;
  • Δt1 représente un intervalle de temps de l'ordre du dixième de seconde; et
  • Δt2 représente un intervalle de temps de l'ordre de quelques secondes.
The typical sequence of a sequence of adjustment of the rest position of these needles is shown schematically by the diagrams of the figures 3 and 4 , where the following notations are used:
  • P12 means that the user exerts a short press on the button 12;
  • P13 means that the user exerts a short pressure on the button 13;
  • PP12 means that the user exerts a long press on the button 12;
  • Δt 1 represents a time interval of the order of a tenth of a second; and
  • Δt 2 represents a time interval of the order of a few seconds.

La montre se trouve tout d'abord en mode d'utilisation courante 38, c'est-à-dire qu'elle indique simplement l'heure courante par le moyen des aiguilles 3, 4 et du cadran 2. En outre, les aiguilles de chronographe 8 à 10 sont immobiles, dans leur position de repos. Supposons qu'au moins une de ces aiguilles 8 à 10 a sa position de repos qui ne se situe pas à la position zéro du petit cadran correspondant, de sorte qu'un réglage de sa position de repos est nécessaire. Ceci peut arriver, comme on l'a vu précédemment, lorsque la pile est mise en place lors de la fabrication ou remplacée ultérieurement. C'est pourquoi il est utile de prévoir des moyens pour que l'utilisateur puisse effectuer ce réglage lui-même, et surtout pour qu'un démontage de la montre ne soit pas indispensable. On comprend donc que ce système qui est pratique pour tout type de montre-chronographe électronique à cadrans supplémentaires l'est d'autant plus pour des montres qui ne se démontent plus une fois leur construction achevée. On peut voir sur la figure 3 en 39, 40 et 41 que si l'utilisateur ne presse aucun bouton, la montre reste naturellement en mode d'utilisation courante.The watch is first in current use mode 38, that is, it simply indicates the current time by means of hands 3, 4 and dial 2. In addition, the hands Chronograph 8 to 10 are stationary, in their rest position. Suppose that at least one of these needles 8 to 10 has its rest position which is not at the zero position of the corresponding small dial, so that adjustment of its rest position is necessary. This can happen, as we saw earlier, when the battery is put in place during manufacture or replaced later. This is why it is useful to provide means for the user to make this adjustment itself, and especially for a disassembly of the watch is not essential. So we understand that this system is convenient for any type of electronic chronograph watch with additional dials is even more for watches that no longer disassemble a once their construction completed. We can see on the figure 3 in 39, 40 and 41 that if the user does not press any button, the watch naturally remains in current use mode.

Si l'utilisateur presse le bouton 12, ce qui est représenté en 42, le chronographe est enclenché et deux options se présentent alors. En référence 43, s'il ne presse pas le bouton 13 dans une fenêtre de temps Δt1, de préférence de l'ordre du dixième de seconde, cette fenêtre étant déterminée à la fabrication et éventuellement modifiable ultérieurement par un réparateur, le chronographe continue de tourner, ce qui est représenté par la référence 42a. Dans ce cas, les deux boutons-poussoirs 12 et 13 remplissent les fonctions classiques, non représentées, à savoir qu'une nouvelle pression sur le bouton 12 arrête le chronographe et le temps mesuré est affiché, tandis qu'une pression sur le bouton 13 affiche un temps intermédiaire mesuré. Ainsi, le chronographe continue à fonctionner jusqu'à ce que le bouton 12 soit à nouveau pressé. Une fois que le chronographe est arrêté, une pression sur le bouton 13 a pour effet de faire revenir les trois aiguilles 8, 9 et 10 à leur position de repos à vitesse accélérée, ce qui ramène la montre dans son mode d'utilisation courante 38. Si après la première pression sur le bouton 12, l'utilisateur presse le bouton 13 dans la fenêtre de temps Δt1, en 43, le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans 45 est activé, ce que confirme une rotation rapide de 360 degrés des trois aiguilles 8, 9 et 10. Dans ce cas et selon un mode préféré de réalisation, le chronographe est réinitialisé avant l'activation du mode d'ajustement.If the user presses the button 12, which is represented at 42, the chronograph is engaged and two options are then presented. With reference 43, if it does not press the button 13 in a time window Δt 1 , preferably of the order of a tenth of a second, this window being determined during manufacture and possibly subsequently modifiable by a repairer, the chronograph continues to turn, which is represented by reference 42a. In this case, the two pushbuttons 12 and 13 fulfill the conventional functions, not shown, namely that a new pressure on the button 12 stops the chronograph and the measured time is displayed, while pressing the button 13 displays a measured split time. Thus, the chronograph continues to operate until the button 12 is pressed again. Once the chronograph is stopped, pressing the button 13 has the effect of returning the three needles 8, 9 and 10 to their rest position at an accelerated speed, which brings the watch back into its current mode of use. If, after the first pressing of the button 12, the user presses the button 13 in the time window Δt 1 , at 43, the adjustment mode of the small dials 45 is activated, which is confirmed by a rapid rotation of 360 degrees. of the three needles 8, 9 and 10. In this case and according to a preferred embodiment, the chronograph is reset before activating the adjustment mode.

Si l'utilisateur commence par appuyer sur le bouton 13, ce qui est représenté en 41, le mode d'ajustement 45 est activé à la condition qu'il presse le bouton 12 dans la fenêtre de temps Δt1, ce qui est représenté en 44, sinon il ne se passe rien, 40, et la montre reste dans son mode d'utilisation courante 38.If the user starts by pressing the button 13, which is represented at 41, the adjustment mode 45 is activated provided that he presses the button 12 in the time window Δt 1 , which is represented in FIG. 44, otherwise nothing happens, 40, and the watch remains in its current mode of use 38.

Le diagramme de la figure 4 décrit en détail la séquence de manipulations à effectuer pour procéder au réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles 8, 9 et 10, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention. La première étape 45 de la figure 4 correspond donc à la dernière étape de la figure 3. On peut noter qu'une inactivité prolongée de l'utilisateur pendant un temps supérieur à Δt2, c'est-à-dire environ 5 secondes dans ce mode de réalisation, entraîne la désactivation spontanée du mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans et le retour de la montre à son mode d'utilisation courante. Notons également que cette désactivation peut intervenir à n'importe quelle étape de la séquence de réglage, et est signalée à l'utilisateur par une rotation rapide d'un tour complet des trois aiguilles 8, 9 et 10.The diagram of the figure 4 describes in detail the sequence of manipulations to be performed to adjust the rest position of the needles 8, 9 and 10, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The first step 45 of the figure 4 therefore corresponds to the last stage of the figure 3 . It can be noted that a prolonged inactivity of the user for a time greater than Δt 2 , that is to say about 5 seconds in this embodiment, results in the spontaneous deactivation of the adjustment mode of the small dials and the return of the watch to its current mode of use. Note also that this deactivation can occur at any stage of the adjustment sequence, and is reported to the user by a rapid rotation of a complete turn of the three needles 8, 9 and 10.

Une fois le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans activé, l'utilisateur doit appuyer sur le bouton 13 dans l'intervalle de temps Δt2, ce qui est représenté en 46, afin de sélectionner le petit cadran 5 et l'aiguille 8, en 48, ce qui est confirmé par la rotation rapide d'un tour complet de ladite aiguille. Celle-ci peut alors être réglée, par manipulation du bouton 12, ce qui est schématisé en 49 et 50. En effet, dans ce mode l'aiguille 8 est commandée par le bouton 12, via un moteur, de telle sorte qu'une pression courte entraîne une rotation de l'aiguille 8 d'une unité du petit cadran 5, tandis qu'une pression longue entraîne une rotation continue de l'aiguille à vitesse accélérée. Une fois le réglage de l'aiguille 8 effectué, on se trouve en 51, où l'utilisateur peut soit presser sur le bouton 13 avant l'expiration d'un temps Δt2 pour sélectionner une autre aiguille, soit attendre la désactivation spontanée du mode de réglage s'il n'a pas d'autre réglage à faire. A chaque nouvelle pression sur le bouton 13 est effectué le passage au petit cadran suivant dans le sens horaire. Le petit cadran sélectionné est à chaque fois mis en évidence par la rotation rapide d'un tour complet de l'aiguille correspondante, ceci étant schématisé sur le diagramme par les références 51 à 54. Lorsque le réglage de la position de repos est réalisé pour chaque aiguille, on se trouve en 55, et l'utilisateur peut soit attendre pendant le temps Δt2, soit presser sur les boutons 12 et 13 dans un intervalle de temps inférieur à Δt1 pour désactiver le mode d'ajustement des petits cadrans en 47, et revenir en mode d'utilisation courante 38.Once the mode of adjustment of the small dials activated, the user must press the button 13 in the time interval Δt 2 , which is represented at 46, to select the small dial 5 and the needle 8, at 48, which is confirmed by the rapid rotation of a complete turn of said needle. It can then be adjusted, by manipulating the button 12, which is shown schematically at 49 and 50. In fact, in this mode the needle 8 is controlled by the button 12, via a motor, so that short pressure causes a rotation of the needle 8 of a unit of the small dial 5, while a long pressure causes a continuous rotation of the needle at an accelerated speed. Once the adjustment of the needle 8 is made, it is at 51, where the user can either press the button 13 before the expiration of a time Δt 2 to select another needle, or wait for the spontaneous deactivation of the setting mode if there is no other setting to make. Each time you press the button 13 again, the next small dial is turned clockwise. The small dial selected is highlighted each time by the rapid rotation of a complete revolution of the corresponding needle, this being shown diagrammatically in the diagram by references 51 to 54. When the adjustment of the rest position is made for each needle is at 55, and the user can either wait for the time Δt 2 , or press the buttons 12 and 13 in a time interval less than Δt 1 to deactivate the adjustment mode of the small dials in 47, and return to the current use mode 38.

Bien entendu, la description qui précède correspond à un mode préféré de réalisation de l'invention et ne peut en aucun cas être considérée comme limitant sa portée. On peut en effet facilement imaginer des séquences de programmation différentes pour le microcontrôleur, de sorte que la méthode de réglage de la position de repos des aiguilles supplémentaires peut être différente. On peut également prévoir un nombre différent de petits cadrans pour le chronographe, un affichage de la date du jour dont le réglage est éventuellement effectué à partir de la tige-couronne, de façon classique.Of course, the above description corresponds to a preferred embodiment of the invention and can in no way be considered as limiting its scope. It is indeed easy to imagine different programming sequences for the microcontroller, so that the method of adjusting the rest position of the additional needles may be different. It is also possible to provide a different number of small dials for the chronograph, a display of the date of the day whose adjustment is possibly made from the stem-crown, conventionally.

Claims (11)

  1. Analogue electronic chronograph watch (1) including at least a first motor driving hands (3, 4) for displaying the current time, at least a second motor driving at least a chronograph hand (8, 9, 10), a stem-crown (11) for adjusting the current time and two push-buttons (12, 13) for controlling the chronograph functions, the watch comprising two operating modes for the chronograph, the first of these modes being the current operating mode (38) in which the chronograph fulfils at least the start, stop, zero reset functions, the second operating mode being a mode for adjusting (45) the rest position of the chronograph hand, the two push-buttons (12, 13) being associated with means (25 to 30, 36) for accessing the rest position adjustment mode of the chronograph hand and performing said adjustment, characterized in that said means (25 to 30, 36) are arranged so as to be activated independently of the position of the stem-crown (11).
  2. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to claim 1, characterised in that it includes at least three chronograph hands (8, 9, 10) capable of displaying the measured times on distinct small dials (5, 6, 7).
  3. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to claim 2, characterised in that each of said three hands (8, 9, 10) is driven by its own motor
  4. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said means (25 to 30, 36) are also designed so that a simultaneous application of pressure on the two push-buttons (12, 13) causes the watch to pass into the rest position adjustment mode (45) for said chronograph hand (8, 9, 10).
  5. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that said means (25 to 30, 36) are also designed so that a simultaneous application of pressure on the two push-buttons (12, 13) causes the watch to pass into the rest position adjustment mode (45) for said chronograph hand (8, 9, 10).
  6. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to any of claims 2, 3 or 5, characterised in that the means (28, 29, 30) are also designed, when it is in the rest position adjustment mode for said hands, so that the choice of hand (8, 9, 10) to be adjusted is associated with a first of said push-buttons (13), and that the function of adjusting the rest position of said selected hand is associated with the other push-button (12).
  7. Analogue electronic chronograph watch according to claim 6, characterised in that said means (25 to 29, 36) are also designed so that said selected hand (8, 9, 10) rotates through 360 degrees at accelerated speed in response to activation of said first push-button (13).
  8. Method for adjusting the rest position of the chronograph hands (8, 9, 10) of an analogue electronic chronograph watch (1) including hands (3, 4) for displaying the current time, at least two chronograph hands (8, 9, 10), a stem-crown (11) for adjusting the hour and minute hands and two push-buttons (12, 13) for controlling the chronograph functions, the watch including two operating modes (38, 45) for the chronograph, the first of these modes (38) being the current operating mode in which the chronograph fulfils the start, stop, zero reset and intermediate time measurement functions, the second operating mode (45) being a mode for adjusting the rest position of the chronograph hands (8, 9, 10), the method including the steps of :
    - exerting pressure, independently from the position of said stem-crown (11), simultaneously on said two push-buttons (12, 13) to activate the rest position adjustment mode for said chronograph hands (8, 9, 10),
    - exerting at least one application of pressure on a first push-button (13) to select the chronograph hand whose rest position has to be adjusted,
    - exerting discrete applications of pressure or continuous pressure on the other push-button (12) to make the selected hand rotate at accelerated speed until the desired adjustment is obtained,
    - beginning again from the second step to adjust the rest position of said other chronograph hands if necessary,
    - waiting a few seconds or pressing both push-buttons (12, 13) simultaneously to deactivate the chronograph hand rest position adjustment mode.
  9. Method for adjusting the rest position of chronograph hands according to claim 8, characterised in that when the rest position adjustment mode for the chronograph hands (8, 9, 10) is activated, said hands effect a rotation of 360 degrees at accelerated speed to confirm the change of mode.
  10. Method for adjusting the rest position of chronograph hands according to any of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that in the rest position adjustment mode for the chronograph hands (8, 9, 10), each application of pressure on said first push-button (13) allowing one of said hands to be selected, is confirmed by a rotation of 360 degrees at accelerated speed by the hand selected.
  11. Method for adjusting the rest position of chronograph hands according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the change out of the rest position adjustment mode (45) for the chronograph hands (8, 9, 10) is confirmed by a rotation of 360 degrees at accelerated speed by said hands.
EP00204242A 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Electronic chronograph watch with analog display Expired - Lifetime EP1211579B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00204242A EP1211579B1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Electronic chronograph watch with analog display
AT00204242T ATE428960T1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 ELECTRONIC CHRONOGRAPH WATCH WITH ANALOG DISPLAY
DE60042025T DE60042025D1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Electronic chronograph watch with analog display

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00204242A EP1211579B1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Electronic chronograph watch with analog display

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1211579A1 EP1211579A1 (en) 2002-06-05
EP1211579B1 true EP1211579B1 (en) 2009-04-15

Family

ID=8172349

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00204242A Expired - Lifetime EP1211579B1 (en) 2000-11-29 2000-11-29 Electronic chronograph watch with analog display

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1211579B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE428960T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60042025D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH704948B1 (en) * 2004-02-17 2012-11-30 Lvmh Swiss Mft Sa Watch electromechanical chronograph retrograde.
JP6455247B2 (en) * 2015-03-12 2019-01-23 カシオ計算機株式会社 Motor control circuit and electronic timepiece

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2124803B (en) * 1982-06-07 1985-12-11 Suwa Seikosha Kk Improvements in or relating to electronic analog timepieces
EP0493613B1 (en) * 1990-07-20 1996-04-24 Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. Assembly for a hands indicating type timepiece, method for constructing such timepiece and hands indicating type timepiece obtained
CH681677B5 (en) * 1991-02-05 1993-11-15 Complications Sa The process of initializing perpetual calendar of an analogue quartz chronograph and quartz chronograph for its implementation.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE428960T1 (en) 2009-05-15
DE60042025D1 (en) 2009-05-28
EP1211579A1 (en) 2002-06-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0617346B1 (en) Chronographic watch with calendar display
EP0143279B1 (en) Watch with analogous and numerical display
EP0083307B1 (en) Electronic chronograph watch
KR20090029242A (en) Electronic chronograph watch with analogue display
FR2492550A1 (en) WATCH OR CLOCK WITH MOTOR CONTROLLED BY AN ELECTRIC OSCILLATOR
EP2021880B1 (en) Method for changing a time zone, and timepiece therefor
EP1807738B1 (en) Multifunctional navigational aid watch, particularly suitable for space missions
CH704948B1 (en) Watch electromechanical chronograph retrograde.
EP0589465B1 (en) Analogical timepiece with mode changeover warning means
EP1211579B1 (en) Electronic chronograph watch with analog display
EP0064023B1 (en) Time correcting means for an electronic clock
CH333770A (en) Four wheel drive tractor
CH688461B5 (en) Piece analog display timepiece having at least one universal display mode hour.
EP0130150B1 (en) Electronic chronograph, especially in a watch
EP1085384B1 (en) Electronic chronograph watch
WO1989004512A1 (en) Process for programming the perpetual calendar of a watch and watch for implementing such process
FR2467429A1 (en) PIECE OF WATCHMAKING WITH SECOND DISPLAY ON DEMAND
EP0202495B1 (en) Timer
EP0657792B1 (en) Electronic analogue chronograph with fly-back hand
EP0357633B1 (en) Process for displacing a time-based item of information on a watch dial, and watch equipped to implement this process
EP0027288B1 (en) Electronic watch with stepping motor and alarm circuit
CH692066A5 (en) Astronomical clock.
EP1383015B1 (en) Timepiece having a game mode
CH685142B5 (en) Chronograph watch comprising two pushers excluding any stem-crown.
EP1290505A1 (en) Watch equipped with weekly cycle indicator

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20021205

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ICB INGENIEURS CONSEILS EN BREVETS SA

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60042025

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20090528

Kind code of ref document: P

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090726

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090915

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090715

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FD4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20100118

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE

Effective date: 20091130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091130

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090716

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20101105

Year of fee payment: 11

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20101026

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20091129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20090415

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20111129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111129

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20111129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20151022

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20151023

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60042025

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20170731

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20161130

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20170601

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20191022

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL