EP1692574A1 - Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement - Google Patents

Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement

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Publication number
EP1692574A1
EP1692574A1 EP04797259A EP04797259A EP1692574A1 EP 1692574 A1 EP1692574 A1 EP 1692574A1 EP 04797259 A EP04797259 A EP 04797259A EP 04797259 A EP04797259 A EP 04797259A EP 1692574 A1 EP1692574 A1 EP 1692574A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
discs
lunation
mechanism according
disc
moon
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP04797259A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1692574B1 (en
Inventor
Yves Corthesy
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.)
Zenith International SA
Original Assignee
Zenith International SA
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 Zenith International SA filed Critical Zenith International SA
Publication of EP1692574A1 publication Critical patent/EP1692574A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1692574B1 publication Critical patent/EP1692574B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B19/26—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like
    • G04B19/268—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like with indicators for the phases of the moon

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to movements of mechanical or electromechanical timepieces. It relates, more particularly, to a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon, intended to equip such movements.
  • the phases of the moon are generally indicated by a moving disc on which there are two diametrically opposite representations of the moon.
  • An opening in the dial of the coin reveals part of the disc to indicate whether the moon is growing, is full, is decreasing or is new.
  • the moon phase indicator is activated one step once a day, but generally around 7 p.m. to avoid the accumulation of functions at midnight .
  • the indicator disc driven from the hour wheel, has 59 teeth, which corresponds to two lunations (of 29.5 days). It completes a complete tour in 59 days.
  • this construction requires an indicator disc whose diameter is approximately three times greater than that of the moon represented or whose surface is approximately eight times greater than that of the moon.
  • the indicator disc occupies a very important place in the movement in relation to the function it displays. This is problematic when the watch has to indicate, in addition, other functions such as the date, the day of the week and the timed time.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem of space by proposing a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon that is very undemanding in terms of surface occupied in the movement. More precisely, to achieve this aim, the mechanism according to the invention comprises: - two, and only two, discs, one, lower, of a color representative of the moon, the other, upper, of a color representative of the dark, and - control means, driven by the movement of the part, to impose cyclically, during each lunation, on at least one of these two discs a displacement such as the lower disc , initially completely discovered, is successively gradually covered by the upper disc, then completely covered, gradually discovered and, finally, completely discovered again.
  • control means are arranged, on the one hand, so that at the end of the lunation, the two discs are found, by a rapid retrograde movement, in the position they occupied at the start cycle and, on the other hand, to move the discs in the opposite direction in a substantially symmetrical manner.
  • control means comprise: - two rotary mobiles respectively integral with the two discs and coupled so as to rotate in opposite directions to one another, and - a system for driving in rotation one of these mobiles, itself driven by the movement of the part, thanks to which each disc is moved, during a lunation, by an angle such that at the end of the cycle, it occupies the position occupied by the another at the start of the cycle, before quickly returning to its initial position.
  • the drive system comprises: - a rocker actuated by the movement of the part and acting on one of the mobiles, and - a spring acting on one of the mobiles so as to elastically oppose the action exerted by the rocker.
  • the rocker is actuated by a spiral cam driven at the rate of one revolution per lunation.
  • one of the mobiles has a circular inner window which is concentric with it and has, on its inner edge, a toothing meshing with a first pinion linked to a second pinion, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing formed on the outer edge of a window formed in the other mobile, concentrically to it.
  • FIG. 1 shows what appears, throughout a lunation, the window 10, in the shape of a bean, formed in the dial of a watch equipped with the mechanism according to the 'invention.
  • Two discs 11 and 12 one yellow (in light on the drawing), representing the moon, the other black (hatched on the drawing), placed above the yellow disc, will move in a manner substantially symmetrical with respect to to axis II of window 10, with a dark background.
  • Position a corresponds to the first day of the cycle, when the moon is full.
  • the black disc 12 does not encroach on the yellow disc 11.
  • the two discs are tangent to each other.
  • the positions b, c and d correspond to the waning of the moon.
  • the black disc 12 gradually hides the yellow disc 11, thus drawing the characteristic C of the waning moon.
  • Position e corresponds to the new moon.
  • the black disc 12 completely covers the yellow disc 11.
  • the positions f, g and h correspond to the growth of the moon.
  • FIGS. 2 to 4 show the way in which the two discs 11 and 12 are moved so as to produce the representations of FIG. 1.
  • the mobile 14 is extended, on the left, by a protuberance 16 subjected to the action of a rocker 17 which is pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 18 and provided with a finger 19 cooperating with a spiral cam 20 , itself pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 21 and having a spout 20a.
  • This cam is driven clockwise from the hour wheel of the movement (not shown), one revolution per lunation.
  • the mobile 14 is extended, on the right, by a second protuberance 22 subjected to the action of a spring 23 which, with the help of a stud 24, elastically opposes the action exerted, opposite , on the protrusion 16 by the rocker 17.
  • the black upper disc 12 is connected by a radial arm 25 to the periphery of a second circular mobile 26 covering an angle of approximately 120 °, which is mounted to rotate freely on the plate around the shaft 15.
  • the first mobile 14 is provided with a circular inner window 27 which is concentric with it.
  • This window has, on its inner edge, a toothing 28 meshing with a first pinion 29 mounted freely in rotation between the plate and a bridge (not shown).
  • This pinion is integral, above it, with a second pinion 30, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing 31 formed on the outer edge of a window 32 formed in the second mobile 26, concentrically to it.
  • FIGS. 1a and 2 To better describe the way in which the mechanism according to the invention operates, reference will be made successively to FIGS. 1a and 2, then to Figures ⁇ b, 1c and 1d, to Figures 1e and 3, to Figures 1f, 1g and 1 /? and, finally, in Figures 1 / and 4.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the full moon, the first day of lunation.
  • the finger 19 is then closest to the shaft 21 of the cam 20.
  • the rocker 17 maintains the first mobile 14, pushed clockwise by the spring 23, in its extreme position for which the yellow lower disc 11 is the more to the left of window 10 on the dial.
  • the second mobile 26, linked to the first by the pinions 29 and 30, occupies its extreme position for which the upper black disc 12 is furthest to the right of the window 10 and does not encroach on the lower yellow disc 11. The two discs are then tangent to axis II.
  • the rotation of the first mobile 14 causes, through its toothing 28, then of the two pinions 29 and 30 and, finally, of the toothing 31 of the second mobile 26, the rotation of the latter in the direction schedule.
  • the black upper disc 12 is thus rotated to the left and gradually hides the yellow lower disc 11.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the new moon.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the growth of the moon.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding, once again, to the full moon.
  • the finger 19 has arrived at the tip of the beak 20a. It is farthest from the shaft 21 of the cam 20.
  • the rocker 17 then maintains the first mobile 14 in its other extreme position for which the yellow lower disc 11 is furthest to the right of the window 10 of the dial.
  • the second mobile 26 occupies its extreme position for which the upper black disc 12 is furthest to the left of the window 10 and no longer encroaches on the lower yellow disc 11.
  • the two discs are then again , tangent to axis II but in an opposite position to that of FIGS. 1a and 2.
  • the invention has been described with reference to a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon in the northern hemisphere. For the southern hemisphere, it will simply be enough to reverse the positions of the two discs.

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

Abstract

The invention relates to a moon phase indicator mechanism which is intended for a time piece. The inventive mechanism comprises: two, and only two, disks, namely a lower disk (11) having a colour that is representative of the moon and an upper disk (12) having a colour representative of darkness; and control means (14, 17, 20, 23, 26) which are driven by the movement of the piece in order cyclically to move at least one of the aforementioned two disks at each lunation such that the initially-fully-uncovered lower disk (11) is successively and progressively covered by the upper disk (12) and, subsequently, when fully covered, is progressively uncovered until it is fully uncovered once again. The above-mentioned control means are arranged such that (i) at the end of the lunation, the two disks (11, 12) are disposed, by means of a rapid retrograde motion, in the position that they occupied at the beginning of the cycle and (ii) the disks are moved in the opposite direction in an essentially-symmetrical manner.

Description

MECANISME INDICATEUR DES PHASES DE LA LUNE POUR UN MOUVEMENT DE MONTRE MOON PHASE INDICATOR MECHANISM FOR A WATCH MOVEMENT
La présente invention se rapporte aux mouvements de pièces d'horlogerie mécaniques ou électromécaniques. Elle concerne, plus particulièrement, un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune, destiné à équiper de tels mouvements.The present invention relates to movements of mechanical or electromechanical timepieces. It relates, more particularly, to a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon, intended to equip such movements.
Dans une montre, les phases de la lune sont généralement indiquées par un disque mobile sur lequel figurent deux représentations de la lune, diamétralement opposées. Une ouverture ménagée dans le cadran de la pièce laisse voir une partie du disque de manière à indiquer si la lune croît, est pleine, décroît ou est nouvelle.In a watch, the phases of the moon are generally indicated by a moving disc on which there are two diametrically opposite representations of the moon. An opening in the dial of the coin reveals part of the disc to indicate whether the moon is growing, is full, is decreasing or is new.
Comme pour l'indicateur du quantième et du jour de la semaine, l'indicateur des phases de la lune est actionné d'un pas une fois par jour, mais généralement aux environs de 19 heures afin d'éviter le cumul des fonctions à minuit. Le disque indicateur, entraîné à partir de la roue des heures, comporte 59 dents, ce qui correspond à deux lunaisons (de 29,5 jours). Il effectue un tour complet en 59 jours.As with the date and weekday indicator, the moon phase indicator is activated one step once a day, but generally around 7 p.m. to avoid the accumulation of functions at midnight . The indicator disc, driven from the hour wheel, has 59 teeth, which corresponds to two lunations (of 29.5 days). It completes a complete tour in 59 days.
On remarquera que cette construction nécessite un disque indicateur dont le diamètre est environ trois fois supérieur à celui de la lune représentée ou dont la surface est environ huit fois supérieure à celle de la lune. En d'autres termes, le disque indicateur occupe, dans le mouvement, une place très importante par rapport à la fonction qu'il affiche. Ceci pose problème lorsque la montre doit indiquer, en plus, d'autres fonctions telles que le quantième, le jour de la semaine et le temps chronométré.It will be noted that this construction requires an indicator disc whose diameter is approximately three times greater than that of the moon represented or whose surface is approximately eight times greater than that of the moon. In other words, the indicator disc occupies a very important place in the movement in relation to the function it displays. This is problematic when the watch has to indicate, in addition, other functions such as the date, the day of the week and the timed time.
La présente invention a pour but d'apporter une solution à ce problème d'encombrement en proposant un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune très peu exigeant en matière de surface occupée dans le mouvement. De façon plus précise, pour atteindre ce but, le mécanisme selon l'invention comporte : - deux, et seulement deux, disques, l'un, inférieur, d'une couleur représentative de la lune, l'autre, supérieur, d'une couleur représentative de l'obscurité, et - des moyens de commande, entraînés par le mouvement de la pièce, pour imposer cycliquement, lors de chaque lunaison, à l'un, au moins de ces deux disques un déplacement tel que le disque inférieur, initialement complètement découvert, est successivement recouvert progressivement par le disque supérieur, puis recouvert complètement, découvert progressivement et, enfin, découvert complètement à nouveau.The object of the present invention is to provide a solution to this problem of space by proposing a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon that is very undemanding in terms of surface occupied in the movement. More precisely, to achieve this aim, the mechanism according to the invention comprises: - two, and only two, discs, one, lower, of a color representative of the moon, the other, upper, of a color representative of the dark, and - control means, driven by the movement of the part, to impose cyclically, during each lunation, on at least one of these two discs a displacement such as the lower disc , initially completely discovered, is successively gradually covered by the upper disc, then completely covered, gradually discovered and, finally, completely discovered again.
Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, les moyens de commande sont agencés, d'une part, pour qu'à la fin de la lunaison, les deux disques se retrouvent, par un mouvement rétrograde rapide, dans la position qu'ils occupaient au début du cycle et, d'autre part, pour déplacer les disques en sens inverse de manière sensiblement symétrique.According to an advantageous embodiment, the control means are arranged, on the one hand, so that at the end of the lunation, the two discs are found, by a rapid retrograde movement, in the position they occupied at the start cycle and, on the other hand, to move the discs in the opposite direction in a substantially symmetrical manner.
De façon avantageuse, les moyens de commande comportent : - deux mobiles rotatifs respectivement solidaires des deux disques et accouplés de manière à tourner en sens inverse l'un de l'autre, et - un système d'entraînement en rotation de l'un de ces mobiles, lui- même entraîné par le mouvement de la pièce, grâce auquel chaque disque est déplacé, au cours d'une lunaison, d'un angle tel qu'à la fin du cycle, il occupe la position qu'occupait l'autre au début du cycle, avant de regagner rapidement sa position initiale.Advantageously, the control means comprise: - two rotary mobiles respectively integral with the two discs and coupled so as to rotate in opposite directions to one another, and - a system for driving in rotation one of these mobiles, itself driven by the movement of the part, thanks to which each disc is moved, during a lunation, by an angle such that at the end of the cycle, it occupies the position occupied by the another at the start of the cycle, before quickly returning to its initial position.
De préférence, le système d'entraînement comporte : - une bascule actionnée par le mouvement de la pièce et agissant sur l'un des mobiles, et - un ressort agissant sur l'un des mobiles de manière à s'opposer élastiquement à l'action exercée par la bascule. Dans ce mode de réalisation préféré, la bascule est actionnée par une came en colimaçon entraînée à raison d'un tour par lunaison. Par ailleurs, l'un des mobiles est pourvu d'une fenêtre intérieure circulaire qui lui est concentrique et comporte, sur son bord intérieur, une denture engrenant avec un premier pignon lié à un deuxième pignon, de même axe, qui engrène avec une denture ménagée sur le bord extérieur d'une fenêtre ménagée dans l'autre mobile, concentriquement à lui.Preferably, the drive system comprises: - a rocker actuated by the movement of the part and acting on one of the mobiles, and - a spring acting on one of the mobiles so as to elastically oppose the action exerted by the rocker. In this preferred embodiment, the rocker is actuated by a spiral cam driven at the rate of one revolution per lunation. In addition, one of the mobiles has a circular inner window which is concentric with it and has, on its inner edge, a toothing meshing with a first pinion linked to a second pinion, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing formed on the outer edge of a window formed in the other mobile, concentrically to it.
On notera aussi que les deux disques apparaissent derrière un guichet ménagé dans le cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie.Note also that the two discs appear behind a window in the dial of the timepiece.
D'autres caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre, faite en regard du dessin annexé, dans lequel : - la figure 1 illustre la manière d'afficher, selon l'invention, les phases de la lune au cours d'une lunaison ; et - les figures 2 à 4 représentent le mécanisme à différents moments de son fonctionnement .Other characteristics of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing, in which: - Figure 1 illustrates the manner of displaying, according to the invention, the phases of the moon during d 'a lunation; and - Figures 2 to 4 show the mechanism at different times of its operation.
On se référera, tout d'abord, à la figure 1 qui montre ce que laisse apparaître, tout au long d'une lunaison, le guichet 10, en forme de haricot, ménagé dans le cadran d'une montre équipée du mécanisme selon l'invention. Deux disques 11 et 12, l'un jaune (en clair sur le dessin), représentant la lune, l'autre noir (hachuré sur le dessin), disposé au-dessus du disque jaune, vont se déplacer de manière sensiblement symétrique par rapport à l'axe II du guichet 10, avec un arrière-plan sombre.Firstly, reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows what appears, throughout a lunation, the window 10, in the shape of a bean, formed in the dial of a watch equipped with the mechanism according to the 'invention. Two discs 11 and 12, one yellow (in light on the drawing), representing the moon, the other black (hatched on the drawing), placed above the yellow disc, will move in a manner substantially symmetrical with respect to to axis II of window 10, with a dark background.
La position a correspond au premier jour du cycle, lorsque la lune est pleine. Le disque noir 12 n'empiète pas sur le disque jaune 11. Les deux disques sont tangents l'un à l'autre.Position a corresponds to the first day of the cycle, when the moon is full. The black disc 12 does not encroach on the yellow disc 11. The two discs are tangent to each other.
Les positions b, c et d correspondent à la décroissance de la lune. Le disque noir 12 cache progressivement le disque jaune 11 , dessinant ainsi le C caractéristique de la lune décroissante.The positions b, c and d correspond to the waning of the moon. The black disc 12 gradually hides the yellow disc 11, thus drawing the characteristic C of the waning moon.
La position e correspond à la nouvelle lune. Le disque noir 12 recouvre totalement le disque jaune 11. Les positions f, g et h correspondent à la croissance de la lune. Le disque noir 12, qui continue son déplacement dans le même sens, découvre progressivement le disque jaune 11.Position e corresponds to the new moon. The black disc 12 completely covers the yellow disc 11. The positions f, g and h correspond to the growth of the moon. The black disc 12, which continues to move in the same direction, gradually discovers the yellow disc 11.
Enfin, la position / correspond, de nouveau, à la pleine lune affichée en a. Le disque noir 12 n'empiète plus sur le disque jaune 11. Les deux disques sont, de nouveau tangents mais le disque jaune se trouve à droite alors qu'il était à gauche dans la position a. Il doit donc rapidement regagner cette position pour le début d'une nouvelle lunaison.Finally, the position / again corresponds to the full moon displayed in a. The black disc 12 no longer encroaches on the yellow disc 11. The two discs are, again tangent but the yellow disc is on the right while it was on the left in position a. It must therefore quickly regain this position for the start of a new lunation.
On se référera maintenant aux figures 2 à 4 qui montrent la manière dont les deux disques 11 et 12 sont déplacés de façon à réaliser les représentations de la figure 1.Reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 to 4 which show the way in which the two discs 11 and 12 are moved so as to produce the representations of FIG. 1.
Sur ces figures, on retrouve le guichet en haricot 10 et les disques 11 et 12, respectivement situés à gauche et à droite. On voit alors que le disque inférieur jaune 11 est relié par un bras radial 13 à la périphérie d'un premier mobile semi-circulaire 14 monté libre en rotation sur la platine (non représentée) du mouvement de la montre autour d'un arbre 15 disposé selon l'axe II du guichet 10.In these figures, we find the bean counter 10 and the discs 11 and 12, located respectively on the left and on the right. We then see that the yellow lower disc 11 is connected by a radial arm 13 to the periphery of a first semi-circular mobile 14 mounted freely in rotation on the plate (not shown) of the movement of the watch around a shaft 15 arranged along axis II of the window 10.
Le mobile 14 se prolonge, à gauche, par une protubérance 16 soumise à l'action d'une bascule 17 qui est montée pivotante sur la platine autour d'un arbre 18 et dotée d'un doigt 19 coopérant avec une came en colimaçon 20, elle-même montée pivotante sur la platine autour d'un arbre 21 et présentant un bec 20a. Cette came est entraînée dans le sens horaire, à partir de la roue des heures du mouvement (non représentée), à raison d'un tour par lunaison.The mobile 14 is extended, on the left, by a protuberance 16 subjected to the action of a rocker 17 which is pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 18 and provided with a finger 19 cooperating with a spiral cam 20 , itself pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 21 and having a spout 20a. This cam is driven clockwise from the hour wheel of the movement (not shown), one revolution per lunation.
Le mobile 14 se prolonge, à droite, par une deuxième protubérance 22 soumise à l'action d'un ressort 23 qui, avec l'aide d'un plot 24, s'oppose élastiquement à l'action exercée, à l'opposé, sur la protubérance 16 par la bascule 17.The mobile 14 is extended, on the right, by a second protuberance 22 subjected to the action of a spring 23 which, with the help of a stud 24, elastically opposes the action exerted, opposite , on the protrusion 16 by the rocker 17.
Le disque supérieur noir 12 est relié par un bras radial 25 à la périphérie d'un deuxième mobile circulaire 26 couvrant un angle d'environ 120°, qui est monté libre en rotation sur la platine autour de l'arbre 15. Le premier mobile 14 est pourvu d'une fenêtre intérieure circulaire 27 qui lui est concentrique. Cette fenêtre comporte, sur son bord intérieur, une denture 28 engrenant avec un premier pignon 29 monté libre en rotation entre la platine et un pont (non représenté). Ce pignon est solidaire, au-dessus de lui, d'un deuxième pignon 30, de même axe, qui engrène avec une denture 31 ménagée sur le bord extérieur d'une fenêtre 32 ménagée dans le deuxième mobile 26, concentriquement à lui.The black upper disc 12 is connected by a radial arm 25 to the periphery of a second circular mobile 26 covering an angle of approximately 120 °, which is mounted to rotate freely on the plate around the shaft 15. The first mobile 14 is provided with a circular inner window 27 which is concentric with it. This window has, on its inner edge, a toothing 28 meshing with a first pinion 29 mounted freely in rotation between the plate and a bridge (not shown). This pinion is integral, above it, with a second pinion 30, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing 31 formed on the outer edge of a window 32 formed in the second mobile 26, concentrically to it.
Le dimensionnement et la configuration des différents organes du mécanisme selon l'invention, grâce auxquels les deux disques 11 et 12 se déplacent de manière sensiblement symétrique par rapport à l'axe II, font appel à des techniques de calcul bien connues du constructeur horloger.The dimensioning and configuration of the various members of the mechanism according to the invention, by means of which the two discs 11 and 12 move in a substantially symmetrical manner relative to the axis II, call upon calculation techniques well known to the watch manufacturer.
Pour mieux décrire la manière dont fonctionne le mécanisme selon l'invention, on se référera successivement aux figures 1a et 2, puis aux figures λb, 1c et 1d, aux figures 1e et 3, aux figures 1f, 1g et 1/? et, enfin, aux figures 1/ et 4.To better describe the way in which the mechanism according to the invention operates, reference will be made successively to FIGS. 1a and 2, then to Figures λb, 1c and 1d, to Figures 1e and 3, to Figures 1f, 1g and 1 /? and, finally, in Figures 1 / and 4.
1. Figures 1a et 21. Figures 1a and 2
Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la pleine lune, premier jour de la lunaison.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the full moon, the first day of lunation.
Le doigt 19 est alors au plus proche de l'arbre 21 de la came 20. La bascule 17 maintient le premier mobile 14, poussé dans le sens horaire par le ressort 23, dans sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque inférieur jaune 11 est le plus à gauche du guichet 10 du cadran.The finger 19 is then closest to the shaft 21 of the cam 20. The rocker 17 maintains the first mobile 14, pushed clockwise by the spring 23, in its extreme position for which the yellow lower disc 11 is the more to the left of window 10 on the dial.
De son côté, le deuxième mobile 26, lié au premier par les pignons 29 et 30, occupe sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque supérieur noir 12 est le plus à droite du guichet 10 et n'empiète pas sur le disque inférieur jaune 11. Les deux disques sont alors tangents à l'axe II.For its part, the second mobile 26, linked to the first by the pinions 29 and 30, occupies its extreme position for which the upper black disc 12 is furthest to the right of the window 10 and does not encroach on the lower yellow disc 11. The two discs are then tangent to axis II.
2. Figures 1i , 1c et 1c Le mécanisme occupe les positions correspondant à la décroissance de la lune. Le doigt 19, qui suit le contour de la came 20 tournant dans le sens horaire, s'éloigne progressivement, chaque jour, de l'arbre 21 , faisant ainsi pivoter la bascule 17 dans le même sens. Le premier mobile 14 tourne donc dans le sens anti-horaire, entraînant dans sa rotation le disque inférieur jaune 11 vers la droite.2. Figures 1i, 1c and 1c The mechanism occupies the positions corresponding to the waning of the moon. The finger 19, which follows the contour of the cam 20 rotating clockwise, gradually moves away, each day, from the shaft 21, thereby pivoting the rocker 17 in the same direction. The first mobile 14 therefore rotates counterclockwise, causing the yellow lower disc 11 to rotate to the right in its rotation.
En même temps, la rotation du premier mobile 14 provoque, par l'intermédiaire de sa denture 28, puis des deux pignons 29 et 30 et, enfin, de la denture 31 du deuxième mobile 26, la rotation de celui-ci dans le sens horaire. Le disque supérieur noir 12 est ainsi entraîné en rotation vers la gauche et cache progressivement le disque inférieur jaune 11.At the same time, the rotation of the first mobile 14 causes, through its toothing 28, then of the two pinions 29 and 30 and, finally, of the toothing 31 of the second mobile 26, the rotation of the latter in the direction schedule. The black upper disc 12 is thus rotated to the left and gradually hides the yellow lower disc 11.
3. Figures 1e et 33. Figures 1e and 3
Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la nouvelle lune.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the new moon.
Il arrive un jour, à la moitié du cycle de lunaison, où les deux disques 11 et 12 se croisent, juste au milieu du guichet 10, sur l'axe II. Le disque jaune 11 est alors complètement caché par le disque noir 12.There comes a day, halfway through the lunation cycle, where the two discs 11 and 12 intersect, just in the middle of the window 10, on axis II. The yellow disc 11 is then completely hidden by the black disc 12.
4. Figures 1f, 1g et 1 h4. Figures 1f, 1g and 1h
Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la croissance de la lune.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the growth of the moon.
La rotation en sens inverse des mobiles 14 et 26 se poursuivant sous l'effet du doigt 19 qui s'éloigne de plus en plus de l'arbre 21 , le disque noir 12 découvre alors progressivement le disque jaune 11.The rotation in the opposite direction of the mobiles 14 and 26 continuing under the effect of the finger 19 which moves further and further away from the shaft 21, the black disc 12 then gradually discovers the yellow disc 11.
5. Figures 1/ et 45. Figures 1 / and 4
Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant, de nouveau, à la pleine lune.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding, once again, to the full moon.
A la fin du cycle de lunaison, le doigt 19 est arrivé sur la pointe du bec 20a. Il est au plus loin de l'arbre 21 de la came 20. La bascule 17 maintient alors le premier mobile 14 dans son autre position extrême pour laquelle le disque inférieur jaune 11 est le plus à droite de la fenêtre 10 du cadran. De manière symétrique, le deuxième mobile 26 occupe sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque supérieur noir 12 est le plus à gauche de la fenêtre 10 et n'empiète plus du tout sur le disque inférieur jaune 11. Les deux disques sont alors, de nouveau, tangents à l'axe II mais dans une position inverse de celle des figures 1a et 2.At the end of the lunation cycle, the finger 19 has arrived at the tip of the beak 20a. It is farthest from the shaft 21 of the cam 20. The rocker 17 then maintains the first mobile 14 in its other extreme position for which the yellow lower disc 11 is furthest to the right of the window 10 of the dial. Symmetrically, the second mobile 26 occupies its extreme position for which the upper black disc 12 is furthest to the left of the window 10 and no longer encroaches on the lower yellow disc 11. The two discs are then again , tangent to axis II but in an opposite position to that of FIGS. 1a and 2.
Quelques moments après, la pointe du bec 20a échappe au doigt 19 qui, sous l'effet du ressort 23, retombe dans la position qu'il occupait au début de la lunaison, en même temps que, par un mouvement rétrograde instantané, les deux mobiles 14 et 26 pivotent respectivement dans le sens horaire et dans le sens anti-horaire.A few moments later, the tip of the beak 20a escapes the finger 19 which, under the effect of the spring 23, falls back into the position it occupied at the start of the lunation, at the same time as, by an instantaneous retrograde movement, the two mobile 14 and 26 rotate respectively clockwise and counterclockwise.
Les deux disques 11 et 12 suivent ce mouvement et regagnent ainsi rapidement leur position des figures 1a et 2, avec le disque jaune 11 à gauche et le disque noir 12 à droite, de part et d'autre de l'axe II, pour afficher le début d'une nouvelle lunaison.The two discs 11 and 12 follow this movement and thus quickly regain their position in FIGS. 1a and 2, with the yellow disc 11 on the left and the black disc 12 on the right, on either side of axis II, to display the start of a new lunation.
Ainsi est proposé un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune qui présente le gros avantage, par rapport aux systèmes classiques, d'occuper une surface d'affichage seulement deux fois supérieure à celle de la lune représentée, alors que, dans les systèmes classiques, le disque à deux lunes occupe, comme déjà mentionné, une surface environ huit fois supérieure à celle de la lune.Thus, a mechanism is indicated for indicating the phases of the moon, which has the great advantage, compared to conventional systems, of occupying a display surface only twice that of the moon represented, whereas, in conventional systems, the disc with two moons occupies, as already mentioned, an area approximately eight times larger than that of the moon.
L'invention a été décrite en référence à un mécanisme indicateur des phases de lune dans l'hémisphère Nord. Pour l'hémisphère Sud, il suffira, tout simplement, d'inverser les positions des deux disques. The invention has been described with reference to a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon in the northern hemisphere. For the southern hemisphere, it will simply be enough to reverse the positions of the two discs.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Mécanisme indicateur des phase de la lune destiné à équiper une pièce d'horlogerie, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte : - deux, et seulement deux, disques, l'un (11), inférieur, d'une couleur représentative de la lune, l'autre (12), supérieur, d'une couleur représentative de l'obscurité, et - des moyens (14, 17, 20, 23, 26) entraînés par le mouvement de la pièce, pour imposer cycliquement, lors de chaque lunaison, à l'un, au moins de ces deux disques un déplacement tel que le disque inférieur (11), initialement complètement découvert, est successivement recouvert progressivement par le disque supérieur (12), puis recouvert complètement, découvert progressivement et, enfin, découvert complètement à nouveau.1. Moon phase indicator mechanism intended to equip a timepiece, characterized in that it comprises: - two, and only two, discs, one (11), lower, of a color representative of the moon, the other (12), upper, of a color representative of darkness, and - means (14, 17, 20, 23, 26) driven by the movement of the part, to impose cyclically, during from each lunation, to at least one of these two discs, a displacement such that the lower disc (11), initially completely uncovered, is successively covered progressively by the upper disc (12), then completely covered, progressively uncovered and, finally discovered completely again.
2. Mécanisme selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens sont agencés pour qu'à la fin de la lunaison, les deux disques (11, 12) se retrouvent, par un mouvement rétrograde rapide, dans la position qu'ils occupaient au début du cycle.2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said means are arranged so that at the end of the lunation, the two discs (11, 12) are found, by a rapid retrograde movement, in the position they occupied at the start of the cycle.
3. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens sont agencés pour déplacer les deux disques (11 , 12) en sens inverse de manière sensiblement symétrique.3. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said means are arranged to move the two discs (11, 12) in the opposite direction in a substantially symmetrical manner.
4. Mécanisme selon les revendications 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens comportent : - deux mobiles rotatifs (14, 26) respectivement solidaires des deux disques (11 , 12) et accouplés de manière à tourner en sens inverse l'un de l'autre, et - un système d'entraînement (17, 20, 23) en rotation de l'un desdits mobiles (14, 26), lui-même entraîné par le mouvement de la pièce, grâce auquel chaque disque (11 , 12) est déplacé, au cours d'une lunaison, d'un angle tel qu'à la fin du cycle, il occupe la position qu'occupait l'autre au début du cycle, avant de regagner rapidement sa position initiale.4. Mechanism according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said means comprise: - two rotary mobiles (14, 26) respectively integral with the two discs (11, 12) and coupled so as to rotate in opposite directions one of the other, and - a drive system (17, 20, 23) in rotation of one of said mobiles (14, 26), itself driven by the movement of the workpiece, by means of which each disc (11, 12) is moved, during a lunation, by an angle such that at the end of the cycle, it occupies the position occupied by the other at the start of the cycle, before quickly returning to its initial position.
5. Mécanisme selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit système comporte : - une bascule (17) actionnée par le mouvement de la pièce et agissant sur l'un desdits mobiles (14, 26), et - un ressort (23) agissant sur l'un des mobiles de manière à s'opposer élastiquement à l'action exercée par ladite bascule (17).5. Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that said system comprises: - a rocker (17) actuated by the movement of the part and acting on one of said mobiles (14, 26), and - a spring (23) acting on one of the mobiles so as to elastically oppose the action exerted by said rocker (17).
6. Mécanisme selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ledit système comporte une came en colimaçon (20) entraînée à raison d'un tour par lunaison et agissant sur ladite bascule (17).6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that said system comprises a spiral cam (20) driven at the rate of one revolution by lunation and acting on said rocker (17).
7. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 4 à 5, caractérisé en ce que l'un des mobiles (14) est pourvu d'une fenêtre intérieure circulaire (27) qui lui est concentrique et comporte, sur son bord intérieur, une denture (28) engrenant avec un premier pignon (29) lié à un deuxième pignon (30), de même axe, qui engrène avec une denture (31) ménagée sur le bord extérieur d'une fenêtre (32) ménagée dans l'autre mobile (26), concentriquement à lui.7. Mechanism according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that one of the mobiles (14) is provided with a circular inner window (27) which is concentric with it and has, on its inner edge, a toothing (28) meshing with a first pinion (29) linked to a second pinion (30), of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing (31) formed on the outer edge of a window (32) formed in the other mobile (26), concentrically with him.
8. Mécanisme selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que les deux disques (11 , 12) apparaissent derrière un guichet (10) ménagé dans le cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie. 8. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two discs (11, 12) appear behind a window (10) formed in the dial of the timepiece.
EP04797259A 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement Not-in-force EP1692574B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0314215A FR2863368B1 (en) 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 MECHANISM INDICATOR OF PHASES OF THE MOON FOR A MOVEMENT OF WATCH
PCT/CH2004/000702 WO2005054962A1 (en) 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1692574A1 true EP1692574A1 (en) 2006-08-23
EP1692574B1 EP1692574B1 (en) 2009-07-08

Family

ID=34586286

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04797259A Not-in-force EP1692574B1 (en) 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1692574B1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004021960D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2863368B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005054962A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH703800B1 (en) * 2006-03-30 2012-03-30 Ronda Ag Mechanism for moving an indicator of a clock.
DE602006008445D1 (en) * 2006-06-22 2009-09-24 Roth & Genta Haute Horlogerie Clock equipped with a moon phase display mechanism
CH704745B1 (en) * 2008-03-25 2012-10-15 Maurice Lacroix Sa Timepiece i.e. watch, has circular plate pivoted in space around rotation axle perpendicular to reference surface defined by dial, where rotation axle is tangent with respect to cover and arranged in periphery of plate
CH702842B1 (en) * 2010-03-17 2014-11-14 Bulgari Horlogerie Sa Timepiece fitted with a retrograde display mechanism moon phase ..
CH703249B1 (en) 2010-06-01 2024-01-31 Mft Dhorlogerie Audemars Piguet Sa Mechanism for indicating the phases of the moon.
EP3842875A1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2021-06-30 Blancpain SA Mechanism for displaying the phases of the moon
EP3842874B1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2023-09-20 Blancpain SA Optical device for creating aesthetic and technical optical effects
CH719689A2 (en) 2022-05-12 2023-11-30 La Montre Hermes S A MOON PHASES DISPLAY MECHANISM FOR WATCH MOVEMENT

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6031082A (en) * 1983-07-29 1985-02-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Timepiece with display of age of moon
JPS62263491A (en) * 1986-05-09 1987-11-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Timepiece with age-of-moon/sidereal time display
JPH0658408B2 (en) * 1989-03-31 1994-08-03 ブルカン フランシス Timing device
US6507536B1 (en) * 1997-04-01 2003-01-14 Richard Keatch Moon-phase dial mechanism
FR2790564B1 (en) * 1999-03-01 2001-04-13 Adolphe Richard Dziulko MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR REALISTIC VISUALIZATION OF MOON PHASES ON WATCHES AND CLOCKS

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2863368B1 (en) 2006-03-03
FR2863368A1 (en) 2005-06-10
DE602004021960D1 (en) 2009-08-20
WO2005054962A1 (en) 2005-06-16
EP1692574B1 (en) 2009-07-08

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