EP2017682A2 - Alarm module for a timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (10) has a selection mechanism (30) for selecting alarm or business mode of the module. A striking mechanism (60) has a striking hammer (63) striking a gong (65) to generate continuous bell and interrupted bell in the alarm and business modes, respectively. A control transmission mechanism (50) is activated by the selection mechanism based on the selected mode for allowing the striking mechanism to generate the continuous bell when the alarm mode is selected and to modify the operation of the striking mechanism to generate the interrupted bell when the business mode is selected.

Description

The present invention relates to a clock module for a timepiece, and more particularly a clock module of a wristwatch.

Different alarm clock modules have already been proposed for wristwatches. In general, such modules comprise a striking barrel which meshes with a ringing device driving a striking hammer, this hammer striking a timbre intended to be vibrated to emit a sound at a desired frequency, in order to produce a signal alarm at a predetermined time by a user of the module.

An example of a wake-up module described above is shown in the document EP 1 394 637 B1 . This alarm module is further provided with a control device operated by means of a push button and for displaying visual information, indicating to the user whether the alarm mechanism is activated or deactivated. Simultaneously with the display of this information, the control device blocks or unlocks the alarm tone and, more particularly, the striking hammer.

In other proposed alarm modules, the striking hammer could, instead of producing an audible alarm signal, for example strike a pin to generate a silent alarm, such as a vibration that the user might feel. An example of such an alarm module is described in the document WO 2006/103289 A2 .

The alarm module described in the document WO 2006/103289 A2 includes a first striking mechanism having at least one hammer for striking at least one stamp, and a second striking mechanism having at least one hammer for striking at least one non-resonant object. The latter allows the alarm module to operate in a so-called discrete mode, that is to say that the ring does not implement hammers and timbres emitting sound frequencies, but a striking hammer a non-resonant object, for example a pin fixed in the bottom of a suitable watch. Thus, instead of generating an audible alarm signal, the alarm module generates vibrations that can be felt by the wearer of the watch. To choose one or the other of these modes and to activate the corresponding function, the user must select it. Similarly, the user can disable the alarm module, which is a so-called silent mode.

The wake-up modules described above have several disadvantages, such as the lack of flexibility based on the user's choice of binary choice, ie the choice between an audible or silent alarm signal. More particularly, the user can only activate or deactivate the audible ringer which, once triggered, operates until the complete disarming of the ringer barrel. Therefore, in the case where the user would not want to use a silent bell and would feel embarrassed by a continuous audible ring, the use of these alarm modules is not satisfactory for the user.

In addition, the alarm module described in the document WO 2006/103289 A2 requires for its realization a large number of parts which must be coordinated and adjusted in order to have a correct functioning. Moreover, this alarm module does not allow the user to recognize at any time whether he has chosen the audible or silent ring.

The present invention aims to provide a timepiece having an improved alarm module adapted to generate at least two different audible alarm signals while requiring for its implementation a limited number of parts. This object is achieved by a timepiece comprising an alarm module having the features of the independent claims. Preferential variations of execution are the subject of the dependent claims.

Fig. 1

une vue agrandie en perspective d'un module réveil selon l'invention,

Fig. 2

une vue agrandie du dessus du mécanisme de sélection de mode de fonctionnement de la sonnerie et du mécanisme d'affichage du mode sélectionné de Fig. 1, lors de la sélection d'un premier mode de sonnerie selon l'invention,

Fig. 3

une vue agrandie du dessus d'un mécanisme de transmission de commandes de Fig. 1 lors de la sélection d'un premier mode de sonnerie selon l'invention,

Fig. 4

une vue agrandie du dessus du mécanisme de sélection de mode de fonctionnement de la sonnerie et du mécanisme d'affichage du mode sélectionné de Fig. 1, lors de la sélection d'un second mode de sonnerie selon l'invention,

Fig. 5

une vue agrandie du dessus d'un mécanisme de transmission de commandes de Fig. 1 lors de la sélection d'un second mode de sonnerie selon l'invention,

Fig. 6

une vue agrandie d'un mécanisme de sonnerie selon l'invention du module réveil de Fig. 1, et

Fig. 7

une vue de détail agrandie d'une partie du module réveil de Fig. 6.

The details of realization as well as the advantages of the striking hammer according to the invention will emerge from the following detailed description of an embodiment, given by way of example and illustrated by the appended drawings which show schematically:

Fig. 1

an enlarged perspective view of an alarm module according to the invention,

Fig. 2

an enlarged view from above of the ringer operation mode selection mechanism and the display mechanism of the selected mode of Fig. 1 when selecting a first ring mode according to the invention,

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of the top of a control transmission mechanism of Fig. 1 when selecting a first ring mode according to the invention,

Fig. 4

an enlarged view from above of the ringer operation mode selection mechanism and the display mechanism of the selected mode of Fig. 1 when selecting a second ring mode according to the invention,

Fig. 5

an enlarged view of the top of a control transmission mechanism of Fig. 1 when selecting a second ring mode according to the invention,

Fig. 6

an enlarged view of a striking mechanism according to the invention of the alarm module of Fig. 1 , and

Fig. 7

an enlarged detail view of a portion of the alarm clock module Fig. 6 .

In the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, identical elements are designated by identical identification references. In general, these elements and their functionalities are described once for reasons of brevity in order to avoid repetitions.

The Fig. 1 illustrates as an example an alarm module 10 mounted on a plate 20 disposed in a box of a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, which is also provided with a timepiece device. This is only schematically represented by an hour wheel 21 mounted using a fixing pin 22 on the Platinum 20. However, a more detailed illustration has been omitted for the sake of clarity and for simplicity of representation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the timepiece comprises a conventional clockwork movement intended to ensure the energy supply of the timepiece device and an additional movement intended to ensure the power supply of the alarm module 10. Note that such movements are known to those skilled in the art. This is why a more detailed illustration has been omitted for the sake of clarity and simplicity of representation. Note also that the use of two separate movements is only described as an example. Other modes of execution are possible. For example, a single movement may be employed to provide power to the timepiece device and alarm module 10. All of these different embodiments are generally contemplated.

The alarm module 10 is adapted, according to a preferred embodiment, to generate an alarm bell for the timepiece. More particularly, the alarm module 10 is designed to generate a first audible alarm signal in a first mode of operation and a second audible alarm signal in a second mode of operation. For example, the first audible alarm signal may be a continuous tone and the second audible alarm signal may be a tone interrupted by one or more temporary intervals. As shows the Fig. 1 the wake-up module comprises an operating mode selection mechanism 30, a command transmission mechanism 50 and a striking mechanism 60.

The operating mode selection mechanism 30 is provided with a push button 31 accessible from outside the timepiece box. This push button 31 can be actuated by a user of the timepiece wishing to change the operating mode of the alarm module 10. As shown in FIG. Fig. 1 the push-button 31 is arranged to act on a head 32 provided at one end with a mode-changing arm 33. The latter additionally comprises a perpendicular arm 37, and is fixed at its other end to a heel 35 with a screw 34. To improve the attachment of the mode change arm 33 and to to increase the stability of the assembly, it can be welded to the heel 35, for example by laser welding.

The heel 35 is mounted with a screw or a pin 36 on the plate 20 to allow the pivoting of the mode change arm 33 around the screw or the pin 36 when the push button 31 is operated. Note however that other means of mounting the heel 35 on the plate 20 are generally contemplated, also allowing the pivoting of the mode change arm 33. For example, the heel 35 may be provided with a pin adapted to be driven then riveted in the deck 20.

The perpendicular arm 37 meshes with a column wheel 38. The latter in turn meshes with the command transmission mechanism 50 which is adapted to modify the operation of the striking mechanism 60 when the second operating mode is selected, to allow the one to operate. to generate the second audible alarm signal. The composition and operation of the control transmission mechanism 50 is described in greater detail below, with reference to the Fig. 2 to 5 .

The column wheel 38 additionally meshes with a display mechanism of the selected mode 40 adapted to display an indication representing the selected operating mode. This display mechanism of the selected mode 40 includes a display lever 41 mounted to the plate 20 by means of a screw or a pin 44 for pivoting the display lever 41 around it. Note however that other mounting means of the display lever 41 on the plate 20 are generally contemplated, also allowing the pivoting thereof. For example, the display lever 41 may be provided with a pin adapted to be driven and then riveted in the plate 20.

According to a preferred embodiment, the display lever 41 is provided at one end with a mode indicator 42, a first hook 45 driven by the column wheel 38 and a second hook 43 formed at the other end. The second hook 43 interacts with a return spring 46 adapted to hold the display lever 41 in a first position corresponding to the first mode of operation of the alarm module 10, as illustrated in FIG. Fig. 2 and described in greater detail below.

The mode indicator 42 has the letters "A" for "Alarm" and "B" for "Business", representing the two selectable modes of operation. For the illustration, the "A" is likely to be displayed in the first mode of operation of the alarm module 10, in which the first audible alarm signal is generated by the striking mechanism 60, and the "B" is which can be displayed in the second mode of operation of the alarm module 10, in which the second audible alarm signal is generated. For this, the column wheel 38 meshes the display lever 41, according to the selected operating mode, in order to pivot the display lever 41, and thus the mode indicator 42, between a first and a second position. display. In the first display position, illustrated in the Fig. 2 , the "A" is displayed, and in the second display position, illustrated in the Fig. 4 , the "B" is displayed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the striking mechanism 60 comprises a striking hammer 63, and a stamp 65 intended to be struck by the striking hammer 63 to vibrate freely at its own sound frequency, in order to generate one of the first and second audible alarm signals. The stamp 65 consists, for example, in a spring steel blade or hardened steel, which is strongly fixed by one of its ends to the plate 20. This steel blade surrounds at least a part of one of the movements distinct from the timepiece. In the Fig. 1 , fixing of the stamp 65 is effected for illustration by a heel 64 mounted on the plate 20.

The striking hammer 63 is actuated by a ringing escapement wheel 61. This is formed as a gearwheel or gear wheel integral with pinions via ratchet teeth, adapted to mesh with the However, the actuation of the striking hammer 63 by the escape wheel 61 not forming part of the present invention and being known to those skilled in the art, a more detailed description has been omitted for the sake of clarity. brevity and simplicity of description.

The escape wheel 61 is actuated by the additional movement associated with the alarm module 10, intended to ensure the power supply thereof, and meshes with an interval trigger 62. This is designed to block a rotary movement. of the escape wheel 61 repetitively, for a predetermined temporary interval between one or more repetitive striking of the stamp 65 by the striking hammer 63, when the second operating mode is selected. For the illustration, the interval trigger 62 has vanes (74 in the Fig. 7 ) interacting with the command transmission mechanism 50, as described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the Fig. 2 .

Fig. 2 illustrates the mode of operation selection mechanism 30 of Fig. 1 in greater detail when the first mode of operation of the alarm clock module 10 Fig. 1 is selected. In particular, the Fig. 2 shows the use of the column wheel 38 for transmitting the commands of the mode change arm 33 to the display lever 41.

According to a preferred embodiment, the column wheel 38 is provided with a sharp toothed wheel (51 in the Fig. 3 ). This engages a gear arm 48, which is attached to the perpendicular arm 37 and provided, at its free end, with a hook driving the sharp-toothed wheel.

As shows the Fig. 2 the columns of the column wheel 38 create column-defined solid spaces and voids between the columns, to control the movements of the hook 45 of the display lever 41 to pivot it as described above with reference to the Fig. 1 . For the illustration, the hook 45 is in a void of the column wheel 38 and, simultaneously, the display lever 41 and the mode indicator 42 are held by the return spring 46 in the first position. As mentioned above, in this first position the letter "A" is displayed indicating that the first operating mode is selected.

Fig. 3 illustrates the order transmission mechanism 50 of Fig. 1 in greater detail when the first mode of operation of the alarm clock module 10 Fig. 1 is selected. In this mode, the sharp toothed wheel 51 was driven by the arm Gear 48 of the Fig. 2 and is then blocked by a jumper 49, which is fixed to the plate 20 of the Fig. 1 by a heel 47. Simultaneously, the column wheel 38 attached to the pointed wheel 51 is locked.

As shows the Fig. 3 , the control transmission mechanism 50 comprises a transmission arm 52 adapted to pivot about a first attachment axis 53 and a second attachment axis 59, the two connection axes 53, 59 being formed by screws, pins or other suitable means. The transmission arm 52 is provided, at one of its ends, with a spout 54 meshing with the column wheel 38. At its other end are disposed a minute trigger 58 and a first intermediate mobile 55 meshing this trigger minutes 58. The first intermediate wheel 55 is also adapted to mesh with an intermediate transmission wheel 56, which in turn meshes with the hour wheel 21 by means of a second intermediate wheel 57.

In a preferred embodiment, the minute trigger 58 is embodied as a sharp toothed wheel. These are likely to mesh the pale of the interval trigger 62 of the Fig. 1 when the second mode of operation of the alarm module 10 is selected. In other words, in the first mode of operation illustrated in the Fig. 3 the spout 54 is in a void of the column wheel 38 and the transmission arm 52 is pivoted so that the pointed teeth of the minute trigger 58 are not in contact with the blades of the interval trigger 62 .

Fig. 4 illustrates the mode of operation selection mechanism 30 of Fig. 1 in greater detail when the second mode of operation of the alarm clock module 10 Fig. 1 is selected. For this, when pressing the push button 31, the mode change arm 33 is pivoted with the perpendicular arm 37 and the gear arm 48. This then drives the pointed wheel (51 in the Fig. 5 ) with the column wheel 38 in a rotary motion to rotate it, for the illustration of a tenth of a revolution complete in the opposite direction to that of clockwise. Then the hook 45 is pushed by a column 39 of the column wheel 38 and the display lever 41 and the mode indicator 42 are pivoted in the direction of the needles of a watch to reach their second position. As mentioned above, in this second position the letter "B" is displayed indicating that the second operating mode has just been selected.

Fig. 5 illustrates the order transmission mechanism 50 of Fig. 1 in greater detail when the second mode of operation of the alarm clock module 10 Fig. 1 is selected. In this mode, the pointed wheel 51 and the column wheel 38 have been driven by the gear arm 48 as described above with reference to the Fig. 4 . The spout 54 of the transmission arm 52 is then pushed by a column 93 of the column wheel 38. As a result, the transmission arm 52 is pivoted about the fastening axes 53, 59 so that the first intermediate wheel 55 it engages with the intermediate transmission wheel 56, and that the minute release 58 engages the blades of the interval trigger 62 of the Fig. 1 .

When the alarm module is triggered to generate an audible alarm signal, the operation of the alarm mechanism 60 of Fig. 1 is changed by the minute trigger gear 58 with the gap trigger blades 62, as described above with reference to the Fig. 1 , and as illustrated in greater detail in the Fig. 6 . If the user wishes to change the operating mode of the alarm module 10 of the Fig. 1 , it is enough for him to exert a new pressure on the button 31 of the Fig. 2 . During this new pressure, the pointed wheel 51 and the column wheel 38 are again rotated, a full tenth of a revolution in the opposite direction to that of the clockwise, and are then in a position similar to that illustrated in the Fig. 2 and 3 , And so on.

Fig. 6 illustrates the generation of the second audible alarm signal in the second mode of operation of the alarm module 10 of the Fig. 1 , that is, the "Business" mode. For the clarity and simplicity of the representation, only the components necessary for the generation of this second audible alarm signal are represented. Accordingly, the mode of operation selection mechanism 30 of the Fig. 1 is not illustrated in the Fig. 6 .

To enable the generation of the second audible alarm signal, the transmissive arm 52 is rotated so that the minute trigger teeth 58 mesh with the gaps of the interval trigger 62, as described in detail above. with reference to Fig. 4 and 5 . This is illustrated as a greatly enlarged extract in the Fig. 7 , which shows by way of example a light 74 of the interval trigger 62 which is engaged by a tooth 76 of the minute trigger 58.

According to a preferred embodiment, the blades of the interval trigger 62 bend against the teeth of the minute trigger 58 when setting the timepiece in the "Business" mode. The timepiece comprising the alarm module 10 is thus secured in order to avoid its blocking when setting the time.

When the alarm module 10 is triggered in the "Business" mode to generate the second audible alarm signal, the escape wheel 61 tries to turn in the opposite direction to that of the clockwise ones thanks to the driving force of a ringer barrel 71, which meshes with the escape wheel 61 by means of an intermediate mobile 72. Note that the principle of the rotation of a ringer barrel to generate an alarm signal with such a module Awakening is known to those skilled in the art and is not explained in greater detail for the simplicity and brevity of the description.

According to a preferred embodiment, a light of the interval trigger 62, for example the light 74 of the Fig. 7 , is then blocked by a tooth of the minute release 58, for example the tooth 76 of the Fig. 7 . After a preset, temporary interval, in the illustrated example an interval of thirty seconds, the minute trigger 58 is rotated one-eighth of a turn clockwise. Thus, the tooth 76 releases the light 74 and the interval trigger 62, and with it the escape wheel 61, can freely rotate, in the illustrated example of a fifth of a complete turn in the opposite direction to that of the needles of a watch. During this movement, three teeth of the escape wheel 61 come one after the other to project the striking hammer 63 against the stamp 65, which is hit three times, before a next light of the interval trigger 62 be blocked by a next tooth of the 58 minute trigger, for example a 78 tooth in the Fig. 7 . Then this next pale will be blocked for a temporary interval of thirty seconds and so on.

Consequently, in the second mode of operation called the "Business" mode, a signal consisting of three ringtones generated every thirty seconds is generated, and this until the alarm module 10 is deactivated or the alarm cylinder 71 be completely disarmed. This applies analogously to the first audible alarm signal generated in the first operating mode called the "Alarm" mode, where a continuous bell signal is generated by the repetitive and uninterrupted striking of the patch 65 by the hammer. Ringer 63, until the alarm module 10 is deactivated or the ringer barrel 71 is completely disarmed. The Fig. 6 shows that, in the "Alarm" mode, where the teeth of the minute trigger 58 do not mesh with the pale of the interval trigger 62, this and thus the escape wheel 61 can freely rotate, thanks to the force driving the ringer barrel 71, to generate this continuous ring, as described above.

Although a particular embodiment is described above, multiple variations can be made to the clasp according to the invention without altering its functionality. As a result, all these variations are also considered and generally contemplated.

Claims (12)

Alarm module (10) adapted to generate an alarm bell for a timepiece, comprising: an operating mode selection mechanism (30) being capable of enabling selection between at least a first and a second operating mode of the alarm module (10); a striking mechanism (60) adapted to generate an audible alarm signal upon its release, said striking mechanism (60) being provided with a striking hammer (63) and a patch (65), said hammer ringing means (63) being capable of striking said patch (65) to generate a first audible alarm signal in the first mode of operation, and a second audible alarm signal in the second mode of operation; a command transmission mechanism (50) adapted to be actuated by said operating mode selection mechanism (30), according to the selected operating mode, to enable said ringing mechanism (60) to generate the first signal of audible alarm when the first operating mode is selected, and to change the operation of said buzzer mechanism (60) when the second operating mode is selected, to generate the second audible alarm signal. An alarm module (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first audible alarm signal is a continuous signal generated by uninterrupted repetitive striking of said patch (65) by said striking hammer (63), and the second signal of Audible alarm is an interrupted signal generated by one or more repetitive strikes interrupted by one or more temporary intervals. Alarm module (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said striking mechanism (60) comprises an escape wheel (61) provided with an interval trigger (62), said escape wheel (61) being operable to actuate said ring hammer (63) to generate one of the first and second audible alarm signals upon activation of said ring mechanism (60), said trigger of intervals (62) being capable of blocking said escape wheel (61), repeatedly for a predetermined temporary interval between one or more repetitive strikes of said stamp (65) by said striking hammer (63), when the second operating mode is selected. An alarm module (10) according to claim 3, wherein the control transmission mechanism (50) comprises a transmission arm (52) provided with a minute trigger (58), said minute trigger (58) being capable of meshing said interval trigger (62) when the second operating mode is selected to change the operation of said ringing mechanism (60). An alarm module (10) according to claim 4, wherein said operating mode selection mechanism (30) comprises a column wheel (38) meshing with both said transmission arm (52) and a mode change arm ( 33), said mode changing arm (33) being adapted to actuate said column wheel (38) to pivot said transmission arm (52), according to the selected operating mode, to enable said minute trigger (58) ) releasing said interval trigger (62) when the first operating mode is selected, and meshing said interval trigger (62) when the second operating mode is selected. Alarm module (10) according to claim 5, comprising a push button (31) being operable to actuate said mode change arm (33). An alarm module (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a selected mode display mechanism (40) adapted to display an indication representing the selected mode of operation. An alarm module (10) according to claim 5 or 6 and 7, wherein said selected mode display mechanism (40) includes a display lever (41) provided with a mode indicator (42), said columns (38) meshing said display lever (41), according to the selected operating mode, for pivoting said mode indicator (42) between a first and a second display position, said mode indicator (42) being capable of displaying an indication representing the first mode operating in said first display position, and an indication representing the second operating mode in said second display position. Alarm module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, being adapted to be installed in a wristwatch. Timepiece comprising an alarm module (10) adapted to generate an alarm bell for a timepiece, said alarm module (10) comprising: an operating mode selection mechanism (30) being capable of enabling selection between at least a first and a second operating mode of the alarm module (10); a striking mechanism (60) adapted to generate an audible alarm signal upon its release, said striking mechanism (60) being provided with a striking hammer (63) and a patch (65), said hammer ringing means (63) being capable of striking said patch (65) to generate a first audible alarm signal in the first mode of operation, and a second audible alarm signal in the second mode of operation; a command transmission mechanism (50) adapted to be actuated by said operating mode selection mechanism (30), according to the selected operating mode, to enable said ringing mechanism (60) to generate the first signal of audible alarm when the first operating mode is selected, and to change the operation of said buzzer mechanism (60) when the second operating mode is selected, to generate the second audible alarm signal. Timepiece according to claim 10, being designed as a wristwatch comprising said alarm module (10). Timepiece according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said alarm module (10) is constituted according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

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