EP2680091B1 - Universal timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a universal watch comprising a movement for driving a main time display means co-operating with a complementary main means of time display, and comprising means for adjusting said main time display means for adjusting the time corresponding to a given location, and further comprising a mobile secondary display means with respect to said complementary main time display means, said secondary display means comprising a plurality of geographical markers corresponding to different time zones, said movement driving, directly or indirectly, synchronously to said main time display means, on the one hand said secondary display means and on the other hand a carrier structure.

The invention relates to the field of watchmaking, and more particularly, among timepieces with multiple display, the universal watches, whose dial can quickly read the time of different time zones.

Background of the invention

Reading the time on a watch, for a place corresponding to a given time zone, is often difficult because of the division into 24 time zones, which results in an angular sector of low amplitude for each.

A conventional solution, as visible in the patent EP 0 579 093 B1 in the name of Co. LONGINES Watches, FRANCILLON SA, juxtaposes a display means comprising a turn of twenty-four hours, juxtaposed to a usual display twelve hours, and a ring of the spindles, in relation to which it is mobile , driven by a rotating ring making a turn in twenty-four hours. A correction mechanism allows the direct and independent correction of the hour hand, by an action on a time setting rod, without action on the rotating ring and without influence on universal time.

The document WO2009 / 121699 on behalf of GLASHÜTTER UHRENBETRIEB GmbH describes a complication for the display of spindles times on a second time zone display separate from the main display of the current time, as well as for the display of the half-time zones used in some states of the world. This mechanism differentiates between daylight saving time and winter time, and includes a day / night indicator linked to the second time zone display. A spindle indicator has a ring of locations and an index movable relative to each other. Time-setting corrections are possible, either independently for the main display and the second display, or together, a manual location corrector makes it possible to rotate the ring of the places step by step without changing the state of the main display and second display.

The document De 38 41 440 A1 in the name of ZIMMERMANN discloses a universal watch with a stator carrying twelve zone discs, each corresponding to two diametrically opposite and rotatably mounted time zones, all on the same stator diameter. A rotor driven by the movement, coaxial with this stator, causes synchronous pivoting, which makes reading difficult, and does not allow to clearly see the only time zone concerned by a change of date at a given moment.

In addition to their size, such mechanisms are often complex, and occupy a substantial part of the thickness of the movement.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to improve the visualization of the universal time in different cities or different places of reference, with the grouping, in the same display area, of opposite spindles. The differentiation between these opposite spindles is made by a day / night type display superimposed with each city or place of reference.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a universal watch comprising a movement for driving a main time display means cooperating with a complementary main means of time display, and comprising means for adjusting said main display means. time for setting the time corresponding to a specific location, and further comprising a mobile secondary display means with respect to said complementary main time display means, said secondary display means comprising a plurality of geographical landmarks corresponding to different time zones, the said movement resulting, directly or indirectly, from synchronously to said main time display means, on the one hand said secondary display means and secondly a carrier structure, characterized in that said carrier structure carries a plurality of first screens each superimposed on one of said geographical landmarks and likely to occupy, according to the time of day, several different positions which it passes from one to the other under the action of first drive means imparting a torque or a motor force greater than, respectively, a torque or a resistant force that it prints the first friction means associated with said carrier structure.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, une montre universelle comportant un mécanisme selon l'invention, avec un affichage horaire principal centré, entouré d'un anneau dit « anneau des villes » portant, sur douze positions, des repères géographiques, chaque position portant deux de ces repères correspondant à des faisceaux horaires diamétralement opposés. En position angulaire de dix heures est représenté un écran pivotant comportant une première zone d'identification du jour, et une deuxième zone d'identification de la nuit. La zone géographique « Azores » est affichée comme étant en position « jour », et la zone « Noumea » comme étant en position « nuit » ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, la face avant du mécanisme de la figure 1, l'affichage principal étant enlevé ;
• la figure 3 représente le même mécanisme, l'anneau des villes étant enlevé par rapport à la figure 2, de façon à faire apparaître une structure porteuses, qui comporte des doubles bras élastiques, montés obliquement par rapport aux radiales. Entre chaque paire de bras est inséré sous friction l'arbre d'un pignon tronqué glissant ou roulant sur un chant d'une platine, ce même arbre portant un des écrans pivotants ;
• la figure 4 représente un détail du même mécanisme, représenté du côté opposé par rapport à la figure 3, et montrant la coopération d'un pignon tronqué avec un secteur denté que comporte cette platine, permettant de faire pivoter l'arbre de ce pignon tronqué quand sa denture engrène avec ce secteur denté et roule par rapport à la platine ;
• la figure 5 représente le même mécanisme, vu de la même façon qu'à la figure 3, et montrant la position angulaire de chacun des douze pignons tronqués qu'il comporte, chacun couvrant un secteur angulaire de 30° ;
• la figure 6 représente deux sections diamétrales partielles de ce mécanisme, l'une où un pignon tronqué engrène avec le secteur denté de la platine, et l'autre où un pignon tronqué glisse sur un secteur lisse de cette platine ;
• la figure 7 représente une extrapolation à un mécanisme faisant apparaître à la fois une première indication jour/nuit, et une deuxième indication, par exemple AM/PM, par le moyen de deux écrans superposés, un détail du mécanisme est représenté en perspective, avec deux platines concentriques comportant des secteurs dentés décalés angulairement l'un par rapport à l'autre, sur lesquels peuvent rouler deux pignons tronqués coaxiaux commandant chacun un écran. Cette figure est complétée, en figure 7a, par des exemples de visualisation des informations visibles par l'utilisateur ;
• la figure 8 illustre des représentations du couple « Bern »/ « Anchorage » à différentes heures du jour et de la nuit.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and in front view, a universal watch comprising a mechanism according to the invention, with a main time display centered, surrounded by a ring called "ring cities" bearing, on twelve positions, geographical landmarks, each position carrying two of these marks corresponding to diametrically opposite time beams. In the angular position of ten hours is represented a pivoting screen having a first day identification area, and a second night identification area. "Azores" is displayed as "day" and "Noumea" as "night";
• the figure 2 represents, schematically and in perspective, the front face of the mechanism of the figure 1 , the main display being removed;
• the figure 3 represents the same mechanism, the ring of cities being removed from the figure 2 , so as to reveal a bearing structure, which comprises double elastic arms, mounted obliquely relative to the radial. Between each pair of arms is inserted under friction the shaft of a truncated pinion sliding or rolling on a song of a plate, the same tree carrying one of the pivoting screens;
• the figure 4 represents a detail of the same mechanism, represented on the opposite side from the figure 3 , and showing the cooperation of a truncated pinion with a toothed sector that includes the plate, for pivoting the shaft of the truncated pinion when its toothing meshes with the toothed sector and rolls relative to the plate;
• the figure 5 represents the same mechanism, seen in the same way as figure 3 , and showing the angular position of each of the twelve truncated gears it includes, each covering an angular sector of 30 °;
• the figure 6 represents two partial diametrical sections of this mechanism, one where a truncated pinion meshes with the toothed sector of the plate, and the other where a truncated pinion slides on a smooth sector of this plate;
• the figure 7 represents an extrapolation to a mechanism showing both a first day / night indication, and a second indication, for example AM / PM, by means of two superimposed screens, a detail of the mechanism is shown in perspective, with two concentric plates comprising tooth sectors angularly offset relative to one another, on which can drive two coaxial truncated gears each controlling a screen. This figure is completed, in figure 7a , by examples of visualization of the information visible to the user;
• the figure 8 illustrates representations of the couple "Bern" / "Anchorage" at different times of day and night.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a universal watch 1 comprising a movement 10 for driving a main time display means 2, such as a needle or a set of needles cooperating with a complementary main means of time display 3 such as a dial, according to a main period.

This watch 1 comprises adjustment means 4 of the main time display means 2 for setting the current time corresponding to a specific place.

The watch 1 further comprises a secondary display means 5 movable relative to the complementary main means of time display 3. This secondary display means 5, shown in the figures in the non-limiting form of a ring, concentric to the dial. 3, comprises a plurality of geographical references 6 corresponding to different time zones. This secondary display means 5 has its own period, which is preferably chosen equal

The movement 10 causes, directly or indirectly, synchronously to the main time display means 2, on the one hand the secondary display means 5 and on the other hand a carrier structure 7.

According to the invention, this structure 7 carries a plurality of first screens 8: each of them is superimposed on one of the geographical landmarks 6 and is likely to occupy, according to the time of day, several different positions from which it passes from to one another under the action of first drive means 9 imparting to it a torque or a motor force greater than, respectively, a torque or a resisting force imparted to it by the first friction means 11 connected to the carrying structure 7. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by the figures, each first screen 8 thus occupies, alternately, two stable positions, and preferably it passes from one to the other by pivoting. Each first screen 8 moves from one of its positions to another according to a secondary period, which is preferably an entire submultiple of the main period or is equal to the main period.

In a preferred application illustrated by the figures, each geographical reference point 6 is linked to a given terrestrial meridian plane, and comprises a first marker 61 linked to a given time zone, and a second marker 62 linked to the time zone diametrically opposite to the previous time zone. given. For example, these landmarks consist of names of states or cities. This arrangement makes it possible to assign a single angular sector of the secondary display means 5 to two diametrically opposite time zones, and thus to display all the zones on only twelve angular sectors, which brings a good readability to the watch.

Preferably, and as illustrated by the figures, each first screen 8 comprises a first zone 81 and a second zone 82, each zone 81, 82, coming alternately in superposition of the first marker 61 and the second marker 62. embodiment shown in the figures, each zone 81, 82 corresponds to a half-disk.

In the preferred application illustrated by the Figures 1 to 6 , which relates to the combination of a day-night permanent display with a permanent display of a spindle time, the first drive means 9 drive each screen 8 only once in a period of twelve hours.

In this regard, the timepiece object of the present description is a classic watch 1, with display of the time over a period of twelve hours, and one hour spindle, the first drive means 9 drive each screen 8 only once in a period of twelve hours.

In this regard, the timepiece object of the present description is a classic watch 1, with display of the time over a period of twelve hours, and a revolution of the secondary display means 5, here a ring of cities, on this same twelve-hour period. But this twelve-hour period is not limiting, and the invention can be implemented with another period, especially twenty-four hours, in which case it is easy to adapt the invention for the means of Training 9 drives each screen 8 twice in a twelve hour period. Naturally, other main periods for the watch, and other secondary periods for the secondary display 5, can be chosen by an adequate adaptation of the first drive means 9, for example to display shifts on a ship or changes of positions on a continuous working installation, or the like, where the invention makes it easy to visualize which team is on standby or active at the workstation; secondary durations of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours can thus be very easily displayed as well with a main period of twelve hours, that of twenty-four hours.

Preferably, in the embodiments illustrated herein, the first driving means 9 are positioned to cause movement of a single first screen 8 at a time, in a pivoting motion of an angle of constant value, which is 180 ° in the case of the particular example illustrated by the figures, with respect to a pivot axis of fixed position relative to the supporting structure 7, the pivoting movement of the screen 8 being controlled only once by main period, here twelve hours. The secondary period is here also twelve hours.

In this embodiment chosen for a day / night display, the first drive means 9 are positioned so as to control the pivoting movement at 6 o'clock and at 18 o'clock in the local hours of two time zones covered by the same plane. meridian to which is bound a given geographical reference 6. Thus, the geographical reference point 6 comprising two cities belonging to the same meridian plane but of opposite time zones, for example in the Noumea figures at the first marker 61 and Azores at the second marker 62, is covered by a screen 8 which pivots when it is 6 o'clock in the morning. Azores, entering the day, and 18 hours to Noumea, entering the night. Twelve hours later, this same dial 8 rotates again, when it is 18 hours to Azores, entering the night, and 6 hours to Noumea, entering the day.

To control the movement of the screen 8, which is preferably a pivoting movement, the first drive means 9 advantageously comprise at least one first toothed sector 21 framed by first smooth parts 26 on a first edge 27 of a platinum 20 of the watch 1, or a fixed component fixed in position on this plate. And each first screen 8 is pivotally movable relative to the supporting structure 7, and integral with a first truncated pinion 13 flowing by sliding or rolling on this first edge 27. The first truncated pinion 13 has at least one first toothing 15 interrupted by at least a first clearance 14, and the first truncated pinion 13, depending on the position of the support structure 7, or slides without pivoting bearing by a first clearance 14 on a first smooth portion 26, or pivots under the effect meshing of a first toothing 15 with a first toothed sector 21. The figure 5 shows first truncated gears 13, which each comprise two first teeth 15 of three teeth, separated by two first clearances 14 which correspond to two stable display states of the screen 8 carrying such a truncated first gear 13. The first Toothed sector 21 has just the sufficient number of tooth and tooth cavities to roll and pivot the first associated truncated pinion 13.

In particular, in the application described, the number of teeth of the first sector toothed 21 and the number of teeth of the first toothing 15 are arranged to rotate the first truncated gear 13 at an angle of 180 ° during its passage while driving on the first toothed sector 21.

Advantageously, the carrier structure 7 comprises, at each first screen 8, resilient arms 17 which clamp a first drive shaft 16 of the first screen 8, and which constitute the first friction means 11.

Advantageously, as visible on the figure 5 these elastic arms 17 together constitute an inclined arm 18, which tends to exert a bearing force on the first toothed pinion 13 which it carries, to press on the first edge 27 of the plate 20.

In an advantageous embodiment, the setting means 4 of the main time display means 2 for setting the time corresponding to a given place include a time zone changing mechanism by adding or removing an integer number of hours. . Such a mechanism is not described here in detail, and is known to those skilled in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, as visible on the figure 6 , the movement 10 drives the secondary display means 5 and on the other hand a carrier structure 7 through a gear train (here comprising an hour wheel 31, driving an intermediate mobile 32, causing a return 33) driving a ring toothed wheel 23 constituting a cage of a ball bearing 22 of which another cage 24 is fixed to a fixed part of the watch 1. And this toothed ring 23 carries the supporting structure 7 and the secondary display means 5.

In a particular embodiment as visible on the figures 7 and 8 , the invention makes it possible to combine, for the same geographical reference 6, the display of several pieces of information. For this purpose, each first screen 8 is coaxial with at least one second screen 80 also superimposed on the same geographical reference 6. This second screen 80 may occupy, depending on the time of day, several different positions from which it passes. to one another under the action of second drive means 90 imparting to it a torque or a motor force greater than, respectively, a torque or a resisting force imparted to it by the second friction means 110 connected to a shaft 16 carrier of the first screen 8 concerned.

In this particular embodiment, each second screen 80 has a first zone 181 and a second zone 182, each zone 181, 182 alternately in superposition of the first marker 61 and the second marker 62.

Advantageously, to provide an easy visualization for the user, the first zone 81 and second zone 82 of the first screen 8 and the first zone 181 and second zone 182 of the second screen 80 are transparent or translucent, and colored and / or polarized the four overlays are optically different for the user.

The Figures 7A and 8 illustrate examples of visualization. In this example, as visible on the figure 8 , the first zone 81 of the screen 8 is blue (shown in hatching in the figures), and corresponds to the night, and where the second zone 82 is yellow (shown in a grass decoration on the figures) and corresponds to the day. In the illustrated case where the second screen 80 corresponds to an AM / PM display changing at noon, respectively midnight, for each time zone, with the same secondary period of 12 hours, the corresponding first area 181 is red (represented in brick decor on the figures), and corresponds to PM evening, while the second zone 182 is white (shown without decoration in the figures) and corresponds to the morning. Thus, the overlays lead to well-defined colors, easy to interpret by the user: midnight blue at 6 o'clock, yellow from 6 o'clock to noon, orange from noon to 6 o'clock, and violet from 18 o'clock to midnight, as visible at the bottom of the figure 8 .

The figure 7a illustrates these overlays: in figure 7a1 eight and morning in the upper semicircle, day and evening in the lower semicircle. In figure 7a2 night and evening in the upper semicircle, day and morning in the lower semicircle. In figure 7a3 , intermediate position, with a sector night above an axis 3h-9h, and a sector morning above an axis 2h-8h, be successive indications: from 0 to 2h night and morning, from 2 to 3h night and evening, from 3 to 8h day and evening, from 8 to 9h day and morning, from 9 to 12h night and morning. Similarly, in figure 7a4 , intermediate position, with a sector night above an axis 3h-9h, and a sector evening above an axis 2h-8h, be successive indications: from 0 to 2h night and evening, from 2 to 3h night and morning, 3 to 8h day and morning. From 8 to 9 pm day and evening, from 9 to 12h night and evening. This visualization is taken up in figure 8 , which details the time indication in Bern (B) in a clear circle, the time corresponding to Anchorage (A), and the corresponding position of the viewing areas and the indication they display. We see the change of position of the day / night indicator when it is 6am in Bern, the change of position of the indicator morning / evening (or AM / PM) when it is noon in Bern, the change of position of the indicator day / night when it is 18h in Bern, the change of position of the indicator morning / evening (or AM / PM) when it is midnight in Bern.

In a variant not shown, the first zone 81 and second zone 82 of the first screen 8 are perforated and circled with a different color or pattern, as visible on the Figures 1 to 3 . And the first zone 181 and second zone 182 of the second screen 80 are of a different diameter, so as to be clearly visible. It is still possible to mix the two display modes, by transparent colored screen and perforated frame.

In this same variant, the second drive means 90 are positioned so as to cause a movement of a single second screen 80 at a time, in a pivoting movement of 180 ° with respect to a fixed position pivot axis by relative to the carrier structure 7, the pivoting movement being controlled once in a period of twelve hours. As explained above, to perform an AM / PM display, the second drive means 90 are positioned to control the pivotal movement at 12 o'clock and midnight in the local hours of two time zones covered by the same plane. meridian to which is bound a given geographical reference 6.

Naturally the invention is applicable to other timepieces that a watch, including clocks or clocks.

The invention thus provides easy viewing of the universal time without risk of error. The reading is instantaneous for the 24 reference zones, for which we know whether it is day or night.

The size of the mechanism is small, and the operation is very simple. The mechanism with truncated gears ensure a good locking of the display disk, and prevents accidental pivoting during an impact for example.

Claims (14)

1. Universal watch (1) comprising a movement (10) for driving a main time display means (2) cooperating with a complementary main time display means (3), and comprising a means (4) of adjusting said main time display means (2) to set the time of a determined place, and further comprising a secondary display means (5) which is moveable relative to said complementary main time display means (3), said secondary display means (5) comprising a plurality of geographical reference points (6) corresponding to different time zones, said movement (10) directly or indirectly driving on a one hand said secondary display means (5) and on the other hand a carrier structure (7), in a synchronous manner to said main time display means (2), characterized in that said carrier structure (7) carries a plurality of first screens (8) each superposed on one of said geographical reference points (6) and capable of occupying several different positions according to the time of day and changing from one position to the other under the action of a first drive means (9) imparting a torque or drive force thereon greater than, respectively, a resistant torque or resistant force imparted thereon by a first friction means (11) connected to said carrier structure (7).
2. Universal watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each said geographical reference point (6) is linked to a given meridian plane and includes a first reference point (61) linked to a given time zone, and a second reference point (62) linked to the diametrically opposite time zone to the preceding given time zone, and in that each said first screen (8) includes a first area (81) and a second area (82), each said area (81, 82) being alternately superposed on said first reference point (61) and on said second reference point (62).
3. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first drive means (9) is positioned so as to cause a motion of only one said first screen (8) at a time, in a 180° pivoting motion relative to a pivot axis whose position is fixed relative to said carrier structure (7), said pivoting motion being arranged to be realised once per twelve hour period.
4. Universal watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first drive means (9) is positioned so as to cause said pivoting motion at 0600 hours and at 1800 hours in the local times of two time zones covered by a same meridian plane to which a said given geographical reference point (6) is linked.
5. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first drive means (9) includes at least a first toothed sector (21) framed by first smooth portions (26) on a first edge (27) of a plate (20) of said watch (1), and in that each said first screen (8) is pivotally moveable relative to said carrier structure (7) and integral with a first truncated pinion (13) moving by sliding or rolling over said first edge (27), said first truncated pinion (13) including at least a first toothing (15) interrupted by at least a first recess (14), and in that, according to the position of said carrier structure (7), said first truncated pinion (13) either slides without pivoting, resting via a said first recess (14) on a said first smooth portion (26), or pivots under the effect of a said first toothing (15) meshing with a said first toothed sector (21).
6. Universal watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the number of teeth of said first toothed sector (21) and the number of teeth of said first toothing (15) are devised to cause said first truncated pinion (13) to pivot 180° when said pinion rolls over said first toothed sector (21).
7. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on each said first screen (8), said carrier structure (7) includes elastic arms (17) clamping a first arbour (16) for driving said first screen (8), and forming said first friction means (11).
8. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means (4) of adjusting said main time display means (2) for setting the time of a determined place comprises a mechanism for changing time zone by adding or subtracting an integer number of hours.
9. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said movement (10) drives said second display means (5) in addition to a carrier structure (7) via a gear train driving a toothed moveable ring (23) forming a cage for a ball bearing (22), another cage (24) of which is fixed to a fixed portion of said watch (1), and in that said toothed moveable ring (23) carries said carrier structure (7) and said secondary display means (5).
10. Universal watch (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said first screen (8) is coaxial to at least one second screen (80) also superposed on the same said geographical reference point (6), said second screen (80) being capable of occupying several different positions according to the time of day, and changing from one position to another under the action of a second drive means (90) imparting thereon a torque or drive force greater than, respectively, a resistant torque or resistant force imparted thereon by a second friction means (110) connected to an arbour (16) carrying said first screen (8) concerned.
11. Universal watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each said second screen (80) includes a first area (181) and a second area (182), each said area (181, 182) being alternately superposed on said first reference point (61) and on said second reference point (62).
12. Universal watch (1) according to claims 2 and 11, characterized in that said first area (81) and said second area (82) of said first screen (8) and said first area (181) and said second area (182) of said second screen (80) are transparent or translucent, and are coloured or/and polarised so that the four superposed positions are optically different for the user.
13. Universal watch (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that said second drive means (90) is positioned so as to cause a motion of only one said second screen (80) at a time, in a 180° pivoting motion relative to a pivot axis whose position is fixed relative to said carrier structure (7), said pivoting motion being realised once per twelve hour period.
14. Universal watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said second drive means (90) is positioned so as to realise said pivoting motion at 1200 hours and at 2400 hours in the local times of two time zones covered by a same meridian plane to which a said given geographical reference point (6) is linked.

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