EP2863274B1 - Flexible resilient hand - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an elastic watchmaking needle, comprising a first driving gun secured to a flexible blade.

The invention also relates to a clock display mechanism comprising at least one such elastic needle.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement, or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a scientific apparatus comprising at least one such clockwork movement, or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of analog display mechanisms by mobile mechanical components, for timepieces or scientific devices.

Background of the invention

For the analog display of certain quantities by one or more indicators opposite dials or graduated marks, it may be necessary to differentiate certain areas of values from the displayed quantity. For example, for the display of the current time, commonly performed by a needle revolution in twelve hours, it is interesting to differentiate between the morning and the afternoon hours.

It is known to deploy a needle by a system of pantographs to give it a radial extension variable according to its angular position. But besides the difficulty and the cost of implementation, such a mechanism is fragile, and adapted essentially to static uses, and is not suitable for an object subjected to shocks, as can be a watch or a scientific apparatus such as a measuring instrument.

The document JP 2011 163,914 A in the name of CITIZEN describes a timepiece controlled by radio, with recessed needles covering antennas.

The document JP S62 104 115 U in the name of MATSUMOTO also describes recessed needles.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide a reliable and very robust solution to the problem of providing a variable radial extension indicator according to its position and control.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an elastic clocking needle according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a clock display mechanism comprising at least one such elastic needle, according to claim 5.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one such watch movement, or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

The invention also relates to a scientific apparatus comprising at least one such clockwork movement, or comprising at least one such display mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un exemple de mécanisme d'affichage comportant une aiguille élastique à longueur variable selon l'invention, dont l'extrémité distale parcourt une trajectoire non circulaire, notamment une trajectoire hélicoïdale sur deux révolutions d'un arbre d'entraînement, et un retour radial instantané en extension maximale après ces deux révolutions ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, une aiguille élastique monolithique selon l'invention à extension radiale variable :
• la figure 2A illustre l'état au repos de cette aiguille élastique comportant une lame flexible comportant deux segments élastiques reliés l'un à l'autre par un sommet, les extrémités de cette lame étant solidaires d'un premier canon et d'un deuxième canon ;
• la figure 2B illustre l'aiguille élastique de la figure 2A dans un état contraint où les deux canons d'extrémité sont superposés coaxialement l'un à l'autre avec un certain décalage angulaire qui rend cette aiguille élastique longue et étroite ;
• la figure 2C illustre la même aiguille élastique des figures 2A et 2B dans un autre état contraint où les deux canons d'extrémité sont superposés coaxialement l'un à l'autre avec un décalage angulaire supérieur à celui de la figure 2B, le nouveau décalage angulaire rendant cette aiguille élastique courte et large ;
• la figure 3 est un graphe illustrant la variation de décalage angulaire, en ordonnée, en fonction de l'angle de révolution en abscisse ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en perspective, un mécanisme d'affichage comportant une telle aiguille élastique soumise à des premiers moyens d'entraînement, et contrainte par des seconds moyens de mise sous contrainte pour faire varier son extension radiale ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, une aiguille élastique monolithique selon l'invention à extension radiale variable :
• la figure 5A illustre l'état au repos de cette aiguille élastique avec les deux canons superposés ;
• la figure 5B illustre l'aiguille élastique de la figure 5A dans une position longue où un couple tend à rapprocher les deux canons ;
• la figure 5C illustre la même aiguille élastique des figures 5A et 5B dans une position courte où un couple tend à rapprocher les deux canons ;
• les figures 6A et 6B illustrent, en vue en plan et en perspective, une variante d'aiguille avec une partie massive rattachée aux canons par des lames flexibles ;
• la figure 7 montre en A, B, C, D, différents exemples de trajectoires possibles pour le sommet de l'aiguille élastique selon l'invention ;
• la figure 8 montre, en A, B, C, différentes transmissions à rapport non constant pour modifier la longueur de l'aiguille élastique ;
• la figure 9 montre une variante d'aiguille élastique selon l'invention dont le sommet comporte un stylet guidé dans une piste ou/et sur une came ;
• la figure 10 est un schéma-bloc d'une pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mouvement comportant lui-même un mécanisme d'affichage avec une aiguille élastique selon l'invention.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and in plan view, an example of a display mechanism comprising a variable-length elastic needle according to the invention, whose distal end travels a non-circular trajectory, in particular a helical trajectory over two revolutions of a drive shaft, and an instantaneous radial return in maximum extension after these two revolutions;
• the figure 2 represents schematically and in plan view, a monolithic elastic needle according to the invention with variable radial extension:
• the Figure 2A illustrates the state at rest of this elastic needle comprising a flexible blade having two elastic segments connected to one another by a vertex, the ends of this blade being integral with a first barrel and a second barrel;
• the Figure 2B illustrates the elastic needle of the Figure 2A in a constrained state where the two end barrels are coaxially overlapped with each other with a certain angular offset which makes this long and narrow elastic needle;
• the Figure 2C illustrates the same elastic needle of the Figures 2A and 2B in another constrained state where the two end guns are coaxially superimposed on one another with an angular offset greater than that of the Figure 2B the new angular offset rendering this elastic needle short and wide;
• the figure 3 is a graph illustrating the variation of angular displacement, in ordinate, as a function of the angle of revolution in abscissa;
• the figure 4 shows, schematically, partially and in perspective, a display mechanism comprising such an elastic needle subjected to first drive means, and constrained by second stressing means for varying its radial extension;
• the figure 5 represents schematically and in plan view, a monolithic elastic needle according to the invention with variable radial extension:
• the Figure 5A illustrates the state at rest of this elastic needle with the two superimposed guns;
• the Figure 5B illustrates the elastic needle of the Figure 5A in a long position where a couple tends to bring the two guns together;
• the Figure 5C illustrates the same elastic needle of the Figures 5A and 5B in a short position where a couple tends to bring the two guns together;
• the Figures 6A and 6B illustrate, in plan view and in perspective, a needle variant with a massive part attached to the barrels by flexible blades;
• the figure 7 shows in A, B, C, D, different examples of possible trajectories for the top of the elastic needle according to the invention;
• the figure 8 shows, at A, B, C, different non-constant ratio transmissions for changing the length of the elastic needle;
• the figure 9 shows a variant of elastic needle according to the invention, the top comprises a stylus guided in a track and / or on a cam;
• the figure 10 is a block diagram of a timepiece comprising a movement comprising itself a display mechanism with an elastic needle according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a display indicator for a timepiece or for a scientific apparatus. According to the invention this display indicator is in shape memory, and its instantaneous shape depends on at least one drive means which is applied to a particular area of this display indicator.

The invention is described here in the particular case, but not limiting, of a rotary indicator, and in particular of an elastic needle. However, the principle is applicable to an indicator with a different mobility path than circular, for example a linear cursor, or other, especially in space.

In the same way, drive means comprising gear wheels are described below, but the invention is equally applicable to analog display means for an electronic or electrical device, a quartz watch or the like.

The principle of the invention is to provide a display mechanism, at least one indicator, including a needle, for example the hour hand for a watch, has a variable length, or a variable radial extension.

The figure 1 illustrates the trajectory of an end vertex of an elastic needle 1 according to the invention, mounted on a conventional watch movement performing a revolution in 12 hours, which is described in more detail below. This trajectory comprises two complete spiral turns. This trajectory makes it possible to represent, on a dial, the day on the outer turn at night on the inner turn, or the morning and the afternoon, or similar. The spiral trajectory is covered in 24 hours over 2 laps.

The invention thus relates to an elastic display indicator, and more particularly to a resilient, flexible, monolithic needle 1 having a variable length. This clockwise elastic needle 1 comprises a first driving gun 2 integral with a flexible blade 3. The invention is more specifically described for this invention. application of a flexible indicator to a needle, but it is understood that it is applicable to other forms of indicators, plan or three-dimensional.

This elastic needle 1 is one-piece, and the flexible blade 3 comprises at least a first flexible segment 5 between the first barrel 2 and a first vertex 6, the first vertex 6 being at a variable distance from the first barrel 2 according to applied forces to the flexible blade 3.

Preferably, the elastic needle 1 comprises a second driving gun 4 also integral with the flexible blade 3, and the flexible blade 3 is composed of a plurality of flexible segments 5 connected end to end at vertices 6. Au least one of these vertices 6 is, in the unstressed free state of the elastic needle 1, remote from the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4.

These first barrel 2 and second barrel 4 are preferably spaced from each other in the free state of the elastic needle 1.

In some variants, such as on the Figure 6B a segment 5 carries the first barrel 2 at a first end 52, another segment 5 carries the second barrel 4 at a second end 54, and, in the free state of the elastic needle 1, the first end 52 and the second end 54 are spaced from each other or form a non-zero angle with each other.

The invention is described and illustrated with a simple variant of needle 1 having a single vertex 6 between two segments 5, but it is applicable to more complex geometries.

Other variants, which are not part of the invention, are conceivable by replacing the first barrel 2 or the second barrel 4 by other drive means, such as rods, cams, or the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention where the needle 1 thus comprises a first barrel 2 and a second barrel 4, in a constrained state of the elastic needle 1 where the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 are movable 1 relative to each other, the distance between at least one vertex 6 and the first barrel 2 is a function of the distance between the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 and / or the angular distance e between the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4. This first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 can follow any movements, linear, pivoting, combined, or in space, which offers many possibilities for the invention to perform any desired type of display. In particular, it is possible to give a three-dimensional vertex 6 of such a needle 1, movable for example in a space delimited by a hemispherical ice or the like: driving means of the first gun 2 in an XY plane define a plane P passing through the axis Z perpendicular to the XY plane , and drive means of the second gun 4 define a radial mobility of the vertex 6 of the needle 1 in this plane P; such an application is interesting especially for astronomical watches and clocks, and can draw trajectories in space such as elliptical orbits or others.

In the particular nonlimiting application illustrated by the figures, in a constrained state of the elastic needle 1 where the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 are aligned along a common axis A, the distance between at least one said vertex 6 and the common axis A is a function of the angular distance e between the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4.

The invention also relates to a clock display mechanism comprising at least one such elastic needle 1. This display mechanism 10 comprises first drive means 11 of the first barrel 2 of this at least one elastic needle 1 around of a pivot axis D, and second means 12 for stressing this at least one elastic needle 1, to vary the position of at least one such vertex 6 of this at least one elastic needle 1 with respect to the pivot axis D.

In particular achievements, for example as visible on the figure 9 , the second means 12 of stressing comprise at least one track 13 or guide cam 14 of a said vertex 6 or an extension of a said vertex 6. The elastic needle 1 then advantageously comprises, at the level of at least one such vertex 6, a stylet 7 arranged to follow a cam track or the like.

Preferably, as visible on the figure 4 the mechanism 10 comprises at least one elastic needle 1 with a second barrel 4, and the second means 12 of stressing comprise second drive means 13 of the second barrel 4.

In an illustrated variant, the second drive means 13 of the second barrel 4 are coaxial with the first drive means 11 of the first barrel 2.

Advantageously, the elastic needle 1 is mounted prestressed so as to permanently exert on the first drive means 11 and on the second drive means 13 a torque tending to catch the operating clearances that these first drive means 11 and these second drive means 13 have relative to each other.

In a particular application, the first drive means 11 and the second drive means 13 are pivoting drive means, and the pivoting speeds of the first drive means 11 and the second drive means 13 are different from each other. And, preferably, the difference on a given stroke of the first barrel 2, in particular but not exclusively a whole number of revolutions of the first barrel 2, is caught by a jump between the first drive means 11 and the second means of training 13.

The display mechanism 10 advantageously comprises control means 15 for controlling the pivoting speeds of the first driving means 11 and the second driving means 13, as well as the angular position of at least the first barrel 2. These means of 15 are arranged to impose a particular trajectory to at least one such vertex 6 of this at least one elastic needle 1 that includes the mechanism 10.

The FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate the principle of the invention: the Figure 2A represents an elastic needle 1, in particular of silicon or the like, or in a micro-material made according to a process of the "DRIE" or "LIGA" type, raw of manufacture: the elastic needle 1 is composed of two flexible segments 5 united to a common vertex 6. At the free ends 52 and 54 of these segments 5 are a first barrel 2 and a second barrel 4. Preferably, the segments 5 together form a single flexible blade 3.

By superimposing the first barrel 2 and the second barrel 4 with a certain angle α, an elastic needle 1 is formed, the rod of which is hollowed out. When the angle α is varied, the two flexible segments 5 deform. As a result, the apparent length of the elastic needle 1 varies.

The spiral trajectory of the elastic needle 1 on the figure 1 implies that the variation of angle Δα obeys the diagram of the figure 3 : every two turns, the elastic needle 1 accumulates an angle difference Δα which must be reset by an instantaneous jump.

An example of a simple display mechanism illustrated by the figure 4 fulfills this function. The continuous arrows of the figure 4 indicate the direction of rotation of the elements, while the discontinuous arrows indicate the direction of application of torques or forces. The first drive means 11 comprise a first pinion 21 driving the first gun 2, the first pinion 21 is driven by a first drive wheel 22. The second drive means 13 comprise a second pinion 23 drive of the second gun 4, the second pinion 23 is driven by a second drive wheel 24. The transmission ratios are, in this particular example, such that, when the first gun 2 rotates 2 turns, the second gun 4 does not performs only 1.8 turns. The 0.2-turn angle difference of this example, must be adapted to the needle or vice versa, and is acquired linearly, continuously, during all two turns. To perform the instantaneous jump, the second drive wheel 24 has a non-toothing sector 25 forming a notch, which allows the elastic needle 1 to be re-tensioned at the end of the second turn, according to the movement illustrated by an arrow double on the Figures 1 and 3 . The torque exerted constantly by the elastic needle 1 allows the passage of the missing tooth or teeth without the elastic needle 1 does not pause.

• en figure 5A, au repos : le premier canion 2 et le deuxième canon 4 sont superposés, cette configuration ne se produit jamais en mouvement ;
• en figure 5B, position longue : un couple tend à rapprocher les deux canons ;
• en figure 5C, position courte : un couple tend à rapprocher les deux canons.

It is important that the elastic needle is permanently prestressed in the "long or short" state. The elastic needle thus constantly exerts a torque on the wheel, as visible on the FIGS. 5A to 5C :

• in Figure 5A at rest: the first cannon 2 and the second gun 4 are superimposed, this configuration never occurs in motion;
• in Figure 5B long position: a couple tends to bring the two guns together;
• in Figure 5C short position: a couple tends to bring the two guns together.

The fact that the elastic needle 1 is constantly under stress makes it possible to perform the jump at the end of the spiral trajectory (double arrow on the Figures 1 and 3 ), to avoid any play in the gear and also that the jump is made without a timeout. Indeed, the wheel does not stop because the torque in the elastic needle 1 fills the clearance between the teeth and also the vacuum at the sector 25. In this particular case of the example of the figure 4 , the angle difference Δα is 0.2 turn. This differential Δα depends on the design of the elastic needle 1, or vice versa.

The flexible elastic needle 1 may have other shapes. In each case, the monolithic flexible elastic needle 1 preferably comprises two barrels, and the display mechanism 10 makes it possible, by varying the angle of these two barrels, to vary the length, or radial extension, of the barrel. elastic needle 1.

The Figures 6A and 6B show a variant of needle 1 with a solid portion 60 attached to the guns 2 and 4 by flexible blades 520 and 540, on two levels, these flexible blades 520 and 540 being wound around the guns 2 and 4 respectively.

Such an elastic needle 1 of variable length allows great freedom of shape, and allows, as visible on the Figures 7A to 7D to materialize the trajectory of the vertex 6 respectively on a spiral, concentric circles, a square, an oval, or intersecting lobes, or others, these trajectories being in no way limiting.

With regard to the drive means, it is possible to define particular toothings assemblies to mechanically obtain certain paths. A non-circular trajectory is defined by the transmission ratio between the two guns. Non-cylindrical gears, for example two ovoidal cams, have a non-constant transmission ratio which periodically changes the length of the elastic needle 1. The Figures 8A-C illustrate non-limiting examples of such particular practices applicable to this complication. The variable transmission ratios obtained according to the figure 8 are innovative and allow great freedom of trajectory design.

The invention also relates to a watch movement 20 comprising at least one such display mechanism 10.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 30 comprising at least one such watch movement 20, or / and comprising at least one display mechanism 10. In an advantageous application, this timepiece 30 is a watch.

The invention also relates to a scientific apparatus 30 comprising at least one such watch movement 20, or / and comprising at least one such display mechanism 10.

Flexible flexible needles 1 according to the invention are easy to produce in silicon-type or similar materials, by "DRIE" or "LIGA" technologies or the like, and do not require any assembly. These technologies are interesting because they allow a multi-level realization, for example a needle according to the Figure 6B may comprise a first level with the first barrel 2 and the first segment 520 adjacent, the solid part 60 is composed of the extension of this first level by a second level, and the second segment 540 and the second barrel 4 are made on this second level .

The display mechanisms 10 including such indicators allow a wider exploitation of the possibilities of the movements or mechanisms of the scientific apparatus or timepieces 30, with a more precise visualization over extended ranges of values.

The invention lends itself to the making of shape memory indicators, to draw the attention of the user to a particular circumstance. It is thus possible to cite a needle of articulated appearance, which evolves in a substantially aligned position of the segments that compose it in a part of its stroke, and which is completely deformed to take a particular shape in a broken line during a change of range, or during the operation of a mechanism or a circuit of the timepiece or the scientific apparatus, for example an alarm clock or an alarm when detecting a danger threshold, or the like. Another application is animating a silhouette of a character or object in a window, in similar circumstances.

Claims (15)

1. Resilient timepiece hand (1), including a first drive pipe (2) integral with a flexible strip (3), said resilient timepiece hand (1) being in a single-piece and with a variable radial extension, and said flexible strip (3) including a plurality of flexible segments (5) connected end-to-end at tips (6), whose at least a first segment (5, 520) which carries said first pipe (2) at a first end (52) and which is flexible between said first pipe (2) and a first of said tips (6), characterized in that:

   - said resilient timepiece hand (1) includes a second drive pipe (4) also integral with said flexible strip (3), a second said segment (5, 540) carrying said second pipe (4) at a second end (54),

   - in a free unstressed state of said resilient hand (1) where said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) are spaced apart from each other, at least one of said tips (6) is spaced apart from said first pipe (2) and from said second pipe (4), and said first end (52) and said second end (54) are remote from each other or form a non-zero angle with each other,

   - in a stressed operating state of said resilient timepiece hand (1) where said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) are driven by drive means and are movable with respect to each other, the distance between said at least one said tips (6) and said first pipe (2) is a function of the distance between said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) or/and of the angular deviation angle (θ) between said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4).
2. Resilient timepiece hand (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a particular stressed operating state of said resilient hand (1) where said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4) are aligned to each other along a common axis (A), the distance between said at least one said tips (6) and said common axis (A) is a function of the angular deviation angle (θ) between said first pipe (2) and said second pipe (4).
3. Resilient timepiece hand (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said resilient timepiece hand (1) includes a flexible blade including two said elastic flexible segments (5) joined to each other at a common unique said tip (6), said free ends (52, 54) of said blade being at the free ends of said flexible segments (5) and integral with a said first drive pipe (2) and a said second drive pipe (4).
4. Resilient timepiece hand (1) according to any of preceding claims,
   characterized in that at least one said tip (6) includes a stylus (7) arranged to follow a cam path.
5. Timepiece display mechanism (10) including at least one resilient timepiece hand (1) according to any of preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanism includes first drive means (11) of driving said first pipe (2) of said at least one resilient timepiece hand (1) about a pivot axis (D), and second stressing means (12) of stressing said at least one resilient timepiece hand (1) to vary the position of said at least one tip (6) of said at least one resilient timepiece hand (1) with respect to said pivot axis (D), in that said second stressing means (12) include second drive means (13) of driving said second pipe (4).
6. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said second stressing means (12) include at least one guide path (13) or cam (14) for a said tip (6) of for an extension of a said tip (6).
7. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said second drive means (13) of driving said second pipe (4) are coaxial to said first drive means (11) of driving said first pipe (2).
8. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said resilient timepiece hand (1) is mounted prestressed and arranged to permanently exert on said first drive means (11) and on said second drive means (13) a torque tending to take up the operating plays between them.
9. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 8,
   characterized in that the pivoting speeds of said first drive means (11) and of said second drive means (13) are different, and in that the deviation over a given travel of said first pipe (2) is taken up by a jump between said first drive means (11) and said second drive means (13).
10. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that
    the pivoting speeds of said first drive means (11) and of said second drive means (13) are different, and in that the deviation over an integer number of revolutions of said first pipe (2) is taken up by a jump between said first drive means (11) and said second drive means (13).
11. Timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 10,
    characterized in that the mechanism includes control means (15) for controlling the pivoting speeds of said first drive means (11) and of said second drive means (13) and the angular position of at least said first pipe (2), said control means (15) being arranged to impose a particular trajectory on at least one said tip (6) of said at least one resilient timepiece hand (1).
12. Timepiece movement (20) including at least one timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 11.
13. Timepiece (30) including at least one timepiece movement (20) according to claim 12, or including at least one timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 11.
14. Timepiece (30) according to the claim 13, characterized in that the timepiece is a watch.
15. Scientific apparatus including at least one timepiece movement (20) according to claim 12 or including at least one timepiece display mechanism (10) according to any of claims 5 to 11.

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