EP3333649B1 - Method for determining parameters for adjusting the operation of a mechanical watch - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for determining parameters for adjusting the running of a mechanical watch and, more specifically, a method for determining parameters for adjusting the running of a mechanical watch depending on the conditions of use of this watch.

Technological background of the invention

As is known, a mechanical watch comprises, in a watch case, a mechanical watch movement which drives a set of hour and minute hands. The mechanical watch movement comprises in particular a balance spring, a balance wheel and an escapement which together form a time base of the watch movement.

A mechanical watch, even the most accurate, loses or gains a few seconds per day. The purpose of adjusting the time base (commonly called the "rate" of the watch) is to limit this loss or gain as much as possible.

The running of a mechanical watch depends in particular on mechanical parameters specific to the watch movement, such as the variation in the moment of force transmitted by the escapement to the balance, or the geometry of the balance spring. These mechanical parameters are well known to the watchmaker, and taken into account for adjusting the running of the mechanical watch at the end of manufacture or during maintenance of the watch.

The rate of a mechanical watch also depends on parameters external to the watch, and in particular the conditions in which the watch is used. The watchmaker traditionally regulates the rate of the watch based on standard operating conditions. However, these standard operating conditions are difficult to estimate and, moreover, they do not necessarily correspond to the actual operating conditions of a particular watch.

WO 2015/082483 A2 discloses an apparatus and method for measuring parameters of a watch, in particular the rate of the watch. To do this, the watch is placed on a measuring device comprising a sensor with which the vibrations (or noise), temperature, pressure or magnetic field experienced by the watch are measured. The vibration (or noise), temperature, pressure or magnetic field data are transferred to a mobile device to determine in particular the rate of the watch.

Summary of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above and others, by proposing a method for adjusting the running of a mechanical watch which takes into account the actual conditions of use of this watch.

To this end, the invention proposes a method for determining parameters for adjusting the running of a mechanical watch by means of an electronic device according to claim 1 of the patent.

The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to refine the adjustment parameters of a mechanical watch as best as possible according to the actual conditions in which this mechanical watch is used.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises an additional step consisting of adjusting the running of the mechanical watch from the adjustment parameters determined according to the conditions of use.

The electronic device for collecting the values of the physical parameter(s) to which the mechanical watch is subjected may preferably be arranged inside the watch case or inside the watch strap. In this case, after analyzing the data relating to the actual conditions in which the mechanical watch is used, the rate of the watch movement is adjusted during a watch maintenance or repair stage. The data is analyzed and the watch is adjusted by a professional specializing in mechanical movement watches.

Another way to exploit the values of the physical parameters to which the electronic device is subjected consists of housing the electronic device in a simple bracelet that the user can, for example, obtain from a watch retailer. The user will then wear this bracelet for a few days on the wrist on which he wears his watch. During this period, the value of the physical parameter(s) to which the electronic device housed in the bracelet is subjected will be measured using the measuring sensor. After these few days, the user returns his bracelet to the watch store and the data provided by the measuring sensor will be analyzed. The analysis of this data then makes it possible to determine how the customer wears the bracelet and to offer him, from an assortment of mechanical watches all set differently from each other, the watch whose setting best corresponds to the way in which the customer wears his watch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises a memory space for storing the data provided by the at least one measuring sensor.

In the case where the electronic device does not include a memory space, the data provided by the measuring sensor are directly transmitted to an external data receiving device, for example a mobile phone equipped with an application for recording and analyzing the data collected by the measuring sensor in order to deduce the conditions to which the electronic device is subjected. In the case where the electronic device includes a memory space, the data collected by the measuring sensor are temporarily stored in this memory space, then are transmitted to an external data receiving device for analysis in order to determine the conditions to which the electronic device and, consequently, the mechanical watch worn by the user is subjected.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises at least one accelerometer and/or a gyrometer and/or a magnetic sensor and/or a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor and/or a relative humidity sensor, the data provided by the electronic device comprising at least data relating to an acceleration including an angular acceleration and/or data relating to a magnetic induction and/or data relating to a temperature and/or data relating to a pressure and/or data relating to the relative humidity to which the mechanical watch is subjected.

The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to refine the setting of a mechanical watch depending, as the case may be, on the accelerations to which the mechanical watch is subjected over time and/or on the variations over time of the temperature and/or the pressure and/or the relative humidity and/or the magnetic field experienced by the watch. These parameters are those likely to cause the greatest error in the running of the time base of the mechanical watch.

The invention also provides a mechanical watch as defined by claim 7 of the patent.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises a memory space arranged to store data provided by the measuring sensor.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises at least one accelerometer and/or a gyrometer and/or a magnetic sensor and/or a temperature sensor and/or a pressure sensor and/or a relative humidity sensor.

The invention also provides a system comprising a mechanical watch strap and a data receiving device as defined by claim 10 of the patent.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est un schéma d'une montre mécanique adaptée pour la mise en œuvre d'un procédé selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une variante de la montre de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 détaille les composants essentiels nécessaires à la mise en œuvre de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 montre schématiquement les étapes d'un procédé selon l'invention, et
• la figure 5 montre une autre variante de réalisation adaptée à la mise en œuvre du procédé.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of examples of implementation of a method according to the invention. This example is given purely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes and should be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

• there figure 1 is a diagram of a mechanical watch suitable for implementing a method according to the invention;
• there figure 2 is a variant of the watch of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 3 details the essential components necessary for the implementation of the invention;
• there figure 4 schematically shows the steps of a method according to the invention, and
• there Figure 5 shows another variant embodiment suitable for implementing the method.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists of collecting data relating to the actual conditions of use of a mechanical watch, and taking this data into account to refine the adjustment of the running of the mechanical watch.

For this purpose, a mechanical watch according to the invention, designated as a whole by the general numerical reference 1, comprises a bracelet 2 associated with a watch case 4 and an electronic device 6.

According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 1 , the electronic device 6 is housed in one of the strands 2a or 2b of the bracelet 2, or its components are distributed in the two strands 2a and 2b, the two strands 2a, 2b being in this case electrically connected to each other.

According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figure 2 , the electronic device 6 is housed inside the watch case 4, this watch case 4 being hermetically sealed against water using known techniques.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the electronic device 6 can be fixed to the structure of a folding clasp with which the bracelet 2 is equipped.

The electronic device 6 includes in particular (see figure 3 ) at least one measuring sensor 8 arranged to measure a physical parameter to which the mechanical watch 1 is subjected, where appropriate a memory space 10 arranged to store data provided by the at least one measuring sensor 8, and a data transmission device 12 arranged to transmit data provided by the measuring sensor 8 to a data reception device 14 external to the mechanical watch 1. On the figure 3 , the data transfer paths are represented by thick arrows. Data transfer can be done by means of a wired connection using a connector and a cable, for example of the USB type, or by means of a wireless connection, for example of the Bluetooth type, or of the near-field type based on RFID technology.

In the example shown in the figure 3 , the measurement sensors 8 are three in number and comprise an accelerometer 8a, a magnetic sensor 8b and a temperature sensor 8c. The memory space 10 is here integrated into a microcontroller 16 having the overall function of controlling the plurality of measurement sensors 8, the memory space 10 and the data transmission device 12. On the figure 3 , the control signals are represented by thin line arrows.

In the example of the figure 3 furthermore, the electronic device 6 additionally comprises an electrical energy source 18, for example an accumulator, to supply electrical energy to the plurality of measurement sensors 8, the microcontroller 16 and its memory space 10 as well as the data transmission device 12.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the plurality of measurement sensors 8 may comprise a single sensor, for example an accelerometer 8a, which integrates its own memory space and its own control microcontroller. In this case, a microcontroller and a memory space external to the sensor are obviously not essential.

In another example, the energy for the operation of the electrical and electronic components can be provided by the movements of the person wearing the watch and/or by the external data receiving device. In this case, an additional source of electrical energy is not essential. In fact, the solution chosen to power the electrical and electronic components is essentially a function of the acquisition frequency of the measurement signals provided by the sensor(s) and the duration of the communication during which the data provided by the measurement sensor are transferred to the data receiving device. A hybrid solution comprising an on-board energy source in addition to the energy recovered either from the movements of the wearer or from the environment (solar energy) is also conceivable. Such a solution makes it possible, for example during active wear, to provide a faster sampling frequency of the measurements (thanks to the external energy supply), whereas in the case of low activity, it is possible to reduce this sampling frequency without significant loss of information.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device 6 comprises a memory space 10 for storing the data provided by the measuring sensor 8. However, it is also conceivable that the electronic device 6 is not provided with a memory space, in which case the data provided by the measuring sensor 8 are directly transmitted to an external data receiving device such as a mobile phone which may be equipped with an application for recording and analyzing the data provided by the measuring sensor 8. In the case where the electronic device 6 comprises a memory space 10, the data relating to the physical parameters to which the electronic device 6 is subjected and which are measured by the measuring sensor 8 are temporarily stored in the memory space 10, then transferred to the data receiving device 14 in order to be analyzed therein with a view to deducing therefrom the conditions to which the electronic device 6 is subjected and allowing the mechanical watch 1 to be adjusted accordingly.

• mesurer périodiquement la valeur du paramètre physique auquel est soumis le dispositif électronique 6 au moyen du capteur de mesure 8 à l'étape 20 ;
• transmettre les données enregistrées au dispositif de réception des données 14 extérieur à la montre mécanique 1 à l'étape 22 ;
• enregistrer et analyser les données transmises en vue d'en déduire des conditions d'utilisation de la montre mécanique 1 à l'étape 24 ;
• déterminer, en fonction des conditions d'utilisation établies à l'étape 24, les paramètres de réglage de la marche de la montre mécanique 1 à l'étape 26 ;
• régler la marche du mouvement de la montre mécanique 1 en fonction de ces conditions d'utilisation à l'étape 28.

A mechanical watch according to the invention is adapted to implement a method according to the invention shown diagrammatically in the figure 4 and comprising the following steps, consisting of:

• periodically measuring the value of the physical parameter to which the electronic device 6 is subjected by means of the measuring sensor 8 in step 20;
• transmitting the recorded data to the data receiving device 14 external to the mechanical watch 1 in step 22;
• record and analyze the transmitted data in order to deduce the conditions of use of the mechanical watch 1 in step 24;
• determining, based on the conditions of use established in step 24, the parameters for adjusting the running of the mechanical watch 1 in step 26;
• adjust the rate of the movement of the mechanical watch 1 according to these conditions of use in step 28.

Prior to step 22 of transmitting the data collected by the plurality of measuring sensors 8, this data may be temporarily stored in the memory space 10 during a step 30 with a view to its subsequent transfer to the data reception device 14.

The sensor(s) 8 can perform measurements continuously, regardless of the use made of the mechanical watch 1. Alternatively, the sensor(s) 8 perform measurements only when the mechanical watch 1 is worn by a user. It is also possible to envisage that the accelerometer 8a performs measurements continuously, and that the microcontroller 16 activates the other measurement sensors only when the accelerometer 8a detects a movement of the mechanical watch 1, i.e. when the mechanical watch 1 is worn by a user. The measurements performed by the sensor(s) are performed at regular time intervals that are short enough to detect variations in the measured parameters: for example, time intervals of the order of a few tenths of a second to a few tenths of a second for the acceleration sensor 8a, or a few minutes for the temperature sensor 8b or the induction sensor 8c.

In step 30, the data collected by the sensor(s) are recorded in the memory space 10. This essentially concerns the data collected by the sensor(s) when the mechanical watch 1 is worn by the user, i.e. when movements of the mechanical watch 1 are detected. But data relating to environmental conditions (magnetic field, temperature, atmospheric pressure, residual humidity) can also be measured. during the rest phases of the watch. In addition to the measured values of the physical parameters to which the mechanical watch 1 is subjected, the collected data may also include an indication of the periods of time during which the mechanical watch 1 is worn and the periods of time during which the mechanical watch 1 is stationary.

In step 22, the stored data is transmitted to the data receiving device 14 external to the mechanical watch 1. The transmission can be carried out via any type of connection, preferably wireless, such as for example a Bluetooth connection.

• les données relatives aux accélérations, y compris les accélérations angulaires, subies par la montre mécanique 1 sont analysées pour déterminer dans quelle position se trouve le plus fréquemment la montre : position verticale, horizontale, inclinée, et estimer ensuite l'évolution des frottements au niveau d'un balancier de la montre susceptibles d'influer sur la marche de la montre mécanique 1 ;
• les données relatives à l'induction subie par la montre mécanique 1 sont analysées pour déterminer l'évolution dans le temps du champ magnétique auquel est soumis la montre, et estimer l'impact de ce champ magnétique sur la marche de la montre mécanique 1 ;
• les données relatives à la température à laquelle la montre mécanique 1 est exposée sont analysées pour déterminer l'évolution dans le temps de la température subie par la montre mécanique 1, et estimer les conséquences de cette température notamment sur le spiral et le balancier de la montre mécanique 1 (dilatation ou contraction), et donc sur la marche de la montre mécanique 1 ;
• les données relatives à la pression et à l'humidité donnent des indications sur des grandeurs physiques qui influencent le vieillissement des lubrifiants, et donc les frottements des mobiles et la marche de la montre ;
• les données relatives aux accélérations angulaires qui donnent des informations précieuses sur les rotations subies par les mobiles du mouvement et qui complètent les informations fournies par l'accéléromètre sur les chocs et autres perturbations mécaniques de la marche de la montre, comme les mouvements brusques du porteur.

In step 24, the transmitted data is analyzed to determine the conditions of use of the watch, and in particular:

• the data relating to the accelerations, including the angular accelerations, undergone by the mechanical watch 1 are analyzed to determine in which position the watch is most frequently found: vertical, horizontal, inclined position, and then estimate the evolution of the friction at the level of a balance wheel of the watch likely to influence the operation of the mechanical watch 1;
• the data relating to the induction undergone by the mechanical watch 1 are analyzed to determine the evolution over time of the magnetic field to which the watch is subjected, and to estimate the impact of this magnetic field on the operation of the mechanical watch 1;
• the data relating to the temperature to which the mechanical watch 1 is exposed are analyzed to determine the evolution over time of the temperature experienced by the mechanical watch 1, and to estimate the consequences of this temperature in particular on the hairspring and the balance wheel of the mechanical watch 1 (expansion or contraction), and therefore on the operation of the mechanical watch 1;
• data relating to pressure and humidity provide indications of physical quantities which influence the ageing of lubricants, and therefore the friction of the mobiles and the running of the watch;
• data relating to angular accelerations which provide valuable information on the rotations undergone by the moving parts of the movement and which supplement the information provided by the accelerometer on shocks and other mechanical disturbances in the running of the watch, such as sudden movements of the wearer.

In step 26, it is determined, based on the conditions of use of the mechanical watch 1 which were determined in step 24, which adjustments need to be made to improve the running of the movement of the mechanical watch 1.

Finally, in step 28, the running of the mechanical watch 1 is adjusted according to the adjustments to be made to improve its running which were determined in step 26.

Preferably, the steps of transmission 22, analysis 24, determination of the adjustment parameters 26 and adjustment 28 are carried out during a maintenance or repair step of the mechanical watch 1. Thus, the data are analyzed and the mechanical watch 1 is adjusted by a professional specializing in watches with mechanical movements. It is also possible that the professional decides to carry out an overhaul of the watch and to renew the lubricants for the critical mobiles, for example.

The invention also relates to a bracelet 32 as illustrated in Figure 5 This bracelet 32 comprises an electronic device 6 of the type described above adapted for implementing the method according to one of the preceding variants and which comprises at least one measurement sensor 8 arranged to measure a physical parameter to which the bracelet 32 is subjected, and a data transmission device 12 arranged to transmit data supplied by the at least one measurement sensor 8 to a device reception of data 14 external to the bracelet 32. A source of electrical energy 18 must also be provided.

It is also possible to envisage that the electronic device 6 with its various components is designed in the form of a module that will be fixed externally, for example on the watch strap or on the watch case for the duration of the test. It is also possible for such a module to be temporarily housed inside the watch case.

The present description specifies that step 20 of measuring the value of the physical parameter to which the electronic device 6 is subjected by means of the measurement sensor 8 is carried out periodically. By “periodic”, it is meant that the measurement must be carried out throughout the period during which the value of the physical parameter(s) to which the electronic device 6 is subjected is recorded. On the other hand, these measurements can be taken at regular or irregular time intervals.

Nomenclature

• 1. Mechanical watch
• 2. Bracelet
• 2a, 2b. Bracelet strands
• 4. Watch box
• 6. Electronic device
• 8. Measuring sensor
• 8a. Accelerometer
• 8b. Magnetic sensor
• 8c. Temperature sensor
• 10. Memory space
• 12. Data transmission device
• 14. Data receiving device
• 16. Microcontroller
• 18. Source of electrical energy
• 20. Step of measuring the value of the physical parameter
• 22. Data transmission stage
• 24. Stage of analysis of transmitted data
• 26. Step of determining the parameters for adjusting the running of the mechanical watch
• 28. Step of adjusting the running of the mechanical watch
• 30. Step of recording the data collected by the measuring sensor
• 32. Bracelet

Claims (10)

1. A method for determining setting parameters for the running of a mechanical watch (1) using an electronic device (6) embedded in the mechanical watch, this electronic device (6) comprising:

   - at least one measurement sensor (8) designed to measure an environmental parameter from outside the mechanical watch (1), in particular the conditions in which the mechanical watch (1) is used, to which the mechanical watch (1) with the electronic device (6) is subjected, and

   - a data transmission device (12) designed to transmit the data provided by the measurement sensor (8) to a device for receiving data (14) from outside the mechanical watch (1),

   the method comprising, successively:

   - a step (20) in which the value of the physical parameter to which the electronic device (6) is subjected is periodically measured by the measuring sensor (8);

   - a step (22) in which the data provided by the measurement sensor (8) is transmitted to the data reception device (14);

   - a step (24) in which the data transmitted to the data reception device (14) is recorded and analysed to ascertain the conditions to which the electronic device (6) is subjected, and

   - a step (26) in which the setting parameters for the running of the mechanical watch (1) are determined according to the conditions of use.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an additional step (28) consisting of setting the running of the mechanical watch (1) based on the setting parameters determined according to the conditions of use.
3. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the electronic device (6) further comprises a memory space (10) for storing the data provided in a step (30) by the at least one measurement sensor (8).
4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one measurement sensor (8) comprises at least one accelerometer (8a) and/or one gyrometer and/or one magnetic sensor (8b) and/or one temperature sensor (8c) and/or one pressure sensor and/or one relative humidity sensor, the data provided by this measurement sensor or these sensors (8) comprising at least data relating to an acceleration, and/or data relating to a magnetic induction and/or data relating to a temperature to which the watch is subjected.
5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the data is recorded during the periods when the mechanical watch (1) is worn.
6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the data transmission step (22), the data analysis step (24), the step (26) in which the setting parameters for the running of the mechanical watch (1) are determined according to the conditions of use and the step (28) of setting the running of the mechanical watch (1) are carried out in a step in which the mechanical watch (1) is being serviced or repaired.
7. A system comprising a mechanical watch (1) and a device for receiving data (14) from outside the mechanical watch, the mechanical watch (1) comprising a wristlet (2), a watchcase (4) and an electronic device (6), the electronic device (6) being embedded inside the watchcase (4) or in the wristlet (2) of the mechanical watch (1) or in a folding clasp fitted to the wristlet (2), and comprising at least one measurement sensor (8) designed to measure an environmental parameter from outside the mechanical watch (1), in particular the conditions in which the mechanical watch (1) is used, to which the mechanical watch (1) is subjected, a microcontroller (16) and a data transmission device (12) designed to transmit the data provided by the at least one measurement sensor (8) to the device for receiving data (14) from outside the mechanical watch (1) comprising reception means and a processor, the electronic device (6) and the device for receiving data (14) from outside the watch being suitable for the embodiment of the method according to any of the preceding claims.
8. The mechanical watch according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the electronic device comprises a memory space (10) designed to store the data provided by the at least one measurement sensor (8).
9. The watch according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the at least one measurement sensor (8) comprises at least one accelerometer (8a) and/or one gyrometer and/or one magnetic sensor (8b) and/or one temperature sensor (8c) and/or one temperature sensor and/or one relative humidity sensor.
10. A system comprising a wristlet (2) for a mechanical watch (1) and a device for receiving data (14) from outside the wristlet, the wristlet (2) comprising an electronic device (6), the electronic device (6) comprising at least one measurement sensor (8) designed to measure an environmental parameter from outside the wristlet (2) and to which the wristlet (32) is subjected, a microcontroller (16) and a data transmission device (12) designed to transmit the data provided by the at least one measurement sensor (8) to the device for receiving data (14) from outside the wristlet (2) comprising reception means and a processor, the electronic device (6) and the device for receiving data (14) from outside the wristlet (2) being suitable for the embodiment of the method according to any of claims 1 to 6.