EP3410236A1 - Device and method for adjusting the rate and correcting the state of a watch - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of adjusting an oscillator watch arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with a servo device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency ( NE) constituting a reference, which is equal to said nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), the watch is subjected to an excitation oscillation or a modulated movement, generated by this master oscillator , during a transition phase after which the oscillator of the watch is stabilized at excitation frequency (NE), and a state correction method with a state correction device comprising a state-oscillating oscillator oscillating at a correction frequency (NC) to impose an oscillation or a movement on the watch, during a state of adjustment period adjustment phase to catch exactly a state error measured at the initial activation time.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a method for correcting the state of a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency.

The invention also relates to a method of adjustment of gait and state correction of a watch or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate oscillation at a nominal frequency.

The invention relates to a state correction device for the correction of a watch state or a movement respectively, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency.

The invention relates to a device for adjusting the running and correction of a watch state or a movement respectively, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency.

The invention relates to an interactive support device interactive correction of watch or movement respectively.

The invention relates to a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency.

The invention relates to the use of a state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or to an integer multiple of said frequency nominal, and comprising a state correction oscillator arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency, for the correction of a watch state or a movement, comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate a oscillation at said nominal frequency.

The invention relates to the use of a gait adjustment device and a state correction of a watch or a movement, said watch or respectively said movement comprising at least one conventional oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency with an initial difference in gait error, said gait adjustment and state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation of excitation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency, with a master error difference of operation with respect to a reference, said gait adjustment and correction device state device further comprising a state-corrected oscillator arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency, for the adjustment of running and of a state correction of a watch or a movement, comprising at least one oscillator conventionally arranged to generate an oscillation at said nominal frequency.

The invention relates to the use of an automatic watch winder for mechanical or automatic watch with at least one watch or movement receiving pose, for subjecting at least one whole watch or respectively an entire movement to a generated excitation oscillation. by a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency, with a master error of operating error with respect to a reference .

Background of the invention

Mastering the error of walking a watch or movement is the goal of any watch manufacturer.

The maximum running error of a watch or respectively a standard mechanical movement, without particular certification, is of the order of 5 to 10 seconds per day, possible both in advance and late.

The maximum walking error of a neat watch, or respectively a neat mechanical movement, especially with a chronometer type certification, is 2 to 5 seconds per day.

The maximum walking error of a very neat watch (or respectively a mechanical movement), for example prepared for a chronometry contest, is of the order of 1 second per day.

The walking error derives in particular according to the disarming of the cylinder, but also, in a non-exhaustive way with the variations of the environment, the temperature, humidity, or other, with the wear of various mobiles, and with the degradation of lubricants over time.

The concern of the control of the error of state is added to that of the control of the error of march.

Automatic winders are designed for the winding of mechanical or automatic or manual watches, but only move the oscillating weight, or turn the crown, to reload the barrel, without correction, or the gait, or the state, of the watch. When the user leaves his watch for a long time on such a winder, the displayed time drifts continuously and uncontrollably.

Breguet has made a so-called sympathetic clock, comprising a watch or a specific movement associated with a pendulum serving as a reference, and arranged to be held on this pendulum, with a mechanism for resetting the hands of the watch, at midnight and at midnight. noon, by the control rod of the watch, manipulated by the pendulum.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to precisely slave the frequency of at least one watch or mechanical movement respectively having at least one oscillator, and oscillating with a device or device or support. Each watch is fixed on a set, which has access to a reference time base. The pose imposes on the mechanical watch an oscillatory movement, which imposes the sprung balance of the watch, or more generally to its oscillator, a reference frequency.

The invention aims to perform a reciprocating movement of the entire watch, without extraction of the movement of its box, to slave the frequency of its mechanical resonator

For this purpose, the invention relates to a method for correcting the state of a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency, according to claim 1 .

The invention also relates to a method of adjustment of gait and state correction of a watch or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency with a difference initial error of operation, according to claim 4.

The invention also relates to a state correction device for the correction of a watch state or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency with a initial error of gait error according to claim 5.

The invention also relates to a device for adjusting the running and correction of a watch state or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency with a difference initial error of operation, according to claim 10.

The invention also relates to an interactive support device for clock correction or movement correction, according to claim 11.

The invention further relates to a watch, said watch comprising at least one conventional oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency with an initial difference in gait error, according to claim 15.

The invention further relates to the use of a state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency, with a step error master difference with respect to a reference, and comprising a state-correction oscillator arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency, for the correction of the state of a watch or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at said nominal frequency, according to claim 17.

The invention also relates to the use of a gait adjustment device and a watch state correction respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a time. nominal frequency with an initial difference in run error, said state adjustment and state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or at an integer multiple of said nominal frequency, with a master error difference of operation with respect to a reference, said state adjustment and state correction device further comprising a state correction oscillator arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency, for the adjustment of gait and of a state correction of a watch or a movement respectively, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate a oscillation at said nominal frequency, according to claim 18.

The invention relates to the use of an automatic watch winder for mechanical or automatic watch with at least one watch or movement receiving pose, for subjecting at least one whole watch or respectively an entire movement to a generated excitation oscillation. by a master oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency, or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency, with a master error of running error with respect to a reference, according to the claim 19.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, une montre ou respectivement un mouvement mécanique fixée sur un posage soumis à une oscillation d'excitation périodique de fréquence précise par un générateur de fonction d'un dispositif d'asservissement, et des moyens de mesure de marche, par exemple de type microphone, en contact avec la couronne de la montre;
• la figure 2 est un diagramme représentant l'évolution de l'erreur de marche, en ordonnée graduée en secondes par jour, en fonction du temps en abscisse graduée en minutes, de la montre de la figure 1, depuis un instant initial, jusqu'à une rampe abrupte correspondant à l'activation du dispositif d'asservissement et à une oscillation du posage à une fréquence d'excitation, laquelle rampe est suivie d'une phase de transition, lors de laquelle l'erreur de marche est rapidement inversée et décroit ensuite régulièrement, jusqu'à l'atteinte d'une valeur d'erreur de marche stabilisée très faible, sensiblement nulle ;
• la figure 3 est un diagramme similaire à celui de la figure 2, réduit à la seule phase de transition, et qui montre l'influence de la phase de l'excitation au moment où cette excitation est enclenchée, qui se traduit par des courbes d'allure différente, mais qui tendent toutes également vers la stabilisation autour de la valeur nulle à l'issue de la phase de transition;
• la figure 4 est un diagramme représentant l'évolution de l'état de la montre de la figure 1, en ordonnée graduée en secondes, en fonction du temps en abscisse graduée en minutes, dans une variante non asservie en trait plein, et dans une variante asservie avec un dispositif d'asservissement et correcteur d'état, en trait pointillé ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématisée d'un dispositif d'ajustement de la marche d'une montre ou d'un mouvement, comportant un oscillateur de référence, un convertisseur de fréquence si nécessaire, pour l'actionnement d'un entraîneur à une fréquence d'excitation, cet entraîneur entraînant un posage supportant la montre ou le mouvement qui comporte l'oscillateur usuel ;
• la figure 6 est un diagramme montrant l'évolution du rattrapage d'état en fonction du temps ;
• la figure 7 est un schéma-blocs de la correction d'état d'une montre, avec des moyens de mesure de l'état de la montre, tels qu'une caméra, interfacés avec des moyens de reconnaissance, une cellule de calcul de différence d'état par comparaison à une référence d'état absolue, une cellule de calcul de fréquence et de durée de correction, et un asservissement de marche.

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 schematically represents a watch or a mechanical movement fixed on a setting subjected to a periodic excitation oscillation of precise frequency by a function generator of a control device, and gait measuring means, by example of microphone type, in contact with the crown of the watch;
• the figure 2 is a diagram representing the evolution of the walking error, in ordinate graduated in seconds per day, as a function of the time in abscissa graduated in minutes, of the watch of the figure 1 from an initial moment to a steep ramp corresponding to activation of the servo device and oscillation of the setting at an excitation frequency, which ramp is followed by a transition phase, during which the the error of operation is rapidly reversed and then decreases steadily until a very low stabilized step error is reached, substantially zero;
• the figure 3 is a diagram similar to that of the figure 2 , reduced to the only phase of transition, and which shows the influence of the phase of the excitation at the moment when this excitation is triggered, which is translated by curves of different pace, but which all tend also towards the stabilization around the value of zero at the end of the transition phase;
• the figure 4 is a diagram representing the evolution of the state of the watch from the figure 1 , on the ordinate graduated in seconds, as a function of the time in abscissa graduated in minutes, in a non-slaved variant in full line, and in a slave variant with a servo-control device and state corrector, in dashed line;
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation of a device for adjusting the movement of a watch or a movement, comprising a reference oscillator, a frequency converter if necessary, for actuating a trainer at a frequency of excitation, this trainer causing a setting supporting the watch or the movement which comprises the usual oscillator;
• the figure 6 is a diagram showing the evolution of the state catch-up as a function of time;
• the figure 7 is a block diagram of the state correction of a watch, with means for measuring the state of the watch, such as a camera, interfaced with recognition means, a difference calculating cell, state by comparison with an absolute state reference, a frequency calculation cell and correction duration, and a duty control.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

It is proposed here to precisely slave, using a servo device, the frequency of at least one watch, or respectively a mechanical movement, having at least one oscillator, hereinafter referred to as "usual oscillator" to distinguish it from so-called absolute oscillators able to generate references, more particularly absolute references, and oscillators which one will call "master oscillators", of intermediate quality between the absolute oscillators and the usual oscillators.

The invention is applicable both to a timepiece which can be a complete watch, a watch head also called "watch head", or a movement. To simplify the discussion, the term "watch" is used interchangeably to designate one or the other of these entities. What is applicable to an entire watch is directly transferable to an entire movement, and vice versa.

In an innovative way, each watch is fixed on a pose, which is coupled to a reference time base. The pose imposes on the mechanical watch an oscillatory movement, which imposes a reference frequency, the usual oscillator that includes the watch, including a sprung balance.

More particularly, it imposes a periodic movement back and forth to the entire watch, not disassembled, to slave the frequency of its mechanical resonator.

The servo device has a time base, which must be more accurate than that of the mechanical watch. It must therefore have an error of less than 1 second per day, advantageously less than 0.1 seconds per day, which allows including, but not limited to, a temperature compensated quartz oscillator. A neat mechanical pendulum also achieves such precision.

The servo-control of a watch by such a servo-control device makes it possible to cancel the error of operation of the watch during the time when the watch is associated with the servo-control device, after a necessary transient period of synchronization, such as the show it figure 2 , which is taken from a laboratory measurement with a watch displaying an initial walking error of about 15 seconds per day.

When the servo device is switched on, the run error derives during a transition phase of a few minutes, then converges after ten minutes to zero seconds per day.

This behavior has been modeled, and the figure 3 shows that the shape of the curve during the transition phase depends on the phase of the excitation at the moment it is engaged, the figure 2 corresponding to a phase shift value of π, which is, in fact, the worst case. The exploration of the parameter space shows that the excitation difference must exceed a certain threshold for synchronization, but it must not be too large, in order to avoid the rebate. One can compensate for a big difference in the way by increasing the difference of excitation.

Thus, a first development relates to a method of adjusting a watch having at least one conventional oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0.

It can be understood that the term "nominal frequency N0" refers to the frequency target value at which the oscillator of the watch or movement concerned is supposed to operate.
In an innovative way, a servo-control device comprising a master oscillator is used, which is arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency NE, constituting a reference, which is equal to this nominal frequency N0, or to a integer multiple of the nominal frequency N0, preferably with a master difference AM of error of operation with respect to a reference, which is lower than the initial difference DI of error of operation. More particularly, this reference is a so-called absolute reference, which has a walking error of less than 1 second per day, advantageously less than 0.1 seconds per day.
More particularly, this master oscillator is chosen to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency (NE) constituting a reference, which is equal to an odd integer multiple of the nominal frequency (N0).

And this entire watch is subjected to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or to a modulated movement generated by the master oscillator, at the excitation frequency NE, after an initial moment of activation of the device enslavement, at least during a transition phase at the end of which the frequency of the oscillator of the watch or the movement is stabilized at the frequency NE. The operation error of the oscillator of the watch is then stabilized at a difference in operating error less than or equal to the master difference AM.

More particularly, the initial difference DI of the operating error of this usual oscillator of the watch is measured or evaluated beforehand, and a master oscillator of this kind is chosen and used which has an AM difference in operation error with respect to a reference, which is lower than this initial difference DI of error of operation. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference, as defined above.

In particular, the servo device is arranged to generate an excitation oscillation around an axis parallel or coincident with that of the mobile oscillator of the usual watch concerned. This excitation oscillation is preferably made with a stroke of small angular amplitude, for example +/- 5 °, or even less, for example +/- 2 °.

In a first variant, used for the example of the figure 2 the excitation oscillation is made in the form of a back and forth.

In another variant, the master oscillator generates an excitation oscillation which imparts a modulated movement to the watch or to the movement concerned, for example with a unidirectional movement comprising rotations separated by saccades, or the like.

In sum it is a master-slave system, where the master oscillator of the servo device is the master, and the usual oscillator that includes the watch is the slave.

This first development also relates to such a servo-control device, for the adjustment of a watch having at least one conventional oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with a measured initial difference DI of error of operation. .

In an innovative manner, this servo-control device comprises a master oscillator, which is arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency NE, constituting a reference, which is equal to the nominal frequency N0, or to an integer multiple , in particular an odd one, of the nominal frequency N0, with a master difference AM of error of operation with respect to a reference, which is weaker than the initial difference DI of error of operation. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above, whose operating error is less than 1 second per day, or even less than 0.1 second per day. And this servo device is arranged to subject the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by this master oscillator, and / or to a modulated motion generated by the master oscillator.

In an advantageous embodiment, as visible on the figure 5 , the servo device comprises a reference oscillator 6, and a frequency converter 5 if necessary, for actuating a driver 4 at the excitation frequency NE.

This driver 4 prints a movement, in particular back and forth, about a reference axis, to a setting 3 which supports the watch 2 to be enslaved, preferably with the axis of the oscillating mobile of the usual oscillator 1 of the watch 2 which is parallel or coincident with the reference axis.

The oscillation angle α is a function of time, and is periodic. In particular it is of the form: α (t) = A. sin (2π.NE), or similar. It can also follow a square, sawtooth, or other cycle.

Such a servo device makes it possible to adjust the operation of the watch, by the choice of this particular excitation frequency NE in relation to the nominal frequency N0. And this same device can, again, be used, no longer to the excitation frequency NE, but at a correction frequency NC, as will be seen later.

More particularly, this servo-control device comprises control means, which are arranged to control the excitation oscillation of the master oscillator, and which are interfaced with means for measuring the error of operation of the watch, and that includes this servo device.

In general, the control means, main control means, central control means, described herein may be constituted by a computer, a computer, a programmable controller, an integrated circuit, or any other means of artificial intelligence adapted to the 'application.

In a particular embodiment, this servo device comprises an automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch, on which is fixed at least one setting for receiving watch, or movement, or the like. The servo device comprises, at this level, excitation means which are arranged to subject the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or comprises drive means arranged to subject the entire watch to a modulated motion generated by that master oscillator.

More particularly, at least one measurement of the error of operation is carried out before and / or after its stabilization by carrying out this method. More particularly, a display or an edition of the measured step error value is performed on a display or editing means provided in this regard.

It is understood that the gait adjustment is temporary, it is a passenger servo, as the watch remains under the effect of excitation oscillations generated by the master oscillator of the servo device.

It is important to note that this first development compensates for both an advance and a delay: in fact, some watches come out of the factory with a setting designed for a step ahead, while others have a setting centered on the value is zero, so that these watches can advance as well as delay. One can thus, thus, delay a watch which advances, or advance a watch which delays. It is notable that one does not degrade the running of a watch already correctly adjusted.

This servo can be done in addition to the optimal reassembly of the movement, either in sequence or simultaneously.

It is advantageous to use this first development to achieve, in a second development, the correction of a state error.

Indeed, this gait adjustment method, using a servo device, makes it possible to set the error of operation to zero seconds per day. But its principle is also usable to enslave the oscillator of the watch to another frequency, for example less 90 seconds per day, to correct a state error. This state error is either a measured value entered manually, or a value identified by a vision system, such as a camera with image processing to recognize the position of the hands or displays, or the like.

For example, a watch is set perfectly on time at 7 o'clock in the morning, then is worn all day with a constant walking error of +12 seconds per day, it is then measured at 22 o'clock the same day an error of state about +7.5 seconds. The user can implement the gait adjustment method with the gait control device.

This servo device is parameterizable, and able to impose on the watch, during the following night, an imposed walking error, and which is not necessarily zero. For example, if the servo device imposes on the watch, for two hours, a walking error of less than 90 seconds per day, the state of the watch is again accurate after this period of two hours.

After performing this state correction, the device can then impose a run error of 0 seconds per day until the user retrieves it. The watch will be in the morning perfectly on time: not only will it not have the error of state that it would have had staying one night at +12 seconds per day, but in addition it will have corrected its lead of 7.5 seconds taken during the day wear from the previous day. The table below summarizes this example: walking the watch without the invention (in seconds per day) state of the watch without the invention (in seconds) walking the watch with the invention (in seconds per day) state of the watch with the invention (in seconds) the day before at 7am 12 0 12 0 the day before at 22h 12 +7.5 12 +7.5 the day before from 22h to midnight 12 from +7.5 to +8.5 -90 from +7.5 to 0 the next day from midnight to 7am 12 from +8.5 to +12 0 0 the next day at 7am 12 12 12 0

Obviously, if one does not use the invention, this error of state accumulates over the days, and can reach several minutes per month if the user does not manually reset his watch on time.

The figure 4 shows a comparative experimental result with and without the invention. In this example it is a watch, chronometer certified, resulting from trade, and not adjusted or modified, which is subject to no winding by automatic winding or other; the barrel of this watch naturally discharges in a little more than 2 days (about 190000 seconds). The state of the watch is measured using a precision device as used by watchmakers. The state measurement is made on the complete discharge, dotted line in the enslaved state according to the invention, and solid line in the free state without the invention. This figure 4 shows that, without the invention, a watch or respectively a movement, even certified chronometer, accumulates a significant delay when its barrel discharges, while with the invention, its state remains very close to 0 seconds.

Thus, the second development relates to a method of correcting a watch state comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0.

According to this state correction method, the initial difference DI of error of operation is measured or evaluated. The state error is measured on the watch.

A state correction device is provided with a state-correction oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency NC to impose an oscillation and / or a movement on the entire watch during a retrofit phase. state after an initial time of activation of the state correction device. The duration of the state catch-up phase is adjusted to exactly catch a state error that is measured or evaluated on the watch at the initial activation time.

More particularly, the initial difference DI of the operating error of this usual oscillator is measured, and a state correction device is selected and used comprising a state-correction oscillator which has a difference of error of operation with respect to a reference, which is lower than this initial difference DI of error of operation. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above.

Of course, the state correction device may be the servo-control device presented above, provided that it has frequency generating means making it possible to obtain the required correction frequency NC.

It is understood that the duration D, during which it is necessary to apply an oscillation at a correction frequency NC to make up a difference in state E, is defined by the relation: D = (tf-ti) = E / (NC-N0) .

But, of course, the correction frequency NC can not be chosen in any way, because it is not necessary to move away from the resonant frequency, and, in practice, the difference (NC-N0) is preferably to be limited. about +/- 100 seconds a day.

The state correction can be implemented independently of the run adjustment, and uses a state correction device.

This state correction device is provided for the state correction of a watch comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with an initial measured difference DI of error of operation. In this second development, this state correction device comprises a state correction oscillator, which is arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency NC. And this state correction device is arranged to subject the entire watch to a correction oscillation generated by the state correction oscillator, and / or to a modulated motion generated by this state correction oscillator.

More particularly, this state correction device comprises control means, which are arranged to control the oscillation of the state correction oscillator, and which are interfaced with means for measuring the state of the watch, and that includes the state correction device.

Advantageously, these control means are interfaced with means for manual insertion by the user of a state correction duration, and / or are arranged to calculate this duration, as a function of the nominal frequency values N0, of frequency NC correction, and measured state deviation.

More particularly, the means for measuring the state of the watch are optical means of vision, which are advantageously completed by image processing means, in particular of the recognition of the position of the hands or displays of the watch, or respectively of the position of marks on movement mobiles.

In a variant, in the absence of automatic image processing means, the state correction device comprises control means which are arranged to control the correction oscillation of the state-control oscillator, and which are interfaced with manual input means by the user of a displayed time or a state difference, such as keyboard, or touch interface or the like, or interfaced by a wireless device with a mobile phone or "Smartphone" or "iPhone" or the like which include such manual insertion means.

The figure 7 illustrates such a device for correcting the state of a watch 2, with means 10 for measuring the state of the watch, such as a camera, interfaced with recognition means 11, a difference calculating cell 12 by comparison with a state reference 13, a frequency calculation and correction duration cell 14, and a run control 15. More particularly, this status reference 13 is an absolute reference as defined above. .

In a particular embodiment, this state correction device comprises an automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch, with at least one setting of receiving watch, or movement respectively. The state correction device comprises, at this level, excitation means, which are arranged to subject the entire watch, or respectively the entire movement, to a correction oscillation generated by this state correction oscillator, and / or drive means which are arranged to subject the entire watch, or respectively the entire movement, to a modulated movement generated by the state corrector oscillator.

The invention makes it possible to combine the two previously described actions, in the form of a method of adjusting the gait and correcting the state of a watch comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with an initial difference DI of error of operation, and where at least partially links the state catching phase and the transition phase of the two processes respective elementary elements.

The invention then implements a gait adjustment and watch state correction device comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with an initial measured difference DI of error of walk. According to the invention, this gait adjustment and state correction device comprises at least one such servo device, and at least one such state correction device, and main control means, which are arranged to controlling the excitation oscillation of the master oscillator and which are interfaced with means for measuring the operating error of the watch, which comprises the servo-control device, and for controlling the correction oscillation of the oscillator state corrector, and which are interfaced with means for measuring the state of the watch, that includes the state correction device.

More particularly, this gait adjustment and state correction device comprises at least one automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch, on which is fixed at least one such setting.

The invention also relates to an interactive watch correction support device, comprising at least one such servocontrol device, and this interactive correction support device comprises central running control means for adjusting to an identical value of error of operation. all watches subject to servo devices.

More particularly, this interactive watch correction support device comprises at least one such state correction device, and this interactive correction support device comprises central state control means for adjusting to an identical value of state every watches subject to state correction devices.

More particularly still, this interactive correction support device comprises main control means which constitute or coordinate these central means of driving and these central means of state control.

More particularly, this interactive correction support device comprises at least one automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch, on which is fixed at least one setting of receiving watch, or movement respectively.

In an advantageous application, this interactive correction support device is a display of exposure to the user or the public of watches and / or movements.

More particularly, this display is designed to receive a plurality of watches and / or movements of the same nominal frequency N0.

It is possible to enslave the various watches with a single system if the watches are identical, for example, or individually with separate controls if they are different (settings, models, brands, or other).

It is also possible to have different classes, and thus to differentiate the servocontrols, and / or the state corrections between classes or even between watches, if necessary.

The invention also relates to a watch which comprises at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with an initial measured difference DI of error of operation, which watch comprises a bracelet comprising at least one such device. servo.

More particularly, this bracelet comprises at least one state correction device, but which is much more difficult to integrate. Also, more particularly, this state correction device, integrated in the bracelet, comprises control means which are arranged to control the correction oscillation of the state-correction oscillator, and which are interfaced with means of control. manual introduction by the user of a displayed time or of a state difference, such as keyboard, or interface, or are interfaced with a means of communication, such as mobile phone or "Smartphone" or "iPhone" or similar, which includes such manual introduction means.

A particular embodiment relates to a bracelet comprising, in addition to the watch head, the oscillating servo system and the power source.

In another embodiment, this watch comprises resonance means of its platinum at the nominal frequency N0, or an integer multiple, including odd, of the nominal frequency N0.

The invention also relates to the use of a servo device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at an excitation frequency NE constituting a reference, which is equal to a frequency nominal N0, or an integer multiple, in particular an odd, of said nominal frequency N0, with a master difference AM of error of operation with respect to a reference, for the adjustment of running of a watch. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above, whose operating error is less than 1 second per day, advantageously less than 0.1 seconds per day. This watch comprises at least one usual oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at this nominal frequency N0, with an initial difference DI of any operating error. This gait adjustment is made by subjecting the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or to a modulated motion generated by this master oscillator, for a time sufficient to stabilize the error of operation. of the oscillator of the watch at a difference in operating error less than or equal to the master difference AM.

The invention also relates to the use of a state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at an excitation frequency NE, constituting a reference, which is equal to a nominal frequency N0, or to a an integer multiple, in particular an odd one, of said nominal frequency N0, with a master difference AM of error of operation with respect to a reference, and comprising a state correction oscillator arranged to generate a correction oscillation at a correction frequency NC, for the correction of the state of a watch. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above. This watch comprises at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at this nominal frequency N0, with an initial difference DI of any operating error. This state correction is made by subjecting the entire watch to a correction oscillation generated by the state-correction oscillator, and / or to a modulated movement generated by this state-correction oscillator, for a time sufficient for perform the required correction of the state of the watch, or movement, respectively.

The invention further relates to the use of a gait adjustment device and a state correction of a watch. This state adjustment and correction device comprises a master oscillator, which is arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency NE constituting a reference, which is equal to a nominal frequency N0, or an integer multiple, in particular odd, of said nominal frequency N0, with a master difference AM of error of to a reference for the adjustment of a watch. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above, whose operating error is less than 1 second per day, advantageously less than 0.1 seconds per day. This watch comprises at least one usual oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at this nominal frequency N0, with an initial difference DI of any operating error. This gait adjustment is made by subjecting the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or to a modulated motion generated by this master oscillator, for a time sufficient to stabilize the error of operation. of the oscillator of the watch, with a difference in operating error less than or equal to the master difference AM. And this gait adjustment and state correction device comprises a state correction oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency NC for the correction of the state of the watch, by the submission of this watch. integral to a correction oscillation generated by this state-correction oscillator, and / or to a modulated movement generated by this state-correction oscillator, for a time sufficient to effect the required correction of the state of the watch.

The invention further relates to the use of an automatic watch winder for mechanical or automatic watch, with at least one watch receiving pose, or movement, or the like for subjecting at least one entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency which is equal to a nominal frequency N0, or to an integer multiple, in particular odd, of said nominal frequency N0, with a master difference AM of error of to a reference for the adjustment of a watch. More particularly, this reference is an absolute reference as defined above, whose operating error is less than 1 second per day, advantageously less than 0.1 seconds per day, for the adjustment of a watch. This watch comprises at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at this nominal frequency N0, with an initial difference DI of any operating error.

This automatic winding comprises excitation means, which are arranged to subject the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or drive means arranged to subject the shows an entire modulated motion generated by the master oscillator. This gait adjustment is made by subjecting the entire watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator, and / or to a modulated motion generated by this master oscillator, for a time sufficient to stabilize the error of operation. of the oscillator of the watch at a difference in operating error less than or equal to the master difference AM. And this gait adjustment and state correction device comprises a state correction oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency NC for the correction of the state of the watch by the submission of this entire watch. a correction oscillation generated by this state-correction oscillator, and / or a modulated movement generated by this state-correction oscillator, for a time sufficient to effect the required correction of the state of the watch.

It is understood that the gait adjustment and the state correction are not made at the same time. But one and the other can be conducted successively, in a short period of time, for example overnight, or during a period when the user does not need to use his watch.

• sa mise en oeuvre est compatible avec toutes les montres mécaniques possédant au moins un résonateur avec oscillateur mécanique, coaxial, ou à ancre suisse ;
• sa mise en oeuvre ne nécessite pas d'intervention sur la montre, et en particulier pas d'ouverture de la boîte ;
• la position angulaire de la montre, ou du mouvement, sur son posage, est indifférente ;
• dans le cas de mise en oeuvre d'un dispositif d'asservissement ou de correction d'état comportant un remontoir automatique, une montre mécanique ou automatique peut à la fois rester armée et parfaitement à l'heure ;
• Il est possible de corriger une erreur d'état en imposant une erreur de marche opposée pendant un certain temps ;
• Il est également possible de corriger les montres qui retardent, et qui présentent une marche négative de quelques secondes par jour ;
• le principe d'asservissement d'une erreur de marche nulle ne nécessite pas forcément de rétroaction; tandis que la correction d'état nécessite par contre la connaissance de l'état des afficheurs ou aiguilles, notamment par vision ;
• l'utilisateur peut librement, et de façon réversible, décider d'imposer de l'avance ou du retard à sa montre.

The invention has several remarkable advantages:

• its implementation is compatible with all mechanical watches having at least one resonator with mechanical oscillator, coaxial, or Swiss anchor;
• its implementation does not require intervention on the watch, and in particular no opening of the box;
• the angular position of the watch, or of the movement, on its pose, is indifferent;
• in the case of implementation of a servo device or state correction comprising an automatic winding, a mechanical or automatic watch can both stay armed and perfectly on time;
• It is possible to correct a state error by imposing an opposite run error for a certain time;
• It is also possible to correct watches that delay, and have a negative step of a few seconds per day;
• the principle of servocontrolling a zero-run error does not necessarily require feedback; while the state correction requires the knowledge of the state of the displays or hands, particularly by vision;
• the user can freely, and reversibly, decide to impose advance or delay on his watch.

Of course, if the invention is designed to perform gait adjustments and state corrections without opening the watch and without separating the movement of the box, it applies a fortiori to a single movement.

In a particular variant, the invention is applied to the adjustment of operation of an electronic watch, with of course a master oscillator with a substantially lower operating error than the usual electronic watches.

Claims (19)

A method for correcting a state of a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), characterized in that a state correction comprising a state-correction oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency (NC) to impose an oscillation and / or a movement on said whole watch or said whole movement respectively, during a catch-up phase of state after an initial instant of activation of said state correction device, the duration of said state-recovery phase being adjusted to exactly catch a state error that is measured or evaluated on said watch or said movement respectively initial activation time. Process for the correction of a watch state or a movement according to claim 1, characterized in that the initial error (DI) of the operating error of said usual oscillator is measured in that a device is used. state correction device comprising a state-correction oscillator which has a difference in run error with respect to a reference, which is lower than said initial error (DI) of the run error. Process for the correction of a watch state or a movement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a winding device for mechanical or automatic watches arranged to move at least one posage on which one fixes said minus a watch or respectively said at least one movement. A method of gait adjustment and state correction of a watch or movement respectively, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), characterized in that a servo-control device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency (NE) constituting a reference, which is equal to said nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), and in that said whole watch or said whole motion is subjected to an excitation oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or to a modulated movement generated by said master oscillator, after an initial instant of activation of said servo device, at less during a transition phase at the end of which the frequency of the oscillator of said watch or respectively of said movement is stabilized at said excitation frequency (NE), and in that the correction method is implemented. state device according to one of claims 1 to 3, and in that at least partially said phase of catching up state and said transition phase. A state correction device for the correction of the state of a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with a initial error difference (DI), characterized in that said state correction device comprises a state-correction oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency (NC), and in that said state correction is arranged to subject said entire clock or said entire motion to oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or to a modulated motion generated by said state corrector oscillator. State correction device according to claim 5, characterized in that said state correction device comprises control means arranged to control the oscillation of said state correction oscillator and interfaced with state measurement means of said watch or said movement, respectively, that comprises said state correction device. State correction device according to claim 6, characterized in that said means for measuring the state of said watch or said movement respectively are optical means of vision and image processing. State correction device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said state correction device comprises control means arranged to control the oscillation of said state correction oscillator and interfaced with manual insertion means by the user of a displayed time or a status difference. State correction device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said state correction device comprises an automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch with at least one setting of receiving watch or movement respectively, at which posage said state correction device comprises excitation means arranged to subject said entire watch or said whole movement respectively to a oscillation generated by said state corrector oscillator, and / or drive means arranged to subject said entire watch or said entire movement to a modulated movement generated by said state corrector oscillator. A gait adjustment device and a watch state or a movement correction, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial difference ( DI) of running error, characterized in that said step of adjusting and correcting device status includes at least one servo device for walking adjusting a watch or respectively of a movement, said shows or respectively said movement comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial difference (DI) of error of operation, characterized in that said servo device comprises a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency (NE), constituting a reference, which is equal to said nominal frequency (N0) , or at an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master error (AM) of running error with respect to a reference, which is lower than said initial error (DI) of a run error, and in that said servo device is arranged to subject said entire clock or said entire motion to an excitation oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or to a modulated motion generated by said master oscillator, and at least one state correction according to one of claims 5 to 9, and the main control means, which are arranged to control the excitation oscillation of said master oscillator and interfaced with means for measuring the operating error of said shows or respectively said movement, which comprises said at least one servo device, and to control the oscillation of said state corrector oscillator and interfaced with measuring means re of the state of said watch or said movement respectively, that comprises said at least one state correction device. An interactive watch or movement correction support device comprising at least one servo device for the adjustment of a watch or a movement, said watch or said movement comprising at least one conventional oscillator arranged for generating an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial error difference (DI) of gait error, characterized in that said servocontrol device comprises a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at a frequency of an excitation (NE), constituting a reference, which is equal to said nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master error (AM) of a running error with respect to a reference, which is lower than said initial error (ID) of error of operation, and in that said servo device is arranged to subject said entire watch or said entire movement respectively to an excitation oscillation generated by said oscillator master and / or a modulated movement generated by said master oscillator, characterized in that said interactive correction support device comprises central control means of running to adjust to an identical value of error of operation all watches subjected to said servo-control devices, said interactive support device comprising at least one state-correction device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said interactive correction support device comprises central state control means for adjusting to an identical state value all the watches subjected to said state correction devices. Interactive support device for clock correction or movement correction according to claim 11, characterized in that said interactive correction support device comprises principal control means constituting or coordinating said central gating control means and said central control means of steering. state. Interactive support device for clock correction or movement correction according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said interactive correction support device comprises at least one automatic winding for mechanical or automatic watch, on which is fixed at least one receiving fixture watch or movement respectively. Interactive support device for clock correction or movement correction according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said interactive correction support device is a display for public display of watches and / or movements. Watch comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial difference (DI) of error characterized in that said watch comprises a bracelet comprising at least one servo device for the adjustment of a watch or a movement respectively, said watch or said movement comprising at least one conventional oscillator arranged for generating an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial error difference (DI) of gait error, characterized in that said servocontrol device comprises a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at a frequency of an excitation (NE), constituting a reference, which is equal to said nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master error (AM) of a running error with respect to a reference, which is lower than said initial error (ID) of error of operation, and in that said servo device is arranged to submit said entire watch or respe said entire motion to an excitation oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or to a modulated movement generated by said master oscillator, and characterized in that said bracelet comprises at least one state correction device according to one of the Claims 5 to 9. Watch according to claim 15, characterized in that said watch comprises means for resonating its plate at said nominal frequency (N0), or an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0). Use of a state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), or an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master difference (AM) of error of operation with respect to a reference, and comprising a state correction oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency (NC) for the correction of state of a watch or respectively a movement, said watch or respectively said movement comprising at least one conventional oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at said nominal frequency (N0) with an initial difference (DI) of a running error greater than said master difference (AM), by the submission of said entire watch or respectively said entire motion to an oscillation generated by said state corrector oscillator and / or a modulated motion generated by said oscillator correc state, for a time sufficient to effect the required correction of the state of said watch or said movement respectively. Use of a gait adjustment device and a watch state or movement correction, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency (N0), with an initial error difference (DI), said gait adjustment and state correction device comprising a master oscillator arranged to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency (NE), constituting a reference, which is equal to a nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master error (AM) of running error with respect to a reference, for the duty adjustment of a watch or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at said nominal frequency (N0) with a difference i nitrate (DI) greater than said master difference (AM), by subjecting said entire clock or said entire motion to an excitation oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or a modulated motion generated by said master oscillator; said master oscillator, for a time sufficient to stabilize the operating error of the oscillator of said watch or said movement respectively to a difference in operating error less than or equal to said master difference (AM), and said device of running adjustment and state correction comprising a state-correction oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency (NC) for the state correction of said watch or said movement respectively, by the submission of said entire watch or respectively said entire motion to an oscillation generated by said state corrector oscillator and / or a modulated motion generated p ar said said state correction oscillator, for a time sufficient to effect the required correction of the state of said watch or said movement respectively. Use of an automatic watch winder for mechanical or automatic watch with at least one watch or movement receiving pose, for subjecting at least one whole watch or respectively an entire movement to an excitation oscillation generated by a master oscillator arranged to generating an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency (NE), constituting a reference, which is equal to a nominal frequency (N0), or to an integer multiple of said nominal frequency (N0), with a master difference (AM ) of error of operation with respect to a reference, for the adjustment of a shows or respectively a movement, said watch or said movement respectively comprising at least one usual oscillator arranged to generate an oscillation at said nominal frequency (N0), with an initial difference (DI) of a running error greater than said master difference (AM) ), by subjecting said entire clock or said entire motion to an excitation oscillation generated by said master oscillator and / or to a modulated motion generated by said master oscillator, for a time sufficient to stabilize the error of operation of the oscillator of said watch or said movement respectively to a difference in operating error less than or equal to said master difference (AM), and said state adjustment and state correction device comprising an arranged state corrector oscillator to generate an oscillation at a correction frequency (NC) for the state correction of said watch or resp ectively said movement, by the submission of said entire watch or respectively said entire movement to an oscillation generated by said oscillator state corrector and / or a modulated movement generated by said oscillator state corrector, for a time sufficient to perform the correction required of the state of said watch or said movement respectively.

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