EP3579059A1 - Display system comprising a display module with elements movable around deformable links and a reversible device for locking said movable elements in at least one position - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analog display system, comprising: - A display module comprising a fixed frame and at least two substantially rigid display members, said display members each comprising a display portion of a pattern , said display portions being complementary to each other so that they form said pattern in at least one relative position of said display members - at least one of the display members being integral and movable relative to the constructed by means of a deformable link at least between a first rest position in which said display portions are distant from each other and a display position in which said display portions are counter affixed to each other to form and display said pattern, - the said movable display member (s) relative to the frame cooperate with an actuating pusher arranged to transmit a force of displacement of this display member by elastic deformation around its deformable link (s) from said rest position to said display position, and a reversible blocking device for the actuation pushers of the mobile display members of said module 'display.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the general field of microtechnology and in particular the manufacture of parts by silicon etching. The invention more particularly relates to a display system comprising at least one mechanical display module comprising a plurality of relatively movable elements around at least one deformable link and a reversible locking device of said movable elements. in at least one position, thus allowing animated display according to certain sequences.

The display system of the invention finds particular application in the watch industry, in particular for the production of watch dials or animated clocks, but also for any type of animated display for aesthetic, informational or other purposes.

State of the art

Analog display systems, particularly with needles, have been known and used for decades in a multitude of applications in order to provide a direct indication, for example on a graduated scale, a dial or other system of representation of a value of measuring a physical quantity such as speed, temperature, pressure, intensity, voltage or electrical resistance, any information, or probably the most widespread for the measurement of time.

In a large majority of cases, the hands of a display device consist of a rigid unitary body integral with an axis of rotation mu by a movement, for example a watch movement in the case of a piece of watchmaking. At each rotation step of the axis of rotation the needle performs a corresponding rotation, at least one of its free ends describing a circular section trajectory thus pointing in each of its positions on the circular path information value indication physical measured, a calendar of time, or generally any information to be indicated to a user. The indication is thus made essentially in the longitudinal axis of the needle at one and / or the other of its opposite ends, in collaboration where appropriate with an underlying display, such as a scale by example.

Also known, particularly for clocks, mechanical display systems, for example pallet, which indicate a time information by alignment of numbers printed on the pallets, the latter being rotated about an axis by gravity during the release blocking locks at each date of the month to be indicated.

Other display variants operated by mechanical systems have also been proposed in the state of the art, essentially in the field of watchmaking. These include the "nail board" type digital display of the Opus 8 model, marketed by Harry Winston SA, or the digital display device of the current time by rotation of a sub-disk. to a dial with a counter as proposed in the Swiss patent application CH 691833 A5 .

These different displays all have the disadvantage of proceeding from a complex structure of different superimposed elements and requiring additional actuation mechanisms to the basic clock mechanism to which these actuating mechanisms must be coupled, which disrupts the operation of the device. watchmaking movement or at the very least negatively affects energy consumption.

The applicant has proposed in the patent CH712875 the production of monolithic display modules obtained by silicon etching and making it possible to produce watch dials or any digital display or animated aesthetics, comprising movable display elements around flexible links formed in the mass during the etching of the modules. The display elements of the module are set in motion by means of a cam that is rotated, for example by a watch movement, and during its rotation pushes an actuating arm that mobilizes the flexible links and the suitable movement of the display elements between a rest position and a display position, thereby providing a digital display of the value of the time (or of any date). The time pattern is then visible for a limited time corresponding to the duration of the passage from the highest point of the active sector of the cam to the contact of the actuating arm and then gradually disappears as the arm of actuation, driven by the restoring forces of the flexible links, follows the downward profile of the sector of the cam and causes the distance of the display elements from each other and the disappearance of the patterns. The activation area of the main cam is set so that the time is completely readable from the beginning of one hour (corresponding to the passage of the minute hand at 12 o'clock) until a few minutes of the change of time. time during which the current time h disappears gradually as the time h + 1 appears, in the manner of a fade-in transition, until the exact time, from which only the hour l h + 1 is visible on the dial. Since the encrypted display patterns are arranged in steps of 30 ° within the display module, the active sector of the cam must have a value greater than 30 ° to allow the cross-fade.

By increasing the angle of the activation area of the main cam it is possible to display more than one hour at a time, for example [h-1; h] or [h-2; h-1; h] , or more generally [hn; ....; h-1; h], but always the same number of hours. It is therefore not possible by this approach to make a display with a more complex animation, for example a display showing the progression of the hours in the form h then one hour after [h-1; h], then one hour after [h-2; h-1; h], then [h-3; h-2; h -1; h], etc.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage and to propose a solution allowing a complex display, permanent or not display patterns, where appropriate with sequential animations.

Object of the invention

For this purpose, the present invention provides a display system and a timepiece as defined in the claims.

Thus according to a first object, the invention relates to a display system comprising a display module as described in the application CH712875 and a reversible locking device of the actuating pushers of the movable display members of said display module.

The display module comprises in known manner a fixed frame and at least two substantially rigid display members, each having a display portion of a pattern, said display portions being complementary to each other. so that they form the said pattern in at least one relative position of said display members. At least one of the display members is secured to and movable relative to the frame via a deformable link at least between a first rest position in which said display portions are spaced from each other and a display position in which said display portions are counter-affixed to each other to form and display said pattern. Said display members are movable relative to the frame and cooperate with an actuating pusher arranged to transmit a displacement force of this display member by elastic deformation around its or its deformable connections from said rest position to said position of display.

In the context of the invention, the term "rigid display members" refers to elements of the display module that participate in the one-time display of a time calendar and consist of a material whose Young's modulus is greater than at 2.3 GPa.

Advantageously according to the invention, said display members, the frame and the deformable links form a monolithic piece. In other words, the elements of the display module are formed of a single material without assembly.

The display module of the invention may for example be made by molding and / or machining metal alloys, glasses, ceramics (Al ₂ O ₃ ), hard machinable and / or photocurable polymers (epoxy, PEEK). .

According to an advantageous embodiment, the display module of the invention is advantageously made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon. The silicon surface can be covered with different layers (oxide, metal, ...) to improve its aesthetics or its mechanical performance, or to allow the addition of decorative elements on the surface. The display module can thus advantageously be produced by deep silicon etching processes.

According to one embodiment of the body of the invention at least one display member may comprise a plurality of deformable links relative to the frame. The procuration of several deformable links makes it possible in particular to limit the number of degrees of freedom of a display member relative to the frame, for example in translation or in rotation.

According to the various embodiments of the invention, and particularly in the context of a display module made of silicon, the deformable links are preferably made of flexible blades with a width of between 2 and 50 microns, the thickness of the frame and the display member (s) being greater than 30 microns. This dimensioning thus effectively provides elasticity to the flexible blades forming the deformable links while the greater thickness portions of the frame and the display members are completely rigid and have no elastic nature.

Preferably, the reversible locking device of the operating actuators of the display members forms a monolithic piece with said display members, the frame and or the deformable links.

Preferably, the reversible blocking device and the display module form a multi-level monolithic assembly.

Preferably, the reversible locking device comprises piston actuators arranged to mobilize said actuating pusher in response to a control of a control device.

Alternatively, the reversible locking device comprises locking members arranged to maintain said actuating pushers in response to a control of a control device.

Alternatively again, the reversible locking device comprises complementary locking members arranged at least partially on the actuating pusher for holding said actuating pushers in the display position of the display members and able to be released in response to a control of a control device.

More preferably the display system of the invention comprises an actuating device arranged to transmit a motor force on the actuating pusher so as to induce a displacement of the movable display member (s) from the rest position to the display position.

The actuating device may comprise a cam or a pin, said actuating device being rotatable about an axis of rotation and arranged relative to the actuating pusher so that said cam or said pin exerts at least an angular position around the axis of rotation on the actuating pusher a force able to mobilize said pusher

Advantageously, the actuating device is also a device for controlling said device for locking the actuating push-buttons.

The present invention finally relates to a timepiece characterized in that it comprises a display system as previously described. In this context, the actuating device of the display system is preferably kinematically linked to the hours mobile and / or the minute mobile of a watch movement and the display module or modules are arranged to display a date of time.

Preferably, the display system is also configured to display the hours over 12 consecutive hours and arranged in a kinematic connection with the watch movement to indicate a calendar time by successive blocking each hour full of display members of the corresponding pattern up to display pattern "12" in which the other patterns disappear successively clockwise or anticlockwise by releasing the locking device of said actuators.

Description of the figures

• Les figures 1A et 1B représentent un module d'affichage tel que connu de l'art antérieur ;
• Les figures 2A et 2B représentent une première variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention ;
• Les figures 3A et 3B représentent une seconde variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention ;
• Les figures 4A et 4B représentent une troisième variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention ;
• Les figures 5A à 5C représentent une quatrième variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention, avec un dispositif de blocage monolithique avec le module d'affichage et un dispositif de déblocage distinct ;
• Les figures 6A à 6D représentent une cinquième variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention avec un dispositif de blocage monolithique avec le module d'affichage ;
• Les figures 7A à 7D représentent un dispositif de déblocage monolithique avec le dispositif de blocage et le module d'affichage dans la cinquième variante de réalisation ;
• Les figues 8A à 8F représentent la cinématique de fonctionnement du dispositif de déblocage de la cinquième variante de réalisation d'un système d'affichage selon l'invention ;
• Les figures 9A à 9F représentent la cinématique de fonctionnement d'un dispositif de mise à l'heure dans un sens antihoraire pour la cinquième variante de réalisation du système selon l'invention ;
• La figure 10 représente une vue schématique en coupe longitudinale d'un module de l'invention gravé sur plusieurs niveaux A, B, C..

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment made with reference to the Figures 1 to 10 annexed, among which:

• The Figures 1A and 1B represent a display module as known from the prior art;
• The Figures 2A and 2B represent a first variant embodiment of a display system according to the invention;
• The Figures 3A and 3B represent a second variant embodiment of a display system according to the invention;
• The Figures 4A and 4B represent a third variant embodiment of a display system according to the invention;
• The FIGS. 5A to 5C represent a fourth alternative embodiment of a display system according to the invention, with a monolithic locking device with the display module and a separate unlocking device;
• The Figures 6A to 6D represent a fifth variant embodiment of a display system according to the invention with a monolithic locking device with the display module;
• The Figures 7A to 7D represent a monolithic unblocking device with the blocking device and the display module in the fifth variant embodiment;
• FIGS. 8A to 8F show the operating kinematics of the unlocking device of the fifth variant embodiment of a display system according to the invention;
• The Figures 9A to 9F represent the operating kinematics of a time-setting device in a counter-clockwise direction for the fifth variant embodiment of the system according to the invention;
• The figure 10 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a module of the invention engraved on several levels A, B, C ..

Description of Embodiments of the Invention

The present invention relates to an analog display system of a new kind, allowing the realization of complex animations within the display members of said display system and according to different modes and purposes of display.

More particularly, the display system of the invention can be applied to a whole timekeeping system by the digital and analog representation, that is to say in the form of figures formed by bodies of analog display, as opposed to electronic type display members, the desired time period, for example the value of the hour h.

The invention follows from the principles already described in the application CH 712875 of the plaintiff who describes a dial allowing an animated display of the time. This dial can be formed of twelve elementary modules each animating an hour as presented on the Fig. 1A and 1B or be formed on a monolithic form comprising the twelve modules interconnected in a unitary room. The display of a said calendar date h is however identical regardless of the embodiment of the dial.

As shown on Figures 1A and 1B a display module 1 according to the invention consists of a digital display module of a pattern M such as a number or a number comprising a fixed frame 2 to which at least two display members, five display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 to form the number "12" ( Figure 1B ). The display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are integral with the frame 2 and each comprise a display portion of the pattern M, said display portions being complementary to one another so as to form said M in at least one display position as shown in FIG. Figure 1B .

For this purpose, at least some of the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are movable relative to the frame 2 by means of at least one deformable link 4 formed by at least one flexible blade 41 between a first rest position, shown on the Figure 1A , wherein the display portions of the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are spaced from each other and said display position, shown in FIG. Figure 1B wherein said display portions are counter-affixed to each other to form and display the pattern M.

The displacement of the movable display members around their deformable connection 4 between the rest and display positions results from the displacement of an actuating pusher 5 also integral with the frame 2 by a linear guide 8 blade translation structure 8. flexible 81. The pusher 5 comprises at its lower end a contact member adapted to cooperate with an actuating device 6, such as a cam 61 rotatable about an axis A. at its upper end the pusher 5 comprises a plateau 51 of which are secured two flexible "butterfly" pivots 42 connected to the base of deformable actuating flip-flops B1, B2 at the upper end of which are attached the display members 32, 33, 34. The display members are thus mobile around the deformable links. Such a construction has the advantage of not providing any friction within the display module 1 due to movements, only deformations, therefore a minimum energy loss.

The display module 1 of the invention is advantageously constituted by a monolithic piece formed of a rigid material, which is understood in the context of the present invention as any material whose Young's modulus is greater than 2.3 GPa. . As such a preferred embodiment of the display module 1 of the invention is silicon, monocrystalline or polycrystalline, from which it can easily, for example by deep etching processes (including DRIE - for Deep Reactive-ion Etching in English), forming the frame 2 and the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 connected to each other by at least one or more flexible blades 41 with a width of between 2 and 50 microns, the thickness of the frame 2 and the display member (s) being preferably greater than 30 microns.

The frame 2 of the display module 1 can be fixed on a dial, a disc or directly on the middle part of a watch case for a skeleton watch by any appropriate means and in particular gluing or welding. As an actuating device 6, one having one or more cams 61, is kinematically linked to the hour gun and pivots around the axis A, for example centered on the dial of the watch as in a conventional needle display.

The operation of such a display system is particularly simple. During rotation of the ring 6 under the driving action of the clock wheel of a watch movement, the cam 61 pushes the free end of the actuating pusher 5 ( Figure 1B ) which acts as a follower, and causes a translation movement of the actuating pusher 5 along its longitudinal axis by deformation of the guide structure 8. This translation induces a rise of the plate 51 and the deformation of the butterfly pivots 42, causing the rotation of the two latches B1 and B2. The display members 32, 33, 34 connected to the upper ends of said flip-flops B1, B2 then fit in the display position vis-à-vis the other display portions 31, 35 to form the pattern M. After the passage of the cam 61 the follower contact of the actuating pusher 5 rests on the ring 6. The display members 32, 33, 34 then deviate to return to the rest position ( Figure 1A ) and the pattern is no longer visible.

An animated display system is thus produced comprising movable display portions according to a determined period to generate a visual animation effect within the display.

According to the operating principle of the module 1 previously described, the operation of the display is entirely dependent on the interaction of the pusher 5 with the cam 61. The angular sector of activation of the cam 61, corresponding to its parts may have an action on the pusher 5 comprises a rising profile A1, a high point A2 and a downward profile A3.poussoirpoussoir. The pattern M formed in the display position, that is to say when the pusher 5 is in contact with the high point A2 of the cam 61 is visible throughout the duration of the high point and then gradually disappears as and when that the rod of the pusher 5, driven by the restoring forces of the flexible mechanisms 8, 42, B1, B2, follows the descending profile and causes the removal of the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 any of the other. The separation is complete when the pusher 5 returns to its low rest position. The activation sector of the cam 61 is set so that the time is completely readable from the beginning (minute hand indicating the "12") until a few minutes of the time change during which time in progress h disappears little by little as the hour h + 1 appears, in the manner of a fade-in transition, until the exact time, from which only the hour h + 1 is visible on the dial. Considering a complete dial consisting of 12 display modules 1 for each hour h to be displayed in a conventional form of display modules must then be located on the dial in steps of 30 ° and the activation sector of the cam 61 the actuating device 6 must have a value greater than 30 ° to allow the cross-fade.

By increasing the angle of the activation sector of the cam 61 it is possible to display more than one hour at a time, for example [h-1; h] or [h-2; h-1; h] , or more generally [hn; ....; h-1; h], but always only a fixed and invariant number of hours. It is therefore not possible by this approach to make a display with a more complex animation, for example a display indicating the progression of the hours in the form h then one hour after [h-1; h], then one hour after [ h-2; h-1; h], then [h-3; h-2; h-1; h], etc.

The present invention aims to improve a display system consisting of one or more modules as previously described in order to provide an evolutionary display of the time, also taking into account the passage at 12h / 24h, as for example with displays with pallets or digital on 12h. The invention aims in particular to provide a display system comprising a dial formed of 12 modules as described in FIGS. Figures 1A and 1B to form a 12h display respecting a display sequence such that at time t = 1:00 the system, legibly displays the number "1" in the first sector (first module), the 11 eleven other sectors are not readable . Then one hour later, at t = 2:00, only the "1" and the "2" are visible. In the course of time the sequence continues so that the current time as well as all the previous hours are readable from the value "1".

At t = 11:00, the "11" is displayed. All other numbers are readable. In the last minutes before the appearance of the "12" corresponding to noon, the numbers displayed will gradually disappear being rendered illegible. The sequence of disappearing numbers begins with the "1", then the "2" and so on until all the numbers from "1" to "10" disappear. The "11" finally disappears and the "12" becomes readable. This disappearing sequence is done in the clockwise direction. It indicates that the time continues and that the "12" indicated corresponds to noon.

Then, At t = 13:00, the "12" disappears and only the "1" is displayed on the dial and the progressive display sequence is carried out over time as previously described until t = 23:00 where are displayed all number of "1" to "11". During the last minutes before the appearance of the "12" midnight the values displayed will disappear being rendered illegible. The number-disappearing sequence begins with the "10" and then progresses to finally making all numbers from "10" to "1" disappear in a retrograde fashion. The "11" disappears and the "12" becomes readable. "

This disappearance sequence is counter-clockwise, indicating that the "12" displayed corresponds to midnight, this retrograde sequence marking the return to the beginning of a new day.

This complex animated display sequence allows both a digital and analog representation of the progression of time, as well as the passage of noon (am / pm).

The realization of a display system capable of implementing the display sequence mentioned above may result from different approaches using basic display modules described in FIGS. Figures 1A and 1B assembled or integrally formed in monolithic form in 12h display dials to cooperate with an actuating device 6 coupled to the hour wheel of a watch movement, which may be both mechanical and electronic (quartz). All of these approaches require blocking for a specified duration, corresponding to the number of hours separating the moment Normal display of the pattern M of each module at the corresponding full hour of noon or midnight, therefore the passage at 12 o'clock on the dial containing the modules.

These different approaches are presented below in an order indicating a gradual decrease in the necessary mechanical complexity required for a watch movement to allow the display as described above, corresponding to a progressive increase in the complexity of the monolithic display modules. .

Approach # 1

This first approach is presented on Figs.2A and 2B , showing only an enlargement of the lower part of a module 1 as presented on the Fig.1 , for simplification and sake of clarity of representation, a full 12h display dial with 12 identical modules

The pusher 5 of a said module 1 is actuated in this approach individually by an actuating device 6 comprising twelve individual actuators 62 successively controlled by the watch movement, said actuators 62 may be fingers or pistons as shown in FIGS. Figures 2A, 2B or cams, thus controlling at all times their movement and their position .. The watch movement must control the twelve individual actuators 62 which represents a significant complexity of the watch movement. This solution allows a great freedom in the display and organization of patterns.

Approach # 2

This achievement is presented on Figs.3A and 3B . As for the Fig.1 , the pusher 5 is brought from its rest position ( Fig. 3A ) at its top display position ( Fig. 3B ) by means of a single cam actuator 61 driven by the hour wheel of the watch movement. Keeping the pusher 5 of a module in the up position to produce the above-mentioned display sequence is obtained by locking members 9, of the gripper or friction pad type, actuated by the watch movement when the cam 61 reaches its high point. The locking members 9 make it possible to block or unblock individually the descent of each rod of the pushers 5 towards their rest position. This locking can be performed in the up position or in any other intermediate position between the high position and the rest position.

Approach # 3

This third approach, presented on Figures 4A and 4B aims to integrate at least a functional part of the necessary locking device of the push rod 5 in the upper display position to obtain the maintenance of the display members of a module 1 to maintain the formation of the pattern M one hour during the previously defined display sequence. For this, the push rod 5 advantageously comprises discrete stopping points formed by notches 52 embodied by notches 52a or protuberances 52b, preferably in the form of a triangular harpoon, intended to cooperate with a complementary locking member 9 driven by the watch movement and provided with a bolt 91 for blocking ( Fig. 4B ) a detent, so to block the pusher 5 in its high position after normal actuation by pushing the cam 61 connected to the hour wheel of the watch movement, or to unlock a detent to release the push rod ( Fig. 4A ) which can return to its rest position, this release occurring independently of the cam 61 of the actuating device 6.

This embodiment therefore significantly reduces the size of the pusher blocking elements 5 controlled by the watch movement at each unit unit 1 display. However, it still requires the implementation of a mechanism for controlling said blocking elements according to the previously defined sequence, which implies an appropriate steering mechanism, mechanical or electronic, and therefore an adaptation of an existing watch movement, such as the two previous approaches.

Approach # 4

This embodiment represents an improvement of the previous one, with an even greater integration of the blocking elements within the display unit modules. As shown on Fig. 5A to 5C at least one triangular harpoon catch 52 is formed on the rod of the pusher 5 and a locking trigger 10 is formed of material in connection with the frame 2 substantially facing the notch moving region of stop 52. The locking trigger 10 is composed as the rest of the module 1 of silicon and comprises a rigid body 101 incorporating at an upper end a bolt 102 forming a lateral projection on the rigid body 101 in the direction of the rod of the pusher 5. The base of the rigid body 101 comprises a finger 103 connecting to the frame 2 by means of a flexible blade 110, which allows the rigid body 101 to pivot or more exactly rock relative to the frame 2 and the pusher 5 when a constraint is applied to the rigid body 101 or the bolt 102 ..

On the Fig. 5A to 5C the actuating device 6 of the pusher 5 is not represented by simplification of representation. However, the latter is necessary to actuate the pusher 5 and it may advantageously consist of a rotary cam 61 as in the previous examples. The Figure 5A represents the module 1 and the pusher 5 in the position of rest, that is to say, similar to Figure 1A with the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 separated from each other, the pattern M not being formed. When the cam 61 engages the lower end of the pusher 5 and reaches its high point ( Fig. 5B ) the push rod 5 is pushed upwards which causes the rise of the stopper 52, the beveled plane takes during the upward support on the bolt 102 of the trigger 10 and pushes it back, causing the tilting of the trigger 10 around its flexible connection 110. Arrived at the high point the detent exceeds the bolt 102 which falls under the detent by the elastic return effect of the link 110 on the trigger 10. The notch stopping then bears on the bolt 102, operating the blocking of the pusher 5 in the high position of display. The trigger 10 is then engaged. Release of the trigger 10 to allow the return of the pusher 5 to its rest position occurs ( Fig. 5C ) then via a detent element9, consisting of a pusher or a cam controlled by the watch movement, said detent element 9 resting on a trigger releasing latch 104 by making it toggle, which releases the detent 52 and allows the push rod 5 to return to its rest position, as well as the display members of the module 1.

Approach 5

This embodiment presents an embodiment of a complete monolithic display dial CD, partially shown in FIGS. Figures 8A to 8F , comprising monolithic modules 1, 1 'associated with a blocking device 9 integrated in said modules 1, 1' and comprising all the functions necessary for blocking and unblocking the push-buttons 5 of the modules 1, 1 'in order to produce a sequence of animated display of the time as previously defined. The CD dial consisting of such modules 1, 1 'does not require any modification of a watch movement with which it is associated and the actuation of the pusher 5 of the module 1 as well as its locking / unlocking only requires the actuating device 6 to cam 61 or the like coupled to the wheel of the hours of movement, as presented in relation to Figures 1A and 1B ..

The modules 1, 1 'have, in this embodiment, a more complex structure, obtained on three levels of etching A, B, C of a base substrate, preferably formed of a composite substrate of SOI type (Silicon On Insulator ) diagrammatically shown in figure 10 In a manner well known to those skilled in the field of microtechnologies on SOI substrate, each of the levels A, B, C of etching can be etched separately and defined a separate etching plane PA, PB, PC, the decoupling between elements different levels being achieved by a partial attack of the oxide connecting the 2 levels.

The hours CD display dial consists of a set of two types of modules 1, 1 '. The first type of module 1 is an elementary module as presented on the Fig.1 equipped with a blocking device adapted to keep the display of the pattern M active each module 1 until the next passage at noon / midnight. This first type of module 1 is therefore intended to display the hours of "1" to "11". The second type of module 1 'is an elementary module as presented on the Fig.1 , equipped with an unlocking device adapted to release the blocking device of each module 1 of the first type during the passage at 12 o'clock (noon / midnight) in order to provide the corresponding animation as defined in the predefined desired display sequence . This second type of module 1 'is therefore intended to achieve the display of the "12".

A detailed description of each first and second type of module 1, 1 'and their respective locking device and release device is presented below.

First type of module 1 and its blocking device:

This first type of module 1 is represented in a preferred embodiment for Figures 6A to 6D .

As in the two previous approaches, the push rod 5 comprises at least one triangular harpoon discrete stopper 52. The pusher 5, as well as the frame 2 to which it is attached, the translation device 8, the links flexible butterflies 42, latches B1, B2 the display members 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and the flexible blades 4 are made on the upper level (Si Device - A) of a SOI substrate. The module 1 also comprises a locking trigger 12, which is made on a lower level (Si Handle - B) of the same SOI substrate. This locking trigger 12 is composed of a rigid body 121 of complex shape, comprising a lower plate 121a, integral with a median cross section 121b itself integral with an arcuate terminal sector 121c. A free end of the lower plate 121a comprises a trigger finger 1211 and a trigger lever 1212 and the free end of the terminal sector 121c forms a bolt 1214 whose shape extends in thickness to the upper level. So, taking reference to the figure 10 As a longitudinal section of the module 1, the bolt 1214 forms a projection perpendicular to the plane PB in which the trigger 12 is formed and which extends in the plane PA forming the pusher 5 and its detent 52 so that these elements can cooperate with each other. The body of the trigger 121 can be pivoted by means of a set of flexible blades 1215 which connects it to the frame 2 module 1 at the upper level by a connecting pillar 1216.

On the Figure 6A , the trigger 12 and the pusher 5 of the module 1 are initially in their rest position. When the push rod 5 rises ( Fig. 6B ) under the action of the actuating cam (not shown) integral with the hour wheel as on the Figures 1A, 1B , the tapered portion of the detent 52 pushes the bolt 1214 and causes the trigger 12 to tilt around its flexible latch formed blades 1215 .. Arrived at the high point of the actuating cam, the pusher 5 is in position display and the detent 52 is passed over the bolt 1214 which then returns to its rest position and prevents the push rod 5 to go down. The trigger 12 is then engaged.

The module 1 finally includes a mechanism 16 which allows the setting of the time in counterclockwise mode whose operation is detailed below. This mechanism allows more particularly to disengage the trigger 12 so that it does not act on the pusher 5 during a time setting in the counterclockwise direction.

Second type of module 1 'and its deblocking device :

The second type of module 1 'of the animated CD display dial of the invention in this 5th approach is shown in FIGS. Figures 7A to 7D . The peculiarity of this second module 1 ', intended for the display of the "12" lies in the procuration in the monolithic structure of a mechanism for unlocking the triggers 12 blocking modules 1 of the first type. This mechanism comprises in the first place a double cam 17 formed on the pusher 5 'of said module 1', this double cam 17 acting on a trigger trigger mechanism 12 of the modules 1 as previously presented to allow the release of the pusher 5 of each module 1 and its return to the rest position.

The double cam 17 consists of an arrow or tip comprising two inclined planes 17a, 17b symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction of the push rod 5 'through which the tip 17c junction of said inclined planes 17a, 17b, the inclined plane 17a for activating the expansion mechanism in a clockwise direction and the inclined plane 17b for activating the expansion mechanism in a counterclockwise direction.

The trigger mechanism is formed on the lower level of the substrate in which the modules 1, 1 'are etched and comprises a movable expansion wheel 13 shaped to interact with the double cam 17 of the module 1' of the second type to allow a release of the locking trigger 12 of the modules 1 of the first type during passages at noon and midnight, that is to say at each passage at 12 o'clock CD dial. It comprises a fixed hub 14 to which the trigger wheel 13 is connected and relative to which it can pivot through at least one flexible blade 15 or a set of radial flexible blades between the hub 14 and the wheel of relaxation 13 ( Fig. 6A ). The fixed hub 14 is connected to the frame 2 of the module 1 between the two levels of etching thereof, in conventional manner.

The expansion wheel 13 is advantageously shaped to cooperate on the one hand with the fingers 1211 of the triggers 12 of each module 1 of the first type of the dial CD and on the other hand with the double cam 17 of the module 1 'of the second type forming said CD dial. It thus has on its upper peripheral field (with reference to the figures), at said finger 1211 of the trigger 12 of each module 1 a recess 131 forming at its ends a clockwise cam 132 and a cam counterclockwise relaxation 133. It further comprises an expansion probe 18 formed this time on the lower field (still with reference to the figures) of the expansion wheel 13 at the level of the second type of module 1 ', said probe 18 comprising a contact ball 181 formed in FIG. free end of a flexible blade 182 whose base is connected to an inverting rocker 19. The inverting rocker 19 has at one of its ends a flip-flop contact 20 and at the other end a strike of flip-flop 21. The inverting rocker 19 can pivot about its point of junction with the blade 182 thanks to a pair of flexible blades 22 symmetrical with respect to said flexible blade 183 of the contact 18 and which connects it to an arch 134 of the 13. This inversion rocker 19 is arranged and shaped to cooperate with a flip-flop trigger 23. The flip-flop trigger 23 has at one end a contact tip 231 at the hub 14 and at the other end a bolt 232 of contact to the inverting lever 19, bolt 232 by which it is also connected to the trigger wheel 13 by means of a flexible blade 24.

When the pusher 5 'of the module 1' is in the low position and that there is no constraint imposed on the flexible blades 182, 22, 24. In this rest position, illustrated on the Fig. 7A , which is the initial position, the center of the trigger probe 18 is shifted to the right with respect to the axis of translation of the push rod 5 At a first rise of the pusher 5, illustrated on FIG. Fig. 7B , the tip of the double cam 17 is located to the left of the trigger probe 18, which is therefore activated by the time portion 17b of the double cam 17. During its rise ( Fig. 7B ) the double cam 17 comes to press the trigger probe 18 against a detent 24, and therefore the upward movement results in a rotation of the trigger wheel 13 in the clockwise direction. During this rotation, the flip-flop contact 20 bears on an inclined plane forming a flip-flop cam 141 on an arm arranged in the fixed hub 14 of the detent wheel, and causes the flip-flop 19 to turn to the left. ). During this rotation, the latch striker 21 engages in the bolt 232 of the trigger 23, thus blocking the inverting lever 19 in its position turned to the left on the Figure 7B . This rotation adds an additional left-turn torque in the flexible blade 182, which was already undergoing a restoring torque to the left due to the displacement of the trigger probe 18 against the stop 24.

During the first descent of the pusher 5 'the trigger wheel 13 returns to its rest position, as illustrated in FIG. Fig. 7C . The reversing lever 19 being locked in the left-hand position, the left-handed torque it induces in the flexible blade 182 causes the displacement of the expansion probe 18 to a counterclockwise stop 25 opposite to the stop 24 In this configuration the center of the trigger probe 18 is shifted to the left with respect to the axis of translation of the push rod 5 '.

During a second rise of the pusher 5 illustrated on the Fig. 7D , the tip of the double cam 17 is located to the right of the trigger probe 18 which is activated by the counterclockwise part 17a of the double cam 17. The upward movement then results in a rotation of the trigger wheel 13 in the counterclockwise direction. During this rotation, the rocker trigger contact 23 bears on a trigger cam 142 formed on an arm of the fixed hub 14 and causes the latch trigger 23 to turn to the right. During this rotation, the bolt 232 of FIG. the flip-flop trigger 23 releases the latch strike 21. Before being thus released, the reversal lever 19 was subjected to a torque to the right from the biased blades 22 greater than the torque induced to the left by the blade 182 due to the displacement of the probe 18 against the counterclockwise stop 25. Upon release the inverting lever 19 will then turn to the right and take an equilibrium position such that the striker latch 21 passes over the reversal rocker bolt 22 and can therefore no longer be blocked by it. During the second descent of the pusher 5 the trigger wheel 13 returns to its rest position, as well as the trigger and the inverting rocker 19 now released. The probe 18 returns to its rest position. The system is thus in the rest position as illustrated on the Fig. 7A . Each time the pusher 5 is mounted, this device thus makes it possible to cause the expansion wheel 13 to rotate in a direction opposite to the previous direction of rotation.

In accordance with the above, and as illustrated on the Fig.6C when the detent 13 is in clockwise rotation, the time-expansion cam 131 lifts the locking trigger finger 1211 12, which raises the latch trigger plate 121a 12 and pivots it around the links 1215. releasing the bolt 1214 from engagement with the detent 52, which allows the pusher to return to its rest position. When the expansion wheel 13 is in the rest position (no stress exerted on the flexible blade 15), the relative position of the locking trigger finger 1211 12 relative to the time-expansion cam 131 makes it possible to set the moment of the triggering of the locking trigger 12 12 as a function of the advance of the trigger wheel 13 in the clockwise direction. In the same way, as illustrated on the Fig. 6D , the locking trigger 12 is triggered by the anticlockwise detent cam 132 when the detent wheel 13 is counterclockwise at a time determined by the initial relative position of the locking trigger finger 1211 with respect to the cam. counterclockwise relaxation 132.

The Figures 8A to 8F shows in detail the different operating phases of the locking and unlocking mechanisms of the modules 1 'forming the dial CD in this fifth approach of the invention. This view represents an integral partial CD dial, modules 1 hours "11" and "1" framing the module 1 'display a twelfth hour. These views do not have all the modules 1,1 'constituting the dial CD, but only an enlargement of the critical area of the dial CD where the locking mechanisms / unlocking push rods 5 previously presented.

In this example the transition from one number to the other takes place in two minutes, that is to say that the time n + 1 begins to form from time n plus 58 minutes. For example the stem of the "12" starts to rise from 11:58 and reaches its full height at 12:00, which is then totally displayed.

• Fig. 8A : Il est 11h00, les heures de « 1 » à « 11 » sont affichées, c'est-à-dire que les poussoirs 5 des modules 1 de « 1 » à « 11 » sont tous verrouillés en position haute. Dans le dessin les poussoirs 5 des modules d'affichage 1 du « 1 » et du « 11 » sont en position haute. Dans le module 1' affichant le « 12 » la bascule d'inversion 19 est au repos et le centre du palpeur de détente 18 est positionné à droite de l'axe du poussoir 5'.
• Fig. 8B : Il est 11h59. La montée du poussoir 5' du module 1' provoque une rotation dans le sens horaire de la roue de détente 13. Les premiers modules d'affichage 1 ont été déclenchés successivement, faisant disparaître peu à peu dans le sens horaire l'affichage des heures conformément à la séquence d'affichage de l'invention telle que préalablement définie. Ceci est illustré sur la figure où le poussoir 5 du module 1 d'affichage du « 1 » est en position basse, donc le « 1 » n'est plus affiché, alors que la tige du poussoir 5 du module 1 d'affichage du « 11 » est encore verrouillée en position haute car ce nombre est affiché.
• Fig. 8C : Il est midi, les heures de « 1 » à « 11 » ne sont plus affichées. Sur la figure, les poussoirs 5 du « 1 » et du « 11 » sont en position basse, la roue de détente 13 étant en rotation horaire maximale. Dans le module 1' affichant le « 12 », le poussoir 5' est en position haute, le « 12 » est affiché. La bascule 19 est bloquée en position tournée à gauche.
• Fig. 8D: Il est 23h00, les heures de « 1 » à « 11 » sont affichées, c'est-à-dire que les poussoirs 5 des modules 1 d'affichage des heures de « 1 » à « 11 » sont tous verrouillés en position haute. Les poussoirs des modules 1 d'affichage du « 1 » et du « 11 » sont en position haute. Dans le module 1' affichant le « 12 » la bascule 19 est bloquée en position tournée à gauche et le centre du palpeur de détente 18 est positionné à gauche de l'axe du poussoir 5'.
• Fig. 8E : Il est 23h59. La montée du poussoir 5' d'affichage du « 12 » provoque une rotation dans le sens antihoraire de la roue de détente 13. Les derniers modules 1 de premiers type activés (« 11 », « 10 », ...) ont été déclenchés successivement, faisant disparaître peu à peu dans le sens antihoraire l'affichage de ces heures. Ceci est illustré sur le dessin où le poussoir du module d'affichage du « 11 » est en position basse, donc le « 11 » n'est plus affiché, alors que le poussoir 5 du module d'affichage du « 1 » est encore verrouillé en position haute car ce nombre est affiché.
• Fig. 8F : Il est minuit, les heures de « 1 » à « 11 » ne sont plus affichées. Les poussoirs 5 des modules 1 d'affichage du « 1 » et du « 11 » sont en position basse, la roue de détente 13 étant en rotation antihoraire maximale. Dans le module 1' affichant le « 12 », le poussoir est en position haute, le « 12 » est affiché. La bascule 19 est déverrouillée et reprendra sa position de repos lors de la redescente totale du poussoir 5', qui permettra alors au suiveur 18 de détente de retrouver sa position de repos à droite de l'axe de la tige.

When operating the monolithic CD dial the operations are as follows:

• Fig. 8A It is 11:00, the hours of "1" to "11" are displayed, that is to say that the pushbuttons 5 of the modules 1 of "1" to "11" are all locked in the high position. In the drawing, the push-buttons 5 of the display modules 1 of the "1" and "11" are in the up position. In the module 1 'displaying the "12" the inverting rocker 19 is at rest and the center of the trigger probe 18 is positioned to the right of the axis of the pusher 5'.
• Fig. 8B It's 11:59. The rise of the pusher 5 'of the module 1' causes a clockwise rotation of the trigger wheel 13. The first display modules 1 were triggered successively, making the display of the hours gradually disappear in the clockwise direction. in accordance with the display sequence of the invention as previously defined. This is illustrated in the figure where the pusher 5 of the display module 1 of the "1" is in the low position, so the "1" is no longer displayed, while the push rod 5 of the display module 1 of the "11" is still locked in the up position because this number is displayed.
• Fig. 8C It is noon, the hours from "1" to "11" are no longer displayed. In the figure, the pushers 5 of the "1" and "11" are in the low position, the expansion wheel 13 being in maximum hourly rotation. In module 1 'displaying the "12", the pusher 5' is in the up position, the "12" is displayed. The latch 19 is locked in the left-hand position.
• Fig. 8D It is 23:00, the hours of "1" to "11" are displayed, that is to say that the buttons 5 of the display modules 1 hours "1" to "11" are all locked in position high. The pushbuttons of the display modules 1 of the "1" and "11" are in the up position. In the module 1 'displaying the "12" the rocker 19 is locked in the left-hand position and the center of the expansion probe 18 is positioned to the left of the axis of the pusher 5'.
• Fig. 8E It's 11:59 pm The rise of the push-button 5 'for displaying the "12" causes a counter-clockwise rotation of the trigger wheel 13. The last modules 1 of the first activated type ("11", "10", ...) have been triggered successively, making the display of these hours gradually disappear in the counterclockwise direction. This is illustrated in the drawing where the pusher of the display module of the "11" is in the low position, so the "11" is no longer displayed, while the pusher 5 of the display module of "1" is still locked in the up position because this number is displayed.
• Fig. 8F It is midnight, the hours from "1" to "11" are no longer displayed. The push-buttons 5 of the display modules 1 of "1" and "11" are in the low position, the expansion wheel 13 being in maximum counter-clockwise rotation. In module 1 'displaying the' 12 ', the pusher is in the up position, the "12" is displayed. The latch 19 is unlocked and will resume its rest position during the total descent of the pusher 5 ', which will then allow the follower 18 of relaxation to return to its rest position to the right of the axis of the rod.

The display cycle can then start again, periodically marking the transition from noon to midnight by a periodic change in the meaning of "disappearance" of the display of hours "1" to "11".

Time setting device in counterclockwise mode

The embodiment of a CD dial as described in Figures 6 to 8 employing two types of monolithic modules as well as an expansion wheel 13 fully accepts time setting in the clockwise direction, each module 1,1 'being designed to cooperate with an actuating device 6 in a sense of hourly progression according to the mobility of the hour wheel of a watch movement. For example, if at a time n, where n is an integer between 1 and 12, 2 hours ahead is then displayed all hours from "1" to n + 2. On the other hand, if one proceeds to a time setting in counterclockwise mode, for example as for the change from winter time to summer time, it is necessary to go back from the hour n to the time. hour n-1. If there is no passage through the "12" which controls the trigger wheel, then the time corresponding to the integer "n" remains displayed. To avoid this, the blocking mechanism presented on the Fig.6 incorporates a release device anticlockwise 16 The operation of this device 16 is illustrated on the Fig.9 .

The counterclockwise adjusting device 16compresse at one of its end a follower contact 161 and a pusher 162 whose shape extends to the lower level of a module 1 at the other end. This device can move in translation through two flexible parallel blades 163 which connects it to the frame 2 of the dial CD. When the cam 61 of the actuating device 6 connected to the hour wheel of the watch movement is pressed on the contact 161 the device is pushed upwards, the pusher lifts the free end of the plate 121 of the trigger 12 triggering thus said trigger 12 which releases the pusher 5.

This device has no influence in the normal direction of movement of the watch movement, which is clockwise. Indeed, as it is visible on the Fig. 9B during the rotation of the cam 61 driven by the hour wheel, the cam 61 first raises the contact 161 which triggers the trigger 12, then the pusher 5 whose rise is facilitated by the trigger 12 in the triggered state. However, when the cam 61 continues its rotation, the system passes through a state represented in FIG. Fig. 9C where the inverting rocker 19 does not engage because the follower contact 161 is no longer in contact with the cam 61 while the pusher 5 is kept in its high state. After the passage of the cam 61 the pusher 5 is locked in high state, as it is visible on the Fig.9D . From the position shown on the Fig.9D the cam 61 can perform a counterclockwise rotation, for example to go back one or more hours. The cam 61 first push the pusher 5 which is already high, then pushes on the contact 161, which triggers the trigger 12When the cam 12 continues its rotation the system passes through a state represented in the Fig. 9E where the inverting rocker is always triggered because the follower contact 161 is pushed by the cam 61 while the pusher 5, released, descends gradually following the profile of the cam. After the passage of the cam the trigger 12 is reset and the pusher 5 remains in the lower position, as it is visible on the Fig.9F .

The counterclockwise rotation of the hour wheel thus causes the erasure of the display of the hours that are touched by the cam.

Although a preferred application of the invention relates to the field of watchmaking, it is not limited to a display of a time information and can also be implemented in any field requiring the use of a system displaying any information or representation in an animated form.

Claims (15)

Analog display system, comprising: A plurality of display modules (1, 1 ') each comprising a fixed frame (2) and at least two substantially rigid display members (31, 32, 33, 34, 35), said display members comprising each a display portion (31a, 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a) of a pattern (M), said display portions being complementary to one another so that they form said pattern (M) in at least one relative position of said display members, at least one of the display members being integral with and movable relative to the frame (2) via a deformable connection (4, 7, 8) at least between a first rest position in which said display portions are spaced from each other and a display position in which said display portions are counter-affixed to each other to form and display said pattern, the said one or more mobile display members relative to the frame cooperating with an actuating pusher (5) of each module (1, 1 ') arranged to transmit a displacement force of this display member by elastic deformation around its deformable connection or links from said rest position to said display position, and - a reversible locking device (9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 52, 62) of the actuating pushers (5) of the mobile display members of at least a part of said display modules (1, 1 '). Display system according to claim 1, characterized in that said display members, the frame and the deformable bonds or links form a monolithic piece. Display system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the reversible locking device of the operating actuators of the display members forms a monolithic piece with said modules (1, 1 '). Indicator display module according to claim 3, characterized in that the reversible locking device and the display modules (1, 1 ') form a multi-level monolithic unit. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable connections (4) consist of flexible strips (15, 41, 81, 110, 181, 1215) with a width of between 2 and 50 microns , the thickness of the frame (2) and the display member (s) (3) being greater than 30 microns. Display system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said modules (1, 1 ') and the reversible blocking device consist of monocrystalline silicon or polycrystalline. Display system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the reversible locking device comprises piston actuators (62) arranged to mobilize said actuating pushers (5) in response to a command of a control device. Display system according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the reversible locking device comprises locking members (9) arranged to hold said actuating pushers in response to a control of a control device . Display system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the reversible locking device comprises complementary locking members (10, 12, 13, 17, 52) arranged at least partially on the actuating pusher (5) for maintaining said actuating pusher in the display position of the display members and able to be released in response to a command from a controller. Display system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises an actuating device (6) arranged to transmit a motor force on the actuating pusher so as to induce a displacement of the movable display members from the home position to the display position. Display system according to claim 10, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a cam (61) or a pin, said actuating device being rotatable about an axis of rotation (A) and arranged relatively the actuating pusher such that said cam or said lug exerts in at least one angular position about the axis of rotation on the actuating pusher a force able to mobilize said pusher Display system according to one of claims 1 to 8 and claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the actuating device (6) is also a device for controlling said reversible locking device of the actuating pushers (5). ). Timepiece characterized in that it comprises a display system according to one of claims 1 to 12. Timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuating device (6) is kinematically linked to the hours mobile and / or the minute mobile of a watch movement. Timepiece according to claim 14, characterized in that the display system is configured to display the hours over 12 consecutive hours and arranged kinematically with the watch movement to indicate a calendar time by successive blocking each hour full of display members of the corresponding pattern until display pattern "12" in which the other patterns disappear successively clockwise or counterclockwise by releasing the locking device of said actuators.

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