EP3602202B1 - Device for adjusting functions of a timepiece - Google Patents

Description

Fields of invention

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the functions of a timepiece.

More particularly, the invention relates to a device for adjusting the horological functions of a timepiece, the device being equipped with a selection and actuation mechanism comprising a drive member and a driving pinion, said device. drive member being configured to drive said driving pinion clockwise and counterclockwise, and at least one driven pinion arranged to mesh with said drive pinion when the drive pinion rotates clockwise and when said drive pinion rotates clockwise anti-clockwise.

State of the prior art

This type of adjustment device is used in mechanical timepieces comprising an indicator of a horological function derived from the time, such as the dates of the month, the days of the week, the phases of the moon, the various time zones, as well as other functions. Numerous documents of the state of the art describe embodiments thereof.

Swiss patent application CH 707 870 discloses a mechanism for selecting and actuating n functions of a watch movement comprising a winding stem able to mesh with a device for actuating a function, the latter being arranged so as to be able to move and occupy n positions selection and n actuation positions in which the actuator is kinematically linked to an actuator in order to allow the activation of the function in question. The mechanism also includes a selector device for moving the actuator to a select position. The mechanism also comprises a base on which the actuating device is movably mounted in order to position itself, under the action of said selector device, in a selection position as well as, under the action of an axial displacement of the winding stem, in an actuating position. The document specifies that the proposed selection and actuation mechanism operates bidirectionally.

The European patent application EP 2 701 014 discloses a clutch lever, or even a clutch device, for a watch mechanism comprising at least one element for guiding the rotation of a corrective mobile, at least one friction element intended to cooperate with a portion of said mobile, and at least one elastic element intended to elastically return said friction element. These elements make it possible to establish such a distribution of the resistive torque to the rotation between the shaft of the rocker and the shaft of said moving body rotatably mounted on the lever that a change in the direction of rotation of the moving body first rotates. the rocker until it arrives in a stable position before the mobile itself begins to rotate in this position, this in order to prevent the rocker from remaining blocked in one position and would therefore not make it possible to perform a second function assigned and / or immobilize the mechanism.

The European patent application EP 1 152 303 discloses a mechanism for winding and correcting at least two indicator members, the mechanism being arranged so that the sliding pinion is only disengaged from the winding pinion in the time-setting position, by providing two first - and two second superimposed references as well as two sliding winding pinions, respectively of correction housed in a pivoting manner using rockers corresponding, so that this mechanism has the advantages of a conventional winding mechanism controlling two functions while being able to serve a third function such as correcting a derived indication of the time.

The European patent application EP 2 444 861 discloses a device for selecting functions, in particular for a clockwork movement, making it possible to connect, as desired and by means of a differential, respectively of an epicyclic gear, a driving wheel to one of at least two wheels carried out in order to select a corresponding function.

The European patent application EP 2 012 199 discloses a timepiece provided with a device for adjusting functions and time indications comprising a member for selecting each time indication to be adjusted and a member for adjusting the selected time indications. At least the selection member of the indication to be adjusted is in kinematic connection with a selection cam comprising a profile corresponding to two levels of states, corresponding respectively to a non-selection state is a selection state, the device adjustment comprising means for connecting the adjustment member to each of the selected time indications.

The European patent application EP 2 701 015 discloses a device for correcting functions displayed by a timepiece, which makes it possible to modify the data of a plurality of time functions displayed by this timepiece. It comprises a function change button whose actuation moves a control wheel to bring the latter into engagement with a corrector pinion of the chosen function and a rod whose rotation in one direction or the other causes the control wheel to pivot. command, which leads to its turn one of the correcting gears to correct in addition or in minus the data of the chosen function, so that this device carries out a bidirectional correction.

The patent application WO 2016/155814 discloses a mechanism for winding and / or correcting at least two horological functions and a device for selecting a horological function from among a winding function and a plurality of correction functions, comprising a control member, for example a rod , capable of selecting the winding function by moving the control member in a first direction and of sequentially selecting a function from among the plurality of correction functions by moving the control member in a second direction.

Swiss patent CH 592 325 discloses a device for the rapid correction of the date indications of a calendar watch by the rotation of a winding stem which is kinematically connected to the winding train when it is rotated in a given direction and which is kinematically connected to a ring date when turned in the opposite direction. For this, the device comprises a movable crown wheel rotatably housed on an eccentric axis comprising two opposite segments in the form of a circular arc, so that said movable crown wheel meshes with the barrel ratchet when the the winding stem is turned in one direction and with a mobile for correcting the date indications when the winding stem is turned in the opposite direction.

The French patent application FR 2 169 861 describes a device for setting the time and correcting a watch using a winding stem having a delay mechanism. In addition, the device comprises a sliding pinion capable of meshing, in the intermediate position of the winding stem, with a return wheel which meshes with an intermediate wheel driving a day and date correction wheel, the axis of which is movably housed in an elongated opening of a lever. The intermediate wheel and the correction wheel are connected by a pivoting lever against which the axles of these wheels bear with frictional contact, so that the correction wheel pivots in said elongated opening when the pivoting lever pivots around the intermediate wheel , then allowing the day and date correction wheel to engage either with a date ring or with a drive wheel of a day star. Thus, when the winding stem is rotated, in its intermediate position, in one direction, the day and date correction wheel meshes with the date ring and makes it possible to change the date display and, when the winding stem is rotated, in its intermediate position, in the opposite direction, the day and date correction wheel meshes with the drive wheel and enables the day display to be changed.

Swiss patent CH 548 632 relates to a timepiece equipped with a time-setting and correction device, the latter comprising a lever carrying a correction wheel which can be engaged alternately with winding and time-setting wheels, correction, or the like. For this, said rocker can be brought to the desired position by turning an operating rod, in its pushed position, a pinion sliding from said operating rod thus driving the rocker by means of a pinion mounted idle on the control rod. maneuver. In the position pulled from the operating rod, the sliding pinion of said operating rod then drives, depending on the angular position of the rocker, one of the moving parts, so as to allow winding, setting the time, correction of the date or day display, or any other similar horological function.

The European patent application EP 1 043 634 discloses a device for adjusting the horological functions of a timepiece comprising a driving pinion and two driven pinions, one of which can occupy two different positions depending on the direction of rotation of the driving pinion.

In short, the solutions of the prior art currently known in this field are of complex construction involving a large number of moving parts and have a significant bulk in thickness. Furthermore, the number of functions which they allow to adjust is limited, generally to three or four functions, this in particular because of the use either of a single driven pinion or of non-displaceable driven pinions.

Objectives of the invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the known devices and in particular to allow the adjustment of a large number of horological functions of a mechanical watch by means of a small number of moving parts. Another object is the production of an adjustment device having a small overall thickness. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an adjustment device the handling of which is very simple for the user. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an adjustment device of robust and reliable construction.

Solution according to the invention

To this end, the present invention proposes a device for adjusting the horological functions of a timepiece as defined by claim 1.

• un organe d'entraînement,
• un pignon menant, ledit organe d'entraînement étant configuré pour entraîner ledit pignon menant en sens horaire et en sens anti-horaire,
• au moins un pignon mené, agencé de sorte à être entraîné par ledit pignon menant lorsque le pignon menant tourne en sens horaire et lorsque ledit pignon menant tourne en sens anti-horaire,

ledit pignon mené étant configuré pour venir occuper une première position sous l'effet du pignon menant lorsque celui-ci tourne en sens horaire, première position dans laquelle ledit pignon mené actionne un organe d'actionnement d'une première fonction horlogère, et pour venir occuper une deuxième position sous l'effet du pignon menant lorsque celui-ci tourne en sens anti-horaire, deuxième position dans laquelle ledit pignon mené actionne un organe d'actionnement d'une deuxième fonction horlogère, ledit pignon mené n'actionnant pas l'organe d'actionnement de la première fonction horlogère lorsqu'il se trouve dans sa dite deuxième position et vice versa ledit pignon mené n'actionnant pas l'organe d'actionnement de la deuxième fonction horlogère lorsqu'il se trouve dans sa dite première position, ledit mécanisme de sélection et d'actionnement comprenant au moins deux pignons menés, et le dispositif de réglage comprenant encore un mécanisme de commande apte à amener sélectivement le pignon menant engrener avec chacun desdits pignons menés.Such a device is equipped with a selection and actuation mechanism comprising

• a drive unit,
• a drive pinion, said drive member being configured to drive said drive pinion clockwise and counterclockwise,
• at least one driven pinion, arranged so as to be driven by said driving pinion when the driving pinion turns clockwise and when said driving pinion turns anti-clockwise,

said driven pinion being configured to come to occupy a first position under the effect of the driving pinion when the latter rotates clockwise, first position in which said driven pinion actuates an actuator of a first horological function, and to come occupy a second position under the effect of the driving pinion when the latter rotates counterclockwise, second position in which said driven pinion actuates an actuator of a second horological function, said driven pinion not actuating the 'actuator of the first horological function when it is in its said second position and vice versa said driven pinion not actuating the actuator of the second horological function when it is in its said first position, said selection and actuation mechanism comprising at least two driven pinions, and the adjustment device further comprising a control mechanism capable of selectively bringing the pinion one leading to mesh with each of said driven pinions.

On the one hand, the device defined above therefore uses a single driven pinion to act independently on two functions, for example the display of a date and a day of the week. On the other hand, these actions under the effect of the drive member, whether they are generated from a pusher or a crown stem, are "unidirectional", in the sense that the modification of 'a displayed indication can only be done in one direction, for example by increasing dates, because a reversal of the direction of rotation of the drive member causes the decoupling between the actuator member of the first function and the driven pinion as well as the coupling of this driven pinion with the actuator of the second function.

According to one embodiment of the above device, said driven pinion is a sliding pinion whose axis is constituted by a pin housed in an oblong housing formed in a plate, so as to slide perpendicularly to said axis, said housing being arranged so that the pin of the driven pinion comes to a first end of the oblong housing under the effect of the clockwise rotation of the drive pinion, the driven pinion thus being in said first position, and that the pin comes to the other end of the oblong housing under the effect of the anti-clockwise rotation of the drive pinion, the driven pinion thus being in said second position.

According to one embodiment, the driven pinion, on the one hand, carries a toothing adapted to mesh with the toothing of the driving pinion and, on the other hand, carries a coaxial mobile whose toothing, respectively an arm, is adapted to cooperate with a set of teeth, respectively an actuator of a watch function.

According to one embodiment, the driving pinion is in kinematic connection, in particular by means of references, with a winding and / or adjusting crown of the timepiece.

According to one embodiment of the above adjustment device, said selection and actuation mechanism comprises two driven pinions and said control mechanism is configured to bring, by translation, the drive pinion alternately into contact with each of the two pinions. led.

According to one embodiment, the driving pinion is a sliding pinion whose axis is constituted by a pin housed in an oblong housing formed in said plate, so as to slide perpendicularly to said axis, said control mechanism controlling the sliding of the pin in said housing.

According to one embodiment, the respective ends of the oblong housing of the axis of the driving pinion are arranged so as to allow effective drive respectively with each of the driven pinions in each of said first and second positions of said driven pinions.

According to one embodiment, the control device comprises an assembly consisting of a rocker controlled by a shuttle and a control lever, said assembly being mounted on said plate.

According to one embodiment, said selection and actuation mechanism comprises a number of driven pinions greater than or equal to two, the control mechanism comprises a rotary arm on which the driving pinion is arranged, and said control mechanism is configured. to bring, by successive rotation, the driving pinion in meshing position with each of the driven pinions.

According to one embodiment, the control mechanism comprises an assembly formed of a star coaxial with the axis of articulation of said rotary arm, of a jumper, and of a spring lever cooperating with said star, a rotation of the star of an angular value corresponding to a branch of the star bringing the driving pinion from a position of meshing with a driven pinion to a position of meshing with the neighboring driven pinion.

According to one embodiment, the driven pinions are sliding pinions whose axes consist of pins housed in oblong housings of a plate, said oblong housings being arranged tangent to a circle coaxial with the articulation axis of the arm. rotary bearing the driving pinion.

According to one embodiment, the driving pinion is in kinematic connection with its drive member by means of a reference coaxial with the articulation axis of the rotary arm.

The invention finally proposes a timepiece comprising a device for adjusting horological functions as defined above.

Other characteristics, as well as the corresponding advantages, will emerge from the description which sets out below two embodiments of the invention in more detail.

Brief description of the drawings

• La figure la montre une vue plane de dessus d'un premier mode d'exécution d'un dispositif de réglage selon la présente invention permettant le réglage de quatre fonctions horlogères; la figure 1b montre une vue plane de dessous du dispositif de réglage de la figure la.
• La figure 2a représente une vue en perspective de dessus du dispositif de la figure la; la figure 2b est une vue en perspective de dessous du dispositif illustré à la figure 2a.
• La figure 3a est une vue plane de dessus d'un dispositif de réglage selon la figure la après actionnement du dispositif de commande; la figure 3b est une vue plane de dessus d'un dispositif de réglage selon la figure 3a après inversion du sens de rotation de l'organe d'entraînement.
• La figure 4a montre une vue plane de dessus d'un agencement alternatif des pignons menés d'un dispositif de réglage selon la présente invention; la figure 4b montre une vue en perspective de dessus du pignon mené de la figure 4a.
• La figure 5a montre une vue plane de dessus d'un deuxième mode d'exécution d'un dispositif de réglage selon la présente invention permettant le réglage de douze fonctions horlogères; la figure 5b montre une vue plane de dessous du dispositif de réglage de la figure 5a.
• La figure 6a représente une vue en perspective de dessus du dispositif de la figure 5a; la figure 6b est une vue en perspective de dessous du dispositif illustré à la figure 5b.
• La figure 7a est une vue plane de dessus d'un dispositif de réglage selon la figure 5a sous entraînement; la figure 7b est une vue plane de dessus d'un dispositif de réglage selon la figure 7a après inversion du sens de l'entraînement.

The accompanying drawings represent schematically and by way of example two embodiments of the invention.

• FIG. La shows a top plan view of a first embodiment of an adjustment device according to the present invention allowing the adjustment of four horological functions; the figure 1b shows a plan view from below of the adjustment device of FIG. 1a.
• The figure 2a shows a perspective view from above of the device of FIG. 1a; the figure 2b is a perspective view from below of the device illustrated on figure 2a .
• The figure 3a is a top plan view of an adjustment device according to FIG. 1a after actuation of the control device; the figure 3b is a top plan view of an adjustment device according to figure 3a after reversal of the direction of rotation of the drive unit.
• The figure 4a shows a top plan view of an alternative arrangement of the driven gears of an adjusting device according to the present invention; the figure 4b shows a top perspective view of the driven pinion of the figure 4a .
• The figure 5a shows a top plan view of a second embodiment of an adjustment device according to the present invention allowing the adjustment of twelve horological functions; the figure 5b shows a bottom plan view of the weight adjuster figure 5a .
• The figure 6a shows a perspective view from above of the device of the figure 5a ; the figure 6b is a perspective view from below of the device illustrated on figure 5b .
• The figure 7a is a top plan view of an adjustment device according to figure 5a under training; the figure 7b is a top plan view of an adjustment device according to figure 7a after reversal of the direction of the drive.

Detailed description of the invention

FIGS. 1a to 3b illustrate a first adjustment device comprising a mechanism making it possible to select and activate a function among four available functions, for example in the context of a correction device display. This mechanism comprises a drive gear 9 capable of transmitting a rotational movement, as desired, clockwise and counterclockwise, to a driving pinion 1. The axis of the driving pinion 1, which can be produced simply under in the form of a pin, can be housed in an oblong slot of a plate or a bridge not shown in the figures, the ends of which define a first and a second extreme position of the axis of the driving pinion 1, so that the driving pinion 1 is a sliding pinion which remains able to be driven in rotation in these two positions by the reference 9, both clockwise and counterclockwise. The oblong slot in said plate is symbolically indicated at figures 1a and 1b as well as figures 3a and 3b in dotted lines. Alternatively, the axis of the driving pinion 1 can simply be arranged on a control device described below, the latter making it possible to position the axis of the driving pinion 1 in its first and second extreme positions. On either side of the driving pinion 1, which is therefore in a central position, are arranged two side pinions 2 and 3, so that the central pinion can be approached sufficiently in its first or in its second extreme position. one or the other of the side gears 2, 3 to form a kinematic connection between the central gear 1 and one or the other of the side gears 2, 3 which alternately become a driven gear.

The axes of each of the two side gears 2, 3, which may consist of a pin, can also be housed in two respective oblong housings formed in the plate, arranged so that the pin of the side gear 2, respectively of the side gear 3, in kinematic connection with the driving pinion 1 comes to a first end of its oblong housing under the effect of the tangential force resulting from the clockwise rotation of the driving pinion 1, the driven pinion 2, respectively the driven pinion 3, thus being in a first driving position, and that the pin of this lateral pinion driven 2, respectively of the side pinion 3, comes to the other end of its oblong housing under the effect of the tangential force resulting from the anti-clockwise rotation of the driving pinion 1, the driven pinion 2, respectively the driven pinion 3, thus being in a second driving position. The figures 3a and 3b illustrate this mechanism by showing the side pinion 2, driven by the central pinion 1, respectively in the first and second driving position of said side pinion 2, depending on whether the central pinion 1 brought into kinematic connection with the side pinion 2 by the control device described below rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. The oblong housings in said plate housing the axes of the two lateral gears 2, 3 are symbolically indicated at figures 1a and 1b as well as figures 3a and 3b in dotted lines and are oriented substantially perpendicular to the oblong slot in said plate housing the axis of the driving pinion 1. Alternatively, the driven pinions 2, 3 may each consist of a ring having an outer toothing and an inner circular periphery 2d , 3d, the axes of these driven pinions 2, 3 can in this case each consist of an eccentric 2a, 3a fixed to said plate and comprising two opposite circular arcs 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, so that each of these arcs 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c can come into contact with said inner circular periphery 2d, 3d of the corresponding driven ring 2, 3 depending on whether the central pinion 1 brought in kinematic connection with the ring 2, 3 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. This alternative configuration, in which the axes of the driven gears 2, 3 are not fixed to the gears but to the plate, is illustrated schematically in figures 4a and 4b . Independently of the specific embodiment of the driven pinions 2, 3, a friction spring 10 comprising lateral arms pressing on the surface of the driven pinions 2, 3 is arranged on said plate in order to secure the driven pinions 2, 3 in their respective axial position , so as to guarantee the operation of the adjustment device regardless of the position in space of the corresponding timepiece.

On the figures 3a and 3b are schematically indicated an actuator A of a first horological function and an actuator B of a second horological function, these members A, B being arranged on either side of the driven pinion 2 so to be able to mesh alternately with the latter depending on the position of this driven pinion 2. Indeed, as shown by these two figures 3a and 3b , the driven pinion 2 is configured to come to occupy a first position under the effect of the driving pinion 1 when the latter rotates clockwise, first position in which said driven pinion 2 actuates the actuator A of the first function watchmaking, and to come to occupy a second position under the effect of the driving pinion 1 when the latter rotates counterclockwise, second position in which said driven pinion 2 actuates the actuator B of the second watch function. Said driven pinion 2 does not actuate the actuator A of the first horological function when it is in its second position and vice versa said driven gear 2 does not actuate the actuator B of the second horological function when it is in its said first position. Analogously, actuators of a third horological function and an actuator of a fourth horological function, not shown in FIGS. figures 3a and 3b , are arranged on either side of the driven pinion 3, these members being able to mesh alternately with this driven pinion 3 depending on its position, when the driving pinion 1 is in the position of engagement with this driven pinion 3 and in function the clockwise or counterclockwise direction of rotation of the driving pinion 1.

The structure of the actuators A and B is determined by the constitution of the parts performing the corresponding horological functions. The driven pinion 2, respectively 3, on the one hand, carries a toothing adapted to mesh with the toothing of the driving pinion 1 and, on the other hand, carries a coaxial mobile whose toothing, respectively a finger, is adapted to cooperate with a toothing, respectively the actuator A, B, of the corresponding watch function. Simply by way of illustrative example, the figure 2b shows a driven pinion 2 carrying a coaxial mobile formed by four fingers 11 capable of interacting with an internal toothing of a disc of the corresponding watch function, for example with the internal toothing of a date disc.

In summary, the mechanism described above comprises three pivoting sliding pinions, two of which are housed, preferably, in a corresponding oblong housing or formed of rings mounted around an eccentric axis, one of the three pinions, the central pinion 1, being housed so as to be able to selectively approach, by translation, by means of a control device described below, one of the other two side gears 2, 3. A gear 9 serves to drive the central gear 1, this gear itself being driven for example by means of a winding and correction crown (not shown in the figures). The central pinion 1, therefore the driving pinion, can therefore transmit a rotational movement to the selected side pinion and, in addition, causes a translation of the selected side pinion towards one or the other of the ends of its oblong housing, respectively by generalizing towards its first - or second driving position, and this according to the direction of rotation of the central pinion, so that, depending on the direction of rotation, the selected side pinion selectively actuates one or the other of the watch functions adjustable by side pinion.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures la to 3b, the control device is an assembly consisting of a rocker 4 controlled by a shuttle 6 and a control lever 7, said assembly being mounted on the plate. The shuttle 6 is preloaded by a shuttle spring 8. The rocker 4 is locked by a rocker jumper 5 and a lug of the control lever 7. If the axis of the driving pinion 1 is made in the form of a lodged pin in an oblong slot of the plate, a recess in the U-shaped lever accommodates one end of the axis of the driving pinion 1, so that the tilting of the lever 4, following an actuation of the control lever 7, causes pass the axis of pinion 1 from one of its two extreme positions to the other in said oblong slot. If the axis of the driving pinion 1 is mounted on the rocker 4, the movement of the latter directly defines the extreme positions of the axis of the driving pinion 1. When the selection device according to the invention is integrated in a part d 'watchmaking, the user can control the position of the rocker 4 thanks to a push-button symbolically indicated by an arrow on the figures 3a and 3b and making it possible to actuate the control lever 7 and can modify the direction of rotation of the sliding pinion 1 by means of a crown actuating a rod, for example the winding rod, which makes it possible to act on the return 9. Starting from the 'state of the adjustment device shown for example in the figure 1a , the user gets the status of this device shown in figure 3a by an action on the control lever 7, that is to say by an actuation of said push-button, then the change of the clock function actuated as shown in figure 3b by reversing the direction of rotation of reference 9, that is to say by turning the winding stem in the other direction.

The figures 5a to 7b illustrate a second adjustment device comprising a mechanism making it possible to select and activate a function among twelve available functions. This device is mounted on a plate 110 which can present, but not necessarily, the shape of a disc. Its mechanism comprises a drive gear 109 capable of transmitting a rotational movement, as desired, clockwise and counterclockwise, to a driving pinion 101. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the gear 109 is mounted to rotate freely on one side of the plate 110, while the other parts, in particular an intermediate return 109a integral with the return 109 and coaxial with the latter, are arranged on the other side of the plate 110. The axis of the driving pinion 101 (not visible in the figures), is housed in a rotary arm 112, the articulation axis of which is preferably coaxial with the return 109a. On the periphery of the plate 110 are arranged six angularly equidistant lateral gears. In the remainder of this description, only two of them, 102 and 103, will be described in detail, since this description applies mutatis mutandis to the other four pinions, the number of which may, moreover, be different. The drive pinion 101 may be brought close enough to either side pinion 102, 103 to form a kinematic connection between the center pinion 101 and either one or the other of the side pinions 102, 103 which become each alternately a driven pinion.

The axis of each of the side gears 102, 103, which may consist of a pin, may be housed in an oblong housing, consisting of a slot formed in the plate 110, the six oblong housings being arranged tangent to a circle coaxial with the articulation axis of said rotary arm 112 carrying the driving pinion 101, and, as shown in particular by the figures 7a and 7b , arranged so that the pin of the side pinion 102 in kinematic connection with the drive pinion 101 comes to a first end of its oblong housing under the effect of the clockwise rotation of the drive pinion 101, the driven pinion 102 thus being in a first position, and that the pin of this driven side gear 102 comes to the other end of its oblong housing under the effect of anti-clockwise rotation of the driving pinion 101, the driven pinion 102 thus being in said second position. The figures 7a and 7b illustrate this mechanism by showing the side pinion 102, driven by the central pinion 101, respectively in the first and second position of said side pinion 102, depending on whether the central pinion 101, brought into kinematic connection with the side pinion 102 by the device control described below, rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. Alternatively and analogously to the corresponding explanations relating to the first adjustment device illustrated in Figures 1a to 3b, the driven pinions 102, 103 of the second adjustment device illustrated in figures 5a to 7b can each consist of a ring having an external toothing and an internal circular periphery, the axes of these driven pinions 102, 103 can in this case each consist of an eccentric fixed to said plate 110 and comprising two opposite circular arcs as illustrated in figures 4a and 4b , so that each of these circular arcs can come into contact with said inner circular periphery of the driven ring 102, 103 corresponding to whether the central pinion 101 brought into kinematic connection with the ring 102, 103 rotates in direction clockwise or counterclockwise. Likewise, a friction spring 116 comprising lateral arms pressing on the surface of the driven gears 102, 103 is arranged on said plate 110 in order to secure the driven gears 102, 103 in their respective axial position, so as to guarantee the operation of the adjustment device independently of the position in space of the corresponding timepiece.

On the figures 7a and 7b are schematically indicated an actuator A 'of a first horological function and an actuator B' of a second horological function, these members A ', B' being arranged on either side of the pinion driven 102 so as to be able to mesh alternately with this last according to the position of this driven pinion 102. As shown by these two figures 7a and 7b , the driven pinion 102 is configured to come to occupy the first position under the effect of the driving pinion 101 when the latter rotates clockwise, the first position in which said driven pinion 102 actuates the actuator A 'of the first horological function, and to come to occupy the second position under the effect of the driving pinion 101 when the latter rotates counterclockwise, second position in which said driven pinion 102 actuates the actuator B 'of the second function watchmaking. Said driven pinion 102 does not actuate the actuator A 'of the first horological function when it is in its said second position and vice versa said driven pinion 102 does not actuate the actuator B' of the second horological function when it is in its said first position. Analogously, actuators for two additional horological functions, not illustrated in figures 7a and 7b , are arranged on either side of the other driven pinions mounted around the driving pinion 101, these members being able to mesh alternately with these driven pinions according to their position, when the driving pinion 101 is in the meshing position with one of these driven pinions and as a function of the clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of rotation of the driving pinion 101. By generalizing, the device according to the invention then makes it possible, by choosing the direction of rotation of the driving pinion 101 as well as its position, to control a number of additional functions corresponding to double the number of driven pinions present in the device.

The structure of the actuators A 'and B' is determined by the constitution of the parts performing the corresponding horological functions. The driven pinions 102, 103, on the one hand, carry a toothing adapted to mesh with the toothing of the driving pinion 101 and, on the other hand, carry a coaxial mobile whose toothing, respectively a finger, is adapted to cooperate with a toothing, respectively an actuator A ', B', of a watch function. Simply by way of illustrative example, the figure 6b shows one of the driven pinions carrying a coaxial mobile having a finger 111 capable of interacting with a toothing of a disc of the corresponding watch function.

In summary, the mechanism described above comprises six pivoting sliding gears each housed, preferably, in a corresponding oblong housing or formed of a ring mounted around an eccentric axis, making it possible to select and actuate 2 x 6 = 12 functions. Another pinion, the central pinion 101 is housed on a rotary arm so as to be able to approach selectively, by rotation of the arm, by means of a control device described below, one of the six side pinions. A reference 109 serves to drive the central pinion 101, this reference itself being driven for example by means of a winding and correction crown (not shown in the figures). The central pinion 101, therefore the driving pinion, can therefore transmit a rotational movement to the selected side pinion and, in addition, causes a translation of the selected side pinion towards one or the other of the ends of its oblong housing, respectively by generalizing towards its first - or second driving position, and this according to the direction of rotation of the central pinion, so that, depending on the direction of rotation, the selected side pinion selectively actuates one or the other of the two watch functions adjustable by side pinion.

In the mode of execution shown by the figures 5a to 7b , the control device of the rotary arm 112 is an assembly consisting of a star 106 integral in rotation with the rotary arm 112, a lever 104, a jumper 105 capable of penetrating between the branches of the star 106 and prestressed towards the star 106 by a preload spring 107 itself fixed by a screw 115 which makes it possible to adjust the preload force of said preload spring 107. Said assembly is mounted on the plate 110. The rocker 104 is provided with a rocker spring 108 pressing on a first free end of the rocker 104 and prestressing it so that a second free end of the rocker 104 presses on the jumper 105 and blocks it. between the branches of the star 106. Thus, the star is locked thanks to the jumper 105. The first free end of the rocker 104 carries a stop 114 kinematically linked to an external thrust member, such as a pusher, symbolically indicated by an arrow on the figures 7a and 7b . A push on the stop 114 following an actuation of the external push member has the effect of a pivoting of the lever 104, the release of the jumper 105 by the second free end of the lever 104 and therefore the release of the star 106 , as well as a thrust of one of the branches of the star 106 by a lug 113 of the rocker 104, which causes a rotation of the star and therefore of the rotary arm 112. The control device is calibrated so that this rotation corresponds to the angular interval between two lateral gears 102, 103, the number of branches of the star being equal to the number of driven gears. The driving pinion 101 thus passes from the driven pinion 102 to the driven pinion 103. The release of the outer thrust member, respectively from the first free end of the lever 104, causes the jumper 105 to return between two branches of the star 106 and locks the pinion 101 in its new position. When the selection device according to the invention is integrated into a timepiece, the user can control the position of the rocker 104 thanks to said pusher making it possible to actuate said first free end of the rocker 104 and can modify the direction of rotation of the sliding pinion 101 by means of a crown actuating a rod, for example the winding rod, which makes it possible to act on the return 109. Starting from the state of the adjustment device shown for example in figure 5a , the user gets the status of this device shown in figure 7a by rotating the winding stem in one direction, then changing the actuated watch function as shown in figure 7b in reversing the direction of rotation of the stem, i.e. by turning the winding stem in the other direction.

Those skilled in the art can vary the number of driven pinions according to the number of functions of the timepiece. In addition, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the rocker control devices described above can be replaced by other systems for moving the driving pinion. Furthermore, the functions that can be adjusted in a given position of the rocker can be displayed on the dial of the timepiece by suitable measurements known to those skilled in the art, in particular when a large number of watch functions should be ordered. by the adjustment device according to the present invention.

In view of the aforementioned explanations relating to the structure and operation of the device according to the present invention, it is obvious that such a device provides numerous advantages and makes it possible to achieve the goals stated in the introduction, in particular the achievement of a device for unidirectional correction of a large number of horological functions by means of the choice of the position as well as the direction of rotation of a driving pinion. Moreover, these construction elements are robust as well as simple and reliable in their use. Due to the relatively simple structure of such a device, these advantages are obtained without increasing production costs.

List of reference numbers

1

driving gear

2

driven pinion

3

driven pinion

4

rocker

5

rocking jumper

6

shuttle bus

7

control lever

8

shuttle spring

9

drive forward

10

friction spring

11

coaxial mobile fingers

101

driving gear

102

driven pinion

103

driven pinion

104

rocker

105

saltire

106

star

107

preload spring

108

rocker spring

109

drive forward

109a

drive forward

110

platinum

111

finger

112

rotating arm

113

lug

114

stopper

115

screw

116

friction spring

Claims (14)

1. A device for adjusting horological functions of a timepiece, the device being equipped with a mechanism for selection and actuation comprising

   - a drive means (9, 109),

   - a driving pinion (1, 101), said drive means being configured to drive said driving pinion in the clockwise direction and in the anti-clockwise direction,

   - at least one driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) adapted to be driven by said driving pinion (1, 101) when the driving pinion (1, 101) turns in the clockwise direction and when said driving pinion (1, 101) turns in the anti-clockwise direction,
   said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) being configured to move into a first position under the effect of the driving pinion (1, 101) when this turns in the clockwise direction, in which first position said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) actuates an actuating means (A, A) of a first horological function, and to move into a second position under the effect of the driving pinion (1, 101) when this turns in the anti-clockwise direction, in which second position said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) actuates an actuating means (B, B') of a second horological function, said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) not actuating the actuating means (A, A') of the first horological function when it is in its said second position and, vice versa, said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) not actuating the actuating means (B, B') of the second horological function when it is in its said first position, characterized in that said mechanism for selection and actuation comprises at least two driven pinions (2, 3, 102, 103), and in that the adjusting device furthermore comprises a control mechanism adapted to selectively bring the driving pinion (1, 101) to mesh with each of said driven pinions (2, 3, 102, 103).
2. The adjusting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said mechanism for selection and actuation comprises two driven pinions (2, 3), and in that said control mechanism is configured to alternately bring the driving pinion (1), by translation, into contact with each of the two driven pinions (2, 3).
3. The adjusting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the driving pinion (1) is a sliding pinion the axis of which is constituted by a pin housed in an oblong housing formed in a plate, in a manner such as to be able to slide perpendicularly to said axis, said control mechanism controlling sliding of the pin in said housing.
4. The adjusting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the respective ends of the oblong housing of the axis of the driving pinion (1) are arranged in a manner such as to allow effective engagement respectively with each of the driven pinions (2, 3) in each of said first and second positions of said driven pinions (2, 3).
5. The adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the control device comprises an assembly constituted by a yoke (4) controlled by a wig-wag (6) and a control lever (7), said assembly being mounted on said plate.
6. The adjusting device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanism for selection and actuation comprises a number of driven pinions (102, 103) which is greater than or equal to two, in that the control mechanism comprises a rotary arm (112) on which the driving pinion (101) is arranged, and in that said control mechanism is configured to bring said driving pinion (101) into the meshing position with each of the driven pinions (102, 103) by successive rotation.
7. The adjusting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control mechanism comprises an assembly formed by a star (106) which is coaxial with the axis of articulation of said rotary arm (112), by a jumper (105), and by a spring yoke (104) cooperating with said star (106), a rotation of the star (106) through an angular value corresponding to one branch of the star (106) bringing the driving pinion (101) from a meshing position with a driven pinion (102) into a meshing position with the adjacent driven pinion (103).
8. The adjusting device according to one of claims 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the driving pinion (101) is kinematically connected to its drive means (109) via a setting wheel (109a) which is coaxial with the axis of articulation of said rotary arm (112).
9. The adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) is constituted by a sliding pinion which is capable of sliding perpendicularly to its axis of rotation, in a manner such that the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) moves into said first position under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the clockwise direction and that the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) moves into said second position under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the anti-clockwise direction.
10. The adjusting device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) is a sliding pinion the axis of which is constituted by a pin fixed to the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) and housed in an oblong housing formed in a plate (110), in a manner such that said pin is capable of sliding perpendicularly to said axis, said housing being disposed in a manner such that the pin of the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) moves to a first end of the oblong housing under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the clockwise direction, the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) therefore being located in said first position, and that the pin moves to the other end of the oblong housing under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the anti-clockwise direction, the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) therefore being located in said second position.
11. The adjusting device according to claim 9, characterized in that said driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) is a sliding pinion the axis of which is constituted by an eccentric (2a, 3a) fixed to a plate (110) and comprising two opposed circular arcs (2b, 2c, 3b, 3c), the pinion being constituted by a ring having external teeth and a circular internal periphery (2d, 3d) which is capable of alternately coming into contact with one of the two opposed circular arcs (2b, 2c, 3b, 3c) of said eccentric (2a, 3a), in a manner such that said ring can slide perpendicularly to said axis, such that the circular internal periphery (2d, 3d) of the ring constituting the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) comes into contact with the first circular arc of the eccentric under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the clockwise direction, the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) therefore being in said first position, and that the circular internal periphery (2d, 3d) of the ring constituting the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) comes into contact with the second circular arc of the eccentric under the effect of rotation of the driving pinion (1, 101) in the anti-clockwise direction, the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) therefore being located in said second position.
12. The adjusting device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the driven pinion (2, 3, 102, 103) on the one hand carries teeth adapted to mesh with the teeth of the driving pinion (1, 101), and on the other hand carries a coaxial mobile the teeth (11, 111) or respectively a finger of which is/are adapted to cooperate with teeth, or respectively an actuating means (A, A', B, B'), of a horological function.
13. The adjusting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving pinion (1, 101) is kinematically connected, in particular via setting wheels (9, 109, 109a), with a winding and/or adjusting crown of the timepiece.
14. A timepiece, characterized in that it comprises a device for adjusting horological functions according to one of claims 1 to 13.

Images