EP3654110A1 - Mechanical clock piece with animated display - Google Patents

Abstract

Timepiece (1) comprising at least one mechanical movement (10) comprising at least one plate (2), a resonator (11), energy storage and distribution means (3) connected to a mobile of exhaust (4) by a gear train (5), where at least one of the mobiles, which includes the gear train (5) or an exhaust mechanism (6) to which the exhaust mobile (4) belongs and which cooperates with the resonator (11), and which are in jerky or reciprocating movement during the operation of the resonator (11), is a mobile display (7) which comprises at least two distinct patterns (8) which are arranged to succeed one another in front of a fixed point of the stage (2), during the operation of the resonator (11), and for displaying therein a sequence of animated images.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a timepiece comprising at least one mechanical movement comprising at least one plate, a resonator, means for storing and distributing energy connected to an exhaust mobile by a gear train.

The invention relates to the field of animated displays on timepieces, in particular on watches.

Invention background

Since the beginnings of watchmaking, designers have sought to use the regular functioning of a mechanical movement to add sound or visual animations to timepieces, clocks, table watches, then watches, in the form of ring tones, movements of automata, or even specific displays.

This approach remains current, for timepieces which are intended to distinguish their wearer or their owner.

The recurring problem is to offer an animation sequence, or a visual sequence of film or cartoon type, or similar, to the user of a mechanical watch, without making the movement more complex, or adding mechanical or electronic components to it.

To create a visual animation, you must generate a succession of still images representing the temporal evolution of a movement, in a given place. The time interval between two images must be less than approximately 150 ms, so that the observer perceives a fluid animation. The fixed display time of each image must be as long as possible for the contrast to be good. The transition time from one image to another must be as short as possible, but is necessary to interrupt the effect of retinal persistence.

The whole history of the beginnings of cinema is linked to different devices based on the principle of moving images: phenakistiscope, zootrope, praxinoscope, and others. More particularly, the apparatus called thaumatrope comprises at least two patterns on the front and back of a pivoting mobile, such as a token stretched between two wires, each of these two patterns contains only part of the information, this done when the mobile is stopped, the observer cannot see the entire image, whereas, when the mobile is set in motion, for example by twisting and then pulling the two wires, a complete image resulting from the superposition of the two patterns is then revealed to the observer; for example a bird in a cage results from the visual superposition of a first empty cage motif and a second free bird motif.

There are also animation mechanisms in watches, but, if we start with a continuous rotation movement, we need a mechanism, such as a Maltese cross, as in a cinema projector, to create the jerky movement necessary to obtain a film. Such a mechanism is very energy intensive, especially at frequencies above 10 Hz, which are necessary to make a fluid film, which is pleasant to watch by the user.

The documents WO2013162423A2 or WO2013187798A1 in the name of CHAJKIN describe optical mechanisms according to such principles. If the images are visible to the naked eye, the mechanism used for their display requires a great deal of energy compared to the energy available for the basic movement of a mechanical watch. Thus an additional energy source or a user action on a targette or the like is necessary to operate the animation, and this for a period limited by the level of energy supplied and consumed. On the other hand, in these two documents, the animation requires a complex mechanism which must be added to the basic movement, which is expensive and consumes volume which is always rare in a timepiece.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to create a visual animation which operates continuously, as long as the timepiece (in particular a watch) operates, without requiring any other energy, and without altering its chronometric performance.

The invention endeavors, again, in the particular case of the watch, not to increase its thickness, and not to weigh it down, and to modify its mechanism as little as possible: the implementation of the invention is possible on any existing mechanical watch.

The principle of the invention consists in using the intermittent movement of the escapement wheel of a mechanical movement, or of the intermediate-escapement wheel, or else of another mobile driven by a naturally jerky movement, as for example an anchor, to offer the user a visual animation.

To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, une séquence de sept motifs graphiques formant une animation d'homme pratiquant la course à pied;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, la décomposition du mouvement d'un coureur, où la silhouette est construite sous forme de bâtons articulés ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, une roue d'échappement munie de 20 dents et 39 motifs représentant un coureur, avec deux anneaux permettant de relier les motifs aux bras de la roue ;
• la figure 4 est un détail de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est un détail d'une autre roue, notamment une roue d'échappement, qui comporte autant de bras radiaux que de motifs, et qui relient ceux-ci au moyeu de la roue ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, la décomposition du mouvement d'une patineuse, où l'animation est la silhouette d'un mouvement hors du plan de la roue, permettant de donner l'illusion d'un mouvement tridimensionnel ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, une partie d'une autre roue, laquelle comporte des rayons, ou encore des secteurs, portant chacun une partie d'une signature secrète, de façon à faire apparaître puis disparaître graduellement l'expression française « Signature secrète » ;
• la figure 8 est un schéma-blocs représentant une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mouvement mécanique, comportant un résonateur associé à un mécanisme d'échappement dont au moins un mobile est un mobile support d'animation selon l'invention, cette montre comportant un guichet de visualisation du motif, des moyens optiques d'agrandissement du motif, et des moyens de projection d'un faisceau lumineux naturel ou artificiel sur le motif, et des moyens de réflexion du motif.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, a sequence of seven graphic patterns forming an animation of a man practicing running;
• the figure 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , the decomposition of the movement of a runner, where the silhouette is constructed in the form of articulated sticks;
• the figure 3 represents, schematically, an escape wheel provided with 20 teeth and 39 patterns representing a runner, with two rings making it possible to connect the patterns to the arms of the wheel;
• the figure 4 is a detail of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a detail of another wheel, in particular an escape wheel, which has as many radial arms as there are patterns, and which connect these to the hub of the wheel;
• the figure 6 represents, similarly to the figure 1 , the decomposition of the movement of a skater, where the animation is the silhouette of a movement outside the plane of the wheel, making it possible to give the illusion of a three-dimensional movement;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically, part of another wheel, which has spokes, or sectors, each bearing part of a secret signature, so as to gradually appear and then disappear the French expression "Signature secrète";
• the figure 8 is a block diagram representing a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a mechanical movement, comprising a resonator associated with an escape mechanism of which at least one mobile is a mobile animation support according to the invention, this watch comprising a window for viewing the pattern, optical means for enlarging the pattern, and means for projecting a natural or artificial light beam onto the pattern, and means for reflecting the pattern.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The invention consists in using the intermittent movement of the escapement wheel with a mechanical movement, or else of the intermediate-escapement wheel, or another mobile with a naturally jerky movement, such as an anchor, to offer the user visual animation.

To do this, the mobile concerned, which will be referred to hereinafter as "display mobile", such as the escape wheel for example, includes graphic representations, in the form of images, made for example in screen printing or the like, or very advantageously in DRIE engravings, in particular when this mobile is made of micro-machinable material such as silicon, oxidized silicon, DLC, or the like. These graphic representations constitute the successive elements of an animated film. Naturally, it is possible to carry out such an animation on several mobiles, in particular on several neighboring mobiles such as an escape wheel, an anchor, an inter-escapement wheel, or even an inertia wheel kinematically linked to the escape wheel, to present the user with a more complex animation or combining movements, such as a character animated by a complex movement and represented on an escape wheel, and presenting an object at regular intervals in front of a reciprocating tool, hammer or ax, figured on the anchor. A display on two mobile displays meshing with each other allows the representation of a couple of dancers, or skaters, or the like, whose movements can have different frequencies, which results in evolutionary animations in the time.

When the escape wheel is selected as a mobile display, the animation is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye due to the small diameter of the escape wheel, and is better visible with a magnifying glass or microscope, and this complication is thus part of the tradition of secret signatures of old watches, like those of Abraham-Louis Breguet.

The industrial implementation of the invention, by producing micrometric patterns is now possible for a watch, thanks to the advent of micro-manufacturing techniques, which make it possible to engrave sufficiently small patterns on a clockwork mobile.

Thus, the invention relates to a timepiece 1 comprising at least one mechanical movement 10. This movement 10 comprises at least one plate 2, a resonator 11, and energy storage and distribution means 3 connected to a mobile d exhaust 4 by a gear train 5.

According to the invention, at least one of the mobiles, which comprises the gear train 5 or an exhaust mechanism 6 to which the exhaust mobile 4 belongs and which cooperates with the resonator 11, and which are in jerky or reciprocating movement during the operation of the resonator 11, is a mobile display 7. Such a mobile display 7 comprises at least two distinct patterns 8, which are arranged to succeed one another at a fixed point of the plate 2, during the operation of the resonator 11, and for display a sequence of animated images. It is understood that only a mobile with jerky movement is capable of implementing the invention.

In an advantageous variant, the mobile display 7 is the exhaust mobile 4, which is the escape wheel, which includes the exhaust mechanism 6, or else an inter-exhaust wheel, directly engaged with the exhaust, and that includes the exhaust mechanism 6.

In another variant, the mobile display 7 is an anchor 9 that includes the exhaust mechanism 6.

In another variant, the mobile display 7 is a wheel of the gear train 5, comprising a plurality of N patterns 8, distributed angularly on this wheel, each of these patterns constituting an image of a sequence of images forming an animation, or film.

In yet another variant, the mobile display 7 is a crazy flywheel, which is directly engaged with the escape wheel, and which includes the escape mechanism 6. Such a flywheel does not have kinematic function, and meshes only with the escape wheel, its function is to limit the sensitivity of the oscillator to acceleration of the range, it preferably has the same inertia as the escape wheel but it can be both thinner and lighter than the latter, which allows a larger display area for the animation patterns 8, and over a larger diameter than that of the escape wheel, of which it has the same rhythm jerky.

In the simplest embodiment, some of the patterns 8 of the same display mobile 7 are two-dimensional, and extend in a substantially planar manner and perpendicular to the pivot axis of the display mobile 7. More particularly all the patterns 8 of the same mobile display 7 are two-dimensional, and extend substantially planar and perpendicular to the pivot axis of the mobile display 7. More particularly still, all the patterns 8 of the same mobile display 7 are coplanar.

In another embodiment, some of the patterns 8 of the same display mobile 7 are three-dimensional and extend at least in part along the direction of the pivot axis of the display mobile 7. For example, patterns engraved at different depths , in bas-relief, make it possible to simulate a three-dimensional display of the animation, especially if the depth effect is artificially amplified by an optic allowing an improved visualization of the animations.

A traditional mechanical watch movement generally includes a Swiss lever escapement mechanism, we will study the rarer case of a detent escapement later. In a classic example, for a Swiss anchor escapement having an escape wheel of z = 20 teeth, and operating at a frequency of f = 10 Hz, the escape wheel travels 2 * z = 40 steps per revolution, and moves one step every dt = 1 / (2 * f) = 50 ms. The escape wheel remains stationary for about 45ms then moves for 5ms. In this example, the animation with patterns 8, carried by the escape wheel 4 as a mobile display 7, would consist of 40 images and would last 2 seconds.

It should be noted that, if a number N of images different from 2 * z is distributed over the periphery of the mobile display 7, in particular of the escape wheel 4, then the animation moves, in front or in rear, depending on whether N is larger or smaller than the number of positions of the display mobile 7. In fact, at a given observation location, the N patterns will follow each other, every dt seconds, with a slight angular offset from dA = sign (average angular speed of the display mobile) * (360 ° / N-360 ° / (2 * z)). The value of DA is therefore an algebraic value, depending on whether the pattern seems to move forward or backward relative to the observer.

We can imagine a look hole to view the animation at a specific place, or a skeletonized movement, to see N times the animation in N different places. Let z be the number of teeth of the escape wheel and f the frequency of the resonator. Then the duration of the animation is T = z / f and the number of images in the sequence is N = 2 * z. After a time T, the animation repeats.

An inter-escapement wheel preceding the escapement wheel may also be suitable. For example, for a coaxial escapement with an 8-tooth wheel, a resonator with a frequency of 4 Hz, and a reduction between the inter-escapement wheel and the escape wheel of 2.5, the inter-escapement wheel makes a turn in 5 seconds (duration of the film) and 40 steps.

The mobile display 7 preferably comprises a plurality of patterns 8 which occupy angularly distributed positions, relative to the pivot axis of the display mobile 7, with a constant angular pitch, where the patterns 8 are arranged with an angle of 360 °. / N between each of the N patterns. More particularly, the mobile display 7 has a pattern 8 in each angular position.

In a variant, the display mobile 7 is a toothed mobile, and the number of angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is an integer multiple or submultiple of the number of teeth of the display mobile 7.

In another variant, the display mobile 7 is a toothed mobile, and the number of angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is different from a unit of a multiple or an integer sub-multiple of the number of teeth display mobile 7.

In yet another variant, the display mobile 7 is a toothed mobile, and the number of angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is prime with the number of teeth of the display mobile 7.

More particularly, as in the example of figures 3 and 4 , the display mobile 7 has its patterns 8 of the same radial positioning relative to the pivot axis of the display mobile 7.

More specifically, as in the example of the figure 7 specific to a secret signature, the mobile display 7, has patterns 8 of different radial extension relative to the pivot axis of the mobile display 7.

In a variant where the mobile display 7 is the escapement wheel 4, and where the escapement is a Swiss anchor escapement, that is to say that the wheel moves in steps of half a tooth, the number N of patterns 8 is advantageously between (2 * z-4) and (2 * z + 4), z being the number of teeth of the wheel. More particularly, the number N of patterns 8 is between (2 * z-1) and (2 * z + 1).

In a variant where the mobile display 7 is the escapement wheel 4, and where the escapement is a detent escapement, that is to say that the wheel moves in steps of an entire tooth, the number N of patterns 8 is advantageously between (z-4) and (z + 4), z being the number of teeth of the wheel. More particularly, the number N of patterns 8 is between (z-1) and (z + 1).

Advantageously, the timepiece 1 comprises optical means 13 for offset and / or enlargement of a pattern 8, and / or means 14 for projecting a natural or artificial light beam onto the pattern 8, and / or means 15 for reflecting the pattern 8.

The optical means 13 for offset and / or enlargement of the pattern 8 may comprise at least one magnifying glass. More particularly, this magnifying glass is on the glass, the possible transparent bottom, and / or on the dial of the timepiece 1.

The means 14 for projecting a natural or artificial light beam onto the pattern 8 more particularly comprise an optic for projecting the animation illuminated by the rays of the sun, a laser source or another source of artificial light.

The reflection means 15 of the pattern 8 more particularly comprise a lens for reflecting the animation illuminated by the rays of the sun, a laser source or another source of artificial light.

More particularly, the patterns 8 are diffractive patterns which form an image on a surface distant from the timepiece 1, for example by diffraction of a laser beam.

A particularly advantageous optical variant consists in the use of “FOP” or “plastic optical fiber”, which relates to the grouping of optical fibers into a boot or a ribbon. This technology allows the enlargement of the images, with tapered fibers, the diameter of which is small next to the image to be enlarged, here the zone concerned of the mobile display, and the diameter of which is greater at the outlet of the boot, at the observer level. The advantage of these bundles of optical fibers is, first of all their small size, with a core diameter conventionally from 120 micrometers to 1 millimeter, and a protective sheath diameter also reduced, for example 230 micrometers for a core of 120 micrometers, and then the very small authorized radius of curvature, for example 4 millimeters for a core with a diameter of 175 micrometers. This allows an easy transfer of the image to any available area of a watch, whether on the dial, in the middle (frontal or on a song), or other. Thus, the optical means 13 for offset and / or enlargement of the pattern 8 may comprise at least one such bundle of optical fibers in a bundle.

The only limitations to the choice of patterns 8 are related to their small size, and their necessary readability. Animation can thus relate, in a traditional way in watchmaking, the representation of at least one animal, or part of an animal, in movement, or of human beings in sports, running, dancing, skating, or in other activities in the tradition eighteenth century libertine watches. Any subject can be treated, in particular the characters of cartoons or tales, or other, world famous.

The figure 7 illustrates another attractive example of implementation of the invention for the unfolding of a secret signature, which is displayed letter by letter, and / or disappears just as gradually. The combination with holograms allows for anti-counterfeiting markings; the particular visualization of certain patterns or sequences of patterns under a particular stroboscopic lighting also allows such identification which is difficult to identify and to reproduce.

The figure 8 illustrates such a timepiece 1, in particular a watch, comprising a mechanical movement 10 comprising at least one plate 2, a resonator 11, energy storage and distribution means 3 connected to an exhaust mobile 4 by a gear train 5. The resonator 11 is associated with an exhaust mechanism 6 of which at least one mobile is a mobile display 7, animation support according to the invention. This timepiece 1, in particular this watch, more particularly but not limited to a window 12 for viewing the pattern, and, in the case of the figure 8 , optical means 13 for shifting and / or enlarging the pattern, and means 14 for projecting a natural or artificial light beam onto the pattern, and means 15 for reflecting the pattern.

The invention applies well for a wide frequency range of the resonator, typically between f = 3 Hz and f = 30 Hz.

The invention lends itself well to the use of a cut plate as a mobile display 7. In other words, the functional parts (teeth, hub, arm, and twill) and the patterns 8 are in the same plate.

More particularly, the mobile display 7 is manufactured by the "LIGA" process.

More particularly, the mobile display 7 is manufactured by the “DRIE” process.

More particularly, the patterns 8 are engraved on the surface of the mobile display 7.

More particularly, the patterns are printed and / or screen printed on the surface of the mobile display 7.

More particularly, the mobile display 7 comprises at least one ring which connects all of the patterns to the arms of the wheel, as visible on the figure 3 .

More particularly, the mobile display 7 comprises N radial arms 16 which connect the N patterns 8 to the hub of the mobile display 7.

More particularly, as on the figure 6 , the animation is the silhouette of a movement out of the plane of the mobile display 7, making it possible to give the illusion of a three-dimensional movement.

The invention lends itself, again, to a more complex optical animation, by the use of several neighboring display mobiles 7 each of which carries different patterns which complement each other by displaying complementary movements, certain mobiles performing a continuous jerky rotation, others can perform a jerky reciprocating movement.

In short, the invention, by using the functioning of the escapement mechanism, without altering its efficiency, allows free visual animation to be enjoyed, without any complexity of the watch movement. It suffices, in particular, to decorate or modify the escape wheel or any mobile having a sufficient angular period, such as an anchor or an inter-escapement wheel, or a flywheel in engagement with the escape wheel, or any similar mobile.

Claims (14)

Timepiece (1) comprising at least one mechanical movement (10) comprising at least one plate (2), a resonator (11), and energy storage and distribution means (3) connected to a mobile d 'exhaust (4) by a gear train (5), characterized in that at least one of the mobiles, which comprises said gear train (5) or an exhaust mechanism (6) to which said exhaust mobile (4) and which cooperates with said resonator (11), and which are in jerky or reciprocating movement during the operation of said resonator (11), is a mobile display (7) which comprises at least two distinct patterns (8) which are arranged to follow one another in front of a fixed point of said plate (2), during the operation of said resonator (11), and to display therein a sequence of animated images. Timepiece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that some of said patterns (8) of the same said mobile display (7) are two-dimensional and extend substantially planar and perpendicular to the pivot axis of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that some of said patterns (8) of the same mobile display (7) are three-dimensional and extend at least partially in the direction of the axis pivoting of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said mobile display (7) comprises a plurality of said patterns (8) which occupy positions distributed angularly, relative to the axis of pivoting of said mobile display (7), with a constant angular pitch. Timepiece (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said mobile display (7) comprises a said pattern (8) in each said angular position. Timepiece (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said mobile display (7) is a toothed mobile, and in that the number of said angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is a multiple or sub integer multiple of the number of teeth of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said mobile display (7) is a toothed mobile, and in that the number of said angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is different from a unit of a multiple or an integer sub-multiple of the number of teeth of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said mobile display (7) is a toothed mobile, and in that the number of said angular positions is greater than or equal to two, and is prime with the number of teeth of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said mobile display (7) has its said patterns (8) of the same radial positioning relative to the pivot axis of said mobile display ( 7). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said mobile display (7) comprises said patterns (8) of different radial extension relative to the pivot axis of said mobile display (7). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a said mobile display (7) is said escapement mobile (4) which is an escape wheel or an inter- exhaust that includes said exhaust mechanism (6). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a said mobile display (7) is an anchor (9) that includes said escapement mechanism (6). Timepiece (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said timepiece (1) comprises a window (12) for displaying the pattern, and / or optical means (13) for offset and / or enlargement of the pattern, and / or means of projection (14) of a natural or artificial light beam on the pattern, and / or means of reflection (15) of the pattern. Timepiece (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said timepiece (1) comprises said optical means (13) for offset and / or enlargement of the pattern, which comprise at least one beam of bundle optical fibers, for offset and / or enlargement of the image.

Images