EP3683633B1 - Timepiece with mechanical oscillator comprising a wireless communication module - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

• un mouvement horloger comprenant un oscillateur mécanique,
• un dispositif de mesure de la marche de l'oscillateur mécanique,
• un mécanisme de réglage de la marche de l'oscillateur mécanique comprenant un organe de commande manuel accessible depuis l'extérieur de la boite et agencé pour modifier la marche de l'oscillateur mécanique en réponse à une action prédéfinie d'un utilisateur sur l'organe de commande manuel.

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a case housing

• a watch movement comprising a mechanical oscillator,
• a device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator,
• a mechanism for adjusting the rate of the mechanical oscillator comprising a manual control member accessible from outside the box and arranged to modify the rate of the mechanical oscillator in response to a predefined action of a user on the manual control unit.

The present invention also relates to a method for adjusting the rate of the mechanical oscillator of a timepiece according to the above characteristics.

State of the art

A timepiece meeting the above characteristics is already known from the state of the art, with regard to the EMC model from the house of Urwerk, presented in 2013, and the construction of which has been protected. by patent, under the number CH 707 105 B1 .

This timepiece comprises a device for measuring the rate of its mechanical oscillator comprising a microphone, activated on demand to take a measurement, as well as a device for displaying the measured value for the rate of the oscillator directly on the watch. Thus, this timepiece presents a sophisticated mechanical movement that is faithful to high-end watchmaking traditions, while proposing an evolution in the electronic field that does not intervene in the functioning of the movement but allows the wearer of the watch to 'interact with it.

Subsequently, connected watches, first electronic then electromechanical or even hybrid, that is to say connected but to mechanical movement and display by mechanical display members have appeared on the market.

Certain developments have made it possible to take advantage of the increasing integration of electronics in watches with mechanical movements.

For example, the patent application CH 711 303 A1 , filed in 2015, describes a hybrid timepiece comprising a wireless communication module making it possible to control certain functions remotely, for example by means of a smartphone. Thus, in particular, the smartphone can be provided with an application thanks to which it can measure the rate of the mechanical oscillator from outside its box. Then, depending on the result of this measurement, the application can act directly and automatically on a racket associated with the mechanical oscillator, via a controlled motor, to modify its position and adjust the speed of the oscillator.

The integration of electronic components in mechanical watches has paved the way for a large number of possible new applications.

Disclosure of the invention

A main aim of the present invention is to provide an alternative construction to the constructions already known for producing a timepiece with a mechanical watch movement in which the integration of electronic components is taken advantage of to provide a high level of interaction of the machine. user with his timepiece.

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

Advantageously but without limitation, the external electronic unit can be a portable telephone of the smartphone or tablet type, or even a computer. Such electronic devices have become ubiquitous in the way of life of the contemporary man who is accustomed to using it within the framework of numerous and very diversified activities.

Thus, thanks to the characteristics of the timepiece according to the present invention, the user can use a tool which is part of his usual environment to interact with his timepiece and become aware of the operating conditions of his mechanical oscillator. . However, the use of these modern electronic analysis means is associated here with a mode of action, by the user, which respects the watchmaking tradition since the adjustment of the rate of the mechanical oscillator is carried out manually, by actuation of the manual control unit. The user can then take full measure of the impact of his manual intervention on the watch movement and of the delicacy of horological achievements, in general.

Preferably, provision can be made for the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator to be programmed to take periodic measurements.

Alternatively or in a complementary manner, provision can be made for the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator to be designed to be able to carry out at least one measurement of the rate of the mechanical oscillator on demand, in response to the reception of a signal adapted by the wireless communication module, before transmitting back to the wireless communication module at least one signal representative of the result obtained for the measurement carried out.

Thus, the user wishing to adjust the rate of his timepiece can base himself on a recent measurement thereof before actuating the rate adjustment mechanism.

In addition, provision can be made for the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator to be arranged to perform close measurements for a predefined period in response to the reception of an adapted signal by the wireless communication module, before transmitting in return to the wireless communication module at least one signal representative of the result obtained for each of the measurements carried out.

Advantageously, provision can be made for the close measurements to be carried out every two seconds, preferably every second, and for the predefined duration to be between ten seconds and ten minutes, preferably between thirty seconds and three minutes.

In general, when the mechanical oscillator comprises an escapement, provision can be made for the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator to include a sensor designed to listen to the operating noises of the escapement, in order to deduce therefrom the value of the march of the mechanical oscillator.

Provision can also be made for the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator to be furthermore arranged to determine the value of the amplitude of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator and / or the value of its reference mark.

• que l'organe de commande manuel du mécanisme de réglage de la marche soit agencé au travers de la carrure de telle manière que sa rotation entraine la rotation d'un mobile denté de correction situé à l'intérieur de la boite, et
• que le mobile denté de correction présente une liaison cinématique avec un mobile de raquetterie dont les mouvements de rotation entrainent des déplacements de la raquette.

Furthermore, in general, when the case of the timepiece has a middle part and the mechanical oscillator is associated with a racket whose movements cause a variation in the rate of the mechanical oscillator, it is possible to provide

• that the manual control member of the rate adjustment mechanism is arranged through the caseband in such a way that its rotation causes the rotation of a toothed correction wheel located inside the case, and
• that the toothed correction mobile has a kinematic connection with a racket mobile whose rotational movements cause movements of the racket.

In this case, provision can also be made for the kinematic connection to comprise an intermediate mobile having a first toothed sector arranged in engagement with the toothed correction mobile and a second toothed sector arranged in engagement with a toothing of the racket mobile.

Advantageously, the racket mobile can carry an off-center member with reference to the axis of rotation of the racket mobile and positioned in a fork of the racket such that a rotation of the racket mobile causes movement of the racket. .

The present invention also relates to an adjustment method according to claim 11.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente un schéma illustrant le principe général de la présente invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'une partie d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon la présente invention;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un détail de construction de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 2, et
• la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective simplifiée d'un composant de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 2.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• the figure 1 represents a diagram illustrating the general principle of the present invention;
• the figure 2 shows a simplified perspective view of part of a timepiece according to the present invention;
• the figure 3 shows a simplified perspective view of a construction detail of the timepiece of the figure 2 , and
• the figure 4 shows a simplified perspective view of a component of the timepiece of the figure 2 .

Mode (s) for carrying out the invention

The figure 1 represents a diagram illustrating the general principle of the timepiece according to the present invention.

The timepiece 1 is of the mechanical type, that is to say here that it comprises a watch movement comprising a mechanical oscillator and it can be, indifferently, with manual winding or with automatic winding without impact on the time. implementation of the invention.

Furthermore, provision is made to provide the timepiece 1 with an electronic module (not visible) intended to present a certain number of functions, some of which will be described in the remainder of the description. The electronic module comprises in particular a wireless communication module (not visible) arranged in such a way that it can exchange data with an external electronic unit 2, illustrated on the figure. figure 1 in the form of a cell phone of the smartphone type. Any other type of suitable external electronic unit can be used without departing from the scope of the invention, such as for example a dedicated electronic device, a tablet or a computer. Likewise, the operating system installed on the external electronic unit is of little importance for the implementation of the invention. Whatever the operating system used, the external electronic unit 2 is provided with an application suitable for communicating with the wireless communication module of the timepiece 1.

From the point of view of wireless data transfer, if the low-power Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology is particularly suitable for the exchange of data between two devices such as those involved in the implementation of the present invention, other technologies wireless transmission, such as WiFi, for example, can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

In general, the timepiece 1 can have the appearance of a conventional mechanical timepiece depending on the electronic functions with which it is provided, or it can optionally have at least one display dedicated to the functions managed by the electronic module. .

In all cases, the present invention provides that the electronic module comprises, or is associated with, a device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator housed in the box of the timepiece 1. This measuring device can be integrated directly into the electronic module or, alternatively, be separate from it.

This device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator can be implemented in various known ways without much impact on the present invention, typically by using an acoustic sensor or an optical sensor, or even possibly a combination. both, or a magnetic field sensor.

For practical reasons of simplification, the device for measuring the rate may preferably include a microphone arranged to listen to the operating noises of an escapement of the mechanical oscillator, in a conventional manner.

The device for measuring the rate is preferably capable of carrying out an analysis of the measurements made to determine the rate of the mechanical oscillator. Provision can optionally be made for the device for measuring the rate to deduce additional information from the results of the measurements, such as for example the amplitude of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator or even its reference mark.

Of course, it is possible to provide, as an alternative, that an electronic calculation module, separate from the rate measuring device, is arranged in the timepiece 1 to analyze the results of the measurements carried out by the measuring device. a walk.

In general, provision can be made for the device for measuring the rate to be programmed (or controlled by a suitable control circuit) to carry out automatic periodic measurements of the rate of the mechanical oscillator, for example once an hour or once per hour. or twice a day.

However, it may be advantageous to provide for the gait measuring device to perform one or more successive measurements at the request of a user, for example by selecting an appropriate function in the application, on the external electronic unit 2. .

Thus, for example, it is possible to provide an operating mode for adjusting the rate in which the device for measuring the rate is controlled to take close measurements for a period of time. predefined in response to the reception of an adapted signal by the wireless communication module, before transmitting back to the wireless communication module at least one signal representative of the result obtained for each of the measurements carried out. In particular, provision can preferably be made for the close measurements to be taken every two seconds, even more preferably every second, and for the predefined duration to be between ten seconds and ten minutes, even more preferably between thirty seconds and three minutes.

The results of these measurements are then transmitted to the external electronic unit 2 so that the user can take note of the value of the rate of the mechanical oscillator and decide whether it is worthwhile to adjust it.

The figures 2 , 3 and 4 represent various simplified perspective views of part of the timepiece 1 according to the present invention and of certain construction details of this timepiece 1, illustrating how the user can act on his mechanical oscillator if the results of the measures of his walk are not satisfactory.

The timepiece 1 has a generally conventional construction. It comprises a case comprising in particular a caseband 4 and a back (not shown), the caseband 4 carrying lugs 6 for attachment to a bracelet (not shown) and being traversed by a winding and time-setting rod integral with 'a crown 8 at its outer end.

A watch movement 10 of the mechanical type is assembled to the caseband 4 by means of a casing ring 12, the watch movement 10 here being self-winding, by way of non-limiting illustration, as indicated by the presence of an automatic winding mass 14.

The time base of the watch movement 10 is provided by a mechanical oscillator 16 comprising here a balance 18 associated with a spiral spring 20 as well as an escapement, the escape wheel 22 of which is partially visible on the figure 2 .

In a known manner, the balance 18 is integral with a balance shaft (not visible), one end of which is pivoted in a balance bridge 24. The balance bridge 24 carries a racket 26, assembled with greasy friction so as to be able to be pivoted on the balance bridge 24 to adjust the useful length of the spiral spring 20.

It emerges more particularly from the figure 3 that the racket 26 has a fork 28, positioned above an arm of the balance bridge 24. The latter also carries a racket mobile 30 capable of pivoting in a hole in the balance bridge 24.

The snowshoe mobile 30 is also represented, on the figure 4 , in a view from its side opposite to that visible on the figure 3 . It comprises a tenon 32 carrying a head 34 at its free end, defining an axial stop for a toothed board 36, and the other end 38 of which is housed in the balance bridge 24. A disc 40 is driven out on the tenon 32 of so as to be arranged to bear against the toothed board 36, the disc 40 being off-center relative to the tenon 32 and therefore more generally relative to the axis of rotation of the snowshoe mobile 30.

It is thus understood that the disc 40 is positioned between the two teeth of the fork 28 in the assembled configuration, and that a rotation of the snowshoe mobile 30 causes a displacement, in its plane, of the disc 40, the latter then acting on the fork 28 to move the racket 26.

The snowshoe mobile 30 is part of a manual adjustment mechanism of the rate of the mechanical oscillator 16 further comprising a control member 42 (see figure 2 ), arranged through the middle part 4 to be accessible from outside the box, a reference 44 carrying a toothed correction mobile 46 and an intermediate mobile 48. The intermediate mobile 48 is pivotally mounted on a frame element of the movement watchmaker 10 and has a first toothed sector 50 arranged in engagement with the corrector toothed mobile 46, and a second toothed sector 52 arranged in engagement with the teeth of the toothed board 36 of the snowshoe mobile 30.

The control member 42 is inserted into a hole 54 of the caseband 4, in which it is retained by a screw 56 engaged in a groove 58 of the control member 42. Two O-rings 60 are engaged in the hole 54, on the control member 42, to ensure both the sealing of the opening corresponding in the middle part 4 and the holding of the control member 42 in rotation.

The control member 42 has a square 62 at its internal end intended to be engaged in a pinion 64 arranged in engagement with a return wheel 44, in order to be able to drive the toothed correction wheel 46 in rotation, in response to a rotation of the control member 42 by a user, in one direction or the other.

It will be noted that a cutout 66 adapted in the frame of the watch movement 10 makes it possible to define limit stops for the rotation of the intermediate mobile wheel 48, in such a way that its toothed sectors 50 and 52 cannot disengage from the teeth with which they. cooperate.

Thanks to the characteristics which have just been presented, it appears that the user can act manually on the racket of his timepiece to adjust the rate of his mechanical oscillator, while having access to the value of the rate in real time. or almost, depending on the operating parameters selected. A gait measurement can be requested as needed and / or an adjustment operating mode can be activated of taking close measurements for a certain predefined period of time, long enough to be able to change the position of the racket several times and check the position. impact of this modification on the value of the rate measured subsequently. Thus, the user can alternate readings of measurements and manual actions to modify the position of the racket as long as the adjustment of the rate of the mechanical oscillator is not satisfactory for him. Each user can define his own criteria corresponding to a satisfactory setting. Typically, it can be considered that a rate adjustment is satisfactory, for example if its value is between -1 second / day and +5 seconds / day, preferably in three perpendicular orientations of the timepiece.

It will also be noted that, thanks to the integration of the device for measuring the rate of the mechanical oscillator directly in the case of the timepiece, it is possible to carry out periodic monitoring over the long term of the evolution of the value of the rate of the mechanical oscillator, which makes it possible to carry out a finer adjustment if necessary.

The present invention therefore proposes a new balance between respect for the tradition of mechanical watchmaking and the use of modern electronic tools, with an approach that is both fun and allowing the user to better appreciate the operation of his mechanical watch. .

The foregoing description attempts to describe a particular embodiment by way of nonlimiting illustration and the invention is not limited to the implementation of certain particular characteristics which have just been described, such as for example the fact that the illustrated timepiece is a wristwatch, the mode of implantation of the manual control member in the middle part or the nature of the illustrated and described horological movement. The electronic module is not illustrated and has not been described in detail given that it can have a large number of additional functionalities not directly linked to the implementation of the present invention. The operation of the electronic module is preferably ensured by a cell or a rechargeable battery, not shown, a battery possibly being recharged from the movements of the winding mass.

The exemplary embodiment which has been described enables those skilled in the art to produce a wide variety of constructions of timepieces, of the type comprising a wireless communication module arranged to transmit information relating to the operation of its oscillator. mechanical to an external electronic unit, to allow a user to then intervene on a manual adjustment mechanism of the rate of the mechanical oscillator, according to his own needs and without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. Timepiece (1) comprising a case that houses a timepiece movement (10) comprising a mechanical oscillator (16),

   a device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16),

   a mechanism for adjusting the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) comprising a manual control member (42) that is accessible from the outside of said case and is configured so as to modify the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) in response to a predefined action of a user on said manual control member (42), wherein said case also houses a wireless communication module that is able to exchange data with said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) and is intended to communicate with an external electronic unit (2) in order to transmit, to the latter, results of measurements carried out by said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16), intended for a user.
2. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) is programmed to take periodic measurements.
3. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) is configured so as to be able to take at least one measurement of the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) on request, upon reception, by said wireless communication module, of an appropriate signal, before transmitting, back to said wireless communication module, at least one signal that is representative of the result obtained for said at least one taken measurement.
4. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 3, characterized in that said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) is configured so as to carry out closer-together measurements during a predefined period when said wireless communication module receives an appropriate signal, before transmitting, back to said wireless communication module, at least one signal that is representative of the result obtained for each of said taken measurements.
5. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that said closer-together measurements are taken every two seconds, preferably every second, while the predefined period is between ten seconds and ten minutes, preferably between thirty seconds and three minutes.
6. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

   characterized in that said mechanical oscillator (16) comprises an escapement (22), and

   in that said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) comprises a sensor that is configured to listen to the operating noises of said escapement (22) in order to deduce therefrom the value of the running of said mechanical oscillator (16).
7. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) is furthermore configured to determine the value of the amplitude of the oscillations of said mechanical oscillator (16), and/or its position of rest.
8. Timepiece (1) according to one of the preceding claims, said case having a middle (4), said mechanical oscillator (16) being associated with a regulator (26) whose displacements drive a variation in the running of said mechanical oscillator (16),

   characterized in that said manual control member (42) of said mechanism for adjusting the running is arranged through said middle (4) in such a way that the rotation thereof drives the rotation of a toothed correction wheel (46) located inside said case, and

   in that said toothed correction wheel (46) has a kinematic connection to a regulator-assembly wheel (30) whose rotational movements drive displacements of said regulator (26).
9. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 8, characterized in that said kinematic connection comprises an intermediate wheel (48) having a first toothed sector (50) that is configured so as to be in engagement with said toothed correction wheel (46), and a second toothed sector (52) that is configured so as to be in engagement with a toothing (36) of said regulator-assembly wheel (30) .
10. Timepiece (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that said regulator-assembly wheel (30) bears a member (40) that is eccentric with respect to the axis of rotation of said regulator-assembly wheel (30) and is positioned in a fork (28) of said regulator (26) in such a way that a rotation of said regulator-assembly wheel (30) drives a displacement of said regulator (26).
11. Method for adjusting the running of a mechanical oscillator (16) of a timepiece (1) comprising a case that houses

    a timepiece movement (10) comprising said mechanical oscillator (16),

    a device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16),

    a mechanism for adjusting the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) comprising a manual control member (42) that is accessible from the outside of said case and is configured so as to modify the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) in response to a predefined action of a user on said manual control member (42),

    a wireless communication module that is able to exchange data with said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) and is intended to communicate with an external electronic unit (2) in order to transmit, to the latter, results of measurements carried out by said device for measuring the running of said mechanical oscillator (16), intended for a user, wherein it comprises the steps of:

    a) providing an external electronic unit (2) comprising an application that is able to communicate with said communication module of the timepiece (1),

    b) instructing said device for measuring the running, via said application and said communication module, to take at least one measurement of the running,

    c) reading, in said application, the measured value for the running of said mechanical oscillator (16),

    d) acting on said manual control member (42), from outside said case, to modify the adjusting of the running of said mechanical oscillator (16),

    e) repeating steps b) to d) until the measured value for the running of said mechanical oscillator (16) is satisfactory.

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