EP3685234B1 - Device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object, in particular a timepiece. The invention also relates to such a timepiece comprising this control device.

Technological background of the invention

Portable objects such as a timepiece equipped with a device for controlling an electronic function implemented in such a portable object have been known for a long time.

These control devices generally comprise a control rod whose actuation makes it possible to control the desired electronic function. For the proper execution of the desired electronic function, it is necessary to be able to detect the actuation of the control rod of the control device. Among the known solutions which make it possible to detect the actuation of a control rod, a widely used solution consists in detecting the actuation of the control rod by establishing a galvanic contact by friction between a contact zone. of this control rod and a corresponding electrical contact zone of an electrical circuit of this control device.

The solution described above has been known for a long time. It is simple to implement and inexpensive. However, it has certain drawbacks, among which we can cite its lack of robustness and reliability which significantly reduce its lifespan. Indeed, the repeated actuation of the control rod induces friction between the contact zone of this control rod and the corresponding contact zone of the electrical circuit. However, this repeated friction causes wear of the control rod and / or of the electrical circuit over time, which inevitably causes an alteration in the quality of the galvanic contact between these two elements. After a certain time, the introduction of a control signal by means of the control rod becomes more and more random, or even impossible, and all that remains, more often than not, is to discard the defective portable object.

To overcome this drawback, it is known in the state of the art to coat the contact area of the control rod and the contact area of the electrical circuit which rub against each other with a layer of a abrasion resistant material, for example a metallic material such as cadmium.

However, the application of a layer of an abrasion resistant material to the corresponding contact areas of the control rod and the electrical circuit involves long and complex operations, which leads to an increase in the manufacturing costs of such control devices and, consequently, portable devices such as timepieces in which these portable devices are integrated. This is hardly acceptable from an economic point of view, since the portable objects equipped with such control devices are often inexpensive portable objects for which the cost price of the various components is a crucial factor.

In addition, it is common for materials which have good abrasion resistance properties to be substances hazardous to humans, so that their use is often incompatible with portable objects of small dimensions intended to be worn in contact. skin of users, and which can even be opened by them.

The document EP 1 515 203 A1 , on behalf of the applicant, describes a device for controlling horological functions, according to the preamble of independent claim 1 attached.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to alleviate the above-mentioned problems as well as others by providing a robust and reliable control device comprising an actuating element which is carried by a control rod of the device, this control element. actuation being able to cooperate by friction with an electrically conductive switching element in order to force this switching element to establish galvanic contact with a contact pad of an electrical circuit with a view to ensuring closure of this electrical circuit.

To this end, the present invention relates to a device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object, in particular a timepiece, this device being defined in independent claim 1 attached. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

The invention also relates to a portable object, in particular a timepiece, comprising at least one such control device.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de commande d'au moins une fonction électronique d'un objet portable selon un premier mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus et en transparence d'un second mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de commande d'au moins une fonction électronique d'un objet portable ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective et en transparence du dispositif de commande illustré à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un ressort de positionnement du dispositif de commande selon les premier et second modes de réalisation, et
• la figure 5 est une représentation schématique de l'objet portable, ici une pièce d'horlogerie, comportant le dispositif de commande selon les premier et second modes de réalisation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows of several embodiments, these embodiments being given purely by way of illustration and without limitation only in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object according to a first embodiment;
• the figure 2 is a top view and in transparency of a second embodiment of a device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view in transparency of the control device illustrated on figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a positioning spring of the control device according to the first and second embodiments, and
• the figure 5 is a schematic representation of the portable object, here a timepiece, comprising the control device according to the first and second embodiments.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in providing a device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object of small dimensions, for example a wristwatch, in which the zone in which an element of Electrical switching is operated mechanically is separate from the area in which the electrical switching element makes electrical contact for the activation of the electronic function. Thanks to these characteristics, the electrical contact zone is protected against any risk of wear linked to the friction generated in the mechanical contact zone.

Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 1a, a first embodiment of the control device according to the invention is illustrated in figure 1 . This control device 1a, arranged to control at least one electronic function of a portable object 54 such as, without limitation, a timepiece, comprises a lower frame 2 which serves as a cradle for a control rod 4. This rod control 4 is able to move axially back and forth and front to back to control at least one electronic function of the portable object 54 in a robust and reliable manner.

In the description which follows, the direction from back to front is a rectilinear direction which extends from an actuation ring 50 located outside the portable object 54 towards the interior of this portable object 54 in which accommodates the control device 1a, 1b. This direction extends horizontally along the longitudinal axis of symmetry XX of the control rod 4, perpendicular to a caseband 56 of the portable object 54. Thus, the control rod 4 will be pushed from the rear to the front, and will be pulled from the front to the rear. Furthermore, the vertical direction z is a direction which extends perpendicularly to a bottom 58 of the portable object 54.

To allow the control of at least one electronic function of the portable object 54, the control device 1a firstly comprises an actuating element 6a which may, as desired, be made in one piece with the control rod. command 4, or be attached to the latter. This actuating element 6a has at least one mechanical contact zone 12a, 12b via which it is in contact with an electrically conductive electrical switching element 8a. This actuating element 6a is arranged to actuate the electrical switching element 8a and allow the latter to establish a galvanic contact between an electrical contact zone of this electrical switching element 8a and a contact pad of a circuit. electrical to ensure the closure of this electrical circuit. Thus, in the control device 1a according to the invention, the mechanical contact area 12a, 12b between the actuating element 6a and the electrical switching element 8a, and the electrical contact area between the switching element electrical 8a and the contact pad of the electrical circuit are two distinct zones, so that the repeated friction between the actuating element 6a and the electrical switching element 8a has no influence on the quality of the galvanic contact between the electrical contact area and the electrical circuit contact pad.

As already mentioned above, the control device 1a illustrated in figure 1 is intended to allow the control of at least one electronic function of the portable object 54 which is an object of small dimensions such as a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch. The lower frame 2 of this control device 1a, for example made of an electrically insulating material such as injected plastic, serves as cradle to the control rod 4 which is preferably but not limited to elongated and substantially cylindrical shape, and which has a longitudinal axis of symmetry XX. This control rod 4 is arranged to slide back and forth and back to front along its longitudinal axis of symmetry XX, and / or to rotate around this same longitudinal axis of symmetry XX clockwise and counterclockwise. .

More specifically, the control rod 4 comprises a rear end 46 which is located outside the portable object 54 once the control device 1a is installed in the portable object 54, and which is designed to receive a crown of 'actuation 50. This control rod 4 also comprises a front end 48 which is situated inside the portable object 54 once the control device 1a is housed therein. The control rod 4 is also equipped with a plain bearing 40 which, by cooperation with a corresponding receiving surface of the lower frame 2, ensures the support and axial guidance of this control rod 4. It will be noted that to allow passage of the control rod 4 and the installation of the control device 1a in the portable object 54, a hole 52 is made in the middle part of the portable object 54.

In this control device 1a, the lower frame 2 forms a cradle which is provided to receive the control rod 4 of the control device 1a. In the control device 1a, the control rod 4 has a preferentially elongated and substantially cylindrical shape and extends along its longitudinal axis of X-X symmetry. The front end 48 of the control rod 4 has a section 12, for example square, which is able to receive the sliding bearing 40.

The actuating element 6a which can be made in one piece with the control rod 4 or else be mounted fixedly on this control rod 4 is able to be driven in a translational or pivoting movement relative to the lower frame 2 when the control rod 4 is moved axially, respectively in pivoting, relative to this lower frame 2. In the case where the actuating element 6a is a part attached to the control rod 4, it is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, this is that is to say a material which makes it possible to prevent the passage of an electric current in the control rod 4 on which it is mounted when this actuating element 6a is brought into contact with an electrically conductive electrical component. By way of example, this actuating element 6a can be made of plastic.

Located in the lower frame 2 inside the control device 1a, the actuating element 6a is presented as a preferred but non-limiting example in the form of a ring having a circular cross section. This actuating element 6a comprises a peripheral wall and front and rear faces. The peripheral wall comprises a position indexing zone 10a provided with a cam profile for example constituted by two hollows 20a and 20b separated from each other by a top 38a which protrudes, the hollow 20a being extended by a sloping profile 22, for example of the frustoconical type, which widens towards the rear end 46 of the control rod 4. The two recesses 20a and 20b are for example circular grooves centered on the longitudinal axis of XX symmetry of the control rod 4. It will be noted that this cam profile comprises as many hollows as the number of stable positions in which the control rod 4 can be indexed in the control device 1a. Likewise, the cam profile comprises a number of slopes identical to the number of unstable positions in which the control rod 4 can be brought.

The cam profile formed of one or more hollows 20a, 20b and / or slope 22 of the position indexing zone 10a of the actuating element 6a allows, by cooperation with the ends 34 of the rods 28 of a positioning spring 14, to define the stable and / or unstable position (s) in which the control rod 4 is likely to be found when the user moves it axially from rear to front or from front to rear.

More precisely, the positioning spring 14 has a general U-shape with two arms 30 which extend in a horizontal plane and which are interconnected by a base 32. At their free end, the two arms 30 are extended by the two substantially rectilinear rods 28 which rise vertically. The positioning spring 14 is intended to be mounted in the control device 1a from below the lower frame 2, so that the ends 34 of the rods 28 protrude at the level of the cam profile of the position indexing zone 10a of the actuating element 6a.

• une partie de liaison 36a qui le relie de préférence de manière fixe et/ou rigide à ce circuit électrique par l'intermédiaire d'un plot de fixation 18a du dispositif de commande 1a ;
• au moins une, et dans l'exemple représenté, deux zones de contact électrique 24a, 24b définies dans les faces externes de cet élément de commutation électrique 8a et prévues pour entrer en contact avec un premier et un second plot de contact 16a, 16b du circuit électrique lorsque cet élément de commutation électrique 8a est déplacé dans la position de fermeture du circuit électrique, et
• au moins une, et dans l'exemple représenté, deux zones de contact mécanique 26a, 26b définies dans les faces internes de cet élément de commutation électrique 8a et prévues pour coopérer avec les zones de contact mécanique 12a, 12b formées par les faces avant et/ou arrière de l'élément d'actionnement 6a, 6b.

The front and / or rear faces of the actuating element 6a define the mechanical contact zones 12a and 12b via which the actuating element 6a is able to cooperate with the electrical switching element 8a of the control device 1a. . More precisely, this electrical switching element 8a is a component of the “switch” type of an electrical circuit of the control device 1a. This electrical switching element 8a is in fact capable of being mechanically controlled by the actuating element 6a when the control rod 4 is moved axially from rear to front or from front to rear in order to be brought into the one of its stable or unstable positions. When this electrical switching element 8a is mechanically controlled by the actuating element 6a, it deforms elastically and moves alternately from an open position to an open position of the electrical circuit of the control device 1a. To this end, this electrical switching element 8a comprises:

• a connecting part 36a which preferably connects it in a fixed and / or rigid manner to this electrical circuit by means of a fixing pad 18a of the control device 1a;
• at least one, and in the example shown, two electrical contact areas 24a, 24b defined in the external faces of this electrical switching element 8a and provided to come into contact with a first and a second contact pad 16a, 16b of the electric circuit when this electric switching element 8a is moved to the closed position of the electric circuit, and
• at least one, and in the example shown, two mechanical contact zones 26a, 26b defined in the internal faces of this electrical switching element 8a and provided to cooperate with the mechanical contact zones 12a, 12b formed by the front faces and / or rear of the actuating element 6a, 6b.

It will be noted that the electrical switching element 8a is for example a metal leaf spring in the shape of a "V" as illustrated on the figure. figure 1 .

It will be understood that the fixing pad 18a and the first and second contact pads 16a and 16b are all three conductors of electricity and are arranged in the lower frame 2 of the control device 1a, and that they each comprise one end which is connected to a contact pad provided on the surface of a printed circuit, for example a sheet of a flexible printed circuit (not shown), above which the control device 1a is arranged. Advantageously, the electrical circuit which makes it possible to interconnect the fixing pad 18a and the two contact pads 16a, 16b is structured on the flexible printed circuit sheet. It will also be noted that the fixing pad 18a and the contact pads 16a, 16b can be helical contact springs, leaf springs or the like. The electrical circuit also comprises all the necessary electronic components such as a microcontroller 64 and an electrical connector 66, for example of the zebra® type, for the execution of the desired electronic function.

The control device 1a comprises an upper frame 60 which is provided to cover the lower frame 2. The union of these two lower frames 2 and upper 60 which are each for example of generally parallelepipedal shape, defines the external geometry of the control device 1a. . These two frames 2, 60 include the housings and surfaces suitable for receiving the constituent elements of the present control device 1a.

In the first embodiment described above and illustrated in figure 1 , the control device 1a is provided with a single electrical switching element 8a. This electrical switching element 8a is made in one piece and has a substantially "V" shape with first and second arms 44a, 44b interconnected by a connecting portion 36a. This electrical switching element 8a comprises a connecting portion 36a at which these arms 44a, 44b are connected to one another and which makes it possible to secure the electrical switching element 8a on the contact pad. attachment 18a for example by gluing, welding or interlocking. The outer face 42a of the arms 44a, 44b of the "V" forms the first and second electrical contact areas 24a, 24b of the electrical switching element 8a, while the inner faces 42b of the free ends of the arms 44a, 44b of the " V ”define the mechanical contact zones 26a and 26b provided to cooperate with the mechanical contact zones 12a, 12b of the actuating element 6a. It will be understood that the arms 44a, 44b of the "V" of the electrical switching element 8a are kept spaced apart by the actuating element 6a against the elastic restoring force of the material. spring in which the electrical switching element 8a is made. Consequently, when the control rod 4 is for example pulled back and forth, the electrical contact between the first electrical contact area 24a and the first contact pad 16a is broken, while the electrical contact is established between the second electrical contact zone 24b and the second contact pad 16b. Thus, the first electrical circuit between the first contact pad 16a and the fixing pad 18a is open, while the second electrical circuit between the fixing pad 18a and the second contact pad 16b is closed. The reverse of what has just been described occurs when pushing the control rod 4 from rear to front.

It will be understood on reading the following that the cooperation between the position indexing zone 10a of the actuating element 6a and the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 makes it possible to index the position of the control rod 4 in a first stable position T1 from which this control rod 4 can be pushed forward in an unstable position T0 or be pulled back into a second stable position T2, these three unstable T0 and stable positions T1 and T2 corresponding each when a separate electrical control signal is introduced.

More precisely, on the figure 1 , the control rod 4 is in its stable position T1 from which it will be understood that it can be pushed forward in its unstable position T0, or else be pulled back into its stable position T2. Thus, the first stable position T1 of the control rod 4 corresponds to the position in which the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 protrude into the first hollow 20a of the position indexing zone 10a defined in the actuating element 6a. In this first stable position T1, the electrical switching element 8a is in its rest position in which its mechanical contact zones 26a, 26b are in contact with and kept apart from each other by the element of. actuation 6a, while its first and second electrical contact zones 24a and 24b are not in contact with the first and second contact pads 16a and 16b.

From this first stable position T1, the control rod 4 can be pushed forward into an unstable position T0. During this movement, the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 come out of the first hollow 20a and follow the sloping profile 22 which gradually moves away from the longitudinal axis of XX symmetry of the control rod 4. To force the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 to come out of the first hollow 20a and to engage on this sloping profile 22 by moving away from each other , the user must therefore overcome a significant resistance force. This resistant force results from the fact that, following the sloping profile 22, the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 move away from each other from their rest position and tend to want to approach one another again. on the other under the effect of their elastic return force opposed to the pushing force exerted by the user on the control rod 4. When it moves the control rod 4 from its stable position T1 to its unstable position T0, the user must also overcome the resistive force opposed by the electrical switching element 8a including the free end of the first arm 44a which bears on the first mechanical contact zone 12a of the actuating element 6a s 'deviates slightly from its rest position when the user pushes on the control rod 4, and again tends to want to resume this rest position under the effect of its elastic return force. In this unstable position T0 of the control rod 4, the first electrical contact zone 24a of the electrical switching element 8a is in contact with the first contact pad 16a, and thus closes the electrical circuit between this first contact pad 16a and the fixing stud 18a. The electric current will thus pass through the electric switching element 8a from the first contact pad 16a to the fixing pad 18a, which makes it possible to detect the closed position of the corresponding electric circuit.

As soon as the user releases the pressure on the control rod 4, the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 will spontaneously descend along the sloping profile 22, their ends 34 again coming to be housed in the first hollow 20a of the zone indexing position 10a of the actuating element 6a, forcing the control rod 4 to return to its stable position T1. The first arm 44a of the electrical switching element 8a also returns to its rest position and therefore participates in the return movement of the control rod 4 in its stable position T1. The control rod 4 is thus automatically recalled from its unstable position T0 to its first stable position T1.

From the stable position T1, it is possible to pull the control rod 4 back into a second stable position T2. During this movement, the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 will pass by deforming elastically from the first hollow 20a to the second hollow 20b, crossing the top 38a separating them. At the same time, the electrical switching element 8a, the free end of the second arm 44b of which bears on the second mechanical contact zone 12b of the actuating element 6a, slightly deviates from its rest position. when the user pulls on the control rod 4, and again tends to want to resume this rest position under the effect of its elastic return force. In this stable position T2 of the control rod 4, the second electrical contact area 24b of the electrical switching element 8a is in contact with the second contact pad 16b, and thus closes the electrical circuit between the fixing pad 18a and this second contact pad 16b. The electric current will thus pass through the electric switching element 8a from the fixing pad 18a to the second contact pad 16b, which makes it possible to detect the closed position of the corresponding electric circuit.

Designated as a whole by the general reference numeral 1b, a second embodiment of the control device according to the invention is illustrated on figures 2 and 3 . This control device 1b comprises first and second distinct electrical switching elements 8b and 8c. The first end of each of these first and second electrical switching elements 8b and 8c comprises in its external face 42a a first connection part 36b, respectively a second connection part 36c, making it possible to ensure the fixing, in particular by gluing, welding. or interlocking of these two switching elements electric 8b, 8c on a first and a second fixing pad 18b, 18c corresponding to the control device 1b. The second end of the electrical switching elements 8b and 8c for its part comprises a first and a second electrical contact zone 24c, 24d respectively, formed in the external face 42a of the electrical switching elements 8b, 8c.

These first and second electrical switching elements 8b, 8c also comprise, between their first and second ends, a deformed part, for example a bend in the shape of a "V", which forms in their internal face 42b a first and a second zone of mechanical contact 26c, respectively 26d. Thus, in the control device 1b according to the invention, the mechanical contact areas 26c, 26d between the actuating element 6b and the electrical switching elements 8b and 8c, and the electrical contact areas 24c, 24d between the electrical switching elements 8c and 8d and the contact pads 16c and 16d are distinct areas from each other, so that the repeated friction between the actuating element 6b and the electrical switching elements 8b and 8c does not no influence on the quality of the galvanic contact between the electrical switching elements 8b, 8c and the contact pads 16c, 16d. It is also observed that the mechanical contact areas 26c and 26d of the first and second electrical switching elements 8b and 8c are not opposite each other, so that when the actuating element 6b activates the one of these electrical switching elements 8b, 8c, this does not necessarily cause the activation of the other electrical switching element.

In the control device 1b, the position indexing zone 10b of the actuating element 6b comprises first and second recesses 20c and 20d separated by a vertex 38b. The hollow 20c is extended by a sloping profile 62 which widens towards the rear end of the control rod 4.

In addition in this control device 1b, the mechanical contact zone 12c of the actuating element 6b having to cooperate with the mechanical contact zones 26c, 26d of the first and second flexible electrical switching elements 8b, 8c during axial displacement of the control rod 4 is located in the front and rear faces as well as in a part of the peripheral wall of the actuating element 6b. It will be noted that the cooperation between the mechanical contact zone 12c of the actuating element 6b and the mechanical contact zones 26c, 26b generates a substantially pivotal movement of the first and second flexible electrical switching elements 8b, 8c around the points fixed formed by the fixing pads 18b, 18c and, in particular, the displacement of the electrical contact zones 24c, 24d defined in these flexible electrical switching elements 8b, 8c.

The control device 1b comprises two electrical circuits. The first of these electrical circuits is constituted in particular by the contact pad 16c and by the fixing pad 18b, as well as by the first electrical switching element 8b. The second electrical circuit for its part consists in particular of the contact pad 16d, the fixing pad 18c, as well as by the second electrical switching element 8c.

It will be seen below that the cooperation between the position indexing zone 10b of the actuating element 6b and the positioning spring 14 makes it possible to index the position of the control rod 4 between stable positions T1 and T2 and unstable T0.

In the second embodiment of the control device 1b illustrated in the figures 2 and 3 , the control rod 4 can be pulled from its first stable position T1 backwards into a second stable position T2 or pushed forward in a third unstable position T0. These three positions T0, T1 and T2 of the control rod 4 are indexed by cooperation between the position indexing zone 10b and the spring of positioning 14. More precisely, the stable position T1 corresponds to the position in which the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 protrude into the first recess 20c of the position indexing zone 10b defined in the element of. actuation 6b. In this position, the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 as well as the first flexible electrical switching element 8b are in their rest position, that is to say a position in which they are not subjected to a force of constraint. In this stable position T1, the first flexible electrical switching element 8b of the control device 1b occupies a position in which the first electrical circuit is open. In this position in which the first electrical circuit is open, the electrical contact zone 24c defined on the external face 42a of the free end of this first flexible electrical switching element 8b is not in contact with the third contact pad 16c corresponding to the control device 1b. On the other hand, in the stable position T1 of the control rod 4, the second flexible electrical switching element 8c of the control device 1b occupies a position in which the second electrical circuit is closed. In this position in which the second electrical circuit is closed, the electrical contact zone 24d defined on the external face 42a of the free end of this second flexible electrical switching element 8c is in contact with the corresponding fourth contact pad 16d of the control device 1b. Thus, the electric current will pass through the second flexible electrical switching element 8c, which makes it possible to detect the closed position of the electrical contact between this second flexible electrical switching element 8c and the second contact pad 16d.

From the first stable position T1, it is possible to pull the control rod 4 back into a second stable position T2. During this movement, the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 will pass by deforming elastically from the first hollow 20c to the second hollow 20d by crossing the top 38b which them. separate. Likewise, during this movement, the mechanical contact zone 12c of the actuating element 6b on which the second flexible electrical switching element 8c rests moves by rubbing against this flexible electrical switching element 8c to a point point where this second flexible electrical switching element 8c is no longer in contact with the actuating element 6b and returns to its rest position under the effect of the elastic return forces. In this stable position T2 of the control rod 4, the second flexible electrical switching element 8c of the control device 1b occupies a position in which the second electrical circuit is open. In this position in which the second electrical circuit is open, the electrical contact zone 24d defined on the external face 42a of the free end of this second flexible electrical switching element 8c is not in contact with the fourth contact pad. 16d corresponding to the control device 1b. Furthermore, in the second stable position T2 of the control rod 4, the position of the first flexible electrical switching element 8b remains unchanged. In this stable position T2, the first flexible electrical switching element 8b of the control device 1b still occupies a position in which the first electrical circuit is open and the electrical contact zone 24c defined on the outer face 42a of the free end of the device. this first flexible electrical switching element 8b is not in contact with the corresponding third contact pad 16c of the control device 1b.

From the first stable position T1, the control rod 4 can be pushed forward into a third unstable position T0. During this movement, the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 come out of the first hollow 20c and follow the sloping profile 62, for example of the frustoconical type, which gradually moves away from the longitudinal axis of symmetry. XX of the control rod 4. To force the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 to come out of the first hollow 20c and to engage on this profile on a slope 62 by moving away from one another, the user must therefore overcome a significant resistance force. This resistant force results from the fact that, following the sloping profile 62, the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 move away from each other from their rest position and tend to want to approach one another again. on the other under the effect of their elastic return force opposite to the pushing force exerted by the user on the control rod 4. As soon as the user releases the pressure on the control rod 4, the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 will spontaneously descend along the sloping profile 62, their ends 34 again coming to be housed in the first hollow 20c of the position indexing zone 10b of the actuating element 6b, forcing the rod control 4 to return to its stable position T1. The control rod 4 is thus automatically recalled from its unstable position T0 to its first stable position T1.

Likewise, during this movement, the mechanical contact zone 12c of the actuating element 6b moves by rubbing against the mechanical contact zone 26d of the second flexible electrical switching element 8c which rests on this mechanical contact zone. 12c of the actuating element 6b, up to a point where this second flexible electrical switching element 8b is no longer in contact with the actuating element 6b and returns to its rest position under the effect of elastic restoring forces. In this unstable position T0 of the control rod 4, the second flexible electrical switching element 8c of the control device 1b occupies a position in which the second electrical circuit is open. In this position in which the second electrical circuit is open, the electrical contact zone 24d defined on the external face 42a of the free end of this second flexible electrical switching element 8c is not in contact with the fourth contact pad. 16d corresponding to the control device 1b. As for the first flexible electrical switching element 8b, it moves away from its rest position and abuts against the third contact pad 16c at the level of its electrical contact zone 24c when the ends 34 of the rods 28 of the positioning spring 14 are on the sloping profile 22. It will be noted that, during this movement, the mechanical contact zone 12c of the element d The actuator 6b moves by rubbing against the mechanical contact area 26c of the first flexible electrical switching element 8b. This movement generates sufficient deformation of this first flexible electrical switching element 8b to allow its electrical contact zone 24c to be brought into contact with the third contact pad 16c. Thus, when the control rod 4 arrives in its unstable position T0, only the first flexible electrical switching element 8b is brought into a closed position of the first electrical circuit in which its electrical contact zone 24c defined on its external face 42a is in contact with the third contact pad 16c of the control device 1b. Thus, the electric current will pass through the first flexible electrical switching element 8b, which makes it possible to detect the closed position of the electrical contact between this first flexible electrical switching element 8b and the third contact pad 16c.

• la première position stable T1 dans laquelle seul le deuxième élément de commutation électrique flexible 8c est en contact avec le plot de contact 16d correspondant au niveau de sa zone de contact électrique 24d, de sorte que le deuxième circuit électrique se trouve dans un état fermé ou commuté ;
• la seconde position stable T2 dans laquelle aucun des premier et deuxième éléments d'actionnement flexible 8b, 8c n'est en contact avec le troisième ou le quatrième plot de contact 16c, 16d correspondant, de sorte que chacun des premier et deuxième circuits électrique se trouve dans un état ouvert ou non commuté ;
• la position instable T0 dans laquelle seul le premier élément de commutation électrique flexible 8b est en contact avec le plot de contact 16c correspondant au niveau de sa zone de contact électrique 24c, de sorte que le premier circuit électrique se trouve dans un état fermé ou commuté.

In this second embodiment, three electronic functions of the portable object 54 can therefore be controlled by the control device 1b depending on whether the control rod 4 is brought into one or the other of its three unstable positions T0 or stable T1, T2:

• the first stable position T1 in which only the second flexible electrical switching element 8c is in contact with the contact pad 16d corresponding to the level of its electrical contact area 24d, so that the second electrical circuit is in a closed state or switched;
• the second stable position T2 in which neither of the first and second flexible actuating elements 8b, 8c is in contact with the corresponding third or fourth contact pad 16c, 16d, so that each of the first and second electrical circuits is in an open or unswitched state;
• the unstable position T0 in which only the first flexible electrical switching element 8b is in contact with the contact pad 16c corresponding to the level of its electrical contact area 24c, so that the first electrical circuit is in a closed or switched state .

In a variant of this second embodiment, an additional function of the portable object 54 can be controlled by the control device 1b when the control rod 4 is in a new stable or unstable position in which the first and second control elements. Flexible electrical switching 8b, 8c are in contact respectively with the third and fourth contact pads 16c, 16d, so that the first and second electrical circuits are simultaneously in a closed or switched state.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention such as defined by the appended claims. It will be noted in particular that the actuating element and the control rod can both be electrically insulating, or the actuating element is electrically insulating, in which case the control rod can be insulating or electrically conductive, or else the actuator element is electrically conductive, in which case the actuator rod is non-electrically conductive.

Nomenclature

1a, 1b.

Control device

2.

Built

4.

Control rod

6a, 6b.

Actuating element

8a, 8b, 8c, 8d.

Flexible electrical switching element

10a, 10b.

Position index zones

12a, 12b, 12c.

Mechanical contact zones

14.

Positioning spring

16a, 16b, 16c, 16d.

Contact pads

18a, 18b, 18c.

Fixing studs

20a, 20b, 20c, 20d.

Hollow

22.

Sloping profile

24a, 24b, 24c, 24d.

Electrical contact zones

26a, 26b, 26c, 26d.

Mechanical contact zones

28.

Rod

30.

Arms

32.

Based

34.

Rod ends

36a, 36b, 36c.

Linking parts

38a, 38b, 38c.

Vertices

40.

Plain bearing

42a. face

external

42b.

internal face

44a, 44b.

First and second arm

46.

Rear end

48.

Front end

50.

Actuation crown

52.

Hole

54.

Portable object

56.

Build

58.

Background

60.

Upper frame

62.

Sloping profile

64.

Microcontroller

66.

Electrical connector

Claims (9)

1. Device (1a, 1b) for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object (54), in particular a timepiece, comprising a control stem (4) capable of moving axially between at least a first and a second stable position, or between at least a stable position and an unstable position, the control device (1a, 1b) also comprising an actuation element (6a, 6b) made from an electrically insulating material rigidly connected to the control stem (4), as well as at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) provided to be mechanically actuated by the actuation element (6a, 6b) when the control stem (4) is moved axially, said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) being capable of moving between a closing position in which said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) closes an electrical circuit of the control device (1a, 1b), and an opening position in which said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) opens said electrical circuit, at least one electrical contact stud (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) being provided to cooperate with said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) when the latter is moved into said closing position, the control device (1a, 1b) being characterized in that said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a) is made in one piece and has the shape of a V with two branches that each comprise an electrical contact zone (24a, 24b) of said flexible electrical switching element (8a).
2. Control device (1a, 1b) according to claim 1, characterised in that the actuation element (6a, 6b) comprises a position-indexing zone (10a 10b) including a cam profile provided to participate in the indexing of the stable and unstable positions into which the control stem (4) is brought during an axial movement.
3. Control device (1a, 1b) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises a positioning spring (14) arranged to cooperate with the cam profile defined in the position-indexing zone (10a, 10b) of the actuation element (6a, 6b) in order to define each stable and unstable position of the control stem (4).
4. Control device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said at least one electrical contact stud (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) comprises an end that is connected to a contact pad of the electrical circuit of the control device (1a, 1b).
5. Control device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises a mechanical fastening stud (18a, 18b, 18c) connecting said at least one flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) in a fixed manner to the electrical circuit of the control device (1a, 1b).
6. Control device (1a, 1b) according to claim 3 or to one of claims 4 or 5 when they depend form claim 3, characterised in that the cam profile is formed by at least one hollow (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) provided to cooperate with the positioning spring (14) of the control device (1a, 1b) in order to define the stable position of the control stem (4), and/or a slope (22) provided to cooperate with the positioning spring (14) in order to define the unstable position of the control stem (4).
7. Control device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it includes two distinct flexible electrical switching elements (8b, 8c) that each comprise an electrical contact zone (24c, 24d).
8. Control device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that each flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c) is capable of cooperating with a mechanical contact zone (12a, 12b, 12c) of the actuation element (6a, 6b) in order to place the corresponding electrical contact zone (24a, 24b, 24c, 24d) in contact with the corresponding electrical contact stud (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) during the movement of this flexible electrical switching element (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) into the closing position.
9. Portable object (54), in particular a timepiece, comprising at least one control device (1a, 1b) according to one of claims 1 to 10.

Images