EP3764171B1 - Mechanism for displaying a horological value - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking. It relates, more particularly, to a mechanism for displaying a horological value composed of two digits, which makes it possible to maximize the size of the digits.

State of the art

Displays of watch values made up of two digits most often relate to the date.

A standard-type date display mechanism comprises a date disc, typically of annular shape, bearing a series of numbers from 1 to 31 visible sequentially through an aperture made in the dial. This arrangement is very limited in terms of the size of the digits which can be displayed and, in order to solve this problem, various so-called "big date" displays have been developed in order to improve readability. Typically, these devices include a tens disc, bearing digits representing the tens of the date, and a units disc bearing the digits representing the units of the date. The date displayed is therefore made up of a digit carried by the units disc as well as a digit (or, as an alternative to the digit "0", a space) carried by the tens disc, these two digits appearing through one or two counters. Other more complicated arrangements are also known, but are not particularly relevant to the present invention and will therefore not be discussed here.

In mechanical watchmaking, a particular problem arises at the level of the drive and the positioning of discs, when these discs reach a certain size and, therefore, a certain inertia. Indeed, if their inertia is too high, powerful jumpers are necessary so that the discs do not get out of sync in the event of an impact or during a correction. manual too abrupt, for example, which increases the torque necessary for their drive.

The document CH690869 presents a solution to this problem, by unveiling a large date display device, in which the two discs are annular, the units disc bearing the series of digits from "0" to "9" only once and the tens bearing twice the series of digits from "0" to "3". The use of annular discs instead of more solid discs reduces their inertia, but complicates their assembly and their pivoting in the movement. Furthermore, this arrangement imposes a relatively narrow width on the digits. There is therefore an advantage, at the level of the surface occupied by each digit, of being able to pivot disks close to their centers. Until now, no one has proposed a satisfactory arrangement for their drive and their positioning and which makes it possible to really maximize the size of the digits, while facilitating the assembly of the mechanism. In this respect, we can also mention the constructions revealed by the documents EP2490084 and EP1316859 , in which the digits of the units and those of the tens are carried by respective coaxial discs, pivoted in their centers. However, these constructions imply, or even require, relatively small diameters for said discs, and thus relatively small sizes for said digits.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a display mechanism in which the defects mentioned above are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of Invention

• un premier axe géométrique de rotation autour duquel sont pivotés, par des moyens appropriés, ledit premier axe étant centré ou décentré :
  1. a) un mobile des unités comprenant un disque des unités portant des chiffres correspondant auxdites unités ;
  2. b) un mobile des dizaines comprenant un disque des dizaines portant des chiffres correspondant auxdites dizaines, le chiffre « 0 » étant soit représenté par le chiffre même, soit par un espace vide dépourvu de chiffre ;
• une roue de commande agencée pour être entrainée par pas de 1/n tour, directement ou indirectement, sous la commande d'une roue d'entrée destinée à être entrainée par un mouvement de base, n étant un nombre entier naturel non nul ;
• une roue de programmation des unités agencée pour être entrainée, directement ou indirectement, par ladite roue de commande et pour faire pivoter ledit mobile des unités ;
• une roue de programmation des dizaines, agencée pour être entrainée, directement ou indirectement, par ladite roue de commande et pour faire pivoter ledit mobile des dizaines.

More specifically, the invention relates to a mechanism for displaying a horological value composed of a units digit and a tens digit at least when the latter is greater than zero, as defined by claim 1. This mechanism includes:

• a first geometric axis of rotation about which are pivoted, by appropriate means, said first axis being centered or off-center:
  1. a) a units mobile comprising a units disc bearing numbers corresponding to said units;
  2. b) a tens mobile comprising a tens disk bearing digits corresponding to said tens, the digit “0” being either represented by the digit itself, or by an empty space devoid of digit;
• a control wheel arranged to be driven in steps of 1/ n turn, directly or indirectly, under the control of an input wheel intended to be driven by a basic movement, n being a non-zero natural whole number;
• a unit programming wheel arranged to be driven, directly or indirectly, by said control wheel and to cause said mobile unit to pivot;
• a tens programming wheel, arranged to be driven, directly or indirectly, by said control wheel and to cause said tens wheel set to pivot.

In this mechanism, said units programming wheel is arranged to cooperate with said units mobile via a first self-locking gear, and said tens programming wheel is arranged to cooperate with said tens mobile via of a second self-locking gear.

Said tens wheel set is pivoted around said first axis of rotation by means of a tens ball bearing and said units wheel set is pivoted around said first axis of rotation by means of a unit ball bearing, a first of said tens ball bearing and said unit ball bearing being mounted on a support for attachment to a frame member, a second of said tens ball bearing and said unit ball bearing being mounted between said tens mobile and said units mobile.

• le mobile des dizaines est pivoté sur le support par l'interposition du roulement à billes des dizaines, tandis que le mobile des unités est pivoté sur le mobile des dizaines par l'interposition du roulement à billes des unités entre les deux dits mobiles ;
• le mobile des unités est pivoté sur le support par l'interposition du roulement à billes des unités, tandis que le mobile des dizaines est pivoté sur le mobile des unités par l'interposition du roulement à billes des dizaines entre les deux dits mobiles.

In other words, the possibilities for pivoting the ones wheel and the tens wheel can be as follows:

• the tens mobile is pivoted on the support by the interposition of the tens ball bearing, while the units mobile is pivoted on the tens mobile by interposing the unit ball bearing between the two said mobiles;
• the mobile of the units is pivoted on the support by the interposition of the ball bearing of the units, while the mobile of the tens is pivoted on the mobile of the units by the interposition of the ball bearing of the tens between the two said mobiles.

These constructions allow the use of discs of units and tens of relatively large size, the use of self-locking gears being able to avoid the use of jumpers, which are energy-intensive. Consequently, the driving torque is not too high, which allows the indication of the date or other information to occupy a relatively large surface, in particular when the figures are at 3 o'clock with respect to the first axis. . Furthermore, these constructions can be designed with a relatively small number of axes of rotation and without crowns (if desired), which limits the number of bearings necessary and the bulk in the movement, and, in combination with the arrangement specific to the components pivoted around the first axis, facilitates assembly of the mechanism, including the indexing of the various components.

Advantageously, said mechanism further comprises an additional control wheel which is pivoted around the same axis of rotation as said control wheel and is arranged to be driven by said control wheel and to drive said programming wheels, said additional control wheel being indexable with respect to said control wheel at the rate of said step of 1/ n turn by means of a jumper, which therefore ensures discrete relative angular positioning, a manual correction member being arranged to be able to pivot said control wheel additional to said control wheel. A correction of the displayed value can thus be carried out in discrete steps, and this in both directions, while maintaining the synchronization of the mechanism.

Advantageously, said input wheel is arranged to cooperate with said control wheel via a third gear self-locking, which ensures training and positioning of the control wheel without the use of a jumper, and avoids double jumps.

Advantageously, said first axis of rotation is intended to be placed at the center of a basic movement, which makes it possible to maximize the surface occupied by the digits.

Advantageously, said tens programming wheel is arranged to cooperate with said tens wheel set via yet another additional self-locking gear, and/or said units programming wheel is arranged to cooperate with said units wheel set by intermediary of yet another self-locking gear. The training and positioning of the mobiles in question can thus be ensured without any jumper, if desired.

Advantageously, said input wheel is pivoted around said first axis of rotation and intended to be driven by a basic movement, which is preferably mechanical.

Advantageously, the mechanism comprises a second axis of rotation about which said control wheel, said units programming wheel and said tens programming wheel are pivoted. The number of axes in the mechanism can thus be minimized.

The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising a display mechanism as defined previously.

Advantageously, at least one, preferably each, of the units disc and of the tens disc has an outside diameter which is greater than or equal to 75%, preferably greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90% of the diameter of a circle of maximum diameter which lies entirely within the circumference of said movement.

Advantageously, said movement further comprises at least one time indicator hand which is arranged coaxially with said first axis of rotation, the axis or barrel of this hand passing, for example, through corresponding openings with which the mobiles mounted around it are provided. of the first axis.

This movement can, of course, be incorporated into a timepiece such as a pocket watch, a wristwatch or the like.

1. a) Indexer ledit disque des unités à ladite roue des unités, ces pièces étant destinées à faire partie dudit mobile des unités ;
2. b) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des unités à au moins un élément dudit mobile des unités, c'est-à-dire au disque des unités et/ou à la roue des unités ;
3. c) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des unités autour d'un premier parmi ladite roue des dizaines et ledit disque des dizaines, cette roue et ce disque étant destinés à faire partie dudit mobile des dizaines ;
4. d) Indexer un deuxième parmi la roue des dizaines et le disque des dizaines audit premier ;
5. e) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des dizaines à au moins un élément dudit mobile des dizaines, c'est-à-dire au disque des dizaines et/ou à la roue des dizaines ;
6. f) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des dizaines autour d'une partie tubulaire ou cylindrique que comprend ledit support ;
7. g) Fixer une butée axiale à ladite partie tubulaire ou cylindrique.

The invention also relates to a method of mounting a display mechanism as described previously, in which the tens wheel set is pivoted on the support and the units wheel set is pivoted on the tens wheel set. This method comprises the following steps for mounting elements around said first axis of rotation:

1. a) Indexing said units disk to said units wheel, these parts being intended to form part of said units mobile;
2. b) Attaching said unit ball bearing to at least one element of said unit mobile, that is to say to the unit disc and/or to the unit wheel;
3. c) Adjusting said unit ball bearing around a first of said tens wheel and said tens disc, this wheel and this disc being intended to form part of said tens mobile;
4. d) Indexing a second among the tens wheel and the tens disk to said first;
5. e) Attaching said tens ball bearing to at least one element of said tens mobile, that is to say to the tens disk and/or to the tens wheel;
6. f) Adjusting said tens ball bearing around a tubular or cylindrical part that comprises said support;
7. g) Attach an axial thrust bearing to said tubular or cylindrical part.

1. a) Indexer ledit disque des dizaines à ladite roue des dizaines, ces pièces étant destinées à faire partie dudit mobile des dizaines ;
2. b) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des dizaines à au moins un élément dudit mobile des dizaines, c'est-à-dire au disque des dizaines et/ou à la roue des dizaines ;
3. c) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des dizaines autour d'un premier parmi ladite roue des unités et ledit disque des unités, cette roue et ce disque étant destinés à faire partie dudit mobile des unités ;
4. d) Indexer un deuxième parmi la roue des unités et le disque des unités audit premier ;
5. e) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des unités à un au moins un élément dudit mobile des unités, c'est-à-dire au disque des unités et/ou à la roue des unités ;
6. f) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des unités autour d'une partie tubulaire ou cylindrique que comprend ledit support ;
7. g) Fixer une butée axiale à ladite partie tubulaire ou cylindrique.

In the case where the construction is reversed, that is to say where the mobile of the units is pivoted on the support and the mobile of the tens is pivoted on the mobile of the units, the steps for mounting elements around said first axis of rotation are as follows:

1. a) Indexing said tens disk to said tens wheel, these parts being intended to form part of said tens mobile;
2. b) Attaching said tens ball bearing to at least one element of said tens mobile, that is to say to the tens disk and/or to the tens wheel;
3. c) Adjusting said tens ball bearing around a first among said units wheel and said units disc, this wheel and this disc being intended to form part of said units mobile;
4. d) Indexing a second among the units wheel and the units disc to said first;
5. e) Attaching said unit ball bearing to at least one element of said unit mobile, that is to say to the unit disc and/or to the unit wheel;
6. f) Fit said ball bearing units around a tubular or cylindrical part that comprises said support;
7. g) Attach an axial thrust bearing to said tubular or cylindrical part.

• a1) Solidariser des éléments d'assemblage, tels que des goupilles, avec un premier parmi ladite roue (c'est-à-dire la roue des unités ou la roue des dizaines, le cas échéant) et ledit disque (c'est-à-dire le disque des unités ou le disque des dizaines, le cas échéant) ;
• a2) Ajuster lesdits éléments d'assemblage dans des ouvertures que comporte un deuxième parmi ladite roue et ledit disque (c'est-à-dire l'autre élément en question), afin d'effectuer ledit indexage.

Advantageously, said indexing of said step a) may comprise the sub-steps of:

• a1) Secure assembly elements, such as pins, with a first of said wheel (i.e. the units wheel or the tens wheel, as the case may be) and said disc (i.e. i.e. the units disk or the tens disk, as the case may be);
• a2) Adjusting said assembly elements in openings in a second of said wheel and said disc (that is to say the other element in question), in order to effect said indexing.

Advantageously, said indexing of said step d) may comprise the sub-step of:
d1) Secure assembly elements to said wheel (i.e. the tens wheel or the units wheel, as the case may be) and to said disc (i.e. the tens disc or the units disk, if applicable).

These methods are very easy for the watchmaker to implement, in comparison with those inherent in the constructions of the prior art.

Advantageously, said assembly elements comprise pins, which are preferably driven into the corresponding elements to which they are secured.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figure 1 est une vue transparente en plan, ainsi que deux vues en section de l'ensemble d'un mécanisme d'affichage selon l'invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue latérale partielle du mécanisme d'affichage de la figure 1, présentée à échelle verticale exagérée afin d'identifier les niveaux N1 à N9 de sa construction ;
• Figures 3 à 11 sont des vues en section des niveaux N1 à N9 respectivement ;
• Figure 12 est une vue transparente en plan, ainsi qu'une vue en section des éléments montés autour de l'axe A3 ;
• Figure 13 est une vue en section du détail du pivotement des éléments montés autour de l'axe A1 ; et
• Figure 14 est une vue en section similaire à la figure 13, pour une construction dans laquelle les positions des mobiles des dizaines et des unités ont été inversées.

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings in which;

• Figure 1 is a transparent plan view, as well as two sectional views of the assembly of a display mechanism according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial side view of the display mechanism of the figure 1 , presented on an exaggerated vertical scale in order to identify levels N1 to N9 of its construction;
• Figures 3 to 11 are cross-sectional views of levels N1 to N9 respectively;
• Picture 12 is a transparent plan view, as well as a sectional view of the elements mounted around axis A3;
• Figure 13 is a sectional view of the detail of the pivoting of the elements mounted around the axis A1; and
• Picture 14 is a sectional view similar to the figure 13 , for a construction in which the positions of the tens and units mobiles have been reversed.

Embodiments of the Invention

The figure 1 shows overviews of an embodiment of a watch value display mechanism 1 according to the invention, which has been constructed in the form of a large date display mechanism. Of course, other displays are possible, such as a display of the week number, the month, the year, the hours, or the like. The modifications made to the mechanism illustrated and described below to provide a display of other horological values are, of course, within the abilities of those skilled in the art. There is therefore no need to describe them in detail.

The figure 1 serves in particular to identify the various axes in order to simplify the interpretation of the views in section of the various levels of the construction represented by the figures 3 to 11 . In the same way, the picture 2 illustrates, on an exaggerated vertical scale, a side view of part of the mechanism 1, in order to identify the various levels N1 to N9.

The figures 3 to 11 represent cross-sectional views through each level N1 to N9 respectively, defined along the corresponding lines illustrated on the figure 2 .

The mechanism will now be described by following the kinematic chains from the force entry, which is on level N2 ( Figure 4 ). Each mobile will be identified by a reference sign made up of two digits, the first of which represents the level and the second represents the axis. Consequently, the input wheel 21 is at level 2 in rotation around the axis A1, the wheel 13 at level 1 around the axis A3, etc. Elements such as pins, axial extensions, etc., which extend from one level to another are identified by reference signs, one of the numbers of which corresponds to one of the levels in question. Thanks to this encoding of the reference signs, it is not necessary to specify the length and width of the level and the axis of each element, which simplifies reading. A minor exception to this principle is found on the figure 14 , which represents an inverse construction of that of the figure 13 , but still keep the same reference signs for the elements in question in order to facilitate understanding and to keep a single reference sign per functional element.

It will also be noted that the axes A1 to A5 are geometric axes, the pivoting of the various elements taking place by means of ad hoc means such as shafts, bushes, ball bearings, etc., in a known manner. As regards the axis A1, which is at the center of the mechanism 1 and which corresponds to the "first axis" in the sense of the claims, the time display members can share the same axis, their shafts and barrels passing through the center of the elements of the mechanism 1 which pivot around the same axis. The axis A3 corresponds to the “second axis” of the claims. The mechanism 1 can, of course, be modular, taking place on the dial side of a basic movement, or can be constructed in an integrated manner.

Said power input is an input wheel 21, which is integral in rotation with an hour wheel in the case in point, arranged to perform one revolution per twelve hours. Other arrangements are also possible.

This input wheel 21 has four effective teeth on a base of 31 teeth. To this end, the wheel has four recesses of teeth 21a at its periphery, defining said effective teeth, three long teeth 21b (conventional) each being located between each pair of adjacent recesses 21a, the outer recesses 21a being connected by a locking surface 21c with a substantially constant radius. This blocking surface 21c occupies the place of the 27 “missing” effective teeth. Thanks to the arrangement which has just been described, it is the number of hollows of teeth 21a which corresponds to the number of effective teeth instead of the number of vertices, and any calculation of gearing is therefore made in relation to the number of hollow 21a. In simple terms, the four recesses 21a drive a first pinion 22 at the rate of four pitches of its teeth; therefore, the number of effective teeth is four.

The input wheel 21 therefore cooperates with the first pinion 22, which has eight teeth, so that, with each rotation of the input wheel 21, the first pinion 22 performs a half turn, therefore a complete turn by day in two discrete steps of 180° which take place around 12:00 and 24:00. When the first pinion 22 is not cooperating with the four effective teeth of the input wheel 21, the sides of two of its adjacent teeth can slip on the blocking surface 21c, which holds the first pinion 22 in its angular position. The assembly of the input wheel 21 and the first pinion 22 therefore constitutes a self-locking gear, the blocking surface 21c ensuring the positioning of the pinion 22 without requiring a jumper. In general, self-locking gears help minimize energy consumption and avoid double jumps during training.

Fixed in rotation with said first pinion 22, a second pinion 12 located at level N1 ( picture 3 ) has climbed. This second pinion 12 comprises two effective teeth on a base of eight teeth, these two effective teeth being constituted by two tooth recesses 12a separated by a conventional tooth 12b, the rest of the periphery of the pinion being constituted by a blocking surface 12c with a constant radius.

The second pinion 12 cooperates with a control wheel 13 having 62 conventional teeth. In this way, when the second pinion 12 performs a revolution, the control wheel 13 advances at the rate of two steps of its teeth (thanks to the two effective teeth of the second pinion 12), the input wheel 21 being arranged with respect to the hour and minute hands so that the second pinion 12 drives the control wheel 13 around midnight. The control wheel 13 thus completes a complete revolution in 31 days. We therefore clearly note the difference between a disc fitted with a single conventional finger projecting from its periphery, which has a single effective tooth and would thus drive the mobile downstream at the rate of a single pitch of its teeth per rotation, and the construction with two hollow teeth 12a of the second pinion 12, which has two effective teeth and therefore drives the control wheel 13 at the rate of two pitches of its teeth per rotation.

More generally, it can be considered that the control wheel 13 is designed and arranged to be driven at the rate of steps of 1/ n revolution under the direct or indirect control of the input wheel 21, n being a non-zero natural whole number . In the case of a date display, 1/4 or 1/31 revolution per step is usual; for a week number display, 1/4 or 1/53 turn per step would be particularly suitable.

Similarly to all of the rotary members 22 and 21, the teeth of the control wheel 13 cooperate with the blocking surface 12c of the second pinion 12 in order to position said control wheel 13 angularly when it is not in being trained.

The control wheel 13 is integral in rotation with a second toothing 23bis, having 31 teeth in the form of columns or equivalents (for example, pins) extending parallel to each other from the upper face of the control 13. During normal operation of the mechanism, the toothing 23bis is made integral in rotation of an additional control wheel 23 via a jumper 23b, 23c which is carried by the additional control wheel 23. In the variant illustrated, the jumper comprises a substantially rigid element 23c, which extends radially and whose apex penetrates into the toothing 23a, and a substantially flexible element 23b, which takes the form of a flexible guide. The jumper is designed and arranged so as to exert a force large enough to be secured in rotation to the toothing 23bis during the automatic drive (by the basic movement) of the date, but small enough to be unindexed in rotation of the toothing 23bis during manual training (by the user, during a correction) of the date; the additional control wheel 23 can therefore be integral with or deindexed in rotation from the control wheel 13. For this purpose, the additional control wheel 23 comprises a toothing of 62 teeth, intended to be in kinematic connection with a manual correction device (not shown) through an appropriate correction system (not shown). Such systems are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be described in detail here. By pivoting the additional control wheel 23 relative to the control wheel 13 via said correction system, the angular position of one of these two wheels relative to the other can be modified in steps of 1 /31 turn (more generally 1/ n turn, as described previously), without influencing the part of the mechanism which is kinematically upstream; the kinematically downstream part will then be driven in one direction or the other. Of course, other jumper shapes 23b, 23c and toothings 23bis having the same operation are known from the prior art and can be adopted without further ado.

Furthermore, the toothing 23bis serves as a guide bearing for the additional control wheel 23 which comprises an inner wall 23f extending over an arc of a circle of more than 180°, in particular approximately 270°. Consequently, this wall 23f can slide on the toothing 23bis, and the additional control wheel 23 is thus guided radially. This aspect of the construction of the elements mounted on the A3 axis, as well as several other aspects, are also visible on the figure 12 . Alternatively, the additional control wheel 23 can be a crown having an internal toothing which cooperates with a conventional jumper mounted on the control wheel 13, said crown being pivoted in an ad hoc manner on the control wheel 13.

The additional control wheel 23 carries a plurality of pins 23a which make it integral in rotation with a unit programming wheel 33. Of course, any other suitable means for integrally rotating these two wheels 23, 33 can be used.

The units programming wheel 33 comprises, on a basis of 62 effective teeth, 60 effective teeth as well as a blocking surface 33c corresponding to the two “missing” effective teeth. This wheel 33 and a pinion 34 with eight effective teeth form a self-locking gear arranged so as to drive the pinion 34 in rotation at the rate of a quarter turn at the end of each day, except one day out of 31, which corresponds to the transition between the indications "31" and "01". During this transition, the locking surface 33c prevents any rotation of the pinion 34 in the same way as already described in the context of the self-locking gears mentioned above.

The pinion 34 is fixed in rotation to a drive wheel of the units 64. This wheel 64 comprises four pairs of recesses 64a separated by a conventional tooth, thus defining four pairs of effective teeth. At each quarter turn, this wheel 64 drives a mobile of the units 61, 71 at the rate of two pitches of the teeth of a wheel of the units 61 which has 20 effective teeth and is integral in rotation with a disc of the units 71 which carries the digits of the units. Again, the gear between the unit drive wheel 64 and the unit wheel 61 constitutes a self-locking gear which functions analogously to the self-locking gears previously described.

The unit disk 71 is pivoted on a ball bearing (see below) and has ten fingers 71a extending from its periphery and in its plane, the part of the periphery which is located between these fingers 71a having a radius constant. This disc is positioned by a pair of jumpers 101 which, when the unit disc 71 is in a stable position, are in contact with two of said fingers 71a, one of the jumpers preventing clockwise rotation, the other preventing counter-clockwise rotation. When the disk 71 is pivoting, during almost the entire rotation, the tops of the jumpers 101 are located opposite a part of the periphery of the disk 71 with a constant radius and oppose no (or only little) resistance. to this rotation until they abut against the fingers 71a adjacent to the end of a pivot step of the disc 71. These jumpers 101 are optional and can therefore be absent, in particular if the angular play of the disc of the units 71 generated by the self-locking gears is small enough to avoid any angular "floating" of said disc 71.

The entire kinematic chain for driving the unit disc 71 having now been described, we return to level N4 ( figure 6 ), where a tens programming wheel 43 is located. This wheel 43 is fixed in rotation to the units programming wheel 33 as well as to the additional control wheel 23, again via the pins 23a mentioned previously or by any other ad hoc means.

The tens programming wheel 43 has six pairs of effective teeth 43a on a base of 62 effective teeth, with locking surfaces 43c located between each pair of effective teeth 43a. These pairs of effective teeth 43a are arranged at appropriate positions on the periphery of the wheel 43 in order to rotate a pinion 45 with eight effective teeth at least during the transitions between the indications "09" and "10", "19 and “20”, “29” and “30”, as well as “31” and “01”. Again, the gear between the wheel 43 and the pinion 45 is self-locking, as described above, the pinion 45 making a quarter turn each time a pair of effective teeth 43a pass.

In the present case, the series of digits for the tens comprises once the sequence “0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3”. Therefore, there are two additional drives, to make the transitions between the first digit "1" and the second digit "1", as well as between the first digit "2" and the second digit "2", at ad hoc times. Of course, the number sequence and thus the number of trainings can be different. It is, for example, possible to provide one of the following other sequences: "0, 1, 2, 3", "0, 1, 1, 2, 3", "0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3”, “0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3” or any other ad hoc sequence.

The pinion 45 is fixed in rotation to a tens drive wheel 55, which is similar in shape to the units drive wheel 64, except that its diameter is greater. At each quarter turn, this wheel 55 drives a tens wheel set 51, 81 at the rate of two pitches of the toothing of a tens wheel 51 which has 12 effective teeth and is integral in rotation with a tens disc 81 which carries the tens digits. Again, the gear between the tens drive wheel 55 and the tens wheel 51 is self-locking, as previously described.

Similar to the units disc 71, the tens disc 81 has six fingers 81a extending from its periphery and in its plane, the part of the periphery which lies between these fingers 81a having a constant radius. A pair of jumpers 201 functions in the same way as the pair of jumpers 101 of the unit disc 71, mutatis mutandis, and therefore need not be described in detail.

In the illustrated construction, the two discs 71, 81 have external diameters which are substantially identical, this diameter corresponding to more than 90% of the diameter of a circle of maximum diameter which falls entirely within the circumference of the movement base and/or of the dial 91. The latter, which is supported at its periphery by a support 6 in the form of an arc of a circle, is illustrated on the figure 11 , by the view in section through the mean plane of the dial 91, this figure showing the aperture 91a of relatively large size which reveals the figures making up the date (that is to say a figure or a space carried by the disc tens 81 as well as a number carried by the units disc 71) at 3 o'clock with respect to the axis A1. Of course, the counter 91a can, alternatively, be located at 9 o'clock or elsewhere with respect to the axis A1, but an arrangement at 3 o'clock makes it possible to maximize the size of the digits since the ten digits of the units are arranged according to a circle of greater radius than that of the circle according to which the digits of the tens are arranged, which are typically less numerous. It is also noted that the presence of the dial is not mandatory.

Since the tens disc 81 is superimposed on that of the units 71, this first is transparent; the disc of units 71 can be either transparent or opaque. This arrangement avoids the presence of a perceptible separation between the two digits, the tens digits being provided either on the upper face (dial side) of the tens disc 81, or on its lower face (bottom side) as disclosed in the patent EP1070996 . In any case, the units digits are typically provided on the upper face (dial side) of the units disc 71.

Of course, the construction described previously only represents one non-limiting embodiment in the specific context of a large date, even if it is particularly advantageous. A person skilled in the art can in particular adapt the gear ratios, according to his needs, to display other horological values. Furthermore, the arrangement of the five axes A1-A5 may be different. For example, the elements mounted on the axis A3 can be distributed over several axes, additional ad hoc members can be provided in order to form all the necessary kinematic connections. Specific variants will be described below, following a description of the assembly of the elements pivoted around the axis A1.

The assembly of the various elements around the axis A1 will now be described, mainly with reference to the figure 13 , which represents part of the KK section of the figure 1 , on a larger scale.

First, a support 3 is provided, secured to a frame element (not shown). This support comprises a disc part 3a, which extends radially at levels 3 and 4, as well as a tubular part 3b (which can alternatively be cylindrical in the event that no tree passes through it), which extends axially from the internal diameter of the disc part 3a in the direction of the dial 91. This tubular part 3b serves as a support for a tens ball bearing R1, of which a first part R1a is integral with the support 3, being there tightened by means of a retention element such as a screw 5 which is screwed onto the tubular part 3b of the support 3, and of which a second part R1b is integral with the tens wheel 51 (for example, by being there driven, riveted, glued, welded or similar). This tens wheel 51 has an extension 51h, of which the tens disc 81 is secured by means of a plurality of pins 81g serving as assembly elements (in particular two in the illustrated embodiment, but a number higher is also possible).

A ball bearing of the units R2 comprises a first part R2a fitted around the extension 51h, the second part R2b surrounding this first part, the balls being arranged between these two parts in a known manner. The second part R2b carries the units wheel 61 (which is driven, riveted, glued, welded or the like around the part R2b) as well as the units disc 71 (which is driven, riveted, glued, welded or the like around the part R2b) which is indexed in rotation with respect to the unit wheel 61 via a plurality of pins 61g.

1. a) Indexer ledit disque des unités 71 à ladite roue des unités 61, ces pièces étant destinées à faire partie dudit mobile des unités 61, 71, par exemple en solidarisant des éléments d'assemblage 61g avec un premier parmi ladite roue 61 et ledit disque 71, et ajustant lesdits éléments d'assemblage dans des ouvertures que comporte un deuxième parmi ladite roue 61 et ledit disque 71 ;
2. b) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des unités R2 audit mobile des unités 61, 71 ;
3. c) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des unités R2 autour d'un premier parmi ladite roue des dizaines 51 et ledit disque des dizaines 81, cette roue et ce disque étant destinés à faire partie dudit mobile des dizaines 51, 81 ;
4. d) Indexer un deuxième parmi la roue des dizaines 51 et le disque des dizaines 81 audit premier, par exemple en solidarisant des éléments d'assemblage 81g à ladite roue 51 et audit disque 81 ;
5. e) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des dizaines R1 audit mobile des dizaines 51, 81 ;
6. f) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des dizaines R1 autour d'une partie tubulaire ou cylindrique 3b que comprend ledit support 3 ;
7. g) Fixer une butée axiale 5 à ladite partie tubulaire ou cylindrique 3b.

This construction is relatively simple for the watchmaker to assemble. In order to perform this assembly, the following steps can be followed:

1. a) Indexing said unit disc 71 to said unit wheel 61, these parts being intended to form part of said mobile unit 61, 71, for example by joining assembly elements 61g with a first among said wheel 61 and said disc 71, and fitting said assembly elements into openings in a second of said wheel 61 and said disc 71;
2. b) Attaching said ball bearing units R2 to said moving part of units 61, 71;
3. c) Adjusting said ball bearing units R2 around a first among said tens wheel 51 and said tens disc 81, this wheel and this disc being intended to form part of said mobile tens 51, 81;
4. d) Indexing a second among the tens wheel 51 and the tens disc 81 to said first, for example by securing assembly elements 81g to said wheel 51 and to said disc 81;
5. e) Attaching said tens ball bearing R1 to said tens mobile 51, 81;
6. f) Adjusting said tens ball bearing R1 around a tubular or cylindrical part 3b comprised by said support 3;
7. g) Attach an axial stop 5 to said tubular or cylindrical part 3b.

The joining of the elements can be done by driving in, edging, gluing, welding or any other appropriate means. Moreover, the reverse actions according to the reverse order is used for the dismantling of this assembly. In addition, other methods and constructions are possible, in particular with regard to other variants for ensuring the indexing between each wheel 61 respectively 51 and its corresponding disk 71 respectively 81. The method will therefore adapt according to the means chosen to ensure indexing.

The layout of the figure 14 represents an inverse construction, in which the mobile of the units 61, 71 is pivoted on the support 3 via the ball bearing of the units R2, while the mobile of the tens 51, 81 is pivoted around the mobile of the units 61, 71 through the tens ball bearing R1. Therefore, the differences between the figure 14 and the figure 13 concern exclusively the reference signs used to indicate the various elements, the reference signs for each functional element corresponding to those used previously, even if this is not in conformity with the encoding for this figure. The modifications of the kinematics upstream of these two mobiles 61, 71 respectively 51, 81 in order to compensate for these changes are within the reach of those skilled in the art and should therefore not be described exhaustively.

1. a) Indexer ledit disque des dizaines 81 à ladite roue des dizaines 51, ces pièces étant destinées à faire partie dudit mobile des dizaines 51, 81, par exemple en solidarisant des éléments d'assemblage 81g avec un premier parmi ladite roue 51 et ledit disque 81, et ajustant lesdits éléments d'assemblage dans des ouvertures que comporte un deuxième parmi ladite roue 51 et ledit disque 81 ;
2. b) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des dizaines R1 audit mobile des dizaines 51, 81 ;
3. c) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des dizaines R1 autour d'un premier parmi ladite roue des unités 61 et ledit disque des unités 71, cette roue et ce disque étant destinés à faire partie dudit mobile des unités 61, 71 ;
4. d) Indexer un deuxième parmi la roue des unités 61 et le disque des unités 71 audit premier, par exemple en solidarisant des éléments d'assemblage 61g à ladite roue 61 et audit disque 71 ;
5. e) Solidariser ledit roulement à billes des unités R2 audit mobile des unités 61, 71 ;
6. f) Ajuster ledit roulement à billes des unités R2 autour d'une partie tubulaire ou cylindrique 3b que comprend ledit support 3 ;
7. g) Fixer une butée axiale 5 à ladite partie tubulaire ou cylindrique 3b.

In order to mount this inverse construction, the watchmaker can follow the following steps:

1. a) Indexing said tens disk 81 to said tens wheel 51, these parts being intended to form part of said tens mobile 51, 81, for example by joining assembly elements 81g with a first among said wheel 51 and said disk 81, and fitting said assembly elements into openings in a second of said wheel 51 and said disc 81;
2. b) Attaching said tens ball bearing R1 to said tens mobile 51, 81;
3. c) Adjusting said tens ball bearing R1 around a first of said units wheel 61 and said units disc 71, this wheel and this disc being intended to be part of said mobile units 61, 71;
4. d) Indexing a second among the wheel of units 61 and the disc of units 71 to said first, for example by securing assembly elements 61g to said wheel 61 and to said disc 71;
5. e) Attaching said ball bearing units R2 to said moving part of units 61, 71;
6. f) Adjusting said ball bearing units R2 around a tubular or cylindrical part 3b that said support 3 comprises;
7. g) Attach an axial stop 5 to said tubular or cylindrical part 3b.

Again, the joining of the elements can be done by driving in, edging, gluing, welding or any other appropriate means. Moreover, the reverse actions according to the reverse order is used for the dismantling of this assembly. Additionally, other methods and constructions are also possible, as mentioned above. The method will therefore adapt according to the means chosen to ensure the indexing.

The illustrated embodiments having now been described, several other variants are also possible, as mentioned above, some of these variants being described below. Subsequently, the embodiment of the figures 1 to 13 will be referred to as "variant 1". HAS new, and in order to facilitate understanding, the same reference signs have been used, even if the encoding of the axis and the level is not always respected.

• La roue de programmation des unités 33 n'est pas solidaire de la roue de commande supplémentaire 23, mais d'une roue supplémentaire comportant 62 dents effectives qui est située sur un autre axe et qui est entrainée, par dentures, par la roue de commande supplémentaire 23.
• La roue de programmation des dizaines 43 n'est pas solidaire de la roue de commande supplémentaire 23, mais d'une roue supplémentaire comportant 62 dents effectives qui est située sur un autre axe et qui est entrainée, par dentures, par la roue de commande supplémentaire 23.
• La roue de programmation des unités 33 et la roue de programmation des dizaines 43 ne sont donc pas solidaires.

A second variant ("variant 2") differs from variant 1 in that:

• The unit programming wheel 33 is not secured to the additional control wheel 23, but to an additional wheel comprising 62 effective teeth which is located on another axis and which is driven, by teeth, by the control wheel additional 23.
• The tens programming wheel 43 is not secured to the additional control wheel 23, but to an additional wheel comprising 62 effective teeth which is located on another axis and which is driven, by teeth, by the control wheel additional 23.
• The units programming wheel 33 and the tens programming wheel 43 are therefore not integral.

The advantage of this construction is a reduced overall height, at the cost of a higher number of parts.

It should be noted that the control wheel 13 could comprise 2 n effective teeth (instead of 62 effective teeth), n being a non-zero natural whole number, and that the additional control wheel 23 could be separated from the control wheel 13 in steps of 1/ n turn (instead of 1/31 turn) and have 2 n effective teeth (instead of 62 effective teeth), or other, insofar as it can be ensured that the unit programming wheel 33 and the tens programming wheel 43 are adequately driven.

• La roue d'entrée 21 n'est pas coaxiale à l'axe A1, pivote à raison d'un (et pas deux) tour par jour (et n'est donc pas solidaire en rotation de la roue des heures), présente un diamètre deux fois plus grand et comporte deux (et pas quatre) dents effectives.
• Le pignon 22 n'est pas coaxial à l'axe A2 et tourne donc de 1/4 (et pas un) tour par jour.
• Le deuxième pignon 12 est supprimé ; le pignon 22 entraine donc directement, par dentures, la roue de commande 13.

A third variant ("variant 3") differs from variant 1 in that:

• Entry wheel 21 is not coaxial with axis A1, pivots at the rate of one (and not two) revolutions per day (and is therefore not integral in rotation with the hour wheel), has a twice as large in diameter and has two (not four) effective teeth.
• Pinion 22 is not coaxial with axis A2 and therefore rotates 1/4 (and not one) revolution per day.
• The second pinion 12 is removed; the pinion 22 therefore directly drives, by teeth, the control wheel 13.

This variant makes it possible to change the displayed value more quickly, at the cost of a higher number of coins.

• Le pignon 22 est supprimé ; la roue d'entrée 21 entraine donc directement, par dentures, la roue de commande 13.
• La roue de commande 13 comporte huit (et pas 62) dents effectives et tourne donc de 1/4 (et pas 1/31) tour par jour.
• La roue de commande supplémentaire 23 comporte huit (et pas 62) dents effectives et peut être désolidarisée de la roue de commande 13 par pas de 1/4 (et pas 1/31) tour.
• La roue de commande supplémentaire 23 entraine, par dentures, une roue supplémentaire qui comporte 62 dents effectives et dont est solidaire la roue de programmation des unités 33. Cette roue supplémentaire entraine, par dentures, directement ou indirectement, une autre roue supplémentaire qui comporte 62 dents effectives et dont est solidaire la roue de programmation des dizaines 43.
• La roue de programmation des unités 33 et la roue de programmation des dizaines 43 ne sont donc pas solidaires.

A fourth variant ("variant 4") is based on variant 3, from which it differs in that:

• Pinion 22 is removed; the input wheel 21 therefore directly drives, by teeth, the control wheel 13.
• Drive wheel 13 has eight (not 62) effective teeth and therefore rotates 1/4 (not 1/31) revolution per day.
• The additional drive wheel 23 has eight (and not 62) effective teeth and can be detached from the drive wheel 13 in steps of 1/4 (and not 1/31) turn.
• The additional control wheel 23 drives, by teeth, an additional wheel which has 62 effective teeth and with which the unit programming wheel 33 is integral. This additional wheel drives, by teeth, directly or indirectly, another additional wheel which has 62 effective teeth and with which the tens programming wheel 43 is integral.
• The units programming wheel 33 and the tens programming wheel 43 are therefore not integral.

This variant again makes it possible to reduce the overall height, at the cost of a higher number of parts.

• La roue d'entrée 21 tourne à raison de deux tours par semaine (et pas deux tours par jour) (et n'est donc pas solidaire en rotation de la roue des heures).
• La roue de commande 13 comporte 20 (et pas 62) dents effectives.
• La roue de commande supplémentaire 23 peut être désolidarisée de la roue de commande 13 par pas de 1/10 (et pas 1/31) tour.
• La roue de programmation des unités 33 comporte 20 (et pas 60) dents effectives sur une base de 20 (et pas 62) dents effectives et sa denture est donc classique.
• La roue de programmation des dizaines 43 comporte deux (et pas 12) dents effectives sur une base de 20 (et pas 62) dents effectives.
• Le disque des dizaines 81 comporte les chiffres « 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 » (et pas « 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3 »).

A fifth variant ("variant 5"), adapted to display the week number, differs from variant 1 in that:

• Input wheel 21 rotates at the rate of two revolutions per week (and not two revolutions per day) (and is therefore not integral in rotation with the hour wheel).
• Control wheel 13 has 20 (not 62) effective teeth.
• The additional control wheel 23 can be detached from the control wheel 13 in steps of 1/10 (and not 1/31) turn.
• The units programming wheel 33 has 20 (and not 60) effective teeth on a base of 20 (and not 62) effective teeth and its toothing is therefore conventional.
• The tens programming wheel 43 has two (and not 12) effective teeth on a base of 20 (and not 62) effective teeth.
• The tens disc 81 has the digits “0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5” (and not “0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3”).

The week number can thus be displayed over a very large area, the user having to make a correction at the end of each year so that the numbers "54", "55", "56", "57", "58" , “59” and “00” are not displayed.

• La roue d'entrée 21 tourne à raison de deux tours par jour (et pas deux tours par semaine) (et est donc solidaire en rotation de la roue des heures).
• La roue des dizaines 51 comporte huit (et pas 12) dents effectives.
• Le disque des dizaines 81 comporte les quatre (et pas six) chiffres « 0, 1,2,3» (et pas « 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 »).

A sixth variant (“variant 6”) uses the construction of variant 5, but for displaying the date. For this purpose, it differs from variant 5 in that:

• The input wheel 21 rotates at the rate of two revolutions per day (and not two revolutions per week) (and is therefore integral in rotation with the hour wheel).
• The tens wheel 51 has eight (and not 12) effective teeth.
• The tens disk 81 has the four (and not six) digits "0, 1,2,3" (and not "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5").

However, a correction is necessary at the end of each month so that the numbers "32", "33", "34", "35", "36", "37", "38", "39" and "00" » are not displayed.

Although the invention has been previously described in connection with specific embodiments, other additional variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (20)

1. Mechanism for displaying a horological value (1) composed of a units numeral and of a tens numeral at least when the latter is greater than zero, said mechanism comprising:

   - a first axis of rotation (A1) about which are pivoted:

   a) a units gear (61, 71) comprising a units disc (71) bearing numerals corresponding to said units;

   b) a tens gear (51, 81) comprising a tens disc (81) bearing numerals corresponding to said tens;

   - a control wheel (13) arranged to be driven in steps of 1/n of a revolution under the control of an input wheel (21) intended to be driven by a base movement, n being a non-zero natural whole number;

   - a units programming wheel (33) arranged to be driven by said control wheel (13) and to cause said units gear (61, 71) to pivot;

   - a tens programming wheel (43) arranged to be driven by said control wheel (13) and to cause said tens gear (51, 81) to pivot;

   characterized in that:

   - said units programming wheel (33) is arranged to cooperate with said units gear (61, 71) via a first self-blocking gearset (64, 61);

   - said tens programming wheel (43) is arranged to cooperate with said tens gear (51, 81) via a second self-blocking gearset (55, 51);

   in that said tens gear (51, 81) is pivoted about said first axis of rotation (A1) by means of a tens ball bearing (R1) and said units gear (61, 71) is pivoted about said first axis of rotation (A1) by means of a units ball bearing (R2);

   and in that a first (R1; R2) of said tens ball bearing (R1) and said units ball bearing (R2) is mounted on a support (3) intended to be fixed to a frame element, a second (R2; R1) of said tens ball bearing (R1) and said units ball bearing (R2) being mounted between said tens gear (51, 81) and said units gear (61, 71).
2. Mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said tens ball bearing (R1) is mounted between said support (3) and said tens gear (51, 81), said units ball bearing (R2) being mounted between said tens gear (51, 81) and said units gear (61, 71).
3. Mechanism (1) according to Claim 1, wherein said units ball bearing (R2) is mounted between said support (3) and said units gear (61, 71), said tens ball bearing (R1) being mounted between said units gear (61, 71) and said tens gear (51, 81).
4. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an additional control wheel (23) which is pivoted about the same axis of rotation as said control wheel (13) and is arranged to be driven by said control wheel (13) and to drive said programming wheels (33, 43), said additional control wheel (23) being indexable with respect to said control wheel (13) by said step of 1/n of a revolution by means of a jumper spring (23b, 23c), a manual correction member being arranged to be able to pivot said additional control wheel (23) with respect to said control wheel (13).
5. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said input wheel (212) is arranged to cooperate with said control wheel (13) via a third self-blocking gearset (21, 22, 13).
6. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said first axis of rotation (A1) is intended to be positioned at the centre of a base movement.
7. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said tens programming wheel (43) is arranged to cooperate with said tens gear (51, 81) via an additional self-blocking gearset (43, 45).
8. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said units programming wheel (33) is arranged to cooperate with said units gear (61, 71) via an additional self-blocking gearset (33, 34).
9. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said input wheel (21) is pivoted about said first axis of rotation (A1).
10. Mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second axis of rotation (A3) about which are pivoted:

    a) said control wheel (13);

    b) said units programming wheel (33);

    c) said tens programming wheel (43).
11. Timepiece movement comprising a display mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
12. Timepiece movement according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one, preferably each, of the units disc (71) and of the tens disc (81) has an outside diameter which is greater than or equal to 75%, preferably greater than or equal to 80%, preferably greater than or equal to 90% of the diameter of a maximum diameter circle that can be inscribed wholly within the outline of said movement.
13. Timepiece movement according to one of Claims 11 and 12, further comprising at least one time-indicating hand which is arranged coaxially with respect to said first axis of rotation (A1).
14. Timepiece comprising a timepiece movement according to one of Claims 11 to 13.
15. Method for assembling a display mechanism (1) according to Claim 2, comprising the following steps of assembling elements around said first axis of rotation (A1) :

    a) indexing said units disc (71) to said units wheel (61), these components being intended to form part of said units gear (61, 71);

    b) securing said units ball bearing (R2) to at least one element of said units gear (61, 71);

    c) fitting said units ball bearing (R2) around a first of said tens wheel (51) and said tens disc (81), this wheel and this disc being intended to form part of said tens gear (51, 81);

    d) indexing a second of said tens wheel (51) and said tens disc (81) to said first one;

    e) securing said tens ball bearing (R1) to at least one element of said tens gear (51, 81);

    f) fitting said tens ball bearing (R1) around a tubular or cylindrical part (3b) that said support (3) comprises;

    g) fixing an axial stop (5) to said tubular or cylindrical part (3b).
16. Method for assembling a display mechanism (1) according to Claim 3, comprising the following steps of assembling elements around said first axis of rotation (A1):

    a) indexing said tens disc (81) to said tens wheel (51), these components being intended to form part of said tens gear (51, 81);

    b) securing said tens ball bearing (R1) to at least one element of said tens gear (51, 81);

    c) fitting said tens ball bearing (R1) around a first of said units wheel (61) and said units disc (71), this wheel and this disc being intended to form part of said units gear (61, 71);

    d) indexing a second of said units wheel (61) and said units disc (71) to said first one;

    e) securing said units ball bearing (R2) to at least one element of said units gear (61, 71);

    f) fitting said units ball bearing (R2) around a tubular or cylindrical part (3b) that said support (3) comprises;

    g) fixing an axial end stop (5) to said tubular or cylindrical part (3b).
17. Method according to one of Claims 15 and 16, wherein said indexing of said step a) comprises the following substeps:

    a1) securing assembly elements (61g; 81g) to a first of said wheel (61; 51) and said disc (71; 81);

    a2) fitting said assembly elements (61g; 81g) into openings that a second of said wheel (61; 51) and said disc (71; 81) comprises.
18. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 17, wherein said indexing of said step d) comprises the following substep:
    d1) securing assembly elements (81g; 61g) to said wheel (51; 61) and to said disc (81; 71).
19. Method according to one of Claims 17 and 18, wherein said assembly elements (61g, 81g) comprise pins.
20. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said pins are driven into the corresponding elements to which they are secured.

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