EP3835889B1 - Automatic watch winding device with rotary motion - Google Patents

Description

Field of invention

The invention relates to an automatic device for winding watches with a rotary movement, comprising a base carrying a motor for driving in rotation a support movable relative to said base, which support is arranged to receive a mechanical watch or electronic watch with a mechanical energy source in a winding position, and comprises at least one upper watch holder comprising a reception surface for direct contact with a watch fixed to said support.

The invention relates to the field of the storage and maintenance of watches, and in particular their winding, and their adjustment of rate and/or adjustment of state. The invention relates more particularly to the field of automatic winders, and their optimization in order to make available to its user a watch with a sufficient power reserve, with a well-regulated rate, and a correct display state.

Background of the invention

The patent document EP33339984B1 in the name of The Swatch Group Research & Development Ltd describes a device for winding watches, comprising means for acoustic control of the watch, to determine the optimal winding or reloading level.

• il s'emmêle lors des fonctions de remontage ;
• il gêne les manipulations par l'utilisateur ;
• il est visible et péjore l'esthétique.

Such a current winding device has a microphone making it possible to characterize the operation of the watch (rate and amplitude). This microphone must be powered and connected to a fixed base by a cable. This cable has several disadvantages:

• it gets tangled during winding functions;
• it hinders manipulations by the user;
• it is visible and impairs the aesthetics.

It is certainly possible to rewind the watch holder back and forth (for example a rotary oscillating movement of ±60°) to prevent the cable from becoming entangled, but the performance is mediocre in the case of a watch with winding by oscillating weight, because of the angle necessary for the oscillating weight to engage. The variant consisting in using a flexible layer of conductors, cleverly concealed to minimize discomfort during handling and aesthetic impact, does not provide sufficient reliability, due to friction and the risk of blockage.

The document EP 3 096 191 A1 discloses a winder with a microphone incorporated into the rotating support of the watch.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes to develop this principle of acoustic evaluation of the degree of winding of a watch.

It is also a question of doing away with the cable connection between the microphone and the base, which is very limiting. Removing the cable connecting the contact microphone of the winding device to the fixed base allows continuous winding and improved ergonomics and aesthetics.

Thus, the invention relates to an automatic device for winding watches with a rotary movement, according to claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, et en perspective éclatée, un dispositif selon l'invention, avec la partie basse d'un écrin composée par une embase porteuse d'un moteur dont l'arbre de sortie est visible dans une ouverture de l'embase ; une bobine fixe est disposée au voisinage de ce moteur et alimentée, pour transmettre sans contact de l'énergie à une deuxième bobine, laquelle est mobile et appartient à un équipage qui comprend dans sa partie supérieure un support recevant une montre, ce support contenant un microphone non visible sur cette figure;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe éclatée passant par l'axe du moteur, le dispositif de la figure 1, dont le microphone est visible dans un logement d'un porte-montre supérieur placé en extrémité distale du support, juste sous le mouvement de la montre ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée, et en coupe assemblée passant par l'axe du moteur, ce même dispositif;
• la figure 4 est un schéma-blocs représentant l'interaction des modules de génération de puissance ou de signal, de transmission, d'analyse, et de commande ;
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent, de façon schématisée, et en perspective, un écrin comportant ce dispositif selon l'invention, sous des angles différents.

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

• the figure 1 represents, schematically, and in exploded perspective, a device according to the invention, with the lower part of a case composed of a carrier base of a motor whose output shaft is visible in an opening of the base ; a fixed coil is arranged in the vicinity of this motor and powered, to transmit energy without contact to a second coil, which is mobile and belongs to a crew which comprises in its upper part a support receiving a watch, this support containing a microphone not visible in this figure;
• the picture 2 represents, in a schematic way, and in exploded section passing through the axis of the engine, the device of the figure 1 , whose microphone is visible in a housing of an upper watch holder placed at the distal end of the support, just below the movement of the watch;
• the figure 3 represents, schematically, and in assembled section passing through the axis of the motor, this same device;
• the figure 4 is a block diagram showing the interaction of power or signal generation, transmission, analysis, and control modules;
• them figure 5 and 6 represent, schematically, and in perspective, a case comprising this device according to the invention, from different angles.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The patent document EP33339984B1 on behalf of The Swatch Group

Research & Development Ltd describes a device for winding watches, or mechanical or electronic watches with a mechanical energy source. This device comprises at least one energy source arranged to supply energy to at least one motor.

This motor is arranged to either drive the winding crown of a hand-wound watch, or drive at least one oscillating weight of a self-winding watch, or stir at least one self-winding watch. The device comprises control means, which comprise first acoustic measurement means integrating sensor means for the acoustic measurement of the oscillator of at least one watch placed in the winding position. These first acoustic measurement means comprise in particular a microphone.

The control means are arranged to analyze signals transmitted by these first acoustic measurement means and compare them with configurable setpoint values to regulate the operation of the motor by switching on this motor when the operating amplitude of the oscillator is lower or equal to a first minimum value, and by stopping this motor when the operating amplitude of the oscillator is greater than or equal to a second maximum value.

These first acoustic measurement means are arranged in a fixed position in a base behind a gripping orifice. And the device comprises at least one acoustic duct putting in communication a reception orifice situated in a housing chamber of a watch and an emission orifice. The control means control motor means determining the movement and the position in space of this emission orifice, for, during an operation of measuring the rate of a watch fixed in the housing, programmed or triggered by a user, position and immobilize this emission orifice in an indexing position facing the input orifice, and in the immediate vicinity of the latter or in contact with it.

This device advantageously comprises optical means cooperating with the control means for reaching said indexing position.

More particularly, this device comprises second acoustic measurement means for measuring the ambient noise in the vicinity of the device during the measurement. And the control means are arranged to correct, by subtraction of this ambient noise, the acoustic measurement carried out by the first acoustic measurement means during the measurement operation.

This device advantageously comprises at least one mobile support relative to the base, which support is arranged to receive a mechanical watch or electronic watch with a mechanical energy source in a winding position. Each such support comprises such an acoustic duct. The emission orifice is located on the periphery of the support. And the control means control these same motor means which determine the movement and the position in space of the support, for, during a measurement operation programmed, or triggered by a user, of the rate of a watch fixed in the housing, position and immobilize the emission orifice in an indexing position facing the input orifice and in the immediate vicinity of the latter or in contact with it.

This same patent document also describes the use of such a device for winding an electronic watch comprising a generator with a mechanical energy source. The control means then comprise measuring means incorporating sensor means for measuring the field produced by this generator to control the regulation of the energy recharge.

• on place la montre sur ce dispositif ;
• on détermine la position angulaire où la marche de la montre est la plus précise;
• on détermine le degré d'armage quand la source d'énergie de la montre est mécanique, ou le degré de charge quand la source d'énergie de la montre est électrique, où la marche de ladite montre est la plus stable ;
• on maintient la montre dans cette position angulaire d'une part, et d'autre part dans le degré d'armage ou respectivement le degré de charge, correspondant à l'optimum de la marche de cette montre.

This same patent document further describes the steps of a process for preparing a watch, using this device:

• the watch is placed on this device;
• the angular position where the rate of the watch is the most precise is determined;
• the degree of winding is determined when the power source of the watch is mechanical, or the degree of charge when the power source of the watch is electric, where the rate of said watch is the most stable;
• the watch is maintained in this angular position on the one hand, and on the other hand in the degree of winding or respectively the degree of load, corresponding to the optimum rate of this watch.

The present invention proposes to develop this principle of acoustic evaluation of the degree of winding of a watch.

It is also a question of doing away with the cable connection between the microphone and the base, which is very limiting. Removing the cable connecting the contact microphone of the winding device to the fixed base allows continuous winding and improved ergonomics and aesthetics.

The invention consists in supplying the electronic circuit by using at least two coils arranged to cooperate with each other for a transfer of energy, and more particularly but not exclusively coaxial.

The use of a protocol according to the FHSS ("frequency hopping spread spectrum") technique, in particular of the "Bluetooth" or similar type, is well suited to wireless communication between the microphone unit and the fixed base.

With the exception of this power supply and this wireless communication, the principle takes up the principles set out in the patent document EP33339984B1 as well as in patent applications EP3410235 , EP3410326 , EP18173402 and EP18208249 on behalf of The Swatch Group Research & Development Ltd: amplitude measurement, rate servo-control algorithm, tremor action for the correction of the rate and/or the state of the watch, or winding action.

The maintenance of the watch is preferably ensured, as illustrated, by a microphone unit secured to the base, or to a case serving as a base, which is ergonomic for the user. More particularly, this microphone unit is in several parts. In the non-limiting variant illustrated by the figures, it comprises an upper half-watch holder, which encloses the microphone, and a lower half-watch holder, pivotally mounted with respect to the base.

More particularly, this microphone is a contact microphone, in particular of the piezoelectric microphone type, so as to obtain the best possible signal/noise ratio. This piezoelectric microphone is advantageously housed directly under the watch, in particular in the upper watch-holder half in the variant of the figures.

An advantageous variant consists in putting this piezoelectric microphone in contact with the crown of the watch, because the stem for winding and setting the time of the watch plunges directly into the heart of the movement, where the measurement of the noise of the escapement is even better, avoiding the damping due to the bottom and the bottom joints which is unavoidable when the piezoelectric microphone is placed directly under the bottom of the watch case. However, it is more difficult to make such a piezoelectric microphone for a contact on the crown, for a wide variety of different watches; it turns out like this more advantageous for the preparation of watches of the same type, or very similar as regards the positioning of their crowns.

Another variant consists in equipping the winding device with an aerial microphone and an acoustic duct leading to the watch, for example with an aerial microphone in the lower half-holder; however, the sensitivity to ambient noise makes this solution, simple and inexpensive, less precise than that of the piezoelectric microphone in direct contact with the watch.

Thus, and as illustrated by the figures, the invention relates more particularly to an automatic device 100 for winding watches with a rotary movement. This device 100 comprises a base 1 carrying a motor 2 for driving in rotation a support 20 movable relative to the base 1.

This support 20 is arranged to receive a mechanical watch or electronic watch with a mechanical energy source in a winding position, and comprises at least one upper watch holder 7 comprising a reception surface for direct contact with a watch 10 attached to support 20.

According to the invention, the support 20 comprises at least one microphone 30 for listening to a watch 10, and at least one on-board electronic circuit 40 housed in the support 20 for processing the signal from each microphone 30. And the device 100 comprises, for the energy supply of each onboard electronic circuit 40, on the one hand at least a first coil 3, fixed to the base 1 or to the motor 2, and which is supplied by a source of static energy 63 carried or relayed by the base 1, and on the other hand at least one second moving coil 4, on board the support 20, which is arranged to cooperate with at least one first coil 3, and more particularly with each first coil 3, and which is arranged to transmit energy to each on-board electronic circuit 40. A relatively low power, of the order of 1 W, is sufficient for the sole supply of the on-board electronic circuit 40. The first coil 3 is for example supplied under 5 V, with a co urant of the order of 0.1 A.

More particularly, at least a second coil 4 is coaxial with a first coil 3. More particularly still, all the first coils 3 are coaxial with each other. More particularly still, all the second coils 4 are mutually coaxial. More particularly still, all the first coils 3 and all the second coils 4 are mutually coaxial.

It is understood that the notion of coaxiality is useful during an acoustic measurement, and/or during an energy transfer. It is therefore possible to make the first 3 and the second coils 4 coaxial during these phases alone.

The figures 1 to 3 show a non-limiting layout of these coils: the first coil 3 on the front face of the motor 2, in particular in a counterbore 23, and the second coil 4 in a housing 54, for example a groove, which a flange 5 of the support 20 comprises. This flange 5 comprises a bore 52 cooperating with a shaft 21 of the motor 2, which shaft 21 is clamped by a screw 53 mounted radially in the flange 5. Here this flange 5 carries a column 8 which frees up space under the support 20, and in particular under a lower watch holder 6, to facilitate the mounting of the bracelet of a watch 10 on the support 20.

At least one on-board electronic circuit 40 is arranged to exchange information with at least one static electronic circuit 60 housed at the level of the base 1. Thus the power transfer is carried out without contact between the coils. More particularly, each second coil 4 is coaxial with each first coil 3 and with an output shaft 21 of the motor 2. In a variant, the support 20 is driven in a rotational movement around the output shaft 21 of the motor 2. In another variant, the support 20 is driven in an eccentric rotational movement with respect to the output shaft 21 of the motor 2.

More particularly, at least one on-board electronic circuit 40 is arranged to exchange information without contact with at least one static electronic circuit 60 housed at the base 1.

More particularly, this on-board electronic circuit 40 and this static electronic circuit 60 comprise or drive exchange peripherals, respectively dynamic 49 and static 69, which are arranged to exchange information without contact by communication of digital data at short distance via waves. radio, in particular according to a protocol for spreading the spectrum by frequency hopping, such as “Bluetooth” or the like. In particular, the static exchange peripheral 69, in particular an antenna, at the level of the base 1 can be a neighboring component of the static electronic circuit 60, or a track of a printed circuit that this static electronic circuit 60 comprises, or similar. . The on-board exchange peripheral 49 is more particularly housed at the level of the upper watch holder 7.

In another embodiment variant, the first coil 3 and the second coil 4 are also used for the transfer of information, in addition to the transfer of power; this variant is certainly a little more complex to implement than the variant with separate transfers, for the power on the one hand, for the signals on the other hand, but remains perfectly feasible.

More particularly, in a variant not shown, the support 20 comprises at least one secondary motorization means, supplied with energy by the second coil 4, controlled by the on-board electronic circuit 40, and arranged to submit at least the upper watch holder 7 to a non-coaxial movement with the axis of rotation of the support 20. Alternatively, this non-coaxial movement is a rotational movement. In another variant, this non-coaxial movement is a translational movement. In yet another variant, this non-coaxial movement is a complex movement according to several degrees of freedom. More particularly, this non-coaxial movement is a random movement controlled by a random generation circuit that includes the on-board electronic circuit 40.

In a particular non-limiting application, this non-coaxial movement is intended to orient a watch towards a means of vision 61 such as a camera, and/or towards lighting means, which can then be arranged outside the field of view. user view.

In yet another variant, the device 100 comprises at least a first coil 3 and at least a second coil 4 which are arranged specifically for a transfer of power specific to the supply of actuators arranged in the support 20, such as motors or similar, for example for a transfer of a few tens of Watts.

More particularly, at least one static electronic circuit 60 comprises or is interfaced with a temperature-compensated quartz oscillator 64.

More particularly, at least one static electronic circuit 60 is interfaced with viewing means 61, which are arranged to identify the state of the display of a watch 10 fixed on the support 20.

More particularly, the support 20 comprises at least one lower watch holder 6 arranged to carry a watch 10 in cooperation with the upper watch holder 7, and comprises motorized or elastic means for moving the holder away from each other. lower watch 6 and the upper watch holder 7.

More particularly, the base 1 constitutes the bottom of a case 9, comprising for example a hinge 90 and a cover 91.

In a variant not illustrated, the device 100 can integrate, at the level of the support 20, a self-centering device, which comprises an on-board adjustable mass to put the center of inertia of the watch holder support 20, equipped with the watch 10, on the axis of rotation. This function consumes little energy, the coils 3 and 4 sized to power the on-board electronic circuit 40 are sufficient for such a function, especially since this adjustment is performed only once, just after mounting the the watch 10 on the support 20, before the operations of acoustic measurement and winding/trembling if necessary.

• un équipement de vision 61 pour l'analyse de l'état d'affichage de la montre ;
• un périphérique d'échange statique 69, typiquement une antenne « Bluetooth » ou similaire ;
• une interface utilisateur 62 ;
• une batterie 63 ;
• un oscillateur à quartz compensé en température 65 ;
• un moteur 2 et son module de commande 65 ;
• un port d'échange 66, notamment de type bus universel en série ou « USB ».

The figure 4 illustrates a non-limiting example of the various functional modules. In the lower part of the device 100, the static electronic circuit 60 constitutes the central control means, and manages those of the following peripherals which are installed on the device 100:

• vision equipment 61 for analyzing the display state of the watch;
• a static exchange peripheral 69, typically a “Bluetooth” or similar antenna;
• a user interface 62;
• a battery 63;
• a temperature compensated crystal oscillator 65;
• a motor 2 and its control module 65;
• an exchange port 66, in particular of the universal serial bus or “USB” type.

• un périphérique d'échange dynamique 49, typiquement une antenne « Bluetooth » ou similaire ;
• un microphone 30, notamment de type piézoélectrique, et son amplificateur de signal 32.

In the upper part of the device, the on-board electronic circuit 40 manages in particular:

• a dynamic exchange peripheral 49, typically a “Bluetooth” or similar antenna;
• a microphone 30, in particular of the piezoelectric type, and its signal amplifier 32.

• augmentation de la puissance transmissible par les bobines ;
• minimisation du balourd créé par la structure de maintien pour minimiser la consommation lors du remontage ;
• minimisation de l'inertie du tout pour minimiser la consommation lors d'un tremblottage ;
• centrage de la montre (quelle que soit sa taille) par rapport à l'axe de rotation du porte-montre pour améliorer les deux points ci-dessus, ainsi que pour faciliter la reconnaissance avec le module de vision dans la variante comportant un contrôle et un réglage de l'état de la montre.

Optimizing certain factors improves the system:

• increase in the power transmitted by the coils;
• minimization of the unbalance created by the support structure to minimize consumption during reassembly;
• minimization of inertia at all to minimize consumption during tremor;
• centering of the watch (regardless of its size) with respect to the axis of rotation of the watch holder to improve the two points above, as well as to facilitate recognition with the vision module in the variant comprising a control and an adjustment of the state of the watch.

Claims (14)

1. Watch self-winding device (100) with rotary motion, comprising a base (1) carrying a motor (2) for driving a mobile support (20) in rotation relative to said base (1), which support (20) is arranged so as to receive a mechanical watch or an electronic watch with a mechanical power source in a winding position, and comprises at least one upper watch holder (7) comprising a receiving surface for direct contact with a watch (10) fixed to said support (20), the said support (20) comprising at least one microphone (30) for listening to a said watch (10), characterised in that it comprises at least one embedded electronic circuit (40) housed inside said support (20) for processing the signal from each said microphone (30), and in that said device (100) comprises, in order to supply power to each said embedded electronic circuit (40), at least one first coil (3), fixed to said base (1) or to said motor (2), and powered by a static power source (63) carried or relayed by said base (1), and at least one second coil (4) embedded in said support (20) and arranged to cooperate with at least one said first coil (3), and arranged to transmit power to each said embedded electronic circuit (40), at least one said embedded electronic circuit (40) whereof is arranged to exchange information with at least one static electronic circuit (60) housed at said base (1).
2. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one said second coil (4) is coaxial with said first coil (3).
3. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one said embedded electronic circuit (40) is arranged to exchange information, in a contactless manner, with at least one static electronic circuit (60) housed at said base (1).
4. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 3, characterised in that said embedded electronic circuit (40) and static electronic circuit (60) comprise or control exchange peripherals (49; 69), which are arranged so as to exchange information, in a contactless manner, by a frequency hopping spread spectrum protocol.
5. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said support (20) comprises at least one second drive means, powered by said second coil (4), controlled by said embedded electronic circuit (40), and arranged to subject at least said upper watch holder (7) to a motion non-coaxial to the rotational axis of said support (20).
6. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that said non-coaxial motion is a rotary motion.
7. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that said non-coaxial motion is a translational motion.
8. Watch self-winding device (100) according to claim 5, characterised in that said non-coaxial motion is a complex motion according to a plurality of degrees of freedom.
9. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterised in that said non-coaxial motion is a random motion controlled by a random generator circuit comprised in said embedded electronic circuit (40).
10. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one said static electronic circuit (60) comprises or is interfaced with a temperature-compensated quartz oscillator (64).
11. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one said static electronic circuit (60) is interfaced with viewing means (61) arranged to identify the state of the display of a said watch (10) fixed to said support (20).
12. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said support (20) comprises at least one lower watch holder (6) arranged so as to carry a said watch (10) in cooperation with said upper watch holder (7), and comprises motorised or elastic means for moving said lower watch holder (6) and said upper watch holder (7) away from one another.
13. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said base (1) constitutes the back of a case (9).
14. Watch self-winding device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the driving of said support (20) in rotation is eccentric relative to the axis of said motor (2).

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