EP3985453A1 - Intermittent display device for a timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

Intermittent display mechanism (100) for a timepiece (1000) comprising a mobile (1) in motion, and an energy source (2) for supplying a light emission source (3) coupled with a light guide (4), and light emission control means (5), which comprise a flexible body (6) carrying a flexible piezoelectric film or coating (7) coated in an electrically insulating casing (8) and fixed to a fixed structure (9) and comprising a distal zone (60) cantilevered with respect to the structure (9), arranged to interfere mechanically, at periodic or random instants, with the mobile (1) during its run and move away from its rest position before vibrating the flexible body (6) and the piezoelectric film or coating (7), which constitutes an energy source (2), to transform the energy mechanism provided by the mobile (1) into electrical energy provided to the light emission source (3).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an intermittent display mechanism for a timepiece comprising at least one moving part during operation of said part, said mechanism comprising energy supply means for supplying at least one source light emission that said mechanism comprises and which is coupled with at least one light guide, and light emission control means.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one moving part in motion during the operation of this timepiece, and at least one such intermittent display mechanism.

The invention relates to the field of timepiece display mechanisms.

Background of the invention

Observation of the sky has inspired many watch models over time. The moon phase, for example, is a popular mechanism in mechanical watches. Other patterns referred to constellations, planets, zodiacal signs, etc. References to astronomy have therefore taken several forms in watchmaking, both in a purely decorative and functional aspect.

No device has yet been devised to make a fleeting phenomenon appear like a shooting star in a watch.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to create, in a watch, a particular visual effect, in particular that of a luminous shooting star, or even the aurora borealis, with the implementation of an autonomous device driven by the mechanics of the watch. , and not requiring the energy input of a battery or the like. This shooting star or aurora borealis visual effect is advantageously obtained with a piezoelectric device.

To this end, the invention relates to an intermittent display mechanism for a timepiece according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising at least one moving part in motion during the operation of this timepiece, and at least one such intermittent display mechanism.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée, un mécanisme d'affichage intermittent pour une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, dans un mode particulier et non limitatif de l'invention, avec un mobile, ici une came, qui déforme un corps flexible, lequel comporte un guide de lumière et un revêtement piézoélectrique flexible; la fibre optique est alignée devant une source d'émission lumineuse constituée par une LED, afin de permettre un couplage optique, cette LED étant connectée électriquement au film piézoélectrique flexible ; le corps flexible est dans une position de contact avec l'extrémité de la came, juste avant leur désolidarisation ; le corps flexible s'étend selon une direction curviligne représentée en trait mixte, et s'éloigne de sa position linéaire de repos représentée en trait interrompu ;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée, l'analogie bien connue entre les éléments d'un oscillateur mécanique en partie gauche : ressort, masse inertielle, et amortisseur, et ceux d'un oscillateur électrique : condensateur, bobine, résistance, tel que constitué par ce corps flexible piézoélectrique en partie droite de la figure ;
• la figure 3 est un graphique montrant l'évolution de la tension en fonction du temps, lors de l'oscillation du corps flexible après la déformation mécanique imposée par la came et sa libération ;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, le même mécanisme juste après la libération du corps flexible par la came ; la LED est polarisée directement et peut émettre de la lumière, qui est couplée à l'intérieur de la fibre optique, et sort à l'extrémité libre de celle-ci, dont l'oscillation rapide, combinée avec l'émission simultanée de lumière et la persistance rétinienne de l'observateur, permet de créer l'effet d'une étoile filante ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon partielle, une variante où le corps flexible est fixé à deux extrémités à la structure, et comporte une zone médiane agencée pour interférer avec le mobile apporteur d'énergie ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon partielle, une autre variante où l'utilisateur dispose d'un moyen de commande pour déclencher le mouvement d'un percuteur pour frapper le corps flexible, et créer un effet similaire ;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon schématisée, une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mouvement et un mécanisme de sonnerie pour l'actionnement d'une came, par exemple dans un mécanisme de réveil, ou au passage des heures, ou autre, pour frapper le corps flexible, et créer un effet similaire.

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, an intermittent display mechanism for a timepiece according to the invention, in a particular and non-limiting mode of the invention, with a mobile, here a cam, which deforms a flexible body, which has a light guide and a flexible piezoelectric coating; the optical fiber is aligned in front of a light emission source consisting of an LED, in order to allow optical coupling, this LED being electrically connected to the flexible piezoelectric film; the flexible body is in a position of contact with the end of the cam, just before their separation; the flexible body extends in a curvilinear direction shown in phantom, and moves away from its linear position of rest shown in broken line;
• the picture 2 schematically represents the well-known analogy between the elements of a mechanical oscillator on the left: spring, inertial mass, and damper, and those of an electrical oscillator: capacitor, coil, resistor, as constituted by this piezoelectric flexible body in the right part of the figure;
• the picture 3 is a graph showing the evolution of the tension as a function of time, during the oscillation of the flexible body after the mechanical deformation imposed by the cam and its release;
• the figure 4 represents, similar to the figure 1 , the same mechanism just after the release of the flexible body by the cam; the LED is directly biased and can emit light, which is coupled inside the optical fiber, and exits at the free end of it, the rapid oscillation of which, combined with the simultaneous emission of light and the retinal persistence of the observer, makes it possible to create the effect of a shooting star;
• the figure 5 represents, partially, a variant where the flexible body is fixed at two ends to the structure, and comprises a middle zone arranged to interfere with the energy-providing mobile;
• the figure 6 represents, partially, another variant where the user has a control means to trigger the movement of a striker to strike the flexible body, and create a similar effect;
• the figure 7 represents, schematically, a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a movement and a striking mechanism for actuating a cam, for example in an alarm mechanism, or at the passing of the hours, or other, to hit the flexible body, and create a similar effect.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The phenomenon of the shooting star is generated by the fall, through the atmosphere, of fragments of matter, circulating in space, which are attracted by the Earth's gravitation. Due to the high speed and friction against molecules in the atmosphere, the material burns and disintegrates as it falls, producing a luminous trail across the sky. These phenomena occur constantly around the planet, and become quite visible especially at night. At certain times of the year, the Earth passes through regions of space where there are higher concentrations of debris, increasing the frequency of the phenomenon.

However, the appearance of a shooting star remains an unpredictable, random event, and by nature ephemeral. It is therefore a fascinating and quite rare phenomenon to observe, to the point that popular tradition invites us to make a wish each time we happen to observe one. This romantic aspect of observing a shooting star goes very well with watchmaking tradition, which encourages creating such an effect in a watch.

To this end, the invention relates to a device which makes it possible to generate, periodically or randomly, an instantaneous and fleeting luminous effect.

The invention relates more particularly to a portable device, comprising at least one piezoelectric component coupled to an optical fiber, for triggering a visual effect such as a flash on a user's action on a push button, or when receiving a signal such as a telephone call, or during a programmed or random shock between the piezoelectric component and another mobile component of this portable device.

More particularly, the invention thus relates to an intermittent display mechanism 100 for a timepiece 1000 comprising at least one mobile 1 in motion during the operation of the part 1000,

This mobile 1 can be any mobile of the movement: hand, rocker, tourbillon cage, jumper, or other, the shock possibly being periodic or aperiodic.

This mechanism 100 comprises energy supply means 2, for supplying at least one light emission source 3, which the mechanism 100 comprises, and which is coupled with at least one light guide 4, and comprises light emission control means 5.

• ou bien une microgénératrice, qui est activée par un organe mobile de commande ou par un barillet de la pièce d'horlogerie, et est agencée pour activer simultanément un mouvement d'un corps flexible 6 au travers d'un moyen d'impulsion ou de percussion,
• ou bien un film ou revêtement piézoélectrique 7 flexible, que porte un corps flexible 6 et qui est enrobé dans une enveloppe 8 isolante électriquement, et qui est agencé pour transformer l'énergie mécanique, apportée par le mobile 1, en énergie électrique et à l'apporter à au moins une source d'émission lumineuse 3.

According to the invention, these energy supply means 2 comprise, or consist of:

• or else a microgenerator, which is activated by a moving control member or by a barrel of the timepiece, and is arranged to simultaneously activate a movement of a flexible body 6 through an impulse means or percussion,
• or else a flexible piezoelectric film or coating 7, carried by a flexible body 6 and which is coated in an electrically insulating casing 8, and which is arranged to transform the mechanical energy, supplied by the mobile 1, into electrical energy and to the bring to at least one light emission source 3.

In the alternative illustrated by the figures, these light emission control means 5 comprise at least one such flexible body 6, which carries a film or a flexible piezoelectric coating 7 coated in an electrically insulating casing 8 .

This flexible body 6 is fixed to a fixed structure 9 that comprises the mechanism 100, and comprises at least one distal zone 60, which is cantilevered with respect to the structure 9.

This distal zone 60 is arranged to interfere mechanically, at periodic or random instants, with at least one such mobile 1 during its movement, during the travel of the mobile 1, and thus to deviate from its rest position, before vibrating the flexible body 6 and the piezoelectric film or coating 7, which constitutes energy supply means 2, so as to transform the mechanical energy supplied by the mobile 1 into electrical energy and to supply it to at least one light emission source 3.

More particularly, the flexible body 6 carries at least one light guide 4 or is constituted by at least one light guide 4. More particularly still, at least one light guide 4 is an optical fiber. Even more particularly, the optical fiber is coated with a flexible piezoelectric coating 7, which is coated in an electrically insulating casing 8.

In a variant, the optical fiber is arranged to transmit the light punctually at its distal end. It is thus possible to obtain the effect of a point of light, the rapid movement of which is similar to a shooting star.

In a variant, the optical fiber is arranged to diffuse light over all or part of its length.

In a variant, the optical fiber is covered with fluorescent material so as to emit light of different colors, coupled to at least one said ultraviolet light emission source 3 .

More particularly, at least one light emission source 3 is an LED.

Thus, by extracting the light along the entire length of the optical fiber, it is possible to obtain an aurora borealis effect by the combination of movement and this particular light diffusion.

More particularly, the mechanism 100 comprises a semi-transparent or translucent screen, to hide the flexible body 6 from the user, while allowing the passage of the light emitted by a light emission source 3 and transported by at least one guide of light 4.

More particularly, the mechanism 100 comprises a control means 11, which is accessible to the user, or which is controlled by the timepiece 1000, to set in motion at least one striker 12 from a rest position to strike at the at least one flexible body 6, and the mechanism 100 comprises elastic return means 13 to control the return of the striker 12 from the percussion position to its rest position. This striker 12 is in particular, and not limited to, a dedicated member, intended to be moved by the user, by means of a pusher or the like, for example for demonstration purposes.

A shock caused is capable of generating such a piezoelectric effect, and the invention is adaptable to other variants.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 1000, in particular a watch, comprising at least one mobile 1 in motion during the operation of this timepiece 1000, and at least one such intermittent display mechanism 100.

More particularly, this timepiece 1000 comprises at least one main striker 15, which is movable from a rest position to strike at the least one flexible body 6, and main elastic return means 16 for controlling the return of the main striker 15 from the percussion position to its rest position.

More particularly, the timepiece 1000 comprises a main control means 14, which is accessible to the user, or else which is controlled by the timepiece 1000, to set in motion at least one main striker 15.

More particularly, the timepiece 1000 comprises a timepiece movement 500 or a striking or alarm mechanism 600, to control a movement of at least one main striker 15.

The figure 1 schematically illustrates the main elements of such a device. An optical fiber 4 and a flexible piezoelectric film 7 are assembled together so as to constitute a flexible body 6, which is an integral but flexible body. This is attached at one end to form a cantilever lever. The piezoelectric film is coated in an electrically insulating material. At the position of the point of its attachment, the optical fiber 4 is aligned in front of a light emission source 3, in particular an LED, in order to allow optical coupling. This LED 3 is electrically connected to the flexible piezoelectric film 7.

In the absence of mechanical action, the flexible body 6 remains in its rest position, shown in broken line on the figure 1 . In its rotation driven by the movement of the watch 1000, the end of a mobile 1, here a cam, progressively deforms the flexible body 6. This deformation produces an accumulation of charges on the surfaces of the flexible piezoelectric film 7 by piezoelectric effect. .

The deformation continues until the mobile 1, in particular the cam, loses contact with the flexible body 6. The flexible body 6 is then released and begins to oscillate around its rest position. The number of oscillations and the frequency are related to the mechanical characteristics of the materials used. The mechanical energy supplied by the mobile 1 is partially transformed into electrical energy in the flexible piezoelectric film 7 by piezoelectric effect. The picture 2 shows the well-known analogy between the elements of a mechanical oscillator: spring, inertial mass, and damper, and those of an electric oscillator: capacitor, coil, resistor, as constituted by this flexible body 6 piezoelectric. The mechanical deformation causes a potential difference dV to appear on the surfaces of the flexible piezoelectric film 7, which is proportional to the deformation imposed on it. The potential difference dV changes sign when the flexible body 6 passes from one side to the other of its rest position.

A typical signal of a flexible body 6 which is free to oscillate after mechanical deformation is shown on the picture 3 , which is taken from the document “Measurement techniques for piezoelectric nanogenerators, Joe Briscoe, Nimra Jalali, Peter Woolliams, Mark Stewart, Paul M. Weaver, Markys Cainb and Steve Dunn. DOI: 10.1039/c3ee41889h ". It is observed that in a few fractions of a second, the voltage at the poles of the flexible body 6 changes sign several times. In the device according to the invention, the flexible piezoelectric film 7 is directly connected to the poles of an LED which carries mark 3, which electrically behaves like a diode During oscillation, when LED 3 is directly biased and the voltage exceeds the threshold value (2.8 V for a blue LED, for example) LED 3 can emit light. The light is coupled inside the optical fiber 4, and exits at the free end thereof. The rapid oscillation of the optical fiber 4, combined with the simultaneous emission of light and the persistence retinal image of the observer, makes it possible to create the effect of a shooting star, as illustrated in figure 4 .

This effect is easily achieved by using a commercial piezoelectric device combined with a commercial blue LED chip. The same result could be obtained with a white chip, because it has generally the same electrical characteristics as blue.

Another example of the use of piezoelectric film deformation is shown in a video made by Korea University KAIST, in which a piezoelectric nano-generator is used to light a row of over one hundred blue LEDs, such as readable in the article " Highly-Efficient, Flexible Piezoelectric PZT Thin Film Nanogenerator on Plastic Substrates" Adv. Mater., 26, 2514, 2014, or viewable online at "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G Fny7Xb9ig" .

As an alternative to assembling a piezoelectric film with an optical fiber, it is possible to surface cover an optical fiber with a deposit of piezoelectric material. This facilitates the assembly of the device, and at the same time reduces the mechanical rigidity of the flexible element, for a gain in efficiency.

The flexible body 6 can be placed behind a semi-transparent dial so that only the light effect is visible to the user.

In the non-limiting variant illustrated by the figure 1 and 4 , the system is engaged by the movement of the cam which constitutes the mobile 1. It is thus possible to envisage the generation of the shooting star effect on demand, periodically or randomly.

In the other alternative of the invention, the flexible body 7 does not necessarily include a piezoelectric layer, even if this flexible body 7 can also include a piezoelectric layer as in the first alternative. And the energy supply means 2 comprise, or consist of, a microgenerator, which is activated by a pusher, a crown, a rotating bezel, or even a specific barrel, or via the main barrel of the mechanical watch, which supplies electrical energy to the light emission source 3, in particular at least one LED, and simultaneously activates the movement of the flexible body 6, via for example a mechanical striker 15 or the like.

Claims (14)

Intermittent display mechanism (100) for a timepiece (1000) comprising at least one mobile (1) in motion during the operation of said part (1000), said mechanism (100) comprising energy supply means (2) for supplying at least one light emission source (3) which said mechanism (100) comprises and which is coupled with at least one light guide (4), and emission control means light (5), characterized in that said light emission control means (5) comprise at least one flexible body (6), said flexible body (6) being fixed to a fixed structure (9) which said mechanism ( 100) and comprising at least one distal zone (60) cantilevered with respect to said structure (9) and which is arranged to interfere mechanically, at periodic or random instants, with at least one said mobile (1) during the race of said mobile (1) and deviate from its rest position before vibrating said body s hose (6), characterized in that said energy supply means (2) comprise, or consist of, or else a microgenerator activated by a movable control member or by a barrel of the timepiece and arranged to simultaneously activate a movement of said flexible body (6) through an impulse or percussion means, or else a flexible piezoelectric film or coating (7) carried by said flexible body (6) and which is coated in an envelope (8) electrically insulating and which is arranged to transform the mechanical energy provided by said mobile (1) into electrical energy and to provide it to at least one said light emission source (3). Mechanism (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flexible body (6) carries at least one said light guide (4) or is constituted by at least one said light guide (4). Mechanism (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one said light guide (4) is an optical fibre. Mechanism (100) according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said optical fiber is coated with a said flexible piezoelectric coating (7) embedded in an electrically insulating casing (8). Mechanism (100) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the said optical fiber is arranged to transmit the light punctually at its distal end. Mechanism (100) according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the said optical fiber is arranged to diffuse light over all or part of its length. Mechanism (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that said optical fiber is covered with fluorescent material so as to emit light of different colors, coupled to at least one said ultraviolet light emission source (3). Mechanism (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the said mechanism (100) comprises a semi-transparent or translucent screen to hide the said flexible body (6) from the user and allowing the passage of light emitted by a said light emission source (3) and transported by at least one said light guide (4). Mechanism (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one said light emission source (3) is an LED. Mechanism (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the said mechanism (100) includes control means (11) accessible to the user or controlled by the said timepiece (1000) for setting movement at least one striker (12) from a rest position to strike at least one said flexible body (6), and elastic return means (13) to control the return of said striker (12) from the percussion position to its called resting position. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one mobile (1) in motion during the operation of said part (1000), and at least one said intermittent display mechanism (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 10. Timepiece (1000) according to claim 11, characterized in that said part (1000) comprises at least one main striker (15) movable from a rest position to strike at least one said flexible body (6), and main elastic return means (16) for controlling the return of said main striker (15) from the percussion position to its said rest position. Timepiece (1000) according to claim 12, characterized in that said part (1000) comprises main control means (14) accessible to the user or controlled by said timepiece (1000) for setting in motion at least one main striker (15). Timepiece (1000) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said part (1000) comprises a clockwork movement (500) or a striking or alarm mechanism (600) for controlling a movement at least one main striker (15).

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