EP4024137B1 - Control mechanism for a timepiece - Google Patents

Control mechanism for a timepiece Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP4024137B1
EP4024137B1 EP20217969.3A EP20217969A EP4024137B1 EP 4024137 B1 EP4024137 B1 EP 4024137B1 EP 20217969 A EP20217969 A EP 20217969A EP 4024137 B1 EP4024137 B1 EP 4024137B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crown
tube
knurling
roller
control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP20217969.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4024137A1 (en
Inventor
Hervé AVRIL
Gregory Kissling
Rémy THIRY
Valon Hoti
Samuel GEISER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Meco SA
Original Assignee
Meco SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meco SA filed Critical Meco SA
Priority to EP20217969.3A priority Critical patent/EP4024137B1/en
Priority to US17/399,316 priority patent/US11703802B2/en
Priority to JP2021136054A priority patent/JP7164684B2/en
Priority to CN202111661042.6A priority patent/CN114815563A/en
Publication of EP4024137A1 publication Critical patent/EP4024137A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4024137B1 publication Critical patent/EP4024137B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/046—Operation by rotation and axial movement with extra function of axial shift of operating element, e.g. crown combined with push button
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/045—Storing the operating element, also bringing it out of storage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/041—Construction of crowns for rotating movement; connection with the winding stem; winding stems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/06—Forming the passage for the winding stem through the case; Divided winding stems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/04—Rigidly-mounted keys, knobs or crowns
    • G04B3/043—Locking of the operating element, also by mounting in a concealed place
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B37/00—Cases
    • G04B37/08—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits
    • G04B37/10—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems
    • G04B37/103—Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits of winding stems by screwing the crown onto the case

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for controlling a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, in particular a wristwatch comprising a mechanical movement.
  • the setting and/or winding of a mechanical watch is conventionally carried out by a control crown which is operable in rotation and in traction, generally located at the 3 o'clock position on the periphery of the watch.
  • the crown is attached to a control stem which can be moved axially according to several axial positions corresponding to each function to be actuated, such as manual winding of the movement, setting the time, setting the date and/or setting other indicators moving above or below the watch face.
  • the control crown which protrudes from the watch case sometimes needs to be protected, for example to avoid causing the inadvertent engagement of a function by snagging, or worse, the deterioration of the winding stem.
  • watches have been designed with crowns embedded in the wall of the case in order to protect it from the risks of shocks to which it is exposed.
  • access to this type of crown is not always easy for the user, in particular when it comes to pulling the crown to move it into its different axial positions for controlling the different functions.
  • the document FR2783939 discloses a retractable crown in a well of the watch case.
  • the invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above.
  • a timepiece according to the invention comprises a crown which can be housed in a cavity provided in the case of the timepiece and open to the outside, such as a cavity in the side wall of the case of a wristwatch, so that the crown is housed entirely in the cavity or flush with the side wall when it is not in use, i.e. in the rest position of the crown.
  • the user will turn a fixed rotary knob in the axial direction of the crown.
  • the knob is accessible from the top of the box.
  • the wheel is coupled to a tube in which is inserted a cylindrical crown body secured to the crown.
  • the rotation of the wheel causes a rotation as well as a translation of the tube, which is linked to it only in translation to said cylinder.
  • the tube moves the crown in the axial direction without rotating the crown around its central axis.
  • the crown is coupled in rotation to a control rod to actuate one or more functions of the movement of the timepiece, depending on the axial position of the rod.
  • the invention makes it possible to reach at least one control position of the crown and of the stem, by turning the wheel, therefore without manually pulling the crown outwards.
  • the crown protrudes from the wall, which makes it possible to turn the crown manually as in existing control devices.
  • the user will turn the wheel in the opposite direction.
  • the coupling between the tube and the wheel can be achieved by a connection by threading.
  • this connection is configured to control the movement of the crown towards all the control positions available to adjust various functions of a watch movement. More particularly and according to a preferred form, the connection by threading is made between an internal thread which extends over a length of the central bore of the wheel and an external thread which extends over the entire length of the tube or over a part of said length of the tube, thus making it possible to reach several control positions without losing the coupling by said connection by threading between the tube and the knob.
  • connection only makes it possible to reach some of the control positions, the other positions being able to be reached by manually pulling the crown. More particularly and according to a preferred form, the connection by threading is made between an internal thread which extends at least over part of the length of the central bore of the knurl and an external thread which extends over a limited portion of the length of the tube, so that the coupling between the knob and the tube is lost when the crown reaches one of the control positions from the rest position, and in that the coupling can be restored by pushing the crown manually towards the inside the box then by rotating the wheel.
  • connection between the tube and the knob is made by a helical profile provided on the outer surface of the tube, cooperating with a plurality of radial pins fixed inside the knob.
  • the tube is provided with a helical profile on its outer surface, said profile defining a groove extending in the manner of a helix along said tube
  • the wheel is provided with one or several pins oriented radially with respect to the surface of the central bore of the knurl and arranged in a single plane perpendicular to the central axis, the pins penetrate into said groove, so that the rotation of the knurl in one or the other direction of rotation causes a rotation of the tube as well as a translation of the tube in one or the other axial direction.
  • the pins are mounted in a sleeve driven inside the central hole of the wheel.
  • the cylinder crown body forms a hollow cylinder with an internal section of polygonal shape, and an end part of the control rod is arranged inside said hollow cylinder, said end part of the control rod comprising a polygonal section portion corresponding to the internal section of the hollow cylinder, the control rod being arranged so that during the translation of the crown between the rest position and a first control position projecting from the wall, the rod remains stationary with respect to the box.
  • control rod is arranged such that when the crown moves in translation beyond the first control position, the rod is driven with the crown towards one or more different control positions.
  • a spring is arranged between a shoulder of the control rod and the crown head.
  • the wheel is provided at its outer periphery with one or more markings indicating one or more angular positions of the wheel which correspond respectively to one or more control positions of the rod.
  • the timepiece is a wristwatch with mechanical movement and manual winding.
  • the first control position allows manual winding of the movement, and in that a second control position allows adjustment of the hours and minutes.
  • the crown is level with the wall of the box when the crown is in the rest position.
  • the wall of the box comprises a through-housing extending perpendicular to the cavity housing the crown and facing the latter and the wheel is arranged in this housing.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to house the crown in a cavity provided in a watch case, so that the crown does not interfere with the user of the watch when it is in its rest position, and to cause the crown to come out of the rest position without manually pulling the crown outwards.
  • FIG 1 And 2a to 2d represent a control device incorporated in the case 1 of the watch.
  • Box 1 contains a mechanical clockwork not shown in the figure but which can also be an electronic or electromechanical clockwork known in the state of the art.
  • the control device comprises a crown 4 formed of a crown head 4a and a hollow cylindrical crown body 18 which is housed in a cavity 10 open to the outside and provided in the side wall 14 of the box 1.
  • the crown 4 is flush with the surface of the wall 14. This condition represents the state of rest of the control device, in effect when the device is not used by the user of the watch.
  • the crown 4 could also be housed entirely in the cavity 10 instead of coming flush with the wall 14.
  • the user will turn a rotary wheel 5 provided with a central hole, arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation 6 of the crown 4, and of which an upper part is accessible to the user. from the top of the case 1.
  • the wheel 5 is free to rotate around the axis 6 and immobile in the axial direction of the crown 4.
  • the axis of rotation 6 of the crown coincides with the central axis of a control rod 7 capable of cooperating with a movement mechanism, in a manner known per se and not detailed in the present context.
  • the control rod 7 is guided inside a fixed shouldered sleeve 8, screwed into a wall of the case 1 of the watch at the bottom of the cavity 10.
  • a seal 9 is placed in an internal groove of the sleeve between sleeve 8 and control rod 7.
  • wheel 5 is arranged around of a tube 15 and coupled to this tube 15 by a connection by threading 16, so that the rotation of the knob 5 causes a rotation as well as an axial translation of the tube 15, the tube 15 being coaxial with the central axis 6 of the control rod 7.
  • the tube 15 In the rest position shown in figure 2a , the tube 15 extends as far as a shoulder 11 inside the cavity 10.
  • the tube 15 surrounds the sleeve 8, being axially movable and rotatable relative to the latter.
  • the tube 15 surrounds a hollow cylindrical crown body 18 integral with the crown 4.
  • the crown body 18 is also coaxial with the central axis 6.
  • the end of the tube 15 is in contact with the face rear of the crown 4.
  • the tube 15 In its inner middle part the tube 15 is provided with a shoulder 19 against which rests a ring 20 fixed around the distal part of the cylindrical crown body 18.
  • the crown body 18 and tube 15 are therefore integral with each other.
  • the crown body 18 is free in rotation with respect to the tube 15 and vice versa.
  • the section of the interior of the hollow cylindrical crown body 18 is non-circular, for example square or having another polygonal shape.
  • the control rod 7 is inserted into the hollow crown body 18 and coupled in rotation to said crown body 18 and therefore to crown 4, by a portion 25 of polygonal section, corresponding to the section of the interior of the crown body 18.
  • a compression spring 26 is mounted between the polygonal portion 25 and the bottom of the hollow crown body 18. Said polygonal portion 25 can move in translation relative to the crown body 18, between two stops, shown on one side by the spring 26, and on the other side by a ring 27 driven against a shoulder formed at the distal end and inside the crown body 18.
  • the user can extract the crown head 4a without it rotating.
  • the tube 15 moves outwards by rotating around the central axis 6, and drives the crown body 18 and therefore the crown head 4a, which will come out of its housing inside the cavity 10, to reach a first control position projecting from the case 1, as shown in figure 2b .
  • the crown 4 does not rotate around the central axis 6 during this movement, since it is decoupled in rotation from the tube 15.
  • the control rod 7 remains stationary until the ring 27 comes into contact with the portion polygonal 25 of the rod 7, corresponding to said first control position.
  • the extraction of the crown 4 is also actuated by the spring 26 which relaxes during the movement of the cylinder 18 towards the outside.
  • the user can now turn the crown 4 around its central axis 6, and relative to the tube 15 which remains stationary, driving the rod 7 in rotation, to actuate a first function of the movement, for example the manual winding of the last.
  • crown 4 is moved axially towards a second control position, shown in figure 2c . Since the ring 27 is now in contact with the polygonal portion 25 of the rod 7, said rod 7 is driven in translation with the crown 4, ie the rod 7 is withdrawn relative to the sleeve 8 towards an axial position which allows activate a second function, for example setting the hour and minutes.
  • one or more markings are present on the outer peripheral or lateral surface of knob 5.
  • the markings indicate the angular positions of knob 5 corresponding to the control positions of rod 7. Said positions are reached at moment when the wheel markings arrive in front of a fixed marking on the upper surface of the box 1 for example.
  • connection by thread 16 between the tube 15 and the wheel 5 represents only one embodiment of the coupling between the wheel 5 and the tube 15.
  • this device requires several turns of wheel 5 to reach the first control position and possibly again several turns to reach the other control positions.
  • THE figures 3a to 3d show a second embodiment of the coupling between the tube 15 and the wheel 5.
  • the tube 15 is now provided with a helical profile 35 on its outer surface, which defines a groove which extends like a helix over the entire outer surface of the tube 15.
  • a sleeve 36 is driven inside the central bore of the wheel 5.
  • the sleeve 36 holds a plurality of radial pins 37 which penetrate into the groove with a certain clearance. pins typically two in number are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis 6, preferably in the middle of the length of the wheel 5 (length measured in the direction of the axis 6). The rotation of the wheel 5 thus actuates the rotation and the translation of the tube 15.
  • the advantage of this embodiment is that the axial displacement of the tube 15 to reach the three control positions is now actuated by a rotation over a distance smaller angle of the wheel 5 than is the case in the embodiment described above.
  • the pitch of the propeller is arranged so that all of the axial positions of the crown are reached in one rotation less than one complete revolution of the wheel. Markings on the dial can also indicate to the user the positions of the dial 5 corresponding to the control positions of the crown 4 and the stem 7.
  • connection by thread 16 is made between an internal thread 12 which extends over the complete length (seen in the direction of the axis 6) of the central bore of the knob 5 and an external thread 13 which extends over the full length of the tube 15.
  • the connection by threading 16 makes it possible to reach the three control positions and to bring the crown 4 back to its rest position without losing the coupling between the wheel 5 and the tube 15. the user therefore does not have to manually push or pull the crown, as is the case in existing control devices.
  • connection by threading does not make it possible to reach all the control positions, and the user is obliged to manually pull the crown to reach a number of additional positions.
  • FIGS 4a-4d An example of this latter embodiment is shown in figures 4a-4d .
  • a connection by thread 16 between the tube 15 and the wheel 15 is made in this case between an internal thread 12 over a large part of the length of the central bore of the wheel 5 and an external thread 13' which extends only over a limited part of the length of the tube 15.
  • the threaded connection 16 always allows the crown 4 to come out of its rest position illustrated in figure 4a , as in the previous forms. However, the coupling between the threads 12 and 13' is lost when the crown 4 reaches the first control position, see figure 4b .
  • crown 4 To bring the crown to its other positions, the user must manually pull the crown 4 out of the case 1, see figures 4c and 4d , as in existing control devices. To bring the crown back to the rest position, the user must push the crown 4 back until it brings it in the first position until the connection between the knob and the tube is engaged. Once the thread of the knob engages that of the tube, crown 4 can be returned to its rest position by turning knob 5.
  • control rod 7 could be integral with crown 4, so that rod 7 is extracted as soon as crown 4 moves from the rest position.
  • cylinder 18 could be a solid cylinder instead of a hollow cylinder, and spring 26 would be omitted.
  • the number of control positions is not defined and can vary between just one and any number achievable for a specific timepiece movement.
  • the invention is advantageously applicable to mechanical watch movements with manual winding, but it is also applicable to electronic watches of the quartz or other type, in particular electronic watches comprising analog display members.
  • the materials used for the various components are preferably metals.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

L'invention concerne un dispositif de commande d'une pièce d'horlogerie, telle qu'une montre bracelet, notamment une montre bracelet comportant un mouvement mécanique.The invention relates to a device for controlling a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, in particular a wristwatch comprising a mechanical movement.

Arrière-plan technologiqueTechnology background

Le réglage et/ou remontage d'une montre mécanique est effectué classiquement par une couronne de commande qui est actionnable en rotation et en traction, généralement située à la position de 3h sur le pourtour de la montre. La couronne est solidaire d'une tige de commande qui peut être déplacée axialement selon plusieurs positions axiales correspondant à chaque fonction à actionner, telle que le remontage manuel du mouvement, la mise à l'heure, la mise à la date et/ou le réglage d'autres indicateurs se déplaçant au-dessus ou en dessous du cadran de la montre.The setting and/or winding of a mechanical watch is conventionally carried out by a control crown which is operable in rotation and in traction, generally located at the 3 o'clock position on the periphery of the watch. The crown is attached to a control stem which can be moved axially according to several axial positions corresponding to each function to be actuated, such as manual winding of the movement, setting the time, setting the date and/or setting other indicators moving above or below the watch face.

La couronne de commande qui se trouve en saillie de la boîte de montre nécessite parfois d'être protégée par exemple pour éviter de provoquer par accrochage l'enclenchement inopiné d'une fonction, ou pire la détérioration de la tige de remontoir. Pour remédier à cet inconvénient, on a conçu des montres pourvues de couronnes noyées dans la paroi de la boîte afin de la protéger des risques de chocs auquel elle est exposée. Mais l'accès à ce type de couronne n'est cependant pas toujours aisé pour l'utilisateur notamment lorsqu'il s'agit de tirer la couronne pour la déplacer dans ses différentes positions axiales de commande des différentes fonctionsThe control crown which protrudes from the watch case sometimes needs to be protected, for example to avoid causing the inadvertent engagement of a function by snagging, or worse, the deterioration of the winding stem. To remedy this drawback, watches have been designed with crowns embedded in the wall of the case in order to protect it from the risks of shocks to which it is exposed. However, access to this type of crown is not always easy for the user, in particular when it comes to pulling the crown to move it into its different axial positions for controlling the different functions.

Le document FR2783939 divulgue une couronne escamotable dans un puits de la boîte de montre.The document FR2783939 discloses a retractable crown in a well of the watch case.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'invention vise à résoudre les problèmes cités ci-dessus.The invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above.

A cet effet l'invention propose une pièce d'horlogerie comprenant une boîte, un mouvement mécanique ou électronique disposé dans la boîte, et une couronne couplée de manière rotative à une tige de commande traversant une paroi de la boite de manière à actionner au moins une fonction de la pièce d'horlogerie par la rotation de la tige de commande autour de son axe central, ladite rotation étant réalisée en tournant la couronne,
dans laquelle :

  • la boîte est pourvue d'une molette rotative munie d'un perçage central et coaxiale à l'axe central, et actionnable en rotation autour dudit axe central, la molette étant montée sur la boite de façon à être immobile selon la direction axiale,
  • la couronne est solidaire d'un corps de couronne cylindrique disposé à l'intérieur d'un tube, le corps de couronne et le tube étant coaxiaux avec l'axe central,
  • le tube traverse le perçage de la molette et est couplé à la molette rotative de sorte que la rotation de la molette provoque une rotation du tube autour de l'axe central, ainsi qu'une translation du tube dans la direction axiale,
  • la couronne est libre en rotation par rapport au tube,
  • la couronne est agencée pour être solidaire en translation au tube dans la direction axiale,
de sorte que la rotation de la molette provoque une translation de la couronne dans la direction de l'axe centrale, la couronne étant entraînée par la translation du tube, entre une position de repos selon laquelle la couronne est logée dans une cavité pourvue dans ladite paroi de la boîte, et au moins une position de commande selon laquelle la couronne se trouve en saillie de ladite paroi, permettant ainsi l'actionnement de ladite au moins une fonction.To this end, the invention proposes a timepiece comprising a case, a mechanical or electronic movement arranged in the case, and a crown rotatably coupled to a control rod passing through a wall of the case so as to actuate at least a function of the timepiece by the rotation of the control stem around its central axis, said rotation being achieved by turning the crown,
in which :
  • the box is provided with a rotary knob provided with a central bore and coaxial with the central axis, and operable in rotation around said central axis, the knob being mounted on the box so as to be stationary in the axial direction,
  • the crown is secured to a cylindrical crown body arranged inside a tube, the crown body and the tube being coaxial with the central axis,
  • the tube passes through the bore of the knurl and is coupled to the rotatable knurl such that the rotation of the knurl causes rotation of the tube around the central axis, as well as a translation of the tube in the axial direction,
  • the ring is free to rotate relative to the tube,
  • the crown is arranged to be integral in translation with the tube in the axial direction,
so that the rotation of the wheel causes a translation of the crown in the direction of the central axis, the crown being driven by the translation of the tube, between a rest position in which the crown is housed in a cavity provided in said box wall, and at least a control position in which the crown protrudes from said wall, thus allowing actuation of said at least one function.

Ainsi, une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comprend une couronne qui peut être logée dans une cavité pourvue dans la boîte de la pièce d'horlogerie et ouverte vers l'extérieur, telle qu'une cavité dans la paroi latérale de la boîte d'une montre bracelet, de sorte que la couronne soit logée entièrement dans la cavité ou à fleur de la paroi latérale quand elle n'est pas utilisée, i.e. en position de repos de la couronne.Thus, a timepiece according to the invention comprises a crown which can be housed in a cavity provided in the case of the timepiece and open to the outside, such as a cavity in the side wall of the case of a wristwatch, so that the crown is housed entirely in the cavity or flush with the side wall when it is not in use, i.e. in the rest position of the crown.

Pour faire sortir la couronne de sa position de repos, l'utilisateur va tourner une molette rotative fixe dans la direction axiale de la couronne. De préférence, la molette est accessible depuis le dessus de la boîte.To bring the crown out of its rest position, the user will turn a fixed rotary knob in the axial direction of the crown. Preferably, the knob is accessible from the top of the box.

La molette est couplée à un tube dans lequel est inséré un corps de couronne cylindrique solidaire de la couronne. La rotation de la molette provoque une rotation ainsi qu'une translation du tube, qui lui n'est liée qu'en translation audit cylindre. En d'autres termes, le tube déplace la couronne en direction axiale sans faire tourner la couronne autour de son axe central.The wheel is coupled to a tube in which is inserted a cylindrical crown body secured to the crown. The rotation of the wheel causes a rotation as well as a translation of the tube, which is linked to it only in translation to said cylinder. In other words, the tube moves the crown in the axial direction without rotating the crown around its central axis.

Comme dans les dispositifs de commande connus, la couronne est couplée en rotation à une tige de commande pour actionner une ou plusieurs fonctions du mouvement de la pièce d'horlogerie, en fonction de la position axiale de la tige.As in known control devices, the crown is coupled in rotation to a control rod to actuate one or more functions of the movement of the timepiece, depending on the axial position of the rod.

L'invention permet d'atteindre au moins une position de commande de la couronne et de la tige, en tournant la molette, donc sans tirer manuellement la couronne vers l'extérieur.The invention makes it possible to reach at least one control position of the crown and of the stem, by turning the wheel, therefore without manually pulling the crown outwards.

Dans les positions de commande, la couronne se trouve en saillie de la paroi, ce qui permet de tourner la couronne manuellement comme dans les dispositifs de commande existants. Pour faire déplacer la couronne vers sa position de repos, l'utilisateur va tourner la molette dans le sens inverse.In the control positions, the crown protrudes from the wall, which makes it possible to turn the crown manually as in existing control devices. To move the crown towards its rest position, the user will turn the wheel in the opposite direction.

Le couplage entre le tube et la molette peut être réalisé par une liaison par filetage.The coupling between the tube and the wheel can be achieved by a connection by threading.

Selon des formes d'exécution, cette liaison est configurée pour commander le déplacement de la couronne vers toutes les positions de commande disponibles pour régler différentes fonctions d'un mouvement horloger. Plus particulièrement et selon une forme préférée, la liaison par filetage est réalisée entre un filetage interne qui s'étend sur une longueur du perçage central de la molette et un filetage externe qui s'étend sur toute la longueur du tube ou sur une partie de ladite longueur du tube, permettant ainsi d'atteindre plusieurs positions de commande sans perdre le couplage par ladite liaison par filetage entre le tube et la molette.According to embodiments, this connection is configured to control the movement of the crown towards all the control positions available to adjust various functions of a watch movement. More particularly and according to a preferred form, the connection by threading is made between an internal thread which extends over a length of the central bore of the wheel and an external thread which extends over the entire length of the tube or over a part of said length of the tube, thus making it possible to reach several control positions without losing the coupling by said connection by threading between the tube and the knob.

Selon d'autres formes d'exécution, la liaison ne permet d'atteindre qu'une partie des positions de commande, les autres positions pouvant être atteintes en tirant manuellement la couronne. Plus particulièrement et selon une forme préférée, la liaison par filetage est réalisée entre un filetage interne qui s'étend au moins sur une partie de la longueur du perçage central de la molette et un filetage externe qui s'étend sur une portion limitée de la longueur du tube, de sorte que le couplage entre la molette et le tube soit perdu quand la couronne atteint une des positions de commande à partir de la position de repos, et en ce que le couplage peut être restitué en poussant la couronne manuellement vers l'intérieur de la boîte puis en actionnant la molette en rotation. Selon une autre forme d'exécution, la liaison entre le tube et la molette est réalisée par un profil hélicoïdal pourvu sur la surface extérieure du tube, coopérant avec une pluralité de goupilles radiales fixées à l'intérieur de la molette. Plus particulièrement et selon une forme préférée, le tube est pourvu d'un profil hélicoïdal sur sa surface extérieure, ledit profil définissant une gorge s'étendant à la façon d'une hélice le long dudit tube , la molette est pourvue d'une ou plusieurs goupilles orientées de manière radiale par rapport à la surface du perçage centrale de la molette et disposées dans un seul plan perpendiculaire à l'axe central, les goupilles pénètrent dans ladite gorge, de sorte que la rotation de la molette dans l'un ou l'autre sens de rotation provoque une rotation du tube ainsi qu'une translation du tube dans l'une ou l'autre direction axiale. De préférence, les goupilles sont montées dans une chemise chassée à l'intérieur du perçage central de la molette.According to other embodiments, the connection only makes it possible to reach some of the control positions, the other positions being able to be reached by manually pulling the crown. More particularly and according to a preferred form, the connection by threading is made between an internal thread which extends at least over part of the length of the central bore of the knurl and an external thread which extends over a limited portion of the length of the tube, so that the coupling between the knob and the tube is lost when the crown reaches one of the control positions from the rest position, and in that the coupling can be restored by pushing the crown manually towards the inside the box then by rotating the wheel. According to another embodiment, the connection between the tube and the knob is made by a helical profile provided on the outer surface of the tube, cooperating with a plurality of radial pins fixed inside the knob. More particularly and according to a preferred form, the tube is provided with a helical profile on its outer surface, said profile defining a groove extending in the manner of a helix along said tube, the wheel is provided with one or several pins oriented radially with respect to the surface of the central bore of the knurl and arranged in a single plane perpendicular to the central axis, the pins penetrate into said groove, so that the rotation of the knurl in one or the other direction of rotation causes a rotation of the tube as well as a translation of the tube in one or the other axial direction. Preferably, the pins are mounted in a sleeve driven inside the central hole of the wheel.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention le corps de couronne cylindre forme un cylindre creux à section interne de forme polygonale, et une partie d'extrémité de la tige de commande est disposée à l'intérieur dudit cylindre creux, ladite partie d'extrémité de la tige de commande comprenant une portion à section polygonale correspondant à la section interne du cylindre creux, la tige de commande étant disposée de sorte que lors de la translation de la couronne entre la position de repos et une première position de commande en saillie de la paroi, la tige reste immobile par rapport à la boite.According to one characteristic of the invention, the cylinder crown body forms a hollow cylinder with an internal section of polygonal shape, and an end part of the control rod is arranged inside said hollow cylinder, said end part of the control rod comprising a polygonal section portion corresponding to the internal section of the hollow cylinder, the control rod being arranged so that during the translation of the crown between the rest position and a first control position projecting from the wall, the rod remains stationary with respect to the box.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la tige de commande est disposée telle que quand la couronne se déplace en translation au-delà de la première position de commande, la tige est entraînée avec la couronne vers une ou plusieurs positions de commande différentes.According to one characteristic of the invention, the control rod is arranged such that when the crown moves in translation beyond the first control position, the rod is driven with the crown towards one or more different control positions.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, un ressort est disposé entre un épaulement de la tige de commande et la tête de couronne.According to one characteristic of the invention, a spring is arranged between a shoulder of the control rod and the crown head.

Selon une caractéristique de l'invention, la molette est pourvue à sa périphérie extérieure d'un ou plusieurs marquages indiquant une ou plusieurs positions angulaires de la molette qui correspondent respectivement à une ou plusieurs positions de commande de la tige.According to one characteristic of the invention, the wheel is provided at its outer periphery with one or more markings indicating one or more angular positions of the wheel which correspond respectively to one or more control positions of the rod.

Selon une forme d'exécution préférée de l'invention, la pièce d'horlogerie est une montre bracelet à mouvement mécanique et à remontage manuel.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the timepiece is a wristwatch with mechanical movement and manual winding.

Selon une forme d'exécution préférée de l'invention, la première position de commande permet le remontage manuel du mouvement, et en ce qu'une deuxième position de commande permet le réglage des heures et des minutes.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first control position allows manual winding of the movement, and in that a second control position allows adjustment of the hours and minutes.

Selon une forme d'exécution préférée de l'invention, la couronne est à niveau avec la paroi de la boîte quand la couronne se trouve dans la position de repos.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the crown is level with the wall of the box when the crown is in the rest position.

Selon une autre forme d'exécution préférée de l'invention, la paroi de la boite comprend un logement traversant s'étendant perpendiculairement à la cavité logeant la couronne et en regard de celle-ci et la molette est disposée dans ce logement.According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the wall of the box comprises a through-housing extending perpendicular to the cavity housing the crown and facing the latter and the wheel is arranged in this housing.

L'invention permet ainsi de loger la couronne dans une cavité pourvue dans une boîte de montre, de sorte que la couronne ne gêne pas l'utilisateur de la montre quand elle se trouve dans sa position de repos, et de faire sortir la couronne de la position de repos sans tirer manuellement la couronne vers l'extérieur.The invention thus makes it possible to house the crown in a cavity provided in a watch case, so that the crown does not interfere with the user of the watch when it is in its rest position, and to cause the crown to come out of the rest position without manually pulling the crown outwards.

Brève description des figuresBrief description of figures

L'invention sera décrite ci-après de manière plus détaillée à l'aide des dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples nullement limitatifs, dans lesquels :

  • La figure 1 représente une coupe en 3D du dispositif de commande d'une montre selon une première forme d'exécution.
  • Les figures 2a à 2d représentent des vues en coupe 2D de différentes positions de la couronne, pour une montre selon la première forme d'exécution.
  • Les figures 3a à 3d représentent des vues en coupe 2D de différentes positions de la couronne, pour une montre selon une deuxième forme d'exécution.
  • Les figures 4a à 4d représentent des vues en coupe 2D de différentes positions de la couronne, pour une montre selon une troisième forme d'exécution.
The invention will be described below in more detail using the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:
  • There figure 1 represents a 3D section of the control device of a watch according to a first embodiment.
  • THE figures 2a to 2d represent 2D cross-sectional views of different positions of the crown, for a watch according to the first embodiment.
  • THE figures 3a to 3d represent 2D cross-sectional views of different positions of the crown, for a watch according to a second embodiment.
  • THE figures 4a to 4d represent 2D cross-sectional views of different positions of the crown, for a watch according to a third embodiment.

Description détaillée de l'inventionDetailed description of the invention

Une première forme d'exécution d'une montre bracelet selon l'invention est illustrée aux figures 1 et 2a à 2d qui représentent un dispositif de commande incorporé dans la boîte 1 de la montre. La boîte 1 contient un mouvement d'horlogerie mécanique non représenté à la figure mais qui peut être également un mouvement d'horlogerie électronique ou électromécanique connu dans l'état de la technique. On voit également une portion de la lunette 2 et de la glace 3 de la montre. Le dispositif de commande comprend une couronne 4 formée d'une tête 4a de couronne et d'un corps de couronne cylindrique creux 18 qui est logée dans une cavité 10 ouverte vers l'extérieur et pourvue dans la paroi latérale 14 de la boîte 1. Dans la condition représentée à la figure 1, la couronne 4 est à à fleur de la surface de la paroi 14. Cette condition représente l'état de repos du dispositif de commande, en vigueur quand le dispositif n'est pas utilisé par l'utilisateur de la montre. La couronne 4 pourrait également être logée entièrement dans la cavité 10 au lieu de venir à fleur de la paroi 14.A first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention is illustrated in figure 1 And 2a to 2d which represent a control device incorporated in the case 1 of the watch. Box 1 contains a mechanical clockwork not shown in the figure but which can also be an electronic or electromechanical clockwork known in the state of the art. We also see a portion of the bezel 2 and crystal 3 of the watch. The control device comprises a crown 4 formed of a crown head 4a and a hollow cylindrical crown body 18 which is housed in a cavity 10 open to the outside and provided in the side wall 14 of the box 1. In the condition shown in figure 1 , the crown 4 is flush with the surface of the wall 14. This condition represents the state of rest of the control device, in effect when the device is not used by the user of the watch. The crown 4 could also be housed entirely in the cavity 10 instead of coming flush with the wall 14.

Pour actionner le dispositif de commande, l'utilisateur va tourner une molette rotative 5 munie d'un perçage central, disposée de manière coaxiale à l'axe de rotation 6 de la couronne 4, et dont une partie supérieure est accessible à l'utilisateur depuis le dessus de la boîte 1. La molette 5 est libre en rotation autour de l'axe 6 et immobile dans la direction axiale de la couronne 4. L'axe de rotation 6 de la couronne coïncide avec l'axe centrale d'une tige de commande 7 apte à coopérer avec un mécanisme du mouvement, d'une manière connue en soi et non-détaillée dans le présent contexte. La tige de commande 7 est guidée à l'intérieur d'un manchon 8 épaulé fixe, vissé dans une paroi de la boîte 1 de la montre au fond de la cavité 10. Un joint d'étanchéité 9 est disposé dans une gorge intérieure du manchon entre le manchon 8 et la tige de commande 7.To actuate the control device, the user will turn a rotary wheel 5 provided with a central hole, arranged coaxially to the axis of rotation 6 of the crown 4, and of which an upper part is accessible to the user. from the top of the case 1. The wheel 5 is free to rotate around the axis 6 and immobile in the axial direction of the crown 4. The axis of rotation 6 of the crown coincides with the central axis of a control rod 7 capable of cooperating with a movement mechanism, in a manner known per se and not detailed in the present context. The control rod 7 is guided inside a fixed shouldered sleeve 8, screwed into a wall of the case 1 of the watch at the bottom of the cavity 10. A seal 9 is placed in an internal groove of the sleeve between sleeve 8 and control rod 7.

Comme cela est également visible sur la coupe de la figure 2a qui représente la même position que la figure 1, la molette 5 est disposée autour d'un tube 15 et couplée à ce tube 15 par une liaison par filetage 16, de sorte que la rotation de la molette 5 provoque une rotation ainsi qu'une translation axiale du tube 15, le tube 15 étant coaxial avec l'axe central 6 de la tige de commande 7. Dans la position de repos représentée à la figure 2a, le tube 15 s'étend jusqu'à un épaulement 11 à l'intérieur de la cavité 10. Le tube 15 entoure le manchon 8, étant déplaçable axialement et en rotation par rapport à ce dernier. De l'autre côté, le tube 15 entoure un corps de couronne cylindrique creux 18 solidaire de la couronne 4. Le corps de couronne 18 est également coaxial à l'axe central 6. L'extrémité du tube 15 est en contact avec la face arrière de la couronne 4. Dans sa partie médiane intérieur le tube 15 est pourvu d'un épaulement 19 contre lequel s'appuie un anneau 20 fixé autour de la partie distale du corps de couronne cylindrique 18. En direction axiale, le corps de couronne 18 et le tube 15 sont donc solidaires l'un de l'autre. Par contre, le corps de couronne 18 est libre en rotation par rapport au tube 15 et vice versa.As is also visible on the section of the figure 2a which represents the same position as the figure 1 , wheel 5 is arranged around of a tube 15 and coupled to this tube 15 by a connection by threading 16, so that the rotation of the knob 5 causes a rotation as well as an axial translation of the tube 15, the tube 15 being coaxial with the central axis 6 of the control rod 7. In the rest position shown in figure 2a , the tube 15 extends as far as a shoulder 11 inside the cavity 10. The tube 15 surrounds the sleeve 8, being axially movable and rotatable relative to the latter. On the other side, the tube 15 surrounds a hollow cylindrical crown body 18 integral with the crown 4. The crown body 18 is also coaxial with the central axis 6. The end of the tube 15 is in contact with the face rear of the crown 4. In its inner middle part the tube 15 is provided with a shoulder 19 against which rests a ring 20 fixed around the distal part of the cylindrical crown body 18. In the axial direction, the crown body 18 and tube 15 are therefore integral with each other. On the other hand, the crown body 18 is free in rotation with respect to the tube 15 and vice versa.

La section de l'intérieur du corps de couronne cylindrique creux 18 est non-circulaire, par exemple carré ou ayant une autre forme polygonale. La tige de commande 7 est insérée dans le corps de couronne creux 18 et couplée en rotation audit corps de couronne 18 et donc à la couronne 4, par une portion 25 à section polygonale, correspondant à la section de l'intérieur du corps de couronne 18. Un ressort en compression 26 est monté entre la portion polygonale 25 et le fond du corps de couronne creux 18. Ladite portion polygonale 25 peut se déplacer en translation par rapport au corps de couronne 18, entre deux butées, représentés d'un côté par le ressort 26, et d'autre côté par un anneau 27 chassé contre un épaulement ménagé à l'extrémité distale et à l'intérieur du corps de couronne 18.The section of the interior of the hollow cylindrical crown body 18 is non-circular, for example square or having another polygonal shape. The control rod 7 is inserted into the hollow crown body 18 and coupled in rotation to said crown body 18 and therefore to crown 4, by a portion 25 of polygonal section, corresponding to the section of the interior of the crown body 18. A compression spring 26 is mounted between the polygonal portion 25 and the bottom of the hollow crown body 18. Said polygonal portion 25 can move in translation relative to the crown body 18, between two stops, shown on one side by the spring 26, and on the other side by a ring 27 driven against a shoulder formed at the distal end and inside the crown body 18.

En tournant la molette 5 manuellement à partir de la position représentée aux figures 1 et 2a, l'utilisateur peut extraire la tête de couronne 4a sans que celle-ci ne tourne. Actionné par la rotation de la molette 5 via la liaison par filetage 16, le tube 15 se déplace vers l'extérieur en tournant autour de l'axe central 6, et entraîne le corps de couronne 18 et donc la tête de couronne 4a, qui va sortir de son logement à l'intérieur de la cavité 10, pour atteindre une première position de commande en saillie de la boîte 1, comme cela est représenté à la figure 2b. La couronne 4 ne tourne pas autour de l'axe central 6 pendant ce mouvement, puisqu'elle est découplée en rotation du tube 15. La tige de commande 7 reste immobile jusqu'à ce que l'anneau 27 vienne en contact avec la portion polygonale 25 de la tige 7, correspondant à ladite première position de commande. L'extraction de la couronne 4 est actionnée également par le ressort 26 qui se détend lors du mouvement du cylindre 18 vers l'extérieur.By turning knob 5 manually from the position shown in figure 1 And 2a , the user can extract the crown head 4a without it rotating. Actuated by the rotation of the knob 5 via the threaded connection 16, the tube 15 moves outwards by rotating around the central axis 6, and drives the crown body 18 and therefore the crown head 4a, which will come out of its housing inside the cavity 10, to reach a first control position projecting from the case 1, as shown in figure 2b . The crown 4 does not rotate around the central axis 6 during this movement, since it is decoupled in rotation from the tube 15. The control rod 7 remains stationary until the ring 27 comes into contact with the portion polygonal 25 of the rod 7, corresponding to said first control position. The extraction of the crown 4 is also actuated by the spring 26 which relaxes during the movement of the cylinder 18 towards the outside.

L'utilisateur peut maintenant tourner la couronne 4 autour de son axe central 6, et par rapport au tube 15 qui reste immobile, entraînant la tige 7 en rotation, pour actionner une première fonction du mouvement, par exemple le remontage manuel du dernier.The user can now turn the crown 4 around its central axis 6, and relative to the tube 15 which remains stationary, driving the rod 7 in rotation, to actuate a first function of the movement, for example the manual winding of the last.

En continuant la rotation de la molette 5 dans le même sens à partir de la première position de commande, la couronne 4 est déplacée axialement vers une deuxième position de commande, représentée à la figure 2c. Puisque l'anneau 27 est maintenant en contact avec la portion polygonale 25 de la tige 7, ladite tige 7 est entraînée en translation avec la couronne 4, i.e. la tige 7 est retirée par rapport au manchon 8 vers une position axiale qui permet d'actionner une deuxième fonction, par exemple le réglage de l'heure et des minutes.By continuing to rotate knob 5 in the same direction from the first control position, crown 4 is moved axially towards a second control position, shown in figure 2c . Since the ring 27 is now in contact with the polygonal portion 25 of the rod 7, said rod 7 is driven in translation with the crown 4, ie the rod 7 is withdrawn relative to the sleeve 8 towards an axial position which allows activate a second function, for example setting the hour and minutes.

La figure 2d représente finalement une troisième position de commande de la couronne 4, atteinte en continuant la rotation manuelle de la molette 5. La tige de commande 7 est déplacée axialement vers une position qui permet d'actionner une troisième fonction, par exemple le réglage de la date.There 2d figure finally represents a third control position of the crown 4, reached by continuing the manual rotation of the wheel 5. The control rod 7 is moved axially towards a position which makes it possible to actuate a third function, for example the setting of the date .

Pour ramener la couronne 4 vers sa position initiale de repos (noyée dans la boite), l'utilisateur va tourner la molette 5 dans le sens inverse. Le tube 15 se déplace vers l'intérieur, et entraîne ainsi la couronne 4 et la tige 7 par l'intermédiaire de l'épaulement 19 et l'anneau 20. Quand la tige 7 atteint sa position initiale de repos, la couronne 4 continue à se déplacer contre la force du ressort 26, jusqu'à atteindre la position de repos.To bring crown 4 back to its initial rest position (embedded in the box), the user will turn wheel 5 in the opposite direction. The tube 15 moves inwards, and thus drives the crown 4 and the stem 7 via the shoulder 19 and the ring 20. When the stem 7 reaches its initial rest position, the crown 4 continues to move against the force of the spring 26, until reaching the rest position.

De préférence, un ou plusieurs marquages (non représentés) sont présentes sur la surface extérieure périphérique ou latérale de la molette 5. Les marquages indiquent les positions angulaires de la molette 5 correspondant aux positions de commande de la tige 7. Lesdites positions sont atteintes au moment où les marquages de la molette arrivent en face d'un marquage fixe sur la surface supérieure de la boîte 1 par exemple.Preferably, one or more markings (not shown) are present on the outer peripheral or lateral surface of knob 5. The markings indicate the angular positions of knob 5 corresponding to the control positions of rod 7. Said positions are reached at moment when the wheel markings arrive in front of a fixed marking on the upper surface of the box 1 for example.

On notera que la liaison par filetage 16 entre le tube 15 et la molette 5 ne représente qu'une forme d'exécution du couplage entre la molette 5 et le tube 15. Quand le pas du filetage de la liaison 16 est faible par rapport aux dimensions de la molette 5, ce dispositif nécessite plusieurs tours de la molette 5 pour atteindre la première position de commande et éventuellement de nouveau plusieurs tours pour atteindre les autres positions de commande.It will be noted that the connection by thread 16 between the tube 15 and the wheel 5 represents only one embodiment of the coupling between the wheel 5 and the tube 15. When the pitch of the thread of the connection 16 is small compared to the dimensions of wheel 5, this device requires several turns of wheel 5 to reach the first control position and possibly again several turns to reach the other control positions.

Les figures 3a à 3d représentent une deuxième forme d'exécution de du couplage entre le tube 15 et la molette 5. Le tube 15 est maintenant pourvu d'un profil hélicoïdal 35 sur sa surface extérieure, qui définit une gorge qui s'étend à la façon d'une hélice sur la totalité de la surface extérieure du tube 15. Une chemise 36 est chassée à l'intérieur du perçage central de la molette 5. La chemise 36 maintient une pluralité de goupilles 37 radiales qui pénètre dans la gorge avec un certain jeu. Les goupilles typiquement au nombre de deux sont disposées dans un même plan perpendiculaire à l'axe 6, de préférence au milieu de la longueur de la molette 5 (longueur mesurée dans la direction de l'axe 6). La rotation de la molette 5 actionne ainsi la rotation et la translation du tube 15. L'avantage de cette forme d'exécution est que le déplacement axial du tube 15 pour atteindre les trois positions de commande est maintenant actionné par une rotation sur une distance angulaire plus réduite de la molette 5 que ce qui est le cas dans la forme d'exécution décrite précédemment. De préférence le pas de l'hélice est agencé pour que l'ensemble des positions axiales de la couronne soient atteintes sur une rotation de moins qu'une révolution complète de la molette. Des marquages sur la molette peuvent aussi indiquer à l'utilisateur les positions de la molette 5 correspondant aux positions de commande de la couronne 4 et de la tige 7.THE figures 3a to 3d show a second embodiment of the coupling between the tube 15 and the wheel 5. The tube 15 is now provided with a helical profile 35 on its outer surface, which defines a groove which extends like a helix over the entire outer surface of the tube 15. A sleeve 36 is driven inside the central bore of the wheel 5. The sleeve 36 holds a plurality of radial pins 37 which penetrate into the groove with a certain clearance. pins typically two in number are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis 6, preferably in the middle of the length of the wheel 5 (length measured in the direction of the axis 6). The rotation of the wheel 5 thus actuates the rotation and the translation of the tube 15. The advantage of this embodiment is that the axial displacement of the tube 15 to reach the three control positions is now actuated by a rotation over a distance smaller angle of the wheel 5 than is the case in the embodiment described above. Preferably the pitch of the propeller is arranged so that all of the axial positions of the crown are reached in one rotation less than one complete revolution of the wheel. Markings on the dial can also indicate to the user the positions of the dial 5 corresponding to the control positions of the crown 4 and the stem 7.

Dans la forme d'exécution des figures 1 et 2a-2d, la liaison par filetage 16 est réalisé entre un filetage interne 12 qui s'étend sur la longueur complète (vue dans la direction de l'axe 6) du perçage central de la molette 5 et un filetage externe 13 qui s'étend sur la longueur complète du tube 15. De ce fait, la liaison par filetage 16 permet d'atteindre les trois positions de commande et de ramener la couronne 4 dans sa position de repos sans perdre le couplage entre la molette 5 et le tube 15. L'utilisateur ne doit donc ni pousser ni tirer manuellement la couronne, comme cela est le cas dans les dispositifs de commande existants.In the form of execution of figure 1 And 2a-2d , the connection by thread 16 is made between an internal thread 12 which extends over the complete length (seen in the direction of the axis 6) of the central bore of the knob 5 and an external thread 13 which extends over the full length of the tube 15. As a result, the connection by threading 16 makes it possible to reach the three control positions and to bring the crown 4 back to its rest position without losing the coupling between the wheel 5 and the tube 15. the user therefore does not have to manually push or pull the crown, as is the case in existing control devices.

Selon une autre forme d'exécution, la liaison par filetage ne permet pas d'atteindre toutes les positions de commande, et l'utilisateur est obligé de tirer manuellement la couronne pour atteindre un nombre de positions supplémentaires. Un exemple de cette dernière forme d'exécution est illustré aux figures 4a-4d. On trouve également dans cette forme d'exécution une liaison par filetage 16 entre le tube 15 et la molette 15, toutefois la liaison est réalisée dans ce cas entre un filetage interne 12 sur une grande partie de la longueur du perçage central de la molette 5 et un filetage externe 13' qui ne s'étend que sur une partie limitée de la longueur du tube 15. Le raccord fileté 16 permet toujours de faire sortir la couronne 4 de sa position de repos illustrée à la figure 4a, comme dans les formes précédentes. Toutefois, le couplage entre les filetages 12 et 13' est perdu au moment où la couronne 4 atteint la première position de commande, voir figure 4b. Pour amener la couronne vers ses autres positions, l'utilisateur doit manuellement tirer la couronne 4 vers l'extérieur de la boîte 1, voir figures 4c et 4d, comme dans les dispositifs de commande existants. Pour ramener la couronne vers la position de repos, l'utilisateur doit repousser la couronne 4 jusqu'à l'amener dans la première position jusqu'à engager la liaison entre la mollette et le tube. Une fois le filetage de la molette engager sur celui du tube, la couronne 4 peut être ramener dans sa position de repos en faisant tournant la molette 5.According to another embodiment, the connection by threading does not make it possible to reach all the control positions, and the user is obliged to manually pull the crown to reach a number of additional positions. An example of this latter embodiment is shown in figures 4a-4d . There is also in this embodiment a connection by thread 16 between the tube 15 and the wheel 15, however the connection is made in this case between an internal thread 12 over a large part of the length of the central bore of the wheel 5 and an external thread 13' which extends only over a limited part of the length of the tube 15. The threaded connection 16 always allows the crown 4 to come out of its rest position illustrated in figure 4a , as in the previous forms. However, the coupling between the threads 12 and 13' is lost when the crown 4 reaches the first control position, see figure 4b . To bring the crown to its other positions, the user must manually pull the crown 4 out of the case 1, see figures 4c and 4d , as in existing control devices. To bring the crown back to the rest position, the user must push the crown 4 back until it brings it in the first position until the connection between the knob and the tube is engaged. Once the thread of the knob engages that of the tube, crown 4 can be returned to its rest position by turning knob 5.

Il va de soi que la portée de l'invention inclut des variantes de réalisation qui diffèrent des formes décrites ci-dessus, sans sortir du cadre défini par les revendications annexées. Par exemple, la tige de commande 7 pourrait être solidaire de la couronne 4, de sorte que la tige 7 est extraite dès que la couronne 4 se déplace à partir de la position de repos. Dans ce cas, le cylindre 18 pourrait être un cylindre solide au lieu d'un cylindre creux, et le ressort 26 serait omis. Le nombre de positions de commande n'est pas défini et peut varier entre une seule et tout nombre réalisable pour un mouvement d'horlogerie spécifique.It goes without saying that the scope of the invention includes variant embodiments which differ from the forms described above, without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. For example, control rod 7 could be integral with crown 4, so that rod 7 is extracted as soon as crown 4 moves from the rest position. In this case, cylinder 18 could be a solid cylinder instead of a hollow cylinder, and spring 26 would be omitted. The number of control positions is not defined and can vary between just one and any number achievable for a specific timepiece movement.

L'invention est avantageusement applicable aux mouvements horlogers mécaniques à remontage manuel, mais elle est également applicable aux montres électroniques de type à quartz ou autre, en particulier des montres électroniques comprenant des organes d'affichage analogiques.The invention is advantageously applicable to mechanical watch movements with manual winding, but it is also applicable to electronic watches of the quartz or other type, in particular electronic watches comprising analog display members.

Les matériaux utilisés pour les différents composants sont de préférence des métaux.The materials used for the various components are preferably metals.

Claims (15)

  1. A timepiece comprising a case (1), a mechanical or electronic movement disposed in the case, and a crown (4) rotatably coupled to a control rod (7) passing through a wall (14) of the case so as to actuate at least one function of the timepiece by the rotation of the control rod about its central axis (6), said rotation being carried out by rotating the crown (4),
    wherein :
    - the case (1) is provided with a rotary knurling-roller (5) provided with a bore which is central, disposed coaxially with the central axis (6), and operable in rotation about said central axis, the knurling-roller being mounted on the case (1) so as to be stationary in the axial direction,
    - the crown (4) is integral with a cylindrical crown body (18) disposed inside a tube (15), the crown body and the tube being coaxial with the central axis (6),
    - the tube (15) passes through the bore of the knurling-roller and is coupled to the rotary knurling-roller (5) so that the rotation of the knurling-roller causes a rotation of the tube around the central axis (6), as well as a translation of the tube in the axial direction,
    - the crown (4) is free to rotate relative to the tube (15),
    - the crown is arranged to be integral in translation with the tube in the axial direction,
    so that the rotation of the knurling-roller (5) causes a translation of the crown (4) in the direction of the central axis (6), the crown (4) being driven by the translation of the tube (15), between a rest position according to which the crown (4) is housed in a cavity (10) provided in said wall (14) of the case (1), and at least one control position according to which the crown (4) is projecting from said wall (14), thus allowing actuation of said at least one function.
  2. The timepiece according to claim 1, characterised in that the knurling-roller (5) and the tube (15) are coupled by a thread connection (16).
  3. The timepiece according to claim 2, characterised in that the thread connection is formed between an internal thread (12) which extends over a length of the central bore of the knurling-roller (5) and an external thread (13) which extends over the entire length of the tube (15) or over part of said length of the tube, thus allowing to reach several control positions without losing the coupling by said thread connection (16) between the tube (15) and the knurling-roller (5).
  4. The timepiece according to claim 2, characterised in that the thread connection (16) is formed between an internal thread (12) which extends at least over part of the length of the central bore of the knurling-roller (5) and an external thread (13') which extends over a limited portion of the length of the tube (15), so that the coupling between the knurling-roller (5) and the tube (15) is lost when the crown (4) reaches one of the control positions from the rest position, and in that the coupling can be restored by pushing the crown (4) manually towards the inside of the case then by rotationally actuating the knurling-roller.
  5. The timepiece according to claim 4, characterised in that from said control position at which the coupling is lost, the crown (4) can displace into one or more additional axial control positions by manually pulling the crown (4) out of the case (1).
  6. The timepiece according to claim 1, characterised in that:
    - the tube (15) is provided with a helical profile (35) on its outer surface, said profile defining a groove extending like a helix along said tube,
    - the knurling-roller (5) is provided with one or more pins (37) oriented radially relative to the surface of the central bore of the knurling-roller (5) and disposed in a single plane perpendicular to the central axis (6),
    - the pins (37) enter said groove, so that the rotation of the knurling-roller (5) in either direction of rotation causes a rotation of the tube (15) as well as a translation of the tube in either axial direction.
  7. The timepiece according to claim 6, characterised in that the pins (37) are mounted in a shroud (36) driven inside the central bore of the knurling-roller (5).
  8. The timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cylindrical crown body (18) forms a hollow cylinder with an internal section of polygonal shape, and in that an end part of the control rod (7) is disposed inside said hollow cylinder (18), said end part of the control rod comprising a portion (25) with a polygonal section corresponding to the internal section of the hollow cylinder (18), and in that the control rod is disposed so that during the translation of the crown (4) between the rest position and a first control position projecting from the wall, the rod (7) remains stationary relative to the case (1).
  9. The timepiece according to claim 8, characterised in that the control rod (7) is disposed so that when the crown (4) displaces in translation beyond the first control position, the rod (7) is driven with the crown (4) to one or more different control positions.
  10. The timepiece according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that a spring (26) is disposed between a shoulder of the control rod (7) and the crown head (4).
  11. The timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the knurling-roller (5) is provided at its outer periphery with one or more markings indicating one or more angular positions of the knurling-roller which correspond respectively to one or more control positions of the rod (7).
  12. The timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the timepiece is a wristwatch with mechanical movement and manual winding.
  13. The timepiece according to claim 12, characterised in that the first control position allows manual winding of the movement, and in that a second control position allows the hours and minutes to be adjusted.
  14. The timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the crown (4) is flush with the wall of the case (1) when the crown is in the rest position.
  15. The timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said wall comprises a through housing extending perpendicularly to the cavity housing the crown and facing the latter characterised in that said knurling-roller is disposed in said housing.
EP20217969.3A 2020-12-31 2020-12-31 Control mechanism for a timepiece Active EP4024137B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20217969.3A EP4024137B1 (en) 2020-12-31 2020-12-31 Control mechanism for a timepiece
US17/399,316 US11703802B2 (en) 2020-12-31 2021-08-11 Device for controlling a timepiece
JP2021136054A JP7164684B2 (en) 2020-12-31 2021-08-24 device for controlling the clock
CN202111661042.6A CN114815563A (en) 2020-12-31 2021-12-31 Device for controlling a timepiece

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20217969.3A EP4024137B1 (en) 2020-12-31 2020-12-31 Control mechanism for a timepiece

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4024137A1 EP4024137A1 (en) 2022-07-06
EP4024137B1 true EP4024137B1 (en) 2023-08-23

Family

ID=74045400

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20217969.3A Active EP4024137B1 (en) 2020-12-31 2020-12-31 Control mechanism for a timepiece

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US11703802B2 (en)
EP (1) EP4024137B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7164684B2 (en)
CN (1) CN114815563A (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4092490A1 (en) * 2021-05-19 2022-11-23 Meco S.A. Device for controlling a timepiece movement with touch return and timepiece, in particular a watch, including such a device

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2783939B1 (en) * 1998-09-25 2000-11-17 Herve Schick ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR WATERPROOF WATCH
DE20210345U1 (en) * 2002-07-03 2002-12-19 Damasko Petra Crown for watches, in particular for wristwatches or pocket watches, crown arrangement with such a crown and tool for fastening a screw-in tube for a crown arrangement on a watch case
JP2010145098A (en) 2008-12-16 2010-07-01 Seiko Epson Corp Watch
EP2592500B1 (en) * 2011-11-09 2019-01-16 Rolex S.A. Watch case comprising a crown wheel with direction memory
CH708356A1 (en) * 2013-07-17 2015-01-30 Société Anonyme De La Manufacture D Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie Control device for a timepiece.
EP3376305B1 (en) * 2017-03-17 2020-07-22 Harry Winston SA Winding device with push-button for watch
JP6465327B1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-02-06 セイコーインスツル株式会社 clock

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20220206435A1 (en) 2022-06-30
CN114815563A (en) 2022-07-29
US11703802B2 (en) 2023-07-18
JP2022105262A (en) 2022-07-13
JP7164684B2 (en) 2022-11-01
EP4024137A1 (en) 2022-07-06

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2827202B1 (en) Control device for a timepiece
EP3407144B1 (en) Timepiece comprising a device for locking a pusher
EP1676177B1 (en) Wristwatch push-piece winding button control device
EP1748330B1 (en) Stem device for winding and setting the time for a watch
EP3451071B1 (en) Device with push button for a timepiece
CH705090A2 (en) Device for adjusting angular orientation of screw-down crown relative to middle of watch, has indexing unit arranged between cover and coupling member of crown, and magnetic return unit to rotatably connect cover and coupling member
EP4024137B1 (en) Control mechanism for a timepiece
EP3282323B1 (en) Timepiece with retractable push button
EP2182417A2 (en) Screw crown and method for orienting such a crown on a watch case
EP3376305B1 (en) Winding device with push-button for watch
CH718345A2 (en) Device for controlling a timepiece.
EP3650951A1 (en) Timepiece comprising a device for locking a valve or a crown
EP3339966B1 (en) Push-button for a timepiece
CH714613A2 (en) Movement and timepiece.
EP3650955B1 (en) Timepiece comprising a device for actuating a valve
EP2010972B1 (en) Timepiece comprising a hand-setting mechanism controlled by a rotating bezel
FR2919078A1 (en) Crown and fixed tube assembly for watch, has ramp comprising open zone emerging on outer lower surface of crown to permit introduction, rotation and axial displacement of pin for forming bayonet assembly during mounting of crown on tube
CH639663A5 (en) Pteridine compounds possessing pharmaceutical activity
CH700531A2 (en) Timepiece i.e. mechanical watch, has selection mechanism modifying position of control unit during its actuation, where actuating unit cooperates with ring to actuate selection mechanism during lateral translational displacement of ring
CH705865B1 (en) Crown winding watch with telescopic effect.
EP1580627A2 (en) Timepiece
EP4047423A1 (en) Watch provided with a device for locking an external control member
CH718371A2 (en) Watch fitted with a device for locking an external control device.
CH715532A2 (en) Timepiece comprising a device for locking a valve or a crown.
CH719000A2 (en) SECURE CONTROL DEVICE FOR A TIMEPIECE.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20230109

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: G04B 37/10 20060101ALI20230424BHEP

Ipc: G04B 3/04 20060101AFI20230424BHEP

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230601

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: GEISER, SAMUEL

Inventor name: HOTI, VALON

Inventor name: THIRY, REMY

Inventor name: KISSLING, GREGORY

Inventor name: AVRIL, HERVE

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230611

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: GEISER, SAMUEL

Inventor name: HOTI, VALON

Inventor name: THIRY, REMY

Inventor name: KISSLING, GREGORY

Inventor name: AVRIL, HERVE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602020016203

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20230823

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1603298

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20230823

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231124

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231223

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231226

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231123

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231223

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231124

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231122

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231121

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20230823