FR2600787A1 - MANUAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND ITS USE IN A MULTI-FUNCTION WATCHMAKING MOVEMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS A MANUAL CONTROL SYSTEM THAT CAN BE USED IN A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL DEVICE 1, FOR WATCHMAKING MOVEMENT INCLUDING A MOBILE AXIS 2 IN ROTATION FOR THE SELECTION OF A FUNCTION AND IN LONGITUDINAL TRANSLATION FOR THE ACTUATION OF THIS FUNCTION. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, THIS SYSTEM INCLUDES A MEANS 4 OF CONTROL IN ROTATION AND IN AXIAL TRANSLATION OF THE SAID SHAFT, EXTENDABLE AT LEAST PARTIALLY IN THIS DEVICE AND LOCKABLE IN ROTATION IN THIS POSITION, WHILE REMAINING SUITABLE TO ACTUATE LONGITUDINALLY OF THE SHAFT.

Description

- 1 manual control system and its use in a movement

  timepieces with multiple functions. The present invention relates to a manual control system and its use in a watch, alarm clock or the like, in which a single organ is used

  to select a function and to operate it.

  Various types of control buttons have already been used for this purpose in the prior art, which, depending on the position they occupy, make it possible to actuate a function. These systems are compact, but

  have the disadvantage of being a relatively complex use.

  It has also been proposed to use knurled knobs, which are simple in principle, but whose grip by the user proves difficult and

  for which, after selecting a function, the device can not be locked in the position corresponding to this function.

  The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a manual control system, which, in a device with multiple functions, allows a function to be selected in a simple manner, to lock the selection device after having chosen this function and to implement nevertheless said function

after locking.

  For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a manual control system that can be used in a multi-function device, comprising a rotational axis, for the selection of a function, and in longitudinal translation, for the actuation of this function, characterized in that it comprises a means of control in rotation and in axial translation of said axis, retractable at least partially in said device and lockable in rotation in this position, while

  remaining able to operate longitudinally said axis.

  With such a system, it will therefore suffice for the user of the multi-function device -2 to retract the control means and to lock it in rotation in order to also lock in rotation the function selection axis, this axis nonetheless remaining

  free to move longitudinally under the sollici5 tation of this control means to operate the chosen function.

  In order to select a different function, the user will first have to unlock the control means by disengaging it from the device in which it was parked, thereby avoiding the risk of a change.

accidental function.

  The retraction of the control means can result in an automatic locking in rotation of the axis of the system, due to a simultaneous blocking of the control means. UTn locking member operable by

  the user can also be expected.

  In a first embodiment, the control means comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the head of the axis of rotation and capable of being retracted into a housing of complementary profile formed in

  the device in the vicinity of said head.

  In a second embodiment, the control means comprises a rotary knob disposed at the head of the axis of the system and capable of being retracted at least partially in a housing formed in the device, engaging with a portion of this

housing that blocks it in rotation.

  In another variant, the control means also comprises a rotary knob disposed at the top of the axis of the system and capable of being retracted at least partially in a housing of the device, but this button comprises at least one transverse recess perpendicular to said axis, in which can be engaged, in the retracted position, a longitudinal locking member 35, slidably mounted in said device and operable

by the user.

  The accompanying drawings, which are not limiting, represent these various embodiments of the invention. In these drawings: Fig. 1 is a partial schematic sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the system tax control member is a retractable lever; Figures 2 and 3 are partial sections of two other embodiments in which the system axis controller is a rotary knob. In the case of FIG. 1, the multi-function device 1 comprises a function selection and control axis 2, rotatable and longitudinally rotatable in a cylindrical housing 3 of this device 1. The selection of a function is carried out in a known manner by rotation of the axis 2, for example one complete revolution for each change of function, and

  the function is actuated by longitudinal displacement of the axis in its housing.

  According to the invention, a lever 4, pivotally mounted on a head 7 integral with the upper end of the axis 2, constitutes the drive member in rotation of this axis. For this purpose, the lever 4 can be straightened by the user, to be placed in the extension of the axis 2, as shown in phantom in Figure 1, and it is easy, in this position, to rotate Axis 2 to select another function. When this has been obtained, the lever 4 can be folded into a recess-shaped housing 5 formed in the outer face of the device 1, in which it is thus locked in position, which prevents any unintended change in function resulting from an accidental rotation of the axis 2. However, the head 7 does not bear against the bottom of its housing and it thus remains possible to actuate the chosen function by exerting pressure on the head of the axis 2,

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  to move it longitudinally.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the axis 12 is also mobile in rotation and in translation in a housing 13 of the device 11, and it is equipped with a rotary control knob 14, of which it is rigidly secured and which is likely to occupy two positions. In a first position, the button 14 is retracted into a recess 15 of the device 11, and a lug 16 protruding from the bottom of the recess 15, is housed in a recessed portion 17 of the face opposite the button 14, thus locking it in rotation. The button 14, however, does not bear against the bottom of the recess 15 and it is thus possible to exert pressure on it to move longitudinally the axis 12, 15 to actuate the function corresponding to this position. In a second position, the button 14 is sufficiently clear of its housing 15 so that the lug 16 is no longer engaged in a recessed portion 17 of the bottom of the button. It is then possible for the user to actuate the knob 14 in rotation in order to be able to rotate

  the axis 12 to select a different function.

  In the variant of Figure 3, the axis 22, housed in a cylindrical recess 23 of the device 21, is also equipped with a knob 24 for rotation control 25 and in translation, which, as before, can occupy two positions by relative to the device 21, one retracted in the recess 25 formed in the device 21, the other released from this recess. In this embodiment, however, the locking in rotation of the knob 24 in the retracted position does not occur automatically, but requires intervention by the user, who must move a locking rod 26, slidably mounted in a housing 27 of the device, to engage in a transverse recess 28 of the button 24. As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the control knob 24 must be unlocked and disengaged from its housing 25 to select a - 5

function, by rotation of the axis 22.

  The selection once made, the button 24 is retracted into the cavity 25 and is locked by introducing the locking rod 26 into the transverse recess 28. The dimensions thereof are such that they allow the axial movement of the button. 24

  and, therefore, the actuation of the chosen function.

  the invention thus provides a new manual control system for a simple and easy-to-use clockwork movement for selecting a function, in a multi-function device, to then lock the chosen function and to implement it after locking . As indicated above, such a system is particularly advantageous in its application to a time measurement system such as a

  watch or a multi-function alarm clock.

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Claims (7)

  1.- Manual control system for use in a multi-function device (1, 11, 21) for a watch movement comprising a rotatable axis (2, 12, 22) for the selection of a function and in longitudinal translation for the actuation of this function, characterized in that it comprises means (4, 14, 24) for controlling in rotation and in axial translation of said axis, retractable at least partially in said device 10 and lockable in rotation in this position , while remaining able to operate longitudinally said axis. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the retraction of said control means (4, 14) 15 automatically causes its locking in rotation   without further intervention by the user.   3.- System according to claim 2, characterized in that said control means comprises a lever (4) pivotally mounted on the head of said axis and capable of being retracted at least partially in a recess   (5) complementary profile of said device (1).   4.- System according to claim 2, characterized in that said control means comprises a button (14) of control integral with the head of said axis (12) 25 and capable of being retracted at least partially in its housing (15) said device engaging a portion (16) of the housing blocking it in rotation.   5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the bottom of said housing comprises a lug (16) cooperating with a recessed portion (17) of the face in   looking at said control button (14).   6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (27) of the control means (24) retracted position, which must be actuated by the user independently of the means control.   7.- System according to claim 6, characterized in that said control means comprises a control button (24) integral with the head of said axis (22) and capable of being retracted at least partially into a recess (25) of the device, and in that said locking member comprises a rod (26) slidably mounted in a housing (27) of the device (21), this rod cooperating with at least one transverse bore   (28) said control button into which it can be introduced by the user.