JP6845857B2 - Display device with radial guide - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is a display mechanism that has substantially rotational symmetry and is intended to rotate around a rotation axis X1 in cooperation with a drive mechanism, and is intended to be assembled to a frame element of a watch movement. The present invention relates to a display device for a watch movement, which includes a display mechanism having a support surface arranged to cooperate with at least three rollers, each having a substantially cylindrical contact surface.

Watches with various mechanisms that are supported by rollers and rotate are known.

For example, Patent Document 1 (French Patent Application Publication No. 2341885) describes and illustrates a watch containing a barrel supported by three rollers. Each roller has a flange portion engaged with a peripheral groove located on the peripheral edge of the drum to provide its axial positioning. Such a device does not require high accuracy in the placement of the rollers with respect to the drum.

Further, Patent Document 2 (European Patent Application Publication No. 1903408) describes a watch movement including a tourbillon in which the lower frame is supported by three rollers. In this document, each roller is provided with a groove that cooperates with the periphery of the lower frame to provide axial positioning of the lower frame. However, in this case, the accuracy required to position the rollers with respect to the position of the tourbillon frame is particularly important to limit the loss during operation associated with the engagement of the tourbillon with the train wheel.

In both of the above cases, special measures must be taken in manufacturing the rollers to be able to provide axial positioning in cooperation with the rotating mechanism. Further, the assembly of the rollers on the frame arranges the rollers so that they can be swiveled between the two jewels housed in the plate and bar of the movement, as in the case of Patent Document 2, in particular. If it involves doing, it can be a hassle or even a problem.

French Patent Application Publication No. 2341885 European Patent Application Publication No. 1903408

One main object of the present invention is to have an alternative collaborative mode of known solutions between a display mechanism having rotational symmetry and three rollers that provide its proper positioning, as described above. Is to propose a display device for.

To this end, the present invention, more specifically, is a display device that satisfies the above characteristics.
The bearing surface has an inclination of a predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis X1.
Each roller relates to a display device, characterized in that its contact surfaces are arranged such that they are oriented substantially along this same predetermined angle with respect to the axis of rotation X1.

Due to these features, the roller does not need to have a flange or a specific groove as in the prior art described above, and can have a conventional shape made, for example, in the form of a cylindrical portion.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the display mechanism comprises a substantially spherical lid, the annular portion of which defines a bearing surface.

in general,
The display mechanism is intended to be assembled to the frame element of the watch movement and includes a support on which the display mechanism rests.
It is also possible that each roller can be assembled to a support.

In this way, the rollers are assembled to a support that supports the display mechanism, which guarantees better accuracy in the relative positioning between the display mechanism and the rollers.

In this case, the support comprises at least one radial guide surface arranged to cooperate with the display mechanism and an opening defining a passage that allows the display mechanism to be driven by the drive mechanism. It is also possible.

Generally, each roller is a frame element of the watch movement by an eccentric ring configured such that the corresponding roller is placed in contact with the bearing surface of the display mechanism to eliminate play between the roller and the display mechanism. Can be intended to be fixed to.

In addition, the spherical lid can have holes at its apex to define a passage for the additional drive mechanism intended to drive the additional display mechanism.

According to one alternative embodiment, the display device can have a second display mechanism that is rotationally symmetric and is similarly guided by rollers, similar to the first display mechanism. ..

The present invention also relates to a timepiece movement provided with a display device satisfying the above characteristics, and a timepiece equipped with such a timepiece movement.

In particular, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the spherical lid carries at least a partial depiction of the Earth and the drive mechanism drives the spherical lid at a rate of one revolution per day. It is configured as follows. In this case, the watch preferably includes a time scale of more than 24 hours and can be arranged so as to face the perimeter of the spherical lid. The watch further includes a hand that displays the time in a given time zone, which hand is carried by a drive shaft arranged through a hole located at the apex of the spherical lid to drive the display hand. Completely one revolution per day with respect to the time scale. In this case, the clock may also include an additional indication mechanism for displaying geographical indications such as city names associated with a given time zone.

Alternatively or additionally, the timepiece according to the invention may include a display mechanism that satisfies the above-mentioned properties and is intended to display information of any suitable property. Thus, for example, the display mechanism can include a spherical lid with N depictions of the moon intended to work with N windows to display the moon's peaks and dips. In this case, the spherical lid is driven by the movement of the watch movement and makes one complete revolution in substantially N monthly cycles.

FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of a timepiece including a display device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. A simplified perspective view similar to FIG. 1 is shown, and a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown without a main display mechanism. A simplified perspective view of a portion of a watch including a display device according to one alternative is shown.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the following preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings provided as non-limiting examples.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective view of a portion of a watch including a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

It is advantageous for this watch to include a watch movement not shown for clarity, this watch movement has a conventional frame intended to support the components of the movement, especially the plates and bars. Including.

The watch movement is not described in detail as most of its components are not shown and do not directly affect the practice of the present invention.

In this preferred embodiment, as a non-limiting example, the display device makes a main display of earth time, i.e. displays a time scale of 24 hours or more towards the depiction of the earth, and is arbitrary on the earth. It is intended to provide an indication of what time the moment is at the location. Further, the display device according to the preferred embodiment utilizes a scale used to display the world standard time to provide a secondary display of time in a predetermined time zone.

The display device includes a support 2 intended to be secured to a frame element of the watch movement, such as a plate.

The support 2 has a base 4 whose side walls are inclined and have a scale for more than 24 hours.

The main display mechanism 6 in the shape of a spherical lid is arranged on the support 2 which is substantially on the extension line of the side wall of the base 4. Here, a partial depiction of the Earth is made on a spherical lid by any suitable method (paint, enamel, etching, etc.).

As shown below, the depiction of the Earth makes it possible to display Earth time, i.e., what time any position on the Earth is at any moment. Therefore, for example, at the position of the display mechanism 6 shown in FIG. 1, it is about 1:00 pm in the time zone including South Africa and 9:00 pm in the time zone including Sydney.

The display mechanism 6 rotates at a rate of one complete rotation in 24 hours around the axis X1 passing through the apex of the spherical lid.

A display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes three rollers 8 to hold the display mechanism 6 in use position while performing a guide function during rotation. For this purpose, each of the rollers 8 is substantially cylindrical, oriented in a direction tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the axis of rotation X1, and is an annular strip identified by a bearing surface (reference number 9). Has a contact surface that cooperates with a part of the display mechanism that functions as (shown in FIG. 1). Advantageously, and non-limitingly, the rollers 8 are arranged around the base 4 regularly, i.e. in pairs separated by 120 °.

Each of the rollers 8 is directly fixed to the base 4 via an L-shaped support 10, the first portion of the support 10 is screwed into the base 4, and the second portion is a set of shafts. It has holes (not shown) that allow the solid (reference number 12 in FIG. 2) to rest on the support 10. Here, each roller 8 in the form of a conventional type of sapphire gem is attached so as to swivel around a corresponding shaft 12 via an eccentric ring 14.

With this configuration, each roller 8 freely rotates along a rotation axis inclined with respect to the rotation axis X1 of the display mechanism 6, and is directed toward the display mechanism 6 by the bearing surface 9 in the direction of the rotation axis X1. Gives the power to have ingredients.

The bearing surface 9 can have various shapes suitable for carrying out the present invention, and in particular, the spherical lid or conical portion has an inclination substantially corresponding to the rotation axis of the roller 8 at each point. Then it is advantageous.

Since each roller 8 is directly fixed to the base 4 having the display mechanism 6, good accuracy is guaranteed in the relative positioning between the display mechanism 6 and the roller 8. Further, by using the eccentric ring 14, the position of each roller 8 with respect to the display mechanism 6 can be adjusted more accurately, and play between them can be avoided.

Further, FIG. 1 shows a shaft 16 in which the display mechanism 6 supports a (curved) display hand 18 relating to a time within a predetermined time zone with respect to a time scale arranged on the side wall of the base 4 at its apex. Indicates that it has a hole defining a passage for it.

Advantageously, the timepiece according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is an additional indication member (not shown) intended to provide a geographical indication that allows the identification of a predetermined time zone associated with the indicator hand 18. )including. Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulties in implementing such additional display mechanisms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, such an additional display mechanism can identify the form of a disk with the name of a city that can be aligned and alternated with windows arranged in the dial, or the city associated with the display hand 18. It can be in the form of a cylindrical roll with a window or fixed cursor.

Further, a clock according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for moving the display hand 18 at an hour pitch (or at a 30 minute pitch considering a half time zone) in order to change the time zone on demand. It also includes a control member (not shown) capable of activating the appropriate device, which at the same time adds to the display mechanism to change the displayed geographical indication associated with the display hand 18. It works. Such mechanisms are known in the art and will not be encountered by those skilled in the art in any particular difficulty in carrying them out as needed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Does not explain.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1, and the display mechanism 6 does not show the drive mechanism arranged on the support 2 so as to be visible.

The support 2 includes various recesses and openings for defining wheel positions and passages for the drive mechanism, which are driven from the basic watch caliber.

In particular, the 24-hour wheel 20 is located in the center of the support 2 and is connected to the basic clock caliber so that it rotates around itself in one day or 24 hours.

Further, the wheel 20 supports a finger 22 on the disc arranged to continuously cooperate with a suitable bearing surface (not shown) of the display mechanism 6, which is via the finger 22. It is driven by the same rhythm as the wheel 20.

The 24-hour wheel 20 has a barrel 24 whose center defines a passage for the shaft 16 bearing the indicator needle 18.

The drive of the shaft 16 may be independent of the drive of the 24-hour wheel. Alternatively, while the shaft 16 is continuously driven by the wheel 20, the position of the display hand 18 is offset by an appropriate action to the control device, and the time zone displayed by the display hand 18 is changed, if required. A frictional connection can be provided between the wheel 20 and the shaft 16 for 24 hours to make this possible.

It should also be noted that in FIG. 2, the guide 26 is arranged on the base 4 and defines the radial guide surface 28 of the display mechanism 6. As with the rollers 8, it is advantageous that the guides 26 are, but not limited to, separated from each other at substantially the same angle.

By the action of combining the roller 8 and the guide 26, the holding of the display mechanism 6 during operation can be optimized.

FIG. 3 shows, as an additional example, a simplified perspective view of a portion of a timepiece that includes a display mechanism according to one alternative embodiment.

The display mechanism 60 has a spherical lid shape having a rotation axis X2, and is intended here to display the phases of the moon. To this end, the spherical lid comprises two schematic views of the moon 62, arranged substantially 180 degrees with each other so as to alternate with the first and second windows 64 and 66, one window 64. Is intended to represent the height of the moon in the northern hemisphere, while 66 is intended to represent the height of the moon in the southern hemisphere. The windows 64 and 66 are screwed into and fixed to the support portion 68 of the display mechanism 60 and are arranged at an angle of 180 degrees to each other.

As is known, the drive unit allows the display mechanism 60 to rotate at a speed of one complete rotation every two lunar cycles so that the depiction of the moon 64 alternates with each of the windows 64, 66. Collaborate with. The drive mode of the display mechanism is preferably the same as the drive mode of the display mechanism 6, and will not be described in detail.

Of course, in general, one of ordinary skill in the art can carry out the representation of the moon's peaks and dips, including the depiction of an integer N months, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The display mechanism 60 is preferably driven to perform a complete rotation in N monthly cycles.

In FIG. 3, it can also be seen that the three rollers assembled using the eccentric ring 14 are provided so as to hold the display mechanism 60 at its used position and execute the guidance function during its rotation. The structure of these rollers 8 and the assembly to the support 68 are the same as those described above.

Due to the features described above, it is possible to manufacture a timepiece including at least one display device having rotational symmetry and including a main display mechanism whose central portion is completely open. Apart from the fact that such features free up surface areas to display information, at least one sub-display can optionally be combined with the central portion of at least one main display.

In fact, although not limited to the embodiments described herein, the present invention allows the central region of the main display mechanism to be free and the drive mechanism of the sub-display mechanism to be arranged therein. It is particularly advantageous in the case of a display mechanism including at least one main display mechanism having rotational symmetry and a sub-display mechanism having a rotation axis substantially combined with the rotation axis of the main display mechanism.

The above description strives to illustrate one particular embodiment as a non-limiting example, and the present invention is limited to the implementation of certain particular features described, eg, display mechanisms 6 and 60. Not done. In fact, it is possible to imagine other forms of the main display mechanism without departing from the scope of the present invention. As a non-limiting example, the main display mechanism has a flared lower part, for example, at a predetermined angle of the roller rotation axis with reference to the rotation axis X1 of the display mechanism that defines the bearing surfaces with which the rollers cooperate. It can have a substantially cylindrical or spherical top that extends within the envelope cone with the corresponding apex angle.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the nature of the information displayed by the display mechanisms 6 and 60, and those skilled in the art will encounter special difficulties in adapting this teaching and performing other types of display of information. Will not.

Further, the roller 8 is directly attached to the frame element of the watch movement without departing from the scope of the present invention, even if the solution is more delicate in terms of positioning accuracy with respect to the display mechanisms 6 and 60. Please note that it can be assembled.

One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adapt the contents of the present disclosure to his or her own needs, and to include a rotational axis that includes at least one display mechanism that is rotationally symmetric and that is tilted relative to the rotational axis of the display mechanism. Deviating from the scope of the present invention in carrying out a watch that only partially meets the described features, including a display device secured to the frame of the corresponding watch movement via at least three rollers having. No, you will not encounter any special difficulties.

Claims (14)

Has a rotation symmetry, a drive mechanism intended display mechanism as (20, 22) and cooperate to rotate about a rotational axis X1 (6), as assembled to a frame element of the timepiece movement A display device for a watch movement that includes a display mechanism (6) that is intended and has a bearing surface (9) arranged to cooperate with at least three rollers (8), each having a cylindrical contact surface. In
The bearing surface (9) has an inclination of a predetermined angle different from 0 with respect to the rotation axis X1.
Each roller (8) is a display device whose contact surface is arranged so as to be oriented along the predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis X1. The device according to claim 1, wherein the display mechanism (6) includes a spherical lid, the annular portion of which defines the bearing surface (9). It is intended to be assembled to a frame element of a watch movement and includes a support (2) on which the display mechanism (6) is placed.
The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each roller (8) is assembled to the support (2). It said support (2) comprises at least one radial guide surfaces (28) arranged to cooperate with the display mechanism (6) Apparatus according to claim 3. Each of the rollers (8) is framed by an eccentric ring (14) so that the corresponding roller (8) is placed in contact with the bearing surface (9) of the display mechanism (6). The device of claim 1 or 2 , which is intended to be anchored to an element. Each of the rollers (8) is arranged by an eccentric ring (14) so that the corresponding roller (8) is placed in contact with the bearing surface (9) of the display mechanism (6). The device according to claim 3 or 4, which is intended to be fixed in 2). Any of claims 1-6, wherein the display mechanism has a hole at its apex to define a passage for the additional drive mechanism (16) intended to drive the additional display mechanism (18). The device according to one item. Has a rotation symmetry, comprises a second display mechanism intended to rotate about a rotation axis X2 in cooperation with additional drive mechanism (60), wherein the display mechanism (60), watches The bearing surface is intended to be assembled to the frame element of the movement and has a bearing surface arranged to cooperate with at least three rollers (8) , each having a cylindrical contact surface, the bearing surface being said rotating. Each of the rollers (8) has an inclination of a predetermined angle different from 0 with respect to the axis X2, and the contact surface thereof is arranged so as to be oriented at the predetermined angle with respect to the rotation axis X2. , The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A watch movement comprising the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In a watch movement including the apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8.
The spherical lid carries at least a partial depiction of the Earth, and the driving mechanisms (20, 22) are configured to drive the spherical lid at a rate of one full revolution per day.
The spherical lid supports N depictions of the moon, and the drive device is arranged to rotate the spherical lid at a rate of one complete rotation in N monthly cycles. Watch movement. A timepiece comprising a case for accommodating the timepiece movement according to claim 9. The timepiece movement according to claim 10 , wherein the timepiece having the spherical lid bearing a depiction of the earth includes a time scale that exceeds 24 hours and is arranged so as to face the periphery of the spherical lid. A watch that features. It further includes a time indicator hand (18) associated with a predetermined time zone, which is a drive shaft arranged through a hole located at the apex of the spherical lid to drive the indicator hand (18). The clock according to claim 12 , which is carried by ( 16 ) and makes one complete rotation per day with respect to the time scale. 13. The clock according to claim 13 , including an additional display mechanism for displaying the name of the city associated with the predetermined time zone.

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