EP0369242B1 - Astronomic time piece and disc to be fitted on the same - Google Patents

Astronomic time piece and disc to be fitted on the same Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0369242B1
EP0369242B1 EP89120313A EP89120313A EP0369242B1 EP 0369242 B1 EP0369242 B1 EP 0369242B1 EP 89120313 A EP89120313 A EP 89120313A EP 89120313 A EP89120313 A EP 89120313A EP 0369242 B1 EP0369242 B1 EP 0369242B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
disc
astronomic
month
dial
magnitude
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP89120313A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0369242A1 (en
Inventor
Frank Vaucher
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Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon SA
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Compagnie des Montres Longines Francillon SA
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    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/26—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an astronomical timepiece indicating the daily value of one or more astronomical quantities with an annual cycle, such as the time of sunrise / sunset, the declination of a celestial body or the like, through a window. housed in the dial. These parts are mainly intended to be fitted in watches of the wristwatch type.
  • the invention also relates to a disc for displaying astronomical quantities.
  • Timepieces are already known, in particular astronomical watches which indicate the values of an astronomical quantity varying daily. These values are indicated by means of needles, which move one step per day opposite a graduated scale representative of a determined quantity.
  • these are watches comprising movements of very great complexity, which in particular have planetary gear mechanisms with planet wheels with multiple mobiles. These mechanisms therefore have a high compactness and are consequently too expensive to be mass produced.
  • the surface available for display is relatively small, so that the reading of the astronomical values is not easy and therefore often inaccurate.
  • Document US-A-4759 002 also discloses a clock comprising an hour disc and a minute disc which appear respectively through apertures.
  • the hours disc includes an index formed by the delimitation between a dark part and an illuminated part of the disc and which moves opposite a scale representing the hours.
  • the minute disc itself has a minute indication in five-minute steps.
  • This clock allows at most to determine by an indirect reading the number of hours which has elapsed since sunrise as well as the number of hours which will still elapse until sunset. These data are also more than approximate since they do not take into account the variations in sunrise and sunset times according to the seasons.
  • Document DE-A-2460 725 also describes an educational device making it possible to manually determine the position of the planets with respect to each other at a given instant using a series of discs and concentric rings comprising tables and counters.
  • Document US-A-372 575 describes a calendar clock indicating the date using a hand, the day, the month and the year using discs visible through apertures and the moon phase using a disc.
  • the main object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a timepiece enabling the daily value of an astronomical quantity with annual cycle to be displayed in a simple and precise manner, and moreover for a small increase in the cost of the part.
  • the invention relates to a timepiece as defined by claim 1 of the patent.
  • FIG. 1 there is a plan view of a wristwatch designated by the general reference 1.
  • This watch 1 of generally circular shape, conventionally comprises a case 2 having horns 3 for the strap attachment (not shown). As it appears in FIG. 2, the watch also includes a clockwork movement 4 with a time-setting rod and carrying a dial 6 as well as unreferenced hands.
  • the housing 2 comprises a middle part 7 at the upper part of which is fixed a glass 8, and a bottom 9 at its lower part.
  • the dial 6 carries conventional time divisions 10 and is further crossed by three concentric axes carrying the hour, minute and second hands respectively.
  • the movement of the watch leads step by step to a date crown 11 at the rate of one step per 24 H.
  • This crown wears classic, on its face 12 directed towards the dial 6, the indication of the 31 calendar of the month.
  • step by step a 13 month disc at the rate of one step per month, this disc performing a complete revolution in one year.
  • a device for driving the month disc can for example comprise a finger integral with the date crown driving once a month a return wheel which cooperates with the month disc, associated with a jumper ensuring its positioning.
  • the watch shown in FIG. 1 includes windows 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 through which part of the month disc is visible.
  • Each of the counters is associated with an astronomical magnitude with an annual cycle varying daily.
  • the counters 14, 15 and 18 are associated respectively with the sunrise time, the sunset time and the solar declination. These counters are formed in the form of sectors of concentric rings of different diameters. The information concerning the astronomical quantities carried by the disc of the months appears through the windows 14, 15 and 18 in the form of segments of curves.
  • each window 14, 15 is provided with a graduation and constitutes a first axis which can be considered as the abscissa axis.
  • the graduations written along this axis indicate values related to the astronomical magnitude displayed in the window, namely the sunrise and sunset times respectively.
  • each window 14, 15 is also provided with a graduation and thus constitutes a second axis which can be considered as an ordinate axis.
  • the graduations carried along this ordinate axis indicate, in the case shown, the date values.
  • the lower edge 21 or upper of the window 18 is provided with a graduation indicating the values of the dates and the lateral edge 24 is provided with a graduation indicating the values of an astronomical quantity, in this case an angular value of solar declination.
  • the windows 16 and 17 provided in the dial 6 in a ring of the same diameter are intended to reveal the indication of the current month and the calendar respectively.
  • the window 16 is made between 9 and 10 hours while the window 17 is made between 2 and 3 hours so that they are not aligned along the same diameter.
  • FIG. 3 there is a plan view of a 13 month disc according to the invention.
  • This 13-month disc includes on its face opposite the dial a plurality of graphics. These graphics are arranged on four concentric rings 28, 29, 30, 31 of different diameters in correspondence with the diameters of the rings in which the windows 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are provided. Starting from the larger diameter ring, the first 28, the third 30 and the fourth 31 are each associated with an astronomical quantity while the second 29 conventionally indicates a numbering of the months, represented here in Roman numerals.
  • Each ring 28, 30, 31 associated with an astronomical magnitude is divided into twelve sectors 28a, 30a, 31a, and on each of them there is a segment of curve 25, 26, 27 corresponding to the evolution daily during a month of the year of the associated astronomical magnitude.
  • the first ring 28 comprises twelve sectors 28a, each comprising a segment of curve 25, indicating the daily change in the time of sunrise during the twelve months of the year, this ring 28 cooperating with the window 14 located at twelve o'clock on the dial 6.
  • the second ring 29 presents the indication of the months, the sign of the current month being visible through the window 16 formed in the dial. Furthermore, this second ring 29 includes twelve windows 32 formed between each sign of the month. These apertures 32 cooperate on the one hand with the date crown 11 so that the latter is permanently visible through one of the apertures 32, on the other hand with the aperture 17 provided in the dial 6.
  • the third ring 30 presents information substantially identical to that of the first ring 28, namely the daily evolution of the sunset time in the form of segments of curves 26. This third ring 30 is visible through a window 15 provided also at twelve o'clock along a diameter smaller than the previous two.
  • the fourth ring 31 also divided into twelve sectors 31a indicates in the form of a curve 27 the daily angular values of the solar declination, this curve 27 being visible through a window 18 formed at six o'clock.
  • these rings can be divided into a greater or lesser number of sectors.
  • the pitch of the disc and the size of the windows, the indications and the associated graduations will be adapted.
  • the lower edge 19 of the windows 14 can indicate the value of the astronomical magnitude while the date can be indicated along each segment 25 of the curve by means of indexes I, the latter being produced in an example of graphic represented in figure 4 by the ends of the rays of the sun.
  • the segments of curves associated with an astronomical magnitude appearing in a window 33a can be placed end to end and forming a continuous curve 33b extending along a ring, this being particularly interesting for the indication of the curve representative of the equation of time.
  • two segments of curves 34, 35 can be seen through the same window 36.
  • Each of these segments of curves is representative of the daily evolution of an astronomical magnitude.
  • FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention is seen, comprising for each astronomical magnitude three apertures 37, 38, 39.
  • Each aperture is associated with a determined date.
  • the first window 37 is associated with the first day of the month
  • the second window 38 is associated with the 15th day of the month
  • the third window 39 is associated with the 30th day of the month.
  • the astronomical magnitudes being the time of sunrise / sunset
  • the first counters 37 are located respectively at 10 am and 4 hours
  • the second 38 counters at 12 and 6 hours
  • the third 39 counters at 8 hours and 2 hours.
  • These windows 37, 38, 39 have an oblong configuration and extend in a radial direction in the middle part of the dial 6.
  • Each window 37, 38, 39 is provided on one of its longitudinal edges 37a, 38a, 39a with a graduated scale making it possible to indicate the value of the astronomical magnitude for the date associated with the window.
  • This value is determined by an index 37b, 38b, 39b visible through counters, this index being carried by the month disc.
  • This index 37b, 38b, 39b is actually a segment of curve appearing through a window so that one can easily interpolate the value of the astronomical magnitude for a date between the 1st and the 15th and the 15th and the 31st of the month.
  • the dial 6 also includes a window 17 (located at 3 o'clock) showing an indication concerning the month, the astronomical information indicated by the index being directly linked to it.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

Astronomic time piece permitting the simple display of the daily value of an astronomic quantity with an annual cycle. The watch comprises a disc for the months (13), at least a portion of which is visible through a window (19) made in the dial (6). <??>The evolution of the astronomic quantity is represented in the form of a curve (25) in a reference system, one of the co-ordinates of which indicates the day of the month and the other co-ordinate of which indicates a value of the astronomic quantity. <IMAGE>

Description

L'invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie astronomique indiquant la valeur quotidienne d'une ou plusieurs grandeurs astronomique à cycle annuel, telle que l'heure de lever / coucher du soleil, la déclinaison d'un astre ou analogue, à travers un guichet ménagé dans le cadran. Ces pièces sont destinées principalement à être montées dans des montres du type montre bracelet.The invention relates to an astronomical timepiece indicating the daily value of one or more astronomical quantities with an annual cycle, such as the time of sunrise / sunset, the declination of a celestial body or the like, through a window. housed in the dial. These parts are mainly intended to be fitted in watches of the wristwatch type.

L'invention concerne également un disque pour l'affichage de grandeurs astronomiques.The invention also relates to a disc for displaying astronomical quantities.

On connaît déjà des pièces d'horlogerie notamment des montres astronomiques qui indiquent les valeurs d'une grandeur astronomique variant quotidiennement. Ces valeurs sont indiquées au moyen d'aiguilles, qui se déplacent d'un pas par jour en regard d'une échelle graduée représentative d'une grandeur déterminée. Toutefois, il s'agit de montres comprenant des mouvements d'une très grande complexité, qui présentent notamment des mécanismes à engrenages planétaires à rouages satellites à mobiles multiples. Ces mécanismes présentent donc une grande compacité et sont en conséquence trop coûteux pour être fabriqués en grande série. En outre, sur de telles montres la surface disponible pour l'affichage est relativement faible, si bien que la lecture des valeurs astronomiques est peu aisée et par conséquent souvent imprécise.Timepieces are already known, in particular astronomical watches which indicate the values of an astronomical quantity varying daily. These values are indicated by means of needles, which move one step per day opposite a graduated scale representative of a determined quantity. However, these are watches comprising movements of very great complexity, which in particular have planetary gear mechanisms with planet wheels with multiple mobiles. These mechanisms therefore have a high compactness and are consequently too expensive to be mass produced. In addition, on such watches the surface available for display is relatively small, so that the reading of the astronomical values is not easy and therefore often inaccurate.

Par ailleurs, on connaît des montres astronomiques présentant des informations astronomiques à travers un guichet ménagé dans le cadran. Cependant, ces informations concernent des grandeurs astronomiques à cycle annuel ayant une valeur constante pendant la durée d'un mois considéré, par exemple un signe du zodiaque. Là encore, si l'on désire afficher la valeur d'une grandeur astronomique variant quotidiennement, il est nécessaire d'utiliser un disque effectuant un tour en 365 jours ce qui présente également les inconvénients mentionnés plus haut.Furthermore, there are known astronomical watches presenting astronomical information through a window arranged in the dial. However, this information relates to astronomical quantities with annual cycle having a constant value during the duration of a month considered, for example a sign of the zodiac. Here again, if one wishes to display the value of an astronomical quantity varying daily, it is necessary to use a disk performing one revolution in 365 days, which also has the drawbacks mentioned above.

On connaît aussi du document US-A-4759 002 une horloge comprenant un disque des heures et un disque des minutes qui apparaissent respectivement à travers des guichets. Le disque des heures comprend un index formé par la délimitation entre une partie sombre et une partie éclairée du disque et qui se déplace en regard d'une échelle représentant les heures. Le disque des minutes quant à lui porte directement une indication des minutes par pas de cinq minutes.Document US-A-4759 002 also discloses a clock comprising an hour disc and a minute disc which appear respectively through apertures. The hours disc includes an index formed by the delimitation between a dark part and an illuminated part of the disc and which moves opposite a scale representing the hours. The minute disc itself has a minute indication in five-minute steps.

Cette horloge permet tout au plus de déterminer par une lecture indirecte le nombre d'heures qui s'est écoulé depuis le lever du soleil ainsi que le nombre d'heures qui vont encore s'écouler jusqu'au coucher du soleil. Ces données sont en outre plus qu'approximative puisqu'elles ne tiennent pas compte des variations des heures de lever et de coucher du soleil en fonction des saisons.This clock allows at most to determine by an indirect reading the number of hours which has elapsed since sunrise as well as the number of hours which will still elapse until sunset. These data are also more than approximate since they do not take into account the variations in sunrise and sunset times according to the seasons.

Le document DE-A-2460 725 décrit par ailleurs un dispositif pédagogique permettant de déterminer manuellement la position des planètes les unes par rapport aux autres à un instant donné à l'aide d'une série de disques et d'anneaux concentriques comportant des tables numériques et des guichets.Document DE-A-2460 725 also describes an educational device making it possible to manually determine the position of the planets with respect to each other at a given instant using a series of discs and concentric rings comprising tables and counters.

Le document US-A-372 575 décrit une horloge calendrier indiquant, le quantième à l'aide d'une aiguille, le jour, le mois et l'année à l'aide de disques visibles à travers des guichets et la phase de lune à l'aide d'un disque.Document US-A-372 575 describes a calendar clock indicating the date using a hand, the day, the month and the year using discs visible through apertures and the moon phase using a disc.

La présente invention a donc pour but principal de remédier aux inconvénients de l'art antérieur en fournissant une pièce d'horlogerie permettant l'affichage de la valeur quotidienne d'une grandeur astronomique à cycle annuel d'une façon simple et précise et de surcroît pour une faible augmentation du coût de la pièce.The main object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a timepiece enabling the daily value of an astronomical quantity with annual cycle to be displayed in a simple and precise manner, and moreover for a small increase in the cost of the part.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une pièce d'horlogerie telle que définie par la revendication 1 du brevet.To this end, the invention relates to a timepiece as defined by claim 1 of the patent.

Ainsi l'évolution de la valeur d'une grandeur astronomique pendant la durée d'un mois peut être aisément indiquée en utilisant un disque des mois classique sans l'adjonction de rouages supplémentaires. En outre, l'énergie requise pour l'affichage de cette valeur est particulièrement faible.Thus the evolution of the value of an astronomical magnitude during the duration of a month can be easily indicated using a classic month disc without the addition of additional cogs. In addition, the energy required to display this value is particularly low.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui suit de modes de réalisation non limitatifs en liaison avec les dessins ci-joints parmi lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en plan d'une montre bracelet selon l'invention, le bracelet ayant été omis ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe selon la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue en plan d'un exemple de réalisation d'un disque des mois d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention ;
  • les figures 4 à 6 montrent différents modes de réalisation d'affichage à travers un guichet du cadran de grandeurs astronomiques variant quotidiennement selon l'invention ; et
  • la figure 7 montre une variante de réalisation d'un cadran présentant une pluralité de guichets pour l'affichage d'une grandeur astronomique selon l'invention ; et
  • la figure 8 montre une lunette pouvant équiper une montre selon l'invention.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of nonlimiting embodiments in conjunction with the attached drawings, among which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a wristwatch according to the invention, the bracelet having been omitted;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view along line II-II of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a month disc of a timepiece according to the invention;
  • Figures 4 to 6 show different embodiments of display through a window of the dial of astronomical quantities varying daily according to the invention; and
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a dial having a plurality of windows for displaying an astronomical magnitude according to the invention; and
  • Figure 8 shows a telescope that can equip a watch according to the invention.

En se référant tout d'abord à la figure 1, on voit une vue en plan d'une montre bracelet désignée par la référence générale 1. Cette montre 1, de forme générale circulaire, comprend classiquement un boîtier 2 ayant des cornes 3 pour la fixation du bracelet (non représenté). Comme il apparaît à la figure 2, la montre comprend également un mouvement d'horlogerie 4 avec une tige de mise à l'heure et portant un cadran 6 ainsi que des aiguilles non référencées. Le boîtier 2 comporte une carrure 7 à la partie supérieure de laquelle est fixée un verre 8, et un fond 9 à sa partie inférieure. Le fond 9, fixé au boîtier 2 de façon appropriée, par exemple au moyen de vis non représentées au dessin, assure la fermeture du boîtier 2.Referring first to Figure 1, there is a plan view of a wristwatch designated by the general reference 1. This watch 1, of generally circular shape, conventionally comprises a case 2 having horns 3 for the strap attachment (not shown). As it appears in FIG. 2, the watch also includes a clockwork movement 4 with a time-setting rod and carrying a dial 6 as well as unreferenced hands. The housing 2 comprises a middle part 7 at the upper part of which is fixed a glass 8, and a bottom 9 at its lower part. The bottom 9, fixed to the housing 2 in an appropriate manner, for example by means of screws not shown in the drawing, ensures the closure of the housing 2.

Le cadran 6 porte des divisions horaires 10 classiques et est traversé en outre par trois axes concentriques portant respectivement l'aiguille des heures, des minutes et des secondes. En outre, le mouvement de la montre entraîne pas à pas une couronne de quantièmes 11 à raison d'un pas par 24 H. Cette couronne porte de façon classique, sur sa face 12 dirigée vers le cadran 6, l'indication des 31 quantièmes du mois.The dial 6 carries conventional time divisions 10 and is further crossed by three concentric axes carrying the hour, minute and second hands respectively. In addition, the movement of the watch leads step by step to a date crown 11 at the rate of one step per 24 H. This crown wears classic, on its face 12 directed towards the dial 6, the indication of the 31 calendar of the month.

Enfin, le mouvement entraîne pas à pas un disque des mois 13 à raison d'un pas par mois, ce disque effectuant une révolution complète en une année.Finally, the movement drives step by step a 13 month disc at the rate of one step per month, this disc performing a complete revolution in one year.

Un dispositif d'entraînement du disque des mois peut par exemple comprendre un doigt solidaire de la couronne des quantièmes entraînant une fois par mois une roue de renvoi qui coopère avec le disque des mois, associé à un sautoir garantissant son positionnement.A device for driving the month disc can for example comprise a finger integral with the date crown driving once a month a return wheel which cooperates with the month disc, associated with a jumper ensuring its positioning.

Selon l'invention la montre représentée à la figure 1 comprend des guichets 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 à travers lesquels une partie du disque des mois est visible. Chacun des guichets est associé à une grandeur astronomique à cycle annuel variant quotidiennement.According to the invention, the watch shown in FIG. 1 includes windows 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 through which part of the month disc is visible. Each of the counters is associated with an astronomical magnitude with an annual cycle varying daily.

Dans l'exemple de la figure 1 les guichets 14, 15 et 18 sont associés respectivement à l'heure de lever du soleil, l'heure de coucher du soleil et à la déclinaison solaire. Ces guichets sont ménagés en forme de secteurs d'anneaux concentriques de diamètres différents. Les informations concernant les grandeurs astronomiques portées par le disque des mois apparaissent à travers les guichets 14, 15 et 18 sous la forme de segments de courbes.In the example in FIG. 1, the counters 14, 15 and 18 are associated respectively with the sunrise time, the sunset time and the solar declination. These counters are formed in the form of sectors of concentric rings of different diameters. The information concerning the astronomical quantities carried by the disc of the months appears through the windows 14, 15 and 18 in the form of segments of curves.

Le bord inférieur 19, 20 de chaque guichet 14, 15 est muni d'une graduation et constitue un premier axe que l'on peut considérer comme axe des abscisses. Les graduations inscrites le long de cet axe indiquent des valeurs liées à la grandeur astronomique affichée dans le guichet, à savoir l'heure de lever et l'heure de coucher du soleil respectivement.The lower edge 19, 20 of each window 14, 15 is provided with a graduation and constitutes a first axis which can be considered as the abscissa axis. The graduations written along this axis indicate values related to the astronomical magnitude displayed in the window, namely the sunrise and sunset times respectively.

Par ailleurs, le bord latéral 22, 23 de chaque guichet 14, 15 est également muni d'une graduation et constitue ainsi un second axe que l'on peut considérer comme un axe des ordonnées. Les graduations portées le long de cet axe des ordonnées indiquent, dans le cas représenté, les valeurs de quantième.Furthermore, the lateral edge 22, 23 of each window 14, 15 is also provided with a graduation and thus constitutes a second axis which can be considered as an ordinate axis. The graduations carried along this ordinate axis indicate, in the case shown, the date values.

En revanche, le bord inférieur 21 ou supérieur du guichet 18 est muni d'une graduation indiquant les valeurs des quantièmes et le bord latéral 24 est muni d'une graduation indiquant les valeurs d'une grandeur astronomique, en l'occurrence une valeur angulaire de la déclinaison solaire.On the other hand, the lower edge 21 or upper of the window 18 is provided with a graduation indicating the values of the dates and the lateral edge 24 is provided with a graduation indicating the values of an astronomical quantity, in this case an angular value of solar declination.

En conséquence, le bord inférieur 19, 20, 21 et le bord latéral 22, 23, 24 de chaque guichet 14, 15, 18 forment un repère de type cartésien dans lequel s'inscrivent les segments de courbes 25, 26, 27. De cette façon, on peut aisément représenter l'évolution d'une grandeur astronomique variant quotidiemment au cours d'un mois, et par là même lire directement la valeur quotidienne de cette dernière.Consequently, the lower edge 19, 20, 21 and the lateral edge 22, 23, 24 of each window 14, 15, 18 form a Cartesian type reference mark in which the segments of curves 25, 26, 27 are inscribed. In this way, one can easily represent the evolution of an astronomical quantity varying daily during a month, and thereby directly read the daily value of the latter.

On notera bien entendu que les graduations susdites peuvent être directement portées par le disque des mois 13 ; mais cette solution impose naturellement l'inscription des graduations en regard de chaque segment de courbe.It will of course be noted that the aforementioned graduations can be directly carried by the disc for months 13; but this solution naturally requires the inscription of the graduations opposite each segment of the curve.

On remarquera également qu'en fonction de la configuration des guichets et en fonction des échelles de valeurs utilisées pour le quantième et la grandeur astronomique, il pourra être parfois avantageux d'associer l'axe des abscisses aux valeurs de quantième et l'axe des ordonnées aux valeurs de la grandeur astronomique.It will also be noted that depending on the configuration of the counters and according to the value scales used for the date and the astronomical magnitude, it may sometimes be advantageous to associate the abscissa axis with the date values and the axis of the ordered with the values of the astronomical size.

Les guichets 16 et 17 ménagés dans le cadran 6 dans un anneau de même diamètre sont destinés à laisser apparaître l'indication du mois courant et du quantième respectivement.The windows 16 and 17 provided in the dial 6 in a ring of the same diameter are intended to reveal the indication of the current month and the calendar respectively.

Le guichet 16 est ménagé entre 9 et 10 heures tandis que le guichet 17 est ménagé entre 2 et 3 heures afin qu'ils ne soient pas alignés le long d'un même diamètre.The window 16 is made between 9 and 10 hours while the window 17 is made between 2 and 3 hours so that they are not aligned along the same diameter.

En se référant maintenant à la figure 3, on voit une vue en plan d'un disque des mois 13 selon l'invention. Ce disque des mois 13 comprend sur sa face en regard du cadran une pluralité de graphismes. Ces graphismes sont disposés sur quatre anneaux concentriques 28, 29, 30, 31 de diamètres différents en correspondance avec les diamètres des anneaux dans lesquels les guichets 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 sont ménagés. En partant de l'anneau de plus grand diamètre, le premier 28, le troisième 30 et le quatrième 31 sont associés chacun à une grandeur astronomique tandis que le deuxième 29 indique classiquement une numérotation des mois, représentée ici en chiffres romains.Referring now to Figure 3, there is a plan view of a 13 month disc according to the invention. This 13-month disc includes on its face opposite the dial a plurality of graphics. These graphics are arranged on four concentric rings 28, 29, 30, 31 of different diameters in correspondence with the diameters of the rings in which the windows 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are provided. Starting from the larger diameter ring, the first 28, the third 30 and the fourth 31 are each associated with an astronomical quantity while the second 29 conventionally indicates a numbering of the months, represented here in Roman numerals.

Chaque anneau 28, 30, 31 associé à une grandeur astronomique est divisé en douze secteurs 28a, 30a, 31a, et sur chacun d'eux figure un segment de courbe 25, 26, 27 correspondant à l'évolution quotidienne au cours d'un mois de l'année de la grandeur astronomique associée.Each ring 28, 30, 31 associated with an astronomical magnitude is divided into twelve sectors 28a, 30a, 31a, and on each of them there is a segment of curve 25, 26, 27 corresponding to the evolution daily during a month of the year of the associated astronomical magnitude.

Dans l'exemple illustré, le premier anneau 28 comprend douze secteurs 28a, comprenant chacun un segment de courbe 25, indiquant l'évolution quotidienne de l'heure de lever du soleil au cours des douze mois de l'année, cet anneau 28 coopérant avec le guichet 14 situé à douze heures sur le cadran 6.In the example illustrated, the first ring 28 comprises twelve sectors 28a, each comprising a segment of curve 25, indicating the daily change in the time of sunrise during the twelve months of the year, this ring 28 cooperating with the window 14 located at twelve o'clock on the dial 6.

Le deuxième anneau 29 présente l'indication des mois, le signe du mois courant étant visible au travers du guichet 16 ménagé dans le cadran. Par ailleurs, ce deuxième anneau 29 comprend douze guichets 32 ménagés entre chaque signe du mois. Ces guichets 32 coopérent d'une part avec la couronne de quantièmes 11 afin que cette dernière soit visible en permanence à travers l'un des guichets 32, d'autre part avec le guichet 17 ménagé dans le cadran 6.The second ring 29 presents the indication of the months, the sign of the current month being visible through the window 16 formed in the dial. Furthermore, this second ring 29 includes twelve windows 32 formed between each sign of the month. These apertures 32 cooperate on the one hand with the date crown 11 so that the latter is permanently visible through one of the apertures 32, on the other hand with the aperture 17 provided in the dial 6.

Le troisième anneau 30 présente des informations sensiblement identiques à celles du premier anneau 28, à savoir l'évolution quotidienne de l'heure de coucher du soleil sous forme de segments de courbes 26. Ce troisième anneau 30 est visible à travers un guichet 15 ménagé également à douze heures le long d'un diamètre inférieur aux deux précédents.The third ring 30 presents information substantially identical to that of the first ring 28, namely the daily evolution of the sunset time in the form of segments of curves 26. This third ring 30 is visible through a window 15 provided also at twelve o'clock along a diameter smaller than the previous two.

Enfin, le quatrième anneau 31 divisé aussi en douze secteurs 31a indique sous la forme d'une courbe 27 les valeurs angulaires quotidiennes de la déclinaison solaire, cette courbe 27 étant visible à travers un guichet 18 ménagé à six heures.Finally, the fourth ring 31 also divided into twelve sectors 31a indicates in the form of a curve 27 the daily angular values of the solar declination, this curve 27 being visible through a window 18 formed at six o'clock.

Il est bien évident que, si on le désire, ces anneaux peuvent être divisés en un plus au moins grand nombre de secteurs. En ce cas, le pas du disque et la taille des guichets, les indications et les graduations associées seront adaptés.It is quite obvious that, if desired, these rings can be divided into a greater or lesser number of sectors. In this case, the pitch of the disc and the size of the windows, the indications and the associated graduations will be adapted.

Dans une variante de réalisation, le bord inférieur 19 des guichets 14 peut indiquer la valeur de la grandeur astronomique tandis que le quantième peut être indiqué le long de chaque segment 25 de courbe par l'intermédiaire d'index I, ces derniers étant réalisés dans un exemple de graphisme représenté à la figure 4 par les extrémités des rayons du soleil.In an alternative embodiment, the lower edge 19 of the windows 14 can indicate the value of the astronomical magnitude while the date can be indicated along each segment 25 of the curve by means of indexes I, the latter being produced in an example of graphic represented in figure 4 by the ends of the rays of the sun.

Selon un autre mode de réalisation du graphisme, représenté à la figure 5, les segments de courbes associés à une grandeur astronomique apparaissant dans un guichet 33a peuvent être mis bout à bout et former une courbe 33b continue s'étendant le long d'un anneau, ceci étant particulièrement intéressant pour l'indication de la courbe représentative de l'équation du temps.According to another embodiment of the graphics, represented in FIG. 5, the segments of curves associated with an astronomical magnitude appearing in a window 33a can be placed end to end and forming a continuous curve 33b extending along a ring, this being particularly interesting for the indication of the curve representative of the equation of time.

Dans une variante représentée à la figure 6, on voit deux segments de courbes 34, 35 à travers un même guichet 36. Chacun de ces segments de courbes est représentatif de l'évolution quotidienne d'une grandeur astronomique. Il s'agit ici de deux segments de courbes représentant respectivement l'heure de lever du soleil et l'heure de coucher du soleil, et les courbes sont disposées de part et d'autre d'un soleil représenté schématiquement.In a variant represented in FIG. 6, two segments of curves 34, 35 can be seen through the same window 36. Each of these segments of curves is representative of the daily evolution of an astronomical magnitude. These are two segments of curves representing respectively the time of sunrise and the time of sunset, and the curves are arranged on either side of a sun represented schematically.

On notera aussi qu'avec une telle configuration on peut avantageusement indiquer la variation de la durée d'insolation au cours du mois considéré, par exemple au moyen d'une échelle graduée (non représentée) ménagée sur le bord latéral supérieur 36a du guichet 36.It will also be noted that with such a configuration it is advantageously possible to indicate the variation in the duration of sunshine during the month in question, for example by means of a graduated scale (not shown) formed on the upper lateral edge 36a of the window 36 .

Enfin, sur la figure 7, on voit une variante de réalisation d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comportant pour chaque grandeur astronomique trois guichets 37, 38, 39. Chaque guichet est associé à un quantième déterminé. Dans l'exemple illustré, le premier guichet 37 est associé au premier jour du mois, le deuxième guichet 38 est associé au 15e jour du mois et le troisième guichet 39 est associé au 30e jour du mois. Dans cet exemple, les grandeurs astronomiques étant l'heure de lever/coucher du soleil, les premiers guichets 37 sont situés respectivement à 10 heures et 4 heures, les deuxièmes 38 guichets à 12 heures et 6 heures, et les troisièmes 39 guichets à 8 heures et 2 heures. Ces guichets 37, 38, 39 ont une configuration oblongue et s'étendent en sens radial dans la partie médiane du cadran 6.Finally, in FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention is seen, comprising for each astronomical magnitude three apertures 37, 38, 39. Each aperture is associated with a determined date. In the example illustrated, the first window 37 is associated with the first day of the month, the second window 38 is associated with the 15th day of the month and the third window 39 is associated with the 30th day of the month. In this example, the astronomical magnitudes being the time of sunrise / sunset, the first counters 37 are located respectively at 10 am and 4 hours, the second 38 counters at 12 and 6 hours, and the third 39 counters at 8 hours and 2 hours. These windows 37, 38, 39 have an oblong configuration and extend in a radial direction in the middle part of the dial 6.

Chaque guichet 37, 38, 39 est munie sur un de ses bords longitudinaux 37a, 38a, 39a d'une échelle graduée permettant d'indiquer la valeur de la grandeur astronomique pour le quantième associé au guichet. Cette valeur est déterminée par un index 37b, 38b, 39b visible à travers des guichets, cet index étant porté par le disque des mois. Cet index 37b, 38b, 39b est en fait un segment de courbe apparaissant à travers un guichet si bien que l'on peut facilement interpoler la valeur de la grandeur astronomique pour un quantième compris entre le ler et le 15 et le 15 et le 31 du mois.Each window 37, 38, 39 is provided on one of its longitudinal edges 37a, 38a, 39a with a graduated scale making it possible to indicate the value of the astronomical magnitude for the date associated with the window. This value is determined by an index 37b, 38b, 39b visible through counters, this index being carried by the month disc. This index 37b, 38b, 39b is actually a segment of curve appearing through a window so that one can easily interpolate the value of the astronomical magnitude for a date between the 1st and the 15th and the 15th and the 31st of the month.

Bien entendu, le cadran 6 comprend là aussi un guichet 17 (situé à 3 heures) faisant apparaître une indication concernant le mois, l'information astronomique indiquée par l'index lui étant directement liée.Of course, the dial 6 also includes a window 17 (located at 3 o'clock) showing an indication concerning the month, the astronomical information indicated by the index being directly linked to it.

Compte tenu de la surface limitée du disque des mois on peut pour une meilleure lecture des informations astronomiques reporter l'indication d'une grandeur astronomique sur une lunette 40 (figure 8) fixe ou tournante montée classiquement sur la carrure 7 du boîtier 2 (figure 2).Given the limited surface of the month disc, for better reading of astronomical information, it is possible to defer the indication of an astronomical magnitude on a fixed or rotating bezel 40 (figure 8) conventionally mounted on the middle part 7 of the case 2 (figure 2).

Un effet esthétique particulièrement agréable peut être obtenu en choisissant de porter sur cette lunette l'équation du temps représentée par une courbe continue 41.A particularly pleasant aesthetic effect can be obtained by choosing to wear on this telescope the equation of time represented by a continuous curve 41.

Claims (7)

  1. Astronomic timepiece for indicating one astronomic magnitude having an annual cycle varying daily by means of a disc (13), including a horological movement, characterized in that it has the dimensions of a wrist watch, i.e. which may be worn on the wrist, in that the disc (13) is driven stepwise by said movement so as to effect one revolution in one year, in that the disc includes a plurality of curve segments each representative of said astronomic magnitude over a predetermined period, in that the timepiece further comprises a dial (6) provided with one opening (14, 15, 18) comprising an exterior edge, an interior edge and two lateral edges and through which a portion of said first disc (13) is visible, a first edge constituted by one of said exterior and interior edges and a second edge constituted by one of said lateral edges together forming reference axes of the Cartesian type in which said curve segments lie, in that said timepiece comprises opposite one of said first and second edges a first graduation associated with the value of the day of the month and opposite another of said first and second edges a second graduation associated with said astronomic magnitude, and in that said segments (25, 26, 27) cooperate with said graduations so as to indicated the daily value of said astronomic magnitude and are arranged on said disc in a manner to appear successively in said opening (14, 15, 18) in the course of rotation of said disc (13).
  2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that each curve (25, 26, 27) associated with said opening (14, 15, 18) represents the successive daily values of such astronomic magnitude during one month.
  3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the graduations are borne on the dial (6).
  4. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of openings (37, 38, 39) so as to indicate a plurality of astronomic magnitudes, each curve segment (37a, 38a, 39a) associated with an opening representing the value of the astronomic magnitude for a predetermined date.
  5. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said first disc (13) additionally bears a month indication and the dial (6) includes an opening (16) to permit reading of the current month.
  6. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a date disc (11) under the first disc (13), characterized in that the dial (6) includes a date opening (17) and in that the first disc (13) includes a plurality of date openings (32) arranged so that the date appears in the date opening (17) of the dial (6).
  7. Timepiece according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the astronomic magnitudes borne on the first disc (13) is selected from the set of astronomic magnitudes comprising :
    - the time or sunrise
    - the time of sunset
    - the solar declination
    - the equation of time.
EP89120313A 1988-11-15 1989-11-02 Astronomic time piece and disc to be fitted on the same Expired - Lifetime EP0369242B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH4241/88 1988-11-15
CH4241/88A CH673747B5 (en) 1988-11-15 1988-11-15

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EP0369242A1 EP0369242A1 (en) 1990-05-23
EP0369242B1 true EP0369242B1 (en) 1994-02-02

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EP89120313A Expired - Lifetime EP0369242B1 (en) 1988-11-15 1989-11-02 Astronomic time piece and disc to be fitted on the same

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US (1) US5023849A (en)
EP (1) EP0369242B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH02183195A (en)
CH (1) CH673747B5 (en)
DE (1) DE68912893T2 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68912893T2 (en) 1994-08-11
US5023849A (en) 1991-06-11
CH673747GA3 (en) 1990-04-12
DE68912893D1 (en) 1994-03-17
EP0369242A1 (en) 1990-05-23
JPH02183195A (en) 1990-07-17
CH673747B5 (en) 1990-10-15

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