EP1692574B1 - Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement - Google Patents

Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1692574B1
EP1692574B1 EP04797259A EP04797259A EP1692574B1 EP 1692574 B1 EP1692574 B1 EP 1692574B1 EP 04797259 A EP04797259 A EP 04797259A EP 04797259 A EP04797259 A EP 04797259A EP 1692574 B1 EP1692574 B1 EP 1692574B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mechanism according
discs
period
movement
moon
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EP04797259A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1692574A1 (en
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Yves Corthesy
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Zenith International SA
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Zenith International 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
    • G04B19/268—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like with indicators for the phases of the moon

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to movements of mechanical or electromechanical timepieces. It relates, more particularly, a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon, intended to equip such movements.
  • the phases of the moon are generally indicated by a mobile disk on which are represented two representations of the moon, diametrically opposed.
  • An opening in the dial shows a portion of the disc to indicate whether the moon is growing, full, decreasing, or new.
  • the moon phase indicator is stepped once a day, but generally around 19 hours to avoid the combination of functions at midnight .
  • the indicator disk driven from the hour wheel, has 59 teeth, which corresponds to two lunations (29.5 days). It performs a complete turn in 59 days.
  • An example of this device is given in the document JP 600 31082 .
  • this construction requires an indicator disc whose diameter is about three times greater than that of the moon represented or whose surface is about eight times greater than that of the moon.
  • the indicator disc occupies, in the movement, a very important place in relation to the function that it displays. This poses a problem when the watch must indicate, in addition, other functions such as the date, the day of the week and the timed time.
  • the present invention aims to provide a solution to this congestion problem by providing a moon phase indicator mechanism very undemanding in terms of area occupied in the movement.
  • control means are arranged, on the one hand, so that at the end of the lunation, the two discs are found, by a rapid retrograde movement, in the position they occupied at the beginning. of the cycle and, on the other hand, to move the disks in the opposite direction substantially symmetrically.
  • the rocker is actuated by a spiral cam driven at a rate of one revolution per lunation.
  • one of the mobiles is provided with a concentric inner circular window and comprises, on its inner edge, a toothing meshing with a first pinion connected to a second pinion, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing. arranged on the outer edge of a window formed in the other mobile, concentrically to him.
  • Position a corresponds to the first day of the cycle, when the moon is full.
  • the black disk 12 does not encroach on the yellow disk 11.
  • the two disks are tangent to each other.
  • the positions b , c and d correspond to the decay of the moon.
  • the black disk 12 gradually hides the yellow disk 11, thus drawing the characteristic C of the waning moon.
  • the position e corresponds to the new moon.
  • the black disk 12 completely covers the yellow disk 11.
  • the positions f, g and h correspond to the growth of the moon.
  • the black disc 12 which continues its movement in the same direction, gradually discovers the yellow disc 11.
  • the position i corresponds, again, to the full moon displayed in a.
  • the black disk 12 does not encroach on the yellow disk 11.
  • the two disks are again tangent but the yellow disk is on the right while it was on the left in the position a. He must quickly regain this position for the start of a new lunation.
  • the bean counter 10 and the disks 11 and 12, respectively located on the left and right. It can be seen that the lower yellow disk 11 is connected by a radial arm 13 to the periphery of a first semicircular mobile 14 mounted to rotate freely on the plate (not shown) of the movement of the watch around a shaft 15 disposed along the axis 11 of the window 10.
  • the mobile 14 is extended, on the left, by a protuberance 16 subjected to the action of a rocker 17 which is pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 18 and provided with a finger 19 cooperating with a spiral cam 20 , itself pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 21 and having a spout 20a.
  • This cam is driven clockwise from the hour wheel of the movement (not shown), at a rate of one turn per lunation.
  • the mobile 14 is extended, on the right, by a second protuberance 22 subjected to the action of a spring 23 which, with the aid of a stud 24, elastically opposes the action exerted, the opposite on the protrusion 16 by the rocker 17.
  • the black upper disk 12 is connected by a radial arm 25 to the periphery of a second circular mobile 26 covering an angle of about 120 °, which is rotatably mounted on the plate around the shaft 15.
  • the first mobile 14 is provided with a circular inner window 27 which is concentric to it.
  • This window comprises, on its inner edge, a toothing 28 meshing with a first pinion 29 mounted free to rotate between the plate and a bridge (not shown).
  • This pinion is secured above it with a second pinion 30, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing 31 formed on the outer edge of a window 32 formed in the second mobile 26, concentrically with it.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the full moon, the first day of the lunation.
  • the finger 19 is then closest to the shaft 21 of the cam 20.
  • the latch 17 holds the first mobile 14, pushed in the clockwise direction by the spring 23, in its extreme position for which the lower yellow disc 11 is the more to the left of the window 10 of the dial.
  • the second mobile 26, linked to the first by the pinions 29 and 30, occupies its extreme position for which the black upper disc 12 is the rightmost of the window 10 and does not encroach on the lower yellow disc 11. The two disks are then tangent to the axis II.
  • the mechanism occupies the positions corresponding to the decay of the moon.
  • the first mobile 14 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, causing in its rotation the lower yellow disc 11 to the right.
  • the rotation of the first mobile 14 causes, via its toothing 28, then two pinions 29 and 30 and, finally, the toothing 31 of the second mobile 26, the rotation thereof in the direction schedule.
  • the black upper disc 12 is thus rotated to the left and progressively hides the lower yellow disc 11.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the new moon.
  • the mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the growth of the moon.
  • the mechanism occupies the corresponding position, again, at the full moon.
  • the finger 19 At the end of the lunation cycle, the finger 19 has arrived on the tip of the beak 20a. It is farthest from the shaft 21 of the cam 20. The latch 17 then maintains the first mobile 14 in its other extreme position for which the lower yellow disc 11 is the rightmost of the window 10 of the dial.
  • the second mobile 26 occupies its extreme position, for which the black upper disc 12 is the furthest to the left of the window 10 and does not encroach any further on the lower yellow disc 11.
  • the two discs are then, again , tangent to axis II but in a position opposite to that of figures 1a and 2 .
  • the two discs 11 and 12 follow this movement and thus regain their position quickly figures 1a and 2 , with the yellow disc 11 on the left and the black disc 12 on the right, on both sides of the axis II, to display the beginning of a new lunation.
  • a moon phase indicator mechanism is proposed that has the great advantage over conventional systems of occupying a viewing area only twice that of the moon represented, whereas in conventional systems, the two-moon disk occupies, as already mentioned, an area about eight times greater than that of the moon.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Astronomy & Astrophysics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention se rapporte aux mouvements de pièces d'horlogerie mécaniques ou électromécaniques. Elle concerne, plus particulièrement, un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune, destiné à équiper de tels mouvements.The present invention relates to movements of mechanical or electromechanical timepieces. It relates, more particularly, a mechanism indicating the phases of the moon, intended to equip such movements.

Dans une montre, les phases de la lune sont généralement indiquées par un disque mobile sur lequel figurent deux représentations de la lune, diamétralement opposées. Une ouverture ménagée dans le cadran de la pièce laisse voir une partie du disque de manière à indiquer si la lune croît, est pleine, décroît ou est nouvelle.In a watch, the phases of the moon are generally indicated by a mobile disk on which are represented two representations of the moon, diametrically opposed. An opening in the dial shows a portion of the disc to indicate whether the moon is growing, full, decreasing, or new.

Comme pour l'indicateur du quantième et du jour de la semaine, l'indicateur des phases de la lune est actionné d'un pas une fois par jour, mais généralement aux environs de 19 heures afin d'éviter le cumul des fonctions à minuit. Le disque indicateur, entraîné à partir de la roue des heures, comporte 59 dents, ce qui correspond à deux lunaisons (de 29,5 jours). Il effectue un tour complet en 59 jour. Un exemple de ce dispositif est donné dans le document JP 600 31082 .As for the calendar and day of the week indicator, the moon phase indicator is stepped once a day, but generally around 19 hours to avoid the combination of functions at midnight . The indicator disk, driven from the hour wheel, has 59 teeth, which corresponds to two lunations (29.5 days). It performs a complete turn in 59 days. An example of this device is given in the document JP 600 31082 .

On remarquera que cette construction nécessite un disque indicateur dont le diamètre est environ trois fois supérieur à celui de la lune représentée ou dont la surface est environ huit fois supérieure à celle de la lune. En d'autres termes, le disque indicateur occupe, dans le mouvement, une place très importante par rapport à la fonction qu'il affiche. Ceci pose problème lorsque la montre doit indiquer, en plus, d'autres fonctions telles que le quantième, le jour de la semaine et le temps chronométré.Note that this construction requires an indicator disc whose diameter is about three times greater than that of the moon represented or whose surface is about eight times greater than that of the moon. In other words, the indicator disc occupies, in the movement, a very important place in relation to the function that it displays. This poses a problem when the watch must indicate, in addition, other functions such as the date, the day of the week and the timed time.

La présente invention a pour but d'apporter une solution à ce problème d'encombrement en proposant un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune très peu exigeant en matière de surface occupée dans le mouvement.The present invention aims to provide a solution to this congestion problem by providing a moon phase indicator mechanism very undemanding in terms of area occupied in the movement.

De façon plus précise, pour atteindre ce but, le mécanisme selon l'invention comporte :

  • deux, et seulement deux, disques, l'un, inférieur, d'une couleur représentative de la lune, l'autre, supérieur, d'une couleur représentative de l'obscurité, et
  • des moyens de commande, entraînés par le mouvement de la pièce, pour imposer cycliquement, lors de chaque lunaison, à l'un, au moins de ces deux disques un déplacement tel que le disque inférieur, initialement complètement découvert, est successivement recouvert progressivement par le disque supérieur, puis recouvert complètement, découvert progressivement et, enfin, découvert complètement à nouveau.
More specifically, to achieve this goal, the mechanism according to the invention comprises:
  • two, and only two, discs, one, lower, of a color representative of the moon, the other, superior, of a color representative of the darkness, and
  • control means, driven by the movement of the workpiece, to cyclically impose, at each lunation, at least one of these two disks a displacement such that the lower disk, initially completely uncovered, is successively progressively covered by the upper disk, then completely covered, gradually discovered and finally discovered completely again.

Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, les moyens de commande sont agencés, d'une part, pour qu'à la fin de la lunaison, les deux disques se retrouvent, par un mouvement rétrograde rapide, dans la position qu'ils occupaient au début du cycle et, d'autre part, pour déplacer les disques en sens inverse de manière sensiblement symétrique.According to an advantageous embodiment, the control means are arranged, on the one hand, so that at the end of the lunation, the two discs are found, by a rapid retrograde movement, in the position they occupied at the beginning. of the cycle and, on the other hand, to move the disks in the opposite direction substantially symmetrically.

De façon avantageuse, les moyens de commande comportent :

  • deux mobiles rotatifs respectivement solidaires des deux disques et accouplés de manière à tourner en sens inverse l'un de l'autre, et
  • un système d'entraînement en rotation de l'un de ces mobiles, lui-même entraîné par le mouvement de la pièce, grâce auquel chaque disque est déplacé, au cours d'une lunaison, d'un angle tel qu'à la fin du cycle, il occupe la position qu'occupait l'autre au début du cycle, avant de regagner rapidement sa position initiale.
Advantageously, the control means comprise:
  • two rotatable mobiles respectively integral with the two disks and coupled so as to rotate in opposite directions from each other, and
  • a rotation drive system of one of these mobiles, itself driven by the movement of the part, by which each disc is moved, during a lunation, by an angle such that at the end of the cycle, he occupies the position occupied by the other at the beginning of the cycle, before quickly regaining his initial position.

De préférence, le système d'entraînement comporte :

  • une bascule actionnée par le mouvement de la pièce et agissant sur l'un des mobiles, et
  • un ressort agissant sur l'un des mobiles de manière à s'opposer élastiquement à l'action exercée par la bascule.
Preferably, the drive system comprises:
  • a rocker actuated by the movement of the part and acting on one of the mobiles, and
  • a spring acting on one of the mobiles so as to oppose elastically the action exerted by the rocker.

Dans ce mode de réalisation préféré, la bascule est actionnée par une came en colimaçon entraînée à raison d'un tour par lunaison. Par ailleurs, l'un des mobiles est pourvu d'une fenêtre intérieure circulaire qui lui est concentrique et comporte, sur son bord intérieur, une denture engrenant avec un premier pignon lié à un deuxième pignon, de même axe, qui engrène avec une denture ménagée sur le bord extérieur d'une fenêtre ménagée dans l'autre mobile, concentriquement à lui.In this preferred embodiment, the rocker is actuated by a spiral cam driven at a rate of one revolution per lunation. Moreover, one of the mobiles is provided with a concentric inner circular window and comprises, on its inner edge, a toothing meshing with a first pinion connected to a second pinion, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing. arranged on the outer edge of a window formed in the other mobile, concentrically to him.

On notera aussi que les deux disques apparaissent derrière un guichet ménagé dans le cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie.Note also that the two discs appear behind a window formed in the dial of the timepiece.

D'autres caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront de la description qui va suivre, faite en regard du dessin annexé, dans lequel :

  • la figure 1 illustre la manière d'afficher, selon l'invention, les phases de la lune au cours d'une lunaison ; et
  • les figures 2 à 4 représentent le mécanisme à différents moments de son fonctionnement.
Other features of the invention will emerge from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • the figure 1 illustrates the manner of displaying, according to the invention, the phases of the moon during a lunation; and
  • the Figures 2 to 4 represent the mechanism at different times of its operation.

On se référera, tout d'abord, à la figure 1 qui montre ce que laisse apparaître, tout au long d'une lunaison, le guichet 10, en forme de haricot, ménagé dans le cadran d'une montre équipée du mécanisme selon l'invention. Deux disques 11 et 12, l'un jaune (en clair sur le dessin), représentant la lune, l'autre noir (hachuré sur le dessin), disposé au-dessus du disque jaune, vont se déplacer de manière sensiblement symétrique par rapport à l'axe Il du guichet 10, avec un arrière-plan sombre.We will refer, first of all, to the figure 1 which shows what appears, throughout a lunation, the window 10, bean-shaped, formed in the dial of a watch equipped with the mechanism according to the invention. Two disks 11 and 12, one yellow (in clear on the drawing), representing the moon, the other black (hatched in the drawing), arranged above the yellow disk, will move substantially symmetrically relative to to the axis II of the wicket 10, with a dark background.

La position a correspond au premier jour du cycle, lorsque la lune est pleine. Le disque noir 12 n'empiète pas sur le disque jaune 11. Les deux disques sont tangents l'un à l'autre.Position a corresponds to the first day of the cycle, when the moon is full. The black disk 12 does not encroach on the yellow disk 11. The two disks are tangent to each other.

Les positions b, c et d correspondent à la décroissance de la lune. Le disque noir 12 cache progressivement le disque jaune 11, dessinant ainsi le C caractéristique de la lune décroissante.The positions b , c and d correspond to the decay of the moon. The black disk 12 gradually hides the yellow disk 11, thus drawing the characteristic C of the waning moon.

La position e correspond à la nouvelle lune. Le disque noir 12 recouvre totalement le disque jaune 11.The position e corresponds to the new moon. The black disk 12 completely covers the yellow disk 11.

Les positions f, g et h correspondent à la croissance de la lune. Le disque noir 12, qui continue son déplacement dans le même sens, découvre progressivement le disque jaune 11.The positions f, g and h correspond to the growth of the moon. The black disc 12, which continues its movement in the same direction, gradually discovers the yellow disc 11.

Enfin, la position i correspond, de nouveau, à la pleine lune affichée en a. Le disque noir 12 n'empiète plus sur le disque jaune 11. Les deux disques sont, de nouveau tangents mais le disque jaune se trouve à droite alors qu'il était à gauche dans la position a. Il doit donc rapidement regagner cette position pour le début d'une nouvelle lunaison.Finally, the position i corresponds, again, to the full moon displayed in a. The black disk 12 does not encroach on the yellow disk 11. The two disks are again tangent but the yellow disk is on the right while it was on the left in the position a. He must quickly regain this position for the start of a new lunation.

On se référera maintenant aux figures 2 à 4 qui montrent la manière dont les deux disques 11 et 12 sont déplacés de façon à réaliser les représentations de la figure 1.We will now refer to Figures 2 to 4 which show how the two disks 11 and 12 are moved so as to realize the representations of the figure 1 .

Sur ces figures, on retrouve le guichet en haricot 10 et les disques 11 et 12, respectivement situés à gauche et à droite. On voit alors que le disque inférieur jaune 11 est relié par un bras radial 13 à la périphérie d'un premier mobile semi-circulaire 14 monté libre en rotation sur la platine (non représentée) du mouvement de la montre autour d'un arbre 15 disposé selon l'axe Il du guichet 10.In these figures, there is the bean counter 10 and the disks 11 and 12, respectively located on the left and right. It can be seen that the lower yellow disk 11 is connected by a radial arm 13 to the periphery of a first semicircular mobile 14 mounted to rotate freely on the plate (not shown) of the movement of the watch around a shaft 15 disposed along the axis 11 of the window 10.

Le mobile 14 se prolonge, à gauche, par une protubérance 16 soumise à l'action d'une bascule 17 qui est montée pivotante sur la platine autour d'un arbre 18 et dotée d'un doigt 19 coopérant avec une came en colimaçon 20, elle-même montée pivotante sur la platine autour d'un arbre 21 et présentant un bec 20a. Cette came est entraînée dans le sens horaire, à partir de la roue des heures du mouvement (non représentée), à raison d'un tour par lunaison.The mobile 14 is extended, on the left, by a protuberance 16 subjected to the action of a rocker 17 which is pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 18 and provided with a finger 19 cooperating with a spiral cam 20 , itself pivotally mounted on the plate around a shaft 21 and having a spout 20a. This cam is driven clockwise from the hour wheel of the movement (not shown), at a rate of one turn per lunation.

Le mobile 14 se prolonge, à droite, par une deuxième protubérance 22 soumise à l'action d'un ressort 23 qui, avec l'aide d'un plot 24, s'oppose élastiquement à l'action exercée, à l'opposé, sur la protubérance 16 par la bascule 17.The mobile 14 is extended, on the right, by a second protuberance 22 subjected to the action of a spring 23 which, with the aid of a stud 24, elastically opposes the action exerted, the opposite on the protrusion 16 by the rocker 17.

Le disque supérieur noir 12 est relié par un bras radial 25 à la périphérie d'un deuxième mobile circulaire 26 couvrant un angle d'environ 120°, qui est monté libre en rotation sur la platine autour de l'arbre 15.The black upper disk 12 is connected by a radial arm 25 to the periphery of a second circular mobile 26 covering an angle of about 120 °, which is rotatably mounted on the plate around the shaft 15.

Le premier mobile 14 est pourvu d'une fenêtre intérieure circulaire 27 qui lui est concentrique. Cette fenêtre comporte, sur son bord intérieur, une denture 28 engrenant avec un premier pignon 29 monté libre en rotation entre la platine et un pont (non représenté). Ce pignon est solidaire, au-dessus de lui, d'un deuxième pignon 30, de même axe, qui engrène avec une denture 31 ménagée sur le bord extérieur d'une fenêtre 32 ménagée dans le deuxième mobile 26, concentriquement à lui.The first mobile 14 is provided with a circular inner window 27 which is concentric to it. This window comprises, on its inner edge, a toothing 28 meshing with a first pinion 29 mounted free to rotate between the plate and a bridge (not shown). This pinion is secured above it with a second pinion 30, of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing 31 formed on the outer edge of a window 32 formed in the second mobile 26, concentrically with it.

Le dimensionnement et la configuration des différents organes du mécanisme selon l'invention, grâce auxquels les deux disques 11 et 12 se déplacent de manière sensiblement symétrique par rapport à l'axe II, font appel à des techniques de calcul bien connues du constructeur horloger.The sizing and configuration of the various members of the mechanism according to the invention, with which the two disks 11 and 12 move substantially symmetrically with respect to the axis II, use calculation techniques well known to the watchmaker.

Pour mieux décrire la manière dont fonctionne le mécanisme selon l'invention, on se référera successivement aux figures 1 a et 2, puis aux figures 1 b, 1c et 1d, aux figures 1 e et 3, aux figures 1 f, 1g et 1h et, enfin, aux figures 1 i et 4.To better describe the way in which the mechanism according to the invention operates, reference will be made successively to figures 1 a and 2, then to figures 1 b , 1c and 1d , to figures 1 e and 3, figures 1 f , 1 g and 1 h, and finally, figures 1 i and 4.

1. Figures 1a et 21. Figures 1 and 2 has

Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la pleine lune, premier jour de la lunaison.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the full moon, the first day of the lunation.

Le doigt 19 est alors au plus proche de l'arbre 21 de la came 20. La bascule 17 maintient le premier mobile 14, poussé dans le sens horaire par le ressort 23, dans sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque inférieur jaune 11 est le plus à gauche du guichet 10 du cadran.The finger 19 is then closest to the shaft 21 of the cam 20. The latch 17 holds the first mobile 14, pushed in the clockwise direction by the spring 23, in its extreme position for which the lower yellow disc 11 is the more to the left of the window 10 of the dial.

De son côté, le deuxième mobile 26, lié au premier par les pignons 29 et 30, occupe sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque supérieur noir 12 est le plus à droite du guichet 10 et n'empiète pas sur le disque inférieur jaune 11. Les deux disques sont alors tangents à l'axe II.For its part, the second mobile 26, linked to the first by the pinions 29 and 30, occupies its extreme position for which the black upper disc 12 is the rightmost of the window 10 and does not encroach on the lower yellow disc 11. The two disks are then tangent to the axis II.

2. Figures 1b, 1c et 1d 2. Figures 1b , 1c and 1d

Le mécanisme occupe les positions correspondant à la décroissance de la lune.The mechanism occupies the positions corresponding to the decay of the moon.

Le doigt 19, qui suit le contour de la came 20 tournant dans le sens horaire, s'éloigne progressivement, chaque jour, de l'arbre 21, faisant ainsi pivoter la bascule 17 dans le même sens. Le premier mobile 14 tourne donc dans le sens anti-horaire, entraînant dans sa rotation le disque inférieur jaune 11 vers la droite.The finger 19, which follows the contour of the cam 20 rotating in the clockwise direction, gradually moves away, each day, from the shaft 21, thus pivoting the rocker 17 in the same direction. The first mobile 14 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, causing in its rotation the lower yellow disc 11 to the right.

En même temps, la rotation du premier mobile 14 provoque, par l'intermédiaire de sa denture 28, puis des deux pignons 29 et 30 et, enfin, de la denture 31 du deuxième mobile 26, la rotation de celui-ci dans le sens horaire. Le disque supérieur noir 12 est ainsi entraîné en rotation vers la gauche et cache progressivement le disque inférieur jaune 11.At the same time, the rotation of the first mobile 14 causes, via its toothing 28, then two pinions 29 and 30 and, finally, the toothing 31 of the second mobile 26, the rotation thereof in the direction schedule. The black upper disc 12 is thus rotated to the left and progressively hides the lower yellow disc 11.

3. Figures 1e et 33. Figures 1 and e 3

Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la nouvelle lune.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the new moon.

Il arrive un jour, à la moitié du cycle de lunaison, où les deux disques 11 et 12 se croisent, juste au milieu du guichet 10, sur l'axe Il. Le disque jaune 11 est alors complètement caché par le disque noir 12.It arrives one day, at the half of the lunation cycle, where the two discs 11 and 12 intersect, just in the middle of the window 10, on the axis II. The yellow disk 11 is then completely hidden by the black disk 12.

4. Figures 1f, 1g et 1h 4. Figures 1 f , 1 g and 1 h

Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant à la croissance de la lune.The mechanism occupies the position corresponding to the growth of the moon.

La rotation en sens inverse des mobiles 14 et 26 se poursuivant sous l'effet du doigt 19 qui s'éloigne de plus en plus de l'arbre 21, le disque noir 12 découvre alors progressivement le disque jaune 11.The rotation in the opposite direction of the mobiles 14 and 26 continuing under the effect of the finger 19 which moves further and further away from the shaft 21, the black disk 12 then gradually discovers the yellow disk 11.

5. Figures 1i et 45. Figures 1 i and 4

Le mécanisme occupe la position correspondant, de nouveau, à la pleine lune.The mechanism occupies the corresponding position, again, at the full moon.

A la fin du cycle de lunaison, le doigt 19 est arrivé sur la pointe du bec 20a. Il est au plus loin de l'arbre 21 de la came 20. La bascule 17 maintient alors le premier mobile 14 dans son autre position extrême pour laquelle le disque inférieur jaune 11 est le plus à droite de la fenêtre 10 du cadran.At the end of the lunation cycle, the finger 19 has arrived on the tip of the beak 20a. It is farthest from the shaft 21 of the cam 20. The latch 17 then maintains the first mobile 14 in its other extreme position for which the lower yellow disc 11 is the rightmost of the window 10 of the dial.

De manière symétrique, le deuxième mobile 26 occupe sa position extrême pour laquelle le disque supérieur noir 12 est le plus à gauche de la fenêtre 10 et n'empiète plus du tout sur le disque inférieur jaune 11. Les deux disques sont alors, de nouveau, tangents à l'axe II mais dans une position inverse de celle des figures 1a et 2.In a symmetrical manner, the second mobile 26 occupies its extreme position, for which the black upper disc 12 is the furthest to the left of the window 10 and does not encroach any further on the lower yellow disc 11. The two discs are then, again , tangent to axis II but in a position opposite to that of figures 1a and 2 .

Quelques moments après, la pointe du bec 20a échappe au doigt 19 qui, sous l'effet du ressort 23, retombe dans la position qu'il occupait au début de la lunaison, en même temps que, par un mouvement rétrograde instantané, les deux mobiles 14 et 26 pivotent respectivement dans le sens horaire et dans le sens anti-horaire.A few moments later, the tip of the nose 20a escapes the finger 19 which, under the effect of the spring 23, falls back into the position it occupied at the beginning of the lunation, at the same time as, by an instantaneous retrograde movement, the two movable 14 and 26 respectively rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

Les deux disques 11 et 12 suivent ce mouvement et regagnent ainsi rapidement leur position des figures 1a et 2, avec le disque jaune 11 à gauche et le disque noir 12 à droite, de part et d'autre de l'axe II, pour afficher le début d'une nouvelle lunaison.The two discs 11 and 12 follow this movement and thus regain their position quickly figures 1a and 2 , with the yellow disc 11 on the left and the black disc 12 on the right, on both sides of the axis II, to display the beginning of a new lunation.

Ainsi est proposé un mécanisme indicateur des phases de la lune qui présente le gros avantage, par rapport aux systèmes classiques, d'occuper une surface d'affichage seulement deux fois supérieure à celle de la lune représentée, alors que, dans les systèmes classiques, le disque à deux lunes occupe, comme déjà mentionné, une surface environ huit fois supérieure à celle de la lune.Thus, a moon phase indicator mechanism is proposed that has the great advantage over conventional systems of occupying a viewing area only twice that of the moon represented, whereas in conventional systems, the two-moon disk occupies, as already mentioned, an area about eight times greater than that of the moon.

L'invention a été décrite en référence à un mécanisme indicateur des phases de lune dans l'hémisphère Nord. Pour l'hémisphère Sud, il suffira, tout simplement, d'inverser les positions des deux disques.The invention has been described with reference to a moon phase indicator mechanism in the northern hemisphere. For the southern hemisphere, it will simply be necessary to reverse the positions of the two disks.

Claims (8)

  1. Mechanism indicating the phases of the moon intended to equip a timepiece, characterized in that it comprises
    - two and only two discs (11, 12), a lower one of which (11) has a color representing the moon, and the upper one of which (12) has a color representing darkness, and
    - means (14, 17, 20, 23, 26) driven by the movement of the timepiece to impose a periodic movement in relation to said discs, by a period substantially equal to one lunation such that
    they move in relation to each other from an initial position toward a final position, in which said lower disc is completely uncovered, via a plurality of intermediate positions including one in which said lower disc is completely covered by said upper disc, and
    they move in order to resume said initial position and allow the progress of the following period.
  2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said means are arranged so that at the end of said period, the two discs (11, 12) find themselves in said initial position by a rapid retrograde movement.
  3. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said means are arranged to move the two discs (11, 12) backwards substantially symmetrically.
  4. Mechanism according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said means comprise:
    - two rotating wheels (14, 26) integral with the two discs (11, 12), respectively, and coupled so as to turn backwards from each other, and
    - a system (17, 20, 23) for driving one of said wheels (14, 26) in rotation, itself driven by the movement of the timepiece, thanks to which each disc (11, 12) is moved, during a period, by an angle such that at the end of said period, it occupies the position which the other occupied at the beginning of this period, before rapidly returning to its initial position.
  5. Mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that said system comprises:
    - a lever (17) actuated by the movement of the timepiece and acting on one of said wheels (14, 26), and
    - a spring (23) acting on one of the wheels so as to elastically oppose the action exerted by said lever (17).
  6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that said system comprises a spiral cam (20) driven at a rate of one revolution per period and acting on said lever (17).
  7. Mechanism according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that one of the wheels (14) is provided with a circular inside window (27) concentric thereto and which comprises, on its inner edge, a toothing (28) meshing with a first pinion (29) connected to a second pinion (30), of the same axis, which meshes with a toothing (31) arranged on the outer edge of a window (32) arranged in the other wheel (26), concentrically thereto.
  8. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the two discs (11, 12) appear behind an aperture (10) arranged in the dial of the timepiece.
EP04797259A 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement Not-in-force EP1692574B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0314215A FR2863368B1 (en) 2003-12-03 2003-12-03 MECHANISM INDICATOR OF PHASES OF THE MOON FOR A MOVEMENT OF WATCH
PCT/CH2004/000702 WO2005054962A1 (en) 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1692574A1 EP1692574A1 (en) 2006-08-23
EP1692574B1 true EP1692574B1 (en) 2009-07-08

Family

ID=34586286

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04797259A Not-in-force EP1692574B1 (en) 2003-12-03 2004-11-22 Moon phase indicator mechanism for a watch movement

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1692574B1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004021960D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2863368B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005054962A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023217830A1 (en) 2022-05-12 2023-11-16 La Montre Hermès S.A. Mechanism for displaying the phases of the moon for a watch movement

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH703800B1 (en) * 2006-03-30 2012-03-30 Ronda Ag Mechanism for moving an indicator of a clock.
EP1870785B1 (en) * 2006-06-22 2009-08-12 Daniel Roth et Gerald Genta Haute Horlogerie SA Timepiece fitted with a mechanism showing the phases of the moon
CH704745B1 (en) * 2008-03-25 2012-10-15 Maurice Lacroix Sa Timepiece i.e. watch, has circular plate pivoted in space around rotation axle perpendicular to reference surface defined by dial, where rotation axle is tangent with respect to cover and arranged in periphery of plate
CH702842B1 (en) * 2010-03-17 2014-11-14 Bulgari Horlogerie Sa Timepiece fitted with a retrograde display mechanism moon phase ..
CH703249B1 (en) * 2010-06-01 2024-01-31 Mft Dhorlogerie Audemars Piguet Sa Mechanism for indicating the phases of the moon.
EP3842875A1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2021-06-30 Blancpain SA Mechanism for displaying the phases of the moon
EP3842874B1 (en) * 2019-12-23 2023-09-20 Blancpain SA Optical device for creating aesthetic and technical optical effects

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6031082A (en) * 1983-07-29 1985-02-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Timepiece with display of age of moon
JPS62263491A (en) * 1986-05-09 1987-11-16 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Timepiece with age-of-moon/sidereal time display
JPH0658408B2 (en) * 1989-03-31 1994-08-03 ブルカン フランシス Timing device
US6507536B1 (en) * 1997-04-01 2003-01-14 Richard Keatch Moon-phase dial mechanism
FR2790564B1 (en) * 1999-03-01 2001-04-13 Adolphe Richard Dziulko MECHANICAL DEVICE FOR REALISTIC VISUALIZATION OF MOON PHASES ON WATCHES AND CLOCKS

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2023217830A1 (en) 2022-05-12 2023-11-16 La Montre Hermès S.A. Mechanism for displaying the phases of the moon for a watch movement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2005054962A1 (en) 2005-06-16
DE602004021960D1 (en) 2009-08-20
FR2863368B1 (en) 2006-03-03
FR2863368A1 (en) 2005-06-10
EP1692574A1 (en) 2006-08-23

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