EP3842876A1 - Uhr, die mit einem mechanischen uhrwerk und einer vorrichtung zur korrektur der angezeigten stunde ausgestattet ist - Google Patents

Uhr, die mit einem mechanischen uhrwerk und einer vorrichtung zur korrektur der angezeigten stunde ausgestattet ist Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3842876A1
EP3842876A1 EP20194692.8A EP20194692A EP3842876A1 EP 3842876 A1 EP3842876 A1 EP 3842876A1 EP 20194692 A EP20194692 A EP 20194692A EP 3842876 A1 EP3842876 A1 EP 3842876A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time
correction
indicator
braking
frequency
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP20194692.8A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
M. Gérard SURMELY
Matthias Imboden
M. Lionel TOMBEZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Swatch Group Research and Development SA filed Critical Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Publication of EP3842876A1 publication Critical patent/EP3842876A1/de
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C11/00—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks
    • G04C11/08—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction
    • G04C11/081—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction using an electro-magnet
    • G04C11/084—Synchronisation of independently-driven clocks using an electro-magnet or-motor for oscillation correction using an electro-magnet acting on the balance
    • 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
    • G04B18/00—Mechanisms for setting frequency
    • G04B18/02—Regulator or adjustment devices; Indexing devices, e.g. raquettes
    • G04B18/028—Setting the regulator by means coupled to or depending on another device, e.g. by the time indication setting mechanism
    • 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
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/14—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. construction of the lever or the escape wheel
    • 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
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/04—Oscillators acting by spring tension
    • G04B17/06—Oscillators with hairsprings, e.g. balance
    • G04B17/063—Balance construction
    • 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
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
    • G04B17/34—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton for fastening the hairspring onto the balance
    • 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
    • G04B27/00—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means
    • G04B27/007—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means otherwise than manually
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/02—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being sent by a satellite, e.g. GPS
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/26—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being a near-field communication signal
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R60/00—Constructional details
    • G04R60/14—Constructional details specific to electromechanical timepieces, e.g. moving parts thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a mechanical movement, a display of a real time which is driven by this mechanical movement, and a device for correcting this displayed real time.
  • the conventional way of correcting the real time indicated by its display is to use the conventional stem-crown which is generally arranged so as to be able to act, in the pulled position, on a driving wheel set. 'hour indicator and minute indicator, thanks to a friction provided in the kinematic chain between these indicators and the escape wheel.
  • a mechanical watch it is generally necessary for the user or a robot to pull the stem-crown and operate it in rotation to bring the hour and minute indicators into the respective desired positions, in particular. by a visual comparison with a reference clock, such as one finds for example in stations, or with a digital time given for example by a computer.
  • the present invention aims to be able to set the real time of a timepiece, comprising a mechanical movement and a time display, with a precision corresponding at least to that of an electronic watch, of preferably set this timepiece to the exact real time which is given by an external system arranged to supply it (in particular a system connected to an atomic clock), without requiring that a user or a robot must actuate a rod. crown or another external control member of the timepiece in order to set the time of the display itself.
  • an external system arranged to supply it (in particular a system connected to an atomic clock)
  • real time is understood to mean the legal time of a given location, in which the timepiece and its user are generally located. Actual time is typically displayed in hours, minutes, and, if applicable, seconds. The real time can be indicated with some error by a timepiece, especially of the mechanical type. The real time will also be mentioned simply by the term 'the hour', in particular as regards the real time displayed by a timepiece.
  • a GPS system a telephone network, a long-distance transmission antenna or a computer / portable device connected in particular to a server on the Internet network receiving the real time of 'a high precision clock.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged and the duration of the detection phase is provided to allow the detection device to detect, while the drive mechanism is running and clocked by the oscillating mechanical resonator, at least one passage of said indicator through any reference time position of said at least one reference time position.
  • the electronic correction circuit is designed to be able to determine at least one moment of passage of said indicator through said any reference temporal position on the basis of at least one measurement value of the plurality of measurement values, this moment of passage being determined. by the internal time base and composed at least of the value of said current reference time unit at said passing instant.
  • Said electronic correction circuit is furthermore arranged to be able to determine a temporal error of said indicator, by comparing said at least one passing instant with said reference temporal position, and an overall temporal error for the display (namely for the whole indicators) as a function at least of said temporal error of said indicator.
  • control unit is arranged to be able to control the braking device as a function of the determined overall time error.
  • the device for correcting the displayed real time is arranged so that, when a non-zero overall time error has been determined by the electronic correction circuit, the braking device can act, during a correction period, on the mechanical resonator, as a function of the overall time error, to vary the rate of the display drive mechanism so as to at least partially correct this overall time error, advantageously for the most part this overall time error and preferably substantially the whole thereof.
  • 'braking device' is generally understood any device capable of braking and / or stopping an oscillating mechanical resonator and / or of maintaining stationary (that is to say temporarily blocking) such a resonator.
  • the braking device can be formed by one or more braking units (one or more actuators).
  • each brake unit is selected to act on the mechanical resonator in a specific situation relating to the required correction, in particular a first brake unit to correct a delay and a second braking unit for correcting an advance (the second braking unit being advantageously arranged to be able to stop and momentarily block the resonator).
  • the indicators used to display the real time all relate to one and the same physical quantity, time, in this description we consider the hour, the minute and the second as three different time units given that they are respectively associated with three distinct indicators.
  • the real time displayed by a display is made up of a current hour, a current minute and a current second which will sometimes be qualified as 'displayed'.
  • the current second displayed has an entire part in seconds and possibly one or more decimal places (dial generally without decimal graduation, but the decimal part is a fact in an analog display where the almost continuous advance of the hand is normally done by not clocked by the escapement at twice the frequency of the oscillating resonator).
  • the current minute displayed has an integer part in minutes (whole number of minutes) and generally a fractional part (sexagesimal part) in seconds (always the case in an analog display of real time).
  • the current time displayed includes at least an integer part (and only this whole part with a 'jumping' hour).
  • the real reference time supplied by an internal time base of the electronic type is composed of a current reference second, a reference current minute and a reference second. These three components are whole numbers.
  • the internal time base can optionally provide fractions of a second.
  • the internal time base which is of the electronic type, provides a real reference time which can be composed of less time units than the real time, in particular containing only the current reference minute and the current second. reference, possibly in addition a current fraction of a second generated by a clock circuit which forms this internal time base.
  • the display comprises an hour indicator giving the current time, a minute indicator giving the current minute and a seconds indicator giving the current second of the actual time displayed; and the real reference time generated by the internal time base is made up of at least one current reference second and one current reference minute.
  • the detection device is designed to be able to detect the passage of the seconds indicator through at least a first reference time position of the display and the passage of the minutes indicator through at least a second reference time position of this display.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged and the duration of the detection phase is provided to allow the detection device to detect during this detection phase, while said drive mechanism is running and clocked by the oscillating mechanical resonator. , at least one passage of the seconds indicator through a first reference time position of said at least one first reference position and at least one passage of the minutes indicator through a second reference time position of said at least one second reference time position.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged to be able to determine, in association with the internal time base and on the basis of measurement values of the plurality of measurement values, at least a first moment of passage of the seconds indicator. by said first reference temporal position, this first passing instant being determined by the real reference time and composed of at least the value of the second reference current at said first passing instant, and at least one second passing instant of the minute indicator by said second reference time position, this second passing instant also being determined by the real reference time and composed of at least the value of the current reference minute at said second passing instant.
  • the processing unit or the control unit is designed to be able to determine a first time error for the seconds indicator, by comparing said at least a first moment of passage with the first reference time position, and a second time error for the minutes indicator by comparing said at least one second passing instant with the second reference time position.
  • the processing unit or the control unit is further arranged to be able to determine an overall time error for the display as a function of the first time error and the second time error as well as at least one predetermined processing criterion. for these first and second time errors.
  • the detection device is activated so as to perform the plurality of successive measurements at at least one measurement frequency determined by the clock circuit of the internal time base, this circuit clock supplying a periodic digital signal at the measurement frequency directly to the detection device or indirectly to this detection device via the control unit.
  • the detection device is arranged in the timepiece so as to be able to perform a direct detection of the passage of an indicator of the display through at least one corresponding reference time position, this indicator being arranged to be able to be detected itself by the detection device.
  • the detection device is arranged in the timepiece so as to be able to perform an indirect detection of the passage of an indicator of the display through at least one corresponding reference time position, the monitoring device.
  • detection being arranged to be able to detect at least one respective angular position of a wheel integral with the indicator or of a detection wheel, forming the drive mechanism or complementary thereto, which drives or is driven by the wheel integral with the indicator, the detection wheel being selected or configured so as to have a rotational speed lower than that of the wheel integral with the indicator and a gear ratio R equal to a positive integer.
  • the indicator considered is a minute indicator and the detection wheel is formed by a timer wheel which is rotated by a roadway carrying this minute indicator.
  • the detection device comprises at least one detection unit associated with the minute indicator and arranged to be able to detect at least a first series of R periodic angular positions of the timer wheel, two adjacent angular positions of the first series having between them a central angle equal to 360 ° / R.
  • the braking device is formed by an electromechanical actuator, arranged to be able to apply braking pulses to the mechanical resonator, and the control unit comprises a device for generating at least one frequency which is arranged at so as to be able to generate a periodic digital signal at a frequency F SUP .
  • the control unit is arranged to supply the braking device, when the overall time error determined beforehand by the electronic correction circuit corresponds to a delay in the displayed time which it is intended to correct, a control signal derived from the periodic digital signal, during a correction period, to activate the braking device so that the latter generates a series of periodic braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at the frequency F SUP .
  • the (duration of the) correction period and therefore the number of periodic braking pulses in the series is determined by the delay to be corrected.
  • the frequency F SUP is provided and the braking device is arranged so that the series of periodic braking pulses at the frequency F SUP can generate, during the correction period, a synchronous phase in which the oscillation of the resonator mechanical is synchronized to a correction frequency FScor which is greater than a reference frequency F0c provided for the mechanical resonator.
  • the watch movement comprises an escapement associated with the resonator
  • the frequency F SUP and the duration of the braking pulses of the series of periodic braking pulses are selected so that, during said synchronous phase, the Braking pulses of said series each intervene outside a coupling zone between the oscillating resonator and the escapement.
  • the timepiece comprises a device for blocking the mechanical resonator.
  • the control unit is arranged to be able to supply the blocking device, when the overall time error determined by the electronic correction circuit corresponds to an advance in the displayed time which it is intended to correct, a signal of control which activates the blocking device so that it blocks the oscillation of the mechanical resonator during a correction period which is determined by the advance to be corrected, in order to stop the operation of the drive mechanism during this correction period.
  • the timepiece 2 comprises a mechanical movement 4, an analog time display 12, a mechanism 10 for driving this display and a device 6 for correcting the real time indicated by the display.
  • the timepiece is a wristwatch conventionally comprising a case 220 and a crown 52 forming an external control member to allow manual time setting of the display via an internal control rod integral with the crown.
  • the mechanical time correction system acts on a timer wheel in direct contact with a roadway carrying the minute hand and an hour wheel. bearing the hour hand.
  • the hour and minute hands always retain a kinematic link even when setting the time.
  • the seconds indicator When the indicator is precisely aligned with a minute scale (which generally also serves as a seconds scale when the hands of the minutes and seconds are coaxial), the seconds indicator has a temporal / angular position which is arbitrary (any position not determined). This fact relates in particular to timepieces fitted with a mechanical movement driving an analogue display of the time.
  • the mechanical movement comprises a barrel 8 forming a source of mechanical energy for the drive mechanism 10 which is formed by a gear 11, in kinematic connection with the display, a mechanical resonator 14, formed by a balance 16 associated with a hairspring 15, and an escapement 18 coupling this resonator to the drive mechanism so that the oscillation of the mechanical resonator rates the operation of this drive mechanism.
  • the analog display 12 is formed by a dial 32, comprising indexes 36 forming a graduation for the display of the real time, and by hands 34 comprising an hour hand 34H giving the current time, a minute hand 34M giving the current minute, and a 34S seconds hand giving the current second of the displayed real time.
  • the needles generally have different shapes, in particular different lengths and / or widths.
  • the present invention is not limited to an analog display of the real time, but can also relate to other displays of the real time, for example a display with a 'jumping hour' and / or in particular a 'jumping minute'.
  • the display is therefore not limited to a system with hands having an almost continuous advance.
  • the invention can therefore also be applied in particular to a system with discs or rings and in particular to a display provided through at least one aperture machined in the dial.
  • the timepiece 2 is arranged so as to allow a correction of the real time indicated by its display as a function of an overall time error for this display which is determined inside the timepiece by the circuit.
  • electronic correction 40 associated with the detection device 30, which is arranged to be able to detect the passage of the seconds hand 34S by at least a first reference temporal position of the display and the passage of the minutes indicator 34M by at least one second reference time position of this display.
  • the correction device generally comprises a device for braking the mechanical resonator.
  • the braking device is formed by an electromechanical actuator, for example an actuator of the piezoelectric type 22A.
  • the braking device is controlled by a control unit 48 which transmits to it a control signal S Cmd to control its supply circuit so as to temporally manage the application of a mechanical braking force to the mechanical resonator 14.
  • the correction device is arranged so that the braking device can act, each time an overall time error has been determined by the electronic correction circuit, on the mechanical resonator during a correction period. to vary the operation of the drive mechanism so as to at least partially correct this overall time error.
  • the actuator 22A comprises a braking member which is formed by a flexible blade 24, which is present on two opposite surfaces (perpendicular to the plane of the Figure 1 ) respectively two piezoelectric layers which are each coated with a metal layer forming an electrode.
  • the piezoelectric actuator comprises a supply circuit 26 making it possible to apply a certain voltage between the two electrodes so as to apply an electric field through the two piezoelectric layers, which are arranged so as to bend the blade 24 in the direction of the serge 20 of the balancer 14, when a voltage is applied between the two electrodes, so that the end part of the blade, forming a movable brake pad, can press against the outer circular surface of the serge and thus exert a force mechanical brake on the mechanical resonator.
  • the voltage can be variable, to vary the mechanical braking force and therefore the mechanical braking torque applied to the balance.
  • the braking device is formed by a blade actuated by a magnet-coil system.
  • the balance comprises a central shaft which defines or which carries a part other than the rim of the balance, for example a disc, defining a circular braking surface. In the latter case, a shoe of the braking member is arranged so as to exert pressure against this circular braking surface during the momentary application of a mechanical braking force.
  • the first embodiment of the timepiece incorporates a first embodiment of the detection device, described below with reference to Figures 2 to 6 , which is distinguished by the fact that it allows direct detection of the passage of at least one indicator of the analog display 12, relating to a time unit of the real time, by at least one reference time position of this display which is relative to said time unit, this indicator being arranged to be able to be detected itself by the detection device.
  • the description of the first embodiment of the timepiece 2 will be given essentially in the context of the main embodiment, in which the detection device is arranged to be able to detect the passage of the seconds indicator through at least a first one. reference time position of the display and the passage of the minute indicator through at least a second reference time position of this display, and in which the measurements for these two indicators are used in each correction cycle to perform a correction the current minute and the current second of the displayed real time.
  • a single detection unit is provided or two diametrically opposed detection units are provided.
  • the variant shown advantageously provides the same detection units for detecting passages of the seconds hand and of the minute hand. However, in another variant, it is possible to provide different detection units for the two needles.
  • the optical detection device comprises at least one light source, each capable of emitting a beam of light, and at least one photosensitive detector each capable of capturing light emitted by a light source of said at least one. light source.
  • the seconds indicator and the minutes indicator each have a reflection surface which passes through the beam (s) of light emitted by at least one light source when the indicator in question passes through at least one time position reference corresponding to this indicator and defined by the detection device, in particular with regard to at least one detection unit of this detection device.
  • the detection device and the reflection surface are configured in such a way that this reflection surface can reflect, during a passage of the indicator considered by any reference temporal position of said at least one corresponding reference temporal position, of incident light, supplied by a light source of said at least one light source, at least partially towards a photosensitive detector of said at least one photosensitive detector which is associated with said any reference time position.
  • the reflection surface of each indicator considered is formed by a lower surface of this indicator, and said at least one light source and said at least one photosensitive detector are supported by a dial of the timepiece or housed at least partially in the dial, or located under the dial which is then arranged to allow the beam (s) of light to pass through it.
  • the light emitted by said at least one light source is not visible to the human eye.
  • the light source notably emits light in the infrared range.
  • the Figure 3 is a partial cut of the watch from the Figure 2 , through the detection unit 224a of the optical detection device 30. It will be noted that the four detection units are similar.
  • the watch case is represented by its internal profile 220a.
  • the detection unit 224a comprises an optical sensor 226 formed by a light source 228, which emits a light beam 232, and a photosensitive detector 227 capable of picking up light emitted by the light source, the source and the detector. being aligned in a radial direction relative to the central axis of the watch around which the seconds hand and minute hand revolve.
  • the optical sensor 226 is arranged under the dial 32 and supported by the plate of the mechanical movement 4.
  • the dial has an opening in which is arranged a glass plate 230 which has at its lower surface a sawtooth profile forming two networks of refraction (series of parallel oblique planes) provided to respectively refract the light emitted by the source 228 and the light incident on the detector 227 after reflection by one or the other of the two hands 34M and 34S.
  • the wafer may be made of another substance which exhibits sufficiently good transparency for the light emitted by the source 228, in particular for infrared light where appropriate. It will be noted that the plate can also form an upper element of the sensor 226 and then be inserted into the opening of the dial during the assembly of the optical sensor with the dial.
  • the optical detection unit 224a is remarkable because the electronic units forming the light source and the photosensitive detector are arranged on a common substrate in a general plane parallel to the dial 32 with the emitted light having a main direction (optical axis) which is. perpendicular to this general plane, but the light beam 232 is oblique.
  • a layer of air between the wafer and the sensor 226 is an advantage for obtaining a fairly large angle of deflection of the light relative to the vertical direction, that is to say perpendicular to the dial. Thanks to such an arrangement, although the light emitted by the source 228 has a vertical optical axis, the reflecting areas RS1 and RS2 defined respectively by the two lower surfaces of the seconds hand 34S and the minute hand 34M are flat and horizontal.
  • the detection device requires little intervention on the hands, or even no intervention for metal hands or having a metallic coating.
  • a polished surface in the RS1 and RS2 areas is an advantage. Note that the two needles 34M and 34S are shown, at the Figure 3 , one above the other to help understand the operation of the optical detection unit for each of the two needles; but the detection of the second hand is provided in the absence of the minute hand above the detection unit.
  • the problem associated with the desire for flat and horizontal reflecting surfaces for the needles relates firstly to the source of the light. light.
  • the light source 228a for example a diode of the LED type (acronym for 'Light-Emitting Diode') or a laser diode of the VCSEL type (acronym for 'Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser'), is arranged obliquely on a support.
  • This first variant has the disadvantage of considerably increasing the height of the device.
  • the light beam 232 in a plane passing through its central axis, has two symmetrical main directions having an angular deviation ao.
  • the light source 228c has at its emitting surface a diffraction structure RD which diffracts the light beam mainly in a given oblique direction.
  • the fourth variant is similar to the variant of the Figure 3 .
  • the light source 228d has on its emitting surface a transparent structure having its upper surface having a sawtooth profile which forms a refraction grating RD (series of parallel oblique planes) provided to refract the light emitted by the source 228d. While the planes inclined to the Figure 3 have an angle of about 45 °, the inclined planes of the refraction grating RD have a smaller angle relative to the direction horizontal (for example 35 °), so as to have a refraction angle for the light beam 232 which allows it to pass through the transparent structure.
  • a refraction grating RD series of parallel oblique planes
  • the needle 34D has a reflection diffraction grating in an area of its lower surface which passes through the incident beam 232a (beam having a normal direction) as it passes over an optical detection unit.
  • the needle 34R has a reflection grating in an area of its lower surface which passes through the incident beam 232a as it passes over an optical detection unit.
  • the detection device comprises U detection units for the seconds indicator and Q detection units for the minutes indicator, some of these detection units possibly being common to both hands.
  • the detection units In the variant shown, four detection units common to the two indicators are provided.
  • Four detection units for the minute indicator allow this indicator to be detected within a time interval of approximately 15 minutes.
  • the detection device described above is of the optical type.
  • the detection device can be of another type, in particular of the capacitive, magnetic or inductive type.
  • a detection unit of the capacitive, magnetic or inductive type can be subjected to the same control as that described for an optical detection unit and the same processing of the measurements carried out can be provided within the framework of a correction cycle according to the present invention. ; which leads to the same correction of the actual time displayed.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged to be able to determine, in association with the internal time base 42 and on the basis of measurement values of a plurality of measurement values, at least a first time of passage T X0 of the seconds indicator through any reference time position, called X0, among the reference time positions provided for this seconds indicator, this first passing instant being made up of at least one corresponding value of the current reference second X R , and at least one second passing instant T Y0 of the minutes indicator by any second reference time position, called Y0, from among the reference time positions provided for this minute indicator, this second passing instant being made up of at least one corresponding value of the current reference minute Y R.
  • the seconds hand is detected by a detection unit corresponding to the reference time position X0
  • the minute hand is detected by a detection unit corresponding to the time position of reference Y0.
  • a plurality of measurements are carried out at a measurement frequency F Ms.
  • Each measurement gives a measurement value and takes place at a determined measurement instant.
  • measurements are taken over short time intervals.
  • the light source is periodically activated at the measurement frequency F Ms to generate a plurality of light pulses, and the photosensitive detector supplies a plurality of values. corresponding luminous intensity.
  • the detection device is activated so as to perform a plurality of successive measurements at at least one measurement frequency which is determined by the clock circuit 44 of the time base. internal 42, this clock circuit supplying a periodic digital signal at the measurement frequency F Ms directly to the detection device or indirectly to this detection device via the control unit.
  • the measurement frequency is variable and the correction device 6 is arranged to be able to detect the passage of the seconds indicator through the reference time position X0 with a first measurement frequency FS Mes and the passage of l. 'minute indicator by the reference time position Y0 with a second measurement frequency FM Mes which is lower than the first measurement frequency.
  • the detection units can perform measurements correctly and to slightly increase the precision of determining the instants of passage of the two hands through their respective reference time positions, that the seconds hand or noticeably still during the measurements. If, for example, a mechanical resonator oscillating at approximately 4 Hz is taken and the measuring frequency for the seconds hand corresponds to 4 Hz or 8 Hz, all the measurements may take place during the sustaining pulses of the mechanical resonator. and therefore when the escape wheel turns and also the second wheel carrying the seconds hand.
  • the first measurement frequency FS Mes to have a value other than double the reference frequency F0c divided by a positive whole number N, that is FS Mes ⁇ 2 ⁇ F0c / N.
  • the measurement frequency is determined by the mechanical resonator in association with the clock circuit.
  • the device for correcting the displayed real time then comprises a sensor associated with the mechanical resonator and arranged to be able to detect the passages of the oscillating resonator through its neutral position, corresponding to its position of minimum potential energy.
  • the detection device is activated and controlled by the control unit associated with the internal time base to perform a plurality of successive measurements each following the detection of a passage of the mechanical resonator by its position. neutral and after a certain time phase shift since this detection.
  • this time phase shift is between T0c / 8 and 3 ⁇ T0c / 8, where T0c is the reference period which is equal to the inverse of the reference frequency.
  • the clock circuit 44 is arranged to supply the control unit with a periodic signal at a frequency equal to 8 / T0c or close to this value.
  • the sensor provides the control unit with a signal indicating when the mechanical resonator passes through its neutral position.
  • the control unit activates the reception of the signal supplied by the clock circuit at the frequency approximately equal to 8 / T0c and counts two rising or falling edges in the periodic signal.
  • the control unit triggers a measure and therefore a light pulse. If desired, we can therefore know the instant of each measurement.
  • the time phase shift will be within the above-mentioned range of values. With a phase shift in this range, the anchor wheel is stationary and the seconds hand is thus stationary during measurements.
  • a watch has a large daily error, for example 14 seconds per day, this corresponds to an error of 10 ms for one minute. Since one minute is a sufficient detection period for the second hand, such an error is insignificant in calculating a time error for that hand.
  • 4 Hz can easily be derived from clock circuit 44 which is arranged to provide second ticks at the time base for the measurement of the real time reference.
  • the FM frequency Ms is generated by a cyclic counter of ten, incremented by the second ticks associated with the control unit.
  • the first series of measurements gives a first series of intensity values VS n , n being a positive integer, to which a first series of measurement instants TS n corresponds.
  • the second series of measurements gives a second series of intensity values VM k , k being a positive integer, to which a second series of measurement instants TM k corresponds.
  • the processing phase which follows the detection phase, it is not planned to record the real reference time corresponding to each measurement during the detection phase, but it is planned to number or classify in chronological order the measurements of each series of measurements, and to establish a temporal link with the real reference time T Rf for each series of measurements.
  • the periodic digital signal at the measurement frequency F Ms can also be supplied to the unit processing 46 which receives the measurement values via a signal S Ms supplied to it by the detection device, directly or via the control unit.
  • the rank of the measurement value may be sufficient to determine the corresponding measurement instant.
  • T Ms which is the inverse of the measurement frequency F Ms.
  • the control unit or directly the processing unit stores the corresponding real reference time TS Rf, X for the seconds hand, respectively TM Rf, Y for the minute hand, and if a number of periods of the periodic measurement signal is determined between the stored reference real time and a measurement of rank n, respectively of rank k, then the rank (or number) of each measurement corresponds to a determined real reference time.
  • the control unit waits for a second signal which defines an initial time for a series of measurements and as soon as it receives it, on the one hand it activates the detection device or it takes in consideration of the measurements occurring only from this initial instant, with the exception of this initial instant, and on the other hand it records the real reference time TS Rf, X , respectively TM Rf, 0 .
  • N and K are the numbers of measurements for the detection of the second hand and the minute hand, respectively.
  • the processing unit 46 performs a processing of each series of measurements to determine the first moment of passage T X0 of the seconds indicator through the reference time position X0 and the second moment of passage T Y0 of the minutes indicator by the reference time position Y0.
  • Various methods of processing measurement data can be used. As examples, we can cite the two examples in connection with the Figure 6 , and a simplified example.
  • an algorithm determines a width, corresponding to a time interval IT, approximately at mid-height of a symmetrical convex curve C Fit adjusted to the series of measurement values VM k in order to be able to determine a middle value of this width, this middle value defining the moment of passage T Y0 of the middle longitudinal axis of the minute hand by the reference temporal position Y0, which is defined by the radial middle axis of the detection unit concerned / by the direction of radial alignment of the light source and the photosensitive detector.
  • the time interval IT is a characteristic parameter of the indicator concerned which makes it possible to differentiate it from the other indicators.
  • the maximum light intensity detected is also a characteristic parameter of the indicator considered.
  • T Y0 therefore has an integer value PM Y0 in minutes (integer part of T Y0 ) corresponding to the current reference minute when the indicator passes through the reference time position Y0, to which is added a value PS Y0 in seconds which defines a fractional part for the current minute given by the minute indicator when the indicator passes through the reference time position Y0, this value PS Y0 corresponding to the current reference second when the indicator passes minutes by the reference time position Y0.
  • T Y0 (PM Y0 ; PS Y0 ). It will be noted that the value PS Y0 can possibly have decimals.
  • the instant at which the minute hand passes through a reference time position (which generally corresponds to an integer number of minutes) is generally determined with an integer part in minutes and a part fractional in seconds (part sexagesimal), this determination preferably being carried out with a precision of the order of a second or less than a second.
  • the control unit and / or the processing unit is / are connected to the internal time base so as to be able to store the time. reference real at least at a given instant of the detection phase.
  • the electronic correction circuit is designed to be able to determine, during the detection phase, at least a first measurement instant and a second measurement instant corresponding respectively to at least a first measurement and a second measurement from among a series of successive measurements, these first and second measurement instants being determined by the internal time base.
  • the first measurement instant is made up of at least one corresponding first value of the current reference time unit and the second measurement time is made up of at least one second value of this current reference time unit.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged to be able to calculate, as a function of said at least a first measurement moment and a second measurement moment and the corresponding measurement values, a third moment which determines the moment of passage of the indicator. considered by the reference temporal position concerned.
  • the instant of passage of a hand through a reference temporal position is determined by comparing each measurement value received by the processing unit directly with a threshold value provided for this hand. As soon as the processing unit detects that the value of a measurement exceeds this threshold value, it assigns the instant of this measurement to the instant of passage and it records the real time reference value directly following this detection.
  • This simplified variant is less precise, but it requires few electronic resources. The electronic correction circuit can therefore be simplified.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged to be able to determine a first temporal error for the seconds indicator, by comparing at least a first passing instant of this seconds indicator with a first corresponding reference time position, and a second time error for the minutes indicator by comparing at least a second time of passage of this minute indicator with a second corresponding reference time position.
  • the determination of the first temporal error and of the second temporal error is carried out by the processing unit which performs a subtraction between the determined passage instant and the value of the corresponding reference temporal position.
  • E S and E M T X 0 - X 0 ;
  • E M T Y 0 - Y 0
  • E S is given in seconds, possibly with one or more decimal places since T X0 is normally determined with decimals (precision better than the second).
  • the processing algorithm can decide to keep for example only one decimal place.
  • T Y0 determined for the minutes indicator has an integer part PM Y0 in minutes and a fractional part PS Y0 in seconds
  • the time error E M is determined with an integer part E Mm in minutes and a fractional part E Ms in seconds (E Ms is therefore added to E Mm ).
  • E M (E Mm ; E Ms ) .
  • E Ms can have one or more decimal places resulting from the calculation carried out for its determination, but the algorithm does not generally keep a decimal for the value E Ms in seconds given that this value is already one for the minutes indicator. fractional part.
  • E M E Mm
  • E Ms PM Y 0 PS Y 0 - Y 0
  • 0 PM Y 0 - Y 0
  • PS Y 0 PS Y 0 .
  • the electronic correction circuit predefined correction criterion that selects a way to handle the first and second time errors to determine an overall time error for the timepiece display.
  • the timepiece further comprises a time-setting device which is arranged so as to momentarily break the kinematic connection between the minutes indicator and the seconds indicator in order to set the time to said time. display.
  • the electronic correction circuit is arranged to be able to determine an overall time error (T Err ) for the display as a function of at least one predefined correction criterion for the seconds indicator and / or the minutes indicator in no more first and second errors times relating to the seconds and minutes indicators respectively.
  • the overall time error is determined so as to substantially correct the first time error for the seconds indicator during said correction period.
  • the overall time error is determined so that the minutes indicator is present at the end of the correction period, for the case where this minutes indicator then has a time phase shift corresponding to a delay, at most a maximum delay which is selected in the range of values of the fractional part of the current minute displayed, that is to say between zero and sixty seconds of delay.
  • the determination of the overall time error T Err is carried out by the processing unit which then supplies it to the control unit for the phase of correcting the time displayed by the timepiece.
  • the overall time error can also be calculated by the control unit which then receives from the processing unit the time errors determined for the indicators considered.
  • the correction signal S Cor supplied by the processing unit comprises either the value T Err or the values E S and E M.
  • the processing unit and the control unit can advantageously be formed by a single electronic circuit or a single electronic unit. The distinction between these two units is functional, to better expose the various phases of a correction cycle.
  • Example 1 we will correct by performing an advance of 95 seconds
  • Example 2 we will correct by performing an advance of 90 seconds
  • Example 3 we will correct by performing a retreat of 65 seconds in the actual time displayed.
  • a temporal error is also determined for the hour hand and the correction provided is also a function of this temporal error.
  • the needle hours which is normally in phase with the minute hand and continuously in meshing relation with this minute hand, only the difference between the current time displayed and a current reference time given by the time base is taken into account. account to determine the overall timing error.
  • the timepiece only comprises an indicator of the current hour and an indicator of the current minute (therefore no indication of the current second).
  • only one temporal error is then determined for the minute indicator.
  • the overall time error is equal to the time error determined for the minute indicator.
  • the timepiece further comprises a communication unit 50 which is arranged to receive from an external device, an external installation or an external system a synchronization signal S Sync providing an exact real time or an external system.
  • exact real time which is composed only of the exact current minute and the exact current second, since in the main embodiment only the second and minute indicators are detected and then corrected globally.
  • the communication unit 50 supplies the exact real time H RE or said exact real time to the internal time base 42 which then synchronizes the real reference time / the real reference time. on the exact real time / this exact real time.
  • the external synchronization system can be a GPS system which gives a very precise legal time.
  • the communication unit is formed by a unit for receiving a GPS signal relating to the exact real time.
  • the outdoor installation is a long-distance radio-synchronization antenna, such as is found in particular in Europe and the USA.
  • the communication unit is formed by a unit for receiving an RF signal.
  • the external device is a portable electronic device, for example a portable telephone or a computer.
  • the communication unit comprises a BLE (acronym for 'Bluetooth Low Energy') or NFC (acronym for 'Near Field Communication') communication unit.
  • BLE Bluetooth Low Energy'
  • NFC acronym for 'Near Field Communication'
  • the correction device comprises a wireless communication unit which is arranged to be able to communicate with an external system capable of providing the exact real time, the correction device being arranged to be able to synchronize the real reference time. on an exact real time, composed of current time units of the exact real time corresponding to those of the reference real time, during a synchronization phase during which the communication unit is activated so as to receive external system the exact real time or said exact real time.
  • the communication unit is activated periodically by the control unit or directly by the internal time base in order to receive the exact real time or the exact real time.
  • the communication unit is activated periodically and automatically, in order to synchronize the reference real time with the exact real time during a synchronization phase.
  • the two variants can be combined to have automatic periodic synchronization and the possibility of performing synchronization on demand.
  • the communication unit is particularly important following a cut in the power supply to the internal time base.
  • the control unit is arranged so as not to perform any correction cycle if the reference real time has not been synchronized on an external system providing the exact real time and maintained by the internal clock circuit. uninterrupted since a last synchronization phase.
  • this information is recorded in a permanent memory (non-volatile memory) which includes at least one status bit ('ON' / 'OFF' ) for the internal time base. On subsequent activation of the time base again, the status bit keeps its value 'OFF' until the correction device synchronizes the time base to the exact real time of an external system, such as exposed.
  • the control unit Before performing a correction cycle, in particular before performing a phase detection, the control unit interrogates the status bit to find out its value, and does not perform any detection phase as long as this value is 'OFF'. Only when the value of the status bit is 'ON', the correction device then starts a new correction cycle with a detection phase. If a cycle is interrupted and it is planned to continue it, in particular following a possible interruption of a correction cycle between the treatment phase and the correction phase, the control unit can subsequently continue such a cycle. correction provided that the previous detection phase has been completed correctly and that the real reference time is no longer useful for the continuation of the correction cycle.
  • the timepiece comprises an external control member for synchronizing the real reference time with the exact real time, this external control member being operable by a user of the timepiece.
  • the external controller and the correction device are arranged so as to allow a user to activate the correction device so that this correction device performs a synchronization of the reference real time to the exact real time during a synchronization phase.
  • the external control member is formed by a crown associated with a control rod which also serve to set the time of the display manually.
  • An alternative is to arrange for the movement of the stem-crown to be detected, in particular to detect whether this control member is moved to a position corresponding to the time setting with the possibility of modifying the position of the minute hand. and / or the seconds hand. As soon as such detection occurs, the control unit ends the current correction cycle. Furthermore, before starting a correction cycle, the correction device detects whether the control member is in the aforementioned manual correction position and the control unit does not start a correction cycle if this is the case and so long. let this situation continue.
  • the device for detecting whether the rod is in the time-setting position can easily be arranged along the control rod or the time-setting mechanism associated with this rod. We will advantageously opt for capacitive or magnetic detection (by placing a small magnet on the rod or on the associated mechanism).
  • each time the correction device detects that the external control member has been moved to its time-setting position it rapidly performs a correction cycle as soon as this member is then replaced in another. position (in particular the winding position for a stem-crown).
  • the timepiece comprises an energy recuperator 54 which can be formed by various types of devices known to the person skilled in the art, in particular a magnetic, light or heat energy recuperator, as well as an electricity accumulator 56.
  • the magnetic energy recuperator is arranged to receive energy from a source external magnetic for recharging the electricity accumulator 56 without electrical contact.
  • the energy recuperator is formed by a magnet-coil system making it possible to recover a little energy from the oscillation of the mechanical resonator of the timepiece and therefore of the barrel maintaining this oscillation.
  • At least one magnet is arranged on the oscillating element of the resonator or on the support of the resonator and at least one coil respectively on said support or on said oscillating element, so that the major part of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet passes through the coil when the resonator oscillates within its useful operating range.
  • the magnet-coil coupling is provided around the neutral position (rest position) of the resonator.
  • the oscillating mass is used to drive a micro-generator producing an electric current which is stored in the accumulator.
  • the energy recuperator can also be hybrid, that is to say formed of several different units, in particular of the wireless / contactless type, which are provided to recover various energies from various energy sources and transform these various energies into electrical energy.
  • the timepiece can begin a corrective operation. required if the electric voltage available is sufficient and carry out this correcting operation as long as the electric voltage supplied by the supply circuit 58 is sufficient.
  • Various parts of the correction module can be activated, as needed, only during different periods.
  • the control unit 48A of the timepiece 2 comprises a control logic circuit 60 connected to the time base 42 and to the processing unit 46 which supplies it, as a correction signal Scor, the value of the. global time error T Err determined during the previous processing phase.
  • the control logic circuit is arranged to perform various logic operations during each correction cycle.
  • the control unit 48A comprises a generator device 62 of a periodic digital signal having a given frequency F SUP (the generator device 62 is also called frequency generator 'or simply' generator 'at the frequency F SUP ).
  • the control logic circuit 60 Depending on whether the overall time error T Err to be corrected corresponds to a delay (T Err negative) or an advance (T Err positive) in the display of the real time, the control logic circuit 60 generates respectively either two signals control S1 R and S2 R , which it supplies respectively to the frequency generator 62 and to a time counter 63 ('timer'), or a control signal S A that it supplies to a time counter 70.
  • the time counters 63 and 70 are programmable and are used to measure a planned correction period, respectively a period PR Cor for the correction of a delay and a period PA Cor for the correction of an advance.
  • an advance corresponds to a positive error and a delay corresponds to a negative error.
  • control unit 48A for correcting a detected delay in the display of the time on the clock. during a correction phase following the detection and processing phases described above, and subsequently the arrangement of this unit to correct an advance during a correction phase.
  • the control logic circuit 60 activates the frequency generator 62 via the signal S1 R and the time counter 63 which counts or counts down a time interval corresponding to a correction period PR Cor whose duration (the value) is determined by the logic circuit (by definition, the expression 'time counter' includes a time counter at a given time interval and also a time count down to zero from this given time interval which is initially introduced into this time countdown).
  • the frequency generator when the frequency generator is activated, it supplies a periodic digital signal S FS , at the frequency F SUP , to another time counter 64 (timer at a value Tp corresponding to a duration selected for the braking pulses periodicals).
  • the outputs of timers 63 and 64 are supplied to an 'AND'('AND') logic gate 65 which outputs a periodic activation signal S C1 to periodically activate the braking device 22, during the correction period PR Cor provided, via an “OR” (“OR”) logic gate 66 or any other switching circuit making it possible to transmit the periodic activation signal S C1 to the braking device.
  • the periodic activation signal S C1 forms the control signal S Cmd in the case of a correction of a delay detected in the time displayed by the timepiece.
  • the braking device applies periodic braking pulses to the mechanical resonator at the frequency F SUP during a correction period PR Cor , the duration (value) of which depends on the delay to correct.
  • the braking pulses have a dissipative character because part of the energy of the oscillating resonator is dissipated during these braking pulses.
  • the mechanical braking torque is applied substantially by friction, in particular by means of a mechanical braking member exerting a certain pressure on a braking surface of the resonator, preferably a circular braking surface, such as explained previously during the description of the timepiece 2 with reference to the Figure 1 .
  • the system formed by the mechanical resonator and the braking device of this resonator is configured so as to allow the braking device to start, in the useful operating range of the oscillating resonator, a mechanical braking pulse substantially at any time of the period of natural oscillation of the oscillating resonator.
  • one of the periodic braking pulses can start at substantially any angular position of the oscillating resonator, in particular the first braking pulse occurring during a correction period.
  • the braking frequency F FR is proportional to the setpoint frequency F0c for the mechanical resonator and depends only on this setpoint frequency as soon as the positive integer N is given .
  • the present invention proposes to use this remarkable discovery to perform a correction of the time displayed by a timepiece by varying the rate of the mechanical horological movement considered, that is to say by varying the frequency of the resonator which cycles. the operation of the display drive mechanism of the timepiece in question during a given correction period.
  • the periodic braking pulses are applied to the mechanical resonator at a braking frequency F Bra advantageously corresponding to double the correction frequency F Cor divided by a positive whole number N, preferably not very high.
  • the braking frequency F Bra is therefore proportional to the planned correction frequency F Cor and depends only on this correction frequency as soon as the positive integer N is selected.
  • the braking pulses can be applied with a constant torque of force or a non-constant torque of force (for example substantially in a Gaussian or sinusoidal curve).
  • braking pulse is understood the momentary application of a torque of force to the resonator which brakes its oscillating member (balance), that is to say which opposes the oscillating movement of this oscillating member.
  • the duration of the pulse is generally defined as the part of this pulse which has a significant force torque to brake the resonator, in particular the part for which the force torque is greater than the half of the maximum value.
  • a braking pulse can exhibit a strong variation. It can even be chopped and form a succession of shorter pulses.
  • the duration of each braking pulse is expected to be less than half of a setpoint period T0c for the resonator, but it is advantageously less than a quarter of a setpoint period and preferably less than T0c / 8 .
  • Figures 8 , 9 show the change in the frequency of oscillation of the resonator during a correction period, which is defined as the period during which the braking pulses at the frequency F INF or F SUP are applied to the resonator.
  • Curve 78 shows the evolution of the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator during the application of the first series of periodic braking pulses 74 for a correction of an advance detected in the displayed time, the braking frequency F INF leading to a correction frequency FI Cor , given by the synchronization frequency, which is less than the reference frequency F0c (first mode of correction of an advance).
  • Curve 80 shows the evolution of the oscillation frequency of the mechanical resonator during the application of the second series of periodic braking pulses 76 for a correction of a delay detected in the displayed time, the braking frequency F SUP leading to a correction frequency FS Cor , given by the synchronization frequency, which is greater than the reference frequency (first mode of correction of a delay).
  • the frequencies of correction are given purely by way of example and are much closer to the reference frequency than the correction frequencies which are generally provided for the implementation of the first mode of correcting an advance or a delay.
  • the Figures 8 and 9 are given only schematically to show generally the behavior of the oscillating resonator when subjected to a series of periodic braking pulses at a correction frequency close to the setpoint frequency, but different from it, and in the case of a natural frequency leading to a conventional time drift. More detailed and precise considerations relative to the possible correction frequencies will be explained below.
  • the transient phase PH Tr is relatively short (less than 2 seconds) and the change in frequency takes place in the direction of the desired correction frequency.
  • the average correction per unit of time during the transient phase is approximately equal to that which occurs during the synchronous phase.
  • the transient phase can be longer, for example from 3 to 10 seconds, and the evolution of the frequency during the transient phase varies from case to case so that the average correction is variable and not determined.
  • the synchronization frequency determines the correction frequency.
  • the correction frequency F Cor is equal to the synchronization frequency. It will be noted that, in the synchronous phase of the correction period, the duration of the braking pulses must be sufficient for the braking torque applied to the resonator to allow it to stop (passage through an extreme angular position, defining its instantaneous amplitude) during or at the end of each braking pulse.
  • the time interval during which the resonator remains stopped during a braking pulse decreases the possible correction per unit of time, so that it is preferable to limit this time interval, taking into account a certain safety margin, in order to have a shorter correction period thanks to a higher synchronization frequency.
  • the frequency of the braking pulses, the sustaining energy supplied to the resonator at each alternation of its oscillation and the value of the braking torque occur in the time interval necessary to stop the oscillating resonator.
  • braking torques between 0.5 ⁇ Nm and 50 ⁇ Nm and braking pulse durations between 2 ms and 10 ms are generally suitable for the correction frequencies that it is practically advantageous to use (these ranges of values being given by way of non-limiting examples).
  • the value of the correction period to be provided can be determined on the basis of the overall time error T Err to be corrected, the setpoint frequency F0c and the correction frequency F Cor ; and as the synchronization frequency determines the correction frequency which is equal to it, it is also possible to determine the value of the correction period to be provided on the basis of the overall time error T Err to be corrected, of the reference frequency F0c and of the braking frequency F Bra .
  • an advance in the time display corresponds to a positive error while a delay corresponds to a negative error.
  • the 48A control unit ( Figure 7 ) is arranged to provide the braking device, each time the overall time error T Err corresponds to a delay in the displayed time that is to be corrected, a control signal S C1 derived from the periodic digital signal S FS supplied by the frequency generator 62, during a correction period PRcor, to activate the braking device 22 so that this braking device generates a series of periodic braking pulses which are applied to the resonator at the frequency F SUP .
  • the frequency F SUP is provided and the braking device is arranged so that each series of periodic braking pulses at the frequency F SUP can generate, during the corresponding correction period, a first synchronous phase in which the oscillation of the resonator is synchronized (by definition “synchronized on average”) on a correction frequency FScor which is greater than the reference frequency F0c provided for the mechanical resonator.
  • a demonstrator (a prototype of the timepiece according to the invention) was produced for the case presented to the Figure 10 .
  • Such a result opens perspectives for corrections of the time indicated by the display which are other than corrections of a time drift of this display due to the only imprecision of the resonator operating freely (that is to say in no braking pulses).
  • the Figure 11 shows the free oscillation 82A of a mechanical resonator, a first oscillation 86A of this resonator in a phase synchronous with a correction period where the ratio RS between the correction frequency FScor and the setpoint frequency F0c is relatively low (that is to say relatively close to '1'), and a second oscillation 86B of this resonator in a phase synchronous with a correction period where the ratio RS between the correction frequency FScor and the reference frequency F0c is relatively high (i.e. relatively far from '1').
  • the correction frequency can vary continuously between the reference frequency F0c and a certain higher frequency FSC max , for the correction of a delay in the hour. displayed, and continuously between the reference frequency F0c and a certain lower frequency FIC max , to correct an advance in the displayed time.
  • the upper frequency FSC max and the lower frequency FIC max are not values that can easily be calculated theoretically. It is necessary for each timepiece to determine them practically. Note that although this information is interesting, it is not necessary.
  • the braking frequencies are selected and the braking torques available are appropriate to generate during each correction period, preferably fairly quickly, a synchronous phase during which the mechanical resonator can oscillate at the correction frequency provided by the mathematical relation given previously, without being stopped in its oscillation (i.e. it is necessary to avoid stopping the resonator so that it cannot start again from the position of shutdown, which would lead to a shutdown of the display drive mechanism).
  • the angle ⁇ Sec is provided equal to or, preferably, greater than an angle ⁇ ZI (see Figure 14 ) which corresponds to the coupling angle between the resonator and the exhaust associated with it, on one side and on the other side of the neutral position of the resonator defined by the angular position of the coupling pin carried by the balance plate when this resonator is at or passing through its rest position.
  • the angular coupling zone (- ⁇ ZI to ⁇ ZI ) between the mechanical resonator and the escapement (note that it is possible to brake in this prohibited zone during the transitional phase, but one will avoid stopping the resonator in this prohibited zone).
  • the safety angle ⁇ Sec is greater than the angle coupling ⁇ ZI .
  • the person skilled in the art will know how to determine a value for the safety angle ⁇ Sec for each mechanical movement associated with a correction device according to the first embodiment.
  • the angle of coupling ⁇ ZI can vary from one mechanical movement to another, in particular between 22 ° and 28 °.
  • said condition of not blocking the resonator in the angular safety zone during the delay correction period is important because a count of the passage of time via the escapement (i.e. the timing of the time display drive mechanism) must continue during this delay correction period.
  • said frequency F SUP and the duration of the periodic braking pulses are selected so that, during said synchronous phase of a correction period in the context of the first mode of correction of a delay, the pulses of Periodic braking each takes place outside a coupling zone between the oscillating mechanical resonator and the escapement, preferably outside a defined safety zone for the mechanical movement.
  • the selection of said frequency F INF and the duration of the periodic braking pulses within the framework of the first mode of correction of an advance.
  • Tsec must intervene in a half-wave after the resonator has passed through its neutral / rest position.
  • T Sec To obtain a correction frequency FI Cor lower than the reference frequency F0c, T Sec must occur in a half-wave before the passage of the resonator through its neutral / rest position.
  • the timepiece comprises a device for blocking the mechanical resonator.
  • the control unit is arranged to be able to supply the blocking device, when the external correction signal received by the receiving unit corresponds to an advance in the displayed time that it is intended to correct, a control signal which activates the blocking device so that this blocking device blocks the oscillation of the mechanical resonator during a correction period, the value / duration of which is determined by the 'advance to be corrected, so as to stop the operation of said drive mechanism during this correction period.
  • the timepiece 2 comprises a locking device which is constituted by the braking device 22, in particular by the piezoelectric actuator 22A, which also serves to implement the first mode of correcting a delay.
  • the logic circuit 60 of the control unit 48A ( Figure 7 ) supplies a control signal S A to the time counter 70 (timer) which is programmable.
  • This timer 70 then generates a signal S C2 for activating the braking device 22, via the 'OR'('OR') gate 66 or another switch, for a period of correction PA Cor , the duration of which is substantially equal to the corresponding advance T Err to be corrected.
  • the periodic activation signal S C2 then forms the control signal S Cmd .
  • the voltage then supplied by the supply circuit 26 between the two electrodes of the piezoelectric blade 24 may differ from that provided to generate the periodic braking pulses to correct a delay. This voltage is selected so that the braking force applied to the mechanical resonator can stop it, preferably quite quickly, and then block it until the end of the correction period.
  • the electric voltage applied to the piezoelectric blade 24 is provided to vary during the correction period. For example, it is possible to provide a higher voltage at the start of the correction period, which is selected to quickly stop the resonator, in particular during the alternation of the oscillation of this resonator in which the start of the period occurs. correction, and then decrease the voltage to a lower value but sufficient to keep the resonator stationary.
  • the electric voltage will be selected so that the resulting braking force cannot stop the mechanical resonator in the forbidden angular zone (- ⁇ ZI to ⁇ ZI ) defined above.
  • the braking torque is selected large enough to be able to stop the resonator and lock it in the angular stop position, whatever it may be, and small enough so that this braking torque cannot stop the resonator in the forbidden angular zone.
  • one will avoid stopping the resonator in the angular safety zone (- ⁇ Sec to ⁇ Sec ), described above. This last condition is important when the resonator is not self-starting. In general, it suffices to ensure that the resonator can start again at the end of the correction period.
  • a preliminary phase is provided which takes place before the correction period in which the resonator is blocked (that is to say where it remains stopped following its stop intervening quickly or immediately at the start of the correction period).
  • the frequency generator 62 activates the frequency generator 62 during the preliminary phase, which is intended to be of relatively short duration but nevertheless of sufficient duration to establish a synchronous phase where the resonator is synchronized on the frequency FS Cor .
  • the preliminary phase ends, for example, with a last braking pulse which is immediately followed by the correction period with activation of the braking device in the blocking mode.
  • the braking torque for the preliminary phase can be expected to be different from that used for the correction of a delay explained above.
  • This mechanical movement 92 comprises a classic escapement 94 formed by an anchor wheel 95 and an anchor 96 which can oscillate between two pins 95.
  • the anchor comprises a fork 97 between the horns of which the ankle is conventionally inserted at each alternation.
  • a plate 100 which is integral with the shaft 102 of the balance 104 (shown partially) of the mechanical resonator or integrally formed with this shaft (that is to say that the shaft is machined with a longitudinal profile defining the plate).
  • the plate 100 is circular and centered on the central axis of the shaft 102 which defines the axis of rotation of the balance 104.
  • the timepiece comprises a locking device 106 which is distinct from the braking device 22A ( Figure 1 ) used for delay correction.
  • This locking device is therefore dedicated to the implementation of the second method of correcting an advance.
  • the locking device is formed by an electromechanical actuator, in particular by a piezoelectric actuator of the same type described in connection with the Figure 1 .
  • the actuator comprises a flexible piezoelectric blade 24A and its two electrodes are supplied with voltage by a supply circuit 26A.
  • the blade 24A has at its free end a projecting portion 107, forming a stud, which is located on the side of the plate 100.
  • the blade extends in a direction parallel to a tangent of the circumference of the plate, at a short distance from this circumference. circular.
  • the tray has a through-hollow 108, which opens radially on the periphery of the plate and whose profile in the general plane of the plate is provided to allow the stud 107 to be housed there when it is located angularly in front of this hollow and that the piezoelectric actuator 106 is activated.
  • the hollow 108 is diametrically opposed to the pin 98 and the stud is located angularly at the zero position of the pin (that is to say at the angular position of this pin when the resonator is at rest, respectively passes through its neutral position).
  • this zero angular position of the ankle normally defines the zero angular position of the balance 104, and therefore of the mechanical resonator, in a fixed angular reference relative to the mechanical movement 92 and centered on the axis of rotation of the balance.
  • the hollow can be arranged at another angle relative to the ankle, for example at 90 °, and the actuator 106 is then positioned on the periphery of the plate so that the stud 107 is diametrically opposed to the hollow when the resonator is at rest.
  • the pad will enter the hollow when the resonator is in an angular position equal, in absolute value, substantially at 180 ° (this being exactly the case if the balance is set to the mark, that is to say that the pin is aligned with the respective centers of rotation of the balance and of the anchor when the resonator is at rest).
  • This value of 180 ° is clearly outside the safety zone (it is greater than the safety angle defined previously) and it is generally lower than the range of amplitudes of the mechanical resonator corresponding to its useful operating range.
  • the side walls of the hollow 108 are parallel to the radius passing through its center and the axis of rotation of the balance.
  • these side walls are provided radial.
  • the stud 107 has two walls lateral, perpendicular to the general plane of the plate, which are parallel to the radius passing through its center and the axis of rotation of the balance or which are, in the equivalent variant, substantially radial relative to the axis of rotation. Thanks to this arrangement, when the stud 107 is introduced into the hollow 108 which then serves as its housing, this stud blocks the rotation of the plate 100 and therefore of the balance 104 by a substantially tangential force, the direction of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction.
  • the actuator 106 When the actuator 106 is activated, the end of the blade carrying the stud 107 undergoes a substantially radial displacement, relative to the axis of rotation of the balance, and the stud can then, depending on the angular position of the balance at this moment, either exert an essentially radial force on the circular lateral surface of the plate 100, or at least partially enter the hollow 108.
  • the actuator must only be arranged so that the stud can undergo, when this actuator is activated, a sufficient displacement to be introduced into the hollow when the latter is located in an angular position corresponding substantially to that of the stud (in a fixed angular reference relative to the stud).
  • a relatively low friction force can be provided when the pad comes to rest against the circular lateral surface of the plate at the start of a correction period, that is to say following the activation of the actuator, in the case where the hollow is not vis-à-vis the stud when its proximal surface reaches the level of the circular circumference of the plate.
  • the amplitude of the resonator decreases little during the initial braking operated by the pad exerting a radial force against this circular lateral surface.
  • the radial force exerted by the piezoelectric blade on the plate can be very low, or even zero.
  • the electrical energy required to block the resonator during the correction period can therefore be relatively small, much smaller than in the case of the first embodiment.
  • the correction device of the timepiece determines during a correction cycle an overall time error corresponding to an advance in the time display
  • its control logic circuit activates the blocking device 106, by supplying it with a control signal S C2 similar to that described previously in the context of the first embodiment, for a period substantially equal to the overall time error to be corrected.
  • the start of the The activation of the blocking device 106 can take place at any time, whatever the angular position of the resonator and whatever the direction of the oscillation movement (therefore independently of the current alternation among the two alternations forming each period d 'oscillation). This is very advantageous.
  • the electromechanical actuator can be of another type than that shown in Figure 10 .
  • the actuator can comprise a ferromagnetic or magnetic core which can be moved under the action of a magnetic field generated by a coil.
  • this core is collinear with the coil and it comprises an end part coming out of the coil at least when the actuator is activated, this end part forming a finger which is configured to be able to come to be introduced into the coil. hollow of the plate, this finger having in particular an end part with the shape of the pad 107.
  • the actuator is a bistable actuator.
  • the power supply to the actuator is advantageously maintained, during its activation to pass from the non-interaction position to the interaction position, until that the stud is at least partially entering the hollow 108.
  • Such a variant is particularly advantageous because the actuator must not exert any blocking force by applying a radial pressure on a member of the resonator balance in its two corresponding stable positions respectively to the non-interaction position and the expected interaction position.
  • the energy consumption can be very low, regardless of the duration of the correction period, which is very advantageous.
  • the timepiece 112 according to the third embodiment comprises a locking device 114 which is distinct from the braking device 22B used for the correction of a delay.
  • the braking device 22B has an operation which is similar to the braking device 22A already described, that is to say that it is also suitable for the implementation of the first mode of correction of a delay explained in detail previously.
  • the braking device 22B is formed by an electromechanical actuator of the electromagnetic type, that is to say comprising a magnet-coil system for actuating a flexible blade 240 embedded in a support 242 and whose end free form a brake element / shoe for the resonator 14.
  • This actuator comprises a magnet 244, carried by the flexible blade, and a coil 246 located in front of the magnet and connected to a power supply 26B which receives the control signal S C1 , which generates pulses of electric current in the coil to generate braking pulses.
  • Each current pulse in the coil generates a magnetic flux which generates a force of magnetic repulsion on the magnet 244, and the flexible blade 240 then comes into contact with the lateral surface of the rim 20 of the resonator to generate a certain mechanical braking force on this resonator during a pulse braking.
  • the locking device 114 is remarkable for at least two reasons. First, it acts on a conventional mechanical resonator 14 requiring no modification, in particular no specific machining unlike the second embodiment. Then, the locking device is a bistable device, that is to say a locking element has two stable positions, namely here the rocker 115. The locking device is arranged so that a first of the two stable positions of the rocker corresponds to a position of non-interaction with the rocker 16 while the second of these two stable positions corresponds to a blocking position of the resonator via a radial force exerted by a blade 116, forming the rocker 115, on the serge 20 of the balance.
  • the blade 116 is pivoted around an axis arranged in the mechanical movement 4A (in another variant, the rocker is arranged so that its pivot axis is arranged on a support separate from the mechanical movement and located in a correction module) .
  • this axis is formed by a fixed pin around which an annular end part of the blade 116 is mounted.
  • This blade is rigid or semi-rigid, a slight flexibility being able to be advantageous.
  • the blade 116 is associated with a particular magnetic system making it possible to generate the bistable nature of the latch 115 and consequently of the locking device 114.
  • the magnetic system comprises a first magnet 118, carried by the blade and therefore integral in rotation with this blade, a second magnet 119 fixedly arranged relative to the mechanical movement (in the variant shown, the second magnet is inserted fixedly in a lateral opening of the support 242) and a ferromagnetic plate 120 arranged between the first magnet and the second magnet, a short distance from the second magnet 119 or against it (for example the wafer is glued against this magnet, only a layer of glue then separating the magnet from the wafer, or it is inserted fixedly in a housing of the support 242 located in front of the magnet 119).
  • the first and second magnets 118, 119 have magnetic polarities which are opposite and their respective magnetic axes are substantially aligned.
  • these two magnets would constantly exert a repulsive force on each other and the rocker would remain or always return, in the absence of forces external to the magnetic system, in a position where the blade is in abutment against a pin 124 for limiting its rotation.
  • the latch 114 is arranged so as to have two stable positions in the absence of forces external to the magnetic system of the locking device.
  • the first stable position is a non-interaction position in which the blade 116 is in abutment against the pin 124, the mobile magnet 118 then undergoing a magnetic repulsion force from the magnetic assembly, formed by the fixed magnet. 119 and the ferromagnetic plate 120, which maintains the lever 115 against this pin.
  • the second stable position is an interaction position in which the blade 116 is in abutment against the rim 20 of the balance 16, the mobile magnet 118 then undergoing a magnetic force of attraction on the part of said magnetic assembly which maintains the rocker 115 against this rim.
  • the ferromagnetic plate 120 is arranged so that the blade 116 exerts a radial blocking force of the balance 16, and therefore of the resonator 14, when the lever is in its second stable position.
  • the surface of the plate 120 located in front of the movable magnet 118, must be slightly recessed relative to the proximal surface of the blade. This moving magnet when the blade 116 comes into contact with the rim. If the blade is semi-rigid and therefore exhibits some flexibility, it is possible that the moving magnet finally abuts against the proximal surface of the ferromagnetic wafer, but then the blade is flexed.
  • the locking device comprises a device for actuating this latch arranged to switch the latch alternately between its two stable positions.
  • the actuating device is formed by a coil 252 connected to an electrical supply 254.
  • the coil 252 is aligned with the magnetic assembly, formed of the fixed magnet 119 and of the ferromagnetic plate 120, and arranged just behind the mobile magnet 118 when the latch is in its non-interaction position.
  • the moving magnet undergoes a force of magnetic attraction or repulsion from this coil, thus making it possible to cause the rocker to pass from one of its two stable positions to the other in both directions.
  • the actuating device is controlled by the logic circuit of the control unit via its supply circuit 254 which receives the control signal S C2 .
  • the control signal At the start of a lead correction period, the control signal generates a first pulse of electric current in coil 252 with a polarity which generates a repulsive force for the moving magnet 118 and a duration sufficient for the rocker goes into its interaction position, then the coil power is cut until the end of the correction period where a second pulse of electric current is generated in the coil with an opposite polarity, this second pulse then generating a force of attraction on the moving magnet which is provided sufficient to cause the rocker to switch towards its non-interaction position, thus ending the correction period.
  • the device for actuating the rocker is provided separate and independent from the magnetic system of the bistable rocker.
  • the electromagnetic system of the actuating device is formed by a second magnet carried by the rocker and a coil arranged opposite this second magnet, as in the previous variant. This electromagnetic system can be arranged upstream or downstream of said magnetic system relative to the pivot axis of the rocker.
  • the blocking force exerted by the blocking device during the correction period does not come from a power supply of this blocking device, but from said magnetic system which the shape.
  • the blocking device requires electric power only at the start and at the end of the correction period occurring in the second correction mode of an advance, during the switching of the flip-flop between its two stable states by the actuation device.
  • the ferromagnetic plate 120 is arranged against the mobile magnet 118, to which it is integral.
  • the blade of the lever comprises, in the region of contact with the rim 20, a stud which projects in the direction of this rim, which has a hollow along its generally circular circumference.
  • the locking device so that its first stable position is a non-interaction position and its second stable position is an interaction position in which the stud is at least partially inserted into the hollow, this stud generally initially exerting a dynamic dry friction against the outer lateral surface of the rim, when the lever is actuated by the actuator to move from its first stable position to its second position stable at the start of a period for correcting an advance, before entering the hollow when the latter is presented in front of the stud during the oscillation of the balance.
  • This fourth embodiment is a preferred embodiment which differs from the first embodiment substantially by its mode of correcting a feed.
  • the power supply 130 of the correction device 132 comprises an energy recuperator formed by a solar cell 54A, in particular arranged at the level of the dial or of the bezel bearing the glass protecting the dial. This dial generally forms part of the time display.
  • an external control device 136 is provided to be able to provide an activation signal on request to the correction device, by a user of the timepiece, to trigger / start a correction cycle in the timepiece. of the displayed time (in other words to launch the method of correcting the displayed time which is implemented in the correction device 132).
  • the power supply 130 comprises a circuit 134 for managing the power supply of the correction device 132.
  • This circuit is able to receive various information from the electricity accumulator 56 and it receives from the external control device 136 a wake-up signal. S W-UP when this device is operated by a user.
  • the management circuit 134 Once the management circuit 134 has received a wake-up signal, it detects the level of energy available in the accumulator 56. As in the first embodiment, if the level of energy is insufficient to complete its completion. the correction process, the circuit management can react in various ways.
  • He can in particular either remain on standby ('Standby') for a supply of electrical energy via his solar cell or another means of energy recovery provided in addition, or start as far as possible a correction cycle while knowing that he may not be able to finish it correctly due to lack of energy available.
  • the correction device already directly carries out such a detection phase by supplying only the parts necessary for this. detection phase, while waiting for a new supply of electrical energy in order to then be able to carry out a correction phase.
  • the management circuit 134 activates the correction device to perform a correction cycle.
  • any correction provided herein is effected by a series of periodic braking pulses during a correction period.
  • all the braking pulses are provided with the same duration Tp.
  • one and the same timer 64 is necessary to determine the duration of the braking pulses and this timer is arranged, in the variant shown in Figure 16 , in the supply circuit 26C. This timer supplies an activation / actuation signal S Act to a switch 138 placed between a voltage source 140 and the braking member 24C acting on the balance.
  • the braking member 24C is for example similar to the piezoelectric blade ( Figure 1 ) of the variant shown for the first embodiment or with the flexible blade associated with the magnet-coil system ( Figure 15 ) of the third embodiment.
  • the switch 138 controls the power supply to the actuator forming the braking device.
  • the timer 64 receives a first control signal S1 Cmd from a switching device 66A which is controlled by logic circuit 60A so that the first control signal is selectively formed by a periodic digital signal among three planned periodic digital signals S FS , S FI and S F0c which respectively have three different frequencies F SUP , F INF and F0c.
  • the periodic digital signal periodically resets the timer at the selected frequency and, in response, this timer periodically activates the actuator for a duration Tp, making switch 138 temporarily conductive, to generate a series of periodic braking pulses at this time. selected frequency.
  • the logic circuit 60A determines, as a function of the selected frequency F SUP , a corresponding correction period PR Cor or, in an equivalent manner, a number periodic braking pulses to be generated at the frequency F SUP during the current correction cycle. To do this, he uses the formula relating to this determination which was established previously. To apply the series of braking pulses to the frequency F SUP leading to a correction frequency FS Cor greater than the reference frequency, it uses the frequency generator 62, already described, which supplies a periodic digital signal S FS to the frequency F SUP to timer 64 via switch 66A, which is controlled for this purpose by the logic control circuit.
  • the logic circuit 60A determines, as a function of the selected frequency F INF , a corresponding correction period PA Cor or a number of periodic braking pulses to be generated at a frequency F INF , defined previously, during the current correction cycle. To do this, he uses the formula relating to this calculation which was established previously. To apply the series of braking pulses at the frequency F INF leading to a frequency of correction FI Cor lower than the reference frequency, it uses the frequency generator 142 which supplies a periodic digital signal S FI at the frequency F INF to the timer 64 via the switch 66A, which is controlled for this purpose by the control logic circuit .
  • the electronic control unit 48B is arranged to be able to supply the braking device, when the correction signal S Cor supplied by the processing unit corresponds to an advance in the displayed time that it is planned to correct, a control signal derived from a periodic digital signal supplied by a frequency generator at a frequency F INF , during a correction period, to activate the device braking so that it generates a series of periodic braking pulses applied to the mechanical resonator at the frequency F INF .
  • This frequency F INF is provided and the braking device is arranged so that the series of periodic braking pulses at the frequency F INF can generate, during the correction period, a synchronous phase in which the oscillation of the resonator mechanical is synchronized on a correction frequency FI Cor which is lower than the reference frequency F0c provided for the mechanical resonator.
  • the (duration of the) correction period and therefore the number of periodic braking pulses in said series of periodic braking pulses is determined by the feed to be corrected.
  • the correction device of the fourth embodiment comprises an improvement to increase the precision of the correction carried out and also to allow the application of relatively high braking torques, in particular for corrections at frequencies relatively far from the reference frequency, without risking to permanently stop the mechanical resonator by stopping, during a braking pulse at the start of the correction period, in the angular coupling zone between the resonator and the escapement or more generally in the angular safety zone previously described.
  • the timepiece comprises a device for determining the passage of the oscillating mechanical resonator through at least one specific position, this device for determining a specific position of the mechanical resonator allowing the electronic control unit to determine a specific instant at which the oscillating mechanical resonator is in said specific position, and therefore to determine the phase of the resonator. Then, the electronic control unit is arranged so that a first activation of the braking device occurring at the start of the correction period, to generate a first interaction between this braking device and the mechanical resonator, is triggered as a function of said specific moment.
  • the correction device further comprises a frequency generator 144 which is arranged so as to be able to generate a periodic digital signal S F0c at the reference frequency F0c provided for the resonator.
  • the control unit 48B is arranged to be able to supply the braking device with a control signal derived from the periodic digital signal S F0c , during a preliminary period directly preceding the correction period, to activate the braking device so that this control device braking generates a preliminary series of periodic braking pulses which are applied to the mechanical resonator at the setpoint frequency F0c.
  • the control logic circuit 60A supplies the generator 144 with a control signal S PP .
  • the duration Tp of the periodic braking pulses and the braking force applied to the oscillating resonator, during the preliminary series of periodic braking pulses, are provided so that none of these braking pulses can stop the oscillating resonator in the coupling zone of this oscillating resonator with the escapement which is associated with it (between - ⁇ ZI and ⁇ ZI ) or, preferably, in a predefined safety zone (between - ⁇ Sec and ⁇ Sec ) encompassing the coupling zone (these zones have been explained previously).
  • the duration of the preliminary period and the braking force applied to the oscillating resonator, during the preliminary series of periodic braking pulses are provided so as to generate at least at the end of the preliminary period a preliminary synchronous phase in which the oscillation of the mechanical resonator is synchronized (on average) on the reference frequency F0c.
  • the electric voltage source 140 is variable and controlled by the logic circuit 60A which supplies it with a control signal S2 Cmd , so that the voltage level applied to the braking member 24C can be varied to vary. braking force. It is thus possible to provide a lower braking force during the preliminary period than during a correction period which follows it.
  • the braking force can also be varied during the preliminary period and / or the correction period.
  • the braking frequency during the preliminary period is equal to 2 ⁇ F0c; which also leads to synchronization on the frequency F0c by applying an alternating braking pulse.
  • the correction period intended to correct an advance or a delay, directly follows the preliminary period. More precisely, the triggering of a first braking pulse at the frequency F INF or F SUP , at the start of a period for correcting the displayed time, occurs after a determined time interval relative to an instant at which the last braking pulse of the preliminary period, so that this first braking pulse occurs outside a predefined safety zone including the aforementioned coupling zone.
  • This condition is easily fulfilled by the fact that the resonator is in a synchronous phase at least at the end of the preliminary period; The consequence of this is that the resonator stops during the last braking pulse of this preliminary period.
  • the correction device can thus know, with an accuracy of Tp / 2 (for example an accuracy of 3 ms), the phase of the oscillation. Therefore, the electronic control unit can be arranged so that the control logic circuit can determine an initial time to trigger the first braking pulse which fulfills the aforementioned condition, by activating the frequency generator 62 or 142, depending on the requirement. correction required, after a determined time interval since said last braking pulse which ensures that the first braking pulse is outside the predefined safety zone.
  • the instant of triggering of said first braking pulse and the braking force applied to the oscillating resonator, during this first pulse and then during the periodic braking pulses which follow during the correction period are expected to so that the phase synchronous with the correction frequency FI Cor or FS Cor preferably starts from the first braking pulse, or from a second braking pulse if the first braking pulse is used to reduce the amplitude of the oscillation without succeeding in stopping the resonator, and that this synchronous phase remains throughout the correction period.
  • the first braking pulse of the correction period occurs after a time interval corresponding to the inverse of the frequency F SUP or F INF , depending on the correction required, following the instant at which the last pulse occurs. braking of the preliminary period.
  • said time interval is selected equal to the inverse of double the correction frequency FS Cor or FI Cor , depending on the correction required, or to the inverse of this frequency FS Cor or FI Cor .
  • the improvement described above is remarkable because it uses the resources available, in particular the braking device provided to perform the required correction, to determine the phase of the oscillation of the resonator. No specific sensor for determining this phase is necessary. In addition, no significant temporal drift is induced by the preliminary period (generally at most T0c / 4). It will be noted that the generators at the various frequencies have been shown separately on Figure 12 , but only one programmable frequency generator device can be used.
  • a fifth embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention will be described below.
  • This fifth embodiment is arranged to allow the implementation of the second mode of correcting an advance, already described in previous embodiments, and a second mode of correcting a delay which will be described here in detail.
  • the timepiece 170 according to the fifth embodiment is shown in part on Figure 17 , where only the mechanical resonator 14A of the mechanical movement is shown. Apart from the device for correcting the displayed time, the other elements of the timepiece are similar to those shown in Figure 1 .
  • the mechanical resonator comprises a balance 16A associated with a spiral spring 15.
  • the balance comprises a rim 20A which has a projecting part 190 rising radially at its periphery. No other element of the balance rises to the radial position of the end part of the protruding part 190.
  • the balance comprises a mark 191 formed of a non-symmetrical succession of bars having different reflection coefficients of the light coming from an optical sensor 192 or simply a different reflection of this light, in particular a succession of at least two black bars. of different widths and separated by a white bar, the width of one of the two black bars being equal to the sum of the widths of the other black bar with the white bar. It will be understood that the bars thus form a sort of code with a transition in the middle of the mark 191. Instead of black bars and a white bar, other colors can be taken. In a variant, the black bars correspond to matt areas of the serge, while the white bar corresponds to a polished area of this serge. The black bars can also correspond to notches in the serge which present an inclined plane.
  • the mark 191 has been shown on the top of the rim for its description, but in the variant shown it is located on the outer lateral surface of the rim since the optical sensor is arranged in the general plane of the balance 16A . In another variant, the mark is located as shown, on the upper or lower surface of the rim, and the sensor is then rotated by 90 ° in order to be able to illuminate this mark.
  • the optical sensor 192 is arranged to detect the passages of the oscillating resonator through its neutral position (corresponding to the angular position '0' for the projecting part 190) and to make it possible to determine the direction of movement of the balance during each passage through this neutral position .
  • This optical sensor comprises an emitter 193 of a light beam in the direction of the serge 20A, this emitter being arranged so that it illuminates the mark 191 when the resonator passes through its neutral position, and a light receiver 194 arranged to receive at the minus a part of the light beam which is reflected by the serge at the level of the mark.
  • the optical sensor thus forms a device for detecting a specific angular position of the balance, allowing the electronic control unit to determine a specific instant at which the oscillating mechanical resonator is in the specific angular position, and also a device for determining the direction of movement of the balance when the oscillating resonator passes through the specific angular position.
  • Other types of detector for the position and direction of movement of the mechanical resonator can be provided in other variants, in particular capacitive, magnetic or inductive detectors.
  • the timepiece 170 comprises a resonator braking device which is formed by an electromechanical device 174 with stopper. bistable mobile.
  • the electromechanical device 174 comprises an electromechanical motor 176, of the watchmaking stepper motor type of small dimensions, which is supplied by a supply circuit 178, which comprises a control circuit arranged to generate, when it receives a signal.
  • control S4 Cmd a series of three electrical pulses which are supplied to the motor coil so that its rotor 177 advances by one step with each electrical pulse, or a half turn of rotation.
  • the series of three electrical pulses is designed to drive the rotor rapidly, continuously or almost continuously.
  • the rotor pinion meshes with an intermediate wheel 180 which meshes with a wheel having a diameter equal to three times that of the rotor pinion and fixedly bearing a first bipolar permanent magnet 182. Given the diameter ratio between said pinion and the bearing wheel the magnet 182, the latter turns half a turn during a series of three electrical pulses.
  • the first magnet has a first rest position and a second rest position in which the first magnet has a magnetic polarity opposite to that of the first rest position (by 'rest position' is understood a position in which is found magnet 182 after motor 176 has made a series of three electrical pulses on command and its rotor has then ceased to rotate).
  • the actuator 174 comprises a bistable rocker 184 pivoted about an axis 185 fixed to the mechanical movement and limited in its rotation by two pins 188 and 189.
  • the bistable rocker comprises at its free end, forming the head of this flip-flop, a second bipolar permanent magnet 186 which is movable and substantially aligned with the first magnet 182, the magnetic axes of these two magnets being provided substantially collinear when the first magnet is in one or the other of its two positions of rest.
  • the first rest position of the first magnet corresponds, relative to the second magnet 186, to a position of magnetic attraction
  • its second rest position corresponds to a magnetic repulsion position.
  • the first magnet turns half a turn and the rocker alternately passes from a stable non-interaction position. with the balance of the resonator in a stable position of interaction with this balance in which the rocker 184 then forms a stop for the projecting part 190, which abuts against the head of this rocker when the resonator oscillates and the projecting part arrives at the level of this head, whatever the direction of rotation of the balance during the impact.
  • the movable latch In the non-interaction position, the movable latch is out of a space swept by the projecting part 190 when the resonator oscillates with an amplitude within its useful operating range.
  • the interaction position the movable latch is located partially in this space swept by the projecting part and thus forms a stop for the resonator.
  • stable position one understands a position in which the rocker remains in the absence of a power supply of the motor 176 which serves to actuate the rocker between its two stable positions, in both directions.
  • the rocker thus forms a bistable movable stop for the resonator.
  • This rocker therefore forms a retractable stop member for the resonator.
  • the actuator 174 is arranged so that the latch can remain in the non-interacting position and in the interacting position without maintaining power to the motor 176.
  • the stop member in its interaction position and the protruding part define a first angular stop position ⁇ B for the balance of the oscillating resonator which is different from its neutral position, the protruding part abutting against the stop member at this first angular stop position when it arrives from its angular position '0', corresponding to the neutral position of the resonator, during a second half-wave of a first determined alternation among the two vibrations of each period of oscillation of the resonator. Then, the angle ⁇ B is expected to be less than a minimum amplitude of the oscillating mechanical resonator in its useful operating range.
  • the angle ⁇ B is provided so that the oscillating resonator is stopped by the stop member outside the zone of coupling of the oscillating resonator with the escapement of the mechanical movement, which has already been described.
  • the stop member in its interacting position and the protruding part also define a second angular stop position, close to the first but greater than the first, for the balance of the oscillating resonator when the protruding part arrives from an angular position extreme of the resonator during a first half-cycle of the second one of the two half-cycles of each period of oscillation.
  • This second angular stop position is also provided less than a minimum amplitude of the mechanical resonator oscillating in its useful operating range.
  • the projecting part 190 can, in another variant, rise axially from the rim or from one of the arms of the balance and the bistable electromechanical device 174 is then arranged so that the bistable latch has a movement in a plane. parallel to the axis of rotation of the balance.
  • the respective magnetization axes of the two magnets 182 and 186 are axial and remain substantially collinear, the magnet 182 then being arranged under the head of the rocker. It will be noted that such an arrangement of the bistable electromechanical device can also be provided in the context of the variant shown with a projecting part rising radially from the rim.
  • the projecting part of the resonator can, in another variant, be arranged around the shaft of the balance, in particular on the periphery of a plate carried by this shaft or integrally formed with the shaft.
  • a plate is the plate carrying the pin of the escapement.
  • the timepiece 170 comprises a control unit 196 which is associated with the optical sensor 192 and arranged to control the supply circuit 178 of the electromechanical device, to which the control unit supplies the control signal S4 Cmd .
  • the control unit comprises a control logic circuit 198, a bidirectional time counter 200 and a clock circuit 44. This control unit is associated with the electromechanical device 174 to allow the implementation of the second mode of correction of a advance and also of the second mode of correcting a delay in the time indicated by the display of the timepiece, explained below.
  • control unit 196 is arranged to control the electromechanical device (also called 'actuator' or 'electromechanical actuator') so that it can selectively actuate the stop device (the flip-flop 184), depending on whether it is planned to correct a delay or an advance in the time displayed by the timepiece, so that this stop device is moved from its position of no interaction at its interaction position respectively before the protruding part 190 reaches said first angular stop position ⁇ B during said second half-cycle of said first half-cycle of an oscillation period and before the protruding part 190 does not reach said second angular stop position during said first half-wave of said second half-wave of an oscillation period.
  • the electromechanical device also called 'actuator' or 'electromechanical actuator'
  • the electromechanical device is arranged so that, when the stop member is actuated to stop the mechanical resonator in a first half-wave, the member stop momentarily prevents, after the protruding part has abutted against this stop member, the mechanical resonator from continuing the natural oscillating movement specific to this first half-cycle, so that this natural oscillating movement during the first half-cycle is momentarily interrupted before it is continued, after a certain blocking period which ends with the withdrawal of the stop device.
  • a bistable electromechanical device as described above, provision is made to correct substantially the whole of a positive overall time error, determined by the device for correcting the timepiece according to the invention, during a continuous blocking period defining a correction period, which is provided substantially equal to the advance to be corrected.
  • the control unit waits for a delay of TOc / 4 to be reached to activate the actuator so that it drives, via its motor, the rocker 184 from its stable non-interaction position to its stable position interaction where the head of the rocker forms a stop for the protruding part.
  • the angular stop position for example between 90 ° and 120 °, it is possible to provide a shorter delay than T0c / 4, for example T0c / 5, to trigger a series of three electrical pulses allowing '' drive the motor 176 so that its rotor turns rapidly by one and a half turns, the time interval to allow the rocker to pivot between its two stable positions, by reversing the direction of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 182, thus being elongated.
  • T0c / 4 for example T0c / 5
  • the electromechanical device in order to at least partially correct a delay (negative time error), is arranged so that, when the stop member is actuated to stop the mechanical resonator in a second half-wave of at least a so-called first alternation of a period of oscillation (alternation during which the projecting part 190 arrives at the level of the head of the rocker 184 after the resonator has passed through its neutral position), it thus prematurely ends this second half-wave without blocking the resonator but by reversing the direction of the oscillation movement of this resonator, so that the mechanical resonator starts, following an instantaneous or almost instantaneous stop caused by the collision of the protruding part with the stop member, directly a following alternation.
  • the position detector and the direction of movement of the resonator and the electronic control unit are arranged so as to be able to activate the actuator, each time the error global time determined by the correction device corresponds to a delay in the displayed time, so that this actuator actuates its stop member so that the projecting part of the oscillating resonator abuts against this stop member in a plurality of half-vibrations of the oscillation of the mechanical resonator which each follow its passage through the neutral position, so as to prematurely end each of these half-waves without blocking the mechanical resonator.
  • the number of half-waves of said plurality of half-waves is determined by the delay to be corrected.
  • the electronic control unit and the actuator are arranged so that, in order to at least partially correct a delay, the latch is maintained in its interaction position, following actuation of this latch from its non-interaction position to its interaction position while the oscillating resonator is located angularly on the side of its neutral position relative to the angular stop position, until the end of the correction period during which the protruding part of the oscillating mechanical resonator comes periodically abut the head of the latch several times, the (duration of the) correction period during which the latch is maintained in its interaction position being determined by the delay to be corrected.
  • Pivoting of the rocker from its non-interaction position to its interaction position can occur either in a so-called first alternation (the one in which the impact with the projecting part is provided, this first alternation being detected by the detection of the direction of rotation of the balance) preferably directly after the detection of the passage through the neutral position so that the latch is placed in its interaction position before the protruding part reaches the stop angle ⁇ B , or in a so-called second alternation (also detected by detection of the direction of rotation of the balance) directly after the detection of passage through the neutral position, this second variant leaving more time to actuate the rocker and allow it to be placed in a stable manner in its interaction position (the stop angle is by definition less than or equal to 180 °).
  • the control unit comprises a measuring circuit associated with the optical sensor, this measuring circuit comprising a clock circuit, supplying an output signal. clock at a determined frequency, and a comparator circuit making it possible to measure a time drift of the oscillating resonator relative to its reference frequency, the measuring circuit being arranged to be able to measure a time interval corresponding to a time drift of the mechanical resonator from the start of the correction period.
  • the control unit is designed for terminating the correction period as soon as said time interval is equal to or slightly greater than an overall time error determined by the correction device.
  • the measuring circuit comprises a clock circuit 44, supplying a periodic digital signal at the frequency F0c / 2, and a bidirectional counter 200 (reversible counter).
  • the counter 200 is incremented by two units at each period of oscillation.
  • the state of the counter (integer M Cb ) is representative of a temporal drift of the mechanical resonator relative to the reference frequency which is determined by the clock circuit 44 having the precision of a quartz oscillator.
  • the integer M Cb corresponds to the number of additional alternations performed by the resonator, from an initial instant when the reversible counter is reset, relative to a case of an oscillation at the setpoint frequency.
  • the logic control circuit 198 receives from the optical sensor 192 a digital signal allowing this logic circuit to determine the passages of the resonator by its neutral position and the direction of the oscillation movement at each of these passages. To correct a given delay, following a detection of a passage of the resonator through its neutral position as described above, the control logic circuit, on the one hand, activates the actuator 174 so that it actuates the rocker towards its interaction position and, on the other hand, resets (performs a 'reset') the bidirectional counter 200, which defines the start of a correction period.
  • this reinitialization can, in a variant, take place before the supply of the actuator 174 to effect the pivoting of the rocker, but after the control unit 196 and the optical sensor 192 are activated.
  • the optical sensor is replaced by another type of sensor, for example of the magnetic, inductive or capacitive type.
  • the detector of the passage of the mechanical resonator through its neutral position is formed by a miniaturized sound sensor (MEMS type microphone) capable of detecting the sound impulses generated by the shocks between the ankle of the balance and the fork of the balance. anchor forming the escapement of the mechanical movement.
  • MEMS type microphone miniaturized sound sensor
  • the number of alternations at the reference frequency F0c in a negative overall time error T Err (determined delay) is equal to -T Err ⁇ 2 ⁇ F0c.
  • T Err time error
  • the logic control circuit is therefore designed to be able to compare the state of the counter with the value -T Err 2 F0c, and to end the correction period as soon as it detects that the number M Cb is equal or greater. at this value, by controlling the supply circuit 178 of the actuator so that the latter actuates the rocker from its stable interaction position to its stable non-interaction position.
  • the Figure 18 relates to the case where the kinematic energy of the resonator is entirely absorbed during each impact between the projecting part of the balance and the head of the stop.
  • the free oscillation 210 has in particular a second free half-wave A2 L before a detection of a time to when the resonator passes through its neutral position (position '0' of the projecting part 190) in the first half-wave which follows, the time to marking the start of a correction period for a given delay.
  • the flip-flop is moved into its interaction position directly after time t 0 .
  • a relatively large positive phase shift DP1 is obtained between the fictitious free oscillation 211 and the oscillation 212. Then a stable phase is established where the oscillation 212 is abbreviated, relatively to a fictitious free oscillation 213 since the previous stop of the resonator by the stop member, in the second half-cycle of the first half-wave A1 of each oscillation period; which then results in a positive phase shift DP2 smaller than DP1. The second half-wave A2 of oscillation 212 is not disturbed by the latch.
  • the Figure 19 relates to a particular case of a hard shock or elastic shock between the projecting part and the head of the rocker.
  • the kinetic energy of the resonator is conserved at each impact, given that there is no dissipation of kinetic energy during the shocks, but only a reversal of the direction of the oscillation movement.
  • the amplitude of the oscillation 216 during the correction period thus remains identical to that of the free oscillation 210, and therefore of the fictitious free oscillation 217 for each period of oscillation.
  • a stable phase is established with alternations A1 * and A2 * of duration T2 much less than T0 / 2, generating a relatively large positive phase shift DP3 at each oscillation period.
  • the lever to have a certain elasticity, in particular for the body of the lever and / or its head to be formed of an elastic material capable of undergoing a certain compression, so as to momentarily absorb water.
  • kinetic energy of the balance to restore it immediately after the reversal of the direction of the oscillation movement.
  • the oscillation 216 will slightly exceed the stop angle ⁇ B.
  • it is the projecting part which is elastically mounted on the rim of the balance.
  • the protruding part has a base forming a slide arranged in a circular slide machined in the rim and an elastic element, in particular a small coil spring is arranged in the slide at the rear of the slide, that is to say on the other side of the head of the rocker relatively to the protruding part when it is in its angular position '0'.
  • an elastic element in particular a small coil spring is arranged in the slide at the rear of the slide, that is to say on the other side of the head of the rocker relatively to the protruding part when it is in its angular position '0'.
  • the impacts between the projecting part of the balance and the stop of the electromechanical device are generally between the two extreme situations described in Figures 18 and 19 .
  • the electromechanical device is formed by a monostable electromechanical actuator which comprises a movable finger arranged so that this movable finger can be moved alternately between a first radial position and a second radial position when this actuator is respectively not activated. (not powered) and activated (that is, it is powered).
  • the first radial position of the finger corresponds to a position of non-interaction with the balance of the oscillating resonator and its second radial position corresponds to a position of interaction with the oscillating balance in which this finger then forms a stop for the projecting part of the oscillating balance. , similarly to the head of the rocker 184.
  • the correction device is arranged so as to be activated periodically, automatically, to perform a correction cycle during which the detection device is activated during a detection phase, so as to allow the circuit electronic correction to determine an overall time error, and the braking device is then activated to correct, during a correction period, at least major part of this overall time error.
  • a mechanical braking device is used, of the type described in the context of the present description, to impose on the oscillating mechanical resonator an average frequency which is synchronized on a reference frequency F0c determined by a circuit d internal electronic clock providing a periodic reference signal.
  • the regulation device continuously and periodically activates the mechanical braking device at a braking frequency derived from the periodic reference signal.
  • the correction device is for example activated once a week to perform a correction cycle (with an otherwise relatively precise mechanical watch, it is thus possible to ensure that one minute of error is not exceeded).
  • the correction device is advantageously activated once a day. If we want to claim an accuracy of the order of a second, then it is necessary to periodically carry out correction cycles, for example every three or four hours; which then generates a relatively high electrical consumption.
  • the watch may be subjected to disturbances (for example shocks or strong accelerations that can cause a hand to slide on its axis, as well as the momentary presence of an intense external magnetic field, etc.).
  • disturbances for example shocks or strong accelerations that can cause a hand to slide on its axis, as well as the momentary presence of an intense external magnetic field, etc.
  • an external intervention can also vary the display.
  • the correction device according to the present invention is necessary to guarantee an accurate display of the real time by the watch.
  • the correction device is controlled by appropriate sensors or detectors so as to be activated following a disruptive or potentially disruptive event, in particular following a manual setting indicated above, the implementation of the regulation method in a timepiece according to the present invention may prove to be advantageous.
  • the timepiece comprises an external control member operable by a user of the timepiece, this external control member and the correction device being arranged so as to allow a user to activate the correction device so that it performs a correction cycle during which the detection device is activated for a detection phase, so as to determine an overall time error, and the braking device is then activated to correct, during a correction period, at least for the most part this overall time error.
  • the external control member is formed by a crown associated with a control rod which also serve for setting the time. actual display manually.
  • the possibility of controlling the correction device by an external control member so that it performs a correction cycle is combined with an internal automatic control which periodically activates the correction device so that it thus regularly performs a correction cycle. correction cycle.
  • the detection device which is arranged in a timepiece 260 so as to be able to perform an indirect detection of the passage of at least one indicator of the display through at least one position corresponding reference time frame.
  • the detection device is arranged to be able to detect at least one respective predetermined angular position of a wheel integral with the indicator in question or of a detection wheel, forming the drive mechanism or complementary thereto. , which drives or is driven by the wheel integral with the indicator.
  • the detection wheel is selected or configured so as to have a rotational speed lower than that of the wheel integral with the indicator and a gear ratio R equal to a positive integer or the reverse of an integer depending on whether the detection wheel is driving or driven, respectively.
  • the predetermined angular position which is detected by a detection unit of the detection device corresponds to a reference temporal position given for the indicator considered.
  • an optical detection unit 274 for detecting the passage of the seconds hand 262 through a given reference time position. This detection is carried out indirectly by the detection of an axis of specific reference AR of the second wheel 264 which carries this hand.
  • the second wheel is conventionally driven in rotation by an average wheel 266 via the second gear 265.
  • the second wheel 264 is in the example given in direct meshing connection with the escape wheel assembly which is formed of a escape wheel 268 and a pinion 269.
  • the escape wheel 268 is coupled to the resonator of the mechanical movement in question.
  • the detection device comprises an optical detection unit 274 associated with the seconds hand 262 and arranged to be able to detect a predetermined angular position of the seconds wheel.
  • This detection unit is similar to any optical detection unit described in connection with the first embodiment. It will be noted that a detection unit of another type can be provided, in particular of the capacitive, magnetic or inductive type.
  • the reference axis AR defining said predetermined angular position of the second wheel 264, is defined by a specific arm 288 of this wheel which has a width different from that of the other arms 286 of the wheel. This arm 288 has at least one reflecting zone in the region scanned by the light beam 232, emitted by the light source, when it passes under the detection unit 274.
  • the arm 288 has a reduced thickness because it has about a double width relative to the other arms.
  • the detection unit 274 is arranged on a support 280, in particular a PCB, and inserted into an opening of the plate 272.
  • Processing unit 46 determines the reference axis AR based on a series of measurements at a given measurement frequency F Ms , similar to determining the middle longitudinal axis of the minute hand in the first embodiment of the detection unit, and thus the instant of passage of this middle longitudinal axis below the middle longitudinal axis of the detection unit 274, which comprises a light source 278 and a photosensitive detector 276 aligned along a direction radial of the second wheel.
  • the superposition of the middle longitudinal axes of the specific arm and of the detection unit defines the predetermined reference time position.
  • said superposition of the middle longitudinal axes determines the instant of passage T X0 of the needle of the seconds by the reference time position X0 .
  • the watchmaker must angularly position the seconds hand relative to the seconds wheel so that, during said superposition of the middle longitudinal axes, the seconds hand indicates a current second corresponding to the predetermined reference time position.
  • This detection device is formed of an optical detection module 300, comprising two detection units, and a detection wheel which is specifically arranged for the intended detection.
  • Each detection unit is similar to any optical detection unit described in connection with the first embodiment.
  • a detection unit of another type can be provided, in particular of the capacitive, magnetic or inductive type.
  • the barrel 292 which drives the center wheel 290.
  • the detection device only comprises a single detection unit.
  • the indirect detection of the passage of the minute hand by at least one temporal position of given reference is so advantageously provided by means of a detection of at least one reference axis, among at least one series of given reference axes which respectively define a series of predetermined periodic angular positions, of the timer wheel 294 which is driven rotating by the roadway 296.
  • This timer wheel forms a timer mobile whose pinion 295 meshes with the hour wheel 298 provided with a cylindrical axis carrying the hour hand 34H. It is arranged in a recess of the plate 272.
  • the plate supports the timer wheel above and below the optical detection module 300, which is therefore arranged below the timer wheel.
  • the plate has two through openings which are respectively provided above the two detection units for the passage of the light beam 232 between each of them and the timer wheel, more precisely the region in which the arms 306, 308 extend. of this timer wheel.
  • Each detection unit has a light source 302, 302A and a photosensitive detector 304, 304A.
  • the two optical detection units are arranged on a common support 310 which have two openings 312, 312A respectively aligned on the two detection units.
  • the detection module is furthermore designed to be able to detect also a second series of R given periodic angular positions of the timer wheel which are defined by a second series of R respective reference axes A1 S2 , A2 S2 and A3 S2 which are different from the reference axes of the first series.
  • Each series of periodic angular positions is associated with a respective plurality of R specific elements or specific recesses of the timer wheel.
  • there is a plurality of arms of the timer wheel the first series of reference axes being defined respectively by three arms 306 having a first width and the second series of reference axes being respectively defined by three arms 308 having a second width different from the first width.
  • the detection of each reference axis is carried out in a similar manner to the detection of the reference axis AR and the determination of an instant of passage of the minute hand through any of these reference axes is also carried out in a manner similar to determining the instant at which the seconds hand passes through the reference axis AR.
  • the timer wheel is configured so that each angular position of the first series has the same first signature for the correction device, so that the electronic correction circuit can associate one and the same first time position of reference to the minute indicator when detecting any angular position / any reference axis of the first series, and so that each angular position of the second series has the same second signature, different from the first signature, for the correction device, so that the electronic correction circuit can associate one and the same second reference time position, different from the first reference time position, with the minutes indicator when detecting any one angular position / of any reference axis of the second series.
  • the electronic correction circuit can determine a second time of passage T Y0 of the minute indicator through a reference time position Y0 (any one of the two reference time positions provided in the variant described) in an unambiguous manner.
  • the detection detection device comprises K detection units, K being an integer greater than one, and the number of series of periodic angular positions of the timer wheel is an integer S greater than zero, each series of periodic angular positions being associated with a respective plurality of R specific elements or specific recesses of the timer wheel.
  • the K detection units are arranged to each be able to detect the S pluralities of R specific elements or specific recesses of the timer wheel. Any two of the K detection units are angularly offset by a separation angle of which the remainder of the entire division by an angle equal to 360 ° / (R ⁇ S) is other than zero.
  • the remainder of the integer division is substantially equal to 360 ° / (R ⁇ S ⁇ K).

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
EP20194692.8A 2019-12-24 2020-09-04 Uhr, die mit einem mechanischen uhrwerk und einer vorrichtung zur korrektur der angezeigten stunde ausgestattet ist Pending EP3842876A1 (de)

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JP7078704B2 (ja) 2022-05-31
US11586150B2 (en) 2023-02-21
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US20210191334A1 (en) 2021-06-24
JP2021103165A (ja) 2021-07-15

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