EP3844574A1 - Display device for a timepiece and timepiece comprising such a device - Google Patents

Display device for a timepiece and timepiece comprising such a device

Info

Publication number
EP3844574A1
EP3844574A1 EP19780013.9A EP19780013A EP3844574A1 EP 3844574 A1 EP3844574 A1 EP 3844574A1 EP 19780013 A EP19780013 A EP 19780013A EP 3844574 A1 EP3844574 A1 EP 3844574A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display device
counter mobile
counter
mobile
chronograph
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP19780013.9A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3844574B1 (en
Inventor
Anthony Krüttli
Nicolas Dehon
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.)
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Original Assignee
Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Patek Philippe SA Geneve filed Critical Patek Philippe SA Geneve
Publication of EP3844574A1 publication Critical patent/EP3844574A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3844574B1 publication Critical patent/EP3844574B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G04F7/0804—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with reset mechanisms
    • 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
    • G04B3/00—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously
    • G04B3/001—Normal winding of clockworks by hand or mechanically; Winding up several mainsprings or driving weights simultaneously by push button
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F7/00—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means
    • G04F7/04—Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by non-electric means using a mechanical oscillator
    • G04F7/08—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
    • G04F7/0842—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms
    • G04F7/0857—Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph with start-stop control mechanisms with single push-button or actuation member for start-stop and reset

Definitions

  • timepiece comprising such a device
  • the present invention relates to a display device for a timepiece which comprises a counter mobile and a manual control mechanism arranged to allow cyclically to start, stop, and reset the counter mobile, the display device comprising an indicator member and means for enabling the indicator member to be brought into a reading position following the stop of the counter mobile, the reading position being determined by the position of the counter mobile.
  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a display device according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • Timepieces are known which include a display device conforming to the definition given above.
  • Patent document EP 1 024 416 A2 in particular describes a display device intended to equip a chronograph.
  • This chronograph also conventionally includes a control device and a chronograph train.
  • the chronograph train itself has a second counter mobile arranged to be driven at the speed of one revolution / minute and a fifth of a second counter mobile arranged to be driven at the speed of one revolution in ten seconds .
  • the chronograph hand is mounted on the axis of the second counter mobile.
  • the fifth of a second counter mobile on the other hand, is associated with a retrograde hand intended to indicate the fifths of a second on a graduation in an arc of a circle.
  • the display device described in the aforementioned prior document includes a snail which is mounted on the axis of the fifth of a second counter mobile so as to rotate with the latter, a dedicated pusher which can be used only when the chronograph is stopped, and a main scale which is equipped with a tenon-feeler and a toothed sector.
  • the toothed sector is arranged to be engaged with a cog connected to the retrograde needle so as to allow the main rocker to control the position of this needle.
  • a return spring is also arranged to exert, on the main rocker, a force tending to return the post-feeler against the periphery of the snail to read the fraction of a second timed.
  • the main rocker is locked in the raised position, so that the tenon-feeler is kept away from the snail, and the retrograde needle occupies a rest position which is located above a neutral zone (off scale) of the dial.
  • the pusher is actuated, the main rocker is released, so that it pivots and the tenon-feeler comes to bear against the periphery of the snail.
  • the pivoting of the rocker then has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle above a position of the graduation which corresponds to the fifth of a second to be indicated.
  • the button is then released, the main rocker returns to its raised position and the retrograde hand returns to its rest position above the neutral zone of the dial.
  • An object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art which have just been explained.
  • the present invention achieves this and other objects by providing a display device according to the appended claim 1, as well as by providing a timepiece according to the appended claim 15.
  • the display device comprises means for bringing the indicating member to a first predefined position associated with the value “zero” when the counter mobile is reset to zero, and for bringing the indicating member in a second predefined position, different from the first predefined position, when the counter mobile is started.
  • an advantage of the features of the invention listed above is that the indicator member moves from one fixed position to another when the counter mobile is started. This move confirms to the user that the counter mobile has actually started.
  • a user who knows his timepiece knows that, when the indicating member is in the second predefined position, it indicates that the counter mobile is in the process of turning.
  • the running of the hand is generally sufficient to indicate that the chronograph train works.
  • the timepiece of the prior art is not equipped with a large chronograph hand, the user may doubt that the mechanism is working. It will be understood that the present invention overcomes this problem in particular.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view on the dial side of a chronograph watch equipped with a display device in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic views of the second fraction indicator of a display device according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the fraction indicator of second after resetting to zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
  • Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of a display device according to a variant of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the variant of the display device comprising two snails arranged to control two retrograde hands to indicate first and second fractions of a second respectively, and the display device being shown following the resetting of the chronograph;
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic views of the fraction of a second indicator of a display device according to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the device following delivery at zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
  • FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a third particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the device following delivery at zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
  • FIG. 5D is a schematic plan view showing the heart and finger of the fractional second indicator of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are set out in the description which follows. These three embodiments are intended to be integrated into chronograph mechanisms. It will however be understood that the display device of the invention can also be fitted to other types of timepieces. Among the latter, there may be mentioned in particular the timepieces with countdown and those having a regatta mode.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view on the dial side of a chronograph watch which is equipped with a display device according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
  • the chronograph watch 1 firstly comprises a watch case 3 which is provided with two pairs of horns 5 intended to serve as fasteners for each of the two strands of a bracelet (not shown). It can be seen that the case also carries a crown for winding and setting the time 23, as well as a pusher 25, which are both arranged at 3 o'clock on the middle. In a manner known per se, the pusher 25 is arranged concentrically with the crown 23. The start, stop and reset of the chronograph can be controlled by actuating the pusher 25.
  • the display device of the invention comprises two indicator members constituted by retrograde hands. It will be understood, however, that the indicator members are not necessarily produced in the form of needles.
  • the first retrograde hand 15 is provided to cooperate with a first scale in an arc 19 to indicate the tenths of a second contained in the fractional part of the time interval measured by the chronograph
  • the second retrograde hand 17 is provided to cooperate with a second scale in an arc 21 to indicate the hundredths of a second contained in the rest of the fractional part.
  • the 19 scale unlike the 21 scale, goes counterclockwise.
  • the two scales in an arc 19 and 21 each have ten intervals of equal widths separated from each other by nine graduations numbered from 1 to 9.
  • each scale 19, 21 also has a terminal graduation at each of its ends.
  • the terminal graduation which is placed at the start of a scale (before the "1") is associated with the indication “0” or “reset to zero", while the terminal graduation which is placed at the end of a scale (after “9”) is associated with the indication “start” or “start”.
  • the chronograph train (not shown) of the chronograph watch illustrated in FIG. 1 differs from the workings of most of the known chronograph mechanisms in that it is arranged to drive a counter of tenths of a second and a counter of hundredths second.
  • the seconds wheel of the chronograph train (not shown) is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a first intermediate mobile, and the wheel of this intermediate mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a counter mobile. tenths of a second.
  • the wheel of the tenth of a second counter mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a second intermediate mobile, and the wheel of this second intermediate mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a mobile of hundredths counter. second.
  • the gear ratios of the part of the chronograph train which has just been described are chosen so that, when the chronograph seconds wheel rotates at the speed of one revolution per minute, the counter counter mobile tenths of a second rotates at the speed of one revolution per second, and the hundredths of a second counter mobile rotates at the speed of ten revolutions per second.
  • the teeth of the chronograph seconds wheel can have 80 teeth
  • the pinion and the wheel of the first intermediate mobile can have 10 and 75 teeth respectively
  • the pinion and the wheel of the tenths of a second counter mobile. can have 10 and 60 teeth respectively
  • the pinion and the wheel of the second intermediate mobile can have 20 and 40 teeth respectively
  • the pinion of the hundredths of a second counter can have 12 teeth.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a first particular embodiment of the invention. These three figures respectively show the fractional seconds indicator in its configuration, following reset, following start-up, and following stop of the chronograph.
  • Each of the figures shows a pinion 123, a retrograde needle 1 15 rigidly mounted on the axis of the pinion, a series of graduations arranged along a circular arc so as to form a scale 1 19, a snail 125 mounted on the axis of a second fraction counter mobile (not shown), so as to rotate integrally with the latter, a rake 127 provided with a toothed sector 129, and a feeler 131 rigidly mounted on the rake.
  • the aforementioned figures also show a column wheel 135 comprising a ratchet wheel provided with eighteen teeth 137, and six columns 139 erected on the board of the ratchet wheel.
  • the column wheel 135 is provided in particular to allow the fraction indicator of the display device to be controlled.
  • the column wheel 135 is also part of the manual control mechanism arranged to allow the cyclic start, stop, and reset all of the chronograph.
  • the manually operated mechanism of the chronograph also comprises a pusher (referenced 25 in FIG. 1) which is arranged to allow the column wheel to be incremented step by step. Each time the column wheel 135 is incremented by one step, it rotates the angular value of a ratchet tooth (i.e. 20 °) clockwise (as shown in the figures ).
  • Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate the column wheel in three different angular positions.
  • the column wheel 135 if it is in the configuration shown in FIG. 2A and if it is incremented by one step, it pivots clockwise by the angular value of a ratchet tooth.
  • the column wheel is then found in the configuration shown in Figure 2B. If we now increment it by one more step, it will still rotate to find itself this time in the configuration shown in Figure 2C. Finally, if it is incremented a third time, it still pivots by the angular value of a ratchet tooth to find itself again in the configuration shown in FIG. 2A.
  • the column wheel 135 regains its initial configuration when it is increased by three steps.
  • the column wheel 135 is a three-stroke column wheel.
  • the column wheel could be two-stroke.
  • the rake 127 is pivotally mounted around an axis 133 and that it is provided with a spout 141 which is biased towards the columns of the wheel with columns 135 by a spring 143.
  • the spout 141 is pressed against a column of the column wheel, so that it cannot be lowered.
  • the rake is in a standby position in which the feeler 131 is kept away from the snail 125 and the toothed sector 129 is kept disengaged from the pinion 123.
  • the column wheel pivots by 20 °, so that the spout 141 of the rake 127 is forced to slide against the external face of the column 139.
  • FIG. 2B we can see that, although the spout 141 has slid against the column 139 by the angular value of a ratchet tooth, it is still in abutment against this column. The rake 127 is therefore still in the standby position, despite the start of the chronograph.
  • the column wheel pivots again by 20 °, so that this time the spout 141 falls into the space between two columns.
  • the rake 127 is then free to rotate clockwise. Referring now to FIG. 2C, it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the rake 127 is in its reading position in which the feeler 131 presses against the periphery of the snail 125, while the toothed sector 129 meshes with the pinion 123. It will be understood that, when the rake 127 is in the reading position, the angular position of the retrograde needle 1 15 is determined by that of the snail 125.
  • the column wheel 135 pivots another 20 °, so that the spout 141 is lifted by a new column 139 of the column wheel, which causes the rake to pivot 127 counterclockwise.
  • the fractional seconds indicator thus returns to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2A.
  • the fraction of a second indicator of the display device also comprises means for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset. to zero, and to bring the retrograde hand to a second predefined position, different from the first position, when the chronograph is started.
  • a rack 145 which is arranged to pivot around its axis 147 and to permanently mesh with the pinion 123, two stops 149a and 149b delimiting a sector inside which the rack 145 is free to pivot, a control lever 151 arranged to pivot around its axis 153 and having a spout 155.
  • a spring 157 arranged to return the spout 155 towards the columns 139 of the wheel with columns 135, and a leaf spring 159 rigidly fixed by one of its ends to the pivot axis 153 of the control lever 151 and by its other end to the pivot axis 147 of the rack 145.
  • the distance which separates the pivot axis 153 from the control lever from the pivot axis 147 of the rack is less than the non-deformed length of the leaf spring 159.
  • the leaf spring undergoes constraints which prevent it from adopting an undistorted configuration (or in other words: straight).
  • the leaf spring 159 adopts a buckled shape (or in other words, bent by deformation in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the two pivot axes 153 and 147).
  • stable configuration is meant a configuration which is associated with a shape to which the leaf spring always returns if it is removed by a request of sufficiently low amplitude.
  • the flare due to the buckling of the leaf spring 159 can be oriented in one direction or the other. It will therefore be understood that the leaf spring 159 can thus occupy one or the other of two stable configurations which are symmetrical.
  • one end of the leaf spring 159 is rigidly fixed to the pivot axis 153 of the control lever 151, while its other end is fixed in the same way to the pivot axis 147 of rack 145.
  • the leaf -spring recalls the rack 145 clockwise and recalls the control lever 151 counterclockwise (as illustrated in Figures 2A and 2C).
  • the leaf spring 159 recalls the rack 145 counterclockwise and recalls the control lever 151 in clockwise (as shown in Figure 2B).
  • the system constituted by the leaf spring 159, the rack 145 and the control lever 151 is a bistable system, one of the two stable configurations of the system being represented in FIGS. 2A and 2C and the other stable system configuration being shown in Figure 2B. Under these conditions, when the system occupies one of its two stable configurations and that the control lever 151 is pivoted, the entire bistable system is forced to switch and switch to the other configuration.
  • the means for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset to zero, and for bringing the retrograde hand to a second predefined position, different from the first position, when the chronograph is started, operate as follows.
  • the control lever 151 is arranged to be controlled by the column wheel 135 so as to pivot in one direction or the other between a first position in which the spout 155 is lifted by one of the columns 139 and a second position in which the spout 155 is lowered in the space between two columns.
  • the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145 occupies a first of these two stable configurations.
  • the rack is turned fully clockwise, so that it bears against the stop 149b.
  • the retrograde needle 1 15 is, in turn, turned fully counterclockwise, so that it is opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “zero” on the scale 1 19.
  • the column wheel pivots by 20 °, so that the spout 155 of the control lever falls into the space between two columns 139, the lever 151 thus passing into its second position.
  • FIG. 2B it can be seen that the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145, has passed from one to the other of these two stable configurations.
  • the rack is turned fully counterclockwise, so that it bears against the stop 149a.
  • the retrograde hand 115 it is turned fully clockwise, so that it is opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “start” (in other words: “departure”) of scale 1 19.
  • the column wheel pivots another 20 °, so that the spout 155 is again lifted by a columns 139, and that the control lever 151 returns to its first position.
  • FIG. 2C it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145, has not resumed its first configuration stable, but on the contrary is in an intermediate position which is unstable. Indeed, as we have seen, following the stop of the chronograph, the toothed sector 129 of the rake 127 meshes with the pinion 123, so that the angular position of the retrograde needle 1 15 is determined by that of the snail 125. Indeed, the force of the leaf spring 159 is chosen to be less than that of the return spring 143. Under these conditions, following stopping the chronograph, it is the pinion 123 which controls the position of the rack 145 and not the reverse.
  • FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of a display device according to a variant of the embodiment which has just been described, and which comprises two fractional seconds indicators.
  • the operating principle of each of these two indicators is completely similar to that of the fractional seconds indicator which has already been described in relation to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C.
  • the description which follows is therefore limited essentially to explaining how the two indicators of fractions of a second are associated.
  • the fractional second indicators of FIG. 3 each include a snail (respectively referenced 225a and 225b).
  • the two snails are arranged to control two retrograde hands 215 and 217 to indicate the fractional part of a time interval measured by the chronograph.
  • the snail 225a is mounted on the axis of the tenths of a second counter mobile (not shown) so that it rotates at the speed of one revolution per second
  • the snail 225b is mounted on the axis of the counter mobile hundredths of a second counter (not shown) so that it rotates at the speed of ten revolutions per second.
  • the hands 215 and 217 therefore respectively indicate the tenths and the hundredths of a second.
  • FIG. 3 also shows two pinions 223a, 223b on the axes of which the retrograde needles are mounted, two scales 219, 221 in an arc, which are each formed by a series of graduations, two rakes 227a, 227b each provided with a toothed sector and a probe 231 a, 231 b, two racks 245a, 245b arranged to pivot around their respective axes 247a or 247b and to mesh each permanently with one of the two pinions 223a, 223b, a single control lever 251 which has a spout 255 and which is arranged to pivot about its axis 253, and two leaf springs 259a and 259b rigidly fixed by one of their ends to the pivot axis 253 of the control lever 251 and by the other end, respectively, to the pivot axes 247a and 247b of the two racks 245a and 245b.
  • Figure 3 also shows that the two leaf springs 259a, 259b are not arranged in the extension of one another, but on the contrary make an angle of about 90 ° with each other. Indeed, in accordance with the embodiment which is the subject of this example, it is possible to freely choose the value of the angle between the ends of the two leaf springs which must be rigidly fixed to the pivot axis 253.
  • FIG. 3 which illustrates the display device following the resetting of the chronograph, shows one of the two stable configurations of the bistable system.
  • the racks 245a, 245b are turned fully counterclockwise, and the retrograde hands 215, 217 are both opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "zero" of one of the scales 219, 221.
  • the spout 255 of the control lever 251 falls in the space between two columns of the column wheel, so that the control lever 251 rotates counterclockwise. This pivoting causes the switching of the entire bistable system, which thus passes from one to the other of these two stable configurations.
  • the retrograde needles 215, 217 are each opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "start” (in other words: “departure”) from one of the scales 219 and 221.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a second particular embodiment of the invention. These three figures respectively show the indicator after resetting to zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph.
  • the second fraction indicator illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C has many features in common with the fraction indicator second of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.
  • the elements of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C which are identical or similar to elements which have already been described in relation to FIGS. 2a, 2B and 2C are referenced by the same numbers increased by two hundred.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show in particular a pinion 323, a retrograde needle 315 rigidly mounted on the axis of the pinion, a series of graduations arranged along an arc of a circle so as to form a scale 319, a snail 325 mounted on the axis of a second fraction counter mobile (not shown), a rake 327 provided with a toothed sector 329, a probe 331 rigidly mounted on the rake, and a column wheel 335.
  • the rake 327 is provided with a spout 341 which is recalled in the direction of the column wheel 335.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show in particular a pinion 323, a retrograde needle 315 rigidly mounted on the axis of the pinion, a series of graduations arranged along an arc of a circle so as to form a scale 319, a snail 325 mounted on the axis of a second fraction counter mobile (not shown), a
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B thus show the rake 327 in its standby position, in which the feeler 331 is kept away from the snail 325 and the toothed sector 329 is kept disengaged from the pinion 323.
  • FIG. 4C it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the rake 327 is in its reading position in which the feeler 331 presses against the periphery of the snail 325, while the toothed sector 329 meshes with the pinion 323.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show a first and a second hammer (respectively referenced 345 and 347) which are respectively returned towards two coaxial cores (not shown) by two springs 349 and 351.
  • the hearts are both rigidly fixed on the axis of the pinion 323.
  • the hammers 345 and 347 each carry a spout (referenced respectively 353 and 355) which is arranged to cooperate with the columns of the wheel to columns 335.
  • FIG. 4A it can be seen that following the resetting of the chronograph, the beak 353 of the hammer 345 fell between two columns of the column wheel, causing the hammer 345 to drop against the heart with which it is associated with. The cooperation of the hammer 345 and the heart has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle 315 opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “zero” of the scale 319.
  • FIG. 4B one can see that following the start of the chronograph, the spout 353 has been raised by one of the columns of the column wheel, and that the hammer 345 is no longer in contact with the heart with which it is associated.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C also show a spiral spring 352 which is wound around the axis of the pinion 323 and which is fixed by one end to the plate and by the other end to the axis of the pinion 323 which carries the retrograde needle 315, so as to return the retrograde needle 315 counterclockwise.
  • the presence of the spiral spring 352 makes it possible to neutralize the play existing between the teeth of the toothed sector 329 and those of the pinion 323.
  • FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D relate to the fraction of second indicator of a display device according to a third particular embodiment of the invention.
  • the fractional second indicator illustrated in these Figures have many features in common with the fractional second indicator in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C.
  • the elements of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C which are identical or similar to elements which have already been described in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are referenced by the same numbers increased by one hundred.
  • the third embodiment differs essentially from the first and from the second by the means which it comprises for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset to zero, and for bringing the retrograde hand to a second position preset, different from the first position, when starting the chronograph.
  • FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show a single hammer (referenced 445) which is returned by a spring 449 in the direction of a one-piece cam formed by a heart 448 and a finger 450 (FIG. 5D and also visible in transparency in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C).
  • the one-piece cam is itself rigidly fixed on the axis of the pinion 423.
  • the hammer 445 carries a spout 453 arranged to cooperate with the columns of the column wheel 435.
  • FIG. 5D it can be seen that the one-piece cam formed from the heart 448 and the finger 450.
  • the finger 450 is arranged in the position usually occupied by the tip of the heart.
  • FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C also show a stop 454 arranged so as to be able to cooperate with the finger 450, a spiral spring 452 which is wound around the axis of the pinion 423 and which is fixed by one end to the plate and by the other end to the retrograde needle 415, so as to return the retrograde needle 415 and the finger 450 counterclockwise.
  • the stop 454 is arranged so that the finger meets the stop when the needle 415 is above the indication "Start".
  • the stop 454 can be produced in the form of an eccentric, in order to allow the second predefined position to be adjusted more finely.
  • FIG. 5A it can be seen that following the resetting of the chronograph, the beak 453 of the hammer 445 fell between two columns of the column wheel, causing the hammer 445 to drop against the heart. The cooperation of the hammer 445 and the heart has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle 415 opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "zero" of the scale 419.
  • the display device of the invention is not exclusively reserved for chronographs. It can also be fitted to other types of timepieces, such as countdown mechanisms or regatta watches. As a reminder, regatta watches are equipped with a countdown to display the last minutes before the start of the competition.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)

Abstract

The display device is arranged in a timepiece that comprises a counter wheel (425) and a manual control mechanism (435) arranged to allow the cyclical starting, stopping and resetting of the counter wheel. The display device comprises an indicator member (415), means for bringing the indicator member to a first predefined position (0) when the counter wheel is reset, means for bringing the indicator member to a second predefined position (Start), different from the first predefined position, when the counter wheel is started, and means for bringing the indicator member to a reading position, following the stopping of the counter wheel (425), the reading position being determined by the position of the counter wheel.

Description

Dispositif d’affichage pour pièce d’horlogerie et  Display device for a timepiece and
pièce d’horlogerie comportant un tel dispositif  timepiece comprising such a device
Conformément à un premier aspect, la présente invention concerne un dispositif d'affichage pour une pièce d’horlogerie qui comporte un mobile de compteur et un mécanisme à commande manuelle agencé pour permettre cycliquement de faire démarrer, d’arrêter, et de remettre à zéro le mobile de compteur, le dispositif d’affichage comportant un organe indicateur et des moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur dans une position de lecture suite à l’arrêt du mobile de compteur, la position de lecture étant déterminée par la position du mobile de compteur. According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a display device for a timepiece which comprises a counter mobile and a manual control mechanism arranged to allow cyclically to start, stop, and reset the counter mobile, the display device comprising an indicator member and means for enabling the indicator member to be brought into a reading position following the stop of the counter mobile, the reading position being determined by the position of the counter mobile.
Conformément à un second aspect, la présente invention concerne une pièce d’horlogerie comportant un dispositif d’affichage conforme au premier aspect de l’invention.  According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a display device according to the first aspect of the invention.
ART ANTERIEUR PRIOR ART
On connaît des pièces d’horlogerie qui comportent un dispositif d’affichage conforme à la définition donnée ci-dessus. Le document de brevet EP 1 024 416 A2 notamment décrit un dispositif d’affichage destiné à équiper un chronographe. Ce chronographe comporte également, de manière classique, un dispositif de commande et un rouage de chronographe. Le rouage de chronographe comporte lui-même un mobile de compteur de secondes agencé pour être entraîné à la vitesse d’un tour/minute et un mobile de compteur de cinquièmes de seconde agencé pour être entraîné à la vitesse d’un tour en dix secondes. De façon conventionnelle, l’aiguille de chronographe est montée sur l’axe du mobile de compteur de secondes. Le mobile de compteur de cinquièmes de seconde, quant à lui, est associé à une aiguille rétrograde prévue pour indiquer les cinquièmes de seconde sur une graduation en arc de cercle. Le dispositif d’affichage décrit dans le document antérieur susmentionné comporte un limaçon qui est monté sur l’axe du mobile de compteur de cinquièmes de seconde de façon à tourner avec ce dernier, un poussoir dédié qui est utilisable uniquement lorsque le chronographe est arrêté, et une bascule principale qui est équipée d’un tenon-palpeur et d’un secteur denté. Le secteur denté est agencé pour être en prise avec un rouage relié à l’aiguille rétrograde de façon à permettre à la bascule principale de commander la position de cette aiguille. Un ressort de rappel est encore agencé pour exercer, sur la bascule principale, une force tendant à rappeler le tenon-palpeur contre la périphérie du limaçon pour lire la fraction de seconde chronométrée. Tant qu’on n’actionne pas le poussoir, la bascule principale est bloquée en position relevée, de sorte que le tenon-palpeur est tenu à l’écart du limaçon, et que l’aiguille rétrograde occupe une position de repos qui est située au-dessus d’une zone neutre (hors échelle) du cadran. Lorsqu’on actionne le poussoir, on provoque la libération de la bascule principale, de sorte qu’elle pivote et que le tenon-palpeur vient en appui contre la périphérie du limaçon. Le pivotement de la bascule a alors pour effet d’amener l’aguille rétrograde au-dessus d’une position de la graduation qui correspond au cinquième de seconde à indiquer. Lorsqu’on relâche ensuite le poussoir, la bascule principale revient dans sa position relevée et l’aiguille rétrograde reprend sa position de repos au-dessus de la zone neutre du cadran. Timepieces are known which include a display device conforming to the definition given above. Patent document EP 1 024 416 A2 in particular describes a display device intended to equip a chronograph. This chronograph also conventionally includes a control device and a chronograph train. The chronograph train itself has a second counter mobile arranged to be driven at the speed of one revolution / minute and a fifth of a second counter mobile arranged to be driven at the speed of one revolution in ten seconds . Conventionally, the chronograph hand is mounted on the axis of the second counter mobile. The fifth of a second counter mobile, on the other hand, is associated with a retrograde hand intended to indicate the fifths of a second on a graduation in an arc of a circle. The display device described in the aforementioned prior document includes a snail which is mounted on the axis of the fifth of a second counter mobile so as to rotate with the latter, a dedicated pusher which can be used only when the chronograph is stopped, and a main scale which is equipped with a tenon-feeler and a toothed sector. The toothed sector is arranged to be engaged with a cog connected to the retrograde needle so as to allow the main rocker to control the position of this needle. A return spring is also arranged to exert, on the main rocker, a force tending to return the post-feeler against the periphery of the snail to read the fraction of a second timed. As long as the pusher is not actuated, the main rocker is locked in the raised position, so that the tenon-feeler is kept away from the snail, and the retrograde needle occupies a rest position which is located above a neutral zone (off scale) of the dial. When the pusher is actuated, the main rocker is released, so that it pivots and the tenon-feeler comes to bear against the periphery of the snail. The pivoting of the rocker then has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle above a position of the graduation which corresponds to the fifth of a second to be indicated. When the button is then released, the main rocker returns to its raised position and the retrograde hand returns to its rest position above the neutral zone of the dial.
Un inconvénient de cette solution antérieure est que l’aiguille rétrograde ne revient pas à zéro avec les autres aiguilles de compteur lorsqu’on commande la remise à zéro du chronographe. Beaucoup d’utilisateurs ont l’habitude de contrôler le fonctionnement de leur chronographe en vérifiant d’un coup d’œil que toutes les aiguilles sont bien revenues à zéro suite à une remise à zéro du chronographe. Dans ces conditions, le fait que l’aiguille rétrograde ne soit pas prévue pour revenir à zéro peut donner à un utilisateur l’impression erronée que le chronographe ne fonctionne pas de façon optimale. BREF EXPOSE DE L’INVENTION A drawback of this prior solution is that the retrograde hand does not return to zero with the other counter hands when the reset of the chronograph is ordered. Many users are used to checking the operation of their chronograph by checking at a glance that all the hands have returned to zero following a reset to the chronograph. Under these conditions, the fact that the retrograde hand is not intended to return to zero can give a user the false impression that the chronograph is not working optimally. BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
Un but de la présente invention est de remédier aux inconvénients de l’art antérieur qui viennent d’être expliqués. La présente invention atteint ce but ainsi que d’autres en fournissant un dispositif d’affichage conforme à la revendication 1 annexée, ainsi qu’en fournissant une pièce d’horlogerie conforme à la revendication 15 annexée.  An object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art which have just been explained. The present invention achieves this and other objects by providing a display device according to the appended claim 1, as well as by providing a timepiece according to the appended claim 15.
Conformément à l’invention, le dispositif d’affichage comprend des moyens pour amener l’organe indicateur dans une première position prédéfinie associée à la valeur « zéro » lorsqu’on remet le mobile de compteur à zéro, et pour amener l’organe indicateur dans une deuxième position prédéfinie, différente de la première position prédéfinie, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le mobile de compteur.  According to the invention, the display device comprises means for bringing the indicating member to a first predefined position associated with the value “zero” when the counter mobile is reset to zero, and for bringing the indicating member in a second predefined position, different from the first predefined position, when the counter mobile is started.
Un avantage des caractéristiques de l’invention énumérées ci-dessus est que l’organe indicateur se déplace, passant d’une position fixe à une autre, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le mobile de compteur. Ce déplacement confirme à l’utilisateur que le mobile de compteur a effectivement démarré. D’autre part, un utilisateur qui connaît sa pièce d’horlogerie sait que, lorsque l’organe indicateur se trouve dans la deuxième position prédéfinie, il indique que le mobile de compteur est en train de tourner. Dans le cas d’une pièce d’horlogerie de l’art antérieur comportant une grande aiguille de chronographe au centre, la marche de l’aiguille suffit en général pour indiquer que le rouage de chronographe fonctionne. En revanche, si la pièce d’horlogerie de l’art antérieur n’est pas équipée d’une grande aiguille de chronographe, l’utilisateur peut douter que le mécanisme fonctionne. On comprendra que la présente invention remédie notamment à ce problème.  An advantage of the features of the invention listed above is that the indicator member moves from one fixed position to another when the counter mobile is started. This move confirms to the user that the counter mobile has actually started. On the other hand, a user who knows his timepiece knows that, when the indicating member is in the second predefined position, it indicates that the counter mobile is in the process of turning. In the case of a timepiece of the prior art having a large chronograph hand in the center, the running of the hand is generally sufficient to indicate that the chronograph train works. On the other hand, if the timepiece of the prior art is not equipped with a large chronograph hand, the user may doubt that the mechanism is working. It will be understood that the present invention overcomes this problem in particular.
BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
D’autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d’exemple non limitatif, et faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels : la figure 1 est une vue en plan côté cadran d’une montre- chronographe équipée d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention ; Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view on the dial side of a chronograph watch equipped with a display device in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention;
les figures 2A, 2B et 2C sont des vues schématiques de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un premier mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention, les trois figures montrant respectivement l’indicateur de fractions de seconde suite à la remise à zéro, suite au démarrage, et suite à l’arrêt du chronographe ;  FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic views of the second fraction indicator of a display device according to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the fraction indicator of second after resetting to zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
la figure 3 est une vue schématique partielle d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à une variante du premier mode de réalisation illustré dans les figures 2A, 2B et 2C, la variante du dispositif d’affichage comportant deux limaçons agencés pour commander deux aiguilles rétrogrades pour indiquer respectivement des premières et des deuxièmes fractions de seconde, et le dispositif d’affichage étant représenté suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe ;  Figure 3 is a partial schematic view of a display device according to a variant of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C, the variant of the display device comprising two snails arranged to control two retrograde hands to indicate first and second fractions of a second respectively, and the display device being shown following the resetting of the chronograph;
les figures 4A, 4B et 4C sont des vues schématiques de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un deuxième mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention, les trois figures montrant respectivement le dispositif suite à la remise à zéro, suite au démarrage, et suite à l’arrêt du chronographe ;  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic views of the fraction of a second indicator of a display device according to a second particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the device following delivery at zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
les figures 5A, 5B et 5C sont des vues schématiques de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un troisième mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention, les trois figures montrant respectivement le dispositif suite à la remise à zéro, suite au démarrage, et suite à l’arrêt du chronographe ;  FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a third particular embodiment of the invention, the three figures respectively showing the device following delivery at zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph;
la figure 5D est une vue schématique en plan montrant le cœur et le doigt de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde des figures 5A, 5B et 5C. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE MODES REALISATION Trois modes de réalisation exemplaires de l’invention sont exposés dans la description qui suit. Ces trois modes de réalisation sont destinés à être intégrés dans des mécanismes de chronographe. On comprendra toutefois que le dispositif d’affichage de l’invention peut également équiper d’autres types de pièces d’horlogerie. Parmi ces derniers, on peut citer notamment les pièces d’horlogerie à compte-à-rebours et celles possédant un mode régate. La figure 1 est une vue en plan côté cadran d’une montre-chronographe qui est équipée d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention. La montre- chronographe 1 comprend tout d’abord une boîte de montre 3 qui est munie de deux paires de cornes 5 destinées à servir d’attaches pour chacun des deux brins d’un bracelet (non représenté). On peut voir que la boîte porte également une couronne de remontoir et de mise à l’heure 23, ainsi qu’un poussoir 25, qui sont tous les deux agencés à 3 heures sur la carrure. De façon connue en soi, le poussoir 25 est agencé concentriquement à la couronne 23. On peut commander le départ, l’arrêt, et la remise à zéro du chronographe en actionnant le poussoir 25. La figure 1 montre encore un cadran 7, deux aiguilles d’heures 9 et de minutes 1 1 prévues pour indiquer l’heure courante et agencées pour tourner autour d’un axe situé au centre du cadran, une aiguille de chronographe 13 également montée au centre du cadran, et deux indicateurs de fractions de seconde comportant chacun une aiguille rétrograde montée sur un axe excentré. La première aiguille rétrograde 15 est agencée pour pivoter autour d’un axe qui dépasse du cadran à 7 heures 30 environ et la deuxième aiguille rétrograde 17 est agencée pour pivoter autour d’un axe qui dépasse du cadran à 4 heures 30 environ. Conformément au mode de réalisation du présent exemple, le dispositif d’affichage de l’invention comporte deux organes indicateurs constitués par des aiguilles rétrogrades. On comprendra toutefois que les organes indicateurs ne sont pas nécessairement réalisés sous forme d’aiguilles. Ils pourraient par exemple être des disques ou des fluides, etc. La première aiguille rétrograde 15 est prévue pour coopérer avec une première échelle en arc de cercle 19 pour indiquer les dixièmes de seconde contenus dans la partie fractionnaire de l’intervalle de temps mesuré par le chronographe, et la deuxième aiguille rétrograde 17 est prévue pour coopérer avec une deuxième échelle en arc de cercle 21 pour indiquer les centièmes de seconde contenus dans le reste de la partie fractionnaire. On peut voir que l’échelle 19, contrairement à l’échelle 21 , va croissante dans le sens antihoraire. Conformément au mode de réalisation qui fait l’objet du présent exemple, les deux échelles en arc de cercle 19 et 21 comportent chacune dix intervalles de largeurs égales séparés les uns des autres par neuf graduations numérotées de 1 à 9. De plus, chaque échelle 19, 21 comporte encore une graduation terminale à chacune de ses extrémités. La graduation terminale qui est placée au début d’une échelle (avant le « 1 ») est associée à l’indication « 0 » ou « remise à zéro », alors que la graduation terminale qui est placée à la fin d’une échelle (après le « 9 ») est associée à l’indication « départ » ou « start ». Figure 5D is a schematic plan view showing the heart and finger of the fractional second indicator of Figures 5A, 5B and 5C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Three exemplary embodiments of the invention are set out in the description which follows. These three embodiments are intended to be integrated into chronograph mechanisms. It will however be understood that the display device of the invention can also be fitted to other types of timepieces. Among the latter, there may be mentioned in particular the timepieces with countdown and those having a regatta mode. Figure 1 is a plan view on the dial side of a chronograph watch which is equipped with a display device according to a particular embodiment of the invention. The chronograph watch 1 firstly comprises a watch case 3 which is provided with two pairs of horns 5 intended to serve as fasteners for each of the two strands of a bracelet (not shown). It can be seen that the case also carries a crown for winding and setting the time 23, as well as a pusher 25, which are both arranged at 3 o'clock on the middle. In a manner known per se, the pusher 25 is arranged concentrically with the crown 23. The start, stop and reset of the chronograph can be controlled by actuating the pusher 25. FIG. 1 also shows a dial 7, two 9 hour and 1 minute hands 1 1 intended to indicate the current time and arranged to turn around an axis located in the center of the dial, a chronograph hand 13 also mounted in the center of the dial, and two fraction indicators second each comprising a retrograde needle mounted on an eccentric axis. The first retrograde needle 15 is arranged to pivot around an axis which protrudes from the dial at approximately 7:30 am and the second retrograde needle 17 is arranged to pivot around an axis which protrudes from the dial at approximately 4:30 am. According to the embodiment of the present example, the display device of the invention comprises two indicator members constituted by retrograde hands. It will be understood, however, that the indicator members are not necessarily produced in the form of needles. They could for example be discs or fluids, etc. The first retrograde hand 15 is provided to cooperate with a first scale in an arc 19 to indicate the tenths of a second contained in the fractional part of the time interval measured by the chronograph, and the second retrograde hand 17 is provided to cooperate with a second scale in an arc 21 to indicate the hundredths of a second contained in the rest of the fractional part. We can see that the 19 scale, unlike the 21 scale, goes counterclockwise. According to the embodiment which is the subject of this example, the two scales in an arc 19 and 21 each have ten intervals of equal widths separated from each other by nine graduations numbered from 1 to 9. In addition, each scale 19, 21 also has a terminal graduation at each of its ends. The terminal graduation which is placed at the start of a scale (before the "1") is associated with the indication "0" or "reset to zero", while the terminal graduation which is placed at the end of a scale (after “9”) is associated with the indication “start” or “start”.
Le rouage de chronographe (non représenté) de la montre- chronographe illustrée dans la figure 1 se distingue des rouages de la plupart des mécanismes de chronographe connus en ce qu’il est agencé pour entraîner un compteur de dixièmes de seconde et un compteur de centièmes de seconde. A cette fin, la roue des secondes du rouage de chronographe (non représenté) est agencée pour engrener avec le pignon d’un premier mobile intermédiaire, et la roue de ce mobile intermédiaire est agencée pour engrener avec le pignon d’un mobile de compteur de dixièmes de seconde. De plus, la roue du mobile de compteur de dixième de secondes est agencée pour engrener avec le pignon d’un deuxième mobile intermédiaire, et la roue de ce deuxième mobile intermédiaire est agencée pour engrener avec le pignon d’un mobile de compteur de centièmes de seconde. Les rapports d’engrenage de la partie du rouage de chronographe qui vient d’être décrite sont choisis de manière à ce que, lorsque la roue des secondes de chronographe tourne à la vitesse d’un tour par minute, le mobile de compteur de dixièmes de seconde tourne à la vitesse d’un tour par seconde, et le mobile de compteur de centièmes de seconde tourne à la vitesse de dix tours par seconde. A titre d’exemple, la denture de la roue des secondes de chronographe peut comporter 80 dents, le pignon et la roue du premier mobile intermédiaire peuvent comporter respectivement 10 et 75 dents, le pignon et la roue du mobile de compteur de dixièmes de seconde peuvent comporter respectivement 10 et 60 dents, le pignon et la roue du deuxième mobile intermédiaire peuvent comporter respectivement 20 et 40 dents, et enfin, le pignon du compteur de centièmes de seconde peut comporter 12 dents. Il vaut la peine de préciser en outre qu’en choisissant des limaçons ayant un plus grand nombre d’échelons, il serait possible d’entraîner les mobiles de compteur à des vitesses plus faibles. Par exemple, en dédoublant le limaçon du compteur de centièmes de seconde, de sorte qu’il comporte deux séries de 10 échelons agencées symétriquement, il serait possible d’entraîner le compteur de centièmes de seconde au rythme de cinq tours par seconde au lieu de dix. The chronograph train (not shown) of the chronograph watch illustrated in FIG. 1 differs from the workings of most of the known chronograph mechanisms in that it is arranged to drive a counter of tenths of a second and a counter of hundredths second. To this end, the seconds wheel of the chronograph train (not shown) is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a first intermediate mobile, and the wheel of this intermediate mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a counter mobile. tenths of a second. In addition, the wheel of the tenth of a second counter mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a second intermediate mobile, and the wheel of this second intermediate mobile is arranged to mesh with the pinion of a mobile of hundredths counter. second. The gear ratios of the part of the chronograph train which has just been described are chosen so that, when the chronograph seconds wheel rotates at the speed of one revolution per minute, the counter counter mobile tenths of a second rotates at the speed of one revolution per second, and the hundredths of a second counter mobile rotates at the speed of ten revolutions per second. For example, the teeth of the chronograph seconds wheel can have 80 teeth, the pinion and the wheel of the first intermediate mobile can have 10 and 75 teeth respectively, the pinion and the wheel of the tenths of a second counter mobile. can have 10 and 60 teeth respectively, the pinion and the wheel of the second intermediate mobile can have 20 and 40 teeth respectively, and finally, the pinion of the hundredths of a second counter can have 12 teeth. It is worth specifying further that by choosing snails having a greater number of steps, it would be possible to train the counter mobiles at lower speeds. For example, by doubling the snail of the hundredths of a second counter, so that it comprises two series of 10 steps arranged symmetrically, it would be possible to train the hundredths of a second counter at the rate of five revolutions per second instead of ten.
Les figures 2A, 2B et 2C sont des vues schématiques de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un premier mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention. Ces trois figures montrent respectivement l’indicateur de fractions de seconde dans sa configuration, suite à la remise à zéro, suite au démarrage, et suite à l’arrêt du chronographe. Chacune des figures montre un pignon 123, une aiguille rétrograde 1 15 montée rigidement sur l’axe du pignon, une suite de graduations agencées le long d’un arc de cercle de manière à former une échelle 1 19, un limaçon 125 monté sur l’axe d’un mobile de compteur de fractions de seconde (non représenté), de manière à tourner solidairement avec ce dernier, un râteau 127 muni d’un secteur denté 129, et un palpeur 131 monté rigidement sur le râteau.  Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a first particular embodiment of the invention. These three figures respectively show the fractional seconds indicator in its configuration, following reset, following start-up, and following stop of the chronograph. Each of the figures shows a pinion 123, a retrograde needle 1 15 rigidly mounted on the axis of the pinion, a series of graduations arranged along a circular arc so as to form a scale 1 19, a snail 125 mounted on the axis of a second fraction counter mobile (not shown), so as to rotate integrally with the latter, a rake 127 provided with a toothed sector 129, and a feeler 131 rigidly mounted on the rake.
Les figures susmentionnées montrent encore une roue à colonnes 135 comportant une roue à rochet munie de dix-huit dents 137, et six colonnes 139 dressées sur la planche de la roue à rochet. Comme on va le voir plus en détail plus loin, la roue à colonnes 135 est prévue notamment pour permettre de commander l’indicateur de fractions de seconde du dispositif d’affichage. L’homme du métier comprendra toutefois que la roue à colonnes 135 fait également partie du mécanisme à commande manuelle agencé pour permettre cycliquement de faire démarrer, d’arrêter, et de remettre à zéro tout le chronographe. De façon classique, dans le présent exemple, le mécanisme à commande manuelle du chronographe comprend également un poussoir (référencé 25 dans la figure 1 ) qui est agencé pour permettre d’incrémenter pas-à-pas la roue à colonnes. Chaque fois que la roue à colonnes 135 est incrémentée d’un pas, elle tourne de la valeur angulaire d’une dent de rochet (c’est-à-dire de 20°) dans le sens horaire (telle que représentée dans les figures). The aforementioned figures also show a column wheel 135 comprising a ratchet wheel provided with eighteen teeth 137, and six columns 139 erected on the board of the ratchet wheel. As we will see in more detail more far away, the column wheel 135 is provided in particular to allow the fraction indicator of the display device to be controlled. Those skilled in the art will however understand that the column wheel 135 is also part of the manual control mechanism arranged to allow the cyclic start, stop, and reset all of the chronograph. Conventionally, in the present example, the manually operated mechanism of the chronograph also comprises a pusher (referenced 25 in FIG. 1) which is arranged to allow the column wheel to be incremented step by step. Each time the column wheel 135 is incremented by one step, it rotates the angular value of a ratchet tooth (i.e. 20 °) clockwise (as shown in the figures ).
On remarquera que les figures 2A, 2B et 2C illustrent la roue à colonnes dans trois positions angulaires différentes. En effet, si la roue à colonnes 135 se trouve dans la configuration représentée dans la figure 2A et qu’on l’incrémente d’un pas, elle pivote dans le sens horaire de la valeur angulaire d’une dent de rochet. La roue à colonnes se retrouve alors dans la configuration représentée dans la figure 2B. Si maintenant on l’incrémente d’un pas de plus, elle pivote encore pour se retrouver cette fois dans la configuration représentée dans la figure 2C. Enfin, si on l’incrémente une troisième fois, elle pivote encore de la valeur angulaire d’une dent de rochet pour se retrouver à nouveau dans la configuration représentée dans la figure 2A. On comprendra donc que la roue à colonnes 135 retrouve sa configuration de départ lorsqu’on l’incrémente de trois pas. Autrement dit, la roue à colonnes 135 est une roue à colonnes à trois temps. On précisera toutefois que, conformément à d’autres modes de réalisation de l’invention, la roue à colonnes pourrait être à deux temps.  Note that Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate the column wheel in three different angular positions. In fact, if the column wheel 135 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 2A and if it is incremented by one step, it pivots clockwise by the angular value of a ratchet tooth. The column wheel is then found in the configuration shown in Figure 2B. If we now increment it by one more step, it will still rotate to find itself this time in the configuration shown in Figure 2C. Finally, if it is incremented a third time, it still pivots by the angular value of a ratchet tooth to find itself again in the configuration shown in FIG. 2A. It will therefore be understood that the column wheel 135 regains its initial configuration when it is increased by three steps. In other words, the column wheel 135 is a three-stroke column wheel. However, it should be noted that, in accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the column wheel could be two-stroke.
Si on revient maintenant à l’indicateur de fractions de seconde, on peut voir que le râteau 127 est monté pivotant autour d’un axe 133 et qu’il est muni d’un bec 141 qui est rappelé en direction des colonnes de la roue à colonnes 135 par un ressort 143. Comme le montre la figure 2A, suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe, le bec 141 se trouve en appui contre une colonne de la roue à colonnes, de sorte qu’il ne peut pas s’abaisser. Dans cette situation, le râteau se trouve dans une position d’attente dans laquelle le palpeur 131 est maintenu à l’écart du limaçon 125 et le secteur denté 129 est maintenu débrayé du pignon 123. Si on incrémente maintenant d’un pas la roue à colonnes pour commander le démarrage du chronographe, la roue à colonnes pivote de 20°, de sorte que le bec 141 du râteau 127 est forcé de glisser contre la face extérieure de la colonne 139. En se référant maintenant à la figure 2B, on peut voir que, bien que le bec 141 a glissé contre la colonne 139 de la valeur angulaire d’une dent de rochet, il se trouve toujours en appui contre cette colonne. Le râteau 127 se trouve donc toujours dans la position d’attente, malgré le démarrage du chronographe. Si on incrémente maintenant encore d’un pas supplémentaire la roue à colonnes pour commander l’arrêt du chronographe, la roue à colonnes pivote encore de 20°, de sorte que cette fois le bec 141 chute dans l’espace entre deux colonnes. Le râteau 127 est alors libre de pivoter dans le sens horaire. En se référant maintenant à la figure 2C, on peut voir que, suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, le râteau 127 se trouve dans sa position de lecture dans laquelle le palpeur 131 appuie contre la périphérie du limaçon 125, alors que le secteur denté 129 engrène avec le pignon 123. On comprendra que, lorsque le râteau 127 est dans la position de lecture, la position angulaire de l’aiguille rétrograde 1 15 est déterminée par celle du limaçon 125. Si on incrémente maintenant d’un pas de plus la roue à colonnes pour commander la remise à zéro du chronographe, la roue à colonnes 135 pivote encore de 20°, de sorte que le bec 141 est soulevé par une nouvelle colonne 139 de la roue à colonnes, ce qui provoque le pivotement du râteau 127 dans le sens antihoraire. L’indicateur de fractions de seconde revient ainsi dans la configuration illustrée dans la figure 2A. If we now return to the fractional seconds indicator, we can see that the rake 127 is pivotally mounted around an axis 133 and that it is provided with a spout 141 which is biased towards the columns of the wheel with columns 135 by a spring 143. As shown in FIG. 2A, following the resetting of the chronograph, the spout 141 is pressed against a column of the column wheel, so that it cannot be lowered. In this situation, the rake is in a standby position in which the feeler 131 is kept away from the snail 125 and the toothed sector 129 is kept disengaged from the pinion 123. If the wheel is now incremented by one step with columns to control the start of the chronograph, the column wheel pivots by 20 °, so that the spout 141 of the rake 127 is forced to slide against the external face of the column 139. Referring now to FIG. 2B, we can see that, although the spout 141 has slid against the column 139 by the angular value of a ratchet tooth, it is still in abutment against this column. The rake 127 is therefore still in the standby position, despite the start of the chronograph. If the column wheel is now further incremented to control the stopping of the chronograph, the column wheel pivots again by 20 °, so that this time the spout 141 falls into the space between two columns. The rake 127 is then free to rotate clockwise. Referring now to FIG. 2C, it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the rake 127 is in its reading position in which the feeler 131 presses against the periphery of the snail 125, while the toothed sector 129 meshes with the pinion 123. It will be understood that, when the rake 127 is in the reading position, the angular position of the retrograde needle 1 15 is determined by that of the snail 125. If we now increment by one more step the column wheel to control the resetting of the chronograph, the column wheel 135 pivots another 20 °, so that the spout 141 is lifted by a new column 139 of the column wheel, which causes the rake to pivot 127 counterclockwise. The fractional seconds indicator thus returns to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2A.
Conformément à l’invention, l’indicateur de fractions de seconde du dispositif d’affichage comprend encore des moyens pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une première position prédéfinie lorsqu’on remet le chronographe à zéro, et pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une deuxième position prédéfinie, différente de la première position, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le chronographe. A cet égard, en se référant à nouveau aux figures 2A, 2B et 2C, on peut voir une crémaillère 145 qui est agencée pour pivoter autour de son axe 147 et pour engrener en permanence avec le pignon 123, deux butées 149a et 149b délimitant un secteur à l’intérieur duquel la crémaillère 145 est libre de pivoter, un levier de commande 151 agencé pour pivoter autour de son axe 153 et présentant un bec 155. un ressort 157 agencé pour rappeler le bec 155 en direction des colonnes 139 de la roue à colonnes 135, et une lame-ressort 159 fixée rigidement par l’une de ses extrémités à l’axe de pivotement 153 du levier de commande 151 et par son autre extrémité à l’axe de pivotement 147 de la crémaillère 145. According to the invention, the fraction of a second indicator of the display device also comprises means for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset. to zero, and to bring the retrograde hand to a second predefined position, different from the first position, when the chronograph is started. In this regard, referring again to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, one can see a rack 145 which is arranged to pivot around its axis 147 and to permanently mesh with the pinion 123, two stops 149a and 149b delimiting a sector inside which the rack 145 is free to pivot, a control lever 151 arranged to pivot around its axis 153 and having a spout 155. a spring 157 arranged to return the spout 155 towards the columns 139 of the wheel with columns 135, and a leaf spring 159 rigidly fixed by one of its ends to the pivot axis 153 of the control lever 151 and by its other end to the pivot axis 147 of the rack 145.
Conformément au premier mode de réalisation exemplaire de l’invention, la distance qui sépare l’axe de pivotement 153 du levier de commande de l’axe de pivotement 147 de la crémaillère, est inférieure à la longueur non- déformée de la lame-ressort 159. Dans ces conditions, de façon connue en soi, la lame-ressort subit des contraintes qui l’empêchent d’adopter une configuration non déformée (ou autrement dit : droite). Afin de minimiser les contraintes et de retrouver une configuration stable, la lame-ressort 159 adopte une forme flambée (ou autrement dit, courbée par déformation dans une direction perpendiculaire au plan contenant les deux axes de pivotement 153 et 147). Par l’expression « configuration stable » on entend une configuration qui est associée à une forme vers laquelle la lame-ressort revient toujours si on l’en écarte par une sollicitation de suffisamment faible amplitude. L’arrondi dû au flambage de la lame-ressort 159 peut être orienté dans un sens ou dans l’autre. On comprendra donc que la lame- ressort 159 peut ainsi occuper l’une ou l’autre de deux configurations stables qui sont symétriques.  According to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention, the distance which separates the pivot axis 153 from the control lever from the pivot axis 147 of the rack, is less than the non-deformed length of the leaf spring 159. Under these conditions, in a manner known per se, the leaf spring undergoes constraints which prevent it from adopting an undistorted configuration (or in other words: straight). In order to minimize the stresses and find a stable configuration, the leaf spring 159 adopts a buckled shape (or in other words, bent by deformation in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the two pivot axes 153 and 147). By the expression "stable configuration" is meant a configuration which is associated with a shape to which the leaf spring always returns if it is removed by a request of sufficiently low amplitude. The flare due to the buckling of the leaf spring 159 can be oriented in one direction or the other. It will therefore be understood that the leaf spring 159 can thus occupy one or the other of two stable configurations which are symmetrical.
Comme déjà mentionné, une des extrémités de la lame-ressort 159 est fixée rigidement à l’axe de pivotement 153 du levier de commande 151 , alors que son autre extrémité est fixée de la même manière à l’axe de pivotement 147 de la crémaillère 145. En se référant à nouveau aux figures 2A, 2B et 2C, on peut comprendre que lorsque l’arrondi de la lame-ressort 159 est orienté dans un premier sens (en direction de la droite dans les figures), la lame-ressort rappelle la crémaillère 145 dans le sens horaire et rappelle le levier de commande 151 dans le sens antihoraire (comme illustré dans les figures 2A et 2C). Inversement, lorsque l’arrondi de la lame-ressort 159 est orienté dans l’autre sens (en direction de la gauche dans les figures), la lame-ressort rappelle la crémaillère 145 dans le sens antihoraire et rappelle le levier de commande 151 dans le sens horaire (comme illustré dans la figure 2B). L’homme du métier comprendra que le système constitué par la lame-ressort 159, la crémaillère 145 et le levier de commande 151 est un système bistable, une des deux configurations stable du système étant représentée dans les figures 2A et 2C et l’autre configuration stable du système étant représentée dans la figure 2B. Dans ces conditions, lorsque le système occupe l’une de ses deux configurations stables et qu’on force le levier de commande 151 à pivoter, le système bistable tout entier est contraint de commuter et de passer dans l’autre configuration. As already mentioned, one end of the leaf spring 159 is rigidly fixed to the pivot axis 153 of the control lever 151, while its other end is fixed in the same way to the pivot axis 147 of rack 145. Referring again to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, it can be understood that when the rounding of the leaf spring 159 is oriented in a first direction (in the direction of the right in the figures), the leaf -spring recalls the rack 145 clockwise and recalls the control lever 151 counterclockwise (as illustrated in Figures 2A and 2C). Conversely, when the rounding of the leaf spring 159 is oriented in the other direction (in the direction of the left in the figures), the leaf spring recalls the rack 145 counterclockwise and recalls the control lever 151 in clockwise (as shown in Figure 2B). Those skilled in the art will understand that the system constituted by the leaf spring 159, the rack 145 and the control lever 151 is a bistable system, one of the two stable configurations of the system being represented in FIGS. 2A and 2C and the other stable system configuration being shown in Figure 2B. Under these conditions, when the system occupies one of its two stable configurations and that the control lever 151 is pivoted, the entire bistable system is forced to switch and switch to the other configuration.
Les moyens pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une première position prédéfinie lorsqu’on remet le chronographe à zéro, et pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une deuxième position prédéfinie, différente de la première position, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le chronographe, opèrent de la manière suivante. Le levier de commande 151 est agencé pour être commandé par la roue à colonnes 135 de manière à pivoter dans un sens ou dans l’autre entre une première position dans laquelle le bec 155 est soulevé par une des colonnes 139 et une seconde position dans laquelle le bec 155 est abaissé dans l’espace entre deux colonnes. En se référant tout d’abord à la figure 2A, on peut voir que, suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe, le levier de commande 151 se trouve dans sa première position. Dans cette situation, le système bistable constitué par le levier de commande, la lame-ressort 159 et la crémaillère 145, occupe une première de ces deux configurations stables. Comme le montre la figure 2A, dans cette première configuration, la crémaillère est tournée à fond dans le sens horaire, de sorte qu’elle est en appui contre la butée 149b. De plus, comme le secteur denté de la crémaillère 145 engrène avec le pignon 123, l’aiguille rétrograde 1 15 est, quant à elle, tournée à fond dans le sens antihoraire, de sorte qu’elle se trouve en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « zéro » de l’échelle 1 19. The means for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset to zero, and for bringing the retrograde hand to a second predefined position, different from the first position, when the chronograph is started, operate as follows. The control lever 151 is arranged to be controlled by the column wheel 135 so as to pivot in one direction or the other between a first position in which the spout 155 is lifted by one of the columns 139 and a second position in which the spout 155 is lowered in the space between two columns. By first referring to FIG. 2A, it can be seen that, after the chronograph has been reset, the control lever 151 is in its first position. In this situation, the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145 occupies a first of these two stable configurations. As shown in Figure 2A, in this first configuration, the rack is turned fully clockwise, so that it bears against the stop 149b. In addition, as the toothed sector of the rack 145 meshes with the pinion 123, the retrograde needle 1 15 is, in turn, turned fully counterclockwise, so that it is opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “zero” on the scale 1 19.
Si on incrémente maintenant d’un pas la roue à colonnes pour commander le démarrage du chronographe, la roue à colonnes pivote de 20°, de sorte que le bec 155 du levier de commande chute dans l’espace entre deux colonnes 139, le levier de commande 151 passant ainsi dans sa seconde position. En se référant maintenant à la figure 2B, on peut voir que le système bistable constitué par le levier de commande, la lame-ressort 159 et la crémaillère 145, a passé de l’une à l’autre de ces deux configurations stables. Dans cette nouvelle configuration, la crémaillère est tournée à fond dans le sens antihoraire, de sorte qu’elle est en appui contre la butée 149a. L’aiguille rétrograde 1 15 est, quant à elle, tournée à fond dans le sens horaire, de sorte qu’elle se trouve en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « start » (autrement dit : « départ ») de l’échelle 1 19. Si on incrémente maintenant encore d’un pas supplémentaire la roue à colonnes pour commander l’arrêt du chronographe, la roue à colonnes pivote encore de 20°, de sorte que le bec 155 est à nouveau soulevé par une des colonnes 139, et que le levier de commande 151 reprend sa première position. En se référant maintenant à la figure 2C, on peut voir que, suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, le système bistable constitué par le levier de commande, la lame-ressort 159 et la crémaillère 145, n’a pas repris sa première configuration stable, mais se trouve au contraire dans une position intermédiaire qui est instable. En effet, comme on l’a vu, suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, le secteur denté 129 du râteau 127 engrène avec le pignon 123, de sorte que la position angulaire de l’aiguille rétrograde 1 15 est déterminée par celle du limaçon 125. En effet, la force de la lame-ressort 159 est choisie inférieure à celle du ressort de rappel 143. Dans ces conditions, suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, c’est le pignon 123 qui commande la position de la crémaillère 145 et non l’inverse. If the column wheel is now incremented by one step to control the start of the chronograph, the column wheel pivots by 20 °, so that the spout 155 of the control lever falls into the space between two columns 139, the lever 151 thus passing into its second position. Referring now to FIG. 2B, it can be seen that the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145, has passed from one to the other of these two stable configurations. In this new configuration, the rack is turned fully counterclockwise, so that it bears against the stop 149a. As for the retrograde hand 115, it is turned fully clockwise, so that it is opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “start” (in other words: “departure”) of scale 1 19. If the column wheel is now further incremented to control the stop of the chronograph, the column wheel pivots another 20 °, so that the spout 155 is again lifted by a columns 139, and that the control lever 151 returns to its first position. Referring now to FIG. 2C, it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the bistable system constituted by the control lever, the leaf spring 159 and the rack 145, has not resumed its first configuration stable, but on the contrary is in an intermediate position which is unstable. Indeed, as we have seen, following the stop of the chronograph, the toothed sector 129 of the rake 127 meshes with the pinion 123, so that the angular position of the retrograde needle 1 15 is determined by that of the snail 125. Indeed, the force of the leaf spring 159 is chosen to be less than that of the return spring 143. Under these conditions, following stopping the chronograph, it is the pinion 123 which controls the position of the rack 145 and not the reverse.
La figure 3 est une vue schématique partielle d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à une variante du mode de réalisation qui vient d’être décrit, et qui comporte deux indicateurs de fractions de seconde. Le principe de fonctionnement de chacun de ces deux indicateurs est tout à fait semblable à celui de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde qui a déjà été décrit en relation avec les figues 2A, 2B et 2C. La description qui va suivre se limite donc essentiellement à expliquer comment les deux indicateurs de fractions de seconde sont associés.  FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of a display device according to a variant of the embodiment which has just been described, and which comprises two fractional seconds indicators. The operating principle of each of these two indicators is completely similar to that of the fractional seconds indicator which has already been described in relation to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. The description which follows is therefore limited essentially to explaining how the two indicators of fractions of a second are associated.
Comme on peut le voir, les indicateurs de fractions de seconde de la figure 3 comportent chacun un limaçon (respectivement référencés 225a et 225b). Les deux limaçons sont agencés pour commander deux aiguilles rétrogrades 215 et 217 pour indiquer la partie fractionnaire d’un intervalle de temps mesuré par le chronographe. Le limaçon 225a est monté sur l’axe du mobile de compteur de dixièmes de seconde (non représenté) de sorte qu’il tourne à la vitesse d’un tour par seconde, et le limaçon 225b est monté sur l’axe du mobile de compteur de centièmes de seconde (non représenté) de sorte qu’il tourne à la vitesse de dix tours par seconde. Les aiguilles 215 et 217 indiquent donc respectivement les dixièmes et les centièmes de seconde. La figure 3 montre encore deux pignons 223a, 223b sur les axes desquels sont montées les aiguilles rétrogrades, deux échelles 219, 221 en arc de cercle, qui sont formées chacune d’une suite de graduations, deux râteaux 227a, 227b munis chacun d’un secteur denté et d’un palpeur 231 a, 231 b, deux crémaillères 245a, 245b agencées pour pivoter autour de leur axe respectif 247a ou 247b et pour engrener chacune en permanence avec un des deux pignons 223a, 223b, un unique levier de commande 251 qui présente un bec 255 et qui est agencé pour pivoter autour de son axe 253, et deux lames-ressorts 259a et 259b fixées rigidement par une de leurs extrémités à l’axe de pivotement 253 du levier de commande 251 et par l’autre extrémité, respectivement, aux axes de pivotement 247a et 247b des deux crémaillères 245a et 245b. La figure 3 montre encore que les deux lames-ressorts 259a, 259b ne sont pas agencées dans le prolongement l’une de l’autre, mais qu’elles font au contraire un angle d’environ 90° l’une avec l’autre. En effet, conformément au mode de réalisation qui fait l’objet du présent exemple, il est possible de choisir librement la valeur de l’angle entre les extrémités des deux lames-ressorts qui doivent être fixées rigidement à l’axe de pivotement 253. As can be seen, the fractional second indicators of FIG. 3 each include a snail (respectively referenced 225a and 225b). The two snails are arranged to control two retrograde hands 215 and 217 to indicate the fractional part of a time interval measured by the chronograph. The snail 225a is mounted on the axis of the tenths of a second counter mobile (not shown) so that it rotates at the speed of one revolution per second, and the snail 225b is mounted on the axis of the counter mobile hundredths of a second counter (not shown) so that it rotates at the speed of ten revolutions per second. The hands 215 and 217 therefore respectively indicate the tenths and the hundredths of a second. FIG. 3 also shows two pinions 223a, 223b on the axes of which the retrograde needles are mounted, two scales 219, 221 in an arc, which are each formed by a series of graduations, two rakes 227a, 227b each provided with a toothed sector and a probe 231 a, 231 b, two racks 245a, 245b arranged to pivot around their respective axes 247a or 247b and to mesh each permanently with one of the two pinions 223a, 223b, a single control lever 251 which has a spout 255 and which is arranged to pivot about its axis 253, and two leaf springs 259a and 259b rigidly fixed by one of their ends to the pivot axis 253 of the control lever 251 and by the other end, respectively, to the pivot axes 247a and 247b of the two racks 245a and 245b. Figure 3 also shows that the two leaf springs 259a, 259b are not arranged in the extension of one another, but on the contrary make an angle of about 90 ° with each other. Indeed, in accordance with the embodiment which is the subject of this example, it is possible to freely choose the value of the angle between the ends of the two leaf springs which must be rigidly fixed to the pivot axis 253.
L’homme du métier comprendra que le système constitué par le levier de commande 251 , les deux lames-ressorts 259a, 259b, et les deux crémaillères 245a, 245b est un système bistable. La figure 3, qui illustre le dispositif d’affichage suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe, montre une des deux configurations stable du système bistable. Dans cette configuration, les crémaillères 245a, 245b sont tournées à fond dans le sens antihoraire, et les aiguilles rétrogrades 215, 217 se trouvent toutes les deux en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « zéro » de l’une des échelles 219, 221 . Si on incrémente maintenant d’un pas la roue à colonnes 235 pour commander le démarrage du chronographe, le bec 255 du levier de commande 251 chute dans l’espace entre deux colonnes de la roue à colonnes, de sorte que le levier de commande 251 pivote dans le sens antihoraire. Ce pivotement provoque la commutation du système bistable tout entier, qui passe ainsi de l’une à l’autre de ces deux configurations stables. L’homme du métier comprendra que lorsque le système bistable se trouve dans cette deuxième configuration stable, les aiguilles rétrogrades 215, 217 se trouvent chacune en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « start » (autrement dit : « départ ») de l’une des échelles 219 et 221 .  Those skilled in the art will understand that the system constituted by the control lever 251, the two leaf springs 259a, 259b, and the two racks 245a, 245b is a bistable system. FIG. 3, which illustrates the display device following the resetting of the chronograph, shows one of the two stable configurations of the bistable system. In this configuration, the racks 245a, 245b are turned fully counterclockwise, and the retrograde hands 215, 217 are both opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "zero" of one of the scales 219, 221. If the column wheel 235 is now incremented by one step to control the start of the chronograph, the spout 255 of the control lever 251 falls in the space between two columns of the column wheel, so that the control lever 251 rotates counterclockwise. This pivoting causes the switching of the entire bistable system, which thus passes from one to the other of these two stable configurations. Those skilled in the art will understand that when the bistable system is in this second stable configuration, the retrograde needles 215, 217 are each opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "start" (in other words: "departure") from one of the scales 219 and 221.
Les figures 4A, 4B et 4C sont des vues schématiques de l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un deuxième mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention. Ces trois figures montrent respectivement l’indicateur suite à la remise à zéro, suite au démarrage, et suite à l’arrêt du chronographe. L’indicateur de fractions de seconde illustré par les figures 4A, 4B et 4C possède beaucoup de caractéristiques en commun avec l’indicateur de fractions de seconde des figures 2A, 2B et 2C. Les éléments des figures 4A, 4B et 4C qui sont identiques ou semblables à des éléments qui ont déjà été décrits en relation avec les figures 2a, 2B et 2C sont référencés par les mêmes numéros augmentés de deux-cents. FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic views of the fractional second indicator of a display device according to a second particular embodiment of the invention. These three figures respectively show the indicator after resetting to zero, after starting, and after stopping the chronograph. The second fraction indicator illustrated in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C has many features in common with the fraction indicator second of Figures 2A, 2B and 2C. The elements of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C which are identical or similar to elements which have already been described in relation to FIGS. 2a, 2B and 2C are referenced by the same numbers increased by two hundred.
Les figures 4A, 4B et 4C montrent notamment un pignon 323, une aiguille rétrograde 315 montée rigidement sur l’axe du pignon, une suite de graduations agencées le long d’un arc de cercle de manière à former une échelle 319, un limaçon 325 monté sur l’axe d’un mobile de compteur de fractions de seconde (non représenté), un râteau 327 muni d’un secteur denté 329, un palpeur 331 monté rigidement sur le râteau, et une roue à colonnes 335. On peut voir encore que le râteau 327 est muni d’un bec 341 qui est rappelé en direction de la roue à colonnes 335. Comme le montre les figures 4A et 4B, suite à la remise à zéro et suite au démarrage du chronographe, le bec 341 se trouve en appui contre une colonne de la roue à colonnes, de sorte qu’il ne peut pas s’abaisser. Les figures 4A et 4B montrent ainsi le râteau 327 dans sa position d’attente, dans laquelle le palpeur 331 est maintenu à l’écart du limaçon 325 et le secteur denté 329 est maintenu débrayé du pignon 323. En se référant maintenant à la figure 4C, on peut voir que, suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, le râteau 327 se trouve dans sa position de lecture dans laquelle le palpeur 331 appuie contre la périphérie du limaçon 325, alors que le secteur denté 329 engrène avec le pignon 323.  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show in particular a pinion 323, a retrograde needle 315 rigidly mounted on the axis of the pinion, a series of graduations arranged along an arc of a circle so as to form a scale 319, a snail 325 mounted on the axis of a second fraction counter mobile (not shown), a rake 327 provided with a toothed sector 329, a probe 331 rigidly mounted on the rake, and a column wheel 335. We can see still that the rake 327 is provided with a spout 341 which is recalled in the direction of the column wheel 335. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, following the reset and following the start of the chronograph, the spout 341 rests against a column of the column wheel, so that it cannot lower. FIGS. 4A and 4B thus show the rake 327 in its standby position, in which the feeler 331 is kept away from the snail 325 and the toothed sector 329 is kept disengaged from the pinion 323. Referring now to FIG. 4C, it can be seen that, after the chronograph has stopped, the rake 327 is in its reading position in which the feeler 331 presses against the periphery of the snail 325, while the toothed sector 329 meshes with the pinion 323.
Le deuxième mode de réalisation diffèrent essentiellement du premier en ce que les moyens qu’il comporte pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une première position prédéfinie lorsqu’on remet le chronographe à zéro, et pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une deuxième position prédéfinie, différente de la première position, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le chronographe, fonctionnent de manière différente. La description qui va suivre se concentre donc sur ces moyens. A cet égard, les figures 4A, 4B et 4C montrent un premier et un deuxième marteau (respectivement référencés 345 et 347) qui sont respectivement rappelés en direction de deux cœurs coaxiaux (non représentés) par deux ressorts 349 et 351 . Les cœurs sont tous les deux fixés rigidement sur l’axe du pignon 323. On peut voir en outre que les marteaux 345 et 347 portent chacun un bec (référencés respectivement 353 et 355) qui est agencé pour coopérer avec les colonnes de la roue à colonnes 335. The second embodiment essentially differs from the first in that the means which it comprises for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset to zero, and for bringing the retrograde hand to a second predefined position , different from the first position, when starting the chronograph, operate differently. The description which follows will therefore focus on these means. In this regard, FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show a first and a second hammer (respectively referenced 345 and 347) which are respectively returned towards two coaxial cores (not shown) by two springs 349 and 351. The hearts are both rigidly fixed on the axis of the pinion 323. It can also be seen that the hammers 345 and 347 each carry a spout (referenced respectively 353 and 355) which is arranged to cooperate with the columns of the wheel to columns 335.
En se référant maintenant à la figure 4A, on peut voir que suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe, le bec 353 du marteau 345 a chuté entre deux colonnes de la roue à colonnes, faisant s’abaisser le marteau 345 contre le cœur avec lequel il est associé. La coopération du marteau 345 et du cœur pour effet d’amener l’aiguille rétrograde 315 en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « zéro » de l’échelle 319. En se référant maintenant à la figure 4B, on peut voir que suite au démarrage du chronographe, le bec 353 a été soulevé par une des colonnes de la roue à colonnes, et que le marteau 345 n’est plus en contact avec le cœur auquel il est associé. En revanche, c’est maintenant le bec 355 du marteau 347 qui a chuté entre deux colonnes, de sorte que le marteau 347 est abaissé contre le cœur auquel il est associé. La coopération du marteau 347 et du cœur pour effet d’amener l’aiguille rétrograde 315 en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « start » (autrement dit : « départ ») de l’échelle 319. Enfin, en se référant à la figure 4C, on peut voir que suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, les deux marteaux 345 et 347 sont soulevés, de sorte que la position angulaire de l’aiguille rétrograde 315 est déterminée par celle du limaçon 325.  Referring now to FIG. 4A, it can be seen that following the resetting of the chronograph, the beak 353 of the hammer 345 fell between two columns of the column wheel, causing the hammer 345 to drop against the heart with which it is associated with. The cooperation of the hammer 345 and the heart has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle 315 opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “zero” of the scale 319. Referring now to FIG. 4B, one can see that following the start of the chronograph, the spout 353 has been raised by one of the columns of the column wheel, and that the hammer 345 is no longer in contact with the heart with which it is associated. On the other hand, it is now the beak 355 of the hammer 347 which has fallen between two columns, so that the hammer 347 is lowered against the heart with which it is associated. The cooperation of the hammer 347 and the heart has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle 315 opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “start” (in other words: “departure”) of the scale 319. Finally, by Referring to FIG. 4C, it can be seen that after the chronograph has stopped, the two hammers 345 and 347 are lifted, so that the angular position of the retrograde needle 315 is determined by that of the snail 325.
Les figures 4A, 4B et 4C montrent encore un ressort-spiral 352 qui est enroulé autour de l’axe du pignon 323 et qui est fixé par une extrémité à la platine et par l’autre extrémité à l’axe du pignon 323 qui porte l’aiguille rétrograde 315, de manière à rappeler l’aiguille rétrograde 315 dans le sens antihoraire. La présence du ressort-spiral 352 permet de neutraliser le jeu existant entre les dents du secteur denté 329 et celles du pignon 323.  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C also show a spiral spring 352 which is wound around the axis of the pinion 323 and which is fixed by one end to the plate and by the other end to the axis of the pinion 323 which carries the retrograde needle 315, so as to return the retrograde needle 315 counterclockwise. The presence of the spiral spring 352 makes it possible to neutralize the play existing between the teeth of the toothed sector 329 and those of the pinion 323.
Les figures 5A, 5B, 5C et 5D concernent l’indicateur de fractions de seconde d’un dispositif d’affichage conforme à un troisième mode de réalisation particulier de l’invention. L’indicateur de fractions de seconde illustré dans ces figures possède beaucoup de caractéristiques en commun avec l’indicateur de fractions de seconde des figures 4A, 4B et 4C. Les éléments des figures 5A, 5B et 5C qui sont identiques ou semblables à des éléments qui ont déjà été décrits en relation avec les figures 4A, 4B et 4C sont référencés par les mêmes numéros augmentés de cent. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D relate to the fraction of second indicator of a display device according to a third particular embodiment of the invention. The fractional second indicator illustrated in these Figures have many features in common with the fractional second indicator in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C. The elements of FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C which are identical or similar to elements which have already been described in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are referenced by the same numbers increased by one hundred.
Le troisième mode de réalisation diffère essentiellement du premier et du deuxième par les moyens qu’il comporte pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une première position prédéfinie lorsqu’on remet le chronographe à zéro, et pour amener l’aiguille rétrograde dans une deuxième position prédéfinie, différente de la première position, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le chronographe. La description qui va suivre se concentre donc sur ces moyens. A cet égard, les figures 5A, 5B et 5C montre un unique marteau (référencé 445) qui est rappelé par un ressort 449 en direction d’une came monobloc formée d’un cœur 448 et d’un doigt 450 (figure 5D et également visible en transparence dans les figures 5A, 5B et 5C). La came monobloc est elle-même fixée rigidement sur l’axe du pignon 423. On peut voir encore que le marteau 445 porte un bec 453 agencé pour coopérer avec les colonnes de la roue à colonnes 435.  The third embodiment differs essentially from the first and from the second by the means which it comprises for bringing the retrograde hand to a first predefined position when the chronograph is reset to zero, and for bringing the retrograde hand to a second position preset, different from the first position, when starting the chronograph. The description which follows will therefore focus on these means. In this regard, FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C show a single hammer (referenced 445) which is returned by a spring 449 in the direction of a one-piece cam formed by a heart 448 and a finger 450 (FIG. 5D and also visible in transparency in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C). The one-piece cam is itself rigidly fixed on the axis of the pinion 423. It can also be seen that the hammer 445 carries a spout 453 arranged to cooperate with the columns of the column wheel 435.
En se référant plus particulièrement à la figure 5D, on peut voir que la came monobloc formée du cœur 448 et du doigt 450. Dans le présent exemple, le doigt 450 est agencé dans la position occupée habituellement par la pointe du cœur. Les figures 5A, 5B et 5C montrent encore une butée 454 agencée de manière à pouvoir coopérer avec le doigt 450, un ressort-spiral 452 qui est enroulé autour de l’axe du pignon 423 et qui est fixé par une extrémité à la platine et par l’autre extrémité à l’aiguille rétrograde 415, de manière à rappeler l’aiguille rétrograde 415 et le doigt 450 dans le sens antihoraire. Comme le montre la figure 5B, la butée 454 est agencée de manière à ce que le doigt rencontre la butée lorsque l’aiguille 415 se trouve au-dessus de l’indication « Start ». Selon une variante avantageuse, la butée 454 peut être réalisée sous la forme d’un excentrique, afin de permettre de régler plus finement la deuxième position prédéfinie. En se référant maintenant à la figure 5A en particulier, on peut voir que suite à la remise à zéro du chronographe, le bec 453 du marteau 445 a chuté entre deux colonnes de la roue à colonnes, faisant s’abaisser le marteau 445 contre le cœur. La coopération du marteau 445 et du cœur pour effet d’amener l’aiguille rétrograde 415 en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « zéro » de l’échelle 419. En se référant maintenant à la figure 5B, on peut voir que suite au démarrage du chronographe, le bec 453 a été soulevé par une des colonnes de la roue à colonnes, et que le marteau 445 n’est plus en contact avec le cœur. Dans ces conditions, l’aiguille rétrograde 415 est libre de tourner dans le sens antihoraire sous l’effet du ressort-spiral 452. Le pivotement de l’aiguille rétrograde 415 dans le sens antihoraire amène cette dernière en regard de la graduation terminale associée à l’indication « start » (autrement dit : « départ ») de l’échelle 419. Enfin, en se référant à la figure 5C, on peut voir que suite à l’arrêt du chronographe, la position angulaire de l’aiguille rétrograde 415 est déterminée par celle du limaçon 425. En effet, le ressort de rappel 443 est choisi plus fort que le ressort-spiral 452. Referring more particularly to FIG. 5D, it can be seen that the one-piece cam formed from the heart 448 and the finger 450. In the present example, the finger 450 is arranged in the position usually occupied by the tip of the heart. FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C also show a stop 454 arranged so as to be able to cooperate with the finger 450, a spiral spring 452 which is wound around the axis of the pinion 423 and which is fixed by one end to the plate and by the other end to the retrograde needle 415, so as to return the retrograde needle 415 and the finger 450 counterclockwise. As shown in FIG. 5B, the stop 454 is arranged so that the finger meets the stop when the needle 415 is above the indication "Start". According to an advantageous variant, the stop 454 can be produced in the form of an eccentric, in order to allow the second predefined position to be adjusted more finely. Referring now to FIG. 5A in particular, it can be seen that following the resetting of the chronograph, the beak 453 of the hammer 445 fell between two columns of the column wheel, causing the hammer 445 to drop against the heart. The cooperation of the hammer 445 and the heart has the effect of bringing the retrograde needle 415 opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication "zero" of the scale 419. Referring now to FIG. 5B, one can see that following the start of the chronograph, the spout 453 has been raised by one of the columns of the column wheel, and that the hammer 445 is no longer in contact with the heart. Under these conditions, the retrograde needle 415 is free to rotate counterclockwise under the effect of the spiral spring 452. The pivoting of the retrograde needle 415 counterclockwise brings the latter opposite the terminal graduation associated with the indication “start” (in other words: “start”) on the scale 419. Finally, with reference to FIG. 5C, it can be seen that following the stop of the chronograph, the angular position of the retrograde hand 415 is determined by that of the snail 425. Indeed, the return spring 443 is chosen stronger than the balance spring 452.
On comprendra en outre que diverses modifications et/ou améliorations évidentes pour un homme du métier peuvent être apportées aux modes de réalisation qui font l’objet de la présente description sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention définie par les revendications annexées. Comme déjà indiqué, le dispositif d’affichage de l’invention n’est pas exclusivement réservé à des chronographes. Il peut également équiper d’autres types de pièces d’horlogerie, comme par exemple des mécanismes à compte à rebours, ou des montres de régate. Rappelons que les montres de régate sont équipées d’un compte à rebours qui permet d’afficher les dernières minutes précédant le début de la compétition.  It will also be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments which are the subject of the present description without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. As already indicated, the display device of the invention is not exclusively reserved for chronographs. It can also be fitted to other types of timepieces, such as countdown mechanisms or regatta watches. As a reminder, regatta watches are equipped with a countdown to display the last minutes before the start of the competition.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif d'affichage pour une pièce d’horlogerie (1 ) qui comporte un mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) et un mécanisme à commande manuelle (25, 135 ; 235 ; 335 ; 435) agencé pour permettre cycliquement de faire démarrer, d’arrêter, et de réinitialiser ou remettre à zéro le mobile de compteur, le dispositif d’affichage comportant un organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) et des moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur dans une position de lecture suite à l’arrêt du mobile de compteur, la position de lecture étant déterminée par la position du mobile de compteur ; caractérisé en ce que le dispositif d’affichage comprend des moyens pour amener l’organe indicateur dans une première position prédéfinie (0) lorsqu’on réinitialise le mobile de compteur ou qu'on le remet à zéro, et pour amener l’organe indicateur dans une deuxième position prédéfinie (Start), différente de la première position prédéfinie, lorsqu’on fait démarrer le mobile de compteur. 1. Display device for a timepiece (1) which comprises a counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) and a manually operated mechanism (25, 135; 235; 335; 435) arranged to allow cyclically to start, stop, and reset or reset the counter mobile, the display device comprising an indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) and means to allow the indicator member to be brought into a reading position following the stop of the counter mobile, the reading position being determined by the position of the counter mobile; characterized in that the display device comprises means for bringing the indicating member to a first predefined position (0) when the counter mobile is reset or when it is reset to zero, and for bringing the indicating member in a second predefined position (Start), different from the first predefined position, when the counter mobile is started.
2. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) dans une position de lecture, suite à l’arrêt du mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425), sont agencés pour amener automatiquement l’organe indicateur dans la position de lecture lorsqu’on arrête le mobile de compteur.  2. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for enabling the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) to be brought into a reading position, following the stopping the counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425), are arranged to automatically bring the indicating member into the reading position when the counter mobile is stopped.
3. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) est un organe indicateur rétrograde.  3. Display device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) is a retrograde indicator member.
4. Dispositif d’affichage selon l’une quelconque des revendications 1 , 2 et 3, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) dans une position de lecture comportent un limaçon (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) et un palpeur (131 ; 231 a, 231 b ; 331 ; 431 ) agencé pour coopérer avec la périphérie du limaçon. 4. Display device according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the means for allowing the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) to be brought into a position of reading comprise a snail (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) and a feeler (131; 231 a, 231 b; 331; 431) arranged to cooperate with the periphery of the snail.
5. Dispositif d’affichage selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) dans une position de lecture comportent un pignon (123 ; 223a, 223b ; 323 ; 423) relié cinématiquement à l’organe indicateur de manière à permettre d’entraîner ce dernier.  5. Display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for enabling the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) to be brought into a reading position comprise a pinion (123; 223a, 223b; 323; 423) kinematically connected to the indicator member so as to allow the latter to be driven.
6. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) est monté sur l’axe du pignon (123 ; 223a, 223b ; 323 ; 423).  6. Display device according to claim 5, characterized in that the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) is mounted on the pinion axis (123; 223a, 223b; 323 ; 423).
7. Dispositif d’affichage selon les revendications 4 et 6, caractérisé en ce que les moyens pour permettre d’amener l’organe indicateur (15, 17 ; 115 ; 215, 217 ; 315 ; 415) dans une position de lecture comportent un râteau (127 ; 227a, 227b ; 327 ; 427) et un palpeur (131 ; 231 a, 231 b ; 331 ; 431 ) solidaire du râteau, le secteur denté (129 ; 329 ; 429) du râteau étant agencé pour engrener avec le pignon (123 ; 223a, 223b ; 323 ; 423), et le râteau étant agencé mobile entre une position de lecture, dans laquelle le palpeur appuie contre la périphérie du limaçon (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425), de sorte que la position angulaire de l’organe indicateur est déterminée par celle du limaçon, et une position en attente, dans laquelle le palpeur est maintenu éloigné du limaçon, alors que le râteau est maintenu débrayé d’avec le pignon.  7. Display device according to claims 4 and 6, characterized in that the means for enabling the indicator member (15, 17; 115; 215, 217; 315; 415) to be brought into a reading position include a rake (127; 227a, 227b; 327; 427) and a feeler (131; 231 a, 231 b; 331; 431) integral with the rake, the toothed sector (129; 329; 429) of the rake being arranged to mesh with the pinion (123; 223a, 223b; 323; 423), and the rake being arranged movable between a reading position, in which the feeler presses against the periphery of the snail (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425), so that the angular position of the indicator member is determined by that of the snail, and a standby position, in which the feeler is kept away from the snail, while the rake is kept disengaged from the pinion.
8. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le mécanisme à commande manuelle de la pièce d’horlogerie (1 ) comporte un poussoir (25) et une roue à colonnes (135 ; 235 ; 335 ; 435), et en ce que le râteau (127 ; 227a, 227b ; 327 ; 427) est muni d’un bec (141 ; 341 ) qui est rappelé contre la roue à colonnes. 8. Display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the mechanism for manual control of the timepiece (1) comprises a pusher (25) and a column wheel (135; 235; 335; 435), and in that the rake (127; 227a, 227b; 327; 427) is provided with a spout (141; 341) which is biased against the column wheel.
9. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce qu’il comporte encore un cœur (448) monté sur l’axe du pignon (123 ; 223a, 223b ; 323 ; 423) et un marteau (345, 347 ; 445) rappelé contre le cœur, le marteau portant un bec (353, 355 ; 453) agencé pour coopérer avec la roue à colonnes (135 ; 235 ; 335 ; 435) de manière à chuter dans l’espace entre deux colonnes lorsqu’on réinitialise le mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) ou qu'on le remet à zéro, et à être soulevé par une des colonnes lorsqu’on fait démarrer le mobile de compteur, le marteau est en outre conformé de manière à s’abaisser contre le cœur lorsque le bec chute dans l’espace entre deux colonnes et à se relever lorsque le bec est soulevé par une colonne. 9. Display device according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a heart (448) mounted on the pinion axis (123; 223a, 223b; 323; 423) and a hammer (345, 347; 445) recalled against the heart, the hammer carrying a beak (353, 355; 453) arranged to cooperate with the column wheel (135; 235; 335; 435) so as to fall in the space between two columns when resets the counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) or that it is reset to zero, and to be lifted by one of the columns when the counter mobile is started, the hammer is further shaped so as to lower itself against the heart when the beak falls in the space between two columns and to rise when the beak is raised by a column.
10. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que ledit marteau (345) est un premier marteau et ledit cœur (448) est un premier cœur, et en ce qu’il comporte un second marteau (347) agencé pour s’abaisser contre un second cœur lorsqu’on fait démarrer le mobile de compteur et pour se relever lorsqu’on arrête le mobile de compteur. 10. Display device according to claim 9, characterized in that said hammer (345) is a first hammer and said heart (448) is a first heart, and in that it comprises a second hammer (347) arranged to lower itself against a second heart when the counter mobile is started and to rise when the counter mobile is stopped.
11. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 7 ou les revendications 7 et 8, caractérisé en ce qu’il comporte un levier de commande (151 ; 251 ), une lame-ressort (159 ; 259a, 259b) et une crémaillère (145 ; 245a, 245b) qui forment ensemble un système bistable, et en ce que la crémaillère est agencée pour engrener avec le pignon (123 ; 223a, 223b), de manière à amener l’organe indicateur (115 ; 215, 217) dans la première position prédéfinie lorsque le système bistable commute vers une première de ses deux positions stables, et de manière à amener l’organe indicateur (115 ; 215, 217) dans la deuxième position prédéfinie lorsque le système bistable commute de la première à la seconde de ses deux positions stables. 11. Display device according to claim 7 or claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it comprises a control lever (151; 251), a leaf spring (159; 259a, 259b) and a rack (145 ; 245a, 245b) which together form a bistable system, and in that the rack is arranged to mesh with the pinion (123; 223a, 223b), so as to bring the indicator member (115; 215, 217) into the first predefined position when the bistable system switches to a first of its two stable positions, and so as to bring the indicating member (115; 215, 217) into the second predefined position when the bistable system switches from the first to the second of its two stable positions.
12. Dispositif d’affichage selon l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la pièce d’horlogerie (1 ) est un chronographe et en ce que le mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) est un mobile de compteur de chronographe. 12. Display device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the timepiece (1) is a chronograph and in that the counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) is a chronograph counter mobile.
13. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que le mobile de compteur de chronographe (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) est un mobile de compteur de fractions de seconde.  13. Display device according to claim 12, characterized in that the chronograph counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) is a fractional second counter mobile.
14. Dispositif d’affichage selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que ledit mobile de compteur de fractions de seconde et un mobile de compteur de premières fractions de seconde (225a) et en ce que le dispositif d’affichage comporte un mobile de compteur de deuxièmes fractions de seconde (225b), la première fraction de seconde étant égale à un multiple de la deuxième fraction de seconde.  14. Display device according to claim 13, characterized in that said second fraction counter mobile and a first fraction second counter mobile (225a) and in that the display device comprises a counter mobile second fractions of a second (225b), the first fraction of a second being equal to a multiple of the second fraction of a second.
15. Dispositif d’affichage selon les revendications 11 et 14, caractérisé en ce qu’il comporte deux lames-ressorts (259a, 259b) faisant un angle l’une avec l’autre, l’angle étant compris dans l’intervalle entre 30° et 150°, avantageusement dans l’intervalle entre 60° et 120°, enfin l’angle étant de préférence égal à environ 90°.  15. Display device according to claims 11 and 14, characterized in that it comprises two leaf springs (259a, 259b) making an angle with one another, the angle being between the interval between 30 ° and 150 °, advantageously in the interval between 60 ° and 120 °, finally the angle preferably being equal to approximately 90 °.
16. Pièce d’horlogerie (1 ) équipée d’un mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) et d’un mécanisme à commande manuelle (25, 135 ; 235 ; 335 ; 435) agencé pour permettre cycliquement de faire démarrer, d’arrêter, et de remettre à zéro le mobile de compteur, et comportant un dispositif d’affichage conforme à l’une quelconque des revendications précédentes.  16. Timepiece (1) equipped with a counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) and a manual control mechanism (25, 135; 235; 335; 435) arranged to allow cyclic to start, stop, and reset the counter mobile, and comprising a display device according to any one of the preceding claims.
17. Dispositif d'affichage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 , caractérisé en ce que la pièce d’horlogerie possède un mode "compte- à-rebours" ou "régate" et en ce que le mobile de compteur est un mobile de compteur de compte-à-rebours.  17. Display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the timepiece has a "countdown" or "regatta" mode and in that the counter mobile is a countdown counter mobile.
18. Pièce d’horlogerie (1 ) équipée d’un mobile de compteur (125 ; 225a, 225b ; 325 ; 425) et d’un mécanisme à commande manuelle (25, 135 ; 235 ; 335 ; 435) agencé pour permettre cycliquement de faire démarrer, d’arrêter, et de réinitialiser le mobile de compteur, et comportant un dispositif d’affichage conforme à la revendication 17. 18. Timepiece (1) fitted with a counter mobile (125; 225a, 225b; 325; 425) and a manual control mechanism (25, 135; 235; 335; 435) arranged to allow cyclical use to get started, stop, and reset the counter mobile, and comprising a display device according to claim 17.
EP19780013.9A 2018-08-28 2019-08-28 Display device for a timepiece and timepiece comprising such a device Active EP3844574B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18191238 2018-08-28
PCT/IB2019/057249 WO2020044258A1 (en) 2018-08-28 2019-08-28 Display device for a timepiece and timepiece comprising such a device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3844574A1 true EP3844574A1 (en) 2021-07-07
EP3844574B1 EP3844574B1 (en) 2022-07-20

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19780013.9A Active EP3844574B1 (en) 2018-08-28 2019-08-28 Display device for a timepiece and timepiece comprising such a device

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US11841688B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3844574B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7393418B2 (en)
CN (1) CN112639629B (en)
WO (1) WO2020044258A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3913443A1 (en) 2020-05-22 2021-11-24 Patek Philippe SA Genève Control device for clock mechanisms
CN114545757B (en) * 2022-04-26 2022-07-05 天津海鸥表业集团有限公司 Frock is used in dismouting of balance shaft

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH696713A5 (en) * 1999-01-28 2007-10-15 Patek Philippe Sa mechanical chronograph.
EP1475682B1 (en) * 2003-05-09 2011-07-13 Audemars Piguet (Renaud et Papi) SA Chronograph watch with immediate display of the fractions of a second
CH704948B1 (en) 2004-02-17 2012-11-30 Lvmh Swiss Mft Sa Watch electromechanical chronograph retrograde.
JP2009121962A (en) 2007-11-15 2009-06-04 Seiko Instruments Inc Chronograph display mechanism and chronograph timepiece equipped therewith
EP2073078B1 (en) 2007-12-21 2012-11-07 Omega SA Bistable hammer for a chronograph mechanism
DE602008004125D1 (en) * 2008-06-17 2011-02-03 Montres Breguet Sa Display device for displaying one or the other of two different indications with the same display element of a clock
CH704775A2 (en) * 2011-04-08 2012-10-15 Richemont Int Sa chronograph mechanism.
CH706208B1 (en) * 2012-03-07 2017-07-14 Louis Vuitton Malletier Sa Mechanism for wristwatch movement including an auxiliary function.
JP2016200502A (en) 2015-04-10 2016-12-01 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Electronic clock
EP3185090B1 (en) 2015-12-23 2019-10-23 Rolex Sa Device for counting and displaying a fraction of a time unit

Also Published As

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CN112639629A (en) 2021-04-09
JP2021536004A (en) 2021-12-23
CN112639629B (en) 2022-11-29
WO2020044258A1 (en) 2020-03-05
US20210325832A1 (en) 2021-10-21
JP7393418B2 (en) 2023-12-06
EP3844574B1 (en) 2022-07-20
US11841688B2 (en) 2023-12-12

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