Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/02—Back-gearing arrangements between gear train and hands
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/24—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars
  • G04B19/243—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars characterised by the shape of the date indicator
  • G04B19/24386—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars characterised by the shape of the date indicator sheet-shaped
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/20—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
  • G04B19/20—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets
  • G04B19/205—Indicating by numbered bands, drums, discs, or sheets by means of sheets
• • 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
  • G04B33/00—Calibers
  • G04B33/08—Calibers in which the gear train is arranged in different planes, e.g. parallel or inclined to each other
• • 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
  • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
  • G04B45/0007—Light-, colour-, line-, or spot-effects caused by parts or pictures moved by the clockwork

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a display mechanism for a watch movement comprising a plate defining a general plane, the display mechanism comprising a support intended to be assembled at least indirectly to the plate and on which is rotatably mounted a member display carrying at least one display surface intended to be driven in rotation between at least first and second different positions around the axis of rotation of the display member, the support being arranged in such a way that the the axis of rotation of the display member is oriented to present an inclination of between 10 and 80 degrees with reference to the general plane.
• Timepieces comprising a date display mechanism of the large date type are known, comprising two discs, sometimes arranged coaxially, and generally pivoted directly on the plate of the corresponding watch movement or on an additional plate.
• These mechanisms make it possible in particular to reduce the size of the date display in a plane parallel to the general plane of the corresponding watch movement, without however reducing the dimensions of the digits carried by the display discs.
• FIG. 1a illustrates such a type of display applied to an alternating quantity, used here by way of non-limiting illustration. Indeed, the display mechanism of FIG. 1a is intended to display the PAR of a user when playing golf. Of course, this display mechanism could also be used to display the score of a round of golf.
• FIG. 1b illustrates a known alternative display mechanism implementing display members taking the form of cylinders or rollers arranged in such a way that their common axis of rotation is oriented in a direction parallel to the general plane of the movement corresponding watchmaker (the bearing support(s) are not shown for simplicity). If we consider that such a display mechanism is superimposed on the standard thickness of the watch movement, we understand that the overall thickness of the corresponding timepiece is really important, in particular because of the large diameter of the units cylinder.
• Patent application CH702422 describes, for example, an orbital current time display mechanism meeting the characteristics stated in the preamble.
• This mechanism comprises a support intended to be assembled to the plate of the corresponding watch movement so as to be able to rotate with reference to the center of the watch movement.
• the support carries a sub-dial comprising a crown bearing hour graduations to display the current time, as well as an hour hand cooperating with these graduations.
• the sub-dial and the hour hand are driven in rotation to present a constant orientation with reference to the plate regardless of the position of the support in relation to the latter (i.e.
• the hour hand is also driven, by a combined drive, to rotate with reference to the crown and ensure the display of the current time.
• the common axis of rotation of the crown and the hour hand is inclined outwards, with reference to a general plane of the plate, to free up space in the center of the watch movement, in order to be able to dispose of other components.
• the hour hand is flat and describes a disc when it makes a complete turn of the sub-dial, the crown being inclined with respect to the plane of this disc, to be contained in a portion of cone whose the apex angle is preferably equal to the angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of the sub-dial with respect to the general plane of the plate. If this patent application provides that the angle of inclination can be greater than 15 degrees (while it is preferably less than this value), such an eventuality seems unrealistic in practice.
• reading the current time can prove to be problematic in this case, in particular when the graduation of the crown corresponding to the time to be indicated at a given instant is towards the periphery of the watch movement, where the crown would present a maximum inclination with reference to the general plane of the plate.
• reading the current time is in any case difficult in all cases, with a large angle of inclination, since it is done by reading the relative positions of the hour hand and the graduations of the crown, these being in inclined planes with respect to each other.
• the benefit of this invention in terms of saving space in the center of the watch movement, seems limited by a necessary limitation of the angle of inclination, without which the reading of the corresponding information becomes clearly degraded.
• a main object of the present invention is to provide a display mechanism for a watch movement offering an alternative presentation with reference to known timepieces in terms of display, in particular good readability obtained despite a size in the plane lower than that of a display by disc, and a size in the direction of the thickness of the watch movement lower than that of a display by cylinder.
• the present invention relates more particularly to a display mechanism of the type indicated above, characterized in that the display surface carries at least one piece of information to be displayed associated with a predefined instant or an event. predefined, and that the display surface is arranged so as to be located substantially in a plane parallel to the general plane in the first position, at the predefined instant or upon occurrence of the predefined event, to define a position of reading of the corresponding information, in which the conditions for reading the information by a user are optimal, the conditions for reading the information being degraded when the display surface is in the second position.
• the watchmaker can determine the best compromise, according to his own needs, as regards the spatial distribution of the size of the display mechanism according to the invention, unlike the case of certain prior art displays.
• the display mechanism according to the invention offers a reading of the absolute position of the display surface, and not relative, and it suffices that the latter be located in a plane parallel to the general plane of the plate, in the reading position, so that the user can read the corresponding information.
• the display area corresponding to an adjustment made by the user that is to say in response to the occurrence of a predefined event, is located in the reading position.
• No other component is needed to perform a display by reading the relative positions between two components of the display mechanism as is the case with this prior construction.
• this reading position is very easily identifiable by the user since the reading conditions therein are optimal, whereas the conditions for reading the information carried by the display surface are significantly degraded when the latter is not in its reading position.
• a comparative examination of the different visible display surfaces makes it easy to identify which one is in the position of reading as being the one offering the best reading conditions, due to its substantially zero angle of inclination with reference to the general plane of the plate.
• the display mechanism is arranged such that its display surface is located in a plane secant to the general plane at least in its second position.
• the display member may carry at least two, preferably up to twelve, display surfaces.
• the display surfaces may be regularly distributed around the axis of rotation, being substantially arranged along a portion of a cone.
• the display member may carry a first toothed board, preferably a first star, arranged along the axis of rotation and in engagement with a second toothed drive board, preferably a second star, oriented so as to be contained in a plane substantially parallel to the general plane, the second toothed plate having a kinematic connection with a drive wheel intended to be driven by the watch movement or under the effect of a predefined action of a user on a control device.
• the display mechanism can advantageously be made for the display mechanism to comprise a jumper for positioning the display member arranged to cooperate with the second toothed plate.
• the display mechanism comprises an additional display member oriented to pivot along an additional axis of rotation having an inclination of between 10 and 80 degrees with reference to the plane general, and that the additional display member carries at least one additional display surface intended to be driven in rotation between at least two different positions around the additional axis of rotation, and to be located substantially in a parallel plane in the general plane in one of its positions, to define a reading position adjacent to the reading position of the first display member.
• the display surface and the additional display surface are arranged in such a way that they are positioned adjacent to each other only when they are simultaneously in their respective reading positions.
• the first display member can carry a pin arranged to actuate an integral star of the additional display member and advancing the latter by at least one step for each complete turn of the first display member.
• the display mechanism comprises an additional display member
• the additional display member can also be made for the additional display member to carry at least two, preferably up to twelve, additional display surfaces.
• the present invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising a plate supporting a display mechanism according to the above characteristics, as well as a timepiece comprising such a timepiece movement.
• Figure 1a shows a simplified front view of a display mechanism according to a first embodiment of the prior art
• Figure 1b shows a simplified perspective view of a display mechanism according to a second embodiment embodiment of the prior art
• Figure 1c shows a simplified perspective view of a display mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 2 shows a partial and simplified perspective view of a construction detail of the display mechanism of Figure 1c
• FIG. 3 shows a simplified front view of part of a timepiece incorporating a display mechanism according to Figure 1c.
• Figure 1c shows a simplified perspective view of a display mechanism 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, making it possible to compare the respective dimensions of the various prior display mechanisms (FIGS. 1a and 1b) and of the display mechanism according to the present invention, for given display dimensions.
• the display mechanism 1 visible in Figure 1c is here intended to display the PAR of a user in the context of playing golf, by way of non-limiting illustrative example.
• the display mechanism 1 comprises a first unit display member 2 associated with an additional display member 4 of the tens and hundreds.
• the display member 2 of the units comprises a hub 6 from which extend ten arms 8, regularly distributed around the hub 6, and each of which carries a pallet defining a display surface 10 of a number between 0 and 9.
• the arms 8 and/or the display surfaces 10 have an inclination with reference to the mean plane of the hub 6 in such a way that the display surfaces 10 are distributed substantially along a portion of a cone.
• first toothed plate 12 here the branches of a first star, coaxial with the hub 6 being integral with the latter to allow the drive of the display member 2 in rotation as will be described later.
• the display member 2 is intended to be rotatably mounted on a frame element of a watch movement, typically a plate, by means of a support (numeral reference 14 in FIG. 3) having a bearing arranged in such a way that the display member 2 is pivoted along an axis of rotation inclined with reference to a general plane of the plate of the watch movement, advantageously at an angle of between 10 and 80 degrees.
• each display surface 10 has a plurality of different positions around the axis of rotation of the display member 2, one of these positions being such that the display surface 10 is located in a plane substantially parallel to the general plane of the plate to define this reading position.
• the 0 is here in this reading position. It is evident that the reading conditions of the display surface located in the reading position are optimal, in particular in comparison with the reading conditions of the other display surfaces which are not located in the reading position. , which are markedly degraded. Of course, the way in which the reading conditions are degraded outside the reading position strongly depends on the number of display surfaces carried by the display member 2, the number of display surfaces having an impact on the relative inclination between two adjacent display surfaces.
• the additional tens and hundreds display member 4 comprises a hub 16 from which extend six arms 18, regularly distributed around the hub 16, and each of which carries a pallet defining a display surface 20 of two digits, here 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 and 12.
• the arms 18 and/or the display surfaces 20 have an inclination with reference to the mean plane of the hub 16 in such a way that the display surfaces 20 are distributed substantially along a cone portion.
• the additional display member 4 is also intended to be rotatably mounted on the plate of the watch movement, by means of a support 24 having a bearing arranged in such a way that the additional display member 4 is pivoted along an axis of rotation inclined with reference to the general plane of the plate, advantageously at an angle of between 10 and 80 degrees.
• the additional display member 4 can also present its display surfaces 20 in a reading position in turn, this reading position being adjacent to that of the surfaces of display 10 of the display member 2 of the units.
• each display surface 20 has a plurality of different positions around the axis of rotation of the additional display member 4, one of these positions being such that the display surface 20 is located in a plane substantially parallel to the general plane of the plate to define this reading position.
• the 07 is here in this reading position, and the value 070 can therefore be read thanks to the two display surfaces 10, 20 located in the two reading positions.
• the display surfaces 10 and the display surfaces 20 of the additional display member 4 are arranged in such a way that they are positioned adjacent to each other only when they are simultaneously in their respective reading positions.
• Figure 2 shows a partial and simplified perspective view of a construction detail of the display mechanism 1.
• the display unit 2 of the units comprises a pivot 26 housed in the bearing of the support 14 (not visible in FIG. 2 for greater clarity).
• a pivot 26 housed in the bearing of the support 14 (not visible in FIG. 2 for greater clarity).
• those skilled in the art could reverse the assembly of the display member 2 on the support 14 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, that is to say provide that the support 14 carries a fixed shaft around which is engaged a barrel secured to the display member 2.
• the drive mode of the display member 2 according to this embodiment is visible in Figure 2. It can indeed be provided that the display mechanism 1 comprises a second toothed plate 28, also a star here, arranged in engagement with the first toothed plate 12 of the display member 2
• the second toothed board 28 is oriented here so as to be contained in a plane substantially parallel to the plane general of the plate, the latter having a kinematic connection, by means of a wheel 30 to which it is integral, with a driving wheel set 32 intended to be driven by the watch movement or under the effect of a predefined action of a user on a control device.
• a jumper 34 cooperates with the second toothed plate 28 to ensure the required orientation of the display member 2 with reference to its axis of rotation, via the first and second toothed plates 12, 28.
• the rotational drive of the additional display member 4 is ensured here directly by the display member 2 of the units, by way of non-limiting illustration.
• the display member 2 comprises a pin 36 for driving the additional display member 4, integral with its hub 6 and intended to cooperate with the additional display member 4 once per revolution. full of 2 units display organ.
• the additional display member 4 also includes a pivot 38 housed in the support bearing 24 (not visible in Figure 2 for clarity).
• the hub 16 carries a shaft 40, oriented along the axis of rotation of the additional display member 4, at the end of which is arranged a star wheel 42 intended to be driven by the pin 36 of the display member 2 of the units to rotate the additional display member 4 by one step each complete revolution of the display member 2 of the units.
• the support 24 advantageously carries a positioning member (not visible) arranged to cooperate with the branches of an additional star 44, integral with the hub 16, to ensure the correct positioning of the additional display member 4 with reference to its axis of rotation. It is apparent from the view of Figure 2 that the respective axes of rotation of the two display members are parallel but offset, by way of non-limiting illustration, the latter being shaped in such a way that their display positions are indeed adjacent.
• FIG. 3 shows a simplified front view of part of a timepiece 100 integrating the display mechanism 1 which has just been described.
• the timepiece 100 comprises a case 102 housing a timepiece movement 104 whose construction matters little for the implementation of the display mechanism according to the present invention.
• the watch movement 104 will therefore not be described in detail for the sake of simplification.
• This comprises a time base 106 whose oscillations are maintained by a barrel spring 108, housed in a barrel 110, via a going train 112, in a conventional manner.
• the going train 112 is arranged to drive current time display members in rotation via a roadway 114 and an hour wheel 116.
• the watch movement 104 also includes a winding and correction mechanism 118, actuated by a winding and correction rod 120 capable of occupying three different axial positions here, a winding position and two correction positions.
• the winding and correction mechanism 118 notably comprises a rocker (not shown) carrying a set of correction transmissions 122 whose orientation is dependent on the axial position of the rod 120, to establish a kinematic connection between the latter and a mechanism to be corrected different in each axial position.
• a first reference 124 has a kinematic connection with the mobile drive 32, comprising here two additional references 126 and 128 (under the hour wheel 116), the drive wheel set 32 itself being engaged with the unit display member 2 via the second toothed plate 28 and the wheel 30.
• the display mechanism 1 has deliberately been positioned partially above the barrel 110 to better highlight the advantage of the present invention in terms of size. It can be seen in fact that the particular construction of the display mechanism 1 according to the invention makes it possible to install it in this case in the immediate vicinity of the barrel 110, which is generally the bulkiest component of a watch movement, and by arranging the reading positions of the display members 2 and 4 above the barrel 110. Such an arrangement would not be possible with a cylinder display mechanism, whereas a readable disc display mechanism would occupy a significant portion of the surface available in a plane parallel to the mean plane of the watch movement (generally parallel to the general plane of the plate).
• the display mechanism 1 is illustrated here with axes of rotation of the display members 2 and 4 having the same inclination, of the order of 45 degrees, relative to the general plane of the plate, but it is this is of course a non-limiting example of embodiment, the angle of inclination of each of the axes of rotation being capable of varying between 10 and 80 degrees to take into account the specificities of the watch movement in which the display mechanism is implanted.
• the display surfaces have an inclination of the order of 45 degrees relative to the axis of rotation of the corresponding display member.
• the display mechanism according to the invention comprises a window or a cover to facilitate the identification of the reading position, such a measure is only optional since A comparative examination between the reading position and the other positions makes it possible to identify the reading position without difficulty, due to a significant difference between their respective reading conditions.
• the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the display of the quantity mentioned, i.e. here the PAR when playing golf, and the person skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty.
• to adapt the present teaching and produce a display mechanism meeting the claimed characteristics but implemented in relation to the display of another quantity whether the drive of the display mechanism is carried out by the watch movement or in response to an action by a user on a crown or on a pusher, for example.
• the first and second stars 12 and 28 could be replaced by bevel gears.
• the display mechanism comprises several display members, each of them could be driven independently of the other or others, as an alternative to what has just been illustrated and described.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
• Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=82319611

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2021
  • 2021-07-15 CH CH70064/21A patent/CH718834A9/fr unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-06-23 WO PCT/EP2022/067207 patent/WO2023285101A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2022-06-23 JP JP2024500579A patent/JP2024523723A/ja active Pending
  • 2022-06-23 CN CN202280048664.8A patent/CN117957498A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-06-23 EP EP22735161.6A patent/EP4370979A1/de active Pending

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