CH718021B1 - Information display mechanism, movement and timepiece - Google Patents

Abstract

The information display mechanism for a watch movement provided with a plate according to the invention comprises a first display part (70) rotatably mounted about a first axis (O1), a first motor device (90) arranged to transmit a torque to the first display part (70), a second display part (80) rotatably mounted about a second axis (O2) positioned so as to be non-coaxial with the first axis (O1): a second motor device (91) arranged to transmit a torque to the second display part (80), and a rotation control device (95) configured to control the rotation of the first and second display parts (70, 80) such that the first and second display parts (70, 80) each rotate according to a predetermined cycle. The first and second display portions (70, 80) cooperate with each other to display at least one piece of information based on a change in the relative position between the angular position of the first display portion (70) about the first axis (O1) and the angular position of the second display portion (80) about the second axis (O2). In one embodiment, the display mechanism according to the invention displays the lunation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display mechanism, a movement and a timepiece.

2. Description of the related art

[0002] In recent years, as timepieces displaying information in addition to the current time, timepieces comprising a moon age display mechanism, which displays the age of the moon, have been known. Such a moon age display mechanism displays the state of the moon, which waxes and wanes repeatedly in a fixed cycle with the passage of days, and methods for displaying the age of the moon have been skillfully devised for years.

[0003] The age of the moon is a numerical value used as a guide that allows a wearer of a timepiece to know the phase of the moon, and it is known that the age of the moon or lunation represents the number of days that have passed since the new moon, with the assumption that the new moon has a "moon age of 0". In general, the moon waxes and wanes repeatedly, according to a cycle of 29.5 days, and a full moon is spoken of for a moon age of the order of "14.8".

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 2,635,554 (Patent Document 1), described below, provides a timepiece having a moon age display mechanism, the timepiece comprising a dial with a moon age display window and a moon plate having two representations of the moon (full moons) thereon. The moon age display mechanism can display the representations of the moon via the moon age display window in a repetitive pattern of waxing and waning as the moon plate is rotated in accordance with the passage of days.

[0005] European patent application published under number 1,321,832 (patent document 2), described below, proposes a moon age display mechanism comprising a display part which has a fan shape in a plan view and which represents a gradual change in the phase of the moon, and a moon hand which oscillates according to the passage of days to designate a relevant point on the moon age display part.

[0006] European Patent Application No. 1,692,574 (Patent Document 3), described below, proposes a moon age display mechanism which comprises a screen with a moon age display window having an arcuate shape in a plan view, as well as first and second moon plates having different colors. In this moon age display mechanism, the first and second moon plates swing in opposite directions within the moon age display window according to the passage of days.

[0007] The first and second plates may overlap each other in the thickness direction of the timepiece, and a modification of the overlap between the first and second plates may be used to display the phase of the moon.

[0008] Furthermore, European Patent No. 2,687,918 (Patent Document 4), described below, proposes a mechanism for displaying the age of the moon which comprises a sphere which imitates the Moon and which rotates according to the passage of days.

[0009] In the timepiece with a moon age display mechanism described in the aforementioned patent document 1, the two moon representations are however arranged with a gap of 180° between them on the moon plate, which increases the area occupied by the moon representations on the moon plate. Therefore, in order to show a moon representation having a diameter of 4 mm for example, the moon plate has a diameter of at least 10 mm, which makes it difficult to display the moon age (display the information) in a small area.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to display a moon age close to the new moon, it is expected that the situation will occur in which both representations of the moon appear at the same time in the moon age display window, making it difficult to distinguish the moon ages different from each other. Therefore, there is potential for improvement regarding a stable moon age display (information display).

[0011] The moon age display mechanism described in the above-mentioned patent document 2 is difficult to handle because of its construction which prevents an inversion of the moon display and absorbs a high stress because the moon hand moves suddenly from the arrival point to the departure point, at the end of the moon's waxing-waning cycle.

[0012] In the moon age display mechanism described in the aforementioned patent document 3, the first and second moon plates do not overlap each other halfway through the entire path of the first and second moon plates, which leads to several unnecessary movements that do not contribute to the moon age display. There is therefore potential for improvement regarding efficient, continuous moon age display (information display).

[0013] Furthermore, the moon age display mechanism described in the aforementioned patent document 4 uses a sphere imitating the moon, which results in an increase in the thickness of the mechanism and, therefore, difficulties, for example, in reducing in thickness and size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] One aspect of the present application is to provide an information display mechanism for a watch movement having a plate, a movement and a timepiece which are capable of displaying at least one piece of information continuously, stably and efficiently, with good visibility even in a small area, and which make it possible to reduce the stresses received by the mechanism and furthermore to reduce the size and thickness of the mechanism. (1) An information display mechanism for a watch movement having a plate according to the present application is as defined in claim 1.

[0015] In the information display mechanism according to the present application, the rotation control device can rotate the first display part about the first axis according to the predetermined cycle by using the power from the first motor device and rotate the second display part about the second axis according to the predetermined cycle by using the power from the second motor device, while controlling the rotations of the first and second display parts. In this process, the first axis and the second axis are not coaxial with each other, so that the first and second display parts, which are spaced apart from each other in the plane, can move independently of each other. The relationship between the angular position of the first display part about the first axis and the angular position of the second display part about the second axis can thus be changed from minute to minute, and the at least one piece of information can be displayed based on a change in the positional relationship between the cooperatively moving first and second display parts.

[0016] As described above, the at least one piece of information is displayed by using a change in the positional relationship between the first and second display parts, whereby the at least one piece of information can be displayed with good visibility even in a small area. In addition, since the positional relationship between the first and second display parts can be changed from minute to minute, there is no unnecessary movement for displaying the at least one piece of information, whereby the at least one piece of information can be displayed in a continuous, stable and efficient manner. In addition, the first and second display parts can change direction, and instantaneous movement as in the prior art is not required, whereby the stresses borne by the moon age display mechanism can be reduced. Furthermore, a thick member such as the sphere of the prior art is not required, whereby the size and thickness of the moon age display mechanism can be reduced. (2) The first and second display portions may be selected to be positioned at different heights in the thickness direction of the plate. The rotation control device may be selected to rotate the first and second display portions such that the first and second display portions overlap each other in the thickness direction of the plate. The first and second display portions may be selected to display the at least one piece of information by varying the positional relationship in a plan view when viewed in the thickness direction of the plate.

[0017] When this is the case, since the first and second display parts can be rotated so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the plate, the at least one piece of information can be displayed by acting on a change in the positional relationship between the first and second display parts in the plan view (viewpoint), i.e., on a change in the overlap between the first and second display parts. A change in the positional relationship between the first and second display parts is thus clearly visible, whereby the at least one piece of information can be displayed with good visibility.

[0018] In addition, since the first and second display portions have the ability to overlap each other, the at least one piece of information can be efficiently displayed in a smaller region, and the space required (footprint) for displaying the at least one piece of information can be reduced. Therefore, the information display mechanism can be easily used in a variety of devices. (3) The rotation control device can be selected to rotate the first and second display portions such that, during rotation of the first and second display portions, the first and second display portions are in at least two states which, when viewed in the thickness direction of the plate, are as follows: a hidden state, in which the entire first display portion is hidden behind the second display portion, and an uncovered state, in which the entire first display portion is brought out from behind the second display portion.

[0019] When this is the case, when said at least one piece of information is displayed by playing on the overlap between the first and second display parts, the following two aspects can be obtained: a hidden state in which the entire first display part is hidden behind the second display part, and an uncovered state in which the entire first display part is brought out from behind the second display part, whereby at least two distinctly different aspects can be displayed clearly, for user-friendliness. (4) The rotation control device may be selected to include a wheel that rotates in accordance with the flow of time, a first rotation control device that controls rotation of the first display part in such a manner that, when the wheel rotates, the first display part performs a reciprocating rotational motion within a predetermined rotational angular range about the first axis, and a second rotation control device that controls rotation of the second display part in such a manner that, when the wheel rotates, the second display part performs a reciprocating rotational motion within a predetermined rotational angular range about the second axis.

[0020] When this is the case, the first rotation control device and the second rotation control device respectively control the rotation of the first display device and the rotation of the second display device, as a result of a rotation of the wheel which rotates according to the flow of time, whereby the at least one information can be displayed according to the flow of time. Information other than the time, such as the age of the moon, the day of the week and the date, can thereby be displayed.

[0021] Furthermore, since the first and second display parts can be controlled to perform an alternating rotational movement (tilting movement), the at least one piece of information can be effectively displayed even in an even smaller region, with the first and second display parts being continuously moved. (5) The first rotation control device can be selected to include a first cam that rotates when the wheel rotates, and a first control lever that tilts in accordance with the rotation of the first cam to control the rotation of the first display part, and the second rotation control device can be selected to include a second cam that rotates when the wheel rotates, and a second control lever that tilts in accordance with the rotation of the second cam to control the rotation of the second display part.

[0022] When this is the case, the wheel rotates according to the flow of time, whereby the first and second cams can be rotated simultaneously as the wheel rotates. The first control lever can thereby be tilted according to the rotation of the first cam, and the tilting movement of the first control lever enables the first display portion to perform an appropriately reciprocating rotational movement. Similarly, the second control lever can be tilted according to the rotation of the second cam, and the tilting movement of the second control lever enables the second display portion to perform an appropriately reciprocating rotational movement.

[0023] In particular, a simple construction using only the first and second cams makes it possible to make the first and second display parts perform an alternating rotational movement depending on the flow of time, allowing the action to be reliable and the construction to be simplified. (6) It is possible to choose for the wheel, the first cam and the second cam to be arranged on a single axis.

[0024] When this is the case, since the wheel, the first cam and the second cam are arranged on a common axis (single common axis), the entire mechanism can be arranged in a compact manner in the plane. (7) The wheel can be chosen to be a moon age wheel that makes one revolution per lunar cycle. The first rotation control device can be chosen to control the rotation of the first display part in such a way that the first display part makes a round trip for one complete revolution of the wheel. The second rotation control device can be chosen to control the rotation of the second display part in such a way that the second display part makes a round trip for one complete revolution of the wheel, with a phase shift relative to the first display part. It is possible to choose that the first and second display parts display the age of the Moon, as said at least one piece of information, by acting on a modification of the positional relationship between the first and second display parts which corresponds to the phase shift.

[0025] When this is the case, the wheel, which is the moon age wheel, can be rotated gradually according to the flow of time and can be rotated during the lunation (about 29.5 days). In addition, in relation to the lunation, the first display part can be rotated so as to make a round trip and the second display part can be rotated so as to make a round trip with a phase shift relative to the first display part. The first and second display parts can thus be rotated with a phase shift between them, and the moon age, which is said at least one piece of information depending on the lunar cycle, can be displayed by acting on a change in the positional relationship between the first and second display parts which corresponds to the phase shift, i.e. on a change in the overlap between the first and second display parts.

[0026] In other words, the overlap between the first and second display portions can be changed minute by minute during the lunation (about 29.5 days), whereby the age of the Moon can be grasped at a glance. (8) The first display portion can be selected to be a moon plate that has a circular shape in a plan view and that imitates the Moon. The second display portion can be selected to be a shadow plate that has a circular shape in the plan view and that has a darker color than a color of the first display portion. The first and second display portions can be selected to display the age of the Moon, as the at least one piece of information.

[0027] When this is the case, since the first display part is the moon plate and the second display part is the shadow plate having a darker color, a change in the overlap between the moon plate and the shadow plate enables a clear reading of the moon age at a glance, such as the new moon (moon age of 0), the full moon (moon age of 14.8), the first quarter (moon age of 7.4), and the last quarter (moon age of 22.1). (9) The information display mechanism may be selected to further include a moon age correction mechanism that corrects the relative positional relationship between the first and second display parts by forcing the wheel to rotate.

[0028] When this is the case, the moon age correction mechanism can force the wheel, which is the moon age wheel, to rotate in order to correct the relative positional relationship between the first and second display parts to achieve moon age correction. (10) The moon age correction mechanism can be selected to include a moon age correction lever which is provided at a position adjacent to the wheel and is swingable about a swing axis between a standby position and a correction position, a lever spring which biases the moon age correction lever toward the standby position, and a correction claw which is provided to the moon age correction lever in a swingable manner and which angularly moves the wheel in one direction by a predetermined angular amount when the moon age correction lever is provided in the correction position. The moon age correction lever may be selected to be provided with a claw return spring which enables the correction claw to separate from the wheel when the moon age correction lever returns from its correction position to its standby position, and which returns the correction claw in the direction of returning it to a rotational actuation state when the moon age correction lever returns to the position where the correction claw is away from the wheel.

[0029] When this is the case, to correct the moon age, the moon age correction lever is tilted about the tilt axis from the standby position to the correction position against the restoring force produced by the lever spring. The wheel is thus rotated by a predetermined amount in one direction. The angular position of the wheel can thus be corrected, so that the overlap between the first and second display parts can be adjusted, whereby the moon age can be reliably corrected.

[0030] When the tilting of the moon age correction lever is completed, the restoring force generated by the lever spring enables the moon age correction lever to return from the correction position to the standby position. In this process, since the correction claw can be separated from the wheel against the restoring force generated by the claw return spring, it can be prevented that when the moon age correction lever returns to the standby position, the correction claw rotates the wheel in the reverse direction to the position before correction. The corrected moon age can thus be maintained.

[0031] When the moon age correction lever returns to the position where the correction claw is away from the wheel, the correction claw returns, by the restoring force from the claw return spring, in preparation for the next moon age correction, to the position it has for turning the wheel. (11) A movement according to the present application is as defined in claim 11 and comprises an information display mechanism as defined above. (12) A timepiece according to the present application is as defined in claim 12 and comprises a movement as defined above.

[0032] When this is the case, the information display mechanism as defined above enables information other than the current time to be displayed continuously, stably and efficiently, with good visibility, resulting in a movement and timepiece that are of high quality and high performance and have improved functionality.

[0033] The present application enables continuous, stable and efficient display of information with good visibility even in a small area, a reduction in the stresses supported by the mechanism and further a reduction in the size and thickness of the mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a plan view of a timepiece. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the timepiece of Figure 1 after the main glass, dial, and other components have been removed. Figure 3 is a plan view of a movement without the hands, which is shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the movement shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a plan view showing the movement of Figure 3 after a moon plate, a shadow plate, a support plate, a setting wheel bridge, and other components have been removed. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the movement of Figure 3 after a moon plate, a shadow plate, a base plate, a setting wheel bridge, and other components have been removed. Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the movement shown in Figure 4 and is also a longitudinal section of an hour wheel, a minute wheel, a moon age gear and the surroundings. Figure 8 is a block diagram of a moon age display mechanism provided in the movement shown in Figure 4. Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of the movement shown in Figure 4 and is also a longitudinal section of the moon plate, a first driving device and the surroundings. Figure 10 is a longitudinal section of the movement shown in Figure 4 and is also a longitudinal section of a shadow plate, a second driving device and the surroundings. Figure 11 is a plan view showing the relationship between a moon cam, a shadow cam, a moon age wheel, the first driving device, the second driving device and a rotation control device. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the first motive device shown in Figure 11 and its surroundings. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the same thing as Figure 12 except that a moon return wheel has been removed. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the same thing as Figure 13 except that a moon return gear toothed portion has been removed. Figure 15 is a longitudinal section of the movement shown in Figure 4 and is also a longitudinal section of the moon age wheel, moon age gear and its surroundings. Figure 16 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon age wheel and the moon age gear in the movement shown in Figure 4. Figure 17 is a perspective view of a moon age correction mechanism shown in Figure 4 and its surroundings. Figure 18 is a longitudinal section of the movement shown in Figure 4 and is also a longitudinal section of the moon age correction mechanism and its surroundings. Figure 19 is a plan view showing the relationship between a moon age correction lever and the moon age wheel in the moon age correction mechanism shown in Figure 17. Figure 20 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon age correction lever shown in Figure 19 has completed part of a movement from a standby position to a correction position. Figure 21 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon age correction lever shown in Figure 20 is moved to the correction position to rotate the moon age wheel. Figure 22 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate shown in Figure 4 cooperate with each other to display a “moon of age 0.” Figure 23 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Figure 22, with a moon reset lever and a shadow reset lever. Figure 24 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Figure 22 to display a “moon age of 3.7.” Fig. 25 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 24, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 26 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 24 to display a “moon age of 7.4.” Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 26, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 28 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 26 to display a “moon age of 11.1.” Fig. 29 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 28, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 30 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 28 to display a “moon age of 14.8.” Fig. 31 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 30, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 32 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 30 to display a “moon age of 18.5.” Fig. 33 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 32, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 34 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 32 to display a “moon age of 22.1.” Fig. 35 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 34, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 36 is a plan view showing a state in which the moon plate and the shadow plate cooperate with each other in a state different from that of Fig. 34 to display a “moon age of 25.8.” Fig. 37 is a plan view showing the relationship between the moon cam and the shadow cam in the state shown in Fig. 36, with the moon reset lever and the shadow reset lever. Fig. 38 is a block diagram showing an alternative of the moon age display mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0035] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0036] The present embodiment is described as an example of a timepiece, in the case of a mechanical timepiece which has a finishing gear train with a center wheel and in which the hour hand and the minute hand are arranged in an eccentric position relative to the center of the movement, while no second hand is provided.

[0037] In the figures of the present embodiment, certain components of a timepiece are omitted or represented in a simplified manner, in certain cases, for the sake of clarity of the representation.

[0038] Generally speaking, the mechanical part comprising the drive of the timepiece is called a “movement”. The finished product in which a dial and hands are attached to the movement and the whole is placed in a timepiece case is called a “complete” unit. A plate which forms the assembly support of the timepiece has two sides. The side where the glass of the timepiece case is located (i.e., the side facing the dial) is called the “back side” of the movement. Of the two sides of the plate, the side where the bottom of the timepiece case is located (i.e., the side opposite the dial) is called the “front side” of the movement.

[0039] The present embodiment will be described within the scope of the following definitions: the direction from the case back (front side) to the dial is an upward direction, while the reverse direction is a downward direction. The direction of the thickness of the plate is therefore the bottom-to-top direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the direction of clockwise rotation about any axis when viewed from above is called the clockwise direction, and the direction of counterclockwise rotation about any axis when viewed from above is called the counterclockwise direction.

[0040] A complete unit of a timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment comprises, in a timepiece case 3, the following components: a movement 10, a dial 4 having the graduations of a scale or other marks for indicating information at least concerning the time, as well as indicator hands including an hour hand 5 indicating the hours and a minute hand 6 indicating the minutes, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The timepiece case 3 is a combination of a main crystal 2, a rear crystal plate not shown and a case back which is not shown.

[0041] Dial 4 has a display window 4a which is large, which is located at a central portion of the dial and which passes through this dial 4. Dial 4 thus configured allows key timepiece components, including a moon age display mechanism 12 which will be described later, to be visible through main glass 2 and through display window 4a.

[0042] The timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment is therefore classified as a luxury timepiece which, in addition to being practical, provides both the real pleasure and aesthetics of a mechanical timepiece, in which refined watchmaking technologies are implemented.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the indicator hands including the hour hand 5 and the minute hand 6 are placed in an eccentric position relative to the center of the movement 10 (more precisely eccentric towards the “3 o’clock” position on the dial). The graduations of the scale on the dial 4 are therefore arranged irregularly in the circumferential direction, depending on the position of the indicator hands.

[0044] The timepiece case 3 has an annular shape with an annular caseband 3a, which surrounds the movement 10, as shown in FIG. 2. The annular caseband 3a is thus open upwards and downwards. The rear glass plate, which is not shown, is superimposed on the side of the annular caseband 3a facing the lower surface (front side). The case back has an annular shape corresponding to the annular caseband 3a and is attached to the lower surface of this annular caseband 3a, the rear glass plate being between the case back and the annular caseband 3a.

[0045] The timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment allows the key timepiece parts to be seen through the rear glass plate.

[0046] The movement 10 comprises a plate 11, which forms the assembly support of the movement 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The movement 10 is placed inside the annular caseband 3a, as described previously.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, on the rear side (i.e. the upper side) of the plate 11 are arranged at least the following components: a rear gear train comprising a cannon pinion 20, a timer wheel 30 and an hour wheel 40, a moon age display mechanism 12 (corresponding to what is called the information display mechanism in the claims) and a moon age correction mechanism 13. The rear gear train is mounted by means of shafts between the plate 11 and an adjustment wheel bridge 15, which is arranged behind the plate 11.

[0048] Visible in Figure 1, the dial 4 is arranged above the adjustment wheel bridge 15. A portion of the adjustment wheel bridge 15 is arranged in the display window 4a and is visible through the main glass 2.

[0049] A support plate 16 is disposed between the adjustment wheel bridge 15 and the plate 11, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. The support plate 16 and the plate 11 are superimposed and assembled, and a portion of the support plate 16 is visible through the main crystal 2 (see FIG. 1). The moon age display mechanism 12 is supported by means of shafts, mainly using the support plate 16.

[0050] A front gear train comprising a center wheel 50 and a movement barrel 60 is arranged on the front side (i.e. the lower side) of the plate 11, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] In the present embodiment, a portion of the plate 11 located on the opposite side to the crown 7, with respect to the indicator hands, i.e., a portion located at the “9 o’clock” position on the dial, is provided with a receiving hole 11a, which has a circular shape in a plan view and which passes through the plate 11, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A tourbillon 8 is placed in the receiving hole 11a. The tourbillon 8 comprises a carriage as a single part which is a combination of an escapement, which controls the rotation of the front gear, and a regulating device, which regulates the speed of the escapement.

[0052] The tourbillon 8 may have a known constitution and will not be described in detail. The tourbillon is, however, not an essential constituent and may not be provided. In this case, for example, the escapement and the regulating device may be arranged on the front side of the plate 11. The tourbillon 8 is visible through the main crystal 2 and the rear crystal plate.

Front wheel, rear wheel

[0053] We will briefly describe the front and rear gears.

[0054] The front gear is mounted between the plate 11 and a gear bridge 17, which is placed below the plate 11, as shown in FIG. 7. The front gear is driven by a torque produced when a mainspring, not shown, is let down. The front gear is used to move the hour hand 5 and the minute hand 6. The front gear mainly comprises the movement barrel 60, which receives the mainspring mentioned above, the center wheel set 50 and a middle wheel set which is not shown.

[0055] The movement barrel rotates by the elastic restoring force (power) produced when the mainspring is unwound. The mainspring is wound via a winding stem connected to crown 7, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0056] The center wheel 50 rotates as a result of the rotation of the movement barrel described above, which rotates due to the power produced when the mainspring is de-armed.

[0057] The center wheel 50 is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the hands C1, a lower pivot of this center wheel 50 being supported by a perforated jewel or by any other bearing held by the gear train bridge 17, while an arbor 51 of this center wheel 50 is supported by a perforated jewel or any other bearing held by the plate 11. The center wheel 50 comprises a center pinion 52, to which the power is transmitted from the movement barrel 60, as well as a center wheel 53, which meshes with the middle wheel, which is not visible. The arbor 51 extends so as to project upwards, beyond the plate 11.

[0058] The cannon pinion 20, which forms the rear gear train, is arranged above the plate 11 and coaxially with the axis of rotation of the hands C1, and it is rotatable about this axis of rotation of the hands C1. The cannon pinion 20 comprises a cannon pinion body 21, which has the shape of a topped tube, as well as a cannon pinion 22, which is coupled to a lower end of the cannon pinion body 21 and which meshes with a minute wheel 32, which will be described later.

[0059] The shaft 51 of the center wheel 50 is inserted inside the cannon body 21. The cannon body 21 has a narrow elastic portion (thin-walled portion), and the elasticity of this narrow elastic portion is used to produce a holding torque (a tightening) acting on the shaft 51. The cannon 20 thus rotates with the center wheel 50 around the axis of rotation of the needles C1 during the normal movement of the needles.

[0060] An upper end of the cannon-pinion body 21 projects upwardly beyond the dial 4 and the hour wheel 40. The minute hand 6 is fixed to the upper end of the cannon-pinion body 21. The construction described above allows direct drive of the minute hand 6 as a result of the rotation of the center wheel 50 and the cannon-pinion 20. The minute hand 6 rotates at a speed of one revolution per hour, regulated by the escapement and the tourbillon 8, which includes the escapement.

[0061] In setting the time, the time can be adjusted by using the crown 7 to rotate the cannon pinion 20 with a torque greater than or equal to the holding torque mentioned above, via a gear train not shown for driving the hands.

[0062] The hour wheel 40, which is part of the rear gear, is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the hands C1 and is rotatable about this rotation axis of the hands C1. The hour wheel 40 comprises an hour wheel body 41, which has a cylindrical shape surrounding the cannon-pinion body 21, and an hour gear toothed portion 42, which is integral with a lower end of the hour wheel body 41 and meshes with a minute pinion 31, which will be described later.

[0063] The timer wheel 30, which is part of the rear gear train, is rotatable about a timer axle C2, a lower pivot of this timer wheel 30 being supported by a perforated jewel or any other bearing held by the plate 11, while an upper pivot of the timer wheel 30 is supported by a perforated jewel or any other bearing held by the adjustment wheel bridge 15. The timer wheel 30 comprises the timer pinion 31, which meshes with the hour gear toothed portion 42, as well as a timer wheel 32, which meshes with the cannon pinion 22 of the cannon 20. The timer wheel 30 thus meshes with both the cannon 20 and the hour wheel 40.

[0064] The hour wheel 40 thus rotates about the axis of rotation of the hands C1, as a result of the rotation of the cannon-pinion 20 and the timer wheel 30. Furthermore, the upper end of the hour wheel body 41 projects upwards beyond the dial 4 and is placed lower than the upper end of the cannon-pinion body 21. The hour hand 5 is fixed to the upper end of the hour wheel body 41.

[0065] The hour hand 5 is thus positioned in an offset position, towards the dial 4, from the minute hand 6, which is fixed to the cannon-pinion 20. The construction described above allows direct drive of the hour hand 5, as a result of the rotation of the hour wheel 40. The hour hand 5 rotates at a rotation speed of one revolution in 12 hours, regulated by the escapement and the tourbillon 8, which includes this escapement.

[0066] The drive of the front and rear gears constituted as described above is controlled by the escapement and the regulating device, so that the minute hand 6 and the hour hand 5 are moved appropriately for accurate time indication.

Moon age display mechanism

[0067] The moon age display mechanism 12 functions as an information display mechanism that displays information about the waxing and waning of the moon (the moon phase - the moon age). The moon age display mechanism 12 is arranged, for example, at a height between the support plate 16 and the adjustment wheel bridge 15, at the same height as the adjustment wheel bridge 15, or at a height above the adjustment wheel bridge 15, and is formed of multiple layers, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0068] In the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the constituent elements that form the moon age display mechanism 12, and the heights of these constituent elements are shown as "levels". A "level 0" is a layer located at the height where the minute wheel 32 is located. A "level 5" is a layer located above and at a distance from the plate 11. A moon plate 70 and a shadow plate 80, which will be described later, are located in "level 5". In the configuration in which the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 are located at the same "level 5", the shadow plate 80 is located above the moon plate 70.

[0069] Between “level 0” and “level 5” there are the following levels: a “level 1”, a “level 2”, a “level 3” and a “level 4” arranged consecutively from “level 0”.

[0070] The moon age display mechanism 12 comprises the moon plate 70 (corresponding to what is called the first display part in the claims), which is rotatable about a first axis O1, the shadow plate 80 (corresponding to what is called the second display part in the claims), which is rotatable about a second axis O2 arranged so as not to be coaxial with the first axis O1, a first motor device 90, which transmits power to the moon plate 70 to rotate this moon plate 70 about the first axis O1, a second motor device 91, which transmits power to the shadow plate to rotate this shadow plate about the second axis O2, as well as a rotation control device 95, which controls the rotations of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 in such a way that the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 shadows each rotate in a predetermined cycle, as shown in Figures 3 to 6 and 8.

[0071] The moon age display mechanism 12 in the present embodiment causes the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 to cooperate with each other to display information about the moon phase, i.e., the moon age, based on a change in the positional relationship between the angular position of the moon plate 70 about the first axis O1 and the angular position of the shadow plate 80 about the second axis O2. In particular, the moon age can be displayed by changing the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 according to the lunar cycle (about 29.5 days).

[0072] Figures 1 to 4 show a case in which the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 cooperate with each other to display a “Moon age of 7.4”.

Moon plate, shadow plate

[0073] The moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 are essentially arranged in a region located between the axis of rotation of the hands C1 and the crown 7 in a plan view of the timepiece 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. The moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 are thus arranged in a region located on the side opposite the tourbillon 8, relative to the axis of rotation of the hands C1, i.e. a region located at the “3 o’clock” position of the dial 4.

[0074] On the other hand, the first axis O1 of the moon plate 70 and the second axis O2 of the shadow plate 80 are located in a central portion of the movement 10 and are spaced apart from each other at “12 o’clock” of the dial 4 and at “6 o’clock” of the dial 4, respectively. The first axis O1 is placed in a position offset to “12 o’clock” of the dial 4, and the second axis O2 is placed in a position offset to “6 o’clock” of the dial 4.

[0075] The moon plate 70 is a thin disk that has a circular shape in a plan view and resembles the Moon, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 9 and 10. The moon plate 70 has a bright color such as yellow.

[0076] The moon plate 70 is integral with a moon plate arm 71 comprising a fixed ring 72 arranged coaxially with the first axis O1. The moon plate arm 71 is a strip-shaped arm which is bent several times in a plane parallel to the platen 11 and which is stepped in the thickness direction of the platen 11. The fixed ring 72 is coupled, by means of a screw, to an upper end of a moon wheel 110, which will be described later.

[0077] The moon plate 70 and the moon plate arm 71 are thus integral with the moon wheel 110 and can rotate about the first axis O1 when the moon wheel 110 rotates. In particular, the moon plate 70 is controlled to perform an alternating circular movement over a predetermined angular range of rotation, about the first axis O1.

[0078] The shadow plate 80 is a thin disk having a circular shape in a plan view and is shaped to have an outer shape similar to the shape of the moon plate 70. In the example shown in the figures, the shadow plate 80 is shaped to have the same shape and size as the moon plate 70. However, it is not necessary for the shadow plate 80 to have the same shape and size as the moon plate 70. For example, the shadow plate 80 may be slightly larger than the moon plate 70.

[0079] The shadow plate 80 has a darker color than the color of the moon plate 70. For example, the shadow plate 80 is black in color.

[0080] The shadow plate 80 is integral with a shadow plate arm 81 comprising a fixed ring 82 arranged coaxially with the second axis O2. The shadow plate arm 81 is a strip-shaped arm which is bent several times in the plane of the timepiece 1 and is stepped in the direction of the thickness of the plate 11. The fixed ring 82 is coupled, by means of a screw, to an upper end of a shadow wheel 150, which will be described later.

[0081] The shadow plate 80 and the shadow plate arm 81 are thus integral with the shadow wheel 150 and can rotate about the second axis O2 when the shadow wheel 150 rotates. In particular, the shadow plate 80 is controlled to perform an alternating circular movement over a predetermined angular range, about the second axis O2.

[0082] The moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 configured as described above are at different heights in the thickness direction of the platen 11. In particular, the moon plate arm 71 and the shadow plate arm 81 each have a stepped shape, such that the shadow plate 80 is above the moon plate 70. The moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 thus have the ability to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the platen 11, during rotations of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80.

First motor device

[0083] The first motor device 90 generates power that rotates the moon plate 70 and also serves to transmit the generated power to the moon plate 70, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 11.

[0084] The first drive device 90 comprises a moon return spring 100, which is a power source, a moon return wheel 120, which rotates about a third axis O3 by an elastic return force produced by the moon return spring 100, and the moon wheel 110, which rotates about the first axis O1 when the moon return wheel 120 rotates.

[0085] The moon return wheel 120 essentially comprises a moon return wheel guide rod 121, which is fixed (e.g. by driving) to the support plate 16 coaxially with the third axis O3, a moon return shaft 122, which is retained on the moon return wheel guide rod 121 by means of a cap screw and carried by this moon return wheel guide rod 121 so as to be rotatable about the third axis O3, as well as a moon return gear toothed portion 123, which is mounted on the moon return shaft 122 so as to be rotatable about the third axis O3, relative to this moon return shaft 122, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 to 14.

[0086] The moon return wheel guide rod 121 has a cylindrical shape and has a tapped hole opening upwards.

[0087] The moon return shaft 122 comprises a central tube 122a, which surrounds the moon return wheel guide rod 121 externally in the radial direction. The central tube 122a has a multi-stage cylindrical shape having a diameter that differs depending on the height. The central tube 122a has a lower end having, for example, the shape of the letter D (a so-called D-cut) in a plan view. A spring fixing portion 102, which will be described later and which is part of the moon return spring 100, can thus be fitted to the lower end of the central tube 122a. In addition, coupling teeth 124 are formed at a circumferential interval at the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the moon return shaft 122.

[0088] The coupling teeth 124 each have a first engagement surface 124a, which is oriented counterclockwise about the third axis O3, as well as a second engagement surface 124b, which is oriented clockwise about the third axis O3, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0089] In the example shown in the figures, the first engagement surface 124a and the second engagement surface 124b are each inclined so as to go, from the outer circumferential surface of the moon return shaft 122, progressively counterclockwise as one goes outward in the radial direction. It will be noted, however, that the angle of inclination of the second engagement surface 124b is greater than the angle of inclination of the first engagement surface 124a.

[0090] The moon return shaft 122 configured as described above is carried by the moon return wheel guide rod 121, so as to be rotatable about the third axis O3, while being prevented from escaping upward by the assembly screw screwed into the tapped hole of the moon return wheel guide rod 121.

[0091] The moon return gear toothed portion 123 has a larger diameter than the moon return shaft 122 and is mounted on the center tube 122a so as to be rotatable relative thereto, as shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 12. A retaining ring 125, which is disposed below the moon return gear toothed portion 123, is fixed to the center tube 122a so as to overlap the moon return gear toothed portion 123.

[0092] The moon return gear toothed portion 123 can mesh with the moon wheel 110. The moon wheel 110 can therefore be rotated about the first axis O1 when the moon return gear toothed portion 123 rotates.

[0093] Two support rods, namely a first support rod 126 and a second support rod 127, are fixed to the moon return gear toothed portion 123 so as to project upward. The first support rod 126 and the second support rod 127 are facing each other in the radial direction, with the third axis O3 between them.

[0094] In addition, two coupling claws, namely a first coupling claw 130 and a second coupling claw 135, are provided on the upper surface of the moon return gear toothed portion 123. These two coupling claws transmit, to the moon return gear toothed portion 123, the rotational driving torque provided by the moon return shaft 122.

[0095] The first coupling claw 130 is mounted on the upper surface of the moon return gear toothed portion 123 by means of the first support rod 126 and is pivotable about this first support rod 126. The first coupling claw 130 includes a first claw part 130a, which extends clockwise from a proximal portion surrounding the first support rod 126, and a first spring part 130b, which extends counterclockwise from the proximal portion.

[0096] The second coupling claw 135 has the same constitution as the first coupling claw 130.

[0097] In other words, the second coupling claw 135 is mounted on the upper surface of the moon return gear toothed portion 123 by means of the second support rod 127 and is pivotable around this second support rod 127. The second coupling claw 135 comprises a second claw part 135a, which extends clockwise from a proximal portion surrounding the second support rod 127, and a second spring part 135b, which extends counterclockwise from the proximal portion.

[0098] The first spring portion 130b of the first coupling claw 130 is in contact, from the outside in the radial direction, with the second claw portion 135a of the second coupling claw 135, and the elastic restoring force produced by the first spring portion 130b pushes the second claw portion 135a inward in the radial direction. The second claw portion 135a is thus pushed into the space between two coupling teeth 124 of the moon return shaft 122 which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0099] Similarly, the second spring portion 135b of the second coupling claw 135 is in contact, from the outside in the radial direction, with the first claw portion 130a of the first coupling claw 130, and the elastic restoring force produced by the second spring portion 135b pushes the first claw portion 130a inward in the radial direction. The first claw portion 130a is thus pushed into the space between two coupling teeth 124 of the moon return shaft 122 which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0100] It follows from the above that the first claw portion 130a and the second claw portion 135a are capable of engaging with the first engagement surfaces 124a of the coupling teeth 124 following said first claw portion 130a and said second claw portion 135a in a clockwise direction, and are further capable of engaging with the second engagement surfaces 124b of the coupling teeth 124 following said first claw portion 130a and said second claw portion 135a in a counterclockwise direction.

[0101] In the above-described engagement state, when the moon return shaft 122 rotates counterclockwise about the third axis O3, the rotational driving torque provided by the moon return shaft 122 can be transmitted to the moon return gear toothed portion 123 via the first coupling claw 130 and the second coupling claw 135 with maintenance of the above-described engagement state, whereby the moon return gear toothed portion 123 can be rotated counterclockwise, together with the moon return shaft 122, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11.

[0102] On the other hand, when the moon return shaft 122 rotates clockwise, the first claw portion 130a and the second claw portion 135a are pushed outward in the radial direction while sliding on the second engagement surfaces 124b of coupling teeth 124 due to the inclination of the second engagement surfaces 124b.

[0103] The first coupling claw 130 and the second coupling claw 135 thus tilt against the thrust forces produced by the first spring portion 130b and the second spring portion 135b such that the first claw portion 130a and the second claw portion 135a move in the direction away from the moon return shaft 122. The coupling teeth 124 thus move in the clockwise direction while passing over the first claw portion 130a and the second claw portion 135a in the circumferential direction. The moon return shaft 122 can thus be rotated clockwise alone, without it having any rotation of the moon return wheel 120.

[0104] In other words, the first coupling claw 130, the second coupling claw 135, and the coupling teeth 124 function as a ratchet mechanism that causes the moon return gear tooth portion 123 to rotate with the moon return shaft 122 when the moon return shaft rotates counterclockwise, and that allows the moon return shaft 122 to rotate relative to the moon return gear tooth portion 123 when the moon return shaft 122 rotates clockwise.

[0105] The moon return spring 100 is a spiral spring made of, for example, steel, nickel or other metal, or silicon or other non-metallic material. The moon return spring 100 is arranged in front of the upper surface of the support plate 16, as shown in FIGS. 9, 13 and 14. The moon return spring 100 is wound by rotating its outer end and its inner end relative to each other to wind and wind the moon return spring 100 so that the diameter thereof decreases. The moon return spring 100 is elastically deformed to produce a torque between its inner and outer ends.

[0106] The moon return spring 100 comprises a spring body 101 having a spiral shape, the spring fixing portion 102 located at the inner end of the spring body 101, and a spring engaging portion 103 located at the outer end of the spring body 101.

[0107] The spring body 101 has, for example, the shape of a spiral extending in an Archimedean spiral about the third axis O3 in a plan view. In the example shown in the figures, the spring body 101 extends counterclockwise from the spring fixing portion 102 to the spring engaging portion 103.

[0108] The spring fixing portion 102 is integral with the inner end of the spring body 101 so as to have a closed loop shape and be arranged coaxially with the third axis O3. The spring fixing portion 102 is mounted so as to be integral with the central tube 122a when fitted onto the lower end of the central tube 122a of the moon return shaft 122.

[0109] The spring engaging portion 103 is integral with the outer end of the spring body 101 and formed along the circumferential direction and radially outside the outer circumference of the spring body 101. The spring engaging portion 103 is engaged with two fixing rods 104, which protrude from the support plate 16. The outer end of the spring body 101 is thereby immobilized.

[0110] The moon return spring 100 thus formed is armed by rotating the moon return shaft 122 described above in a clockwise direction. The armed moon return spring 100 then produces a counterclockwise rotational drive torque acting on the moon return shaft 122 when the moon return spring 100 is disarmed. The moon return spring 100 is thus able to communicate to the moon return shaft 122 and the moon return gear toothed portion 123 a rotational drive torque (driving force) which rotates the moon return shaft 122 and the moon return gear toothed portion 123 in a counterclockwise direction.

[0111] When the moon return gear toothed portion 123 rotates clockwise about the third axis O3, the first claw portion 130a and the second claw portion 135a rotate while remaining in engagement with the engagement surfaces 124a of the coupling teeth 124, whereby the moon return shaft 122 can rotate clockwise against the elastic restoring force generated by the moon return spring 100.

[0112] In other words, the moon return gear toothed portion 123 keeps tending to rotate counterclockwise due to the elastic restoring force produced by the armed moon return spring 100 and also has the ability to rotate clockwise. A moon reset lever 195, which will be described later, thus has the ability to tilt.

[0113] The moon wheel 110 is rotatable about the first axis O1 by having its lower pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the support plate 16, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. The moon wheel 110 meshes with the moon return gear toothed portion 123 described above and rotates when the moon return gear toothed portion 123 rotates. In particular, the moon wheel 110 tends to rotate clockwise about the first axis O1, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11, due to the rotational driving force generated by the moon return spring 100 and transmitted via the moon return gear toothed portion 123.

[0114] The wheel shaft 111 of the moon wheel 110 has a tapped hole that opens upwards. The fixed ring 72 of the moon plate arm 71 described above overlaps the upper end of the wheel shaft 111 of the moon wheel 110. A cap screw screwed into the tapped hole then makes the moon plate 70 integral with the moon wheel 110 via the fixed ring 72. The moon plate 70 thus rotates about the first axis O1 as a result of a rotation of the moon wheel 110.

Second motor device

[0115] The second motor device 91 produces power that rotates the shadow plate 80 and also serves to transmit the produced power to the shadow plate, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10 and 11. The second motor device 91 has the same constitution as the first motor device 90 described above and will therefore be described briefly.

[0116] The second motor device 91 and the first motor device 90 are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to a first imaginary line L1 (see FIGS. 5 and 11), which connects “3 o'clock” to “9 o'clock” on the dial 4 in a plan view of the timepiece 1. The first motor device 90 and the second motor device 91 can thus be arranged in a balanced manner and can provide, for example, excellent design and decorative attractiveness when viewed through the main glass 2.

[0117] The second drive device 91 comprises a shadow return spring 140, which is a driving source, a shadow return wheel 160, which rotates about a fourth axis O4 by an elastic return force produced by the shadow return spring 140, and the shadow wheel 110, which rotates about the second axis O2 when the shadow return wheel 140 rotates.

[0118] The shadow return wheel 140 essentially comprises a shadow return wheel guide rod 161, which is fixed (for example by driving) to the support plate 16 coaxially with the fourth axis O4, a shadow return shaft 162, which is retained on the shadow return wheel guide rod 161 by means of a cap screw and carried by this shadow return wheel guide rod 161 so as to be rotatable about the fourth axis O4, as well as a shadow return gear toothed part 163, which is mounted on the shadow return shaft 162 so as to be rotatable about the fourth axis O4, relative to this shadow return shaft 162.

[0119] The shadow return shaft 162 comprises a central tube 162a, which surrounds the shadow return wheel guide rod 161 externally in the radial direction. The central tube 162a has a multi-stage cylindrical shape and has a lower end having, for example, the shape of the letter D (a so-called D-cut) in a plan view, whereby a spring fixing portion 142, which will be described later and which is part of the shadow return spring 140, can be fitted to the lower end of the central tube 162a.

[0120] Mating teeth 164 are formed at a circumferential interval at the outer circumferential surface of the upper end of the shadow return shaft 162. The mating teeth 164 each have a first engagement surface 164a, which is oriented clockwise about the fourth axis O4, and a second engagement surface 164b, which is oriented counterclockwise about the fourth axis O4.

[0121] The shadow return shaft 162 configured as described above is carried by the shadow return wheel guide rod 161, so as to be rotatable about the fourth axis O4, while being prevented from escaping upward by the assembly screw screwed into the tapped hole of the shadow return wheel guide rod 161.

[0122] The shadow return gear toothed portion 163 has a larger diameter than the shadow return shaft 162 and is mounted on the center tube 162a so as to be rotatable relative thereto. A retaining ring 165, which is disposed below the shadow return gear toothed portion 163, is fixed to the center tube 162a so as to overlap the shadow return gear toothed portion 163.

[0123] The shadow return gear toothed portion 163 can mesh with the shadow wheel 150. The shadow wheel 150 can therefore be rotated about the second axis O2 when the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 rotates.

[0124] The shade return gear toothed portion 163 is provided with a first support rod 166 and a second support rod 167, which protrude upward. The shade return gear toothed portion 163 is further provided with a first coupling claw 170 and a second coupling claw 175. These two coupling claws 170 and 175 transmit, to the shade return gear toothed portion 163, the rotational driving torque provided by the shade return shaft 162.

[0125] The first coupling claw 170 is pivotable about the first support rod 166. The first coupling claw 170 comprises a first claw portion 170a and a first spring portion 170b. The second coupling claw 175 is pivotable about the second support rod 167. The second coupling claw 175 comprises a second claw portion 175a and a second spring portion 175b.

[0126] The first spring portion 170b of the first coupling claw 170 pushes the second claw portion 175a inward in the radial direction. The second claw portion 175a is thus pushed into the space between two coupling teeth 164 of the shadow return shaft 162 which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The second spring portion 175b of the second coupling claw 175 pushes the first claw portion 170a inward in the radial direction. The first claw portion 170a is thus pushed into the space between two coupling teeth 164 of the shadow return shaft 162 which are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0127] The first claw portion 170a and the second claw portion 175a are capable of engaging with the first engagement surfaces 164a of the mating teeth 164 following said first claw portion 170a and said second claw portion 175a in a counterclockwise direction, and are further capable of engaging with the second engagement surfaces 164b of the mating teeth 164 following said first claw portion 170a and said second claw portion 175a in a clockwise direction.

[0128] In the above-described engagement state, when the shadow return shaft 162 rotates clockwise about the fourth axis O4, the rotational driving torque provided by the shadow return shaft 162 can be transmitted to the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 via the first coupling claw 170 and the second coupling claw 175 with maintenance of the above-described engagement state, whereby the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 can be rotated clockwise, together with the shadow return shaft 162, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11.

[0129] On the other hand, when the shadow return shaft 162 rotates counterclockwise, the first claw portion 170a and the second claw portion 175a are pushed outward in the radial direction while sliding on the second engagement surfaces 164b of coupling teeth 164 due to the inclination of the second engagement surfaces 164b. The coupling teeth 164 thereby move counterclockwise while passing the first claw portion 170a and the second claw portion 175a in the circumferential direction. The shadow return shaft 162 can thus be rotated counterclockwise alone, without rotation of the shadow return wheel 160.

[0130] In other words, the first coupling claw 170, the second coupling claw 175, and the coupling teeth 164 function as a ratchet mechanism that causes the shade return gear tooth portion 163 to rotate with the shade return shaft 162 when the moon return shaft 162 rotates clockwise, and that allows the shade return shaft 162 to rotate relative to the shade return gear tooth portion 163 when the shadow return shaft 162 rotates counterclockwise.

[0131] The shadow return spring 140 is a spiral spring and is arranged so as to be in front of the upper surface of the support plate 16. The shadow return spring 140 is armed by rotating its outer end and its inner end relative to each other to wind and arm the shadow return spring 140 so that the diameter thereof decreases. The shadow return spring 140 is elastically deformed to produce a torque between its inner and outer ends.

[0132] The shadow return spring 140 comprises a spring body 141 having a spiral shape, the spring fixing portion 102 located at the inner end of the spring body 141, and a spring engaging portion 143 located at the outer end of the spring body 141.

[0133] The spring body 141 has, for example, the shape of a spiral extending in an Archimedean spiral around the fourth axis O4 in a plan view.

[0134] The spring fixing portion 142 is integral with the inner end of the spring body 141 so as to have a closed loop shape and be arranged coaxially with the fourth axis O4. The spring fixing portion 142 is mounted on the lower end of the central tube 162a of the shadow return shaft 162.

[0135] The spring engaging portion 143 is integral with the outer end of the spring body 141 and formed along the circumferential direction and radially outside the outer circumference of the spring body 141. The spring engaging portion 143 is fixed to the support plate 16, for example by means of two fixing rods 144, which project from the support plate 16.

[0136] The shadow return spring 140 thus formed is armed by rotating the shadow return shaft 162 described above counterclockwise. The armed shadow return spring 140 then produces a clockwise rotational drive torque acting on the shadow return shaft 162 when the shadow return spring 140 is disarmed. The shadow return spring 140 is thus able to communicate to the shadow return shaft 162 and the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 a rotational drive torque (driving force) which rotates the shadow return shaft 162 and the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 clockwise.

[0137] When the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 rotates counterclockwise about the fourth axis O4, the first claw portion 170a and the second claw portion 175a rotate while remaining in engagement with the engagement surfaces 164a of the coupling teeth 164, whereby the shadow return shaft 162 can rotate counterclockwise against the elastic restoring force generated by the shadow return spring 140.

[0138] In other words, the shade return gear toothed portion 163 keeps tending to rotate clockwise due to the elastic restoring force produced by the armed shade return spring 140 and also has the ability to rotate counterclockwise. A shade restoring lever 205, which will be described later, thus has the ability to tilt.

[0139] The shadow wheel 150 is rotatable about the second axis O2 by having its lower pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the support plate 16, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The shadow wheel 150 meshes with the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 and rotates when the shadow return gear toothed portion 163 rotates. In particular, the shadow wheel 150 tends to rotate counterclockwise about the second axis O2, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11, due to the rotational driving force generated by the shadow return spring 140 and transmitted via the shadow return gear toothed portion 163.

[0140] The wheel shaft 151 of the shadow wheel 150 has a tapped hole that opens upwards. The fixed ring 82 of the moon plate arm 81 described above overlaps the upper end of the wheel shaft 151 of the shadow wheel 150. A cap screw screwed into the tapped hole then makes the shadow plate 80 integral with the shadow wheel 150 via the fixed ring 82. The shadow plate 80 thus rotates about the second axis O2 as a result of a rotation of the shadow wheel 150.

Rotation control device

[0141] The rotation control device 95 serves to control the rotations of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 such that the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 each rotate in a predetermined cycle, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11.

[0142] In particular, the rotation control device 95 rotates the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80, which are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the stage 11, in order to display the age of the moon based on a change in the position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 relative to each other, i.e., a change in the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 in the thickness direction of the stage 11 as described above.

[0143] The rotation control device 95 includes a lunar wheel 180, which rotates according to the passage of time, a first rotation control device 190, which controls the rotation of the moon plate 70 such that the moon plate 70 performs a reciprocating rotational motion within a predetermined angular range about the first axis O1 when the moon age wheel 180 rotates, and a second rotation control device 200, which controls the rotation of the shadow plate such that the shadow plate 80 performs a reciprocating rotational motion within a predetermined angular range about the second axis O2 when the moon age wheel 180 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 11 and 15.

Moon Age Wheel

[0144] The moon age wheel 180 essentially comprises a moon age wheel guide rod 181, which is coaxially arranged with a fifth axis O5 and has a lower end fixed (e.g. by driving) to the support plate 16, as well as a moon age gear toothed portion 182, which is retained on the moon age wheel guide rod 181 by means of a cap screw and is carried by this moon age wheel guide rod 181 so as to be rotatable about the fifth axis O5.

[0145] The Moon age wheel guide rod 181 has a cylindrical shape and has a tapped hole which opens upwards.

[0146] The moon age gear toothed portion 182 comprises a central tube 182a, which surrounds the moon age wheel guide rod 181 externally in the radial direction. The moon age gear toothed portion 182 meshes with a fourth intermediate wheel 250, which will be described later, and rotates about the fifth axis O5 when the fourth intermediate wheel 250 rotates. The moon age gear toothed portion 182 is carried by the moon age wheel guide rod 181 so as to be rotatable about the fifth axis O5 while being prevented from escaping upward by the assembly screw screwed into the tapped hole of the moon age wheel guide rod 181.

[0147] Several Moon phases 183, which indicate changes relating to the waxing and waning of the Moon, are carried by the upper surface of the Moon age gear toothed portion 182 and evenly distributed around the fifth axis O5 in the circumferential direction, as shown in FIG. 5. In the example shown in the figures, a total of eight Moon phases 183, which range from the new moon to the next new moon through the full moon, are arranged at regular intervals (45° interval around the fifth axis O5).

[0148] The number of moon phases 183 is not limited to eight and can be chosen differently according to needs. The moon phases 183 are visible through the main glass 2. The manner of affixing the moon phases 183 is not limited to a single method and can, for example, be printing, applying stickers or engraving.

[0149] Via a Moon age gear 210, the Moon age wheel 180 constituted as described above completes one revolution in approximately 29.5 days, which is the lunation, when the timer wheel 30 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16.

[0150] The moon age wheel 180 is arranged (at the “3 o’clock” position of the dial 4) on the side radially opposite the tourbillon 8, relative to the axis of rotation of the hands C1, in a plan view of the timepiece 1. The center of the tourbillon 8 and the center of the moon age wheel 180 are therefore located on the first imaginary line L1 in a plan view of the timepiece 1.

Moon Age Gear

[0151] The Moon age gear 210 comprises a first intermediate wheel set 220, which rotates about a sixth axis O6 when the timer wheel set 30 rotates, a second intermediate wheel set 230, which rotates about a seventh axis O7 when the first intermediate wheel set 220 rotates, a third intermediate wheel set 240, which rotates about an eighth axis O8 when the second intermediate wheel set 230 rotates, as well as the fourth intermediate wheel set 250, which rotates about a ninth axis O9 and rotates the Moon age wheel 180 when the third intermediate wheel set 240 rotates, as shown in FIGS. 7, 15 and 16.

[0152] The first intermediate wheel 220 is supported by the support plate 16, by means of a shaft and comprises a first intermediate wheel 221, which meshes with the timer pinion 31, as well as a first intermediate pinion 222. The first intermediate wheel 220 thus rotates around the sixth axis O6 when the timer wheel 30 rotates.

[0153] The second intermediate wheel 230 has an upper pivot supported by a perforated jewel or any other bearing held by the adjustment wheel bridge 15 and a lower pivot supported by a perforated jewel or any other bearing held by the plate 11. The second intermediate wheel 230 comprises a second intermediate wheel 231, which meshes with the first intermediate pinion 222, as well as a second intermediate pinion 232. The second intermediate wheel 230 thus rotates about the seventh axis O7 when the first intermediate wheel 220 rotates.

[0154] The third intermediate wheel 240 has an upper pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the adjustment wheel bridge 15 and a lower pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the support plate 16. The third intermediate wheel 240 includes a third intermediate wheel 241, which meshes with the second intermediate pinion 232, as well as a third intermediate pinion 242. The third intermediate wheel 240 thus rotates about the eighth axis O8 when the second intermediate wheel 230 rotates.

[0155] The fourth intermediate wheel 250 comprises an intermediate wheel guide rod 251, which is fixed (e.g. by driving) to the support plate 16, coaxially with the ninth axis O9, an intermediate wheel shaft 252, which is assembled with the intermediate wheel guide rod 251 by means of a connecting screw and carried by this intermediate wheel guide rod 251 so as to be rotatable relative to the ninth axis O9, a fourth intermediate wheel 253, which is mounted on the intermediate wheel shaft 252 with a predetermined friction force (contact pressure) therebetween and which meshes with the third intermediate pinion 242, as well as a fourth intermediate pinion 254, which is formed in the intermediate wheel shaft 252 and which meshes with the moon age gear toothed portion 182. The fourth intermediate wheel 250 can thus rotate around the ninth axis O9. axis O9 and further rotate the Moon age wheel 180, when the third intermediate mobile 240 rotates.

[0156] The intermediate mobile shaft 252 is carried by the intermediate mobile guide rod 252 so as to be rotatable about the ninth axis O9 while being prevented from escaping upwards by the assembly screw screwed into the tapped hole of the intermediate mobile guide rod 251.

[0157] When the moon age wheel 180 is rotated in the opposite direction to the direction in the case of normal movement of the hands, at the time of a moon age correction, by producing a relative rotation force which exceeds the friction force described above to act on the interface between the intermediate wheel shaft 252 and the fourth intermediate wheel 253, this fourth intermediate wheel 253 can slide on the intermediate wheel shaft 252.

[0158] The moon age gear 210 constituted as described above transmits the rotational drive torque provided by the timer wheel 30 to the moon age wheel 180 with a predetermined reduction ratio so that the moon age wheel 180 completes one revolution in approximately 29.5 days (more precisely 29.5306 days), which is the lunation, as described above. The moon age wheel 180 is arranged to rotate clockwise about the fifth axis O5 as the hands move.

[0159] An example of the number of teeth of each of the mobiles which form the Moon age 210 gear train is now presented.

[0160] The teeth of the hour gear toothed portion 42 of the hour wheel 40, which makes one revolution in 12 hours, are chosen to be 32 in number. The teeth of the minute gear pinion 31, which meshes with the hour gear toothed portion 42, are chosen to be 8 in number, as shown in FIG. 8. The teeth of the first intermediate wheel 221, which meshes with the minute gear pinion 31, are chosen to be 32 in number and the teeth of the first intermediate gear 222 are chosen to be 18 in number. The teeth of the second intermediate wheel 231, which meshes with the first intermediate gear 222, are chosen to be 36 in number and the teeth of the second intermediate gear 232 are chosen to be 17 in number. The teeth of the third intermediate wheel 241, which meshes with the second intermediate gear 242, are chosen to be 18 in number. 232, are 36 in number and that the teeth of the third intermediate pinion 242 are 13 in number. It has been chosen that the teeth of the fourth intermediate wheel 253, which meshes with the third intermediate pinion 242, are 47 in number and that the teeth of the fourth intermediate pinion 254 are 21 in number. It has been chosen that the teeth of the toothed part of the Moon age gear 182, which meshes with the fourth intermediate pinion 254, are 81 in number.

[0161] Therefore, in the Moon age gear 210 thus designed, the Moon age wheel 180 rotates according to a cycle of 29.5307 days to make a complete revolution, that is to say at a speed of 1 revolution in 29.5307 days (i.e. an error of 0.0004% with respect to the actual lunation).

First rotation control device

[0162] The first rotation control device 190 includes a moon cam 191 (corresponding to what is called the first cam in the claims), which rotates when the moon age wheel 180 rotates, as well as the moon reset lever 195 (corresponding to what is called the first control lever in the claims), which follows the moon cam 191 in rotation and rocks about a tenth axis O10 to control the rotation of the moon plate 70, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 9 and 11.

[0163] In particular, the first rotation control device 190 controls the moon plate 70 to make it make a round trip around the first axis O1 over a predetermined angular range, for a complete revolution of the moon age wheel 180.

Second rotation control device

[0164] The second rotation control device 200 comprises a shadow cam 201 (corresponding to what is called the second cam in the claims), which rotates when the moon age wheel 180 rotates, as well as the shadow restoring lever 205 (corresponding to what is called the second control lever in the claims), which follows the shadow cam 201 in rotation and swings about an eleventh axis O11 to control the rotation of the shadow plate 80, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 10 and 11.

[0165] In particular, the second rotation control device 200 controls the shadow plate 80 to rotate back and forth about the second axis O2 at a predetermined angular plate, for one complete revolution of the moon age wheel 180. Furthermore, the second rotation control device 200 in the present embodiment controls the shadow plate 80 to rotate with a phase different from that of the moon plate 70.

[0166] The moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can thus compose an age of the Moon on the basis of a change in the position of one relative to the other corresponding to the phase shift.

First rotation control device

[0167] The first rotation control device 190 will be described in detail.

[0168] The moon cam 191 is mounted on the central tube 182a so as to be integral with it, in the moon age wheel 180, and is arranged coaxially with the fifth axis O5, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The moon cam 191 thus completes, with the moon age wheel 180, one revolution in approximately 29.5 days, which is the lunar cycle.

[0169] The moon cam 191 has a heart shape in a plan view, in which a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the moon cam 191 is a re-entrant section 191a, which is locally re-entrant inward in the radial direction, and another portion of this circumferential surface is on the opposite side, in the radial direction, to the re-entrant section 191a with respect to the fifth axis O5 and is a protruding section 191b. The moon cam 191 is therefore a so-called heart.

[0170] The moon reset lever 195 is disposed between the moon wheel 110 and the moon cam 191, and the shaft of the moon reset lever 195 has an upper pivot supported by a hole jewel or any other bearing held by the adjustment wheel bridge 15 and a lower pivot supported by a hole jewel or any other bearing held by the support plate 16.

[0171] The moon restoring lever 195 comprises a toothed sector 196, which has a fan shape in a plan view and which meshes with the moon wheel 110, as well as a lever part 197, which is in external contact in the radial direction with the outer circumferential surface of the moon cam 191. The lever part 197 has, for example, a pointed tip and can thus be in point contact with the outer circumferential surface of the moon cam 191.

[0172] Since the moon reset lever 195 thus formed is engaged, via its toothed sector 196, with the moon wheel 110 which tends to rotate clockwise about the first axis O1, the moon reset lever 195 tends to rotate counterclockwise about the tenth axis O10, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11. The moon reset lever 195 thus receives a rotational driving torque which causes the lever portion 197 to remain pressed on the outer circumferential surface of the moon cam 191. The moon reset lever 195 and the moon cam 191 are therefore always kept in contact with each other.

[0173] Since the first rotation control device 190 is configured as described above, the rotations of the moon wheel 110 and the moon plate 70 can be controlled according to the angular position of the moon cam 191, which rotates with the moon age wheel 180. In other words, the first rotation control device 190 can control the rotation of the moon plate 70 such that the moon plate 70 performs a round trip within the predetermined rotation angular range, around the first axis O1, when the moon age wheel 180 performs one revolution.

Second rotation control device

[0174] The second rotation control device 200 will be described in detail.

[0175] The shadow cam 201 is mounted on the central tube 182a so as to be integral therewith, in the moon age wheel 180, and is arranged coaxially with the fifth axis O5, as is the moon cam 191, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 thus have a single and same axis of rotation. Like the moon cam 191, the shadow cam 201 also makes, with the moon age wheel 180, one revolution in approximately 29.5 days, which is the lunar cycle. The shadow cam 201 is arranged above the moon cam 191.

[0176] The shadow cam 201 has a heart shape in a plan view, in which a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the shadow cam 201 is a re-entrant section 201a, which is locally re-entrant inward in the radial direction, and another portion of this circumferential surface is on the opposite side, in the radial direction, to the re-entrant section 201a with respect to the fifth axis O5 and is a protruding section 201b. The shadow cam 201 is therefore what is called a heart.

[0177] In the present embodiment, the shadow cam 201 and the moon cam 191 are arranged so symmetrically that the positions of the retracted section 201a and the protruding section 201b of the shadow cam 201 and the positions of the retracted section 191a and the protruding section 191b of the moon cam 191 are symmetrical with respect to a third imaginary line L3 (see FIG. 11), which is perpendicular to the first imaginary line L1 (imaginary line connecting “3 o’clock” to “9 o’clock” on the dial 4) in a plan view of the timepiece 1.

[0178] The shadow restoring lever 205 is disposed between the shadow wheel 150 and the shadow cam 201, and the shaft of the shadow restoring lever 205 has an upper pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the adjustment wheel bridge 15 and a lower pivot supported by a hole stone or any other bearing held by the support plate 16.

[0179] The shadow restoring lever 205 comprises a toothed sector 206, which has a fan shape in a plan view and which meshes with the shadow wheel 150, as well as a lever part 207, which is in external contact in the radial direction with the outer circumferential surface of the shadow cam 201. The lever part 207 has, for example, a pointed tip and can thus be in point contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shadow cam 201.

[0180] Since the shadow restoring lever 205 thus configured is engaged, via its toothed sector 206, with the shadow wheel 150 which tends to rotate counterclockwise about the second axis O2, the shadow restoring lever 205 tends to rotate clockwise about the eleventh axis O11, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 11. The shadow restoring lever 205 thus receives a rotational driving torque which causes the lever portion 207 to remain pressed on the outer circumferential surface of the shadow cam 201. The shadow restoring lever 205 and the shadow cam 201 are therefore always kept in contact with each other.

[0181] Since the second rotation control device 200 is configured as described above, the rotations of the shadow wheel 150 and the shadow plate 80 can be controlled according to the angular position of the shadow cam 201, which rotates with the moon age wheel 180. In other words, the second rotation control device 200 can control the rotation of the shadow plate 80 such that the shadow plate 80 performs a round trip within the predetermined rotation angular range, about the second axis O2, being out of phase with the moon plate 70, when the moon age wheel 180 performs one revolution.

[0182] In particular, the rotation control device 95 in the present embodiment comprises the first rotation control device 190 and the second rotation control device 200 described above. When the moon age wheel 180 rotates, the rotation control device 95 in the present embodiment rotates the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 with a phase difference therebetween, whereby, after rotations, the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be in at least the following two states in a plan view of the timepiece 1: a hidden state in which the moon plate 70 is completely hidden behind the shadow plate 80, i.e., a state for figuring the new moon (see FIG. 22), and an exposed state in which the moon plate 70 is completely taken out from behind the shadow plate 80, i.e., a state for figuring the full moon (see FIG. 30). This point will be described in detail later.

Moon age correction mechanism

[0183] The moon age display mechanism 12 in the present embodiment further comprises a moon age correction mechanism 13, which corrects the relative positional relationship between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 by forcing the moon age wheel 180 to rotate, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 17 and 18.

[0184] The moon age correction mechanism 13 comprises a moon age correction lever 300, which is arranged on the support plate 16 so as to be adjacent to the moon age wheel 180 and which is tiltable about a tilting axis M, between a waiting position P1 and a correction position P2 (see FIG. 21), a moon age correction lever spring 310 (corresponding to what is called the lever spring in the claims), which returns the moon age correction lever 300 to the waiting position P1, as well as a moon age correction claw 320 (corresponding to what is called the correction claw in the claims), which equips the moon age correction lever 300 by being tiltably mounted therein and which is provided for rotating the wheel Moon age correction lever 180 by a predetermined angular value counterclockwise, namely the direction opposite to the direction during normal movement of the hands, when the Moon age correction lever 300 is in the correction position P2, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

[0185] The moon age correction lever 300 is disposed in a position radially outside the moon age wheel 180, more precisely in the vicinity of the range from the “1 o’clock” position to the “2 o’clock” position on the dial 4, and has, in a plan view, an arcuate shape along the circumferential direction of the plate 11. Among the ends of the moon age correction lever 300, a first end 301 on the side far from the moon age wheel 180 is guided in a tilting manner by a tilting rod 303, which projects upward from the support plate 16. The central axis of the tilting rod 303 is the tilting axis M described above.

[0186] The Moon age correction lever 300 is thus able to tilt around the tilt axis M and makes it possible to approach or move away from the Moon age wheel 180 its second end 302 which, of its ends, is the one closest to the Moon age wheel 180.

[0187] The position in which the second end 302 is close to the Moon age wheel 180 is the correction position P2, and the position in which the second end 302 is far from the Moon age wheel 180 is the waiting position P1.

[0188] In addition, the moon age correction lever 300 is provided with a guide hole 304, which passes through the moon age correction lever 300 in the up-down direction and has an arc shape around the tilt axis M. A positioning rod 305, which protrudes upward from the support plate 16, is inserted into the guide hole 304. The moon age correction lever 300 can thus be positioned in the standby position P1 and the correction position P2.

[0189] The moon age correction lever spring 310 includes a proximal end 311 fixed to the support plate 16, and an elastic spring portion 312 extending clockwise from the proximal end 311. The elastic spring portion 312 uses its elastic restoring force to push the moon age correction lever 300 outward in the radial direction so as to bias the moon age correction lever 300 toward the standby position P1. The moon age correction lever is thus positioned in the standby position P1 during normal hand movement.

[0190] An actuating rod 306 is fixed to the second end 302 of the moon age correction lever 300 and projects downward from this second end 302, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The actuating rod 306 is housed in an actuating hole 307, which passes through the stage and the support plate 16 in the up-down direction and opens outward in the radial direction.

[0191] The timepiece case 3 is provided with an operating button 308, which is facing the operating rod 306 in the radial direction and can be pressed, as shown in FIG. 2. The operating button 308 is exposed through the side surface of the timepiece case 3 and can be pressed from the outside.

[0192] An external force can therefore be applied to the moon age correction lever 300, via the actuating rod 306, by pushing the actuating button 308, whereby the moon age correction lever 300 can be tilted from the standby position P1 to the correction position P2, against the restoring force produced by the moon age correction lever spring 310.

[0193] The moon age correction claw 320 is positioned so as to overlap the upper surface of the second end 302 of the moon age correction lever 300, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The moon age correction claw 320 is swingable about a swing rod 321, which projects upward from the upper surface of the second end 302. The moon age correction claw 320 includes a first correction claw 322, which extends toward the moon age gear toothed portion 182 of the moon age wheel 180, and a second correction claw 323, which extends further outward in the radial direction than the swing rod 321 and can come into contact with a positioning rod 324, which projects upwardly from the upper surface of the second end 302.

[0194] The first correction claw 322 is in the standby position and is out of the teeth of the moon age gear tooth portion 182 when the moon age correction lever 300 is in the standby position P1, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, and can push on the teeth of the moon age gear tooth portion 182 to rotate the moon age wheel 180 counterclockwise by an amount corresponding to, for example, two teeth when the moon age correction lever 300 is in the correction position P2, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. The moon age wheel 180 can thus be forced to rotate.

[0195] In addition, the moon age correction lever 300 is provided with a claw return spring 330, which allows the first correction claw 322 of the moon age correction claw 320 to disengage from the moon age wheel 180 when the moon age correction lever 300 returns from the correction position P2 to the correction position P1, and which tends to return the moon age correction claw 320 to the state of being able to perform rotational actuation, when the moon age correction lever 300 returns to the position where the first correction claw 322 is spaced from the moon age wheel 180, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21.

[0196] The claw return spring 330 includes a proximal end 331 fixed to the upper surface of the moon age correction lever 300, and an elastic spring portion 332 extending clockwise from the proximal end 331. The elastic spring portion 332 uses its elastic restoring force to push the first correction claw 322 toward the moon age wheel 180 to return the moon age correction claw 320. The moon age correction claw 320 is thus positioned by being placed in a position that causes the second correction claw to be in contact with the positioning rod 324.

How the clockwork works

[0197] The operation of the timepiece 1 constituted as described above will now be described.

[0198] The timepiece 1 according to the present embodiment can use the power of the barrel spring (mainspring) to successively rotate the center wheel 50 and the middle wheel while smoothly controlling the driving of the rear and front gears. Therefore, the cannon pinion 20 can be rotated as a result of the rotation of the center wheel 50, and the hour wheel 40 can be rotated via the timer wheel 30. The minute hand 6 and the hour hand 5 can thus be moved.

[0199] When the timer wheel 30 rotates, the rotational driving torque can be transmitted to the moon age wheel 180 via the moon age gear 210 (first intermediate wheel 220, second intermediate wheel 230, third intermediate wheel 240, and fourth intermediate wheel 250), so that the moon age wheel 180 can be rotated clockwise around the fifth axis O5, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 16. In addition, the moon age wheel 180 can be rotated at a speed of one revolution in about 29.5 days, which is the duration of the lunar cycle (waxing and waning cycle of the moon).

[0200] When the moon age wheel 180 rotates, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 can be rotated together as a result of the rotation of the moon age wheel 180. The rotation control device 95 can thus use the rotational driving torque from the first motor device 90 to rotate the moon plate 70 about the first axis O1 and can use the rotational driving torque from the second motor device 91 to rotate the shadow plate 80 about the second axis O2, while controlling the rotations of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80.

[0201] In this process, the first axis O1 and the second axis O2 are not coaxial with each other, so that the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80, which are spaced apart from each other in the plane, can move independently of each other, as shown in FIG. 1. The relationship between the angular position of the moon plate 70 about the first axis O1 and the angular position of the shadow plate 80 about the second axis O2 can thus change from minute to minute, and the age of the moon can be displayed by playing on the relative position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 moving cooperatively.

[0202] In particular, since the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be rotated so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the plate 11, the age of the moon can be displayed by varying the positional relationship between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 in a plan view of the timepiece 1, i.e. the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80. A change in the position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 relative to each other is thus clearly visible, whereby the age of the moon can be displayed in a clearly visible manner.

[0203] The display of the age of the Moon will be described in detail.

[0204] In the present embodiment, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 can be rotated together as a result of the rotation of the moon age wheel 180. The moon reset lever 195 can therefore be tilted as a result of the rotation of the moon cam 191, whereby the moon plate 70 can be rotated to move back and forth about the first axis O1 within the predetermined rotation angular range in a manner that corresponds to the lunar cycle. At the same time, the shadow reset lever 205 can be tilted as a result of the rotation of the shadow cam 80, whereby the shadow plate 80 can be rotated to move back and forth about the second axis O2 within the predetermined rotation angular range in a manner that corresponds to the lunar cycle.

[0205] In addition, the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be rotated with a phase shift therebetween, and the age of the Moon can be displayed by varying the position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 relative to each other that corresponds to the phase shift, i.e. by changing the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80.

[0206] In other words, the overlap of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 on each other can be changed from minute to minute during the lunation (about 29.5 days), whereby the age of the moon can be displayed instantaneously.

[0207] In particular, the rotation of the moon age wheel 180 causes the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 to reach the position in which a second imaginary line L2, which connects the protruding section 191b of the moon cam 191 and the protruding section 201b of the shadow cam 201, is perpendicular to the first imaginary line L1 described above, in a plan view of the timepiece 1, whereby the state in which the entire moon plate 70 is hidden behind the shadow plate 80, i.e., the new moon having a “moon age of 0”, can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

[0208] When the moon age wheel 180 rotates from this state in a clockwise direction as days pass, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 rotate together as a result of the rotation of the moon age wheel 180, and the moon reset lever 195 and the shadow reset lever 205 swing accordingly. Then, when the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 is inclined by about 45 degrees with respect to the first imaginary line L1, a portion of the moon plate 70 comes out from behind the shadow plate 80, and what is called a crescent moon having a “moon age of 3.7” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0209] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 coincides with the first imaginary line L1, a larger portion of the moon plate 70 is brought out from behind the shadow plate 80, and a so-called crescent moon having a “moon age of 7.4” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

[0210] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 is inclined about 45 degrees relative to the first imaginary line L1, an even larger portion of the moon plate 70 is brought out from behind the shadow plate 80, and a moon having a “moon age of 11.1,” which is close to the full moon, can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29.

[0211] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 is perpendicular to the first imaginary line L1, the entire moon plate 70 has come out from behind the shadow plate 80, and the full moon, i.e., a “moon age of 14.8,” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31.

[0212] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 is inclined about 45 degrees relative to the first imaginary line L1, a portion of the moon plate 70 is again hidden behind the shadow plate 80, and a so-called waning moon having a “moon age of 18.5” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 32 and 33.

[0213] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 coincides with the first imaginary line L1, a larger portion of the moon plate 70 is hidden behind the shadow plate 80, and a so-called waning moon having a “moon age of 22.1” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.

[0214] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, and the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 have a relative position in which the second imaginary line L2 is inclined 45 degrees relative to the first imaginary line L1, an even larger portion of the moon plate 70 is hidden behind the shadow plate 80, a moon having a "moon age of 25.8", which is close to the so-called full moon, can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37.

[0215] When the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191, and the shadow cam 201 have further rotated from this state as days pass, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 enter a state in which the entire moon plate 70 is hidden behind the shadow plate 80, and the full moon having a “moon age of 0” can be displayed, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. At this point, the moon age wheel 180 has completed one complete revolution.

[0216] As described above, in the process in which the moon age wheel 180 completes one revolution during one lunation (about 29.5 days), the position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 relative to each other, that is, the degree of overlap between them, can be changed from minute to minute, and the moon age can be accurately displayed.

[0217] As described above, according to the moon age display mechanism 12 of the present embodiment, the moon age is displayed by using a change in the relative position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80, whereby the moon age can be displayed clearly even in a small space. In addition, since the relative position of the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be changed from minute to minute, there is no unnecessary movement for displaying the moon age, whereby the moon age can be displayed in a continuous, stable and efficient manner. In addition, the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can change direction, and instantaneous movement as in the prior art can be dispensed with, whereby the stresses received by the moon age display mechanism can be reduced. Furthermore, a thick member such as the sphere of the prior art is not required, whereby the size and thickness of the moon age display mechanism 12 can be reduced.

[0218] As described above, the moon age display mechanism 12 of the present embodiment can display the moon age continuously, stably and efficiently, with good visibility even in a small space, can also reduce the stresses borne by this moon age display mechanism 12, and can further have a smaller size and thickness.

[0219] In addition, with the movement 10 and the timepiece 1 including the moon age display mechanism 12, the moon age, which is information different from time, can be displayed continuously, stably and efficiently, with good visibility, resulting in a movement and a timepiece that are of high quality, have high performance and have improved functionality.

[0220] In addition, with the moon age display mechanism 12 according to the present embodiment, since the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 have the ability to overlap each other, the moon age can be effectively displayed in a smaller area, and the required space (footprint) for displaying the moon age can be decreased. The moon age display mechanism 12 is thus easily incorporable into the movement 10 having a large number of timepiece components.

[0221] Furthermore, when the age of the moon is displayed by playing on an overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80, the following two aspects can be provided: the hidden state in which the moon plate 70 is entirely hidden behind the shadow plate 80 (the state corresponding to the new moon, visible in FIG. 22); and the exposed state in which the entire moon plate 70 is taken out from behind the shadow plate 80 (the state corresponding to the full moon, visible in FIG. 30), whereby the two very different aspects can be shown clearly for user-friendliness.

[0222] Furthermore, since the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be controlled to perform an alternating rotational movement (tilting), the age of the moon can be accurately displayed even in an even smaller area, with the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 being continuously in motion.

[0223] In addition, the simple constitution using only the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 enables the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 to make an alternating rotational motion according to the flow of time, thereby enabling the action to be reliable and the constitution to be simplified. In addition, since the moon age wheel 180, the moon cam 191 and the shadow cam 201 are arranged on a same axis (single common axis), the entire moon age display mechanism 12 can be arranged in a compact manner in the plane.

[0224] In addition, since the moon plate 70 has a bright color, such as yellow, while the shadow plate 80 has a dark color, such as black, by changing the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80, the moon age, such as the new moon (moon age of 0), the full moon (moon age of 14.8), the first quarter (moon age of 7.4), and the last quarter (moon age of 22.1), can be clearly grasped at a glance.

[0225] In addition, since the moon age display mechanism 12 of the present embodiment includes the moon age correction mechanism 13, the moon age wheel 180 can be rotated when the moon age needs to be corrected, and the relative position between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be corrected for moon age correction.

[0226] The correction of the age of the Moon will be described in detail.

[0227] To correct the moon age, the operating button 308 visible in FIG. 2, which is exposed at the side surface of the timepiece case 3, is pressed. The operating rod 306 can thus be pushed inward, so that the moon age correction lever 300 can be tilted from its standby position P1 to its correction position P2, against the restoring force produced by the moon age correction lever spring 310, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21. The first correction claw 322 of the moon age correction claw 320 can thus be used to push a tooth of the moon age wheel 182, whereby the moon age wheel 180 can be rotated by an amount corresponding to two teeth in the counterclockwise direction. of a clock, which is the opposite direction to the direction when there is movement of the hands. We can thus force the Moon age wheel 180 to turn counterclockwise.

[0228] Therefore, the angular position of the moon age wheel 180 can be corrected, so that the overlap between the moon plate 70 and the shadow plate 80 can be adjusted, whereby the moon age can be reliably corrected. In particular, since the moon phases 183 are shown at regular intervals along the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the moon age gear toothed portion 182, the moon age can be corrected by using the moon phases 183 as a guide, whereby the correction can be performed easily.

[0229] Since the Moon age wheel 180 is rotated in the opposite direction to the direction during the movement of the hands, the Moon age can be corrected without being affected by play in the mesh between the Moon age gear 210 and the Moon age wheel 180.

[0230] When the moon age wheel 180 is rotated counterclockwise to the direction during the movement of the hands, the fourth intermediate pinion 254 of the fourth intermediate wheel set 250 tends to rotate counterclockwise to the direction during the movement of the hands, but the fourth intermediate wheel 253 is in mesh with another pinion in the moon age gear train 210. The fourth intermediate pinion 254 of the fourth intermediate wheel 250 thus has the possibility of sliding on the fourth intermediate wheel 253, whereby the moon age can be correctly corrected.

[0231] When the operation button 308 is released from depressing, the restoring force generated by the moon age correction lever spring 310 allows the moon age correction lever 300 to return from the correction position P2 to the standby position P1. In this process, the moon age correction lever 300 may inadvertently return while the first correction claw 322 having pushed a tooth of the moon age gear toothed portion remains engaged with the teeth. However, since the moon age correction claw 320 can disengage from the moon age wheel 180 against the restoring force generated by the claw return spring 330, the situation in which the moon age correction claw 320 rotates the moon age wheel 180 in the opposite direction to the position before correction can be prevented when the moon age correction lever 300 returns to its standby position P1. The corrected moon age can thereby be maintained.

[0232] When the moon age correction lever 300 returns to its standby position P1, the moon age correction claw 320 returns, by the restoring force from the claw return spring 330, to the position taken to rotate the moon age wheel 180, in preparation for the next moon age correction.

[0233] The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. This embodiment has been provided by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The embodiment may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and a variety of types of deletions, substitutions, and modifications may be made so long as they do not depart from the scope of the invention. The embodiment and its variations include, for example, embodiments that one skilled in the art can readily conceive of, embodiments that are substantially the same as that described above, and embodiments within the scope of equivalents.

[0234] For example, the embodiment described above has been in the case of a mechanical timepiece, but this is not mandatory and the present invention can be implemented, for example, in a quartz timepiece. In this case, for example, the mobiles and wheels can be driven in rotation by a stepping motor.

[0235] In addition, the embodiment described above has been provided in the case where the age of the moon is displayed by employing a moon plate and a shadow plate, but the information to be displayed is not limited to the age of the moon. For example, the days of the week or any other information may be displayed instead of the age of the moon, or several other pieces of information may be displayed. In these cases, for example, in addition to the shape, color, pattern, and other parameters of each of the first and second display parts, the rotation speed determined by the rotation control device, the shapes of the first and second cams, and other parameters may be changed as needed depending on the information/information to be displayed.

[0236] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the Moon age gear train is formed of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate mobile, but this is not obligatory and the Moon age gear train can be freely constituted as long as the Moon age wheel has the possibility of making one revolution per lunation (approximately 29.5 days).

[0237] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, separate drive sources are provided, i.e. the moon return spring serves as a drive source for the first drive device and the shadow return spring serves as a drive source for the second drive device. However, this is not mandatory.

[0238] For example, a single return spring 400 may be provided as a common drive source, and the moon age display mechanism 12 may use the rotational drive torque generated by this return spring 400 to apply the rotational drive torque to the moon wheel 110 and the shadow wheel 150, via the moon return wheel 120 and the shadow return wheel 160, as shown in FIG. 38.

Claims (12)

1. Information display mechanism for a watch movement provided with a plate comprising: a first display part (70) rotatably mounted about a first axis (O1); a first motor device (90) arranged to transmit a torque to the first display part (70); a second display part (80) rotatably mounted about a second axis (O2) positioned so as to be non-coaxial with the first axis (O1); a second motor device (91) arranged to transmit a torque to the second display part (80); and a rotation control device (95) configured to control the rotation of the first and second display portions (70, 80) such that the first and second display portions (70, 80) can each rotate according to a predetermined cycle, wherein the first and second display portions (70, 80) are arranged to cooperate with each other to display at least one piece of information based on a change in the relative position between the angular position of the first display portion (70) about the first axis (O1) and the angular position of the second display portion (80) about the second axis (O2). 2. The information display mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first and second display portions (70, 80) are positioned at different heights in the thickness direction of the plate, the rotation control device (95) is arranged to rotate the first and second display portions (70, 80) such that the first and second display portions (70, 80) can overlap each other in the thickness direction of the plate, and the first and second display portions (70, 80) are arranged to display said at least one information by acting on their relative position in a plan view in the thickness direction of the plate. 3. An information display mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the rotation control device (95) is arranged to rotate the first and second display parts (70, 80) in such a manner that, during the rotation of the first and second display parts (70, 80), the first and second display parts (70, 80) can be in at least two states which, depending on the thickness direction of the plate, are a hidden state, in which the entire first display part (70) is hidden behind the second display part (80), and an uncovered state, in which the entire first display part (70) is brought out from behind the second display part (80). 4. An information display mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the rotation control device (95) comprises a wheel (180) arranged to rotate according to the passage of time, a first rotation control device (190) arranged to control the rotation of the first display portion (70) such that, when the wheel (180) rotates, the first display portion (70) can perform a reciprocating rotational movement within a predetermined rotational angular range about the first axis (O1), and a second rotation control device (200) arranged to control the rotation of the second display portion (80) such that, when the wheel (180) rotates, the second display portion (80) can perform a reciprocating rotational movement within a predetermined rotational angular range about the second axis (O2). 5. The information display mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the first rotation control device (190) comprises a first cam (191) arranged to rotate when the wheel (180) rotates, and a first control lever (195) arranged to tilt according to the rotation of the first cam (191) to control the rotation of the first display part (70), and the second rotation control device (200) comprises a second cam (201) arranged to rotate when the wheel (180) rotates, and a second control lever (205) arranged to tilt according to the rotation of the second cam (201) to control the rotation of the second display part (80). 6. Information display mechanism according to claim 5, in which the wheel (180), the first cam (191) and the second cam (201) are arranged on a single axis. 7. Information display mechanism according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the wheel (180) is a lunation wheel arranged to perform one revolution in one lunar cycle, the first rotation control device (190) is arranged to control the rotation of the first display part (70) in such a way that the first display part (70) can perform the reciprocating rotational movement for one complete revolution of the wheel (180), the second rotation control device (200) is arranged to control the rotation of the second display part (80) in such a way that the second display part (80) can perform the reciprocating rotational movement for one complete revolution of the wheel (180), with a phase shift relative to the first display part (80), the first and second display parts (70, 80) are arranged to display the lunation, as said at least one piece of information, by acting on a change in the relative position between the first and second display portions (70, 80) which corresponds to the phase shift. 8. An information display mechanism according to one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the first display part is a moon plate (70) which has a circular shape in a plan view, the second display part is a shadow plate (80) which has a circular shape in the plan view and which has a darker color than a color of the first display part (70), and the first and second display parts (70, 80) are arranged to display the lunation, as the at least one piece of information. 9. An information display mechanism according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a lunation correction mechanism (13) arranged to actuate the lunation wheel (180) in rotation and correct the relative position between the first and second display parts (70, 80). 10. An information display mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the lunation correction mechanism (13) comprises a lunation correction lever (300) arranged to be placed at a position adjacent to the wheel (180) and to be tiltable about a tilting axis (M), between a waiting position (P1) and a correction position (P2), a lever spring (310) arranged to return the lunation correction lever (300) to the waiting position (P1), and a correction claw (320) arranged to equip the lunation correction lever (300) so as to be tiltable and arranged to angularly move the wheel (180) in one direction, by a predetermined angular amount when the lunation correction lever (300) is placed in the correction position (P2), and the lunation correction lever (300) is provided with a claw return spring (330) arranged to allow the correction claw (320) to separate from the wheel (180) when the lunation correction lever (300) returns from its correction position (P2) to its standby position (P1), and arranged to return the correction claw (320) in the direction of returning it to a rotational actuation state when the lunation correction lever (300) returns to the position where the correction claw (320) is at a distance from the wheel (180). 11. Watch movement provided with a plate comprising an information display mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. Timepiece comprising a movement according to claim 11.