EP3147727B1 - Clock display device comprising a high-unbalance display - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a mobile device for a clock display device, said mobile unit consisting of, on the one hand, a display pivoting about a pivot axis and having a first center of inertia eccentric and positioned according to a unbalance direction relative to said pivot axis, and secondly at least one mobile pivoting about said pivot axis, wherein said display and said at least one mobile are pivotally secured about said pivot axis, wherein said at least one mobile comprises a second center of inertia positioned in said unbalance direction relative to said pivot axis, and the opposite side to that of said first center of inertia with respect to said pivot axis.

The invention also relates to a display device for a timepiece, comprising at least one such moving assembly.

The invention also concerns a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a display device.

The invention also relates to a method of reducing the resulting unbalance, with respect to a common pivot axis, of a moving element that comprises a clock display device, said mobile unit consisting of, on the one hand, a display pivoting about a pivot axis and having a first eccentric center of inertia and positioned in a direction of unbalance with respect to said pivot axis, and secondly at least one movable pivoting about said pivot axis, where said at least one mobile has a second center of inertia positioned in said direction of unbalance relative to said pivot axis, and the opposite side to that of said first center of inertia with respect to said pivot axis, said display and said at least one movable integral pivotally about said pivot axis.

The invention relates to the field of timepieces, especially watches, and more particularly display mechanisms.

Background of the invention

Watchmakers are constantly seeking to use needles with increasingly unbalanced clocks on watches. Indeed, the design often requires long needles, and / or made of materials more noble than aluminum, or more suitable for a heat treatment and / or surface. In particular, the use of brass allows deposits electrolysis with a beautiful appearance. The use of precious metals and alloys, gold, platinum, or others, allows, for high-end watches, to have needles with the same standard as the sconces and the caseband.

An imbalance too important is not favorable, especially in case of shock. An electronic watch can thus experience a loss of engine pitch during an impact, due to the imbalance of the needle.

It is known to use a counter-mass, directly on the needle, to reduce the unbalance of the needle, by moving the center of gravity of the assembly towards the center of rotation. But this counter-mass is usually directly integrated into the needle, and affects its aesthetic appearance.

A better solution is to combine a needle with a mobile flywheel, and itself having an imbalance opposite that of the needle, so that their resulting unbalance is as low as possible, when the mobile and the needle are attached to each other. But, this mobile is then located under the dial, and a direct optical orientation setting is then impossible, since the needles are chased after mounting the dial, and that the wheels are in most cases more visible, any adjustment visual or optical is impossible.

The document JP5299667 on behalf of CASIO proposes a solution to this problem of alignment between a needle and a mobile having a counterbalance, and proposes the use of a light source, arranged to illuminate an area of this mobile having a small bore of positioning, and a light sensor on the opposite side to the mobile. In case of use of several needles each driven on such a mobile, these bores must be aligned for their common indexing. If this solution is possible during an initial assembly, it is not suitable for maintenance in service, when it comes for example to deposit and rest of the needles in case of intervention on the movement, or proceed to a more precise angular setting.

The document JPS55 55275A in the name of CITIZEN describes a similar optical system using the reflection of a light beam on a mirror.

The document JPS52 109851 U in the name of TOKO describes a feeder system opposite to a needle.

It is therefore necessary to develop another method of alignment between the needle and such a mobile.

Summary of the invention

The invention aims to reduce the apparent unbalance of the needle seen by the movement, in particular seen by the motor in the case of an electronic movement, without affecting the aesthetic design of the needle and the watch.

A needle is usually hunted on a cannon or a roadway tied to a wheel. It is then possible, either to transform such a wheel to obtain the necessary counterbalance, or to report on a standard wheel flange or the like, including this counterbalance.

These non-limiting solutions are not differentiated here, and one is interested, in a generic way, in a mobile carrying a display: the mobile can be the wheel of the movement, or a special wheel, or a flange, or an assembly between such components, and the display may be a needle, a moon, a disk, a flap, a flag, or the like. The counter-mass is deported on this mobile instead of being placed on the display. The difficulty in this simple principle is to angularly position the display relative to the mobile, the opposite of the counter-mass. The present invention makes it possible to simplify this positioning of the display, and its assembly, in particular by driving, with respect to the position of the counter-mass.

The invention relates to a display device according to claim 1.

The invention also concerns a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising such a display device.

The invention also relates to a method of reducing the unbalance resulting, relative to a common pivot axis, of a moving element that includes a clock display device.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, de façon schématisée et en perspective, un équipage mobile selon l'invention, comportant une aiguille à fort balourd chassée sur un mobile avec contre-balourd;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un tel mobile comportant une ouverture unique, oblongue à faces parallèles, et radiale par rapport à l'axe de pivotement du mobile ;
• la figure 3 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un autre mobile comportant deux ouvertures en secteurs annulaires, s'étendant ensemble sur un angle au centre de 180°, séparées par un bras radial à faces parallèles;
• la figure 4 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue en plan, un tel mobile comportant une ouverture en secteur annulaire unique, s'étendant sur un angle au centre de 180°;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée, partielle et en vue en plan, une partie d'un dispositif d'affichage selon l'invention, comportant un tel équipage mobile dont seul est représenté le mobile avant fixation de l'afficheur, positionné face à un circuit imprimé qui comporte des moyens de détection de position angulaire de la direction de balourd de ce mobile ;
• la figure 6 représente, de façon analogue à la figure 1, une autre variante de mobile avec un contre-balourd résultant de la combinaison d'une découpe et d'une masselotte rapportée ;
• la figure 7 est un schéma-blocs représentant une montre comportant des moyens d'alimentation électrique et un tel dispositif d'affichage, avec un circuit imprimé comportant des moyens de détection comportant des électrodes, des moyens de pilotage, des moyens moteurs, et un équipage mobile.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and in perspective, a mobile assembly according to the invention, comprising a high unbalance needle driven on a mobile with counter-unbalance;
• the figure 2 represents schematically and in plan view, such a mobile having a single opening, oblong with parallel faces, and radial with respect to the pivot axis of the mobile;
• the figure 3 is schematically shown in plan view, another mobile having two openings in annular sectors, extending together at an angle at the center of 180 °, separated by a radial arm with parallel faces;
• the figure 4 shows schematically and in plan view, such a mobile having a single annular sector opening, extending at a central angle of 180 °;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically, partially and in plan view, a portion of a display device according to the invention, comprising such a moving element of which only the mobile is shown before fixing the display, positioned facing a circuit printed device comprising means for detecting angular position of the unbalance direction of this mobile;
• the figure 6 represents, in a similar way to figure 1 , another mobile variant with a counterbalance resulting from the combination of a cut and a reported weight;
• the figure 7 is a block diagram representing a watch comprising power supply means and such a display device, with a printed circuit comprising detection means comprising electrodes, control means, motor means, and a mobile unit.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention relates to a mobile assembly 24 for a clock display device 1. In order to present the least unbalance possible with respect to its pivot axis D, this mobile assembly 24 is constituted by, on the one hand, a display 2, such as a needle or the like, pivoting about the pivot axis D and comprising a first center of inertia 3 eccentric and positioned in a direction of unbalance DB relative to this pivot axis D, and secondly at least one mobile 4 pivoting about the same pivot axis D.

This display 2 and this at least one mobile 4 are integral in pivoting about the pivot axis D. The at least one mobile 4 has a second center of inertia 5 positioned in the same unbalance direction DB relative to the pivot axis D, and the opposite side to that of the first center of inertia 3 with respect to the pivot axis D.

According to the invention, this at least one mobile 4 comprises at least one cutout 6, which is entirely located on the opposite side to that of the second center of inertia 5 with respect to the pivot axis D, or / and at least one flyweight 60 entirely located on the side of this second center of inertia 5.

The invention also relates to a display device 1 for a timepiece 100, comprising at least one such moving element 24.

In the most common embodiment, the mobile 4 has a toothing. More particularly, each mobile 4 has a toothing.

In a particular embodiment, and as shown in the figures, at least one mobile 4 is devoid of toothing. More particularly, each mobile 4 is devoid of teeth.

In a particular embodiment, the mobile 4 is unique.

In a particular embodiment, the mobile 4 comprises a single cutout 6 located on the side opposite to that of the second center of inertia 5 with respect to the pivot axis D.

In another particular embodiment, the mobile 4 comprises two such cutouts 6 located on either side of an arm 7 located on the opposite side to the side of the second center of inertia 5 with respect to the pivot axis D.

In a particular embodiment, each such cutout 6 extends entirely on the side opposite to that of the second center of inertia 5 with respect to the pivot axis D.

In a particular embodiment of the variant with two cutouts, these two cutouts 6 each extend entirely on the opposite side to that of the second center of inertia 5 with respect to the pivot axis D.

Preferably, each mobile 4 is entirely symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the pivot axis D and in the unbalance direction DB.

In an advantageous embodiment, the display device 1 comprises, facing each such mobile 4, detection means 8, which are arranged to detect discontinuities in the thickness of this mobile 4, in the direction of the pivot axis D.

The figures illustrate a particular embodiment, not limiting, for an electronic watch.

In a particular and nonlimiting embodiment, as illustrated by the figures, these detection means 8 comprise at least one electrode circuit 9 arranged to detect capacitive variations in the thickness of a mobile 4, that is, that is to say in the direction of the pivot axis D.

In another variant, the detection may be of inductive type, or other.

We can therefore imagine different topologies of cuts 6 in the mobile 4, in terms of their number and shape, the goal being to maximize the unbalance, to keep the mobile 4 as robust as possible, and to ensure the best conditions position detection, in particular capacitive. The figures are therefore non-limiting examples.

The invention is realized in such a way that the angular position detection is carried out automatically when a battery 14 is placed in the movement of the watch, and so that, once the detection has been carried out, the 4 are movable angularly optimally before assembly of the displays 2, including needle hunting.

An important difficulty in the development of the invention is the realization of a significant imbalance on the mobile 4, without affecting the effectiveness of the position detection.

If one is interested in the advantageous realization with a capacitive detection of position of the gear, it is necessary to create a singular singularity on the mobile. This singularity passes, as visible on the figure 5 , above electrodes 9 made by tracks in a printed circuit 10. The singularity can be achieved in particular by a single opening 6 in a solid board as visible on the figure 2 or 4 , or by an arm 7 surrounded by empty areas as visible on the figure 3 . The openings 6: small hole of the figure 2 , large recesses of the Figures 3 and 4 , made in the mobile 4, cause a displacement of its center of gravity, creating an unbalance related to the amount of material removed. Once the singularity detected, the mobile 4 is placed so that its own unbalance counter-weight for the display 2. In the case of the figure 2 the imbalance obtained is weak, and the role of counter-mass is very limited. The optimal geometric configuration is that of the figure 4 , but the rigidity may be insufficient, so the figure 3 with median arm 7 easily detectable, is a good compromise between a strong unbalance and low deformation.

Naturally the counter-mass may comprise, or consist of, at least one component attached to the mobile 4, forming a flyweight 60, for example a half-disk or the like, entirely located on the side of the second center of inertia 5. Such configuration allows, if necessary, to further increase the unbalance, for example, as visible on the figure 6 , with a mobile 4 having one or more cutouts 6, and, in addition, a flyweight 60 reported in half-disk or the like. Such a flyweight 60 may be glued, crimped, or the like, or riveted or screwed with holding elements 61 such as rivets or screws.

Preferably, the invention favors an embodiment where the detection means are intrinsic to the display device 1, and do not require a test bench or the like, so as to allow after-sales interventions, with the removal and reassembly displays, including needles. Also, advantageously, these detection means are integrated in a plate, a bridge, or a printed circuit, the timepiece, including a watch.

Thus, in an advantageous embodiment, the display device 1 comprises, facing each such mobile 4, at least one printed circuit board 10 enclosing or supporting these detection means 8.

These detection means 8 are arranged to detect discontinuities of certain physical quantities during the pivoting of the mobile 4. They are connected to control means 11 which are arranged to perform the analysis of the signals sent by the detection means 8 to calculate, as the case, IIa median zone of an opening 6, or an array of openings 6, or an arm 7 located between two openings, or the like.

These control means 11 can be deported, they can also advantageously be integrated in the display device 1, and in particular to a printed circuit 10 when the display device 1 comprises. Thus, preferably, the display device 1 comprises control means 11, which are arranged to process information transmitted by the detection means 8, and detect the angular position of the unbalance direction DB.

In a particular embodiment, when the timepiece 100 comprises motor means arranged to drive a mobile 4, by gearing, by friction, or other, the control means 11 are advantageously arranged to control such motor means 12 to generate a pivoting movement of such a mobile 4, to align the unbalance direction DB, thus determined by the detection means 8, with a predetermined reference direction DR, for example at noon of the watch, with the second center of inertia 5 of the mobile 4 at six o'clock, and the first center of inertia 3 of the display at twelve o'clock.

In a particular embodiment, the display device 1 comprises power supply means 13, battery 14, battery, or the like, which are arranged to feed in particular these control means 11, to detect the angular position of the unbalance direction. DB. These power supply means 13 are advantageously arranged to power such motor means 12, to generate a pivoting movement of such a mobile 4.

In another embodiment, not illustrated, the invention is also applicable to a mechanical watch, the detection means 8 are then preferably interfaced with a mounting bench or the like, on which the alignment of the direction is carried out unbalance DB of the mobile 4 on a reference direction DR, which will then bring the display 2, including a needle pivotally secured to the mobile 4, in particular by driving. This interfacing is feasible, for example with an input-output of inductive sensors to an external measurement unit, or the like.

In a particular embodiment and the most common, the display 2 is a needle driven on a mobile 4, including but not limited to a gun 40 that includes the mobile 4, or on a tree on which is itself driven the mobile 4, or other.

The invention also relates to a timepiece 100, in particular a watch, comprising at least one such display device 1.

The invention also relates to a method of reducing the resulting unbalance, with respect to a common pivot axis D, of such a moving element 24 that includes a display device 1 clock.

• préalablement à l'assemblage par chassage de l'afficheur 2 avec cet au moins un mobile 4, on réalise au moins un tel mobile 4 comportant au moins une découpe 6 du côté opposé à celui du deuxième centre d'inertie 5 par rapport à l'axe de pivotement D, ou/et au moins une masselotte 60 entièrement située du côté du deuxième centre d'inertie 5;
• on équipe le dispositif d'affichage 1 de moyens de détection 8 agencés pour détecter des discontinuités dans l'épaisseur d'un mobile 4, selon la direction de l'axe de pivotement D ;
• on équipe le dispositif d'affichage 1 de moyens de pilotage 11 agencés pour traiter des informations transmises par les moyens de détection 8, et détecter la position angulaire de la direction de balourd DB;
• on aligne la direction de balourd DB avec une direction de référence DR prédéterminée ;
• on chasse, dans cette position, l'afficheur 2 avec cet au moins un mobile 4, avec le premier centre d'inertie 3 et le deuxième centre d'inertie 5 de part et d'autre de l'axe de pivotement D.

For this purpose, according to the invention:

• prior to the assembly by driving the display 2 with this at least one mobile 4, at least one such mobile 4 having at least one cutout 6 on the opposite side to that of the second center of inertia 5 relative to the axis of pivoting D, or / and at least one flyweight 60 entirely located on the side of the second center of inertia 5;
• the display device 1 is equipped with detecting means 8 arranged to detect discontinuities in the thickness of a moving body 4, in the direction of the pivot axis D;
• the display device 1 is equipped with control means 11 arranged to process information transmitted by the detection means 8, and to detect the angular position of the unbalance direction DB;
• the unbalance direction DB is aligned with a predetermined reference direction DR;
• in this position, the display 2 is removed with this at least one mobile 4, with the first center of inertia 3 and the second center of inertia 5 on either side of the pivot axis D.

More particularly, the display device 1 of motor means 12, which is controlled by the control means 11, is equipped to generate a pivoting movement of at least one mobile 4 to align the unbalance direction DB with the direction predetermined reference number DR.

More particularly, the display device 1 is equipped with power supply means 13 arranged to supply the control means 11 for detecting the angular position of the unbalance direction DB.

More particularly, the power supply means 12 are powered with these power supply means 13 to generate a pivoting movement of the at least one mobile 4.

More particularly, these power supply means 13 are made in the form of at least one battery 14, the introduction of which in the display device 1 triggers the detection of the angular position of the unbalance direction DB.

The invention ensures automatic and optimal positioning of the mobiles before mounting or driving displays, including needles.

This solution does not affect the aesthetic design of the hands of a watch: on the contrary, it allows the use of large unbalance needles, especially gold, without requiring unsightly counter-mass on the needle itself. even.

The unbalanced mobiles provide a double function: firstly precisely the replacement of the counter-masses of needles, and then the precise positioning of the unbalance direction, during detection, in particular capacitive.

A very slight over-consumption of energy exists because of an increase in inertia, it is however much lower than if one had to increase the positioning torque of the engine.

The invention is applicable to a plurality of coaxial needles, including center hands, the detection is then independently on each wheel.

Claims (18)

1. Display device (1) for a timepiece (100), comprising at least one movable assembly (24), formed, on the one hand, by a display member (2) pivoting about a pivot axis (D) and having a first off-centre centre of inertia (3) positioned in a direction of unbalance (DB) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and on the other hand, at least one mobile element (4) pivoting about said pivot axis (D), wherein said display member (2) and said at least one mobile element (4) pivot integrally about said pivot axis (D), wherein said at least one mobile element (4) has a second centre of inertia (5) positioned in said direction of unbalance (DB) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and on the opposite side to that of said first centre of inertia (3) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and wherein said at least one mobile element (4) includes at least one cutout (6) situated entirely on the opposite side to that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and/or at least one inertia block (60) situated entirely on the side of said second centre of inertia (5), and wherein any bore or recess or cutout comprised in each said mobile element (4), other than a bore (41) comprised in said mobile element (4) around said pivot axis (D), is situated entirely on the side opposite to that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D), characterized in that said display device (1) includes, facing each said at least one mobile element (4), detection means (8) arranged to detect discontinuities in the thickness of said at least one mobile element (4), in the direction of said pivot axis (D), said detection means (8) comprising at least one electrode circuit (9) arranged to detect capacitive variations in the thickness of said at least one mobile element (4), in the direction of said pivot axis (D).
2. Display device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mobile element (4) is devoid of a toothing.
3. Display device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there is only one said mobile element (4).
4. Display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said mobile element (4) includes a single cutout (6), situated on the side opposite that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D).
5. Display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said mobile element (4) includes two said cutouts (6), situated on either side of an arm (7) located on the side opposite that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D).
6. Display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said display device (1) includes, facing each said at least one mobile element (4), at least one printed circuit (10) containing or carrying said detection means (8).
7. Display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said display device (1) includes control means (11) arranged to process the information transmitted by said detection means (8) and to detect the angular position of said direction of unbalance (DB).
8. Display device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said control means (11) are arranged to control motor means (12) to generate a pivoting motion of said at least one mobile element (4) to align said direction of unbalance (DB) with a predetermined reference direction (DR).
9. Display device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said display device (1) includes electrical power means (13) arranged to power said control means (11) to detect the angular position of said direction of unbalance (DB).
10. Display device (1) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in that said electrical power means (13) are arranged to power said motor means (12) to generate a pivoting motion of said at least one mobile element (4).
11. Display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said at least one display member (2) is a hand pressed onto said at least one mobile element (4).
12. Timepiece (100) including at least one display device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11.
13. Method for reducing the resulting unbalance, with respect to a common pivot axis (D), of a movable assembly (24) comprised in a timepiece display device (1), said movable assembly (24) being formed, on the one hand, by a display member (2) pivoting about said pivot axis (D), the first centre of inertia (3) of said display member (2) being off-centre and positioned in a direction of unbalance (DB) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and on the other hand, by at least one mobile element (4) which has a second centre of inertia (5) positioned in said direction of unbalance (DB) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and on the opposite side to that of said first centre of inertia (3) with respect to said pivot axis (D), said display member (2) and said at least one mobile element (4) pivoting integrally about said pivot axis (D), characterized in that:

    - prior to the press-fit assembly of said display member (2) with said at least one mobile element (4), there is made said at least one mobile element (4) including at least one cutout (6) on the opposite side to that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D), and/or at least one inertia block (60) situated entirely on the side of said second centre of inertia (5), and such that any bore or recess or cutout comprised in each said mobile element (4), other than a bore (41) comprised in said mobile element (4) around said pivot axis (D), is situated entirely on the side opposite that of said second centre of inertia (5) with respect to said pivot axis (D);

    - said display device (1) is fitted with detection means (8) arranged to detect any discontinuities in the thickness of said at least one mobile element (4), in the direction of said pivot axis (D), said detection means (8) including at least one electrode circuit (9) arranged to detect capacitive variations in the thickness of said at least one mobile element (4) in the direction of said pivot axis (D);

    - said display device (1) is fitted with control means (11) arranged to process the information transmitted by said detection means (8), and to detect the angular position of said direction of unbalance (DB);

    - said direction of unbalance (DB) is aligned with a predetermined reference direction (DR);

    - said display member (2) is pressed in, in this position, with said at least one mobile element (4), with said first centre of inertia (3) and said second centre of inertia (5) on either side of said pivot axis (D).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that said display device (1) is fitted with motor means (12), which are controlled by said control means (11), to generate a pivoting motion of said at least one mobile element (4) in order to align said direction of unbalance (DB) with said predetermined reference direction (DR).
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that said display device (1) is fitted with electrical power means (13) arranged to power said control means (11) to detect the angular position of said direction of unbalance (DB).
16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said motor means (12) are powered by said electrical power means (13) to generate a pivoting motion of said at least one mobile element (4).
17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that said electrical power means (13) are made in the form of at least one battery (14), the insertion of which into said display device (1) triggers the detection of the angular position of said direction of unbalance (DB).
18. Method according to any of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that each said mobile element (4) is made devoid of a toothing.

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