Moon-phase indicating mechanism and timepiece including the moon-phase indicating mechanism

Abstract

The indication mechanism has at least one first occultation disk (2.1) housed rotatably, at least on part, between a moon disk (1) and a dial. A gear train (4) drives the first occultation disk in such a way that the indications (1.1,1.2) inscribed on the moon disk are obscured, at least in part, during specific phases of operation of the indication mechanism in such a manner that the indications appearing through the semi-circular aperture of the dial correspond to the natural appearance of the moon during the entire lunation. The moon disk is rotated to display the indications inscribed on the moon disk through the aperture of the dial to indicate the lunar phases. The first occultation disk is configured depending on its position in the indication mechanism or the shape of the aperture of the dial, so as to be provided with arms and apertures of specific shape. The first occultation disk is arranged non-concentrically relative to the moon disk. The first occultation disk and a second occultation disk (2.2) are housed on either side of the moon disk.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a moon phase indicating mechanism, in particular for a mechanical timepiece, comprising a moon disc and a dial comprising a substantially semicircular aperture. To indicate the phases of the moon, the moon disc is rotated to reveal the indicators engraved on the moon disc through the holes. The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising such an indicating mechanism. Background technique [0002] Lunar phase indicating devices of the type described above have existed for quite a long time and have traditionally featured a moon disc on which two circles symbolizing the Moon, either yellow or usually bright, are drawn on a dark background, with the dial described in The generally semicircular hole comprises a base divided into two recesses, the whole assembly being known to those skilled in the art. When this type of moon disc rotates beneath the hole, it symbolically shows the different phases of the moon. Specifically, ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Thus the aforementioned conventional devices for indicating moon phases do not take into account the appearance of these moon phases

Apart from electronics that take into account in a more detailed manner the actual shape of the portion of the Moon's illuminated surface visible from the Earth, the prior art does not seem to have so far contained a Moon that would more realistically represent the above meaning by simpler means. phase cycle mechanism

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