Time zone correction mechanism for watches

Abstract

The present invention relates to a time zone correction mechanism for a clock, which is equipped with a manual control device, the manual control device comprising two manual corrector actuators with opposite actions, which drive the movement of the relevant time zone corrector, the time zone corrector comprising a beak, the beak being configured to abut against the concave and convex portions of a time zone correction wheel assembly and cause the time zone correction wheel assembly to move, characterized in that the time zone correction wheel assembly is a gear assembly comprising regularly spaced tooth portions, the gear assembly having a first drive level and a second drive level parallel to the first drive level, a plurality of continuous teeth being missing from the first drive level and being replaced by a first gap portion, and a plurality of continuous teeth being missing from the second drive level and being replaced by a second gap portion; the first gap portion and the second gap portion do not overlap each other; each time zone corrector is configured to cooperate with a single drive level among the first drive level and the second drive level of the time zone correction wheel assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a time zone correction mechanism for a timepiece, provided with a manual control device comprising a manual corrector actuator arranged to be operated by a user and to control the movement of a same correction wheel assembly in opposite directions.

[0002] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one time zone mechanism having such a time zone correction mechanism.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of timepiece mechanisms, in particular complications such as calendar mechanisms or time zone mechanisms, and to setting mechanisms associated therewith which allow the time zone and / or date of the timepiece to be adjusted by the user. Background Art

[0004] In the field of horology, it is not uncommon to find watches with complex functions, such as calendar mechanisms or so-called GMT mechanisms displaying time zones, which can be easily corrected by the user using a manual corrector actuator such as a push button.

[0005] In this particular example of a time zone mechanism, the watch has two separate buttons for correcting the time zone in two directions (for advancing and retreating the time zone). For example, one approach is to use two corrector actuators that act on the same time zone correction wheel in opposite ways to each other.

[0006] If this time zone correction mechanism is combined with a calendar, when the wearer performs a time zone correction when crossing the International Date Line (across the Pacific Ocean), the displayed date may be incorrect. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to prevent the wearer of a watch from making unreliable time zone or date corrections when crossing the International Date Line.

[0008] The present invention is intended to enable time zone correction in any time zone configuration, particularly near the International Date Line.

[0009] The invention will be illustrated and described below by way of this non-limiting application in the context of a time zone correction mechanism comprising a manual corrector actuator (eg two push-buttons).

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a time zone correction mechanism for a timepiece according to claim 1, equipped with a manual control device comprising a manual corrector actuator arranged to be operated by a user and controlling the movement of the same correction wheel assembly in opposite directions.

[0011] In addition to the features mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the time zone correction mechanism for a timepiece according to the invention may have one or more of the following complementary features, which may be considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

[0012] - when projected onto a plane, the first and second interstitial portions are separated by a plurality of complete teeth of the time zone correction wheel assembly, the plurality of complete teeth extending on both the first drive level and the second drive level;

[0013] - a first time zone corrector associated with the first manual corrector actuator configured to cooperate with the time zone correction wheel assembly at a first drive level, and a second time zone corrector associated with the second manual corrector actuator configured to cooperate with the time zone correction wheel assembly at a second drive level;

[0014] - the first drive level and the second drive level of the time zone correction wheel assembly each comprise at least one fewer number of teeth than the number of time zones managed by a timepiece comprising the time zone correction mechanism;

[0015] - when the number of time zones managed by a timepiece including said time zone correction mechanism is 24, the first drive level and the second drive level of the time zone correction wheel assembly each comprise 23 teeth;

[0016] - the time zone correction wheel assembly is made in one piece;

[0017] - the manual control device comprises a locking lever mechanism arranged to prevent one of the two manual corrector actuators from acting on the time zone correction wheel assembly when the other of the two manual corrector actuators is engaged and interacting with the time zone correction wheel assembly;

[0018] - the locking lever mechanism comprises a locking lever configured to be driven in rotation during engagement of one of the two manual corrector actuators so as to limit the travel of the other of the two opposing manual corrector actuators and prevent the time zone corrector associated therewith from approaching the time zone correction wheel assembly;

[0019] - the locking lever constitutes a safety lever, the locking lever comprising a first end with a first stop finger and a second end opposite the first end with a second stop finger, the first and second stop fingers being configured to cooperate in abutment with one of the two manual corrector actuators, respectively;

[0020] - the first stop finger and the second stop finger have the same shape and / or perform the same function;

[0021] - Each of the two manual corrector actuators comprises:

[0022] a first bearing profile configured to form a stop profile cooperating with the first stop finger or the second stop finger and preventing the associated manual corrector actuator from rotating;

[0023] a second bearing profile configured to form a detent profile on which the first stop finger or the second stop finger slides in order to allow a partial rotation of the associated manual corrector actuator;

[0024] - the first bearing profiles of the two manual corrector actuators are arranged in a substantially aligned manner relative to each other and the first stop finger and the second stop finger respectively abut against the first bearing profile of each of the two manual corrector actuators when each of the two manual corrector actuators is actuated simultaneously by a user;

[0025] The second bearing profiles of the two manual corrector actuators are arranged towards one another so as to form an acute angle, the apex of which points towards the time zone corrector mechanism.

[0026] The invention also relates to a timepiece comprising at least one time zone mechanism having such a time zone correction mechanism.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a timepiece comprising a date mechanism equipped with a date wheel assembly, and a mechanism for displaying time information cooperating with the date mechanism and the time zone mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 a plan view schematically showing an exemplary embodiment of a time zone correction mechanism in a rest position, the time zone correction mechanism comprising a correction wheel assembly drivable in two opposite directions by opposing correctors operated by a separate manual corrector actuator;

[0030] - Figure 2 The schematic shows Figure 1 and showing a first step corresponding to a user applying a push on a first manual corrector actuator, which drives the first corrector in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) so as to abut against the bottom of the teeth on the correction wheel assembly;

[0031] -and Figure 2 similar, Figure 3A second step is shown in which a push is applied to the first manual corrector actuator until it reaches a stop position and during which the correction wheel assembly pivots in a first direction (clockwise);

[0032] -and Figure 2 similar, Figure 4 The user releases the first manual corrector actuator, which is pivoted together with the first corrector in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise) under the action of a first elastic return device constituted by a spring, so that the beak of the first corrector moves out of the teeth of the correction wheel assembly;

[0033] -and Figure 2 similar, Figure 5 shows the complete release of the first manual corrector actuator, which returns to Figure 1 A stop in the rest position;

[0034] - Figure 6 The schematic diagram shows a correction mechanism according to the present invention similar to Figure 1 The correction mechanism includes a locking lever, which is a safety lever, so that it can be ensured that the corrector does not drive the correction wheel assembly at the same time. In this example, the safety lever is a ring segment, and its distal end is arranged to cooperate with the manual corrector actuator, but is not limited thereto;

[0035] - Figures 7 to 9 The schematic shows Figure 6 A partial plan view of the correction mechanism in FIG. 1 and illustrating its operation:

[0036] - Figure 7 A first case of simultaneous corrector actuation is shown. When the manual corrector actuators are actuated simultaneously, they come into contact with the safety lever. Since each manual corrector actuator acts on the safety lever opposite to the other manual corrector actuator, the rotation of the safety lever is blocked. The only way to perform a correction is to release one of the manual corrector actuators. In this case, the two corrector beaks cannot interact with the correction wheel assembly when they are actuated simultaneously;

[0037] - Figure 8 and 9 A second case is shown, in which the correctors are actuated successively;

[0038] - Figure 8A first stage is shown, in which the first corrector, which is located on the left-hand side in the figure and acts in the direction of increasing the correction, is actuated by the first manual corrector actuator until the corrector beak comes into contact with the teeth of the toothed portion of the correction wheel assembly. In this position, the first corrector has driven the safety lever over its maximum travel: the distance between the safety lever and the second manual corrector actuator is very small and prevents its rotation;

[0039] - Fig. 9 It is shown that the movement continues as the user continues to push the first manual corrector actuator until the correction wheel assembly is driven. The safety lever remains in the same position and prevents the second manual corrector actuator from rotating. Both corrector beaks cannot interact with the correction wheel assembly at the same time;

[0040] - Fig.10 The diagram shows a correction mechanism according to the invention in a rest position. Figure 1 A plan view of the apparatus of claim 1, wherein the corrector is not shown to allow for a closer look at the manual corrector actuator;

[0041] - Fig.11 A plan view schematically showing an exemplary embodiment of a safety lever according to the invention guided by a pin and an elongated groove;

[0042] - Fig.12 A plan view schematically showing an exemplary embodiment of a safety lever according to the invention which is capable of pivoting;

[0043] - Fig.13 is a block diagram showing a timepiece including a mechanism whose correction wheel assembly is arranged to be controlled by such a manual control device including two manual corrector actuators;

[0044] - Fig.14 shows diagrammatically a first partial perspective view of a time zone correction mechanism according to the invention comprising a corrector wheel assembly having two drive levels which can be driven in two opposite directions by oppositely acting correctors which are operated by a single manual corrector actuator;

[0045] - Fig.15 a second partial perspective view schematically showing a time zone correction mechanism according to the invention comprising a correction wheel assembly having two drive levels which can be driven in two opposite directions by oppositely acting correctors which are operated by a single manual corrector actuator;

[0046] - Fig.16is a graphic example of a globe showing the International Date Line, which crosses several time zones and does not follow the 180° meridian opposite the Prime Meridian, but is instead guided by the geopolitical choices of individual countries.

[0047] In all figures, common elements have the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] like Fig.13 As shown schematically, the present invention relates to a time zone correction mechanism 500 for a timepiece 1000, which is equipped with a manual control device 100, which includes manual corrector actuators 30, 50, which are arranged to be operated by a user and control the same correction wheel assembly 10 to move in opposite directions.

[0049] Here Figure 1 The invention is described in a non-limiting application in the context of a time zone correction mechanism shown, which includes two manual corrector actuators 30, 50 acting in opposite directions, which in this case are more specifically control buttons, which tend to cause a correction wheel assembly 10, in this case a time zone correction wheel, to rotate in two opposite directions (clockwise and counterclockwise).

[0050] The first manual corrector actuator 30 can be directly operated by the user through a pushing action of pushing in the first direction A. The first manual corrector actuator 30 is mounted so that it pivots around a first hinge pin 31 pressed into the bridge 1 of the time zone correction mechanism 500, so that the first manual corrector actuator 30 pivots around the first hinge pin 31 under the action of the user.

[0051] The time zone correction mechanism 500 also includes a first corrector 20 articulated relative to the first manual corrector actuator 30. To this end, the first corrector 20 includes a first elongated guide groove 23 configured to cooperate with the first hinge pin 31 so as to allow the first corrector 20 to articulate relative to the first manual corrector actuator 30.

[0052] The first elongated groove 23 is configured to guide the first corrector in rotational and translational motion when the first manual corrector actuator 30 is pivoted.

[0053] The first manual corrector actuator 30 comprises, for example, a first actuation post 32 pressed into the body of the first manual corrector actuator 30. The first actuation post 32 allows the pushing action applied by the user on the first manual corrector actuator 30 to be transmitted to the first corrector 20.

[0054] The cooperation between the first elongated groove 23 and the first hinge pin 31 limits the relative travel between the first manual corrector actuator 30 and the first corrector 20 .

[0055] The first manual corrector actuator 30 tends to be directly or indirectly pushed back to the inactive rest position along a second direction B opposite to the first direction A by the first elastic return device 22, in which case the first elastic return device 22 is constituted by a spring, but not limited thereto.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first elastic return means 22 abuts against the first corrector 20, more specifically against a first spring pin 21 pressed into the body of the first corrector 20. Thus, due to this architecture, the first elastic return means 22 make it possible to push both the first corrector 20 and the first manual corrector actuator 30 back to an inactive rest position in a second direction B opposite to the first direction A.

[0057] According to an optional embodiment, the first elastic reset device 22 may also be formed by two independent reset springs, the first spring acting on the first corrector 20 , and the second spring acting on the first manual corrector actuator 30 .

[0058] The first corrector 20 comprises a first corrector beak 29 arranged to cooperate with a relief of the correction wheel assembly 10, in this case formed by a time zone correction wheel. The relief of the correction wheel assembly 10 is, for example, a tooth 11 of a toothing of the correction wheel assembly 10. Advantageously, the first actuating stud 32 may also be arranged to constitute an abutment for limiting the angular travel of the first corrector 20.

[0059] According to an alternative embodiment, the correction wheel assembly 10 may be constituted by a correction star wheel or other element. In this case, the first beak 29 is therefore arranged to cooperate with a branch, arm, catch or other element included in the correction wheel assembly 10 under consideration. The correction wheel assembly 10 is usually held in place by a correction wheel assembly jumper 60, which is subject to the action of a jumper spring 63 against a jumper pin 62.

[0060] Similarly, the second manual corrector actuator 50 is directly operable by the user via a pushing action in the third direction C. The second manual corrector actuator 50 is mounted so that it pivots about a second hinge pin 51 pressed into the bridge 1 of the time zone correction mechanism 500, so that the second manual corrector actuator 50 pivots about the second hinge pin 51 under the action of the user.

[0061] The time zone correction mechanism 500 also includes a second corrector 40 articulated relative to the second manual corrector actuator 50. To this end, the second corrector 40 includes a second elongated guide groove 43 configured to cooperate with the second hinge pin 51 so as to allow the second corrector 40 to articulate relative to the second manual corrector actuator 50.

[0062] The second elongated groove 43 is configured to guide the second corrector 40 in rotational and translational motion when the second manual corrector actuator 50 is pivoted.

[0063] The second manual corrector actuator 50 includes, for example, a second actuation post 52 pressed into the body of the second manual corrector actuator 50. The second actuation post 52 allows a pushing action applied by a user on the second manual corrector actuator 50 to be transmitted to the second corrector 40.

[0064] The cooperation between the second elongated groove 43 and the second hinge pin 51 limits the relative travel between the second manual corrector actuator 50 and the second corrector 40. The second manual corrector actuator 50 tends to be directly or indirectly pushed back to the inactive rest position along the fourth direction D opposite to the third direction C by the second elastic reset device 42, which is composed of a spring in this case, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second elastic return means 42 abuts against the second corrector 40, more specifically against a second spring pin 41 pressed into the body of the second corrector 40. Thus, due to this architecture, the second elastic return means 42 makes it possible to push both the second corrector 40 and the second manual corrector actuator 50 back to an inactive rest position along a fourth direction D opposite to the third direction C.

[0066] According to an optional embodiment, the second elastic reset device 42 may also be formed by two independent reset springs, the first spring acting on the second corrector 40 , and the second spring acting on the second manual corrector actuator 50 .

[0067] The second corrector 40 comprises a second corrector beak 49 arranged to cooperate with a relief of the correction wheel assembly 10, for example with the teeth 11 of the toothed portion of the correction wheel assembly 10. Advantageously, the second actuating post 52 may also be arranged to constitute an abutment for limiting the angular travel of the second corrector 40.

[0068] Figure 2 The first step is shown in more detail, which corresponds to the user exerting a push in a first direction A on the first manual corrector actuator 30. This push causes the first corrector 20 to rotate, the first corrector 20 pivots in the direction SH and abuts against the bottom of the teeth on the correction wheel assembly 10. Figure 2In the illustration shown, the direction SH corresponds to the clockwise direction.

[0069] Figure 3 More specifically, the second step is shown, which occurs when the first corrector 20 abuts against the bottom of the teeth on the correction wheel assembly 10. In this second step, a thrust is applied to displace the first corrector 20 in a substantially straight manner to the stop position of the first manual corrector actuator 30, and during this time, the displacement of the first corrector 20 causes the correction wheel assembly 10 to pivot in the direction SH, which is clockwise in the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0070] It should be noted that in this non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the direction of rotation of the first corrector 20 corresponds to the direction of rotation of the correction wheel assembly 10 , on which it acts directly and not via an intermediate element or gear train.

[0071] However, an intermediate element may optionally be used between the corrector 20 and the correction wheel assembly 10 so that rotation of the first corrector 20 drives the correction wheel assembly 10 in a direction opposite to rotation of the first corrector 20 .

[0072] Figure 4 A third step is shown, which includes releasing the first manual corrector actuator 30 by the user, and under the action of the first elastic reset device 22, the first manual corrector actuator 30 pivots together with the first corrector 20 in a second direction SAH corresponding to the counterclockwise direction in this exemplary embodiment so as to move the first beak 29 out of the tooth portion of the correction wheel assembly 10.

[0073] Figure 5 A fourth step is shown, which corresponds to the complete release of the first manual corrector actuator 30 and the repositioning of the first manual corrector actuator 30 back to a stop in the rest position.

[0074] The functions of the second manual corrector actuator 50 and the second corrector 40 are similar to those of the reference Figures 2 to 5 The functions of the first manual corrector actuator 30 and the first corrector 20 are described. The proposed alternative embodiments of the first manual corrector actuator 30 and the first corrector 20 are also applicable to the second manual corrector actuator 50 and the second corrector 40.

[0075] Advantageously, the two correctors 20 , 50 are oppositely acting correctors that operate in the same way and act on the same correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0076] Advantageously, the two correctors 20 , 50 act symmetrically on the same correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0077] When the timepiece 1000 is equipped with a date mechanism associated with the time information display train, if the wearer performs a time zone correction when crossing the International Date Line (crossing the Pacific Ocean), the displayed date may become incorrect, such as Fig.16 As shown, the International Date Line extends over several time zones.

[0078] You should remember, Fig.16 is a graphic example of a globe showing the International Date Line, which crosses several time zones and does not follow the 180° meridian opposite the Prime Meridian, but is guided by the geopolitical choices of various countries.

[0079] To maintain date accuracy, this involves preventing the wearer from making incorrect time zone or date corrections when crossing the International Date Line.

[0080] like Fig.14 and 15 As shown, the present invention proposes a solution, including the use of a time zone correction mechanism 500, which has a correction wheel assembly 10, which is composed of a toothed portion with two drive levels, a first toothed portion of which is milled on a first upper drive level to produce a first gap portion 19, and a second toothed portion of which is milled on a second lower drive level to produce a second gap portion 18, so that on each drive level, the number of teeth 11 retained is less than the number of time zones managed, for example Fig.14 and 15 In this case, for 24 time zones, there are 23 teeth on each drive level.

[0081] More specifically, the correction wheel assembly 10 is a gear assembly including regularly spaced tooth portions, which includes at least one first level and at least one second level parallel to the first level, a plurality of consecutive teeth are missing from the first level and replaced by a first gap portion 19, and a plurality of consecutive teeth are missing from the second level and replaced by a second gap portion 18.

[0082] Preferably, the first interstitial portion 19 and the second interstitial portion 18 do not overlap, so that they are arranged at an angle offset on the periphery of the correction wheel assembly 10. Therefore, when projected onto a plane, the first interstitial portion 19 and the second interstitial portion 18 are separated by a plurality of complete teeth of the correction wheel assembly 10 (i.e., teeth extending on both the first and second levels).

[0083] More specifically, at least one corrector 20 , 40 acts only on a single upper or lower drive level of the teeth of the correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0084] More specifically, each corrector 20 , 40 is arranged to cooperate with the correction wheel assembly 10 only at one of the levels, which is different from the level with which the other corrector 20 , 40 cooperates.

[0085] according to Fig.14 and 15 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first corrector 20 cooperates only with the upper drive level of the correction wheel assembly 10, while the second corrector 40 cooperates only with the lower drive level of the correction wheel assembly 10. Therefore, each corrector 20, 40 acts only on one level of the correction wheel assembly 10 and cannot engage with the second level of the correction wheel assembly 10. It goes without saying that different configurations are also possible.

[0086] exist Fig.14 and 15 In the particular non-limiting case shown, the 23 teeth of each level are indexed in such a way that, when displaying a time zone before the International Date Line (upstream or downstream of the date line), the correctors 20, 40 allowing positive or negative time zone changes cannot interact with the correction wheel assembly 10 and thus cannot cross the International Date Line. Therefore, the only possible correction is to correct the time zone in the direction opposite to crossing the International Date Line. This allows the correct date information to be retained.

[0087] therefore, Fig.14 and Fig.15 A configuration is shown in which the time zone has been corrected in the negative direction beforehand by means of the second corrector 40 and its beak 49 until the International Date Line is reached. Negative correction is no longer possible, since there is no tooth on the lower level of the correction wheel 10 facing the beak 49 of the corrector 40. Instead, the first corrector 20 for producing a positive correction is able to push the first tooth 11 of the upper drive level, as Fig.15 Shown on the right hand side.

[0088] More specifically, the first level and the second level each include at least one fewer tooth than the number of time zones managed by the timepiece 1000 including the time zone correction mechanism 500 .

[0089] More specifically, when the number of time zones managed by the timepiece 1000 including the time zone correction mechanism 500 is 24, the first stage and the second stage each include 23 teeth.

[0090] Preferably, the time zone correction wheel assembly 10 is made in one piece.

[0091] However, time zone correction wheel assembly 10 can be made by assembling two separate elements, each forming a drive stage, and rigidly connecting them.

[0092] The two opposing correctors 20 and 40 operate in the same manner and act on the same correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0093] It should be noted that the indexing of the teeth of the correction wheel assembly 10, the positioning of the first and second interspaces 19, 18 on the periphery of the correction wheel assembly 10, and the angular offset between the two interspaces 19, 18 mentioned in this application are given by way of example and are associated with the non-limiting architecture of the time zone correction mechanism 500 shown in the figure. More specifically, the indexing of the teeth of the correction wheel assembly, the positioning of the interspaces 19, 18 on the periphery of the correction wheel assembly 10, and the angular offset between the two interspaces 19, 18 can be modified according to the position of the correctors 40, 20 relative to the correction wheel assembly 10 and according to their shape.

[0094] Advantageously, according to the invention, the two correctors 20 , 40 act symmetrically on the same correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0095] Time zone correction mechanism 500 may further include a locking lever mechanism interacting with manual control device 100 configured to neutralize / reconcile two simultaneous oppositely acting corrections.

[0096] Thus, the locking lever mechanism is arranged to prevent the action of one of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 on the correction wheel assembly 10 when the other of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 interacts with the correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0097] To this end, the locking lever mechanism includes a locking lever 70 which is arranged to be driven during the movement of one of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 and to limit the travel of the other of the manual corrector actuators 50 , 30 , thereby preventing the corrector 40 , 20 associated therewith from approaching the correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0098] Advantageously, during the movement of one of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 , the locking lever 70 is driven so as to rotate.

[0099] Such locking lever 70 is mounted so that it can move in rotation about an axis perpendicular to bridge 1 and forms a safety lever to ensure that correctors 20 , 40 do not simultaneously drive correction wheel assembly 10 , which in this non-limiting example application is a time zone correction wheel.

[0100] Such a locking lever 70 is configured so that it does not give priority to a specific manual corrector actuator 30, 50 as is the case with the correction mechanism of the prior art. Therefore, the time zone correction mechanism 500 according to the present invention allows giving priority to the manual corrector actuator that is first actuated by the user, rather than the manual corrector actuator that is predefined at the design stage. Therefore, the manual control device according to the present invention allows not giving priority to either the front or rear corrector at the design stage.

[0101] Locking lever 70 Figure 6 The whole is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0102] Figure 6 In with Figure 1 The same aspects are particularly shown in the manual control device 100 and the locking lever mechanism in the rest position without any action by the user.

[0103] More specifically, the locking lever 70 is formed as a lever having stop fingers 71 , 72 at opposite ends thereof, each of which is arranged to cooperate while abutting against a portion of the manual corrector actuator 30 , 50 .

[0104] Both opposite ends of the locking lever 70 have the same shape and perform the same function.

[0105] Each manual corrector actuator 30 , 50 also comprises a plurality of bearing profiles allowing interaction with the locking lever 70 , and more specifically with the stop fingers 71 , 72 , according to the actions of the user.

[0106] like Figures 7 to 9 As shown, each manual corrector actuator 30 , 50 comprises a first bearing contour 37 , 57 configured to form a stop contour of the manual corrector actuator 30 , 50 , the first bearing contour 37 , 57 being configured to cooperate with a stop finger 71 , 72 of a locking lever 70 , respectively.

[0107] Each manual corrector actuator 30, 50 comprises a second bearing profile 36, 56 which is configured to form a detent profile or a sliding profile on which the stop finger 71, 72 of the locking lever 70 slides, thereby allowing the manual corrector actuator 30, 50 to at least partially rotate when the manual corrector actuator 30, 50 acting in the opposite direction is not actuated simultaneously, as shown in FIG. Figures 8 to 9 As shown in more detail in .

[0108] When a user operates the manual corrector actuator 30, 50, two things happen.

[0109] In the first case, if Figure 7As shown, the manual corrector actuators 30, 50 are actuated simultaneously by the user. When the manual corrector actuators 30 and 50 are actuated simultaneously, they simultaneously contact the stop fingers 71, 72 of the locking lever 70 at the first bearing profiles 37, 57. Therefore, the first bearing profiles 37, 57 simultaneously abut against the stop fingers 71, 72 of the locking lever 70. Since each manual corrector actuator 30, 50 exerts an opposite and identical action on the locking lever 70 that can rotate as the other manual corrector actuator, the locking lever 70 cannot rotate.

[0110] As a result of this simultaneous action on both manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 , the only way to achieve correction is to release one of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 to allow the locking lever 70 to tilt.

[0111] In this way, when the user activates both corrector beaks 29 and 49 simultaneously via the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 , the locking lever mechanism prevents both corrector beaks 29 and 49 from interacting with the correction wheel assembly 10 .

[0112] Advantageously, the stop fingers 71 , 72 have the same first shape and the first bearing contours 37 , 57 have the same second shape, so that the forces exerted on the locking lever 70 via the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 are substantially equal.

[0113] In the second case, if Figure 8 As shown, the user actuates only one of the manual corrector actuators 30, 50 at a time.

[0114] exist Figure 8 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first manual corrector actuator 30 is actuated. As seen above, this first manual corrector actuator 30 actuates the corrector 20, which acts in a clockwise correcting direction until the corrector beak 29 comes into contact with the teeth 11 of the toothed portion of the correction wheel assembly 10.

[0115] The rotation of the manual corrector actuator 30 causes the first bearing profile 37 to come into contact with the first finger 71 of the locking lever, thereby causing the locking lever 70 to rotate over its maximum travel.

[0116] Advantageously, the bearing contours 37 , 36 of the manual corrector actuator 30 are configured such that the maximum travel of the locking lever 70 is reached before the corrector beak 29 comes into contact with the toothing of the corrector wheel assembly 10 .

[0117] Once tilted, the locking lever 70 is held in the tilted position by the second bearing profile 36. In the tilted position, the distance between the locking lever 70 and the second manual corrector actuator 50 is very small, which prevents rotation of the second manual corrector actuator 50 and rotation of the second corrector 40, thus preventing actuation of the second manual corrector actuator 50 once the first manual corrector actuator 30 is engaged. A small amount of play may be present.

[0118] If the user continues to push the first manual corrector actuator 30 until it Fig. 9 The safety lever 70 remains in the same tilted position while sliding along the second bearing profile 36 and prevents the second manual corrector actuator 50 from rotating. Thus, via the locking lever 70 acting as a safety lever, both corrector beaks 29 and 49 cannot interact with the correction wheel assembly 10 at the same time and no corrector is given priority during the design phase.

[0119] Depending on the geometry and complexity of the mechanism, the manual corrector actuator 30, 50 may have a void portion 38, 58 to clear space opposite the fingers 71, 72 of the locking lever 70 to allow the locking lever 70 to tilt and reach maximum travel.

[0120] In the case of a time zone correction mechanism 500 in which correction is performed by a push button as described above and shown in the figures, such a locking lever 70 is added, which is a safety lever that ensures that the corrector does not simultaneously drive the wheel assembly 10, which in this case is the time zone correction wheel.

[0121] In an alternative embodiment, the locking lever 70 is integral.

[0122] In an alternative embodiment, the locking lever 70 is made of multiple parts that are hinged to each other.

[0123] In another alternative embodiment, the locking lever 70 is made of multiple parts that are arranged to abut against each other when a user applies action to one of the manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 .

[0124] exist Fig.11 In the alternative embodiment shown, the locking lever 70 comprises a lever guide groove 73 cooperating with a lever guide pin 173 carried by the clamping plate 1 carrying the manual control device 100 .

[0125] According to another alternative embodiment, the locking lever comprises a lever pin cooperating with a lever pin guide groove formed in the clamping plate 1 carrying the manual control device 100 .

[0126] according to Fig.12In another alternative embodiment shown, the locking lever 70 is mounted so that it pivots about an axis 174 mounted on the clamping plate 1 carrying the manual control device 100 .

[0127] The locking lever 70 may also be used to activate one or more additional functions during the tilting of the locking lever 70. In particular, Figure 1 and 6 As shown, the locking lever 70 may include a coupling pin 74 that moves integrally with the locking lever 70. This coupling pin 74 is particularly arranged to move a further wheel assembly, such as a coupling wheel assembly, so as to move a lever provided with an idler wheel, couple the correction mechanism with the hands of the timepiece, or decouple the correction mechanism from the hands of the timepiece during the movement of the locking lever 70 that is activated during correction.

[0128] Each manual corrector actuator 30, 50 includes a limit member for limiting the angular travel. Fig.10 A manual control device 100 according to the invention is shown, wherein the aforementioned corrector 20, 40 is not shown for better visibility. More specifically, the limiting member for limiting the angular travel is formed by a limiting groove 39, 59 formed in the body of the manual corrector actuator 30, 50 and a limiting pin 208, 408 carried by the clamping plate 1 carrying the manual control device 100. The limiting groove 39, 59 cooperates with the limiting pin 208, 408 in the following way: in the rest position, under the action of the first elastic return device 22 or the second elastic return device 42, the limiting groove 39, 59 abuts against the limiting pin 208, 408 at the first end of the limiting groove 39, 59. The maximum rotation travel of the manual corrector actuator 30, 50 is limited by the second end of the limiting groove 39, 59 abutting against the limiting pin 208, 408 under the push action initiated by the user.

[0129] The inactive rest position of each of the manual corrector actuators 30, 50 is outside the timepiece 1000. These manual corrector actuators 30, 50 thus remain within reach of the user.

[0130] More specifically, manual corrector actuators 30 , 50 are actuated by means of a push-button provided in a middle piece (not shown) of timepiece 1000 .

[0131] The invention has been described with respect to a time zone correction mechanism; however, it is also applicable to many other timepiece mechanisms for which the user must make adjustments or can advantageously make adjustments, such as, in a non-limiting manner, the setting of the moon phase or the decade, the tide conditions, leap years, the day / night position, the early / late position, the manual counter, the selection of a striking mode, or the adjustment of an alarm time, etc.

[0132] In this advantageous alternative embodiment, in which time zone correction mechanism 500 is associated with the date mechanism in timepiece 1000, it is obvious that the time zone correction mechanism (which modifies the position of the time zone hour wheel train) also acts on the positioning of the date mechanism, thereby changing the date according to the time zone setting when necessary, but not allowing the International Date Line to be crossed to prevent the date setting from becoming incorrect.

[0133] Furthermore, in order to set the date independently of the time zone hour train or hour gear train, in particular when the watch is stopped, a separate date setting mechanism must be installed, which is well known to those skilled in the art. The installation of such a date setting mechanism is within the general knowledge of those skilled in the art and does not need to be described in more detail here.

[0134] The solution presented is particularly applicable to 24 time zones. However, the invention is not limited to this specific application, because: since the International Date Line is not a straight line, the +13 (Tonga / Samoa), +14 (Kiribati Christmas Island) and -12 (Baker Island) time zones can also be considered.

[0135] An alternative embodiment of the invention may also take into account countries involving half-hour time zones, such as India, Pakistan or Nepal, which, for example, have a mechanism comprising 48 half-hour time zones; it goes without saying that the display on the watch must be adjusted accordingly, for example showing 30 minutes on 360° and 24 half-hours on 360°. Such an implementation is within the common sense of a person skilled in the art when reading the present application and does not require any inventive step.

[0136] When the time zone correction buttons are actuated simultaneously, there is no risk of damage to the mechanism due to the use of a locking lever mechanism.

[0137] Thanks to the invention, if the date is linked to the time zone correction mechanism, the accuracy of the date is guaranteed regardless of any manipulations performed by the wearer on the corrector.

Claims

1. A time zone correction mechanism (500) for a timepiece (1000), the time zone correction mechanism (500) being equipped with a manual control device (100), the manual control device (100) comprising two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) having opposite effects, the two manual corrector actuators being arranged to be operated by a user and to control the movement of the same time zone correction wheel assembly (10) in opposite directions, each of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) driving the time zone corrector (20, 40) associated therewith to move, the time zone corrector comprising a beak (29, 49), the beak being configured such that: under the action of the user, the beak abuts against the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) over the entire travel path of the manual corrector actuator (30, 50). The concave-convex portion (11) causes the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) to move, and the time zone correction mechanism (500) is characterized in that the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) is a gear assembly including regularly spaced tooth portions, the gear assembly has a first drive level and a second drive level parallel to the first drive level, a plurality of continuous teeth are missing from the first drive level and replaced by a first gap portion (19), and a plurality of continuous teeth are missing from the second drive level and replaced by a second gap portion (18); the first gap portion (19) and the second gap portion (18) do not overlap each other; and each time zone corrector (20, 40) is configured to cooperate with a single drive level among the first drive level and the second drive level of the time zone correction wheel assembly (10).

2. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that When projected onto a plane, the first interspace portion (19) and the second interspace portion (18) are separated by a plurality of complete teeth of the time zone correction wheel assembly (10), the plurality of complete teeth extending over both the first drive level and the second drive level.

3. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that A first time zone corrector (20, 40) associated with a first manual corrector actuator (30, 50) is configured to cooperate with the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) at the first drive level, and a second time zone corrector (20, 40) associated with a second manual corrector actuator (30, 50) is configured to cooperate with the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) at the second drive level.

4. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The first drive level and the second drive level of the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) each include at least one fewer tooth than the number of time zones managed by a timepiece (1000) including the time zone correction mechanism (500).

5. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 4, It is characterized in that When the number of time zones managed by the timepiece (1000) including the time zone correction mechanism (500) is 24, the first drive stage and the second drive stage of the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) each include 23 teeth.

6. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The time zone correction wheel assembly (10) is made in one piece.

7. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The manual control device (100) includes a locking lever mechanism, which is arranged to prevent the other of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) from acting on the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) when one of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) engages with the time zone correction wheel assembly (10) and interacts with the time zone correction wheel assembly (10).

8. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The locking lever mechanism includes a locking lever (70) configured to be driven to rotate during engagement of one of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) so as to limit the travel of the other of the two manual corrector actuators (50, 30) and prevent a time zone corrector (40, 20) associated with the other from approaching the time zone correction wheel assembly (10).

9. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The locking lever (70) constitutes a safety lever, and comprises a first end having a first stop finger (71) and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the second end has a second stop finger (72), and the first and second stop fingers (71, 72) are configured to cooperate with one of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) in an abutting manner.

10. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The first stop finger (71) and the second stop finger (72) have the same shape and / or perform the same function.

11. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 9 or 10, It is characterized in that Each of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) comprises: a first bearing profile (37, 57) configured to form a stop profile cooperating with the first stop finger (71) or the second stop finger (72) and preventing the corresponding manual corrector actuator (30, 50) from rotating; - a second bearing profile (36, 56) configured to form a detent profile on which the first stop finger (71) or the second stop finger (72) slides, thereby allowing the associated manual corrector actuator (30, 50) to partially rotate.

12. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The first support profiles (37, 57) of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) are arranged in a substantially aligned manner relative to each other, and when each of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) is actuated simultaneously by a user, the first stop finger (71) and the second stop finger (72) respectively abut against the first support profile (37, 57) of each of the two manual corrector actuators (30).

13. The time zone correction mechanism (500) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The second bearing contours (36, 56) of the two manual corrector actuators (30, 50) are arranged towards each other to form an acute angle, the apex of which points towards the time zone correction mechanism (500).

14. A timepiece (1000) comprising at least one time zone mechanism having a time zone correction mechanism (500) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. The timepiece (1000) according to claim 14, It is characterized in that The timepiece comprises a date mechanism having a date wheel assembly, and a mechanism for displaying time information.

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