Mechanical movement comprising an information display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical movement (1''), comprising an information display device (2''), the information display device comprising at least one indicator member (4) for information, the at least one indicator member being pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A. The movement (1'') encloses a cavity (8) which at least houses the indicator member (4), the cavity (8) being arranged such that the indicator member (4) is entirely housed within the movement (1''). The movement comprises at least one mobile (10) arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and comprising peripheral teeth (12), said mobile (10) being housed in the cavity (8) and designed to carry the indicator member (4). The mobile (10) comprises a rim (10a) comprising the peripheral teeth (12) and defining an internal opening (18), the rim (10a) carrying an arm (10b) which passes radially through the internal opening (18) to be pivotally mounted on said pivot axis A, the indicator member (4) being present on the arm (10b). The invention also relates to a clock comprising such a mechanical movement (1'').

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mechanical movement including an information display device, the information being information such as time (e.g., hours), the information display device including at least one indicator member for said information, the at least one indicator member being pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a clock comprising such a mechanical movement. Background Technology

[0003] Devices used to display information (such as information associated with time, e.g., hours, and more specifically, the current hour) are typically of the analog display type. These displays, with their traditional pointer coordination, use one pointer to indicate the hour and another to indicate the minutes. These two pointers move relative to a dial with hour and minute scales (which coordinate with the scales) by pivoting about the same axis to display the time. A second hand completes the display. The hour and minute hands are pierced approximately at one of their tips by holes, allowing them to be secured to the tubes of the hour and minute wheels located below the dial, respectively. Thus, the hour and minute hands are driven to rotate by the hour and minute wheels via pointer portions that pass through the common axis of rotation of the two hands. The distal end of each hand constitutes an indicator component for coordination with the scales on the dial.

[0004] However, a well-known drawback of this type of display is that it occupies a considerable volume due to the stacking of various components and the necessary number of stages, especially in the direction of the movement's thickness. Therefore, the available space within the housing of the movement must be large enough to accommodate not only the movement itself but also the dial above it and the hands above the dial. Consequently, this type of display with conventional hands cannot be used in ultra-thin mechanical clocks.

[0005] For example, patent CH691786 has proposed an ultra-thin display solution. This solution uses a display device comprising a central disc for displaying hours and an outer ring concentric with the hour disc for displaying minutes. The disc and ring carry indicators that rotate relative to the graduated dial at an appropriate speed to display the time. However, in this device, the minute indicators inevitably appear to be cut off at the center, seemingly hidden by the central disc. Therefore, it is impossible to use a conventional pointer-type display device, in which the two hour and minute hands pivot on the same axis at the center of the display device.

[0006] Another solution relating to an ultra-thin device for displaying the current time has been described in patent CH712411. In this device, the hour wheel carries an indicator for cooperating with a first fixed indicator to indicate the hour, and the minute wheel, having a rotation axis different from that of the hour wheel, carries an indicator for cooperating with a second fixed indicator to indicate the minute. The first and second fixed indicators are supported by the frame of the watch movement. Due to these characteristics, the minute and hour wheels directly serve as the display components for minutes and hours, respectively, while the corresponding scales are directly supported by the frame of the watch movement (e.g., a plate). Therefore, compared to known display devices, this display device can reduce the number of required components and the size of the display device. However, this also means that it does not allow for conventional pointer-type display devices, in which the two hour and minute hands pivot on the same axis at the center of the display device.

[0007] A solution for producing ultra-thin electronic clocks has been proposed, as described in patent FR2461292. It proposes placing the hour and minute dials at the bottom of the clock as a plate; these dials are solid, transparent, and have guide marks on them to serve as hour and minute hands. The clock's thicker components (such as the motor, quartz, and battery) are positioned outside the display area in a housing between the bottom and the inner frame of the case to achieve an ultra-thin clock. However, the arrangement of the various components in a mechanical clock is more complex than in an electronic clock. Furthermore, using solid dials has certain disadvantages, particularly in terms of inertia. Due to the large mass of the solid dials, a significant amount of energy is required to operate them. When the clock experiences, for example, an accidental impact, this can make it difficult to maintain a very small gap between the solid dials. Additionally, using solid dials made of transparent material has another disadvantage: parallax occurs when viewed at an angle relative to the display. In fact, the stacking of one or more transparent dials with glass exacerbates the parallax effect, thus distorting the accuracy of the readings.

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome at least some of these disadvantages by providing a device for displaying information that enables the production of ultra-thin mechanical watch movements.

[0009] In particular, the present invention proposes a device for displaying multiple pieces of information, which is arranged to indicate time in a conventional pointer manner, and can also be used in ultra-thin mechanical watch movements. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the present invention relates to a mechanical movement including an indicator display device comprising at least one indicator member for the information, the at least one indicator member being pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A, the movement surrounding a cavity that accommodates at least the first indicator member, the cavity being arranged such that the indicator member is fully accommodated within the movement, the movement including at least one movable member arranged coaxially with the pivot axis A and including external peripheral teeth, the movable member being accommodated in the cavity and arranged to carry the indicator member.

[0011] According to the invention, the movable element includes a rim having the outer peripheral teeth and defining an inner opening, the rim carrying an arm that radially passes through the inner opening to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, and the indicator member being presented on the arm.

[0012] This structure advantageously eliminates the conventional drive via the wheel tube of an associated drive wheel, which passes through a pivot axis and exhibits a considerable volume. This structure advantageously allows for significant improvements, enabling a reduction in the size of the display device.

[0013] Therefore, the indicator components are fully integrated within the mechanical movement and do not deviate from the volume occupied by the movement, specifically in the thickness direction. This movement allows for the manufacture of ultra-thin mechanical clocks, with the usable internal volume of the housing just larger than the volume occupied by the movement integrating the display.

[0014] Furthermore, the movable component carrying the indicator member used in this invention allows for perforated movable components, which do not require a large amount of energy to operate. Perforated movable components also do not cause parallax problems, even when multiple movable components of the same type are stacked together.

[0015] Advantageously, the display device may include at least one first indicator member for a first message and a second indicator member for a second message, the at least one first indicator member and the second indicator member being pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A and disposed in the cavity, the second indicator member overlapping the first indicator member, the cavity being arranged such that the first indicator member and the second indicator member are completely received within the movement, and the movement including a first movable member and a second movable member received in the cavity, the first movable member being arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and including a first peripheral tooth, the first movable member being received in the cavity and arranged to carry the first indicator member, the second movable member being arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and including a second rim, the second rim including a second peripheral tooth and defining a second internal opening through which the first indicator member can be exposed, the second rim carrying a second arm, the second arm being radially through the second opening to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, the second indicator member being presented on the second arm.

[0016] According to the first embodiment, the first movable member is a solid wheel, the solid wheel includes the first outer peripheral teeth, and the first indicator member is presented on the solid wheel.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the first movable member includes a first rim, the first rim including the first outer peripheral teeth and defining a first internal opening, the first rim carrying a first arm that extends radially through the first opening to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, and the first indicator member being presented on the first arm.

[0018] Advantageously, the display device may include at least one third indicator member disposed in the cavity for a third piece of information, the at least one third indicator member overlapping the second indicator member, the third indicator member being pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A, the cavity being arranged such that the third indicator member, together with the first and second indicator members, is fully housed within the movement, and the movement includes a third movable member housed in the cavity, the third movable member being arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and including a third rim, the third rim including a third external tooth and defining a third internal opening through which the first and second indicator members can be exposed, the third rim carrying a third arm radially through the third opening to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, the third indicator member being presented on the third arm.

[0019] These embodiments are particularly suitable for displaying time, for example, a first indicator component displays hours, a second indicator component superimposed on the first indicator component displays minutes, and any third indicator component superimposed on the first and second indicator components displays seconds, the first, second, and third indicator components being pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A, and the cavity arrangement such that the second and any third indicator components are fully housed within the movement together with the first indicator component.

[0020] Therefore, a traditional pointer-type device for displaying the current time was obtained, which was fully integrated into the movement, making it possible to produce ultra-thin clocks.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a clock comprising a mechanical movement as defined below. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention provided by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] - Figure 1 This is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the movement according to the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-section of the movement;

[0025] - Figure 3 This is an isometric sectional view of a second embodiment of the movement according to the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 4 This is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the movement according to the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A cross-section of the movement;

[0028] - Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the movement;

[0029] - Figure 7 It is an isometric view of the mobiles and their superimposed indicator components, which are aligned along the thickness direction of the movement to display 00:00:00 second; and

[0030] - Figure 8 It is an isometric view of the moving part and its superimposed indicator components, which are offset relative to each other to display the current time, which is different from 00:00:00. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This invention relates to a mechanical watch movement, including a device for displaying information, particularly information related to time (such as seconds, minutes, or hours), which can be used individually or by combining at least hours and minutes to indicate the current time. According to the definition provided in the illustrated dictionary of watchmaking by G.-A. Berner, a watch movement is a mechanical component of a clock, supported by a frame, comprising all the components and mechanisms (primarily a motor, finished gear train, escapement, and regulating mechanism) used to determine time. The movement is used to be housed together with the display device within a case (referred to as the watch case) to constitute a clock. In this description, movement 1 is considered to occupy the position of the clock within the case. Figures 1 to 6 The volume is symbolically represented by an ultra-thin closed cylinder to indicate an ultra-thin movement. The various components and mechanisms that make up a mechanical watch movement are known to those skilled in the art and are not shown.

[0032] Generally, and with reference to the first embodiment of the present invention shown Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display device 2 includes at least one first indicator member 4 and a second indicator member 6. The first indicator member 4 is used to display the hour for a first piece of information (such as the hour), and the second indicator member 6 is used to display the minute for a second piece of information (such as the minute). The second indicator member 6 is superimposed on the first indicator member 4, that is, the second indicator member 6 is positioned in front of the first indicator member 4 for the user looking at the movement 1. Therefore, the display device 2 is advantageously a device for displaying the current time HH.MM.

[0033] Each indicator component 4, 6 is pivotally mounted about the same pivot axis A, which passes through the center of the display device 2. Each indicator component 4, 6 is indicated by a pointer, having a hole 7 at one end through which the pivot axis A passes, and a tip pointing outwards from the other end of the pointer. Thus, the indicator components 4, 6 constitute a set of pointers conventionally positioned at the center of the display device 2 to indicate the current time.

[0034] The movement 1 surrounds a cavity 8, which houses a first indicator component 4 and a second indicator component 6. The cavity is arranged such that the first indicator component 4 and the second indicator component 6 are completely contained within the movement 1. More specifically, the cavity 8 has a depth in the thickness direction of the movement 1, which is chosen such that the first indicator component 4 and the second indicator component 6 remain within the volume occupied by the movement 1, regardless of their display positions.

[0035] The cavity 8 is open on at least one side of the movement, on which the display device 2 must be visible to the user. The bottom of the cavity 8 can be closed. In this case, the cavity 8 can be formed, for example, by a groove provided in the plate of the movement. In another variation, as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 8 can be through-holes, which allows the movement to appear to be below the display device. This is particularly useful for making skeletonized watches. For example, the through-hole 8 can be formed by arranging the various components and mechanisms of the movement in a manner relative to each other, thus creating the cavity within the movement.

[0036] Movement 1 can be closed through an open plate at cavity 8, so that only the indicator components 4 and 6 of display device 2 are visible. A fixed time indicator can be mounted on this plate to cooperate with indicator components 4 and 6, thus displaying hours and minutes like a dial. In the case of a skeletonized watch, the movement is open.

[0037] In order to be fully housed within the movement 1, the display device 2 must have a reduced thickness.

[0038] For this purpose, at least one of the first indicator member and the second indicator member, preferably the first indicator member 4 and the second indicator member 6, is advantageously arranged to be rotatably driven about the pivot axis A by means of an outer peripheral region that does not pass through the pivot axis A. The fact that the indicator members 4 and 6 are driven from the outside advantageously makes it possible to eliminate the different stages caused by the conventional structure of the wheel tubes of the hour wheel and minute wheel, and thereby reduce the overall thickness.

[0039] The movement 1 preferably includes at least one first lower movable member 10, which is arranged to pivot coaxially with pivot axis A and includes a first outer peripheral tooth 12. The first movable member 10 is received in cavity 8 and arranged to carry a first indicator member 4. The movement 1 also includes a second upper movable member 14, which is arranged to pivot coaxially with pivot axis A and includes a second outer peripheral tooth 16. The second movable member 14 is received in cavity 8 and arranged to carry a second indicator member 6.

[0040] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, and according to the invention, the first movable element 10 includes a first rim 10a, which includes the first outer peripheral teeth 12 and defines a first circular internal opening 18 centered around the pivot axis A, through which the mechanism is exposed and the cavity 8 is penetrated (or the bottom of the cavity when the cavity 8 is closed by the bottom).

[0041] The first rim 10a carries a first arm 10b that passes radially through the first opening 18 along the direction of the pivot axis A, and the first arm has a hole 7 at the end of the first arm 10b, which allows the arm 10b to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A.

[0042] The arm 10b is preferably integral with the rim 10a and in the same plane as the rim 10a, thereby limiting the thickness of the first movable member 10.

[0043] The first indicator component 4 is presented on the first arm 10b, for example, by presenting a tip pointing outwards from the movement 1 at the distal end of the arm 10b opposite to the hole 7 to form the tip of the hand, the proximal portion of the arm 10b forming the body of the hand, thus representing the hour hand. Advantageously, the first indicator component 4 presented on the first moving member 10 has been obtained by engraving or decalque on the arm 10b, such that the first indicator component 4 coincides with the arm 10b, thereby having a reduced thickness.

[0044] Similarly, the second moving member 14 includes a second rim 14a, which includes a second outer peripheral tooth 16 and defines a second internal opening 20 centered on the pivot axis A. When the first indicator member 4 is interposed relative to the second indicator member 6, the first indicator member 4 can be exposed through the second internal opening 20, and the movement can also be exposed through the second internal opening 20, through which the cavity 8 passes. The first opening 18 and the second opening 20 are approximately the same size.

[0045] The second rim 14a carries a second arm 14b that passes radially through the second opening 20 along the direction of the pivot axis A, and the second arm has a hole 7 at its end, which allows the arm 14b to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A.

[0046] The arm 14b is preferably integral with the rim 14a and in the same plane as the rim 14a, thereby limiting the thickness of the second movable member 14.

[0047] The fact that the movable members 10 and 14 are perforated means that they are light and do not require a large amount of energy to operate the movable members 10 and 14. The movable members 10 and 14 also do not cause the parallax problems associated with using transparent materials, even when multiple movable members of the same type are stacked on top of each other.

[0048] The second indicator member 6 is presented on the second arm 14b, for example by presenting a tip pointing outside the movement 1 at the distal end of the arm 14b opposite the hole 7 on the arm 14b to form the tip of the pointer, and the proximal part of the arm 14b forms the body of the pointer, thus representing the minute hand. Advantageously, the second indicator member 6 presented on the second movable member 14 has been obtained by engraving or transferring on the arm 14b, such that the second indicator member 6 coincides with the arm 14b, thus having a reduced thickness.

[0049] The second movable member 14 is stacked on the first movable member 10 so as to leave sufficient required clearance between the second movable member 14 and the first movable member 10, more specifically on the one hand between the rims 10a, 14a and on the other hand between the arms 10b, 14b, so that the second movable member 14 and the first movable member 10 can rotate freely.

[0050] In addition, the movement 1 includes a drive mechanism for the first movable member 10 and the second movable member 14, which drive mechanism is arranged to cooperate with the first outer peripheral teeth 12 of the first movable member 10 and the second outer peripheral teeth 16 of the second movable member 14.

[0051] Such a drive mechanism especially includes a gear train, which gear train is arranged to kinematically connect the outer peripheral teeth 12, 16 to a finishing gear train, so as to drive the first movable member 10 and the second movable member 14 from the outside at an appropriate angular velocity for the corresponding indicator members 4, 6. In addition, the first movable member 10 and the second movable member 14 are guided at the central position.

[0052] The cavity 8 has a defined depth such that the stacked first indicator member 4 and second indicator member 6 and their respective stacked movable members 10, 14 are completely accommodated within the movement 1, regardless of their display positions.

[0053] Figure 3 Another embodiment is shown, in which the display device 2”’ includes a single indicator member 4. Elements identical to those of Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the first embodiment are again denoted by the same reference numerals. Such an indicator member 4 is, for example, a timekeeping pointer.

[0054] The indicator component 4 is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A that passes through the center of the display device 2”'. As described above, the indicator component 4 is indicated by a pointer with a hole 7 at one end through which the pivot axis A passes, and a tip pointing outwards from the other end of the pointer. The mechanism 1”' surrounds a cavity 8 that accommodates the indicator component 4, the cavity 8 being arranged such that the indicator component 4 is completely accommodated within the mechanism 1”'.

[0055] The movement 1”' includes a movable element 10, which is arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and includes an outer peripheral tooth 12. The movable element 10 is received in a cavity 8 and arranged to carry the indicator member 4.

[0056] According to the invention, the movable member 10 includes a rim 10a comprising the outer peripheral teeth 12 and defining an inner opening 18, the rim 10a carrying an arm 10b that radially passes through the inner opening 18 and is pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, on which an indicator member 4 is presented. Advantageously, the indicator member 4 presented on the movable member 10 has been obtained by engraving or transferring onto the arm 10b such that the indicator member 4 coincides with the arm 10b, thereby having a reduced thickness.

[0057] This perforated moving part 10 is lightweight and does not require a large amount of energy to operate. This perforated moving part 10 also does not cause parallax problems associated with the use of transparent materials.

[0058] As described above, a drive mechanism is provided for the movable element 10, which is arranged to engage with the outer peripheral teeth 12 of the movable element 10, thereby driving the movable element 10 from the outside at an appropriate angular velocity for the indicator member 4, and the movable element 10 is guided in a central position.

[0059] Figures 4 to 8 Another embodiment is shown, wherein the display device 2' includes a first indicator component 4' for a first piece of information (such as hours), a second indicator component 6 for a second piece of information (such as minutes), and a third indicator component 30 for a third piece of information (such as seconds). Figures 1 to 3 The same elements in the embodiments are again indicated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, the display device 2' is also advantageously a device for displaying time HH.MM.SS.

[0060] Here, a third indicator component 30 for displaying seconds is superimposed on a second indicator component 6 for displaying minutes; that is, the third indicator component 30 is positioned in front of the second indicator component 6 for the user viewing the movement 1'. All indicator components 4', 6, and 30 are pivotally mounted about the same pivot axis A, which passes through the center of the display device 2'. Each indicator component 4', 6, and 30 is indicated by a pointer with holes 7 and 7' at one end through which the pivot axis A passes, and a tip pointing outwards from the other end of the pointer. Thus, the indicator components 4', 6, and 30 constitute a set of pointers positioned at the center of the display device 2' to indicate the current time and seconds in a conventional manner.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first lower movable member 10' is a solid wheel, which includes a first outer peripheral tooth 12 and is pierced by a hole 7' at its center, through which the pivot axis A passes. Therefore, the solid wheel of the first movable member 10' constitutes the bottom of the dial of the display device 2'. The cavity 8 can be closed or opened by this bottom, which is formed by the solid wheel of the first movable member 10'.

[0062] More specifically, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the first hour indicator component 4' is directly presented on the solid wheel of the first movable member 10', such that the first indicator component 4' coincides with the bottom of the display device 2', thereby having a reduced thickness. The first indicator component 4' is presented in the form of an hour hand, with its tip pointing outwards from the movement, and its body is radially arranged along the pivot axis A and extends around the hole 7'. Advantageously, the first indicator component 4' presented on the first movable member 10' is obtained by engraving or transferring directly onto the solid wheel of the first movable member 10'.

[0063] The second indicator component 6 for minutes is the same as the second indicator component in the first embodiment, and its movable member 14, located in the middle position here, includes a rim 14a, an arm 14b, and an outer peripheral tooth 16. The solid wheel with the first movable member 10' of the first indicator component 4' is exposed through the internal opening 20.

[0064] like Figure 8 As shown, the portion of arm 14b between the connection between arm 14b and rim 14a and the tip of the second indicator member 6 can be thinned to better highlight the indicator member 6.

[0065] A third indicator component 30 is disposed in the cavity 8, which overlaps the second indicator component 6 and is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A. The cavity 8 is arranged such that the third indicator component 30, together with the first indicator component 4' and the second indicator component 6, is completely accommodated within the movement 1', as shown below. Figure 6 As shown.

[0066] The third indicator component 30 is arranged to be rotated around the pivot axis A via an outer peripheral region that does not pass through the pivot axis A.

[0067] For this purpose, the movement 1' includes a third upper movable member 32, which is arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and includes a third outer peripheral tooth 34. The third movable member 32 is received in the cavity 8 and is arranged to carry the third indicator member 30.

[0068] The third movable member 32 includes a third rim 32a, which includes a third outer peripheral tooth 34 and defines a third internal opening 36 centered on the pivot axis A. When the first indicator member 4' and the second indicator member 6 are interposed relative to the third indicator member 30, the first indicator member 4' and the second indicator member 6 can be exposed through the third internal opening 36, and the solid wheel of the first movable member 10' can also be exposed through the third internal opening 36. The second opening 20 and the third opening 36 have approximately the same dimensions.

[0069] The third rim 32a carries a third arm 32b that passes radially through the third opening 36 along the direction of the pivot axis A, and has a hole 7 at the end of the third arm 32b, which allows the arm 32b to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A.

[0070] The arm 32b is preferably integral with the rim 32a and in the same plane as the rim 32a, thereby limiting the thickness of the third movable member 32.

[0071] The third indicator component 30 is presented on the third arm 32b, for example by forming the tip of the hand by presenting a point pointing outward from the movement 1' at the distal end of the arm 32b opposite to the hole 7. The proximal portion of the arm 32b forms the body of the hand, thus representing the second hand. Advantageously, the third indicator component 30 presented on the third moving part 32 has been obtained by engraving or transferring on the arm 32, so that the third indicator component 30 coincides with the arm 32, thereby having a reduced thickness.

[0072] The third movable member 32 overlaps the second movable member 14 to provide sufficient clearance between the third movable member 32 and the second movable member 14, more specifically, on the one hand between the rims 14a and 32, and on the other hand between the arms 14b and 32b, so that the third movable member 32 and the second movable member 14 can rotate freely. Similarly, the second movable member 14 overlaps the first movable member 10' to provide sufficient clearance between the second movable member 14 and the first movable member 10', and more specifically, between the rim 14a with the arm 14b and the solid wheel, so that the second movable member 14 and the first movable member 10' can rotate freely.

[0073] In addition, the movement 1' includes a drive mechanism for the third moving part 32, which is arranged to engage with the third outer peripheral tooth 34 of the third moving part 32.

[0074] Such a drive mechanism includes, in particular, a gear train arranged to kinematically connect the outer peripheral teeth 34 to the finishing gear train, thereby driving the third movable member 32 from the outside at an appropriate angular velocity for the indicator member 30, and furthermore, the third movable member 32 is guided in a central position.

[0075] The cavity 8 has a defined depth such that the stacked first indicator member 4', second indicator member 6 and third indicator member 30, as well as their respective stacked moving parts 10', 14, 32, are completely contained within the movement 1', regardless of their display position.

[0076] It is evident that, according to a variation of the second embodiment (not shown), the first hour indicator component can be carried by the same first movable component as the movable component of the first embodiment, the first movable component having: a rim; an arm on which the first hour indicator component is presented; and an internal opening through which the movement is exposed.

[0077] For example, by eliminating the different stages caused by the traditional structure of the hour and minute wheels, the various moving parts carrying the indicator components are driven from the outside and guided in the central position, and by using at least one or two upper moving parts, the movement of the present invention makes it possible, for example, to produce an ultra-thin, conventional pointer-type device for displaying the current time, wherein the at least one or two upper moving parts are constituted by an open ultra-thin disc in the form of pointers, and the at least one or two upper moving parts expose the lower moving part carrying the first hour indicator component. The use of two or three ultra-thin moving parts allows for a further reduction in the thickness of the display device, enabling complete integration of the display device into the movement, thereby forming an ultra-thin clock with a conventional pointer-type mechanism. Furthermore, the fact that the moving parts used are preferably perforated means that they are lightweight and do not require a large amount of energy to operate. The moving parts used also do not cause parallax problems associated with the use of transparent materials, even when multiple moving parts of the same type are stacked together.

[0078] It is evident that the movement of the present invention may include other indicator components that are not fully housed within the movement.

Claims

1. A mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') comprising an information display device (2, 2', 2'''), the information display device including at least one indicator member (4, 6, 30) for information, the at least one indicator member being pivotally mounted about a pivot axis A, the mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') surrounding a cavity (8) for at least receiving the indicator member (4, 6, 30), the cavity (8) being arranged such that the indicator member (4, 6, 30) is completely received within the mechanical movement (1, 1', 1'''), the mechanical movement including at least one movable member (10, 14, 32), the at least one movable member being arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and including peripheral teeth (12, 16, 34), the movable member (10, 14, 32) being received in the cavity (8) and arranged to carry the indicator member (4, 6, 30), characterized in that, The movable element (10, 14, 32) includes a rim (10a, 14a, 32a) having the outer peripheral teeth (12, 16, 34) and defining an internal opening (18, 20, 36). The rim (10a, 14a, 32a) carries an arm (10b, 14b, 32b) which radially passes through the internal opening (18, 20, 36) and is pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A. The indicator element (4, 6, 30) is presented on the arm (10b, 14b, 32b).

2. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mechanical mechanism is closed by an open clamp at the cavity (8).

3. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cavity (8) is penetrated.

4. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The mechanical mechanism includes a drive mechanism for the movable parts (10, 14, 32), the drive mechanism being arranged to engage with the peripheral teeth (12, 16, 34) of the movable parts (10, 14, 32).

5. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The information display device includes at least one first indicator component (4, 4') for a first message and a second indicator component (6) for a second message. The at least one first indicator component and the second indicator component are pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A and disposed in the cavity (8). The second indicator component (6) overlaps the first indicator component. The cavity (8) is arranged such that the first indicator component (4, 4') and the second indicator component (6) are completely accommodated within the mechanical mechanism. The mechanical mechanism includes a first movable element (10, 10') and a second movable element (14) accommodated in the cavity (8). The first movable element is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis A. The first movable member (10, 10') is housed in the cavity (8) and arranged to carry the first indicator member (4, 4'), the second movable member is arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and includes a second rim (14a), the second rim including a second peripheral tooth (16) and defining a second internal opening (20), the first indicator member (4, 4') being visible through the second internal opening, the second rim (14a) carrying a second arm (14b), the second arm radially passing through the second internal opening (20) to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, the second indicator member (6) being presented on the second arm (14b).

6. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first movable component is a solid wheel, the solid wheel including the first outer peripheral tooth (12), and the first indicator component is presented on the solid wheel.

7. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first movable element includes a first rim (10a) having a first outer peripheral tooth (12) and defining a first internal opening (18), the first rim (10a) carrying a first arm (10b) extending radially through the first internal opening (18) to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, the first indicator member being presented on the first arm (10b).

8. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second movable member (14) overlaps the first movable member (10, 10') to leave sufficient gap between the second movable member and the first movable member so that the second movable member and the first movable member can rotate freely.

9. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mechanical mechanism includes a drive mechanism for the first movable member and the second movable member, the drive mechanism being arranged to engage with the first peripheral teeth of the first movable member and the second peripheral teeth of the second movable member, respectively.

10. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 7, characterized in that, The information display device includes at least one third indicator component (30) for a third piece of information disposed in the cavity (8), the at least one third indicator component overlapping the second indicator component (6), the third indicator component (30) being pivotally mounted about the pivot axis A, the cavity (8) being arranged such that the third indicator component (30), together with the first indicator component and the second indicator component, is completely housed within the mechanical mechanism, and the mechanical mechanism includes a third movable element (32) housed within the cavity (8). The third movable member is arranged to pivot coaxially with the pivot axis A and includes a third rim (32a), the third rim including a third outer peripheral tooth (34) and defining a third internal opening (36), through which the first indicator member and the second indicator member can be exposed, the third rim (32a) carrying a third arm (32b) that radially passes through the third internal opening (36) to be pivotally mounted on the pivot axis A, the third indicator member (30) being presented on the third arm (32b).

11. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 10, characterized in that, The third movable member (32) overlaps the second movable member (14) to leave sufficient gap between the third movable member and the second movable member so that the third movable member and the second movable member can rotate freely.

12. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that, The mechanical mechanism includes a drive mechanism for the third movable element (32), the drive mechanism being arranged to engage with the third peripheral tooth (34) of the third movable element (32).

13. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 10, characterized in that, At least two of the openings in the first internal opening (18) of the first rim (10a), the second internal opening (20) of the second rim (14a), and the third internal opening (36) of the third rim (32a) have substantially the same size.

14. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first arm (10b) is integral with the first rim (10a) and lies in the same plane; the second arm (14b) is integral with the second rim (14a) and lies in the same plane; and the third arm (32b) is integral with the third rim (32a) and lies in the same plane.

15. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The cavity (8) has a defined depth such that the overlapping first indicator component, the second indicator component, and the third indicator component, as well as their respective overlapping movable parts (10', 14, 32), are completely contained within the mechanical movement.

16. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The information display device displays the time, the first piece of information indicated by the first indicator component is the hour, the second piece of information indicated by the second indicator component (6) is the minute, and the third piece of information indicated by the third indicator component (30) is the second.

17. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The indicator component is represented by a pointer, the tip of which points to the outside of the mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''').

18. The mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The indicator component presented on the corresponding movable part of the indicator component has been obtained by engraving or transfer.

19. A clock comprising a mechanical movement (1, 1', 1''') according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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