Device for selecting and controlling the functions of a timepiece movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for selecting and controlling the functions of a timepiece movement, comprising a selector member (20) arranged so that, when it is acted upon, it causes a pinion (40) to rotate in a single direction of rotation, the pinion (40) comprising a plurality of coaxial cams (42) integral with one another so as to rotate as a whole, the device comprising a plurality of transmission yokes (50), each of the transmission yokes (50) being arranged so that it bears against the cam (42) assigned to it so as to be able to successively occupy a rest position and an active position depending on the angular position of the cam (42), each transmission yoke (50) being configured so that, when it occupies the active position, it is placed in the path of a control member (30) intended to drive the transmission yoke (50) in the active position towards a position for controlling the function assigned to it when it is acted upon from the rest position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horology, and more particularly to horological movements.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement, and to a watch movement including said device. Background Technology

[0003] Typically, the winding stem is used to perform the functions of a watch movement, such as setting the current time or winding the mainspring. Specifically, each of these functions is controlled by rotating the winding stem when it is in a designated axial position. There are also watches with date indicators where the winding stem can be moved to a specific axial position so that the date or day of the week indicator can be set by rotating the stem.

[0004] In these watches, the number of functions to be set is limited by the number of axial positions that can be occupied by the winding stem. It is understood that, to keep them simple to use, it is difficult to obtain watches with a winding stem having more than three axial positions.

[0005] Furthermore, the implementation of a watch movement with more than three axial positions of the winding stem, i.e., more than three functions to be controlled, would be particularly complex, because in each of its axial positions, the winding stem must be kinematically connected to a specific component of the watch movement in order to act on a given function.

[0006] Another drawback of these watches is that the winding stem is operated by the user via a crown attached to the free end of the winding stem. This crown is typically small and can be difficult to operate, especially when moving the winding stem to a given axial position to control the desired function.

[0007] To calibrate certain functions (such as full calendar, moon phase, another time zone, etc.), some watch movements include a calibrator that operates by pressure, usually applied using appropriate tools. However, using these calibrators is not easy and usually requires removing the watch from the user's wrist. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing users with a solution for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement in a simple and quick manner.

[0009] Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to provide a device with a simple design to facilitate its integration within a watch movement, particularly by limiting the number of components while maximizing the number of selectable and controllable functions.

[0010] Another advantage of this invention is that it allows the display of selected functions.

[0011] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device for selecting and controlling the function of a watch movement, comprising a selector member arranged such that, when actuated, it causes a column wheel to rotate in a single rotational direction, the column wheel comprising a plurality of coaxial cams integrally formed with each other to rotate as a whole. The device further comprises a plurality of drive yokes, each of which is arranged such that it supports against a cam designated for it, enabling it to continuously occupy a rest position and an active position depending on the angular position of the cam. Each drive yoke is configured such that, when it occupies the active position, it is positioned in the path of a control member intended to drive the drive yoke in the active position toward a position for controlling the designated function when actuated from the rest position.

[0012] In specific embodiments, the present invention may further include one or more of the following features, which must be considered individually or in any combination that is technically possible.

[0013] In a specific embodiment, the cam is configured to cause only one of the drive yokes to move between two consecutive angular positions of the guide wheel, from its rest position to its active position, and to cause the other drive yoke to move from its active position to its rest position, thus holding the other drive yoke in its rest position.

[0014] In a specific embodiment, the cam is configured such that when the guide wheel occupies a predefined angular position, all drive yokes occupy their rest positions.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, the cams have the same profile.

[0016] In a specific embodiment, the device according to the invention includes a display integral with a guide wheel for rotational or kinematic connection thereto, the display being configured to adopt a position representing the angular position of the guide wheel.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, each cam has a profile that includes, on the one hand, at least one circular sector whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of the cam, and on the other hand, at least one tooth extending radially beyond the circular sector.

[0018] In a specific embodiment, each drive yoke includes a latch that, when the yoke is in the active position, is adapted to cooperate with components of the watch movement to perform a given function assigned to the yoke.

[0019] In a specific embodiment, the device according to the invention includes: a mainspring that biases a selector member to a resting position against a guide wheel; a mainspring that biases a control member to its resting position; and a plurality of mainsprings, each arranged to hold a drive yoke such that it supports against a guide wheel.

[0020] In a specific embodiment, the control component includes a control rod, and a control push rod is supported against the control rod.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, the selector component includes a selector lever, and a selector push rod is arranged to abut against the selector lever. Attached Figure Description

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

[0023] - Figure 1 A perspective view showing an apparatus for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement according to a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] - Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A top view of the device.

[0025] It should be noted that, for clarity, the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The device 10 according to the invention for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement includes a function selector component 20 and a component 30 for controlling the selected function. Within the scope of the invention, the functions involved are, for example, setting the week, date, month and / or year, starting, stopping and resetting a countdown timer, setting the seconds, hours and / or minutes of an alarm clock, or setting the current time, etc.

[0027] The selection and control device 10 is intended to be arranged in the case of a watch (not shown in the figures) including a watch movement, with the selector member 20 and the control member 30 arranged to be open from the outside of the case so that they can be accessed and operated by the user.

[0028] As described in detail below, the selector component 20 and the control component 30 are independent of each other in the sense that they are not kinematically connected to each other.

[0029] The selection and control device 10 includes a guide wheel 40, with the selector member 20 cooperating with the guide wheel 40 such that when the user acts on the selector member 20, it causes the guide wheel 40 to rotate in a single rotational direction and through a predefined angle.

[0030] In particular, such as Figure 1 andFigure 2 As shown, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the selector component 20 includes a selector lever 21 arranged such that it is rotatable relative to the structure of the watch movement at a first free end. The selector lever 21 includes a hook 22 and a pointed portion 23 at a second free end, with a recess formed between the hook 22 and the pointed portion 23, in which a guide wheel 40 is disposed. In other words, in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the guide wheel 40 is inserted between the hook 22 and the pointed portion 23.

[0031] Preferably, the selector member 20 is subjected to the action of a spring and is biased to remain in a stationary position, wherein the hook 22 rests against the guide wheel 40.

[0032] Advantageously, whenever the user applies pressure to the selector lever 21, the hook 22 and the tip 23 are adapted to alternately cooperate with the ratchet 41 of the guide wheel 40. More specifically, when the user applies pressure to the selector lever 21, the tip 23 contacts the teeth of the ratchet 41 and subjects the guide wheel 40 to a torque, causing it to rotate through a certain angle. When the user stops applying pressure to the selector lever 21, the spring causes the selector lever 21 to move to its rest position and engages the hook 22 between two teeth of the ratchet 41. The guide wheel is thus held in a stable position through the cooperation between the hook 22 and the ratchet 41.

[0033] The guide wheel 40 includes multiple coaxial cams 42 stacked on top of each other. The cams 42 are integrally formed to rotate as a whole and are integrated with the ratchet 41. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, each of the cams 42 receives a drive yoke 50 assigned to it, the drive yoke 50 being supported against the cam 42 such that, as the guide wheel 40 rotates, the drive yoke 50 is driven by the cam 42 to alternately rotate between two extreme positions, referred to below as the "rest position" and the "active position". In other words, the cam 42 is configured such that, as the guide wheel 40 rotates, it causes the drive yoke 50 to move alternately between its active position and its rest position.

[0034] Preferably, the cams 42 are arranged such that only one drive yoke 50 is moved to the active position at a time, and the drive yokes 50 are driven to their active positions one after another as the guide wheel 40 rotates. In other words, when one of the drive yokes 50 is in its active position, all other cams 42 are in their rest positions.

[0035] Cams 42 preferably all have the same cam profile and are offset at an angle to each other, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the figure. Specifically, on one hand, each cam 42 includes at least one circular sector 43 whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of the cam 42, and on the other hand, includes at least one tooth 44 extending radially beyond the circular sector 43. In the example shown in the figure, each cam 42 includes three circular sectors 43 separated from each other by the tooth 44.

[0036] As can be seen in the accompanying drawings, the drive yokes 50 can be stacked on top of each other and can rotate about the same axis of rotation to make the device more compact. Each drive yoke 50 extends between a first free end and a second free end, the first free end of which is intended to cooperate with the guide wheel 40 and the second free end of which is adapted to cooperate with the control member 30.

[0037] Each drive yoke 50 has a first free end including a contact pin 51, which is designed to be held such that it is supported against one of the cams 42 under the action of a spring. The drive yoke 50 is in a rest position when the contact pin 51 of the drive yoke 50 is supported against one of the circular sectors 43 of its associated cam 42, and is in an active position when the contact pin 51 is supported against a tooth 44 of its associated cam 42.

[0038] Advantageously, when one of the drive yokes 50 is in the active position, it is positioned in the path of the control member 30 such that when the control member 30 is actuated by the user from the rest position, it drives the drive yoke 50 in the active position to the position for controlling its designated function. When the drive yoke 50 is driven to the control position, it is moved away from the guide wheel 40 such that its contact shaft 51 no longer contacts the associated cam 42.

[0039] In other words, and as Figure 2 As shown, when the transmission yoke 50 is in its rest position, it cannot be driven by the control member 30.

[0040] In particular, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when one of the drive yokes 50 is in the active position, it is able to withstand a torque at its second free end, which is applied by the control member 30 and can move the drive yoke to the control position.

[0041] Preferably, the cam 42 is configured such that when the column wheel 40 occupies a predefined angular position, all drive yokes 50 occupy their rest positions. Therefore, the user can select the neutral state of the selection and control device 10 by acting on the selector member 20, in which the control member 30 cannot operate any function of the watch movement.

[0042] In order to interact with components (not shown) of the watch movement that are adapted to perform a given function specific to the drive yoke 50, each drive yoke 50 includes a latch 52 when the control member 30 is actuated.

[0043] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the latch 52 of each drive yoke 50 is arranged at the second free end and extends from the side wall of the drive yoke 50. Advantageously, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the latches 52 are arranged at different positions on the drive yoke 50, so that they can act on different parts of the watch movement or act in different ways, allowing each of the drive yokes to control a different function. More specifically, the latches are offset from each other in the direction extending between the axis of rotation of the drive yoke 50 and the second free end of the drive yoke 50.

[0044] It should be noted that those skilled in the art can design connections or transmission chains between each latch 52 and components of the watch movement suitable for implementing a given function intended to interact with it. Furthermore, therefore, components of the watch movement other than the elements of the selection and control device 10 are not shown in the drawings, but this does not hinder a proper understanding of the description of the invention, as it is not within the scope of such a portion of the invention.

[0045] Preferably, the control member 30 is subjected to the action of a spring and is biased to its rest position. Therefore, when it is not acted upon by the user, the control member 30 is biased to occupy its rest position, thus allowing the drive yoke 50 to move into its active position.

[0046] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the control member 30 includes a control lever 31, a control push rod 32 supported against the control lever 31, and the control push rod 32 is intended to be actuated by a user to control a selected function. Furthermore, the selector lever 21 includes a pressing area 210, which the user intends to press to act on the selector member 20.

[0047] Alternatively, the selector component 20 may include a selection push rod (not shown in the figures) arranged against the pressing area 210 of the selector lever 21, and the user intends to press the selection push rod to act on the selector component 20.

[0048] The device according to the invention can advantageously include a display (not shown in the figures) that indicates to the user which function the transmission yoke 50 can operate when the control member 30 is actuated, or optionally indicates the neutral state of the device.

[0049] Specifically, the display is integrated with the guide wheel 40 so as to rotate with it or be kinematically connected to the guide wheel 40, and is configured to adopt a position representing the angular position of the guide wheel 40.

[0050] To summarize how the selection and control device 10 operates, each time the user presses the selector component 20, and specifically its pressing area 210, the guide wheel 40 rotates through a predefined angle, and the drive yoke 50 pivots to its active position. To select the desired function, the user must therefore press the selector component 20 the necessary number of times to pivot the drive yoke 50 one after another until the drive yoke 50 associated with the desired function is pivoted to the active position.

[0051] In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, once the desired function has been selected, the user can operate the function by pressing the control member 30, in particular the control lever 32, until the control lever 31 pushes the drive yoke 50, which is in the active position, into its controlled position. The drive yoke 50 then interacts with the components of the watch movement that are adapted to perform the given function.

[0052] As understood from this description of the invention, the device 10 for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement includes as many drive yokes 50 and cams 42 as the functions to be selected and controlled.

[0053] In general, it should be noted that the implementation schemes and embodiments considered above have been described by way of non-limiting examples, and therefore other alternative implementation schemes and embodiments can be envisioned.

Claims

1. A device (10) for selecting and controlling the functions of a watch movement, characterized in that... The device includes a selector component (20) arranged such that, when actuated, it causes a guide wheel (40) to rotate in a single rotational direction. The guide wheel (40) includes a plurality of coaxial cams (42) integral with each other for rotation as a whole. The device includes a plurality of drive yokes (50), each of which is arranged such that it supports against a cam (42) assigned to it, so as to be able to continuously occupy a rest position and an active position according to the angular position of the cam (42). Each drive yoke (50) is configured such that when the drive yoke (50) occupies the active position, the drive yoke (50) is positioned in the path of a control member (30), which, when actuated from the rest position, is intended to further drive the drive yoke (50) in the active position to a position for controlling the function assigned to the drive yoke.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The cam (42) is configured to cause only one of the drive yokes (50) to move between two consecutive angular positions of the guide wheel (40), from its rest position to its active position, and to cause the other of the drive yokes (50) to move from its active position to its rest position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The cam (42) is configured such that when the guide wheel (40) occupies a predefined angular position, all the drive yokes (50) occupy their rest positions.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The cams (42) have the same profile.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a display integral with the guide wheel (40) for rotational or kinematic connection thereto, the display being configured to adopt a position representing the angular position of the guide wheel (40).

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Each cam (42) has a profile that includes, on the one hand, at least one circular sector (43) whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of the cam (42), and on the other hand, at least one tooth (44) extending radially beyond the circular sector (43).

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Each drive yoke (50) includes a latch (52) which, when the drive yoke is in the active position, is adapted to cooperate with components of the watch movement to perform a given function assigned to the drive yoke.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The selector component (20) is biased to the rest position of the mainspring abutting against the guide wheel (40); The control member (30) is biased into its rest position by the spring; And each of the multiple springs arranged to hold the drive yoke (50) so that it is supported against the guide wheel (40).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The control component (30) includes a control rod (31), and a control push rod (32) is supported against the control rod (31).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The selector component (20) includes a selector lever (21) and a selector push rod is arranged to abut against the selector lever (21).

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