Device for operating plurality of functions of table

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to an operating device (1) for a timepiece, comprising a control member (2) movably mounted in a support (3) of the operating device, intended to be stationary relative to a timepiece movement of the timepiece, said control member (2) comprising a gripping element (7), a drive element (8) and a transmission member (31), a drive element mounted in rigid connection with the gripping element, a transmission member rotatable by the drive element, the transmission member configured to cooperate with an actuation member of a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy for actuating the operating device in order to operate a first function of the watch, the transmission member is further configured to cooperate with a pointer setting member of the operating device in order to control a second function of the watch, and the drive element is configured to cooperate with an operating member (4) of the operating device in order to operate third and fourth functions of the watch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of watchmaking and in particular to a device for operating multiple functions of a watch using a single control member such as a crown. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, it is known that certain watches are equipped with operating means such as buttons, in particular those with multiple complications, which may contain a large number of functions. These buttons are of various types, including micro buttons that are usually embedded in the middle part of the watch.

[0003] Such micro-buttons are usually very small, which saves space, in particular in the case of these watches, and they do not protrude from the middle part, so that they cannot be actuated unintentionally.

[0004] However, one of the drawbacks of such push-buttons is that they necessarily require the use of a pointed actuation tool when performing operations to operate a watch function (such as setting the time, date, moon phase or date of the month). More specifically, such use presents a considerable risk of damaging the watch case and thus altering its aesthetics.

[0005] Under these circumstances, it is clear that there is a need to find a solution to overcome these shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an operating device for a watch making it possible to operate the functions of the watch without using an actuating tool.

[0007] The present invention relates to an operating device for a watch, the operating device comprising a control member movably mounted in a support of the operating device, the support being intended to be fixed relative to a clock movement of the watch, the control member comprising a gripping element, a drive element and a transmission member, the drive element being mounted so as to be rigidly connected to the gripping element, the transmission member being capable of being rotated by the drive element, the transmission member being configured to cooperate with an actuating member of a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy for actuating the operating device so as to operate a first function of the watch, the transmission member being further configured to cooperate with a pointer setting member of the operating device so as to control a second function of the watch, and the drive element being configured to cooperate with the operating member of the operating device so as to operate a third function and a fourth function of the watch.

[0008] In other embodiments:

[0009] - the control member is configured to be axially displaced relative to its longitudinal axis between a first control position, a second control position and a third control position in order to perform a first function, a second function, a third function and a fourth function of the watch;

[0010] - the control member is placed in a first control position in which a mechanical link is established between one end of the transmission member and the actuating member in order to transmit the rotational movement of the control member to the actuating member in order to perform the first function of the watch;

[0011] - the control member is placed in a second control position in which a mechanical link is established between one end of the transmission member and the hand-setting member in order to transmit the rotational movement of the control member to the hand-setting member in order to perform the second function of the watch;

[0012] - when the control member is placed in the first control position and in the second control position, the drive region of the drive element engages with the drive region of the transmission member to transmit the rotational movement from the gripping element to the transmission member;

[0013] - the control member is placed in a third control position in which a mechanical link is established between the free end of the drive element of the control member and an annular element movably mounted in a collar of the operating member of the operating device, in order to transmit the rotational movement of the control member to the annular element in order to perform the third function or the fourth function of the watch;

[0014] - when the control member is placed in the third control position, the drive region of the drive element and the drive region of the transmission member are separated from each other so as to prevent the transmission of the rotational movement from the gripping element to the transmission member;

[0015] - said ring of said operating member is configured to actuate a mechanism of said timepiece movement of said watch for performing said third function and said fourth function;

[0016] - the collar comprises, on its inner peripheral wall, a cooperation zone for cooperation between the annular element and the free end of the drive element, the cooperation zone comprising a stop element which limits the travel of the annular element movably mounted in the collar;

[0017] - the collar comprises a through hole, which connects the outer peripheral wall and the inner peripheral wall of the collar together, and the through hole comprises a through area for allowing the actuating part of the drive element to pass through;

[0018] - the passage zone comprises a central portion configured for arranging the main part of the actuating portion of the drive element in the through hole and an eccentric portion forming a passage allowing the coupling element of the actuating portion to pass through the body of the collar;

[0019] - the ring comprises an actuating element for actuating a pivoting element of the operating member, the pivoting element being configured to actuate a mechanism for performing the third function or the fourth function of the watch;

[0020] - the operating member comprises a first elastic return element configured to automatically return the ring to a rest position;

[0021] - the first control position is located between the second control position and the third control position;

[0022] The drive region of the drive element is formed on an inner surface of the drive element and the drive region of the transmission member is formed on an outer surface of the transmission member.

[0023] The invention also relates to a watch comprising such an operating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following description of a non-limiting specific embodiment of the invention given for illustrative purposes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] - Figures 1 to 3 Different views of an operating device for operating multiple functions of a watch according to one embodiment of the present invention are shown, the operating device being formed by a control member and at least one functional member (eg an operating member);

[0026] - Figure 4 A view showing a control member of the operating device according to an embodiment of the invention, the control member being arranged in a first axial position to control a first function of the watch;

[0027] - Figure 5 a view showing a control member of the operating device according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a second axial position to control a second function of the watch;

[0028] - Figure 6 a view showing a control member of the operating device according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a third axial position for controlling a third function of the watch;

[0029] - Figure 7 a view showing a control member of the operating device according to an embodiment of the invention, arranged in a third axial position to control a fourth function of the watch;

[0030] - Figure 8a and Figure 8bA view showing a portion of the peripheral wall of a collar of an operating member of an operating device according to an embodiment of the invention, said portion comprising a through hole having at least one through area for the passage of a free end of a drive element of a control member for operating a third function and a fourth function of a watch;

[0031] - Fig. 9 A view showing a portion of the peripheral wall of the collar according to an embodiment of the invention in which the free end of the rotary drive element is inserted into corresponding passage areas of the through hole to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch;

[0032] - Fig.10 a view showing a control member according to an embodiment of the invention, the control member being placed in a third axial control position after being rotated to operate a third function; and

[0033] - Fig.11 A view showing a control member according to an embodiment of the invention, the control member being placed in a third axial control position after it has been rotated to operate a fourth function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 11 The present invention relates to a watch, also called a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, comprising an operating device 1 for operating a plurality of functions, these functions being performed by a timepiece movement included in the watch. In the present embodiment, the operating device 1 is configured to perform four functions, namely a first function, a second function, a third function and a fourth function, as will be seen in the remainder of this description.

[0035] Such a watch generally comprises a case 5 formed by a middle part 6, preferably circular, defining a central internal housing cavity for receiving a timepiece movement, the external contour of which matches the internal shape of a collar 29. The watch may be equipped with screws or clamps to fix the movement in this collar 29 and to fix the collar 29 in the middle part 6 of the case 5.

[0036] This watch movement can be a mechanical movement or a quartz movement. As shown above, the movement is configured to perform watch functions, in this embodiment, four watch functions. These functions are controlled by an operating device 1 for the purpose of adjusting, correcting or actuating the mechanism of the movement. It should be noted that these functions are preferably operated independently of each other by the user using the operating device 1 of the watch. In this context, the operating device 1 can be considered as an operating device 1 for operating the mechanism of the movement, performing the watch functions.

[0037] It is understood that the movement is suitable for performing functions, in particular by means of separate movement mechanisms and / or separate movement functional components, which can be kinematically coupled together. For example, each mechanism or component can actually lead to a separate display on the watch, for example, the current time on the one hand and the date or the moon phase on the other hand. The mechanism or component can also include a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy. The movement and its functions are operated and / or controlled via the operating device 1.

[0038] To this end, the operating device 1 for operating the functions of the movement comprises:

[0039] - support 3;

[0040] a control member 2 , for example a push-button or a crown with a rotating head or a crown with a push-button, a winding push-button or any crown capable of operating a timepiece movement; and

[0041] - Functional components, such as operating member 4 , hand-setting member and actuating member for the manual winding mechanism.

[0042] In this operating device 1, the support 3 (which may also be called "support and guide") is preferably a tube provided with a through opening configured to provide a sliding guide. This tube is intended to be fixedly engaged in a through hole extending radially in the middle part 6 of the watch. Therefore, in this configuration, the support 3 is arranged immobile relative to the watch movement.

[0043] Control member 2 is movably mounted in this through opening of support 3. This control member 2 is intended to be engaged in middle part 6 of case 5 of the watch by means of support 3. This control member 2 comprises a gripping element 7, a rotational drive element 8 formed by a tubular extension rigidly connected to this gripping element 7, and a transmission member 31 forming one end of this control member 2. In this control member 2, as will be seen below, when gripping element 7 is actuated to perform a rotational movement, said drive element 8 causes transmission member 31 to rotate. It should be noted that in this configuration, when the control member is a crown, gripping element 7 may be, for example, a crown head.

[0044] In the control member 2, the drive element 8 is basically arranged in the support 3, and is also configured to move or even slide in an opening provided in the support 3. More specifically, the drive element 8 includes a hollow body consisting of two parts, namely: a fastening portion 9a of the operating member 4, and an actuating portion 9b, the drive element 8 is connected to the gripping element 7 of the control member 2 by means of the fastening portion 9a, and the actuating portion 9b includes the end of the drive element 8. The actuating portion 9b is able to participate in the operation of the third function and the fourth function of the watch movement through the coupling element 9c provided therein. In the body of the drive element 8, the actuating portion 9b is arranged successively with the fastening portion 9a. In addition, the fastening portion 9a and the actuating portion 9b are connected to each other by a shoulder 16 formed on the outer surface of the body of the drive element 8, as shown in Figures 4 to 7 The actuating portion 9b consists of a main portion 23a and a terminal portion 23b, the terminal portion 23b comprising the above-mentioned coupling element 9c. In this configuration, the main portion 23a is located between the shoulder 16 and the terminal portion 23b.

[0045] In the drive element 8, the coupling element 9c extends perpendicularly to the outer surface of the actuating portion 9b. More specifically, the coupling element 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the region of the outer surface included in the terminal portion 23b of the actuating portion 9b. In other words, the coupling element 9c extends substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of the control member 2.

[0046] As described above, the actuating portion 9b formed of the main portion 23a and the terminal portion 23b constitutes the end of the rotation drive element 8. Therefore, it can be clearly said that the coupling element 9c of the actuating portion 9b extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the end.

[0047] Furthermore, the fastening portion 9a of the drive element 8 can be pressed into the gripping element 7 of the control member 2 or made integral therewith. As mentioned above, the drive element 8 is comprised in Figures 4 to 7 The shoulder 16 in the figure connects the fastening part 9a and the actuating part 9b together. Such a shoulder 16 preferably has a flat surface. It should be noted that this surface is also substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the control member 2.

[0048] Furthermore, the drive element 8 further comprises a drive region 33 formed in its inner surface. More specifically, the drive region 33 is formed in a portion of the inner surface located in the fastening portion 9a of the drive element 8. The drive region 33 comprises a contact surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0049] As mentioned above, the control member 2 also comprises a transmission member 31 for transmitting the rotational movement to at least one functional member of the operating device 1. The transmission member 31 comprises a spring 19, which is freely mounted in the hollow body of the drive element 8, in particular in a cylindrical housing defined in a fastening portion 9a of the drive element 8, the fastening portion 9a being fastened to the gripping element 7 of the control member 2. The transmission member 31 also comprises a compression member 20 for compressing the spring 19, the compression member 20 being supported on a rod 21, the end of which forms one end of the transmission member 31 and also one end of the control member 2. The compression member 20 comprises a shoulder 22, which forms a bearing area for supporting a first end of the spring 19, the shoulder 22 facing the gripping element 7 of the control member, which gripping element 7 therefore comprises another bearing area capable of cooperating with a second end of the spring 19.

[0050] The transmission member 31 comprises a drive region 34 formed in its outer surface. The drive region 34 comprises a contact surface which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0051] It should be noted that the drive areas 33, 34 of the drive element 8 and the transmission member 31, in particular their contact surfaces, are arranged facing each other in the control member 2. In addition, these drive areas 33, 34, in particular their contact surfaces, are configured to cooperate with each other in a frictional contact manner so as to transmit the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 to the transmission member 31 via the drive element 8.

[0052] The transmission member 31 is specifically configured as follows:

[0053] - The rotational movement applied to the gripping element 7 of the control member 2 is communicated / transmitted by:

[0054] an actuating member coupled to the manual winding mechanism when the first function of the watch is performed;

[0055] connected to the hand-setting member to operate a second function of the watch;

[0056] - Improving the cooperation between the coupling element 9c of the actuation portion 9b and the coupling element 13 of the operating member 4 so as to ensure an optimal displacement of the ring 10 of this operating member 4, as will be explained below.

[0057] As described above, operating device 1 is able to perform several functions of the movement according to the different axial positions of control member 2 relative to outer surface 32 of movement or middle part 6 of the watch and also according to the direction of rotation of control member 2 in the selected axial position.

[0058] More specifically, the control member 2 of the operating device 1 is mounted so as to be movable in the support 3, i.e. to be rotationally actuated and to be pulled away from or pushed towards the support 3 along its longitudinal axis A. In practice, the control member 2 is configured to be axially displaceable relative to its longitudinal axis A between first, second and third axial control positions in order to perform the first, second, third and fourth functions of the watch.

[0059] More specifically, when the control member 2 is placed in the first control position in order to operate the first function of the watch, its end is then mechanically connected to the actuating member. This end of the control member 2 is formed by the coupling end of the rod 21 of the transmission member 31 of the control member 2. It is therefore understood that, in this configuration, this end is coupled to the actuating member in order to transmit the rotational movement of the control member 2, in particular of its gripping element 7, to said actuating member.

[0060] In this context, the first control position may also be referred to as the winding position.It should be noted that the first control position may also be referred to as the neutral axial position or the initial axial position, as it may be the default or rest or initial position of the control member 2 .

[0061] In this case, the first control position is preferably located between the second and third axial control positions. In other words:

[0062] - in order to place control member 2 in the second control position, control member 2 is therefore displaced axially, starting from the first control position, along its longitudinal axis A in a direction opposite to that directed towards outer surface 32 of middle part 6 of movement or watch, i.e. in a direction which moves control member 2 away from outer surface 32 of middle part 6 of movement or watch;

[0063] To place control member 2 in the third control position, it is therefore displaced axially, starting from the first control position, along its longitudinal axis A in the direction towards outer surface 32 of movement or watch middle part 6 .

[0064] When the control member 2 is placed in the second control position in order to operate the second function of the watch, its end is then mechanically connected to the pointer setting member. In this configuration, the end of the control member 2 (in this case the coupling end of the rod 21) is coupled to the pointer setting member to transmit the rotational movement of the control member 2 to the pointer setting member.

[0065] It should be noted that in this configuration of the control member 2 in the first and second control positions, the drive region 33 of the drive element 8 and the drive region 34 of the transmission member 31 engage together to transmit the rotational movement from the gripping element 7 to the transmission member 31 .

[0066] Finally, when the control member 2 is placed in the third control position, a mechanical link is then established between the actuating portion 9b of the drive element 8 and the ring 10 of the operating member 4 to transmit the rotational movement of the control member 2 to the ring 10 in order to perform the third or fourth function of the watch. In this configuration, the drive areas 33, 34 are separated, i.e. they are no longer in contact, so that the rotational movement of the gripping element 7 is not transmitted to the transmission member 31.

[0067] In this context, it is understood that the drive element 8 can cooperate with the operating member 4. The operating member 4 is preferably configured to be connected to a watch movement, in particular when the mechanism of the movement is actuated to perform the third and fourth functions of the watch. To this end, the operating member 4 comprises a collar 29, a ring 10, at least one first elastic reset element 18 and at least one movable actuating element 30.

[0068] In the operating member 4, the collar 29 (also referred to as an encapsulation ring) may have various shapes as long as it surrounds the watch movement and is placed inside the middle part 6 of the case 5. In the present embodiment, the collar 29 is preferably substantially circular. The collar 29 includes an upper surface and a lower surface and an outer peripheral wall 15a and an inner peripheral wall 15b connecting the two surfaces together.

[0069] In this configuration, the upper surface of the collar 29 includes a bearing area for accommodating or receiving the ring 10 as part of its arrangement in the collar 29. The bearing area includes a flat surface, the side edges of which are raised in whole or in part over the entire length of the bearing area to ensure that the ring 10 is retained on the surface and guided, particularly when the ring 10 is displaced. The surface of the bearing area also includes an open shell cavity, which is configured to receive each first elastic reset element 18 of the operating member 4. In this configuration, the first elastic reset element 18 (which may be a coil spring) is therefore arranged below the ring 10. As will be seen below, the first elastic reset element 18 is used to automatically return the ring 10 to its rest position after the ring 10 is biased to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch.

[0070] The collar 29 of the operating member 4 also comprises a through hole 12, which connects its outer peripheral wall 15a and inner peripheral wall 15b to each other. The through hole 12 has a central axis B, which coincides with the longitudinal axis A of the control member 2. In this configuration, the geometry of the through hole 12 and its position in the collar 29 are defined so that the drive element 8 can pass therethrough. The through hole 12 comprises at least one through area 24a, 24b for the free end of the drive element 8 to pass through in order to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch.

[0071] refer to Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Fig. 9 , the through hole 12 comprises a first through area 24a and a second through area 24b, which are respectively configured to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch. In other words, the two through areas 24a, 24b make it possible to structurally configure such a through hole 12 to operate the third and fourth functions of the watch. In this context, each through area 24a, 24b comprises a central portion 26 configured for arranging the main portion 23a of the actuating portion 9b in the through hole 12, and an eccentric portion 25a, 25b configured for the passage of the coupling element 9c in the through hole 12. The eccentric portions 25a, 25b form a passage that allows the coupling element 9c to pass through the body of the collar 29 until the cooperation area 11 defined in the inner peripheral wall 15b to be discussed below. In this context, it should be understood that the two through areas 24a, 24b share the same central portion 26. In other words, the central portions 26 of the two through areas 24a, 24b are coincident. In this configuration, the central portion 26 extends over a distance from the outer peripheral wall 15a to the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 that is substantially shorter than the length of the main portion 23a of the actuating portion 9b. A distance "substantially shorter than" should be understood as a distance that is "strictly shorter than" or "significantly shorter than" the length of the main portion 23a.

[0072] The collar 29 also comprises a through opening 17, which forms a housing for receiving at least one pivoting element 14 (e.g. a lever), which can be actuated by the ring 10 in order to interact with the mechanism of the movement performing the third or fourth function. The collar 29 comprises a second elastic reset element and a retaining element, which are arranged in the housing and are intended to cooperate with the pivoting element 14 in order to place it in an initial rest position in particular. Thus, the pivoting element 14 alternates between an initial position and an actuating position in which a portion of the pivoting element 14 extends from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 in order to interact with the mechanism performing the third or fourth function to be operated. The arrangement of the pivoting element 14 in the actuating position is controlled by the ring 10, in particular by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10. It should be noted that the pivoting element 14 moves from the actuating position to the initial position under the action of the second elastic return element, which causes the pivoting element 14 to move in the direction opposite to the direction that brought it to its actuating position until it abuts against the retaining element.

[0073] As mentioned above, the collar 29 includes a cooperation area 11 for cooperation between the drive element 8 and the operating member 4. More specifically, the cooperation area 11 is where the coupling element 9c of the actuating portion 9b cooperates with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 to cause the ring 10 to move in the collar 29. The cooperation area 11 is included on the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29. Specifically, the cooperation area 11 includes a portion of the inner peripheral wall 15b to which the through hole 12 leads. In this configuration, the cooperation area 11 includes a stop element 28, which can cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10, thereby defining the travel of the ring 10 that can move in the collar 29.

[0074] In the operating device 1, the ring 10 is also called a "movable ring" and has a shape configured to ensure its arrangement and movement in the support area of ​​the collar 29. In the present embodiment, the ring 10 has a substantially circular shape. The ring 10 includes an upper surface and a lower surface and an inner side and an outer side.

[0075] As described above, the ring 10 comprises the at least one actuating element 30, the coupling element 13 and at least one connecting element for connecting to the first elastic return element 18. The ring 10 comprises as many actuating elements and connecting elements as there are functions to be operated. In the present embodiment, the ring 10 comprises two actuating elements 30, a single coupling element 13 and two connecting elements, the two connecting elements being able to cooperate with two different first elastic return elements 18, such as Figures 1 to 3 as shown, in order to operate or control the third and fourth functions.

[0076] In this ring 10, this actuating element 30 of pivoting element 14 is on the outer side of ring 10. This actuating element 30 is configured to extend toward the region 27 of the housing cavity that receives pivoting element 14, and described region is located near this pivoting element 14 to be actuated. In other words, this actuating element 30 extends toward this region 27 and relative to pivoting element 14 roughly vertically. It is understood that the position of actuating element 30 in this region 27 of housing cavity allows this actuating element 30 to be arranged in the immediate vicinity of pivoting element 14. This arrangement allows this pivoting element 14 to be actuated by this actuating element 30, so that it moves to its actuating position from its initial position. This actuating element 30 extending from the outer side of ring 10 has a shape roughly similar to the letter "L", formed by a first portion roughly perpendicular to this face and a second portion roughly parallel to this same face, and these portions are roughly perpendicular to each other.

[0077] The ring 10 also includes a connecting element for connecting to the first elastic reset element 18, which is arranged in the shell cavity in the support area of ​​the collar 29. The connecting element is on the lower surface of the ring 10. The connecting element extends from the lower surface roughly vertically toward the bottom of the corresponding shell cavity including the first elastic reset element. In other words, the connecting element is partially arranged in the shell cavity in the support area between the first end of the first elastic reset element 18 and the wall of the shell cavity. The connecting element has a shape configured to apply or apply stress on the first end in contact with it, and the second end of the first elastic reset element can be against the supporting wall of the shell cavity arranged relatively with the connecting element or supported by the supporting wall. It can be understood that in this configuration, the connecting element partially located in the shell cavity can therefore move in the space of the shell cavity, to compress the first elastic reset element when the ring 10 moves.

[0078] refer to Figure 2 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the coupling element 13 of the ring 10 is on the inner side of the ring 10. The coupling element 13 is preferably made integrally with the main body of the ring 10, and a substantially polygonal raised portion is formed on the inner side. This shape is particularly suitable for achieving optimal connection with the coupling element 9c of the actuating part 9b.

[0079] As mentioned above, the operating device 1 also comprises a transmission member 31 configured to improve the cooperation between the coupling element 9c and the coupling element 13 to ensure an optimal displacement of the ring 10 in the bearing area of ​​the collar 29. More specifically, this transmission member 31 helps to ensure that the contact established between the coupling element 9c and the inner side of the ring 10 and therefore the surface of the cooperation area 11 is maintained so as to ensure the coupling between this coupling element 9c and the coupling element 13 required for the displacement of the ring 10 in the collar 29.

[0080] In summary, therefore, when the control member 2 is placed in the third control position to operate the third function, the end of the drive element 8 is thus inserted into Figure 8a In this configuration, control member 2 is thus arranged to move in a rotational direction intended to operate the third function of the watch. During this rotational movement, coupling element 9c of drive element 8 collaborates with coupling element 13 of ring 10 in order to displace this ring 10. In this context, this displacement of ring 10 will result in the actuation of pivoting element 14, which will therefore interact with the mechanism of the movement that performs this third function.

[0081] Similarly, when the control member 2 is placed in the third control position to operate the fourth function, the end of the drive element 8 is thus inserted into Figure 8bIn this configuration, control member 2 is thus arranged to move in a rotation direction intended to operate the fourth function of the watch. This rotation direction is opposite to that used to operate the third function. During this rotational movement, coupling element 9c of drive element 8 collaborates with coupling element 13 of ring 10 to displace ring 10. In this context, this displacement of ring 10 will result in the actuation of a corresponding pivoting element 14, which will therefore interact with the mechanism of the movement performing the fourth function.

[0082] In this embodiment, it should be understood that the operating device 1 makes it possible to perform a method of operating a watch, in particular a method of operating multiple functions of the watch, in particular a method of operating four functions of the watch.

[0083] To this end, the method provides a process of actuating the operating device 1 to operate the first, second, third or fourth function of the watch. During this process, the control member 2 is manipulated to place the control member 2 in the axial control position corresponding to the function to be operated, namely:

[0084] a first axial control position for the first function, in which the drive regions 33 , 34 are engaged together to participate in the transmission of the rotational movement from the gripping element 7 to the transmission member 31 ;

[0085] a second axial control position for the second function, in which the drive regions 33 , 34 are engaged together to participate in the transmission of the rotational movement from the gripping element 7 to the transmission member 31 ;

[0086] A third axial control position for a third or fourth function, in which the drive areas 33 , 34 are separated from one another in order to prevent / inhibit / deactivate the transmission of a rotational movement from the grip element 7 to the transmission member 31 .

[0087] Manipulation of control member 2 makes it possible to move from one control position to another in order to select one of the functions of the watch. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, control member 2 is initially placed in a first axial control position corresponding to the manual winding function.

[0088] As described above, when the control member 2 is manipulated to be in the first and second control positions, the ends of the control member 2 are then respectively coupled to the actuating member of the manual winding mechanism and the hand-setting member. Once the manual winding function is completed, the method may comprise a process of deactivating the operating device 1, during which the control member 2 remains in the first control position. In the case of the hand-setting function, the process of deactivating the operating device 1 of the method may cause the control member 2 to be pushed axially towards the outer surface 32 of the movement or middle part 6 when moving from the second control position to the first control position.

[0089] When the control member 2 is manipulated to move from the first or second control position to the third control position, the gripping element 7 is thus arranged as close as possible to the outer surface 32 of the middle part 6. During this manipulation, the control member 2 is moved axially towards the through hole 12 by compressing the spring 19 arranged between the gripping element 7 of the control member 2 and the compression piece 20 included in the control member 2. When the actuating portion 9b of the drive element 8 of the control member 2 is close to the peripheral wall 15a of the collar 29 of the operating member 4 or in contact therewith, the control member 2 is then rotatably manipulated to insert the actuating portion 9b into at least one through area 24a, 24b of the through hole 12. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the through hole 12 may include two through areas 24a, 24b for operating different third and fourth functions of the watch. In this context, the control member 2 is therefore rotated in a first direction in order to select the passage zone 24a, 24b associated with the third or fourth function to be operated and to insert the actuating portion 9b therein until the shoulder 16 of the drive element 8 abuts against the peripheral wall 15a of the collar 29. Once the shoulder 16 abuts against the peripheral wall 15a, the control member 2 is then manipulated in a second direction opposite to the first direction to be placed in a third control position in order to cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. In the latter configuration, the coupling element 9c of the actuating portion 9b can thus cooperate with the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. It should be noted that in this third control position, the coupling element 9c is kept in abutment against the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 under the action of the spring 19, which exerts an elastic restoring force on the control member 2. It should be noted that the third control position is a position in which the actuating portion 9b of the drive element 8 of the control member 2 engages in the through hole 12 and / or in which the actuating portion 9b cooperates or is coupled to the ring 10. In other words, the third control position is a position in which the main portion 23 a of the actuating portion 9 b is arranged in the through hole 12 .

[0090] Subsequently, manipulation of the control member 2 in the second rotational direction causes a displacement of the ring 10 in the bearing region of the collar 29, due to the cooperation between the coupling element 9c and the coupling element 13 of the ring 10. This displacement continues until the coupling element 13 comes into contact with the corresponding stop element 28 of the cooperation region 11. This displacement of the ring 10 causes the first elastic return element 18, which is arranged in a housing defined in the bearing region below the ring 10, to be stressed by means of its connecting element. During this displacement, the actuating element 30 of the ring 10 actuates the corresponding pivoting element 14, causing the position of this pivoting element 14 to change and move to an actuated position in which a portion of this pivoting element 14 protrudes from the inner peripheral wall 15b of the collar 29 in order to interact with the corresponding mechanism of the movement to perform the third and fourth functions.

[0091] Subsequently, once the manipulation of the control member 2 is completed, the ring 10 is automatically placed in its rest position under the action of the first elastic return element 18, which then resumes its rest shape. Placing the ring 10 in its rest position automatically places the pivoting element 14 in its initial position, since it is no longer stressed by the actuating element 30 of the ring 10.

[0092] Subsequently, the method may comprise a process of deactivating the operating device 1, during which the control member 2 is manipulated so as to be moved from the third control position to the first control position. In this context, the control member 2 is therefore rotated in the first direction until the coupling element 9c is positioned facing the eccentric portions 25a, 25b of the corresponding through-regions 24a, 24b of the through-hole 12 of the collar 29. In this configuration, the spring 19 arranged in the control member 2 returns to its rest shape, thereby causing an axial displacement of the control member 2, which causes the actuating portion 9b of the drive element 8 to be extracted from the through-regions 24a, 24b and automatically places the control member 2 in the first control position.

[0093] It should also be noted that, in the present specification, “substantially vertical” or “substantially vertically” should be understood as “strictly vertical” or “apparently vertical”.

[0094] The invention has been described above by way of example only. It goes without saying that modifications may be made while still remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, it will be appreciated that the operating device 1 may be configured to perform more than the four functions described here in the present embodiment, in particular by including a collar 29 whose through hole 12 includes more than two areas for the passage of the actuating portion 9b of the drive element 8 of the control member 2.

[0095] Technical terms

[0096] 1. Operating device

[0097] 2. Control components

[0098] 3. Support

[0099] 4. Operation components

[0100] 5. Case

[0101] 6. Middle parts

[0102] 7. Grip elements of control members

[0103] 8. Driving components

[0104] 9a. Fastening part

[0105] 9b. Actuation part

[0106] 9c. Coupling element of the actuating part

[0107] 10. Ring parts

[0108] 11. Collaboration Area

[0109] 12. Through hole

[0110] 13. Connecting elements of ring parts

[0111] 14. Pivoting element

[0112] 15a. Outer wall

[0113] 15b. Inner wall

[0114] 16. The outer surface of the driving element includes a shoulder

[0115] 17.Through opening

[0116] 18.First elastic restoring element

[0117] 19. Spring

[0118] 20.Compression parts

[0119] 21. Rod

[0120] 22. Compression Shoulder

[0121] 23a. Main part of the actuator

[0122] 23b. Terminal portion of the actuator portion

[0123] 24a. First Pass Area

[0124] 24b. Second Pass Area

[0125] 25a. Eccentric part of the first pass area

[0126] 25b. Eccentric portion of the second pass area

[0127] 26. The central part common to the first passing area and the second passing area

[0128] 27. The area of ​​the through opening arranged near the pivot element

[0129] 28. Stop element in the collaboration area

[0130] 29. Ring

[0131] 30.Actuating element of ring

[0132] 31. Transmission components

[0133] 32. The outer surface of the middle part

[0134] 33. Driving area included in the driving element

[0135] 34. The driving area included in the transmission component

Claims

1. An operating device (1) for a watch, the operating device (1) comprising a control member (2) movably mounted in a support (3) of the operating device (1), the support (3) being intended to be immobile relative to a timepiece movement of the watch, the control member (2) comprising a gripping element (7), a drive element (8) and a transmission member (31), the drive element (8) being mounted in rigid connection with the gripping element (7), the transmission member (31) being rotatable by the drive element (8), the transmission member (31) being configured to cooperate with an actuating member of a manual winding mechanism capable of storing mechanical energy for actuating the operating device (1) in order to operate a first function of the watch, the transmission member (31) being further configured to cooperate with a hand-setting member of the operating device (1) in order to control a second function of the watch, and the drive element (8) being configured to cooperate with an operating member (4) of the operating device (1) in order to operate a third function and a fourth function of the watch.

2. The operating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The control member (2) is configured to be axially displaced relative to its longitudinal axis (A) between a first control position, a second control position and a third control position to perform a first function, a second function, a third function and a fourth function of the watch.

3. The operating device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The control member (2) is placed in a first control position in which a mechanical connection is established between one end of the transmission member (31) and the actuating member to transmit the rotational movement of the control member (2) to the actuating member in order to perform the first function of the watch.

4. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The control member (2) is placed in a second control position in which a mechanical connection is established between one end of the transmission member (31) and the pointer setting member to transmit the rotational movement of the control member (2) to the pointer setting member in order to perform the second function of the watch.

5. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: When the control member (2) is placed in the first control position and the second control position, the drive region (33) of the drive element (8) engages with the drive region (34) of the transmission member (31) to transmit the rotational movement from the gripping element (7) to the transmission member (31).

6. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The control member (2) is placed in a third control position, in which a mechanical connection is established between the free end of the drive element (8) of the control member (2) and a ring (10) movably mounted in a collar (29) of the operating member (4) of the operating device (1), so as to transmit the rotational movement of the control member (2) to the ring (10) so as to perform the third function or the fourth function of the watch.

7. The operating device (1) according to claim 6, wherein: When the control member (2) is placed in the third control position, the drive region (33) of the drive element (8) and the drive region (34) of the transmission member (31) are separated from each other to prevent the transmission of rotational movement from the gripping element (7) to the transmission member (31).

8. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein: The ring (10) of the operating member (4) is configured to actuate a mechanism of the timepiece movement of the watch for performing the third function and the fourth function.

9. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The collar (29) comprises, on its inner peripheral wall (15b), a cooperation area (11) for cooperation between the ring (10) and the free end of the drive element (8), the cooperation area (11) comprising a stop element (28) which limits the travel of the ring (10) movably mounted in the collar (29).

10. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: The collar (29) includes a through hole (12) connecting the outer peripheral wall (15a) and the inner peripheral wall (15b) of the collar (29), and the through hole (12) includes a passing area (24a, 24b) for allowing the actuating part (9b) of the drive element (8) to pass through.

11. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein: The passage area (24a, 24b) comprises a central portion (26) configured to arrange a main portion (23a) of an actuating portion (9b) of the drive element (8) in the through hole (12), and an eccentric portion (25a, 25b) forming a passage allowing a coupling element (9c) of the actuating portion (9b) to pass through the body of the collar (29).

12. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein: The ring (10) comprises an actuating element (30) for actuating a pivoting element (14) of the operating member (4), the pivoting element (14) being configured to actuate a mechanism for performing the third function or the fourth function of the watch.

13. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein: The operating member (4) comprises a first elastic return element (18) configured to automatically return the ring (10) to a rest position.

14. An operating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first control position is located between the second control position and the third control position.

15. The operating device (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein: The drive region (33) of the drive element (8) is formed on an inner surface of the drive element (8), and the drive region (34) of the transmission member (31) is formed on an outer surface of the transmission member (31).

16. A table, characterized in that The watch comprises an operating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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